{"id":3805,"date":"2010-07-11T05:46:58","date_gmt":"2010-07-11T05:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/?p=3805"},"modified":"2022-07-05T15:08:12","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T09:38:12","slug":"sriya-suka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/writings\/krishna-talk-articles\/srila-bhakti-gaurava-narasingha-maharaja\/sriya-suka\/","title":{"rendered":"\u015ar\u012by\u0101 \u015auka"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you have been attending extensive hari-kath\u0101<\/em> in recent years then you may have heard or read the story of R\u0101dh\u0101\u2019s parrot generally known as \u015ar\u012by\u0101 \u015auka. The story is paraphrased as follows:<\/p>\n

One day, Lord \u015aiva was speaking the Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em> for his wife P\u0101rvat\u012b to hear. As \u015aiva spoke in deep rapture, P\u0101rvat\u012b herself was not so attentive and began to slumber. A parrot however was sitting nearby and he appeared to be listening to Lord \u015aiva as he spoke. Suddenly \u015aiva could see that P\u0101rvat\u012b had not been listening. Then he understood that the parrot had seemed to have taken it all in. \u015aiva began to reflect that this ignorant bird had heard the Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em> but would simply repeat it, as parrots are prone to do and thus make a mockery of the great message of Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em>. \u015aiva thus decided to terminate the parrot, at which time the bird took flight in great fear with \u015aiva in hasty pursuit. The chase was on and the parrot soon reached the \u0101\u015brama<\/em> of Vy\u0101sadeva where he flew into the mouth of Vatik\u0101, Vy\u0101sadeva\u2019s wife, entering her womb. The parrot was now safe. For sixteen years the parrot stayed within the womb of Vatik\u0101 before taking birth, becoming known as \u015aukadeva, the son of Vy\u0101sa, and eventually as the speaker of the Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em> to Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Pariksit.<\/p>\n

Yet we are told that the original identity of \u015aukadeva was that of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b\u2019s pet parrot. The story goes thus:<\/p>\n

\u201cR\u0101dh\u0101\u2019s pet parrot (\u015auka) used to sit on Her left hand while She would affectionately feed him the seeds from pomegranate fruit. She would pet him affectionately telling him \u201cBolo K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a! Bolo K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a!\u201d This parrot would then sweetly utter the Names of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. One day that \u015auka flew away to Nandagr\u0101ma to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a who was sitting within a ku\u00f1ja<\/em> (Garden) with His friend Madhuma\u1e45gala and others. The \u015auka sat on a branch of a pomegranate tree and very sweetly began to utter K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s Name, \u201cK\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a.\u201d K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a looked toward the \u015auka and was moved. The parrot spoke again, \u201cOh, I am very wretched and unfortunate. I am k\u1e5btaghna<\/em>, ungrateful, and don\u2019t recognize the good qualities of anyone. For I have left my mistress and have come here.\u201d He uttered this in such a pitiable manner that K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a was both astonished and impressed. He at once took the parrot, who was \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b Radhika\u2019s own, in His hand and began to fondle him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s manifest l\u012bl\u0101<\/em> ended, by the order of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, the parrot, to manifest Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em>, remained in this world. Later, he entered into the mouth of Vy\u0101sadeva\u2019s wife and remained for 16 years. This \u015aukadeva is \u2018\u015ar\u012by\u0101 \u015auka,\u2019 the \u015auka of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first part of this story involving the parrot flying into the mouth of Vatik\u0101 and taking shelter in her womb is confirmed in the Mok\u1e63a-dharma Parva<\/em> of Mah\u0101bh\u0101rata, Brahma-vaivarta Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> and the Skanda Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em>. Once \u015ar\u012bla Bhaktisiddh\u0101nta Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura was asked by a noted pa\u1e47\u1e0dita<\/em> from Assam as to what was the origin of \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b. Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura replied as follows:<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the Pur\u0101\u1e47as<\/em> we find two conclusions regarding the appearance of \u015aukadeva. One story says that he took the form of \u015auka from the ara\u1e47i<\/em> wood after Vy\u0101sa saw the naked aps\u0101ra<\/em>, Gh\u1e5btac\u012b. The other story says that he was born from the womb of the wife of Vy\u0101sa.\u201d (Conversation with \u015ar\u012b \u0100tm\u0101r\u0101ma \u015a\u0101stri, Assam, October 25th 1928, The Gau\u1e0d\u012bya<\/em>)<\/p>\n

