Shloka 13
परमार्थ-निर्णयः—श्रेयस्-भेदः, कर्म-ध्यान-सीमा, एकात्मदर्शनम्
देवताराधनं कृत्वा धनसंपदम् इच्छति पुत्रान् इच्छति राज्यं च श्रेयस् तत्प्राप्तिलक्षणम्
devatārādhanaṃ kṛtvā dhanasaṃpadam icchati putrān icchati rājyaṃ ca śreyas tatprāptilakṣaṇam
দেৱতাৰ আৰাধনা কৰি মানুহে ধন-সম্পদ বিচাৰে; পুত্ৰ বিচাৰে, ৰাজ্যও বিচাৰে—কিন্তু সত্য শ্ৰেয় সেই, যাৰ লক্ষণ এই যে ই এনে লাভৰ ওপৰলৈ উঠাই নিজৰেই প্ৰাপ্তিলৈ লৈ যায়।
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
FAQs
Śreyas is presented as the “higher good” distinct from wealth, sons, and royal power; it is recognized by the characteristic that it leads to its own attainment beyond merely worldly rewards.
He notes that people often worship the gods seeking tangible outcomes—prosperity, progeny, and rulership—implying a contrast between such goal-driven ritual and the pursuit of śreyas.
Even when worship is directed toward devas for results, the Purana’s broader teaching places ultimate fulfillment in the supreme reality (Vishnu) and in śreyas—liberation—rather than in transient gains like wealth or sovereignty.