Shloka 4
Vidura’s Questions on Devotion and Sarga; Maitreya Begins the Account of Creation
तत्साधुवर्यादिश वर्त्म शं न: संराधितो भगवान् येन पुंसाम् । हृदि स्थितो यच्छति भक्तिपूते ज्ञानं सतत्त्वाधिगमं पुराणम् ॥ ४ ॥
tat sādhu-varyādiśa vartma śaṁ naḥ saṁrādhito bhagavān yena puṁsām hṛdi sthito yacchati bhakti-pūte jñānaṁ sa-tattvādhigamaṁ purāṇam
Therefore, O best of saints, instruct us in the auspicious path by which Bhagavan is perfectly worshiped. Dwelling in the heart, He grants from within—unto those purified by bhakti—the ancient knowledge by which the Absolute Truth is realized, according to Vedic principles.
As already explained in the First Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the Absolute Truth is realized in three different phases — although they are one and the same — in terms of the knower’s capacity to understand. The most capable transcendentalist is the pure devotee of the Lord, who is without any tinge of fruitive actions or philosophical speculation. By devotional service only does one’s heart become completely purified from all material coverings like karma, jñāna and yoga. Only in such a purified stage does the Lord, who is seated in everyone’s heart with the individual soul, give instruction so that the devotee can reach the ultimate destination of going back home, back to Godhead. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (10.10) : teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ bhajatām. Only when the Lord is satisfied with the devotional service of the devotee does He impart knowledge, as He did for Arjuna and Uddhava.
FAQs
This verse says that when the Supreme Lord is worshiped and pleased, He, seated within the heart, grants ancient, truth-revealing knowledge to one purified by devotion.
Vidura approached Maitreya as a foremost saint to learn the auspicious process that truly satisfies Bhagavan, because such divine satisfaction results in inner revelation of tattva-jñāna.
Practice sincere devotion—hearing, chanting, prayer, and service—so the mind becomes purified; then clearer discernment and spiritual understanding naturally arise from within.