Shloka 41
Vidura’s Questions: How the Unchangeable Lord Relates to Māyā; Bhakti as the Remedy; Blueprint for the Coming Cosmology
सर्वे वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च तपो दानानि चानघ । जीवाभयप्रदानस्य न कुर्वीरन् कलामपि ॥ ४१ ॥
sarve vedāś ca yajñāś ca tapo dānāni cānagha jīvābhaya-pradānasya na kurvīran kalām api
ឱ អ្នកគ្មានមលិន! ចម្លើយរបស់អ្នកចំពោះសំណួរទាំងនេះ នឹងផ្តល់ការការពារពីទុក្ខវេទនាវត្ថុទាំងអស់។ ទានដែលផ្តល់ “អភ័យ” ដល់សត្វមានជីវិតនេះ ប្រសើរជាងទានវេដៈ យជ្ញៈ តបៈ និងទានធម៌ទាំងឡាយ; ពួកវាមិនអាចស្មើបានសូម្បីតែបន្តិច។
The highest perfectional work of charity is to give people in general immunity from the anxieties of material existence. This can be done only by performing activities in devotional service to the Lord. Such knowledge is incomparable. Cultivation of the knowledge in the Vedas, performance of sacrifice, and distribution of munificent charities all together cannot form even a part of the immunity from the pangs of material existence that is gained from devotional service. The charity of Maitreya not only will help Vidura, but, due to its universal nature, will deliver all others in all times. Thus Maitreya is immortal.
FAQs
This verse teaches that granting fearlessness and protection to living beings is so spiritually powerful that it surpasses, in effect, the results of Vedic study, sacrifice, austerity, and charity.
In response to Vidura’s sincere inquiries about the Lord and dharma, Maitreya highlights a core devotional ethic: mercy and protection of living beings is central and exceptionally meritorious.
Practice nonviolence and active compassion—avoid harming others, support protection and care for vulnerable beings, and cultivate a life that reduces fear and suffering around you.