> > S'rîmad Bhâgavatam - Canto 11
> > Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda his pupils
> > (for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)

> > ******

> > Canto 11: 'General History'

> > ******

> > Chapter Twenty: Pure Devotional Service Surpasses Knowledge and Detachment

> > TEXT 1

> > s'rî-uddhava uvâca

> > vidhis' ca pratishedhas' ca

> > nigamo hîs'varasya te

> > avekshate 'ravindâksha

> > gunam dosham ca karmanâm

> > s'rî-uddhavah uvâca - S'rî Uddhava said; vidhih - positive injunction; ca - also; pratishedhah - prohibitive injunction; ca - and; nigamah - the Vedic literature; hi - indeed; îs'varasya - of the Lord; te - of You; avekshate - focuses upon; aravinda-aksha - O lotus-eyed one; gunam - good or pious qualities; dosham - bad or sinful qualities; ca - also; karmanâm - of activities.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Uddhava said - My dear lotus-eyed Krishna, You are the Supreme Lord, and thus the Vedic literatures, consisting of positive and negative injunctions, constitute Your order. Such literatures focus upon the good and bad qualities of work.

> > ******

> > TEXT 2

> > varnâs'rama-vikalpam ca

> > pratilomânulomajam

> > dravya-des'a-vayah-kâlân

> > svargam narakam eva ca

> > varna-âs'rama - of the varnâs'rama system; vikalpam - the variety of superior and inferior positions created by piety and sin; ca - and; pratiloma - birth in a mixed family wherein the father is inferior in social status to the mother; anuloma-jam - birth in a mixed family in which the father is superior in social status to the mother; dravya - material objects or possessions; des'a - the place; vayah - one's age; kâlân - the time; svargam - heaven; narakam - hell; eva - indeed; ca - also.

> > TRANSLATION

> > According to Vedic literature, the superior and inferior varieties found in the human social system, varnâs'rama, are due to pious and sinful modes of family planning. Thus piety and sin are constant points of reference in the Vedic analysis of the components of a given situation - namely the material ingredients, place, age and time. Indeed, the Vedas reveal the existence of material heaven and hell, which are certainly based on piety and sin.

> > ******

> > TEXT 3

> > guna-dosha-bhidâ-dristhim

> > antarena vacas tava

> > nihs'reyasam katham nËnâm

> > nishedha-vidhi-lakshanam

> > guna - piety; dosha - sin; bhidâ - the difference between; dristhim - seeing; antarena - without; vacah - words; tava - Your; nihs'reyasam - perfection of life, liberation; katham - how is it possible; nrînâm - for human beings; nishedha - prohibitions; vidhi - positive injunctions; lakshanam - characterized by.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Without seeing the difference between piety and sin, how can one understand Your own instructions in the form of Vedic literatures, which order one to act piously and forbid one to act sinfully? Furthermore, without such authorized Vedic literatures, which ultimately award liberation, how can human beings achieve the perfection of life?

> > ******

> > TEXT 4

> > pitri-deva-manushyânâm

> > vedas' cakshus taves'vara

> > s'reyas tv anupalabdhe 'rthe

> > sâdhya-sâdhanayor api

> > pitri - of the forefathers; deva - of the demigods; manushyânâm - of the human beings; vedah - the Vedic knowledge; cakshuh - is the eye; tava - emanating from You; îs'vara - O Supreme Lord; s'reyah - superior; tu - indeed; anupalabdhe - in that which cannot be directly perceived; arthe - in the goals of human life, such as sense gratification, liberation, and attainment of heaven; sâdhya-sâdhanayoh - both in the means and the end; api - indeed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Lord, in order to understand those things beyond direct experience - such as spiritual liberation or attainment of heaven and other material enjoyments beyond our present capacity - and in general to understand the means and end of all things, the forefathers, demigods and human beings must consult the Vedic literatures, which are Your own laws, for these constitute the highest evidence and revelation.

