Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 22: Suthouvacha…Suthan said: As soon as Bhakti heard the words of Sri Narada, she regained her vigour and told the Muni:
Interpretation: Through the wise words of Shri Narada Muni, Bhakti attains self-realisation and regains her true form. It is only after one attains self-realisation that one can truly know the real purpose of life.
You may recall that in the first chapter of Mahatmyam, Shri Suthan, one of the most knowledgeable persons, a receptacle of wisdom, walks into a holy place called Naimishe where the rishis were performing a sacrifice and contemplating on the Supreme. Here Shaunaka, another learned scholar, approaches him with a request: to narrate the story of Srimad Bhagawatham.
Shaunaka has a special trait: he is capable of asking the right question at the right time. Shri Suthan continues narrating the dialogue between Shri Narada Muni and Bhakti to Shaunaka and the other Munis at Naimishe.
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 23: Sri Bhaktiyuruvacha…Hey, Muni Narada, you are a noble soul who has unshakable regards towards me. I will never abandon you and shall always remember you.
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 24: Kripaluna…Hey Muni, in minutes you were able to revive the power in me, but now please revive my two sons who are still weak and disabled.
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 25: Southouvacha…Shri Sutha said: Hearing the pleading words of Bhakti, Narada was moved. He then tried to revive the two sons by touching them.
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 26: Mukham…Keeping his mouth at the ears of Gnanya and Vairagya, Sri Narada said “Hey children, wake up.”
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 27: Vedavedanta…Hearing the Vedas and Srimad Bhagwad Gita being narrated aloud by Sri Narada, Gnanya and Vairagya, though weak, woke with difficulty and tried to get up.
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 28: Netre…Though they got up, they were unable to open their eyes. And they kept on yawning, thus displaying the weakness in them. Their hair was ash white and their limb were like dried twigs.
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 29: Kshul…They were hungry and extremely weak and interested only in going back to sleep. Seeing this state of affairs, Sri Narada was lost in thought on how to revive them.
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 30: Ahonidra…Unable how to wake them from deep slumber and seeing their weakness, hey Shounaka, Narada meditated on his favourite Lord Govinda (Narayana).
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 31: Vyomavani…Immediately, Sri Narada heard a voice from above saying: Hey Narada, do not worry, your efforts will bear fruit.
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 32: Yetatartham…Hey Muni, you will be able to revive them by approaching sadhus who will advice you on what karmas to do.
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 33: Salkarmani…If you implement the advice given by the sadhus, the slumber and weakness of these two people would immediately vanish. Bhakti will then spread everywhere.
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 34: Ithyakasha…Everybody present there heard this divine voice. Shri Narada was clueless on the blueprint of the remedy and thought to himself on what noble deeds would be able to revive the two sons of Bhakti.
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 35: Naradouvacha…Narada said to himself: what are these mysterious noble deeds to be done. I am unable to decipher this secret that would revive the two souls.
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 36: Kvabavishyanti…The divine voice had told me that sadhus would be able to advice me. But where do I find these sadhus? How will they convey the remedy to me? What should I do now?
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 37: Suthouvacha…Sutha said: Asking Bhakti and the two weak souls to wait on the banks of the Yamuna, Sri Narada set off for a journey to all holy places in quest of an answer and narrated his mission to the sadhus at all these places.
