Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 31
Nārada’s Arrival, the Nine Yogendras, and the Foundations of Bhāgavata-dharma
धर्मान् भागवतान् ब्रूत यदि न: श्रुतये क्षमम् । यै: प्रसन्न: प्रपन्नाय दास्यत्यात्मानमप्यज: ॥ ३१ ॥
dharmān bhāgavatān brūta yadi naḥ śrutaye kṣamam yaiḥ prasannaḥ prapannāya dāsyaty ātmānam apy ajaḥ
若你们认为我堪能聆听，请宣说“薄伽梵之法”——事奉至上主的奉爱之道。凭此爱敬服务，永不生者阿阇主即刻欢喜，并将甚至祂自身赐予归依的灵魂。
Within the material world there are two classes of mundane philosophers who present their opinions about the Supreme Lord. Some so-called theologians claim that we are infinitely different from God, and therefore they tend to look upon the Lord as something far beyond our power to understand. Such extreme dualistic philosophers outwardly or officially claim to be pious and religious believers in God, but they consider God so much different from that which is within our experience that according to them there is little profit in even trying to discuss the personality or attributes of the Supreme Lord. Such outwardly faithful persons generally take to fruitive activities and gross materialistic sense gratification, being infatuated with the mundane relationships of the material world, which appear under the headings society, friendship and love.
FAQs
This verse shows that Bhagavata-dharma consists of devotional practices that please the Lord so deeply that He gives Himself to the surrendered devotee.
In his dialogue with the exalted sages (the Yogendras), King Nimi requests the essence of devotional principles—meant for hearing—so that one can attain the Lord through surrender and devotion.
Adopt daily bhakti habits (hearing, chanting, remembering, serving) with a surrendered attitude—seeking the Lord’s pleasure rather than personal gain.