Shloka 37
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Renunciation, Austerities, Departure, and the Glory of Hearing His History
मुक्तान्यसङ्गो भगवत्यमलां भक्तिमुद्वहन् । वैन्यस्य चरितं पुण्यं शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेत्पठेत् ॥ ३७ ॥
muktānya-saṅgo bhagavaty amalāṁ bhaktim udvahan vainyasya caritaṁ puṇyaṁ śṛṇuyāc chrāvayet paṭhet
Even one who is liberated and unattached, bearing spotless bhakti to Bhagavān, should hear, read, and cause others to hear the sacred life and character of Vainya, Mahārāja Pṛthu.
There is a type of neophyte devotee who is very anxious to hear about the pastimes of the Lord, especially the rāsa-līlā chapters in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Such a devotee should know by this instruction that the pastimes of Pṛthu Mahārāja are nondifferent from the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. An ideal king, Pṛthu Mahārāja exhibited all talents in showing how to rule the citizens, how to educate them, how to develop the state economically, how to fight enemies, how to perform great sacrifices ( yajñas ), etc. Thus it is recommended for the sahajiyā, or the neophyte devotee, to hear, chant and get others to hear about the activities of Pṛthu Mahārāja, even though one may think himself to be in the transcendental position of advanced devotional service.
FAQs
This verse says Pṛthu (Vainya)’s history is purifying, and that one should hear it, recite it to others, or read it—acts that nourish pure devotion to Bhagavān.
Because Bhagavata-kathā is inherently purifying (puṇya) and supports amalā-bhakti; engaging with it through śravaṇa, pāṭha, and śrāvana to others strengthens detachment and devotion.
Make a steady practice of hearing or reading Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, and share a verse or summary with others—using the habit to reduce worldly attachment and deepen devotion.