Bhakti Is Not Pretentious

2009-06-16
Srimad Bhagavatam 07.15.38-39 - Bhakti Is Not Pretentious (download mp3)
by Sri Ananta Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net



 SB 7.15.38-39
grhasthasya kriya-tyago
vrata-tyago vatorapi
tapasvino grama-seva
bhiksor indriya-lolata
asramapasada hy ete
khalv asrama-vidambanah
deva-maya-vimudhams tan
upeksetanukampaya

Translation:
It is abominable for a person living in the grhastha-asrama to give up the regulative principles, for a brahmacari not to follow the brahmacari vows while living under the care of the guru, for a vanaprastha to live in the village and engage in so-called social activities, or for a sannyasi to be addicted to sense gratification. One who acts in this way is to be considered the lowest renegade. Such a pretender is bewildered by the external energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and one should either reject him from any position, or taking compassion upon him, teach him, if possible, to resume his original position.

Purport:
We have repeatedly stressed that human culture does not begin unless one takes to the principles of varnasrama-dharma. Although grhastha life is a concession for the enjoyment of sex, one cannot enjoy sex without following the rules and regulations of householder life. Furthermore, as already instructed, a brahmacari must live under the care of the guru: brahmacari guru-kule vasan danto guror hitam [SB 7.12.1]. If a brahmacari does not live under the care of the guru, if a vanaprastha engages in ordinary activities, or if a sannyasi is greedy and eats meat, eggs and all kinds of nonsense for the satisfaction of his tongue, he is a cheater and should immediately be rejected as unimportant. Such persons should be shown compassion, and if one has sufficient strength one should teach them to stop them from following the wrong path in life. Otherwise one should reject them and pay them no attention.