Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 12
Karma, Jñāna, and Bhakti: Vedic Dharma, Piety and Sin, and the Boat of Human Life
स्वर्गिणोऽप्येतमिच्छन्ति लोकं निरयिणस्तथा । साधकं ज्ञानभक्तिभ्यामुभयं तदसाधकम् ॥ १२ ॥
svargiṇo ’py etam icchanti lokaṁ nirayiṇas tathā sādhakaṁ jñāna-bhaktibhyām ubhayaṁ tad-asādhakam
Cư dân cõi trời lẫn cõi địa ngục đều mong được sinh làm người trên địa cầu, vì đời người giúp thành tựu cả tri kiến siêu việt và tình yêu phụng sự (bhakti); còn thân ở trời hay địa ngục không tạo cơ hội ấy một cách hữu hiệu.
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī points out that in material heaven one becomes absorbed in extraordinary sense gratification and in hell one is absorbed in suffering. In both cases there is little impetus to acquire transcendental knowledge or pure love of Godhead. Excessive suffering or excessive enjoyment are thus impediments to spiritual advancement.
FAQs
This verse states that the desired spiritual state is accomplished through both knowledge and devotion together, whereas each taken alone is insufficient to fully accomplish it.
In Canto 11, Krishna instructs Uddhava on the most effective sādhana for liberation and divine realization, clarifying that mere intellectual knowledge or mere sentiment without proper understanding can fall short.
Practice devotion (hearing, chanting, prayer, service) while also cultivating clear understanding through study and reflection—so devotion stays steady and knowledge becomes God-centered rather than dry or egoic.