Shloka 2
The Pracetās Meet Lord Viṣṇu—Benedictions, Pure Prayer, and the Birth of Dakṣa
किं बार्हस्पत्येह परत्र वाथ कैवल्यनाथप्रियपार्श्ववर्तिन: । आसाद्य देवं गिरिशं यदृच्छया प्रापु: परं नूनमथ प्रचेतस: ॥ २ ॥
kiṁ bārhaspatyeha paratra vātha kaivalya-nātha-priya-pārśva-vartinaḥ āsādya devaṁ giriśaṁ yadṛcchayā prāpuḥ paraṁ nūnam atha pracetasaḥ
Ó Bārhaspatya, após encontrarem por acaso Girīśa (Śiva), tão querido do Senhor, doador de kaivalya, o que obtiveram os Pracetās neste mundo ou no próximo? Certamente alcançaram a morada suprema, mas que mais receberam?
All types of material happiness are obtained in this life or in the next life, on this planet or on another. The living entity wanders within this material universe in so many species of life and so many planetary systems. The distress and happiness obtained during the span of life are called iha, and the distress and happiness obtained in the next life are called paratra.
FAQs
This verse praises those who take shelter of Lord Śiva—who is dear to Viṣṇu, the Lord of liberation—indicating that meeting Śiva and receiving his guidance can lead one to the supreme spiritual destination.
Bṛhaspati represents worldly and heavenly counsel; the verse suggests that for those who have directly approached Lord Śiva by divine providence, such secondary instruction becomes unnecessary because they are guided toward the highest goal.
Seek genuine saintly association and divine-centered guidance; one fortunate encounter with a realized devotee can redirect life from mere success or scholarship toward lasting spiritual purpose.