Shloka 6
Nārada Instructs the Pracetās: Bhakti as the Goal of All Paths
यदादिष्टं भगवता शिवेनाधोक्षजेन च । तद् गृहेषु प्रसक्तानां प्रायश: क्षपितं प्रभो ॥ ६ ॥
yad ādiṣṭaṁ bhagavatā śivenādhokṣajena ca tad gṛheṣu prasaktānāṁ prāyaśaḥ kṣapitaṁ prabho
O master, because we became overly attached to household affairs, we have almost forgotten the instructions given to us by Bhagavān Śiva and by Adhokṣaja Śrī Viṣṇu.
Remaining in family life is a kind of concession for sense enjoyment. One should know that sense enjoyment is not required, but one has to accept sense enjoyment inasmuch as one has to live. As confirmed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.10) , kāmasya nendriya-prītiḥ. One has to become a gosvāmī and control his senses. One should not simply use his senses for sense gratification; rather, the senses should be employed just as much as required for maintaining body and soul together. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī recommends, anāsaktasya viṣayān yathārham upayuñjataḥ: one should not be attached to sense objects but should accept sense enjoyment as much as required, and no more. If one wishes to enjoy the senses more than required, he becomes attached to family life, which means bondage. All the Pracetās admitted their fault in remaining in household life.
FAQs
This verse warns that when one becomes overly absorbed in home and sense-enjoyment, even divine instructions from Lord Śiva and the Supreme Lord can become wasted—spiritual guidance fails to take root due to attachment.
Nārada emphasizes the authority of the teaching: it was given by revered Śiva and also by the Supreme Lord (Adhokṣaja). If such exalted guidance is still neglected, the cause is strong material absorption, not lack of instruction.
Maintain household duties, but protect daily bhakti—hearing, chanting, and remembrance—so spiritual instructions are not drowned out by constant busyness, consumption, and family-centered identity.