Shloka 27
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Renunciation, Austerities, Departure, and the Glory of Hearing His History
तेषां दुरापं किं त्वन्यन्मर्त्यानां भगवत्पदम् । भुवि लोलायुषो ये वै नैष्कर्म्यं साधयन्त्युत ॥ २७ ॥
teṣāṁ durāpaṁ kiṁ tv anyan martyānāṁ bhagavat-padam bhuvi lolāyuṣo ye vai naiṣkarmyaṁ sādhayanty uta
In this mortal world, human life is brief and unsteady; yet those engaged in devotional service to the Bhagavān attain His lotus feet, the Bhagavat-pada. For such devotees, nothing remains unattainable.
In Bhagavad-gītā (9.33) Lord Kṛṣṇa says, anityam asukhaṁ lokam imaṁ prāpya bhajasva mām. The Lord here declares that this material world is full of miseries ( asukham ) and at the same time is very flickering ( anityam ). Therefore one’s only duty is to engage himself in devotional service. This is the best end to which human life can be put. Those devotees who are constantly engaged in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord achieve not only all material benefits but also all spiritual benefits, for at the end of life they go back home, back to Godhead. Their destination is described in this verse as bhagavat-padam. The word padam means “abode,” and bhagavat means “the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” Thus the destination of the devotees is the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse says that even mortals with short, unstable lives can accomplish naiṣkarmya—freedom from karmic reaction—by living in a way aligned with the Lord, making even attainment of Bhagavat-padam not difficult for them.
In the narration of Pṛthu Mahārāja’s withdrawal from worldly rule and deep spiritual advancement, Śukadeva highlights that those who perfect selfless, spiritually dedicated life can easily reach the Lord’s supreme position/abode.
Offer one’s work and responsibilities without selfish obsession for results—cultivating devotion, integrity, and detachment—so actions no longer bind the heart with karmic anxiety and reaction.