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Chapter 24
The Sixty-One Explanations of the Atmarama Verse
The following summary of this chapter is given by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya. According to Sri Sanatana Gosvami's request, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu explained the well-known Srimad-Bhagavatam verse beginning atmaramas ca munayo. He explained this verse in sixty-one different ways. He analyzed all the words and described each word with its different connotations. Adding the words ca and api, He described all the different meanings of the verse. He then concluded that all classes of transcendentalists (jnanis, karmis, yogis) utilize this verse according to their own interpretation, but if they gave up this process and surrendered to Krsna, as indicated by the verse itself, they would be able to comprehend the real meaning of the verse. In this regard, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu narrated a story about how the great sage Narada converted a hunter into a great Vaisnava, and how this was appreciated by Narada's friend Parvata Muni. Sanatana Gosvami then offered a prayer to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu explained the glory of Srimad-Bhagavatam. After this, the Lord gave Sanatana Gosvami a synopsis of Hari-bhakti-vilasa, which Sanatana Gosvami later developed into the guiding principle of all Vaisnavas.
TEXT 1
TEXT
atmarameti padyarkasy-
arthamsun yah prakasayan
jagat-tamo jaharavyat
sa caitanyodayacalah
SYNONYMS
atmarama-iti--beginning with the word atmarama; padya--verse; arkasya--of the sunlike; artha-amsun--the shining rays of different meanings; yah--who; prakasayan--manifesting; jagat-tamah--the darkness of the material world; jahara--eradicated; avyat--may protect; sah--He; caitanya-udaya-acalah--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is like the eastern horizon, where the sun rises.
TRANSLATION
May Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu be glorified. It was He who acted as the eastern horizon where the sun of the atmarama verse rises and manifests its rays in the form of different meanings and thus eradicates the darkness of the material world. May He protect the universe.
TEXT 2
TEXT
jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityananda
jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda
SYNONYMS
jaya jaya--all glories; sri-caitanya--to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jaya--all glories; nityananda--to Lord Nityananda; jaya--all glories; advaita-candra--to Advaita Acarya; jaya--all glories; gaura-bhakta-vrnda--to all the devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
TRANSLATION
All glories to Lord Caitanya! All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Advaitacandra! And all glories to all the devotees of Lord Caitanya!
TEXT 3
TEXT
tabe sanatana prabhura carane dhariya
punarapi kahe kichu vinaya kariya
SYNONYMS
tabe--thereafter; sanatana--Sanatana Gosvami; prabhura carane dhariya--catching the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; punarapi--again; kahe--says; kichu--something; vinaya kariya--with great humility.
TRANSLATION
Thereafter, Sanatana Gosvami clasped the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and humbly submitted the following petition.
TEXT 4
TEXT
'purve suniyachon, tumi sarvabhauma-sthane
eka sloke athara artha kairacha vyakhyane
SYNONYMS
purve--formerly; suniyachon--I heard; tumi--You; sarvabhauma-sthane--at the place of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; eka sloke--in one verse; athara artha--eighteen meanings; kairacha vyakhyane--have explained.
TRANSLATION
Sanatana Gosvami said, "My Lord, I have heard that previously, at the home of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, You explained the atmarama verse in eighteen different ways.
TEXT 5
TEXT
atmaramas ca munayo
nirgrantha apy urukrame
kurvanty ahaitukim bhaktim
ittham-bhuta-guno harih
SYNONYMS
atma-aramah--persons who take pleasure in being transcendentally situated in the service of the Lord; ca--also; munayah--great saintly persons who have completely rejected material aspirations, fruitive activities and so forth; nirgranthah--without interest in any material desire; api--certainly; urukrame--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, whose activities are wonderful; kurvanti--do; ahaitukim--causeless, or without material desires; bhaktim--devotional service; ittham-bhuta--so wonderful as to attract the attention of the self-satisfied; gunah--who has transcendental qualities; harih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
" 'Those who are self-satisfied and unattracted by external material desires are also attracted to the loving service of Sri Krsna, whose qualities are transcendental and whose activities are wonderful. Hari, the Personality of Godhead, is called Krsna because He has such transcendentally attractive features.'
PURPORT
This is the famous atmarama verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.7.10).
TEXT 6
TEXT
ascarya suniya mora utkanthita mana
krpa kari' kaha yadi, judaya sravana'
SYNONYMS
ascarya--wonderful; suniya--hearing; mora--my; utkanthita--desirous; mana--mind; krpa kari'--showing Your causeless mercy; kaha yadi--if You speak; judaya--pleases; sravana--the ear.
TRANSLATION
"I have heard this wonderful story and am therefore very inquisitive to hear it again. If You would kindly repeat it, I would be very pleased to hear."
TEXT 7
TEXT
prabhu kahe,----"ami vatula, amara vacane
sarvabhauma vatula taha satya kari' mane
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; ami--I; vatula--a madman; amara vacane--in My words; sarvabhauma--Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; vatula--another madman; taha--that (My explanation); satya kari' mane--took as truth.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "I am one madman, and Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya is another. Therefore he took My words to be the truth.
TEXT 8
TEXT
kiba pralapilana, kichu nahika smarane
tomara sanga-bale yadi kichu haya mane
SYNONYMS
kiba--what; pralapilana--I have said; kichu--anything; nahika--there is not; smarane--in memory; tomara--of you; sanga-bale--by the strength of association; yadi--if; kichu--something; haya--there is; mane--in My mind.
TRANSLATION
"I do not recall what I spoke in that connection, but if something comes to My mind due to association with you, I shall explain it.
TEXT 9
TEXT
sahaje amara kichu artha nahi bhase
toma-sabara sanga-bale ye kichu prakase
SYNONYMS
sahaje--generally; amara--My; kichu--any; artha--meaning; nahi bhase--does not manifest; toma-sabara sanga-bale--by the strength of your association; ye--which; kichu--something; prakase--manifests.
TRANSLATION
"Generally by Myself I cannot give an explanation, but by the strength of your association something may manifest itself.
TEXT 10
TEXT
ekadasa pada ei sloke sunirmala
prthak nana artha pade kare jhalamala
SYNONYMS
ekadasa pada--eleven words; ei--this; sloke--in the verse; su-nirmala--very clear; prthak--separately; nana--various; artha--meanings; pade--in each word; kare jhalamala--are glittering.
TRANSLATION
"There are eleven clear words in this verse, but when they are studied separately, various meanings glitter from each word.
PURPORT
The eleven separate words are (1) atmaramah, (2) ca, (3) munayah, (4) nirgranthah, (5) api, (6) urukrame, (7) kurvanti, (8) ahaitukim, (9) bhaktim, (10) ittham-bhuta-gunah, and (11) harih. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu will explain the different connotations and imports of these words.
TEXT 11
TEXT
'atma'-sabde brahma, deha, mana, yatna, dhrti
buddhi, svabhava,----ei sata artha-prapti
SYNONYMS
atma-sabde--by the word atma; brahma--the Absolute Truth; deha--the body; mana--the mind; yatna--endeavor; dhrti--firmness; buddhi--intelligence; sva-bhava--nature; ei sata--these seven; artha-prapti--obtainment of meanings.
TRANSLATION
"The seven different meanings of the word atma are the Absolute Truth, the body, the mind, endeavor, firmness, intelligence and nature.
TEXT 12
TEXT
"atma deha-mano-brahma-svabhava-dhrti-buddhisu
prayatne ca" iti xxx
SYNONYMS
atma--the word atma; deha--the body; manah--the mind; brahma--the Absolute Truth; sva-bhava--nature; dhrti--firmness; buddhisu--in the sense of intelligence; prayatne--in endeavor; ca--and; iti--thus.
TRANSLATION
" 'The following are synonyms of the word atma: the body, mind, Absolute Truth, natural characteristics, firmness, intelligence and endeavor.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from the Visva-prakasa dictionary.
TEXT 13
TEXT
ei sate rame yei, sei atmarama-gana
atmarama-ganera age kariba ganana
SYNONYMS
ei sate--in these seven items; rame--enjoy; yei--those who; sei--they; atmarama-gana--atmaramas; atmarama-ganera--of the atmaramas; age--later; kariba ganana--shall make a count.
TRANSLATION
"The word atmarama refers to one who enjoys these seven items [the Absolute Truth, body, mind, and so on]. Later, I shall enumerate the atmaramas.
TEXT 14
TEXT
'muni'-adi sabdera artha suna, sanatana
prthak prthak artha pache kariba milana
SYNONYMS
muni--the word muni; adi--and the other; sabdera--of the words; artha--the meaning; suna--hear; sanatana--My dear Sanatana; prthak prthak--separately; artha--meaning; pache--after; kariba milana--I shall combine.
TRANSLATION
"My dear Sanatana, first hear the meanings of the other words, beginning with the word muni. I shall first explain their separate meanings, then combine them.
TEXT 15
TEXT
'muni'-sabde manana-sila, ara kahe mauni
tapasvi vrati, yati, ara rsi, muni
SYNONYMS
muni-sabde--by the word muni; manana-sila--who is thoughtful; ara--also; kahe--it means; mauni--one who is silent; tapasvi--an ascetic; vrati--one who keeps great vows; yati--one in the renounced order of life; ara--and; rsi--a saintly person; muni--they are called muni.
TRANSLATION
"The word muni refers to one who is thoughtful, one who is grave or silent, an ascetic, one who keeps great vows, one in the renounced order, a saint. These are the different meanings of the word muni.
TEXT 16
TEXT
'nirgrantha'-sabde kahe, avidya-granthi-hina
vidhi-nisedha-veda-sastra-jnanadi-vihina
SYNONYMS
nirgrantha--nirgrantha; sabde--by the word; kahe--one means; avidya--of ignorance; granthi-hina--without any knot; vidhi-nisedha--regulative principles of rules and restrictions; veda-sastra--the Vedic literature; jnana-adi--knowledge, and so on; vihina--without.
TRANSLATION
"The word nirgrantha refers to one who is liberated from the material knots of ignorance. It also refers to one who is devoid of all regulative principles enjoined in the Vedic literature. It also refers to one who does not have knowledge.
TEXT 17
TEXT
murkha, nica, mleccha adi sastra-rikta-gana
dhana-sancayi----nirgrantha, ara ye nirdhana
SYNONYMS
murkha--foolish, illiterate persons; nica--lowborn; mleccha--unclean persons with no principles; adi--and others; sastra-rikta-gana--persons devoid of all regulative principles stated in sastra; dhana-sancayi--capitalist (one who gathers wealth); nirgrantha--called nirgrantha; ara--also; ye--anyone who; nirdhana--without riches.
TRANSLATION
"Nirgrantha also refers to one who is illiterate, lowborn, misbehaved, unregulated and devoid of respect for Vedic literature. The word also refers to one who is a capitalist and to one who has no riches.
TEXT 18
TEXT
nir niscaye nis kramarthe
nir nirmana-nisedhayoh
grantho dhane 'tha sandarbhe
varna-sangrathane 'pi ca
SYNONYMS
nih--the prefix nih; niscaye--in the sense of ascertainment; nih--the prefix nih; krama-arthe--in the meaning of succession; nih--the prefix nih; nirmana--in the sense of forming; nisedhayoh--in the sense of forbidding; granthah--the word grantha; dhane--in the sense of wealth; atha--also; sandarbhe--thesis; varna-sangrathane--in the sense of tying together words; api--also; ca--and.
TRANSLATION
" 'The prefix nih may be used for a sense of ascertainment, gradation, construction or forbidding. The word grantha means riches, thesis and composition.'
PURPORT
This is another quotation from the Visva-prakasa dictionary.
TEXT 19
TEXT
'urukrama'-sabde kahe, bada yanra krama
'krama'-sabde kahe ei pada-viksepana
SYNONYMS
urukrama--urukrama; sabde--by this word; kahe--one means; bada--great; yanra--whose; krama--step; krama-sabde--in this word krama; kahe--one means; ei--this; pada-viksepana--throwing forth of the foot.
TRANSLATION
"The word urukrama refers to one whose krama [step] is great. The word krama means 'throwing the foot forward,' that is, 'step.'
TEXT 20
TEXT
sakti, kampa, paripati, yukti, saktye akramana
carana-calane kanpaila tribhuvana
SYNONYMS
sakti--power; kampa--trembling; paripati--method; yukti--argument; saktye--with great force; akramana--attacking; carana-calane--by moving the foot; kanpaila--caused to tremble; tri-bhuvana--the three worlds.
TRANSLATION
"Krama also means power, trembling, a systematic method, argument, and a forcible attack by stepping forward. Thus Vamana caused the three worlds to tremble.
PURPORT
Uru means very great, and krama means step. When Lord Vamanadeva was offered three steps of land, He expanded His three steps by covering the entire universe. In this way the three worlds trembled, and therefore Sri Vamanadeva, the incarnation of Lord Visnu, is referred to as Urukrama.
TEXT 21
TEXT
visnor nu virya-gananam katamo 'rhatiha
yah parthivany api kavir vimame rajamsi
caskambha yah sva-ramhasaskhalata triprstham
yasmat trisamya-sadanad urukampayanam
SYNONYMS
visnoh--of Lord Visnu; nu--certainly; virya-gananam--a counting of the different potencies; katamah--who; arhati--is able to do; iha--in this world; yah--who; parthivani--of the element earth; api--although; kavih--a learned person; vimame--has counted; rajamsi--the atoms; caskambha--captured; yah--who; sva--His own; ramhasa--by potency; askhalata--without hindrances; tri-prstham--the topmost planet (Satyaloka); yasmat--from some cause; tri-samya--where there is equilibrium of the three gunas; sadanat--from the place (from the root of the material world); urukampayanam--trembling greatly.
TRANSLATION
" 'Even if a learned man is able to count all the minute atoms in this material world, he still cannot count the potencies of Lord Visnu. In the form of the Vamana incarnation, Lord Visnu, without hindrance, captured all the planets, beginning from the root of the material world up to Satyaloka. Indeed, He caused every planetary system to tremble by the force of His steps.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.7.40). In the Rg Veda mantra (1.2.154.1), it is said:
om visnor nu viryani kam pravocam
yah parthivani vimame rajamsi
yo 'skambhayad uttaram sadhastham
vicakramanas tredhorugayah
TEXT 22
TEXT
vibhu-rupe vyape, saktye dharana-posana
madhurya-saktye goloka, aisvarye paravyoma
SYNONYMS
vibhu-rupe--in His all-pervasive feature; vyape--expands; saktye--by His potency; dharana-posana--maintaining and nourishing; madhurya-saktye--by His potency of conjugal love; goloka--the planetary system Goloka Vrndavana; aisvarye--and by opulence; para-vyoma--the spiritual world.
TRANSLATION
"Through His all-pervasive feature, the Supreme Personality of Godhead expanded the entire creation. He is holding and maintaining this creation by His extraordinary potency. By His conjugal potency, He maintains the planetary system known as Goloka Vrndavana. Through His six opulences, He maintains many Vaikuntha planets.
PURPORT
In His gigantic form, Lord Krsna has covered the creation. He holds all the planetary systems and maintains them by His inconceivable potencies. Similarly, He is maintaining His personal abode, Goloka Vrndavana, through His conjugal love, and He is maintaining the spiritual world containing the Vaikuntha planets by His opulences.
TEXT 23
TEXT
maya-saktye brahmandadi-paripati-srjana
'urukrama'-sabdera ei artha nirupana
SYNONYMS
maya-saktye--by His external potency; brahmanda-adi--of material universes and so on; paripati--an orderly arrangement; srjana--creating; urukrama-sabdera--of the word urukrama; ei--this; artha--of the meaning; nirupana--ascertainment.
TRANSLATION
"The word urukrama indicates the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who, by His external potency, has perfectly created innumerable universes.
TEXT 24
TEXT
"kramah saktau paripatyam kramas calana-kampayoh"
SYNONYMS
kramah--the word krama; saktau--in the meaning of potency; paripatyam--in the meaning of systematic arrangement; kramah--the word krama; calana--in moving; kampayoh--or in trembling.
TRANSLATION
" 'These are the different meanings of the word krama. It is used in the sense of potency, systematic arrangement, step, moving or trembling.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from the Visva-prakasa dictionary. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is all-pervasive. Not only does He carry the three worlds by His inconceivable energy, but He maintains them also. He is also maintaining His spiritual planet, Goloka Vrndavana, by His conjugal love, and He is maintaining the Vaikunthalokas by His opulences. He maintains these material universes through the external energy. Material universes are perfectly situated because they are created by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TEXT 25
TEXT
'kurvanti'-pada ei parasmaipada haya
krsna-sukha-nimitta bhajane tatparya kahaya
SYNONYMS
kurvanti--they do (for others); pada--the word; ei--this; parasmaipada--a verb form indicating things done for others; haya--is; krsna-sukha-nimitta--to satisfy Krsna; bhajane--in devotional service; tatparya--the purport; kahaya--is said.
TRANSLATION
"The word kurvanti, which means 'they do something for others,' is a form of the verb 'things done for others.' It is used in connection with devotional service, which must be executed for the satisfaction of Krsna. That is the purport of the word kurvanti.
PURPORT
In Sanskrit the verb "to do" has two forms, technically called parasmaipada and atmanepada. When things are done for one's personal satisfaction, the form is called atmanepada. In that case, the word "do" in English is kurvante in Sanskrit. When things are done for others, the verb form changes to kurvanti. Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu informed Sanatana Gosvami that in the atmarama verse the verb kurvanti means that things should be done only for the satisfaction of Krsna. This is supported by the grammarian Panini. The verb is formed as atmanepada when the work is to be done for one's own benefit, and when it is done for others, it is called parasmaipada. Thus the verb is formed according to whether something is done for one's self-satisfaction or for another's satisfaction.
TEXT 26
TEXT
"svaritanitah kartrabhipraye kriya-phale"
SYNONYMS
svarita-nitah--of verbs having an indicatory n or a svarita accent; kartr-abhipraye--is meant for the agent; kriya-phale--when the fruit of the action.
TRANSLATION
" 'The terminations of the atmanepada are employed when the fruit of the action accrues to the agent of verbs having an indicatory n or a svarita accent.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Panini's sutras (1.3.72).
TEXT 27
TEXT
'hetu'-sabde kahe----bhukti-adi vanchantare
bhukti, siddhi, mukti----mukhya ei tina prakare
SYNONYMS
hetu--cause; sabde--by the word; kahe--it is said; bhukti--enjoying the result by oneself; adi--and so on; vancha-antare--because of a different ambition; bhukti--enjoying the result of action; siddhi--the perfection of doing something; mukti--liberation; mukhya--chief; ei--these; tina prakare--in three ways.
TRANSLATION
"The word hetu [cause] means that a thing is done for some motive. There can be three motives. One may act to enjoy the result personally, to achieve some material perfection, or to act in such a way that one may be liberated.
TEXT 28
TEXT
eka bhukti kahe, bhoga----ananta-prakara
siddhi----astadasa, mukti----panca-vidhakara
SYNONYMS
eka--first; bhukti--material enjoyment by doing something; kahe--is known; bhoga--enjoyment; ananta-prakara--unlimited varieties; siddhi--the yogic perfections; astadasa--eighteen in number; mukti--liberation; panca-vidha-akara--five varieties.
TRANSLATION
"First we take the word bhukti [material enjoyment], which is of unlimited variety. We may also take the word siddhi [perfection], which has eighteen varieties. Similarly, the word mukti has five varieties.
TEXT 29
TEXT
ei yanha nahi, taha bhakti----'ahaituki'
yaha haite vasa haya sri-krsna kautuki
SYNONYMS
ei--these; yanha--where; nahi--not existing; taha--that; bhakti--the platform of devotional service; ahaituki--unmotivated; yaha haite--by which; vasa haya--comes under control; sri-krsna--Lord Sri Krsna; kautuki--the most funny.
TRANSLATION
"Causeless devotional service is unmotivated by sense enjoyment, perfection or liberation. When one is freed from all these contaminations, he can bring Lord Krsna, who is very funny, under control.
TEXT 30
TEXT
'bhakti'-sabdera artha haya dasa-vidhakara
eka----'sadhana', 'prema-bhakti'----nava prakara
SYNONYMS
bhakti--bhakti; sabdera--of this word; artha--meanings; haya--are; dasa-vidha-akara--ten varieties; eka--one; sadhana--the execution of regulative devotional service; prema-bhakti--ecstatic love; nava prakara--nine kinds.
TRANSLATION
"There are ten meanings to the word bhakti, devotional service. One is execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles, and the other, called prema-bhakti [ecstatic love] has nine varieties.
PURPORT
The nine varieties are rati, prema, sneha, mana, pranaya, raga, anuraga, bhava and mahabhava-attraction, love, affection, adverse feelings, intimacy, attachment, subattachment, ecstatic love and sublime ecstatic love. For the execution of devotional service according to regulative principles, there is only one meaning.
TEXT 31
TEXT
'rati'-laksana, 'prema'-laksana, ityadi pracara
bhava-rupa, mahabhava-laksana-rupa ara
SYNONYMS
rati--of attraction; laksana--the symptoms; prema--of love; laksana--the symptoms; iti-adi--and so on; pracara--are known; bhava-rupa--in the form of ecstatic love; maha-bhava--of higher ecstatic love; laksana-rupa--there are many symptoms; ara--other.
TRANSLATION
"Next are explained the symptoms of love of Godhead, which can be divided into nine varieties, beginning with attraction up to ecstatic love and finally up to the topmost ecstatic love [mahabhava].
TEXT 32
TEXT
santa-bhaktera rati bade 'prema'-paryanta
dasya-bhaktera rati haya 'raga'-dasa-anta
SYNONYMS
santa-bhaktera--of devotees on the platform of neutrality; rati--attraction; bade--increases; prema-paryanta--up to love of Godhead; dasya-bhaktera--of devotees on the platform of servitude; rati--attraction; haya--increases; raga-dasa-anta--up to the point of spontaneous attachment.
TRANSLATION
"The attraction to Krsna of devotees on the platform of neutrality increases up to love of Godhead [prema], and the attraction of devotees on the platform of servitorship increases to spontaneous attachment [raga].
TEXT 33
TEXT
sakha-ganera rati haya 'anuraga' paryanta
pitr-matr-sneha adi 'anuraga'-anta
SYNONYMS
sakha-ganera--of the friends; rati--the attraction; haya--becomes; anuraga paryanta--up to subecstatic love; pitr-matr-sneha--paternal love; adi--and so on; anuraga-anta--up to the end of subecstatic love.
TRANSLATION
"Devotees in Vrndavana who are friends of the Lord can increase their ecstatic love to the point of anuraga. Paternal affectionate lovers, Krsna's father and mother, can increase their love of Godhead up to the anuraga point also.
TEXT 34
TEXT
kanta-ganera rati paya 'mahabhava'-sima
'bhakti'-sabdera ei saba arthera mahima
SYNONYMS
kanta-ganera--of the devotees in conjugal love; rati--the attraction; paya--attain; maha-bhava-sima--the limit of mahabhava; bhakti--devotional service; sabdera--of the word; ei saba--all these; arthera--of the meanings; mahima--of the glories.
TRANSLATION
"The gopis of Vrndavana who are attached to Krsna in conjugal love can increase their ecstatic love up to the point of mahabhava [the greatest ecstatic love]. These are some of the glorious meanings of the word bhakti, devotional service.
TEXT 35
TEXT
'ittham-bhuta-gunah'-sabdera sunaha vyakhyana
'ittham'-sabdera bhinna artha, 'guna'-sabdera ana
SYNONYMS
ittham-bhuta-gunah--having qualities like this; sabdera--of the word; sunaha--please hear; vyakhyana--the explanation; ittham--ittham; sabdera--of the word; bhinna artha--different meanings; guna--guna; sabdera--of the word; ana--other.
TRANSLATION
"Please hear the meaning of the word ittham-bhuta-guna, which is found in the atmarama verse. Ittham-bhuta has different meanings, and guna has other meanings.
TEXT 36
TEXT
'ittham-bhuta'-sabdera artha----purnanandamaya
yanra age brahmananda trna-praya haya
SYNONYMS
ittham-bhuta-sabdera artha--the meaning or import of the word ittham-bhuta; purna-ananda-maya--full of transcendental bliss; yanra age--in front of which; brahma-ananda--the transcendental bliss derived from impersonalism; trna-praya--just like straw; haya--is.
TRANSLATION
"The word ittham-bhuta is transcendentally exalted because it means 'full of transcendental bliss.' Before this transcendental bliss, the bliss derived from merging into the existence of the Absolute [brahmananda] becomes like a piece of straw in comparison.
TEXT 37
TEXT
tvat-saksat-karanahlada-
visuddhabdhi-sthitasya me
sukhani gospadayante
brahmany api jagad-guro
SYNONYMS
tvat--Your; saksat--meeting; karana--such action; ahlada--pleasure; vi-suddha--spiritually purified; abdhi--ocean; sthitasya--being situated; me--by me; sukhani--happiness; gospadayante--a small hole created by the hoof of a calf; brahmani--the pleasure derived from impersonal Brahman understanding; api--also; jagat-guro--O master of the universe.
TRANSLATION
" 'My dear Lord, O master of the universe, since I have directly seen You, my transcendental bliss has taken the shape of a great ocean. Being situated in that ocean, I now realize all other so-called happiness to be like the water contained in the hoofprint of a calf.'
PURPORT
This is a verse from the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (14.36).
TEXT 38
TEXT
sarvakarsaka, sarvahladaka, maha-rasayana
apanara bale kare sarva-vismarana
SYNONYMS
sarva-akarsaka--all-attractive; sarva-ahladaka--all-pleasing; maha-rasa-ayana--the complete abode of transcendental mellow; apanara bale--by His own strength; kare--causes; sarva-vismarana--forgetfulness of all other bliss.
TRANSLATION
"Lord Krsna is so exalted that He is more attractive than anything else and more pleasing than anything else. He is the most sublime abode of bliss. By His own strength, He causes one to forget all other ecstasies.
TEXT 39
TEXT
bhukti-mukti-siddhi-sukha chadaya yara gandhe
alaukika sakti-gune krsna-krpaya bandhe
SYNONYMS
bhukti--material happiness; mukti--liberation from material suffering; siddhi--the perfection of mystic yoga; sukha--the happiness derived from these things; chadaya--one gives up; yara--of which; gandhe--simply by the slight fragrance; alaukika--uncommon, transcendental; sakti-gune--by the power and quality; krsna-krpaya--by the mercy of Lord Krsna; bandhe--one becomes bound.
TRANSLATION
"Pure devotional service is so sublime that one can very easily forget the happiness derived from material happiness, material liberation and mystic or yogic perfection. Thus the devotee is bound by Krsna's mercy and His uncommon power and qualifications.
TEXT 40
TEXT
sastra-yukti nahi ihan siddhanta-vicara
ei svabhava-gune, yate madhuryera sara
SYNONYMS
sastra-yukti--logic on the basis of revealed scripture; nahi--there is not; ihan--here; siddhanta-vicara--consideration of logical conclusions; ei--this; svabhava-gune--a natural quality; yate--in which; madhuryera sara--the essence of all transcendental bliss.
TRANSLATION
"When one is attracted to Krsna on the transcendental platform, there is no longer any logical argument on the basis of revealed scripture, nor are there considerations of such conclusions. This is His transcendental quality that is the essence of all transcendental sweetness.
TEXT 41
TEXT
'guna' sabdera artha----krsnera guna ananta
sac-cid-rupa-guna sarva purnananda
SYNONYMS
guna sabdera artha--the meaning of the word guna; krsnera guna ananta--Krsna has unlimited qualities; sat-cit-rupa-guna--such qualities are spiritual and eternal; sarva purna-ananda--full of all transcendental bliss.
TRANSLATION
"The word guna means 'quality.' The qualities of Krsna are transcendentally situated and are unlimited in quantity. All of the spiritual qualities are full of transcendental bliss.
TEXT 42
TEXT
aisvarya-madhurya-karunye svarupa-purnata
bhakta-vatsalya, atma-paryanta vadanyata
SYNONYMS
aisvarya--opulence; madhurya--transcendental sweetness; karunye--mercy; svarupa-purnata--fullness of spiritual value; bhakta-vatsalya--affection for the devotee; atma-paryanta--up to the point of His personal self; vadanyata--magnanimity.
