Text 33] Instructions by Maharaja Prthu 853
himself to be the body, is explained in Bhagavad-gita as brahma-bhuta,
the revival of spiritual realization. In the conditioned state of material
existence one cannot be spiritually realized because he identifies himself
materially. The understanding of the distinction between material exis-
tence and spiritual existence is called jnana. After coming to the platform
of jfiana, or the brahma-bhuta state, one ultimately comes to devotional
service, in which he completely understands his own position and the
position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This understanding is
explained here as vijfidna-visesa. The Lord says, therefore, that knowledge
of Him is vijfidna, science. In other words, when one is strengthened by
scientific knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his position
of liberation is guaranteed. In Bhagavad-gita also, the science of devotional
service is described as pratyaksavagamam dharmyam, direct understanding
of the principles of religion by realization (Bg. 9.2).

By practicing bhakti-yoga, one can directly perceive his advancement in
spiritual life. In other practices—like karma-yoga, jiiana-yoga and dhyana-
yoga—one may not be confident about his progress, but in bhakti-yoga
one can become directly aware of his progress in spiritual life, just as a
person who eats can understand that his hunger is satisfied. Our false
appetite for enjoyment and lordship of the material world is due to a
prominence of passion and ignorance. By bhakti-yoga these two qualities
are diminished, and one becomes situated in the mode of goodness.
Gradually . surpassing the mode of goodness, one is situated in pure
goodness, which is not contaminated by the material qualities. When thus
situated, a devotee no longer has any doubts; he knows that he will not
come back to this material world.

TEXT 33

we qd | asarerefara-
WATS: «| TAAL |
rarrarTataafaeA: 113311
tam eva yuyam bhajatatma-vrttibhir
mano-vacah-kaya-gunaih sva-karmabhih
amayinah kama-dughanghri-pankajam
yathadhikaravasitartha-siddhayah

tam—unto Him; eva—certainly; yuwyam—all you citizens; bhajata—wor-

ship; atma—own; ovrttibhih—occupational duty; manah-mind; vacah—
