# Cc. Madhya 9.263 ## Text > karma-nindā, karma-tyāga, sarva-śāstre kahe > karma haite prema-bhakti kṛṣṇe kabhu nahe ## Synonyms *karma*-*nindā*—condemnation of fruitive activities; *karma*-*tyāga*—renunciation of fruitive activities; *sarva*-*śāstre* *kahe*—is announced in every revealed scripture; *karma* *haite*—from fruitive activities; *prema*-*bhakti*—devotional service in ecstatic love; *kṛṣṇe*—for Kṛṣṇa; *kabhu* *nahe*—can never be achieved. ## Translation **"In every revealed scripture there is condemnation of fruitive activities. It is advised everywhere to give up engagement in fruitive activities, for by executing them no one can attain the highest goal of life, love of Godhead.** ## Purport In the *Vedas* there are three *kāṇḍas,* or divisions: *karma-kāṇḍa, jñāna-kāṇḍa* and *upāsanā-kāṇḍa.* The *karma-kāṇḍa* portion stresses the execution of fruitive activities, although ultimately it is advised that one abandon both *karma-kāṇḍa* and *jñāna-kāṇḍa* (speculative knowledge) and accept only *upāsanā-kāṇḍa,* or *bhakti-kāṇḍa.* One cannot attain love of Godhead by executing *karma-kāṇḍa* or *jñāna-kāṇḍa.* But by dedicating one's *karma,* or fruitive activities, to the Supreme Lord, one may be relieved from the polluted mind, and becoming free from mental pollution helps elevate one to the spiritual platform. Then, however, one needs the association of a pure devotee, for only by a pure devotee's association can one become a pure devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. When one comes to the stage of pure devotional service, the process of *śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam* is very essential. By executing the nine items of devotional service, beginning with *śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam,* one is completely purified. *Anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam* (*Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu* 1.1.12). Only then is one able to execute Kṛṣṇa's orders in the *Bhagavad-gītā* [[bg/18/65|(18.65-66)]]: > man-manā bhava mad-bhakto > mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru > mām evaiṣyasi satyaṁ te > pratijāne priyo 'si me > > sarva-dharmān parityajya > mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja > ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo > mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ "Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend. Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear." In this way one develops his original constitutional position of rendering loving service to the Lord. One cannot be elevated to the highest platform of devotional service by *karma-kāṇḍa* or *jñāna-kāṇḍa.* Pure devotional service can be understood and attained only through the association of pure devotees. In this regard, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura states that there are two types of *karma-kāṇḍa* activities-pious and impious. Pious activities are certainly better than impious activities, but even pious activities cannot help one achieve ecstatic love of God, Kṛṣṇa. Pious and impious activities bring about material happiness and distress, but there is no possibility of one's becoming a pure devotee simply by acting piously or impiously. *Bhakti,* devotional service, means satisfying Kṛṣṇa. In every revealed scripture, whether stressing *jñāna-kāṇḍa* or *karma-kāṇḍa,* the principle of renunciation is always praised. The ripened fruit of Vedic knowledge, *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,* is the supreme Vedic evidence. In *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* [[sb/1/5/12|(1.5.12)]] it is said: > naiṣkarmyam apy acyuta-bhāva-varjitaṁ > na śobhate jñānam alaṁ nirañjanam > kutaḥ punaḥ śaśvad abhadram īśvare > na cārpitaṁ karma yad apy akāraṇam "Knowledge of self-realization, even though free from all material affinity, does not look well if devoid of a conception of the Infallible [God]. What, then, is the use of fruitive activities, which are naturally painful from the very beginning and transient by nature, if they are not utilized for the devotional service of the Lord?" This means that even knowledge, which is superior to fruitive activity, is not successful if it is devoid of devotional service. Therefore in *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam*-in the beginning, middle and end-*karma-kāṇḍa* and *jñāna-kāṇḍa* are condemned. For example, in *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* [[sb/1/1/2|1.1.2]] it is said: *dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo 'tra.* This is explained in the following verses taken from *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* (11.11.32) and the *Bhagavad-gītā* [[bg/18/66|(Bg. 18.66)]].