Shuka (also Shukadeva, Shuka deva, Suka, Sukadev, Shuka Brahma
) was the son of the sage Veda Vyasa (credited as the organizer of the
Vedas and Puranas) and the main narrator of the Bhagavata Purana. Most of the Bhagavata
Purana consists of Shuka reciting the story to the dying king Parikshit. Shuka is
depicted as a sannyasin, renouncing the world in pursuit of moksha (liberation),
which most narratives assert that he achieved. According to the Mahabharata, after
one hundred years of austerity by Vyasa, Shuka was churned out of a stick of fire,
born with ascetic power and with the Vedas dwelling inside him, just like his father.
The Mahabharata also recounts how Shuka was sent by Vyasa for training to King Janaka,
who was considered to be a Jivanmukta, or one who is liberated while still in a
body.
According to puranaas many believe that Suka Maharishi’s mother was not a lady of
the Suka Maharishi tribe but a real parrot. When Ved Vysa was attracted to the apsara
Ghritachi she flew away in the form of a Parrot. Thus Suka Maharishi got his name
which literally means parrot. Many a times he is illustrated as a sage with a parrot
head.
Appearance
He is portrayed as a delicate and handsome person with skin color akin to Krishna.
He is said to have a very pleasing personality and easily attracted everyone with
his smile and his beautiful wide eyes. He had curly hair that fell on his slender
neck that was “beautiful like a conch shell.” He is sometimes portrayed with a parrot
head, as we see the many reasons as to why. There is yet another reason that seems
more logical. The ancient sages did not often take samadhi in their physical form,
they usually left the bodies and took forms of bird and smaller forms and wandered
about in the world. It is said that those who seek them find them.
Spiritual Journey
Veda Vyasa wanted Suka Maharishi to settle down in his Grishasta Ashrama which was
not agreeable to Suka Maharishi. He was not keen on Grihasta which according to
him pulled him back to the samsara and the constant struggle with Kama, Krodha,
Lobha, Moha, Mada, and Matsaryam. He preferred to skip that ashrama to continue
on his spiritual journey. Veda Vyasa sends him to King Janaka who supports his decision
after Suka Maharishi convinced him that spiritual journey was his destination.
Suka Maharishi was said to have been knowledgeable right from the time he was in
his mother’s womb to the extend hat it is said that God suspended the action of
Maya for five seconds so that he could be born. It was believed
that Suka Maharishi was born as an avatara with 12 supernatural powers.
Every time he went to King Janaka he would return without getting initiated as he
was skeptical of the great King, thus he would lose one of his supernatural power
without his knowledge every time he returned from King Janaka.
Sri Swamiji and Shuka Vana
Sri Swamiji has established Shuka Vana (Parrot Park),
a rehabilitation centre for birds in the serene premises of Sri
Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashrama. This park has numerous rare and colourful
species of Parrots from the world over. Shuka Vana most importantly gives shelter
to injured & uncared birds with a high degree of commitment and compassion. Sri
Swamiji has taken a serious resolve to take care of physically challenged birds
that are not receiving proper care with their owners who have lost interest in them.
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Swami Sahaja Datta Pada, Mysore
"Swamiji, you give so many things to your devotees, how come you never give me anything?"
He looked at me and said in the most compassionate voice, "I don't give you anything,
for I have kept you in my heart"
Swamy Vishnudatta Padarenu, Russia
Sri Swamiji addressed me by my name, Varada Raja, greeted me, allowed me to do Namaskaram,
and then began speaking with me as though He had known me for several years....
Mysore Patrike Venkatramu
"I bless all those who come to me irrespective of their caste or religion. If a
Christian comes to me I tell him to believe in Jesus and continue to have faith
in his own religion. Likewise, if a Muslim comes to me I stress upon the importance
of being a good Muslim and follow his own faith..."
S Dwarkanath, Mysore
"Your friend Satyanarayana has become a Swamiji, I went and paid my respects, you
also go and do the same", I did not pay any attention to this talk so she hit me
on the head....
C S Venkatesh, Bangalore
"Wherever you work, as a clerk or an engineer, be honest and sincere and pray to
God and your Guru. You will come out good in life".....
Krishan Kumar, Mysore
Then He took me to His room and showed me a map of India, showing certain places
saying that He wanted to go there. "Will you take me? Will you take me?"....
Sheetal Persad
"Don't worry; Sri Swamiji will take care." I realized at that moment that he was
answering my thoughts. He knows everything for He is omniscient, omnipotent and
omnipresent. He is my master.....