Shloka 22
Devotion in Kimpuruṣa-varṣa and the Glory of Bhārata-varṣa
Rāmacandra & Nara-Nārāyaṇa; Rivers, Varṇāśrama, and Liberation
किं दुष्करैर्न: क्रतुभिस्तपोव्रतै- र्दानादिभिर्वा द्युजयेन फल्गुना । न यत्र नारायणपादपङ्कज- स्मृति: प्रमुष्टातिशयेन्द्रियोत्सवात् ॥ २२ ॥
kiṁ duṣkarair naḥ kratubhis tapo-vratair dānādibhir vā dyujayena phalgunā na yatra nārāyaṇa-pāda-paṅkaja- smṛtiḥ pramuṣṭātiśayendriyotsavāt
The demigods continue: By arduous Vedic sacrifices, austerities, vows, and charity we have attained residence in heaven—yet what is its worth? Here we are absorbed in excessive sense enjoyment, and thus remembrance of the lotus feet of Lord Nārāyaṇa is nearly stolen away; by the very abundance of pleasure we have almost forgotten Him.
The land of Bhārata-varṣa is so exalted that by taking birth there one can not only attain the heavenly planets but also go directly back home, back to Godhead. As Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (9.25) :
FAQs
This verse says that sacrifices, vows, austerities, charity, and even heavenly attainments become pointless if they do not preserve remembrance of Nārāyaṇa’s lotus feet; sense indulgence can steal that remembrance.
He calls it phalguna—insignificant—because celestial rewards are temporary and can increase sense enjoyment, which may cause forgetfulness of Nārāyaṇa, the real goal.
Prioritize practices that strengthen daily remembrance of God (japa, kīrtana, śravaṇa, sāttvika living); evaluate even “good” achievements by whether they deepen devotion or inflate sense pleasure and distraction.