Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 9
Bhakti as the Supreme Process; Detachment and the Rudiments of Meditation
मन्मायामोहितधिय: पुरुषा: पुरुषर्षभ । श्रेयो वदन्त्यनेकान्तं यथाकर्म यथारुचि ॥ ९ ॥
man-māyā-mohita-dhiyaḥ puruṣāḥ puruṣarṣabha śreyo vadanty anekāntaṁ yathā-karma yathā-ruci
Ô le meilleur des hommes, l’intelligence des humains est troublée par Ma māyā; ainsi, selon leurs actes et leurs penchants, ils parlent de mille façons de ce qui constitue réellement le bien suprême.
Unlike the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the individual living entity is not omniscient, therefore his activities and pleasures do not represent the whole truth. According to one’s individual way of doing things ( yathā-karma ) and one’s personal preference ( yathā-ruci ), one speaks to others about what is good for them. Everyone thinks, “What is good for me is good for everyone.” Actually, the best thing for everyone is to surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, and thus realize one’s eternal nature of bliss and knowledge. Without knowledge of the Absolute Truth, many so-called learned people are whimsically advising other whimsical people who also lack perfect knowledge of the actual goal of life.
FAQs
Because their intelligence is influenced by the Lord’s māyā, they judge “the best path” through the lens of their own karma and personal preferences, producing many conflicting conclusions.
Kṛṣṇa is clarifying to Uddhava why worldly and even religious opinions vary, preparing him to focus on the Lord’s own conclusion rather than being swayed by karma-based or taste-based arguments.
Recognize that advice is often shaped by personal bias and background; therefore, test teachings against śāstra and seek guidance from genuine devotees, aiming for devotion to the Lord rather than merely what suits one’s habits.