| Canto 11: General History | Chapter 20: Pure Devotional Service Surpasses Knowledge and Detachment |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 11.20.12
SYNONYMS
svarginah -- the residents of the heavenly planets; api -- even; etam -- this; icchanti -- desire; lokam -- earth planet; nirayinah -- the residents of hell; tatha -- in the same way; sadhakam -- leading to achievement; jnana-bhaktibhyam -- of transcendental knowledge and love of Godhead; ubhayam -- both (heaven and hell); tat -- for that perfection; asadhakam -- 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.
PURPORT
Srila Jiva Gosvami points out that in material heaven one becomes absorbed in extraordinary sense gratification and in hell one is absorbed in suffering. In both cases there is little impetus to acquire transcendental knowledge or pure love of Godhead. Excessive suffering or excessive enjoyment are thus impediments to spiritual advancement.
Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
His Holiness Hrdayananda dasa Goswami
Gopiparanadhana dasa Adhikari
Dravida dasa Brahmacari