Madhya22.25

TEXT 25

tate krsna bhaje, kare gurura sevana

maya-jala chute, paya krsnera carana

SYNONYMS

tate—therefore; krsna bhaje—if one worships Lord Krsna; kare—performs; gurura sevana—service to his spiritual master; maya-jala chute—gets free from the binding net of maya; paya—gets; krsnera carana—shelter at the lotus feet of Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"If the conditioned soul engages in the service of the Lord and simultaneously carries out the orders of his spiritual master and serves him, he can get out of the clutches of maya and become eligible for shelter at Krsna’s lotus feet.

PURPORT

It is a fact that every living entity is eternally a servant of Krsna. This is forgotten due to the influence of maya, which induces one to believe in material happiness. Being illusioned by maya, one thinks that material happiness is the only desirable object. This material consciousness is like a chain around the neck of the conditioned soul. As long as he is bound to that conception, he cannot get out of maya’s clutches. However, if by Krsna’s mercy he gets in touch with a bona fide spiritual master, abides by his order and serves him, engaging other conditioned souls in the Lord’s service, he then attains liberation and Lord Sri Krsna’s shelter.

Madhya22.26

TEXT 26

cari varnasrami yadi krsna nahi bhaje

svakarma karite se raurave padi’ maje

SYNONYMS

cari varna-asrami—followers of the four social and spiritual orders of life; yadi—if; krsna—Lord Krsna; nahi—not; bhaje—serve; sva-karma karite—performing his duty in life; se—that person; raurave—in a hellish condition; padi’-falling down; maje—becomes immersed.

TRANSLATION

"The followers of the varnasrama institution accept the regulative principles of the four social orders [brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra] and four spiritual orders [brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa]. However, if one carries out the regulative principles of these orders but does not render transcendental service to Krsna, he falls into the hellish condition of material life.

PURPORT

One may be a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra, or one may perfectly follow the spiritual principles of brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa, but ultimately one falls down into a hellish condition unless one becomes a devotee. Without developing one’s dormant Krsna consciousness, one cannot be factually elevated. The regulative principles of varnasrama-dharma in themselves are insufficient for attainment of the highest perfection. That is confirmed in the following two quotations from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.2-3).

Madhya22.27

TEXT 27

mukha-bahuru-padebhyah

purusasyasramaih saha

catvaro jajnire varna

gunair vipradayah prthak

SYNONYMS

mukha—the mouth; bahu—the arms; uru—the waist; padebhyah—from the legs; purusasya—of the Supreme Person; asramaih—the different spiritual orders; saha—with; catvarah—the four; jajnire—appeared; varnah—social orders; gunaih—with particular qualifications; vipra-adayah—brahmanas and so on; prthak—separately.

TRANSLATION

" ’From the mouth of Brahma, the brahminical order has come into existence. Similarly, from his arms the ksatriyas have come, from his waist the vaisyas have come, and from his legs the sudras have come. These four orders and their spiritual counterparts [brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa] combine to make human society complete.

Madhya22.28

TEXT 28

ya esam purusam saksad-

atma-prabhavam isvaram

na bhajanty avajananti

sthanad bhrastah patanty adhah

SYNONYMS

ye—anyone who; esam—of those divisions of social and spiritual orders; purusam—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; saksat—directly; atma-prabhavam—the source of everyone; isvaram—the supreme controller; na—not; bhajanti—worship; avajananti—or who neglect; sthanat—from their proper place; bhrastah—being fallen; patanti—fall; adhah—downward into hellish conditions.

TRANSLATION

" ’If one simply maintains an official position in the four varnas and asramas but does not worship the Supreme Lord Visnu, he falls down from his puffed-up position into a heIlish condition.’

