Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 21
The Prayers of the Personified Vedas (Śruti-stuti) and the Indescribable Absolute
दुरवगमात्मतत्त्वनिगमाय तवात्ततनो- श्चरितमहामृताब्धिपरिवर्तपरिश्रमणा: । न परिलषन्ति केचिदपवर्गमपीश्वर ते चरणसरोजहंसकुलसङ्गविसृष्टगृहा: ॥ २१ ॥
duravagamātma-tattva-nigamāya tavātta-tanoś carita-mahāmṛtābdhi-parivarta-pariśramaṇāḥ na parilaṣanti kecid apavargam apīśvara te caraṇa-saroja-haṁsa-kula-saṅga-visṛṣṭa-gṛhāḥ
My Lord, some fortunate souls have gotten relief from the fatigue of material life by diving into the vast nectar ocean of Your pastimes, which You enact when You manifest Your personal forms to propagate the unfathomable science of the self. These rare souls, indifferent even to liberation, renounce the happiness of home and family because of their association with devotees who are like flocks of swans enjoying at the lotus of Your feet.
Ritualistic brāhmaṇas ( smārtas ) and impersonalists (Māyāvādīs) always try to relegate the process of bhakti-yoga to a relative or minor role. They say that devotion to the Personality of Godhead is for sentimental persons who lack the maturity to observe strict rituals or pursue the rigorous culture of knowledge.
FAQs
Because by associating with pure devotees and relishing the nectar of the Lord’s pastimes, their hearts become satisfied in loving service, making even liberation seem insignificant.
The personified Vedas (Śrutis) are speaking, offering prayers to the Supreme Lord—celebrated here as the master who reveals ātma-tattva by manifesting divine forms and līlā.
Seek saintly association, study and hear the Lord’s pastimes regularly, and prioritize devotion over ego-driven goals—even spiritual ambition—so that inner fulfillment comes from bhakti itself.