TRANSLATION
"Krsna's transcendental qualities such as opulence, sweetness and mercy are perfect and full. As far as Krsna's affectionate leaning toward His devotees is concerned, He is so magnanimous that He can give Himself to His devotees.
TEXT 43
TEXT
alaukika rupa, rasa, saurabhadi guna
karo mana kona gune kare akarsana
SYNONYMS
alaukika rupa--uncommon beauty; rasa--mellows; saurabha-adi guna--qualities like transcendental fragrance; karo mana--the mind of a devotee; kona gune--by some particular quality; kare--does; akarsana--attracting.
TRANSLATION
"Krsna has unlimited qualities. The devotees are attracted by His uncommon beauty, mellows and fragrance. Thus they are differently situated in the different transcendental mellows. Therefore Krsna is called all-attractive.
TEXT 44
TEXT
sanakadira mana harila saurabhadi gune
SYNONYMS
sanaka-adira mana--the minds of saintly sages like Sanaka and Sanatana; harila--attracted; saurabha-adi--such as the transcendental aroma of His lotus feet; gune--by the quality.
TRANSLATION
"The minds of the four boy sages [Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana and Sanat-kumara] were attracted to the lotus feet of Krsna by the aroma of the tulasi that had been offered to the Lord.
TEXT 45
TEXT
tasyaravinda-nayanasya padaravinda-
kinjalka-misra-tulasi-makaranda-vayuh
antargatah svavivarena cakara tesam
sanksobham aksara-jusam api citta-tanvoh
SYNONYMS
tasya--of Him; aravinda-nayanasya--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose eyes are like the petals of a lotus; pada-aravinda--of the lotus feet; kinjalka--with saffron; misra--mixed; tulasi--of tulasi leaves; makaranda--with the aroma; vayuh--the air; antargatah--entered; sva-vivarena--through the nostrils; cakara--created; tesam--of them; sanksobham--strong agitation; aksara-jusam--of the impersonally self-realized (Kumaras); api--also; citta-tanvoh--of the mind and body.
TRANSLATION
" 'When the breeze carrying the aroma of tulasi leaves and saffron from the lotus feet of the lotus-eyed Personality of Godhead entered through the nostrils into the hearts of those sages [the Kumaras], they experienced a change in both body and mind, even though they were attached to impersonal Brahman understanding.'
PURPORT
This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.15.43). For an explanation, see Madhya-lila (17.142).
TEXT 46
TEXT
sukadevera mana harila lila-sravane
SYNONYMS
sukadevera--of Sukadeva Gosvami; mana--the mind; harila--carried away; lila-sravane--by remembering the pastimes of the Lord.
TRANSLATION
"Sukadeva's mind was carried away by remembering the pastimes of the Lord.
TEXT 47
TEXT
parinisthito 'pi nairgunye
uttamahsloka-lilaya
grhita-ceta rajarse
akhyanam yad adhitavan
SYNONYMS
parinisthitah--situated; api--although; nairgunye--in the transcendental position, freed from the material modes of nature; uttamah-sloka-lilaya--by the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Uttamahsloka; grhita-ceta--the mind became fully taken over; rajarse--O great King; akhyanam--the narration; yat--which; adhitavan--studied.
TRANSLATION
" 'Sukadeva Gosvami addressed Pariksit Maharaja, "My dear King, although I was fully situated in the transcendental position, I was nonetheless attracted to the pastimes of Lord Krsna. Therefore I studied Srimad-Bhagavatam from my father.' "
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.9).
TEXT 48
TEXT
svasukha-nibhrta-cetas tad-vyudastanya-bhavo
'py ajita-rucira-lilakrsta-saras tadiyam
vyatanuta krpaya yas tattva-dipam puranam
tam akhila-vrjina-ghnam vyasa-sunum nato 'smi
SYNONYMS
sva-sukha-nirbhrta-cetah--whose mind was always fully absorbed in the happiness of self-realization; tat--by that; vyudasta-anya-bhavah--being freed from all other attractions; api--although; ajita-rucira-lila--by the most attractive pastimes of Ajita, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; akrsta--attracted; sarah--whose heart; tadiyam--in relation to the Lord; vyatanuta--described and spread; krpaya--out of mercy; yah--he who; tattva-dipam--which is the light of the Absolute Truth; puranam--the supplementary Vedic literature Srimad-Bhagavatam; tam--to him; akhila-vrjina-ghnam--who can destroy all kinds of material misery; vyasa-sunum--Sukadeva Gosvami, the son of Vyasadeva; natah asmi--I offer my respectful obeisances.
TRANSLATION
" 'I offer my respectful obeisances unto Srila Sukadeva Gosvami, the son of Vyasadeva. He is the destroyer of all sinful reactions and is full in self-realization and bliss. Because of this, he has no other desire. Still, he was attracted by the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and out of compassion for the people, he described the transcendental historical literature called Srimad-Bhagavatam. This is compared to the light of the Absolute Truth.'
PURPORT
This verse is from Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.12.68).
TEXT 49
TEXT
sri-anga-rupe hare gopikara mana
SYNONYMS
sri-anga--of His transcendental body; rupe--by the beauty; hare--attracts; gopikara mana--the minds of the gopis.
TRANSLATION
"Lord Sri Krsna attracts the minds of all the gopis with His beautiful transcendental bodily features.
TEXT 50
TEXT
viksyalakavrta-mukham tava kundala-sri-
ganda-sthaladhara-sudham hasitavalokam
dattabhayam ca bhuja-danda-yugam vilokya
vaksah sriyaika-ramanam ca bhavama dasyah
SYNONYMS
viksya--seeing; alaka-avrta-mukham--face decorated with curling tresses of hair; tava--Your; kundala-sri--beauty of earrings; ganda-sthala--falling on Your cheeks; adhara-sudham--and the nectar from Your lips; hasita-avalokam--Your smiling glance; datta-abhayam--which assure fearlessness; ca--and; bhuja-danda-yugam--the two arms; vilokya--by seeing; vaksah--chest; sriya--by the beauty; eka-ramanam--chiefly producing conjugal attraction; ca--and; bhavama--we have become; dasyah--Your maidservants.
TRANSLATION
" 'Dear Krsna, we have simply surrendered ourselves as Your maidservants, for we have seen Your beautiful face decorated with tresses of hair, Your earrings falling upon Your cheeks and the nectar of Your lips. We have also seen the beauty of Your smile and have been embraced by Your arms, which give us courage. Because we have seen Your chest, which is beautiful and broad, we have surrendered ourselves.'
PURPORT
This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.29.39) was spoken by the gopis when they arrived near Krsna for the rasa dance on a full moonlit night. The attracted gopis were awestruck, and they began to speak about how they came to Krsna to enjoy the rasa dance.
TEXT 51
TEXT
rupa-guna-sravane rukminy-adira akarsana
SYNONYMS
rupa--beauty; guna--qualities; sravane--by hearing; rukmini-adira--of the queens, headed by Rukmini; akarsana--attracting.
TRANSLATION
"The queens in Dvaraka, who are headed by Rukmini, are also attracted to Krsna simply by hearing about His transcendental beauty and qualities.
TEXT 52
TEXT
srutva gunan bhuvana-sundara srnvatam te
nirvisya karna-vivarair harato 'nga-tapam
rupam drsam drsimatam akhilartha-labham
tvayy acyutavisati cittam apatrapam me
SYNONYMS
srutva--hearing; gunan--the transcendental qualities; bhuvana-sundara--O most beautiful in the whole creation; srnvatam--of those hearing; te--Your; nirvisya--entering; karna-vivaraih--by the holes of the ears; haratah anga-tapam--decreasing all the miserable conditions of the body; rupam--the beauty; drsam--of the eyes; drsimatam--of those who can see; akhila-artha-labham--the achievement of all kinds of gains; tvayi--unto You; acyuta--O infallible one; avisati--enters; cittam--the consciousness; apatrapam--without shame; me--my.
TRANSLATION
" 'O most beautiful Krsna, I have heard about Your transcendental qualities from others, and therefore all my bodily miseries are relieved. If one sees Your transcendental beauty, his eyes have attained everything profitable in life. O infallible one, I have become shameless after hearing of Your qualities, and I have become attracted to You.'
PURPORT
This verse (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.52.37) was written by Rukminidevi in a letter to Krsna inviting Him to kidnap her. Sukadeva Gosvami described this to Maharaja Pariksit when the King asked him how Rukmini had been kidnapped. Rukmini had heard about Krsna's qualities from different people, and after she heard about them, she decided to accept Krsna as her husband. Everything had been arranged for her marriage to Sisupala; therefore she wrote a letter to Krsna, which she sent through a brahmana, and invited Him to kidnap her.
TEXT 53
TEXT
vamsi-gite hare krsna laksmy-adira mana
SYNONYMS
vamsi-gite--by the vibration of His flute; hare--attracts; krsna--Lord Krsna; laksmi-adira--of the goddess of fortune and others; mana--the mind.
TRANSLATION
"Lord Krsna even attracts the mind of the goddess of fortune simply by vibrating His transcendental flute.
TEXT 54
TEXT
kasyanubhavo 'sya na deva vidmahe
tavanghri-renu-sparasadhikarah
yad-vanchaya srir lalanacarat tapo
vihaya kaman suciram dhrta-vrata
SYNONYMS
kasya--of what; anubhavah--a result; asya--of the serpent (Kaliya); na--not; deva--O Lord; vidmahe--we know; tava-anghri--of Your lotus feet; renu--of the dust; sparasa--for touching; adhikarah--qualification; yat--which; vanchaya--by desiring; srih--the goddess of fortune; lalana--the topmost woman; acarat--performed; tapah--austerity; vihaya--giving up; kaman--all desires; suciram--for a long time; dhrta--a law upheld; vrata--as a vow.
TRANSLATION
" 'O Lord, we do not know how the serpent Kaliya attained such an opportunity to be touched by the dust of Your lotus feet. For this end, the goddess of fortune performed austerities for centuries, giving up all other desires and taking austere vows. Indeed, we do not know how this serpent Kaliya got such an opportunity.'
PURPORT
This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.16.36) was spoken by the wives of the Kaliya demon.
TEXT 55
TEXT
yogya-bhave jagate yata yuvatira gana
SYNONYMS
yogya-bhave--by proper behavior; jagate--within the three worlds; yata--all; yuvatira gana--the groups of young girls.
TRANSLATION
"Krsna attracts not only the minds of the gopis and the goddesses of fortune but the minds of all the young girls in the three worlds as well.
TEXT 56
TEXT
ka stry anga te kala-padamrta-venu-gita-
sammohitarya-caritan na calet trilokyam
trailokya-saubhagam idam ca niriksya rupam
yad go-dvija-druma-mrgah pulakany abibhran
SYNONYMS
ka stri--who is that woman; anga--O Krsna; te--of You; kala-pada--by the rhythms; amrta-venu-gita--and sweet songs of Your flute; sammohita--being captivated; arya-caritat--from the path of chastity according to Vedic civilization; na--not; calet--would wander; tri-lokyam--within the three worlds; trailokya-saubhagam--which is the fortune of the three worlds; idam--this; ca--and; niriksya--by observing; rupam--the beauty; yat--which; go--the cows; dvija--the birds; druma--the trees; mrgah--forest animals like the deer; pulakani--transcendental jubilation; abibhran--manifested.
TRANSLATION
" 'My dear Lord Krsna, where is that woman within the three worlds who cannot be captivated by the rhythms of the sweet songs coming from Your wonderful flute? Who cannot fall down from the path of chastity in this way? Your beauty is the most sublime within the three worlds. Upon seeing Your beauty, even cows, birds, animals and trees in the forest are stunned in jubilation.'
PURPORT
This verse is from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.29.40).
TEXT 57
TEXT
guru-tulya stri-ganera vatsalye akarsana
dasya-sakhyadi-bhave purusadi gana
SYNONYMS
guru-tulya--on the level of a superior guardian; stri-ganera--of the ladies of Vrndavana; vatsalye--in parental affection; akarsana--attracting; dasya-sakhya-adi--servants, friends, and others; bhave--in the mode of; purusa-adi gana--all the males of Vrndavana.
TRANSLATION
"The women of Vrndavana, who are on the level of superior guardians, are attracted maternally. The men of Vrndavana are attracted as servants, friends and fathers to Lord Krsna.
TEXT 58
TEXT
paksi, mrga, vrksa, lata, cetanacetana
preme matta kari' akarsaye krsna-guna
SYNONYMS
paksi--birds; mrga--animals; vrksa--trees; lata--creepers; cetana-acetana--living entities and even the stones and wood; preme--in ecstatic love; matta--captivated; kari'--making; akarsaye--attract; krsna-guna--the qualities of Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"The qualities of Krsna captivate and attract everything, living and dead. Even birds, animals and trees are attracted to Krsna's qualities.
TEXT 59
TEXT
'harih'-sabde nanartha, dui mukhyatama
sarva amangala hare, prema diya hare mana
SYNONYMS
harih--hari; sabde--by this word; nana-artha--different imports; dui--two; mukhya-tama--chief; sarva--all; amangala--inauspiciousness; hare--takes away; prema diya--by ecstatic love; hare--attracts; mana--the mind.
TRANSLATION
"Although the word hari has many different meanings, two of them are foremost. One meaning is that the Lord takes away all inauspicious things from His devotee, and the second meaning is that He attracts the mind by ecstatic love for God.
TEXT 60
TEXT
yaiche taiche yohi kohi karaye smarana
cari-vidha tapa tara kare samharana
SYNONYMS
yaiche taiche--somehow or other; yohi kohi--anywhere and everywhere; karaye smarana--remembers; cari-vidha--the four kinds; tapa--miserable conditions of life; tara--of the devotee; kare samharana--He takes away.
TRANSLATION
"When the devotee somehow or other always remembers the Supreme Personality of Godhead anywhere and everywhere, Lord Hari takes away life's four miserable conditions.
PURPORT
The four miserable conditions are due to the four kinds of sinful activities, known as (1) pataka, (2) urupataka, (3) maha-pataka and (4) atipataka-preliminary sin, very great sin, greater sin and topmost sin. However, Krsna assures the devotee, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah: "I will protect you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear." The word sarva-papebhyah indicates four kinds of sinful activity. As soon as the devotee surrenders unto Krsna's lotus feet, he is certainly relieved from all sinful activities and their results. The four basic sinful activities are summarized as illicit sex, intoxication, gambling and meat-eating.
TEXT 61
TEXT
yathagnih susamrddharcih
karoty edhamsi bhasmasat
tatha mad-visaya bhaktir
uddhavainamsi krtsnasah
SYNONYMS
yatha--as; agnih--a fire; su-samrddha-arcih--having a full flame; karoti--makes; edhamsi--fuel; bhasmasat--into ashes; tatha--similarly; mat-visaya bhaktih--devotional service in relation to Me; uddhava--O Uddhava; enamsi--all kinds of sinful activity; krtsnasah--totally.
TRANSLATION
" 'As all fuel is burned to ashes by a full-fledged fire, all sinful activities are totally erased when one engages in devotional service to Me.'
PURPORT
This verse is from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.14.19).
TEXT 62
TEXT
tabe kare bhakti-badhaka karma, avidya nasa
sravanadyera phala 'prema' karaye prakasa
SYNONYMS
tabe--thereafter; kare--does; bhakti-badhaka--impediments on the path of devotional service; karma--activities; avidya--ignorance; nasa--vanquishing; sravana-adyera--of hearing, chanting and so forth; phala--the result; prema--love of Godhead; karaye prakasa--causes a manifestation of.
TRANSLATION
"In this way, when all sinful activities are vanquished by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one gradually vanquishes all kinds of impediments on the path of devotional service, as well as the ignorance resulting from these impediments. After this, one totally manifests his original love of Godhead through devotional service in nine different ways-hearing, chanting and so forth.
TEXT 63
TEXT
nija-gune tabe hare dehendriya-mana
aiche krpalu krsna, aiche tanra guna
SYNONYMS
nija-gune--by transcendental qualities; tabe--then; hare--attracts; deha-indriya-mana--the body, senses and mind; aiche--in that way; krpalu krsna--merciful Krsna; aiche--in that way; tanra--His; guna--transcendental qualities.
TRANSLATION
"When the devotee is freed from all sinful material activities, Krsna attracts his body, mind and senses to His service. Thus Krsna is very merciful, and His transcendental qualities are very attractive.
TEXT 64
TEXT
cari purusartha chadaya, gune hare sabara mana
'hari'-sabdera ei mukhya kahilun laksana
SYNONYMS
cari purusa-artha--the four kinds of so-called goals of life; chadaya--causes to give up; gune--by the transcendental qualities; hare--attracts; sabara mana--everyone's mind; hari--hari; sabdera--of the word; ei--this; mukhya--chief; kahilun--I have explained; laksana--the symptoms.
TRANSLATION
"When one's mind, senses and body are attracted to the transcendental qualities of Hari, one gives up the four principles of material success. Thus I have explained the chief meanings of the word hari.
PURPORT
The four principles of material success are (1) religious performance, (2) economic development, (3) sense gratification and (4) liberation, or merging in the impersonal effulgence of Brahman. These things do not interest the devotee.
TEXT 65
TEXT
'ca' 'api', dui sabda tate 'avyaya' haya
yei artha lagaiye, sei artha haya
SYNONYMS
ca--ca; api--api; dui--two; sabda--words; tate--in that way; avyaya--indeclinable words; haya--are; yei--whatever; artha--meaning; lagaiye--they want to use; sei--that; artha--meaning; haya--can be used.
TRANSLATION
"When the conjunction ca [and] and the adverb api [although] are added to this verse, the verse can assume whatever meaning one wants to give it.
TEXT 66
TEXT
tathapi ca-karera kahe mukhya artha sata
SYNONYMS
tathapi--still; ca-karera--of the word ca; kahe--it is said; mukhya--chief; artha--meanings; sata--seven.
TRANSLATION
"The word ca can be explained in seven ways.
TEXT 67
TEXT
canvacaye samahare
'nyo 'nyarthe ca samuccaye
yatnantare tatha pada-
purane 'py avadharane
SYNONYMS
ca--this word ca; anvacaye--in connecting one with another; samahare--in the sense of aggregation; anyo 'nya-arthe--to help one another in the imports; ca--the word ca; samuccaye--in aggregate understanding; yatna-antare--in another effort; tatha--as well as; pada-purane--in completing the verse; api--also; avadharane--in the sense of certainty.
TRANSLATION
" 'The word ca [and] is used to connect a word or sentence with a previous word or sentence, to give the sense of aggregation, to assist the meaning, to give a collective understanding, to suggest another effort or exertion, or to fulfill the meter of a verse. It is also used in the sense of certainty.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from the Visva-prakasa dictionary.
TEXT 68
TEXT
api-sabde mukhya artha sata vikhyata
SYNONYMS
api-sabde--by the word api; mukhya--chief; artha--meanings; sata--seven; vikhyata--celebrated.
TRANSLATION
"There are seven chief meanings of the word api. They are as follows.
TEXT 69
TEXT
api sambhavana-prasna-
sanka-garha-samuccaye
tatha yukta-padarthesu
kama-cara-kriyasu ca
SYNONYMS
api--the word api; sambhavana--possibility; prasna--question; sanka--doubt; garha--censure or abuse; samuccaye--aggregation; tatha--as well as; yukta-pada-arthesu--the appropriate application of things; kama-cara-kriyasu--of extravagance; ca--and.
TRANSLATION
" 'The word api is used in the sense of possibility, question, doubt, censure, aggregation, appropriate application of things, and extravagance.'
PURPORT
This is another quotation from the Visva-prakasa.
TEXT 70
TEXT
ei ta' ekadasa padera artha-nirnaya
ebe slokartha kari, yatha ye lagaya
SYNONYMS
ei ta'--this; ekadasa--eleven; padera--of the words; artha-nirnaya--demonstration of import; ebe--now; sloka-artha--the total meaning of the verse; kari--let Me do; yatha--as much as; ye--which; lagaya--applicable.
TRANSLATION
"I have now described the different meanings of the eleven separate words. Now let Me give the complete meaning of the sloka, as it is applied in different places.
TEXT 71
TEXT
'brahma' sabdera artha----tattva sarva-brhattama
svarupa aisvarya kari' nahi yanra sama
SYNONYMS
brahma--brahma; sabdera artha--the meaning of the word; tattva--the truth; sarva-brhat-tama--summum bonum among the relative truths; sva-rupa--the original identity; aisvarya--opulence; kari'--accepting; nahi--not; yanra--whose; sama--equal.
TRANSLATION
"The word brahma indicates the summum bonum, the Absolute Truth, which is greater than all other truths. It is the original identity, and there can be no truth equal to that Absolute Truth.
TEXT 72
TEXT
brhattvad brmhanatvac ca
tad brahma paramam viduh
tasmai namas te sarvatman
yogi-cintyavikaravat
SYNONYMS
brhattvat--because of being all-pervasive; brmhanatvat--because of increasing unlimitedly; ca--and; tat--that; brahma--Absolute Truth; paramam--the ultimate; viduh--they know; tasmai--unto Him; namah--obeisances; te--unto You; sarva-atman--the Supreme Soul; yogi-cintya--appreciable by great yogis; avikara-vat--without change.
TRANSLATION
" 'I offer my respectful obeisances to the Absolute Truth, the summum bonum. He is the all-pervasive, all-increasing subject matter for the great yogis. He is changeless, and He is the soul of all.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from the Visnu Purana (1.12.57).
TEXT 73
TEXT
sei brahma-sabde kahe svayam-bhagavan
advitiya-jnana, yanha vina nahi ana
SYNONYMS
sei--that; brahma--brahma; sabde--by the word; kahe--it is said; svayam-bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; advitiya-jnana--the supreme one, without duality; yanha--which; vina--without; nahi ana--there is nothing else.
TRANSLATION
"The proper meaning of the word brahma is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is one without a second and without whom nothing exists.
TEXT 74
TEXT
vadanti tat tattva-vidas
tattvam yaj jnanam advayam
brahmeti paramatmeti
bhagavan iti sabdyate
SYNONYMS
vadanti--they say; tat--that; tattva-vidah--learned souls; tattvam--the Absolute Truth; yat--which; jnanam--knowledge; advayam--nondual; brahma--Brahman; iti--thus; paramatma--Paramatma; iti--thus; bhagavan--Bhagavan; iti--thus; sabdyate--is known.
TRANSLATION
" 'Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth say that it is nondual knowledge and is called impersonal Brahman, localized Paramatma and the Personality of Godhead.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.11). For an explanation, see Adi-lila (2.11).
TEXT 75
TEXT
sei advaya-tattva krsna----svayam-bhagavan
tina-kale satya tinho----sastra-pramana
SYNONYMS
sei--that; advaya-tattva--Absolute Truth without a second; krsna--Lord Krsna; svayam-bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tina-kale--in three phases of time (past, present and future); satya--truth; tinho--He; sastra-pramana--the verdict of all Vedic literature.
TRANSLATION
"That Absolute Truth without a second is Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is the supreme truth in the past, present and future. That is the evidence of all revealed scriptures.
TEXT 76
TEXT
aham evasam evagre
nanyad yat sad-asat-param
pascad aham yad etac ca
yo 'vasisyeta so 'smy aham
SYNONYMS
aham--I, the Personality of Godhead; eva--certainly; asam--existed; eva--only; agre--before the creation; na--never; anyat--anything else; yat--which; sat--the effect; asat--the cause; param--the supreme; pascat--after; aham--I, the Personality of Godhead; yat--which; etat--this creation; ca--also; yah--who; avasisyeta--remains; sah--that; asmi--am; aham--I, the Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
" 'Prior to the cosmic creation, only I exist, and no phenomena exist, either gross, subtle or primordial. After creation, only I exist in everything, and after annihilation only I remain eternally.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.9.33). For an explanation see Adi-lila (1.53).
TEXT 77
TEXT
'atma'-sabde kahe krsna brhattva-svarupa
sarva-vyapaka, sarva-saksi, parama-svarupa
SYNONYMS
atma--atma; sabde--by the word; kahe--it is said; krsna--the Supreme Lord Krsna; brhattva--the greatest of all; sva-rupa--identity; sarva-vyapaka--all pervasive; sarva-saksi--the witness of all; parama-svarupa--the supreme form.
TRANSLATION
"The word atma [self] indicates the highest truth, Krsna. He is the all-pervasive witness of all, and He is the supreme form.
TEXT 78
TEXT
atatatvac ca matrtvad
atma hi paramo harih
SYNONYMS
atatatvat--due to being all-pervading; ca--and; matrtvat--due to being the progenitor; atma--the soul; hi--certainly; paramah--supreme; harih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
" 'Hari, the Personality of Godhead, is the all-pervasive original source of everything; He is therefore the Supersoul of everything.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from the Bhavartha-dipika, Sridhara Svami's commentary on Srimad-Bhagavatam.
TEXT 79
TEXT
sei krsna-prapti-hetu trividha 'sadhana'
jnana, yoga, bhakti,----tinera prthak laksana
SYNONYMS
sei--those; krsna-prapti--of achieving the lotus feet of Krsna; hetu--causes; tri-vidha sadhana--the three kinds of execution; jnana--knowledge; yoga--mystic yoga practice; bhakti--and devotional service; tinera--of these three; prthak laksana--the symptoms are different.
TRANSLATION
"There are three ways to attain the lotus feet of the Absolute Truth, Krsna. There is the process of philosophical speculation, the practice of mystic yoga and the execution of devotional service. Each of these has its different characteristics.
TEXT 80
TEXT
tina sadhane bhagavan tina svarupe bhase
brahma, paramatma, bhagavatta,----trividha prakase
SYNONYMS
tina sadhane--by these three different processes; bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tina--three; sva-rupe--in identities; bhase--appears; brahma--the impersonal feature; paramatma--the localized feature; bhagavatta--and the Supreme Personality of Godhead; trividha prakase--three manifestations.
TRANSLATION
"The Absolute Truth is the same, but according to the process by which one understands Him, He appears in three forms-as Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TEXT 81
TEXT
vadanti tat tattva-vidas
tattvam yaj jnanam advayam
brahmeti paramatmeti
bhagavan iti sabdyate
SYNONYMS
vadanti--they say; tat--that; tattva-vidah--learned souls; tattvam--the Absolute Truth; yat--which; jnanam--knowledge; advayam--nondual; brahma--Brahman; iti--thus; paramatma--Paramatma; iti--thus; bhagavan--Bhagavan; iti--thus; sabdyate--is known.
TRANSLATION
" 'Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth say that it is nondual knowledge and is called impersonal Brahman, localized Paramatma and the Personality of Godhead.'
TEXT 82
TEXT
'brahma-atma'-sabde yadi krsnere kahaya
'rudhi-vrttye' nirvisesa antaryami kaya
SYNONYMS
brahma-atma--brahma and atma; sabde--by these words; yadi--if; krsnere kahaya--Krsna is indicated; rudhi-vrttye--by the direct meaning; nirvisesa--impersonal; antaryami--the Supersoul; kaya--is said.
TRANSLATION
"Although the words brahma and atma indicate Krsna, their direct meaning refers only to the impersonal Brahman and the Supersoul.
TEXT 83
TEXT
jnana-marge----nirvisesa-brahma prakase
yoga-marge----antaryami-svarupete bhase
SYNONYMS
jnana-marge--the process of philosophical speculation; nirvisesa-brahma--the impersonal Brahman effulgence; prakase--becomes manifest; yoga-marge--by practicing mystic yoga; antaryami-svarupete--in the localized aspect, Supersoul; bhase--appears.
TRANSLATION
"If one follows the path of philosophical speculation, the Absolute Truth manifests Himself as impersonal Brahman, and if one follows the path of mystic yoga, He manifests Himself as the Supersoul.
TEXT 84
TEXT
raga-bhakti-vidhi-bhakti haya dui-rupa
'svayam-bhagavattve', bhagavattve----prakasa dvi-rupa
SYNONYMS
raga-bhakti--spontaneous devotional service; vidhi-bhakti--regulative devotional service; haya--are; dui-rupa--the two kinds of devotional service; svayam-bhagavattve--in the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhagavattve--and in His personal expansion; prakasa dvi-rupa--the two kinds of manifestation.
