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TEXT 12
bhinnasya lingasya guna-pravaho
dravya-kriya-karaka-cetanatmanah
drstasu sampatsu vipatsu surayo
na vikriyante mayi baddha-sauhrdah
SYNONYMS
bhinnasyadifferent; lingasyaof the body; gunaof the three modes of material nature; pravahahthe constant change; dravyaphysical elements; kriyaactivities of the senses; karakademigods; cetanaand the mind; atmanahconsisting of; drstasuwhen experienced; sampatsuhappiness; vipatsudistress; surayahthose who are advanced in knowledge; nanever; vikriyantebecome disturbed; mayiunto Me; baddha-sauhrdahbound in friendship.
TRANSLATION
Lord Visnu told King Prthu: My dear King, the constant change of this material world is due to the interaction of the three modes of material nature. The five elements, the senses, the demigods who control the senses, as well as the mind, which is agitated by the spirit soulall these taken together comprise the body. Since the spirit soul is completely different from this combination of gross and subtle material elements, My devotee who is connected with Me in intense friendship and affection, being completely in knowledge, is never agitated by material happiness and distress.
PURPORT
The question may be raised that if the living entity has to act as the superintendent of the activities of the bodily combination, then how can he be indifferent to the activities of the body? The answer is given here: these activities are completely different from the activities of the spirit soul of the living entity. A crude example can be given in this connection. A businessman riding in a motorcar sits in the car, supervises its running and advises the driver. He knows how much gasoline is used up, and he knows everything about the car, but still he is apart from the car and is more concerned with his business. Even while riding in the car, he thinks of his business and his office. He has no connection with the car, although he is sitting there. As the businessman is always absorbed in thoughts of his business, so the living entity can be absorbed in thoughts of rendering loving service to the Lord. Then it will be possible to remain separate from the activities of the material body. This position of neutrality can be possible only for a devotee.
The word baddha-sauhrdahbound in friendshipis particularly used here. Karmis, jnanis and yogis cannot be bound in devotional service. Karmis fully engage in the activities of the body. Their aim of life is to give comfort to the body only. Jnanis try to get out of entanglement by philosophical speculation, but they have no standing in the liberated position. Because they do not take shelter under the lotus feet of the Lord, they fall down from the exalted position of Brahman realization. Yogis also have a bodily concept of lifethey think that they can achieve something spiritual by exercising the body through dharana, asana, pranayama, etc. A devotees position is always transcendental because of his intimate relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, to remain always aloof from the actions and reactions of the body and engage in ones real occupation, namely rendering service to the Lord, can be possible only for devotees.
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