740 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 19
space in this way, the great sage Atri saw him and understood the whole
situation.

PURPORT

The word pakhanda used in this verse is sometimes pronounced pdsanda.
Both of these words indicate an imposter who presents himself as a very
religious person but in actuality is sinful. Indra took up the saffron-
colored dress as a way of cheating others. This saffron dress has been
misused by many imposters who present themselves as liberated persons
or incarnations of God. In this way people are cheated. As we have
mentioned many times, the conditioned soul has a tendency to cheat;
therefore this quality is also visible in a person like King Indra. It is
understood that even King Indra is not liberated from the clutches of
material contamination. Thus the word admuktam iva, meaning “as if he
were liberated,” is used. The saffron dress worn by a sannyasi announces
to the world that he has renounced all worldly affairs and is simply en-
gaged in the service of the Lord. Such a devotee is actually a sannydsi or
liberated person. In Bhagavad-gitd it is said:

andsritah karma-phalam
karyam karma karoti yah
sa sannyasi ca yogi ca
na niragnir na cakriyah
‘One who is unattached to the fruits of his work and who works as he is
obligated is in the renounced order of life, and he is the true mystic: not
he who lights no fire and performs no work.” (Bg. 6.1)

In other words, one who offers the results of his activities to the Supreme
Personality of Godhead is actually a sannyasi and yogi. Cheating sannyasis
and yogis have existed since the time of Prthu Maharaja’s sacrifice. This
cheating was very foolishly introduced by King Indra. In some ages such
cheating is very prominent, and in other ages not so prominent. It is the
duty of asannydsi to be very cautious because, as stated by Lord Caitanya,
sannyasira alpa chidra sarva-loke gaya: a little spot in a sannyasi’s character
will be magnified by the public. Therefore, unless one is very sincere and
serious, he should not take up the order of sannydsa. One should not use
this order as a means to cheat the public. It is better not to take up sannydsa
in this age of Kali because provocations are very strong in this age. Only a
very exalted person advanced in spiritual understanding should attempt to
take up sannyasa. One should not adopt this order as a means of livelihood
or for some material purpose.
