Text 1] The Activities of Maharaja Priyavrata 3

the Lord, remain in household life, which is the root cause of the
bondage of karma [fruitive activities] and which defeats the mis-
sion of human life?

PURPORT

In the Fourth Canto, Srila Sukadeva Gosvami explains that Narada
Muni perfectly instructed King Priyavrata about the mission of human
life. The mission of human life is to realize one’s self and then gradually
to go back home, back to Godhead. Since Narada Muni instructed the
King fully on this subject, why did he again enter household life, which
is the main cause of material bondage? Maharaja Pariksit was greatly
astonished that King Priyavrata remained in household life, especially
since he was not only a self-realized soul but also a first-class devotee of
the Lord. A devotee actually has no attraction for household life, but
surprisingly, King Priyavrata enjoyed household life very much. One
may argue, “Why is it wrong to enjoy household life?” The reply is that
in household life one becomes bound by the results of fruitive activities.
The essence of household life is sense enjoyment, and as long as one
engrosses his mind in working hard for sense enjoyment, one becomes
bound by the reactions of fruitive activities. This ignorance of self-
realization is the greatest defeat in human life. The human form of life is
especially meant for getting out of the bondage of fruitive activities. but
as long as one is forgetful of his life’s mission and acts like an ordinary
animal —eating, sleeping, mating and defending—he must continue his
conditioned life of material existence. Such a life is called svaripa-
vismrti, forgetfulness of one’s real constitutional position. Therefore in
Vedic civilization one is trained in the very beginning of life as a
brahmacari. A brahmacari must execute austerities and refrain from sex
indulgence. Therefore if one is completely trained in the principles of
brahmacarya, he generally does not enter household life. He is then
called a naisthika-brahmacari, which indicates total celibacy. King
Pariksit was thus astonished that the great King Priyavrata. although
trained in the principles of naisthika-brahmacarya, entered household
life.

The words bhagavata atmaramah are very significant in this verse. If
one is self-satisfied as is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. he is called
bhagavata atmaramah. There are different types of satisfaction. Karmis
