Shloka 9
Divinity and Divine Service
Bhagavān and Bhakti as the Supreme Dharma
धर्मस्य ह्यापवर्ग्यस्य नार्थोऽर्थायोपकल्पते । नार्थस्य धर्मैकान्तस्य कामो लाभाय हि स्मृत: ॥ ९ ॥
dharmasya hy āpavargyasya nārtho ’rthāyopakalpate nārthasya dharmaikāntasya kāmo lābhāya hi smṛtaḥ
ధర్మం యొక్క లక్ష్యం నిశ్చయంగా అపవర్గం—మోక్షం; దానిని ధనలాభం కోసం చేయరాదు. అలాగే పరమధర్మసేవలో ఉన్నవాడు సంపాదనను ఇంద్రియభోగం పెంచేందుకు వినియోగించకూడదు.
We have already discussed that pure devotional service to the Lord is automatically followed by perfect knowledge and detachment from material existence. But there are others who consider that all kinds of different occupational engagements, including those of religion, are meant for material gain. The general tendency of any ordinary man in any part of the world is to gain some material profit in exchange for religious or any other occupational service. Even in the Vedic literatures, for all sorts of religious performances an allurement of material gain is offered, and most people are attracted by such allurements or blessings of religiosity. Why are such so-called men of religion allured by material gain? Because material gain can enable one to fulfill desires, which in turn satisfy sense gratification. This cycle of occupational engagements includes so-called religiosity followed by material gain and material gain followed by fulfillment of desires. Sense gratification is the general way for all sorts of fully occupied men. But in the statement of Sūta Gosvāmī, as per the verdict of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, this is nullified by the present śloka.
FAQs
It states that dharma is meant for apavarga—liberation—so it should not be practiced for accumulating wealth or worldly gain.
The sages were inquiring about the highest good for humanity, and Suta clarifies that dharma, artha, and kama are subordinate to the ultimate aim—liberation and devotion to the Supreme.
Earn honestly as a duty, but keep wealth as a means for dharmic living and spiritual progress—reducing greed and aligning desires with service, not mere profit.