SB 4.22.32

Srimad-Bhagavatam - Fourth Canto - Chapter 22: Pṛthu Mahārāja's Meeting with the Four Kumāras

SB 4.22.31 - SB 4.22.33

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

TEXT 32

nātaḥ parataro loke

puṁsaḥ svārtha-vyatikramaḥ

yad-adhy anyasya preyastvam

ātmanaḥ sva-vyatikramāt

SYNONYMS

na — not; ataḥ — after this; parataraḥ — greater; loke — in this world; puṁsaḥ — of the living entities; sva-artha — interest; vyatikramaḥ — obstruction; yat-adhi — beyond that; anyasya — of others; preyastvam — to be more interesting; ātmanaḥ — for the self; sva — own; vyatikramāt — by obstruction.

TRANSLATION

There is no stronger obstruction to one's self-interest than thinking other subject matters to be more pleasing than one's self-realization.

PURPORT

Human life is especially meant for self-realization. "Self" refers to the Superself and the individual self, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the living entity. When, however, one becomes more interested in the body and bodily sense gratification, he creates for himself obstructions on the path of self-realization. By the influence of māyā, one becomes more interested in sense gratification, which is prohibited in this world for those interested in self-realization. Instead of becoming interested in sense gratification, one should divert his activities to satisfy the senses of the Supreme Soul. Anything performed contrary to this principle is certainly against one's self-interest.

SB 4.22.31 - SB 4.22.33