Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 12.12.53

naiskarmyam apy acyuta-bhava-varjitam

na sobhate jnanam alam niranjanam

kutah punah sasvad abhadram isvare

na hy arpitam karma yad apy anuttamam

SYNONYMS

naiskarmyam -- self-realization, being freed from the reactions of fruitive work; api -- although; acyuta -- of the infallible Lord; bhava -- conception; varjitam -- devoid of; na -- does not; sobhate -- look well; jnanam -- transcendental knowledge; alam -- actually; niranjanam -- free from designations; kutah -- where is; punah -- again; sasvat -- always; abhadram -- uncongenial; isvare -- unto the Lord; na -- not; hi -- indeed; arpitam -- offered; karma -- fruitive work; yat -- which is; api -- even; anuttamam -- unsurpassed.

TRANSLATION

Knowledge of self-realization, even though free from all material affinity, does not look well if devoid of a conception of the Infallible [God]. What, then, is the use of even the most properly performed fruitive activities, which are naturally painful from the very beginning and transient by nature, if they are not utilized for the devotional service of the Lord?

PURPORT

This and the previous two verses are found in a slightly different form in the First Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.5.10-12). The translations are based on Srila Prabhupada's.

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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