Shloka 27
Paramahaṁsa-Dharma: The Avadhūta-like Sannyāsī and Prahlāda’s Dialogue with the ‘Python’ Saint
सुखमस्यात्मनो रूपं सर्वेहोपरतिस्तनु: । मन:संस्पर्शजान् दृष्ट्वा भोगान्स्वप्स्यामि संविशन् ॥ २७ ॥
sukham asyātmano rūpaṁ sarvehoparatis tanuḥ manaḥ-saṁsparśajān dṛṣṭvā bhogān svapsyāmi saṁviśan
জীৱৰ প্ৰকৃত স্বৰূপ আধ্যাত্মিক আনন্দময় সুখ; ভৌতিক কৰ্মৰ পৰা নিবৃত্ত হ’লে তেতিয়াহে ই লাভ হয়। ইন্দ্ৰিয়ভোগ মনৰ কল্পনা মাথোঁ; সেয়ে মই সকলো ত্যাগ কৰি ইয়াত শুই বিশ্ৰাম কৰিছোঁ।
The difference between the philosophy of the Māyāvādīs and that of the Vaiṣṇavas is explained herein. Both the Māyāvādīs and Vaiṣṇavas know that in materialistic activities there is no happiness. The Māyāvādī philosophers, therefore, adhering to the slogan brahma satyaṁ jagan mithyā, want to refrain from false, materialistic activities. They want to stop all activities and merge in the Supreme Brahman. According to the Vaiṣṇava philosophy, however, if one simply ceases from materialistic activity one cannot remain inactive for very long, and therefore everyone should engage himself in spiritual activities, which will solve the problem of suffering in this material world. It is said, therefore, that although the Māyāvādī philosophers strive to refrain from materialistic activities and merge in Brahman, and although they may actually merge in the Brahman existence, for want of activity they fall down again into materialistic activity ( āruhya kṛcchreṇa paraṁ padaṁ tataḥ patanty adhaḥ ). Thus the so-called renouncer, unable to remain in meditation upon Brahman, returns to materialistic activities by opening hospitals and schools and so on. Therefore, simply cultivating knowledge that materialistic activities cannot give one happiness, and that one should consequently cease from such activities, is insufficient. One should cease from materialistic activities and take up spiritual activities. Then the solution to the problem will be achieved. Spiritual activities are activities performed according to the order of Kṛṣṇa ( ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanam ). If one does whatever Kṛṣṇa says, his activities are not material. For example, when Arjuna fought in response to the order of Kṛṣṇa, his activities were not material. Fighting for sense gratification is a materialistic activity, but fighting by the order of Kṛṣṇa is spiritual. By spiritual activities one becomes eligible to go back home, back to Godhead, and then enjoy blissful life eternally. Here, in the material world, everything is but a mental concoction that will never give us real happiness. The practical solution, therefore, is to cease from materialistic activities and engage in spiritual activities. Yajñārthāt karmaṇo ’nyatra loko ’yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ ). If one works for the sake of pleasing the Supreme Lord — Yajña, or Viṣṇu — one is in liberated life. If one fails to do so, however, he remains in a life of bondage.
FAQs
This verse defines real happiness as withdrawing from worldly striving and recognizing sense pleasures as products of mental contact—thus choosing inner rest and simplicity.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī cites the mood of a renunciant while teaching Yudhiṣṭhira about ideal conduct (varṇāśrama-dharma), emphasizing peace through cessation of material endeavor.
Reduce unnecessary pursuits, notice how cravings arise from mental contact with objects, and cultivate deliberate withdrawal—rest, silence, and devotional remembrance—to regain inner steadiness.