Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 33
The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed (Brāhmaṇa-patnī-prasāda) — Ritualism Humbled by Bhakti
श्रवणाद्दर्शनाद्ध्यानान्मयि भावोऽनुकीर्तनात् । न तथा सन्निकर्षेण प्रतियात ततो गृहान् ॥ ३३ ॥
śravaṇād darśanād dhyānān mayi bhāvo ’nukīrtanāt na tathā sannikarṣeṇa pratiyāta tato gṛhān
Tình yêu đối với Ta phát triển nhờ nghe về Ta, chiêm bái hình tượng thờ phụng của Ta, thiền định về Ta và tụng ca danh hiệu cùng vinh quang của Ta—chứ không phải do gần gũi thân xác. Vì vậy, hãy trở về nhà mình.
FAQs
This verse states that bhāva (loving devotion) arises powerfully through hearing about Krishna, seeing Him, meditating on Him, and especially chanting His glories—not merely by being physically near Him.
Krishna emphasizes that true devotional advancement comes from bhakti practices like śravaṇa and kīrtana rather than simple physical association, and thus instructs them to go home while keeping their devotion alive through remembrance and glorification.
Prioritize daily hearing and chanting—study Bhagavatam, listen to Krishna-katha, chant the holy names, and meditate on Krishna—so devotion grows steadily even without constant access to holy places or physical proximity to saints.