Shloka 21
Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation
पण्डिता बहवो राजन्बहुज्ञा: संशयच्छिद: । सदसस्पतयोऽप्येके असन्तोषात्पतन्त्यध: ॥ २१ ॥
paṇḍitā bahavo rājan bahu-jñāḥ saṁśaya-cchidaḥ sadasas patayo ’py eke asantoṣāt patanty adhaḥ
हे राजन् युधिष्ठिर! अनेक पंडित, बहुज्ञ, संशय छेदणारे विद्वान आणि सभांचे अध्यक्ष होण्यास योग्य लोकही असंतोषामुळे अधोगतीला, नरकसदृश जीवनात पडतात।
For spiritual advancement, one should be materially satisfied, for if one is not materially satisfied, his greed for material development will result in the frustration of his spiritual advancement. There are two things that nullify all good qualities. One is poverty. Daridra-doṣo guṇa-rāśi-nāśī. If one is poverty-stricken, all his good qualities become null and void. Similarly, if one becomes too greedy, his good qualifications are lost. Therefore the adjustment is that one should not be poverty-stricken, but one must try to be fully satisfied with the bare necessities of life and not be greedy. For a devotee to be satisfied with the bare necessities is therefore the best advice for spiritual advancement. Learned authorities in devotional life consequently advise that one not endeavor to increase the number of temples and maṭhas. Such activities can be undertaken only by devotees experienced in propagating the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. All the ācāryas in South India, especially Śrī Rāmānujācārya, constructed many big temples, and in North India all the Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana constructed large temples. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura also constructed large centers, known as Gauḍīya Maṭhas. Therefore temple construction is not bad, provided proper care is taken for the propagation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Even if such endeavors are considered greedy, the greed is to satisfy Kṛṣṇa, and therefore these are spiritual activities.
FAQs
This verse says that even highly learned scholars and leaders of assemblies can fall down if they remain internally dissatisfied; knowledge without contentment does not protect one from degradation.
Prahlada is instructing Parikshit on the principles of civilized life and spiritual steadiness, warning that mere scholarship and social prestige are insufficient if one lacks inner satisfaction and restraint.
Do not rely only on education, position, or public respect; cultivate contentment and disciplined desires—otherwise ambition and dissatisfaction can lead to ethical and spiritual decline.