Śuka

Shuka preaching to sages.

The sage Vyasa with disciples observes his son Sukya approaching them like a ball of fire - Razmnama, or Book of War ca.1598

Śuka (also Sukadev, Sukadeva Gosvami, Shuka, Shukadeva, Shuka deva) was the son of the sage Vyasa (credited as the author of the Vedas and Puranas) and the main narrator of the Bhagavata Purana. Most of the Bhagavata Purana consists of Śuka reciting the story to the dying king Parikshit. Śuka is depicted as a sannyasi, renouncing the world in pursuit of moksha (liberation), which most narratives state that he achieved. He is the fifth and final member of the Rishi Parampara of the Advaita Guru Paramparā. He is believed to be the guru of Gaudapada who is the grand guru of the major Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara.

According to the Mahābhārata, after one hundred years of austerity by Vyasa, Śuka 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 Śuka 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. Śuka asked Janaka about the way to liberation, with Janaka recommending the traditional progression of the four ashramas, which included the householder stage. After expressing contempt for the householder life, Śuka questioned Janaka about the real need for following the householder path. Seeing Śuka's advanced state of realization, Janaka told him that there was no need in his case.

Stories recount how Śuka surpassed his father in spiritual attainment. Once, when following his son, Vyasa encountered a group of celestial nymphs who were bathing. Śuka's purity was such that the nymphs did not consider him to be a distraction, even though he was naked, but covered themselves when faced with his father. Śuka is sometimes portrayed as wandering about naked, due to his complete lack of self-consciousness.

An entirely alternate version of the later life of Śuka is given in the Devi-Bhagavata Purana, considered a secondary Purana (upapurana) by many, but an important work in the Shakta tradition. In this account, Śuka is convinced by Janaka to follow the ashrama tradition, and returns home to marry and follow the path of yoga. He has five children with his wife Pivari—four sons and a daughter. The story concludes in the same vein as the more common tradition, with Śuka achieving moksha.

A place called shukachari is believed to be cave of Shuka, where he disappeared in cave stones as per local traditions. Shuka in Sanskrit means parrot and thus name derived from parrots found in large number around Shukachari hills. Shukachari literally means abode of parrots in Sanskrit language.

See also

• Bhagavad Gita
• Hindu mythology
• Krishna