Shloka 22
कनकम् अपि रहस्य् अवेक्ष्य बुद्ध्या तृणम् इव यः समवैति वै परस्वम् भवति च भगवत्य् अनन्यचेताः पुरुषवरं तम् अवैहि विष्णुभक्तम्
kanakam api rahasy avekṣya buddhyā tṛṇam iva yaḥ samavaiti vai parasvam bhavati ca bhagavaty ananyacetāḥ puruṣavaraṃ tam avaihi viṣṇubhaktam
Know as the best among men—a devotee of Viṣṇu—the one who, discerning with understanding the hidden snare even in gold, regards it like a blade of grass; who is not swayed by another’s wealth; and whose mind rests in the Blessed Lord alone, without any second object.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Concept: The true Viṣṇu-bhakta discerns the subtle bondage hidden in gold, treats it as grass, is unmoved by others’ wealth, and remains ananya-citta—without a second object—toward Bhagavān.
Vedantic Theme: Maya
Application: Actively audit desires around money and status; simplify possessions; redirect attention to one steady practice of devotion (japa, kīrtana, arcana).
Vishishtadvaita: Ananya-bhakti is not world-denial but re-ordering of attachment: all goods are secondary to the Lord, who alone is the ultimate object of the will.
Vishnu Form: Vasudeva
Bhakti Type: Shanta
Lakshmi Presence: Sri
FAQs
This verse treats gold as a subtle “hidden snare”; seeing through it and valuing it like grass is presented as a defining sign of a genuine Vishnu devotee and inner freedom.
Parāśara defines the exemplary person as one whose mind abides in Bhagavān alone—undivided by competing desires—showing that devotion is measured by exclusive inner orientation, not mere ritual.
Vishnu is the sole, sufficient focus of the devotee’s consciousness; the verse frames devotion to Bhagavān as the highest criterion of human excellence and spiritual authority.