4.208

mat-sevaya pratitam te

salokyadi-catustayam

necchanti sevaya purnah

kuto ’nyat kala-viplutam

SYNONYMS

mat—of Me; sevaya—by service; pratitam—obtained; te—they; salokya-adi—liberation, beginning salokya; catustayam—four kinds of; na icchanti—do not desire; sevaya—by service; purnah—complete; kutah—where; anyat—other things; kala-viplutam—which are lost in time “My devotees, having fulfilled their desires by serving Me, do not accept the four kinds of salvation that are easily earned by such service.

Why then should they accept any pleasures that are lost in the course of time?”

PURPORT

This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (9.4.67) was spoken by the Lord in connection with the characteristics of Maharaja Ambarisa.

Merging into the existence of the Absolute is as temporary as living in the celestial kingdom.

Both of them are controlled by time; neither position is permanent.