Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 48
Nārada Explains the Allegory of King Purañjana
Deha–Indriya–Manaḥ Mapping and the Remedy of Bhakti
स्वं लोकं न विदुस्ते वै यत्र देवो जनार्दन: । आहुर्धूम्रधियो वेदं सकर्मकमतद्विद: ॥ ४८ ॥
svaṁ lokaṁ na vidus te vai yatra devo janārdanaḥ āhur dhūmra-dhiyo vedaṁ sakarmakam atad-vidaḥ
Those who are less intelligent accept the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies as all in all. They do not know that the purpose of the Vedas is to understand one’s own home, where the Supreme Personality of Godhead lives. Not being interested in their real home, they are illusioned and search after other homes.
Generally people are not aware of their interest in life — to return home, back to Godhead. People do not know about their real home in the spiritual world. In the spiritual world there are many Vaikuṇṭha planets, and the topmost planet is Kṛṣṇaloka, Goloka Vṛndāvana. Despite the so-called advancement of civilization, there is no information of the Vaikuṇṭhalokas, the spiritual planets. At the present moment so-called advanced civilized men are trying to go to other planets, but they do not know that even if they go to the highest planetary system, Brahmaloka, they have to come back again to this planet. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (8.16) :
FAQs
This verse says that those with clouded intelligence think the Vedas are only for ritualistic fruitive work, but the true aim is to know and reach the Lord (Janārdana) and His abode.
Because mere ritualism can keep one focused on temporary results, while missing the Vedas’ deeper intent—devotion to the Supreme Lord and attainment of His eternal realm.
Don’t reduce spirituality to external rituals or “results.” Use practices and study to cultivate devotion, clarity of purpose, and God-centered living aimed at lasting liberation.