SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM - Prabhupada

186 Srimad-Bhigavatam (Canto 7, Ch. 4PURPORTThere have been many instances in which demons, after achievingmaterial opulences, have become extremely proud, so much so that theyhave transgressed the laws and regulations given in the authoritativeSdstras. Hiral).yakasipu acted in this way. As stated in Bhagavad-gitii(16.23):ya/:t siistra-vidhim utsrjyavartate kiima-kiirata/:tna sa siddhim aviipnotina sukham na pariirh gatim"He who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his ownwhims attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supremedestination." The word siistra refers to that which controls our activities.We cannot violate or transgress the laws and regulative principles mentionedin the siistras. Bhagavad-gitii repeatedly confirms this.tasmiic chiistrarh pramiir:ram tekiiryiikiirya-tyavasthitaujnatvii siistra-vidhiinoktarhkarma kartum ihiirhasi"One should understand what is duty and what is not duty by the regulationsof the scriptures. Knowing such rules and regulations, one shouldact so that he may gradually be elevated." (Bg. 16.24) One should actaccording to the direction of the siistra, but the material energy is sopowerful that as soon as one becomes materially opulent, he begins totransgress the sastric laws. As soon as one transgresses the laws of siistra,he immediately enters upon the path of destruction.TEXT 216!4G>OQf'€t\41: : (1418Cf;l: I31W44'31 18•\tti((OU: 9)