Text 27] The Activities of Maharaja Priyavrata sl
TRANSLATION

Thus situated in the renounced order from the beginning of
their lives, all three of them completely controlled the activities of
their senses and thus became great saints. They concentrated their
minds always upon the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, who is the resting place of the totality of living entities
and who is therefore celebrated as Vasudeva. Lord Vasudeva is the
only shelter of those who are actually afraid of material existence.
By constantly thinking of His lotus feet, these three sons of
Maharaja Priyavrata became advanced in pure devotional service.
By the prowess of their devotional service, they could directly per-
ceive the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is situated in
everyone’s heart as the Supersoul, and realize that there was
qualitatively no difference between themselves and Him.

PURPORT

The paramaharisa stage is the topmost position in renounced life. In
sannydsa, the renounced order, there are four stages—kuticaka,
bahiidaka, parivrajakacdrya and paramahamsa. According to the Vedic
system, when one accepts the renounced order, he stays outside his
village in a cottage, and his necessities, especially his food, are supplied
from home. This is called the kuticaka stage. When a sannydasi advances
further, he no longer accepts anything from home: instead, he collects
his necessities, especially his food, from many places. This system is
called mddhukari, which literally means “the profession of the
bumblebees.” As bumblebees collect honey from many flowers, a little
from each, so a sannydsi should beg from door to door but not accept
very much food from any particular house; he should collect a little bit
from every house. This is called the bahidaka stage. When a sannydsi is
still more experienced, he travels all over the world to preach the glories
of Lord Vasudeva. He is then known as parivrdajakdcarya. The sannydsi
reaches the paramahamsa stage when he finishes his preaching work
and sits down in one place. strictly for the sake of advancing in spiritual
life. An actual paramaharisa is one who completely controls his senses
and engages in the unalloyed service of the Lord. Therefore all three of