> > ******

> > TEXT 5

> > guna-dosha-bhidâ-dristhir

> > nigamât te na hi svatah

> > nigamenâpavâdas' ca

> > bhidâyâ iti ha bhramah

> > guna - piety; dosha - sin; bhidâ - the difference between; dristhih - seeing; nigamât - from Vedic knowledge; te - Your; na - not; hi - indeed; svatah - automatically; nigamena - by the Vedas; apavâdah - nullification; ca - also; bhidâyâh - of such distinction; iti - thus; ha - clearly; bhramah - confusion.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Lord, the distinction observed between piety and sin comes from Your own Vedic knowledge and does not arise by itself. If the same Vedic literature subsequently nullifies such distinction between piety and sin, there will certainly be confusion.

> > ******

> > TEXT 6

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

> > yogâs trayo mayâ proktâ

> > nËnâm s'reyo-vidhitsayâ

> > jn'ânam karma ca bhaktis' ca

> > nopâyo 'nyo 'sti kutracit

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; yogâh - processes; trayah - three; mayâ - by Me; proktâh - described; nrînam - of human beings; s'reyah - perfection; vidhitsayâ - desiring to bestow; jn'ânam - the path of philosophy; karma - the path of work; ca - also; bhaktih - the path of devotion; ca - also; na - no; upâyah - means; anyah - other; asti - exists; kutracit - whatsoever.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead said - My dear Uddhava, because I desire that human beings may achieve perfection, I have presented three paths of advancement - the path of knowledge, the path of work and the path of devotion. Besides these three there is absolutely no other means of elevation.

> > ******

> > TEXT 7

> > nirvinnânâm jn'âna-yogo

> > nyâsinâm iha karmasu

> > teshv anirvinna-cittânâm

> > karma-yogas tu kâminâm

> > nirvinnânâm - for those who are disgusted; jn'âna-yogah - the path of philosophical speculation; nyâsinâm - for those who are renounced; iha - among these three paths; karmasu - in ordinary material activities; teshu - in those activities; anirvinna - not disgusted; cittânâm - for those who have consciousness; karma-yogah - the path of karma-yoga; tu - indeed; kâminâm - for those who still desire material happiness.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Among these three paths, jn'âna-yoga, the path of philosophical speculation, is recommended for those who are disgusted with material life and are thus detached from ordinary, fruitive activities. Those who are not disgusted with material life, having many desires yet to fulfill, should seek perfection through the path of karma-yoga.

> > ******

> > TEXT 8

> > yadricchayâ mat-kathâdau

> > jâta-s'raddhas tu yah pumân

> > na nirvinno nâti-sakto

> > bhakti-yogo 'sya siddhi-dah

> > yadricchayâ - somehow or other by good fortune; mat-kathâ-âdau - in the narrations, songs, philosophy, dramatical performances, etc., that describe My glories; jâta - awakened; s'raddhah - faith; tu - indeed; yah - one who; pumân - a person; na - not; nirvinnah - disgusted; na - not; ati-saktah - very attached; bhakti-yogah - the path of loving devotion; asya - his; siddhi-dah - will award perfection.

> > TRANSLATION

> > If somehow or other by good fortune one develops faith in hearing and chanting My glories, such a person, being neither very disgusted with nor attached to material life, should achieve perfection through the path of loving devotion to Me.

> > ******

> > TEXT 9

> > tâvat karmâni kurvîta

> > na nirvidyeta yâvatâ

> > mat-kathâ-s'ravanâdau vâ

> > s'raddhâ yâvan na jâyate

> > tâvat - up to that time; karmâni - fruitive activities; kurvîta - one should execute; na nirvidyeta - is not satiated; yâvatâ - as long as; mat-kathâ - of discourses about Me; s'ravana-âdau - in the matter of s'ravanam, kîrtanam and so on; vâ - or; s'raddhâ - faith; yâvat - as long as; na - not; jâyate - is awakened.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As long as one is not satiated by fruitive activity and has not awakened his taste for devotional service by s'ravanam kîrtanam vishnoh [SB 7.5.23] one has to act according to the regulative principles of the Vedic injunctions.

