In the Bhaktivardhinī, it is stated that in the Puṣṭi Bhakti Mārg (the path of nourished devotion), those with a firm bīja-bhāva (seed-like devotion) and those without a firm bīja-bhāva are classified as avyāvṛtta (uninterrupted focus) or vyāvṛtta (interrupted focus). It is explained who, in this path, should be embraced or rejected, and how to make such decisions.

For those who are not capable of performing bhagavat-sevā (service to Bhagavān) in their own homes, yet have a firmly established bīja-bhāva (seed-like devotion), they are granted permission for gṛha-tyāga (renunciation of the household). However, for those whose bīja-bhāva is not firm, they are instructed to continue serving Bhagavān (bhagavat-sevā) in their own homes, without renunciation.

The teachings across the verses emphasize the path of devotion and surrender to Krishna. They highlight:

  1. Renunciation and Transformation: While detachment from worldly ties is ideal, if not possible, such ties should be used in service to Krishna.
  2. Virtuous Associations: Avoid harmful influences, and seek the company of the virtuous as a remedy for spiritual growth.
  3. Adaptation in Devotion: Engage supportive family members in service, take personal responsibility if they are indifferent, or renounce household life if they oppose devotion.
  4. Selective Acceptance: Embrace what is favorable for devotion and abandon the unfavorable.
  5. Complete Surrender: Cultivate faith in Krishna, accept Him as the master, offer oneself entirely, and approach Him with humility while aligning all actions with His service.

Together, these teachings form a practical guide for living a spiritually fulfilling life centered on devotion to Krishna.


gṛhaṁ sarvātmanā tyājyaṁ tac cet tyaktuṁ na śakyate ।
kṛṣṇārthe tat prayuñjīta kṛṣṇo anarthasya mocakaḥ ॥ 1 ॥
गृहं सर्वात्मना त्याज्यं तच् चेत् त्यक्तुं न शक्यते ।
कृष्णार्थे तत् प्रयुंजीत कृष्णो अनर्थस्य मोचकः ॥ १ ॥
gṛhaṁ sarvātmanā tyājyaṁ tac cet tyaktuṁ na śakyate ।
kṛṣṇārthe tat prayuñjīta kṛṣṇo 'narthasya mocakaḥ ॥ 1 ॥
गृहं सर्वात्मना त्याज्यं तच् चेत् त्यक्तुं न शक्यते ।
कृष्णार्थे तत् प्रयुंजीत कृष्णोऽनर्थस्य मोचकः ॥ १ ॥
A home or worldly attachment (gṛhaṁ) should ideally be renounced entirely (sarvātmanā tyājyaṁ). However, if renunciation (tyaktuṁ) is not feasible (na śakyate), then it should be utilized (prayuñjīta) for the sake of Krishna (kṛṣṇārthe). Lord Krishna (kṛṣṇaḥ) is the liberator (mocakaḥ) of all adversities and misfortunes (anarthasya).

saṅgaḥ sarvātmanā tyājyaḥ sa cet tyaktuṁ na śakyate ।
sa sadbhiḥ saha kartavyaḥ santaḥ saṅgasya bheṣajam ॥ 2 ॥
सङ्गः सर्वात्मना त्याज्यः स चेत् त्यक्तुं न शक्यते ।
स सद्भिः सह कर्तव्यः सन्तः सङ्गस्य भेषजम् ॥ २ ॥
saṅgaḥ sarvātmanā tyājyaḥ sa cet tyaktuṁ na śakyate ।
sa sadbhiḥ saha kartavyaḥ santaḥ saṅgasya bheṣajam ॥ 2 ॥
सङ्गः सर्वात्मना त्याज्यः स चेत् त्यक्तुं न शक्यते ।
स सद्भिः सह कर्तव्यः सन्तः सङ्गस्य भेषजम् ॥ २ ॥
Association (saṅgaḥ) with unfavorable or harmful influences should be completely renounced (sarvātmanā tyājyaḥ). However, if complete renunciation (tyaktuṁ) is not possible (na śakyate), one should associate (kartavyaḥ) with virtuous and wise individuals (sadbhiḥ saha). Such virtuous company (santaḥ) acts as a remedy (bheṣajam) for negative associations (saṅgasya).

