Shloka 30
Kṛṣṇa Visits Trivakrā; Akrūra’s Praise and the Hastināpura Mission
भवद्विधा महाभागा निषेव्या अर्हसत्तमा: । श्रेयस्कामैर्नृभिर्नित्यं देवा: स्वार्था न साधव: ॥ ३० ॥
bhavad-vidhā mahā-bhāgā niṣevyā arha-sattamāḥ śreyas-kāmair nṛbhir nityaṁ devāḥ svārthā na sādhavaḥ
Exalted souls like you are truly worthy of service and are the most worshipable guides for those who seek life’s highest good. Demigods often pursue their own interests, but saintly devotees never do.
Whereas demigods may award material benefit, saintly devotees of the Lord have the power to award the real perfection of life, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa reinforces the respectful mood He has adopted here toward His uncle Akrūra.
FAQs
This verse teaches that those who desire śreyas—the highest spiritual good—should always serve and associate with exalted saints, because sādhus are selfless guides to genuine welfare.
In this context Krishna honors Akrūra as a saintly devotee and contrasts him with devas, who generally grant results tied to specific desires and duties, whereas sādhus act for others’ spiritual benefit without selfish motive.
Prioritize guidance from genuinely selfless, devotion-centered teachers and communities, and measure choices by long-term spiritual benefit rather than short-term gains.