Sri Bhakti-sutra

Codes of Devotional Service

by Srila Narada Muni

Text 1

athato bhaktim vyakhyasyamah

atha - now; atah - therefore; bhaktim - devotional service; vyakhyasyamah - we shall try to explain.

Now, therefore, I shall try to explain the process of devotional service.*

Text 2

sa tv asmin parama-prema-rupa

sa - devotional service; tu - but; asmin - in this description of bhakti; parama - highest stage; prema-rupa - love of Godhead.

The highest stage if devotional service is pure love of Godhead.*

Text 3

amata-svarupa ca

amata - eternal; svarupa - nature; ca - also.

Such stage of devotional life is eternal.*

Text 4

yal labdhva puman siddho bhavati amato bhavati tapto bhavati

yat - which; labdva - having gained; puman - person; siddhah - perfect; bhavati - becomes; amatah - immortal; bhavati - becomes; taptah - peaceful; bhavati - becomes.

Upon achieving that transcendental devotional service, a man becomes perfect, immortal, and peaceful.*

Text 5

yat prapya na kincid vanchati na socati na dverti na ramate notsahi bhavati

yat - which; prapya - having attained; na - not; kincit - anything; vanchati - desires; na - not; socati - gives; na - not; dverti - heats; na - not; ramate - rejoices; na - not; utsahi - one who is materially active; bhavati - becomes.

A person engaged in pure devotional service does not desire anything for material sense gratification, does not lament for any loss, does not hate anything, does not enjoy anything for his personal account, nor does he becomes very enthusiastic in material activity.*

Text 6

yaj jnatva matto bhavati stabdho bhavati atmaramo bhavati

yat - which; jnatva - having known; mattah - intoxicated; bhavati - becomes; stabdhah - charm; bhavati - becomes; atmaramah - self-content bcause of being engaged in the service of the Lord; bhavati - becomes.

One who understands perfectly the process of devotional service becomes intoxicated in its discharge; he becomes charmed by it and thus enjoys his whole self, being engaged in the service of the Supreme Self.*

Text 7

sa na kamayamana nirodha-rupatvat

sa - that devotional service; na - not; kamayamana - like ordinary lust; nirodha - renunciation; rupatvat - being similar to that.

There is no question of lust in pure devotional service, because such service is free from all sense gratification.*

Text 8

nirodhas tu loka-veda-vyapara-nyasah

norodhah - confinement in devotional service; tu - but; loka - social; veda - ritual; vyapara - activities; nyasah - renunciation.

Confinement within the boundary of devotional service means to give up all kinds of social and religious activities.*

Text 9

tasminn ananyata tad-virodhisudasinata ca

tasmin - for Him; ananyata - exclusive devotion; tat - to Him; virodhiru - to those who are hostile; udasinata - aloofness; ca - also.

Confinement within the boundary of devotional service also means to repose one's love in the Lord alone and to avoid the nondevotees, who oppose the service of the Lord.*

Text 10

anyasrayanam tyago 'nanyata

anya - other; asrayanam - of the center (shelters); tyagah - rejection; ananyata - unflinching faith.

In devotional service one renounces everything and takes shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead without relying on anyone else for protection.*

Text 11

loke vederu tad-anukulacaranam tad-virodhisudasinata

loke - social and political; vederu - in the Vedic rituals; tat-anukula - favorable for devotional service; acaranam - activities; tat-virodhiru - unfavorable; udasinata - reluctance.

One should be reluctant to engage in activities that are not favorable for discharging devotional service, and one should accept only activities favorable for devotional service.*

Text 12

bhavatu niscaya-dardhyad urdhvam sastra-rakranam

bhavatu - let there be; niscaya - even in certainty; dardhyat - with determination; urdhvam - higher than; sastra - scriptures; rakranam - protection.

When one is fixed with certainty and determination in the knowledge that devotional service is the only means for gaining the perfection of life, he must follow the scriptural injunctions in that direction.*

Text 13

anyatha patityasankaya

anyatha - otherwise; patitya - fall down; asankaya - possibility.

Otherwise, there is every possibility of falling down.*

Text 14

loko 'pi tavad eva bhojanadi-vyaparas tv asarira-dharanavadhi

lokah api - in social behavior also; tavat eva - as much as possible; bhojana - in the matter of eating; adi - beginning with; vyaparah - activities; tu - but; asarira-dharana - body; avadhi - until then.