TRANSLATION
"There are two kinds of devotional activity-spontaneous and regulative. By spontaneous devotional service, one attains the original Personality of Godhead, Krsna, and by the regulative process one attains the expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TEXT 85
TEXT
raga-bhaktye vraje svayam-bhagavane paya
SYNONYMS
raga-bhaktye--by the discharge of spontaneous devotional service; vraje--in Vrndavana; svayam--Himself; bhagavane--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; paya--one gets.
TRANSLATION
"By executing spontaneous devotional service in Vrndavana, one attains the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna.
TEXT 86
TEXT
nayam sukhapo bhagavan
dehinam gopika-sutah
jnaninam catma-bhutanam
yatha bhaktimatam iha
SYNONYMS
na--not; ayam--this Lord Sri Krsna; sukha-apah--easily available; bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; dehinam--for materialistic persons who have accepted the body as the self; gopika-sutah--the son of mother Yasoda; jnaninam--for persons addicted to mental speculation; ca--and; atma-bhutanam--for persons performing severe austerities and penances; yatha--as; bhakti-matam--for persons engaged in spontaneous devotional service; iha--in this world.
TRANSLATION
" 'The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, the son of mother Yasoda, is accessible to those devotees engaged in spontaneous loving service, but He is not as easily accessible to mental speculators, to those striving for self-realization by severe austerities and penances, or to those who consider the body the same as the self.'
PURPORT
This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.9.21) is spoken by Srila Sukadeva Gosvami. It concerns the statement about Krsna's being subjugated by the gopis and thus glorifying them.
TEXT 87
TEXT
vidhi-bhaktye parsada-dehe vaikunthete yaya
SYNONYMS
vidhi-bhaktye--by executing regulative devotional service; parsada-dehe--in the form of an associate of the Lord; vaikunthete yaya--one achieves the Vaikuntha planets.
TRANSLATION
"By executing regulative devotional service, one becomes an associate of Narayana and attains the Vaikunthalokas, the spiritual planets in the spiritual sky.
TEXT 88
TEXT
yac ca vrajanty animisam rsabhanuvrttya
dure-yama hy upari nah sprhaniya-silah
bhartur mithah suyasasah kathananuraga-
vaiklavya-baspa-kalaya pulakikrtangah
SYNONYMS
yat--which; ca--also; vrajanti--go; animisam--of the demigods; rsabha-anuvrttya--by practicing the best means of spiritual life; dure--keeping at a distance; yamah--the regulative principles; hi--certainly; upari--above; nah--our; sprhaniya-silah--decorated with desirable qualities; bhartuh--of the master; mithah--mutually; su-yasasah--who has all transcendental qualities; kathana-anuraga--attracted to discussions; vaiklavya--transformation; baspa-kalaya--with tears in the eyes; pulakikrta--jubilation; angah--bodily limbs.
TRANSLATION
" 'Those who discuss the activities of Lord Krsna are on the highest platform of devotional life, and they evince the symptoms of tears in the eyes and bodily jubilation. Such persons discharge devotional service to Krsna without practicing the rules and regulations of the mystic yoga system. They possess all spiritual qualities, and they are elevated to the Vaikuntha planets, which exist above us.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.15.25). In this verse Lord Brahma is speaking to all the demigods, who feared the two asuras in Diti's womb. Lord Brahma described the Kumaras' visit to Vaikuntha, and this was again explained by Maitreya, the friend of Vyasadeva, when he gave instructions to Vidura.
TEXT 89
TEXT
sei upasaka haya trividha prakara
akama, moksa-kama, sarva-kama ara
SYNONYMS
sei upasaka--those devotees; haya--are; tri-vidha prakara--three varieties; akama--without material desires; moksa-kama--desiring to become liberated; sarva-kama--filled with all material desires; ara--and.
TRANSLATION
"The devotees are divided into three categories-akama [desireless], moksa-kama [desiring liberation], and sarva-kama [desiring material perfection].
TEXT 90
TEXT
akamah sarva-kamo va
moksa-kama udara-dhih
tivrena bhakti-yogena
yajeta purusam param
SYNONYMS
akamah--without material desires; sarva-kamah--full of all material desires; va--or; moksa-kamah--desiring liberation; udara-dhih--sincere and advanced in devotional service; tivrena--firm; bhakti-yogena--by the practice of bhakti-yoga; yajeta--should worship; purusam param--the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
" 'One who is actually intelligent, although he may be a devotee free from material desires, a karmi desiring all kinds of material facilities, or a jnani desiring liberation, should seriously engage in bhakti-yoga for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.3.10).
TEXT 91
TEXT
buddhiman-arthe----yadi 'vicara-jna' haya
nija-kama lagiha tabe krsnere bhajaya
SYNONYMS
buddhiman-arthe--by the meaning of intelligent; yadi--if; vicara-jna--expert in scrutinizing things; haya--is; nija-kama lagiha--even for sense gratification; tabe--then; krsnere bhajana--worships Lord Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"The meaning of the word udara-dhih is buddhiman-intelligent or considerate. Because of this, even for one's own sense gratification one engages in the devotional service of Lord Krsna.
TEXT 92
TEXT
bhakti vinu kona sadhana dite nare phala
saba phala deya bhakti svatantra prabala
SYNONYMS
bhakti vinu--without devotional service; kona--some; sadhana--practice for perfection; dite--to give; nare--not able; phala--any result; saba phala--all the results of different processes; deya--give; bhakti--devotional service; svatantra--independent; prabala--and powerful.
TRANSLATION
"The other processes cannot yield results unless they are associated with devotional service. Devotional service, however, is so strong and independent that it can give one all the desired results.
TEXT 93
TEXT
aja-gala-stana-nyaya anya sadhana
ataeva hari bhaje buddhiman jana
SYNONYMS
aja-gala-stana-nyaya--like the nipples on the neck of a goat; anya--other; sadhana--execution of spiritual life; ataeva--therefore; hari--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhaje--one worships; buddhiman jana--the intelligent person.
TRANSLATION
"With the exception of devotional service, all the methods of self-realization are like nipples on the neck of a goat. An intelligent person adopts only devotional service, giving up all other processes of self-realization.
PURPORT
Without devotional service, other methods for self-realization and spiritual life are useless. Other methods cannot produce good results at any time, and therefore they are compared to the nipples on the neck of a goat. These nipples cannot produce milk, although it may appear that they can. An unintelligent person cannot understand that only devotional service can elevate one to the transcendental position.
TEXT 94
TEXT
catur-vidha bhajante mam
janah sukrtino 'rjuna
arto jijnasur artharthi
jnani ca bharatarsabha
SYNONYMS
catuh-vidhah--four kinds; bhajante--worship; mam--Me; janah--persons; sukrtinah--who have obeyed the principles of human life or the regulative principles of varna and asrama; arjuna--O Arjuna; artah--the distressed; jijnasuh--the inquisitive; artha-arthi--one in need of money; jnani--one pursuing knowledge; ca--also; bharata-rsabha--O best of the Bharata dynasty.
TRANSLATION
" 'O best among the Bharatas [Arjuna], four kinds of pious men render devotional service unto Me-the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Bhagavad-gita (7.16). The word sukrtinah is very important in this verse. Su means "auspicious," and krti means "meritorious" or "regulated." Unless one follows the regulative principles of religious life, human life is no different from animal life. Religious life means following the principles of varna and asrama. In the Visnu Purana it is said:
varnasramacara-vata
purusena parah puman
visnur aradhyate pantha
nanyat tat-tosa-karanam
According to religious life, society is divided into four social divisions-brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra-and four spiritual divisions-brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa. One needs to be trained to become a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra, just as one is trained to become an engineer, doctor or lawyer. Those who are properly trained can be considered human beings; if one is not trained socially and spiritually-that is, if one is uneducated and unregulated-his life is on the animal platform. Among animals there is no question of spiritual advancement. Spiritual life can be attained by proper training-either by following the principles of varna and asrama or by being directly trained in the bhakti school by the methods of sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam.arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma-nivedanam. Without being trained, one cannot be sukrti, auspicious. In this verse Krsna says that people approach Him when in distress, in need of money or when actually inquisitive to understand the Supreme Being or the original source of everything. Some people approach Him in the pursuit of knowledge of the Absolute Truth, and others approach Him when they are distressed, like the devotee Gajendra. Others are inquisitive, like the great sages headed by Sanaka, and others need money, like Dhruva Maharaja. Sukadeva Gosvami approached the Lord when he pursued knowledge. All these great personalities thus took to the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna.
TEXT 95
TEXT
arta, artharthi,----dui sakama-bhitare gani
jijnasu, jnani,----dui moksa-kama mani
SYNONYMS
arta--distressed; artha-arthi--desirous of money; dui--two persons; sakama-bhitare--in the division of material activities; gani--we consider; jijnasu--inquisitive; jnani--pursuing knowledge; dui--two; moksa-kama--transcendentalists pursuing spiritual knowledge for liberation; mani--I consider.
TRANSLATION
"Materialistic devotees take to devotional service and worship Krsna when they are distressed or in need of money. Those who are actually inquisitive to understand the supreme source of everything and those who are in search of knowledge are called transcendentalists, for they desire liberation from all material contamination.
TEXT 96
TEXT
ei cari sukrti haya maha-bhagyavan
tat-tat-kamadi chadi' haya suddha-bhaktiman
SYNONYMS
ei cari--these four persons; sukrti--pious men; haya--are; maha-bhagyavan--highly fortunate; tat-tat--those respective; kama-adi--aspirations; chadi'--giving up; haya--become; suddha-bhaktiman--pure devotees.
TRANSLATION
"Because they have a pious background, all four types of people are to be considered greatly fortunate. Such people gradually give up material desires and become pure devotees.
TEXT 97
TEXT
sadhu-sanga-krpa kimva krsnera krpaya
kamadi 'duhsanga' chadi' suddha-bhakti paya
SYNONYMS
sadhu-sanga-krpa--by the mercy of association with devotees; kimva--or; krsnera krpaya--by the mercy of Krsna; kama-adi--material desires and so on; duhsanga--unwanted association; chadi'--giving up; suddha-bhakti paya--one obtains the platform of pure devotional life.
TRANSLATION
"One is elevated to the platform of devotional life by the mercy of a Vaisnava, the bona fide spiritual master, and by the special mercy of Krsna. On that platform, one gives up all material desires and the association of unwanted people. Thus one is elevated to the platform of pure devotional service.
TEXT 98
TEXT
sat-sangan mukta-duhsango
hatum notsahate budhah
kirtyamanam yaso yasya
sakrd akarnya rocanam
SYNONYMS
sat-sangat--by the association of pure devotees; mukta--freed; duhsangah--the association of materialistic persons; hatum--to give up; na--not; utsahate--is able; budhah--one who is actually learned; kirtyamanam--being glorified; yasah--the glories; yasya--of whom (the Supreme Personality of Godhead); sakrt--once; akarnya--hearing; rocanam--very pleasing.
TRANSLATION
" 'The intelligent, who have understood the Supreme Lord in the association of pure devotees and have become free from bad materialistic association, can never avoid hearing the glories of the Lord, even though they have heard them only once.'
PURPORT
This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.10.11). All the members of the Kuru dynasty offered respects when Krsna was leaving Hastinapura after the Battle of Kuruksetra. Krsna was going to His own kingdom, and all the members of the Kuru dynasty were overwhelmed by His departure. This verse was spoken in that connection by Sukadeva Gosvami. A pure devotee becomes attached to Krsna by hearing the Lord's glories. The Lord's glories and the Lord Himself are identical. One has to be qualified to understand this Absolute Truth; therefore one should be given a chance to associate with a pure devotee. Our Krsna consciousness movement is meant for this purpose. We want to create pure devotees so that other people will benefit by their association. In this way the number of pure devotees increases. Professional preachers cannot create pure devotees. There are many professional preachers of Srimad-Bhagavatam who read this work to earn their livelihood. However, they cannot convert materialistic people to devotional service. Only a pure devotee can convert others to pure devotional service. It is therefore important for all the preachers in our Krsna consciousness movement to first become pure devotees and follow the regulative principles, refraining from illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication. They should regularly chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra on their beads, follow the devotional process, rise early in the morning, attend mangala-arati and recite Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita regularly. In this way, one can become purified and free from all material contamination.
sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam
tat-paratvena nirmalam
hrsikena hrsikesa-
sevanam bhaktir ucyate
(Narada-pancaratra)
To make a show of devotional service will not help one. One must be a pure devotee following the devotional process; then one can convert others to devotional service. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu practiced devotional service and preached (apani acari' bhakti karila pracara). If a preacher behaves properly in devotional service, he will be able to convert others. Otherwise, his preaching will have no effect.
TEXT 99
TEXT
'duhsanga' kahiye----'kaitava', 'atma-vancana'
krsna, krsna-bhakti vinu anya kamana
SYNONYMS
duhsanga--bad, unwanted association; kahiye--I say; kaitava--cheating; atma-vancana--cheating oneself; krsna--Lord Krsna; krsna-bhakti--devotional service to Krsna; vinu--without; anya--other; kamana--desires.
TRANSLATION
"Cheating oneself and cheating others is called kaitava. Associating with cheaters is called duhsanga, bad association. Those who desire things other than Krsna's service are also called duhsanga, bad association.
TEXT 100
TEXT
dharmah projjhita-kaitavo 'tra paramo nirmatsaranam satam
vedyam vastavam atra vastu sivadam tapa-trayonmulanam
srimad-bhagavate mahamuni-krte kim va parair isvarah
sadyo hrdy avarudhyate 'tra krtibhih susrusubhis tat-ksanat
SYNONYMS
dharmah--religiosity; projjhita--completely rejected; kaitavah--in which fruitive intention; atra--herein; paramah--the highest; nirmatsaranam--of the fully pure in heart; satam--devotees; vedyam--to be understood; vastavam--factual; atra--herein; vastu--substance; siva-dam--giving well-being; tapa-traya--of threefold miseries; unmulanam--causing uprooting; srimat--beautiful; bhagavate--in the Bhagavata Purana; maha-muni--by the great sage (Vyasadeva); krte--compiled; kim--what; va--indeed; paraih--with others; isvarah--the Supreme Lord; sadyah--at once; hrdi--within the heart; avarudhyate--becomes confined; atra--herein; krtibhih--by pious men; susrusubhih--desiring to hear; tat-ksanat--without delay.
TRANSLATION
" 'The great scripture Srimad-Bhagavatam, compiled by Mahamuni Vyasadeva from four original verses, describes the most elevated and kindhearted devotees and completely rejects the cheating ways of materially motivated religiosity. It propounds the highest principle of eternal religion, which can factually mitigate the threefold miseries of a living being and award the highest benediction of full prosperity and knowledge. Those willing to hear the message of this scripture in a submissive attitude of service can at once capture the Supreme Lord in their hearts. Therefore there is no need for any scripture other than Srimad-Bhagavatam.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.1.2). For an explanation see also Adi-lila (1.91).
TEXT 101
TEXT
'pra'-sabde----moksa-vancha kaitava-pradhana
ei sloke sridhara-svami kariyachena vyakhyana
SYNONYMS
pra-sabde--by the affix pra; moksa-vancha--the desire for being liberated; kaitava-pradhana--first-class cheating; ei sloke--in this verse; sridhara-svami--the great commentator Sridhara Svami; kariyachena--has made; vyakhyana--explanation.
TRANSLATION
"The prefix pra in the word projjhita specifically refers to those desiring liberation or oneness with the Supreme. Such a desire should be understood to result from a cheating propensity. The great commentator Sridhara Svami has explained this verse in that way.
TEXT 102
TEXT
sakama-bhakte 'ajna' jani' dayalu bhagavan
sva-carana diya kare icchara pidhana
SYNONYMS
sakama-bhakte--to devotees who still have material desires to fulfill; ajna--foolish; jani'--knowing; dayalu--merciful; bhagavan--Sri Krsna; sva-carana--His own lotus feet; diya--giving; kare--does; icchara pidhana--the covering of other desires.
TRANSLATION
"When the merciful Lord Krsna understands a devotee's foolish desire for material prosperity, He gratefully gives him the shelter of His lotus feet. In this way, the Lord covers his undesirable ambitions.
TEXT 103
TEXT
satyam disaty arthitam arthito nrnam
naivarthado yat punar arthita yatah
svayam vidhatte bhajatam anicchatam
iccha-pidhanam nija-pada-pallavam
SYNONYMS
satyam--it is true; disati--He awards; arthitam--that which is desired; arthitah--being requested; nrnam--by human beings; na--not; eva--certainly; artha-dah--giving desired things; yat--which; punah--again; arthita--request; yatah--from which; svayam--Himself; vidhatte--He gives; bhajatam--of those engaged in devotional service; anicchatam--even though not desiring; iccha-pidhanam--covering all other desires; nija-pada-pallavam--the shelter of His own lotus feet.
TRANSLATION
" 'Whenever Krsna is requested to fulfill one's desire, He undoubtedly does so, but He does not award anything which, after being enjoyed, will cause someone to petition Him again and again to fulfill further desires. When one has other desires but engages in the Lord's service, Krsna forcibly gives one shelter at His lotus feet, where one will forget all other desires.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.19.27).
TEXT 104
TEXT
sadhu-sanga, krsna-krpa, bhaktira svabhava
e tine saba chadaya, kare krsne 'bhava'
SYNONYMS
sadhu-sanga--the association of devotees; krsna-krpa--the mercy of Lord Krsna; bhaktira--of devotional service; sva-bhava--nature; e tine--these three; saba chadaya--cause one to give up everything else; kare--do; krsne--unto Lord Krsna; bhava--the loving affairs.
TRANSLATION
"Association with a devotee, the mercy of Krsna, and the nature of devotional service help one to give up all undesirable association and gradually attain elevation to the platform of love of Godhead.
PURPORT
This verse refers to the association of pure devotees, the mercy of Krsna and the rendering of devotional service. All these help one give up the association of nondevotees and the material opulence awarded by the external energy, maya. A pure devotee is never attracted by material opulence, for he understands that wasting time to acquire material opulence is a misuse of the gift of human life. In Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said: srama eva hi kevalam. In the eyes of a devotee, politicians, social workers, philanthropists, philosophers and humanitarians are simply wasting their time, for human society is not freed from the cycle of birth and death by their activity and propaganda. These so-called philanthropists, politicians and philosophers have no knowledge because they do not know that there is life after death. Understanding that there is life after death is the beginning of spiritual knowledge. A person can understand himself and what he is simply by understanding the first lessons of Bhagavad-gita.
dehino 'smin yatha dehe
kaumaram yauvanam jara
tatha dehantara-praptir
dhiras tatra na muhyati
"As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change." (Bg. 2.13)
Not knowing the real science of life one engages in the temporary activities of this life and thus becomes further entangled in the cycle of birth and death. Thus one always desires material opulence, which can be attained by karma, jnana and yoga. However, when one is actually elevated to the devotional platform, he gives up all these desires. This is called anyabhilasita-sunya. Then one becomes a pure devotee.
TEXT 105
TEXT
age yata yata artha vyakhyana kariba
krsna-gunasvadera ei hetu janiba
SYNONYMS
age--ahead; yata yata--as many as; artha--meanings; vyakhyana kariba--I shall explain; krsna-guna-asvadera--of tasting the transcendental qualities of Krsna; ei--this; hetu--reason; janiba--we shall understand.
TRANSLATION
"In this way I shall progressively explain all the words in the verse. It should be understood that all these words are meant to enable one to taste the transcendental quality of Krsna.
TEXT 106
TEXT
sloka-vyakhya lagi' ei karilun abhasa
ebe kari slokera mulartha prakasa
SYNONYMS
sloka-vyakhya--of the explanation of the verse; lagi'--for the matter; ei--this; karilun--I did; abhasa--indication; ebe--now; kari--let Me do; slokera--of the verse; mula-artha--the real meaning; prakasa--the manifestation.
TRANSLATION
"I have given all these explanations just to indicate the purpose of the verse. Allow Me to explain the real purpose of the verse.
TEXT 107
TEXT
jnana-marge upasaka----duita' prakara
kevala brahmopasaka, moksakanksi ara
SYNONYMS
jnana-marge--on the path of philosophical speculation; upasaka--worshipers; duita' prakara--two varieties; kevala--only; brahma-upasaka--the worshiper of impersonal Brahman; moksa-akanksi--desiring liberation; ara--and.
TRANSLATION
"There are two kinds of worshipers on the path of philosophical speculation-one is brahma-upasaka, a worshiper of the impersonal Brahman, and the other is called moksakanksi, one who desires liberation.
TEXT 108
TEXT
kevala brahmopasaka tina bheda haya
sadhaka, brahmamaya, ara prapta-brahma-laya
SYNONYMS
kevala brahma-upasaka--the worshiper of only the impersonal Brahman; tina bheda haya--there are three different groups; sadhaka--the beginner; brahma-maya--absorbed in thought of Brahman; ara--and; prapta-brahma-laya--actually merged into the Brahman effulgence.
TRANSLATION
"There are three types of people who worship the impersonal Brahman. The first is the beginner, the second is one whose thoughts are absorbed in Brahman, and the third is one who is actually merged in the impersonal Brahman.
TEXT 109
TEXT
bhakti vina kevala jnane 'mukti' nahi haya
bhakti sadhana kare yei 'prapta-brahma-laya'
SYNONYMS
bhakti--devotional service; vina--without; kevala--only; jnane--by philosophical speculation; mukti--liberation; nahi haya--there is not; bhakti--devotional service; sadhana--practice; kare--does; yei--anyone who; prapta-brahma-laya--as good as merging into the impersonal Brahman.
TRANSLATION
"One cannot attain liberation simply through philosophical speculation devoid of devotional service. However, if one renders devotional service, he is automatically on the Brahman platform.
TEXT 110
TEXT
bhaktira svabhava,----brahma haite kare akarsana
divya deha diya karaya krsnera bhajana
SYNONYMS
bhaktira--of devotional service; sva-bhava--nature; brahma--impersonal Brahman realization; haite--from; kare--does; akarsana--attracting; divya--transcendental; deha--body; diya--offering; karaya--causes to perform; krsnera bhajana--the service of Lord Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"Characteristically, one in devotional service is attracted away from the impersonal Brahman platform. Be is offered a transcendental body to engage in Lord Krsna's service.
TEXT 111
TEXT
bhakta-deha paile haya gunera smarana
gunakrsta hana kare nirmala bhajana
SYNONYMS
bhakta-deha--the body of a devotee; paile--when one gets; haya--there is; gunera smarana--remembrance of the transcendental qualities; guna-akrsta hana--being attracted by the transcendental qualities; kare--performs; nirmala bhajana--pure devotional service.
TRANSLATION
"When one gets a devotee's spiritual body, he can remember the transcendental qualities of Krsna. Simply by being attracted to Krsna's transcendental qualities, one becomes a pure devotee engaged in His service.
PURPORT
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has given the following summary of verses 107-111. Transcendentalists on the path of philosophical speculation can be divided into two categories-the pure worshiper of impersonal Brahman and he who wishes to merge into the existence of impersonal Brahman. When one is fully absorbed in the thought that one is not different from the Supreme Absolute Truth, one is said to be a worshiper of the impersonal Brahman. The impersonal worshipers of Brahman can again be divided into three categories-(1) sadhaka, those who are nearing perfect execution of the process of Brahman realization; (2) those who are fully absorbed in meditation on Brahman; and (3) those who are on the brahma-bhuta platform and have no relationship with material existence. Even though the worshiper of impersonal Brahman can be highly advanced, he cannot attain liberation without discharging devotional service. Anyone who has realized himself as spirit soul can engage in devotional service. This is the verdict of Bhagavad-gita:
brahma-bhutah prasannatma
na socati na kanksati
samah sarvesu bhutesu
mad-bhaktim labhate param
"One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and is fully joyful. He never laments nor desires to have anything; he is equally disposed to every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me." (Bg. 18.54)
To attain the platform of pure devotional service, one has to become spiritually pure and attain the brahma-bhuta platform, which is beyond material anxiety and material discrimination. When one approaches pure devotional service after realizing Brahman, one becomes attracted by pure devotional service. At such a time, by rendering devotional service, one gets a spiritual body with purified senses.
sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam
tatparatvena nirmalam
hrsikena hrsikesa-
sevanam bhaktir ucyate
When one's senses are pure, one can render loving devotional service to Krsna. A pure devotee can only remember Krsna's transcendental qualities. Remembering them, he fully engages in the loving service of the Lord.
TEXT 112
TEXT
"mukta api lilaya vigraham
krtva bhagavantam bhajante"
SYNONYMS
muktah--liberated; api--although; lilaya--by pastimes; vigraham--the form of the Lord; krtva--having installed; bhagavantam--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhajante--worship.
TRANSLATION
" 'Even a liberated soul merged in the impersonal Brahman effulgence is attracted to the pastimes of Krsna. He thus installs a Deity and renders the Lord service.'
PURPORT
Highly elevated Mayavadi sannyasis sometimes worship the Radha-Krsna Deity and discuss the pastimes of the Lord, but their purpose is not elevation to Goloka Vrndavana. They want to merge into the Lord's effulgence. This statement is quoted from Sankaracarya's commentary on the Upanisad known as Nrsimha-tapani.
TEXT 113
TEXT
janma haite suka-sanakadi 'brahmamaya'
krsna-gunakrsta hana krsnere bhajaya
SYNONYMS
janma haite--from birth; suka--Sukadeva Gosvami; sanaka-adi--the four Kumaras; brahma-maya--absorbed in the thought of impersonal Brahman; krsna-guna-akrsta--attracted by the transcendental pastimes of the Lord; hana--becoming; krsnere bhajaya--worshiped Lord Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"Although Sukadeva Gosvami and the four Kumaras were always absorbed in the thought of impersonal Brahman and were thus Brahmavadis, they were nonetheless attracted by the transcendental pastimes and qualities of Krsna. Therefore they later became devotees of Krsna.
TEXT 114
TEXT
sanakadyera krsna-krpaya saurabhe hare mana
gunakrsta hana kare nirmala bhajana
SYNONYMS
sanaka-adyera--of the four Kumaras, headed by Sanaka; krsna-krpaya--by the mercy of the Lord; saurabhe--the fragrance; hare--took away; mana--the minds; guna-akrsta hana--thus being attracted by the qualities of Krsna; kare--perform; nirmala bhajana--pure devotional service.
TRANSLATION
"The minds of the four Kumaras were attracted by the aroma of the flowers offered to Krsna's lotus feet. Being thus attracted by the transcendental qualities of Krsna, they engaged in pure devotional service.
TEXT 115
TEXT
tasyaravinda-nayanasya padaravinda-
kinjalka-misra-tulasi-makaranda-vayuh
antargatah svavivarena cakara tesam
sanksobham aksara-jusam api citta-tanvoh
SYNONYMS
tasya--of Him; aravinda-nayanasya--of the lotus-eyed Lord; pada-aravinda--of the lotus feet; kinjalka--with the toes; misra--mixed; tulasi--the tulasi leaves; makaranda--fragrance; vayuh--breeze; antargatah--entered within; sva-vivarena--through their nostrils; cakara--made; tesam--of the Kumaras; sanksobham--agitation for change; aksara-jusam--attached to impersonal Brahman realization; api--even though; citta-tanvoh--in both mind and body.
TRANSLATION
" 'When the breeze carrying the aroma of tulasi leaves and saffron from the lotus feet of the lotus-eyed Personality of Godhead entered through the nostrils into the hearts of those sages [the Kumaras], they experienced a change in both body and mind, even though they were attached to impersonal Brahman understanding.'
PURPORT
This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.15.43).
TEXT 116
TEXT
vyasa-krpaya sukadevera liladi-smarana
krsna-gunakrsta hana karena bhajana
SYNONYMS
vyasa-krpaya--by the mercy of Srila Vyasadeva; sukadevera--of Sukadeva Gosvami; lila-adi-smarana--remembrance of the transcendental pastimes of Krsna; krsna guna-akrsta--attracted by the transcendental qualities of Krsna; hana--becoming; karena--performed; bhajana--loving service.
