Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 5
Priyavrata Accepts Kingship by Brahmā’s Instruction; Sapta-dvīpa Formation and Renunciation
श्रीशुक उवाच बाढमुक्तं भगवत उत्तमश्लोकस्य श्रीमच्चरणारविन्दमकरन्दरस आवेशितचेतसो भागवतपरमहंस दयितकथां किञ्चिदन्तरायविहतां स्वां शिवतमां पदवीं न प्रायेण हिन्वन्ति ॥ ५ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca bāḍham uktaṁ bhagavata uttamaślokasya śrīmac-caraṇāravinda-makaranda-rasa āveśita-cetaso bhāgavata-paramahaṁsa-dayita-kathāṁ kiñcid antarāya-vihatāṁ svāṁ śivatamāṁ padavīṁ na prāyeṇa hinvanti.
Śrī Śukadeva dit : « Tu as parlé avec justesse. Les gloires du Bhagavān, l’Uttamaśloka célébré par des vers transcendants, sont d’une douceur exquise pour les grands dévots et les âmes libérées. Celui dont l’esprit est plongé dans le miel nectaré des pieds de lotus du Seigneur, même parfois arrêté par quelque obstacle, n’abandonne presque jamais la position sublime qu’il a acquise. »
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī accepted both of the King’s propositions — that a person who is advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot embrace materialistic life again and that one who has embraced materialistic life cannot take up Kṛṣṇa consciousness at any stage of his existence. Although accepting both these statements, Śukadeva Gosvāmī qualified them by saying that a person who has once absorbed his mind in the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead may sometimes be influenced by impediments but he still does not give up his exalted devotional position.
FAQs
This verse says that exalted devotees absorbed in the nectar of the Lord’s lotus feet generally do not abandon their auspicious devotional path even when their beloved hearing and speaking about Him is temporarily interrupted.
He highlights that the highest devotees (bhāgavata-paramahaṁsas) are sustained by deep inner absorption in the Lord (Uttamaśloka). Because their attachment is to the Lord Himself, external interruptions cannot easily divert them from bhakti.
Treat disruptions as temporary: return to hearing, chanting, and remembrance as soon as possible, keeping your inner connection primary. Steadiness grows by repeatedly re-centering the mind on the Lord rather than waiting for perfect conditions.