Shloka 56
Kardama Muni’s Mystic Opulence, Devahūti’s Rejuvenation, and the Turning Toward Fearlessness
नेह यत्कर्म धर्माय न विरागाय कल्पते । न तीर्थपदसेवायै जीवन्नपि मृतो हि स: ॥ ५६ ॥
neha yat karma dharmāya na virāgāya kalpate na tīrtha-pada-sevāyai jīvann api mṛto hi saḥ
Ang sinumang ang gawain ay hindi nag-aangat sa buhay-dharma, ang mga ritwal ay hindi nagbubunga ng pagtalikod, at ang pagtalikod man ay hindi humahantong sa bhakti-seva sa mga paa ng Kataas-taasang Panginoon (Tirtha-pada), siya’y ituring na patay kahit humihinga.
Devahūti’s statement is that since she was attached to living with her husband for sense gratification, which does not lead to liberation from material entanglement, her life was simply a waste of time. Any work one performs that does not lead to the state of religious life is useless activity. Everyone is by nature inclined to some sort of work, and when that work leads one to religious life and religious life leads one to renunciation and renunciation leads one to devotional service, one attains the perfection of work. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, any work that does not lead ultimately to the standard of devotional service is a cause of bondage in the material world ( yajñārthāt karmaṇo ’nyatra loko ’yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ ). Unless one is gradually elevated to the position of devotional service, beginning from his natural activity, he is to be considered a dead body. Work which does not lead one to the understanding of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is considered useless.
FAQs
This verse says that actions which do not cultivate dharma, detachment, and service to the Lord’s lotus feet are spiritually barren—one may be alive outwardly, yet is considered “dead” in higher purpose.
Because mere survival and activity without inner transformation—righteousness, renunciation, and devotion—fails to fulfill the soul’s aim of reconnecting with Bhagavān through service.
Align daily work with dharma (ethical living), cultivate detachment from ego and results, and consciously offer time, intention, and gratitude to the Lord—turning ordinary duties into devotional service.