TRANSLATION
"By the mercy of Srila Vyasadeva, Sukadeva Gosvami was attracted by the pastimes of Lord Krsna. Being thus attracted by Krsna's transcendental qualities, he also became a devotee and engaged in His service.
TEXT 117
TEXT
harer gunaksipta-matir
bhagavan badarayanih
adhyagan mahad-akhyanam
nityam visnu-jana-priyah
SYNONYMS
hareh--of Lord Krsna; guna-aksipta-matih--whose mind was agitated by the qualities; bhagavan--the most powerful transcendentalist; badarayanih--Sukadeva, son of Vyasadeva; adhyagat--studied; mahat-akhyanam--the great epic description; nityam--eternally; visnu-jana-priyah--who is very dear to the Vaisnavas, devotees of Lord Visnu.
TRANSLATION
" 'Being very much attracted by the transcendental pastimes of the Lord, the mind of Srila Sukadeva Gosvami was agitated by Krsna consciousness. He therefore began to study Srimad-Bhagavatam by the grace of his father.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.7.11).
TEXT 118
TEXT
nava-yogisvara janma haite 'sadhaka' jnani
vidhi-siva-narada-mukhe krsna-guna suni'
SYNONYMS
nava--nine; yogi-isvara--great saintly yogis; janma haite--from the very birth; sadhaka--practicers; jnani--well versed in transcendental knowledge; vidhi--Lord Brahma; siva--Lord Siva; narada--the great sage Narada; mukhe--in their mouths; krsna-guna suni'--hearing the transcendental qualities of Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"From their very births, the nine great mystic yogis [Yogendras] were impersonal philosophers of the Absolute Truth. However, because they heard about Lord Krsna's qualities from Lord Brahma, Lord Siva and the great sage Narada, they also became Krsna's devotees.
TEXT 119
TEXT
gunakrsta hana kare krsnera bhajana
ekadasa-skandhe tanra bhakti-vivarana
SYNONYMS
guna-akrsta hana--being attracted by the transcendental qualities; kare--engaged in; krsnera bhajana--the devotional service of the Lord; ekadasa-skandhe--in the Eleventh Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam; tanra--of them; bhakti-vivarana--description of the devotional service.
TRANSLATION
"In the Eleventh Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam there is a full description of the devotional service of the nine Yogendras, who rendered devotional service because they were attracted by the Lord's transcendental qualities.
TEXT 120
TEXT
aklesam kamala-bhuvah pravisya gosthim
kurvantah sruti-sirasam srutim srutajnah
uttungam yadu-pura-sangamaya rangam
yogindrah pulaka-bhrto navapy avapuh
SYNONYMS
aklesam--without material trouble; kamala-bhuvah--of Lord Brahma, who took his birth from the lotus flower; pravisya--entering; gosthim--the association; kurvantah--continuously performing; sruti-sirasam--of the topmost Vedic knowledge; srutim--hearing; sruta-jnah--who are expert in Vedic knowledge; uttungam--very high; yadu-pura-sangamaya--for going back home, back to Godhead, to Dvaraka; rangam--to Ranga-ksetra; yogindrah--great saintly persons; pulaka-bhrtah--being spiritually pleased; nava--nine; api--although; avapuh--achieved.
TRANSLATION
" 'The nine Yogendras entered Lord Brahma's association and heard from him the real meaning of the topmost Vedic literatures-the Upanisads. Although they were already conversant in Vedic knowledge, they became very jubilant in Krsna consciousness just by listening to Brahma. Thus they wanted to enter Dvaraka, the abode of Lord Krsna. In this way they finally achieved the place known as Ranga-ksetra.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from the Maha Upanisad.
TEXT 121
TEXT
moksakanksi jnani haya tina-prakara
mumuksu, jivan-mukta, prapta-svarupa ara
SYNONYMS
moksa-akanksi--those who desire to merge into the impersonal Brahman; jnani--advanced in knowledge; haya--are; tina-prakara--three varieties; mumuksu--desiring to be liberated; jivat-mukta--already liberated, even in this life; prapta-svarupa--self-realized; ara--and.
TRANSLATION
"Those who wish to merge into the impersonal Brahman are also divided into three categories-those desiring to be liberated, those already liberated and those who have realized Brahman.
TEXT 122
TEXT
'mumuksu' jagate aneka samsari jana
'mukti' lagi' bhaktye kare krsnera bhajana
SYNONYMS
mumuksu--desiring to be liberated; jagate--in this world; aneka--many; samsari jana--engaged in material activities; mukti lagi'--for the sake of liberation; bhaktye--in devotional service; kare--perform; krsnera bhajana--the worship of Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"There are many people within this material world who desire liberation, and for this purpose they render devotional service to Lord Krsna.
TEXT 123
TEXT
mumuksavo ghora-rupan
hitva bhuta-patin atha
narayana-kalah santa
bhajanti hy anasuyavah
SYNONYMS
mumuksavah--those who are perfectly learned, who desire the highest perfection, and who, unlike demons and nondevotees, are never envious of anyone; ghora-rupan--demigods with fearful bodily features; hitva--giving up; bhuta-patin--the forefathers (prajapatis); atha--therefore; narayana-kalah--the plenary expansions of Lord Narayana; santah--very peaceful; bhajanti--they worship; hi--certainly; anasuyavah--nonenvious.
TRANSLATION
" 'Those who want to be relieved from the material clutches give up the worship of the various demigods, who have fearful bodily features. Such peaceful devotees, who are not envious of the demigods, worship the different forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.26). Those who actually want the highest perfection worship Lord Visnu in His different incarnations. Those who are attracted to the materialistic way of life and who are always agitated and full of anxiety worship demigods who appear fierce, demigods like goddess Kali and Kala-bhairava (Rudra). The devotees of Krsna, however, do not envy the demigods or their worshipers but peacefully render devotional service to the incarnations of Narayana instead.
TEXT 124
TEXT
sei sabera sadhu-sange guna sphuraya
krsna-bhajana karaya, 'mumuksa' chadaya
SYNONYMS
sei sabera--of all those worshipers of different demigods; sadhu-sange--the contact of real devotees; guna sphuraya--awakens the appreciation of transcendental qualities; krsna-bhajana karaya--engages in the devotional service of Lord Krsna; mumuksa chadaya--and causes to give up the desire to be liberated or merge into the impersonal feature of the Lord.
TRANSLATION
"If those who are attached to demigod worship fortunately associate with the devotees, their dormant devotional service and appreciation of the Lord's qualities gradually awaken. In this way they also engage in Krsna's devotional service and give up the desire for liberation and the desire to merge into the existence of impersonal Brahman.
PURPORT
The four Kumaras (Catuh-sana), Sukadeva Gosvami and the nine Yogendras were absorbed in Brahman realization, and how they became devotees is described herein. There are three kinds of impersonalists-the mumuksu (those desiring liberation), the jivan-muktas (those liberated in this life) and the prapta-svarupas (those merged in Brahman realization). All three types of jnanis are called moksakanksis, those desiring liberation. By associating with devotees, such people give up the mumuksu principle and render devotional service. The real cause for this change is the association of devotees. This Krsna consciousness movement is meant to attract all types of men, even those who desire things other than the Lord's devotional service. Through the association of devotees, they gradually begin to render devotional service.
TEXT 125
TEXT
aho mahatman bahu-dosa-dusto
'py ekena bhaty esa bhavo gunena
sat-sangamakhyena sukhavahena
krtadya no yena krsa mumuksa
SYNONYMS
aho mahatman--O great devotee; bahu-dosa-dustah--infected with varieties of material disease or attachment; api--although; ekena--with one; bhati--shines; esah--this; bhavah--birth in this material world; gunena--with a good quality; sat-sangama-akhyena--known as association with devotees; sukha-avahena--which brings about happiness; krta--made; adya--now; nah--our; yena--by which; krsa--insignificant; mumuksa--the desire for liberation.
TRANSLATION
" 'O great learned devotee, although there are many faults in this material world, there is one good opportunity-the association with devotees. Such association brings about great happiness. Due to this good quality, our strong desire to achieve liberation by merging into the Brahman effulgence has become weakened.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya.
TEXT 126
TEXT
naradera sange saunakadi muni-gana
mumuksa chadiya kaila krsnera bhajana
SYNONYMS
naradera sange--by the association of the great saintly person Narada; saunaka-adi muni-gana--the great sages headed by Saunaka Muni; mumuksa chadiya--giving up the desire for liberation; kaila--performed; krsnera bhajana--devotional service to Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"By associating with the great saint Narada, the great sages like Saunaka and others gave up the desire for liberation and engaged in Krsna's devotional service.
TEXT 127
TEXT
krsnera darsane, karo krsnera krpaya
mumuksa chadiya gune bhaje tanra pa'ya
SYNONYMS
krsnera darsane--simply by meeting Krsna; karo--someone; krsnera krpaya--by the favor of Krsna; mumuksa chadiya--giving up the desire for liberation; gune--being attracted by the transcendental qualities of Krsna; bhaje--engages in service; tanra pa'ya--at the lotus feet of Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"Simply by meeting Krsna or receiving Krsna's special favor, one can give up the desire for liberation. Being attracted by the transcendental qualities of Krsna, one can engage in His service.
TEXT 128
TEXT
asmin sukha-ghana-murtau param-
atmani vrsni-pattane sphurati
atmaramataya me vrtha
gato bata ciram kalah
SYNONYMS
asmin--when this; sukha-ghana-murtau--form of complete happiness; parama-atmani--the Supreme Person; vrsni-pattane--in Dvaraka-dhama; sphurati--exists; atmaramataya--by the process of cultivating Brahman realization; me--my; vrtha--uselessly; gatah--wasted; bata--alas, what can I say; ciram--for a long time; kalah--time.
TRANSLATION
" 'In this Dvaraka-dhama, I am being attracted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, who is personified spiritual bliss. Simply by seeing Him, I am feeling great happiness. Oh, I have wasted so much time trying to become self-realized through impersonal cultivation. This is a cause for lamentation!'
PURPORT
This verse is also found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (3.1.34).
TEXT 129
TEXT
jivan-mukta' aneka, sei dui bheda jani
'bhaktye jivan-mukta', jnane jivan-mukta' mani
SYNONYMS
jivat-mukta--liberated in this life; aneka--there are many; sei--all of them; dui bheda--two divisions; jani--we consider; bhaktye jivat-mukta--one liberated in this life by pursuing the process of devotional service; jnane jivat-mukta--a person liberated in this life by following the process of philosophical speculation; mani--we can understand.
TRANSLATION
"There are many people who are liberated even in this lifetime. Some are liberated by discharging devotional service, and others are liberated through the philosophical speculative process.
TEXT 130
TEXT
'bhaktye jivan-mukta' gunakrsta hana krsna bhaje
suska-jnane jivan-mukta aparadhe adho maje
SYNONYMS
bhaktye jivat-mukta--persons liberated in this life by discharging devotional service; guna-akrsta hana--being attracted by the transcendental qualities of Krsna; krsna bhaje--engage in the devotional service of the Lord; suska-jnane jivat-mukta--so-called liberated in this life by dry, speculative knowledge; aparadhe--by offenses; adho maje--fall down.
TRANSLATION
"Those who are liberated by devotional service become more and more attracted by the transcendental qualities of Krsna. Thus they engage in His service. Those who are liberated by the speculative process eventually fall down again due to offensive activity.
TEXT 131
TEXT
ye 'nye 'ravindaksa vimukta-maninas
tvayy asta-bhavad avisuddha-buddhayah
aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah
patanty adho 'nadrta-yusmad-anghrayah
SYNONYMS
ye--all those who; anye--others (nondevotees); aravinda-aksa--O lotus-eyed one; vimukta-maninah--who consider themselves liberated; tvayi--unto You; asta-bhavat--without devotion; avisuddha-buddhayah--whose intelligence is not purified; aruhya--having ascended; krcchrena--by severe austerities and penances; param padam--to the supreme position; tatah--from there; patanti--fall; adhah--down; anadrta--without respecting; yusmat--Your; anghrayah--lotus feet.
TRANSLATION
" 'O lotus-eyed one, those who think they are liberated in this life but are without devotional service to You are of impure intelligence. Although they accept severe austerities and penances and rise to the spiritual position, to impersonal Brahman realization, they fall down again because they neglect to worship Your lotus feet.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.2.32).
TEXT 132
TEXT
brahma-bhutah prasannatma
na socati na kanksati
samah sarvesu bhutesu
mad-bhaktim labhate param
SYNONYMS
brahma-bhutah--being one with the Absolute; prasanna-atma--fully joyful; na--never; socati--laments; na--never; kanksati--desires; samah--equally disposed; sarvesu--all; bhutesu--to living entities; mat-bhaktim--My devotional service; labhate--gains; param--transcendental.
TRANSLATION
" 'One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and is fully joyful. Be never laments nor desires to have anything; he is equally disposed to every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Bhagavad-gita (18.54).
TEXT 133
TEXT
advaita-vithi-pathikair upasyah
svananda-simhasana-labdha-diksah
sathena kenapi vayam hathena
dasi-krta gopa-vadhu-vitena
SYNONYMS
advaita-vithi--of the path of monism; pathikaih--by the wanderers; upasyah--worshipable; svananda--of self-realization; simhasana--on the throne; labdha-diksah--being initiated; sathena--by a cheater; kenapi--some; vayam--I; hathena--by force; dasi-krta--made into a maidservant; gopa-vadhu-vitena--engaged in joking with the gopis.
TRANSLATION
" 'Although I was worshiped by those on the path of monism and initiated into self-realization through the yoga system, I am nonetheless forcibly turned into a maidservant by some cunning boy who is always joking with the gopis.'
PURPORT
This is a verse written by Bilvamangala Thakura.
TEXT 134
TEXT
bhakti-bale 'prapta-svarupa' divya-deha paya
krsna-gunakrsta hana bhaje krsna-pa'ya
SYNONYMS
bhakti-bale--by the strength of devotional service; prapta-svarupa--attaining his original status; divya-deha--a transcendental body; paya--one gets; krsna-guna-akrsta--attracted by the transcendental qualities of Krsna; hana--being; bhaje--takes to devotional service; krsna-pa'ya--at Krsna's lotus feet.
TRANSLATION
"One who has attained his constitutional position by the strength of devotional service attains a transcendental body even in this lifetime. Being attracted by Lord Krsna's transcendental qualities, one fully engages in service at His lotus feet.
TEXT 135
TEXT
nirodho 'syanu sayanam
atmanah saha saktibhih
muktir hitvanyatha-rupam
svarupena vyavasthitih
SYNONYMS
nirodhah--winding up; asya--of this; anu--after; sayanam--lying down; atmanah--of the Supreme Lord; saha--with; saktibhih--the energies (marginal and external); muktih--liberation; hitva--giving up; anyatha--other; rupam--form; svarupena--with one's own eternal form; vyavasthitih--staying.
TRANSLATION
" 'The living entities and other potencies merge in the Maha-Visnu as the Lord lies down and winds up [destroys] the cosmic manifestation. Liberation means being situated in one's eternal original form, which he attains after giving up the changeable gross and subtle bodies.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.10.6).
TEXT 136
TEXT
krsna-bahirmukha-dose maya haite bhaya
krsnonmukha bhakti haite maya-mukta haya
SYNONYMS
krsna-bahih-mukha----of going against Krsna consciousness; dose----by the fault; maya haite----from the illusory energy; bhaya----fear; krsna-unmukha----in favor of Krsna consciousness; bhakti--devotional service; haite--from; maya-mukta--liberated from maya; haya--one becomes.
TRANSLATION
"By opposing Krsna consciousness, one again becomes conditioned and fearful due to the influence of maya. By executing devotional service faithfully, one is liberated from maya.
TEXT 137
TEXT
bhayam dvitiyabhinivesatah syad
isad apetasya viparyayo 'smrtih
tan-mayayato budha abhajet tam
bhaktyaikayesam guru-devatatma
SYNONYMS
bhayam--fear; dvitiya-abhinivesatah--from the misconception of being a product of material energy; syat--arises; isat--from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna; apetasya--of one who has withdrawn (the conditioned soul); viparyayah--reversal of position; asmrtih--no conception of his relationship with the Supreme Lord; tat-mayaya--because of the illusory energy of the Supreme Lord; atah--therefore; budhah--one who is wise; abhajet--must worship; tam--Him; bhaktya--by devotional service; ekaya--undiverted to karma and jnana; isam--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; guru--as the spiritual master; devata--worshipable Lord; atma--Supersoul.
TRANSLATION
" 'When the living entity is attracted by the material energy that is separate from Krsna, he is overpowered by fear. Because he is separated from the Supreme Personality of Godhead by the material energy, his conception of life is reversed. In other words, instead of being the eternal servant of Krsna, he becomes Krsna's competitor. This is called viparyayah asmrtih. To nullify this mistake, one who is actually learned and advanced worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead as his spiritual master, worshipful Deity and source of life. Be thus worships the Lord by the process of unalloyed devotional service.'
PURPORT
This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.37).
TEXT 138
TEXT
daivi hy esa guna-mayi
mama maya duratyaya
mam eva ye prapadyante
mayam etam taranti te
SYNONYMS
daivi--belonging to the Supreme Lord; hi--certainly; esa--this; guna-mayi--made of the three modes; mama--My; maya--external energy; duratyaya--very difficult to surpass; mam--unto Me; eva--certainly; ye--those who; prapadyante--surrender fully; mayam--the illusory energy; etam--this; taranti--cross over; te--they.
TRANSLATION
" 'This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Bhagavad-gita (7.14).
TEXT 139
TEXT
bhakti vinu mukti nahi, bhaktye mukti haya
SYNONYMS
bhakti--devotional service; vinu--without; mukti--liberation; nahi--there is not; bhaktye--actually by devotional service; mukti haya--liberation is attained.
TRANSLATION
"One does not attain liberation without rendering devotional service. Liberation is only attained by devotional service.
TEXT 140
TEXT
sreyah-srtim bhaktim udasya te vibho
klisyanti ye kevala-bodha-labdhaye
tesam asau klesala eva sisyate
nanyad yatha sthula-tusavaghatinam
SYNONYMS
sreyah-srtim--the auspicious path of liberation; bhaktim--devotional service; udasya--giving up; te--of You; vibho--O my Lord; klisyanti--accept increased difficulties; ye--all those persons who; kevala--only; bodha-labdhaye--for obtaining knowledge; tesam--for them; asau--that; klesalah--trouble; eva--only; sisyate--remains; na--not; anyat--anything else; yatha--as much as; sthula--bulky; tusa--husks of rice; avaghatinam--of those beating.
TRANSLATION
" 'My dear Lord, devotional service unto You is the only auspicious path. If one gives it up simply for speculative knowledge or the understanding that these living beings are spirit souls and the material world is false, he undergoes a great deal of trouble. Be only gains troublesome and inauspicious activities. His actions are like beating a husk that is already devoid of rice. One's labor becomes fruitless.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.4).
TEXT 141
TEXT
ye 'nye 'ravindaksa vimukta-maninas
tvayy asta-bhavad avisuddha-buddhayah
aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah
patanty adho 'nadrta-yusmad-anghrayah
SYNONYMS
ye--all those who; anye--others (nondevotees); aravinda-aksa--O lotus-eyed one; vimukta-maninah--who consider themselves liberated; tvayi--unto You; asta-bhavat--without devotion; avisuddha-buddhayah--whose intelligence is not purified; aruhya--having ascended; krcchrena--by severe austerities and penances; param padam--to the supreme position; tatah--from there; patanti--fall; adhah--down; anadrta--without respecting; yusmat--Your; anghrayah--lotus feet.
TRANSLATION
" 'O lotus-eyed one, those who think they are liberated in this life but are without devotional service to You are of impure intelligence. Although they accept severe austerities and penances and rise to the spiritual position, to impersonal Brahman realization, they fall down again because they neglect to worship Your lotus feet.'
PURPORT
This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.2.32).
TEXT 142
TEXT
ya esam purusam saksad
atma-prabhavam isvaram
na bhajanty avajananti
sthanad bhrastah patanty adhah
SYNONYMS
ye--those who; esam--of those divisions of social and spiritual orders; purusam--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; saksat--directly; atma-prabhavam--the source of everyone; isvaram--the supreme controller; na--do not; bhajanti--worship; avajananti--or who neglect; sthanat--from their proper place; bhrastah--being fallen; patanti--fall; adhah--downward into hellish conditions.
TRANSLATION
" 'If one simply maintains an official position in the four varnas and asramas but does not worship the Supreme Lord Visnu, he falls down from his puffed up position into a hellish condition.'
PURPORT
This is also a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.3).
TEXT 143
TEXT
bhaktye mukti paileha avasya krsnere bhajaya
SYNONYMS
bhaktye--by devotional service; mukti--liberation; paileha--if one gets; avasya--certainly; krsnere--unto Lord Krsna; bhajaya--renders service.
TRANSLATION
"When one is actually liberated by executing devotional service, he always engages in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.
TEXT 144
TEXT
"mukta api lilaya vigraham
krtva bhagavantam bhajante"
SYNONYMS
muktah--liberated; api--although; lilaya--by the pastimes; vigraham--the form of the Lord; krtva--having installed; bhagavantam--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhajante--worship.
TRANSLATION
" 'Even a liberated soul merged in the impersonal Brahman effulgence is attracted to the pastimes of Krsna. Be thus installs a Deity and renders the Lord service.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Sankaracarya's commentary on the Nrsimha-tapani Upanisad.
TEXT 145
TEXT
ei chaya atmarama krsnere bhajaya
prthak prthak ca-kare iha 'api'ra artha kaya
SYNONYMS
ei chaya--all these six; atmarama--transcendentalists; krsnere bhajaya--render service to Krsna; prthak prthak--separately; ca-kare--in the use of the word ca; iha--here; 'api'ra--of the word api; artha--meaning; kaya--says.
TRANSLATION
"These six kinds of atmaramas engage in the loving service of Krsna. The varieties of service are indicated by adding ca, and they also bear the meaning of api, 'indeed.'
PURPORT
There are six kinds of atmaramas: the neophyte (sadhaka) student who is absorbed in Brahman realization (brahmamaya), one who has already attained the Brahman position (prapta-brahma-laya), one who desires to be liberated (mumuksu), one who is liberated even in this life (jivan-mukta), and one who is self-realized (prapta-svarupa).
TEXT 146
TEXT
"atmaramas ca api" kare krsne ahaituki bhakti
"munayah santah" iti krsna-manane asakti
SYNONYMS
atmaramah ca api--self-realized persons also; kare--do; krsne--unto Krsna; ahaituki bhakti--unmotivated devotional service; munayah santah--great saintly persons and transcendentalists; iti--thus; krsna-manane--in meditation on Krsna; asakti--attraction.
TRANSLATION
"The six kinds of atmaramas render devotional service to Krsna without ulterior motives. The words munayah and santah indicate those who are very attached to meditating upon Krsna.
TEXT 147
TEXT
"nirgranthah"----avidya-hina, keha----vidhi-hina
yahan yei yukta, sei arthera adhina
SYNONYMS
nirgranthah--nirgranthah; avidya-hina--without ignorance; keha--some of them; vidhi-hina--without following any regulative principles; yahan--wherever; yei--which; yukta--appropriate; sei arthera adhina--comes under that different import.
TRANSLATION
"The word nirgranthah means 'without ignorance' and 'devoid of rules and regulations.' Whichever meaning fits may be applied.
TEXT 148
TEXT
ca-sabde kari yadi'itaretara' artha
ara eka artha kahe parama samartha
SYNONYMS
ca-sabde--by the word ca; kari--I do; yadi--if; itaretara artha--different and separate meanings; ara--another; eka--one; artha--meaning; kahe--is said; parama samartha--highly suitable.
TRANSLATION
"By using the word ca in different places, there are different meanings. Over and above them, there is another meaning that is very important.
TEXT 149
TEXT
"atmaramas ca atmaramas ca" kari' bara chaya
panca atmarama chaya ca-kare lupta haya
SYNONYMS
atmaramah ca atmaramah ca--repeating the words atmaramah and ca; kari'--doing; bara chaya--six times; panca atmarama--five kinds of atmaramas; chaya--six; ca-kare--by the word ca; lupta haya--become unpronounced.
TRANSLATION
"Although the words atmaramas ca would be repeated six times, simply by adding the word ca, five atmaramas are deleted.
TEXT 150
TEXT
eka 'atmarama'-sabda avasesa rahe
eka 'atmarama'-sabde chaya-jana kahe
SYNONYMS
eka--one; atmarama--atmarama; sabda--vibration; avasesa rahe--remains at last; eka atmarama--one atmarama; sabde--by vibrating; chaya-jana--six persons; kahe--are indicated.
TRANSLATION
"Therefore there is no need to repeat the word atmarama. One is sufficient, and that one word indicates six persons.
TEXT 151
TEXT
"sarupanam eka-sesa eka-vibhaktau"
uktarthanam aprayogah
ramas ca ramas ca ramas ca rama itivat
SYNONYMS
sa-rupanam--of words of the same form; eka-sesah--only the last; eka-vibhaktau--in the same case; ukta-arthanam--of the previously spoken meanings; aprayogah--nonapplication; ramah ca--and Rama; ramah ca--and Rama; ramah ca--and Rama; ramah itivat--in this way, by one rama, many ramas are indicated.
TRANSLATION
" 'Of words having the same form and case termination, the last one is the only one retained. For example, the word ramah is used to stand for ramas ca, ramas ca, ramas ca, etc.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Panini's sutras (1.2.64).
TEXT 152
TEXT
tabe ye ca-kara, sei 'samuccaya' kaya
"atmaramas ca munayas ca" krsnere bhajaya
SYNONYMS
tabe--then; ye--that; ca-kara--syllable ca; sei--that; samuccaya--aggregation; kaya--is said; atmaramah ca--all those who enjoy in the self; munayah ca--all saintly persons; krsnere bhajaya--worship Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"By the aggregate use of the word ca, it is indicated that all the atmaramas and saints serve and worship Krsna.
TEXT 153
TEXT
"nirgrantha api"ra ei 'api'----sambhavane
ei sata artha prathame karilun vyakhyane
SYNONYMS
nirgranthah apira--of the words nirgranthah api; ei--this; api--api; sambhavane--in the matter of exposition; ei sata artha--these seven different meanings; prathame--in the beginning; karilun--I have done; vyakhyane--in explanation.
TRANSLATION
"Api added to the word nirgranthah is used for exposition. Thus I have tried to clarify the seven types of meaning.
TEXT 154
TEXT
antaryami-upasaka 'atmarama' kaya
sei atmarama yogira dui bheda haya
SYNONYMS
antaryami--of the Supersoul; upasaka--worshiper; atmarama kaya--is also said to be an atmarama; sei atmarama--that atmarama; yogira--of the mystic yogi; dui bheda haya--there are two kinds.
TRANSLATION
"The yogi who worships the Supersoul within himself is also called atmarama. There are two types of atmarama-yogis.
TEXT 155
TEXT
sagarbha, nigarbha,----ei haya dui bheda
eka eka tina bhede chaya vibheda
SYNONYMS
sagarbha--sagarbha; nigarbha--nigarbha; ei--thus; haya--there are; dui--two; bheda--different varieties; eka eka--each one; tina bhede--in three varieties; chaya vibheda--therefore there are six varieties.
TRANSLATION
"The two atmarama-yogis are called sagarbha and nigarbha. Each of these is divided into three; therefore there are six types of worshipers of the Supersoul.
PURPORT
The word sagarbha-yogi refers to a yogi who worships the Supersoul in the Visnu form. The nigarbha-yogi worships the Supersoul without form. The sagarbha and nigarbha yogis are further categorized: (1) sagarbha-yogaruruksu, (2) nigarbha-yogaruruksu, (3) sagarbha-yogarudha, (4) nigarbha-yogarudha, (5) sagarbha-prapta-siddhi and (6) nigarbha-prapta-siddhi.
