Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 8
Purūravā’s Song of Renunciation and the Glory of Sādhu-saṅga
नाहं वेदाभिनिर्मुक्त: सूर्यो वाभ्युदितोऽमुया । मूषितो वर्षपूगानां बताहानि गतान्युत ॥ ८ ॥
nāhaṁ vedābhinirmuktaḥ sūryo vābhyudito ’muyā mūṣito varṣa-pūgānāṁ batāhāni gatāny uta
لقد خدعتني تلك المرأة حتى إنني لم أرَ طلوع الشمس ولا غروبها. آهٍ، كم من السنين مضت أيامي فيها سُدى!
Due to attachment to the goddess, King Purūravā forgot his devotional service to the Supreme Lord and became more concerned with pleasing this beautiful young lady. Thus he later lamented, having wasted his valuable time. Those who are Kṛṣṇa conscious utilize every moment in the Lord’s loving service.
FAQs
This verse laments that “heaps of years” and “days” get stolen away—highlighting how unnoticed time passes and urging immediate spiritual seriousness.
It points to moving beyond mere external, rule-bound religiosity toward realized spiritual life—where one is no longer bound by ritual duties and becomes focused on true self-realization and devotion.
Treat time as sacred: reduce distractions, set daily sādhanā (hearing, chanting, remembrance), and don’t postpone spiritual practice thinking there will be “later.”