Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 38
Vānaprastha-vidhi and Sannyāsa-dharma: Austerity, Detachment, and the Paramahaṁsa Ideal
दु:खोदर्केषु कामेषु जातनिर्वेद आत्मवान् । अजिज्ञासितमद्धर्मो मुनिं गुरुमुपव्रजेत् ॥ ३८ ॥
duḥkhodarkeṣu kāmeṣu jāta-nirveda ātmavān ajijñāsita-mad-dharmo muniṁ gurum upavrajet
ઇન્દ્રિયભોગોના પરિણામ દુઃખદ છે એમ જાણી વૈરાગ્ય પામેલો, આત્મસંયમી અને આધ્યાત્મિક સિદ્ધિ ઇચ્છતો, પરંતુ મને પ્રાપ્ત કરવાની રીતનું ગંભીર ચિંતન ન કરેલું—એ શાસ્ત્રજ્ઞ સદ્ગુરુ મુનિ પાસે શરણ જાય.
In the previous verses Lord Kṛṣṇa described the duty of one who has developed perfect knowledge. Now Lord Kṛṣṇa discusses the situation of one who, desiring self-realization, has become detached from material life but lacks perfect knowledge of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Such a detached person desiring self-realization must approach the lotus feet of a bona fide spiritual master in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and then he will quickly come to the standard of perfect understanding. One who is seriously inclined toward spiritual perfection should not hesitate to adopt the regular discipline necessary for achieving the highest perfection in life.
FAQs
This verse says that when one becomes disenchanted with sense pleasures and has not yet understood the Lord’s dharma, one should approach a sage who is a genuine spiritual master for guidance.
In the Uddhava-gītā section, Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on the path of spiritual life; here He emphasizes that true inquiry into divine dharma begins by taking shelter of a qualified guru, especially after recognizing the pain inherent in material enjoyment.
Recognize the recurring dissatisfaction in pleasure-seeking, cultivate self-control, and then seriously seek instruction from an authentic, learned, and saintly teacher who can guide you in devotional practice and right understanding.