22.19
naiskarmyam apy acyuta-bhava-varjitam
na sobhate jnanam alam niranjanam
kutah punah sasvad abhadram isvare
na carpitam karma yad apy akaranam
SYNONYMS
naiskarmyam—which does not produce enjoyment of the resultant action; api—although; acyuta-bhava—of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; varjitam—devoid; na—not; sobhate—looks beautiful; jnanam—speculative knowledge; alam—exceedingly; niranjanam—which is without material contamination; kutah—how much less; punah—again; sasvat—always (at the time of practicing and at the time of achieving the goal); abhadram—inauspicious; isvare—to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; na—not; ca—also; arpitam—dedicated; karma—activities; yat—which; api—although; akaranam—causeless " ’When pure knowledge is beyond all material affinity but is not dedicated to the Supreme PersonaIity of Godhead (Krsna), it does not appear very beautiful, although it is knowledge without a material tinge.
What, then, is the use of fruitive activities-which are naturally painful from the beginning and transient by nature-if they are not utilized for the devotional service of the Lord? How can they be very attractive?’
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.5.12).
Even after writing many Vedic literatures, Vyasadeva felt very morose.
Therefore his spiritual master, Naradadeva, told him that he could be happy by writing about the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Up to that time, Srila Vyasadeva had written the karma-kanda and jnana-kanda sections of the Vedas, but he had not written about upasana-kanda, or bhakti.
Thus his spiritual master, Narada, chastised him and advised him to write about the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Therefore Vyasadeva began writing Srimad-Bhagavatam.