FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.12.51

ज्ञानमज्ञाततत्त्वाय यो दद्यात्सत्पथेऽमृतम् कृपालोर्दीननाथस्य देवास्तस्यानुगृह्णते ॥ ५१ ॥
jñānam ajñāta-tattvāya
[jnaanam ajnaata-tattvaaya]
yo dadyāt sat-pathe ’mṛtam
[yo dadyaat sat-pathe ’mritam]
kṛpālor dīna-nāthasya
[kripaalor deena-naathasya]
devās tasyānugṛhṇate
[devaas tasyaanugrihnate]
jñānam — knowledge ajñāta-tattvāya — to those who are unaware of the truth yaḥ — one who dadyāt — imparts sat-pathe — on the path of truth amṛtam — immortality kṛpāloḥ — kind dīna-nāthasya — protector of the poor devāḥ — the demigods tasya — to him anugṛhṇate — give blessings.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
jñānam ajñāta-tattvāya
jñānam
knowledge
ajñāta-tattvāya
to those who are unaware of the truth
yaḥ
one who
yo dadyāt sat-pathe ’mṛtam
dadyāt
imparts
sat-pathe
on the path of truth
amṛtam
immortality
kṛpālor dīna-nāthasya
kṛpāloḥ
kind
dīna-nāthasya
protector of the poor
devās tasyānugṛhṇate
devāḥ
the demigods
tasya
to him
anugṛhṇate
give blessings.
The narration of Dhruva Mahārāja is sublime knowledge for the attainment of immortality. Persons unaware of the Absolute Truth can be led to the path of truth. Those who out of transcendental kindness take on the responsibility of becoming master-protectors of the poor living entities automatically gain the interest and blessings of the demigods.

Jñānam ajñāta means knowledge which is unknown almost throughout the entire world. No one knows actually what is the Absolute Truth. Materialists are very proud of their advancement in education, in philosophical speculation and in scientific knowledge, but no one actually knows what the Absolute Truth is. The great sage Maitreya, therefore, recommends that to enlighten people about the Absolute Truth ( tattva ) devotees should preach the teachings of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam throughout the entire world. Śrīla Vyāsadeva especially compiled this great literature of scientific knowledge because people are completely unaware of the Absolute Truth. In the beginning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, First Canto, it is said that Vyāsadeva, the learned sage, compiled this great Bhāgavata Purāṇa just to stop the ignorance of the mass of people. Because people do not know the Absolute Truth, this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam was specifically compiled by Vyāsadeva under the instruction of Nārada. Generally, even though people are interested in understanding the truth, they take to speculation and reach at most the conception of impersonal Brahman. But very few men actually know the Personality of Godhead.

Recitation of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is specifically meant to enlighten people about the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although there is no fundamental difference between impersonal Brahman, localized Paramātmā and the Supreme Person, factual immortality cannot be obtained unless and until one attains the stage of associating with the Supreme Person. Devotional service, which leads to the association of the Supreme Lord, is actual immortality. Pure devotees, out of compassion for the fallen souls, are kṛpālu, very kind to people in general; they distribute this Bhāgavata knowledge all over the world. A kindhearted devotee is called dīna-nātha, protector of the poor, ignorant mass of people. Lord Kṛṣṇa is also known as dīna-nātha or dīna-bandhu, the master or actual friend of the poor living entities, and His pure devotee also takes the same position of dīna-nātha. The dīna-nāthas, or devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who preach the path of devotional service, become the favorites of the demigods. Generally people are interested in worshiping the demigods, especially Lord Śiva, in order to obtain material benefits, but a pure devotee, who engages in preaching the principles of devotional service, as prescribed in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, does not need to separately worship the demigods; the demigods are automatically pleased with him and offer all the blessings within their capacity. As by watering the root of a tree the leaves and branches are automatically watered, so, by executing pure devotional service to the Lord, the branches, twigs and leaves of the Lord, known as demigods, are automatically pleased with the devotee, and they offer all benedictions.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
The devatās do not give obstacles to the merciful protector of the wretched, who gives immortal knowledge to the ignorant on the path of truth. If making people hear knowledge which gives liberation gives such great result, making people hear about Dhruva will certainly give a greater result.
This narration is sublime knowledge for immortality; those unaware can be led to truth, and protectors of poor beings earn the demigods' blessings. The story works at multiple levels — for the speaker, the unknowing listener, and the protected beings — all at once.
Reflection Questions
  • Whom am I positioned to lead from confusion to truth simply by telling the right story?
  • Which 'poor living entity' in my orbit am I being invited to protect?
📝 My note

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