THE SUPREME LORD 19

asceticism is as ridiculous as to chew what has
already been well chewed; (1:2: 15-16)
laborious efforts at asceticism are out of place x
for one who has fully obtained Hari. (1:2: 58)

3. If by some wretched fellow Hari be not
worshipped, what is the good of his asceticism ?
His effort is vain and fruitless; the non-
devotee can no more be purified by his vows
and alms, his ascetic fasting, Vedic sacrifices
and noble deeds than a wine-bottle by the
Ganga.2 (1 : 2 : 27-28) A holy place, alms,
asceticism, virtue, even a vow can never purify
that twice-born fool who turns away from Sri
Krishna; (1:2: 60) (indeed)y the miserable
fool who has turned away his mind from Sri
Krishna towards things of the world 3 has
thrown away nectar for poison. (1 : 10 : 11)
Holy places tremble at the very touch of a
non-devotee ; this earth (itself) quivers under
the painful burden of one without devotion.
(1:2: 29) 0 Narada, unless Hari be within
and without those persons^ their very asceticism

1 or: vain*

3 As the smell of wine clings to a bottle, so the effects of sin to
a soul in spite of all its labours; God *s grace alone can cleanse
the sou5 and wash away even the memory of impurity.

® lit: sense-objects (visaye}»