Text 7]
The Characteristics of Rṣabhadeva
147
TRANSLATION
O Mahārāja Parikṣit, to glorify Mahārāja Nābhi, the old sages composed two verses. One of them is this: “Who can attain the perfection of Mahārāja Nābhi? Who can attain his activities? Because of his devotional service, the Supreme Personality of Godhead agreed to become his son.”
PURPORT
The words  śuddhena karmaṇā  are significant in this verse. If work is not carried out in devotional service, it is contaminated by the modes of material nature. That is explained in  Bhagavad-gītā :  yajñārthāt karmaṇo 'nyatra loko 'yam karma-bandhanaḥ . Activities performed only for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord are pure and are not contaminated by the modes of material nature. All other activities are contaminated by the modes of ignorance and passion, as well as goodness. All material activities meant for satisfying the senses are contaminated, and Mahārāja Nābhi did not perform anything contaminated. He simply executed his transcendental activities even when performing  yajña . Consequently he obtained the Supreme Lord as his son.
TEXT 7
ब्रह्मण्योऽन्यः कुतो नाभेर्विग्रा मङ्गलपूजिताः ।
यस्य बर्हिषि यज्ञेशं दर्शयामासुरोजसा ॥ ७ ॥
brahmaṇyo 'nyaḥ kuto nābher viprā maṅgala-pūjitāḥ yasya barhiṣi yajñeśam darśayām āsur ojasā
brahmaṇyaḥ —a devotee of the  brāhmaṇas ;  anyaḥ —any other:  kutaḥ —where is:  nābheḥ —besides Mahārāja Nābhi:  viprāḥ —the  brāhmaṇas ;  maṅgala-pūjitāḥ —well worshiped and satisfied:  yasya —of whom;  barhiṣi —in the sacrificial arena;  yajña-īśam —the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the enjoyer of all sacrificial ceremonies:  darśayām āsuḥ —showed;  ojasā —by their brahminical prowess.