Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 48
Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation
¨ हिंस्रं द्रव्यमयं काम्यमग्निहोत्राद्यशान्तिदम् । दर्शश्च पूर्णमासश्च चातुर्मास्यं पशु: सुत: ॥ ४८ ॥ एतदिष्टं प्रवृत्ताख्यं हुतं प्रहुतमेव च । पूर्तं सुरालयारामकूपाजीव्यादिलक्षणम् ॥ ४९ ॥
hiṁsraṁ dravyamayaṁ kāmyam agni-hotrādy-aśāntidam darśaś ca pūrṇamāsaś ca cāturmāsyaṁ paśuḥ sutaḥ
अग्निहोत्रादि काम्यं द्रव्यमयं हिंस्रं यज्ञकर्म अशान्तिदं; दर्शः पूर्णमासः चातुर्मास्यं पशुयागः सोमयागः च। एतत् प्रवृत्ताख्यं इष्टं हुतं प्रहुतं च; तथा वैश्यदेवबलिहरणादि, देवालयारामकूपाजीव्यादि पूर्तकर्म च—एतानि सर्वाणि भोगासक्तिलक्षणानि।
FAQs
In this verse, Prahlada explains that rituals performed for material desires and requiring violence or heavy paraphernalia do not give true peace; they keep one within restless material motivation rather than pure devotion.
He is teaching that dharma aimed at personal gain (kāmya-karma) cannot satisfy the soul; it may yield temporary results but does not awaken bhakti or lasting inner tranquility.
Shift the focus from “results-based” religiosity to devotion and inner purification—practice prayer, chanting, service, and ethical living for pleasing the Lord rather than for obtaining rewards.