Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 10
Vānaprastha-vidhi and Sannyāsa-dharma: Austerity, Detachment, and the Paramahaṁsa Ideal
यस्त्वेतत् कृच्छ्रतश्चीर्णं तपो नि:श्रेयसं महत् । कामायाल्पीयसे युञ्ज्याद् बालिश: कोऽपरस्तत: ॥ १० ॥
yas tv etat kṛcchrataś cīrṇaṁ tapo niḥśreyasaṁ mahat kāmāyālpīyase yuñjyād bāliśaḥ ko ’paras tataḥ
ผู้ใดด้วยความพยายามยาวนานปฏิบัติตบะอันลำบากแต่สูงส่งนี้ ซึ่งให้ความหลุดพ้นสูงสุด แล้วกลับนำไปเพื่อความสุขทางประสาทสัมผัสอันเล็กน้อย ผู้นั้นย่อมเป็นคนโง่ที่สุด; จะมีใครโง่กว่านี้เล่า
Although the process of vānaprastha described by Lord Kṛṣṇa is so glorious that even the consolation prize is promotion to Maharloka, one who consciously performs this process for such promotion to heaven is certainly the greatest fool. The Lord does not want this process to be abused or exploited by materialistic rascals, for the ultimate goal is love of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse says that using hard-won austerity meant for the highest welfare (niḥśreyasa, liberation) for small sense desires is extreme foolishness.
In the Uddhava Gītā section on renunciation, Krishna teaches that tapas and spiritual discipline must aim at the supreme goal—freedom and devotion—not at temporary pleasures.
Treat spiritual practices (japa, fasting, discipline, study) as tools for inner purification and bhakti—avoid using them mainly for status, power, or quick material gains.