SB 4.25.3
pracinabarhisam ksattah
karmasv asakta-manasam
narado ’dhyatma-tattva-jñah
krpaluh pratyabodhayat
Translation by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada:
While the princes were undergoing severe austerities in the water, their father was performing different types of fruitive activities. At this time the great saint Narada, master and teacher of all spiritual life, became very compassionate upon the King and decided to instruct him about spiritual life.
Purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada:
As pointed out by Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, a great devotee of Lord Caitanya, kaivalya, or merging into the Brahman effulgence, is just like going to hell. He similarly states that elevation to the upper planetary systems for the enjoyment of heavenly life is just so much phantasmagoria. This means that a devotee does not give any importance to the ultimate goal of the karmis and jñanis. The ultimate goal of the karmis is promotion to the heavenly kingdom, and the ultimate goal of the jñanis is merging into the Brahman effulgence. Of course, the jñanis are superior to the karmis, as confirmed by Lord Caitanya. Koti-karmanistha-madhye eka ‘jñani’ srestha: “One jñani, or impersonalist, is better than many thousands of fruitive actors.” (Cc. Madhya 19.147) Therefore a devotee never enters upon the path of karma, or elevation by fruitive activities. Narada Muni took compassion upon King Pracinabarhisat when he saw the King engaged in fruitive activity. In comparison to mundane workers, those who are trying to be elevated to the higher planetary systems by performing yajñas are undoubtedly superior. In pure devotional service, however, both karma and jñana are considered bewildering features of the illusory energy.