Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 53
Bhāgavata-Māhātmya and the Complete Summary of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
नैष्कर्म्यमप्यच्युतभाववर्जितं न शोभते ज्ञानमलं निरञ्जनम् । कुत: पुन: शश्वदभद्रमीश्वरे न ह्यर्पितं कर्म यदप्यनुत्तमम् ॥ ५३ ॥
naiṣkarmyam apy acyuta-bhāva-varjitaṁ na śobhate jñānam alaṁ nirañjanam kutaḥ punaḥ śaśvad abhadram īśvare na hy arpitaṁ karma yad apy anuttamam
แม้ความหลุดพ้นจากกรรม (ไนษฺกรรมยะ) หากไร้ภาวะแห่งอจฺยุตะก็ไม่งดงาม; แม้ญาณอันบริสุทธิ์ไร้มลทินก็ไม่ผ่องใสหากปราศจากความรู้สึกถึงพระผู้เป็นเจ้า. แล้วกรรมที่ไม่อุทิศถวายแด่อีศวร ต่อให้ทำได้ยอดเยี่ยมเพียงใด จะมีประโยชน์อะไร?
This and the previous two verses are found in a slightly different form in the First Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.10-12). The translations are based on Śrīla Prabhupāda’s.
FAQs
This verse says that even pure, stainless knowledge does not truly shine or fulfill its purpose if it is devoid of devotion to Acyuta; bhakti is essential for spiritual completion.
In the Bhagavatam’s conclusion, Śukadeva stresses that actions, renunciation, and knowledge become auspicious and liberating only when dedicated to the Supreme Lord; otherwise they can bind one to ongoing inauspicious results.
Do your duties with integrity and consciously dedicate the results to Krishna—through prayer, remembrance, and using outcomes in service—so work becomes purifying rather than ego-driven.