Shloka 28
Chapter 90
एवं वेदोदितं धर्मम् अनुतिष्ठन् सतां गतिः । गृहं धर्मार्थ-कामानां मुहुः चादर्शयत् पदम् ॥
evaṃ vedoditaṃ dharmam anutiṣṭhan satāṃ gatiḥ / gṛhaṃ dharmārtha-kāmānāṃ muhuś cādarśayat padam //
ఇలా వేదోక్త ధర్మాన్ని నిష్ఠగా ఆచరిస్తూ, సద్జనుల పరమగతియైన ప్రభువు గృహస్థాశ్రమం ధర్మం, అర్థం, నియమిత కామానికి కూడా సరైన ఆధారమని మళ్లీ మళ్లీ చూపించాడు.
This verse clarifies an essential Bhagavata teaching: Kṛṣṇa’s gṛhastha-līlā is not a concession to materialism, but a deliberate instruction to humanity. By personally following vedodita-dharma—conduct aligned with Vedic principles—Kṛṣṇa shows that spiritual life is not restricted to renunciants. When centered on Bhagavān, the home becomes a place where dharma (righteous duty), artha (honest prosperity), and kāma (regulated enjoyment) can exist without degrading the soul. The key phrase satāṃ gatiḥ indicates that Kṛṣṇa is the final goal of all sādhus; therefore, His example carries ultimate authority. He ‘repeatedly’ (muhuḥ) demonstrates the proper ‘place/standing’ (padam) of gṛhastha life—meaning its rightful role as an āśrama when guided by devotion, responsibility, and scriptural ethics. At the same time, the Bhagavatam consistently teaches that beyond dharma-artha-kāma lies mokṣa, and beyond mokṣa lies prema-bhakti. So the verse does not claim that household life is the highest end; rather, it establishes that household duties can be harmonized with spiritual progress when one’s center is Kṛṣṇa. In Kali-yuga, this is especially relevant: most seekers live in families, and Kṛṣṇa’s example legitimizes a devotional, disciplined, and compassionate household path.
FAQs
This verse says Kṛṣṇa Himself demonstrated that household life, when aligned with Vedic dharma, can be a proper foundation for dharma, honest prosperity, and regulated enjoyment.
It recognizes them as legitimate when regulated by dharma, but ultimately points beyond them toward devotion to Kṛṣṇa, the satāṃ gatiḥ—the final destination of the saintly.
By practicing truthful livelihood, fidelity, charity, worship and remembrance of Kṛṣṇa, and disciplined enjoyment—making the home supportive of devotion rather than distraction.