Virtues: Detachment
Source: Devi Bhagavata Purana
Shuka was the son of sage Veda Vyasa. After completing his studies of Vedas and scriptures under Brihaspati, he wanted to take sanyasa (renounce the material world and pursue spiritual life), since he considered himself to be completely detached from worldly pleasures. He was not interested in grihastha ashrama (family life). He sought his father’s permission before taking up sanyasa. However his father Vyasa wanted his son to marry and settle down and go through the grihastha ashrama. Unable to convince him, Vyasa asked Shuka to take the counsel of king Janaka, the ruler of Videha kingdom. Janaka, the adoptive father of Sita, was exemplar of non-attachment and considered to be a jeevan mukta (free from worldly illusions).
Shuka on reaching the king’s palace grew skeptical — how could a king living in such splendor, in a gorgeous palace be detached! Thus he would return 12 times without meeting Janaka. It is said that though Shuka was born with 12 supernatural powers, he lost one each time he went to king Janaka but returned without getting initiated. On the twelfth occasion, while returning from the palace without meeting the king, he saw an old man throwing heaps of sand into a river. When asked by Shuka the purpose of this excercise, he said he was attempting to build a bridge. Suka was incredulous and told him that using sand to build a bridge is a waste of effort; he advised him to use wood and stones instead. The old man, who was Narada in disguise, retorted that he was no better that Shuka who is wasting his efforts due to his indecisiveness and haughtiness.
Shuka understood the message; he was determined to meet the king next day. The king welcomed him and asked Shuka the purpose of his visit. Shuka told that he has come to seek the king’s guidance as per his father’s instruction. Janaka said that as per Hindu scriptures, all humans must seek moksha (liberation) as his life goal, but in a progressive manner viz. after going through the four life stages viz. brahmacharya (study of scriptures, remaining celibate), followed by grihastha, vanaprastha (retired life), and finally sanyasa. Shuka countered that this progression was unnecessary for him, since he had already developed sufficient vairagya (detachment).
While the king was thus conversing to Shuka, a palace guard came and announced the city was on fire. The king was unperturbed and continued his conversation. Within few minutes, the guard announced that now the fire has spread and the whole city was burning. The king was nonchalant and sent the guards away. For the third time, the guard came and informed that the fire has now reached the palace gates. Now, Shuka had left his kamandala (oblong shaped water pot used by sanyasins) outside the palace gate before entering the palace. On hearing that the fire has reached the palace gate, he was reminded of his only worldly possession and immediately rushed to retrieve his kamandala.
The king then asked Shuka how come a detached person like Shuka can’t let go of a mere kamandala. Shuka realized that he was not completely unattached. He was unlike Janaka, who though lived with all the accouterments of a luxuries life, was not in the least attached to worldly pleasures. The wise king then said that he lives in this world performing his duties in various capacities as a king, husband, father etc. while never losing his focus on the highest reality. He is discharging his responsibilities as an administrator of God. He said that that was his secret to being a liberated person, even while living in this world.
Shuka sought to become the disciple of Janaka, which he duly accepted. He advised Shuka to marry, beget children, perform his duties as a family man, and then retire to the forest and meditate. King Janaka thus successfully transformed the blessed but slightly conceited Shuka into a humble and wise being.