280 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 8, Ch. 7

tapyante—voluntarily suffer; loka-tapena—because of the suffering
of people in general; sadhavah —saintly persons; préyasah—almost al-
ways; janah—such persons; parama-aradhanam—the topmost method
of worshiping; tat—that activity; hi—indeed; purusasya—of the
Supreme Person; akhila-atmanah—who is the Supersoul of everyone.

TRANSLATION

It is said that great personalities almost always accept voluntary
suffering because of the suffering of people in general. This is
considered the highest method of worshiping the Supreme Per-
sonality of Godhead, who is present in everyone’s heart.

PURPORT

Here is an explanation of how those engaged in activities for the
welfare of others are very quickly recognized by the Supreme Per-
sonality of Godhead. The Lord says in Bhagavad-gita (18.68-69), ya
idam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati ...na ca tasman
manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah: ‘“‘One who preaches the message
of Bhagavad-gita to My devotees is most dear to Me. No one can excel
him in satisfying Me by worship.” There are different kinds of welfare
activities in this material world, but the supreme welfare activity is the
spreading of Krsna consciousness. Other welfare activities cannot be
effective, for the laws of nature and the results of karma cannot be
checked. It is by destiny, or the laws of karma, that one must suffer or
enjoy. For instance, if one is given a court order, he must accept it,
whether it brings suffering or profit. Similarly, everyone is under obliga-
tions to karma and it reactions. No one can change this. Therefore the
Sdstra says:

tasyaiva hetoh prayateta kovido
na labhyate yad bhramatam upary adhah
(Bhag. 1.5.18)

One should endeavor for that which is never obtained by wandering up
and down the universe as a result of the reactions of karma. What is
that? One should endeavor to become Krsna conscious. If one tries to
spread Krsna consciousness all over the world, he should be understood
