Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 11 Chapter 26:25-35

Book 11: Chapter 26

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 11: Chapter 26: Verses 25-35 The glorious Lord continued : Singing thus at the top of his voice, the celebrated Pururava (the object of veneration of kings and gods alike) left the realm of Urvasi and, having realized Me as his very self (dwelling) in his (own) heart and shaken off, by dint of that realization, his delusion (in the shape of identification with the body etc.), retired forthwith from the world. Therefore, eschewing evil company, a prudent man should associate with the righteous; (for) the latter cut asunder the deep attachment of his mind (for the pleasures of sense) by their precepts. The righteous are free from craving (for the pleasures of sense), have their mind fixed on Me, are perfectly serene (free from passion), view everything alike (as an embodiment of Brahma), are free from the senses of mineness as well as from the ego-sense (identification from the body etc.), are unaffected by the pairs of opposites and own no property. In the midst of those exceedingly fortunate people, O highly blessed Uddhava, My stories are always told-stories that are salutary to mankind and eradicate the sin of those that take delight in them. They who listen to them, sing them and as a matter of fact heartily approve of them and are respectful towards Me, nay, exclusively devoted to Me (expecting no other return) and are full of reverence acquire devotion to Me. What else remains to be achieved by the pious soul who has attained devotion to Me, endowed with endless virtues (potencies),the (ultimate) Cause of all, the embodiment of (Truth,) Consciousness and Bliss? (Even) as cold, dismay and darkness disappear in the case of a man who betakes himself to the glorious Agni (the god of fire), so do the rigidity and obtuseness (born of stern devotion to duty), the fear of future births and its root, ignorance, get dissolved in the case of the man who renders loving service to pious souls. Just as a strong bark is the supreme resort to those that are being drowned in water, noble souls who have realized Brahma and have attained (perfect) peace of mind are the highest resort to those who having sunk (once) to the lowest depths are coming (once more) to the surface in the ocean of mundane existence. (Just as) food is life itself to those that breathe, (as) I am the only shelter to the afflcted, and (even as) piety is the (only) wealth for men (to depend upon) in the other world (after death), (so) saints are the (only) resort to him who is afraid of being born (again and again) on this (mortal) plane. (Even) having fully risen, the sun bestows (on us) the external eye (alone), whereas holy men confer (on those enjoying their fellowship) inner eyes (in the shape of knowledge relating to the Saguna and Nirguna aspects of Brahma). Holy men (therefore) are (veritable) gods as well as one's near and dear ones. They are one's (very) soul (nay,) Myself. Rid in this way of longing for Urvasi's realm (or sight), and free from (all) attachment due to the fellowship of saints, Pururava (the son of Sudyumna, who had attained a feminine form under the name of lla alongwith his retinue due to the curse of Goddess Parvati) went about this globe revelling in the Self: so the tradition goes. Thus ends the twenty-sixth discourse in Book Eleven of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.