Madhya22.29

TEXT 29

jnani jivan-mukta-dasa painu kari, mane

vastutah buddhi ’suddha’ nahe krsna-bhakti vine

SYNONYMS

jnani—the speculative philosophers; jivan-mukta-dasa—the stage of liberation even while in this body; painu—I have gotten; kari’-taking; mane—considers; vastutah—factually; buddhi—intelligence; suddha—purified; nahe—not; krsna-bhakti vine—without devotional service to Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"There are many philosophical speculators [jnanis] belonging to the Mayavada school who consider themselves liberated and call themselves Narayana. However, their intelligence is not purified unless they engage in Krsna’s devotional service.

Madhya22.30

TEXT 30

ye ’nye ’ravindaksa vimukta-maninas

tvayy asta-bhavad avisuddha-buddhayah

aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah

patanty adho ’nadrta-yusmad-anghrayah

SYNONYMS

ye—all those who; anye—others (nondevotees); aravinda-aksa—O lotus-eyed one; vimukta-maninah—who consider themselves liberated; tvayi—unto You; asta-bhavat—without devotion; avisuddha-buddhayah—whose intelligence is not purified; aruhya—having ascended; krcchrena—by severe austerities and penances; param padam—to the supreme position; tatah—from there; patanti—fall; adhah—down; anadrta—without respecting; yusmat—Your; anghrayah—lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

" ’O lotus-eyed one, those who think they are liberated in this life but do not render devotional service to You must be of impure intelligence. Although they accept severe austerities and penances and rise to the spiritual position, to impersonal Brahman realization, they fall down again because they neglect to worship Your lotus feet.’

PURPORT

This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.2.32).

Madhya22.31

TEXT 31

krsna--surya-sama; maya haya andhakara

yahan krsna, tahan nahi mayara adhikara

SYNONYMS

krsna—Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; surya-sama—like the sun planet; maya—the illusory energy; haya—is; andhakara—darkness; yahan krsna—wherever there is Krsna; tahan—there; nahi—not; mayara—of maya, or the darkness of illusion; adhikara—the jurisdiction.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna is compared to sunshine, and maya is compared to darkness. Wherever there is sunshine, there cannot be darkness. As soon as one takes to Krsna consciousness, the darkness of illusion (the influence of the external energy) will immediately vanish.

PURPORT

Madhya22.32

TEXT 32

vilajjamanaya yasya

sthatum iksa-pathe ’muya

vimohita vikatthante

mamaham iti durdhiyah

SYNONYMS

vilajjamanaya—being ashamed; yasya—of whom; sthatum—to remain; iksa-pathe—in the line of sight; amuya—by that (maya); vimohitah—bewildered; vikatthante—boast; mama—my; aham—I; iti—thus; durdhiyah—having poor intelligence.

TRANSLATION

" ’The external illusory energy of Krsna, known as maya, is always ashamed to stand in front of Krsna, just as darkness is ashamed to remain before the sunshine. However, that maya bewilders unfortunate people who have no intelligence. Thus they simply boast that this material world is theirs and that they are its enjoyers.’

PURPORT

Madhya22.33

TEXT 33

’krsna, tomara hana’ yadi bale eka-bara

maya-bandha haite krsna tare kare para

SYNONYMS

krsna—O my Lord Krsna; tomara hana—I am Yours; yadi—if; bale—someone says; eka-bara—once; maya-bandha haite—from the bondage of conditional life; krsna—Lord Krsna; tare—him; kare para—releases.

TRANSLATION

"One is immediateIy freed from the clutches of maya if he seriously and sincerely says, ’My dear Lord Krsna, although I have forgotten You for so many long years in the material world, today I am surrendering unto You. I am Your sincere and serious servant. Please engage me in Your service.’

Madhya22.34

TEXT 34

sakrd eva prapanno yas

tavasmiti ca yacate

abhayam sarvada tasmai

dadamy etad vratam mama

SYNONYMS

sakrt—once only; eva—certainly; prapannah—surrendered; yah—anyone who; tava—Yours; asmi—I am; iti—thus; ca—also; yacate—prays; abhayam—fearlessness; sarvada—always; tasmai—unto him; dadami—I give; etat—this; vratam—vow; mama—My.

