Skandham-5. Chapter-1. Slokam-12.

Skandham-5.

Chapter-1


Slokam-12.


One cannot avoid the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, not by
the strength of severe austerities, an exalted Vedic education, or the power of
mystic yoga, physical prowess or intellectual activities. Nor can one use his
power of religion, his material opulence or any other means, either by himself or
with the help of others, to defy the orders of the Supreme Lord. That is not
possible for any living being, from Brahmä down to the ant.

In the Garga Upaniñad, Gargamuni says to his wife, etasya vä akñarasya
praçäsane gargi süryä-candramasau vidhåtau tiñöhataù: "My dear Gargé,
everything is under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Even
the sun, the moon and other controllers and demigods like Lord Brahmä and
King Indra are all under His control." An ordinary human being or animal
who has accepted a material body cannot go beyond the jurisdiction of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead's control. A material body includes senses.
However, the sense activities of so-called scientists who try to be free from
God's law or the laws of nature are useless. This is also confirmed in
Bhagavad-gétä (7.14). Mama mäyä duratyayä: it is impossible to surpass the
control of material nature, for the Supreme Personality of Godhead is working
behind it. Sometimes we are proud of our austerities, penances and mystic
yogic powers, but it is clearly stated herein that one cannot surpass the laws
and directions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, either by dint of mystic
power, a scientific education, or austerities and penances. It is impossible.
The word manéñayä ("by intelligence") is of special significance. Priyavrata
might argue that Lord Brahmä was requesting him to accept family life and the
responsibility for ruling a kingdom, although Närada Muni had advised him
not to enter household life and be entangled in material affairs. Whom to
accept would be a puzzle for Priyavrata because both Lord Brahmä and Närada
Muni are authorities. Under the circumstances, the use of the word manéñayä
is very appropriate, for it indicates that since both Närada Muni and Lord
Brahmä are authorized to give instruction, Priyavrata should neglect neither of
them but should use his intelligence to follow the advice of both. To solve such
dilemmas, Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé has given a very clear conception of
intelligence. He says:

anäsaktasya viñayän
yathärham upayuïjataù
nirbandhaù kåñëa-sambandhe
yuktaà vairägyam ucyate

Viñayän, material affairs, should be accepted without attachment. and
everything should be dovetailed with the service of the Lord. That is real
intelligence (manéñä). Becoming a family man or king in the material world is
not harmful if one accepts everything for Kåñëa's service. That necessitates
clear intelligence. Mäyävädé philosophers say, brahma satyaà jagan mithyä:
this material world is false, and only the Absolute Truth is real. However, an
intelligent devotee in the line of Lord Brahmä and the great sage Närada—or,
in other words, in the Brahma-sampradäya—does not consider this world false.
That which is created by the Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be false,
but using it for enjoyment is. Everything is meant to be enjoyed by the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gétä (5.29).
Bhoktäraà yajïa-tapasäà sarva-loka-maheçvaram: the Supreme Personality of
Godhead is the supreme proprietor and enjoyer, and therefore everything
should be dovetailed for His enjoyment and service. Regardless of one's
circumstances, favorable or unfavorable, one should use everything to serve
the Supreme Lord. That is the perfect way to use one's intelligence.