Ugrashravas or Suta Muni

 

Ugrashravas Sauti (Sanskrit: उग्रश्रवस् सौती, also Ugraśravas, Sauti, Sūta, Śri Sūta, Suta Goswami) was the narrator of Mahābhārata and several Puranas including Shiva Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Harivamsa, Brahmavaivarta Purana, and Padma Purana, with the narrations typically taking place before the sages gathered in Naimisha Forest. He was the son of Lomaharshana (or Romaharshana), and a disciple of Vyasa, the author of Mahābhārata. Ugrasrava was a Sutā by caste, as he was born of a Kshatriya father and Brahmin mother. Ugrasrava was a bard of Puranic literature.

The entire Mahābhārata epic was structured as a dialogue between Ugrasrava Sauti (the narrator) and sage Saunaka (the narratee). The narration (Bharata) of the history of Bharata kings by sage Vaisampayana to Kuru king Janamejaya was embedded within this narration of Ugrasrava Sauti. Vaisampayana's narration (Jaya) in turn contains the narration of Kurukshetra War by Sanjaya, to Kuru king Dhritarashtra. Thus Mahābhārata has as a Story within a story structure.

"Ugrasrava, the son of Lomaharshana, surnamed Sauti, well-versed in the Puranas, bending with humility, one day approached the great sages of rigid vows, sitting at their ease, who had attended the twelve year sacrifice of Saunaka, surnamed Kulapati, in the forest of Naimisha." (Mahabharata 1:1)

Sūta (Sanskrit: सूत) refers both to the bards of Puranic stories and to a mixed caste. According to Manu Smriti (10.11. 17), the sūta caste are children of a Kshatriya father and a Brahmin mother. And the narrator of several of the Puranas, Ugrasrava Sauti, son of Lomaharshana, was also called Sūta.

“Ajnaana dhvaanta vidhvamsa koti soorya sama prabha

Suta aakhyaahi kathaa saaram mama karna rasaayanam.” “O Suta Puraanika, You are on par with crores of Suns in dispelling the darkness of ignorance. I beseech you O Suta, kindly narrate us the nectar like story which soothes our ears and bestow us eternity.”

This is how sage ‘Shounaka’, who himself a great devotee of Lord addresses Suta. He is seeking spiritual wisdom, the way to enhance one’s Viveka to transmigrate thisworld of Maya. He is seeking ways from Suta to alleviate the sufferings of the people who are a victim to their demonic propensities.

Chintamanir loka sukham suradruhu svarga sampadam

Prayachchati guruh preeto vaikuntam yogi durlabham.” “Chintamani can bestow us material prosperity. Kalpa vriksha or a wish yielding tree at its best can bestow us heaven. But when a Sadguru is pleased, he can lead us to Vaikunta itself.” says Shounaka praising Suta. This is the greatness of Suta as enumerated in Mahabharata.

A person who can make others transcend the barriers of personality and unite with universal Self/God can never be bound in any single varna. He is the very embodiment of Divinity!