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

Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 7.15.73

tāvad dāsyām ahaḿ jajñe

tatrāpi brahma-vādinām

śuśrūṣayānuṣańgeṇa

prāpto 'haḿ brahma-putratām

SYNONYMS

tāvatsince being cursed; dāsyāmin the womb of a maidservant; ahamI; jajñe — took birth; tatrāpi — although (being a śūdra); brahma-vādinām — unto persons well conversant with the Vedic knowledge; śuśrūṣayā — by rendering service; anuṣańgeṇa — simultaneously; prāptaḥ — obtained; ahamI; brahma-putratāma birth as the son of Lord Brahmā (in this life).

TRANSLATION

Although I took birth as a śūdra from the womb of a maidservant, I engaged in the service of Vaiṣṇavas who were well-versed in Vedic knowledge. Consequently, in this life I got the opportunity to take birth as the son of Lord Brahmā.

PURPORT

The Supreme Personality of Godhead 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 doesn't matter whether a person is born as a śūdra, a woman or a vaiśya; if he associates with devotees repeatedly or always (sādhu-sańgena), he can be elevated to the highest perfection. Nārada Muni is explaining this in relation to his own life. The sańkīrtana movement is important, for regardless of whether one is a śūdra, vaiśya, mleccha, yavana or whatever, if one associates with a pure devotee, follows his instructions and serves the pure devotee, his life is successful. This is bhakti. Ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanam. Bhakti consists of serving Kṛṣṇa and His devotees very favorably. Anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam [Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.1.11]. If one has no desire other than to serve Kṛṣṇa and His devotee, then his life is successful. This is explained by Nārada Muni through this practical example from his own life.

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