Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 24
Gṛhastha-Dharma: How a Householder Attains Liberation by Offering All to Vāsudeva
त एते श्रेयस: काला नृणां श्रेयोविवर्धना: । कुर्यात्सर्वात्मनैतेषु श्रेयोऽमोघं तदायुष: ॥ २४ ॥
ta ete śreyasaḥ kālā nṝṇāṁ śreyo-vivardhanāḥ kuryāt sarvātmanaiteṣu śreyo ’moghaṁ tad-āyuṣaḥ
All diese Zeiten gelten den Menschen als höchst glückverheißend und mehren das höchste Heil. Dann soll man mit ganzer Hingabe heilsame Handlungen vollziehen, denn selbst im kurzen Menschenleben bleibt ihr Erfolg nicht fruchtlos.
When one comes to the human form of life through natural evolution, one must then take the responsibility for further progress. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (9.25) , yānti deva-vratā devān: one who worships the demigods can be promoted to their planets. Yānti mad-yājino ’pi mām: and if one practices devotional service to the Lord, he goes back home, back to Godhead. In the human form of life, therefore, one is meant to act auspiciously in order to return home, back to Godhead. Devotional service, however, does not depend on material conditions. Ahaituky apratihatā. Of course, for those who are engaged in fruitive activities on the material platform, the times and seasons mentioned above are extremely congenial.
FAQs
It teaches that certain times and disciplines are especially meant to increase śreyas (the highest welfare), and one should wholeheartedly align one’s actions with them so life is not wasted.
Because Parīkṣit had only a short time left to live, Śukadeva emphasized how human life becomes successful when time is used purposefully for dharma and devotion rather than squandered.
Treat your day as sacred time: fix regular hours for sādhana (hearing/chanting), live responsibly, and prioritize actions that increase inner spiritual welfare over distractions.