FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.9

मन्ये धनाभिजनरूपतप:श्रुतौज- स्तेज:प्रभावबलपौरुषबुद्धियोगा: । नाराधनाय हि भवन्ति परस्य पुंसो भक्त्या तुतोष भगवान्गजयूथपाय ॥ ९ ॥
manye dhanābhijana-rūpa-tapaḥ-śrutaujas-
[manye dhanaabhijana-roopa-tapah-shrutaujas-]
tejaḥ-prabhāva-bala-pauruṣa-buddhi-yogāḥ
[tejah-prabhaava-bala-paurusha-buddhi-yogaah]
nārādhanāya hi bhavanti parasya puṁso
[naaraadhanaaya hi bhavanti parasya pumso]
bhaktyā tutoṣa bhagavān gaja-yūtha-pāya
[bhaktyaa tutosha bhagavaan gaja-yootha-paaya]
Word-for-word
manye — I consider dhana — riches abhijana — aristocratic family rūpa — personal beauty tapaḥ — austerity śruta — knowledge from studying the Vedas ojaḥ — sensory prowess tejaḥ — bodily effulgence prabhāva — influence bala — bodily strength pauruṣa — diligence buddhi — intelligence yogāḥ — mystic power na — not ārādhanāya — for satisfying hi — indeed bhavanti — are parasya — of the transcendent puṁsaḥ — Supreme Personality of Godhead bhaktyā — simply by devotional service tutoṣa — was satisfied bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead gaja-yūtha-pāya — unto the King of elephants (Gajendra).
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
manye dhanābhijana-rūpa-tapaḥ-śrutaujas-
manye
I consider
dhana
riches
abhijana
aristocratic family
rūpa
personal beauty
tapaḥ
austerity
śruta
knowledge from studying the Vedas
ojaḥ
sensory prowess
tejaḥ-prabhāva-bala-pauruṣa-buddhi-yogāḥ
tejaḥ
bodily effulgence
prabhāva
influence
bala
bodily strength
pauruṣa
diligence
buddhi
intelligence
yogāḥ
mystic power
nārādhanāya hi bhavanti parasya puṁso
na
not
ārādhanāya
for satisfying
hi
indeed
bhavanti
are
parasya
of the transcendent
puṁsaḥ
Supreme Personality of Godhead
bhaktyā tutoṣa bhagavān gaja-yūtha-pāya
bhaktyā
simply by devotional service
tutoṣa
was satisfied
bhagavān
the Supreme Personality of Godhead
gaja-yūtha-pāya
unto the King of elephants (Gajendra).
Prahlāda Mahārāja continued: One may possess wealth, an aristocratic family, beauty, austerity, education, sensory expertise, luster, influence, physical strength, diligence, intelligence and mystic yogic power, but I think that even by all these qualifications one cannot satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, one can satisfy the Lord simply by devotional service. Gajendra did this, and thus the Lord was satisfied with him.
Purport

No kind of material qualification is the means for satisfying the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, only by devotional service can the Lord be known ( bhaktyā mām abhijānāti ). Unless the Lord is pleased by the service of a devotee, the Lord does not reveal Himself ( nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ ). This is the verdict of all śāstras. Neither by speculation nor by material qualifications can one understand or approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
I think that wealth, family, beauty, austerity, learning, power of the senses, splendor, power, strength of the body, effort, intelligence, karma, jñāna or aṣṭāṅga-yoga cannot satisfy the Lord. The Lord was satisfied with the king of the elephants by his devotion to the Lord. You are not pleased by offerings of great wealth or other things. You are not pleased with birth in a good family (abhijana), strength of the senses (ojas), splendor (tejas), power (prabhāva), exertion (pauruṣa), or karma, jñāna or aṣṭāṅga-yoga. How can I satisfy you? By bhakti the Lord was satisfied. The past tense is used to indicate that one need not search out any further proof. This is your nature. Also the extraordinary power of bhakti is indicated. I have a trace of bhakti by the mercy of Nārada, and this must please you.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Wealth, family, beauty, austerity, education, expertise, influence, strength, diligence, intelligence, mystic power — none of these alone satisfy the Lord. Devotion alone does. Gajendra demonstrated it; you can too. Strip the resume; offer the surrender.
Reflection Questions
  • Which of your qualifications are you offering instead of devotion?
  • What 'Gajendra moment' in your life could be transformed by simple cry instead of careful preparation?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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