FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.17.28

नारायणपरा: सर्वे न कुतश्चन बिभ्यति । स्वर्गापवर्गनरकेष्वपि तुल्यार्थदर्शिन: ॥ २८ ॥
nārāyaṇa-parāḥ sarve
[naaraayana-paraah sarve]
na kutaścana bibhyati
[na kutashchana bibhyati]
svargāpavarga-narakeṣv
[svargaapavarga-narakeshv]
api tulyārtha-darśinaḥ
[api tulyaartha-darshinah]
nārāyaṇa-parāḥ — pure devotees, who are interested only in the service of Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead sarve — all na — not kutaścana — anywhere bibhyati — are afraid svarga — in the higher planetary systems apavarga — in liberation narakeṣu — and in hell api — even tulya — equal artha — value darśinaḥ — who see.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
nārāyaṇa-parāḥ sarve
nārāyaṇa-parāḥ
pure devotees, who are interested only in the service of Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
sarve
all
na kutaścana bibhyati
na
not
kutaścana
anywhere
bibhyati
are afraid
svargāpavarga-narakeṣv
svarga
in the higher planetary systems
apavarga
in liberation
narakeṣu
and in hell
api tulyārtha-darśinaḥ
api
even
tulya
equal
artha
value
darśinaḥ
who see.
Devotees solely engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, never fear any condition of life. For them the heavenly planets, liberation and the hellish planets are all the same, for such devotees are interested only in the service of the Lord.

Pārvatī might naturally have inquired how devotees become so exalted. Therefore this verse explains that they are nārāyaṇa-para, simply dependent on Nārāyaṇa. They do not mind reverses in life because in the service of Nārāyaṇa they have learned to tolerate whatever hardships there may be. They do not care whether they are in heaven or in hell: they simply engage in the service of the Lord. This is their excellence. Ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanam: they are liberally engaged in the service of the Lord, and therefore they are excellent. By using the word bhṛtya-bhṛtyānām, Lord Śiva pointed out that although Citraketu provided one example of tolerance and excellence, all the devotees who have taken shelter of the Lord as eternal servants are glorious. They have no eagerness to be happy by being placed in the heavenly planets, becoming liberated or becoming one with Brahman, the supreme effulgence. These benefits do not appeal to their minds. They are simply interested in giving direct service to the Lord.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Devotees solely engaged in the service of Nārāyaṇa never fear any condition of life. For them the heavenly planets, liberation and the hellish planets are all the same. “What is the reason that devotees have such greatness?” They are fixed in Nārāyaṇa. That is the only reason. Not only Citraketu and others, but all devotees have no fear. Svarga, liberation and hell are all equal because they are tasteless, since they do not have the happiness of bhakti.
Devotees engaged solely in service of Nārāyaṇa never fear; heaven, liberation and hell are equal to them, for they are interested only in serving the Lord. Freedom from polarity is freedom indeed.
Reflection Questions
  • Which polarity (this/that destination) still rules my expectations?
  • What practice would equalize them in my heart?
📝 My note

← Read full Chapter 17