Shloka 4
Govardhana-dhāraṇa: Kṛṣṇa Lifts Govardhana and Humbles Indra
यथादृढै: कर्ममयै: क्रतुभिर्नामनौनिभै: । विद्यामान्वीक्षिकीं हित्वा तितीर्षन्ति भवार्णवम् ॥ ४ ॥
yathādṛḍhaiḥ karma-mayaiḥ kratubhir nāma-nau-nibhaiḥ vidyām ānvīkṣikīṁ hitvā titīrṣanti bhavārṇavam
彼らがクリシュナに寄りかかるのは、自己の超越的知識を捨て、果報を求める儀礼供犠という偽りの舟で輪廻の大海を渡ろうとする愚かな試みに等しい。
FAQs
This verse critiques rigid, fruitive sacrifices as insufficient for crossing saṁsāra, comparing them to “name-only boats,” and points toward genuine wisdom (and, in the Bhagavatam’s larger thrust, devotion) as the real means.
In the Govardhana narrative, the Bhagavatam contrasts dependence on ritualistic karma with taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa; the verse highlights that mere formal rites cannot grant true deliverance without deeper spiritual understanding.
Don’t rely only on external religiosity or labels; cultivate real understanding through study, reflection, and sincere devotion, aiming for inner transformation rather than ritual as an end in itself.