Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 28
Nanda Mahārāja Celebrates Kṛṣṇa’s Birth; Vasudeva Warns of Danger
पुंसस्त्रिवर्गो विहित: सुहृदो ह्यनुभावित: । न तेषु क्लिश्यमानेषु त्रिवर्गोऽर्थाय कल्पते ॥ २८ ॥
puṁsas tri-vargo vihitaḥ suhṛdo hy anubhāvitaḥ na teṣu kliśyamāneṣu tri-vargo ’rthāya kalpate
When one’s friends and relatives are properly situated, one’s religion, economic development and sense gratification, as described in the Vedic literatures, are beneficial. Otherwise, if one’s friends and relatives are in distress, these three cannot offer any happiness.
Vasudeva regretfully informed Nanda Mahārāja that although he had his wife and children, he could not properly discharge his duty of maintaining them and was therefore unhappy.
FAQs
This verse says the trivarga (dharma-artha-kāma) has no real value if one’s well-wishers and dependents are in distress; compassion and responsibility come first.
In the context of Kaṁsa’s terror, Vasudeva emphasizes that ordinary goals of life are meaningless if family and friends are endangered—urging practical concern and protection.
Prioritize the welfare of those in your care—family, community, and dependents—over personal gain or pleasure, and let ethical duty be guided by empathy.