FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.15.67

एतैरन्यैश्च वेदोक्तैर्वर्तमान: स्वकर्मभि: । गृहेऽप्यस्य गतिं यायाद् राजंस्तद्भ‍क्तिभाङ्‌‌नर: ॥ ६७ ॥
etair anyaiś ca vedoktair
[etair anyaish cha vedoktair]
vartamānaḥ sva-karmabhiḥ
[vartamaanah sva-karmabhih]
gṛhe ’py asya gatiṁ yāyād
[grihe ’py asya gatim yaayaad]
rājaṁs tad-bhakti-bhāṅ naraḥ
[raajams tad-bhakti-bhaan narah]
Word-for-word
etaiḥ — by these ways anyaiḥ — by other ways ca — and veda-uktaiḥ — as directed in the Vedic literatures vartamānaḥ — abiding sva-karmabhiḥ — by one’s occupational duties gṛhe api — even at home asya — of Lord Kṛṣṇa gatim — destination yāyāt — can reach rājan — O King tat-bhakti-bhāk — who renders devotional service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead naraḥ — any person.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
etair anyaiś ca vedoktair
etaiḥ
by these ways
anyaiḥ
by other ways
ca
and
veda-uktaiḥ
as directed in the Vedic literatures
vartamānaḥ sva-karmabhiḥ
vartamānaḥ
abiding
sva-karmabhiḥ
by one’s occupational duties
gṛhe ’py asya gatiṁ yāyād
gṛhe api
even at home
asya
of Lord Kṛṣṇa
gatim
destination
yāyāt
can reach
rājaṁs tad-bhakti-bhāṅ naraḥ
rājan
O King
tat-bhakti-bhāk
who renders devotional service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead
naraḥ
any person.
O King, one should perform his occupational duties according to these instructions, as well as other instructions given in the Vedic literature, just to remain a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Thus, even while at home, one will be able to reach the destination.
Purport

The ultimate goal of life is Viṣṇu, Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, either by Vedic regulative principles or by materialistic activities, if one tries to reach the destination of Kṛṣṇa, that is the perfection of life. Kṛṣṇa should be the target; everyone should try to reach Kṛṣṇa, from any position of life.

Kṛṣṇa accepts service from anyone. The Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (9.32) :

māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya ye ’pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrās te ’pi yānti parāṁ gatim

“O son of Pṛthā, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth — women, vaiśyas [merchants], as well as śūdras [workers] — can approach the supreme destination.” It does not matter what one’s position is; if one aims at reaching Kṛṣṇa by performing his occupational duty under the direction of the spiritual master, his life is successful. It is not that only sannyāsīs, vānaprasthas and brahmacārīs can reach Kṛṣṇa. A gṛhastha, a householder, can also reach Kṛṣṇa, provided he becomes a pure devotee without material desires. An example of this is cited in the next verse.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
O King! If a person worships the Lord with devotion, though he remains in the house, he can attain Kṛṣṇa by performing his prescribed duties according what has been said here and according to other Vedic scriptures. The subject is concluded. If one is a householder and worships the Lord, he can attain Kṛṣṇa (gatim).
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Perform occupational duties as prescribed, but always to remain a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa; even at home one can reach the destination. The point of every duty is to keep Kṛṣṇa in view; without that, the duty is just labor.
Reflection Questions
  • Does each of your duties point toward Kṛṣṇa, or have many become ends in themselves?
  • What one duty could you re-orient this week back toward bhakti?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

← Read full Chapter 15