# SB 6.1.17 ## Text > sadhrīcīno hy ayaṁ loke > panthāḥ kṣemo 'kuto-bhayaḥ > suśīlāḥ sādhavo yatra > nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇāḥ ## Synonyms *sadhrīcīnaḥ*—just appropriate; *hi*—certainly; *ayam*—this; *loke*—in the world; *panthāḥ*—path; *kṣemaḥ*—auspicious; *akutaḥ*-*bhayaḥ*—without fear; *su*-*śīlāḥ*—well-behaved; *sādhavaḥ*—saintly persons; *yatra*—wherein; *nārāyaṇa*-*parāyaṇāḥ*—those who have taken the path of Nārāyaṇa, devotional service, as their life and soul. ## Translation **The path followed by pure devotees, who are well behaved and fully endowed with the best qualifications, is certainly the most auspicious path in this material world. It is free from fear, and it is authorized by the śāstras.** ## Purport One should not think that the person who takes to *bhakti* is one who cannot perform the ritualistic ceremonies recommended in the *karma-kāṇḍa* section of the *Vedas* or is not sufficiently educated to speculate on spiritual subjects. Māyāvādīs generally allege that the *bhakti* path is for women and illiterates. This is a groundless accusation. The *bhakti* path is followed by the most learned scholars, such as the Gosvāmīs, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Rāmānujācārya. These are the actual followers of the *bhakti* path. Regardless of whether or not one is educated or aristocratic, one must follow in their footsteps. *Mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ:* [[cc/madhya/17/186|[Cc. Madhya 17.186] ]] one must follow the path of the *mahājanas.* The *mahājanas* are those who have taken to the path of devotional service (*suśīlāḥ sādhavo yatra nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇāḥ*), for these great personalities are the perfect persons. As stated in *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* [[sb/5/18/12|(5.18.12)]]: > yasyāsti bhaktir bhagavaty akiñcanā > sarvair guṇais tatra samāsate surāḥ "One who has unflinching devotion to the Personality of Godhead has all the good qualities of the demigods." The less intelligent, however, misunderstand the *bhakti* path and therefore allege that it is for one who cannot execute ritualistic ceremonies or speculate. As confirmed here by the word *sadhrīcīnaḥ, bhakti* is the path that is appropriate, not the paths of *karma-kāṇḍa* and *jñāna-kāṇḍa.* Māyāvādīs may be *suśīlāḥ sādhavaḥ* (well-behaved saintly persons), but there is nevertheless some doubt about whether they are actually making progress, for they have not accepted the path of *bhakti.* On the other hand, those who follow the path of the *ācāryas* are *suśīlāḥ* and *sādhavaḥ,* but furthermore their path is *akuto-bhaya,* which means free from fear. One should fearlessly follow the twelve *mahājanas* and their line of disciplic succession and thus be liberated from the clutches of *māyā.*