Srimad-Bhagavatam: Canto 6: “Prescribed Duties for Mankind”
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Chapter Three
SB6.3.26
TEXT 26
evam vimrsya sudhiyo bhagavaty anante
sarvatmana vidadhate khalu bhava-yogam
te me na dandam arhanty atha yady amisam
syat patakam tad api hanty urugaya-vadah
SYNONYMS
evam—thus; vimrsya—considering; su-dhiyah—those whose intelligence is sharp; bhagavati—unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; anante—the unlimited; sarva-atmana—with all their heart and soul; vidadhate—take to; khalu—indeed; bhava-yogam—the process of devotional service; te—such persons; me—my; na—not; dandam—punishment; arhanti—deserve; atha—therefore; yadi—if; amisam—of them; syat—there is; patakam—some sinful activity; tat—that; api—also; hanti—destroys; urugaya-vadah—the chanting of the holy name of the Supreme Lord.
TRANSLATION
Considering all these points, therefore, intelligent men decide to solve all problems by adopting the devotional service of chanting the holy name of the Lord, who is situated in everyone’s heart and who is a mine of all auspicious qualities. Such persons are not within my jurisdiction for punishment. Generally they never commit sinful activities, but even if by mistake or because of bewilderment or illusion they sometimes commit sinful acts, they are protected from sinful reactions because they always chant the Hare Krsna mantra.
PURPORT
In this regard Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura quotes the following verse from the prayers of Lord Brahma (Bhag. 10.14.29):
athapi te deva padambuja-dvaya-
prasada-lesanugrhita eva hi
janati tattvam bhagavan-mahimno
na canya eko ’pi ciram vicinvan
The purport is that even though one is a very learned scholar of the Vedic sastras, he may be completely unaware of the existence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His name, fame, qualities and so forth, whereas one who is not a great scholar can understand the position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead if he somehow or other becomes a pure devotee of the Lord by engaging in devotional service. Therefore this verse spoken by Yamaraja says, evam vimrsya sudhiyo bhagavati: those who engage in the loving service of the Lord become sudhiyah, intelligent, but this is not so of a Vedic scholar who does not understand Krsna’s name, fame and qualities. A pure devotee is one whose intelligence is clear; he is truly thoughtful because he engages in the service of the Lord—not as a matter of show, but with love, with his mind, words and body. Nondevotees may make a show of religion, but it is not very effective because although they ostentatiously attend a temple or church, they are thinking of something else. Such persons are neglecting their religious duty and are punishable by Yamaraja. But a devotee who commits sinful acts, which he may do unwillingly or accidentally because of his former habits, is excused. That is the value of the sankirtana movement. SB6.3.27 TEXT 27 te deva-siddha-parigita-pavitra-gatha ye sadhavah samadrso bhagavat-prapannah tan nopasidata harer gadayabhiguptan naisam vayam na ca vayah prabhavama dande SYNONYMS te—they; deva—by the demigods; siddha—and the inhabitants of Siddhaloka; parigita—sung; pavitra-gathah—whose pure narrations; ye—who; sadhavah—devotees; samadrsah—who see everyone equally; bhagavat-prapannah—being surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tan—them; na—not; upasidata—should go near; hareh—of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; gadaya—by the club; abhiguptan—being fully protected; na—not; esam—of these; vayam—we; na ca—and also not; vayah—unlimited time; prabhavama—are competent; dande—in punishing. TRANSLATION My dear servants, please do not approach such devotees, for they have fully surrendered to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are equal to everyone, and their narrations are sung by the demigods and the inhabitants of Siddhaloka. Please do not even go near them. They are always protected by the club of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore Lord Brahma and I and even the time factor are not competent to chastise them. PURPORT In effect, Yamaraja warned his servants, “My dear servants, despite what you may have done previously to disturb the devotees, henceforward you should stop. The actions of devotees who have surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord and who constantly chant the holy name of the Lord are praised by the demigods and the residents of Siddhaloka. Those devotees are so respectable and exalted that Lord Visnu personally protects them with the club in His hand. Therefore, regardless of what you have done this time, henceforward you should not approach such devotees; otherwise you will be killed by the club of Lord Visnu. This is my warning. Lord Visnu has a club and cakra to punish nondevotees. Do not risk punishment by attempting to disturb the devotees. Not to speak of you, if even Lord Brahma or I were to punish them, Lord Visnu would punish us. Therefore do not disturb the devotees any