TEXT 156
TEXT
kecit svadehantar hrdayavakase
pradesa-matram purusam vasantam
catur-bhujam kanja-rathanga-sankha-
gada-dharam dharanaya smaranti
SYNONYMS
kecit--some of them; sva-deha-antah--within one's own body; hrdaya-avakase--in the cavity of the heart; pradesa-matram--with the measurement of six inches; purusam--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; vasantam--residing; catuh-bhujam--with four hands; kanja--a lotus flower; ratha-anga--a disc like the wheel of a chariot; sankha--a conchshell; gada-dharam--holding the club; dharanaya--by such contemplation; smaranti--they remember.
TRANSLATION
" 'Some yogis think of the Lord within their hearts as measuring about six inches. The Lord has four hands, in which He holds a conchshell, club, disc and lotus flower. Those who worship this form of Visnu within the heart are called sagarbha-yogis.'
PURPORT
This verse is from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.2.8).
TEXT 157
TEXT
evam harau bhagavati pratilabdha-bhavo
bhaktya dravad-dhrdaya utpulakah pramodat
autkanthya-baspa-kalaya muhur ardyamanas
tac capi citta-badisam sanakair viyunkte
SYNONYMS
evam--thus; harau--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhagavati--the Lord; pratilabdha-bhavah--one who has awakened a sense of ecstatic love; bhaktya--by devotional service; dravat--melting; hrdayah--the heart; utpulakah--very pleased; pramodat--because of happiness; autkanthya--with eagerness; baspa-kalaya--with tears in the eyes; muhuh--always; ardyamanah--merged in spiritual bliss; tat ca api--that also; citta-badisam--with the heart like a fishing hook; sanakaih--gradually; viyunkte--separates.
TRANSLATION
" 'When one is in ecstatic love with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one's heart is melted by bhakti-yoga, and one feels transcendental bliss. There are bodily symptoms manifest, and, due to eagerness, there are tears in the eyes. Thus one is subjected to spiritual bliss. When the heart is overly afflicted, the meditative mind, like a fishing hook, is gradually separated from the object of meditation.'
PURPORT
This is also a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.28.34).
TEXT 158
TEXT
'yogaruruksu', 'yogarudha' 'prapta-siddhi' ara
ei tina bhede haya chaya prakara
SYNONYMS
yoga-aruruksu--persons desiring elevation to the platform of yogic perfection; yoga-arudha--persons already elevated to that position; prapta-siddhi--persons who have achieved the success; ara--also; ei tina--these three; bhede--by varieties; haya--there are; chaya prakara--six kinds.
TRANSLATION
"By these three divisions of advancement in yoga-yogaruruksu, yogarudha and prapta-siddhi-there are six kinds of mystic yogis.
TEXT 159
TEXT
aruruksor muner yogam
karma karanam ucyate
yogarudhasya tasyaiva
samah karanam ucyate
SYNONYMS
aruruksoh--of a person desiring to rise to the platform of yogic perfection; muneh--of a saintly person; yogam--spiritual knowledge; karma--work; karanam--the cause; ucyate--is said; yoga-arudhasya--of one who has attained such perfect knowledge; tasya--for him; eva--certainly; samah--controlling the mind without being disturbed; karanam--cause; ucyate--is said.
TRANSLATION
" 'Those who wish to rise to the platform of yogic perfection practice the yoga system and strictly follow its regulative principles. They practice the yoga postures, asanas and breathing exercises. Those who are already elevated to this platform practice meditation and keep their minds on the Supreme Lord. They reject all material activity and keep their minds in an equipoised condition [sama].
PURPORT
Texts 159 and 160 are from Bhagavad-gita (6.3--4).
TEXT 160
TEXT
yada hi nendriyarthesu
na karmasv anusajjate
sarva-sankalpa-sannyasi
yogarudhas tadocyate
SYNONYMS
yada--when; hi--certainly; na--not; indriya-arthesu--sense gratification; na--not; karmasu--in activities; anusajjate--one becomes engaged; sarva--all kinds of; sankalpa--desires; sannyasi--renouncing; yoga-arudhah--one who has actually attained perfection in the yoga system; tada--at that time; ucyate--is said.
TRANSLATION
" 'When a person is no longer interested in acting for sense gratification and when he renounces all material desires, he is said to be situated in perfect yoga [yogarudha].'
TEXT 161
TEXT
ei chaya yogi sadhu-sangadi-hetu pana
krsna bhaje krsna-gune akrsta hana
SYNONYMS
ei--this; chaya--six; yogi--mystics; sadhu--of devotees; sanga-adi--the association; hetu--because of; pana--getting; krsna bhaje--render service to Krsna; krsna-gune--by the transcendental qualities of Krsna; akrsta--attracted; hana--becoming.
TRANSLATION
"When a purified yogi associates with devotees, he engages in Lord Krsna's devotional service, being attracted by the Lord's transcendental qualities.
TEXT 162
TEXT
ca-sabde 'api'ra artha ihano kahaya
'muni', 'nirgrantha'-sabdera purvavat artha haya
SYNONYMS
ca-sabde--by the word ca; 'api'ra--of the word api; artha--the meaning; ihano--here also; kahaya--is applicable; muni--a saintly person; nirgrantha--fully liberated; sabdera--of the words; purva-vat--as mentioned above; artha haya--there are the meanings.
TRANSLATION
"The meanings of the words ca and api can be applied here. The meanings of the words muni and nirgrantha are the same as before.
TEXT 163
TEXT
urukrame ahaituki kahan kona artha
ei tera artha kahilun parama samartha
SYNONYMS
urukrame--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who acts uncommonly; ahaituki--without motives; kahan--wherever; kona--some; artha--import; ei--in this way; tera artha--thirteen imports; kahilun--I have explained; parama--supremely; samartha--complete.
TRANSLATION
"The word ahaituki is always applicable to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Urukrama. In this way I have described the import of all these things in thirteen complete varieties.
PURPORT
The thirteen varieties mentioned are (1) sadhaka, the neophyte performer; (2) brahmamaya, one absorbed in the thought of impersonal Brahman; (3) prapta-brahma-laya, one who has actually attained Brahman perfection; (4) mumuksu, the desirer of liberation; (5) jivan-mukta, one who is liberated in this life; (6) prapta-svarupa, one who has attained one's original constitutional position; (7) nirgrantha-muni, a completely liberated saint; (8) sagarbha-yogaruruksu, a yogi meditating upon the four-handed Visnu form or desiring yogic perfection; (9) nigarbha-yogaruruksu, one who has attained perfection in impersonal meditation; (10) sagarbha-yogarudha, already elevated to the yoga perfection platform; (11) nigarbha-yogarudha, similarly impersonal yogi; (12) sagarbha-prapta-siddhi, one who has already attained the perfectional stage; (13) nigarbha-prapta-siddhi, one who has attained perfection by impersonal meditation.
TEXT 164
TEXT
ei saba santa yabe bhaje bhagavan
'santa' bhakta kari' tabe kahi tanra nama
SYNONYMS
ei saba--all these; santa--neutral; yabe--when; bhaje--worship; bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; santa bhakta--devotees in the neutral stage of devotional service; kari'--describing as; tabe--that time; kahi--I speak; tanra--their; nama--name.
TRANSLATION
"These thirteen types of yogis and munis are called santa-bhaktas, for they render transcendental loving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the neutral stage.
TEXT 165
TEXT
'atma' sabde 'mana' kaha----mane yei rame
sadhu-sange seha bhaje sri-krsna-carane
SYNONYMS
atma--atma; sabde--by the word; mana--the mind; kaha--if you say; mane--within the mind; yei rame--one who is satisfied by speculation; sadhu-sange--by the association of devotees; seha--he also; bhaje--takes to devotional service; sri-krsna-carane--at the lotus feet of Lord Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"The word atma sometimes means 'the mind.' In this case, the word atmarama means 'a person who is satisfied by mental speculation.' When such a person associates with a pure devotee, he takes to devotional service at the lotus feet of Krsna.
TEXT 166
TEXT
udaram upasate ya rsi-vartmasu kurpa-drsah
parisara-paddhatim hrdayam arunayo daharam
tata udagad ananta tava dhama sirah paramam
punar iha yat sametya na patanti krtanta-mukhe
SYNONYMS<footnote>For yogis, the abdomen is technically understood to be muni-purastha-brahman, Brahman--the abdomen; upasate--worship; ye--those who; rsi-vartmasu--on the path marked out by the great saintly persons; kurpa-drsah--whose vision is grossly situated in the bodily conception of life; parisara-paddhatim--from which the system of the arteries comes; hrdayam--the heart; arunayah--saintly persons headed by Aruna Rsi; daharam--the sky within the heart, the subtle conception of the Supersoul within the heart; tatah--from that; udagat--went up; ananta--O unlimited one; tava--Your; dhama--place; sirah--the top of the head; paramam--supreme; punah--again; iha--in this material world; yat--which; sametya--having achieved; na--not; patanti--fall down; krta-anta-mukhe--in the repetition of birth and death.
TRANSLATION
" 'Those who follow the path of great, saintly mystic yogis take to the yogic gymnastic process and begin worshiping from the abdomen, where it is said that Brahman is located. Such people are called sarkaraksa, which means that they are situated in the gross bodily conception. There are also followers of the rsi known as Aruna. Following that path, they observe the activities of the arteries. Thus they gradually rise to the heart, where subtle Brahman, Paramatma, is situated. They then worship Him. O unlimited Ananta! Better than these persons are the mystic yogis who worship You from the top of their heads. Beginning with the abdomen and proceeding through the heart, they reach the top of the head and pass through the brahma-randhra, the hole at the top of the skull. Thus yogis attain the perfectional platform and do not enter the cycle of birth and death again.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.87.18).
TEXT 167
TEXT
eho krsna-gunakrsta maha-muni hana
ahaituki bhakti kare nirgrantha hana
SYNONYMS
eho--such yogis; krsna guna-akrsta--attracted by the transcendental qualities of Krsna; maha-muni hana--becoming great saintly persons; ahaituki bhakti kare--they perform causeless devotional service; nirgrantha hana--becoming indifferent to the mystic yoga process.
TRANSLATION
"Being attracted by the transcendental qualities of Krsna, yogis become great saints. At that time, not being hampered by the yogic process, they engage in unalloyed devotional service.
TEXT 168
TEXT
'atma'-sabde 'yatna' kahe----yatna kariya
"munayo 'pi" krsna bhaje gunakrsta hana
SYNONYMS
atma-sabde--by the word atma; yatna--endeavor; kahe--one means; yatna kariya--by great endeavor; munayah api--even great saintly persons; krsna bhaje--take to the devotional service of Krsna; guna-akrsta hana--being attracted by His transcendental qualities.
TRANSLATION
"Atma also means 'endeavor.' Being attracted by Krsna's transcendental qualities, some saints make a great endeavor to come to the point of rendering service to Him.
TEXT 169
TEXT
tasyaiva hetoh prayateta kovido
na labhyate yad bhramatam upary adhah
tal labhyate duhkhavad anyatah sukham
kalena sarvatra gabhira-ramhasa
SYNONYMS
tasya eva--for that; hetoh--reason; prayateta--should endeavor; kovidah--one who is learned and intelligent; na--not; labhyate--is achieved; yat--that which; bhramatam--of those wandering; upari adhah--up and down; tat--that; labhyate--is achieved; duhkhavat--exactly like unhappiness or distress; anyatah--from other reasons (one's past actions); sukham--happiness; kalena--by time; sarvatra--everywhere; gabhira--insurmountable; ramhasa--having force.
TRANSLATION
" 'The transcendental position cannot be attained by wandering up and down from Brahmaloka and Satyaloka to Patalaloka. If one is actually intelligent and learned, he should endeavor for that rare transcendental position. Whatever material happiness is available within the fourteen worlds is attained by the force of time, just as one attains distress in due course of time. Since these are not attained by spiritual consciousness, one should not try for them.'
PURPORT
This verse was spoken by Narada Muni in Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.5.18). Narada Muni was speaking to Vyasadeva, who was morose even after he had compiled all Vedic literatures. In this connection, Narada Muni advised Srila Vyasadeva to attain devotional service.
TEXT 170
TEXT
sad-dharmasyavabodhaya
yesam nirbandhini matih
acirad eva sarvarthah
sidhyaty esam abhipsitah
SYNONYMS
sat-dharmasya--of the path of progressive devotional service; avabodhaya--for understanding; yesam--those whose; nirbandhini--unflinching; matih--intelligence; acirat--very soon; eva--certainly; sarva-arthah--the goal of life; sidhyati--becomes fulfilled; esam--of these persons; abhipsitah--desired.
TRANSLATION
" 'Those who are anxious to awaken their spiritual consciousness, who have unflinching intelligence and who are not deviated, certainly attain the desired goal of life.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from the Naradiya Purana.
TEXT 171
TEXT
ca-sabda api-arthe, 'api'----avadharane
yatnagraha vina bhakti na janmaya preme
SYNONYMS
ca-sabda--the word ca; api--of the word api; arthe--in the meaning; api avadharane--this api is used in sense of emphasis; yatna-agraha vina--without sincere endeavor; bhakti--devotional service; na--not; janmaya--begets; preme--love of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
"The word ca may be used in place of api, which gives emphasis to something. Thus it means that without sincere endeavor in devotional service, one cannot attain love of Godhead.
TEXT 172
TEXT
sadhanaughair anasangair
alabhya sucirad api
harina casv adeyeti
dvidha sa syat sudurlabha
SYNONYMS
sadhana--activities of devotional service; aughaih--by masses of; anasangaih--without attachment; alabhya--very difficult to achieve; su-cirat api--even after a considerable duration of time; harina--by the Supreme Lord; ca--also; asu--very soon; adeya--not to be delivered; iti--thus; dvidha--two ways; sa--that; syat--is; su-durlabha--very difficult to obtain.
TRANSLATION
" 'Devotional perfection is very difficult to attain for two reasons. First, unless one is attached to Krsna, he cannot attain devotional perfection even if he renders devotional service for a long time. Second, Krsna does not easily deliver perfection in devotional service.'
PURPORT
As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.6.18): muktim dadati karhicit. Srila Sukadeva Gosvami told Maharaja Pariksit that Krsna readily grants liberation but does not very readily grant perfection in devotional service. This means that Krsna wants to see that a devotee is actually sincere and serious and that he does not have ulterior motives. If this is the case, devotional service can very easily be successful; otherwise it is very difficult to obtain from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This verse appears in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.1.35).
TEXT 173
TEXT
tesam satata-yuktanam
bhajatam priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti te
SYNONYMS
tesam--to them; satata-yuktanam--always engaged; bhajatam--in devotional service; priti-purvakam--in loving ecstasy; dadami--I give; buddhi-yogam--real intelligence; tam--that; yena--by which; mam--unto Me; upayanti--come; te--they.
TRANSLATION
" 'To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Bhagavad-gita (10.10).
TEXT 174
TEXT
'atma'-sabde 'dhrti' kahe,----dhairye yei rame
dhairyavanta eva hana karaya bhajane
SYNONYMS
atma-sabde--by the word atma; dhrti--perseverance; kahe--it is said; dhairye--with perseverance; yei rame--anyone who endeavors; dhairyavanta--such persons with endurance; eva--certainly; hana--becoming; karaya--perform; bhajane--devotional service.
TRANSLATION
"Another meaning of atma is dhrti, or endurance. A person who endeavors with endurance is atmarama. With endurance, such a person engages in devotional service.
TEXT 175
TEXT
'muni'-sabde----paksi, bhrnga; 'nirgranthe'----murkha-jana
krsna-krpaya sadhu-krpaya donhara bhajana
SYNONYMS
muni-sabde--by the word muni; paksi--bird; bhrnga--bumblebee; nirgranthe--in the word nirgrantha; murkha-jana--foolish people; krsna-krpaya--by the mercy of Lord Krsna; sadhu-krpaya--by the mercy of a devotee; donhara bhajana--engages in devotional service of both (Krsna and his spiritual master or the sadhu).
TRANSLATION
"The word muni also means 'bird,' and 'bumblebee.' The word nirgrantha refers to foolish people. By the mercy of Krsna, such creatures contact a sadhu [spiritual master] and thus engage in devotional service.
TEXT 176
TEXT
prayo batamba munayo vihaga vane 'smin
krsneksitam tad-uditam kala-venu-gitam
aruhya ye druma-bhujan rucira-prabalan
srnvanti milita-drso vigatanya-vacah
SYNONYMS
prayah--almost; bata--certainly; amba--O mother; munayah--great sages; vihagah--the birds; vane--in the forest; asmin--this; krsna-iksitam--seeing the lotus feet of Krsna; tat-uditam--created by Him; kala-venu-gitam--sweet vibrations made by playing the flute; aruhya--rising; ye--all of them; druma-bhujan--to the branches of the trees; rucira-prabalan--having beautiful creepers and twigs; srnvanti--hear; milita-drsah--closing their eyes; vigata-anya-vacah--stopping all other sounds.
TRANSLATION
" 'My dear mother, in this forest, all the birds, after rising on the beautiful branches of the trees, are closing their eyes and, not being attracted by any other sound, are simply listening to the vibration of Krsna's flute. Such birds and bees must be on the same level as great saints.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.21.14). This statement was made by the gopis, who were lamenting in separation from Krsna and studying how the inhabitants of Vrndavana were enjoying life like saintly persons.
TEXT 177
TEXT
ete 'linas tava yaso 'khila-loka-tirtham
gayanta adi-purusanupatham bhajante
prayo ami muni-gana bhavadiya-mukhya
gudham vane 'pi na jahaty anaghatma-daivam
SYNONYMS
ete--all these; alinah--bees; tava--Your; yasah--reputation; akhila--all; loka-tirtham--auspicious for the planets; gayante--are singing; adi-purusa--O original person; anupatham--along the path; bhajante--they are engaged in transcendental loving service; prayah--almost; ami--these; muni-ganah--great saintly persons; bhavadiya--in relation with You; mukhyah--very advanced devotees; gudham--unknown; vane--in the forest; api--although; na--not; jahati--give up; anagha--O personality of transcendental goodness; atma-daivam--their worshipable Deity.
TRANSLATION
" 'O good fortune personified! O original Personality of Godhead, all these bees are chanting about Your transcendental fame, which will purify the entire universe. Indeed, they are following Your path in the forest and are worshiping You. Actually they are all saintly persons, but now they have taken the form of bees. Although You are playing like a human being, they could not forget that You are their worshipable Deity.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.15.6). Krsna and Balarama were just on the verge of boyhood and were entering the forest of Vrndavana when Krsna began to offer prayers to please Balarama.
TEXT 178
TEXT
sarasi sarasa-hamsa-vihangas
caru-gita-hrta-cetasa etya
harim upasata te yata-citta
hanta milita-drso dhrta-maunah
SYNONYMS
sarasi--in the water; sarasa--cranes; hamsa--swans; vihangah--birds; caru-gita--by the melodious song of Krsna's flute; hrta-cetasah--devoid of material consciousness; etya--coming near; harim--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; upasata--worshiped; te--all of them; yata-cittah--with full attention; hanta--alas; milita-drsah--closing their eyes; dhrta-maunah--completely silent.
TRANSLATION
" 'All the cranes and swans in the water are being enchanted by the melodious song of Krsna's flute. They have approached and are worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead with full attention. Alas, they are closing their eyes and are becoming completely silent.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.35.11). In the day, Krsna went to the forest of Vrndavana, and at that time, the gopis, being morose due to separation from Him, were lamenting in this way.
TEXT 179
TEXT
kirata-hunandhra-pulinda-pulkasa
abhira-sumbha yavanah khasadayah
ye 'nye ca papa yad-upasrayasrayah
sudhyanti tasmai prabhavisnave namah
SYNONYMS
kirata--the aborigines named Kiratas; huna--the Hunas; andhra--Andhras; pulinda--Pulindas; pulkasah--Pulkasas; abhira--Abhiras; sumbhah--Sumbhas; yavanah--persons who do not follow the Vedic injunctions and who eat cow's flesh; khasa-adayah--Khasas and others; ye--those who; anye--similar others; ca--also; papah--sinful persons; yat--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; upasraya--of the devotees; asrayah--taking shelter; sudhyanti--become purified; tasmai--unto Him, Lord Visnu, because of whom they become purified; prabhavisnave--to Lord Visnu, the most powerful; namah--respectful obeisances.
TRANSLATION
" 'Kirata, Huna, Andhra, Pulinda, Pulkasa, Abhira, Sumbha, Yavana and the Khasa races and even others who are addicted to sinful acts can be purified by taking shelter of the devotees of the Lord due to His being the supreme power. I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.4.18). This verse was spoken by Sukadeva Gosvami when Pariksit Maharaja asked him for a description of the creation. While offering obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sukadeva Gosvami described the unlimited potencies of Lord Visnu, who can purify the lowborn creatures mentioned herein.
TEXT 180
TEXT
kimva'dhrti'-sabde nija-purnatadi-jnana kaya
duhkhabhave uttama-praptye maha-purna haya
SYNONYMS
kimva--or; dhrti--dhrti; sabde--by this word; nija--own; purnata-adi--perfection and so on; jnana--knowledge; kaya--says; duhkha-abhave--in the absence of all material miseries; uttama--the best; praptye--by obtaining; maha-purna haya--becomes perfectly perfect.
TRANSLATION
"The word dhrti is also used when one is fully perfect in knowledge. When due to having obtained the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he has no material miseries, he attains maha-purna, the highest level of perfection.
TEXT 181
TEXT
dhrtih syat purnata jnana-
duhkhabhavottamaptibhih
apraptatita-nastartha-
nabhisamsocanadikrt
SYNONYMS
dhrtih--endurance; syat--may become; purnata--fullness; jnana--knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; duhkha-abhava--the absence of misery; uttama-aptibhih--by attainment of the highest platform of perfection; aprapta--not obtained; atita--gone; nasta--destroyed; artha--object, goal; anabhisam-socana--absence of lamentation; adi--and so on; krt--doing.
TRANSLATION
" 'Dhrti is the fullness felt by the absence of misery and brought about by receiving knowledge of the Supreme Lord and by obtaining pure love for Him. The lamentation that accrues from not obtaining a goal or by loss of something already attained does not affect this completeness.'
PURPORT
This verse is found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (2.4.144).
TEXT 182
TEXT
krsna-bhakta----duhkha-hina, vanchantara-hina
krsna-prema-seva-purnananda-pravina
SYNONYMS
krsna-bhakta--a devotee of Lord Krsna; duhkha-hina--not under miserable material conditions; vancha-antara-hina--he has no other desire than to serve Krsna; krsna-prema--love of Krsna; seva--service; purna-ananda--full in transcendental bliss; pravina--and very expert or experienced in all subject matters.
TRANSLATION
"A devotee of Krsna is never in a miserable condition, nor does he have any desire other than to serve Krsna. He is experienced and advanced. He feels the transcendental bliss of love of Krsna and always engages in His service fully protected.
TEXT 183
TEXT
mat-sevaya pratitam te
salokyadi-catustayam
necchanti sevaya purnah
kuto 'nyat kala-viplutam
SYNONYMS
mat--of Me; sevaya--by service; pratitam--obtained; te--they; salokya-adi--liberation, beginning with salokya; catustayam--the four kinds of; na icchanti--do not desire; sevaya--by service; purnah--complete; kutah--where; anyat--other things; kala-viplutam--which are lost in time.
TRANSLATION
" 'My devotees, having fulfilled their desires by serving Me, do not accept the four kinds of salvation that are easily earned by such service. Why then should they accept any pleasures that are lost in the course of time?'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (9.4.67).
TEXT 184
TEXT
hrsikese hrsikani
yasya sthairya-gatani hi
sa eva dhairyam apnoti
samsare jiva-cancale
SYNONYMS
hrsikese--to the master of the senses; hrsikani--all the senses; yasya--whose; sthairya-gatani--fixed; hi--certainly; sah--that person; eva--of course; dhairyam apnoti--attains the position of dhairya, endurance; samsare--in the material world; jiva-cancale--where everyone is disturbed.
TRANSLATION
"In this material world, all living entities are disturbed due to their flickering position. A devotee, however, is fixed in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord, the master of the senses. Such a person is to be considered situated in endurance and patience.
TEXT 185
TEXT
'ca'----avadharane, iha 'api'----samuccaye
dhrtimanta hana bhaje paksi-murkha-caye
SYNONYMS
ca--the word ca; avadharane--in emphasis; iha--here; api--the word api; samuccaye--in the sense of an aggregate; dhrtimanta--fully saturated; hana--becoming; bhaje--worship; paksi-murkha-caye--dull creatures like the birds, the most foolish.
TRANSLATION
"The word ca is for emphasis, and the word api is used as an aggregate. It is to be understood that even dull creatures [birds and illiterates] can also be situated in endurance and engage in Krsna's devotional service.
TEXT 186
TEXT
'atma'-sabde 'buddhi' kahe buddhi-visesa
samanya-buddhi-yukta yata jiva avasesa
SYNONYMS
atma-sabde--by the word atma; buddhi--intelligence; kahe--it is said; buddhi-visesa--a particular type of intelligence; samanya-buddhi-yukta--endowed with common intelligence; yata--all; jiva--living entities; avasesa--the rest.
TRANSLATION
"The word atma is also used for a particular type of intelligence. Since all living entities generally have some intelligence, more or less, they are included.
TEXT 187
TEXT
buddhye rame atmarama----dui ta' prakara
'pandita' muni-gana, nirgrantha 'murkha' ara
SYNONYMS
buddhye--in intelligence; rame--who enjoys; atmarama--is atmarama; dui ta ' prakara--two varieties; pandita--learned; muni-gana--philosophers; nirgrantha--without education; murkha--foolish; ara--also.
TRANSLATION
"Everyone has some kind of intelligence, and one who utilizes his intelligence is called atmarama. There are two types of atmarama. One is a learned scholar and a philosopher, and the other is an uneducated, illiterate and foolish person.
TEXT 188
TEXT
krsna-krpaya sadhu-sange rati-buddhi paya
saba chadi' suddha-bhakti kare krsna-paya
SYNONYMS
krsna-krpaya--by the mercy of Krsna; sadhu-sange--in the association of devotees; rati-buddhi--devotional attraction and intelligence; paya--one obtains; saba chadi'--giving up everything; suddha-bhakti--pure devotional service; kare--performs; krsna-paya--at the lotus feet of Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"By the mercy of Krsna and by the association of devotees, one increases his attraction to and intelligence for pure devotional service; therefore one gives up everything and engages himself at the lotus feet of Krsna and His pure devotees.
TEXT 189
TEXT
aham sarvasya prabhavo
mattah sarvam pravartate
iti matva bhajante mam
budha bhava-samanvitah
SYNONYMS
aham--I, Lord Krsna; sarvasya--of everyone; prabhavah--the original source; mattah--from Me; sarvam--everything; pravartate--emanates; iti--thus; matva--understanding; bhajante--they engage in devotional service; mam--to Me; budhah--those who are learned; bhava-samanvitah--with love and devotion.
TRANSLATION
" 'I [Krsna] am the original source of everything. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My service with love and devotion.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Bhagavad-gita (10.8).
TEXT 190
TEXT
te vai vidanty atitaranti ca deva-mayam
stri-sudra-huna-sabara api papa-jivah
yady adbhuta-krama-parayana-sila-siksas
tiryag-jana api kimu sruta-dharana ye
SYNONYMS
te--all of them; vai--certainly; vidanti--understand; atitaranti--cross over; ca--also; deva-mayam--the influence of the external illusory energy; stri--women; sudra--fourth-class men; huna--uncivilized hill tribes; sabarah--and hunters; api--even; papa-jivah--sinful creatures; yadi--if; adbhuta-krama--of the performer of wonderful activities; parayana--of the devotees; sila-siksah--characteristics and education; tiryak-janah--birds and beasts; api--even; kimu--what to speak of; sruta-dharanah ye--persons advanced in the education of Vedic knowledge.
TRANSLATION
" 'Women, fourth-class men, uncivilized hill tribes, hunters and many others born of low families, as well as birds and beasts, can engage in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead--who acts very wonderfully--and follow the path of the devotees and take lessons from them. Although the ocean of nescience is vast, they can still cross over it. What, then, is the difficulty for those who are advanced in Vedic knowledge?'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.7.46). Lord Brahma said this when speaking to his disciple Narada about the wonderful characteristics of Lord Visnu. Simply by chanting the glories of Lord Visnu, one can cross the ocean of nescience, even though one may be lowborn.
