Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 49
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 sacrifices ritualistes tels qu’agni-hotra, darśa, pūrṇamāsa, cāturmāsya, paśu et soma-yajña se reconnaissent à la mise à mort d’animaux et à la combustion de nombreux biens, surtout des grains, pour satisfaire des désirs matériels et engendrer l’inquiétude. De même, le culte de Vaiśvadeva, la cérémonie de Baliharaṇa, ainsi que la construction de temples pour les demi-dieux, d’auberges et de jardins, le creusement de puits, la distribution d’eau et de nourriture et les œuvres de bien public—dits iṣṭa et pūrta—sont en réalité des marques d’attachement aux convoitises du monde.
FAQs
In this verse, Prahlāda explains that rituals performed for material gain—though Vedic—remain desire-driven and cannot grant true peace of heart.
He is not rejecting Vedic authority; he is pointing out that when such rites are pursued for results and involve harm, they keep one bound to unrest rather than leading to devotion and liberation.
Prioritize inner transformation—truthfulness, compassion, and devotion—over external religiosity performed mainly for status, gain, or enjoyment.