As soon as Śuka was born, the Vedas themselves—with all their secrets and collections—became manifest to him, as though knowledge itself had taken form in his being. Desiring to perfect his understanding, he chose the illustrious Bṛhaspati, master of the Vedas, Vedāṅgas, and their commentaries, to be his teacher. Under Bṛhaspati’s guidance, Śuka diligently studied all the Vedas, delved into their hidden meanings, and mastered their vast collections. Upon completing his studies, he respectfully offered the traditional teacher’s fee to his guru. Even in his childhood, Śuka was renowned among gods and sages for his extraordinary austerity. Yet, O best of sages, his heart found no joy in the peaceful hermitages, for his mind was ever fixed on the ultimate goal—liberation. With this single-minded yearning, Śuka approached his father and humbly requested, “O blessed one, knower of the dharmas leading to liberation, please instruct me.” Hearing his son’s earnest words, the supreme sage—his father—spoke to him with wisdom. Śuka, foremost among those who know Brahman, accepted his father’s command without hesitation. Endowed with the wealth of Brahman, his brilliance and spiritual power shone a hundredfold, rivaling even that of Brahma himself. Then his father said, “Go to Janaka, the king of Mithilā.” Obediently, Śuka set out by his father’s instruction, journeying to the great king Janaka in the land of Mithilā. Along the way, a human directed him, saying, “Go in this manner,” and Śuka was not surprised. He was advised, “Proceed with straightforwardness, not seeking comfort or pleasure, even for a moment. Do not display pride at the king’s sacrifice. That king is skilled in dharma and is an expert in the scriptures of liberation.” Thus instructed, the righteous sage made his way to Mithilā. Crossing the mountains, he entered the land of Bhārata, and at last arrived among the Videhas, where he met the wise King Janaka. There, the great yogi Śuka remained, free from hunger and thirst, undisturbed in body and mind. At the palace gates, a gatekeeper stood watch. Śuka approached him with proper greeting and folded hands, offering his salutations. Within the inner palace, he was led to a great hall that resembled the mansions of the gods. The attendants showed him in, seated him with honor, and informed the king of his arrival. In accordance with his nature and out of respect for his knowledge, they served him with great care. The attendants were adorned in fine red garments and wore ornaments of heated gold. For Śuka, they prepared fifty kinds of foot-washing and other offerings. When he had partaken of the food offered, O dear one, he went to the gardens of the city. There, women played, laughed, and sang to the parrot. Āraṇeya, pure-hearted and master of anger and the senses, performed his evening rituals: he cleansed his feet and offered worship at twilight. In the first part of the night, he became absorbed in deep meditation. Rising early in the morning, he immediately performed his purification rites. In this way, Śuka spent the remainder of the day and passed that night within the royal household, O Nārada. The next day, King Janaka, having placed his priest at the forefront and all the inner chambers in order, brought forth a grand seat adorned with every kind of jewel. There, following the sacred rites of the Kārṣṇi tradition, he seated Śuka with due honor. And that best of the twice-born, having received the worship accompanied by mantras, accepted the king’s reverence with grace.