Shloka 14
Divinity and Divine Service
Bhagavān and Bhakti as the Supreme Dharma
तस्मादेकेन मनसा भगवान् सात्वतां पति: । श्रोतव्य: कीर्तितव्यश्च ध्येय: पूज्यश्च नित्यदा ॥ १४ ॥
tasmād ekena manasā bhagavān sātvatāṁ patiḥ śrotavyaḥ kīrtitavyaś ca dhyeyaḥ pūjyaś ca nityadā
Therefore, with one-pointed mind, one should always hear about Bhagavān, the protector of the devotees, glorify Him, remember Him in meditation, and worship Him.
If realization of the Absolute Truth is the ultimate aim of life, it must be carried out by all means. In any one of the above-mentioned castes and orders of life, the four processes, namely glorifying, hearing, remembering and worshiping, are general occupations. Without these principles of life, no one can exist. Activities of the living being involve engagements in these four different principles of life. Especially in modern society, all activities are more or less dependent on hearing and glorifying. Any man from any social status becomes a well-known man in human society within a very short time if he is simply glorified truly or falsely in the daily newspapers. Sometimes political leaders of a particular party are also advertised by newspaper propaganda, and by such a method of glorification an insignificant man becomes an important man — within no time. But such propaganda by false glorification of an unqualified person cannot bring about any good, either for the particular man or for the society. There may be some temporary reactions to such propaganda, but there are no permanent effects. Therefore such activities are a waste of time. The actual object of glorification is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has created everything manifested before us. We have broadly discussed this fact from the beginning of the “ janmādy asya ” śloka of this Bhāgavatam. The tendency to glorify others or hear others must be turned to the real object of glorification — the Supreme Being. And that will bring happiness.
FAQs
It instructs that with one-pointed focus one should always engage in hearing about the Lord, chanting His glories, meditating on Him, and worshiping Him.
In this chapter Suta Gosvami summarizes the essence of dharma for Kali-yuga seekers, presenting practical core limbs of bhakti—śravaṇam and kīrtanam—along with dhyāna and pūjā, as the steady path to God-realization.
Set a daily routine: hear/recite Bhagavatam or the Lord’s names, speak or sing His glories, spend a few minutes in remembrance/meditation, and offer simple worship—done consistently with focused intention.