TEXT 191
TEXT
vicara kariya yabe bhaje krsna-paya
sei buddhi dena tanre, yate krsna paya
SYNONYMS
vicara--consideration; kariya--doing; yabe--when; bhaje--one worships; krsna-paya--at the lotus feet of Krsna; sei buddhi--that intelligence; dena--gives; tanre--to him; yate--by which; krsna paya--one gets the shelter of the lotus feet of Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"Considering all these points, when one engages in the service of Krsna's lotus feet, Krsna gives one the intelligence by which he can gradually progress toward perfection in service to the Lord.
TEXT 192
TEXT
tesam satata-yuktanam
bhajatam priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti te
SYNONYMS
tesam--to them; satata-yuktanam--always engaged; bhajatam--in devotional service; priti-purvakam--in loving ecstasy; dadami--I give; buddhi-yogam--real intelligence; tam--that; yena--by which; mam--unto Me; upayanti--come; te--they.
TRANSLATION
" 'To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Bhagavad-gita (10.10).
TEXT 193
TEXT
sat-sanga, krsna-seva, bhagavata, nama
vraje vasa,----ei panca sadhana pradhana
SYNONYMS
sat-sanga--association with devotees; krsna-seva--engagement in the service of Krsna; bhagavata--devotees and the book known as Srimad-Bhagavatam; nama--the chanting of the holy name; vraje vasa--residence in Vrndavana or Mathura; ei--these; panca--five; sadhana pradhana--the chief processes of devotion.
TRANSLATION
"To be elevated to the platform of devotional service, the following five items should be observed: association with devotees, engagement in the service of Lord Krsna, the reading of Srimad-Bhagavatam, the chanting of the holy names and residence at Vrndavana or Mathura.
TEXT 194
TEXT
ei-panca-madhye eka 'svalpa' yadi haya
subuddhi janera haya krsna-premodaya
SYNONYMS
ei--these; panca-madhye--out of the five; eka--of only one; svalpa--a small quantity; yadi--if; haya--there is; su-buddhi--intelligent; janera--of the person; haya--there is; krsna-prema-udaya--awakening of dormant love for Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"One's dormant love for Krsna gradually awakens if one is a little advanced in one of these five items and is intelligent.
TEXT 195
TEXT
duruhadbhuta-virye 'smin
sraddha dure 'stu pancake
yatra svalpo 'pi sambandhah
saddhiyam bhava-janmane
SYNONYMS
duruha--difficult to be reconciled; adbhuta--wonderful; virye--in the power; asmin--in this; sraddha--faith; dure--far away; astu--let it be; pancake--in the above-mentioned five principles; yatra--in which; svalpah--a little; api--even; sambandhah--connection; sat-dhiyam--of those who are intelligent and offenseless; bhava-janmane--to awaken one's dormant love for Krsna.
TRANSLATION
" 'The power of these five principles is very wonderful and difficult to reconcile. Even without faith in them, a person who is offenseless can experience dormant love of Krsna simply by being a little connected with them.'
PURPORT
This verse is also found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.238).
TEXT 196
TEXT
udara mahati yanra sarvottama buddhi
nana kame bhaje, tabu paya bhakti-siddhi
SYNONYMS
udara--liberal; mahati--great; yanra--whose; sarva-uttama--first-class; buddhi--intelligence; nana--various; kame--with desires; bhaje--engages in devotional service; tabu--still; paya--gets; bhakti-siddhi--perfection in devotional service.
TRANSLATION
"If a person is actually liberal and intelligent, he can advance and become perfect in devotional service even if he has material desires and serves the Lord with some motive.
TEXT 197
TEXT
akamah sarva-kamo va
moksa-kama udara-dhih
tivrena bhakti-yogena
yajeta purusam param
SYNONYMS
akamah--without material desires; sarva-kamah--full of all material desires; va--or; moksa-kamah--desiring liberation; udara-dhih--sincere and advanced in devotional service; tivrena--firm; bhakti-yogena--by the practice of bhakti-yoga; yajeta--should worship; purusam param--the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
" 'Whether one desires everything or nothing, or whether he desires to merge into the existence of the Lord, he is intelligent only if he worships Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by rendering transcendental loving service.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.3.10).
TEXT 198
TEXT
bhakti-prabhava,----sei kama chadana
krsna-pade bhakti karaya gune akarsiya
SYNONYMS
bhakti-prabhava--the influence of devotional service; sei--that; kama--material desire; chadana--causing to give up; krsna-pade--unto the lotus feet of Krsna; bhakti karaya--engages in devotional service; gune--by transcendental qualities; akarsiya--attracting.
TRANSLATION
"Devotional service is so strong that when one engages in it, he gradually gives up all material desires and becomes fully attracted to the lotus feet of Krsna. All this is brought about by attraction for the transcendental qualities of the Lord.
TEXT 199
TEXT
satyam disaty arthitam arthito nrnam
naivarthado yat punar arthita yatah
svayam vidhatte bhajatam anicchatam
iccha-pidhanam nija-pada-pallavam
SYNONYMS
satyam--it is true; disati--He awards; arthitam--that which is desired; arthitah--being requested; nrnam--by human beings; na--not; eva--certainly; artha-dah--giving desired things; yat--which; punah--again; arthita--request; yatah--from which; svayam--Himself; vidhatte--He gives; bhajatam--of those engaged in devotional service; anicchatam--even though not desiring; iccha-pidhanam--covering all other desires; nija-pada-pallavam--the shelter of His own lotus feet.
TRANSLATION
" 'Whenever Krsna is requested to fulfill one's desire, He undoubtedly does so, but He does not award anything which, after being enjoyed, will cause someone to petition Him again and again to fulfill further desires. When one has other desires but engages in the Lord's service, Krsna forcibly gives one shelter at His lotus feet, where one will forget all other desires.'
PURPORT
This verse is from Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.19.27).
TEXT 200
TEXT
'atma'-sabde 'svabhava' kahe, tate yei rame
atmarama jiva yata sthavara-jangame
SYNONYMS
atma-sabde--by the word atma; svabhava--nature; kahe--is sometimes said; tate--in that; yei rame--one who takes pleasure; atmarama--called atmarama; jiva--the living entities; yata--all of them; sthavara-jangame--the moving and nonmoving.
TRANSLATION
"Another meaning of the word atma is 'one's characteristic nature.' Whoever enjoys his particular type of nature is called atmarama. Therefore, all living entities-be they moving or nonmoving-are also called atmarama.
TEXT 201
TEXT
jivera svabhava----krsna-'dasa'-abhimana
dehe atma-jnane acchadita sei 'jnana'
SYNONYMS
jivera svabhava--the original characteristic of all living entities; krsna-dasa--servant of Krsna; abhimana--the conception; dehe--in the material body; atma-jnane--by the conception of the self; acchadita--covered; sei jnana--that original consciousness.
TRANSLATION
"The original nature of every living entity is to consider himself the eternal servant of Krsna. However, under the influence of maya, he thinks himself to be the body, and thus his original consciousness is covered.
TEXT 202
TEXT
ca-sabde 'eva', 'api'-sabda samuccaye
'atmarama eva' hana sri-krsna bhajaye
SYNONYMS
ca-sabde--by the word ca; eva--the word eva; api-sabda--the word api; samuccaye--in the sense of aggregation; atmaramah eva--all the atmaramas (all kinds of living entities); hana--being; sri-krsna bhajaye--become engaged in the service of Lord Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"In that case, by the word ca, the word eva is meant. The word api can be taken in the sense of aggregation. Thus the verse would read atmarama eva; that is, 'even all kinds of living beings worship Krsna.'
PURPORT
It is here mentioned that every living entity is atmarama. Temporarily covered by the influence of maya, the living entity serves his senses, which are represented as kama-krodha-lobha-moha-mada-matsarya. In the material condition, all living entities are engaged in sense gratification, but when they associate with devotees who follow the regulative principles, they become purified and awakened to their original consciousness. They then attempt to satisfy the senses of Lord Krsna and engage in His devotional service.
TEXT 203
TEXT
ei jiva----sanakadi saba muni-jana
'nirgrantha'----murkha, nica, sthavara-pasu-gana
SYNONYMS
ei jiva--these living entities; sanaka-adi saba muni-jana--all the great personalities, such as Sanaka and Sanatana; nirgrantha--down to the illiterate; murkha--foolish person; nica--lowborn; sthavara--the trees and plants; pasu-gana--the beasts and birds.
TRANSLATION
"Living entities include great personalities like the four Kumaras, low-class foolish people, trees, plants, birds and beasts.
TEXT 204
TEXT
vyasa-suka-sanakadira prasiddha bhajana
'nirgrantha' sthavaradira suna vivarana
SYNONYMS
vyasa--of Vyasadeva; suka--of Sukadeva Gosvami; sanaka-adira--of the four Kumaras; prasiddha bhajana--the devotional service is celebrated; nirgrantha--foolish, uneducated; sthavara-adira--of the immovable elements; suna vivarana--hear the description.
TRANSLATION
"The devotional service of Vyasa, Suka and the four Kumaras has already been well celebrated. Now let Me explain how immovable living entities like trees and plants engage in the Lord's devotional service.
TEXT 205
TEXT
krsna-krpadi-hetu haite sabara udaya
krsna-gunakrsta hana tanhare bhajaya
SYNONYMS
krsna-krpa-adi-hetu--the reason of Krsna's mercy; haite--from; sabara udaya--anyone becomes a devotee; krsna-guna-akrsta hana--being attracted by the transcendental qualities of Krsna; tanhare--Him; bhajaya--worship.
TRANSLATION
"Everyone is eligible to receive Krsna's mercy-including Vyasadeva, the four Kumaras, Sukadeva Gosvami, lowborn creatures, trees, plants and beasts. By Krsna's mercy they are elevated and engaged in His service.
PURPORT
This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gita wherein the Lord says:
mam hi partha vyapasritya
ye 'pi syuh papa-yonayah
striyo vaisyas tatha sudras
te 'pi yanti param gatim
"O son of Prtha, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth-women, vaisyas [merchants], as well as sudras [workers]-can approach the supreme destination." (9.32)
Everyone is eligible to become Krsna's devotee. One simply has to be trained according to the approved process. It is the work of Krsna's confidential devotees to turn everyone into a Krsna bhakta. If the confidential devotees do not take up the task of elevating everyone to Krsna consciousness, then who will do it? Those who claim to be devotees but do not engage in Krsna's service to elevate all living creatures to Krsna consciousness are to be considered kanistha-adhikaris (people in the lowest stage of devotional service). When one rises to the second platform of devotional service, his business is to propagate Krsna consciousness all over the world. Those who are active in the Krsna consciousness movement should not remain in the neophyte stage but should rise to the platform of preachers, the second platform of devotional service. Devotional service is so enchanting that even the first-class devotees (uttama-adhikaris) also come down to the second platform to preach and render service to the Lord for the benefit of the whole world.
TEXT 206
TEXT
dhanyeyam adya dharani trna-virudhas tvat-
pada-sprso druma-latah karajabhimrstah
nadyo 'drayah khaga-mrgah sadayavalokair
gopyo 'ntarena bhujayor api yat-sprha srih
SYNONYMS
dhanya--glorified; iyam--this; adya--today; dharani--the surface of the globe; trna-virudhah--the grass and herbs; tvat--Your; pada-sprsah--from the touch of the lotus feet; druma-latah--the creepers and trees; karaja-abhimrstah--touched by Your nails; nadyah--the rivers; adrayah--the hills; khaga-mrgah--the birds and forest animals; sadaya-avalokaih--because of Your merciful glances; gopyah--the gopis, the damsels of Vraja; antarena--by the region between; bhujayoh--Your two arms; api--also; yat--for which; sprha--desirous; srih--the goddess of fortune.
TRANSLATION
" 'This land Vrndavana [Vrajabhumi] is glorified today. Your lotus feet have touched the earth and grass. Your fingers have touched the trees and creepers, and Your merciful eyes have glanced upon rivers, hills, birds and beasts. The gopis have been embraced by Your arms, and even the goddess of fortune desires this. Now all of these are glorified.'
PURPORT
This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.15.8) is spoken by Lord Krsna to Sri Balarama.
TEXT 207
TEXT
ga gopakair anuvanam nayator udara-
venu-svanaih kala-padais tanu-bhrtsu sakhyah
aspandanam gatimatam pulakas tarunam
niryoga-pasa-krta-laksanayor vicitram
SYNONYMS
gah--the cows; gopakaih--with the cowherd boys; anuvanam--to each forest; nayatoh--leading; udara--very liberal; venu-svanaih--by the vibrations of the flutes; kala-padaih--having sweet tones; tanu-bhrtsu--among the living entities; sakhyah--O friends; aspandanam--the lack of movement; gatimatam--of those living entities that can move; pulakah--the ecstatic jubilation; tarunam--of the otherwise nonmoving trees; niryoga-pasa--the ropes for binding the rear legs of the cows; krta-laksanayoh--of those two (Krsna and Balarama), who are characterized by; vicitram--wonderful.
TRANSLATION
" 'My dear friend, both Krsna and Balarama are passing through the forest leading Their cows with Their cowherd boy friends. They both carry ropes with which, at the time of milking, They bind the rear legs of the cows. When They play on Their flutes, all moving living entities are stunned, and nonmoving living entities experience ecstatic jubilation by Their sweet music. All these things are certainly very wonderful.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.21.19). All the gopis were very attracted to Krsna when they saw Him wandering in the forest with Baladeva. They thus praised the Lord's activities.
TEXT 208
TEXT
vana-latas tarava atmani visnum
vyanjayantya iva puspa-phaladhyah
pranata-bhara-vitapa madhu-dharah
prema-hrsta-tanavo vavrsuh sma
SYNONYMS
vana-latah--the herbs and plants; taravah--the trees; atmani--in the Supreme Soul; visnum--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; vyanjayantyah--manifesting; iva--like; puspa-phala-adhyah--filled with luxuriant fruits and flowers; pranata-bhara--bowed down because of loads; vitapah--the trees; madhu-dharah--showers; prema-hrsta--inspired by love of Godhead; tanavah--whose bodies; vavrsuh--constantly rained; sma--certainly.
TRANSLATION
" 'The plants, creepers and trees were full of fruits and flowers due to ecstatic love of Krsna. Indeed, being so full, they were bowing down. They were inspired by such deep love for Krsna that they were constantly pouring showers of honey. In this way the gopis saw all the forest of Vrndavana.'
PURPORT
This verse is from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.35.9).
TEXT 209
TEXT
kirata-hunandhra-pulinda-pulkasa
abhira-sumbha yavanah khasadayah
ye 'nye ca papa yad-upasrayasrayah
sudhyanti tasmai prabhavisnave namah
SYNONYMS
kirata--the aborigines named Kiratas; huna--the Hunas; andhra--Andhras; pulinda--Pulindas; pulkasah--Pulkasas; abhira--Abhiras; sumbhah--Sumbhas; yavanah--persons who do not follow the Vedic injunctions and who eat cow's flesh; khasa-adayah--Khasas and others; ye--those who; anye--similar others; ca--also; papah--sinful persons; yat--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; upasraya--of the devotees; asrayah--taking shelter; sudhyanti--become purified; tasmai--unto Him, Lord Visnu, because of whom they become purified; prabhavisnave--to Lord Visnu, the most powerful; namah--respectful obeisances.
TRANSLATION
" 'Kirata, Huna, Andhra, Pulinda, Pulkasa, Abhira, Sumbha, Yavana and the Khasa races and even others who are addicted to sinful acts can be purified by taking shelter of the devotees of the Lord due to His being the supreme power. I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.'
TEXT 210
TEXT
age 'tera' artha karilun, ara 'chaya' ei
unavimsati artha ha-ila mili' ei dui
SYNONYMS
age--previously; tera--thirteen; artha--meanings; karilun--I have done; ara--another; chaya--six; ei--this; unavimsati--altogether nineteen; artha--meanings; ha-ila--there were; mili'--including; ei dui--these two.
TRANSLATION
"I have already spoken about the thirteen kinds of meaning. Now there are six more. Combined, these make nineteen.
PURPORT
The six different meanings are (1) mental speculators (vide verse 165), (2) those engaged in different types of endeavor (vide verse 168), (3) those who are patient and sober (vide verse 174), (4) those who are intelligent and learned scholars (vide verse 187), (5) those who are intelligent but illiterate and foolish (vide verse 187), and (6) those who are conscious of eternal servitorship to Krsna (vide verse 201).
TEXT 211
TEXT
ei unisa artha karilu, age suna ara
'atma'-sabde 'deha' kahe,----cari artha tara
SYNONYMS
ei--these; unisa--nineteen; artha--meanings; karilu--I have done; age--ahead; suna--hear; ara--more; atma-sabde--by the word atma; deha--the body; kahe--is understood; cari artha--four meanings; tara--of that.
TRANSLATION
"I have already explained nineteen different meanings. Now please hear further meanings. The word atma also refers to the body, and this can be taken in four ways.
PURPORT
The four divisions are (1) aupadika-brahma-deha, the material body considered as Brahman with designations (vide verse 212), (2) karma-nistha yajnikera karma-deha, the body engaged in ritualistic ceremonies of the Vedic injunctions (vide verse 214), (3) tapo-deha, the body engaged in austerities and penances (vide verse 216), and (4) sarva-kama-deha, the body engaged for the satisfaction of all kinds of material desires (vide verse 218).
TEXT 212
TEXT
deharami dehe bhaje 'dehopadhi brahma'
sat-sange seha kare krsnera bhajana
SYNONYMS
deharami--persons who have accepted this body as the self and are interested only in sense gratification; dehe--in the body; bhaje--worships; deha-upadhi brahma--Brahman having the body as a designation; sat-sange--in the association of devotees; seha--such a person; kare--does; krsnera bhajana--service to Lord Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"One in the bodily conception worships his own body as Brahman, but when he comes in contact with the devotee, he gives up this mistaken idea and engages himself in the devotional service of Lord Krsna.
TEXT 213
TEXT
udaram upasate ya rsi-vartmasu kurpa-drsah
parisara-paddhatim hrdayam arunayo daharam
tata udagad ananta tava dhama sirah paramam
punar iha yat sametya na patanti krtanta-mukhe
SYNONYMS
udaram--the abdomen; upasate--worship; ye--those who; rsi-vartmasu--on the path marked out by the great saintly persons; kurpa-drsah--whose vision is grossly situated in the bodily conception of life; parisara-paddhatim--from which the system of the arteries comes; hrdayam--the heart; arunayah--saintly persons headed by Aruna Rsi; daharam--the sky within the heart, the subtle conception of the Supersoul within the heart; tatah--from that; udagat--went up; ananta--O unlimited one; tava--Your; dhama--place; sirah--the top of the head; paramam--supreme; punah--again; iha--in this material world; yat--which; sametya--having achieved; na--not; patanti--fall down; krta-anta-mukhe--in the repetition of birth and death.
TRANSLATION
" 'Those who follow the path of great, saintly mystic yogis take to the yogic gymnastic process and begin worshiping from the abdomen, where it is said that Brahman is located. Such people are called sark, which means that they are situated in the gross bodily conception. There are also followers of the rsi known as Aruna. Following that path, they observe the activities of the arteries. Thus they gradually rise to the heart, where subtle Brahman, Paramatma, is situated. They then worship Him. O, unlimited Ananta! Better than these persons are the mystic yogis who worship You from the top of their heads. Beginning with the abdomen and proceeding through the heart, they reach the top of the head and pass through the brahma-randra, the hole at the top of the skull. Thus yogis attain the perfectional platform and do not enter the cycle of birth and death again.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.87.18).
TEXT 214
TEXT
deharami karma-nistha----yajnikadi jana
sat-sange 'karma' tyaji' karaya bhajana
SYNONYMS
deharami--those in the bodily concept of life; karma-nistha--attracted to fruitive activities; yajnika-adi jana--persons who perform ritualistic ceremonies for a better standard of life; sat-sange--in contact with devotees; karma tyaji'--giving up such fruitive activities; karaya bhajana--engages in the devotional service of the Lord.
TRANSLATION
"Those who are in the bodily conception mainly engage in fruitive activity. Those who perform yajnas and ritualistic ceremonies are also considered in the same category. However, when they are all in contact with the pure devotee, they give up their fruitive activity and fully engage in the service of the Lord.
TEXT 215
TEXT
karmany asminn anasvase
dhuma-dhumratmanam bhavan
apayayati govinda-
pada-padmasavam madhu
SYNONYMS
karmani--in fruitive activity; asmin--in this; anasvase--although not positive in result; dhuma-dhumra-atmanam--whose bodies are simply becoming blackish because of smoke; bhavan--you; apayayati--give a chance to drink; govinda-pada-padma-asavam--the nectarean beverage flowing from the lotus feet of Govinda; madhu--sweet.
TRANSLATION
" 'We have just begun performing this fruitive activity, a sacrificial fire, but due to the many imperfections in our action, we are not certain of its result. Our bodies have become black from the smoke, but we are factually pleased by the nectar of the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, Govinda, which you are distributing.'
PURPORT
This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.18.12) was spoken to Suta Gosvami at the meeting of great sages at Naimisaranya. The great sages were headed by Saunaka, and Suta Gosvami spoke of the glorious activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead at that meeting. At that time, all the rsis assembled there neglected to complete the ritualistic ceremonies because there was no positive assurance of the results. All the performers were coated with black ash due to the large amount of smoke coming from the fire.
TEXT 216
TEXT
'tapasvi' prabhrti yata deharami haya
sadhu-sange tapa chadi' sri-krsna bhajaya
SYNONYMS
tapasvi--persons who undergo severe penances; prabhrti--and so on; yata--all; deharami haya--are within the category of the bodily concept of life; sadhu-sange--in the association of devotees; tapa chadi'--giving up all such processes of penance and austerity; sri-krsna bhajaya--engage themselves in the service of Lord Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"The tapasvis, those who undergo severe austerities and penances to elevate themselves to the higher planetary systems, are also in the same category. When such persons come in contact with a devotee, they give up all those practices and engage in Lord Krsna's service.
TEXT 217
TEXT
yat-pada-sevabhirucis tapasvinam
asesa-janmopacitam malam dhiyah
sadyah ksinoty anvaham edhati sati
yatha padangustha-vinihsrta sarit
SYNONYMS
yat-pada-seva-abhirucih--the taste for serving the lotus feet of Lord Krsna; tapasvinam--of persons undergoing severe penances; asesa--unlimited; janma-upacitam--contracted from life after life; malam--dirt; dhiyah--of the intelligence; sadyah--immediately; ksinoti--vanquishes; anvaham--every day; edhati--increasing; sati--being in the mode of goodness; yatha--as; pada-angustha-vinihsrta--emanating from the toe of the Lord; sarit--the River Ganges.
TRANSLATION
" 'The taste for loving service is like the water of the River Ganges, which flows from the feet of Lord Krsna. Every day that taste diminishes the results of sinful activities acquired over a period of many births by those who perform austerities.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (4.21.31).
TEXT 218
TEXT
deharami, sarva-kama----saba atmarama
krsna-krpaya krsna bhaje chadi' saba kama
SYNONYMS
deharami--persons who are in the bodily concept of life; sarva-kama--full of all material desires; saba--all; atmarama--enjoying self-satisfaction; krsna-krpaya--by the mercy of Krsna; krsna bhaje--become engaged in the devotional service of Lord Krsna; chadi' saba kama--giving up all sorts of material desire.
TRANSLATION
"As long as one labors under the bodily conception, he must fulfill volumes and volumes of material desires. Thus a person is called atmarama. When such an atmarama is favored by the mercy of Krsna, he gives up his so-called self-satisfaction and engages in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.
TEXT 219
TEXT
sthanabhilasi tapasi sthito 'ham
tvam praptavan deva-munindra-guhyam
kacam vicinvann api divya-ratnam
svamin krtartho 'smi varam na yace
SYNONYMS
sthana-abhilasi--desiring a very high position in the material world; tapasi--in severe austerities and penances; sthitah--situated; aham--I; tvam--You; praptavan--have obtained; deva-muni-indra-guhyam--difficult to achieve even for great demigods, saintly persons and kings; kacam--a piece of glass; vicinvan--searching for; api--although; divya-ratnam--a transcendental gem; svamin--O my Lord; krta-arthah asmi--I am fully satisfied; varam--any benediction; na yace--I do not ask.
TRANSLATION
[When he was being benedicted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Dhruva Maharaja said], " 'O my Lord, because I was seeking an opulent material position, I was performing severe types of penance and austerity. Now I have gotten You, who are very difficult for the great demigods, saintly persons and kings to attain. I was searching after a piece of glass, but instead I have found a most valuable jewel. Therefore I am so satisfied that I do not wish to ask any benediction from You.'
PURPORT
This verse is from the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (7.28).
TEXT 220
TEXT
ei cari artha saha ha-ila 'teisa' artha
ara tina artha suna parama samartha
SYNONYMS
ei--these; cari--four; artha--meanings; saha--with; ha-ila--there were; teisa artha--twenty-three different varieties of imports; ara tina artha--another three imports; suna--hear; parama samartha--very strong.
TRANSLATION
"In addition to the nineteen other meanings, this atmarama meaning [including those laboring under the bodily conception] makes four meanings altogether and brings the total to twenty-three meanings. Now hear of another three meanings, which are very suitable.
PURPORT
The three different meanings are (1) the word ca meaning "in due course' " (2) the words ca meaning eva, and api meaning "censure," and (3) nirgrantha, meaning "one who is very poor, without money."
TEXT 221
TEXT
ca-sabde 'samuccaye', ara artha kaya
'atmaramas ca munayas ca' krsnere bhajaya
SYNONYMS
ca-sabde--by the word ca; samuccaye--in aggregation; ara--another; artha--import; kaya--is meant; atmaramah ca munayah ca--all the atmaramas and munis; krsnere bhajaya--worship Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"As mentioned above, the word ca has been used to mean 'aggregate.' According to this meaning, all the atmaramas and the munis engage in Krsna's service. Besides 'aggregate,' there is another meaning of the word ca.
TEXT 222
TEXT
'nirgranthah' hana ihan 'api'----nirdharane
'ramas ca krsnas ca' yatha viharaye vane
SYNONYMS
nirgranthah hana--being liberated saintly persons; ihan--here; api--the word api; nirdharane--in the sense of certainty; ramah ca krsnah ca--both Rama and Krsna; yatha--as; viharaye--enjoy walking; vane--in the forest.
TRANSLATION
"The word nirgranthah is used as an adjective, and api is used in the sense of certainty. For instance, ramas ca krsnas ca means that both Rama and Krsna enjoy walking in the forest.
Because it is said that both Rama and Krsna enjoy wandering in the forest, it is understood that both of Them are enjoying Their tour within the forest.
TEXT 223
TEXT
ca-sabde 'anvacaye' artha kahe ara
'bato, bhiksam ata, gam canaya' yaiche prakara
SYNONYMS
ca-sabde--by the word ca; anvacaye--in presenting an action of secondary importance; artha--meaning; kahe--says; ara--another; bato--O brahmacari: bhiksam ata--just bring some alms; gam ca anaya--also, at the same time, bring the cows; yaiche prakara--in this way.
TRANSLATION
"The word ca also means anvacaye, which means to present a secondary thing to be done at the same time. This is the way of understanding the word anvacaye. An example is: 'O brahmacari, go out to collect alms and at the same time bring in the cows.'
TEXT 224
TEXT
krsna-manane muni krsne sarvada bhajaya
'atmarama api' bhaje,----gauna artha kaya
SYNONYMS
krsna-manane--in meditating on Krsna; muni--saintly persons; krsne--unto Lord Krsna; sarvada--always; bhajaya--perform devotional service; atmaramah api--also those who are atmaramas; bhaje--engage themselves in devotional service; gauna artha kaya--this is also another secondary import.
TRANSLATION
"Saintly persons who are always meditating upon Krsna are engaged in the devotional service of the Lord. The atmaramas are also engaged in the Lord's service. That is the indirect import.
