Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.2541

c9.2541

7) The End. While Śukadeva was thus leading his family life, teaching the Vedas and reading the Purāṇas, Nārada happened to pay a visit to him. His conversation with Nārada drew Śukadeva nearer to the path of Mokṣa. He left his father, Veda Vyāsa and his own family, went to the peak of Kailāsa and stayed there doing tapas to Paramaśiva. At last he became a perfect Siddha and rising to the Heavens shone there as a second sun. Devarṣis began to praise Śukadeva. His father Vyāsa was in deep grief at his disappearance and left his āśrama in search of Śuka. After wandering in many places he came to Kailāsa where Śuka had performed tapas and called him. Śiva who saw him utterly tired and weak took pity on him and comforted him in the following words: “Did you not pray to me for a son who would combine in himself the essences of the Pañcabhūtas? As a result of the tapas you have done and by my blessing, such a glorious son was born to you. Śuka has attained the highest position which is inaccessible to those who have not conquered their senses and difficult to attain even by the gods. Why do you worry about Śuka? The glory acquired by your eminent son will continue undiminished as long as the mountains and oceans exist. I give you my blessing that an image exactly like your son will always accompany you from today.” Just then, an image which closely resembled his son appeared before Vyāsa who was filled with rapture.