Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 2
The Pracetās Meet Lord Viṣṇu—Benedictions, Pure Prayer, and the Birth of Dakṣa
किं बार्हस्पत्येह परत्र वाथ कैवल्यनाथप्रियपार्श्ववर्तिन: । आसाद्य देवं गिरिशं यदृच्छया प्रापु: परं नूनमथ प्रचेतस: ॥ २ ॥
kiṁ bārhaspatyeha paratra vātha kaivalya-nātha-priya-pārśva-vartinaḥ āsādya devaṁ giriśaṁ yadṛcchayā prāpuḥ paraṁ nūnam atha pracetasaḥ
愛しきバーृहस्पティヤよ、プラチェータたちは、解脱を授ける至上主に最も愛される近侍、ギリーシャ（シヴァ）に偶然会って、この世あるいは来世で何を得たのか。彼らが至高の住処に移されたのは確かだが、それ以外に何を得たのか。
All types of material happiness are obtained in this life or in the next life, on this planet or on another. The living entity wanders within this material universe in so many species of life and so many planetary systems. The distress and happiness obtained during the span of life are called iha, and the distress and happiness obtained in the next life are called paratra.
FAQs
This verse praises those who take shelter of Lord Śiva—who is dear to Viṣṇu, the Lord of liberation—indicating that meeting Śiva and receiving his guidance can lead one to the supreme spiritual destination.
Bṛhaspati represents worldly and heavenly counsel; the verse suggests that for those who have directly approached Lord Śiva by divine providence, such secondary instruction becomes unnecessary because they are guided toward the highest goal.
Seek genuine saintly association and divine-centered guidance; one fortunate encounter with a realized devotee can redirect life from mere success or scholarship toward lasting spiritual purpose.