Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 4
Sādhu-saṅga, the Gopīs’ Prema, and the Veda’s Culmination in Exclusive Surrender
सत्सङ्गेन हि दैतेया यातुधाना मृगा: खगा: । गन्धर्वाप्सरसो नागा: सिद्धाश्चारणगुह्यका: ॥ ३ ॥ विद्याधरा मनुष्येषु वैश्या: शूद्रा: स्त्रियोऽन्त्यजा: । रजस्तम:प्रकृतयस्तस्मिंस्तस्मिन् युगे युगे ॥ ४ ॥ बहवो मत्पदं प्राप्तास्त्वाष्ट्रकायाधवादय: । वृषपर्वा बलिर्बाणो मयश्चाथ विभीषण: ॥ ५ ॥ सुग्रीवो हनुमानृक्षो गजो गृध्रो वणिक्पथ: । व्याध: कुब्जा व्रजे गोप्यो यज्ञपत्न्यस्तथापरे ॥ ६ ॥
sat-saṅgena hi daiteyā yātudhānā mṛgāḥ khagāḥ gandharvāpsaraso nāgāḥ siddhāś cāraṇa-guhyakāḥ
Sa bawat yuga, maraming nilalang na nabibihag ng rajas at tamas ang nakatagpo ng sat-saṅga sa Aking mga deboto. Kaya ang mga Daitya, Rākṣasa, mga hayop at ibon, Gandharva, Apsarā, Nāga, Siddha, Cāraṇa, Guhyaka at Vidyādhara—gayundin ang mga taong itinuturing na mababa tulad ng vaiśya, śūdra, mga babae at iba pa—ay nakarating sa Aking kataas-taasang tahanan. Nakamit din ito nina Vṛtrāsura, Prahlāda Mahārāja at mga katulad nila; gayundin nina Vṛṣaparvā, Bali Mahārāja, Bāṇāsura, Maya, Vibhīṣaṇa, Sugrīva, Hanumān, Jāmbavān, Gajendra, Jaṭāyu, Tulādhāra, Dharma-vyādha, Kubjā, ang mga gopī sa Vṛndāvana, at ang mga asawa ng mga brāhmaṇa na nagsasagawa ng yajña.
The Lord has mentioned devotees such as the gopīs in Vṛndāvana and also demons like Bāṇāsura to illustrate how He comes under the control of those who surrender to Him. It is understood that devotees like the gopīs and others mentioned here obtained pure love of Kṛṣṇa, whereas the demons generally obtained only salvation. Many demons were purified by association with devotees and came to accept devotional service to the Lord as the most important among the various activities in their lives, but the exalted devotees like Prahlāda and Bali Mahārāja know nothing except devotional service, which they accept as their very life. Still, the reformed demons are also mentioned so that readers of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam will understand the enormous benefits one may achieve by associating with devotees of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse teaches that saintly association can elevate even those considered demoniac, animal-born, or socially marginalized, enabling them to attain the Lord’s supreme destination through devotion.
In the Uddhava Gītā context, Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on bhakti and liberation, emphasizing that devotion supported by satsaṅga is universally effective—beyond birth, species, or social status.
Seek uplifting company—teachers, communities, and practices centered on devotion and virtue—because consistent association shapes character and can transform even deeply ingrained habits.