60 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 1, Ch. 1

as Naimisaranya. Similarly, there is another reference to the forest of
Naimisaranya in the Varaha Purana, where it is stated that by performance
of sacrifice at this place, the strength of demoniac people is curtailed. Thus
brahmanas prefer Naimisaranya for such sacrificial performances.

The devotees of Lord Visnu offer all kinds of sacrifices for His pleasure.
The devotees are always attached to service of the Lord, whereas fallen
souls are attached to the pleasures of material existence. In Bhagavad-gita,
it is said that anything performed in the material world for any reason
other than for the pleasure of Lord Visnu causes further bondage for the
performer. It is enjoined therefore that all acts must be performed sacrifi-
cially for the satisfaction of Visnu and His devotees. This will bring every-
one peace and prosperity.

The great sages are always anxious to do good to the people in general,
and as such the sages headed by Saunaka and others assembled at this holy
place of Naimisaranya with a program of performing a great and con-
tinuous chain of sacrificial ceremonies. Forgetful men do not know the
right path for peace and prosperity. However, the sages know it well, and
therefore for the good men they are always anxious to perform acts which
may bring about peace in the world. They are sincere friends to all living
entities, and at the risk of great personal inconvenience they are always
engaged in the service of the Lord for the good of all people. Lord Visnu
is just like a great tree, and all others, including the demigods, men,
Siddhas, Caranas, Vidyadharas and other living entities, are like branches,
twigs and leaves of that tree. By pouring water on the root of the tree,
all the parts of the tree are automatically nourished. Only those branches
and leaves which are detached cannot be so satisfied. Detached branches
and leaves dry up gradually despite all watering attempts. Similarly, human
society, when it is detached from the Personality of Godhead like detached
branches and leaves, is not capable of being watered, and one attempting
to do so is simply wasting his energy and resources.

The modern materialistic society is detached from its relation to the
Supreme Lord. And all its plans which are being made by atheistic leaders
are sure to be baffled in every step. Yet they do not wake up to this.

In this age, the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord
is the prescribed method for waking up. The ways and means are most
scientifically presented by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and intelligent
persons may take advantage of His teachings in order to bring about real
peace and prosperity. Srimad-Bhégavatam is also presented for this same
purpose, and this will be explained more specifically later in the text.
