Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 2
Chapter 19
ज्ञानिनस् त्व् अहम् एवेष्टः स्वार्थो हेतुश् च सम्मतः ।
स्वर्गश् चैवापवर्गश् च नान्यो 'र्थो मद्-ऋते प्रियः ॥
jñāninas tv aham eveṣṭaḥ svārtho hetuś ca sammataḥ / svargaś caivāpavargaś ca nānyo 'rtho mad-ṛte priyaḥ //
Pour les sages, Moi seul suis l’Aimé—reconnu comme leur véritable intérêt et leur raison d’être. Le ciel et la délivrance se trouvent en Moi; mon cher, en dehors de Moi il n’est pas d’autre but réel.
Here the Lord reveals the heart of perfected knowledge: it does not end in impersonal abstraction, but in exclusive valuing of Bhagavān. The phrase “aham eva iṣṭaḥ” indicates that for the genuine jñānī, Kṛṣṇa is not merely a means to an end—He is the end. “Svārthaḥ” (true self-interest) corrects the common mistake of seeking benefit separate from God; the soul’s real welfare is to love and serve its source. The Lord also reframes common religious aspirations: “svarga” (heavenly enjoyment) and “apavarga” (liberation) are not independent prizes. They are subordinate outcomes contained within relationship with Him. In bhakti, even mokṣa is not the primary obsession; it becomes a byproduct of surrender. Thus the verse teaches a hierarchy of goals: worldly elevation and even emancipation are incomplete if pursued apart from devotion. When Kṛṣṇa becomes the sole cherished objective, the seeker attains the highest perfection—pure love that naturally includes freedom from bondage and fear.
FAQs
Yes. This verse states that for the truly wise, Kṛṣṇa alone is the cherished goal, and even liberation (apavarga) is found within Him rather than as an aim separate from Him.
The real jñānī accepts Kṛṣṇa as “svārtha”—the soul’s true self-interest—and as the ultimate purpose, not merely as a tool for gaining liberation.
It redirects ambition from temporary rewards to lasting meaning: make devotion and alignment with God the central aim, and let success or freedom be secondary outcomes rather than identity.