1092 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 24

The word sva-dharmam (as in sva-dharmam anutisthatam) indicates that
the system of varnasrama—which indicates the occupational duties of the
brahmana, ksatriya, vaigya and sudra and which is the perfect institution
for humanity—must be supported by bhakti-yoga if one at all wants
security in life. Generally people think that simply by executing the
occupational duties of abrahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra, or the duty of
a brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha or sannyasi, one becomes fearless or
securely attains liberation, but factually unless all these occupational duties
are accompanied by bhakti-yoga, one cannot become fearless. In Bhagavad-
gita there are descriptions of karma-yoga, jnana-yoga, bhakti-yoga,
dhyana-yoga, etc., but unless one comes to the point of bhakti-yoga, these
other yogas cannot help one attain the highest perfection of life. In other
words, bhakti-yoga is the only means for liberation. We find this conclusion
also in Caitanya-caritamrta in a discussion between Lord Caitanya and
Ramananda Raya regarding a human being’s liberation from this material
world. In that discussion Ramananda Raya referred to the execution of
varnasrama-dharma, and Lord Caitanya indicated (eho bahya) that the
varnasrama-dharma was simply external. Lord Caitanya wanted to impress
upon Ramananda Raya that simply by executing the duties of varnasrama-
dharma one is not guaranteed liberation. Finally Ramananda Raya referred
to the process of bhakti-yoga: sthane sthitah Ssruti-gatam tanu-van-
manobhih (Bhag. 10.14.3). Regardless of one’s condition of life, if he
practices bhakti-yoga, which begins with hearing (sruti-gatam) the tran-
scendental messages of the Lord through the mouths of devotees, he
gradually conquers the unconquerable God.

God is known to be unconquerable, but one who submissively hears
the words of a self-realized soul conquers the unconquerable. The
conclusion. is that if one is serious about liberation, he not only should
execute the occupational duties of varnasrama-dharma but should also
engage in bhakti-yoga by beginning hearing from a realized soul. This
process will help the devotee conquer the unconquerable Supreme Per-
sonality of Godhead and become His associate after giving up the material
body.

TEXT 54
AAPL APHAT SAN Fa: TIAA |
SRETAT Ha THTEATMTAAT: UI VII
bhavan bhaktimatda labhyo
durlabhah sarva-dehinam
