Text 12] Lord Visnu’s Appearance in the Sacrificial Arena river

bhinnasya—different; lingasya—of the body; guna—of the three modes
of material nature; pravahah—the constant change; dravya—physical ele-
ments; kriyd—activities of the senses; karaka—demigods; cetana—and the
mind; dtmanah—consisting of; drstasu—when experienced; sampatsu—
happiness; vipatsu—distress; siirayah—those who are advanced in knowl-
edge; na—never; vikriyante—become disturbed; mayi—unto Me; baddha-
sauhrdéh—bound in friendship.

TRANSLATION

Lord Visnu told King Prthu: My dear King, the constant change of this
material world is due to the interaction of the three modes of material
nature. The five elements, the senses, the demigods who control the senses,
as well as the mind, which is agitated by spirit soul—all these taken together
comprise the body. Since the spirit soul is completely different from this
combination of gross and subtle material elements, My devotee who is
connected with Me in intense friendship and affection, being completely
in knowledge, is never agitated by material happiness and distress.

PURPORT

The question may be raised that if the living entity has to act as the
superintendent of the activities of the bodily combination, then how can
he be indifferent to the activities of the body? The answer is given here:
these activities are completely different from the activities of the spirit
soul of the living entity. A crude example can be given in this connection.
A businessman riding in a motorcar sits in the car, supervises its running,
and advises the driver. He knows how much gasoline is used up, and he
knows everything about the car, but still he is apart from the car and is
more concerned with his business. Even while riding in the car, he thinks
of his business and his office. He has no connection with the car, although
he is sitting there. As the businessman is always absorbed in thoughts of
his business, so the living entity can be. absorbed in thoughts of
rendering loving service to the Lord. Then it will be possible to remain sepa-
rate from the activities of the material body. This,position of neutrality
can only be possible for a devotee.

The word baddha-sauhrdah—“bound in friendship”—is particularly
used here. Karmis, jnanis and yogis cannot be bound in devotional ser-
vice. Karmis fully engage in the activities of the body. Their aim of life is
to give comfort to the body only. Jiianis try to get out of entanglement by
