Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 1.4.6

katham alakshitah pauraih

sampraptah kuru-jangalan

unmatta-muka-jadavad

vicaran gaja-sahvaye

SYNONYMS

katham -- how; alakshitah -- recognized; pauraih -- by the citizens; sampraptah -- reaching; kuru-jangalan -- the Kuru-jangala provinces; unmatta -- mad; muka -- 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 sadhu, 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.

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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness