Text 6] The Payo-vrata Process of Worship 213

PURPORT

In this verse, Aditi has been addressed by her husband, Kasyapa
Muni, as grha-medhini, which means “‘one who is satisfied in household
life for sense gratification.” Generally, those who are in household life
pursue sense gratification in the field of activities performed for material
results. Such grhamedhis have only one aim in life—sense gratification.
Therefore it is said, yan maithundadi-grhamedhi-sukham hi tuccham:
the householder’s life is based on sense gratification, and therefore the
happiness derived from it is very meager. Nonetheless, the Vedic process
is so comprehensive that even in householder life one can adjust his ac-
tivities according to the regulative principles of dharma, artha, kama
and moksa. One’s aim should be to achieve liberation, but because one
cannot at once give up sense gratification, in the Sdstras there are injunc-
tions prescribing how to follow the principles of religion, economic
development and sense gratification. As explained in Srimad-
Bhaégavatam (1.2.9), dharmasya hy dpavargyasya nartho ’rthayo-
pakalpate: “All occupational engagements are certainly meant for ulti-
mate liberation. They should never be performed for material gain.”
Those who are in household life should not think that religion is meant to
improve the process of the householder’s sense gratification. Household
life is also meant for advancement in spiritual understanding, by which
one can ultimately gain liberation from the material clutches. One should
remain in household life with the aim of understanding the ultimate goal
of life (tattva-jijndsa). Then household life is as good as the life of a yogi.
Kasyapa Muni therefore inquired from his wife whether the principles of
religion, economic development and sense gratification were being prop-
erly followed in terms of the sastric injunctions. As soon as one deviates
from the injunctions of the sastra, the purpose of household life is im-
mediately lost in confusion.

TEXT 6
ate afsaaiseater FIAT AAT |

TEA Aral: AACA AT HAA WK

api vatithayo *bhyetya
kutumbasaktaya tvaya
