Shloka 51
Matsya-avatāra: The Lord as Fish Saves the Vedas and Guides Satyavrata
जनो जनस्यादिशतेऽसतीं गतिं यया प्रपद्येत दुरत्ययं तम: । त्वं त्वव्ययं ज्ञानममोघमञ्जसा प्रपद्यते येन जनो निजं पदम् ॥ ५१ ॥
jano janasyādiśate ’satīṁ gatiṁ yayā prapadyeta duratyayaṁ tamaḥ tvaṁ tv avyayaṁ jñānam amogham añjasā prapadyate yena jano nijaṁ padam
जनः जनस्य असतीं गतिमादिशते, यया दुरत्ययं तमः प्रपद्येत। त्वं तु अव्ययं ज्ञानम् अमोघम् अञ्जसा ददासि, येन जनो निजं पदं शीघ्रं प्रपद्यते।
So-called gurus instruct their disciples for the sake of material profit. Some guru advises that one meditate in such a way that his intelligence will increase in regard to keeping his body fit for sense gratification. Another guru advises that sex is the ultimate goal of life and that one should therefore engage in sex to the best of his ability. These are the instructions of foolish gurus. In other words, because of the instructions of a foolish guru one remains perpetually in material existence and suffers its tribulations. But if one is intelligent enough to take instructions from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as enunciated in Bhagavad-gītā or the Sāṅkhya philosophy of Kapiladeva, one can very soon attain liberation and be situated in his original position of spiritual life. The words nijaṁ padam are significant. The living entity, being part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has the birthright to a position in Vaikuṇṭhaloka, or the spiritual world, where there is no anxiety. Therefore, one should follow the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Then, as stated in Bhagavad-gītā, tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti so ’rjuna: after giving up one’s body, one will return home, back to Godhead. The Lord lives in the spiritual world in His original personality, and a devotee who follows the instructions of the Lord approaches Him ( mām eti ). As a spiritual person, such a devotee returns to the Personality of Godhead and plays and dances with Him. That is the ultimate goal of life.
FAQs
This verse teaches that human guidance can mislead into hard-to-cross darkness, but taking shelter of the Lord—who is imperishable, unfailing knowledge—enables one to cross ignorance and reach the true destination.
In his prayer to Matsya, Satyavrata contrasts fallible human instruction with the Lord’s infallible guidance, acknowledging that only divine knowledge and surrender lead safely to the ultimate abode.
Be discerning about advice that fuels confusion or vice, and anchor decisions in Bhagavata-centered hearing, chanting, and prayer—treating the Lord’s teachings as the final standard for clarity and direction.