Seeking Wisdom from Mahatma Vidura and the Eternal Time

By Nritya Gauranga Das

Based on the

teachings of

His Divine Grace A.C.

Bhaktivedanta Swami

Prabhupada

~ Founder Acharya ~

International Society

For Krishna

Consciousness

Seeking the

Seeking the

Blessings of

Blessings of

Guru, Gauranga

Guru, Gauranga

& All the

& All the

Assembled

Assembled

Vaishnavas

Vaishnavas

nārāyaṇaḿ

nārāyaṇaḿ

namaskṛtya

namaskṛtya

naraḿ

naraḿ

 caiva narottamam

 caiva narottamam

devīḿ

devīḿ

sarasvatīḿ

sarasvatīḿ

vyāsaḿ

vyāsaḿ

tato 

tato 

jayam

jayam

udīrayet

udīrayet

TRANSLATION

TRANSLATION

Before reciting this 

Before reciting this 

Śrīmad

Śrīmad

-

-

Bhāgavatam

Bhāgavatam

, which is the very

, which is the very

means of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances

means of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances

unto the Personality of Godhead, 

unto the Personality of Godhead, 

Nārāyaṇa

Nārāyaṇa

, unto 

, unto 

Nara

Nara

-

-

nārāyaṇa

nārāyaṇa

Ṛṣi

Ṛṣi

, the supermost human being, unto mother

, the supermost human being, unto mother

Sarasvatī

Sarasvatī

, the goddess of learning, and unto 

, the goddess of learning, and unto 

Śrīla

Śrīla

 Vyāsadeva,

 Vyāsadeva,

the author

the author

.

.

naṣṭa

naṣṭa

-prāyeṣv 

-prāyeṣv 

abhadreṣu

abhadreṣu

nityaḿ

nityaḿ

bhāgavata

bhāgavata

-

-

sevayā

sevayā

bhagavaty 

bhagavaty 

uttama

uttama

-

-

śloke

śloke

bhaktir 

bhaktir 

bhavati

bhavati

naiṣṭhikī

naiṣṭhikī

TRANSLATION

TRANSLATION

By regular attendance in classes on the 

By regular attendance in classes on the 

Bhāgavatam

Bhāgavatam

 and by

 and by

rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is

rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is

troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed,

troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed,

and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is

and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is

praised with transcendental songs, is established as an

praised with transcendental songs, is established as an

irrevocable fact.

irrevocable fact.

Section Theme - Sadhu



1.13.11

1.13.11



Mahārāja

Mahārāja

Yudhiṣṭhira

Yudhiṣṭhira

anxious to hear about Lork Krishna and 

anxious to hear about Lork Krishna and 

the

the

descendants of 

descendants of 

Yadu

Yadu

 from Mahatma 

 from Mahatma 

Vidura.

Vidura.



1.13.12 – 1.13.13

1.13.12 – 1.13.13



Compassionate Vidura shared his experience, except for 

Compassionate Vidura shared his experience, except for 

annihilation of

annihilation of

the 

the 

Yadu

Yadu

 dynasty.

 dynasty.



1.13.14

1.13.14



How Mahatma Vidhura was honored. Purpose of his vist. How he

How Mahatma Vidhura was honored. Purpose of his vist. How he

brought happiness to all.

brought happiness to all.



1.13.15

1.13.15



History of Mahatma Vidura.

History of Mahatma Vidura.



1.13.16

1.13.16



 Mental Disposition  & Prosperity of 

 Mental Disposition  & Prosperity of 

Mahārāja

Mahārāja

Yudhiṣṭhira

Yudhiṣṭhira

.

.



1.13.17

1.13.17



 The nature of Eternal Time.

 The nature of Eternal Time.

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

 1.

 1.

13

13

.

.

