Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 48
Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation
¨ हिंस्रं द्रव्यमयं काम्यमग्निहोत्राद्यशान्तिदम् । दर्शश्च पूर्णमासश्च चातुर्मास्यं पशु: सुत: ॥ ४८ ॥ एतदिष्टं प्रवृत्ताख्यं हुतं प्रहुतमेव च । पूर्तं सुरालयारामकूपाजीव्यादिलक्षणम् ॥ ४९ ॥
hiṁsraṁ dravyamayaṁ kāmyam agni-hotrādy-aśāntidam darśaś ca pūrṇamāsaś ca cāturmāsyaṁ paśuḥ sutaḥ
Les rites et sacrifices tels qu’agni-hotra, darśa, pūrṇamāsa, cāturmāsya, paśu-yajña et soma-yajña sont des cérémonies kāmya, centrées sur les biens et empreintes de violence; on y brûle beaucoup de richesses, surtout des grains, et l’on engendre l’inquiétude. De même, le culte de Vaiśvadeva, le baliharaṇa, la construction de temples pour les demi-dieux, d’auberges et de jardins, le creusement de puits pour l’eau, l’établissement de distributions de nourriture et les œuvres de bien public—tout cela relève de la voie de pravṛtti, marquée par l’attachement aux désirs matériels.
FAQs
In this verse, Prahlada explains that rituals performed for material desires and requiring violence or heavy paraphernalia do not give true peace; they keep one within restless material motivation rather than pure devotion.
He is teaching that dharma aimed at personal gain (kāmya-karma) cannot satisfy the soul; it may yield temporary results but does not awaken bhakti or lasting inner tranquility.
Shift the focus from “results-based” religiosity to devotion and inner purification—practice prayer, chanting, service, and ethical living for pleasing the Lord rather than for obtaining rewards.