74 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 7, Ch. 12

Lord, for in this way it is possible to understand the Absolute
Truth.
PURPORT

This is the beginning of self-realization. One must first understand
how Brahman is present everywhere and how He is acting. This educa-
tion is called brahma-jijndsa and is the real concern of human life. With-
out such knowledge, one cannot claim to be a human being; rather, he
remains in the animal kingdom. As it is said, sa eva go-kharah: without
such knowledge, one is no better than a cow or an ass.

TEXT 17

TAT TVA fATAKE AAA |
WATT QATSETAAIAA Ll

vanaprasthasya vaksyami
niyaman muni-sammatan

yan asthéya munir gacched
rsi-lokam uhanjasa

vanaprasthasya—of a person in the vdnaprastha-dsrama (retired
life); vaksyami—I shall now explain; niyaman—the rules and regula-
tions; muni-sammatan—which are recognized by great munis, philoso-
phers and saintly persons; yan —which; dsthéya—being situated in, or
practicing; munih—a saintly person; gacchet—is promoted; rsi-lokam—
to the planetary system where the seers and munis go (Maharloka);
uha—O King; arjasa—without difficulty.

TRANSLATION

O King, I shall now describe the qualifications for a vanaprastha,
one who has retired from family life. By rigidly following the
rules and regulations for the vanaprastha, one can easily be ele-
vated to the upper planetary system known as Maharloka.

TEXT 18
aq BTA MHS BWeqered |

afiqerat oat | wae I2<II
