Text 41] Further Inquiries by Vidura 299

TRANSLATION

My dear sage, I have put all these questions before you with a view to
know the pastimes of Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You are
the friend of all, so kindly describe them for all those who have lost their
vision.

PURPORT

Vidura put forward many varieties of questions with a view to
understand the principles of transcendental loving service to the Lord. As
stated in Bhagavad-gita (Bg. 2.41), devotional service to the Lord is one,
and the mind of the devotee is not diverted to the many branches of
uncertainties. Vidura’s purpose was to be situated in that service to the
Lord, wherein one merges undivertedly. He claimed the friendship of
Maitreya Muni, not because he was Maitreya’s son but because Maitreya
was actually the friend of all who have lost their spiritual vision due to
material influence.

TEXT 41

ad FT AMA A aaa BAG |
Sarma a gic Torale 19211

sarve vedas ca yajiias ca
tapo danani canagha

jivabhaya-pradanasya
na kurviran kalam api

sarve—all kinds of; vedah—divisions of the Vedas; ca—also; yajiah—
sacrifices; ca—also; tapah—penances; danani—charities; ca—and; anagha—
O spotless one; jiva—the living entity; abhaya—immunity from material
pangs; praddnasya—of one who gives such assurance; na—not; kurviran—
can be equalized; kalam—even partially ; api—certainly.

TRANSLATION

O spotless one, your answers to all these questions will grant immunity
to all material miseries. Such charity is greater than all Vedic charities,
sacrifices, penances, etc.

PURPORT

The highest perfectional work of charity is to give people in general
immunity from the anxieties of material existence. This can be done only
