Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 5
Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Varṇāśrama’s Purpose, Ritualism’s Fall, and Yuga-Avatāras with Kali-yuga Saṅkīrtana
विप्रो राजन्यवैश्यौ वा हरे: प्राप्ता: पदान्तिकम् । श्रौतेन जन्मनाथापि मुह्यन्त्याम्नायवादिन: ॥ ५ ॥
vipro rājanya-vaiśyau vā hareḥ prāptāḥ padāntikam śrautena janmanāthāpi muhyanty āmnāya-vādinaḥ
បពិត្រព្រះរាជា ព្រះព្រាហ្មណ៍ ក្សត្រីយ និងវៃស្យៈ ទោះបានទទួលទិវ្យជន្មដោយពិធីដឹកនាំតាមវេទ និងបានចូលជិតព្រះបាទបដុមរបស់ព្រះហរិ ក៏អាចត្រូវមោហៈដោយវាទៈអាម្នាយ ហើយវង្វេងទៅក្នុងទស្សនៈវត្ថុនិយមបាន។
It is said that a little knowledge can be very dangerous. Those who are falsely proud of material social status and who thus neglect to perfect their worship of the Personality of Godhead are condemned in this verse. Muhyanty āmnāya-vādinaḥ: becoming attracted by the sense gratification of high status within the varṇāśrama social system, such persons become more attracted to illusory material philosophy than to the Absolute Truth, which is not material. Within the Vedic system, brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas, as mentioned in this verse, are all offered initiation into the Gāyatrī mantra and are considered twice-born, or highly civilized men. By studying Vedic literature, chanting Vedic mantras, executing ritualistic ceremonies and worshiping the spiritual master and the Personality of Godhead such persons gradually come near to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. If one in such an exalted position becomes proud of his status or fascinated by the heavenly material enjoyment that is undoubtedly available to the followers of the varṇāśrama system, then one so bewildered returns to the illusory material platform of birth and death. Even the highly posted demigods become victims of māyā’s enticement, as described in the first verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam: muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ.
FAQs
This verse says that approaching Hari’s lotus feet is decisive; mere śrauta qualification by birth and ritual learning can still leave one bewildered without devotion.
Parīkṣit is seeking the essence of spiritual duty at life’s end; Śukadeva emphasizes that devotion to Hari—not ritual prestige—reveals the Lord and grants the highest benefit.
Prioritize sincere devotion—hearing, chanting, and remembering Hari—over spiritual pride or mere external religiosity, and measure progress by humility and transformation of character.