Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 6
Karma, Jñāna, and Bhakti: Vedic Dharma, Piety and Sin, and the Boat of Human Life
श्रीभगवानुवाच योगास्त्रयो मया प्रोक्ता नृणां श्रेयोविधित्सया । ज्ञानं कर्म च भक्तिश्च नोपायोऽन्योऽस्ति कुत्रचित् ॥ ६ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca yogās trayo mayā proktā nṝṇāṁ śreyo-vidhitsayā jñānaṁ karma ca bhaktiś ca nopāyo ’nyo ’sti kutracit
Tuhan Yang Maha Esa berfirman: Wahai Uddhava, demi kesejahteraan tertinggi manusia Aku telah menyatakan tiga jalan yoga: jñāna, karma dan bhakti. Selain tiga ini, tiada jalan lain sama sekali.
Ultimately, the goal of philosophical speculation, pious regulated work and devotional service is the same — Kṛṣṇa consciousness. As stated by the Lord in Bhagavad-gītā (4.11) :
FAQs
In this verse, Lord Krishna states that He has taught three yogas—jñāna, karma, and bhakti—for the highest welfare of human beings, and that there is no other spiritual means apart from these.
In the Uddhava Gita context, Krishna is instructing Uddhava on how different temperaments and stages of life can progress spiritually; therefore He summarizes the main authorized paths as knowledge, dutiful action, and devotion.
Do your responsibilities conscientiously (karma), cultivate discernment and scriptural understanding (jñāna), and make devotion to the Lord the heart of life through remembrance, prayer, and service (bhakti).