Shloka 4
Varāha-avatāra: The Boar Incarnation Lifts the Earth and Slays Hiraṇyākṣa
श्रुतस्य पुंसां सुचिरश्रमस्य नन्वञ्जसा सूरिभिरीडितोऽर्थ: । तत्तद्गुणानुश्रवणं मुकुन्द- पादारविन्द हृदयेषु येषाम् ॥ ४ ॥
śrutasya puṁsāṁ sucira-śramasya nanv añjasā sūribhir īḍito ’rthaḥ tat-tad-guṇānuśravaṇaṁ mukunda- pādāravindaṁ hṛdayeṣu yeṣām
Kahit ang tao’y matagal at masikap na nakinig, ang diwa ay madaling pinupuri ng mga dalisay na sādhu; kaya dapat paulit-ulit pakinggan ang mga katangian at buhay ng mga bhaktang dalisay, na sa puso’y laging iniingatan ang lotus na mga paa ni Mukunda, tagapagkaloob ng kalayaan.
Transcendental students are those who undergo great penance in being trained by hearing the Vedas from a bona fide spiritual master. Not only must they hear about the activities of the Lord, but they must also hear about the transcendental qualities of the devotees who are constantly thinking of the lotus feet of the Lord within their hearts. A pure devotee of the Lord cannot be separated from the lotus feet of the Lord for even a moment. Undoubtedly the Lord is always within the hearts of all living creatures, but they hardly know about it because they are deluded by the illusory material energy. The devotees, however, realize the presence of the Lord, and therefore they can always see the lotus feet of the Lord within their hearts. Such pure devotees of the Lord are as glorious as the Lord; they are, in fact, recommended by the Lord as more worshipable than He Himself. Worship of the devotee is more potent than worship of the Lord. It is therefore the duty of the transcendental students to hear of pure devotees, as explained by similar devotees of the Lord, because one cannot explain about the Lord or His devotee unless one happens to be a pure devotee himself.
FAQs
This verse states that the real purpose of long study is fulfilled when one continuously hears the Lord’s qualities, especially with a heart attached to Mukunda’s lotus feet.
In the Bhagavatam’s bhakti framework, hearing the Lord’s qualities is the direct, accessible essence of all knowledge, and it naturally leads the heart toward devotion and liberation.
Regularly listen to or read Bhagavatam narrations, reflect on the Lord’s attributes, and let that remembrance guide daily choices toward humility, purity, and devotion.