Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 4
Karma-vāda Critiqued, Varṇāśrama Reframed, and the Soul’s Distinction from the Body
निवृत्तं कर्म सेवेत प्रवृत्तं मत्परस्त्यजेत् । जिज्ञासायां सम्प्रवृत्तो नाद्रियेत् कर्मचोदनाम् ॥ ४ ॥
nivṛttaṁ karma seveta pravṛttaṁ mat-paras tyajet jijñāsāyāṁ sampravṛtto nādriyet karma-codanām
Wer Mich als Lebensziel im Geist fest verankert hat, soll Tätigkeiten, die auf Sinnengenuss beruhen, aufgeben und stattdessen Arbeit ausführen, die von regulierenden Prinzipien zum Fortschritt geleitet ist. Wenn jedoch jemand ganz in die Suche nach der höchsten Wahrheit des Ātman vertieft ist, soll er die schriftlichen Gebote, die fruchtbringendes Karma regeln, nicht annehmen.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that the words jijñāsāyāṁ sampravṛttaḥ refer to one who is yoga-ārūḍha, or advanced in the yoga process. In Bhagavad-gītā (6.3-4) it is stated:
FAQs
This verse says to practice actions that lead toward renunciation (nivṛtti) and, if one is devoted to Kṛṣṇa, to abandon actions driven by worldly pursuit (pravṛtti).
Because when a seeker becomes fully engaged in tattva-jijñāsā—serious inquiry into the Absolute Truth—ritual injunctions meant mainly to propel fruitive work are no longer the primary guide; devotion and realized inquiry take precedence.
Reduce actions done purely for prestige and sense-enjoyment, and prioritize devotional practices and duties that purify the heart—work offered to Kṛṣṇa, simple living, truth-seeking study, and disciplined habits that support bhakti.