11

11

api

api

naḥ

naḥ

 suhṛdas 

 suhṛdas 

tāta

tāta

bāndhavāḥ

bāndhavāḥ

kṛṣṇa

kṛṣṇa

-

-

devatāḥ

devatāḥ

dṛṣṭāḥ

dṛṣṭāḥ

śrutā

śrutā

vā

vā

yadavaḥ

yadavaḥ

sva

sva

-

-

puryāḿ

puryāḿ

sukham

sukham

āsate

āsate

TRANSLATION

TRANSLATION

My uncle, you must have visited 

My uncle, you must have visited 

Dvārakā

Dvārakā

. In that

. In that

holy place are our friends and well-wishers, the

holy place are our friends and well-wishers, the

descendants of 

descendants of 

Yadu

Yadu

, who are always rapt in the

, who are always rapt in the

service of the Lord 

service of the Lord 

Śrī

Śrī

Kṛṣṇa

Kṛṣṇa

. You might have seen

. You might have seen

them or heard about them. Are they all living

them or heard about them. Are they all living

happily in their abodes?

happily in their abodes?



kṛṣṇa

kṛṣṇa

-

-

devatāḥ

devatāḥ

 - who are always rapt in the service of Lord 

 - who are always rapt in the service of Lord 

Kṛṣṇa

Kṛṣṇa



Yādavas and the Pāṇḍavas, who were always rapt in the thought of the

Yādavas and the Pāṇḍavas, who were always rapt in the thought of the

Lord 

Lord 

Kṛṣṇa

Kṛṣṇa

 and His different transcendental activities

 and His different transcendental activities



Vidura

Vidura

 left home in order to devote himself completely to the service

 left home in order to devote himself completely to the service

of the Lord.

of the Lord.



Mahārāja

Mahārāja

Yudhiṣṭhira

Yudhiṣṭhira

 was engaged fully in the state affairs of the

 was engaged fully in the state affairs of the

kingdom of the world.

kingdom of the world.



However, 

However, 

Mahārāja

Mahārāja

Yudhiṣṭhira

Yudhiṣṭhira

 & 

 & 

Vidura

Vidura

 were on the same level of

 were on the same level of

devotion.

devotion.



The real qualification of a pure devotee - Either at home or away from

The real qualification of a pure devotee - Either at home or away from

home - “

home - “

Always Rapt in the thought of  

Always Rapt in the thought of  

Kṛṣṇa

Kṛṣṇa

 -  FAVORABLY

 -  FAVORABLY

”

”



Ex -  Unfavorable Devoteees -  

Kaḿsa

Kaḿsa

, 

, 

Jarāsandha

Jarāsandha

, 

, 

Śiśupāla

Śiśupāla

 - Not on

 - Not on

the same level as devotees.

the same level as devotees.



Mahārāja

Mahārāja

Yudhiṣṭhira

Yudhiṣṭhira

 was therefore on the same level of devotion as

 was therefore on the same level of devotion as

Vidura

Vidura

, although engaged in the state affairs of the kingdom of the

, although engaged in the state affairs of the kingdom of the

world.

world.



Ex – Janaka Maharaj, Prahalad Maharaj, Bali Maharaj, Prahalad

Ex – Janaka Maharaj, Prahalad Maharaj, Bali Maharaj, Prahalad

Maharaj, Druva Maharaj etc.,

Maharaj, Druva Maharaj etc.,

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

 1.

 1.

13

13

.

.

12

12

ity ukto 

ity ukto 

dharma

dharma

-

-

rājena

rājena

sarvaḿ

sarvaḿ

tat

tat

samavarṇayat

samavarṇayat

yathānubhūtaḿ kramaśo

yathānubhūtaḿ kramaśo

vinā

vinā

yadu

yadu

-

-

kula

kula

-

-

kṣayam

kṣayam

TRANSLATION

TRANSLATION

Thus being questioned by 

Thus being questioned by 

Mahārāja

Mahārāja

Yudhiṣṭhira

Yudhiṣṭhira

, 

, 

Mahātmā

Mahātmā

Vidura

Vidura

 gradually described everything he had personally

 gradually described everything he had personally

experienced, except news of the annihilation of the 

experienced, except news of the annihilation of the 

Yadu

Yadu

dynasty.

dynasty.

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

 1.

 1.

13

13

.

.

13

13

nanv 

nanv 

apriyaḿ

apriyaḿ

durviṣahaḿ

durviṣahaḿ

nṛṇāḿ

nṛṇāḿ

svayam

svayam

upasthitam

upasthitam

nāvedayat sakaruṇo

nāvedayat sakaruṇo

duḥkhitān

duḥkhitān

draṣṭum

draṣṭum

akṣamaḥ

akṣamaḥ

TRANSLATION

TRANSLATION

Compassionate 

Compassionate 

Mahātmā

Mahātmā

Vidura

Vidura

 could not stand to see the

 could not stand to see the

Pāṇḍavas distressed at any time. Therefore he did not

Pāṇḍavas distressed at any time. Therefore he did not

disclose this unpalatable and unbearable incident because

disclose this unpalatable and unbearable incident because

calamities come of their own accord..

calamities come of their own accord..



