“Generally, everyone is attracted to hard labor for becoming happy in this material world, but although various activities are going on all over the world simply for the sake of happiness, unfortunately only problems are being created from such fruitive activities.”
<< previous next >>
This is from the Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.1.14
[This chapter of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, entitled “The Manus, Administrators of the Universe,” gives a list of ancient dynastic histories, and the highly placed persons responsible for universal administration. One such personality, Svayambhuva Manu, speaks today’s verse.]
TRANSLATION
Therefore, to enable people to reach the stage of activities that are not tinged by fruitive results, great saints first engage people in fruitive activities, for unless one begins by performing activities as recommended in the shastras[scriptures], one cannot reach the stage of liberation, or activities that produce no reactions.
PURPORT (excerpt):
In Bhagavad-gita (3.9) Lord Krishna advises, yajñarthat karmano ’nyatra loko ’yam karma-bandhanah: “Work done as a sacrifice for Vishnu has to be performed; otherwise work binds one to this material world.”
Generally, everyone is attracted to hard labor for becoming happy in this material world, but although various activities are going on all over the world simply for the sake of happiness, unfortunately only problems are being created from such fruitive activities.
Therefore it is advised that active persons engage in activities of Krishna consciousness, which are called yajña, because then they will gradually come to the platform of devotional service. Yajña means Lord Vishnu, the yajña-purusa, the enjoyer of all sacrifices (bhoktaram yajña-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram).
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is actually the enjoyer, and therefore if we begin our activities for His satisfaction, we will gradually lose our taste for material activities.
More:
- More about the Srimad-Bhagavatam
- About the author
- Read this section of Srimad-Bhagavatam on Vedabase.com
- See a whole bunch more Smart Quotes (In case you missed any)
- Join one of our verse-a-day eBook Clubs
- Have any questions or a Smart Quote you’d like to share? Contact us.
