Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 39
Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation
गृहस्थस्य क्रियात्यागो व्रतत्यागो वटोरपि । तपस्विनो ग्रामसेवा भिक्षोरिन्द्रियलोलता ॥ ३८ ॥ आश्रमापसदा ह्येते खल्वाश्रमविडम्बना: । देवमायाविमूढांस्तानुपेक्षेतानुकम्पया ॥ ३९ ॥
gṛhasthasya kriyā-tyāgo vrata-tyāgo vaṭor api tapasvino grāma-sevā bhikṣor indriya-lolatā
It is abominable for a person living in the gṛhastha-āśrama to give up the regulative principles, for a brahmacārī not to follow the brahmacārī vows while living under the care of the guru, for a vānaprastha to live in the village and engage in so-called social activities, or for a sannyāsī to be addicted to sense gratification. One who acts in this way is to be considered the lowest renegade. Such a pretender is bewildered by the external energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and one should either reject him from any position, or taking compassion upon him, teach him, if possible, to resume his original position.
We have repeatedly stressed that human culture does not begin unless one takes to the principles of varṇāśrama-dharma. Although gṛhastha life is a concession for the enjoyment of sex, one cannot enjoy sex without following the rules and regulations of householder life. Furthermore, as already instructed, a brahmacārī must live under the care of the guru: brahmacārī gurukule vasan dānto guror hitam. If a brahmacārī does not live under the care of the guru, if a vānaprastha engages in ordinary activities, or if a sannyāsī is greedy and eats meat, eggs and all kinds of nonsense for the satisfaction of his tongue, he is a cheater and should immediately be rejected as unimportant. Such persons should be shown compassion, and if one has sufficient strength one should teach them to stop them from following the wrong path in life. Otherwise one should reject them and pay them no attention.
FAQs
In this verse, Prahlada explains that abandoning one’s proper āśrama duties while still seeking worldly life or sense enjoyment is mere imitation of spirituality; such pretenders are to be avoided, though viewed with compassion because they are bewildered by the Lord’s māyā.
Prahlada is instructing on proper conduct (varna-āśrama) and genuine detachment; he warns that spiritual labels without discipline—like a bhikṣu chasing sense pleasure—undermine dharma and mislead others.
Stay faithful to your stage-of-life responsibilities, avoid performative spirituality, and choose guidance from disciplined practitioners—while keeping a compassionate attitude toward those who are confused rather than becoming cynical.