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TEXT 2
rajyam naicchad yatih pitra
dattam tat-parinamavit
yatra pravistah purusa
atmanam navabudhyate
SYNONYMS
rajyamthe kingdom; na aicchatdid not accept; yatihthe eldest son, Yati; pitraby his father; dattamoffered; tat-parinama-vitknowing the result of becoming powerful as a king; yatrawherein; pravistahhaving entered; purusahsuch a person; atmanamself-realization; nanot; avabudhyatewill take seriously and understand.
TRANSLATION
When one enters the post of king or head of the government, one cannot understand the meaning of self-realization. Knowing this, Yati, the eldest son of Nahusa, did not accept the power to rule, although it was offered by his father.
PURPORT
Self-realization is the prime objective of human civilization, and it is regarded seriously by those who are situated in the mode of goodness and have developed the brahminical qualities. Ksatriyas are generally endowed with material qualities conducive to gaining material wealth and enjoying sense gratification, but those who are spiritually advanced are not interested in material opulence. Indeed, they accept only the bare necessities for a life of spiritual advancement in self-realization. It is specifically mentioned here that if one enters political life, especially in the modern day, one looses the chance for human perfection. Nonetheless, one can attain the highest perfection if one hears Srimad-Bhagavatam. This hearing is described as nityam bhagavata-sevaya [SB 1.2.18]. Maharaja Pariksit was involved in politics, but because at the end of his life he heard Srimad-Bhagavatam from Sukadeva Gosvami, he attained perfection very easily. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has therefore suggested:
(Bhag. 10.14.3)
Regardless of whether one is in the mode of passion, ignorance or goodness, if one regularly hears Srimad-Bhagavatam from the self-realized soul, one is freed from the bondage of material involvement.
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