Shloka 51
Nārada’s Arrival, the Nine Yogendras, and the Foundations of Bhāgavata-dharma
न यस्य जन्मकर्मभ्यां न वर्णाश्रमजातिभि: । सज्जतेऽस्मिन्नहंभावो देहे वै स हरे: प्रिय: ॥ ५१ ॥
na yasya janma-karmabhyāṁ na varṇāśrama-jātibhiḥ sajjate ’sminn ahaṁ-bhāvo dehe vai sa hareḥ priyaḥ
జన్మ, కర్మ, వర్ణాశ్రమ-జాతి వలన ఈ దేహంలో ‘నేను’ అనే అహంకారం అతుక్కోని ఉండని వాడు—అతడే హరికి అత్యంత ప్రియ సేవకుడు.
According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, the word janma (“good birth”) refers to such classes as the mūrdhāvasiktas (children of brāhmaṇa fathers and kṣatriya mothers) and ambaṣṭhas (children of brāhmaṇa fathers and vaiśya mothers), both of which are considered anuloma since the father comes from a higher caste. Marriages in which the mother comes from a higher class than the father are called pratiloma. In any case, one who becomes proud of his so-called prestigious birth is certainly in the bodily concept of life. Birth in any material body is a serious problem, which one should solve by surrendering to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One can thereby release himself from the golden shackles of a so-called aristocratic material body.
FAQs
This verse teaches that one dear to Hari does not cling to bodily identity based on birth, work, varṇa-āśrama, or jāti; devotion is rooted in spiritual identity, not social labels.
King Nimi asks about the highest good and the nature of devotees; the Yogendras explain that real devotion includes freedom from ahaṅkāra rooted in bodily designations.
Practice seeing yourself as a servant of Hari rather than a job title, nationality, or community label, and choose actions that reduce ego-driven attachment while strengthening bhakti.