Shloka 36
Nārada’s Instruction to Vyāsa: The Defect of Bhakti-less Literature and the Mandate of Kṛṣṇa-kathā
कुर्वाणा यत्र कर्माणि भगवच्छिक्षयासकृत् । गृणन्ति गुणनामानि कृष्णस्यानुस्मरन्ति च ॥ ३६ ॥
kurvāṇā yatra karmāṇi bhagavac-chikṣayāsakṛt gṛṇanti guṇa-nāmāni kṛṣṇasyānusmaranti ca
While performing one’s duties according to the order of Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa, one constantly chants His names and qualities and continually remembers Him.
An expert devotee of the Lord can mold his life in such a way that while performing all kinds of duties either for this or the next life, he can constantly remember the Lord’s name, fame, qualities, etc. The order of the Lord is distinctly there in the Bhagavad-gītā: one should work only for the Lord in all spheres of life. In every sphere of life the Lord should be situated as the proprietor. According to the Vedic rites, even in the worship of some demigods like Indra, Brahmā, Sarasvatī and Gaṇeśa, the system is that in all circumstances the representation of Viṣṇu must be there as yajñeśvara, or the controlling power of such sacrifices. It is recommended that a particular demigod be worshiped for a particular purpose, but still the presence of Viṣṇu is compulsory in order to make the function proper.
FAQs
This verse describes devotees performing their regular activities under the Lord’s guidance, while simultaneously chanting Kṛṣṇa’s names and remembering Him—making work an expression of devotion.
Nārada instructs Vyāsa on the essence of Bhāgavata-dharma: not merely describing dharma and karma, but centering life on Kṛṣṇa through glorification (kīrtana) and remembrance (smaraṇa) even while acting.
Keep your responsibilities, but add steady practices: chant Kṛṣṇa’s names daily, speak or hear His qualities, and consciously remember Him before, during, and after work—so action becomes devotion.