Text 326] Explanations of the Atmarama Verse 265
served in the Mohammedan government. A brahmana is never supposed to be
engaged for anyone's service. Accepting service for a livelihood (paricaryatmakam
karma) is the business of stidras. The brahmana is always independent and busy
studying sdstra and preaching sastra to subordinate social members such as
ksatriyas and vaisyas. Sanatana Gosvami felt unfit to write Vaisnava smrti about
the behavior of Vaisnavas because he had fallen from the brahminical position.
Thus Sanatana Gosvami clearly admits that the brahminical culture should be
standardized. Presently in India, so-called braéhmanas are almost all engaged in
some mundane service, and they do not understand the import of the Vedic
sastras. Nonetheless, they are passing themselves off as brahmanas on the basis of
birth. In this connection, Sanatana Gosvami declares that a brahmana cannot be
engaged in anyone's service if he wants to take a leading part in society. In
Srimad-Bhagavatam Narada Muni states that even if a brahmana is in a difficult
position, he should not accept the occupation of a stidra. This means that he
should not be engaged in service for another, for this is the business of dogs.
Under the circumstances, Sanatana Gosvami felt very low because he had ac-
cepted the service of the Muslim government. The conclusion is that no one
should claim to be a brahmana simply by birthright while engaging in someone
else's service.
TEXT 326
me TE fet ai sae Grier |
SHA FAS AH SATA ACTA 1 Oa
stra kari’ disé yadi karaha upadesa
dpane karaha yadi hrdaye pravesa
SYNONYMS
sdtra kari’—making a synopsis; disd—direction; yadi—if; karaha upadesa—You
kindly instruct; apane—personally; karaha—You do; yadi—if; hrdaye pravesa—
entering into me or manifesting in my heart.
TRANSLATION
Sanatana Gosvami then requested the Lord, ‘‘Please personally tell me how |
can write this difficult book about Vaisnava behavior. Please manifest Yourself
in my heart.
PURPORT
The writing of Vaisnava literatures is not a function for ordinary men. Vaisnava
literatures are not mental concoctions. They are all authorized literature meant to
guide those who are going to be Vaisnavas. Under these circumstances, an
