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TEXT 23 yah sastra-vidhim utsrjya
SYNONYMS  yah--anyone;
sastra-vidhim--the regulations of the scriptures; utsrjya--giving
up; vartate--remains; kama-karatah--acting whimsically in
lust; na--never; sah--he; siddhim--perfection; avapnoti--achieves;
na--never; sukham--happiness; na--never; param--the
supreme; gatim--perfectional stage.
TRANSLATION But he who
discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own whims attains
neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme destination.
PURPORT As described
before, the sastra-vidhi, or the direction of the sastra,
is given to the different castes and orders of human society. Everyone
is expected to follow these rules and regulations. If one does not follow
them and acts whimsically according to his lust, greed and desire, then
he never will be perfect in his life. In other words, a man may theoretically
know all these things, but if he does not apply them in his own life, then
he is to be known as the lowest of mankind. In the human form of life,
a living entity is expected to be sane and to follow the regulations given
for elevating his life to the highest platform, but if he does not follow
them, then he degrades himself. But even if he follows the rules and regulations
and moral principles and ultimately does not come to the stage of understanding
the Supreme Lord, then all his knowledge becomes spoiled. Therefore one
should gradually raise himself to the platform of Krsna consciousness and
devotional service; it is then and there that he can attain the highest
perfectional stage, not otherwise.
The word
kama-karatah is very significant. A person who knowingly violates
the rules acts in lust. He knows that this is forbidden, still he acts.
This is called acting whimsically. He knows that this should be done, but
still he does not do it; therefore he is called whimsical. Such persons
are destined to be condemned by the Supreme Lord. Such persons cannot have
the perfection which is meant for the human life. The human life is especially
meant for purifying one's existence, and one who does not follow the rules
and regulations cannot purify himself, nor can he attain the real stage
of happiness.
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