S

S

akaruṇaḥ 

akaruṇaḥ 

– Compassionate

– Compassionate



Compassionate Mahātmā

Compassionate Mahātmā

Vidura

Vidura

  purposely refrained from

  purposely refrained from

disclosing this unpalatable and unbearable incident (The

disclosing this unpalatable and unbearable incident (The

annihilation of the 

annihilation of the 

Yadu

Yadu

 dynasty).

 dynasty).



Why:

Why:



He could not stand, it was almost impossible to see the Pāṇḍavas

He could not stand, it was almost impossible to see the Pāṇḍavas

distressed at any time.

distressed at any time.



According to 

According to 

Nīti

Nīti

-

-

śāstra

śāstra

 (civic laws): One should not speak an

 (civic laws): One should not speak an

unpalatable truth to cause distress to others.

unpalatable truth to cause distress to others.



Distress comes upon us in its own way by the laws of nature, so

Distress comes upon us in its own way by the laws of nature, so

one should not aggravate it by propaganda.

one should not aggravate it by propaganda.



Qualities of a Sadhu :

Qualities of a Sadhu :



Very sensitive to the feelings of others.

Very sensitive to the feelings of others.



Always checks & carefully uses the words / deeds so as not

Always checks & carefully uses the words / deeds so as not

to cause any pain to others in any circumstances.

to cause any pain to others in any circumstances.



Ex – Arjuna’s Compassion towards mother Kripi

Ex – Arjuna’s Compassion towards mother Kripi



It’s not about what / how I feel, it’s about how others feel or

It’s not about what / how I feel, it’s about how others feel or

be affected with.

be affected with.



Code of life - Always considering the welfare of others

Code of life - Always considering the welfare of others



 Everything they do is for the up-liftment of others. If not,

 Everything they do is for the up-liftment of others. If not,

dis-engage their senses, like a Tortoise.

dis-engage their senses, like a Tortoise.



(Q) Why did Uddava disclose immediately about Anhilation of

(Q) Why did Uddava disclose immediately about Anhilation of

Yadu Dynasty, when asked by Vidura?

Yadu Dynasty, when asked by Vidura?



What is right in one circumstance may not be right

What is right in one circumstance may not be right

in other circumstance.

in other circumstance.

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

 1.

 1.

13

13

.

.

14

14

kañcit

kañcit

kālam

kālam

 athāvātsīt

 athāvātsīt

sat-kṛto devavat 

sat-kṛto devavat 

sukham

sukham

bhrātur 

bhrātur 

jyeṣṭhasya

jyeṣṭhasya

śreyas

śreyas

-

-

kṛt

kṛt

sarveṣāḿ

sarveṣāḿ

sukham

sukham

āvahan

āvahan

TRANSLATION

TRANSLATION

Thus 

Thus 

Mahātmā

Mahātmā

Vidura

Vidura

, being treated just like a godly

, being treated just like a godly

person by his kinsmen, remained there for a certain period

person by his kinsmen, remained there for a certain period

just to rectify the mentality of his eldest brother and in this

just to rectify the mentality of his eldest brother and in this

way bring happiness to all the others.

way bring happiness to all the others.



How was Vidura treated:

How was Vidura treated:



Mahārāja

Mahārāja

Yudhiṣṭhira

Yudhiṣṭhira

 received 

 received 

Vidura

Vidura

 in the manner of reception

 in the manner of reception

offered to the demigods.

offered to the demigods.



Saintly persons are representative of Lord.

Saintly persons are representative of Lord.



They carry Lord within their heart.

They carry Lord within their heart.



They should be respected as good as Lord.

They should be respected as good as Lord.



What makes denizens of heavenly planets visit earthy planet?

What makes denizens of heavenly planets visit earthy planet?



Spiritual culture of the people.

Spiritual culture of the people.



Ex: Sri Chitanya Mahaprabhu – Received by Brahmanas–South Inida

Ex: Sri Chitanya Mahaprabhu – Received by Brahmanas–South Inida

tour.

tour.



Ex: Srila Prabhupad’s Father – Receiving saintly sanyasis at home.

