Shloka 50
Varāha-avatāra: The Boar Incarnation Lifts the Earth and Slays Hiraṇyākṣa
को नाम लोके पुरुषार्थसारवित् पुराकथानां भगवत्कथासुधाम् । आपीय कर्णाञ्जलिभिर्भवापहा- महो विरज्येत विना नरेतरम् ॥ ५० ॥
ko nāma loke puruṣārtha-sāravit purā-kathānāṁ bhagavat-kathā-sudhām āpīya karṇāñjalibhir bhavāpahām aho virajyeta vinā naretaram
ଏହି ଲୋକରେ ପୁରୁଷାର୍ଥର ସାର ଜାଣୁଥିବା କିଏ, ଭଗବାନଙ୍କ ଲୀଳାର ଅମୃତମୟ ପୁରାଣକଥା—ଯାହା ନିଜେ ଭବତାପ ହରେ—କାନର ଅଞ୍ଜଳିରେ ପାନ କରି ମଧ୍ୟ ଅନାସକ୍ତ ରହିପାରିବ? ନରେତର ଛଡ଼ା କିଏ?
The narration of the activities of the Personality of Godhead is like a constant flow of nectar. No one can refuse to drink such nectar except one who is not a human being. Devotional service to the Lord is the highest goal of life for every human being, and such devotional service begins by hearing about the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead. Only an animal, or a man who is almost an animal in behavior, can refuse to take an interest in hearing the transcendental message of the Lord. There are many books of stories and histories in the world, but except for the histories or narrations on the topics of the Personality of Godhead, none are capable of diminishing the burden of material pangs. Therefore one who is serious about eliminating material existence must chant and hear of the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead. Otherwise one must be compared to the nonhumans.
FAQs
This verse declares that attentive hearing of Bhagavān’s narrations is like nectar and it destroys bhava—material bondage—so a wise person naturally remains absorbed rather than becoming indifferent.
In Maitreya’s discourse to Vidura, he emphasizes that Bhagavat-kathā is the essence of all puruṣārthas; thus Vidura should continue hearing with full attention, as such hearing itself brings purification and liberation.
Make daily time for focused listening/reading of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam or Hari-kathā, treating the ears as “cupped palms,” and notice how steady devotional hearing reduces anxiety, attachment, and distraction.