Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 35
Vidura’s Questions: How the Unchangeable Lord Relates to Māyā; Bhakti as the Remedy; Blueprint for the Coming Cosmology
येन वा भगवांस्तुष्येद्धर्मयोनिर्जनार्दन: । सम्प्रसीदति वा येषामेतदाख्याहि मेऽनघ ॥ ३५ ॥
yena vā bhagavāṁs tuṣyed dharma-yonir janārdanaḥ samprasīdati vā yeṣām etad ākhyāhi me ’nagha
Hỡi bậc vô tội, xin hãy nói cho tôi biết bằng cách nào Bhagavān Janārdana—cội nguồn của dharma và đấng điều khiển mọi jīva—được làm cho hoàn toàn mãn nguyện, hoặc Ngài hoàn toàn ban ân sủng cho những ai।
All religious activities are meant ultimately to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Lord is the father of all religious principles. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (7.16) , four kinds of pious men — the needy, the distressed, the enlightened and the inquisitive — approach the Lord in devotional service, and their devotion is mixed with material affection. But above them are the pure devotees, whose devotion is not tainted by any material tinges of fruitive work or speculative knowledge. Those who are only miscreants throughout their lives are compared to demons ( Bg. 7.15 ). They are bereft of all knowledge, in spite of any academic educational career they may pursue. Such miscreants are never candidates for satisfying the Lord.
FAQs
This verse frames the core inquiry: the Lord, the source of dharma, is pleased by the right spiritual means and grants special mercy to qualified persons—prompting the ensuing teachings on devotion and divine satisfaction.
Vidura approaches Maitreya as a realized teacher to understand the practical path—what truly satisfies the Lord and what qualities make one a recipient of His grace.
Make spiritual choices based on what pleases God—cultivating devotion, integrity, and humility—rather than merely pursuing social approval or personal gain.