Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 49
Pṛthu Mahārāja Meets the Four Kumāras: Bhakti as the Boat Across Saṁsāra
वैन्यस्तु धुर्यो महतां संस्थित्याध्यात्मशिक्षया । आप्तकाममिवात्मानं मेन आत्मन्यवस्थित: ॥ ४९ ॥
vainyas tu dhuryo mahatāṁ saṁsthityādhyātma-śikṣayā āpta-kāmam ivātmānaṁ mena ātmany avasthitaḥ
ท่ามกลางมหาบุรุษทั้งหลาย พระไวญะปฤถุเป็นผู้เด่นด้วยความมั่นคงในคำสอนทางจิตวิญญาณ เขาดำรงอยู่ในอาตมันและพอใจดุจผู้บรรลุความสำเร็จทั้งปวงในความเข้าใจฝ่ายวิญญาณ
Remaining fixed in devotional service gives one the utmost in self-satisfaction. Actually self-satisfaction can be achieved only by pure devotees, who have no desire other than to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Since the Supreme Personality of Godhead has nothing to desire, He is fully satisfied with Himself. Similarly, a devotee who has no desire other than to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead is as self-satisfied as the Supreme Lord. Everyone is hankering after peace of mind and self-satisfaction, but these can only be achieved by becoming a pure devotee of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse says that through steady spiritual instruction (ādhyātma-śikṣā), Pṛthu Mahārāja became firmly situated in the self and thus regarded himself as āpta-kāma—internally fulfilled rather than driven by external desires.
Because he received and assimilated profound self-realization teachings and became steady in inner spiritual position, showing the hallmark maturity of a mahātmā—stability, self-control, and freedom from craving.
It means grounding identity and peace in inner spiritual practice—regular hearing, reflection, and disciplined living—so that satisfaction comes from spiritual clarity rather than constant external acquisition.