Shloka 39
The Prayers of the Personified Vedas (Śruti-stuti) and the Indescribable Absolute
यदि न समुद्धरन्ति यतयो हृदि कामजटा दुरधिगमोऽसतां हृदि गतोऽस्मृतकण्ठमणि: । असुतृपयोगिनामुभयतोऽप्यसुखं भगव- न्ननपगतान्तकादनधिरूढपदाद् भवत: ॥ ३९ ॥
yadi na samuddharanti yatayo hṛdi kāma-jaṭā duradhigamo ’satāṁ hṛdi gato ’smṛta-kaṇṭha-maṇiḥ asu-tṛpa-yoginām ubhayato ’py asukhaṁ bhagavann anapagatāntakād anadhirūḍha-padād bhavataḥ
Renunciants who cannot uproot the last tangles of desire within the heart remain impure, and thus You do not grant them true understanding of You. Though You dwell within their hearts, for them You are like a jewel on the neck of one who has forgotten it entirely. O Bhagavān, those who practice yoga for sense pleasure suffer in both this life and the next: death will not release them, and Your realm they cannot attain.
A mere show of renunciation is not sufficient to gain a person entrance into the kingdom of God. One must undergo a thorough change of heart, symptomized by a complete lack of interest in the self-destructive habits of sense gratification, both gross and subtle. Not only must the true sage refrain from even thinking of illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling, but he must also give up his desires for reputation and position. All together these demands add up to a formidable challenge but the fruits of true renunciation in Kṛṣṇa consciousness are well worth a lifetime of endeavor.
FAQs
This verse says that unless a seeker uproots the tangled desires within the heart, the Supreme Lord remains difficult to realize; inner purification is essential for true spiritual attainment.
The personified Vedas (Śrutis) are speaking, glorifying the Lord’s indwelling presence and teaching that satisfaction in Him—through devotion—ends the misery that persists for unsatisfied yogīs.
It advises focusing on uprooting compulsive desires and cultivating contentment through devotion and remembrance of God; otherwise, even disciplined practice can leave one restless and unhappy.