Shloka 30

Nārada’s Protection of Kayādhu and Prahlāda’s Womb-Instructions: Ātma-tattva and the Path of Bhakti

Devanagari script

गुरुशुश्रूषया भक्त्या सर्वलब्धार्पणेन च । सङ्गेन साधुभक्तानामीश्वराराधनेन च ॥ ३० ॥ श्रद्धया तत्कथायां च कीर्तनैर्गुणकर्मणाम् । तत्पादाम्बुरुहध्यानात तल्लिङ्गेक्षार्हणादिभि: ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

guru-śuśrūṣayā bhaktyā sarva-labdhārpaṇena ca saṅgena sādhu-bhaktānām īśvarārādhanena ca

Translation

Il faut accepter le maître spirituel authentique et le servir avec foi et dévotion. Tout ce que l’on possède doit être offert au guru, puis, en compagnie des sādhus et des bhaktas, adorer le Seigneur.

Synonyms

• गुरु-शुश्रूषया: by service to the guru
• गुरु-शुश्रूषया: करण (Karaṇa/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक) + शुश्रूषा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental); एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (गुरोः शुश्रूषा = service to the guru)

• भक्त्या: by devotion
• भक्त्या: करण (Karaṇa/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन

• सर्व-लब्ध-अर्पणेन: by offering all that one has obtained
• सर्व-लब्ध-अर्पणेन: करण (Karaṇa/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + लब्ध (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + अर्पण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (सर्वं लब्धं यस्य/यत् तत् अर्पणम् = offering of all that is obtained)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• सङ्गेन: by association
• सङ्गेन: करण (Karaṇa/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन

• साधु-भक्तानाम्: of saintly devotees
• साधु-भक्तानाम्: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साधु (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive); बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (साधवः भक्ताः = saintly devotees)

• ईश्वर-आराधनेन: by worship of the Lord
• ईश्वर-आराधनेन: करण (Karaṇa/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक) + आराधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (ईश्वरस्य आराधनम् = worship of the Lord)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

Purport

In the previous verse it has been said that the process which immediately increases one’s love and affection for the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the best of the many thousands of ways to become free from the entanglement of material existence. It is also said, dharmasya tattvaṁ nihitaṁ guhāyām: actually the truth of religious principles is extremely confidential. Nonetheless, it can be understood very easily if one actually adopts the principles of religion. As it is said, dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam: the process of religion is enunciated by the Supreme Lord because He is the supreme authority. This is also indicated in the previous verse by the word bhagavatoditaḥ. The injunctions or directions of the Lord are infallible, and their benefits are fully assured. According to His directions, which are explained in this verse, the perfect form of religion is bhakti-yoga.

Characters & Entities

• Prahlāda Mahārāja
• Īśvara (Supreme Lord)
• Guru (spiritual master)
• Sādhu-bhaktas (saintly devotees)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about advancing in bhakti through guru-sevā and sādhu-saṅga?

This verse teaches that devotion grows through serving the spiritual master, associating with saintly devotees, offering one’s gains to the Lord, and worshiping the Supreme.

Why did Prahlāda Mahārāja speak about devotional practices to his schoolmates?

Prahlāda, though born in an asura family, instructed his classmates in pure devotion, showing that bhakti is the true welfare path even amid materialistic education.

How can I apply “offering everything obtained” in modern life?

Dedicate your income, skills, and daily results to God’s service—support dharmic causes, serve devotees, and mentally offer the fruits of work as an act of worship.