FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.5.18

ऐश्वरं शास्त्रमुत्सृज्य बन्धमोक्षानुदर्शनम् । विविक्तपदमज्ञाय किमसत्कर्मभिर्भवेत् ॥ १८ ॥
aiśvaraṁ śāstram utsṛjya
[aishvaram shaastram utsrijya]
bandha-mokṣānudarśanam
[bandha-mokshaanudarshanam]
vivikta-padam ajñāya
[vivikta-padam ajnaaya]
kim asat-karmabhir bhavet
[kim asat-karmabhir bhavet]
aiśvaram — bringing understanding of God, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness śāstram — the Vedic literature utsṛjya — giving up bandha — of bondage mokṣa — and of liberation anudarśanam — informing about the ways vivikta-padam — distinguishing spirit from matter ajñāya — not knowing kim asat-karmabhiḥ bhavet — what can be the use of temporary fruitive activities.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
aiśvaraṁ śāstram utsṛjya
aiśvaram
bringing understanding of God, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness
śāstram
the Vedic literature
utsṛjya
giving up
bandha-mokṣānudarśanam
bandha
of bondage
mokṣa
and of liberation
anudarśanam
informing about the ways
vivikta-padam ajñāya
vivikta-padam
distinguishing spirit from matter
ajñāya
not knowing
kim asat-karmabhir bhavet
kim asat-karmabhiḥ bhavet
what can be the use of temporary fruitive activities.
[Nārada Muni had spoken of a swan. That swan is explained in this verse.] The Vedic literatures [śāstras] vividly describe how to understand the Supreme Lord, the source of all material and spiritual energy. Indeed, they elaborately explain these two energies. The swan [haṁsa] is one who discriminates between matter and spirit, who accepts the essence of everything, and who explains the means of bondage and the means of liberation. The words of scriptures consist of variegated vibrations. If a foolish rascal leaves aside the study of these śāstras to engage in temporary activities, what will be the result?

The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is very eager to present Vedic literature in modern languages, especially Western languages such as English, French and German. The leaders of the Western world, the Americans and Europeans, have become the idols of modern civilization because the Western people are very sophisticated in temporary activities for the advancement of material civilization. A sane man, however, can see that all such grand activities, although perhaps very important for temporary life, have nothing to do with eternal life. The entire world is imitating the materialistic civilization of the West, and therefore the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is very much interested in giving the Western people knowledge by translating the original Sanskrit Vedic literatures into Western languages.

The word vivikta-padam refers to the path of logical discourses concerning the aim of life. If one does not discuss that which is important in life, one is put into darkness and must struggle for existence. What, then, is the benefit of his advancement in knowledge? The people of the West are seeing their students becoming hippies, despite gorgeous arrangements for university education. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, however, is trying to convert misguided, drug-addicted students to the service of Kṛṣṇa and engage them in the best welfare activities for human society.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
What is the use of insubstantial karmas for a person who, giving up scriptures which describe the Lord and illustrate bondage and liberation, does not know the conclusions mentioned there using inflected words? This verse explains the meaning of the swan who speaks. The swan refers to scriptures which speak about the Supreme Lord. Bondage and liberation are illustrated by attractive talks. This is the meaning of citra-katham. The swan refers to having the ability to distinguish ātmā from non-ātmā, just as the swan distinguishes milk from water. The inflected words are endowed with proper conclusions (vivikta-padam). Taking faith in the scriptures, worship the Lord in order to attain liberation.
The swan represents how the śāstras describe the Supreme Lord, distinguishing real spirit from material energy. The right teaching helps us separate milk from water in our own experience.
Reflection Questions
  • Which śāstra is currently teaching me to discriminate spirit from matter?
  • Where do I most need that discrimination this week?
📝 My note

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