Ex: Srila Prabhupad’s Father – Receiving saintly sanyasis at home.



Purpose of 

Purpose of 

Vidura

Vidura

’s visit:

’s visit:



Not to enjoy material comforts at his paternal place

Not to enjoy material comforts at his paternal place



Reasons:

Reasons:



Already adopted the renounced order of life.

Already adopted the renounced order of life.



Fully self realized. Fully blissful within

Fully self realized. Fully blissful within

.

.



Rectify the mentality of 

Rectify the mentality of 

Dhṛtarāṣṭra

Dhṛtarāṣṭra

 & to deliver him.

 & to deliver him.



Condition of 

Condition of 

Dhṛtarāṣṭra

Dhṛtarāṣṭra

:

:



Lost all his state and descendants in the fight.

Lost all his state and descendants in the fight.



Due to his sense of helplessness, he did not feel ashamed to accept the charity

Due to his sense of helplessness, he did not feel ashamed to accept the charity

and hospitality of 

and hospitality of 

Mahārāja

Mahārāja

Yudhiṣṭhira

Yudhiṣṭhira

.

.



Was still holding on the position of a King (Delusion of Supremacy).



Enjoying the royal treatment offered to him, unaware of other alternative.



Duty of a Sadhu - Vidura

Duty of a Sadhu - Vidura



Aware of  deep rooted material attachment of  his elder brother.

Aware of  deep rooted material attachment of  his elder brother.



Self  imposed duty to deliver his brother – Out of compassion.

Self  imposed duty to deliver his brother – Out of compassion.



Ex: House on Fire – Duty of a Fire marshal

Ex: House on Fire – Duty of a Fire marshal



Way to Spiritual Realization:

Way to Spiritual Realization:



The message should be heard attentively.

The message should be heard attentively.



If spoken by a realized soul, it will act on the dormant heart of the conditioned

If spoken by a realized soul, it will act on the dormant heart of the conditioned

soul.

soul.



By continuously hearing, one can attain the perfect stage of self-realization.

By continuously hearing, one can attain the perfect stage of self-realization.

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

 1.

 1.

13

13

.

.

15

15

abibhrad 

abibhrad 

aryamā

aryamā

daṇḍaḿ

daṇḍaḿ

yathāvad 

yathāvad 

agha

agha

-

-

kāriṣu

kāriṣu

yāvad 

yāvad 

dadhāra

dadhāra

śūdratvaḿ

śūdratvaḿ

śāpād 

śāpād 

varṣa

varṣa

-

-

śataḿ

śataḿ

yamaḥ

yamaḥ

TRANSLATION

TRANSLATION

As long as 

As long as 

Vidura

Vidura

 played the part of a 

 played the part of a 

śūdra

śūdra

, being cursed

, being cursed

by 

by 

Maṇḍūka

Maṇḍūka

Muni

Muni

, 

, 

Aryamā

Aryamā

 officiated at the post of

 officiated at the post of

Yamarāja to punish those who committed sinful acts.

Yamarāja to punish those who committed sinful acts.



Vidhura was forbidden even to be a party of royal heritage



 Reason : Born from the womb of a 

śūdra

 woman



How could he occupy the post of a preacher?



Reason 1:

Reason 1:



Though born from the womb of a 

śūdra

śūdra

 woman.

 woman.



Vidhura renounced the world for spiritual enlightenment.



By the authority of 

Ṛṣi

 Maitreya, he was thoroughly educated in

transcendental knowledge.



He was quite competent to occupy the post of an 

ācārya

, or spiritual

preceptor.



Śrī

Caitanya

Mahāprabhu

, anyone who is conversant in the

transcendental knowledge is eligible to become a spiritual master.



Cāṇakya 

Paṇḍita

 – Moral code – No harm in taking lessons from a

person who may be by birth less than a 

śūdra

.



Reason 2:

Reason 2:



Actually 

Actually 

Vidura

Vidura

 was not a 

 was not a 

śūdra

śūdra

.

.



Cursed by 

Cursed by 

Maṇḍūka

Maṇḍūka

Muni,

Muni,

 he was playing  the part of a so-called 

 he was playing  the part of a so-called 

śūdra

śūdra

for one hundred years.

for one hundred years.



He was the incarnation of Yamarāja -  One of the twelve mahājanas

He was the incarnation of Yamarāja -  One of the twelve mahājanas



Being a 

Being a 

mahājana

mahājana

, it is his duty to preach the cult of devotion.