One should act socially and politically, and in the matter of eating, just enough to keep the body fit till the end of life.*

Text 15

tal-lakranani vacyante nana-mata-bhedat

tat - that; lakranani - symptoms; vacyante - being described; nana - various; mata - opinion; bhedat - differences.

The symtoms of devotional service are described below, in accordance with various authoritative opinions.*

Text 16

pujadirv anuraga iti parasaryah

puja - worship; adiru - beginning with; anuragah - attachment; iti - thus; parasaryah - Vyasa's opinion.

Vyasa defines devotional service as attachment to the worship and service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Text 17

kathadirv iti gargah

katha - the topics; adiru - beginning with; iti - thus; gargah - Garga Muni's opinion.

Garga Muni defines devotional service as attachment to hearing narrations about the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Text 18

atma-ratya-virodheneti sandilyah

atma - for the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ratya - with love; virodhena - overwhelmed; iti - thus; sandilyah - Sandilya's opinion.

Sandilya defines devotional service as overwhelming love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Text 19

naradas tu tad-arpitakhilacarata tad-vismarane parama-vyakuleti

naradah - Narada's opinion; tu - indeed; tat - to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; arpita - offered; akhila - all; acarata - activities; tat - of Him; vismarane - in forgetfulness; parama - supreme; vyakulata - distress; iti - thus.

Narada defines devotional service as offering all activities to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and being very concerned to never forget Him.

Text 20

asty evam eva

asti - it is; evam - in this way; eva - certainly.

All these definitions are correct.

Text 21

yatha vraja-gopikanam

yatha - just as; vraja - of Vraja; gopikanam - of the gopis.

These aspects of devotional service may be seen in the gopis of Vraja.

Text 22

tatraapi na mahatmya-jnana-vismaty-apavadah

tatra api - still; na - not; mahatmya - of the glory; jnana - knoeledge; vismati - forgetfulness; apavadah - fault.

Even though the gopis were filled with devotion for Lord Krsna, they remained unaware of His glorious position as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. For them this was not a defect.

Text 23

tad-vihinam jaranam iva

tat - this; vihinam - without; jaranam - a paramour; iva - like.

Unaware of Lord Krsna's exalted position, the gopis loved Him like a paramour.

Text 24

nasty eva tasmims tat-sukha-sukhitvam

na - not; asti - is; eva - certainly; tasmin - in this; tat - of Him; sukha - in the happiness; sukhitvam - finding happiness.

For this there is not fault on the gopis' part. They were completely surrendered to the Lord. Their only happiness was in seeing that He is happy.

Text 25

sa tu karma-jnana-yogebhyo 'py adhikatara

sa - this; tu - indeed; karma - to fruitive action; jnana - speculative knowledge; yogebhyah - and mystic yoga; api - also; adhikatara - is better.

Devotional service is better than fruitive work (karma), speculative knowledge (jnana), and mystic yoga.

Text 26

phala-rupatvat

phala - of the fruit; rupatvat - because of being the form.

Devotional service is itself the benediction attained by the devotee. For this reason it is better than karma, jnana, or yoga.

Text 27

isvarasyapy abhimana-dvesitvad-dainya-priyatvac ca

isvarasya - of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; api - also; �abhimana - of pride; dvesitvat - because of hatred; dainya - of humility; priyatvat - because of love; ca - also.

Devotional service is better because it makes the devotees humble; whereas karma, jnana, and yoga bring pride to the karmis, jnanis and yogis. The Supreme Personality of Godhead likes humility and hates pride. For this reason devotional service is better than karma, jnana, or yoga.

Text 28

tasya jnanam eva sadhanam ity eke

tasyah - of devotional service; jnanam - speculative knowledge; eva - certainly; sadhanam - the means of attainment; iti - thus; eke - some.

Some philosophers think that evotional service is attained only by cultivating speculative knowledge.

Text 29

anyonyasrayatvam ity anye

anyonya - mutual; asrayatvam - of the state of being the shelter; iti - thus; anye - others.

Other philosophers think that by cultivatinf speculative knowledge devotional service is attained, and by cultivating devotional service one makes progress in speculative knowledge.

Text 30

svayam phala-rupateti brahma-kumarah

svayam - itself; phala - the result; rupata - the state of having a form; iti - thus; brahma - of Lord Brahma; kumarah - the sons.

