Shloka 24
Pṛthu Mahārāja Meets the Four Kumāras: Bhakti as the Boat Across Saṁsāra
अहिंसया पारमहंस्यचर्यया स्मृत्या मुकुन्दाचरिताग्र्यसीधुना । यमैरकामैर्नियमैश्चाप्यनिन्दया निरीहया द्वन्द्वतितिक्षया च ॥ २४ ॥
ahiṁsayā pāramahaṁsya-caryayā smṛtyā mukundācaritāgrya-sīdhunā yamair akāmair niyamaiś cāpy anindayā nirīhayā dvandva-titikṣayā ca
A seeker of spiritual advancement must be nonviolent, follow the path of the great paramahaṁsa ācāryas, always remember the finest nectar of Mukunda’s pastimes, observe yama and niyama without material desire, and—while observing them—never blaspheme others. The devotee should live simply and learn to tolerate dualities without disturbance.
The devotees are actually saintly persons, or sādhus. The first qualification of a sādhu, or devotee, is ahiṁsā, or nonviolence. Persons interested in the path of devotional service, or in going back home, back to Godhead, must first practice ahiṁsā, or nonviolence. A sādhu is described as titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ ( Bhāg. 3.25.21 ): a devotee should be tolerant and should be very much compassionate toward others. For example, if he suffers personal injury he should tolerate it, but if someone else suffers injury the devotee need not tolerate it. The whole world is full of violence, and a devotee’s first business is to stop this violence, including the unnecessary slaughter of animals. A devotee is the friend not only of human society but of all living entities, for he sees all living entities as sons of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He does not claim himself to be the only son of God and allow all others to be killed, thinking that they have no soul. This kind of philosophy is never advocated by a pure devotee of the Lord. Suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām: a true devotee is the friend of all living entities. Kṛṣṇa claims in Bhagavad-gītā to be the father of all species of living entities; consequently the devotee of Kṛṣṇa is always a friend of all. This is called ahiṁsā. Such nonviolence can be practiced only when we follow in the footsteps of great ācāryas. Therefore, according to our Vaiṣṇava philosophy, we have to follow the great ācāryas of the four sampradāyas, or disciplic successions.
FAQs
This verse lists key qualities: nonviolence, saintly conduct, constant remembrance, relishing Mukunda’s pastimes, selfless moral discipline, avoiding criticism, freedom from material striving, and tolerance of life’s dualities.
In their meeting with Pṛthu, the Kumāras instruct him on the inner disciplines and devotional focus that purify the heart and elevate one from righteous kingship to pure devotion centered on Mukunda.
Practice restraint in speech and online engagement, avoid criticizing others’ shortcomings, and consciously endure praise/blame and comfort/discomfort while keeping the mind anchored in remembrance and hearing of the Lord’s pastimes.