Shloka 30
Nārada’s Arrival, the Nine Yogendras, and the Foundations of Bhāgavata-dharma
अत आत्यन्तिकं क्षेमं पृच्छामो भवतोऽनघा: । संसारेऽस्मिन् क्षणार्धोऽपि सत्सङ्ग: शेवधिर्नृणाम् ॥ ३० ॥
ata ātyantikaṁ kṣemaṁ pṛcchāmo bhavato ’naghāḥ saṁsāre ’smin kṣaṇārdho ’pi sat-saṅgaḥ śevadhir nṛṇām
కాబట్టి, ఓ పాపరహిత మహాత్ములారా, పరమ శ్రేయస్సు ఏమిటో మిమ్మల్ని అడుగుతున్నాను. జననమరణాల ఈ సంసారంలో సద్భక్తుల సత్సంగం అర్ధక్షణమైనా మనుష్యులకు అమూల్య నిధి.
The word śevadhiḥ, or “a great treasure,” is significant in this verse. Just as an ordinary man is overjoyed to discover an unexpected treasure, one who is actually intelligent is overjoyed to gain the association of a pure devotee of the Lord, by which one’s life can easily be perfected. According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī the words ātyantikaṁ kṣemam, or “the supreme good,” indicate that situation in which one cannot be touched by even the slightest fear. Now we are entangled in the cycle of birth, old age, disease and death ( saṁsāre ). Because our entire situation can be devastated in a single moment, we are constantly in fear. But the pure devotees of the Lord can teach us the practical way to free ourselves from material existence and thus to abolish all types of fear.
FAQs
This verse says that even half a moment of association with saintly devotees is an invaluable treasure, because it points the soul toward ultimate welfare beyond saṁsāra.
They recognized Sūta Gosvāmī as a pure, reliable speaker and wanted the highest solution to repeated birth and death—welfare that is eternal, not temporary material relief.
Prioritize time with sincere devotees—through kīrtana, hearing Bhāgavatam, and serving a genuine sādhus’ community—because even brief contact can redirect one’s goals from anxiety to devotion.