Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 33
Yamarāja Instructs the Yamadūtas: Supreme Authority, Mahājanas, and the Glory of the Holy Name
कृष्णाङ्घ्रिपद्ममधुलिण् न पुनर्विसृष्ट- मायागुणेषु रमते वृजिनावहेषु । अन्यस्तु कामहत आत्मरज: प्रमार्ष्टु- मीहेत कर्म यत एव रज: पुन: स्यात् ॥ ३३ ॥
kṛṣṇāṅghri-padma-madhu-liṇ na punar visṛṣṭa- māyā-guṇeṣu ramate vṛjināvaheṣu anyas tu kāma-hata ātma-rajaḥ pramārṣṭum īheta karma yata eva rajaḥ punaḥ syāt
常常品尝主奎师那莲花足甘蜜的奉献者，绝不贪恋由幻力三性所生、只带来苦恼的物质行为；他们不舍奎师那莲足而重返世俗业行。至于他人，因欲望所伤，忽略对莲足的奉事，偶尔行种种仪式性赎罪；然而净化不彻底，仍一再回到罪行之中。
A devotee’s duty is to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. One may sometimes chant with offenses and sometimes without offenses, but if one seriously adopts this process, he will achieve perfection, which cannot be achieved through Vedic ritualistic ceremonies of atonement. Persons who are attached to the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies, but do not believe in devotional service, who advise atonement, but do not appreciate the chanting of the Lord’s holy name, fail to achieve the highest perfection. Devotees, therefore, being completely detached from material enjoyment, never give up Kṛṣṇa consciousness for Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. Those who are attached to Vedic ritualistic ceremonies because of lusty desires are subjected to the tribulations of material existence again and again. Mahārāja Parīkṣit has compared their activities to kuñjara-śauca, the bathing of an elephant.
FAQs
This verse says that one who tastes the nectar of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet no longer takes pleasure in material modes that lead to sin and suffering; bhakti naturally replaces lower attractions.
In their dialogue with the Yamadūtas, the Viṣṇudūtas establish that pure devotion is the real purifier, whereas fruitive work may temporarily polish the heart but often generates fresh material desire again.
Prioritize daily bhakti—hearing, chanting, and remembering Kṛṣṇa—so the mind gains a higher taste; otherwise, trying to ‘self-improve’ only through achievement and ritualized work can recreate the same cravings.