Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 22
Lakṣmī’s Emergence, Dhanvantari, and the Advent of Mohinī-mūrti
क्वचिच्चिरायुर्न हि शीलमङ्गलं क्वचित् तदप्यस्ति न वेद्यमायुष: । यत्रोभयं कुत्र च सोऽप्यमङ्गल: सुमङ्गल: कश्च न काङ्क्षते हि माम् ॥ २२ ॥
kvacic cirāyur na hi śīla-maṅgalaṁ kvacit tad apy asti na vedyam āyuṣaḥ yatrobhayaṁ kutra ca so ’py amaṅgalaḥ sumaṅgalaḥ kaśca na kāṅkṣate hi mām
Ada yang berumur panjang namun tidak berperilaku mulia. Ada yang berperilaku baik dan membawa keberkahan, namun lamanya hidup tidak pasti. Di tempat keduanya ada pun, masih tampak kebiasaan yang tidak suci; bahkan Śiva yang abadi pun memiliki kebiasaan seperti tinggal di tempat pembakaran mayat. Dan sekalipun ada yang unggul dalam segala hal, bila ia bukan bhakta Tuhan Yang Maha Esa, ia pun tidak menginginkan aku.
FAQs
This verse teaches that long life and good character alone do not guarantee real auspiciousness; the Lord Himself is the supreme auspiciousness, and desiring His shelter is the highest good.
Amid their anxiety for success and safety, the Lord redirects their focus from temporary advantages (longevity, virtue, prosperity) to the ultimate goal—seeking Him, the sure source of all auspiciousness.
Do not measure success only by health, lifespan, or social respectability; prioritize devotion and remembrance of the Lord, making spiritual shelter the foundation of all goals.