TRANSLATION

“ ’It is My vow that if one only once seriously surrenders unto Me, saying, ”My dear Lord, from this day I am Yours," and prays to Me for courage, I shall immediately award courage to that person, and he will always remain safe from that time on.’

PURPORT

This is a quotation from the Ramayana.

Madhya22.35

TEXT 35

bhukti-mukti-siddhi-kami ’subuddhi’ yadi haya

gadha-bhakti-yoge tabe krsnere bhajaya

SYNONYMS

bhukti—of material enjoyment; mukti—of impersonal liberation; siddhi—of achieving mystic power; kami—desirous; su-buddhi—actually intelligent; yadi—if; haya—he is; gadha—deep; bhakti-yoge—by devotional service; tabe—then; krsnere bhajaya—worships Lord Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"Due to bad association, the living entity desires material happiness, liberation or merging into the impersonal aspect of the Lord, or he engages in mystic yoga for material power. If such a person actually becomes intelligent, he takes to Krsna consciousness by engaging himself in intense devotional service to Lord Sri Krsna.

Madhya22.36

TEXT 36

akamah sarva-kamo va

moksa-kama udara-dhih

tivrena bhakti-yogena

yajeta purusam param

SYNONYMS

akamah—a pure devotee with no desire for material enjoyment; sarva-kamah—one who has no end to his desires for material enjoyment; va—or; moksa-kamah—one who desires to merge into the existence of Brahman; udara-dhih—being very intelligent; tivrena—firm; bhakti-yogena—by devotional service; yajeta—should worship; purusam—the person; param—supreme.

TRANSLATION

" ’Whether one desires everything or nothing, or whether he desires to merge into the existence of the Lord, he is intelligent only if he worships Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by rendering transcendental Ioving service.’

PURPORT

Madhya22.37

TEXT 37

anya-kami yadi kare krsnera bhajana

na magiteha krsna tare dena sva-carana

SYNONYMS

anya-kami—one who desires many other things; yadi—if; kare—he performs; krsnera bhajana—devotional service to Lord Krsna; na magiteha—although not asking; krsna—Lord Krsna; tare—to him; dena—gives; sva-carana—the shelter of His lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

"If those who desire material enjoyment or merging into the existence of the Absolute Truth engage in the Lord’s transcendental loving service, they will immediately attain shelter at Krsna’s lotus feet, although they did not ask for it. Krsna is therefore very merciful.

Madhya22.38

TEXT 38

krsna kahe,--’ama bhaje, mage visaya-sukha

amrta chadi’ visa mage,--ei bada murkha

SYNONYMS

krsna kahe—Krsna says; ama bhaje—he worships Me; mage—but requests; visaya-sukha—material happiness; amrta chadi’-giving up the nectar; visa mage—he begs for poison; ei bada murkha—he is a great fool.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna says, ’If one engages in My transcendental loving service but at the same time wants the opulence of material enjoyment, he is very, very foolish. Indeed, he is just like a person who gives up ambrosia to drink poison.

Madhya22.39

TEXT 39

ami--vijna, ei murkhe ’visaya’ kene diba?

sva-caranamrta diya ’visaya’ bhulaiba

SYNONYMS

ami—I; vijna—all-intelligent; ei murkhe—unto this foolish person; visaya—material enjoyment; kene diba—why should I give; sva-carana-amrta—the nectar of shelter at My lotus feet; diya—giving; visaya—the idea of material enjoyment; bhulaiba—I shall make him forget.

TRANSLATION

" ’Since I am very intelligent, why should I give this fool material prosperity? Instead I shall induce him to take the nectar of the shelter of My lotus feet and make him forget illusory material enjoyment.’

