Shloka 26
Lord Viṣṇu Instructs Pṛthu: Forgiveness, Ātmā-Deha Viveka, and the Bhakti Ideal of Kingship
यश: शिवं सुश्रव आर्यसङ्गमे यदृच्छया चोपशृणोति ते सकृत् । कथं गुणज्ञो विरमेद्विना पशुं श्रीर्यत्प्रवव्रे गुणसङ्ग्रहेच्छया ॥ २६ ॥
yaśaḥ śivaṁ suśrava ārya-saṅgame yadṛcchayā copaśṛṇoti te sakṛt kathaṁ guṇa-jño viramed vinā paśuṁ śrīr yat pravavre guṇa-saṅgrahecchayā
O supremely glorified Lord, whoever in the company of pure devotees hears even once—by chance—the auspicious fame of Your deeds will not abandon their association, unless he is no better than an animal; even Lakṣmī accepted the perfection of hearing and chanting, longing to hear Your limitless līlās and transcendental glories.
The association of devotees ( ārya-saṅgama ) is the most important factor in this world. The word ārya refers to those who are advancing spiritually. In the history of the human race, the Āryan family is considered to be the most elevated community in the world because it adopts the Vedic civilization. The Āryan family is distributed all over the world and is known as Indo-Āryan. In prehistoric days all of the members of the Āryan family followed the Vedic principles, and therefore they became spiritually advanced. The kings, known as rājarṣis, were so perfectly educated as kṣatriyas, or protectors of the citizens, and so greatly advanced in spiritual life, that there was not a bit of trouble for the citizens.
FAQs
This verse teaches that even hearing once—especially in the company of the noble—can make one relish auspicious divine fame; a true appreciator of virtue will not abandon such hearing because it purifies and elevates the heart.
Lakṣmī is invoked as a sign of divine favor and virtue: she ‘chooses’ Pṛthu because of his qualities, indicating that genuine prosperity naturally follows righteousness and noble character.
Seek uplifting company, regularly hear sacred teachings and the lives of great devotees, and train your attention toward virtue; consistent śravaṇam helps replace distracting habits with higher taste and character.