Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 48
Matsya-avatāra: The Lord as Fish Saves the Vedas and Guides Satyavrata
यत्सेवयाग्नेरिव रुद्ररोदनं पुमान् विजह्यान्मलमात्मनस्तम: । भजेत वर्णं निजमेष सोऽव्ययो भूयात् स ईश: परमो गुरोर्गुरु: ॥ ४८ ॥
yat-sevayāgner iva rudra-rodanaṁ pumān vijahyān malam ātmanas tamaḥ bhajeta varṇaṁ nijam eṣa so ’vyayo bhūyāt sa īśaḥ paramo guror guruḥ
Celui qui veut se libérer de l’enchevêtrement matériel doit prendre refuge dans le service de la Suprême Personnalité de Dieu et rejeter la souillure de l’ignorance, liée aux actes pieux comme impies. De même que l’or ou l’argent, traités par le feu, perdent toute saleté et redeviennent purs, ainsi l’on retrouve son identité originelle. Que ce Seigneur inépuisable soit notre maître, car Il est le maître suprême de tous les maîtres.
In human life one is meant to undergo austerity to purify one’s existence. Tapo divyaṁ putrakā yena sattvaṁ śuddhyet . Because of contamination by the modes of material nature, one continues in the cycle of birth and death ( kāraṇaṁ guṇa-saṅgo ’sya sad-asad-yoni janmasu ). Therefore the purpose of human life is to purify oneself of this contamination so that one can regain his spiritual form and not undergo this cycle of birth and death. The recommended process of decontamination is devotional service to the Lord. There are various processes for self-realization, such as karma, jñāna and yoga, but none of them is equal to the process of devotional service. As gold and silver can be freed from all dirty contamination by being put into a fire but not merely by being washed, the living entity can be awakened to his own identity by performing devotional service ( yat-sevayā ), but not by karma, jñāna or yoga. Cultivation of speculative knowledge or practice of yogic gymnastics will not be helpful.
FAQs
This verse teaches that by serving the Lord, one gives up the inner impurity of darkness (tamas) and becomes established in one’s true spiritual nature.
Because the Lord is the ultimate source of all guidance and spiritual knowledge; even exalted teachers derive their authority and wisdom from Him.
Regular service and remembrance of the Lord (bhakti—hearing, chanting, worship) steadily reduces confusion and negativity, and helps one live from one’s higher, spiritual identity.