These two very different accounts for an origin of \u015aukadeva can be understood according to different kalpas<\/em> (kalpa-bheda<\/em>). In one kalpa<\/em> \u015aukadeva appeared from the ara\u1e47i<\/em> wood and from another kalpa<\/em> (our kalpa<\/em>) he appeared from the womb of Vatik\u0101. This has also been collaborated by \u015ar\u012bla B.R. \u015ar\u012bdhara Mah\u0101r\u0101ja as follows:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Mah\u0101deva was talking about K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a to his wife Durg\u0101 (P\u0101rvat\u012b), then Durg\u0101 Devi slept while attending the talk of Mah\u0101deva. And one bird, \u015buka-pak\u1e63i<\/em> (parrot), he was hearing also, listening. And Mah\u0101deva was regularly, now and then, asking P\u0101rvat\u012b, \u2018Do you hear?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Yes!\u2019 And the bird was continuing the answer, \u2018Yes!\u2019<\/p>\n

Though Durg\u0101 slept, Mah\u0101deva was continuing. But at last \u015aiva found out that Durg\u0101 was sleeping and the bird was answering \u2013 then he chased the bird and the bird went. Suddenly somehow he managed to enter within the womb of a woman (Vatik\u0101). And then, by any function (vidh\u0101ta<\/em>), he came out as a man. \u015auka was his name.\u201d (Conversation, July 10th, 1982)<\/p>\n

Part two of the story, wherein the pet parrot of R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b flew to Nandagrama and entered the ku\u00f1ja<\/em> where K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a was seated, is cited in the eighth stavaka<\/em> of \u0100nanda V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana Campu<\/em> by \u015ar\u012b Kavi Kar\u1e47apura \u2013 a very sweet and charming narration.<\/p>\n

Part three of the story, however, wherein K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a orders the parrot to remain in this world and manifest the Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em> is not cited in any \u015b\u0101stra<\/em> or by any previous \u0101c\u0101rya<\/em>. Part three, it seems, is a conjecture. In other words, there is no evidence in literature or in the commentaries of previous \u0101c\u0101ryas<\/em> that \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b in k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a-l\u012bl\u0101<\/em> was the pet parrot of R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b. In this regard we find a very interesting statement by \u015ar\u012bla \u015ar\u012bdhara Mah\u0101r\u0101ja:<\/p>\n

\u201cVy\u0101so vetti na vetti v\u0101<\/em> \u2013 whatever K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a wants to do, that is done. \u015aukadeva was the great exponent of Bh\u0101gavatam, but it is not found that he is in the highest position of k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a-l\u012bl\u0101<\/em>. What he is delivering through his mouth, through tongue \u2013 so many high things have been transmitted through his tongue, but he may not have his stand in that plane. We don\u2019t find that \u015aukadeva has got his permanent position in R\u0101dh\u0101-K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s l\u012bl\u0101<\/em>, or in the m\u0101dhurya<\/em>\u2013rasa<\/em> as a particular sakh\u012b<\/em> also.<\/p>\n

But that what \u015aukadeva has given to us through his mouth, that is unfathomable\u2026he is delivering \u2013 aku\u1e47\u1e6dha-medhas\u0101<\/em>. He is going on. These things were coming through him flowing in a natural way. What he has delivered through his nectarine tongue has no comparison in the world ever, anywhere. But still he is considered in that way \u2013 from the general position of his previous consideration (a brahmav\u0101d\u012b<\/em>). Jag\u0101ma bhik\u1e63ubhi\u1e25 s\u0101ka\u1e41<\/em> \u2013 after giving delivery to all these things, he went away along with the beggars to nowhere. He did not care to meet Vy\u0101sadeva, his father and guru, nor his father\u2019s guru N\u0101rada, there in the meeting. He did not care for that. He chose to be unseen. He came from the unseen and entered into it again\u2026an untraceable, solitary life. But there was his guru, param-guru<\/em> \u2013 he did not care. Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a!<\/p>\n

So he was selected as some machine, loudspeaker\u2026something like that. The inspiration came only to help \u2013 that Bh\u0101gavata<\/em> is above Ved\u0101nta<\/em>, above j\u00f1\u0101na<\/em>. The j\u00f1\u0101n\u012bs<\/em> and yog\u012bs<\/em> formed the major portion of the audience, so \u015aukadeva was necessary. \u015auka-mukh\u0101d am\u1e5bta-drava-sa\u1e41yutam<\/em>. To the audience at large, it was proved that Bh\u0101gavata<\/em> is more than this non-differentiatedness \u2013 the nirvi\u015be\u1e63av\u0101da<\/em>. \u015aukadeva was necessary. That must come from him, Then those fellows will have some regard. At least they won\u2019t say, \u201cOh, we know all these things, from Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em>, from Brahma<\/em>\u2013vaivarta<\/em> Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em>, we have seen all those things \u2013 what is there more?\u201d But when coloured by the brahma-j\u00f1\u0101na<\/em> of \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b it was received with rapt attention\u2026he gave to their ears Bh\u0101gavata<\/em>.\u201d (Conversation, August 20th 1982)<\/p>\n

