FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.12.13

यत्रोत्तमश्लोकगुणानुवाद: प्रस्तूयते ग्राम्यकथाविघात: । निषेव्यमाणोऽनुदिनं मुमुक्षो- र्मतिं सतीं यच्छति वासुदेवे ॥ १३ ॥
yatrottamaśloka-guṇānuvādaḥ
[yatrottamashloka-gunaanuvaadah]
prastūyate grāmya-kathā-vighātaḥ
[prastooyate graamya-kathaa-vighaatah]
niṣevyamāṇo ’nudinaṁ mumukṣor
[nishevyamaano ’nudinam mumukshor]
matiṁ satīṁ yacchati vāsudeve
[matim sateem yachchati vaasudeve]
Word-for-word
yatra — in which place (in the presence of exalted devotees) uttama-śloka-guṇa-anuvādaḥ — discussion of the pastimes and glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead prastūyate — is presented grāmya-kathā-vighātaḥ — due to which there is no chance of talking of worldly matters niṣevyamāṇaḥ — being heard very seriously anudinam — day after day mumukṣoḥ — of persons who are very serious about getting out of material entanglement matim — meditation satīm — pure and simple yacchati — is turned vāsudeve — unto the lotus feet of Lord Vāsudeva.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
yatrottamaśloka-guṇānuvādaḥ
yatra
in which place (in the presence of exalted devotees)
uttama-śloka-guṇa-anuvādaḥ
discussion of the pastimes and glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
prastūyate grāmya-kathā-vighātaḥ
prastūyate
is presented
grāmya-kathā-vighātaḥ
due to which there is no chance of talking of worldly matters
niṣevyamāṇo ’nudinaṁ mumukṣor
niṣevyamāṇaḥ
being heard very seriously
anudinam
day after day
mumukṣoḥ
of persons who are very serious about getting out of material entanglement
matiṁ satīṁ yacchati vāsudeve
matim
meditation
satīm
pure and simple
yacchati
is turned
vāsudeve
unto the lotus feet of Lord Vāsudeva.
Who are the pure devotees mentioned here? In an assembly of pure devotees, there is no question of discussing material subjects like politics and sociology. In an assembly of pure devotees, there is discussion only of the qualities, forms and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is praised and worshiped with full attention. In the association of pure devotees, by constantly hearing such topics respectfully, even a person who wants to merge into the existence of the Absolute Truth abandons this idea and gradually becomes attached to the service of Vāsudeva.
Purport

The symptoms of pure devotees are described in this verse. The pure devotee is never interested in material topics. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has strictly prohibited His devotees to talk about worldly matters. Grāmya-vārtā nā kahibe: one should not indulge in talking unnecessarily about news of the material world. One should not waste time in this way. This is a very important feature in the life of a devotee. A devotee has no other ambition than to serve Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement was started to engage people twenty-four hours daily in the service of the Lord and in His glorification. The students in this institution engage in the cultivation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness from five in the morning to ten at night. They actually have no opportunity to waste their time unnecessarily by discussing politics, sociology and current events. These will go their own way. A devotee is concerned only with serving Kṛṣṇa positively and seriously.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Where there are great devotees, talks concerning the qualities of the Lord, which destroy material topics, are sung. Heard constantly even by those desiring liberation, those topics produce pure thoughts of Vāsudeva. The devotees of Kṛṣṇa are described. Where one bathes in the dust of their feet, or where there are great devotees (yatra), the qualities of the Lord such as his affectionate nature are repeatedly glorified. Even those desiring liberation listen. These talks produce pure thoughts of Vāsudeva, the son of Vasudeva, without the desire for liberation.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
A real devotee gathering does not waste time on politics or sociology; it discusses the Lord's qualities, forms and pastimes. Sit in such company often enough and the nectar gradually reshapes your taste. Your assembly determines your appetite.
Reflection Questions
  • What does your typical assembly discuss, and what taste is it cultivating in you?
  • Where could you seek out, or create, a gathering whose conversation is genuinely about Kṛṣṇa?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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