Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 5.1.2

na nunam mukta-sanganam

tadrsanam dvijarsabha

grhesv abhiniveso 'yam

pumsam bhavitum arhati

SYNONYMS

na -- not; nunam -- certainly; mukta-sanganam -- who are free from attachment; tadrsanam -- such; dvija-rsabha -- O greatest of the brahmanas; grhesu -- to family life; abhinivesah -- excessive attachment; ayam -- this; pumsam -- of persons; bhavitum -- to be; arhati -- is possible.

TRANSLATION

Devotees are certainly liberated persons. Therefore, O greatest of the brahmanas, they cannot possibly be absorbed in family affairs.

PURPORT

In Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu it is said that by executing devotional service to the Lord, one can understand the transcendental position of the living being and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be understood by any means except bhakti. The Lord confirms this in Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.14.21). Bhaktyaham ekaya grahyah: "only by executing devotional service can one appreciate Me." Similarly, in Bhagavad-gita (18.55) Lord Krsna says, bhaktya mam abhijanati: "simply by discharging devotional service, one can understand Me." Thus for a bhakta to become attached to family affairs is impossible, since a bhakta and his associates are liberated. Everyone is searching after ananda, or bliss, but in the material world there can never be any bliss. It is only possible in devotional service. Attachment for family affairs and devotional service are incompatible. Therefore Maharaja Pariksit was somewhat surprised to hear that Maharaja Priyavrata was simultaneously attached to devotional service and to family life.

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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness