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

Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 7.15.67

etair anyaiś ca vedoktair

vartamānaḥ sva-karmabhiḥ

gṛhe 'py asya gatiḿ yāyād

rājaḿs tad-bhakti-bhāń naraḥ

SYNONYMS

etaiḥ — by these ways; anyaiḥ — by other ways; ca — and; veda-uktaiḥas directed in the Vedic literatures; vartamānaḥ — abiding; sva-karmabhiḥ — by one's occupational duties; gṛhe api — even at home; asya — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; gatim — destination; yāyāt — can reach; rājanO King; tat-bhakti-bhāk — who renders devotional service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; naraḥ — any person.

TRANSLATION

O King, one should perform his occupational duties according to these instructions, as well as other instructions given in the Vedic literature, just to remain a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Thus, even while at home, one will be able to reach the destination.

PURPORT

The ultimate goal of life is Viṣṇu, Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, either by Vedic regulative principles or by materialistic activities, if one tries to reach the destination of Kṛṣṇa, that is the perfection of life. Kṛṣṇa should be the target; everyone should try to reach Kṛṣṇa, from any position of life.

Kṛṣṇa accepts service from anyone. The Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (9.32):

māḿ hi pārtha vyapāśritya

ye 'pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ

striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrās

te 'pi yānti parāḿ gatim

"O son of Pṛthā, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth — women, vaiśyas [merchants], as well as śūdras [workers] — can approach the supreme destination." It does not matter what one's position is; if one aims at reaching Kṛṣṇa by performing his occupational duty under the direction of the spiritual master, his life is successful. It is not that only sannyāsīs, vānaprasthas and brahmacārīs can reach Kṛṣṇa. A gṛhastha, a householder, can also reach Kṛṣṇa, provided he becomes a pure devotee without material desires. An example of this is cited in the next verse.

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