Shloka 60
Haristuti-saṅgraha: Devatā–Ṛṣi Praṇāma, Nāma-māhātmya, and Vairāgya from Deha-āsakti
पुलह उवाच / निष्कामरूपरिहितस्य समर्पितं च स्नानावरोत्तमपयः फलपुष्पभोज्यम् / आराधनं भगवतस्तव सत्क्रियाश्च व्यर्थं भवेदिति वदन्ति महानुभावाः
pulaha uvāca / niṣkāmarūparihitasya samarpitaṃ ca snānāvarottamapayaḥ phalapuṣpabhojyam / ārādhanaṃ bhagavatastava satkriyāśca vyarthaṃ bhavediti vadanti mahānubhāvāḥ
ପୁଲହ କହିଲେ—ମହାନୁଭାବ ଋଷିମାନେ କହନ୍ତି: ନିଷ୍କାମ ଭକ୍ତିର ଯଥାର୍ଥ ଭାବ ନଥିବା ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଯଦି ସ୍ନାନଜଳ, ଉତ୍ତମ ଦୁଧ, ଫଳ, ପୁଷ୍ପ ଓ ନୈବେଦ୍ୟ ଅର୍ପଣ କରେ, ତଥାପି ଭଗବାନଙ୍କ ଆରାଧନା ଏବଂ ତୁମ ସତ୍କ୍ରିୟାମାନେ ବ୍ୟର୍ଥ ହୋଇଯାଏ।
Pulaha (sage)
Concept: Offerings and even ‘satkriyāḥ’ become fruitless if the worshipper lacks niṣkāma-bhāva (desireless, proper inner disposition).
Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi (inner purification) as the real locus of worship; karma without right bhāva is barren; bhakti as the animating principle of ritual.
Application: When performing pūjā/charity/ritual, prioritize sincerity, humility, and desirelessness; audit motives (status, fear, transaction) and reorient to devotion.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.7.57-58 (refuge in Hari; humility)
FAQs
This verse states that even pure offerings and correct worship are considered ineffective if the worshipper lacks desireless, sincere inner devotion and the proper spiritual disposition.
It prioritizes inner attitude (bhāva) over external items: water, milk, fruits, flowers, and food do not yield spiritual fruit when offered without genuine, selfless devotion.
Perform worship and ethical duties with sincerity and reduced selfish expectation—focus on intention, humility, and consistency rather than only on elaborate ritual materials.