Journey of Radha’s Parrot Shuka: A Story of Divine Devotion and Love

One day, Radha found herself without any messages to send to Krishna. Why would they need messages when they were inseparable, two souls entwined as one? Nevertheless, a little green parrot, eager and impatient, repeatedly fluttered its wings, anxious to begin its flight. Many parrots flew to Krishna daily, but this one felt special when carrying a message from Radha. “Go tell him that the butter is exceptionally tasty today and is waiting for him!” Radha instructed.

Filled with purpose, the little bird soared into the sky, following the pull of its heart. The messages were ordinary, but it made no difference. The parrot’s life and thoughts oscillated between Radha and Krishna, between longing and love.

As years passed and Radha’s time in this world neared its end, she told the parrot that his true purpose was to share the glories of her Krishna with all. Having lived in Radha’s presence, every fiber of his being was soaked in the sweet nectar of devotion. But he had only delivered Radha’s simple messages and knew not the intricacies of Krishna’s stories.

Many years later, one day the parrot wandered into Parvati’s gardens in Kailash. He noticed that Shiva was about to tell her a story. He perched himself on a branch above to listen. Luck favored him that day as Shiva began narrating the incidents from the life of Krishna in great detail, with Parvati listening and encouraging him with an occasional ‘hmm.’ So immersed was Shiva in the stories that he failed to notice Parvati had dozed off. The parrot, fearing Shiva might cease his narration, mimicked Parvati’s gentle sounds.

When Parvati eventually woke up, Shiva had finished his story, but she apologized for falling asleep. Shiva, with a puzzled expression, questioned, “If you were sleeping, then who was making the humming sound just like you?” He sensed the presence of the parrot and turned toward it, but the clever bird flew away as fast as its wings could carry it. It flew without rest or respite, finally reaching the ashram of Maharishi Veda Vyasa.

Inside Vyasa’s hermitage, the parrot entered a subtle form, immediately entering Vyasa’s wife, Vatika, the daughter of the venerable Rishi Jabali. Vyasa witnessed the occurrence and, as Shiva approached his abode, rose to offer his salutations. Shiva, inquiring about the parrot, said, “The parrot I seek has taken refuge in your abode, great Rishi. He had the audacity to imitate Parvati!” 

Vyasa, who had seen everything with his intuitive eye, responded, “O Lord, can that gentle creature be blamed for craving to hear the enchanting stories of Krishna, especially when narrated by none other than you, in the purest and most auspicious manner? Furthermore, he has been liberated from any karmic seeds after hearing your narration. He is now pure and free from the distortions of the mind. Let him be, O Mahadeva!” Shiva acknowledged the truth in Vyasa’s words and blessed the parrot.

In his subtle form, the parrot remained in deep samadhi within Vatika’s womb for sixteen years, refusing to emerge, stating that he was at peace inside. However, the time had come for him to fulfill his purpose, and Vyasa promised him that he would remain untouched by the veil of Maya and encouraged him to come out.

Upon his birth, the child instantly transformed into a sixteen-year-old boy radiating unmatched brilliance. He was named Shuka, and Vyasa imparted all his knowledge to him. Shuka furthered his studies under the guidance of Brihaspati, the guru of the devas. The boy absorbed wisdom effortlessly, like a sponge soaking up water. Despite all his learning, he still felt incomplete. Vyasa advised him to seek King Janaka as his guru to receive the highest knowledge of the Self.

For seven days, Shuka waited at the palace gates, completely ignored. He remained unfazed and radiant. Then, he was received with great pomp and indulged in sensory pleasures for another seven days, remaining unmoved. Impressed by Shuka’s unwavering centeredness, Janaka finally bestowed upon him the highest knowledge of Brahman.

Shuka radiated like a thousand suns, his presence exuding gentleness, love, and divinity. When the time came, King Parikshit (son of Abhimanyu and Uttara, and the grandson of Arjuna) sought him out to narrate the Srimad Bhagavatam in his assembly. Shuka offered prayers to the benevolent Mahadeva and began his narration. However, whenever the story touched upon Radha, he found himself unable to utter her name. Merely thinking of Radha plunged Shuka into deep Samadhi. Upon awakening, he would continue the story from where he had left off.

As a result, it is said that Radha is not mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam. The very essence of the name ‘Radha’ implies a return to the source, and it is no wonder that the mere thought of Radha sent Shuka deep within.

Shuka continued to praise Radha and Krishna for many years, staying true to his purpose. There’s a place called Shukachari in Maharashtra, India, located in the Mahadev Hills between Atpadi and Khanapur. According to local stories, this is believed to be the cave where Shuka disappeared into the rocks. In Sanskrit, “Shuka” means parrot, and the name Shukachari comes from the abundance of parrots living in the Shukachari hills. So, Shukachari essentially means “home of parrots” in Sanskrit.