Shloka 44
Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha
तप्यन्ते लोकतापेन साधव: प्रायशो जना: । परमाराधनं तद्धि पुरुषस्याखिलात्मन: ॥ ४४ ॥
tapyante loka-tāpena sādhavaḥ prāyaśo janāḥ paramārādhanaṁ tad dhi puruṣasyākhilātmanaḥ
કહેવાય છે કે સાધુજન લોકના દુઃખથી દ્રવિત થઈ ઘણીવાર સ્વેચ્છાએ કષ્ટ સહે છે. આ જ સર્વહૃદયસ્થ અખિલાત્મા પરમપુરુષ ભગવાનની પરમ આરાધના માનવામાં આવે છે.
Here is an explanation of how those engaged in activities for the welfare of others are very quickly recognized by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (18.68-69), ya idaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ mad-bhakteṣv abhidhāsyati … na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ: “One who preaches the message of Bhagavad-gītā to My devotees is most dear to Me. No one can excel him in satisfying Me by worship.” There are different kinds of welfare activities in this material world, but the supreme welfare activity is the spreading of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Other welfare activities cannot be effective, for the laws of nature and the results of karma cannot be checked. It is by destiny, or the laws of karma, that one must suffer or enjoy. For instance, if one is given a court order, he must accept it, whether it brings suffering or profit. Similarly, everyone is under obligations to karma and it reactions. No one can change this. Therefore the śāstra says:
FAQs
This verse says that saintly devotees feel the pain of the world’s suffering, and that such compassionate concern is itself the highest worship of the Supreme Lord, who is the Soul of all.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse while narrating to Mahārāja Parīkṣit, describing the nature of sādhus during the events surrounding the churning of the ocean.
Practice bhakti with active compassion—help relieve others’ distress (through service, kindness, and spiritual support) while seeing every being as connected to the Supreme Lord within.