Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 29
Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Māyā, Cosmic Dissolution, Guru-Śaraṇāgati, Bhakti, and Deity Worship
एवं कृष्णात्मनाथेषु मनुष्येषु च सौहृदम् । परिचर्यां चोभयत्र महत्सु नृषु साधुषु ॥ २९ ॥
evaṁ kṛṣṇātma-nātheṣu manuṣyeṣu ca sauhṛdam paricaryāṁ cobhayatra mahatsu nṛṣu sādhuṣu
Wer sein höchstes Wohl sucht, soll Freundschaft mit jenen pflegen, die Kṛṣṇa als Herrn ihres Lebens angenommen haben. Zugleich soll er eine Haltung des Dienens gegenüber allen Lebewesen entwickeln. Besonders bemühe er sich, den Menschen zu helfen, und unter ihnen denen, die die Grundsätze des Dharma annehmen. Und unter den Religiösen soll er vor allem den reinen Gottgeweihten der Höchsten Persönlichkeit Gottes dienen.
According to Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, the highest duty for devotees of the Supreme Lord is to establish friendship with those who have completely surrendered to Kṛṣṇa and who have thus achieved śaraṇāgati, shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet. One should render service to both the Lord and His devotees, since the Lord is more pleased by sincere service rendered to His pure devotees. One should not only officially offer respect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, His devotees and His worshipful paraphernalia, but should actually render service to the representatives of the Lord, who are known as mahā-bhāgavatas.
FAQs
This verse teaches that one should render paricaryā—devoted service—especially to the mahātmās, the saintly devotees, considering such service a primary expression of bhakti.
In the Uddhava-gītā teachings, Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on practical bhakti: cultivating affectionate friendship with Kṛṣṇa-centered devotees and serving great saints as a direct means of spiritual upliftment.
Seek Kṛṣṇa-focused association, build sincere friendships rooted in devotion, and offer practical service to genuine devotees—helping, listening, supporting their sādhana, and contributing to devotional communities.