The sons of Lord Brahma (Narada and the four Kumaras) teach that devotional service is the only means of attaining devotional service. By practicing devotional service one attains devotional service.

Text 31

raja-gaha-bhojanadiru tathaiva dartatvat

raja-gaha - the king's palace; bhojana - the meal; adiru - beginning with; tatha - in that way; eva - certainly; dartatvat - because of the example.

That devotional service is attained only by practicing devotional service may be understood from varios examples, such as th example of the king's palace and the example of the meal.

Text 32

na tena raja-paritorah krudha-santir va

na - not; tena - by this; raja - of the king; paritorah - satisfaction; krudha - of hunger; santih - pacification; va - or.

Knowledge of the location of the king's palace does not bring the king's pleasure on the knower, nor does knowledge of the natuure of food satisfy hunger. Only sonething beyond passive knowledge will bring the king's pleasure or the satisfaction of hunger.

Text 33

tasmat saiva grahya mumukrubhih

tasmat - therefore; sap this; eva - certainly; grahya - should be accepted; mumukrubhih - by those desiring liberation.

From this example it may be understood that passive knowledge is not sufficient to bring liberation. Those who desire liberation should accept the path of devotional service.

Text 34

tasyah sadhanani gayanty acaryah

tasyah - of devotional service; sadhanani - the methods of attaining; gayanti - describe; acaryah - the saintly teachers.

The saintly teachers (acaryas) have described the means by which one attains devotional service.

Text 35

tat tu visaya-tyagat sanga-tyagac ca

tat - that; tu - indeed; visaya - of the objects of sense gratification; tyagat - from renunciation; sanga - of association with worldly-minded people; tyagat - from renunciation; ca - also.

Devoational service is attained by renouncing the object of sense gratification and renouncing association with worldly-minded nondevotees.

Text 36

avyavata-bhajanat

avyavata - unobstructed; bhajanat - from worship.

Devotional service is attained by undeterred, constant worship and service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Text 37

loke 'pi bhagavad-guna-sravana-kirtanat

loke - in the material world; api - even; bhagavat - of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; guna - of the transcendental qualities; sravana - from hearing; kirtanat - and chanting.

Even in this material world devotional service is attained by hearing and glorifying the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Text 38

mukhyatas tu mahat-kapayaiva bhagavat-kapa-lesad va

mukhyatah - primarily; tu - but; mahat - of the devotee of the Lord; kapaya - by the mercy; eva - certainly; bhagavat - of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kapa - of mercy; lesat - from a small particle; va - or.

Devotional service is attained by the mercy of the pure devotee or by a drop of the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These are the two most important ways to attain devotional service.

Text 39

mahat-sangas tu durlabho 'gamyo 'moghas ca

mahat - with pure devotees; sangah - association; tu - indeed; durlabhah - rare; agamyah - difficult to find; amoghah - very powerful; ca - also.

Association with pure devotees is very rare and difficult to attain. That association is a very powerful method of attaining devotional service.

Text 40

labhyate 'pi tat-kapayaiva

labhyate - is attained; api - also; tat - of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kapaya - by the mercy; eva - certainly.

By the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead association with a pure devotee is attained.

Text 41

tasmims taj-jane bhedabhavat

tasmin - in this; tat-jane - in the devotee; bheda - difference; abhavat - because of nonexistence.

The pure devotee is always in harmony with the wishes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are never in disagreement. For this reason association with a pure devotee is a very powerful method of attaining devotional service.

Text 42

tad eva sadhyatam tad eva sadhyatam

tat - this; eva - certainly; sadhyatam - should be done; tat - this; eva - certainly; sadhyatam - should be done.

For this reason one should associate with pure devotees. For this reason one should associate with pure devotees.

Text 43

duhsangam sarvathaiva tyajyah

duhsangam - association with nondevotees; sarvatha - in all respects; eva - certainly; tyajyah - should be abandoned.

Association with nondevotees should be completely abandoned.

Text 44

kama-krodha-moha-smatibhramsa-buddhinasa-sarvanasa-karanatvat

kama - lust; krodha - anger; moha - bewilderment; smati - of memory; bhramsa - destruction; buddhi - of intelligence; nasa - destruction; sarva - of everything; nasa - of the destruction; karanatvat - because of being the cause.

One should renounce association with nondevotees, because their association is the cause of lust, bewilderment, destruction of memory, destruction of intelligence, and destruction of all other virtues and advantages.

