Shloka 25
Bhadrā and Mitravindā: The Fruits of Namaskāra, Pradakṣiṇā, Hari-nāma, and Śravaṇa of Bhāgavata Kathā
यस्मिन्दिने श्रवणं नास्ति विष्णोस्तेषां जन्म व्यर्थमाहुः कथायाम् / स्नान जपः पञ्चयज्ञं व्रतं च इष्टापूर्ते कृच्छ्रचान्द्रो च दत्तम्
yasmindine śravaṇaṃ nāsti viṣṇosteṣāṃ janma vyarthamāhuḥ kathāyām / snāna japaḥ pañcayajñaṃ vrataṃ ca iṣṭāpūrte kṛcchracāndro ca dattam
जिस दिन विष्णु-कथा का श्रवण नहीं होता, उस दिन को विद्वान जन्म का व्यर्थ होना कहते हैं। स्नान, जप, पञ्चयज्ञ, व्रत, इष्ट-पूर्त, कृच्छ्र-चान्द्रायण आदि तप और दान—सब श्रवण के बिना गौण हो जाते हैं।
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Without Viṣṇu-kathā-śravaṇa, other religious acts (snāna, japa, pañca-yajña, vrata, iṣṭāpūrta, kṛcchra/cāndrāyaṇa, dāna) lose their highest purpose; śravaṇa is the vital center.
Vedantic Theme: Inner orientation (bhagavad-viṣayatā) as the soul of karma; mere external performance without Bhagavat-sambandha is spiritually barren.
Application: Anchor daily routine with at least a short segment of Viṣṇu-kathā (reading/listening); treat other practices as supportive, not substitutive, for remembrance and hearing.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated hierarchy placing Hari-nāma/śravaṇa above expiations and ritual complexity (theme)
FAQs
This verse states that without hearing Vishnu’s sacred discourse, life is considered wasted, and even major ritual merits and penances become secondary compared to śravaṇa that nurtures devotion and remembrance.
In the Preta Kanda’s broader teaching on post-death outcomes, the verse emphasizes inner spiritual alignment—remembering and hearing of Vishnu—as a decisive support beyond external rites, shaping one’s fate more profoundly than mere ritual accumulation.
Regularly set aside time for listening to authentic Vishnu-centered scripture/discourses, and let daily rituals, vows, charity, and discipline serve as supports to that remembrance rather than substitutes for it.