Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.9.40
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
One cannot be situated in an exalted position without having undertaken a regulative life of rules and regulations. An unrestricted life of sense gratification is animal life, and Lord Brahmā, in order to teach all concerned within the jurisdiction of his generations, taught the same principles of sense control for executing higher duties. He desired the welfare of all as servants of God, and anyone desiring the welfare of the members of his family and generations must conduct a moral, religious life. The highest life of moral principles is to become a devotee of the Lord because a pure devotee of the Lord has all the good qualities of the Lord. On the other hand, one who is not a devotee of the Lord, however qualified he may be in the mundane sense of the term, cannot be qualified with any good quality worthy of the name. The pure devotees of the Lord, like Brahmā and persons in the chain of disciplic succession, do not do anything to instruct their subordinates without acting accordingly themselves.
After this, the conversation between Nārada and Brahmā which was previously described in SB 2.5 took place. Five verses describe this conditions under which this conversation took place. Desiring benefit for the progeny he followed rules and regulations, teaching others by his conduct, with his own purpose in mind -- “Let them also follow these rules.”
- Where do I confuse self-restraint with self-repression?
- What single discipline would lift me from 'animal life' onto a higher platform?
My note
Source: vedabase.io