Shloka 12
Vidura’s Questions: How the Unchangeable Lord Relates to Māyā; Bhakti as the Remedy; Blueprint for the Coming Cosmology
स वै निवृत्तिधर्मेण वासुदेवानुकम्पया । भगवद्भक्तियोगेन तिरोधत्ते शनैरिह ॥ १२ ॥
sa vai nivṛtti-dharmeṇa vāsudevānukampayā bhagavad-bhakti-yogena tirodhatte śanair iha
ସେ ଆତ୍ମଭ୍ରମ ଏଠାରେ ନିବୃତ୍ତିଧର୍ମରୂପ ବୈରାଗ୍ୟରେ ଅବସ୍ଥିତ ହୋଇ, ବାସୁଦେବ ଭଗବାନଙ୍କ କୃପାରେ, ଭଗବଦ୍ଭକ୍ତିଯୋଗ ଦ୍ୱାରା ଧୀରେ ଧୀରେ ନଶିଯାଏ।
The quivering quality of material existence, which comes from identification with matter or from thinking oneself, under the material influence of philosophical speculation, to be God, can be eradicated by devotional service to the Lord, by the mercy of the Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva. As discussed in the First Canto, because the application of devotional service to Lord Vāsudeva invites pure knowledge, it quickly detaches one from the material conception of life and thus revives one’s normal condition of spiritual existence, even in this life, and frees one from the material winds which cause one to quiver. Only knowledge in devotional service can elevate one towards the path of liberation. The development of knowledge for the purpose of knowing everything, without rendering devotional service, is considered fruitless labor, and one cannot get the desired result by such labor of love. Lord Vāsudeva is pleased by devotional service only, and thus His mercy is realized by association with pure devotees of the Lord. Pure devotees of the Lord are transcendental to all material desires, including the desire for the results of fruitive activities and philosophical speculation. If one wants to acquire the mercy of the Lord, he has to associate with pure devotees. Such association alone can, by degrees, release one from the quivering elements.
FAQs
This verse teaches that devotion to Bhagavān, supported by renunciation and the mercy of Vāsudeva, gradually removes worldly bondage even while living in this world.
Because renunciation alone can be dry or incomplete; the Bhāgavatam stresses that true freedom arises when detachment is nourished by the Lord’s compassion and devotion to Him.
Reduce compulsive sense-driven habits, cultivate steady devotional practices (hearing, chanting, remembrance), and rely on the Lord’s grace—accepting that purification happens gradually.