Shloka 30
Kardama Muni’s Penance, Viṣṇu’s Darśana, and the Arrangement of Devahūti’s Marriage
त्वं च सम्यगनुष्ठाय निदेशं म उशत्तम: । मयि तीर्थीकृताशेषक्रियार्थो मां प्रपत्स्यसे ॥ ३० ॥
tvaṁ ca samyag anuṣṭhāya nideśaṁ ma uśattamaḥ mayi tīrthī-kṛtāśeṣa- kriyārtho māṁ prapatsyase
إذا أتممتَ أمري على الوجه الصحيح وقدّمتَ إليّ ثمار أعمالك كلّها، تطهّر قلبك، وفي النهاية ستبلغني أنا.
Here the words tīrthī-kṛtāśeṣa-kriyārthaḥ are significant. Tīrtha means a sanctified place where charity is given. People used to go to places of pilgrimage and give munificently in charity. This system is still current. Therefore the Lord said, “In order to sanctify your activities and the results of your actions, you will offer everything unto Me.” This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā: “Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you sacrifice, the result should be given to Me only.” In another place in Bhagavad-gītā the Lord said, “I am the enjoyer of all sacrifices, all penances and everything done for the welfare of mankind or society.” All activities, therefore, whether for the welfare of family, society, country or humanity at large, must be performed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is the instruction given by the Lord to Kardama Muni. Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira welcomed Nārada Muni: “Wherever you are present, that place becomes sanctified because the Lord Himself is always seated in your heart.” Similarly, if we act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness under the direction of the Lord and His representative, then everything is sanctified. This is the indication given to Kardama Muni, who acted on it and therefore received the most excellent wife and child, as will be disclosed in later verses.
FAQs
This verse says that when one properly follows the Lord’s instruction, the entire purpose of one’s actions becomes “tīrthīkṛta”—purified and made holy in relation to the Lord—so karma becomes a means of spiritual elevation rather than bondage.
Vishnu encouraged Kardama to execute His divine order (connected to household duty and the Lord’s plan) and assured him that such obedient, God-centered action would culminate in full surrender and attainment of the Lord.
Do your responsibilities conscientiously, but consciously offer the results to God—aligning choices with dharma and devotion—so daily work becomes spiritually purifying and gradually deepens wholehearted reliance on the Lord.