SECTION TWENTY-FIVE

Therefore it is said:

            "At that time all the great minds and thinkers,  accompanied by their disciples and sages who could verily sanctify a place of pilgrimage just by their presence, arrived there on the plea of making a pilgrim's journey. From different parts of the universe there arrived great sages like Atri, Vaçiñöha, Cyavana, Çaradvän, Ariñöanemi, Båghu, Angira, Parasara, Viçvämitra,  Paraçuräma, Utathya, Indrapramada, Idhmabähu, Medhätithi, Devala, Ärñöisena, Bharadväja, Gautama, Pippaläda, Maitreya, Aurva, Kavaña, Kumbhayoni, Dvaipäyana and the great personality Närada.  

            "There were also many other saintly Devärñis, Brahmärñis, and special royal orders called aruëadayas (a special rank of räjärñis) from different dynasties of sages. When they all assembled to meet the Emperor (Parékñita), he received them properly and bowed his head to the ground.

            "After all the åñis and others had seated themselves comfortably, the king again bowed down and standing before them with folded hands humbly told them of his decision to fast until death." (SB. 1.19.8-12)

Thereafter the King spoke:

            "O trustworthy brähmaëas, I now ask you about my immediate duty. Please, after proper deliberation, tell me of the unalloyed duty of everyone in all circumstances, and specifically of those who are just about to die." (SB. 1.19.24)

Then after the King's query: "At that moment there appeared the powerful son of Vyäsadeva, who traveled over the earth disinterested and satisfied within himself. He did not manifest any symptoms of belonging to any social order or status of life. He was surrounded with women and children, and he dressed as if others had neglected him (like an Avadhüta). (SB.1.19.25)

            Then : "(He was blackish and very beautiful due to his youth. Because of the glamor of his body and his attractive smiles, he was pleasing to women. Though he tried to cover his natural glories, the great sages present were all expert in the art of physiognomy), and so they honored him by rising from their seats."(SB. 1.19.28)

            And finally: "The most glorious Çukadeva Gosvämé, surrounded by the most eminent group of brahmacäris, räjärñis, and devärñis shone brilliantly, like the moon surrounded by clusters of planets and constellations of stars. (SB. 1.19.30)

 

 ÇRÉ JÉVA TOÑAËÉ COMMENTARY

             After Ñåìgé cursed Mahäräja Parékñita, the king renounced his kingdom and took a vow to fast until death on the bank of the Ganges. At that time sages of all classes and orders from various parts of the universe assembled there. This included even incarnations of the Lord such as Paraçuräma and Çréla Vyäsadeva. When Parékñita Mahäräja inquired from them about the duties of a person, especially of one who is about to die, no one gave a definitive answer. At that time the most noble Çukadeva Gosvämé arrived and he was unanimously chosen as the right person to answer Mahäräja Parékñita's query.

            In the previous anuccheda Jéva Gosvämé said Çukadeva was respected as guru by all the sages. In this section he gives the references to support his claim. Çukadeva spoke Çrémad Bhägavatam in answer to Parékñita Mahäräja's question. That means that the conclusions of the Çrémad Bhägavatam were accepted by all the assembled sages, which included propagators and followers of various philosophies. Just as Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé is compared to an effulgent moon among the starlike sages, so is the Çrémad Bhägavatam among all other scripture.

            Next, Çréla Jéva Gosvämé shows that Çrémad Bhägavatam is the representative of Lord Kåñëa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.