Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 11.7.28

tvam tu kalpah kavir dakshah

su-bhago 'mrita-bhashanah

na karta nehase kincij

jadonmatta-pisaca-vat

SYNONYMS

tvam -- you; tu -- however; kalpah -- capable; kavih -- learned; dakshah -- expert; su-bhagah -- handsome; amrita-bhashanah -- having nectarean speech; na -- are not; karta -- a doer; na ihase -- you do not desire; kincit -- anything; jada -- stupefied; unmatta -- maddened; pisaca-vat -- like a ghostly creature.

TRANSLATION

You, however, although capable, learned, expert, handsome and most eloquent, are not engaged in doing anything, nor do you desire anything; rather, you appear stupefied and maddened as if you were a ghostly creature.

PURPORT

Ignorant persons often think that renounced spiritual life is meant for those who are impotent or homely or incompetent in practical worldly affairs. Sometimes foolish people say that religious life is a crutch for those who are not expert enough to achieve a high status in society. Therefore King Yadu has described the qualities of the mendicant brahmana in order to show that the brahmana has taken to renounced spiritual life in spite of great potential for worldly success. The avadhuta brahmana is described as being expert, learned, good-looking, eloquent and in every sense qualified to be a great material success. Still, the avadhuta has renounced material life and taken to Krishna consciousness. Going back home, back to Godhead, for an eternal life of bliss and knowledge is the real work of a human being.

The followers of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu simultaneously cultivate their own Krishna consciousness and strenuously endeavor in missionary work to help others become Krishna conscious. Often foolish persons deride the devotees by saying, "Why don't you get a job?" They think that one who is sincerely endeavoring for spiritual enlightenment and who is also enlightening others is not doing anything practical. Foolish materialists will pay millions of dollars to extend their lives by a few weeks or months in a hospital, but they do not appreciate someone endeavoring for eternal life. There is no actual logic in material life. The act of trying to enjoy without Krishna is in itself the culmination of irrationality, and thus we cannot expect to find anything ultimately rational or logical in a materialistic life devoid of Krishna consciousness. Many devotees of Krishna come from wealthy, learned and influential families, and they take to Krishna consciousness in order to perfect their lives, and certainly not due to lack of opportunity for material advancement. Although sometimes persons in material distress approach the Supreme Lord for help in material life, a real devotee of Lord Krishna voluntarily gives up all types of material enjoyment, knowing that nothing but love of Krishna and service to His lotus feet are the actual perfection of life.

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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