Text 52] —_ Instructions for Civilized Human Beings 259

the pravrtti-marga, the living entity who desires to be promoted to the
higher planetary systems performs sacrifices regularly, and how he goes
up and comes down again is described here in Srimad-Bhagavatam, as
well as in Bhagavad-gita. It is also said, traigunya-visaya vedah: “The
Vedas deal mainly with the three modes of material nature.” The Vedas,
especially three Vedas, namely Séma, Yajur and Rk, vividly describe this
process of ascending to the higher planets and returning. But Krsna ad-
vises Arjuna, traigunya-visayd veda nistraigunyo bhavarjuna: one has
to transcend these three modes of material nature, and then one will be
released from the cycle of birth and death. Otherwise, although one may
be promoted to a higher planetary system such as Candraloka, one must
again come down (ksine punye martya-lokam visanti). After one’s enjoy-
ment due to pious activities is finished, one must return to this planet in
rainfall and first take birth as a plant or creeper, which is eaten by
various animals, including human beings, and turned to semen. This
semen is injected into the female body, and thus the living entity takes
birth. Those who return to earth in this way take birth especially in
higher families like those of brahmanas.

It may be remarked in this connection that even the modern so-called
scientists who are going to the moon are not able to stay there, but are
returning to their laboratories. Therefore, whether one goes to the moon
by modern mechanical arrangements or by performing pious activities,
one must return to earth. That is clearly stated in this verse and ex-
plained in Bhagavad-gita. Even if one goes to the higher planetary
systems (ydnti deva-vratd devan), one’s place there is not secure; one
must return to martya-loka. Abrahma-bhuvanal lokéh punar dvartino
‘rjuna: aside from the moon, even if one goes to Brahmaloka, one must
return. Yam prdapya na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama: but if
one goes back home, back to Godhead, he need not return to this material
world,

TEXT 52
frvanfcaqqrard: Aen: tH faa: |
wag fear amity gets 1&2

nisekadi-Ssmasanantaih
samskdraih samskrto dvijah