anukūle kalatra ādau viṣṇoḥ kāryāṇi kārayet ।
udāsīne svayaṁ kuryāt pratikūle gṛhaṁ tyajet ॥ 3 ॥
अनुकूलॆ कलत्र आदौ विष्णोः कार्याणि कारयेत् ।
उदासीनॆ स्वयं कुर्यात् प्रतिकूले गृहम् त्यजेत् ॥ ३ ॥
anukūle kalatrādau viṣṇoḥ kāryāṇi kārayet ।
udāsīne svayaṁ kuryāt pratikūle gṛhaṁ tyajet ॥ 3 ॥
अनुकूलॆ कलत्रादौ विष्णोः कार्याणि कारयेत् ।
उदासीनॆ स्वयं कुर्यात् प्रतिकूले गृहम् त्यजेत् ॥ ३ ॥
If the household members (kalatrādau, including spouse and others) are favorable (anukūle) to the service of Vishnu (viṣṇoḥ), then one should engage them (kārayet) in acts dedicated to Vishnu. If they are neutral or indifferent (udāsīne), one should perform the service oneself (svayaṁ kuryāt). However, if they are opposed (pratikūle) to such service, one should renounce (tyajet) the household (gṛhaṁ).

tat tyāge dūṣaṇaṁ nāsti yataḥ kṛṣṇa bahirmukhāḥ ।
anukūlasya saṅkalpaḥ pratikūla visarjanam ॥ 4 ॥
तत् त्यागे दूषणं नास्ति यतः कृष्ण बहिर्मुखाः ।
अनुकूलस्य संकल्पः प्रतिकूल विसर्जनम् ॥ ४ ॥
tat-tyāge dūṣaṇaṁ nāsti yataḥ kṛṣṇa-bahirmukhāḥ ।
anukūlasya saṅkalpaḥ pratikūla-visarjanam ॥ 4 ॥
तत्-त्यागे दूषणं नास्ति यतः कृष्ण-बहिर्मुखाः ।
अनुकूलस्य संकल्पः प्रतिकूल-विसर्जनम् ॥ ४ ॥
Renouncing those who are averse (kṛṣṇa-bahirmukhāḥ) to Krishna does not incur any fault (dūṣaṇaṁ nāsti). Instead, one should strive for the acceptance (saṅkalpaḥ) of what is favorable (anukūlasya) and the rejection (visarjanam) of what is unfavorable (pratikūla).

kariṣyati iti viśvāsaḥ bhartṛtve varaṇaṁ tathā ।
ātma naivedya kārpaṇye ṣaḍvidhā śaraṇāgatiḥ ॥ 5 ॥
करिष्यति इति विश्वासः भर्तृत्वे वरणं तथा ।
आत्म नैवेद्य कार्पण्ये षड्विधा शरणागतिः ॥ ५ ॥
kariṣyatīti viśvāso bhartṛtve varaṇaṁ tathā ।
atmanaivedya-kārpaṇye ṣaḍvidhā śaraṇāgatiḥ ॥ 5 ॥
करिष्यतीति विश्वासो भर्तृत्वे वरणं तथा ।
आत्मनैवेद्य - कार्पण्ये षड्विधा शरणागतिः ॥ ५ ॥
Faith that He will protect (kariṣyatīti viśvāsaḥ), acceptance of the Lord as the master (bhartṛtve varaṇam), self-surrender (ātmanivedya), humility (kārpaṇya), renouncing the unfavorable, and embracing the favorable—these are the six components of surrender (ṣaḍvidhā śaraṇāgatiḥ).
Thus ends the 'Pañcaśloki' composed by Shri Vallabhacharya.