Importance of attachment to Krsna's Lotus feet in grhastha ashram

Maharaj Priyavrata was leading a life in the renounced order. He was instructed by Lord Brahma to take the service of ruling all the planetary systems. For doing so , he would have to leave the renounced order and accept a wife.Maharaj Priyavrata asked Lord Brahma if he will be diverted from the devotional service of the Lord by accepting the responsibility of ruling over of the world. Maharaj Pariksit also asked Sukadeva Maharaj how was it possbile for Priyavrata Maharaj to be in householder life and still achieve the topmost perfection of Krishna Consciousness.

This a plaguing question for most grhasthas as the ashram offers many material distractions.
How can one keep oneself protected when one is completely surrounded by debilitating material attractions?

Following is a summary of the answers provided by Sukadeva Goswami,Lord Brahma and Srila Prabhupada's purports in answer to these pertinent questions from the verses SB 5.1.1 -5.1.23.

• Experience bliss in the Lord's shelter : Those who have taken shelter of the Lord's lotus feet are under His cool shade ,experiencing complete bliss and are protected from the anxieties of the material world.They are completely satisfied and blissful. Thus they have no attraction and attachment for the material world.param drstva nivartate: one gives up lower engagements when he experiences a higher taste. Thus one becomes detached from family life as soon as he comes under the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. Ref SB 5.1.4
  
• Mind and senses automatically conquered in the Lord's shelter:When a bumblebee enters the opening of a lotus flower and drinks its honey, it is fully protected by the petals of the lotus. The bee is undisturbed by sunshine and other external influences. Similarly, one who always seeks shelter at the lotus feet of the personality of Godhead is protected from all dangers - the urges of the mind and senses.Our actual duty is to carry out the supreme order of the Personality of Godhead. If we are fixed in our determination to carry out the supreme order of the Lord, we are always secure, regardless of where we are situated, whether in hell or in heaven.Ref SB 5.1.19
  
• Following strictly rules and regulations of Sadhana Bhakti: Householder life affords one a chance to either go back to Godhead or get entangled in frutive material enjoyment. If one follows rigid sadhana and the rules and regulations of sadhana bhakti under guidance of Spiritual Master one can use householder life as a vehicle to get blessed with love for Krishna.Lord Brahma indicated that since Maharaj Priyavrata followed a high standard of renunciation, austerity, penance and devotion he would not be deviated from devotional service, even though he would accept household life. Ref SB 5.1.10
• Krpa siddhi:By the blessings of the spiritual master and senior devotees one can achieve anything.Our attitude and following of the practice should be such that it can attract such blessings. By Narada Muni's and Lord Brahma's blessings it will be possible for Maharaj Priyavrata to be in houshold life yet in complete KC. Ref SB 5.1.10
  
• Yuktam vairagya: SP quotes the sloka anasktasya visyana .... and states "Visayan, material affairs, should be accepted without attachment. and everything should be dovetailed with the service of the Lord. That is real intelligence (manisa). Becoming a family man or king in the material world is not harmful if one accepts everything for Krsna's service. That necessitates clear intelligence. "Ref SB 5.1.12
• Follow instructions of spiritual master:By following the instructions of Lord Brahma and Narada Muni Maharaj Priyavrata performed the worldly affairs but was always engaged in thought of the Lotus Feet of the Lord.He did so to honor the orders of his superiors. If we just follow the instructions of the spiritual master properly we will also be protected from material desires and will be able to constantly think of Krishna's lotus feet. The spiritual master is providing us with so much help and mercy we just have to access it - by following his orders. Ref SB 5.1.23

A description of Maharaj Priyavrata's activities in householder life as a king is given as such:

SB 5.1.29: After Kavi, Mahavira and Savana were completely trained in the paramahamsa stage of life, Maharaja Priyavrata ruled the universe for eleven arbudas of years. Whenever he was determined to fix his arrow upon his bowstring with his two powerful arms, all opponents of the regulative principles of religious life would flee from his presence in fear of the unparalleled prowess he displayed in ruling the universe. He greatly loved his wife Barhismati, and with the increase of days, their exchange of nuptial love also increased. By her feminine behavior as she dressed herself, walked, got up, smiled, laughed, and glanced about, Queen Barhismati increased his energy. Thus although he was a great soul, he appeared lost in the feminine conduct of his wife. He behaved with her just like an ordinary man, but actually he was a great soul.