गोविन्द भाष्य (श्रील बलदेव विद्याभूषण - अचिन्त्यभेदाभेद वेदान्त ब्रह्मसूत्र भाष्य सटीक)

In the beginning of this pada three kinds of devotees, beginning with the svaniṣṭha devotee, were described. Now will be considered the following question: Should they who have attained transcendental knowledge continue to perform the duties of varṇāśrama-dharma? First we will consider the situation of the svaniṣṭha devotees. In the Kauṣārava-śruti it is said: paśyann apīmam ātmānaṁ kuryāt karmāvicārayan yadātmanaḥ su-niyataṁ ānandotkarṣam āpnuyāt "Even when one directly sees the Supreme Personality of Godhead one should continue to perform Vedic rituals, for in this way one attains great bliss." Saṁśaya (doubt): Should a svaniṣṭha devotee who has attained transcendental knowledge still perform Vedic rituals or should he not? Pūrvapakṣa (the opponent speaks): The purpose of Vedic rituals is to attain transcendental knowledge. When the end is attained the means may be abandoned. For this reason there is no reason that he must continue to perform Vedic rituals. Siddhānta (conclusion): In the following words the author of the sūtras gives His opinion. Sūtra 32 vihitatvād āśrama-karmāpi vihitatvāt—because of being ordered; āśrama—of the asramas; karma—the duties; api—also. The duties of the āśramas also, for they are ordered. Purport by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa The word "api" (also) here means that the duties of the varṇas are also included. This means that the prescribed duties of varṇāśrama-dharma should be performed. Why is that? They should be performed in order to increase