Text 7] Appearance of Sri Narada 197

katham alaksitah pauraih
sampraptah kuru-jangalan

unmatta-miika-jadavad
vicaran gaja-sahvaye

katham—how; dlaksitah—recognized; pauraih—by the citizens; sam-
praptah—reaching; kuru-jangalan—the Kuru-jangala provinces; unmatta—
mad; mitka—dumb; jadavat—stunted; vicaran—wandering; gaja-sahvaye—
Hastinapura.

TRANSLATION

How was he [Srila Sukadeva, the son of Vyasa] recognized by the
citizens when he entered the city of Hastinapura [now Delhi], after
wandering in the provinces of Kuru and Jangala, appearing like a madman,
dumb and retarded?

PURPORT

The present city of Delhi was formerly known as Hastinapura because it
was first established by King Hasti. Gosvami Sukadeva, after leaving his
paternal home, was roaming like a madman, and therefore it was very
difficult for the citizens to recognize him in his exalted position. A sage is
not, therefore, recognized by sight, but by hearing. One should approach
a sadhu or great sage not to see but to hear him. If one is not prepared to
hear the words of a sddhu, there is no profit. Sukadeva Gosvami was a
sadhu who could speak on the transcendental activities of the Lord. He did
not satisfy the whims of ordinary citizens. He was recognized when he
spoke on the subject of Bhagavatam, and he never attempted jugglery like
a magician. Outwardly he appeared to be a retarded, dumb madman, but
in fact he was the most elevated transcendental personality.

TEXT 7

wi TT Teste wader ae |
dag: TAMA TAT AeA BR IL 0 II

katham va pandaveyasya
rajarser munina saha

samvddah samabhit tata
yatraisa sdtvati srutih
