Uddhava-Gita 13.40-45

Uddhava-Gita

TEXT 13.40-45 | SB 11.19.40-45

bhago ma aisvaro bhavo labho mad-bhaktir uttamah
vidyatmani bhida-badho jugupsa hrir akarmasu

eta uddhava te prasriah sarve sadhu nirupitah kim varnitena bahuna
laksanam guna-dosayoh guna-dosa-drsir doso gunas tubhaya-varjitali

COMMENTARY

Because compassion is recognized throughout the world as an exalted quality,

the Lord has not described it here. Actual bhaga, or opulence, is possessed by the supreme controller. The controlling power of the living entities in this world, or even the demigods in heaven, cannot be considered real bhaga. Attainment of devotional service to the Supreme Lord is one’s real asset, and not his children, home, and so on, which are all subject to destruction. Real knowledge is that which enables one to see everything in relation to the Supreme Lord, and not that which is acquired by an academic, such as knowledge of grammar and so on. The word hri means to feel disgust at the mere thought of sinful activities, and not mere shyness. One’s good qualities are his real decoration, and not the crown that sits on his head. One who is satisfied in Krsna consciousness and thus does not seek material pleasure or suffer material unhappiness is considered to be actually situated in happiness. The most wretched person is one addicted to sex pleasure, and a wise man is one who knows the process of freedom from such material bondage. A fool is one who gives up his eternal friendship with Lord Krsna and instead identifies himself with his own temporary material body, mind, society, community, and family. The real path is the path of devotional service that leads one to the Supreme Lord, and not simply a footpath that has no stones or thorns. The path of sense gratification is the wrong path because it simply leads one to utter confusion. Predominance of the mode of goodness is real heaven, and not the abode of Indra, and predominance of the mode of ignorance is hell. The spiritual master is the best friend who saves us from all danger and he is non-different from Krsna, the spiritual master of the entire universe. Our material body is our real home, and not a structure of bricks and cement. One who possesses all good qualities is actually rich, and not a rascal with a big bank balance. A real lord is one who has conquered material desires and ascended to the transcendental platform, and not an aristocrat who engages in all sorts of abominable activities.
Thus being asked by Uddhava, Sri Krsna has nicely described the difference between good qualities and faults. The Lord concludes His analysis by stating that there is no need for further elaboration of these good and bad qualities. Indeed, the purpose of life is to transcend materially good and bad qualities and come to the liberated platform of pure Krsna consciousness.

PURPORT
The Lord is full of six opulences—wealth, strength, beauty, fame, knowledge, and renunciation. The supreme accomplishment is when one engages in the service of the Supreme Lord. To remain aloof from the material conception of life is fruit of actual knowledge. To indulge in sinful activities unrestrictedly is the most wretched condition of life. To spontaneously abhor sinful life is the sign of true modesty. Good qualities are the actual wealth of the living entities. To give up the quest for sense gratification and achieve satisfaction due to love for the Lord is real happiness. The lust for material enjoyment produces limitless distress.
Possessing knowledge of how to free oneself from the bondage of material existence is real learning. To identify one’s self as the gross and subtle material coverings is utter foolishness. The true path of life is the one shown by the spiritual master who is coming in disciplic succession and thus authorized by the Supreme Lord. The wrong path is a life of sense enjoyment, which simply leads to the bewilderment of one’s mind. A predominance of the mode of goodness is real heaven and a predominance of the mode of ignorance is real hell. The Supreme Lord and the spiritual master, who is the eternal servant of the Lord, are one’s real friends. The material body is one’s actual place of residence. One who possesses good qualities is actually rich and one who is dissatisfied with his position, which is the result of his previous karma, is actually poor. Sense enjoyers, those with uncontrolled minds and senses, and those who are overwhelmed by greed are truly misers. One whose intelligence is never swayed by the three modes of material nature is a real controller. One who acts under the influence of the three modes of material nature is controlled and dependent. To look for material qualities and faults is itself a fault. While cultivating transcendental qualities, one should give up the habit of finding fault in others.