Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 4
Parīkṣit’s Inquiry into Vṛtrāsura’s Bhakti and the Beginning of Citraketu’s Trial
प्रायो मुमुक्षवस्तेषां केचनैव द्विजोत्तम । मुमुक्षूणां सहस्रेषु कश्चिन्मुच्येत सिध्यति ॥ ४ ॥
prāyo mumukṣavas teṣāṁ kecanaiva dvijottama mumukṣūṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścin mucyeta sidhyati
Oh el mejor de los brāhmaṇas, aun entre quienes siguen el dharma, por lo general sólo unos pocos desean la liberación. Entre miles de aspirantes a la liberación, quizá uno solo la alcanza de verdad. Y entre miles de liberados, es sumamente raro quien comprende el significado auténtico de la liberación.
There are four classes of men, namely karmīs, jñānīs, yogīs and bhaktas. This statement pertains especially to karmīs and jñānīs. A karmī tries to he happy within this material world by changing from one body to another. His objective is bodily comfort, either in this planet or in another. When such a person becomes a jñānī, however, be aspires for liberation from material bondage. Among many such persons who aspire for liberation, one may actually be liberated during his life. Such a person gives up his attachment for society, friendship, love, country, family, wife and children. Among many such persons, who are in the vānaprastha stage, one may understand the value of becoming a sannyāsī, completely accepting the renounced order of life.
FAQs
This verse states that only a few truly desire liberation, and even among thousands of such seekers, only a rare person becomes actually liberated and perfected.
In the Bhagavatam’s view, most people remain absorbed in worldly aims; genuine longing for release from bondage is uncommon, and consummate realization is rarer still.
Do not be complacent about spiritual life—cultivate steady practice, sincere detachment, and deep devotion, understanding that real freedom requires consistent inner transformation.