TEXT 21
rajovaca
aho nr-janmakhila-janma-sobhanam
kim janmabhis tv aparair apy amusmin
na yad dhrsikesa-yasah-krtatmanam
mahatmanam vah pracurah samagamah
SYNONYMS
raja uvacaKing Rahugana said; ahoalas; nr-janmayou who have taken birth as a human being; akhila-janma-sobhanamthe best of all species of life; kimwhat need; janmabhihwith births in a higher species like the demigods in the heavenly planets; tubut; aparaihnot superior; apiindeed; amusminin the next birth; nanot; yatwhich; hrsikesa-yasahby the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hrsikesa, the master of all senses; krta-atmanamof those whose hearts are purified; maha-atmanamwho are actually great souls; vahof us; pracurahabundant; samagamahthe association.
TRANSLATION
King Rahugana said: This birth as a human being is the best of all. Even birth among the demigods in the heavenly planets is not as glorious as birth as a human being on this earth. What is the use of the exalted position of a demigod? In the heavenly planets, due to profuse material comforts, there is no possibility of associating with devotees.
PURPORT
Human birth is a great opportunity for self-realization. One may take birth in a high planetary system among the demigods, but due to the profusion of material comforts, one cannot gain release from material bondage. Even on this earth those who are very opulent do not generally care to take to Krsna consciousness. An intelligent person actually interested in getting freed from the material clutches must associate with pure devotees. By such association, one can gradually become detached from the material attraction of money and women. Money and women are the basic principles of material attachment. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore advised those who are actually serious about returning back to Godhead to give up money and women in order to be fit to enter the kingdom of God. Money and women can be fully utilized in the service of the Lord, and one who can utilize them in this way can become freed from material bondage. Satam prasangan mama virya-samvido bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah (Bhag. 3.25.25). Only in the association of devotees can one relish the glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Just through a little association with a pure devotee. one can become successful in his journey back to Godhead.

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