, it is his duty to preach the cult of devotion.



Always busy in plutonic kingdom punishing sinful persons.

Always busy in plutonic kingdom punishing sinful persons.



Yamarāja is deputed by the Lord to do this thank less service.

Yamarāja is deputed by the Lord to do this thank less service.



Neither a 

Neither a 

śūdra

śūdra

 nor a 

 nor a 

brāhmaṇa

brāhmaṇa

. He is transcendental to such divisions.

. He is transcendental to such divisions.



Lords  incarnation as a hog - above all mundane creatures. Ex - Sun

Lords  incarnation as a hog - above all mundane creatures. Ex - Sun



Lord & authorized devotees  -  Play role of many lower creatures.

Lord & authorized devotees  -  Play role of many lower creatures.



During Yamaraj’s absence his post was officiated by 

During Yamaraj’s absence his post was officiated by 

Aryamā

Aryamā

.

.



Son of 

Son of 

Kaśyapa

Kaśyapa

 and Aditi . One of twelve Aditya’s.

 and Aditi . One of twelve Aditya’s.



Conclusion -  

Conclusion -  

Vidura

Vidura

 was never a 

 was never a 

śūdra

śūdra

, but was greater than the purest

, but was greater than the purest

type of 

type of 

brāhmaṇa

brāhmaṇa

.

.



Prabhupada Lecture: - GBC Members of ISKCON – Compared to 12

Prabhupada Lecture: - GBC Members of ISKCON – Compared to 12

Mahajans

Mahajans

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

 1.

 1.

13

13

.

.

16

16

yudhiṣṭhiro 

yudhiṣṭhiro 

labdha

labdha

-rājyo

-rājyo

dṛṣṭvā

dṛṣṭvā

pautraḿ

pautraḿ

kulan

kulan

-

-

dharam

dharam

bhrātṛbhir 

bhrātṛbhir 

loka

loka

-pālābhair

-pālābhair

mumude

mumude

parayā

parayā

śriyā

śriyā

TRANSLATION

TRANSLATION

Having won his kingdom and observed the birth of one

Having won his kingdom and observed the birth of one

grandson competent to continue the noble tradition of his

grandson competent to continue the noble tradition of his

family, 

family, 

Mahārāja

Mahārāja

Yudhiṣṭhira

Yudhiṣṭhira

 reigned peacefully and

 reigned peacefully and

enjoyed uncommon opulence in cooperation with his

enjoyed uncommon opulence in cooperation with his

younger brothers, who were all expert administrators to the

younger brothers, who were all expert administrators to the

common people..

common people..



Both 

Both 

Mahārāja

Mahārāja

Yudhiṣṭhira

Yudhiṣṭhira

 and 

 and 

Arjuna

Arjuna

 were unhappy  to fight,

 were unhappy  to fight,

but did this as a matter of duty – Because it was planned by the

but did this as a matter of duty – Because it was planned by the

supreme will of Lord 

supreme will of Lord 

Śrī

Śrī

Kṛṣṇa

Kṛṣṇa

.

.



After the battle, 

After the battle, 

Mahārāja

Mahārāja

Yudhiṣṭhira

Yudhiṣṭhira

 was unhappy over such

 was unhappy over such

mass killings. Practically there was none to continue the 

mass killings. Practically there was none to continue the 

Kuru

Kuru

dynasty after them.

dynasty after them.



The only remaining hope was the child in the womb of his

The only remaining hope was the child in the womb of his

daughter-in-law, 

daughter-in-law, 

Uttarā

Uttarā

, and he was also attacked by

, and he was also attacked by

Aśvatthāmā

Aśvatthāmā

, but by the grace of the Lord the child was saved.

, but by the grace of the Lord the child was saved.



When did 

When did 

Mahārāja

Mahārāja

Yudhiṣṭhira

Yudhiṣṭhira

 feel happy:

 feel happy:



After the settlement of all disturbing conditions and

After the settlement of all disturbing conditions and

reestablishment of the peaceful order of the state, and

reestablishment of the peaceful order of the state, and



After seeing the surviving child, 

After seeing the surviving child, 

Parīkṣit

Parīkṣit

, well satisfied

, well satisfied



Mahārāja

Mahārāja

Yudhiṣṭhira

Yudhiṣṭhira

 then felt some relief as a human being,

 then felt some relief as a human being,

although he had very little attraction for material happiness,

although he had very little attraction for material happiness,

which is always illusory and temporary

which is always illusory and temporary

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

 1.