PURPORT

Those who are interested in material enjoyment are known as bhukti. One who is interested in merging into the effulgence of Brahman or perfecting the mystic yoga system is not a devotee at all. Devotees do not have such desires. However, if a karmi, jnani or yogi somehow contacts a devotee and renders devotional service, Krsna immediately awards him love of God and gives him shelter at His lotus feet, although he may have no idea how to develop love of Krsna. If a person wants material profit from devotional service, Krsna condemns such materialistic desires. To desire material opulence while engaging in devotional service is foolish. Although the person may be foolish, Krsna, being all-intelligent, engages him in His devotional service in such a way that he gradually forgets material opulence. The point is that we should not try to exchange loving service for material prosperity. If we are actually surrendered to the lotus feet of Krsna, our only desire should be to satisfy Krsna. That is pure Krsna consciousness. Surrender does not mean that we demand something from the Lord but that we completely depend on His mercy.

Madhya22.40

TEXT 40

satyam disaty arthitam arthito nrnam

naivarthado yat punar arthita yatah

svayam vidhatte bhajatam anicchatam

iccha-pidhanam nija-pada-pallavam

SYNONYMS

satyam—it is true; disati—He awards; arthitam—that which is desired; arthitah—being requested; nrnam—by human beings; na—not; eva—certainly; artha-dah—giving desired things; yat—which; punah—again; arthita—request; yatah—from which; svayam—Himself; vidhatte—He gives; bhajatam—of those engaged in devotional service; anicchatam—even though not desiring; iccha-pidhanam—covering all other desires; nija-pada-pallavam—the shelter of His own lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

" ’Whenever Krsna is requested to fulfill one’s desire, He undoubtedly does so, but He does not award anything which, after being enjoyed, will cause someone to petition Him again and again to fulfill further desires. When one has other desires but engages in the Lord’s service, Krsna forcibly gives one shelter at His lotus feet, where one will forget all other desires.’

PURPORT

Madhya22.41

TEXT 41

kama lagi’ krsne bhaje, paya krsna-rase

kama chadi’ ’dasa’ haite haya abhilase

SYNONYMS

kama lagi’—for fulfillment of one’s material desires; krsne bhaje—one engages in the transcendental service of Lord Krsna; paya—he gets; krsna-rase—a taste of the lotus feet of Lord Krsna; kama chadi’-giving up all desires for material enjoyment; dasa haite—to be an eternal servant of the Lord; haya—there is; abhilase—aspiration.

TRANSLATION

"When someone engages in Lord Krsna’s devotional service for the satisfaction of the senses and instead acquires a taste to serve Krsna, he gives up his material desires and willingly offers himself as an eternal servant of Krsna.

Madhya22.42

TEXT 42

sthanabhilasi tapasi sthito ’ham

tvam praptavan deva-munindra-guhyam

kacam vicinvann api divya-ratnam

svamin krtartho ’smi varam na yace

SYNONYMS

sthana-abhilasi—desiring a very high position in the material world; tapasi—in severe austerities and penances; sthitah—situated; aham—I; tvam—You; praptavan—have obtained; deva-muni-indra-guhyam—difficult to achieve even for great demigods, saintly persons and kings; kacam—a piece of glass; vicinvan—searching for; api—although; divya-ratnam—a transcendental gem; svamin—O my Lord; krta-arthah asmi—I am fully satisfied; varam—any benediction; na yace—I do not ask.

TRANSLATION

[When he was being benedicted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Dhruva Maharaja said] " ’O my Lord, because I was seeking an opulent material position, I was performing severe types of penance and austerity. Now I have gotten You, who are very difficult for the great demigods, saintly persons and kings to attain. I was searching after a piece of glass, but instead I have found a most valuable jewel. Therefore I am so satisfied that I do not wish to ask any benediction from You.’

PURPORT

This verse is from the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (7.28).

Madhya22.43

TEXT 43

samsara bhramite kona bhagye keha tare

nadira pravahe yena kastha lage tire

SYNONYMS

samsara bhramite—wandering throughout the universe; kona bhagye—by some good fortune; keha tare—someone crosses the ocean of nescience; nadira pravahe—in the flow of the river; yena—just as; kastha—wood; lage—sticks; tire—on the bank.

