Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 15
Ṛṣabhadeva Instructs His Sons: Tapasya, Mahātmā-Sevā, and Cutting the Heart-Knot
पुत्रांश्च शिष्यांश्च नृपो गुरुर्वा मल्लोककामो मदनुग्रहार्थ: । इत्थं विमन्युरनुशिष्यादतज्ज्ञान् न योजयेत्कर्मसु कर्ममूढान् । कं योजयन्मनुजोऽर्थं लभेत निपातयन्नष्टदृशं हि गर्ते ॥ १५ ॥
putrāṁś ca śiṣyāṁś ca nṛpo gurur vā mal-loka-kāmo mad-anugrahārthaḥ itthaṁ vimanyur anuśiṣyād ataj-jñān na yojayet karmasu karma-mūḍhān kaṁ yojayan manujo ’rthaṁ labheta nipātayan naṣṭa-dṛśaṁ hi garte
If one is serious about going back home, back to Godhead, he must consider the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead the summum bonum and chief aim of life. If he is a father instructing his sons, a spiritual master instructing his disciples, or a king instructing his citizens, he must instruct them as I have advised. Without being angry, he should continue giving instructions, even if his disciple, son or citizen is sometimes unable to follow his order. Ignorant people who engage in pious and impious activities should be engaged in devotional service by all means. They should always avoid fruitive activity. If one puts into the bondage of karmic activity his disciple, son or citizen who is bereft of transcendental vision, how will one profit? It is like leading a blind man to a dark well and causing him to fall in.
It is stated in Bhagavad-gītā (3.26) :
FAQs
This verse says a true guru or ruler should not push the ignorant—those deluded by fruitive work—into more karma, because it only leads them deeper into danger, like falling into a pit.
Ṛṣabhadeva teaches that leaders who seek the Lord’s mercy must continue to educate and discipline dependents for their spiritual welfare, even if it requires stern guidance.
Don’t encourage blind busyness and reward-only thinking; instead, guide yourself and others toward clarity, values, and spiritual purpose—so work becomes uplifting rather than degrading.