Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 31
Purūravā’s Song of Renunciation and the Glory of Sādhu-saṅga
यथोपश्रयमाणस्य भगवन्तं विभावसुम् । शीतं भयं तमोऽप्येति साधून् संसेवतस्तथा ॥ ३१ ॥
yathopaśrayamāṇasya bhagavantaṁ vibhāvasum śītaṁ bhayaṁ tamo ’pyeti sādhūn saṁsevatas tathā
Seperti mana kesejukan, ketakutan dan kegelapan lenyap bagi orang yang mendekati api korban suci, demikian juga kebekuan hati, ketakutan dan kejahilan musnah bagi orang yang melayani para sadhu, bhakta Tuhan.
Those engaged in fruitive activities are certainly dull; they lack higher awareness of the Supreme Lord and the soul. Materialists are engaged more or less mechanically in gratifying their senses and ambitions, and thus they are considered dull or practically unconscious. All such dullness, fear and ignorance are removed when one serves the lotus feet of the Lord, just as cold, fear and darkness are removed when one approaches a fire.
FAQs
This verse teaches that serving saintly devotees dispels fear and ignorance, just as taking shelter of fire removes cold and darkness.
While instructing Uddhava in the Uddhava Gītā, Kṛṣṇa emphasizes practical bhakti: progress comes powerfully through sincere service to sādhus, which purifies the heart and removes obstacles.
Seek regular association with genuine devotees, hear and discuss Bhagavatam with them, and offer practical service—this gradually reduces anxiety, confusion, and negative habits.