Shloka 27
य: स्वकात्परतो वेह जातनिर्वेद आत्मवान् । हृदि कृत्वा हरिं गेहात्प्रव्रजेत्स नरोत्तम: ॥ २७ ॥
yaḥ svakāt parato veha jāta-nirveda ātmavān hṛdi kṛtvā hariṁ gehāt pravrajet sa narottamaḥ
إنه بالتأكيد رجل من الطراز الأول الذي يستيقظ ويفهم، إما بنفسه أو من الآخرين، زيف وبؤس هذا العالم المادي، وبالتالي يترك المنزل ويعتمد كليًا على الله المقيم داخل قلبه.
There are three classes of transcendentalists, namely, (1) the dhīra, or the one who is not disturbed by being away from family association, (2) one in the renounced order of life, a sannyāsī by frustrated sentiment, and (3) a sincere devotee of the Lord, who awakens God consciousness by hearing and chanting and leaves home depending completely on the Personality of Godhead, who resides in his heart. The idea is that the renounced order of life, after a frustrated life of sentiment in the material world, may be the stepping stone on the path of self-realization, but real perfection of the path of liberation is attained when one is practiced to depend fully on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who lives in everyone’s heart as Paramātmā. One may live in the darkest jungle alone out of home, but a steadfast devotee knows very well that he is not alone. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is with him, and He can protect His sincere devotee in any awkward circumstance. One should therefore practice devotional service at home, hearing and chanting the holy name, quality, form, pastimes, entourage, etc., in association with pure devotees, and this practice will help one awaken God consciousness in proportion to one’s sincerity of purpose. One who desires material benefit by such devotional activities can never depend on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, although He sits in everyone’s heart. Nor does the Lord give any direction to persons who worship Him for material gain. Such materialistic devotees may be blessed by the Lord with material benefits, but they cannot reach the stage of the first-class human being, as above mentioned. There are many examples of such sincere devotees in the history of the world, especially in India, and they are our guides on the path of self-realization. Mahātmā Vidura is one such great devotee of the Lord, and we should all try to follow in his lotus footsteps for self-realization.
FAQs
This verse says that when genuine detachment arises—by one’s own insight or by guidance—one should keep Lord Hari fixed in the heart and then renounce household life, which is praised as the path of the best among men.
In the narrative of Dhṛtarāṣṭra quitting home, Śukadeva highlights the principle behind true renunciation: not mere physical departure, but inner turning to Hari accompanied by authentic vairāgya.
Cultivate steady remembrance of Hari through daily nāma-japa, hearing Bhāgavatam, and offering your work to God; as attachment loosens naturally, decisions—whether to simplify life or deepen spiritual practice—become guided by devotion rather than impulse.