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
É abominável que um gṛhastha abandone as regras e deveres, que um brahmacārī sob os cuidados do guru renuncie aos seus votos, que um vānaprastha viva na aldeia envolvido em atividades sociais, ou que um sannyāsī se vicie em gratificação dos sentidos. Tais pessoas são os mais baixos desertores do āśrama, meros impostores, iludidos pela māyā do Senhor Supremo; deve-se afastá-los de qualquer posição, ou, por compaixão, se possível, instruí-los a retomar seu dharma original.
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.