Shloka 13
परमार्थ-निर्णयः—श्रेयस्-भेदः, कर्म-ध्यान-सीमा, एकात्मदर्शनम्
देवताराधनं कृत्वा धनसंपदम् इच्छति पुत्रान् इच्छति राज्यं च श्रेयस् तत्प्राप्तिलक्षणम्
devatārādhanaṃ kṛtvā dhanasaṃpadam icchati putrān icchati rājyaṃ ca śreyas tatprāptilakṣaṇam
Having performed the worship of the deities, a man seeks prosperity and wealth; he seeks sons, and he seeks kingship as well—yet the true ‘higher good’ (śreyas) is known by the mark that it leads one beyond such acquisitions to its own attainment.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Concept: Worship aimed at wealth, progeny, and kingship is desire-driven; true śreyas is recognized by its capacity to carry one beyond acquisitions to the highest attainment.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Perform religious practice with purified intention—seek inner transformation and devotion rather than transactional rewards.
Vishishtadvaita: Finite prosperity (śrī) is legitimate but subordinate; the highest good is loving orientation to Bhagavān as the final goal, not merely boons.
Lakshmi Presence: Sri
FAQs
Śreyas is presented as the “higher good” distinct from wealth, sons, and royal power; it is recognized by the characteristic that it leads to its own attainment beyond merely worldly rewards.
He notes that people often worship the gods seeking tangible outcomes—prosperity, progeny, and rulership—implying a contrast between such goal-driven ritual and the pursuit of śreyas.
Even when worship is directed toward devas for results, the Purana’s broader teaching places ultimate fulfillment in the supreme reality (Vishnu) and in śreyas—liberation—rather than in transient gains like wealth or sovereignty.