Verse Text
proktena lakṣaṇenaiva bhakter adhikṛtasya ca |
aṅgatve suniraste ’pi nityādy-akhila-karmaṇām ||257||
jnānasyādhyātmikasyāpi vairagyasya ca phalgunaḥ |
spaṣṭatārthaṁ punar api tad evedaṁ nirākṛtam ||258||
Translation
The daily and periodic duties of varṇāśrama and the impersonal aspect of jṣāna (the obstructive portions of karma and jṣāna) have already been rejected as aṅgas of bhakti by using the stated definition of uttama-bhakti obtained through the bhakti scriptures. However, in order to make the point clear, the false type of vairāgya (the obstructive portion) has been again rejected as an aṅga of bhakti.
Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
The two verses (257-258) are connected. By using the definition of pure bhakti — jṣāna-kārmādy-anāvṛtam — mentioned in this book (proktena lakṣaṇena), karma with its daily and occasional duties and jṣāna with impersonalism have already been rejected as aṅgas of bhakti. That definition has been obtained from scriptures concerning bhakti (bhakter adhikṛtasya). Again, in order to make the point about pure bhakti clear, there is another rejection — this time of phalgu-vairāgya. [Note: In the phrase jṣāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam, the commentary explained that ādi referred to vairāgya, yoga, sāṅkhya and other processes.]
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
The two verses are grammatically connected. Bhakter adhikṛtasya means “contained within the jurisdiction of bhakti scriptures.” Within vairāgya, that part which is useless (phalgu) has been rejected as an aṅga.
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
This does not mean, however, that we should give up the principles of discharging devotional service or neglect abiding by the rules and regulations prescribed therein. In the neophyte stage of devotion one must follow all the principles, regulated by the authority of the spiritual master. The acceptance and rejection of things should always be in pursuance of the devotional principles; not that one can independently manufacture some idea of what should be accepted or rejected. The spiritual master as the visible manifestation of Kṛṣṇa is necessary, therefore, to direct the devotee on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.