> > ******

> > TEXT 10

> > sva-dharma-stho yajan yajn'air

> > anâs'îh-kâma uddhava

> > na yâti svarga-narakau

> > yady anyan na samâcaret

> > sva-dharma - in one's prescribed duties; sthah - situated; yajan - worshiping; yajn'aih - by prescribed sacrifices; anâs'îh-kâmah - not desiring fruitive results; uddhava - My dear Uddhava; na - does not; yâti - go; svarga - to heaven; narakau - or to hell; yadi - if; anyat - something other than his prescribed duty; na - does not; samâcaret - perform.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Uddhava, a person who is situated in his prescribed duty, properly worshiping by Vedic sacrifices but not desiring the fruitive result of such worship, will not go to the heavenly planets; similarly, by not performing forbidden activities he will not go to hell.

> > ******

> > TEXT 11

> > asmiû loke vartamânah

> > sva-dharma-stho 'naghah s'ucih

> > jn'ânam vis'uddham âpnoti

> > mad-bhaktim vâ yadricchayâ

> > asmin - in this; loke - world; vartamânah - existing; sva-dharma - in one's prescribed duty; sthah - situated; anaghah - free from sinful activities; s'ucih - cleansed of material contamination; jn'ânam - knowledge; vis'uddham - transcendental; âpnoti - obtains; mat - to Me; bhaktim - devotional service; vâ - or; yadricchayâ - according to one's fortune.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One who is situated in his prescribed duty, free from sinful activities and cleansed of material contamination, in this very life obtains transcendental knowledge or, by fortune, devotional service unto Me.

> > ******

> > TEXT 12

> > svargino 'py etam icchanti

> > lokam nirayinas tathâ

> > sâdhakam jn'âna-bhaktibhyâm

> > ubhayam tad-asâdhakam

> > svarginah - the residents of the heavenly planets; api - even; etam - this; icchanti - desire; lokam - earth planet; nirayinah - the residents of hell; tathâ - in the same way; sâdhakam - leading to achievement; jn'âna-bhaktibhyâm - of transcendental knowledge and love of Godhead; ubhayam - both (heaven and hell); tat - for that perfection; asâdhakam - not useful.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The residents of both heaven and hell desire human birth on the earth planet because human life facilitates the achievement of transcendental knowledge and love of Godhead, whereas neither heavenly nor hellish bodies efficiently provide such opportunities.

> > ******

> > TEXT 13

> > na narah svar-gatim kânkshen

> > nârakîm vâ vicakshanah

> > nemam lokam ca kânksheta

> > dehâves'ât pramâdyati

> > na - never; narah - a human being; svah-gatim - promotion to heaven; kânkshet - should desire; nârakîm - to hell; vâ - or; vicakshanah - a learned person; na - nor; imam - this; lokam - earth planet; ca - also; kânksheta - one should desire; deha - in the material body; âves'ât - from absorption; pramâdyati - one becomes a fool.

> > ******

> > TEXT 14

> > etad vidvân purâ mrityor

> > abhavâya ghatheta sah

> > apramatta idam jn'âtvâ

> > martyam apy artha-siddhi-dam

> > etat - this; vidvân - knowing; purâ - before; mrityoh - death; abhavâya - to transcend material existence; ghatheta - should act; sah - he; apramattah - without laziness or foolishness; idam - this; jn'âtvâ - knowing; martyam - subject to death; api - even though; artha - of the goal of life; siddhi-dam - giving the perfection.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A wise person, knowing that although the material body is subject to death it can still award the perfection of one's life, should not foolishly neglect to take advantage of this opportunity before death arrives.

> > ******

> > TEXT 15

> > chidyamânam yamair etaih

> > krita-nîdam vanaspatim

> > khagah sva-ketam utsrijya

> > kshemam yâti hy alampathah

> > chidyamânam - being cut down; yamaih - by cruel men, who are like death personified; etaih - by these; krita-nîdam - in which he has constructed his nest; vanaspatim - a tree; khagah - a bird; sva-ketam - his home; utsrijya - giving up; kshemam - happiness; yâti - achieves; hi - indeed; alampathah - without attachment.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Without attachment, a bird gives up the tree in which his nest was constructed when that tree is cut down by cruel men who are like death personified, and thus the bird achieves happiness in another place.

> > ******

> > TEXT 16

> > aho-râtrais' chidyamânam

> > buddhvâyur bhaya-vepathuh

> > mukta-sangah param buddhvâ

> > nirîha upas'âmyati

> > ahah - by days; râtraih - by nights; chidyamânam - being cut down; buddhvâ - knowing; âyuh - the duration of life; bhaya - with fear; vepathuh - trembling; mukta-sangah - free from attachment; param - the Supreme Lord; buddhvâ - understanding; nirîhah - without material desire; upas'âmyati - achieves perfect peace.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Knowing that one's duration of life is being similarly cut down by the passing of days and nights, one should be shaken by fear. In this way, giving up all material attachment and desire, one understands the Supreme Lord and achieves perfect peace.

> > ******

> > TEXT 17

> > nri-deham âdyam su-labham su-durlabham

> > plavam su-kalpam guru-karnadhâram

> > mayânukûlena nabhasvateritam

> > pumân bhavâbdhim na taret sa âtma-hâ

> > nr - human; deham - body; âdyam - the source of all favorable results; su-labham - effortlessly obtained; su-durlabham - although impossible to obtain even with great endeavor; plavam - a boat; su-kalpam - extremely well suited for its purpose; guru - having the spiritual master; karna-dhâram - as the captain of the boat; mayâ - by Me; anukûlena - with favorable; nabhasvatâ - winds; îritam - impelled; pumân - a person; bhava - of material existence; abdhim - the ocean; na - does not; taret - cross over; sah - he; âtma-hâ - the killer of his own soul.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The human body, which can award all benefit in life, is automatically obtained by the laws of nature, although it is a very rare achievement. This human body can be compared to a perfectly constructed boat having the spiritual master as the captain and the instructions of the Personality of Godhead as favorable winds impelling it on its course. Considering all these advantages, a human being who does not utilize his human life to cross the ocean of material existence must be considered the killer of his own soul.

> > ******

> > TEXT 18

> > yadârambheshu nirvinno

> > viraktah samyatendriyah

> > abhyâsenâtmano yogî

> > dhârayed acalam manah

> > yadâ - when; ârambheshu - in material endeavors; nirvinnah - hopeless; viraktah - detached; samyata - completely controlling; indriyah - the senses; abhyâsena - by practice; âtmanah - of the soul; yogî - the transcendentalist; dhârayet - should concentrate; acalam - steady; manah - the mind.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A transcendentalist, having become disgusted and hopeless in all endeavors for material happiness, completely controls the senses and develops detachment. By spiritual practice he should then fix the mind on the spiritual platform without deviation.

> > ******

> > TEXT 19

> > dhâryamânam mano yarhi

> > bhrâmyad as'v anavasthitam

> > atandrito 'nurodhena

> > mârgenâtma-vas'am nayet

> > dhâryamânam - being concentrated on the spiritual platform; manah - the mind; yarhi - when; bhrâmyat - is deviated; âs'u - suddenly; anavasthitam - not situated on the spiritual platform; atandritah - carefully; anurodhena - according to the prescribed regulations; mârgena - by the process; âtma - of the soul; vas'am - under the control; nayet - one should bring.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Whenever the mind, being concentrated on the spiritual platform, is suddenly deviated from its spiritual position, one should carefully bring it under the control of the self by following the prescribed means.

> > ******

> > TEXT 20

> > mano-gatim na visrijej

> > jita-prâno jitendriyah

> > sattva-sampannayâ buddhyâ

> > mana âtma-vas'am nayet

> > manah - of the mind; gatim - goal; na - not; visrijet - should lose sight of; jita-prânah - one who has conquered the breath; jita-indriyah - who has conquered his senses; sattva - of the mode of goodness; sampannayâ - characterized by flourishing; buddhyâ - by the intelligence; manah - the mind; âtma-vas'am - under the control of the self; nayet - one should bring.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One should never lose sight of the actual goal of mental activities, but rather, conquering the life air and senses and utilizing intelligence strengthened by the mode of goodness, one should bring the mind under the control of the self.

> > ******

> > TEXT 21

> > esha vai paramo yogo

> > manasah sangrahah smritah

> > hridaya-jn'atvam anvicchan

> > damyasyevârvato muhuh

> > eshah - this; vai - indeed; paramah - supreme; yogah - yoga process; manasah - of the mind; sangrahah - complete control; smritah - thus declared; hridaya-jn'atvam - the characteristic of knowing intimately; anvicchan - carefully watching; damyasya - which is to be subdued; iva - like; arvatah - of a horse; muhuh - always.

> > TRANSLATION

> > An expert horseman, desiring to tame a headstrong horse, first lets the horse have his way for a moment and then, pulling the reins, gradually places the horse on the desired path. Similarly, the supreme yoga process is that by which one carefully observes the movements and desires of the mind and gradually brings them under full control.

> > ******

> > TEXT 22

> > sânkhyena sarva-bhâvânâm

> > pratilomânulomatah

> > bhavâpyayâv anudhyâyen

> > mano yâvat prasîdati

> > sânkhyena - by analytic study; sarva - of all; bhâvânâm - material elements (cosmic, earthly and atomic); pratiloma - by regressive function; anulomatah - by progressive function; bhava - creation; apyayau - annihilation; anudhyâyet - should constantly observe; manah - the mind; yâvat - until; prasîdati - is spiritually satisfied.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Until one's mind is fixed in spiritual satisfaction, one should analytically study the temporary nature of all material objects, whether cosmic, earthly or atomic. One should constantly observe the process of creation through the natural progressive function and the process of annihilation through the regressive function.

> > ******

> > TEXT 23

> > nirvinnasya viraktasya

> > purushasyokta-vedinah

> > manas tyajati daurâtmyam

> > cintitasyânucintayâ

> > nirvinnasya - of one who is disgusted with the illusory nature of the material world; viraktasya - and who is therefore detached; purushasya - of such a person; ukta-vedinah - who is guided by the instructions of his spiritual master; manah - the mind; tyajati - gives up; daurâtmyam - the false identification with the material body and mind; cintitasya - of that which is contemplated; anucintayâ - by constant analysis.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When a person is disgusted with the temporary, illusory nature of this world and is thus detached from it, his mind, guided by the instructions of his spiritual master, considers again and again the nature of this world and eventually gives up the false identification with matter.

> > ******

> > TEXT 24

> > yamâdibhir yoga-pathair

> > ânvîkshikyâ ca vidyayâ

> > mamârcopâsanâbhir vâ

> > nânyair yogyam smaren manah

> > yama-âdibhih - by disciplinary regulations, etc.; yoga-pathaih - by the procedures of the yoga system; ânvîkshikyâ - by logical analysis; ca - also; vidyayâ - by spiritual knowledge; mama - My; arcâ - worship; upâshanâbhih - by adoration, etc.; vâ - or; na - never; anyaih - by other (means); yogyam - the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the object of meditation; smaret - one should focus on; manah - the mind.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Through the various disciplinary regulations and the purificatory procedures of the yoga system, through logic and spiritual education or through worship and adoration of Me, one should constantly engage his mind in remembering the Personality of Godhead, the goal of yoga. No other means should be employed for this purpose.

> > ******

> > TEXT 25

> > yadi kuryât pramâdena

> > yogî karma vigarhitam

> > yogenaiva dahed amho

> > nânyat tatra kadâcana

> > yadi - if; kuryât - should perform; pramâdena - due to negligence; yogî - the yogî; karma - an activity; vigarhitam - abominable; yogena - by the yoga process; eva - only; dahet - he should burn up; amhah - that sin; na - no; anyat - other means; tatra - in this matter; kadâcana - at any time (should be employed).

> > TRANSLATION

> > If, because of momentary inattention, a yogi accidentally commits an abominable activity, then by the very practice of yoga he should burn to ashes the sinful reaction, without at any time employing any other procedure.

> > ******

> > TEXT 26

> > sve sve 'dhikâre yâ nisthhâ

> > sa gunah parikîrtitah

> > karmanâm jâty-as'uddhânâm

> > anena niyamah kritah

> > guna-dosha-vidhânena

> > sangânâm tyâjanecchayâ

> > sve sve - each in his own; adhikâre - position; yâ - which; nisthhâ - steady practice; sah - this; gunah - piety; parikîrtitah - is thoroughly declared; karmanâm - of fruitive activities; jâti - by nature; as'uddhânâm - impure; anena - by this; niyamah - disciplinary control; kritah - is established; guna - of piety; dosha - of sin; vidhânena - by the rule; sangânâm - of association with different types of sense gratification; tyâjana - of renunciation; icchayâ - by the desire.

> > TRANSLATION

> > It is firmly declared that the steady adherence of transcendentalists to their respective spiritual positions constitutes real piety and that sin occurs when a transcendentalist neglects his prescribed duty. One who adopts this standard of piety and sin, sincerely desiring to give up all past association with sense gratification, is able to subdue materialistic activities, which are by nature impure.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 27 - 28

> > jâta-s'raddho mat-kathâsu

> > nirvinnah sarva-karmasu

> > veda duhkhâtmakân kâmân

> > parityâge 'py anîs'varah

> > tato bhajeta mâm prîtah

> > s'raddhâlur dridha-nis'cayah

> > jushamânas' ca tân kâmân

> > duhkhodarkâms' ca garhayan

> > jâta - one who has awakened; s'raddhah - faith; mat-kathâsu - in the descriptions of My glories; nirvinnah - disgusted; sarva - with all; karmasu - activities; veda - he knows; duhkha - misery; âtmakân - constituted of; kâmân - all types of sense gratification; parityâge - in the process of renouncing; api - although; anîs'varah - unable;

> > tatah - due to such faith; bhajeta - he should worship; mâm - Me; prîtah - remaining happy; s'raddhâluh - being faithful; dridha - resolute; nis'cayah - conviction; jushamânah - engaging in; ca - also; tân - that; kâmân - sense gratification; duhkha - misery; udarkân - leading to; ca - also; garhayan - repenting of.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Having awakened faith in the narrations of My glories, being disgusted with all material activities, knowing that all sense gratification leads to misery, but still being unable to renounce all sense enjoyment, My devotee should remain happy and worship Me with great faith and conviction. Even though he is sometimes engaged in sense enjoyment, My devotee knows that all sense gratification leads to a miserable result, and he sincerely repents such activities.

> > ******

> > TEXT 29

> > proktena bhakti-yogena

> > bhajato mâsakrin muneh

> > kâmâ hridayyâ nas'yanti

> > sarve mayi hridi sthite

> > proktena - which has been described; bhakti-yogena - by devotional service; bhajatah - who is worshiping; mâ - Me; asakrit - constantly; muneh - of the sage; kâmâh - material desires; hridayyâh - in the heart; nas'yanti - are destroyed; sarve - all of them; mayi - in Me; hridi - when the heart; sthite - is firmly situated.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When an intelligent person engages constantly in worshiping Me through loving devotional service as described by Me, his heart becomes firmly situated in Me. Thus all material desires within the heart are destroyed.

> > ******

> > TEXT 30

> > bhidyate hridaya-granthis'

> > chidyante sarva-sams'ayâh

> > kshîyante câsya karmâni

> > mayi dristhe 'khilâtmani

> > bhidyate - pierced; hridaya - heart; granthih - knots; chidyante - cut to pieces; sarva - all; sams'ayâh - misgivings; kshîyante - terminated; ca - and; asya - his; karmani - chain of fruitive actions; mayi - when I; dristhe - am seen; akhila-âtmani - as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The knot in the heart is pierced, all misgivings are cut to pieces and the chain of fruitive actions is terminated when I am seen as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > ******

> > TEXT 31

> > tasmân mad-bhakti-yuktasya

> > yogino vai mad-âtmanah

> > na jn'ânam na ca vairâgyam

> > prâyah s'reyo bhaved iha

> > tasmât - therefore; mat-bhakti-yuktasya - of one who is engaged in My loving service; yoginah - of a devotee; vai - certainly; mat-âtmanah - whose mind is fixed in Me; na - not; jn'ânam - the cultivation of knowledge; na - nor; ca - also; vairâgyam - the cultivation of renunciation; prâyah - generally; s'reyah - the means of achieving perfection; bhavet - may be; iha - in this world.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Therefore, for a devotee engaged in My loving service, with mind fixed on Me, the cultivation of knowledge and renunciation is generally not the means of achieving the highest perfection within this world.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 32 - 33

> > yat karmabhir yat tapasâ

> > jn'âna-vairâgyatas' ca yat

> > yogena dâna-dharmena

> > s'reyobhir itarair api

> > sarvam mad-bhakti-yogena

> > mad-bhakto labhate 'n'jasâ

> > svargâpavargam mad-dhâma

> > kathan'cid yadi vân'chati

> > yat - that which is obtained; karmabhih - by fruitive activities; yat - that which; tapasâ - by penance; jn'âna - by cultivation of knowledge; vairâgyatah - by detachment; ca - also; yat - that which is achieved; yogena - by the mystic yoga system; dâna - by charity; dharmena - by religious duties; s'reyobhih - by processes for making life auspicious; itaraih - by others; api - indeed;

> > sarvam - all; mat-bhakti-yogena - by loving service unto Me; mat-bhaktah - My devotee; labhate - achieves; an'jasâ - easily; svarga - promotion to heaven; apavargam - liberation from all misery; mat-dhâma - residence in My abode; kathan'cit - somehow or other; yadi - if; van'chati - he desires.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Everything that can be achieved by fruitive activities, penance, knowledge, detachment, mystic yoga, charity, religious duties and all other means of perfecting life is easily achieved by My devotee through loving service unto Me. If somehow or other My devotee desires promotion to heaven, liberation, or residence in My abode, he easily achieves such benedictions.

> > ******

> > TEXT 34

> > na kin'cit sâdhavo dhîrâ

> > bhaktâ hy ekântino mama

> > vân'chanty api mayâ dattam

> > kaivalyam apunar-bhavam

> > na - never; kin'cit - anything; sâdhavah - saintly persons; dhîrâh - with deep intelligence; bhaktâh - devotees; hi - certainly; ekântinah - completely dedicated; mama - unto Me; vân'chanti - desire; api - indeed; mayâ - by Me; dattam - given; kaivalyam - liberation; apunah-bhavam - freedom from birth and death.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Because My devotees possess saintly behavior and deep intelligence, they completely dedicate themselves to Me and do not desire anything besides Me. Indeed, even if I offer them liberation from birth and death, they do not accept it.

> > ******

> > TEXT 35

> > nairapekshyam param prâhur

> > nihs'reyasam analpakam

> > tasmân nirâs'isho bhaktir

> > nirapekshasya me bhavet

> > nairapekshyam - not desiring anything except devotional service; param - the best; prâhuh - it is said; nihs'reyasam - highest stage of liberation; analpakam - great; tasmât - therefore; nirâs'ishah - of one who does not seek personal rewards; bhaktih - loving devotional service; nirapekshasya - of one who only sees Me; me - unto Me; bhavet - may arise.

> > TRANSLATION

> > It is said that complete detachment is the highest stage of freedom. Therefore, one who has no personal desire and does not pursue personal rewards can achieve loving devotional service unto Me.

> > ******

> > TEXT 36

> > na mayy ekânta-bhaktânâm

> > guna-doshodbhavâ gunâh

> > sâdhûnâm sama-cittânâm

> > buddheh param upeyushâm

> > na - not; mayi - in Me; eka-anta - unalloyed; bhaktânâm - of the devotees; guna - recommended as good; dosha - forbidden as unfavorable; udbhavâh - arising from such things; gunâh - piety and sin; sâdhûnâm - of those who are free from material hankering; sama-cittânâm - who maintain steady spiritual consciousness in all circumstances; buddheh - that which can be conceived by material intelligence; param - beyond; upeyushâm - of those who have achieved.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Material piety and sin, which arise from the good and evil of this world, cannot exist within My unalloyed devotees, who, being free from material hankering, maintain steady spiritual consciousness in all circumstances. Indeed, such devotees have achieved Me, the Supreme Lord, who am beyond anything that can be conceived by material intelligence.

> > ******

> > TEXT 37

> > evam etân mayâ disthân

> > anutisthhanti me pathah

> > kshemam vindanti mat-sthânam

> > yad brahma paramam viduh

> > evam - thus; etân - these; mayâ - by Me; disthân - instructed; anutisthhanti - those who follow; me - Me; pathah - the means of achieving; kshemam - freedom from illusion; vindanti - they achieve; mat-sthânam - My personal abode; yat - that which; brahma paramam - the Absolute Truth; viduh - they directly know.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Persons who seriously follow these methods of achieving Me, which I have personally taught, attain freedom from illusion, and upon reaching My personal abode they perfectly understand the Absolute Truth.

> > Back to the running text