Ideal family life-Intro to SB chapt 14

March 24, 2020 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

This chapter describes the occupational duties of the householder according to the time, the country and the performer. When Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja became very much inquisitive about the occupational duties for the householder, Nārada Muni advised him that a gṛhastha’s first duty is to be fully dependent on Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa, and to try to satisfy Him in all respects by executing one’s prescribed devotional service. 
 
(Note–Right off the bat the instruction has been given for the householder  to be independent in ones livlihood by depending upon Vasudeva,Krsna.
SB 1.13.27 purport…One who desires material benefit by such devotional activities can never depend on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, although He sits in everyone’s heart. Nor does the Lord give any direction to persons who worship Him for material gain. Such materialistic devotees may be blessed by the Lord with material benefits, but they cannot reach the stage of the first-class human being, as above mentioned.
 
March 16 1977 letterAs far as possible try to adjust to a natural way of life free from dependence on machines. But our principle should be that we are against nothing and for nothing. Only for Krishna. We want whatever is favorable for Krishna.
 
761102rc.vrn                Conversations Prabhupada: No, we don’t care for Indians and Europeans. We  care for Krsna, that’s all. I didn’t care for anyone. I simply care …   protection, that’s all. That is wanted. Guru-krsna-krpaya  paya bhakti-lata-bija. We want two favours. One from guru, one  from Krsna. That’s all. We don’t want anyone’s  favour.
August 3 1974 lecture….
Brahmānanda: Brāhmaṇa is not to accept any employment.
 
Prabhupāda: No. He’ll die of starvation. He’ll not accept any employment. That is brāhmaṇa. Kṣatriya also that, and vaiśya also. Only śūdra. A vaiśya will find out some business. He’ll find out some business. )
 
This devotional service will depend on the instructions of authorities and the association of devotees who are actually engaged in devotional service. The beginning of devotional service is śravaṇam, or hearing. One must hear from the mouths of realized souls. In this way the gṛhastha’s attraction to his wife and children will gradually be reduced.
 
 

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