\u015ar\u012bdhara Mah\u0101r\u0101ja says above that:<\/p>\n

1) \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b is not found to be in the highest position of k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a-l\u012bl\u0101<\/em>.<\/p>\n

2) That \u015aukadeva may not have his stand in that plane.<\/p>\n

3) That we don\u2019t find that \u015aukadeva has got his permanent position in R\u0101dh\u0101-K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s l\u012bl\u0101<\/em>.<\/p>\n

4) That \u015aukadeva came from the unseen and entered into it again.<\/p>\n

5) That his delivery of Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em> was as some machine, \u201ca loudspeaker\u2026something like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

What \u015ar\u012bdhara Mah\u0101r\u0101ja has said about \u015aukadeva is so much deeper than what the shallow thinkers are able to appreciate.<\/p>\n

In other words, \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b did not come down from k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a-l\u012bl\u0101<\/em> from a previous position as a parrot to speak Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em> as some persons have suggested. Rather, \u015aukadeva\u2019s previous position was that of Brahman realisation and his ability to speak Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em> was due to the causeless mercy of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and nothing else.<\/p>\n

In Chapter 22 of Jaiva Dharma<\/em>, \u1e6ch\u0101kura Bhaktivinoda confirms that \u015aukadeva was the recipient of the causeless mercy of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mercy of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is of three types \u2013 v\u0101cika, \u0101loka-d\u0101na<\/em> and h\u0101rda<\/em>. Instances where K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a rewards all three types of mercy are found in the scriptures. In v\u0101cika<\/em>, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a simply promises His devotee by word of mouth, and immediately that all-benedicting crest-jewel embodiment of divine bliss and transcendentally wilful bhakti<\/em> that seeks only K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a to serve, awakens as bh\u0101va<\/em> within his heart. An example of \u0101loka-d\u0101na-k\u1e5bp\u0101 <\/em>are the sages of Da\u1e47\u1e0dak\u0101ra\u1e47ya forest, who had never directly seen the Supreme Lord. But as soon as they beheld the Lord, their hearts were flooded with bh\u0101va<\/em> and bhakti<\/em>, simply by the mercy of the Lord. Bh\u0101va<\/em> which spontaneously sprouts within the heart, as in the case of \u015ar\u012bla \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b, is due only to the causeless mercy of the Lord, or h\u0101rda-k\u1e5bp\u0101<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

So the story of \u015ar\u012by\u0101 \u015auka seems to be a compendium of the actual story of the birth of \u015aukadeva, having first entered the womb of Vatik\u0101 as a parrot, from the Pur\u0101\u1e47as<\/em>; then combined with a completely different story of R\u0101dh\u0101\u2019s pet parrot from \u0100nanda V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana Campu<\/em> and concluded with a \u2018rasika<\/em>\u2019 style twist.<\/p>\n

Strangely enough, no one has been able to put forward any evidence, either \u015b\u0101strika<\/em> or from previous \u0101c\u0101ryas<\/em>, to prove that \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b\u2019s identity in k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a-l\u012bl\u0101 <\/em>was that of R\u0101dh\u0101\u2019s pet parrot or that \u015aukadeva has any standing in k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a<\/em>\u2013l\u012bl\u0101<\/em>. To the contrary, we found that in more than 75% of the cases where we approached the heads of various sahajiy\u0101s<\/em> communities in V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana for verification of the third part of the story, they replied that it was conjecture by someone trying to stand out as a rasika<\/em>. This was strange indeed coming from the sahajiy\u0101s<\/em>.<\/p>\n

As it turns out, many members of today\u2019s Gau\u1e0d\u012bya Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava samprad\u0101ya<\/em> (particularly among western branches) are the most prone to tell the story of \u2018\u015ar\u012by\u0101 \u015auka\/R\u0101dh\u0101\u2019s Parrot\u2019 in their hari-kath\u0101.<\/em> This is especially true among those who are sentimentalists and gate-crashers of the highest l\u012bl\u0101<\/em> of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. True and sad as it may be, such are the attempts of the ignorant spurred on by ignoble leaders claiming to be Vai\u1e63\u1e47avas of the highest order. Some persons have deviated even further and gone so far as to conjecture that \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b was actually a ma\u00f1jar\u012b<\/em> in k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a<\/em>\u2013l\u012bl\u0101<\/em>, surpassing even the position of R\u0101dh\u0101\u2019s parrot. But such conjectures are a shabby substitute for \u015b\u0101strika<\/em> truth.<\/p>\n

Someone may ask, \u201cWhat difference does it make even if some of the story is conjecture? It is still sweet anyway!\u201d The answer is that such conjectures are bitter and distasteful like n\u012bmboli<\/em> (the fruit of the n\u012bma<\/em> tree) to those whose hearts are truly filled with the nectar of k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a-prema<\/em>. Even a little conjecture of the truth spoils the whole thing. It becomes ras\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/em> \u2013 rasa<\/em> with artificial sweetener.<\/p>\n

