Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 40
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Homecoming, Sacrificial Assembly, and Instruction on Devotional Kingship
पुमाँल्लभेतानतिवेलमात्मन: प्रसीदतोऽत्यन्तशमं स्वत: स्वयम् । यन्नित्यसम्बन्धनिषेवया तत: परं किमत्रास्ति मुखं हविर्भुजाम् ॥ ४० ॥
pumāḻ labhetānativelam ātmanaḥ prasīdato ’tyanta-śamaṁ svataḥ svayam yan-nitya-sambandha-niṣevayā tataḥ paraṁ kim atrāsti mukhaṁ havir-bhujām
By regular service to the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas, one can clear the dirt from his heart and thus enjoy supreme peace and liberation from material attachment and be satisfied. In this world there is no fruitive activity superior to serving the brāhmaṇa class, for this can bring pleasure to the demigods, for whom the many sacrifices are recommended.
In Bhagavad-gītā (2.65) it is said, prasāde sarva-duḥkhānāṁ hānir asyopajāyate. Unless one is self-satisfied, he cannot be free from the miserable conditions of material existence. Therefore it is essential to render service to the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas to achieve the perfection of self-satisfaction. Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura therefore says:
FAQs
This verse says that when the Lord is pleased, a person quickly attains supreme peace (atyanta-śama) naturally, by constant cultivation of one’s eternal relationship with Him.
He contrasts ritual offerings meant for demigods with the higher result of direct devotion to the Lord, implying that bhakti grants the ultimate perfection beyond ritualistic goals.
Live with daily God-centered practice—hearing and chanting His names, serving devotees, and offering your work—so your relationship with the Lord becomes constant rather than occasional.