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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 4: Chapter 29: Verses 45-54
The Dialogue between king Pracinabarhi and the sage Narada (continued)
Moving about (freely) in the vast expanse of the Veda, the depth of which cannot be easily sounded, and worshipping the forms of Indra and other gods endowed with characteristics (such as the thunderbolt etc.) as indicated in the texts of the Vedas, we fail to know the Supreme. When, contemplated upon in the heart, the Lord showers His grace on some particular individual, the devotee so blessed gives up his faith, however deep-rooted, in the worldly usage as well as in the Vedic rituals.Therefore, O Pracinabarhi, do not regard rituals as real-rituals which, though their accounts are alluring to hear, have no relation whatsoever with the (ultimate) Reality. They appear as real only through ignorance. Men of impure (clouded) understanding who speak of the Vedas as devoted to rituals, are not (really) conversant with the Vedas, inasmuch as they do not know the truth about the Spirit, that is their own essence and where dwells Lord Janardana-in other words, which is the same as Lord Janardana. Having strewn the whole terrestrial globe with blades of Kusa grass, their ends turned towards the east, you have grown arrogant and proud of your extensive slaughter of animals. You know nothing about the ritual nor of what is higher than that (viz., wisdom). That alone is (classed as) the ritual, which conduces to the pleasure of Sri Hari; (and) that alone is wisdom, which [1]leads to faith in Him. Sri Hari is the Self as well as the lord of (all) embodied beings, and He is their independent Cause (too). The soles of His feet (alone) are their (true) asylum; for in them lies the safety of men in this world. Indeed He is the most loved one, nay, the (very) Self, from whom there is not the least fear. (And) as a matter of fact he(alone) is wise, who knows this (truth); (and) he who is wise is the (true) preceptor, nay Sri Hari (Himself). Narada continued : Thus (far) indeed has your question been answered, O jewel among men! Now hear from me as I tell you a hidden truth which has been fully ascertained. (Just) find (the identity of) the deer fondly consorting (with its female companion) in a garden of flowers grazing tiny blades of grass with its ears charmed by the sweet humming of swarms of bees, going about unmindful of the blood-thirsty wolves before it and pierced from behind by the shaft of a hunter.
(The import of this is given below.) O king, you would do well to perceive yourself as one seeking after a dose of sense-delights such as the pleasures of taste and copulation-obtained as a result of actions done with an interested motive, and most insignificant like the odour of the honey in flowers-in a house full of women sharing the nature of blossoms (that fade too soon) ! Nay, pairing with women, you have given your mind to them, your ears completely lured by the exceedingly charming talks of beloved women and children, resembling the sweet humming of swarms of bees. You enjoy life at home setting no value on the moments of time culminating in days and nights that prey upon your life like a pack of wolves ahead of you; and here is Death, the hunter, stalking you and striking you with his veiled arrow from a distance an !o ! your heart has been pierced with the same.
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