FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.22.34

न कुर्यात्कर्हिचित्सङ्गं तमस्तीव्रं तितीरिषु: । धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां यदत्यन्तविघातकम् ॥ ३४ ॥
na kuryāt karhicit saṅgaṁ
[na kuryaat karhichit sangam]
tamas tīvraṁ titīriṣuḥ
[tamas teevram titeerishuh]
dharmārtha-kāma-mokṣāṇāṁ
[dharmaartha-kaama-mokshaanaam]
yad atyanta-vighātakam
[yad atyanta-vighaatakam]
na — do not kuryāt — act karhicit — at any time saṅgam — association tamaḥ — ignorance tīvram — with great speed titīriṣuḥ — persons who desire to cross over nescience dharma — religion artha — economic development kāma — sense gratification mokṣāṇām — of salvation yat — that which atyanta — very much vighātakam — obstruction or stumbling block.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
na kuryāt karhicit saṅgaṁ
na
do not
kuryāt
act
karhicit
at any time
saṅgam
association
tamas tīvraṁ titīriṣuḥ
tamaḥ
ignorance
tīvram
with great speed
titīriṣuḥ
persons who desire to cross over nescience
dharmārtha-kāma-mokṣāṇāṁ
dharma
religion
artha
economic development
kāma
sense gratification
mokṣāṇām
of salvation
yad atyanta-vighātakam
yat
that which
atyanta
very much
vighātakam
obstruction or stumbling block.
Those who strongly desire to cross the ocean of nescience must not associate with the modes of ignorance, for hedonistic activities are the greatest obstructions to realization of religious principles, economic development, regulated sense gratification and, at last, liberation.

The four principles of life allow one to live according to religious principles, to earn money according to one’s position in society, to allow the senses to enjoy the sense objects according to regulations, and to progress along the path of liberation from this material attachment. As long as the body is there, it is not possible to become completely free from all these material interests. It is not, however, recommended that one act only for sense gratification and earn money for that purpose only, sacrificing all religious principles. At the present moment, human civilization does not care for religious principles. It is, however, greatly interested in economic development without religious principles. For instance, in a slaughterhouse the butchers certainly get money easily, but such business is not based on religious principles. Similarly, there are many nightclubs for sense gratification and brothels for sex. Sex, of course, is allowed in married life, but prostitution is prohibited because all our activities are ultimately aimed at liberation, at freedom from the clutches of material existence. Similarly, although the government may license liquor shops, this does not mean that liquor shops should be opened unrestrictedly and illicit liquor smuggled. Licensing is meant for restricting. No one has to take a license for sugar, wheat or milk because there is no need to restrict these things. In others words, it is advised that one not act in a way that will obstruct the regular process of advancement in spiritual life and liberation. The Vedic process of sense gratification is therefore planned in such a way that one can economically develop and enjoy sense gratification and yet ultimately attain liberation. Vedic civilization offers us all knowledge in the śāstras, and if we live a regulated life under the direction of śāstras and guru, all our material desires will be fulfilled; at the same time we will be able to go forward to liberation.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Those who desire to cross over the intense ignorance of saṁsāra should never have attachment to things which completely obstruct dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa. Association with sense objects means association which is forbidden in the dharma-śāstras. This does not mean all attachment to material objects is forbidden, since according to qualification, artha, dharma and kāma are prescribed in the scriptures. This is the opinion of some. Others say all association is forbidden, including artha, dharma, and kāma. Only mokṣa is acceptable. dharmasya hy āpavargyasya nārtho’rthāyopakalpate | nārthasya dharmaikāntasya kāmo lābhāya hi smṛtaḥ || The material results are not suitable as the goal for the person dedicated to higher spiritual goals. The desire of the person dedicated to the higher path is not for attainment of material assets. SB 1.2.9
Don't associate with the modes of ignorance; hedonism blocks even religion, economic dev, regulated kāma and liberation. Tamas spoils everything, even the worldly goods it pretends to deliver.
Reflection Questions
  • Which tamas-association is currently sabotaging my otherwise reasonable goals?
  • Where would I prefer to keep blaming external obstacles when ignorance is the culprit?
📝 My note

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