FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.25.3

प्राचीनबर्हिषं क्षत्त: कर्मस्वासक्तमानसम् । नारदोऽध्यात्मतत्त्वज्ञ: कृपालु: प्रत्यबोधयत् ॥ ३ ॥
prācīnabarhiṣaṁ kṣattaḥ
[praacheenabarhisham kshattah]
karmasv āsakta-mānasam
[karmasv aasakta-maanasam]
nārado ’dhyātma-tattva-jñaḥ
[naarado ’dhyaatma-tattva-jnah]
kṛpāluḥ pratyabodhayat
[kripaaluh pratyabodhayat]
prācīnabarhiṣam — unto King Prācīnabarhiṣat kṣattaḥ — O Vidura karmasu — in fruitive activities āsakta — attached mānasam — with this mentality nāradaḥ — the great sage Nārada adhyātma — spiritualism tattva-jñaḥ — one who knows the truth kṛpāluḥ — being compassionate pratyabodhayat — gave instructions.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
prācīnabarhiṣaṁ kṣattaḥ
prācīnabarhiṣam
unto King Prācīnabarhiṣat
kṣattaḥ
O Vidura
karmasv āsakta-mānasam
karmasu
in fruitive activities
āsakta
attached
mānasam
with this mentality
nārado ’dhyātma-tattva-jñaḥ
nāradaḥ
the great sage Nārada
adhyātma
spiritualism
tattva-jñaḥ
one who knows the truth
kṛpāluḥ pratyabodhayat
kṛpāluḥ
being compassionate
pratyabodhayat
gave instructions.
While the princes were undergoing severe austerities in the water, their father was performing different types of fruitive activities. At this time the great saint Nārada, master and teacher of all spiritual life, became very compassionate upon the King and decided to instruct him about spiritual life.

As pointed out by Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, a great devotee of Lord Caitanya, kaivalya, or merging into the Brahman effulgence, is just like going to hell. He similarly states that elevation to the upper planetary systems for the enjoyment of heavenly life is just so much phantasmagoria. This means that a devotee does not give any importance to the ultimate goal of the karmīs and jñānīs. The ultimate goal of the karmīs is promotion to the heavenly kingdom, and the ultimate goal of the jñānīs is merging into the Brahman effulgence. Of course, the jñānīs are superior to the karmīs, as confirmed by Lord Caitanya. Koṭi-karmaniṣṭha-madhye eka ‘jñānī’ śreṣṭha: “One jñānī, or impersonalist, is better than many thousands of fruitive actors.” ( Cc. Madhya 19.147) Therefore a devotee never enters upon the path of karma, or elevation by fruitive activities. Nārada Muni took compassion upon King Prācīnabarhiṣat when he saw the King engaged in fruitive activity. In comparison to mundane workers, those who are trying to be elevated to the higher planetary systems by performing yajñas are undoubtedly superior. In pure devotional service, however, both karma and jñāna are considered bewildering features of the illusory energy.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
O Vidura! Nārada, knowing spiritual truth and being compassionate, awakened the King whose mind was attached to karma-yoga. While Śiva taught the Pracetās his song, Nārada was teaching their father jñāna, vairāgya and bhakti through the story of Purañjana. Without completing the story of the Pracetās, Maitreya now speaks about their father. Nārada was merciful, thinking, “This king in the dynasty of my dear devotee Dhruva is enamored by karma. I will save him.”
Meanwhile, the father continued fruitive activity; compassionate Nārada decides to instruct him. Some fathers need teaching more than their sons; the path doesn't always run top-down.
Reflection Questions
  • Which 'father-figure' in my life is overdue for being mercifully taught?
  • Where am I keeping my own elders insulated from instruction they need?
📝 My note

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