Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 49
Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation
¨ हिंस्रं द्रव्यमयं काम्यमग्निहोत्राद्यशान्तिदम् । दर्शश्च पूर्णमासश्च चातुर्मास्यं पशु: सुत: ॥ ४८ ॥ एतदिष्टं प्रवृत्ताख्यं हुतं प्रहुतमेव च । पूर्तं सुरालयारामकूपाजीव्यादिलक्षणम् ॥ ४९ ॥
hiṁsraṁ dravyamayaṁ kāmyam agni-hotrādy-aśāntidam darśaś ca pūrṇamāsaś ca cāturmāsyaṁ paśuḥ sutaḥ
阿耆尼火供、达尔沙祭、满月祭、四月祭、牲祭与苏摩祭等仪式性祭祀，以杀害动物、焚烧大量财物（尤以谷粮）为相，旨在满足物欲，反而滋生忧惧不安。所谓人生目标的诸行，如供奉毗湿瓦德瓦、行巴利哈拉那仪式，以及为诸天建庙、建旅舍园林、掘井施水、设棚施食与公益之举（称为“伊什塔与普尔塔”），亦皆显现对物质欲望的执著。
FAQs
In this verse, Prahlāda explains that rituals performed for material gain—though Vedic—remain desire-driven and cannot grant true peace of heart.
He is not rejecting Vedic authority; he is pointing out that when such rites are pursued for results and involve harm, they keep one bound to unrest rather than leading to devotion and liberation.
Prioritize inner transformation—truthfulness, compassion, and devotion—over external religiosity performed mainly for status, gain, or enjoyment.