 1.

13

13

.

.

17

17

evaḿ

evaḿ

gṛheṣu

gṛheṣu

saktānāḿ

saktānāḿ

pramattānāḿ

pramattānāḿ

tad

tad

-

-

īhayā

īhayā

atyakrāmad 

atyakrāmad 

avijñātaḥ

avijñātaḥ

kālaḥ

kālaḥ

parama

parama

-

-

dustaraḥ

dustaraḥ

TRANSLATION

TRANSLATION

Insurmountable, eternal time imperceptibly overcomes

Insurmountable, eternal time imperceptibly overcomes

those who are too much attached to family affairs and are

those who are too much attached to family affairs and are

always engrossed in their thought.

always engrossed in their thought.



Foolish people, blind to the passing of eternal time, engross insanely in

household activities and think as follow.



"I am now happy; I have everything in order; my bank balance is quite

enough; I can now give my children enough estate; I am now

successful; the poor beggar sanyāsīs depend on God, but they come to

beg from me; therefore I am more than the Supreme God.



Eg: BG 16.13 – 15



TIME IS VALUABLE:



Life’s duration  is measured. No one is able to enhance it even by a

second against the scheduled time ordained by the supreme will.



Such valuable time, should be cautiously spent, cannot be purchased  /

replaced by any amount of wealth.



Every second  must be used cautiously – To solve the real problems of life.



Real Problems of Life – Birth, Oldage, Disease & Death – Repeating in

8.4 million different species of life.



Cause of suffering – Material body



The living being is eternal - He is never born, nor does he ever die.



What is illusion and who are subjected to it?

What is illusion and who are subjected to it?



To not know, that eternal time is passing away imperceptibly.

To not know, that eternal time is passing away imperceptibly.



To not know, that eternal time is insurmountable.

To not know, that eternal time is insurmountable.



To now know, their duration of life is diminishing every second.

To now know, their duration of life is diminishing every second.



Unaware of the above mentioned, foolish people become tomuch

Unaware of the above mentioned, foolish people become tomuch

attached & engrossed in temporary family affairs.

attached & engrossed in temporary family affairs.



Hence, they will not be being able to solve the Real big problems

Hence, they will not be being able to solve the Real big problems

of life – Birth, diseace, oldage & death.

of life – Birth, diseace, oldage & death.



How can one get out of the illusion?

How can one get out of the illusion?



By awakening oneself into the devotional service of the Lord.

By awakening oneself into the devotional service of the Lord.



Yudhiṣṭhira

Yudhiṣṭhira

Mahārāja

Mahārāja

 and his brothers (Pāṇḍavas) are fully fixed

 and his brothers (Pāṇḍavas) are fully fixed

in the service of the Lord 

in the service of the Lord 

Mukunda

Mukunda

 (The Lord, who can award

 (The Lord, who can award

salvation).

salvation).



By knowing, that every living being is eternal.

By knowing, that every living being is eternal.



By knowing, that one can be happy only in the eternal abode of God,

By knowing, that one can be happy only in the eternal abode of God,

from which no one returns to this region of repeated birth & death.

from which no one returns to this region of repeated birth & death.



By knowing, that any material happiness which does not warrant an

By knowing, that any material happiness which does not warrant an

eternal life is nothing  but illusion for the eternal living being.

eternal life is nothing  but illusion for the eternal living being.



This dispels the attraction for the illusory happiness of this material

This dispels the attraction for the illusory happiness of this material

world.

world.



One who understands the above mentioned is factually learned.

One who understands the above mentioned is factually learned.



Learned persons - Sacrifice any amount of material happiness.

Learned persons - Sacrifice any amount of material happiness.



To achieve the desired goal, 

To achieve the desired goal, 

brahma

brahma

-

-

sukham

sukham

, or absolute happiness.

, or absolute happiness.



Real transcendentalists are hungry for this happiness.

Real transcendentalists are hungry for this happiness.



Hungry man - cannot be happy by all comforts of life , minus

Hungry man - cannot be happy by all comforts of life , minus

foodstuff.

foodstuff.



