Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 17
Parīkṣit’s Full Surrender and Śukadeva’s Maṅgalācaraṇa to Kṛṣṇa
Inquiry into Creation, Maintenance, and Dissolution
तपस्विनो दानपरा यशस्विनो मनस्विनो मन्त्रविद: सुमङ्गला: । क्षेमं न विन्दन्ति विना यदर्पणं तस्मै सुभद्रश्रवसे नमो नम: ॥ १७ ॥
tapasvino dāna-parā yaśasvino manasvino mantra-vidaḥ sumaṅgalāḥ kṣemaṁ na vindanti vinā yad-arpaṇaṁ tasmai subhadra-śravase namo namaḥ
苦行者、施与に励む者、名声ある者、思慮深き者、マントラに通じた者、吉祥なる者であっても——その徳を主への奉仕に捧げなければ——真の安寧の果を得ない。ゆえに吉祥の御名をもつシュリー・クリシュナに、幾度も礼拝する。
Advancement of learning, a charitable disposition, political, social or religious leadership of human society, philosophical speculations, the practice of the yoga system, expertise in the Vedic rituals, and all similar high qualities in man serve one in the attainment of perfection only when they are employed in the service of the Lord. Without such dovetailing, all such qualities become sources of trouble for people in general. Everything can be utilized either for one’s own sense gratification or in the service of one other than oneself. There are two kinds of self-interest also, namely personal selfishness and extended selfishness. But there is no qualitative difference between personal and extended selfishness. Theft for personal interest or for the family interest is of the same quality — namely, criminal. A thief pleading not guilty because of committing theft not for personal interest but for the interest of society or country has never been excused by the established law of any country. People in general have no knowledge that the self-interest of a living being attains perfection only when such an interest coincides with the interest of the Lord. For example, what is the interest of maintaining body and soul together? One earns money for maintenance of the body (personal or social), but unless there is God consciousness, unless the body is being properly maintained to realize one’s relation with God, all good efforts to maintain body and soul together are similar to the attempts of the animals to maintain body and soul together. The purpose of maintaining the human body is different from that of the animals. Similarly, advancement of learning, economic development, philosophical research, study in the Vedic literature or even the execution of pious activities (like charity, opening of hospitals, and the distribution of food grains) should be done in relation with the Lord. The aim of all such acts and endeavors must be the pleasure of the Lord and not the satisfaction of any other identity, individual or collective ( saṁsiddhir hari-toṣaṇam ). In the Bhagavad-gītā (9.27) the same principle is confirmed where it is said that whatever we may give in charity and whatever we may observe in austerity must be given over to the Lord or be done on His account only. The expert leaders of a godless human civilization cannot bring about a fruitful result in all their different attempts at educational advancement or economic development unless they are God conscious. And to become God conscious one has to hear about the all-auspicious Lord, as He is described in literature like the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
FAQs
This verse teaches that even austerity, charity, fame, mantra-knowledge, and good qualities do not grant real kṣema (lasting welfare) unless they are offered to the Supreme Lord in devotion.
In Canto 2, Śukadeva is guiding Parīkṣit toward the essence of spiritual success: bhakti. He highlights that all virtues become spiritually fruitful only when dedicated to Bhagavān.
Do your duties and practices—work, charity, study, worship—while consciously dedicating their results to God, and regularly hear/chant His glories, making devotion the center of all activities.