ऐश्वरं शास्त्रमुत्सृज्य बन्धमोक्षानुदर्शनम् । विविक्तपदमज्ञाय किमसत्कर्मभिर्भवेत् ॥ १८ ॥
aisvaram sastram utsrjya bandha-moksanudarsanam vivikta-padam ajnaya kim asat-karmabhir bhavet
- aisvaram
- bringing understanding of God, or Krsna consciousness
- sastram
- the Vedic literature
- utsrjya
- giving up
- bandha
- of bondage
- moksa
- and of liberation
- anudarsanam
- informing about the ways
- vivikta-padam
- distinguishing spirit from matter
- ajnaya
- not knowing
- kim asat-karmabhih bhavet
- what can be the use of temporary fruitive activities.
(Narada Muni had spoken of a swan. That swan is explained in this verse.) The Vedic literatures (sastras) vividly describe how to understand the Supreme Lord, the source of all material and spiritual energy. Indeed, they elaborately explain these two energies. The swan (hamsa) is one who discriminates between matter and spirit, who accepts the essence of everything, and who explains the means of bondage and the means of liberation. The words of scriptures consist of variegated vibrations. If a foolish rascal leaves aside the study of these sastras to engage in temporary activities, what will be the result?