Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 27
Nārada Instructs the Pracetās: Bhakti as the Goal of All Paths
यो नारदादात्मविद्यामधिगम्य पुनर्महीम् । भुक्त्वा विभज्य पुत्रेभ्य ऐश्वरं समगात्पदम् ॥ २७ ॥
yo nāradād ātma-vidyām adhigamya punar mahīm bhuktvā vibhajya putrebhya aiśvaraṁ samagāt padam
Bien que Mahārāja Priyavrata eût reçu de Nārada la science de l’âme, il s’engagea néanmoins dans le gouvernement de la terre. Après avoir goûté aux jouissances et à la puissance, il partagea son royaume entre ses fils et, finalement, atteignit la position suprême pour rentrer au foyer, au royaume de Dieu.
FAQs
This verse teaches that one may fulfill worldly responsibilities, but after receiving ātma-vidyā from a genuine saint like Nārada and giving up possessiveness (even by distributing one’s wealth to heirs), one can attain the supreme spiritual abode.
Nārada represents the realized guru who awakens devotion and self-knowledge; the verse highlights that true liberation comes not merely from power or austerity, but from guidance received through saintly instruction.
Seek authentic spiritual education, perform your responsibilities without attachment, and practice conscious “letting go” by sharing resources, reducing ego-based ownership, and orienting life toward devotion and liberation.