PURPORT
The anvacaye meaning of the word ca indicates that between the two words compounded by the word ca, one is given more importance, and the other is considered subordinate. For example: "O brahmacari, please go out and collect alms and at the same time bring in the cows." In this statement, the collection of alms is of first importance, and the second business of collecting the cows is subordinate. Similarly, one who always meditates upon Krsna is mainly a devotee of Krsna engaged in His devotional service. Other atmaramas are subordinate in devotional service.
TEXT 225
TEXT
'ca' evarthe----'munayah eva' krsnere bhajaya
"atmarama api"----'api' 'garha'-artha kaya
SYNONYMS
ca--the word ca; eva-arthe--in the sense of eva; munayah eva--just the saintly persons; krsnere bhajaya--engage themselves in the devotional service of Lord Krsna; atmaramah api--also in this combination, atmarama api; api--the word api; garha-artha kaya--in the sense of censure.
TRANSLATION
"The word ca is also used to indicate the certainty that only saintly persons are engaged in rendering devotional service to Krsna. In the combination atmarama api, api is used in the sense of censure.
TEXT 226
TEXT
'nirgrantha hana'----ei dunhara 'visesana'
ara artha suna, yaiche sadhura sangama
SYNONYMS
nirgrantha hana--becoming nirgrantha; ei--this; dunhara--of both; visesana--the adjective; ara artha--another import; suna--please hear; yaiche--in which; sadhura sangama--there is association with devotees.
TRANSLATION
"The word nirgrantha is taken as an adjective modifying muni and atmarama. There is another meaning, which you may hear from Me, indicating association with a devotee. Now I shall explain how it is that through the association of devotees, even a nirgrantha can become a devotee.
TEXT 227
TEXT
nirgrantha-sabde kahe tabe 'vyadha', 'nirdhana'
sadhu-sange seha kare sri-krsna-bhajana
SYNONYMS
nirgrantha-sabde--by the word nirgrantha; kahe--is said; tabe--therefore; vyadha--a hunter; nirdhana--without any riches; sadhu-sange--by the association of a saintly person; seha--he also; kare--engages himself; sri-krsna-bhajana--in the devotional service of Lord Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"The word nirgrantha-when combined with api, used in the sense of certainty-indicates a person who is a hunter by profession or who is very poor. Nonetheless, when such a person associates with a great saint like Narada, he engages in Lord Krsna's devotional service.
TEXT 228
TEXT
'krsnaramas ca' eva----haya krsna-manana
vyadha hana haya pujya bhagavatottama
SYNONYMS
krsna-aramah ca--one who takes pleasure in Krsna; eva--certainly; haya--there is; krsna-manana--meditation on Krsna; vyadha hana--being a hunter; haya--is; pujya--worshipable; bhagavata-uttama--the best of the devotees.
TRANSLATION
"The words krsnaramas ca refer to one who takes pleasure in thinking of Krsna. Even though such a person may be a hunter, he is still worshipable and is the best of devotees.
TEXT 229
TEXT
eka bhakta-vyadhera katha suna savadhane
yaha haite haya sat-sanga-mahimara jnane
SYNONYMS
eka bhakta-vyadhera--one devotee who was a hunter; katha--narration; suna--please hear; savadhane--with attention; yaha haite--from which; haya--there is; sat-sanga-mahimara jnane--knowledge of the greatness of association with a great devotee.
TRANSLATION
"I shall now narrate the story of how the hunter became a great devotee by the association of such an exalted personality as Narada Muni. From this story, one can understand the greatness of association with pure devotees.
TEXT 230
TEXT
eka dina sri-narada dekhi' narayana
triveni-snane prayaga karila gamana
SYNONYMS
eka dina--one day; sri-narada--the great saintly person Narada; dekhi' narayana--after visiting Lord Narayana; tri-veni-snane--to bathe at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers; prayaga--to Prayaga; karila gamana--went.
TRANSLATION
"Once upon a time the great saint Narada, after visiting Lord Narayana in the Vaikunthas, went to Prayaga to bathe at the confluence of three rivers-the Ganges, Yamuna and Sarasvati.
PURPORT
The great saint Narada is so liberated that he can go to the Vaikuntha planets to see Narayana and then immediately come to this planet in the material world and go to Prayaga to bathe in the confluence of three rivers. The word tri-veni refers to a confluence of three rivers. This confluence is still visited by many hundreds of thousands of people who go there to bathe, especially during the month of January (Magha-mela). A liberated person who has no material body can go anywhere and everywhere; therefore a living entity is called sarva-ga, which indicates that he can go anywhere and everywhere. Presently scientists are trying to go to other planets, but due to their material bodies, they are not free to move at will. However, when one is situated in his original spiritual body, he can move anywhere and everywhere without difficulty. Within this material world there is a planet called Siddhaloka, whose inhabitants can go from one planet to another without the aid of a machine or space rocket. In the material world every planet has a specific advantage (vibhuti-bhinna). In the spiritual world, however, all the planets and their inhabitants are composed of spiritual energy. Because there are no material impediments, it is said that everything in the spiritual world is one.
TEXT 231
TEXT
vana-pathe dekhe mrga ache bhume padi'
bana-viddha bhagna-pada kare dhad-phadi
SYNONYMS
vana-pathe--on the forest path; dekhe--saw; mrga--deer; ache--there was; bhume padi'--lying on the ground; bana-viddha--pierced by an arrow; bhagna-pada--broken legs; kare dhad-phadi--twisting with pain.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni saw that a deer was lying on the path through the forest and that it was pierced by an arrow. It had broken legs and was twisting due to much pain.
TEXT 232
TEXT
ara kata-dure eka dekhena sukara
taiche viddha bhagna-pada kare dhad-phada
SYNONYMS
ara kata-dure--still farther along; eka--one; dekhena--sees; sukara--a boar; taiche--similarly; viddha--pierced; bhagna-pada--broken legs; kare dhad-phada--twists in pain.
TRANSLATION
"Farther ahead, Narada Muni saw a boar pierced by an arrow. Its legs were also broken, and it was twisting in pain.
TEXT 233
TEXT
aiche eka sasaka dekhe ara kata-dure
jivera duhkha dekhi' narada vyakula-antare
SYNONYMS
aiche--similarly; eka sasaka--one rabbit; dekhe--he sees; ara kata-dure--still farther ahead; jivera--of the living entity; duhkha dekhi'--seeing such horrible miseries; narada--the great saintly person; vyakula-antare--very pained within himself.
TRANSLATION
"When he went farther, he saw a rabbit that was also suffering. Narada Muni was greatly pained at heart to see living entities suffer so.
TEXT 234
TEXT
kata-dure dekhe vyadha vrkse onta hana
mrga maribare ache bana yudiya
SYNONYMS
kata-dure--somewhat farther; dekhe--Narada Muni saw; vyadha--the hunter; vrkse onta hana--hiding behind a tree; mrga maribare--to kill the animals; ache--was there; bana yudiya--with arrows in the hand.
TRANSLATION
"When Narada Muni advanced farther, he saw a hunter behind a tree. This hunter was holding arrows, and he was ready to kill more animals.
TEXT 235
TEXT
syama-varna rakta-netra maha-bhayankara
dhanur-bana haste,----yena yama danda-dhara
SYNONYMS
syama-varna--blackish color; rakta-netra--reddish eyes; maha-bhayankara--very fearful bodily features; dhanuh-bana haste--with arrows and bow in hand; yena yama danda-dhara--exactly like the superintendent of death, Yamaraja.
TRANSLATION
"The hunter's body was blackish. He had reddish eyes, and he appeared fierce. It was as if the superintendent of death, Yamaraja, was standing there with bows and arrows in his hands.
TEXT 236
TEXT
patha chadi' narada tara nikate calila
narade dekhi' mrga saba palana gela
SYNONYMS
patha chadi'--leaving aside the path; narada--the saintly person Narada; tara nikate--near him; calila--went; narade dekhi'--seeing Narada; mrga--the animals; saba--all; palana gela--left, running away.
TRANSLATION
"When Narada Muni left the forest path and went to the hunter, all the animals immediately saw him and fled.
TEXT 237
TEXT
kruddha hana vyadha tanre gali dite caya
narada-prabhave mukhe gali nahi aya
SYNONYMS
kruddha hana--being very angry; vyadha--the hunter; tanre--him; gali dite caya--wanted to abuse; narada-prabhave--by the influence of Narada; mukhe--in the mouth; gali--abusive language; nahi aya--did not come.
TRANSLATION
"When all the animals fled, the hunter wanted to chastise Narada with abusive language, but due to Narada's presence, he could not utter anything abusive.
TEXT 238
TEXT
"gosani, prayana-patha chadi' kene aila
toma dekhi' mora laksya mrga palaila"
SYNONYMS
gosani--O great saintly person; prayana-patha chadi'--leaving aside the general path; kene--why; aila--have you come; toma dekhi'--seeing you; mora laksya--my targets; mrga--the animals; palaila--fled.
TRANSLATION
"The hunter addressed Narada Muni: 'O gosvami! O great saintly person! Why have you left the general path through the forest to come to me? Simply by seeing you, all the animals I was hunting have now fled.'
TEXT 239
TEXT
narada kahe,----"patha bhuli' ailana puchite
mane eka samsaya haya, taha khandaite
SYNONYMS
narada kahe--Narada Muni replied; patha bhuli'--leaving the general path; ailana--I have come; puchite--to inquire from you; mane--in my mind; eka--one; samsaya haya--there is a doubt; taha--that; khandaite--to cause to break.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni replied, 'Leaving the path, I have come to you to settle a doubt that is in my mind.
TEXT 240
TEXT
pathe ye sukara-mrga, jani tomara haya"
vyadha kahe,----"yei kaha, sei ta' niscaya"
SYNONYMS
pathe--on the path; ye--those; sukara-mrga--boars and other animals; jani--I can understand; tomara haya--all belong to you; vyadha kahe--the hunter replied; yei kaha--whatever you are saying; sei ta' niscaya--it is a fact.
TRANSLATION
" 'I was wondering whether all the boars and other animals that are half-killed belong to you.' The hunter replied, 'Yes, what you are saying is so.'
TEXT 241
TEXT
narada kahe,----"yadi jive mara' tumi bana
ardha-mara kara kene, na lao parana?"
SYNONYMS
narada kahe--Narada Muni said; yadi--if; jive--in the animals; mara'--pierce; tumi--you; bana--your arrows; ardha-mara kara--you half-kill; kene--why; na lao parana--don't you take their lives completely.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni then inquired, 'Why did you not kill the animals completely? Why did you half-kill them by piercing their bodies with arrows?'
TEXT 242
TEXT
vyadha kahe,----"suna, gosani, 'mrgari' mora nama
pitara siksate ami kari aiche kama
SYNONYMS
vyadha kahe--the hunter replied; suna--please hear; gosani--O great saintly person; mrga-ari--the enemy of the animals; mora nama--my name; pitara siksate--by the teaching of my father; ami--I; kari--do; aiche kama--such acts.
TRANSLATION
"The hunter replied, 'My dear saintly person, my name is Mrgari, enemy of animals. My father taught me to kill them in that way.
TEXT 243
TEXT
ardha-mara jiva yadi dhad-phada kare
tabe ta' ananda mora badaye antare"
SYNONYMS
ardha-mara jiva--half-killed living beings; yadi--if; dhad-phada kare--twist and turn because of suffering; tabe--then; ta'--certainly; ananda--pleasure; mora--my; badaye antare--increases within.
TRANSLATION
" 'When I see half-killed animals suffer, I feel great pleasure.'
TEXT 244
TEXT
narada kahe,----'eka-vastu magi tomara sthane'
vyadha kahe,----"mrgadi laha, yei tomara mane
SYNONYMS
narada kahe--Narada Muni said; eka-vastu magi--I wish to beg one thing; tomara sthane--from you; vyadha kahe--the hunter replied; mrga-adi laha--take some of the hunted animals; yei tomara mane--whatever you like.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni then told the hunter, 'I have one thing to beg of you.' The hunter replied, 'You may take whatever animals or anything else you would like.
TEXT 245
TEXT
mrga-chala caha yadi, aisa mora ghare
yei caha taha diba mrga-vyaghrambare"
SYNONYMS
mrga-chala--deerskin; caha yadi--if you want; aisa mora ghare--come to my place; yei caha--whatever you want; taha--that; diba--I shall give; mrga-vyaghra-ambare--whether a deerskin or a tiger skin.
TRANSLATION
" 'I have many skins if you would like them. I shall give you either a deerskin or a tiger skin.'
TEXT 246
TEXT
narada kahe,----"iha ami kichu nahi cahi
ara eka-dana ami magi toma-thani
SYNONYMS
narada kahe--Narada Muni said; iha--this; ami kichu nahi cahi--I don't want any; ara--another; eka-dana--one charity; ami--I; magi--beg; toma-thani--from you.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni said, 'I do not want any of the skins. I am only asking one thing from you in charity.
TEXT 247
TEXT
kali haite tumi yei mrgadi mariba
prathamei mariba, ardha-mara na kariba"
SYNONYMS
kali haite--from tomorrow; tumi--you; yei--whatever; mrga-adi--animals; mariba--you will kill; prathamei mariba--kill them in the beginning; ardha-mara--half-killing; na kariba--do not do.
TRANSLATION
" 'I beg you that from this day on you will kill animals completely and not leave them half-dead.'
TEXT 248
TEXT
vyadha kahe,----"kiba dana magila amare
ardha marile kiba haya, taha kaha more"
SYNONYMS
vyadha kahe--the hunter replied; kiba dana--what kind of charity; magila amare--have you begged from me; ardha marile--in half-killing; kiba--what; haya--there is; taha--that; kaha more--kindly explain to me.
TRANSLATION
"The hunter replied, 'My dear sir, what are you asking of me? What is wrong with the animals' lying there half-killed? Will you please explain this to me?'
TEXT 249
TEXT
narada kahe,----"ardha marile jiva paya vyatha
jive duhkha ditecha, tomara ha-ibe aiche avastha
SYNONYMS
narada kahe--Narada Muni replied; ardha marile--by half-killing the animals; jiva paya vyatha--the living beings suffer too much pain; jive duhkha ditecha--you are giving troubles to the living beings; tomara--your; ha-ibe--there will be; aiche avastha--the same suffering in retaliation.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni replied, 'If you leave the animals half-dead, you are purposefully giving them pain. Therefore you will have to suffer in retaliation.'
PURPORT
This is an authoritative statement given by the greatest authority, Narada Muni. If one gives another living entity unnecessary pain, one will certainly be punished by the laws of nature by a similar pain. Although the hunter Mrgari was uncivilized, he still had to suffer the results of his sinful activities. However, if a civilized man kills animals regularly in a slaughterhouse to maintain his so-called civilization, using scientific methods and machines to kill animals, one cannot even estimate the suffering awaiting him. So-called civilized people consider themselves very advanced in education, but they do not know about the stringent laws of nature. According to nature's law, it is a life for a life. We can hardly imagine the sufferings of one who maintains a slaughterhouse. He endures suffering not only in this life, but in his next life also. It is said that a hunter, murderer or killer is advised not to live and not to die. If he lives, he accumulates even more sins, which bring about more suffering in a future life. He is advised not to die because his dying means that he immediately begins to endure more suffering. Therefore he is advised not to live and not to die.
As followers of the Vedic principles, we accept the statements of Narada Muni in this regard. It is our duty to see that no one suffers due to sinful activities. Foolish rascals are described in Bhagavad-gita as mayayapahrta-jnanah, which indicates that although they are superficially educated, maya has taken their real knowledge away. Such people are presently leading human society. In Srimad-Bhagavatam they are also described as andha yathandhair upaniyamanah. These rascals are themselves blind, and yet they are leading others who are blind. When people follow such leaders, they suffer unlimited pains in the future. Despite so-called advancement, all this is happening. Who is safe? Who is happy? Who is without anxiety?
TEXT 250
TEXT
vyadha tumi, jiva mara----'alpa' aparadha tomara
kadarthana diya mara'----e papa 'apara'
SYNONYMS
vyadha tumi--you are a hunter; jiva mara--your occupation is to kill animals; alpa--slight; aparadha--offense; tomara--your; kadarthana diya--unnecessarily giving them pain; mara'--when you kill; e papa apara--this sinful activity is unlimited.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni continued, 'My dear hunter, your business is killing animals. That is a slight offense on your part, but when you consciously give them unnecessary pain by leaving them half-dead, you incur very great sins.'
PURPORT
This is another good instruction to animal killers. There are always animal killers and animal eaters in human society because less civilized people are accustomed to eating meat. In Vedic civilization, meat-eaters are advised to kill an animal for the goddess Kali or a similar demigod. This is in order not to give the animal unnecessary pain, as slaughterhouses do. In the balidana sacrifice to a demigod, it is recommended to cut the throat of an animal with one slice. This should be done on a dark-moon night, and the painful noises expressed by the animal at the time of being slaughtered are not to be heard by anyone. There are also many other restrictions. Slaughter is only allowed once a month, and the killer of the animal has to suffer similar pains in his next life. At the present moment, so-called civilized men do not sacrifice animals to a deity in a religious or ritualistic way. They openly kill animals daily by the thousands for no purpose other than the satisfaction of the tongue. Because of this the entire world is suffering in so many ways. Politicians are unnecessarily declaring war, and, according to the stringent laws of material nature, massacres are taking place between nations.
prakrteh kriyamanani
gunaih karmani sarvasah
ahankara-vimudhatma
kartaham iti manyate
"The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the three modes of material nature, thinks himself to be the doer of activities, which are in actuality carried out by nature." (Bg. 3.27) The laws of prakrti (nature) are very stringent. No one should think that he has the freedom to kill animals and not suffer the consequences. One cannot be safe by doing this. Narada Muni herein says that animal killing is offensive, especially when animals are given unnecessary pain. Meat-eaters and animal killers are advised not to purchase meat from the slaughterhouse. They can worship Kali once a month, kill some unimportant animal and eat it. Even by following this method, one is still an offender.
TEXT 251
TEXT
kadarthiya tumi yata marila jivere
tara taiche toma maribe janma-janmantare"
SYNONYMS
kadarthiya--giving unnecessary pangs; tumi--you; yata--all; marila--killed; jivere--the living entities; tara--all of them; taiche--similarly; toma--you; maribe--will kill; janma-janma-antare--life after life.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni continued, 'All the animals that you have killed and given unnecessary pain will kill you one after the other in your next life and in life after life.'
PURPORT
This is another authoritative statement made by the great sage Narada. Those who kill animals and give them unnecessary pain-as people do in slaughterhouses-will be killed in a similar way in the next life and in many lives to come. One can never be excused from such an offense. If one kills many thousands of animals in a professional way so that other people can purchase the meat to eat, one must be ready to be killed in a similar way in his next life and in life after life. There are many rascals who violate their own religious principles. According to Judeo-Christian scriptures, it is clearly said, "Thou shalt not kill." Nonetheless, giving all kinds of excuses, even the heads of religions indulge in killing animals while trying to pass as saintly persons. This mockery and hypocrisy in human society bring about unlimited calamities; therefore occasionally there are great wars. Masses of such people go out onto battlefields and kill themselves. Presently they have discovered the atomic bomb, which is simply awaiting wholesale destruction. If people want to be saved from the killing business life after life, they must take to Krsna consciousness and cease sinful activity. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness recommends that everyone abandon meat-eating, illicit sex, intoxication and gambling. When one gives up these sinful activities, he can understand Krsna and take to this Krsna consciousness movement. We therefore request everyone to abandon sinful activity and chant the Hare Krsna mantra. In this way people can save themselves from repeated birth and death.
TEXT 252
TEXT
narada-sange vyadhera mana parasanna ha-ila
tanra vakya suni' mane bhaya upajila
SYNONYMS
narada-sange--in the association of the great sage Narada Muni; vyadhera--of the hunter; mana--the mind; parasanna ha-ila--became cleansed and satisfied; tanra--his; vakya--words; suni'--hearing; mane--in the mind; bhaya upajila--some fear arose.
TRANSLATION
"In this way, through the association of the great sage Narada Muni, the hunter was a little convinced of his sinful activity. He therefore became somewhat afraid due to his offenses.
PURPORT
This is the effect of associating with a pure devotee. Our preachers who are preaching Krsna consciousness all over the world should follow in the footsteps of Narada Muni and become purified by following the four principles and chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. This will make them fit to become Vaisnavas. Then, when they speak to sinful people about the teachings of this Krsna consciousness movement, people will be affected and take the instructions. We receive instructions in devotional service through the disciplic succession. Narada Muni is our original guru because he is the spiritual master of Vyasadeva. Vyasadeva is the spiritual master of our disciplic succession; therefore we should follow in the footsteps of Narada Muni and become pure Vaisnavas. A pure Vaisnava is one who has no ulterior motive. He has totally dedicated himself to the service of the Lord. He does not have material desires, and he is not interested in so-called learning and philanthropic work. The so-called learned scholars and philanthropists are actually karmis and jnanis, and some are actually misers engaged in sinful activity. All are condemned because they are not devotees of Lord Krsna.
This is a chance to become purified by associating with this Krsna consciousness movement and strictly following the rules and regulations. By chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, one can become free from all contamination, especially contamination brought about by the killing of animals. Lord Krsna Himself requested:
sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma sucah
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear." (Bg. 18.66)
We should take this instruction from Krsna and follow in the footsteps of Narada Muni in the disciplic succession. If we simply surrender unto Krsna's lotus feet and take this Krsna consciousness movement seriously, we can be freed from the karma incurred by sin. If we are intelligent enough, we shall engage in the loving service of the Lord. Then our lives will be successful, and we shall not have to suffer like the hunter life after life. By killing animals, not only will we be bereft of the human form but we will have to take an animal form and somehow or other be killed by the same type of animal we have killed. This is the law of nature. The Sanskrit word mamsa means "meat." It is said: mam sah khadati iti mamsah. That is, "I am now eating the flesh of an animal who will some day in the future be eating my flesh."
TEXT 253
TEXT
vyadha kahe,----"balya haite ei amara karma
kemane tarimu muni pamara adhama?
SYNONYMS
vyadha kahe--the hunter said; balya haite--from the very beginning of my childhood; ei amara karma--I have been taught this business (half-killing animals); kemane--how; tarimu--shall become free from these sinful activities; muni--I; pamara adhama--sinful and misled.
TRANSLATION
"The hunter then admitted that he was convinced of his sinful activity, and he said, 'I have been taught this business from my very childhood. Now I am wondering how I can become freed from these unlimited volumes of sinful activity.'
This kind of admission is very beneficial as long as one does not again commit sin. Cheating and hypocrisy are not tolerated by higher authorities. If one understands what sin is, he should give it up with sincerity and regret and surrender unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead through His agent, the pure devotee. In this way, one can be freed from the reactions of sin and make progress in devotional service. However, if one continues committing sins after making some atonement, he will not be saved. In the sastras, such atonement is compared to an elephant's bathing. An elephant takes a very good bath and cleanses its body very nicely, but as soon as it comes out of the water, it picks up some dust on the shore and throws it all over its body. Atonement may be carried out very nicely, but it will not help a person if he continues committing sins. Therefore the hunter first admitted his sinful activity before the saintly person Narada and then asked how he could be saved.
TEXT 254
TEXT
ei papa yaya mora, kemana upaye?
nistara karaha more, padon tomara paye"
SYNONYMS
ei--this; papa yaya mora--sinful reaction of my life can be washed off; kemana upaye--by what means; nistara karaha more--kindly deliver me; padon--I fall down; tomara paye--at your lotus feet.
TRANSLATION
"The hunter continued, 'My dear sir, please tell me how I can be relieved from the reactions of my sinful life. Now I fully surrender unto you and fall down at your lotus feet. Please deliver me from sinful reactions.'
PURPORT
By the grace of Narada Muni, the hunter came to his good senses and immediately surrendered unto the saint's lotus feet. This is the process. By associating with a saintly person, one is able to understand the reactions of his sinful life. When one voluntarily surrenders to a saintly person who is a representative of Krsna and follows his instructions, one can become freed from sinful reaction. Krsna demands the surrender of a sinful man, and Krsna's representative gives the same instructions. The representative of Krsna never tells his disciple, "Surrender unto me." Rather he says, "Surrender unto Krsna." If the disciple accepts this principle and surrenders himself through the representative of Krsna, his life is saved.
TEXT 255
TEXT
narada kahe,----'yadi dhara amara vacana
tabe se karite pari tomara mocana'
SYNONYMS
narada kahe--Narada Muni replied; yadi dhara--if you accept; amara vacana--my instruction; tabe--then; se--this; karite pari--I can do; tomara--your; mocana--liberation.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni assured the hunter, 'If you listen to my instructions, I shall find the way you can be liberated.'
PURPORT
Gaurangera bhakta-gane jane jane sakti dhare. The purport of this song is that the devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are very powerful, and each and every one of them can deliver the whole world. What, then, to speak of Narada Muni? If one follows the instructions of Narada Muni, one can be delivered from any amount of sinful reactions. This is the process. One must follow the instructions of a spiritual master; then one will certainly be delivered from all sinful reaction. This is the secret of success. Yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau. If one has unflinching faith in Krsna and the spiritual master, the result is tasyaite kathita hy arthah prakasante mahatmanah: all the conclusions of revealed scriptures will be open to such a person. A pure devotee of Krsna can make the same demands that Narada Muni is making. He says, "If you follow my instructions, I shall take responsibility for your liberation." A pure devotee like Narada can give assurance to any sinful man because by the grace of the Lord such a devotee is empowered to deliver any sinful person if that person follows the principles set forth.
TEXT 256
TEXT
vyadha kahe,----'yei kaha, sei ta' kariba'
narada kahe,----'dhanuka bhanga, tabe se kahiba'
SYNONYMS
vyadha kahe--the hunter replied; yei kaha--whatever you say; sei ta' kariba--that I shall do; narada kahe--Narada Muni replied; dhanuka bhanga--break your bow; tabe--then; se kahiba--I shall speak to you.
TRANSLATION
"The hunter then said, 'My dear sir, whatever you say I shall do.' Narada immediately ordered him, 'First of all, break your bow. Then I shall tell you what is to be done.'
PURPORT
This is the process of initiation. The disciple must admit that he will no longer commit sinful activity-namely illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication. He promises to execute the order of the spiritual master. Then the spiritual master takes care of him and elevates him to spiritual emancipation.
TEXT 257
TEXT
vyadha kahe,----'dhanuka bhangile vartiba kemane?'
narada kahe,----'ami anna diba prati-dine'
SYNONYMS
vyadha kahe--the hunter replied; dhanuka bhangile--if I break my bow; vartiba kemane--what will be the source of my maintenance; narada kahe--Narada Muni replied; ami--I; anna--food; diba--shall supply; prati-dine--every day.
TRANSLATION
"The hunter replied, 'If I break my bow, how shall I maintain myself?' Narada Muni replied, 'Do not worry. I shall supply all your food every day.'
PURPORT
The source of our income is not actually the source of our maintenance. Every living being-from the great Brahma down to an insignificant ant-is being maintained by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Eko bahunam yo vidadhati kaman. The one Supreme Being, Krsna, maintains everyone. Our so-called source of income is our own choice only. If I wish to be a hunter, it will appear that hunting is the source of my income. If I become a brahmana and completely depend on Krsna, I do not conduct a business, but nonetheless my maintenance is supplied by Krsna. The hunter was disturbed about breaking his bow because he was worried about his income. Narada Muni assured the hunter because he knew that the hunter was not being maintained by the bow but by Krsna. Being the agent of Krsna, Narada Muni knew very well that the hunter would not suffer by breaking the bow. There was no doubt that Krsna would supply him food.
TEXT 258
TEXT
dhanuka bhangi' vyadha tanra carane padila
tare uthana narada upadesa kaila
SYNONYMS
dhanuka bhangi'--breaking the bow; vyadha--the hunter; tanra--his (Narada Muni's); carane--at the lotus feet; padila--surrendered; tare--him; uthana--raising; narada--the great saint Narada Muni; upadesa kaila--gave instruction.
