| Canto 7: The Science of God | Chapter 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.18
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.
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