FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.24.51

जनो जनस्यादिशतेऽसतीं गतिं यया प्रपद्येत दुरत्ययं तम: । त्वं त्वव्ययं ज्ञानममोघमञ्जसा प्रपद्यते येन जनो निजं पदम् ॥ ५१ ॥
jano janasyādiśate ’satīṁ gatiṁ
[jano janasyaadishate ’sateem gatim]
yayā prapadyeta duratyayaṁ tamaḥ
[yayaa prapadyeta duratyayam tamah]
tvaṁ tv avyayaṁ jñānam amogham añjasā
[tvam tv avyayam jnaanam amogham anjasaa]
prapadyate yena jano nijaṁ padam
[prapadyate yena jano nijam padam]
janaḥ — a person who is not a bona fide guru (an ordinary person) janasya — of an ordinary person who does not know the goal of life ādiśate — instructs asatīm — impermanent, material gatim — the goal of life yayā — by such knowledge prapadyeta — he surrenders duratyayam — insurmountable tamaḥ — to ignorance tvam — Your Lordship tu — but avyayam — indestructible jñānam — knowledge amogham — without material contamination añjasā — very soon prapadyate — achieves yena — by such knowledge janaḥ — a person nijam — his own padam — original position.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
jano janasyādiśate ’satīṁ gatiṁ
janaḥ
a person who is not a bona fide guru (an ordinary person)
janasya
of an ordinary person who does not know the goal of life
ādiśate
instructs
yayā prapadyeta duratyayaṁ tamaḥ
tvaṁ tv avyayaṁ jñānam amogham añjasā
asatīm
impermanent, material
gatim
the goal of life
prapadyate yena jano nijaṁ padam
yayā
by such knowledge
prapadyeta
he surrenders
duratyayam
insurmountable
tamaḥ
to ignorance
tvam
Your Lordship
tu
but
avyayam
indestructible
jñānam
knowledge
amogham
without material contamination
añjasā
very soon
prapadyate
achieves
yena
by such knowledge
janaḥ
a person
nijam
his own
padam
original position.
A materialistic so-called guru instructs his materialistic disciples about economic development and sense gratification, and because of such instructions the foolish disciples continue in the materialistic existence of ignorance. But Your Lordship gives knowledge that is eternal, and the intelligent person receiving such knowledge is quickly situated in his original constitutional position.

So-called gurus instruct their disciples for the sake of material profit. Some guru advises that one meditate in such a way that his intelligence will increase in regard to keeping his body fit for sense gratification. Another guru advises that sex is the ultimate goal of life and that one should therefore engage in sex to the best of his ability. These are the instructions of foolish gurus. In other words, because of the instructions of a foolish guru one remains perpetually in material existence and suffers its tribulations. But if one is intelligent enough to take instructions from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as enunciated in Bhagavad-gītā or the Sāṅkhya philosophy of Kapiladeva, one can very soon attain liberation and be situated in his original position of spiritual life. The words nijaṁ padam are significant. The living entity, being part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has the birthright to a position in Vaikuṇṭhaloka, or the spiritual world, where there is no anxiety. Therefore, one should follow the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Then, as stated in Bhagavad-gītā, tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti so ’rjuna: after giving up one’s body, one will return home, back to Godhead. The Lord lives in the spiritual world in His original personality, and a devotee who follows the instructions of the Lord approaches Him ( mām eti ). As a spiritual person, such a devotee returns to the Personality of Godhead and plays and dances with Him. That is the ultimate goal of life.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
An ignorant guru teaches his disciple material goals by which he surrenders to unsurpassable ignorance. But you teach indestructible knowledge (bhakti) which never fails to give results, by which a person quickly attains Vaikuṇṭha. An example is given to make the point clear. A materialistic guru teaches a disciple about material goals. Such a guru, a cause of obstacles, should be completely rejected. But you have made your appearance in the form of guru. You teach knowledge which arises from bhakti (avyayam jñānam), not just knowledge composed of vidyā which is destroyed when liberation is reached. One attains your lotus feet or Vaikuṇṭha (nija-padam).
Materialistic gurus instruct on economic development and sense gratification; You give eternal knowledge. The intelligent person quickly arrives at their constitutional position. Direction of instruction matters more than presentation.
Reflection Questions
  • What is my current guru-figure actually pointing me toward — economic development or eternal knowledge?
  • Where could clarifying this destination simplify my discipleship?
📝 My note

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