SB 1.2.9 (1962)
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT No. 9
Dharmasya hi apavargasya na artho arthaya upakalpate
Na arthasya dharma aikantasya kamo labhaya hi smritah.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS
Dharmasya—occupational engagement, hi—certainly, apavargasya—ultimate liberation, na—not, artha—end, arthaya—for material gain, upakalpate—is meant for, na—neither, arthasya—of material gain, dharmaikantasya—for one who is engaged in the ultimate occupational service, Kama—sense gratification, labhaya—attainment of, hi—exactly, smritah—is described by the great sages.
TRANSLATION
All occupational engagements are certainly meant for ultimate liberation and they are never meant for material gain. Similarly material gain for one who is engaged in the ultimate occupational service, is never meant by the sages for attainment of sense gratification.
PURPORT
We have already discussed it that pure devotional service of the Lord is automatically followed by perfect knowledge and detachment for material exsitence. But there are others who consider that all kinds of different occupational engagements including the terms of religiosity are meant for material gain. General tendency of any ordinary man in any part of the world is to gain some material profit in exchange of religious or any other occupational service. Even in the Vedic literatures for all sorts of religious performances an allurement of material gain is offered and most people are attracted by such allurement or blessings of religiosity. Why such so called men of religiosity are allured by material gain? Because material gain can endow with the blessings of fulfilling desires which in turn satisfy sense gratification. This cycle of occupational engagements including so called religiosity followed by material gain and material gain followed by fulfilment of desires. Sense gratification is the general way for all sorts of fully occupied men. But in the statement of Suta Goswami as per the verdict of the Srimad Bhagwatam, this is nullified by the present sloka.
One should not engage himself in any sort of occupational service only for the material gain nor material gain should be utilised for the matter of sense gratification. How material gain should be utilised is described as follows—