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
| Canto 7: The Science of God | Chapter 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.47
nivrittenasnute 'mritam
SYNONYMS
pravrittam -- inclination for material enjoyment; ca -- and; nivrittam -- cessation of material enjoyment; ca -- and; dvi-vidham -- these two varieties; karma -- of activities; vaidikam -- recommended in the Vedas; avartate -- one travels up and down through the cycle of samsara; pravrittena -- by an inclination for enjoying material activities; nivrittena -- but by ceasing such activities; asnute -- one enjoys; amritam -- eternal life.
TRANSLATION
According to the Vedas, there are two kinds of activities -- pravritti and nivritti. Pravritti activities involve raising oneself from a lower to a higher condition of materialistic life, whereas nivritti means the cessation of material desire. Through pravritti activities one suffers from material entanglement, but by nivritti activities one is purified and becomes fit to enjoy eternal, blissful life.
PURPORT
As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (16.7), pravrittim ca nivrittim ca jana na vidur asurah: the asuras, nondevotees, cannot distinguish between pravritti and nivritti. Whatever they like they do. Such persons think themselves independent of the strong material nature, and therefore they are irresponsible and do not care to act piously. Indeed, they do not distinguish between pious and impious activity. Bhakti, of course, does not depend on pious or impious activity. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.6):
yato bhaktir adhokshaje
ahaituky apratihata
yayatma suprasidati
"The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted in order to completely satisfy the self." Nonetheless, those who act piously have a better chance to become devotees. As Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita (7.16), catur-vidha bhajante mam janah sukritino 'rjuna: "O Arjuna, four kinds of pious men render devotional service unto Me." One who takes to devotional service, even with some material motive, is considered pious, and because he has come to Krishna, he will gradually come to the stage of bhakti. Then, like Dhruva Maharaja, he will refuse to accept any material benediction from the Lord (svamin kritartho 'smi varam na yace). Therefore, even if one is materially inclined, one may take to the shelter of the lotus feet of Krishna and Balarama, or Gaura and Nitai, so that he will very soon be purified of all material desires (kshipram bhavati dharmatma sasvac chantim nigacchati). As soon as one is freed from inclinations toward pious and impious activities, he becomes a perfect candidate for returning home, back to Godhead.
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