Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 5.19.23

kalpāyushām sthānajayāt punar-bhavāt

kshanāyushām bhārata-bhūjayo varam

kshanena martyena kritam manasvinah

sannyasya samyānty abhayam padam hareh

SYNONYMS

kalpa-āyushām — of those who have a life duration of many millions of years, like Lord Brahmā; sthāna-jayāt — than achievement of the place or planetary systems; punah-bhavāt — which is liable to birth, death and old age; kshana-āyushām — of persons who have only one hundred years of life; bhārata-bhū-jayah — a birth in the land of Bhārata-varsha; varam — more valuable; kshanena — for such a short life; martyena — by the body; kritam — the work executed; manasvinah — those actually understanding the value of life; sannyasya — surrendering unto the lotus feet of Krishna; samyānti — they achieve; abhayam — where there is no anxiety; padam — the abode; hareh — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

TRANSLATION

A short life in the land of Bharata-varsha is preferable to a life achieved in Brahmaloka for millions and billions of years because even if one is elevated to Brahmaloka, he must return to repeated birth and death. Although life in Bhārata-varsha, in a lower planetary system, is very short, one who lives there can elevate himself to full Krishna consciousness and achieve the highest perfection, even in this short life, by fully surrendering unto the lotus feet of the Lord. Thus one attains Vaikunthaloka, where there is neither anxiety nor repeated birth in a material body.

PURPORT

This is further confirmation of the statement given by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu:

bhārata-bhūmite haila manushya-janma yāra

janma sārthaka kari' kara para-upakāra

[Cc. Ādi 9.41]

One who has taken birth in the land of Bhārata-varsha has a full opportunity to study the direct instructions given by Krishna in Bhagavad-gītā and thus finally decide what to do in his human form of life. One should certainly give up all other propositions and surrender to Krishna. Krishna will then immediately take charge and relieve one of the results of past sinful life (aham tvām sarva-pāpebhyo mokshayishyāmi mā śucah). Therefore one should take to Krishna consciousness, as Krishna Himself recommends. Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī mām namaskuru: [Bg. 18.65] "Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer Me obeisances." This is very easy, even for a child. Why not take this path? One should try to follow the instructions of Krishna exactly and thus become fully eligible to be promoted to the kingdom of God (tyaktvā deham punar janma naiti mām eti so'rjuna [Bg. 4.9]). One should go directly to Krishna and engage in His service. This is the best opportunity offered to the inhabitants of Bhārata-varsha. One who is fit to return home, back to Godhead, is no longer liable to the results of karma, good or bad.

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