further.” SB6.3.28 TEXT 28 tan anayadhvam asato vimukhan mukunda- padaravinda-makaranda-rasad ajasram niskincanaih paramahamsa-kulair asangair justad grhe niraya-vartmani baddha-trsnan SYNONYMS tan—them; anayadhvam—bring before me; asatah—nondevotees (those who have not taken to Krsna consciousness); vimukhan—who have turned against; mukunda—of Mukunda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; pada-aravinda—of the lotus feet; makaranda—of the honey; rasat—the taste; ajasram—continuously; niskincanaih—by persons completely free from material attachment; paramahamsa-kulaih—by the paramahamsas, the most exalted personalities; asangaih—who have no material attachment; justat—which is enjoyed; grhe—to household life; niraya-vartmani—the path leading to hell; baddha-trsnan—whose desires are bound. TRANSLATION Paramahamsas are exalted persons who have no taste for material enjoyment and who drink the honey of the Lord’s lotus feet. My dear servants, bring to me for punishment only persons who are averse to the taste of that honey, who do not associate with paramahamsas and who are attached to family life and worldly enjoyment, which form the path to hell. PURPORT After warning the Yamadutas not to approach the devotees, Yamaraja now indicates who is to be brought before him. He specifically advises the Yamadutas to bring him the materialistic persons who are attached to household life merely for sex. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam, yan maithunadi-grhamedhi-sukham hi tuccham: [SB 7.9.45] people are attached to household life for sex only. They are always harassed in many ways by their material engagements, and their only happiness is that after working very hard all day, at night they sleep and indulge in sex. Nidraya hriyate naktam vyavayena ca va vayah: [SB 2.1.3] at night, materialistic householders sleep or indulge in sex life. Diva carthehaya rajan kutumba-bharanena va: during the day they are busy trying to find out where money is, and if they get money they spend it to maintain their families. Yamaraja specifically advises his servants to bring these persons to him for punishment and not to bring the devotees, who always lick the honey at the lotus feet of the Lord, who are equal to everyone, and who try to preach Krsna consciousness because of sympathy for all living entities. Devotees are not liable to punishment by Yamaraja, but persons who have no information of Krsna consciousness cannot be protected by their material life of so-called family enjoyment. Srimad-Bhagavatam says (2.1.4): dehapatya-kalatradisv Such persons complacently believe that their nations, communities or families can protect them, unaware that all such fallible soldiers will be destroyed in due course of time. In conclusion, one should try to associate with persons who engage in devotional service twenty-four hours a day. SB6.3.29 TEXT 29 jihva na vakti bhagavad-guna-namadheyam cetas ca na smarati tac-caranaravindam krsnaya no namati yac-chira ekadapi tan anayadhvam asato ’krta-visnu-krtyan SYNONYMS jihva—the tongue; na—not; vakti—chants; bhagavat—of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; guna—transcendental qualities; nama—and the holy name; dheyam—imparting; cetah—the heart; ca—also; na—not; smarati—remembers; tat—His; carana-aravindam—lotus feet; krsnaya—unto Lord Krsna through His Deity in the temple; no—not; namati—bows; yat—whose; sirah—head; ekada api—even once; tan—them; anayadhvam—bring before me; asatah—the nondevotees; akrta—not performing; visnu-krtyan—duties toward Lord Visnu. TRANSLATION My dear servants, please bring to me only those sinful persons who do not use their tongues to chant the holy name and qualities of Krsna, whose hearts do not remember the lotus feet of Krsna even once, and whose heads do not bow down even once before Lord Krsna. Send me those who do not perform their duties toward Visnu, which are the only duties in human life. Please bring me all such fools and rascals. PURPORT The word visnu-krtyan is very important in this verse because the purpose of human life is to please Lord Visnu. Varnasrama-dharma is also meant for that purpose. As stated in the Visnu Purana (3.8.9): varnasramacaravata Human society is meant to follow strictly the varnasrama-dharma, which divides society into four social divisions (brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra) and four spiritual divisions (brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa). Varnasrama-dharma easily brings one nearer to Lord Visnu, who is the only true objective in human society. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum: [SB 7.5.31] unfortunately, however, people do not know that their self-interest is to return home, back to Godhead, or to approach Lord Visnu. Durasaya ye bahir-artha-maninah: instead, they are simply bewildered. Every human being is expected to perform duties meant for approaching Lord Visnu. Therefore Yamaraja advises the Yamadutas to bring him those persons who have forgotten their duties toward Visnu (akrta-visnu-krtyan). One who does not chant the holy name of Visnu (Krsna), who does not bow down to the Deity of Visnu, and who does not remember the lotus feet of Visnu is punishable by Yamaraja. In summary, all avaisnavas, persons unconcerned with Lord Visnu, are punishable by Yamaraja. SB6.3.30 TEXT 30 tat ksamyatam sa bhagavan purusah purano narayanah sva-purusair yad asat krtam nah svanam aho na vidusam racitanjalinam ksantir gariyasi namah purusaya bhumne SYNONYMS tat—that; ksamyatam—let it be excused; sah—He; bhagavan—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; purusah—the Supreme Person; puranah—the oldest; narayanah—Lord Narayana; sva-purusaih—by my own servants; yat—which; asat—impudence; krtam—performed; nah—of us; svanam—of my own men; aho—alas; na vidusam—not knowing; racita-anjalinam—folding our hands together to beg Your pardon; ksantih—forgiveness; gariyasi—in the glorious; namah—respectful obeisances; purusaya—unto the person; bhumne—supreme and all-pervading. TRANSLATION [Then Yamaraja, considering himself and his servants to be offenders, spoke as follows, begging pardon from the Lord.] O my Lord, my servants have surely committed a great offense by arresting a Vaisnava such as Ajamila. O Narayana, O supreme and oldest person, please forgive us. Because of our ignorance, we failed to recognize Ajamila as a servant of Your Lordship, and thus we have certainly committed a great offense. Therefore with folded hands we beg Your pardon. My Lord, since You are supremely merciful and are always full of good qualities, please pardon us. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You. PURPORT Lord Yamaraja took upon himself the responsibility for the offense committed by his servants. If the servant of an establishment makes a mistake, the establishment takes responsibility for it. Although Yamaraja is above offenses, his servants, practically with his permission, went to arrest Ajamila, which was a great offense. The nyaya-sastra confirms, bhrtyaparadhe svamino dandah: if a servant makes a mistake, the master is punishable because he is responsible for the offense. Taking this seriously, Yamaraja, along with his servants, prayed with folded hands to be excused by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana. SB6.3.31 TEXT 31 tasmat sankirtanam visnor jagan-mangalam amhasam mahatam api kauravya viddhy aikantika-niskrtam SYNONYMS tasmat—therefore; sankirtanam—the congregational chanting of the holy name; visnoh—of Lord Visnu; jagat-mangalam—the most auspicious performance within this material world; amhasam—for sinful activities; mahatam api—even though very great; kauravya—O descendant of the Kuru family; viddhi—understand; aikantika—the ultimate; niskrtam—atonement. TRANSLATION Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear King, the chanting of the holy name of the Lord is able to uproot even the reactions of the greatest sins. Therefore the chanting of the sankirtana movement is the most auspicious activity in the entire universe. Please try to understand this so that others will take it seriously. PURPORT We should note that although Ajamila chanted the name of Narayana imperfectly, he was delivered from all sinful reactions. The chanting of the holy name is so auspicious that it can free everyone from the reactions of sinful activities. One should not conclude that one may continue to sin with the intention of chanting Hare Krsna to neutralize the reactions. Rather, one should be very careful to be free from all sins and never think of counteracting sinful activities by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, for this is another offense. If by chance a devotee accidentally performs some sinful activity, the Lord will excuse him, but one should not intentionally perform sinful acts. SB6.3.32 TEXT 32 srnvatam grnatam viryany uddamani harer muhuh yatha sujataya bhaktya suddhyen natma vratadibhih SYNONYMS srnvatam—of those hearing; grnatam—and chanting; viryani—the wonderful activities; uddamani—able to counteract sin; hareh—of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; muhuh—always; yatha—as; su-jataya—easily brought forth; bhaktya—by devotional service; suddhyet—may be purified; na—not; atma—the heart and soul; vrata-adibhih—by performing ritualistic ceremonies. TRANSLATION One who constantly hears and chants the holy name of the Lord and hears and chants about His activities can very easily attain the platform of pure devotional service, which can cleanse the dirt from one’s heart. One cannot achieve such purification merely by observing vows and performing Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. PURPORT One may very easily practice chanting and hearing the holy name of the Lord and thus become ecstatic in spiritual life. Padma Purana states: namaparadha-yuktanam Even if one chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra offensively, one can avoid offenses by continuously chanting without deviation. One who becomes accustomed to this practice will always remain in a pure transcendental position, untouchable by sinful reactions. Sukadeva Gosvami especially requested King Pariksit to note this fact very carefully. There is no profit, however, in executing the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. By performing such activities one may go to the higher planetary systems, but as stated in Bhagavad-gita (9.21), ksine punye martya-lokam visanti: when the period of one’s enjoyment in the heavenly planets is terminated because of the limited extent of the results of one’s pious activities, one must return to earth. Thus there is no use in endeavoring to travel up and down in the universe. It is better to chant the holy name of the Lord so that one may become fully purified and eligible to return home, back to Godhead. That is the aim of life, and that is the perfection of life. SB6.3.33 TEXT 33 krsnanghri-padma-madhu-lin na punar visrsta- maya-gunesu ramate vrjinavahesu anyas tu kama-hata atma-rajah pramarstum iheta karma yata eva rajah punah syat SYNONYMS krsna-anghri-padma—of the lotus feet of Lord Krsna; madhu—the honey; lit—one who licks; na—not; punah—again; visrsta—already renounced; maya-gunesu—in the material modes of nature; ramate—desires to enjoy; vrjina-avahesu—which brings distress; anyah—another; tu—however; kama-hatah—being enchanted by lust; atma-rajah—the sinful infection of the heart; pramarstum—to cleanse; iheta—may perform; karma—activities; yatah—after which; eva—indeed; rajah—the sinful activity; punah—again; syat—appears. TRANSLATION Devotees who always lick the honey from the lotus feet of Lord Krsna do not care at all for material activities, which are performed under the three modes of material nature and which bring only misery. Indeed, devotees never give up the lotus feet of Krsna to return to material activities. Others, however, who are addicted to Vedic rituals because they have neglected the service of the Lord’s lotus feet and are enchanted by lusty desires, sometimes perform acts of atonement. Nevertheless, being incompletely purified, they return to sinful activities again and again. PURPORT A devotee’s duty is to chant the Hare Krsna mantra. One may sometimes chant with offenses and sometimes without offenses, but if one seriously adopts this process, he will achieve perfection, which cannot be achieved through Vedic ritualistic ceremonies of atonement. Persons who are attached to the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies, but do not believe in devotional service, who advise atonement, but do not appreciate the chanting of the Lord’s holy name, fail to achieve the highest perfection. Devotees, therefore, being completely detached from material enjoyment, never give up Krsna consciousness for Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. Those who are attached to Vedic ritualistic ceremonies because of lusty desires are subjected to the tribulations of material existence again and again. Maharaja Pariksit has compared their activities to kunjara-sauca, the bathing of an elephant. SB6.3.34 TEXT 34 ittham svabhartr-gaditam bhagavan-mahitvam samsmrtya vismita-dhiyo yama-kinkaras te naivacyutasraya-janam pratisankamana drastum ca bibhyati tatah prabhrti sma rajan SYNONYMS ittham—of such power; sva-bhartr-gaditam—explained by their master (Yamaraja); bhagavat-mahitvam—the extraordinary glory of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His name, fame, form and attributes; samsmrtya—remembering; vismita-dhiyah—whose minds were struck with wonder; yama-kinkarah—all the servants of Yamaraja; te—they; na—not; eva—indeed; acyuta-asraya-janam—a person sheltered by the lotus feet of Acyuta, Lord Krsna; pratisankamanah—always fearing; drastum—to see; ca—and; bibhyati—they are afraid; tatah prabhrti—beginning from then; sma—indeed; rajan—O King. TRANSLATION After hearing from the mouth of their master about the extraordinary glories of the Lord and His name, fame and attributes, the Yamadutas were struck with wonder. Since then, as soon as they see a devotee, they fear him and dare not look at him again. PURPORT Since this incident, the Yamadutas have given up the dangerous behavior of approaching devotees. For the Yamadutas, a devotee is dangerous. SB6.3.35 TEXT 35 itihasam imam guhyam bhagavan kumbha-sambhavah kathayam asa malaya asino harim arcayan SYNONYMS itihasam—history; imam—this; guhyam—very confidential; bhagavan—the most powerful; kumbha-sambhavah—Agastya Muni, the son of Kumbha; kathayam asa—explained; malaye—in the Malaya Hills; asinah—residing; harim arcayan—worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead. TRANSLATION When the great sage Agastya, the son of Kumbha, was residing in the Malaya Hills and worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I approached him, and he explained to me this confidential history. Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Sixth Canto, Third Chapter, of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, entitled “Yamaraja Instructs His Messengers.”
atma-sainyesv asatsv api
tesam pramatto nidhanam
pasyann api na pasyati
purusena parah puman
visnur aradhyate pantha
nanyat tat-tosa-karanam
namany eva haranty agham
avisranti-prayuktani
tany evartha-karani ca