260 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 8, Ch. 16

notpddayed yadi ratirn
Srama eva hi kevalam

“The occupational activities a man performs according to his own posi-
tion are only so much useless labor if they do not provoke attraction for
the message of the Personality of Godhead.” (Bhag. 1.2.8) If one is not
interested in satisfying Lord Visnu, Vasudeva, all his so-called
auspicious activities are fruitless. Moghasad mogha-karmano mogha-
jfiana vicetasah: because he is bewildered, he is baffled in his hopes,
baffled in his activities, and baffled in his knowledge. In this regard, Srila
Visvanatha Cakravarti remarks, napurisakam anapumsakenety-
Gdinaikatvam. One cannot equate the potent and the impotent. Among
modern Mayavadis it has become fashionable to say that whatever one
does or whatever path one follows is all right. But these are all foolish
statements. Here it is forcefully affirmed that this is the only method for
success in life. [svara-tarpanam vind sarvam eva viphalam. Unless Lord
Visnu is satisfied, all of one’s pious activities, ritualistic ceremonies and
yajias are simply for show and have no value. Unfortunately, foolish
people do not know the secret of success. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi
visnum. They do not know that real self-interest ends in pleasing Lord
Visnu.

TEXT 62

qetagd AX AAA AGIA |
amaraaset atarg faarafa sai

tasmad etad vratam bhadre
prayata Sraddhaydcara

bhagavan paritustas te
vardn asu vidhdsyati

tasmaét—therefore; etat—this; vratam—observance of a _ vrata
ceremony; bhadre—my dear gentle lady; prayata—by observing rules
and regulations; sraddhaya—with faith; dcara—execute; bhagavan—
the Supreme Personality of Godhead; paritustah—being very satisfied;
te—unto you; vardn—benedictions; dsu—very soon; vidhasyati—will
bestow.
