Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 45
Kṛṣṇa’s Impending Departure; Uddhava’s Surrender; King Yadu and the Avadhūta’s Twenty-Four Gurus
Beginnings
तेजस्वी तपसा दीप्तो दुर्धर्षोदरभाजन: । सर्वभक्ष्योऽपि युक्तात्मा नादत्ते मलमग्निवत् ॥ ४५ ॥
tejasvī tapasā dīpto durdharṣodara-bhājanaḥ sarva-bhakṣyo ’pi yuktātmā nādatte malam agni-vat
ด้วยตบะ นักบุญย่อมรุ่งโรจน์และมั่นคง ไม่แสวงหาความเพลิดเพลินทางโลก รับอาหารที่โชคชะตานำมา และแม้เผลอกินสิ่งปนเปื้อนก็ไม่มัวหมอง ดุจไฟที่เผาผลาญสิ่งไม่บริสุทธิ์
The word udara-bhājana indicates that a saintly person eats only to keep body and soul together and not for sense gratification. One should eat palatable foodstuffs to maintain one’s mind in a cheerful mood; however, one should not eat luxuriously, because this will cause sex desire and laziness. A saintly person is always a perfect gentleman and is never greedy or lusty. Although māyā tries to defeat him by offering different material allurements, ultimately these attractive material features are themselves defeated by the spiritual power of a saintly person. Thus, one should never disrespect a spiritually advanced personality but should worship him reverentially. To carelessly approach a Kṛṣṇa conscious personality is just like carelessly approaching fire, which immediately burns if not handled properly. The Lord does not excuse mistreatment of a pure devotee.
FAQs
This verse says such a sage is radiant through tapas, unassailable, lives simply without hoarding, can accept any food without obsession, and remains uncontaminated—like fire that burns impurity without retaining it.
Fire consumes many things yet does not become polluted by them; similarly, a disciplined, self-realized person may interact with the world as needed but does not internally accept contamination such as greed, lust, or attachment.
Do what is necessary (work, duties, consumption) without hoarding or obsession, keep disciplined habits, and let experiences pass without clinging—so the mind stays clean even while living amid unavoidable worldly contact.