Skandham-5. Chapter-1. Slokam- 15.

My dear Priyavrata, according to our association with different modes of
material nature, the Supreme Personality of Godhead gives us our specific
bodies and the happiness and distress we achieve. One must therefore remain
situated as he is and be conducted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
exactly as a blind man is led by a person who has eyes with which to see.



By material means, one cannot avoid the happiness and distress unique to
his particular body. There are 8,400,000 bodily forms, each destined to enjoy
and suffer a certain amount of happiness and distress. This we cannot change,
for the happiness and distress are ordained by the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, in accordance with whose decision we have received our bodies.



Since we cannot avoid the plan of the Supreme Godhead, we must agree to be
directed by Him, just as a blind man is led by a person who has eyes. Under
any circumstances, if we remain in the condition allotted to us by the Supreme
Lord and follow His instructions, we will become perfect. The main purpose of
life is to follow the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is
such instructions that constitute one's religion or occupational duty.



In Bhagavad-geeta, therefore, Lord Krishna says, sarva-dharmän parityajya mäm
ekam saranam vraja: "Give up all other engagements. Simply surrender unto
Me and follow Me." (Bg. 18.66) This process of surrendering by following the
instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not meant for any
particular caste or creed. A brähmana can surrender, and so can a kshatriya,
vaisya or sudra. Everyone can adopt this process. As stated in this verse,
caksusmatändhä iva niyamanah: one should follow the Lord the way a blind
man follows a person who has eyes. If we follow the Supreme Personality of
Godhead by following the directions He gives in the Vedas and Bhagavad-gétä,
our lives will be successful. The Lord therefore says:



man-manä bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yäjé mäà namaskuru
mäm evaiñyasi satyaà te
pratijäne priyo 'si me



"Always think of Me, become My devotee, and offer respect and obeisances
unto Me. Then you will certainly come back home, back to Godhead. I promise
you this because you are My very dear friend." (Bg. 18.65) This instruction is
meant for everyone—brähmana, kshatriya, vaisya or sudra. If anyone, from any
division of life, surrenders to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and follows
His instructions, his life will be successful.



The previous verse has given the analogy of bulls moving under the
direction of the driver of a bullock cart. The bulls, being completely
surrendered to the driver, remain wherever he wants to place them and eat
whatever he wants them to eat. Similarly, being completely surrendered to the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, we should not aspire for happiness, or regret
distress; we must be satisfied with the position allotted to us by the Lord. We
should follow the path of devotional service and not be dissatisfied with the
happiness and distress He has given. People in the material modes of passion
and ignorance generally cannot understand the plan of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead with its 8,400,000 forms of life, but the human form
affords one the special privilege to understand this plan, engage in devotional
service and elevate oneself to the highest position of perfection by following
the Lord's instructions. The entire world is working under the influence of the
modes of material nature, especially ignorance and passion, but if people
engage in hearing and chanting about the glories of the Supreme Lord, their
lives can be successful, and they can be elevated to the highest perfection. In
the brhan-näradiya Puräna, therefore, it is said:



harer näma harer näma
harer nämaiva kevalam
kalau nästy eva nästy eva
nästy eva gatir anyathä
[Cc. Ädi 17.21]



"In this age of Kali, there is no other way, no other way, no other way for
spiritual perfection than the holy name, the holy name, the holy name of the
Lord." Everyone should be given the chance to hear the holy names of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, for thus one will gradually come to
understand his real position in life and be elevated to the transcendental
position above the mode of goodness. Thus all impediments to his progress will
be cut to pieces. In conclusion, therefore, we must be satisfied in whatever
position we have been put into by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and
we should try to engage ourselves in His devotional service. Then our lives will
be successful.