Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 62
Parīkṣit’s Final Absorption, Takṣaka’s Bite, Janamejaya’s Snake Sacrifice, and the Vedic Sound-Lineage
याज्ञवल्क्यश्च तच्छिष्य आहाहो भगवन् कियत् । चरितेनाल्पसाराणां चरिष्येऽहं सुदुश्चरम् ॥ ६२ ॥
yājñavalkyaś ca tac-chiṣya āhāho bhagavan kiyat caritenālpa-sārāṇāṁ cariṣye ’haṁ su-duścaram
Un jour, Yājñavalkya, son disciple, dit : «Ô Bhagavān, maître vénérable ! Quel fruit peut-on tirer des efforts chétifs de ces disciples faibles ? Moi-même, j’accomplirai une austérité remarquable et très difficile.»
FAQs
This verse highlights the impulse to undertake “suduścara” (very difficult) austerity, while also implying that such practices may not be suitable or fruitful for those of “alpasāra” (little spiritual strength/essence).
He contrasts ordinary, weaker practitioners with his own determination, suggesting that common conduct may not elevate those lacking inner steadiness, and declaring his resolve to attempt a more demanding discipline.
Choose spiritual practices according to one’s capacity and consistency, and increase discipline gradually—steadiness and sincerity matter more than adopting extreme vows that cannot be maintained.