Srimad Bhagvatam
TRANSLATION
These are the general principles to be followed by all human beings:
truthfulness, mercy, austerity (observing fasts on certain days of the month),
bathing twice a day, tolerance, discrimination between right and wrong, control
of the mind, control of the senses, nonviolence, celibacy, charity, reading of
scripture, simplicity, satisfaction, rendering service to saintly persons, GRADUALLY
TAKING LEAVE OF UNNECESSARY ENGAGEMENTS, OBSERVING THE FUTILITY OF THE
UNNECESSARY ACTIVITIES OF HUMAN SOCIETY, remaining silent and grave and
avoiding unnecessary talk, CONSIDERING WHETHER ONE IS THE BODY OR THE SOUL,
distributing food equally to all living entities (both men and animals), seeing
every soul (especially in the human form) as a part of the Supreme Lord, HEARING
ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES AND INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF
GODHEAD (WHO IS THE SHELTER OF THE SAINTLY PERSONS), CHANTING ABOUT THESE
ACTIVITIES AND INSTRUCTIONS, ALWAYS REMEMBERING THESE ACTIVITIES AND
INSTRUCTIONS, TRYING TO RENDER SERVICE, PERFORMING WORSHIP, OFFERING
OBEISANCES, BECOMING A SERVANT, BECOMING A FRIEND, AND SURRENDERING ONE'S WHOLE
SELF. O King Yudhishthira, these thirty qualifications must be acquired in the
human form of life.
Simply by acquiring these qualifications, one can satisfy the Supreme
Personality of Godhead.
PURPORT
IN ORDER THAT HUMAN BEINGS BE DISTINCT FROM THE ANIMALS, THE GREAT SAINT NARADA
RECOMMENDS THAT EVERY HUMAN BEING BE EDUCATED IN TERMS OF THE ABOVE-MENTIONED
THIRTY QUALIFICATIONS.
Nowadays there is propaganda everywhere, all over the world, for a secular
state, a state interested only in mundane activities. But if the citizens of
the state are not educated in the above-mentioned good qualities, how can there
be happiness?
For example, if the total populace is untruthful, how can the state be happy?
Therefore, without consideration of one's belonging to a sectarian religion,
whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist or any other sect, everyone should
be taught to become truthful.
Similarly, everyone should be taught to be merciful, and everyone should
observe fasting on certain days of the month. Everyone should bathe twice a
day, cleanse his teeth and body externally, and cleanse his mind internally by
remembering the holy name of the Lord. The Lord is one, whether one is Hindu,
Muslim or Christian. Therefore, one should chant the holy name of the Lord,
regardless of differences in linguistic pronunciation.
Also, everyone should be taught to be very careful not to discharge semen
unnecessarily. This is very important for all human beings. If semen is not
discharged unnecessarily, one becomes extremely strong in memory,
determination, activity and the vitality of one's bodily energy.
Everyone should also be taught to be simple in thought and feeling and
satisfied in body and mind. These are the general qualifications of a human
being. There is no question of a secular state or an ecclesiastical state.
Unless one is educated in the above-mentioned thirty qualities, there cannot be
any peace. Ultimately it is recommended:
Everyone should become a devotee of the Lord, because by becoming a devotee of
the Lord one automatically acquires the other qualities.
"IN ONE WHO HAS UNFLINCHING DEVOTIONAL SERVICE TO KRSHNA, ALL THE GOOD
QUALITIES OF KRSHNA AND THE DEMIGODS ARE CONSISTENTLY MANIFEST. HOWEVER, HE WHO
HAS NO DEVOTION TO THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD HAS NO GOOD
QUALIFICATIONS BECAUSE HE IS ENGAGED BY MENTAL CONCOCTION IN MATERIAL EXISTENCE,
WHICH IS THE EXTERNAL FEATURE OF THE LORD." (BHAG. 5.18.12) OUR KRSHNA
CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT, THEREFORE, IS ALL-EMBRACING. HUMAN CIVILIZATION SHOULD
TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY AND PRACTICE ITS PRINCIPLES FOR THE PEACE OF THE WORLD.
