Shloka 11
Kṛṣṇa Visits Trivakrā; Akrūra’s Praise and the Hastināpura Mission
दुराराध्यं समाराध्य विष्णुं सर्वेश्वरेश्वरम् । यो वृणीते मनोग्राह्यमसत्त्वात् कुमनीष्यसौ ॥ ११ ॥
durārdhyaṁ samārādhya viṣṇuṁ sarveśvareśvaram yo vṛṇīte mano-grāhyam asattvāt kumanīṣy asau
พระวิษณุ ผู้เป็นจอมเหนือจอมทั้งปวง โดยทั่วไปเข้าถึงได้ยาก ผู้ใดบูชาพระองค์อย่างถูกต้องแล้วกลับเลือกพรเป็นสุขทางกามคุณ ย่อมเป็นผู้ปัญญาน้อย เพราะพอใจในผลอันเล็กน้อย
It is clear from the commentaries of the ācāryas that the story of Trivakrā is to be understood on two levels. On the one hand, she is understood to be a liberated soul, directly associating with the Lord and participating in His pastimes. On the other hand, her conduct is clearly meant to teach a lesson about what not to do in relation with Lord Kṛṣṇa. Since all of the Lord’s pastimes are not only blissful but also didactic, there is no real contradiction in this pastime, since Trivakrā’s purity and her bad example take place on two distinct levels. Arjuna is also considered a pure devotee, yet by initially disobeying Kṛṣṇa’s instruction to fight, he also showed an example of what not to do. However, such “bad examples” always have happy endings in the blissful association of the Absolute Truth, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
This verse says that after properly worshiping Viṣṇu, choosing a boon that only gratifies the mind—due to impurity—shows misguided intelligence; the implied ideal is to seek devotion and spiritual benefit rather than mere sense-pleasure.
As Akrūra approaches Vraja and reflects devotionally, he contrasts pure worship of the Supreme Lord with the common tendency to ask for mind-pleasing, temporary rewards, emphasizing a devotee’s higher aim.
When you pray or set intentions, prioritize inner transformation—character, devotion, and clarity—over short-term gratification; treat success and comfort as secondary, not the goal of spiritual practice.