Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 20
Pṛthu Mahārāja Meets the Four Kumāras: Bhakti as the Boat Across Saṁsāra
अस्त्येव राजन् भवतो मधुद्विष: पादारविन्दस्य गुणानुवादने । रतिर्दुरापा विधुनोति नैष्ठिकी कामं कषायं मलमन्तरात्मन: ॥ २० ॥
asty eva rājan bhavato madhudviṣaḥ pādāravindasya guṇānuvādane ratir durāpā vidhunoti naiṣṭhikī kāmaṁ kaṣāyaṁ malam antar-ātmanaḥ
O Hari, mahal na Hari, mayroon ka nang hilig na purihin ang mga paang-loto ni Madhudviṣa, ang Kataas-taasang Panginoon. Mahirap makamtan ang ganitong pag-ibig; ngunit kapag naging matatag na pananampalataya, kusa nitong nililinis ang pita at dumi sa kaibuturan ng puso.
satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ taj-joṣaṇād āśv apavarga-vartmani śraddhā ratir bhaktir anukramiṣyati
FAQs
This verse states that steady, exclusive devotion expressed through glorifying Lord Viṣṇu’s lotus feet powerfully cleanses lust, deep-rooted contamination, and inner impurity.
In their meeting with Pṛthu, the Kumāras affirm his genuine attraction to praising Lord Viṣṇu and teach that such unwavering bhakti is the rare means to purify the heart.
Make consistent time for hearing and speaking the Lord’s qualities (kīrtana/śravaṇa); that steady practice gradually weakens lust and cleanses entrenched habits and mental impurities.