Shloka 10
Bhakti Yoga: The Three Modes of Devotion, Non-Envy, and Time as the Lord
कर्मनिर्हारमुद्दिश्य परस्मिन्वा तदर्पणम् । यजेद्यष्टव्यमिति वा पृथग्भाव: स सात्त्विक: ॥ १० ॥
karma-nirhāram uddiśya parasmin vā tad-arpaṇam yajed yaṣṭavyam iti vā pṛthag-bhāvaḥ sa sāttvikaḥ
When a devotee worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead to be freed from bondage to karmic results, or to offer those results to Him, with a sense of sacred duty and without a separatist mentality, that devotion is in the mode of goodness (sattva).
The brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras, along with the brahmacārīs, gṛhasthas, vānaprasthas and sannyāsīs, are the members of the eight divisions of varṇas and āśramas, and they have their respective duties to perform for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When such activities are performed and the results are offered to the Supreme Lord, they are called karmārpaṇam, duties performed for the satisfaction of the Lord. If there is any inebriety or fault, it is atoned for by this offering process. But if this offering process is in the mode of goodness rather than in pure devotion, then the interest is different. The four āśramas and the four varṇas act for some benefit in accordance with their personal interests. Therefore such activities are in the mode of goodness; they cannot be counted in the category of pure devotion. Pure devotional service as described by Rūpa Gosvāmī is free from all material desires. Anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam. There can be no excuse for personal or material interest. Devotional activities should be transcendental to fruitive activities and empiric philosophical speculation. Pure devotional service is transcendental to all material qualities.
FAQs
This verse explains that worship done for karma-neutralization, as an offering to the Supreme, or as a sense of duty—while still retaining a feeling of separateness—is classified as sāttvika worship.
Kapila instructs Devahuti by analyzing devotion and worship through the lens of the guṇas, so a practitioner can recognize mixed motives and progress toward purer, more selfless bhakti.
Do your daily spiritual practices and responsibilities with conscious dedication to the Supreme—reducing selfish aims—while gradually moving from “duty only” or “problem-solving” religion toward loving devotion.