Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 23
Chapter 19
मदर्थेऽर्थपरित्यागो भोगस्य च सुखस्य च ।
इष्टं दत्तं हुतं जप्तं मदर्थं यद् व्रतं तपः ॥
mad-arthe 'rtha-parityāgo bhogasya ca sukhasya ca / iṣṭaṃ dattaṃ hutaṃ japtaṃ mad-arthaṃ yad vrataṃ tapaḥ //
Pour Moi, on renonce au gain matériel, ainsi qu’aux jouissances et au bonheur personnel. Quoi que l’on accomplisse—culte, charité, sacrifice, récitation de mantras, vœux ou austérités—si c’est fait pour Moi, c’est la véritable pratique spirituelle.
In this verse, the Lord clarifies the defining feature of genuine sādhana: exclusive intention for Him. Renunciation is not merely the external abandonment of money, pleasures, or comfort; it becomes spiritually potent when it is consciously offered to Bhagavān. Similarly, religious acts—pūjā (iṣṭam), dāna (dattam), yajña/homa (hutam), japa (japtam), vrata (vows), and tapaḥ (austerity)—are commonly pursued for prosperity, prestige, relief from distress, or heavenly reward. Here, Kṛṣṇa redirects all such practices toward bhakti by establishing “mad-artham” (for My purpose) as the essential criterion. The implication is twofold: (1) even ordinary duties can become devotional when their motive is to please the Lord, and (2) even impressive spirituality becomes fruitless if driven by ego, bargaining, or enjoyment. This is the inner standard of bhakti-yoga taught in the Uddhava Gītā—transforming life into offering (arpita-bhāva), where the devotee’s sacrifices are not self-centered but God-centered.
FAQs
Bhagavatam 11.19.23 teaches that worship, charity, sacrifice, japa, vows, and austerity become true spiritual practice when performed “mad-artham”—for Krishna’s sake, not for personal gain.
Because the hallmark of pure devotion is prioritizing Krishna’s pleasure over one’s own comfort; such God-centered renunciation purifies the heart and turns all actions into bhakti.
Do your duties and spiritual practices with a clear intention to please Krishna—offer results, time, and choices to Him—reducing self-centered motives like status, profit, or mere comfort.