TRANSLATION

"There are unlimited conditioned souls who are bereft of Lord Krsna’s service. Not knowing how to cross the ocean of nescience, they are scattered by waves, time and tide. However, some are fortunate to contact devotees, and by this contact they are deIivered from the ocean of nescience, just as a log, floating down a river, accidentally washes upon the bank.

Madhya22.44

TEXT 44

maivam mamadhamasyapi

syad evacyuta-darsanam

hriyamanah kala-nadya

kvacit tarati kascana

SYNONYMS

ma—not; evam—thus; mama—of me; adhamasya—who is the most fallen; api—although; syat—there may be; eva—certainly; acyuta-darsanam—seeing of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; hriyamanah—being carried; kala-nadya—by the stream of time; kvacit—sometimes; tarati—crosses over; kascana—someone.

TRANSLATION

“Because I am so fallen, I shall never get a chance to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” This was my false apprehension. Rather, by chance a person as fallen as I am may get to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although one is being carried away by the waves of the river of time, one may eventually reach the shore.’

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.38.5).

Madhya22.45

TEXT 45

kona bhagye karo samsara ksayonmukha haya

sadhu-sange tabe krsne rati upajaya

SYNONYMS

kona bhagye—by fortune; karo—of someone; samsara—conditioned life; ksaya-unmukha—on the point of destruction; haya—is; sadhu-sange—by association with devotees; tabe—then; krsne—to Lord Krsna; rati—attraction; upa-jaya—awakens.

TRANSLATION

"By good fortune, one becomes eligible to cross the ocean of nescience, and when one’s term of material existence decreases, one may get an opportunity to associate with pure devotees. By such association, one’s attraction to Krsna is awakened.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains this point. Is this bhagya (fortune) the result of an accident or something else? In the scriptures, devotional service and pious activity are considered fortunate. Pious activities can be divided into three categories-pious activities that awaken one’s dormant Krsna consciousness are called bhakty-unmukhi sukrti. Pious activities that bestow material opulence are called bhogonmukhi, and pious activities that enable the living entity to merge into the existence of the Supreme are called moksonmukhi. These last two awards of pious activity are not actually fortunate. Pious activities are fortunate when they help one become Krsna conscious. The good fortune of bhakty-unmukhi is attainable only when one comes in contact with a devotee. By associating with a devotee willingly or unwillingly, one advances in devotional service, and thus one’s dormant Krsna consciousness is awakened.

Madhya22.46

TEXT 46

bhavapavargo bhramato yada bhavej

janasya tarhy acyuta sat-samagamah

sat-sangamo yarhi tadaiva sad-gatau

paravarese tvayi jayate ratih

SYNONYMS

bhava-apavargah—liberation from the nescience of material existence; bhramatah—wandering; yada—when; bhavet—should be; janasya—of a person; tarhi—at that time; acyuta—O Supreme Personality of Godhead; sat-samagamah—association with devotees; sat-sangamah—association with devotees; yarhi—when; tada—at that time; eva—only; sat-gatau—the highest goal of life; paravarese—the Lord of the universe; tvayi—to You; jayate—appears; ratih—attraction.

TRANSLATION

" ’O my Lord! O infallible Supreme Person! When a person wandering throughout the universes becomes eligible for liberation from material existence, he gets an opportunity to associate with devotees. When he associates with devotees, his attraction for You is awakened. You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the highest goal of the supreme devotees and the Lord of the universe.’

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.51.53).

Madhya22.47

TEXT 47

krsna yadi krpa kare kona bhagyavane

guru-antaryami-rupe sikhaya apane

SYNONYMS

krsna—Lord Krsna; yadi—if; krpa kare—shows His mercy; kona bhagyavane—to some fortunate person; guru—of the spiritual master; antaryami—of the Supersoul; rupe—in the form; sikhaya—teaches; apane—personally.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna is situated in everyone’s heart as caitya-guru, the spiritual master within. When He is kind to some fortunate conditioned soul, He personally gives one lessons to progress in devotional service, instructing the person as the Supersoul within and the spiritual master without.

