Srimad Bhagavtam:
Continued Spiritual Teachings

    In the Srimad Bhagavatam there are many tales that appear improbable, almost impossible, to modern man. We may understand, however, that every period of history has its own perceptions and its own style. There has never been any direct control over the writings in the scriptures, especially the Purnik scriptures. Some inappropriate language occasionally may be noticed in the narrations; this has been so in many other scriptures and holy books of the world. It is more important to concentrate on the spiritual teachings.
• Those who have overcome their ego and have surrendered everything at the feet of the Lord, they may not be disturbed by the happenings of the world. They would remain stable in their spiritual status. They are always blissful. We may remain in the company of such persons.
• True saints are above arguments and controversies. They must clean the slate of their mind and look at things without uttering a word to anyone. In their presence, we become more attracted to God and attain peace and joy. We gain the eternal knowledge (jnana).
• Devotion is one-point attention fixed on the Supreme Lord, without any distraction. The effect of all our previous actions (karmas) of many births gets dissolved with devotion. When such persons form a congregation and do kirtan together (sing hymns, or bhajans) in praise of God, they could swim across the ocean of the world and cross over to the other side successfully.
• Those who would dishonor others and who pray before the idol of God are not true worshippers. Those who harbor enmity toward anyone are also not the real seekers of the Lord. God is present in all beings. Disrespect and enmity toward any beings takes us away from God.
• If any one slanders others, it is an unholy practice. With such acts, we may lose the merit of spirituality.
• When man becomes old and is not able to earn money, his wife and children, for whom he worked hard all his life, often disrespect him. Yet he does not take the path of renunciation and spirituality. Like a dog, he stays and suffers humiliation and dishonor. He may have committed many a sin for them, but they would not even look at him anymore. Man should understand the system of the human society.
• Man must always tell the truth. He should never be envious. He must be respectful to others and especially so to his parents and all elders. He must serve the society and community.
• A spiritual man would feel shy and embarrassed to hear his praise, but the wicked often become swollen with arrogance after hearing their praise and flattery. We should therefore praise only God.
• Many are the sinful and wicked persons who wear the robes of saints but who are cheats and hypocrites. We must be most careful not to get trapped by such false saints.
• Prayer ceremony (havan, yagna, etc.) must not be done with any selfish motive or for any ulterior motive to harm others. Nor we may kill animals as a sacrifice ritual. Lower animals also have feelings, and God dwells in them, too. Hence, such sacrifices are sinful.
• When we sit in solitude and silence, not getting involved in gossip and slander, we may be able to see God in every place and in everybody.
• It is the sacred task of the soul to gradually transform the mind over many birth cycles. By engaging the mind in contemplation, meditation, and getting deeply engrossed in the thought of the Lord, finally this transformation takes place.
• Man often gets trapped in the infatuation of women, children, and even animal pets that he forgets all other duties and also turns his attention away from God. Man must constantly remind himself of his duty.
• During the fast, we must always give charity to the poor. Whenever we keep a fast, it is for the sake of self purification. On fast days, we must not become angry, we must not be greedy, and we must not slander and hurt others. All the time, we must pray to God and sing songs in his honor with love. We must first feed the priest, the Brahmin, and all others, and in the end we may partake of the remaining residual food.
• We must do charity but with some control. We must divide our wealth in five parts. One part is for charity. The second is for our name. The third is for increasing our wealth and prosperity. The fourth is for our own comfort and security. The fifth is for helping our near and dear ones. Thus, we must be discreet and organized in matters of our wealth and material assets. Many persons give so much charity that nothing is left for their own survival or for their family and close relatives. We must also be aware of the many wicked persons who cheat in the name of religion and charity.

• Five places are identified as places of vice, or kali:
1. Where gambling takes place
2. Where use of intoxicants is allowed
3. Where prostitution is done
4. Where animals are slaughtered
5. Where there is ill-gotten wealth.
    Gold or material wealth in itself, however, is not a vice. Says the Lord in the Gita, “Amongst all the metals, I am the gold!” It is the ill-gotten wealth that is here identified as the place of vice Devotees are asked to shun these places of vice, as virtue is compromised and sin is encouraged in such places.

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