Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 22
The Forest of Material Existence: Jaḍa Bharata Instructs King Rahūgaṇa
न ह्यद्भुतं त्वच्चरणाब्जरेणुभि- र्हतांहसो भक्तिरधोक्षजेऽमला । मौहूर्तिकाद्यस्य समागमाच्च मे दुस्तर्कमूलोऽपहतोऽविवेक: ॥ २२ ॥
na hy adbhutaṁ tvac-caraṇābja-reṇubhir hatāṁhaso bhaktir adhokṣaje ’malā mauhūrtikād yasya samāgamāc ca me dustarka-mūlo ’pahato ’vivekaḥ
Hindi kataka-taka na sa pagkatakip lamang ng alikabok ng iyong mga talampakang-loto, napapawi ang kasalanan at agad nakakamtan ang dalisay na bhakti kay Adhokṣaja—na maging si Brahmā at ang mga dakilang deva ay bihirang makuha. At sa pakikisama ko sa iyo kahit sandali, ang mga ugat ng aking pagkakagapos—walang saysay na pagtatalo, huwad na pagmamataas, at kawalan ng paghatol—ay napuksa; ngayo’y malaya na ako sa mga iyon.
Association with pure devotees certainly frees one from the material clutches. This is certainly true of King Rahūgaṇa’s association with Jaḍa Bharata. King Rahūgaṇa was immediately freed from the misgivings of material association. The arguments offered by pure devotees to their disciples are so convincing that even a dull-headed disciple is immediately enlightened with spiritual knowledge.
FAQs
This verse states that even a brief moment of association can uproot ignorance and awaken pure devotion to Adhokṣaja, especially when one receives the dust of a saintly person’s lotus feet.
After offending Jada Bharata and then hearing his profound teachings, Rahugana repented and acknowledged that Jada Bharata’s association destroyed his misguided reasoning and restored true discrimination.
Seek sincere association with advanced devotees, hear spiritual instruction with humility, and avoid prideful speculation—because even short, genuine contact with saintly wisdom can transform one’s outlook and devotion.