Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 1
Varṇāśrama-dharma as a Path to Bhakti
Yuga-dharma Origins, Universal Virtues, Brahmacarya and Gṛhastha Duties
श्रीउद्धव उवाच यस्त्वयाभिहित: पूर्वं धर्मस्त्वद्भक्तिलक्षण: । वर्णाश्रमाचारवतां सर्वेषां द्विपदामपि ॥ १ ॥ यथानुष्ठीयमानेन त्वयि भक्तिर्नृणां भवेत् । स्वधर्मेणारविन्दाक्ष तन् ममाख्यातुमर्हसि ॥ २ ॥
śrī-uddhava uvāca yas tvayābhihitaḥ pūrvaṁ dharmas tvad-bhakti-lakṣaṇaḥ varṇāśramācāravatāṁ sarveṣāṁ dvi-padām api
Śrī Uddhava dit : Ô Seigneur, auparavant Tu as exposé le dharma dont la marque est la bhakti envers Toi, pour ceux qui suivent le varṇāśrama et même pour les hommes ordinaires. Ô Toi aux yeux de lotus, daigne m’expliquer comment, en accomplissant son devoir propre (svadharma), tout être humain peut atteindre le service dévotionnel empreint d’amour envers Toi.
Lord Kṛṣṇa has already elaborately explained the process of jñāna-yoga, bhakti-yoga and aṣṭāṅga-yoga. Now Uddhava inquires how those inclined toward karma-yoga can achieve the perfection of life, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In Bhagavad-gītā (4.13) Lord Kṛṣṇa describes that He is personally the creator of the varṇāśrama system. Cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ. Therefore the ultimate goal of the varṇāśrama system is to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In other words, one should become a devotee of the Lord and learn the process of pure devotional service. The easiest method of achieving pure devotional service is by the association of pure devotees of the Lord. If one submissively and faithfully associates with pure devotees, one can immediately achieve the perfection of life. A Kṛṣṇa conscious person is not required to execute all the formalities of the varṇāśrama system, because a Kṛṣṇa conscious person, absorbed in love of Godhead, automatically gives up all sense gratification and mental speculation. Those human beings who do not follow the varṇāśrama system are here referred to as dvi-padām, or two-legged. In other words, one who does not follow the religious path of life is known to be human only by the possession of two legs. Even ordinary animals and insects are eagerly engaged in eating, sleeping, mating and defending; the human being, however, is distinguished from such lower forms of life by his capacity to become religious and, ultimately, to love God in pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
FAQs
This verse states that the dharma taught by Kṛṣṇa is defined by devotion to Him and is relevant for all humans, including those practicing varṇa and āśrama duties.
Uddhava is clarifying that Kṛṣṇa’s earlier teaching on devotion-centered dharma should be understood in relation to social and spiritual duties (varṇa and āśrama) followed by people.
Perform your responsibilities with the intention of pleasing Kṛṣṇa—making devotion the defining purpose behind work, family duties, and ethical living.