FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.12.16

तस्मान्नरोऽसङ्गसुसङ्गजात- ज्ञानासिनेहैव विवृक्णमोह: । हरिं तदीहाकथनश्रुताभ्यां लब्धस्मृतिर्यात्यतिपारमध्वन: ॥ १६ ॥
tasmān naro ’saṅga-susaṅga-jāta-
[tasmaan naro ’sanga-susanga-jaata-]
jñānāsinehaiva vivṛkṇa-mohaḥ
[jnaanaasinehaiva vivrikna-mohah]
hariṁ tad-īhā-kathana-śrutābhyāṁ
[harim tad-eehaa-kathana-shrutaabhyaam]
labdha-smṛtir yāty atipāram adhvanaḥ
[labdha-smritir yaaty atipaaram adhvanah]
Word-for-word
tasmāt — for this reason naraḥ — every person asaṅga — by detachment from the association of worldly people su-saṅga — by the association of devotees jāta — produced jñāna-asinā — by the sword of knowledge iha — in this material world eva — even vivṛkṇa-mohaḥ — whose illusion is completely cut to pieces harim — the Supreme Personality of Godhead tad-īhā — of His activities kathana-śrutābhyām — by the two processes of hearing and chanting labdha-smṛtiḥ — the lost consciousness is regained yāti — achieves atipāram — the ultimate end adhvanaḥ — of the path back home, back to Godhead.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
tasmān naro ’saṅga-susaṅga-jāta-
tasmāt
for this reason
naraḥ
every person
asaṅga
by detachment from the association of worldly people
su-saṅga
by the association of devotees
jāta
produced
jñānāsinehaiva vivṛkṇa-mohaḥ
jñāna-asinā
by the sword of knowledge
hariṁ tad-īhā-kathana-śrutābhyāṁ
iha
in this material world
eva
even
vivṛkṇa-mohaḥ
whose illusion is completely cut to pieces
harim
the Supreme Personality of Godhead
tad-īhā
of His activities
kathana-śrutābhyām
by the two processes of hearing and chanting
labdha-smṛtir yāty atipāram adhvanaḥ
labdha-smṛtiḥ
the lost consciousness is regained
yāti
achieves
atipāram
the ultimate end
adhvanaḥ
of the path back home, back to Godhead.
Simply by associating with exalted devotees, anyone can attain perfection of knowledge and with the sword of knowledge can cut to pieces the illusory associations within this material world. Through the association of devotees, one can engage in the service of the Lord by hearing and chanting [śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam]. Thus one can revive his dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness and, sticking to the cultivation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, return home, back to Godhead, even in this life.
Purport

To become liberated from material bondage, one must give up the association of worldly people and accept the association of devotees; positive and negative processes are mentioned in this regard. Through the association of devotees, one develops Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which is dormant within. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is giving this chance to everyone. We are giving shelter to everyone who is serious about progressing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. We arrange for their lodging and board so that they can peacefully cultivate Kṛṣṇa consciousness and return home, back to Godhead, even in this life.

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Fifth Canto, Twelfth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Conversation Between Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa and Jaḍa Bharata.”

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Cutting up illusion by the sword of knowledge arising from detachment from matter and attachment to devotees, and gaining remembrance of the Lord by speaking about and hearing the pastimes of the Lord, a person attains the Lord at the end of saṁsāra. Asaṅga means detachment from material things. Susaṅga means attachment to devotees. By these two, one gains knowledge, which is a sword. With the sword a person cuts illusion in the form of an elephant and attains the Lord, at the end (atipāram) of saṁsāra (adhvanaḥ). Thus ends the commentary on the Twelfth Chapter of the Fifth Canto of the Bhāgavatam for the pleasure of the devotees, in accordance with the previous ācāryas. Chapter Thirteen The Forest of the Material Enjoyment
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Association with exalted devotees is itself the sword that cuts illusion. Through their company, hearing and chanting awaken the dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Don't underestimate the role of simply being near the right people.
Reflection Questions
  • Where could you place yourself more often in genuine devotee company this month?
  • What single relationship in your life is most reliably awakening Kṛṣṇa consciousness in you?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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