Shloka 12
Kurukṣetra Pilgrimage: Sages Praise Kṛṣṇa; Vasudeva Inquires on Karma; Viṣṇu-yajña Performed
नाग्निर्न सूर्यो न च चन्द्रतारका न भूर्जलं खं श्वसनोऽथ वाङ्मन: । उपासिता भेदकृतो हरन्त्यघं विपश्चितो घ्नन्ति मुहूर्तसेवया ॥ १२ ॥
nāgnir na sūryo na ca candra-tārakā na bhūr jalaṁ khaṁ śvasano ’tha vāṅ manaḥ upāsitā bheda-kṛto haranty aghaṁ vipaścito ghnanti muhūrta-sevayā
Neither the gods of fire, the sun, the moon and stars, nor those presiding over earth, water, ether, air, speech and mind truly remove the sins of worshipers who see in duality. But wise sages destroy one’s sins by even a few moments of respectful service.
An immature devotee of the Supreme Lord may accept only the Deity of the Lord as divine and see everything else as material — even the Lord’s confidential servants. Nonetheless, because he recognizes Lord Viṣṇu’s supreme position, such a devotee is better situated than materialistic worshipers of the demigods, and he thus deserves a degree of respect.
FAQs
This verse teaches that serving Hari (the Supreme Lord) even briefly can destroy sin, whereas worship of separated cosmic powers cannot fully do so.
He contrasts worship of the universe’s powers as independent deities with devotion to the Supreme source of all, emphasizing that real purification comes from direct service to Hari.
Offer a focused moment of devotion daily—hearing Krishna-kathā, chanting His names, praying with attention, or serving devotees—done sincerely, as the Bhagavatam highlights the purifying power of even brief true bhakti.