Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 7 Chapter 14 Verses 27-28

Canto 7: The Science of God | Chapter 14: Ideal Family Life

Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 7.14.27-28

atha deśān pravakṣyāmi

dharmādi-śreya-āvahān

sa vai puṇyatamo deśaḥ

sat-pātraḿ yatra labhyate

bimbaḿ bhagavato yatra

sarvam etac carācaram

yatra ha brāhmaṇa-kulaḿ

tapo-vidyā-dayānvitam

SYNONYMS

atha — thereafter; deśān — places; pravakṣyāmi — I shall describe; dharma-ādi — religious performances, etc.; śreya — auspiciousness; āvahān — which can bring; saḥ — that; vai — indeed; puṇya-tamaḥ — the most sacred; deśaḥ — place; sat-pātram — a Vaiṣṇava; yatra — wherein; labhyate — is available; bimbam — the Deity (in the temple); bhagavataḥ — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead (who is the support); yatra — where; sarvam etat — of this entire cosmic manifestation; cara-acaram — with all the moving and nonmoving living entities; yatra — wherein; ha — indeed; brāhmaṇa-kulam — association with brāhmaṇas; tapaḥ — austerities; vidyā — education; dayā — mercy; anvitam — endowed with.

TRANSLATION

Nārada Muni continued: Now I shall describe the places where religious performances may be well executed. Any place where a Vaiṣṇava is available is an excellent place for all auspicious activities. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the support of this entire cosmic manifestation, with all its moving and nonmoving living entities, and the temple where the Deity of the Lord is installed is a most sacred place. Furthermore, places where learned brāhmaṇas observe Vedic principles by means of austerity, education and mercy are also most auspicious and sacred.

PURPORT

In this verse it is indicated that a Vaiṣṇava temple where the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is worshiped, and where Vaiṣṇavas are engaged in the service of the Lord, is the best sacred place for performing any religious ceremonies. At the present day, especially in big, big cities, people live in small apartments and are not able to establish a Deity or temple. Under the circumstances, therefore, the centers and temples being established by the expanding Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement are the best sacred places for performing religious ceremonies. Although people in general are no longer interested in religious ceremonies or Deity worship, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement gives everyone the chance to advance in spiritual life by becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious.

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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness