Chapter 3
On
the
I s k co n L a n d
in
B h u b a n e s wa r
The Çrémad-Bhägavatam states: prasaìgam ajaraà päçam ätmanaù kavayo viduù sa eva sädhuñu kåto mokña-dväram apävåtam “Every learned man knows very well that attachment for the material is the greatest entanglement of the spirit soul. But that same attachment, when applied to the self-realised devotees, opens the door of liberation.” 14
satäà prasaìgän mama vérya-saàvido bhavanti håt-karëa-rasäyanäù kathäù taj-joñaëäd äçv apavarga-vartmani çraddhä ratir bhaktir anukramiñyati “In the association of pure devotees [çuddha-bhaktas], discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart. By cultivating such knowledge, one gradually becomes advanced on the path of liberation, and thereafter he is freed, and his attraction becomes fixed. Then real devotion and devotional service begin.”15
rahügaëaitat tapasä na yäti na cejyayä nirvapaëäd gåhäd vä na cchandasä naiva jalägni-süryair vinä mahat-päda-rajo-’bhiñekam “My dear King Rahügaëa, unless one has the opportunity to smear his entire body with the dust of the lotus feet of great devotees, one cannot realise the Absolute Truth. One cannot realise the Absolute Truth simply by observing celibacy [brahmacarya], strictly following the rules and regulations of 45
