Shloka 17
Nārada Instructs Dakṣa’s Sons; Allegory of the World; Dakṣa Curses Nārada
पञ्चविंशतितत्त्वानां पुरुषोऽद्भुतदर्पण: । अध्यात्ममबुधस्येह किमसत्कर्मभिर्भवेत् ॥ १७ ॥
pañca-viṁśati-tattvānāṁ puruṣo ’dbhuta-darpaṇaḥ adhyātmam abudhasyeha kim asat-karmabhir bhavet
พระผู้เป็นเจ้าองค์สูงสุดทรงเป็นที่รองรับแห่งธาตุยี่สิบห้า และทรงกำกับเหตุและผล ดุจดั่งกระจกอัศจรรย์ ผู้ใดไม่รู้จักบุรุษสูงสุดนั้นแล้วทำกรรมเพื่อผลชั่วคราว จะได้ประโยชน์อันใด
Philosophers and scientists conduct scholarly research to find the original cause, but they should do so scientifically, not whimsically or through fantastic theories. The science of the original cause is explained in various Vedic literatures. Athāto brahma jijñāsā/janmādy asya yataḥ. The Vedānta-sūtra explains that one should inquire about the Supreme Soul. Such inquiry about the Supreme is called brahma jijñāsā. The Absolute Truth, tattva, is explained in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.11) :
FAQs
It teaches that without adhyātma—real knowledge of the self and the Supreme—misguided actions (asat-karma) cannot produce true benefit, because they keep one in ignorance rather than liberation.
Nārada instructed the Haryaśvas to seek spiritual realization instead of being absorbed only in worldly duties like expansion of progeny, warning that actions done in ignorance do not lead to the highest good.
Prioritize self-knowledge and devotion—study, reflection, and bhakti practices—so your work and responsibilities are guided by spiritual purpose rather than mere habit, pressure, or material ambition.