FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.27.25

द्वाविमावनुशोचन्ति बालावसदवग्रहौ । यल्लोकशास्त्रोपनतं न राति न तदिच्छति ॥ २५ ॥
dvāv imāv anuśocanti
[dvaav imaav anushochanti]
bālāv asad-avagrahau
[baalaav asad-avagrahau]
yal loka-śāstropanataṁ
[yal loka-shaastropanatam]
na rāti na tad icchati
[na raati na tad ichchati]
dvau — two kinds imau — these anuśocanti — they lament bālau — ignorant asat — the foolish avagrahau — taking the path of yat — that which loka — by custom śāstra — by scriptures upanatam — presented na — never rāti — follows na — neither tat — that icchati — desires.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
dvāv imāv anuśocanti
dvau
two kinds
imau
these
anuśocanti
they lament
bālāv asad-avagrahau
bālau
ignorant
asat
the foolish
avagrahau
taking the path of
yal loka-śāstropanataṁ
yat
that which
loka
by custom
śāstra
by scriptures
upanatam
presented
na
never
na rāti na tad icchati
rāti
follows
na
neither
tat
that
icchati
desires.
One who does not give charity according to the customs or injunctions of the scriptures and one who does not accept charity in that way are considered to be in the mode of ignorance. Such persons follow the path of the foolish. Surely they must lament at the end.

It is herein stated that one should strictly follow the scriptures if one actually wants an auspicious life. The same is explained in Bhagavad-gītā (16.23) :

yaḥ śāstra-vidhim utsṛjya vartate kāma-kārataḥ na sa siddhim avāpnoti na sukhaṁ na parāṁ gatim

“He who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own whims attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme destination.” One who does not strictly follow the terms of the Vedic injunctions never attains success in life or happiness. And what to speak of going home, back to Godhead.

One śāstric injunction holds that a householder, a kṣatriya or an administrative head should not refuse to accept a woman if she voluntarily requests to become a wife. Since Kālakanyā, the daughter of Time, was deputed by Nārada Muni to offer herself to Yavana-rāja, the King of the Yavanas could not refuse her. All transactions must be performed in light of the śāstric injunctions. The śāstric injunctions are confirmed by great sages like Nārada Muni. As stated by Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, sādhu-śāstra-guru-vākya, cittete kariyā aikya: one should follow the principles of saintly persons, scriptures and the spiritual master. In this way one is sure to attain success in life. Kālakanyā, the daughter of Time, presented herself before the King of the Yavanas precisely in terms of sādhu, śāstra and guru. Thus there was no reason for not accepting her.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
The devotees lament two types of ignorant people who accept the temporary world: those who do not give what should be given according to scripture and common understanding, and those who do not accept what should be accepted according to scripture and common understanding. The devotees lament two types of ignorant people. The ignorant person does not give things that should be given according to scripture and common understanding and does not receive things to be received. I, an unmarried girl, have come suddenly to your house. You, as a householder, should accept me. Or, Nārada, being merciful to the people, desired that people’s fear should decrease. That wish is according to common understanding and scripture. Therefore accept me.
Those who don't follow scriptural injunctions on charity must lament at the end. Foolish lifestyles produce inevitable end-stage regret; install correction now.
Reflection Questions
  • Which current lifestyle pattern of mine guarantees end-stage regret?
  • What small course-correction now would dramatically reduce future lament?
📝 My note

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