Shloka 3
Ṛṣabhadeva Instructs His Sons: Tapasya, Mahātmā-Sevā, and Cutting the Heart-Knot
ये वा मयीशे कृतसौहृदार्था जनेषु देहम्भरवार्तिकेषु॒ । गृहेषु जायात्मजरातिमत्सु न प्रीतियुक्ता यावदर्थाश्च लोके ॥ ३ ॥
ye vā mayīśe kṛta-sauhṛdārthā janeṣu dehambhara-vārtikeṣu gṛheṣu jāyātmaja-rātimatsu na prīti-yuktā yāvad-arthāś ca loke
ये मयि ईशे कृतसौहृदार्थाः, देहम्भरवार्तिकेषु जनेषु न रमन्ते। गृहेषु जायात्मजरातिमत्सु अपि न आसक्ताः; कर्तव्येषु तु न उदासीनाः—यावदर्थं एव गृह्णन्ति॥
Whether he is an impersonalist or a devotee, one who is actually interested in advancing spiritually should not mingle with those who are simply interested in maintaining the body by means of the so-called advancement of civilization. Those who are interested in spiritual life should not be attached to homely comforts in the company of wife, children, friends and so forth. Even if one is a gṛhastha and has to earn his livelihood, he should be satisfied by collecting only enough money to maintain body and soul together. One should not have more than that nor less than that. As indicated herein, a householder should endeavor to earn money for the execution of bhakti-yoga — śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam/ arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ sakhyam ātma-nivedanam. A householder should lead such a life that he gets full opportunity to hear and chant. He should worship the Deity at home, observe festivals, invite friends in and give them prasāda. A householder should earn money for this purpose, not for sense gratification.
FAQs
This verse teaches that a person who has real affectionate friendship with the Supreme Lord does not become bound by infatuation for household pleasures—spouse, children, and sense enjoyment—while living with only what is necessary.
Ṛṣabhadeva instructs his sons on spiritual priorities: association centered on mere bodily maintenance distracts from devotion, whereas friendship with the Lord naturally brings sobriety and purposeful living.
Keep possessions and consumption to what supports dharma and sādhanā, choose uplifting association, and reduce lifestyle choices driven mainly by pleasure or status—so devotion remains central.