Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 21
The Prayers of the Personified Vedas (Śruti-stuti) and the Indescribable Absolute
दुरवगमात्मतत्त्वनिगमाय तवात्ततनो- श्चरितमहामृताब्धिपरिवर्तपरिश्रमणा: । न परिलषन्ति केचिदपवर्गमपीश्वर ते चरणसरोजहंसकुलसङ्गविसृष्टगृहा: ॥ २१ ॥
duravagamātma-tattva-nigamāya tavātta-tanoś carita-mahāmṛtābdhi-parivarta-pariśramaṇāḥ na parilaṣanti kecid apavargam apīśvara te caraṇa-saroja-haṁsa-kula-saṅga-visṛṣṭa-gṛhāḥ
主啊，为宣扬难以测度的自我之学，你示现亲身形相而演诸圣戏；有些有福之灵沉入你圣戏甘露的浩瀚海洋，便得以解除轮回劳苦的疲惫。哦自在主，这等稀有之人连解脱亦不希求；因与如群鸿般的奉爱者相交——他们在你莲足之莲上嬉游——遂舍弃家室之乐。
Ritualistic brāhmaṇas ( smārtas ) and impersonalists (Māyāvādīs) always try to relegate the process of bhakti-yoga to a relative or minor role. They say that devotion to the Personality of Godhead is for sentimental persons who lack the maturity to observe strict rituals or pursue the rigorous culture of knowledge.
FAQs
Because by associating with pure devotees and relishing the nectar of the Lord’s pastimes, their hearts become satisfied in loving service, making even liberation seem insignificant.
The personified Vedas (Śrutis) are speaking, offering prayers to the Supreme Lord—celebrated here as the master who reveals ātma-tattva by manifesting divine forms and līlā.
Seek saintly association, study and hear the Lord’s pastimes regularly, and prioritize devotion over ego-driven goals—even spiritual ambition—so that inner fulfillment comes from bhakti itself.