292 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 7, Ch. 5

he began to teach them about the uselessness of the materialistic
way of life. Being very kind to them, he instructed them as
follows.

PURPORT

Prahlada Maharaja’s smiling is very significant. The other students
were very much advanced in enjoying materialistic life through religion,
economic development and sense gratification, but Prahlada Maharaja
laughed at them, knowing that this was not actual happiness, for real
happiness is advancement in Krsna consciousness. The duty of those who
follow in the footsteps of Prahlada Maharaja is to teach the entire world
how to be Krsna conscious and thus be really happy. Materialistic persons
take to so-called religion to get some blessings so that they can improve
their economic position and enjoy the material world through sense gra-
tification. But devotees like Prahlada Maharaja laugh at how foolish they
are to be busy in a temporary life without knowledge of the soul’s
transmigration from one body to another. Materialistic persons are
engaged in striving for temporary benefits, whereas persons advanced in
spiritual knowledge, such as Prahlada Maharaja, are not interested in the
materialistic way of life. Instead, they want to be elevated to an eternal
life of knowlege and bliss. Therefore, as Krsna is always compassionate
to the fallen souls, His servants, the devotees of Lord Krsna, are also in-
terested in educating the entire populace in Krsna consciousness. The
mistake of materialistic life is understood by devotees, and therefore
they smile upon it, considering it insignificant. Out of compassion,
however, such devotees preach the gospel of Bhagavad-gita all over the

world.
TEXTS 56-57
Aq agtarad camaterafieacn: |
are agtratat  gearafiafed: 4a
qin wax arate: |
TATE BOT HA ATATTATISAz 14

te tu tad-gauravat sarve

tyakta-krida-paricchadah
