Shloka 30
The Pracetās Meet Lord Viṣṇu—Benedictions, Pure Prayer, and the Birth of Dakṣa
असावेव वरोऽस्माकमीप्सितो जगत: पते । प्रसन्नो भगवान् येषामपवर्गगुरुर्गति: ॥ ३० ॥
asāv eva varo ’smākam īpsito jagataḥ pate prasanno bhagavān yeṣām apavarga-gurur gatiḥ
असावेव वरोऽस्माकमीप्सितो जगतः पते । प्रसन्नो भगवान् येषामपवर्गगुरुर्गतिः ॥
In this verse the words apavarga-gurur gatiḥ are very significant. According to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.11) , the Supreme Lord is the ultimate fact of the Absolute Truth. Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate: the Absolute Truth is realized in three features — impersonal Brahman, localized Paramātmā and ultimately the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavān. The word apavarga means “liberation.” Pavarga means “material existence.” In material existence, one always works very hard but is ultimately baffled. One then dies and has to accept another body to work very hard again. This is the cycle of material existence. Apavarga means just the opposite. Instead of working hard like cats and dogs, one returns home, back to Godhead. Liberation begins with merging into the Brahman effulgence of the Supreme Lord. This conception is held by the jñānī sampradāya, philosophical speculators, but realization of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is higher. When a devotee understands that the Lord is satisfied, liberation, or merging into the effulgence of the Lord, is not very difficult. One has to approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead through the impersonal Brahman effulgence just as one has to approach the sun through the sunshine. It is not very difficult to merge into the impersonal effulgence of the Lord, Brahman, if one has satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse teaches that the highest boon is not material gain but having Bhagavan pleased—His satisfaction becomes the devotee’s true success and spiritual shelter.
After long austerities and receiving the Lord’s audience, the Pracetas express pure devotion: they want the Lord Himself as their goal, knowing His favor grants the path to liberation.
Offer your work and choices as service—practice devotion, integrity, and remembrance of the Lord—measuring success by sincerity and spiritual growth rather than external rewards.