Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 12
Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation
विधर्म: परधर्मश्च आभास उपमा छल: । अधर्मशाखा: पञ्चेमा धर्मज्ञोऽधर्मवत्त्यजेत् ॥ १२ ॥
vidharmaḥ para-dharmaś ca ābhāsa upamā chalaḥ adharma-śākhāḥ pañcemā dharma-jño ’dharmavat tyajet
ອະທຳມີ 5 ສາຂາ: ວິທຳ, ປະຣະທຳ, ອາພາສ, ອຸປະທຳ ແລະ ສະຫລະທຳ. ຜູ້ຮູ້ທຳແທ້ຄວນລະທິ້ງທັງຫ້ານີ້ເປັນອະທຳ।
Any religious principles opposed to the principle of surrendering to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, are to be considered religious principles of irregularity or cheating, and one who is actually interested in religion must give them up. One should simply follow the instructions of Kṛṣṇa and surrender unto Him. To do this, of course, one needs very good intelligence, which may be awakened after many, many births through good association with devotees and the practice of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Everything but the principle of religion recommended by Kṛṣṇa — sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja — should be given up as irreligion.
FAQs
This verse lists five branches of irreligion—vidharma, paradharma, dharmābhāsa, upamā, and chala—and says a true knower of dharma should reject them like outright adharma.
While instructing about proper dharma and devotional life, Prahlada warns that many practices look religious but actually divert one from genuine duty and bhakti, so they should be avoided.
Choose spiritual practices that cultivate sincerity, character, and devotion to Bhagavan—avoid showy, imitative, or exploitative “religion,” and don’t abandon your rightful responsibilities for trends or convenience.