Nobody is dutiless

Expressions researched:
"Nobody is dutiless"

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

Every particular man. You have got some duty, I have got some duty, everyone. Nobody is dutiless

Lecture on BG 2.49-51 -- New York, April 5, 1966: Now, in the beginning you require a guide. Without guide, it is not possible. Anything which you want to learn in the beginning, any art or science, you require a guide. Without guide... Just like a small child, when he begins to walk, he requires the help of his elder brother or sister or father or mother to catch, and one step, one step, one step, one step... But when he begins to walk independently, then he doesn't require any help. Similarly, to learn this art, "Whether I am acting on the spiritual platform or on the material platform," you require a spiritual master, guide. And this is called dvija, or the second birth. When you catch hold of a bona fide spiritual master just to guide you to act on the spiritual platform, then your second life begins. It is called dvija. So this life is so important that one must begin it. One must begin it. There is no alternative. If a man is intelligent enough, if at all he wants to make his life successful, this must he do. That is the injunction of the Vedas. The Vedas says, tad-vijnanartham sa gurum eva abhigacchet [MU 1.2.12]. This abhigacchet is the form of verb which is imperative, "You must." Abhigacchet. This, this form of verb is used when the sense is "You must." So the Vedic Upanisad directs that tad-vijnanartham: "In order to be situated, or in order to learn how to act on the spiritual platform, you must seek out a bona fide spiritual master who can guide you." So Krsna, Arjuna has selected Krsna as the spiritual master. We have already explained that Krsna, Arjuna surrendered unto Arjuna (Krsna). And Narada says that "Even after, I mean to say, neglecting..." Tyaktva sva-dharmam caranambujam hareh [SB 1.5.17]. Now, Narada says that "If somebody neglects all other duties, all other duties..." Tyaktva sva-dharmam. Sva-dharmam means every particular man has got some particular form of duty. Every particular man. You have got some duty, I have got some duty, everyone. Nobody is dutiless. Now, Narada says, "Even sacrificing the so-called duties, if one takes absolutely unto the spiritual life, then he is not loser. He's not loser. On the contrary, one who does not take up this important path and remain engaged in the so-called duties, he's a loser. He's a loser." It is a very important point.