Some contemporary Vai\u1e63\u1e47avas are so confused regarding higher and lower topics, that they prefer the devotion of \u015aukadeva over that of great personalities such as Prahl\u0101da Mah\u0101r\u0101ja and Advaita \u0100c\u0101rya, saying that such personalities cannot give k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a-prema<\/em>. They speak of k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a<\/em>\u2013prema<\/em> as though it were a handout from the public welfare services and all one need do is just take it (take initiation from the rasika<\/em>). This understanding is indeed pitiful. Such a mentality springs from the deepest ignorance born of \u2018\u0101m\u0101ra guru jagat-guru<\/em>\u2019 and smacks of pigheadedness and false egotism.<\/p>\n

Mah\u0101prabhu Himself became very angry when \u015ar\u012bv\u0101sa Pa\u1e47\u1e0dita tried to compare Advaita \u0100c\u0101rya with \u015aukadeva. Mah\u0101prabhu rebuked \u015ar\u012bv\u0101sa with a slap and told him that \u015aukadeva was a mere infant compared to Advaita who had the deepest connection with caitanya<\/em>\u2013l\u012bl\u0101<\/em>. The story appears in Caitanya-bh\u0101gavata, Antya-kha\u1e47\u1e0da<\/em> 9.282-296 as follows:<\/p>\n

The Lord said, \u201cO \u015ar\u012bv\u0101sa, tell Me what type of Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava do you think Advaita Prabhu is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u015ar\u012bv\u0101sa Pa\u1e47\u1e0dita thought for a while and finally said, \u201cI consider Him to be similar to \u015aukadeva or Prahl\u0101da.\u201d<\/p>\n

Upon hearing the comparison of Advaita with Prahl\u0101da and \u015aukadeva, the Lord became angry and hit \u015ar\u012bv\u0101sa.<\/p>\n

Just as an affectionate father beats his son in order to teach him, similarly the Lord gave a slap to \u015ar\u012bv\u0101sa.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you say? What did you say, Pa\u1e47\u1e0dita \u015ar\u012bv\u0101sa? You are comparing My N\u0101\u1e0da (Advaita) with \u015aukadeva or Prahl\u0101da!<\/p>\n

\u201cYou may claim that \u015aukadeva is fully liberated, but compared to N\u0101\u1e0da, he is like a child.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow dare you say such a thing about My N\u0101\u1e0da? O \u015ar\u012bv\u0101sa, today you have put Me in great distress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Saying this, the Lord in an angry mood grabbed a stick in His hand and ran after \u015ar\u012bv\u0101sa to hit him. \u015ar\u012b Advaita \u0100c\u0101rya then stood up and gently caught hold of the Lord\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cO Lord, a father teaches his sons out of compassion. So who in the three worlds is a suitable candidate for Your anger?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHearing the words of Advaita \u0100c\u0101rya, the Lord gave up His anger and in ecstasy began to profusely glorify Advaita.<\/p>\n

The Lord said, \u201cSince all of you are just like My children, My anger has now dissipated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho can understand the glories of N\u0101\u1e0da? It was He who awakened Me from sleep and called Me here.<\/p>\n

The Lord said, \u201cO \u015ar\u012bv\u0101sa, is this how you show respect to My N\u0101\u1e0da?<\/p>\n

\u201c\u015auka and others are like His children. You should know that they are all junior to N\u0101\u1e0da.\u201d<\/p>\n

Our conclusion is as \u015ar\u012bla \u015ar\u012bdhara Mah\u0101r\u0101ja and others have stated \u2013 that \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b has no permanent position in k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a-l\u012bl\u0101<\/em> and that he was empowered by the causeless mercy of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a to speak \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em>.<\/p>\n

I am writing this essay on \u015ar\u012by\u0101 \u015auka to set straight the record because I too have told this conjectured story in the past as though it were true thru and thru. To err is human, but to admit one\u2019s mistakes and to be rectified with the proper understanding is to make real advancement. To remain in ignorance \u2013 even if one thinks that such ignorance is bliss \u2013 is to continue on the path of doom!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u2018\u015ar\u012by\u0101 \u015auka\u2019 was written by Swami B.G. Narasingha on July 11th 2010. This article answers the question whether \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b was the parrot of R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b and what his actual position is. After writing this, Narasingha Mah\u0101r\u0101ja received a number of death threats from certain quarters, inspiring him to write a follow-up article, \u2018Heresy, Inquisition, Jihad, Fatwa and the Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47as.\u2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3810,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[170,173],"krishna_talk_article":[213],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3805"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3805"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3805\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3810"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3805"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3805"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3805"},{"taxonomy":"krishna_talk_article","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/krishna_talk_article?post=3805"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}