Shloka 34
Parīkṣit’s Vow on the Gaṅgā and the Advent of Śukadeva Gosvāmī
सान्निध्यात्ते महायोगिन्पातकानि महान्त्यपि । सद्यो नश्यन्ति वै पुंसां विष्णोरिव सुरेतरा: ॥ ३४ ॥
sānnidhyāt te mahā-yogin pātakāni mahānty api sadyo naśyanti vai puṁsāṁ viṣṇor iva suretarāḥ
โอ้มหาโยคี! ในสำนักของท่าน แม้บาปใหญ่ก็สลายไปในทันที ดุจดังพวกอสูรย่อมตั้งอยู่ไม่ได้ต่อหน้าพระวิษณุ
There are two classes of human beings, namely the atheist and the devotee of the Lord. The devotee of the Lord, because of manifesting godly qualities, is called a demigod, whereas the atheist is called a demon. The demon cannot stand the presence of Viṣṇu, the Personality of Godhead. The demons are always busy in trying to vanquish the Personality of Godhead, but factually as soon as the Personality of Godhead appears, by either His transcendental name, form, attributes, pastimes, paraphernalia or variegatedness, the demon is at once vanquished. It is said that a ghost cannot remain as soon as the holy name of the Lord is chanted. The great saints and devotees of the Lord are in the list of His paraphernalia, and thus as soon as a saintly devotee is present, the ghostly sins are at once vanquished. That is the verdict of all Vedic literatures. One is recommended, therefore, to associate only with saintly devotees so that worldly demons and ghosts cannot exert their sinister influence.
FAQs
This verse teaches that mere proximity to a great saint like Śukadeva can destroy even severe sins immediately, highlighting the purifying power of sādhu-saṅga.
When Śukadeva arrived at the Ganges assembly, Parīkṣit—seeking liberation before death—glorified him, recognizing that the saint’s presence itself purifies and makes spiritual realization possible.
Seek regular association with genuine devotees and teachers, hear Bhāgavata-kathā, and keep company that strengthens remembrance of Viṣṇu—because uplifting association rapidly transforms habits and consciousness.