Canto 7: The Science of GodChapter 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings

Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.18

santushtah kena va rajan

na vartetapi varina

aupasthya-jaihvya-karpanyad

griha-palayate janah

SYNONYMS

santushtah -- a person who is always self-satisfied; kena -- why; va -- or; rajan -- O King; na -- not; varteta -- should live (happily); api -- even; varina -- by drinking water; aupasthya -- due to the genitals; jaihvya -- and the tongue; karpanyat -- because of a wretched or miserly condition; griha-palayate -- he becomes exactly like a household dog; janah -- such a person.

TRANSLATION

My dear King, a self-satisfied person can be happy even with only drinking water. However, one who is driven by the senses, especially by the tongue and genitals, must accept the position of a household dog to satisfy his senses.

PURPORT

According to the sastras, a brahmana, or a cultured person in Krishna consciousness, will not enter anyone's service to maintain body and soul together, and especially not for satisfaction of the senses. A true brahmana is always satisfied. Even if he has nothing to eat, he can drink a little water and be satisfied. This is only a matter of practice. Unfortunately, however, no one is educated in how to be satisfied in self-realization. As explained above, a devotee is always satisfied because he feels the presence of the Supersoul within his heart and thinks of Him twenty-four hours a day. That is real satisfaction. A devotee is never driven by the dictations of the tongue and genitals, and thus he is never victimized by the laws of material nature.

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