92 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 7, Ch. 13

TRANSLATION

Literature that is a useless waste of time—in other words,
literature without spiritual benefit—should be rejected. One
should not become a professional teacher as a means of earning
one’s livelihood, nor should one indulge in arguments and
counterarguments. Nor should one take shelter of any cause or
faction.

PURPORT

A person desiring to advance in spiritual understanding should be ex-
tremely careful to avoid reading ordinary literature. The world is full of
ordinary literature that creates unnecessary agitation in the mind. Such
literature, including newspapers, dramas, novels and magazines, is fac-
tually not meant for advancement in spiritual knowledge. Indeed, it has
been described as a place of enjoyment for crows (tad vdyasarn tirtham).
Anyone advancing in spiritual knowledge must reject such literature.
Furthermore, one should not concern oneself with the conclusions of
various logicians or philosophers. Of course, those who preach sometimes
need to argue with the contentions of opponents, but as much as possible
one should avoid an argumentative attitude. In this connection, Srila
Madhvacarya says:

aprayojana-paksam na sarhsrayet
na@prayojana-paksi syan

na urtha sisya-bandha-krt
na codasinah sastrani

na viruddhani cabhyaset

na vydkhyayopajiveta
na nisiddhan samacaret
evam-bhiito yatir yati
tad-eka-Sarano harim

“There is no need to take shelter of unnecessary literature or concern
oneself with many so-called philosophers and thinkers who are useless
for spiritual advancement. Nor should one accept a disciple for the sake
of fashion or popularity. One should be callous to these so-called Sastras,
