FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.14.1

श्रीउद्धव उवाच वदन्ति कृष्ण श्रेयांसि बहूनि ब्रह्मवादिन: । तेषां विकल्पप्राधान्यमुताहो एकमुख्यता ॥ १ ॥
śrī-uddhava uvāca
[shree-uddhava uvaacha]
vadanti kṛṣṇa śreyāṁsi
[vadanti krishna shreyaamsi]
bahūni brahma-vādinaḥ
[bahooni brahma-vaadinah]
teṣāṁ vikalpa-prādhānyam
[teshaam vikalpa-praadhaanyam]
utāho eka-mukhyatā
[utaaho eka-mukhyataa]
Word-for-word
śrī-uddhavaḥ uvāca — Śrī Uddhava said vadanti — they speak kṛṣṇa — my dear Kṛṣṇa śreyāṁsi — processes for advancement in life bahūni — many brahma-vādinaḥ — the learned sages who have explained the Vedic literature teṣām — of all such processes vikalpa — of varieties of perception prādhānyam — supremacy uta — or aho — indeed eka — of one mukhyatā — being most important.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
śrī-uddhava uvāca
śrī-uddhavaḥ uvāca
Śrī Uddhava said
vadanti
they speak
vadanti kṛṣṇa śreyāṁsi
kṛṣṇa
my dear Kṛṣṇa
śreyāṁsi
processes for advancement in life
bahūni brahma-vādinaḥ
bahūni
many
brahma-vādinaḥ
the learned sages who have explained the Vedic literature
teṣāṁ vikalpa-prādhānyam
teṣām
of all such processes
vikalpa
of varieties of perception
prādhānyam
supremacy
utāho eka-mukhyatā
uta
or
aho
indeed
eka
of one
mukhyatā
being most important.
Śrī Uddhava said: My dear Kṛṣṇa, the learned sages who explain Vedic literature recommend various processes for perfecting one’s life. Considering these varieties of viewpoint, my Lord, please tell me whether all these processes are equally important, or whether one of them is supreme.
Purport

In order to clearly establish the exalted position of bhakti-yoga, or pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord, Śrī Uddhava requests Lord Kṛṣṇa to identify the supreme among all processes of self-realization. Not all Vedic processes lead directly to the ultimate goal, pure love of God; some only gradually elevate the consciousness of the living entity. For the purpose of giving a general outline of the process of self-realization, sages may discuss the various methods of elevation. But when the time comes to ascertain the most perfect process, the secondary methods must be cleared from the path.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Uddhava said: O Kṛṣṇa! The learned sages recommend various excellent sādhanas for perfecting one’s life. Among them are some superior? Is one among them the best? In the Fourteenth Chapter, the excellence of bhakti and the process of meditation approved by those desiring liberation but who have some bhakti are described. Uddhava asks about grading the various sādhanas about which he has heard and will hear from Kṛṣṇa. The sages speak of many excellent sādhanas (śreyāṁsi). Which is superior? Is there one supreme sādhana?
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Uddhava asks whether the many recommended processes are equally valid or if one is supreme. Honest inquiry about hierarchy among methods is itself part of spiritual maturity.
Reflection Questions
  • Have I really asked which path is supreme, or just sampled?
  • What would be different if I committed to one as primary?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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