Only One Question

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad
Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj
Kolkata, preaching programme,
16 January 2021, part 10
Translated from Bengali

When Sukadev Goswami finally appeared from his mother's womb, he immediately ran away to the forest. Vyasadev ran after him, calling out, "Sukadev! Listen! Listen! Hold on!" Sukadev did not hear and did not see anything except the Lord. He did not even have the eyes to see anything. Eventually, he came to the Himalayas. It is cold in the mountains, so girls bathe in the mountains without clothes (because it is hard to dry clothes due to the cold weather and rain). At that time Sukadev was already 16 years old, but even when they saw him, they did not feel shy—it did not cross their minds that Sukadev was a youth and they had to cover themselves with some clothes. However, when they say Vyasadev coming behind Sukadev, they immediately put on some clothes. You can understand how great Sukadev's glory is. That is why Sivji Maharaj said, "Aham vedmi, Suka vetti, Vyasa vetti na vetti va. I know it, Sukadev Goswami knows it, but Vyasadev may or may not know it." This Sukadev Goswami roamed forests without seeing anyone or anything.

In the mean time, another event took place. Pariksit Maharaj was cursed by a brahman. According to that curse, he had to die in seven days. He got this notice, but we are not as fortunate—who of us will get a notice that we will die even in seven minutes? There is no such guarantee for us. However, Pariksit Maharaj has got this kind of guarantee that he would die in seven days. He has got this opportunity and he used it. Many sages came from all sampradayas and religions and started giving him advice what to do according to their conception. Suddenly, Sukadev Goswami, a stark naked sixteen-year-old boy, appeared at that assembly of sages.

When Sukadev came, he did not see anyone—so many great sages were sitting at the assembly, but he did not see anyone, did not offer his obeisance to anyone. Even though his own father Vyasadev and grandfather Parasaramuni were there, who were the greatest scholars, but Sukadev did not see even them. When Sukadev came, all the sages said to King Pariksit, "Our common opinion is that we will agree with whatever Sukadev instructs." Pariksit Maharaj offered a seat to Sukadev, and then Sukadev saw Pariksit and spoke to him. Beside them was seated Suta Goswami, who had a special gift of memory (once he heard anything, he could remember it). Suta Goswami heard what Sukadev Goswami told Pariksit Maharaj and later told it to the 60,000 sages at Naimisaranya.

Sukadev Goswami asked Pariksit Maharaj, "Tell me, what is your question?"

"Tell me, how can I get benefit?" asked Pariksit Maharaj.

"What you have said is right! There is only one question, and the answer is also only one."

Those who ask too many questions are under the influence of illusory environment. The question is only one, "How can I get benefit?" As Sukadev spoke the answer to this question, the entire Srimad Bhagavatam came out. If you put all Bhagavatam books together (with the commentary), they weight 40 kg! Such a great scripture came out of that seven-day-long conversation! This is how Srimad Bhagavatam appeared.

There is no need to ask many questions. The only question is how you can get benefit, and the answer to this question is service to the Lord. If you serve the Supreme Lord, you will get benefit.

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