TEXT 23
kalpayusam sthanajayat punar-bhavat
ksanayusam bharata-bhujayo varam
ksanena martyena krtam manasvinah
sannyasya samyanty abhayam padam hareh
SYNONYMS
kalpa-ayusamof those who have a life duration of many millions of years, like Lord Brahma; sthana-jayatthan achievement of the place or planetary systems; punah-bhavatwhich is liable to birth, death and old age; ksana-ayusamof persons who have only one hundred years of life; bharata-bhu-jayaha birth in the land of Bharata-varsa; varammore valuable; ksanenafor such a short life; martyenaby the body; krtamthe work executed; manasvinahthose actually understanding the value of life; sannyasyasurrendering unto the lotus feet of Krsna; samyantithey achieve; abhayamwhere there is no anxiety; padamthe abode; harehof the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
A short life in the land of Bharata-varsa is preferable to a life achieved in Brahmaloka for millions and billions of years because even if one is elevated to Brahmaloka, he must return to repeated birth and death. Although life in Bharata-varsa, in a lower planetary system, is very short, one who lives there can elevate himself to full Krsna consciousness and achieve the highest perfection, even in this short life, by fully surrendering unto the lotus feet of the Lord. Thus one attains Vaikunthaloka, where there is neither anxiety nor repeated birth in a material body.
PURPORT
This is further confirmation of the statement given by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu:
One who has taken birth in the land of Bharata-varsa has a full opportunity to study the direct instructions given by Krsna in Bhagavad-gita and thus finally decide what to do in his human form of life. One should certainly give up all other propositions and surrender to Krsna. Krsna will then immediately take charge and relieve one of the results of past sinful life (aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah). Therefore one should take to Krsna consciousness, as Krsna Himself recommends. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru: [Bg. 18.65] Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer Me obeisances. This is very easy, even for a child. Why not take this path? One should try to follow the instructions of Krsna exactly and thus become fully eligible to be promoted to the kingdom of God (tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti sorjuna [Bg. 4.9]). One should go directly to Krsna and engage in His service. This is the best opportunity offered to the inhabitants of Bharata-varsa. One who is fit to return home, back to Godhead, is no longer liable to the results of karma, good or bad.

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