Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 39
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Renunciation, Austerities, Departure, and the Glory of Hearing His History
अनुदिनमिदमादरेण शृण्वन् पृथुचरितं प्रथयन् विमुक्तसङ्ग: । भगवति भवसिन्धुपोतपादे स च निपुणां लभते रतिं मनुष्य: ॥ ३९ ॥
anudinam idam ādareṇa śṛṇvan pṛthu-caritaṁ prathayan vimukta-saṅgaḥ bhagavati bhava-sindhu-pota-pāde sa ca nipuṇāṁ labhate ratiṁ manuṣyaḥ
अनुदिनम् आदरेण पृथुचरितं शृण्वन् प्रथयन् विमुक्तसङ्गः, भगवति भवसिन्धुपोतपादे निपुणां रतिं लभते मनुष्यः॥
The word bhava-sindhu-pota-pāde is significant in this verse. The lotus feet of the Lord are known as mahat-padam; this means that the total source of material existence rests on the lotus feet of the Lord. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (10.8) , ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ: everything is emanating from Him. This cosmic manifestation, which is compared to an ocean of nescience, is also resting on the lotus feet of the Lord. As such, this great ocean of nescience is minimized by a person who is a pure devotee. One who has taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord need not cross over the ocean, for he has already crossed it by virtue of his position at the Lord’s lotus feet. By hearing and chanting of the glories of the Lord or the Lord’s devotee, one can become firmly fixed in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord. This position can also be achieved very easily by narrating the history of the life of Pṛthu Mahārāja regularly every day. The word vimukta-saṅgaḥ is also significant in this connection. Because we associate with the three qualities of material nature, our position in this material world is full of dangers, but when we engage in the devotional service of the Lord by the process of śravaṇam and kīrtanam, we immediately become vimukta-saṅga, or liberated.
FAQs
This verse says that hearing Pṛthu’s divine character daily with reverence, and spreading it, frees one from attachment and produces mature devotion (rati) for the Lord.
At the close of Pṛthu’s narrative, Śukadeva states the phala-śruti (spiritual result): attentive hearing and glorification of Pṛthu’s life leads to detachment and deep devotion to the Lord.
Set a daily habit of hearing or reading Bhagavatam with respect, and share one takeaway with others; this steadily reduces unhealthy attachments and strengthens sincere devotion to God.