Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 4
Gṛhastha-Dharma: How a Householder Attains Liberation by Offering All to Vāsudeva
शृण्वन्भगवतोऽभीक्ष्णमवतारकथामृतम् । श्रद्दधानो यथाकालमुपशान्तजनावृत: ॥ ३ ॥ सत्सङ्गाच्छनकै: सङ्गमात्मजायात्मजादिषु । विमुञ्चेन्मुच्यमानेषु स्वयं स्वप्नवदुत्थित: ॥ ४ ॥
śṛṇvan bhagavato ’bhīkṣṇam avatāra-kathāmṛtam śraddadhāno yathā-kālam upaśānta-janāvṛtaḥ
Ein Gṛhastha soll in der Gemeinschaft friedvoller Heiliger zur rechten Zeit mit Glauben und Ehrfurcht immer wieder den Nektar der Erzählungen über die Avatāras des Herrn hören. Durch Satsaṅga löst er sich allmählich von der Zuneigung zu Frau und Kindern, wie einer, der aus einem Traum erwacht.
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement has been established to give gṛhasthas all over the world an opportunity to hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā specifically. The process, as described in many ways, is one of hearing and chanting ( śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ ). Everyone, especially the gṛhasthas, who are mūḍha-dhī, ignorant about the goal of life, should be given opportunities to hear about Kṛṣṇa. Simply by hearing, by attending lectures in the different centers of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, where topics of Kṛṣṇa from Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam are discussed, they will be purified of their sinful inclination for constant indulgence in illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling, which have all become prominent in modern days. Thus they can be raised to the status of light. Puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ. Simply by joining the kīrtana — Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare — and by hearing about Kṛṣṇa from Bhagavad-gītā, one must be purified, especially if he also takes prasāda. This is all going on in the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
FAQs
This verse teaches that repeatedly hearing the nectar-like pastimes and incarnations of the Lord, with faith and at proper times, is a core practice of bhakti—especially when done in saintly association.
Because hearing becomes transformative when received in the company of self-controlled, spiritually steady devotees (upaśānta-jana), which protects the listener from distraction and materialistic influence.
Set a regular time to hear or read Bhagavatam/Krishna-katha and seek sādhus or sincere devotee communities (in person or online) to keep the mind peaceful and focused on devotion.