Shloka 30
Kṛṣṇa Visits Trivakrā; Akrūra’s Praise and the Hastināpura Mission
भवद्विधा महाभागा निषेव्या अर्हसत्तमा: । श्रेयस्कामैर्नृभिर्नित्यं देवा: स्वार्था न साधव: ॥ ३० ॥
bhavad-vidhā mahā-bhāgā niṣevyā arha-sattamāḥ śreyas-kāmair nṛbhir nityaṁ devāḥ svārthā na sādhavaḥ
Les âmes exaltées comme toi sont les véritables objets de service et les autorités les plus dignes d’adoration pour ceux qui recherchent le bien suprême. Les demi-dieux pensent souvent à leur intérêt, mais les saints dévots ne le font jamais.
Whereas demigods may award material benefit, saintly devotees of the Lord have the power to award the real perfection of life, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa reinforces the respectful mood He has adopted here toward His uncle Akrūra.
FAQs
This verse teaches that those who desire śreyas—the highest spiritual good—should always serve and associate with exalted saints, because sādhus are selfless guides to genuine welfare.
In this context Krishna honors Akrūra as a saintly devotee and contrasts him with devas, who generally grant results tied to specific desires and duties, whereas sādhus act for others’ spiritual benefit without selfish motive.
Prioritize guidance from genuinely selfless, devotion-centered teachers and communities, and measure choices by long-term spiritual benefit rather than short-term gains.