Those who are hungry for eternal absolute happiness -  cannot be

Those who are hungry for eternal absolute happiness -  cannot be

satisfied by any amount of material happiness.

satisfied by any amount of material happiness.



Therefore, the instruction described in this verse cannot be applied

Therefore, the instruction described in this verse cannot be applied

to Pandavas  or their mother. It was meant for persons like

to Pandavas  or their mother. It was meant for persons like

Dhṛtarāṣṭra

Dhṛtarāṣṭra

, for whom 

, for whom 

Vidura

Vidura

 came especially to impart lessons.

 came especially to impart lessons.



Summary & Practical Application:

Summary & Practical Application:



The real qualification of a pure devotee - Either at home or away from

The real qualification of a pure devotee - Either at home or away from

home - “

home - “

Always Rapt in the thought of  

Always Rapt in the thought of  

Kṛṣṇa

Kṛṣṇa

 -  FAVORABLY

 -  FAVORABLY

” - 

” - 

kṛṣṇa

kṛṣṇa

-

-

devatāḥ

devatāḥ



Qualities of a Sadhu :

Qualities of a Sadhu :



Very sensitive to the feelings of others.

Very sensitive to the feelings of others.



Always checks & carefully uses the words / deeds so as not to cause any pain

Always checks & carefully uses the words / deeds so as not to cause any pain

to others in any circumstances.

to others in any circumstances.



It’s not about what / how I feel, it’s about how others feel or  be affected with.

It’s not about what / how I feel, it’s about how others feel or  be affected with.



Code of life - Always considering the welfare of others

Code of life - Always considering the welfare of others



Everything they do is for the up-liftment of others. If not, dis-engage their

Everything they do is for the up-liftment of others. If not, dis-engage their

senses, like a Tortoise

senses, like a Tortoise



Śrī

Śrī

Caitanya

Caitanya

Mahāprabhu

Mahāprabhu

 - anyone who is conversant in the transcendental

 - anyone who is conversant in the transcendental

knowledge, irrespective of being a brhaman, khastriya, vaishya or sudra is

knowledge, irrespective of being a brhaman, khastriya, vaishya or sudra is

eligible to become a spiritual master.

eligible to become a spiritual master.



Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in

Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in

devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly

devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly

situated in his determination. BG – 9.30

situated in his determination. BG – 9.30



Nature of Eternal Time:

Nature of Eternal Time:



Eternal time is Insurmountable - No one can surpass it.

Eternal time is Insurmountable - No one can surpass it.



Eternal time imperceptibly (Unnoticebly) overcomes those who are too much

Eternal time imperceptibly (Unnoticebly) overcomes those who are too much

attached to family affairs.

attached to family affairs.



What is illusion and who are subjected to it?

What is illusion and who are subjected to it?



To not know, that eternal time is insurmountable & imperceptibly passing away

To not know, that eternal time is insurmountable & imperceptibly passing away



To now know, that their duration of life is diminishing every second.

To now know, that their duration of life is diminishing every second.



Unaware of the above mentioned, foolish people become too much attached and

Unaware of the above mentioned, foolish people become too much attached and

engrossed in temporary family affairs. Hence, they cannot solve the Real

engrossed in temporary family affairs. Hence, they cannot solve the Real

problem of life - Birth, disease, oldage & death.

problem of life - Birth, disease, oldage & death.



How can one get out of the illusion?

How can one get out of the illusion?



By awakening oneself  to the devotional service of the Lord unconditionally.

By awakening oneself  to the devotional service of the Lord unconditionally.



By knowing, that living being is eternal and can be happy only in the abode of

By knowing, that living being is eternal and can be happy only in the abode of

God, from which no one returns to this region of repeated birth & death.

God, from which no one returns to this region of repeated birth & death.



By knowing, that any material happiness which does not warrant an eternal life

By knowing, that any material happiness which does not warrant an eternal life

is but illusion for the eternal living being.

is but illusion for the eternal living being.



This dispels the attraction for the illusory happiness of this material world.

This dispels the attraction for the illusory happiness of this material world.



And those who are hungry for eternal absolute happiness -  cannot be satisfied

And those who are hungry for eternal absolute happiness -  cannot be satisfied

by any amount of material happiness

by any amount of material happiness

.

.



http://www.prabhupadavani.org

http://www.prabhupadavani.org



http://www.romapadaswami.com

http://www.romapadaswami.com

References

References

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!