2017-08-26
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.03.41 - Importance Of Questions Related To Lord Krishna (download mp3)
by Damodar Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.com
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.03.41 - Importance Of Questions Related To Lord Krishna (download mp3)
by Damodar Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.com
SB 11.3.41
sri-rajovaca
karma-yogam vadata nah
puruso yena samskrtah
vidhuyehasu karmani
naiskarmyam vindate param
sri-rajovaca
karma-yogam vadata nah
puruso yena samskrtah
vidhuyehasu karmani
naiskarmyam vindate param
Purport:
As stated in Bhagavad-gita (3.5):
na hi kascit ksanam api
jatu tisthaty akarma-krt
karyate hy avasah karma
sarvah prakrti-jair gunaih
jatu tisthaty akarma-krt
karyate hy avasah karma
sarvah prakrti-jair gunaih
“All men are forced to act helplessly according to the impulses born of the modes of material nature; therefore no one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment.” Since the living entity cannot remain inactive, he must learn to dedicate his activities to the Lord. Srila Prabhupada comments on this verse from Bhagavad-gita as follows: “It is not a question of embodied life, but it is the nature of the soul to be always active. Without the presence of the spirit soul, the material body cannot move. The body is only a dead vehicle to be worked by the spirit soul, which is always active and cannot stop even for a moment. As such, the spirit soul has to be engaged in the good work of Krsna consciousness, otherwise it will be engaged in occupations dictated by illusory energy. In contact with material energy, the spirit soul acquires material modes, and to purify the soul from such affinities it is necessary to engage in the prescribed duties enjoined in the sastras. But if the soul is engaged in his natural function of Krsna consciousness, whatever he is able to do is good for him.”
Ordinary people often question the busy activities of the devotees of the Krsna consciousness movement, mistaking such activities to be ordinary material work. Srila Jiva Gosvami has stated in this connection, kamya-karmany eva tyajitani, na tu nitya-naimittikani, phalasyaiva vininditatvat. One should give up selfish activities performed for one’s personal sense gratification, since the result of such thoughtless work is further material bondage. But one should offer one’s regular or occasional occupational duties to the Supreme Lord, and thus such activities become transcendental devotional service. By the words tasmad gurum prapadyeta jijñasuh sreya uttamam, this chapter has clearly explained that dovetailing one’s work with the service of the Lord is an art one should learn at the lotus feet of the bona fide spiritual master. Otherwise, if one whimsically declares his materialistic work to be transcendental devotional service, there will be no actual result. Therefore, according to Sri Jiva Gosvami, one should not mistake the word naiskarmyam to indicate inactivity; rather, it indicates transcendental activity under the guidance of the Lord and His representative.