Shloka 4
Nārada Instructs Prācīnabarhiṣat: The Purañjana Narrative Begins
City of Nine Gates
श्रेयस्त्वं कतमद्राजन् कर्मणात्मन ईहसे । दु:खहानि: सुखावाप्ति: श्रेयस्तन्नेह चेष्यते ॥ ४ ॥
śreyas tvaṁ katamad rājan karmaṇātmana īhase duḥkha-hāniḥ sukhāvāptiḥ śreyas tan neha ceṣyate
Nārada Muni perguntou: “Ó rei, que bem supremo desejas alcançar por meio dessas ações interessadas? O objetivo maior da vida é extinguir as misérias e obter felicidade, mas isso não se realiza apenas pelo karma de frutos.”
In this material world there is a great illusion which covers real intelligence. A man in the mode of passion wants to work very hard to derive some benefit, but he does not know that time will never allow him to enjoy anything permanently. Compared with the work one expends, the gain is not so profitable. Even if it is profitable, it is not without its distresses. If a man is not born rich and he wants to purchase a house, cars and other material things, he has to work hard day and night for many years in order to possess them. Thus happiness is not attained without undergoing some distress.
FAQs
This verse highlights that people often define ‘shreyas’ as removing misery and gaining happiness, but Nārada challenges the King to examine what true, higher welfare really is beyond temporary material outcomes.
Nārada addressed the King to redirect him from fruitive, ritual-centered striving toward deeper spiritual inquiry—what genuine welfare is and how it is achieved.
Use it as a self-check: when pursuing goals, ask whether they only manage comfort and discomfort or whether they also cultivate lasting spiritual purpose, values, and devotion.