1144 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 3, Ch. 27
clusion, we are sometimes faced with dangerous or miserable conditions
without endeavoring for them, and similarly we may have prosperous
conditions without endeavoring for them. We are advised to let these
things come as predestined. We should engage our valuable time in
prosecuting Krsna consciousness. In other words, one should be satisfied
by his natural condition. If by predestination one is put into a certain
condition of life which is not very prosperous in comparison to another’s
position, one should not be disturbed. He should simply try to utilize his
valuable time to advance in Krsna consciousness. Advancement in Krsna
consciousness does not depend on any materially prosperous or distressed
condition; it is free from the conditions imposed by material life. A very
poor man can execute Krsna consciousness as effectively as a very rich
man. One should therefore be very satisfied with his position as offered by
the Lord.

Another word here is mita-bhuk. This means that one should eat only
as much as necessary to maintain the body and soul together. One should
not be gluttonous to satisfy the tongue. Grains, fruits, milk and similar
foods are allotted for human consumption. One should not be excessively
eager to satisfy the tongue and eat that which is not meant for humanity.
Particularly, a devotee should eat only prasada, or food which is offered
to the Personality of Godhead. His position is to accept the remnants of
those foodstuffs. Innocent foods like grains, vegetables, fruits, flowers,
and milk preparations are offered to the Lord, and therefore there is no
scope for offering foods which are in the modes of passion and ignorance.
A devotee should not be greedy. It is also recommended that the devotee
should be muni, or thoughtful; he should always think of Krsna and how
to render better service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That
should be his only anxiety. As a materialist is always thoughtful about
improving his material condition, so a devotee’s thoughts should always be
engaged in improving his condition in Krsna consciousness; therefore he
should be a muni.

The next item recommended is that a devotee should live in a secluded
place. Generally a common man is interested in pounds, shillings and
pence, or materialistic advancement in life, which is unnecessary for a
devotee. A devotee should select a place of residence where everyone is
interested in devotional service. Generally, therefore, a devotee goes to a
sacred place of pilgrimage where devotees live. It is recommended that he
live in a place where there is no large number of ordinary men. It is very
important (vivikta-garana) to live in a secluded place. The next item is
Santa, or peacefulness. The devotee should not be agitated. He should be
