Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 34
Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Māyā, Cosmic Dissolution, Guru-Śaraṇāgati, Bhakti, and Deity Worship
श्रीराजोवाच नारायणाभिधानस्य ब्रह्मण: परमात्मन: । निष्ठामर्हथ नो वक्तुं यूयं हि ब्रह्मवित्तमा: ॥ ३४ ॥
śrī-rājovāca nārāyaṇābhidhānasya brahmaṇaḥ paramātmanaḥ niṣṭhām arhatha no vaktuṁ yūyaṁ hi brahma-vittamāḥ
ニミ王は問うた。「絶対真理にして万有のパラマートマーである至上主ナーラーヤナの超越の境地を、どうか私に説き明かしてください。あなたがたは皆、霊的知識に最も通達した方々ゆえ、語るにふさわしいのです。」
According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, in the previous verse the sages informed the King, nārāyaṇa-paro māyām añjas tarati dustarām: simply by unalloyed devotion to Lord Nārāyaṇa, one can very easily cross over the ocean of material illusion. Therefore, in this verse the King is requesting specific information about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa. It is significant in this verse that the King refers to the Supreme Lord as Nārāyaṇa, Brahman and Paramātmā. Although King Nimi is already understood to be a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by his question he wants to clarify that the Personality of Godhead is the highest transcendental truth. In the Bhāgavatam (1.2.11) :
FAQs
This verse shows that true spiritual progress requires niṣṭhā—firm, unwavering establishment in devotion to Nārāyaṇa, who is both Brahman and Paramātmā, and that such guidance should be taken from realized knowers of the Absolute.
In the dialogue with the Navayogendras (great Brahman-realized sages), King Nimi requests authoritative instruction on how to become firmly fixed in the Supreme Lord, recognizing them as brahma-vittamāḥ—supremely qualified teachers.
Seek guidance from genuine realized devotees, choose a consistent daily practice (hearing, chanting, remembrance), and remain steady through life’s changes by anchoring the mind in the Supreme as the ultimate shelter.