Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 42
Nārada’s Arrival, the Nine Yogendras, and the Foundations of Bhāgavata-dharma
भक्ति: परेशानुभवो विरक्ति- रन्यत्र चैष त्रिक एककाल: । प्रपद्यमानस्य यथाश्नत: स्यु- स्तुष्टि: पुष्टि: क्षुदपायोऽनुघासम् ॥ ४२ ॥
bhaktiḥ pareśānubhavo viraktir anyatra caiṣa trika eka-kālaḥ prapadyamānasya yathāśnataḥ syus tuṣṭiḥ puṣṭiḥ kṣud-apāyo ’nu-ghāsam
至上人格神に帰依する者には、バクティ（献身）、主の直接体験、そして他への離欲という三つが同時に現れる。食事をする人が一口ごとに満足・滋養・空腹の消滅を同時に、しかも増しつつ得るのと同じである。
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī has explained this analogy as follows: Bhakti, or devotion, may be compared to tuṣṭi (satisfaction) because they both take the form of pleasure. Pareśānubhava (experience of the Supreme Lord) and puṣṭi (nourishment) are analogous because both sustain one’s life. Finally, virakti (detachment) and kṣud-apāya (cessation of hunger) may be compared because both free one from further hankering so that one may experience śānti, or peace.
FAQs
This verse says real bhakti is recognized by a threefold result that appears together: devotion to the Lord, direct realization of Him, and detachment from other attractions—like hunger fading while eating.
To show that spiritual progress is naturally self-verifying: as one sincerely takes shelter of the Lord, inner satisfaction, strength, and loss of material craving arise automatically, without separate effort.
Focus on steady devotional practice and sincere surrender; measure growth by reduced compulsive cravings and increased inner contentment, rather than by external display or argument.