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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 11: Chapter 2: Verses 27-37
The nine sageswere resplendent with their own lustre, like the sons of Brahma (Sanaka and others). King
Nimi was greatly delighted to see them. Bent low with humility he put questions to them (as follows).
King Nimi said : I conclude you to be the direct attendants of Lord Visnu (the Destroyer of the demon Madhu); for (I know) His devotees go about the worlds to purify them. The human body is a rare boon to embodied souls and that too is very transient. In the human life too it is very rarely that one meets the devotees of the Lord. 0 pious souls, we, therefore, ask you what leads to everlasting bliss. In this world association with pious souls (like you) even for half a moment is (indeed) like a treasure to human beings. If we are qualified to hear of them, (pray) tell us those righteous duties and observances sacred to the Lord, pleased with which that birthless Lord confers His very Self upon His votary.
Narada continued : 0 Vasudeva, questioned thus by King Nimi, the worshipful sages complimented the king, his priests and the supervisors of the sacrifice, and gladly spoke (by turns as follows). Kavi said I believe that, for the man whose mind is always agitated by mistaking this worthless body etc., for one's own self, worship of the Lord's lotus-feet is the safest course. in that through such worship (all) fear completely disappears. All those courses of conduct which were actually taught by the Lord Himself for His own Realization without much exertion even by the ignorant, surely know them as conducive to His pleasure. 0 king, resorting to those courses a man would never go astray; even if he follows them running (in a desultory way) or with closed eyes (ignorantly), he would not stumble or take a false step. Whatever he does with his body, tongue, mind or senses, reason or intellect or by the force of his inherited nature, he should consecrate all as an offering to the supreme Lord Narayana. He who has turned away from the Lord loses the memory (of his real self), thanks to His Maya, and falls a prey to the erroneous belief that the body is one's own self. He is then seized with fear engendered by identification with the body (which is other than the self). Therefore, a discerning person should worship Him with exclusive devotion, looking upon his preceptor as the Deity as well as his own self.
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