10 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 2, Ch. 1

etavan—all these; sankhya—complete knowledge of matter and spirit;
yogabhyam—knowledge of mystic power; sva-dharma—particular occupa-
tional duty; parinisthaya—by full perception; janma—birth; labhah—gain;
parah—the supreme; purisadm—of a person; ante—at the end; narayana—
Personality of Godhead; smrtih—remembrance.

TRANSLATION

The highest perfection of human life, achieved either by complete
knowledge of matter and spirit, by practice of mystic powers, or by per-
fect discharge of occupational duty, is to remember the Personality of

Godhead at the end of life.
PURPORT

Narayana is the transcendental Personality of Godhead beyond the
material creation. Everything that is created, sustained, and at the end,
annihilated, is within the compass of mahat-tattva (material principle) and
is known as the material world. The existence of Narayana, or the
Personality of Godhead, is not within the jurisdiction of this mahat-tattva,
and as such, the name, form, attributes, etc., of Narayana are beyond the
jurisdiction of the material world. By speculation of empiric philosophy,
which discerns matter from spirit, or by cultivation of mystic powers,
which ultimately helps the performer to reach any planet of the universe
or beyond the universe, or by discharge of religious duties, one can achieve
the highest perfection, provided one is able to reach the stage of Narayana-
smrti, or constant remembrance of the Personality of Godhead. This is
only possible by the association of a pure devotee, who can give a finishing
touch to the transcendental activities of all jfidnis, yogis, or karmis, in
terms of the prescribed duties defined in the scriptures. There are many
historical instances of the achievement of spiritual perfection, such as that
of the Sanakadi Rsis or the nine celebrated Yogendras, who attained per-
fection only after being situated in the devotional service of the Lord.
None of the devotees of the Lord ever deviated from the path of devo-
tional service by taking to other methods as adopted by the jidnis or
yogis. Everyone is anxious to achieve the highest perfection of his par-
ticular activity, and it is indicated herein that such perfection is Narayana-
smrti, for which everyone must endeavor his best. In other words, life
should be molded in such a manner that one is able to progressively
remember the Personality of Godhead in every step of life.
