66 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 2, Ch. 2

or to follow the principle of the best use of a bad bargain. Our material
bodies and our lives in that connection are bad bargains because the living
entity is actually spirit, and spiritual advancement of the living entity is
absolutely necessary. Human life is intended for the realization of this
important factor, and one should act accordingly, accepting only the bare
necessities of life and depending more on God’s gift without diversion
of human energy for any other purpose, such as being mad for material
enjoyment. Such materialistic advancement of civilization is called “the
civilization of the demons,” which ultimately ends in wars and scarcity.
The transcendentalist is specifically warned herewith to be fixed in mind,
so that even if there is difficulty in plain living and high thinking he will not
budge even an inch from his stark determination. For a transcendentalist,
it is a suicidal policy to be intimately in touch with the sense-gratifiers of
the world, because such a policy will frustrate the ultimate gain of life.
Sukadeva Gosvami met Maharaja Pariksit when the latter felt a necessity for
such a meeting. It is the duty of a transcendentalist to help persons who
desire real salvation and to support the cause of salvation. One might note
that Sukadeva Gosvami never met Maharaja Pariksit while he was ruling as a
great king. For a transcendentalist, the mode of activities is explained in
the next sloka.

TEXT 4

acat frat f& fara: saTa-
at fas arent: Aq |
fe Fear
fowemorat aft fi TEs Ne I

satyam ksitau kim kasipoh prayasair
bahau svasiddhe hy upabarhanaih kim

saty afijalau kirh purudhanna-patrya
dig-valkaladau sati kirh dukilaih

satyam—being in possession; ksitau—earthly flats; kim—where is the
necessity; kasipoh—of bed and cots; prayasaih—endeavoring for; bahau—
the arms; svasiddhe—being self-sufficient; hi—certainly ; upabarhanaih—bed
and bedstead; kim—what is the use; sati—being present; aiijalau—the palms
