Preacing essential for liberation

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SB 4.29.1b

 

bhaktih krsne daya jivesv

akuntha-jnanam atmani

yadi syad atmano bhuyad

apavargas tu samsrteh

 

TRANSLATION

If a living entity is developed in Krsna consciousness and is merciful to

others, and if his spiritual knowledge of self-realization is perfect, he

will immediately attain liberation from the bondage of material existence.

 

PURPORT

In this verse the words daya jivesu, meaning "mercy to other living

entities," indicate that a living entity must be merciful to other living

entities if he wishes to make progress in self-realization. This means he

must preach this knowledge after perfecting himself and understanding his

own position as an eternal servant of Krsna. Preaching this is showing real

mercy to living entities. Other types of humanitarian work may be

temporarily beneficial for the body, but because a living entity is spirit

soul, ultimately one can show him real mercy only by revealing knowledge of

his spiritual existence. As Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, jivera 'svarupa'

haya-krsnera 'nitya-dasa': [Cc. Madhya 20.108] "Every living entity is

constitutionally a servant of Krsna." One should know this fact perfectly

and should preach it to the mass of people. If one realizes that he is an

eternal servant of Krsna but does not preach it, his realization is

imperfect. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura therefore sings, dusta

mana, tumi kisera vaisnava? pratisthara tare, nirjanera ghare, tava

hari-nama kevala kaitava: "My dear mind, what kind of Vaisnava are you?

Simply for false prestige and a material reputation you are chanting the

Hare Krsna mantra in a solitary place." In this way people who do not preach

are criticized. There are many Vaisnavas in Vrndavana who do not like

preaching; they chiefly try to imitate Haridasa Thakura. The actual result

of their so-called chanting in a secluded place, however, is that they sleep

and think of women and money. Similarly, one who simply engages in temple

worship but does not see to the interests of the mass of people or cannot

recognize devotees is called a kanistha-adhikari:

arcayam eva haraye

pujam yah sraddhayehate

na tad-bhaktesu canyesu

sa bhaktah prakrtah smrtah

(SB 11.2.47)