Text 40] Instructions by Maharaja Prthu 867

in His footsteps and engage without reservation in the service of the
descendants of brahmanas and Vaisnavas. For He is always dear to
brahmanas and Vaisnavas, and they are always dear to Him.

PURPORT

It is said that the Lord is most pleased when He sees one engage in the
service of His devotee. He does not need any service from anyone because
He is complete, but it is in our own interest to offer all kinds of services
to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These services can be offered
to the Supreme Person not directly but through the service of brahmanas
and Vaisnavas. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura sings, chadiya vaisnava-seva
nistara payeche keba, which means that unless one serves the Vaisnavas
and brahmanas, one cannot get liberation from the material clutches.
Srila Vigvanatha Cakravarti Thakura also says, yasya prasadad bhagavat-
prasadah: by satisfying the senses of the spiritual master one can satisfy
the senses of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus this behavior is
not only mentioned in scriptures but also followed by acaryas. Prthu
Maharaja advised his citizens to follow the exemplary behavior of the Lord
Himself and thus engage in the service of brahmanas and Vaisnavas.

TEXT 40
quis vartayenterat:
TACASATI Ad: GAZ |
Teararregata || aa:
qt fone ge efrgary livoll

pumal labhetanativelam atmanah
prasidato ’tyanta-samam svatah svayam
yan-nitya-sambandha-nisevaya tatah
param kim atrasti mukham havir-bhujam
puman—a person; labheta—can achieve; anativelam—without delay;
atmanah—of his soul; prasidatah—being satisfied; atyanta—the greatest;
Samam-—peacefulness; svatah—automatically; svayam—personally; yat—
whose; nitya—regular; sambandha—relationship; nisevaya—by dint of
service; tatah—after that; param—superior; kim—what; atra—here; asti—

there is; mukham—happiness; havih—clarified butter; bhujam—those who
drink.

TRANSLATION

By regular service to the brahmanas and Vaisnavas, one can clear the
dirt from his heart and thus enjoy supreme peace and liberation from
