Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 48
Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation
¨ हिंस्रं द्रव्यमयं काम्यमग्निहोत्राद्यशान्तिदम् । दर्शश्च पूर्णमासश्च चातुर्मास्यं पशु: सुत: ॥ ४८ ॥ एतदिष्टं प्रवृत्ताख्यं हुतं प्रहुतमेव च । पूर्तं सुरालयारामकूपाजीव्यादिलक्षणम् ॥ ४९ ॥
hiṁsraṁ dravyamayaṁ kāmyam agni-hotrādy-aśāntidam darśaś ca pūrṇamāsaś ca cāturmāsyaṁ paśuḥ sutaḥ
Rituals and sacrifices such as agni-hotra, darśa, pūrṇamāsa, cāturmāsya, paśu-yajña, and soma-yajña are kāmya rites—centered on material offerings and marked by violence—burning much wealth, especially grains, and breeding anxiety. Likewise, worship of Vaiśvadeva, the baliharaṇa ceremony, building temples for demigods, constructing rest houses and gardens, digging wells to distribute water, setting up food distribution, and other public works—all these are signs of the path of pravṛtti, characterized by attachment to material desires.
FAQs
In this verse, Prahlada explains that rituals performed for material desires and requiring violence or heavy paraphernalia do not give true peace; they keep one within restless material motivation rather than pure devotion.
He is teaching that dharma aimed at personal gain (kāmya-karma) cannot satisfy the soul; it may yield temporary results but does not awaken bhakti or lasting inner tranquility.
Shift the focus from “results-based” religiosity to devotion and inner purification—practice prayer, chanting, service, and ethical living for pleasing the Lord rather than for obtaining rewards.