Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 22
Bhakti as the Easy and Supreme Yoga: Seeing Kṛṣṇa in All and Uddhava’s Departure to Badarikāśrama
एषा बुद्धिमतां बुद्धिर्मनीषा च मनीषिणाम् । यत् सत्यमनृतेनेह मर्त्येनाप्नोति मामृतम् ॥ २२ ॥
eṣā buddhimatāṁ buddhir manīṣā ca manīṣiṇām yat satyam anṛteneha martyenāpnoti māmṛtam
C’est l’intelligence suprême des intelligents et la finesse des plus fins : qu’en cette vie même, le mortel se serve du temporaire et de l’irréel pour atteindre Moi, la Réalité éternelle et immortelle.
As described in this chapter, one who desires personal prestige in the Lord’s service cannot be considered intelligent and clever. Similarly, one who is anxious to become a sophisticated transcendental philosopher is not the most intelligent. Nor is one who is expert in accumulating money. The Lord here states that the most intelligent and clever person is the devotee who offers his temporary, illusory material body and possessions to Him with love and without personal motivation. The devotee thus obtains the eternal Absolute Truth. In other words, real intelligence is to actually surrender to Lord Kṛṣṇa, without personal desire or duplicity. That is the Lord’s opinion.
FAQs
In 11.29.22, Śrī Kṛṣṇa says real intelligence is to use the temporary, unreal conditions of this world as a means to attain Him—the eternal Truth and immortality—through spiritual practice, especially bhakti.
Because the wise do not get trapped in the temporary; they transform mortal life and fleeting experiences into a path of devotion and realization that culminates in attaining Kṛṣṇa, the deathless Reality.
Treat changing circumstances, possessions, and achievements as tools for devotion—offer work, relationships, and daily duties to God—so the temporary becomes a bridge to lasting spiritual realization.