Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 12
Karma, Jñāna, and Bhakti: Vedic Dharma, Piety and Sin, and the Boat of Human Life
स्वर्गिणोऽप्येतमिच्छन्ति लोकं निरयिणस्तथा । साधकं ज्ञानभक्तिभ्यामुभयं तदसाधकम् ॥ १२ ॥
svargiṇo ’py etam icchanti lokaṁ nirayiṇas tathā sādhakaṁ jñāna-bhaktibhyām ubhayaṁ tad-asādhakam
સ્વર્ગવાસીઓ પણ અને નરકવાસીઓ પણ આ મનુષ્યલોકની ઇચ્છા કરે છે; કારણ કે અહીં જ્ઞાન અને ભક્તિ—બન્નેની સાધના શક્ય છે, પરંતુ સ્વર્ગીય કે નરકીય દેહો એ બન્ને માટે યોગ્ય સાધન નથી।
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī points out that in material heaven one becomes absorbed in extraordinary sense gratification and in hell one is absorbed in suffering. In both cases there is little impetus to acquire transcendental knowledge or pure love of Godhead. Excessive suffering or excessive enjoyment are thus impediments to spiritual advancement.
FAQs
This verse states that the desired spiritual state is accomplished through both knowledge and devotion together, whereas each taken alone is insufficient to fully accomplish it.
In Canto 11, Krishna instructs Uddhava on the most effective sādhana for liberation and divine realization, clarifying that mere intellectual knowledge or mere sentiment without proper understanding can fall short.
Practice devotion (hearing, chanting, prayer, service) while also cultivating clear understanding through study and reflection—so devotion stays steady and knowledge becomes God-centered rather than dry or egoic.