Text 45

tarangayita apime sangat samudrayani

tarangayita - the status of waves; api - although; ime - these; sangat - from association; samudrayanti - become oceans.

Although these evils may be only small waves in the beginning, by continued association with nondevotees they becomes like great oceans.

Text 46

kas tarati kas tarati mayam. yah sangams tyajati yo mahanubhavam sevate nirmamo bhavati

kah - who?; tarati - crosses; kah - who?; tarati - crosses; mayam - illusion; yah - one who; sangan - associtation with nondevotees; tyajati - abandons; yah - one who; maha-anubhavam - a great soul; sevate - service; nirmamah - free from material possessiveness; bhavati - becomes.

Who crosses beyond the illusory potency (maya)? Who crosses beyond the illusory potency? One who abandons association with nondevotees, serves the devotees of the Lord, and remains free from material possessiveness crosses beyond the influence of maya.

Text 47

yo vivikta-sthanam sevate yo loka-bandham unmulayati nistraigunyo bhavati yoga-kremam tyajati

yah - one who; vivikta-sthanam - in a solitary place where there are no nondevotees; sevate - accepts residence; yah - one who; loka - of the world; bandham - the bondage; unmulayati - uproots; nistraigunyah - free from the influence of the three modes of material nature; bhavati - becomes; yoga-kremam - material advantages; tyajati - abandons.

One who does not live with nondevotees, who uproots the bondage of materialism, who becomes free from the influence of the three modes of material nature (goodness, passion, and ignorance), and who gives up the thought of his own material benefit, crosss beyond the influence of maya.

Text 48

yah karma-phalam tyajati karmany sannyasyati tato nirdvandvo bhavati

yah - one who; karma - of work; phalam - the fruit; tyajati - abandons; karmani - works; sannyasyati - renounces; tatah - then; nirdvandvah - free from material duality; bhavati - becomes.

One who renounces the fruits of his work, gives up all material activities, and becomes free from material duality crosses beyond the influence of maya.

Text 49

vedan api sannyasyati kevalam avicchinnanuragam labhate

vedan - the Vedas; api - even; sannyasyati - renounces; kevalam - exclusive; avicchinna - unbroken; anuragam - devotional love; labhate - attains.

One who rejects the material piety taught in the four Vedas, �and instead develops unbroken love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead alone, crosses beyond the influence of maya.

Text 50

sa tarati sa tarati sa lokams tarayati

sah - he; tarati - crosses; sah - he; tarati - crosses; sah - he; lokan - the people; tarayati - causes to cross.

He crosses beyond the influence of maya. He crosses beyond the influence of maya. He makes the people in general also cross the influence of maya.

Text 51

anirvacaniyam prema-svarupam

anirvacaniyam - difficult to be described; prema - of pure love of God; svarupam - the nature.

Pure love of God cannot be easily described.

Text 52

mukasvadanavat

muka - of the silent; asvadana - the tasting; vat - like.

It is like a feast tasted by a silent person who will not describe his experience to others.

Text 53

prakasate kvapi patre

prakasate - is manifest; kva api - to some; patre - object.

Pure love of God becomes manifest in some rare souls.

Text 54

guna-rahitam kamana-rahitam pratikrana-vardhamanam avicchinnam sukrmataram anubhava-rupam

guna - material qualities; rahitam - without; kamana - material desires; rahitam - without; pratikrana - at every moment; vardhamanam - increasing; avicchinnam - unbroken; sukrmataram - spiritual; anubhava-rupam - directly perceived.

Pure love of God is free from material qualities and material desires. At each moment it grows greater and greater. It is never broken. It is spiritual and free from material contact. This pure love of God is directly experienced by the great devotees.

Text 55

tat prapya tad evavalokayati tad eva sanoti tad eva bhasayati tad eva cintayati

tat - that; prapya - attaining; tat - that; eva - certainly; avalokayati - sees; tat - that; eva - certainly; sanoti - hears; tat - that; eva - certainly; bhasayati - speaks; tat - that; eva - certainly; cintayati - meditates.

When one attains pure love of God, he sees the Lord everywhere. He always hears about the Lord, speaks about Him, and think about Him.

Text 56

gauni tridha guna-bhedad artadi-bhedad va

gauni- - secondary; tridha - in three ways; guna - of the modes of nature; bhedat - from the divisions; arta - the distressed; adi - beginning with; bhedat - from the divisions; va - or.

The beginning stage of bhakti (devotional service), may be classified in three divisions. The three divisions may be according to the three modes of material nature (ignorance, passion, and goodness), or they may be according to the divisions arta (the distressed), artharthi (those in need of money), and jijnasu (the curious).

Text 57

uttarasmad uttarasmat purva-purva sreyaya bhavati

uttarasmat - from the following; uttarasmat - from thek following; purva - the preceding; purva - the preceding; sreyaya - for a better result; bhavati - is.

In these two sets of three divisions, wach stage is better than the preceding one. In this way bhakti in passion is better than bhakti in ignorance, and bhakti in sdgoodness is better than bhakti in passion. In the same way bhakti performed by the arthathi is better than bhakti performed by the arta, and bhakti performed by the jijnasu is better than bhakti performed by the arthathi.

Text 58

anyasmat saulabhyam bhaktau

anyasmat - than others; saulabhyam - easiness; bhaktau - in bhakti.

Bhakti is easier than other spiritual paths.

Text 59

pramanantarasyanapekratvat svayam-pramanatvat

pramana - proof; antarasya - other; anapekratvat - because of not needing; svayam-pramanatvat - because of being self-manifest.

Devotioanl service is easier than other paths, because it does not require the help of any activities outside of devotional service. Devotional service is easier, because simply by engaging in the activities of devotional service, devotion becomes autimatically manifest.

Text 60

santi-rupat paramananda-rupac ca

santi - of peace; rupat - because of being the form; parama - transcendental; ananda - of bliss; rupat - because of being the form.

Devotional service is easier than other paths, because it brings peacefulness. Devotional service is easier than other path, because it brings transcendental bliss.

Text 61

loka-hanau cinta na karya niveditatma-loka-vedatvat

loka - of dfthings in this world; hanasu - in the destruction; cinta - anxiety; na - not; karya - should be done; nivedita - surrendered; atma-loka - himself; vedatvat - because of awareness.

The devotee should always consider that he is a soul completely surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thinking in this way, he should not be concerned about the destruction of the temporary things in this world.

Text 62

na tad-asiddhau loka-vyavaharo heyah kintu phala-tyagas tat-sadhanam ca karyam eva

na - not; tat - of devotional service; asiddhau - in the stagfes prior to perfection; loka - in this world; vyava-harah - work; heyah - to be renounced; kintu - however; phala - of the fruits; tyagah - the drenunciation; tat - of that; sadhanam - the means of attainment; ca - also; karyam - should be done; eva - certainly.

As long as the perfectional stage of devotional service is not attained, ordinary work in this world should not be given up. However, the fruits of work should be given up, and in this way there will be progress on the path of devotional service.

Text 63

stri-dhana-nastika-vairi-caritram na sravaniyam

stri - of women; dhana - money; nastika - atheists; vairi - and enemies; caritram - the activities; na - not; sravaniyam - shold be heard.

In devotional service one should not hear about women, money, atheistic philosophy, or blasphemy of the devotees.

Text 64

abhimana-dambhadikam tyajyam

abhimana - oride; dambha - hypocrisy; adikam - beginning with; tyajyam - should be abandoned.

Pride, hypocrisy, and other faults should be given up.

Text 65

tad-arpitakhilacarah san kama-krodhabhimanadikam tasminn eva karaniyam

tat - to Him; arpita - offered; akhila - all; acarah - activities; san - being so; kama - lust; krodha - anger; abhi-mana - pride; adikam - beginning with; tasmin - in this; eva - certainly; karaniyam - should be done.

All activities should be offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is even possible to engage lust, anger, pride, and other inauspicious qualities in the Lord's service.

Text 66

tri-rupa-bhanga-purvakam nitya-dasa-nitya-kanta-bhajan-atmakam va premaiva karyam premaiva karyam

tri-rupa - of the three modes of material nature; bhanga-purvakam - become free; nitya - eternal; dasa - servant; nitya - eternal; kanta - lover; bhajana - devotional service; atmakam - self; va - or; prema - pure love of God; eva - certainly; karyam - should be done; prema - pure love of God; eva - certainly; karyam - should be done.

One should become free from the influence of the three modes of material nature and become the eternal servant or the eternal lover of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In this way one �should develop pure love of God. In this way one should develop pure love of God.

Text 67

bhakta ekadtino mukhyah

bhaktah - devotees; ekantinah - completely surrendered to the Lord; mukhyah - the best.

