Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 25
Bondage and Liberation Under Māyā; Two Birds Analogy; Marks of the Saintly Devotee
सत्सङ्गलब्धया भक्त्या मयि मां स उपासिता । स वै मे दर्शितं सद्भिरञ्जसा विन्दते पदम् ॥ २५ ॥
sat-saṅga-labdhayā bhaktyā mayi māṁ sa upāsitā sa vai me darśitaṁ sadbhir añjasā vindate padam
Celui qui, par la sainte compagnie de Mes dévots, obtient la bhakti pure et M’adore sans cesse, atteint très aisément Ma demeure, révélée par les dévots saints.
In the previous verses Lord Kṛṣṇa has emphasized the value of surrendering to Him in loving service. One may ask how such surrender or devotion is actually achieved. The Lord gives the answer in this verse. One must live in a society of devotees, and thus automatically one will be engaged twenty-four hours a day in the various processes of devotional service, beginning with śravaṇam, kīrtanam and smaraṇam (hearing, glorifying and remembering the Lord). The pure devotees of the Lord can reveal the spiritual world by their transcendental sound vibration, making it possible for even a neophyte devotee to experience the Lord’s abode. Being thus enlivened, the neophyte makes further progress and gradually becomes qualified to personally serve the Personality of Godhead in the spiritual world. By constantly associating with devotees and learning from them about devotional science, one quickly achieves a deep attachment for the Lord and the Lord’s service, and such attachment gradually matures into pure love of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse teaches that devotion born from saintly association is the true means to worship the Lord, and that the realized saintly reveal Him and help one quickly attain His supreme abode.
In the Uddhava Gītā section, Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on the essence of bhakti—showing that association with pure devotees is the catalyst for genuine devotion and spiritual attainment.
Seek regular association with sincere devotees (study, kīrtana, service), learn from those grounded in scripture, and let that guidance shape daily worship and conduct—this accelerates spiritual progress.