Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 1
Bhakti as the Supreme Process; Detachment and the Rudiments of Meditation
श्रीउद्धव उवाच वदन्ति कृष्ण श्रेयांसि बहूनि ब्रह्मवादिन: । तेषां विकल्पप्राधान्यमुताहो एकमुख्यता ॥ १ ॥
śrī-uddhava uvāca vadanti kṛṣṇa śreyāṁsi bahūni brahma-vādinaḥ teṣāṁ vikalpa-prādhānyam utāho eka-mukhyatā
Śrī Uddhava thưa: Ôi Kṛṣṇa! Các bậc hiền triết am tường Veda khuyên dạy nhiều con đường để hoàn thiện đời sống. Giữa những quan điểm đa dạng ấy, tất cả có quan trọng ngang nhau không, hay có một con đường tối thượng? Xin Ngài chỉ dạy, lạy Chúa của con.
In order to clearly establish the exalted position of bhakti-yoga, or pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord, Śrī Uddhava requests Lord Kṛṣṇa to identify the supreme among all processes of self-realization. Not all Vedic processes lead directly to the ultimate goal, pure love of God; some only gradually elevate the consciousness of the living entity. For the purpose of giving a general outline of the process of self-realization, sages may discuss the various methods of elevation. But when the time comes to ascertain the most perfect process, the secondary methods must be cleared from the path.
FAQs
In this verse, Uddhava asks Kṛṣṇa why sages describe many ways to attain the highest good, and whether there is a single foremost path above all others.
Uddhava seeks clarity because learned teachers present multiple approaches (karma, jñāna, yoga, bhakti). He asks Kṛṣṇa directly to identify whether diversity is intended or whether one path is supreme.
Use this verse as a model: take your doubts to authentic scripture and realized guidance, and seek a clear, focused practice rather than being scattered among competing methods.