← Canto 7: The Science of God

Chapter 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings

Verse 18 of 75
SB 7.15.18

सन्तुष्टः केन वा राजन्न वर्तेतापि वारिणा औपस्थ्यजैह्व्यकार्पण्याद्गृहपालायते जनः

santuṣṭaḥ kena vā rājan na vartetāpi vāriṇā aupasthya-jaihvya-kārpaṇyād gṛha-pālāyate janaḥ

Synonyms

santuṣṭaḥa person who is always self-satisfied; kenawhy; or; rājanO King; nanot; vartetashould live (happily); apieven; vāriṇāby drinking water; aupasthyadue to the genitals; jaihvyaand the tongue; kārpaṇyātbecause of a wretched or miserly condition; gṛha-pālāyatehe becomes exactly like a household dog; janaḥsuch a person..

Translation

My dear King, a self-satisfied person can be happy even with only drinking water. However, one who is driven by the senses, especially by the tongue and genitals, must accept the position of a household dog to satisfy his senses.

Purport

According to the śāstras, a brāhmaṇa, or a cultured person in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, will not enter anyone's service to maintain body and soul together, and especially not for satisfaction of the senses. A true brāhmaṇa is always satisfied. Even if he has nothing to eat, he can drink a little water and be satisfied. This is only a matter of practice. Unfortunately, however, no one is educated in how to be satisfied in self-realization. As explained above, a devotee is always satisfied because he feels the presence of the Supersoul within his heart and thinks of Him twenty-four hours a day. That is real satisfaction. A devotee is never driven by the dictations of the tongue and genitals, and thus he is never victimized by the laws of material nature.

Verse 18 of 75
Prabhupāda Says