1482 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 29

TRANSLATION

If a living entity is developed in Krsna consciousness and is merciful to
others, and if his spiritual knowledge of self-realization is perfect, he will
immediately attain liberation from the bondage of material existence.

PURPORT

In this verse the word dayd jivesu, meaning mercy to other living entities,
indicates that a living entity must be merciful to other living entities if he
wishes to make progress in self-realization. This means he must preach
this knowledge after perfecting himself and understanding his own posi-
tion as an eternal servant of Krsna. Preaching this is showing real mercy
to living entities. Other types of humanitarian work may be temporarily
beneficial for the body, but because a living entity is spirit soul, ultimately
one can show him real mercy only by revealing knowledge of his spiritual
existence. As Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, jivera ‘svaripa’ haya—
krsnera ‘nitya-dasa’. “Every living entity is constitutionally a servant of
Krsna.” One should know this fact perfectly and should preach it to the
mass of people. If one realizes that he is an eternal servant of Krsna but
does not preach it, his realization is imperfect. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakura therefore sings, dusta mana, tumi kisera vaisnava?
pratisthara tare, nirjanera ghare, tava hari-nama kevala kaitava. “‘My dear
mind, what kind of Vaignava are you? Simply for false prestige and a material
reputation you are chanting the Hare Krsna mantra in a solitary place.”
In this way people who do not preach are criticized. There are many
Vaigsnavas in Vrndavana who do not like preaching; they chiefly try to
imitate Haridasa Thakura. The actual result of their so-called chanting in
a secluded place, however, is that they sleep and think of women and
money. Similarly, one who simply engages in temple worship but does not
see to the interests of the mass of people, or cannot recognize devotees,
is called a kanistha-adhikari:

arcayam eva haraye
pujam yah sraddhayehate
na tad-bhaktesu canyesu
sa bhaktah prakrtah smrtah
(Bhag. 11.2.47).

TEXT 2b

adrstam drstavan naiksed
bhiitam svapnavad anyatha
