Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 48

In Bhagavad-gita (17.6), the Supreme Personality of Godhead also declares:
"Those who undergo severe austerities and penance not recommended in the scriptures, performing them out of pride, egotism, lust and attachment, who are impelled by passion and who torture their bodily organs as well as the Supersoul dwelling within are to be known as demons."

In Bhagavad-gita (3.5-9) the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains:
"All men are forced to act helplessly according to the impulses born of the modes of material nature. Therefore no one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment.

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LIVING ENERGY
We may think we are attracted to the beautiful body of a woman, but actually it is the spark of life which attracts us. When Marilyn Monroe “died”, when the life force left the material body, the body was no longer attractive. All that was left was a lump of unattractive matter that was thrown in the dirt. So is it logical to think that material energy is all-attractive? No. Life force or spirit is the attractive element.


Science of Identity Foundation - Siddhaswarupananda


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"One who restrains the senses and organs of action, but whose mind dwells on sense-objects, certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender.

"On the other hand, he who controls the senses by the mind and engages his active organs in works of devotion, without attachment, is by far superior.

"Perform your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. A man cannot even maintain his physical body without work.

"Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain unattached and free from bondage."

In Bhagavad-gita (3.20-21 and 3.29) the Supreme Personality of Godhead again explains:
"Even kings like Janaka and others attained the perfectional stage by performance of prescribed duties. Therefore, just for the sake of educating the people in general, you should perform your work.

"Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues."

"Bewildered by the modes of material nature, the ignorant fully engage themselves in material activities and become attached. But the wise should not unsettle them, although these duties are inferior due to the performers lack of knowledge."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 47

Sutra 45
Actions for the welfare of the ignorant condition souls should be accepted. These actions do not go against the principles of devotional service.

Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Here someone may protest: Why must the devotees engage in activities? After all the true goal of life is to renounce all activities.
Fearing that someone would speak these words, the author has spoken this sutra. The word 'ajna' here means 'they who are ignorant and therefore impure in heart." In order to benefit these persons, who are not qualified to attain transcendental knowledge or engaged in devotional service, and to remove such persons' lack of faith in the importance of performing the duties prescribed by the scriptures, the devotees mercifully perform the regular and occasional duties prescribed by varnasrama-dhama. That is the meaning. In Bhagavad-gita (3.21) Lord Krsna declares:
"Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues."

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Perfection means being in tune with reality. The first thing we must understand is reality—the reality of my identity, i.e., my essence, position and function. Who am I? Just as a person does not identify himself as being the shirt that he is wearing, he also should not identify himself with the body that he is wearing.



Siddhaswarupananda - Chris Butler Speaks


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If it were true that the highest goal of life is attained by renouncing all activities, then to follow this instruction of Bhagavad-gita will certainly lead one to the destruction of all that is good.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead also advises (Bhagavad-gita 3.20):
"Therefore, just for the sake of educating the people in general, you should perform your work."

Because the Supreme Personality of Godhead in these words directly orders the acceptance of varnasrama duties, these duties are not opposed to the activities of devotional service. However, one should not accept duties that oppose the principles of devotional service, agitate the mind, lead to continued material bondage, create various vices, such as hatred for other living beings, or consist of lustful or forbidden activities. That is the meaning here, In Bhagavad-gita (12.15) the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
"He for whom no one is put into difficulty and who is not disturbed by anxiety, who is steady in happiness and distress, is very dear to Me."