Shloka 21
Nārada Instructs the Pracetās: Bhakti as the Goal of All Paths
न भजति कुमनीषिणां स इज्यां हरिरधनात्मधनप्रियो रसज्ञ: । श्रुतधनकुलकर्मणां मदैर्ये विदधति पापमकिञ्चनेषु सत्सु ॥ २१ ॥
na bhajati kumanīṣiṇāṁ sa ijyāṁ harir adhanātma-dhana-priyo rasa-jñaḥ śruta-dhana-kula-karmaṇāṁ madair ye vidadhati pāpam akiñcaneṣu satsu
Hari, the relisher of devotional rasa, does not accept the worship of the ill-minded; He is dear to the akincana devotees who possess nothing, yet are fully satisfied with the wealth of devotional service. Those intoxicated by learning, riches, high birth, and fruitive work often offend and deride such saintly, humble devotees; even if they offer worship, the Lord does not receive it.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is dependent on His pure devotees. He does not even accept the offerings of those who are not devotees. A pure devotee is one who feels He does not possess anything material. A devotee is always happy in possessing the devotional service of the Lord. Devotees may sometimes appear materially poor, but because they are spiritually advanced and enriched, they are most dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such devotees are free from attachment to family, society, friendship, children and so on. They abandon affection for all these material possessions and are always happy in possessing the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. The Supreme Personality of Godhead understands the position of His devotee. If a person derides a pure devotee, he is never recognized by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In other words, the Supreme Lord never excuses one who offends a pure devotee. There are many examples of this in history. A great mystic yogī, Durvāsā Muni, offended the great devotee Ambarīṣa Mahārāja. The great sage Durvāsā was to be chastised by the Sudarśana cakra of the Lord. Even though the great mystic directly approached the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he was never excused. Those on the path of liberation should be very careful not to offend a pure devotee.
FAQs
This verse teaches that Hari does not accept worship from those who, out of pride in learning, wealth, lineage, or pious deeds, commit offenses against saintly devotees—especially renounced, unpossessive devotees (akiñcana).
Nārada instructs the king that devotion is not validated by external prestige or ritual alone; real worship must be free from arrogance and must honor sādhus, because offenses to devotees obstruct bhakti.
Practice humility: avoid looking down on sincere devotees, don’t let status or education become spiritual pride, and make your worship include respect, service, and careful speech toward saintly persons.