16.7
kautukete tenho yadi pasaka khelaya
’hare krsna’ ’krsna’ kari’ pasaka calaya
SYNONYMS
kautukete—in jest; tenho—he; yadi—when; pasaka khelaya—plays with dice; hare krsna—the holy name of the Lord; krsna—Krsna; kari’-chanting; pasaka calaya—throws the dice.
When he used to throw dice in jest, he would throw the dice while chanting Hare Krsna.
PURPORT
In this connection Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura warns the men of this age not to imitate the jesting of a maha-bhagavata like Kalidasa.
If someone imitates him by playing with dice or gambling while chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, he will certainly become a victim of offenses unto the holy name.
As it is said, hari-nama-bale pape pravrtti: one must not commit sinful activities on the strength of chanting the Hare Krsna mantra.
Playing with dice is certainly gambling, but it is clearly said here that Kalidasa did this only in jest.
A maha-bhagavata can do anything, but he never forgets the basic principles.
Therefore it is said, vaisnavera kriya-mudra vijneha na bujhaya: “No one can understand the activities of a pure devotee.” We should not imitate Kalidasa.