Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 22
Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Māyā, Cosmic Dissolution, Guru-Śaraṇāgati, Bhakti, and Deity Worship
तत्र भागवतान् धर्मान् शिक्षेद् गुर्वात्मदैवत: । अमाययानुवृत्त्या यैस्तुष्येदात्मात्मदोहरि: ॥ २२ ॥
tatra bhāgavatān dharmān śikṣed gurv-ātma-daivataḥ amāyayānuvṛttyā yais tuṣyed ātmātma-do hariḥ
Di sana, murid hendaknya memandang guru sebagai jiwa hidupnya dan dewa yang patut disembah, lalu belajar darinya dharma Bhāgavata—jalan bhakti murni. Dengan ketulusan tanpa tipu daya dan kesetiaan yang menguntungkan, ia melayani sehingga Hari, Jiwa dari segala jiwa, berkenan; dan ketika puas, Hari menganugerahkan Diri‑Nya kepada bhakta yang suci.
According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī the Lord’s tendency to give Himself to His pure devotee is demonstrated in the case of Bali Mahārāja, who sacrificed his universal kingdom for the pleasure of Lord Vāmanadeva. Lord Vāmana was so pleased by the selfless surrender of Bali Mahārāja that the Lord became the doorman in the palace of Bali, who was reinstalled as a great leader in the universe.
FAQs
This verse says one should learn bhāgavata-dharma by honoring the guru as worshipable and as one’s own very self, and by following the teachings sincerely.
Because devotion matures through honest, non-deceptive practice; such straightforward following is what truly satisfies Lord Hari.
Choose authentic guidance, practice consistently (japa, hearing, service), avoid show or pretense, and measure progress by increased humility and sincerity rather than external display.