Shloka 42
The Prayers of the Personified Vedas (Śruti-stuti) and the Indescribable Absolute
श्रीभगवानुवाच इत्येतद् ब्रह्मण: पुत्रा आश्रुत्यात्मानुशासनम् । सनन्दनमथानर्चु: सिद्धा ज्ञात्वात्मनो गतिम् ॥ ४२ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca ity etad brahmaṇaḥ putrā āśrutyātmānuśāsanam sanandanam athānarcuḥ siddhā jñātvātmano gatim
The Supreme Lord said: Hearing this instruction concerning the Paramātmā, the sons of Brahmā understood their ultimate destination. Perfectly fulfilled, they worshiped Sanandana with reverence.
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that ātmānuśāsanam can be understood both as instructions given to benefit the jīva souls and as instructions about the living entity’s relationship with the foundation of all existence. Similarly, ātmano gatim means both the destination of the jīva soul and the means of reaching the Supreme Soul. By hearing the twenty-eight prayers of the personified Vedas, which comprise the elucidation of the brahmopaniṣat spoken at the beginning of this chapter, the sages assembled in Brahmaloka made great progress toward their goal of pure love of God.
FAQs
It states that by hearing authentic instruction about the self (ātma-anuśāsana) and assimilating it, one understands one’s true destination (ātmanaḥ gati) and naturally honors the realized teacher who imparted that wisdom.
Śrī Bhagavān is speaking, describing how Brahmā’s sons (the Kumāras), after hearing spiritual instruction, worshiped Sanandana, recognizing the realized path to the soul’s ultimate goal.
Seek genuine teachings on the self, hear them attentively, reflect until clarity arises, and express gratitude and respect toward authentic guides—making learning, realization, and humility part of one’s daily sādhanā.