Text 18] Narada’s Instructions on Srimad-Bhagavatam 245
TRANSLATION

One who has forsaken his material occupations to engage in the
devotional service of the Lord may sometimes fall down while in an
immature stage, yet there is no danger of his being unsuccessful. On the
other hand, a nondevotee, though fully engaged in occupational duties,
does not gain anything.

PURPORT

As far as the duties of mankind are concerned, there are innumerable
duties. Every man is duty-bound not only to his parents, family members,
society, country, humanity, other living beings, the demigods, etc., but
also to the great philosophers, poets, scientists, etc. It is enjoined in the
scriptures that one can relinquish all such duties and surrender unto the
service of the Lord. So if one does so and becomes successful in the
discharge of his devotional service unto the Lord, it is well and good. But
it so happens sometimes that one surrenders himself unto the service of
the Lord by some temporary sentiment, and in the long run, due to so
many other reasons, he falls down from the path of service by undesirable
association. There are so many instances of this in the histories. Bharata
Maharaja was obliged to take his birth as a stag due to his intimate attach-
ment to a stag. He thought of this stag when he died. As such, in the next
birth he became a stag, although he did not forget the incidence of his
previous birth. Similarly, Citraketu also fell down due to his offenses at
the feet of Siva. But in spite of all this, the stress is given here to surrender-
ing unto the lotus feet of the Lord, even if there is a chance of falling
down. Because, even though one falls down from the prescribed duties of
devotional service, he will never forget the lotus feet of the Lord. Once
engaged in the devotional service of the Lord, one will continue the service
in all circumstances. In the Bhagavad-gita it is said that even a small quan-
tity of devotional service can save one from the most dangerous position.
There are many instances of such examples in history. Ajamila is one of
them. Ajamila in his early life was a devotee, but in his youth he fell down.
Still he was saved by the Lord at the end.

TEXT 18
qwela dat saad aifaet
1 wat TRAE: |
