So, so long we are not able to come to the platform of thinking the gold and the stone on the equal value, we have to follow these rules and regulation. But that is the highest consideration. Just like Sanatāna Goswāmī, he didn't care for this touchstone. Not for the ordinary man. The ordinary man cannot make that all of a sudden; therefore it is not for him.
So what was the purpose of saying that Gītā says sama-loṣṭrāśma-kāñcanaḥ (BG 6.8)? Why did you raise this question? What is the purpose? We cannot raise, ordinary man, but why did you raise this question? What is the purpose?
Guest: I think this is practical for a householder.
Prabhupāda: But I don't think . . . then where is the difference? Therefore, household luxury is allowed up to fiftieth year in order to learn, pañcaśordhvaṁ vanaṁ vrajet. That is Vedic system. Not to remain householder until you are fired, you see, or you are taken by death. Just like our big leaders: they won't give up their householder's life unless he is fired to death, or death takes him. That is not very good proposition. My Guru Mahārāja used to say that this householder life means it is a concession for sense gratification. That's all.
But our position is that we should not continue sense gratification for all the life. The sense gratification process is going on by the hogs and dogs throughout the whole life, but we should not be like hogs and dogs. We should cease at a certain time. Pañcaśordhvaṁ vanaṁ vrajet. So far; no more. That should be our motive. Not that continue. That . . . that is Vedic way of life, pravṛttiṁ-nivṛtti. So long pravṛtti, attraction for household life, and next nivṛtti: "Now I shall be detached." But the asuras, as it is said, pravṛttiṁ ca nivṛttiṁ ca na vidur āsurāḥ janāḥ (BG 16.7). And if you continue simply pravṛtti-mārga, then you'll remain asura; you don't become deva.
The whole process, Vedic system, is even if we are asuras, gradually by practice, by good association, by following the principles of śāstra, we can become deva.