The verse explained that even when one is atmarama, or fully self-satisfied as Sukadeva Gosvami was, still one takes up some trouble for the service of the Lord. Srila Prabhupada said that Sukadeva Gosvami took the trouble to go out and preach the Srimad-Bhagavatam to Pariksit Maharaja. "So this is the question: how the atmarama becomes interested in other activities? So these activities are not material activities. Nivrtti-niratah, we have to stop this material world, material activities. That does not mean you will have to stop your activities. The other part of the activities, they will begin after stopping these material activities. That is explained in the Bhagavad-gita: brahma-bhutah prasannatma na socati na kanksati. One who is atmarama, 'aham brahmasmi, I am not this material body, no more I have to do anything for this material body.' People are anxious, especially the karmis, how to maintain this body, but when one comes to the conclusion that 'I am not this body,' naturally his interest for maintaining the body diminishes. Practically, it becomes nil. Nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau, you will find from the behavior of the Gosvamis they practically conquered over the necessities of this body. But that does not mean he has to cease all activities."
He said that according to the Mayavadis the liberated platform means a cessation of activity. But that is not in agreement with sastra. According to scripture, it is one's material activity and material anxiety that is stopped, but not one's spiritual life. "Suppose if somebody is assured that now, henceforward you haven't go to do anything, everything will come automatically. Naturally one becomes prasannatma, very jolly. I am free from the anxieties. Because this material world means full of anxieties, and when you come to the spiritual platform, there is no anxiety -- na socati na kanksati. That is anxiety-free. So anxiety-free does not mean you haven't got to do anything."
Srila Prabhupada is the best example of being active in spiritual life -- he literally never stops. And it was clear from his class that the ongoing anxiety of management he experiences here in Vrndavana is not the same as ordinary material anxiety -- it is for Krsna, and therefore its quality is quite different.
- From "A Transcendental Diary Vol 4" by HG Hari Sauri Prabhu
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