Those devotees who are completely surrendered to the Lord are the best.

Text 68

kanthavarodha-romancasrubhih parasparamn lapamanah pavayanti kulani pathivim ca

kantha - throats; avarodha - choking; romanca - hairs standing up; asrubhih - with tears; parasparam - with each other; lapamanah - conversing; pavayanti - purify; kulani - families; pathivim - the earth; ca - and.

As they discuss the topics of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, their voices become choked, they shed tears, and the hairs of their bodies stand up in ecstasy. These devotees purify their own families as well as the entire world.

Text 69

tirthi-kurvanti tirthani sukarmi-kurvanti karmani sacchastri-kurvanti sastrani

tirthi - places if pilgrimage; kurvanti - make; tirthi - places of pilgrimage; kurvanti - make; tirthani - places if pilgrimage; sukarmi - devotional service; kurvanti - make; karmani - activities; sat-sastri - scriptures; kurvanti - make; sastrani - scriptures.

Where they go becomes a place if pilgrimage. They transform work into devotional service. Their words become the scriptures.

Text 70

tanmayah

tat-mayah - completely surrendered to the Lord.

Such devotees are completely surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Text 71

modante pitaro natyanti devatah sa-natha ceyam bhur bhavati

modante - become pleased; pitarah - the pitas (forefathers); natyanti - dance; devatah - the demigods; sa-natha - protected; ca - also; iyam - this; bhuh - earth; bhavati - becomes.

Such devotees make the pitas rejoice and the demigods dance. The presence of such devotees brings protection to the earth.

Text 72

nasti teru jati-vidya-rupa-kula-dhana-kriyadi-bhedah

na - not; asti - is; teru - among them; jati - of birth; vidya - learning; rupa - beauty; kula - family; dhana - wealth; kriya - occupation; adi - beginning with; bhedah - distinctions,

For such pure devotees no consideration should be given to the circumstances of their birth, their academic attainment, physical beauty, financial status, occupation, or material situation.

Text 73

yatas tadiyah

yatah - because; tadiyah - completely surrendred to the Lord.

Because these devotees have completely surrendered to the Lord, the material distinctions of caste or material qualification no longer apply to them.

Text 74

vado navalambyah

vadah - speculative debate; na - not; avalambyah - should be done.

Devotees should not engage in mental speculation,

Text 75

bahulyavakasad anityatvac ca

bahulya-avakasat - because of being a great labyrinth; anityatvat - because of being in constant flux; ca - also.

Devotees should not engage in mental speculation, because it is a labyrinth of many theories and because the theories produced by speculation are in constant flux, one moment true and the next false.

Text 76

bhakti-sastrani mananiyani tad-udbodhaka-karmany api �karaniyani

bhakti - describing devotional service; sastrani - scriptures; mananiyani - worshipable; tat - by them; udbodhaka - prescribed; karmani - activities; api - also; karaniyani - should be performed.

Bhakti-sastras (devotional scriptures) should be worshiped. The activities prescribed by them should be performed.

Text 77

sukha-duhkheccha-ladhadi-tyakte kale pratikryamane kranardham api vyartham na neyam

sukha - happiness; duhkha - distress; iccha - desire; labha - attainment; adi - beginning with; tyakte - abandoned; kale - that time; pratikryamane - being awaited; krana - a moment; ardham - half; api - even; vyartham - uselessly; na - not; neyam - should be passed.

The time of death, when one must give up material happiness, distress, desires, property, and a host of other things, is gradually approaching. Fully aware of this, one should not waste a moment but always engage in devotional service.

Text 78

ahimsa-satya-sauca-dayastikyadi-caritryani paripalaniyani

ahimsa - nonviolence; satya - truthfulness; sauca - cleanliness; daya - mercy; astikya - faith in God; adi - beginning with; caritryani - good qualities; pari-pa;a-niyani - should be developed.

One should endeavor to develop truthfulness, nonviolence, cleanliness, mercy, faith in God, and other good qualities.

Text 79

sarvada sarva-bhavena niscintitair bhagavan eva bhajaniyah

sarvada - always; sarva-bhavena - in all respects; niscintitaih; with singlke-pointed meditation; bhagavan - the Supreme Personality of Godhead; eva - certainly; bhajaniyah - should be worshiped.

Always, in all respects, and with single-pointed concentration, one should worship and serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Text 80

sa kirtyamanah sighram evavirbhavati anubhavayati ca bhaktan

sah - He; kirtyamanah - being glorified; sighram - quickly; eva - certainly; avirbhavati - appears ; anubha-vayati - causes to directly perceive; ca - also; bhaktan - the devotees.

When He is glorified, the Supreme Personality of Godhead at once appears and allows the devotees to directly perceive His transcendental form.

Text 81

trisatyasya bhaktir eva gariyasi bhaktir eva gariyasi

trisatyasya - of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhaktih - devotional service; eva - certainly; gariyasi - os the best; bhaktih - devotional service; eva - certainly; gariyasi - is the best.

Devotional service (bhakti) to the Supreme Peresonsality of Godhead is the best of all spiritual paths. Devotional service is the best of all spiritual paths.

Text 82

guna-mahatmyasakti-rupasakti-pujasakti-smaranasakti-dasyasakti-sakhyasakti-kantasakti-vatsalyasakty-atmanivedanasakti-tanmayatasakti-parama-virahasakti-rupa ekadhapy edadasadha bhavati

guna - of the transcendental qualities of the Lord; mahatmya - the glories; asakti - attachment; rupa - to the form of the Lord; asakti - attachment; puja - to worship; asakti - attachment; smarana - to remembering the Lord; asakti - attachment; dasya - to service of the Lord; asakti - attachment; sakhya - to friendship with the LOrd; asakti - attachment; kanta - to being a lover of the Lord; asakti - attachment; vatsalya - to parental love for the Lord; asakti - attachment; atma-nivedana - to completely surrender to the Lord; asakti - attachment; tanumayata - to taking shelter of the Lord; asakti - attachment; parama-viraha - to loving the Lord in the mood of separation; asakti - attachment; rupa - in the form; ekadha - in one way; api - although; ekadasadha - in eleven ways; bhavati - is.

Although devotional service is one, it may be divided into the following eleven categories: (1) attachment to chanting the glories of the Lord's transcendental qualities, (2) attachment to the transcendental form of the Lord, (3) attachment to the worship of the Lord, (4) attachment to always remembering the Lord, (5) attachment to rendering service to the Lord, (6) attachment to serving the Lord as a friend, (7) attachment to serving the Lord as a conjugal lover, (8) attachment to serving the Lord as a parent, (9) attachment to surrendering everything �to the Lord, (10) attachment to taking shelter of the Lord, (11) attachment to loving the Lord in the mood of separation.

Text 83

ity evam vadanti jana-jalpa-nirbhaya eka-matah kumara-vyasa - suka-sandilya-garga-visnu-kaundinya-sesoddhavaruni-bali - hanumad-vibhisanadayo bhakty-acaryah

iti - thus; evam - in this way; vadanti - speak; jana - of ordinary people; jalpa - of the talk; nirbhayah - unafraid; eka-matah - who have fixed their minds on the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kumara - the four Kumaras; vyasa - Vyasa; suka - Suka - sandiya - Sandilya; garga - Garga Muni; visnu - Visnu Svami; kaundinya - Kaundinya; sesa - Sesa; uddhava - Uddhava; aruni - Aruni; bali - Bali; hanumat - Hanuman; vibhisana - Vibhisana; adayah - beginning with; bhakti - of devotional service; acaryah - the teachers.

The Kumaras, Vyasa, Sukadeva Gosvami, Sandilya Muni, Garga Muni, Visnu Svami, Kaundinya Muni, Ananta Sesa, Uddhava, Aruni, Maharaja Bali, Hanuman, Vibhisana, and other teachers of the path of devotional service (bhakty-acarya), who are all completely surrendered to the Lord and unafraid of what ordinary nondevotees may say to criticize them, all describe the path of devotional service in this way.

Text 84

ya idam narada-proktam sivanusasanam visvasiti sraddhatte sa prertham labhate sa prertham labhate iti

yah - one who; idam - this; narada - by Narada Muni; proktam - spoken; siva - auspicious; anusa-sanam - instruction; visvasiti - believes; sraddhatte - has faith; sah - he; prertham - the dearmost Supreme Personality of Godhead; labhate - attains; sah - he; prertham - the dearmost Supreme Personality of Godhead; labhate - attains; iti - thus.

One who has great faith in these auspicious instructions spoken by Narada Muni, attains the dearmost Supreme Personality of Godhead. He attains the dearmost Supreme Personality of Godhead.