2011-04-02Srimad Bhagavatam 09.18.24-25 - True Character Of Sukracharya (download mp3)
by Radhanath Swami at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net
SB 9.18.24
gate rajani sa dhire
tatra sma rudati pituh
nyavedayat tatah sarvam
uktam sarmisthaya krtam
gate rajani sa dhire
tatra sma rudati pituh
nyavedayat tatah sarvam
uktam sarmisthaya krtam
Translation:
Thereafter, when the learned King returned to his palace, Devayani returned home crying and told her father, Sukracarya, about all that had happened because of Sarmistha. She told how she had been thrown into the well but was saved by the King.
Thereafter, when the learned King returned to his palace, Devayani returned home crying and told her father, Sukracarya, about all that had happened because of Sarmistha. She told how she had been thrown into the well but was saved by the King.
SB 9.18.25
durmana bhagavan kavyah
paurohityam vigarhayan
stuvan vrttim ca kapotim
duhitra sa yayau purat
durmana bhagavan kavyah
paurohityam vigarhayan
stuvan vrttim ca kapotim
duhitra sa yayau purat
Translation:
As Sukracarya listened to what had happened to Devayani, his mind was very much aggrieved. Condemning the profession of priesthood and praising the profession of uñcha-vrtti [collecting grains from the fields], he left home with his daughter.
As Sukracarya listened to what had happened to Devayani, his mind was very much aggrieved. Condemning the profession of priesthood and praising the profession of uñcha-vrtti [collecting grains from the fields], he left home with his daughter.
Purport:
When a brahmana adopts the profession of a kapota, or pigeon, he lives by collecting grains from the field. This is called uñcha-vrtti. A brahmana who takes to this uñcha-vrtti profession is called first class because he depends completely on the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and does not beg from anyone. Although the profession of begging is allowed for a brahmana or sannyasi, one does better if he can avoid such a profession and completely depend on the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead for maintenance. Sukracarya was certainly very sorry that because of his daughter's complaint he had to go to his disciple to beg some mercy, which he was obliged to do because he had accepted the profession of priesthood. In his heart, Sukracarya did not like his profession, but since he had accepted it, he was obliged to go unwillingly to his disciple to settle the grievance submitted by his daughter.
When a brahmana adopts the profession of a kapota, or pigeon, he lives by collecting grains from the field. This is called uñcha-vrtti. A brahmana who takes to this uñcha-vrtti profession is called first class because he depends completely on the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and does not beg from anyone. Although the profession of begging is allowed for a brahmana or sannyasi, one does better if he can avoid such a profession and completely depend on the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead for maintenance. Sukracarya was certainly very sorry that because of his daughter's complaint he had to go to his disciple to beg some mercy, which he was obliged to do because he had accepted the profession of priesthood. In his heart, Sukracarya did not like his profession, but since he had accepted it, he was obliged to go unwillingly to his disciple to settle the grievance submitted by his daughter.
