SB 5.13.21
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT 21
- rājovāca
- aho nṛ-janmākhila-janma-śobhanaṁ
- kiṁ janmabhis tv aparair apy amuṣmin
- na yad dhṛṣīkeśa-yaśaḥ-kṛtātmanāṁ
- mahātmanāṁ vaḥ pracuraḥ samāgamaḥ
SYNONYMS
rājā uvāca — King Rahūgaṇa said; aho — alas; nṛ-janma — you who have taken birth as a human being; akhila-janma-śobhanam — the best of all species of life; kim — what need; janmabhiḥ — with births in a higher species like the demigods in the heavenly planets; tu — but; aparaiḥ — not superior; api — indeed; amuṣmin — in the next birth; na — not; yat — which; hṛṣīkeśa-yaśaḥ — by the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hṛṣīkeśa, the master of all senses; kṛta-ātmanām — of those whose hearts are purified; mahā-ātmanām — who are actually great souls; vaḥ — of us; pracuraḥ — abundant; samāgamaḥ — the association.
TRANSLATION
King Rahūgaṇa said: This birth as a human being is the best of all. Even birth among the demigods in the heavenly planets is not as glorious as birth as a human being on this earth. What is the use of the exalted position of a demigod? In the heavenly planets, due to profuse material comforts, there is no possibility of associating with devotees.
PURPORT
Human birth is a great opportunity for self-realization. One may take birth in a high planetary system among the demigods, but due to the profusion of material comforts, one cannot gain release from material bondage. Even on this earth those who are very opulent do not generally care to take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. An intelligent person actually interested in getting freed from the material clutches must associate with pure devotees. By such association, one can gradually become detached from the material attraction of money and women. Money and women are the basic principles of material attachment. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore advised those who are actually serious about returning back to Godhead to give up money and women in order to be fit to enter the kingdom of God. Money and women can be fully utilized in the service of the Lord, and one who can utilize them in this way can become freed from material bondage. Satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ (SB 3.25.25). Only in the association of devotees can one relish the glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Just through a little association with a pure devotee, one can become successful in his journey back to Godhead.