66 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 5, Ch. 1

on the path of Krsna consciousness, he had somehow become again
entangled in material activities. Thus his mind now became rest-
less, and he began to speak in a spirit of renunciation.

PURPORT
In Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.5.17) it is said:

tyaktva sva-dharmam caranambujam harer
bhajann apakvo ’tha patet tato yadi

yatra kva vabhadram abhiid amusya kim
ko vartha adpto ’bhajatam sva-dharmatah

“One who has forsaken his material occupations to engage in the devo-
tional service of the Lord may sometimes fall down while in an immature
stage, yet there is no danger of his being unsuccessful. On the other
hand, a nondevotee, though fully engaged in occupational duties, does
not gain anything.” If one somehow or other comes to the shelter of a
great Vaisnava, takes to Krsna consciousness because of sentiment or
realization, but in course of time falls down because of immature under-
standing, he is not actually fallen, for his having engaged in Krsna con-
sciousness is a permanent asset. If one falls down, therefore, his progress
might be checked for a certain time, but it will again become manifest at
an opportune moment. Although Priyavrata Maharaja was serving ac-
cording to the instructions of Narada Muni meant for going back home,
back to Godhead, he returned to material affairs at the request of his
father. In due course of time, however. his consciousness for serving
Krsna reawakened by the grace of his spiritual master, Narada.

As stated in Bhagavad-gita (6.41), Sucinadm srimatam gehe yoga-
bhrasto "bhijayate. One who falls down from the process of bhakti-yoga
is again offered the opulence of the demigods, and after enjoying such
material opulence, he is given a chance to take birth in a noble family of
a pure brahmana, or in a rich family, to be given the chance to revive his
Krsna consciousness. This actually happened in the life of Priyavrata: he
is a most glorious example of this truth. In due course of time, he no
longer wanted to enjoy his material opulences and his wife, kingdom and
sons: instead, he wanted to renounce them all. Therefore, after having
