38 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 5, Ch. 1

One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in
any circumstance, at once transcends the modes of material nature and
thus comes to the level of Brahman.’ Lord Brahma herein advises
Priyavrata to remain transcendental in the fortress not of family life but
of the lotus feet of the Lord (abja-nabhanghri-saroja). When a
bumblebee enters the opening of a lotus flower and drinks its honey, it is
fully protected by the petals of the lotus. The bee is undisturbed by
sunshine and other external influences. Similarly, one who always seeks
shelter at the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead is protected from
all dangers. It is therefore said in Srimad- -Bhagavatam (10.14.58):

samasrita ye pada-pallava-plavarn
mahat-padam punya-yaso murareh

bhavambudhir vatsa-padam param padam
padam padam yad vipadam na tesam

For one who has taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord, everything
becomes easier. Indeed, even crossing the great ocean of nescience
(bhavambudhi) is exactly like crossing the hoofprint created by a calf
(vatsa-padam). For such a devotee, there is no question of remaining in
a place where every step is dangerous.

Our actual duty is to carry out the supreme order of the Personality of
Godhead. If we are fixed in our determination to carry out the supreme
order of the Lord, we are always secure, regardless of where we are situ-
ated, whether in hell or in heaven. Herein the words prakrtim bhajasva
are very significant. Prakrtim refers to one’s constitutional position.
Every living entity has the constitutional position of being an eternal ser-
vant of God. Therefore Lord Brahma advised Priyavrata, “Be situated in
your original position as an eternal servant of the Lord. If you carry out
His orders, you will never fall, even in the midst of material enjoyment.”
Material enjoyment achieved by dint of one’s fruitive activities differs
from material enjoyment given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
A devotee sometimes appears to be in a very opulent position, but he ac-
cepts that position to follow the orders of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. Therefore a devotee is never affected by material influences.
The devotees in the Krsna consciousness movement are preaching all
over the world in accordance with the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
