Shloka 64
Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense
नाहमात्मानमाशासे मद्भक्तै: साधुभिर्विना । श्रियं चात्यन्तिकीं ब्रह्मन् येषां गतिरहं परा ॥ ६४ ॥
nāham ātmānam āśāse mad-bhaktaiḥ sādhubhir vinā śriyaṁ cātyantikīṁ brahman yeṣāṁ gatir ahaṁ parā
O best of brāhmaṇas, without My saintly devotees—those for whom I alone am the supreme destination—I do not wish to enjoy even My transcendental bliss and My highest opulences.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is self-sufficient, but to enjoy His transcendental bliss He requires the cooperation of His devotees. In Vṛndāvana, for example, although Lord Kṛṣṇa is full in Himself, He wants the cooperation of His devotees like the cowherd boys and the gopīs to increase His transcendental bliss. Such pure devotees, who can increase the pleasure potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, are certainly most dear to Him. Not only does the Supreme Personality of Godhead enjoy the company of His devotees, but because He is unlimited He wants to increase His devotees unlimitedly. Thus, He descends to the material world to induce the nondevotees and rebellious living entities to return home, back to Godhead. He requests them to surrender unto Him because, unlimited as He is, He wants to increase His devotees unlimitedly. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is an attempt to increase the number of pure devotees of the Supreme Lord more and more. It is certain that a devotee who helps in this endeavor to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes indirectly a controller of the Supreme Lord. Although the Supreme Lord is full in six opulences, He does not feel transcendental bliss without His devotees. An example that may be cited in this regard is that if a very rich man does not have sons in a family he does not feel happiness. Indeed, sometimes a rich man adopts a son to complete his happiness. The science of transcendental bliss is known to the pure devotee. Therefore the pure devotee is always engaged in increasing the transcendental happiness of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse states that Lord Vishnu does not even value ultimate opulence without His saintly devotees; for such devotees, He Himself is the supreme goal.
Because bhakti is relational and love-centered—God delights in the company and devotion of sādhus, and He places their association above impersonal greatness or opulence.
Prioritize sadhu-saṅga—seek the company of sincere devotees, serve them, and cultivate devotion, making God the ultimate goal rather than material success.