Shloka 8
Paramahaṁsa-Dharma: The Avadhūta-like Sannyāsī and Prahlāda’s Dialogue with the ‘Python’ Saint
न शिष्याननुबध्नीत ग्रन्थान्नैवाभ्यसेद् बहून् । न व्याख्यामुपयुञ्जीत नारम्भानारभेत्क्वचित् ॥ ८ ॥
na śiṣyān anubadhnīta granthān naivābhyased bahūn na vyākhyām upayuñjīta nārambhān ārabhet kvacit
ಸನ್ನ್ಯಾಸಿಯು ಭೌತಿಕ ಲಾಭದ ಆಮಿಷ ತೋರಿಸಿ ಅನೇಕ ಶಿಷ್ಯರನ್ನು ಕಟ್ಟಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬಾರದು. ಅನಾವಶ್ಯಕವಾಗಿ ಬಹಳ ಗ್ರಂಥಗಳನ್ನು ಓದಬಾರದು, ಜೀವನೋಪಾಯಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಉಪನ್ಯಾಸ ಮಾಡಬಾರದು, ಮತ್ತು ಅನಗತ್ಯ ಭೌತಿಕ ಆರಂಭಗಳಿಂದ ಐಶ್ವರ್ಯ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಲು ಯತ್ನಿಸಬಾರದು।
So-called svāmīs and yogīs generally make disciples by alluring them with material benefits. There are many so-called gurus who attract disciples by promising to cure their diseases or increase their material opulence by manufacturing gold. These are lucrative allurements for unintelligent men. A sannyāsī is prohibited from making disciples through such material allurements. Sannyāsīs sometimes indulge in material opulence by unnecessarily constructing many temples and monasteries, but actually such endeavors should be avoided. Temples and monasteries should be constructed for the preaching of spiritual consciousness or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, not to provide free hotels for persons who are useful for neither material nor spiritual purposes. Temples and monasteries should be strictly off limits to worthless clubs of crazy men. In the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement we welcome everyone who agrees at least to follow the movement’s regulative principles — no illicit sex, no intoxication, no meat-eating and no gambling. In the temples and monasteries, gatherings of unnecessary, rejected, lazy fellows should be strictly disallowed. The temples and monasteries should be used exclusively by devotees who are serious about spiritual advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains the word ārambhān as meaning maṭhādi-vyāpārān, which means “attempts to construct temples and monasteries.” The first business of the sannyāsī is to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness, but if, by the grace of Kṛṣṇa, facilities are available, then he may construct temples and monasteries to give shelter to the serious students of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Otherwise such temples and monasteries are not needed.
FAQs
This verse cautions against accumulating many texts as an entanglement; study should support devotion and detachment, not pride, distraction, or mere scholarship.
Because attachment to followers can create ego, dependence, and social obligations that obstruct a renounced, God-centered life; spiritual guidance should be selfless, not possessive.
Avoid turning spirituality into status or business, keep learning focused and practical, and minimize unnecessary ventures—prioritizing steady bhakti and inner detachment within your duties.