52 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta [Madhya-lila, Ch. 9

PURPORT

Everyone is after success in religion, economic development, sense gratification
and ultimately merging into the existence of Brahman. These are the general prac-
tices of the common man, but according to the strict principles of the Vedas, the
highest attainment is to rise to the platform of sravanam, kirtanam—chanting and
hearing about the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is confirmed in Srimad-
Bhagavatam (1.1.2):

dharmah projjhita-kaitavo ‘tra paramo nirmatsaranam satam
vedyam vastavam atra vastu sivadam tépa-trayonmdlanam

srimad-bhagavate mahamuni-krte kim va parair isvarah
sadyo hrdy avarudhyate ‘tra krtibhih susrdsubhis tat-ksanat

“Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this
Bhagavata Purdna propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those
devotees who are pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illu-
sion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. This beautiful
Bhagavatam, compiled by the great sage Sri Vyasadeva, is sufficient in itself for
God realization. As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of
Bhagavatam, he becomes attached to the Supreme Lord.”

According to Sridhara Svami, the material conception of success (moksa or
liberation) is desired by those in material existence. Not being situated in material
existence, the devotees have no desire for liberation.

A devotee is always liberated in all stages of life because he is always engaged
in the nine items of devotional service (sravanam, kirtanam, etc.). Sti Caitanya
Mahaprabhu's philosophy holds that devotional service to Krsna always exists in
everyone's heart. It simply has to be awakened by the process of sravanam
kirtanarn visnoh. Sravanadi suddha-citte karaye udaya (Cc. Madhya 22.107).
When a person is actually engaged in devotional service, his eternal relationship
with the Lord, the servant-master relationship, is awakened.

TEXT 262
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PIAL SIPS CHT FAB 1 wr Wl

evam-vratah sva-priya-nama-kirtya
jatanurago druta-citta uccaih