Madhya22.48

TEXT 48

naivopayanty apacitim kavayas tavesa

brahmayusapi krtam rddha-mudah smarantah

yo ’ntar bahis tanu-bhrtam asubham vidhunvann

acarya-caittya-vapusa sva-gatim vyanakti

SYNONYMS

na eva—not at all; upayanti—are able to express; apacitim—their gratitude; kavayah—learned devotees; tava—Your; isa—O Lord; brahma-ayusa—with a lifetime equal to Lord Brahma’s; api—in spite of; krtam—magnanimous work; rddha—increased; mudah—joy; smarantah—remembering; yah—who; antah—within; bahih—outside; tanu-bhrtam—of those who are embodied; asubham—misfortune; vidhunvan—dissipating; acarya—of the spiritual master; caittya—of the Supersoul; vapusa—by the forms; sva—own; gatim—path; vyanakti—shows.

TRANSLATION

" ’O my Lord! Transcendental poets and experts in spiritual science could not fully express their indebtedness to You, even if they were endowed with the prolonged lifetime of Brahma, for You appear in two features-externally as the acarya and internally as the Supersoul-to deliver the embodied living being by directing him how to come to You.’

PURPORT

This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.29.6). It was spoken by Uddhava after he had been instructed in yoga by Sri Krsna.

Madhya22.49

TEXT 49

sadhu-sange krsna-bhaktye sraddha yadi haya

bhakti-phala ’prema’ haya, samsara yaya ksaya

SYNONYMS

sadhu-sange—by the association of devotees; krsna-bhaktye—in discharging devotional service to Krsna; sraddha—faith; yadi—if; haya—there is; bhakti-phala—the result of devotional service to Krsna; prema—love of Godhead; haya—awakens; samsara—the conditioned life in material existence; yaya ksaya—becomes vanquished.

TRANSLATION

"By associating with a devotee, one awakens his faith in devotional service to Krsna. Because of devotional service, one’s dormant love for Krsna awakens, and thus one’s material, conditional existence comes to an end.

Madhya22.50

TEXT 50

yadrcchaya mat-kathadau

jata-sraddhas tu yah puman

na nirvinno natisakto

bhakti-yogo ’sya siddhidah

SYNONYMS

yadrcchaya—by some good fortune; mat-katha-adau—in talk about Me; jata-sraddhah—has awakened his attraction; tu—but; yah puman—a person who; na nirvinnah—not falsely detached; na atisaktah—not attached to material existence; bhakti-yogah—the process of devotional service; asya—for such a person; siddhi-dah—bestowing perfection.

TRANSLATION

" ’Somehow or other, if one is attracted to talks about Me and has faith in the instructions I have set forth in Bhagavad-gita, and if one is actually detached from material things and material existence, his dormant love for Me will be awakened by devotional service.’

PURPORT

This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.20.8) was spoken by Krsna at the time of His departure from this material world. It was spoken to Uddhava.

Madhya22.51

TEXT 51

mahat-krpa vina kona karme ’bhakti’ naya

krsna-bhakti dure rahu, samsara nahe ksaya

SYNONYMS

mahat-krpa—the mercy of great devotees; vina—without; kona karme—by some other activity; bhakti naya—there is not devotional service; krsna-bhakti—love of Krsna or devotional service to Krsna; dure rahu—leaving aside; samsara—the bondage of material existence; nahe—there is not; ksaya—destruction.

TRANSLATION

"Unless one is favored by a pure devotee, he cannot attain the platform of devotional service. To say nothing of krsna-bhakti, one cannot even be relieved from the bondage of material existence.

PURPORT

Pious activities bring about material opulence, but one cannot acquire devotional service by any amount of material pious activity, not by giving charity, opening big hospitals and schools or working philanthropically. Devotional service can be attained only by the mercy of a pure devotee. Without a pure devotee’s mercy, one cannot even escape the bondage of material existence. The word mahat in this verse means “a pure devotee.” As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita:

mahatmanas tu mam partha
daivim prakrtim asritah
bhajanty ananya-manaso
jnatva bhutadim avyayam