Shloka 22
Nārada’s Instruction to Vyāsa: The Defect of Bhakti-less Literature and the Mandate of Kṛṣṇa-kathā
इदं हि पुंसस्तपस: श्रुतस्य वा स्विष्टस्य सूक्तस्य च बुद्धिदत्तयो: । अविच्युतोऽर्थ: कविभिर्निरूपितो यदुत्तमश्लोकगुणानुवर्णनम् ॥ २२ ॥
idaṁ hi puṁsas tapasaḥ śrutasya vā sviṣṭasya sūktasya ca buddhi-dattayoḥ avicyuto ’rthaḥ kavibhir nirūpito yad-uttamaśloka-guṇānuvarṇanam
The learned have firmly concluded that the unfailing aim of austerity, Vedic study, sacrifice, hymn-chanting, and charity culminates in the transcendental, choice-poetic glorification of the qualities of the Lord, known as Uttamaśloka.
Human intellect is developed for advancement of learning in art, science, philosophy, physics, chemistry, psychology, economics, politics, etc. By culture of such knowledge the human society can attain perfection of life. This perfection of life culminates in the realization of the Supreme Being, Viṣṇu. The śruti therefore directs that those who are actually advanced in learning should aspire for the service of Lord Viṣṇu. Unfortunately persons who are enamored by the external beauty of viṣṇu-māyā do not understand that culmination of perfection or self-realization depends on Viṣṇu. Viṣṇu-māyā means sense enjoyment, which is transient and miserable. Those who are entrapped by viṣṇu-māyā utilize advancement of knowledge for sense enjoyment. Śrī Nārada Muni has explained that all paraphernalia of the cosmic universe is but an emanation from the Lord out of His different energies because the Lord has set in motion, by His inconceivable energy, the actions and reactions of the created manifestation. They have come to be out of His energy, they rest on His energy, and after annihilation they merge into Him. Nothing is, therefore, different from Him, but at the same time the Lord is always different from them.
FAQs
This verse says their unfailing final purpose is to glorify and narrate the qualities of the Supreme Lord (Uttamaśloka).
In the context of Canto 1 Chapter 5, Nārada instructs Vyāsa that spiritual disciplines become complete and fruitful when they culminate in pure devotion expressed as the Lord’s glorification.
Connect your learning, skills, and discipline to bhakti—regularly hear and speak about the Lord, read Bhāgavatam, and use your talents to share spiritual wisdom and remembrance of Kṛṣṇa.