Text 40] What Prahlada Learned in the Womb 97

tasmad adrsta-sruta-disanam param
bhaktyoktayesam bhajatatma-labdhaye

evam—similarly (as earthly wealth and possessions are imperma-
nent); hi—indeed; lokah—higher planetary systems like heaven, the
moon, the sun and Brahmaloka; kratubhih—by performing great
sacrifices; krtah—achieved; ami—all those; ksayisnavah—perishable,
impermanent; sdtisayah—although more comfortable and pleasing;
na—not; nirmalah—pure (free from disturbances); tasmat—therefore;
adrsta-Sruta—never seen or heard; diisanam—whose fault; param —the
Supreme; bhaktyd—with great devotional love; uktayd—as described in
the Vedic literature (not mixed with jana or karma); ifam—the
Supreme Lord; bhajata—worship; atma-labdhaye —for self-realization.

TRANSLATION

It is learned from Vedic literature that by performing great
sacrifices one may elevate himself to the heavenly planets.
However, although life on the heavenly planets is hundreds and
thousands of times more comfortable than life on earth, the
heavenly planets are not pure [nirmalam], or free from the taint of
material existence. The heavenly planets are also temporary, and
therefore they are not the goal of life. The Supreme Personality of
Godhead, however, has never been seen or heard to possess in-
ebriety. Consequently, for your own benefit and self-realization,
you must worship the Lord with great devotion, as described in the
revealed scriptures.

PURPORT

As stated in Bhagavad-gita, ksine punye martya-lokam visanti. Even
if one is promoted to the higher planetary systems by performing great
sacrifices, which are accompanied by the sinful act of sacrificing animals,
the standard of happiness in Svargaloka is also not free of disturbances.
There is a similar struggle for existence even for the King of heaven,
Indra. Thus there is no practical benefit in promoting oneself to the
heavenly planets. Indeed, from the heavenly planets one must return to
this earth after one has exhausted the results of his pious activities. In
the Vedas it is said, tad yatheha karma-jito lokah ksiyate evam evamutra
