Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 53
Aditi’s Lament and Kaśyapa’s Instruction of the Payo-vrata (Milk Vow) to Please Keśava
आचार्यं ज्ञानसम्पन्नं वस्त्राभरणधेनुभि: । तोषयेदृत्विजश्चैव तद्विद्ध्याराधनं हरे: ॥ ५३ ॥
ācāryaṁ jñāna-sampannaṁ vastrābharaṇa-dhenubhiḥ toṣayed ṛtvijaś caiva tad viddhy ārādhanaṁ hareḥ
వేదజ్ఞానసంపన్నుడైన ఆచార్యుని మరియు ఆయన సహాయక ఋత్విజులను వస్త్రాలు, ఆభరణాలు, గోవులను సమర్పించి సంతృప్తిపరచాలి. ఇదే హరి ఆరాధన—విష్ణు ఆరాధన—అని తెలుసుకోవాలి.
FAQs
This verse teaches that pleasing a knowledgeable ācārya and the ṛtviks through appropriate gifts (like garments, ornaments, and cows) is itself a form of worship of Lord Hari.
Because service to the Lord’s representatives—those who transmit and conduct sacred worship—supports and completes one’s devotion; honoring them is counted as direct ārādhana (worship) of Hari.
Support authentic teachers and devotional service with sincere offerings—time, resources, and respectful assistance—done in a spirit of gratitude and devotion to Viṣṇu.