188 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 10, Ch. 10

madaih—from false ego; iha—in this world; krcchram—with great dif-
ficulty; yadrcchaya apnoti—what he gains by chance from providence;
tat—that; hi—indeed; tasya—his; param—perfect; tapah—austerity.

TRANSLATION

A poverty-stricken man must automatically undergo austerities
and penances because he does not have the wealth to possess any-
thing. Thus his false prestige is vanquished. Always in need of
food, shelter and clothing, he must be satisfied with what is ob-
tained by the mercy of providence. Undergoing such compulsory
austerities is good for him because this purifies him and com-
pletely frees him from false ego.

PURPORT

A saintly person voluntarily accepts a state of poverty just to become
free from material false prestige. Many great kings left their princely
standard of living and went to the forest to practice austerity according to
Vedic culture, just to become purified. But if one who cannot voluntarily
accept such austerity is put into a situation of poverty, he automatically
must practice austerity. Austerity is good for everyone because it frees
one from material conditions. Therefore, if one is very much proud of
his material position, putting him into poverty is the best way to rectify
his foolishness. Daridrya-doso guna-rdsi-nasi: when a person is poverty-
stricken, naturally his false pride in aristocracy, wealth, education and
beauty is smashed. Thus corrected, he is in the right position for
liberation.

TEXT 16

fa gramtea srearaaiga: |
stramargacated fearta faPada 24

nityam ksut-ksaéma-dehasya
daridrasyanna-kanksinah

indriyaény anususyanti
himsapi vinivartate