TRANSLATION
"Being thus assured by the great sage Narada Muni, the hunter broke his bow, immediately fell down at the saint's lotus feet and fully surrendered. After this, Narada Muni raised him with his hand and gave him instructions for spiritual advancement.
PURPORT
This is the process of initiation. The disciple must surrender to the spiritual master, the representative of Krsna. The spiritual master, being in the disciplic succession stemming from Narada Muni, is in the same category with Narada Muni. A person can be relieved from his sinful activity if he surrenders to the lotus feet of a person who actually represents Narada Muni. Narada Muni gave instructions to the hunter after the hunter surrendered.
TEXT 259
TEXT
"ghare giya brahmane deha' yata ache dhana
eka eka vastra pari' bahira hao dui-jana
SYNONYMS
ghare giya--returning home; brahmane--to the brahmanas, the most intelligent men in spiritual understanding; deha'--give; yata--whatever; ache--you have; dhana--riches; eka eka--each of you; vastra pari'--just one cloth; bahira hao--leave home; dui-jana--both of you.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni then advised the hunter, 'Return home and distribute whatever riches you have to the pure brahmanas who know the Absolute Truth. After distributing all your riches to the brahmanas, both you and your wife should leave home, taking only one cloth to wear.'
PURPORT
This is the process of renunciation at the stage of vanaprastha. After enjoying householder life for some time, the husband and wife must leave home and distribute their riches to brahmanas and Vaisnavas. One can keep his wife as an assistant in the vanaprastha stage. The idea is that the wife will assist the husband in spiritual advancement. Therefore Narada Muni advised the hunter to adopt the vanaprastha stage and leave home. It is not that a grhastha should live at home until he dies. Vanaprastha is preliminary to sannyasa. In the Krsna consciousness movement there are many young couples engaged in the Lord's service. Eventually they are supposed to take vanaprastha, and after the vanaprastha stage the husband may take sannyasa in order to preach. The wife may then remain alone and serve the Deity or engage in other activities within the Krsna consciousness movement.
TEXT 260
TEXT
nadi-tire eka-khani kutira kariya
tara age eka-pindi tulasi ropiya
SYNONYMS
nadi-tire--on the bank of the river; eka-khani--just one; kutira--a cottage; kariya--constructing; tara age--just in front of the cottage; eka-pindi--one raised platform; tulasi--a tulasi plant; ropiya--growing.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni continued, 'Leave your home and go to the river. There you should construct a small cottage, and in front of the cottage you should grow a tulasi plant on a raised platform.
TEXT 261
TEXT
tulasi-parikrama kara, tulasi-sevana
nirantara krsna-nama kariha kirtana
SYNONYMS
tulasi-parikrama kara--circumambulate the tulasi plant; tulasi-sevana--just supply water to the root of tulasi-devi; nirantara--continuously; krsna-nama--the holy name of Krsna; kariha--just perform; kirtana--chanting.
TRANSLATION
" 'After planting the tulasi tree before your house, you should daily circumambulate that tulasi plant, serve her by giving her water and other things, and continuously chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.'
PURPORT
This is the beginning of spiritual life. After leaving householder life, one may go to a holy place, such as the bank of the Ganges or Yamuna, and erect a small cottage. A small cottage can be constructed without any expenditure. Four logs serving as pillars can be secured by any man from the forest. The roof can be covered with leaves, and one can cleanse the inside. Thus one can live very peacefully. In any condition, any man can live in a small cottage, plant a tulasi tree, water it in the morning, offer it prayers, and continuously chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Thus one can make vigorous spiritual advancement. This is not at all difficult. One simply has to follow the instructions of the spiritual master strictly. Then everything will be successful in due course of time. As far as eating is concerned, there is no problem. If Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, supplies everyone with eatables, why should He not supply His devotee? Sometimes a devotee will not even bother to construct a cottage. He will simply go to live in a mountain cave. One may live in a cave, in a cottage beside a river, in a palace or in a big city like New York or London. In any case, a devotee can follow the instructions of his spiritual master and engage in devotional service by watering the tulasi plant and chanting the Hare Krsna mantra. Taking the advice of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and our spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, one can go to any part of the world and instruct people to become devotees of the Lord by following the regulative principles, worshiping the tulasi plant and continuously chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.
TEXT 262
TEXT
ami tomaya bahu anna pathaimu dine
sei anna labe, yata khao dui-jane"
SYNONYMS
ami--I; tomaya--for you; bahu--much; anna--food; pathaimu--shall send; dine--every day; sei--that; anna--food; labe--you shall take; yata--whatever; khao--you can eat; dui-jane--both of you.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni continued, 'I shall send sufficient food to you both every day. You can take as much food as you want.'
PURPORT
When a person takes to Krsna consciousness, there is no need to care for material necessities. Krsna says that He personally carries all the necessities to His devotees.
ananyas cintayanto mam
ye janah paryupasate
tesam nityabhiyuktanam
yoga-ksemam vahamy aham
"Those who worship Me with love and devotion, meditating on My transcendental form-to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have." (Bg. 9.22) Why should one be anxious about the necessities of life? The principle should be that one should not want more than what is absolutely necessary. Narada Muni advises the hunter to accept only what is absolutely necessary for him and his wife. The devotee should always be alert to consume only those things that he absolutely requires and not create unnecessary needs.
TEXT 263
TEXT
tabe sei mrgadi tine narada sustha kaila
sustha hana mrgadi tine dhana palaila
SYNONYMS
tabe--thereafter; sei--those; mrga-adi--animals, beginning with the deer; tine--three; narada--the sage Narada; sustha kaila--brought to their senses; sustha hana--coming to consciousness; mrga-adi--the pierced animals; tine--three; dhana palaila--very swiftly fled away from that place.
TRANSLATION
"The three animals that were half-killed were then brought to their consciousness by the sage Narada. Indeed, the animals got up and swiftly fled.
TEXT 264
TEXT
dekhiya vyadhera mane haila camatkara
ghare gela vyadha, guruke kari' namaskara
SYNONYMS
dekhiya--seeing; vyadhera--of the hunter; mane--in the mind; haila--there was; camatkara--wonder; ghare--home; gela--went; vyadha--the hunter; guruke--to the spiritual master; kari' namaskara--offering obeisances.
TRANSLATION
"When the hunter saw the half-killed animals flee, he was certainly struck with wonder. He then offered his respectful obeisances to the sage Narada and returned home.
TEXT 265
TEXT
yatha-sthane narada gela, vyadha ghare aila
naradera upadese sakala karila
SYNONYMS
yatha-sthane--to the proper destination; narada--sage Narada; gela--went; vyadha--the hunter; ghare aila--came back to his house; naradera upadese--under the instruction of the sage Narada; sakala karila--he executed everything.
TRANSLATION
"After all this, Narada Muni went to his destination. After the hunter returned home, he exactly followed the instructions of his spiritual master, Narada.
PURPORT
For spiritual advancement one must have a bona fide spiritual master and follow his instructions in order to be assured of advancement.
TEXT 266
TEXT
grame dhvani haila,----vyadha 'vaisnava' ha-ila
gramera loka saba anna anite lagila
SYNONYMS
grame--in the village; dhvani haila--there was news; vyadha--the hunter; vaisnava ha-ila--has become a Vaisnava, a lover and servitor of Lord Visnu; gramera loka--the villagers; saba--all kinds of; anna--food; anite lagila--began to bring.
TRANSLATION
"The news that the hunter had become a Vaisnava spread all over the village. Indeed, all the villagers brought alms and presented them to the Vaisnava who was formerly a hunter.
PURPORT
It is the duty of the public to present a gift to a saintly person, Vaisnava or brahmana when going to see him. Every Vaisnava is dependent on Krsna, and Krsna is ready to supply all of life's necessities, provided a Vaisnava follows the principles set forth by the spiritual master. There are certainly many householders in our Krsna consciousness movement. They join the movement and live in the society's centers, but if they take advantage of this opportunity and do not work but live at the expense of the movement, eating prasada and simply sleeping, they place themselves in a very dangerous position. It is therefore advised that grhasthas should not live in the temple. They must live outside the temple and maintain themselves. Of course, if the grhasthas are fully engaged in the Lord's service according to the directions of the authorities, there is no harm in their living in a temple. In any case, a temple should not be a place to eat and sleep. A temple manager should be very careful about these things.
TEXT 267
TEXT
eka-dina anna ane dasa-bisa jane
dine tata laya, yata khaya dui jane
SYNONYMS
eka-dina--in one day; anna--food; ane--brought; dasa-bisa jane--enough for ten to twenty men; dine--in a day; tata laya--would accept only as much; yata--as; khaya dui jane--the two of them required to eat.
TRANSLATION
"In one day enough food was brought for ten or twenty people, but the hunter and his wife would accept only as much as they could eat.
TEXT 268
TEXT
eka-dina narada kahe,----"sunaha, parvate
amara eka sisya ache, calaha dekhite"
SYNONYMS
eka-dina--one day; narada kahe--Narada Muni said; sunaha--please hear; parvate--my dear Parvata; amara--my; eka--one; sisya--disciple; ache--there is; calaha dekhite--let us go see.
TRANSLATION
"One day, while speaking to his friend Parvata Muni, Narada Muni requested him to go with him to see his disciple the hunter.
TEXT 269
TEXT
tabe dui rsi aila sei vyadha-sthane
dura haite vyadha paila gurura darasane
SYNONYMS
tabe--thereafter; dui rsi--two saintly persons; aila--came; sei vyadha-sthane--to the place of that hunter; dura haite--from a distant place; vyadha--the hunter; paila--got; gurura darasane--vision of his spiritual master.
TRANSLATION
"When the saintly sages came to the hunter's place, the hunter could see them coming from a distance.
TEXT 270
TEXT
aste-vyaste dhana ase, patha nahi paya
pathera pipilika iti-uti dhare paya
SYNONYMS
aste-vyaste--with great alacrity; dhana--running; ase--came; patha nahi paya--does not get the path; pathera--on the path; pipilika--ants; iti-uti--here and there; dhare paya--touch the foot.
TRANSLATION
"With great alacrity the hunter began to run toward his spiritual master, but he could not fall down and offer obeisances because ants were running hither and thither around his feet.
TEXT 271
TEXT
dandavat-sthane pipilikare dekhiya
vastre sthana jhadi' pade dandavat hana
SYNONYMS
dandavat-sthane--in the place where he wanted to offer his obeisances; pipilikare dekhiya--seeing the ants; vastre--by the cloth; sthana jhadi'--cleansing the place; pade danda-vat hana--falls down flat like a rod.
TRANSLATION
"Seeing the ants, the hunter whisked them away with a piece of cloth. After thus clearing the ants from the ground, he fell down flat to offer his obeisances.
PURPORT
The word danda means "rod," and vat means "like." To offer obeisances to the spiritual master, one must fall flat exactly as a rod falls on the ground. This is the meaning of the word dandavat.
TEXT 272
TEXT
narada kahe,----"vyadha, ei na haya ascarya
hari-bhaktye himsa-sunya haya sadhu-varya
SYNONYMS
narada kahe--Narada Muni said; vyadha--my dear hunter; ei na ascarya--this is not wonderful for you; hari-bhaktye--by advancement in devotional service; himsa-sunya haya--one becomes nonviolent and nonenvious; sadhu-varya--thus one becomes the best of honest gentlemen.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni said, 'My dear hunter, such behavior is not at all astonishing. A man in devotional service is automatically nonviolent. He is the best of gentlemen.
PURPORT
In this verse the word sadhu-varya means "the best of gentlemen." At the present moment there are many so-called gentlemen who are expert in killing animals and birds. Nonetheless, these so-called gentlemen profess a type of religion that strictly prohibits killing. According to Narada Muni and Vedic culture, animal killers are not even gentlemen, to say nothing of being religious men. A religious person, a devotee of the Lord, must be nonviolent. Such is the nature of a religious person. It is contradictory to be violent and at the same time call oneself a religious person. Such hypocrisy is not approved by Narada Muni and the disciplic succession.
TEXT 273
TEXT
ete na hy adbhuta vyadha
tavahimsadayo gunah
hari-bhaktau pravrtta ye
na te syuh paratapinah
SYNONYMS
ete--all these; na--not; hi--certainly; adbhutah--wonderful; vyadha--O hunter; tava--your; ahimsa-adayah--nonviolence and others; gunah--qualities; hari-bhaktau--in devotional service; pravrttah--engaged; ye--those who; na--not; te--they; syuh--are; paratapinah--envious of other living entities.
TRANSLATION
" 'O hunter, good qualities like nonviolence, which you have developed, are not very astonishing, for those engaged in the Lord's devotional service are never inclined to give pain to others because of envy.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from the Skanda Purana.
TEXT 274
TEXT
tabe sei vyadha donhare angane anila
kusasana ani' donhare bhaktye vasaila
SYNONYMS
tabe--thereafter; sei--that; vyadha--hunter; donhare--both Narada Muni and Parvata; angane anila--brought in the courtyard of his house; kusa-asana ani'--bringing straw mats for sitting; donhare--both of them; bhaktye--with great devotion; vasaila--made to sit down.
TRANSLATION
"The hunter then received both the great sages in the courtyard of his house. He spread out a straw mat for them to sit upon, and with great devotion he begged them to sit down.
TEXT 275
TEXT
jala ani' bhaktye donhara pada praksalila
sei jala stri-puruse piya sire la-ila
SYNONYMS
jala ani'--bringing water; bhaktye--with great devotion; donhara--of both of them; pada praksalila--washed the feet; sei jala--that water; stri-puruse--husband and wife; piya--drinking; sire la-ila--put on their heads.
TRANSLATION
"He then fetched water and washed the sages' feet with great devotion. Then both husband and wife drank that water and sprinkled it on their heads.
PURPORT
This is the process one should follow when receiving the spiritual master or someone on the level of the spiritual master. When the spiritual master comes to the residence of his disciples, the disciples should follow in the footsteps of the former hunter. It doesn't matter what one was before initiation. After initiation, one must learn the etiquette mentioned herein.
TEXT 276
TEXT
kampa-pulakasru haila krsna-nama gana
urdhva bahu nrtya kare vastra udana
SYNONYMS
kampa--trembling; pulaka-asru--tears and jubilation; haila--there were; krsna-nama gana--chanting the Hare Krsna mantra; urdhva bahu--raising the arms; nrtya kare--began to dance; vastra udana--waving his garments up and down.
TRANSLATION
"When the hunter chanted the Hare Krsna maha-mantra before his spiritual master, his body trembled, and tears welled in his eyes. Filled with ecstatic love, he raised his hands and began to dance, waving his garments up and down.
TEXT 277
TEXT
dekhiya vyadhera prema parvata-mahamuni
naradere kahe,----tumi hao sparsa-mani
SYNONYMS
dekhiya--seeing; vyadhera--of the hunter; prema--the ecstatic love; parvata-maha-muni--the great sage Parvata Muni; naradere kahe--spoke to Narada Muni; tumi hao sparsa-mani--you are certainly a touchstone.
TRANSLATION
"When Parvata Muni saw the ecstatic loving symptoms of the hunter, he told Narada, 'Certainly you are a touchstone.'
PURPORT
When a touchstone touches iron, it turns the iron to gold. Parvata Muni called Narada Muni a touchstone because by his touch the hunter, who was lowest among men, became an elevated and perfect Vaisnava. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura said that the position of a Vaisnava can be tested by seeing how good a touchstone he is-that is, by seeing how many Vaisnavas he has made during his life. A Vaisnava should be a touchstone so that he can convert others to Vaisnavism by his preaching, even though people may be fallen like the hunter. There are many so-called advanced devotees who sit in a secluded place for their personal benefit. They do not go out to preach and convert others into Vaisnavas, and therefore they certainly cannot be called sparsa-mani, advanced devotees. Kanistha-adhikari devotees cannot turn others into Vaisnavas, but a madhyama-adhikari Vaisnava can do so by preaching. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised His followers to increase the numbers of Vaisnavas.
yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa
amara ajnaya guru hana tara' ei desa
(Cc. Madhya 7.128)
It is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's wish that everyone should become a Vaisnava and guru. Following the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His disciplic succession, one can become a spiritual master, for the process is very easy. One can go everywhere and anywhere to preach the instructions of Krsna. Bhagavad-gita is Krsna's instructions; therefore the duty of every Vaisnava is to travel and preach Bhagavad-gita, either in his country or a foreign country. This is the test of sparsa-mani, following in the footsteps of Narada Muni.
TEXT 278
TEXT
"aho dhanyo 'si devarse
krpaya yasya tat-ksanat
nico 'py utpulako lebhe
lubdhako ratim acyute"
SYNONYMS
aho--oh; dhanyah--glorified; asi--you are; deva-rse--O sage among the demigods; krpaya--by the mercy; yasya--of whom; tat-ksanat--immediately; nicah api--even though one is the lowest of men; utpulakah--becoming agitated in ecstatic love; lebhe--gets; lubdhakah--a hunter; ratim--attraction; acyute--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
"Parvata Muni continued, 'My dear friend Narada Muni, you are glorified as the sage among the demigods. By your mercy, even a lowborn person like this hunter can immediately become attached to Lord Krsna.'
PURPORT
A pure Vaisnava believes in the statements of the sastras. This verse is quoted from Vedic literature, the Skanda Purana.
TEXT 279
TEXT
narada kahe,----'vaisnava, tomara anna kichu aya?'
vyadha kahe, "yare pathao, sei diya yaya
SYNONYMS
narada kahe--Narada Muni said; vaisnava--O Vaisnava; tomara--your; anna--food; kichu aya--does any come; vyadha kahe--the hunter replied; yare pathao--whoever you send; sei--that person; diya--giving something; yaya--goes.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni then asked the hunter, 'My dear Vaisnava, do you have some income for your maintenance?' The hunter replied, 'My dear spiritual master, whoever you send gives me something when he comes to see me.'
PURPORT
This confirms the statement in Bhagavad-gita (9.22) to the effect that the Lord carries all necessities to His Vaisnava devotee. Narada Muni asked the former hunter how he was being maintained, and he replied that everyone who came to see him brought him something for his maintenance. Krsna, who is situated in everyone's heart, says, "I personally carry all necessities to a Vaisnava." He can order anyone to execute this. Everyone is ready to give something to a Vaisnava, and if a Vaisnava is completely engaged in devotional service, he need not be anxious for his maintenance.
TEXT 280
TEXT
eta anna na pathao, kichu karya nai
sabe dui-janara yogya bhaksya-matra cai"
SYNONYMS
eta anna--so much food; na pathao--you do not need to send; kichu karya nai--there is no such need; sabe--only; dui-janara--for two persons; yogya--requisite; bhaksya-matra--eatables; cai--we want.
TRANSLATION
"The former hunter said, 'Please do not send so may grains. Only send what is sufficient for two people, no more.'
PURPORT
The former hunter only wanted enough for two people to eat, no more. It is not necessary for a Vaisnava to keep a stock of food for the next day. He should receive only sufficient grains to last one day. The next day, he must again depend on the Lord's mercy. This is the instruction of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. When His personal servant Govinda sometimes kept a stock of haritaki (myrobalan), Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu chastised him, saying, "Why did you keep a stock for the next day?" Srila Rupa Gosvami and others were begging daily from door to door for their sustenance, and they never attempted to stock their asrama with food for the next day. We should not materially calculate, thinking, "It is better to stock food for a week. Why give the Lord trouble by having Him bring food daily?" One should be convinced that the Lord will provide daily. There is no need to stock food for the next day.
TEXT 281
TEXT
narada kahe,----'aiche raha, tumi bhagyavan'
eta bali' dui-jana ha-ila antardhana
SYNONYMS
narada kahe--Narada Muni said; aiche raha--live like that; tumi bhagyavan--certainly you are very fortunate; eta bali'--saying this; dui-jana--both Narada Muni and Parvata Muni; ha-ila antardhana--disappeared.
TRANSLATION
"Narada Muni approved his not wanting more than a daily supply of food, and he blessed him, saying, 'You are fortunate.' Narada Muni and Parvata Muni then disappeared from that place.
TEXT 282
TEXT
ei ta' kahilun tomaya vyadhera akhyana
ya sunile haya sadhu-sanga-prabhava-jnana
SYNONYMS
ei ta' kahilun--thus I have narrated; tomaya--unto you; vyadhera akhyana--the story of the hunter; ya sunile--hearing which; haya--there is; sadhu-sanga--of the association of devotees; prabhava--of the influence; jnana--knowledge.
TRANSLATION
"So far I have narrated the incident of the hunter. By hearing this narration, one can understand the influence derived by associating with devotees.
PURPORT
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to stress that even a hunter, the lowest of men, could become a topmost Vaisnava simply by associating with Narada Muni or a devotee in his bona fide disciplic succession.
TEXT 283
TEXT
ei ara tina artha gananate paila
ei dui artha mili' 'chabbisa' artha haila
SYNONYMS
ei--this example; ara--another; tina artha--three imports; gananate--in calculating; paila--we have obtained; ei dui artha mili'--by adding these two imports; chabbisa--twenty-six; artha--imports; haila--there have been.
TRANSLATION
"In this way we have found three more meanings. Combine these with the other meanings, and the total number of meanings add up to twenty-six in all.
TEXT 284
TEXT
ara artha suna, yaha----arthera bhandara
sthule 'dui' artha, suksme 'batrisa' prakara
SYNONYMS
ara--another; artha--import; suna--hear; yaha--which; arthera bhandara--storehouse of knowledge; sthule--grossly; dui artha--two meanings; suksme--by a subtle import; batrisa--thirty-two; prakara--varieties.
TRANSLATION
"There is yet another meaning, which is full of a variety of imports. Actually there are two gross meanings and thirty-two subtle meanings.
PURPORT
The two gross meanings refer to regulative devotional service and spontaneous devotional service. There are also thirty-two subtle meanings. Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings: (1) a servant of the Lord as His personal associate, (2) a personal friend, (3) personal parents or similar superiors, (4) a personal beloved, (5) a servant elevated by spiritual cultivation, (6) a friend by spiritual cultivation, (7) parents and superior devotees by cultivation of devotional service, (8) a beloved wife or female friend by cultivation of devotional service, (9) a mature devotee as a servant, (10) a mature devotee as a friend, (11) a mature devotee as a parent and superior, (12) a mature devotee as wife and beloved, (13) an immature devotee as servant, (14) an immature devotee as a friend, (15) an immature devotee as father and superior, and (16) an immature devotee as a beloved. Similarly, under the heading of spontaneous devotion there are also sixteen various associates. Therefore the total number of devotees under the headings of regular devotees and spontaneous devotees is thirty-two.
TEXT 285
TEXT
'atma'-sabde kahe----sarva-vidha bhagavan
eka 'svayam bhagavan', ara 'bhagavan'-akhyana
SYNONYMS
atma-sabde--by the word atma; kahe--it is said; sarva-vidha bhagavan--all types of Personalities of Godhead; eka--one; svayam bhagavan--the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna; ara--another; bhagavan-akhyana--the Personality of Godhead by an expansive designation.
TRANSLATION
"The word atma refers to all the different expansions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One of them is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, Krsna, and the others are different incarnations or expansions of Krsna.
The word atma also includes all kinds of Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This means that Krsna has unlimited expansions. This is described in Brahma-samhita (5.46):
diparcir eva hi dasantaram abhyupetya
dipayate vivrta-hetu-samana-dharma
yas tadrg eva hi ca visnutaya vibhati
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
These expansions are thus compared to candles that have been lit from an original candle. All the secondary candles are equally powerful, but the original candle is that from which all the others have been lit. Krsna is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, and He is expanded as Balarama, Sankarsana, Aniruddha, Pradyumna and Vasudeva. In this way there are innumerable incarnations and expansions who are also called Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TEXT 286
TEXT
tante rame yei, sei saba----'atmarama'
'vidhi-bhakta', 'raga-bhakta',----dui-vidha nama
SYNONYMS
tante--in all those Supreme Personalities of Godhead; rame--takes pleasure in devotional service; yei--those persons who; sei saba--all of them; atmarama--are also known as atmarama; vidhi-bhakta--devotees following the regulative principles; raga-bhakta--devotees following spontaneous love; dui-vidha nama--two different varieties.
TRANSLATION
"One who always engages in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is called atmarama. There are two types of atmarama. One is an atmarama engaged in regulative devotional service, and the other is an atmarama engaged in spontaneous devotional service.
TEXT 287
TEXT
dui-vidha bhakta haya cari cari prakara
parisada, sadhana-siddha, sadhaka-gana ara
SYNONYMS
dui-vidha bhakta--these two varieties of atmarama devotees; haya--are; cari cari prakara--each of four different categories; parisada--personal associate; sadhana-siddha--liberated to the position of associates by perfection in devotional service; sadhaka-gana ara--and devotees already engaged in the devotional service of the Lord.
TRANSLATION
"The atmaramas engaged in regulative and spontaneous devotional service are further categorized into four groups. There are the eternal associates, the associates who have become perfect by devotional service, and those who are engaged in devotional service and are called sadhaka.
TEXT 288
TEXT
jata-ajata-rati-bhede sadhaka dui bheda
vidhi-raga-marge cari cari----asta bheda
SYNONYMS
jata-ajata-rati-bhede--by distinction of mature love and immature love; sadhaka dui bheda--those practicing are of two varieties; vidhi--regulative devotion; raga--spontaneous devotion; marge--on both the paths; cari cari--there are four different varieties; asta bheda--a total of eight kinds.
TRANSLATION
"Those who are practicing devotional service are either mature or immature. Therefore the sadhakas are of two types. Since the devotees execute either regulative devotional service or spontaneous devotional service and there are four groups within these two divisions, altogether there are eight varieties.
PURPORT
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that the original Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and His expansions are also called the Personality of Godhead. However, Krsna is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. Speculative philosophers and mystic yogis also meditate upon the form of Krsna, but this form is not the form of the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such a Bhagavan is but a partial representation of the Lord's full potency. Nonetheless, He has to be understood to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To clarify this matter, one should simply understand that Krsna, the son of Nanda Maharaja in Vrndavana, the friend of the cowherd boys and lover of the gopis, is actually the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is attained by spontaneous love. Although His expansions are also called the Supreme Personality of Godhead, They are attained only by the execution of regulative devotional service.
TEXT 289
TEXT
vidhi-bhaktye nitya-siddha parisada----'dasa'
'sakha' 'guru' 'kanta-gana',----cari-vidha prakasa
SYNONYMS
vidhi-bhaktye--by regulative devotional service; nitya-siddha parisada--eternally perfect associate; dasa--the servant; sakha guru kanta-gana--friends, superiors and beloved damsels; cari-vidha prakasa--they are manifested in four varieties.
TRANSLATION
"By executing regulative devotional service, one is elevated to the platform of an eternally perfect associate--such as a servant, friend, superior or beloved woman. These are of four varieties.
TEXT 290
TEXT
sadhana-siddha----dasa, sakha, guru, kanta-gana
jata-rati sadhaka-bhakta----cari-vidha jana
SYNONYMS
sadhana-siddha--those who have perfected themselves by devotional service; dasa--servants; sakha--friends; guru--superiors; kanta-gana--beloved damsels; jata-rati sadhaka-bhakta--devotees who have become mature by devotional service; cari-vidha jana--they are also of four varieties.
TRANSLATION
"Among those who have perfected themselves by devotional service, there are servants, friends, superiors and beloved damsels. Similarly, there are four types of mature devotees.
TEXT 291
TEXT
ajata-rati sadhaka-bhakta,----e cari prakara
vidhi-marge bhakte sodasa bheda pracara
SYNONYMS
ajata-rati sadhaka-bhakta--immature devotees engaged in devotional service; e cari prakara--there are also the same four varieties; vidhi-marge--on the path of regulative devotional service; bhakte--devotees; sodasa bheda pracara--there are sixteen varieties.
TRANSLATION
"Within the category of regulative devotional service, there are also immature devotees. These are also of four varieties. Thus in regulative devotional service there are altogether sixteen varieties.
TEXT 292
TEXT
raga-marge aiche bhakte sodasa vibheda
dui marge atmaramera batrisa vibheda
SYNONYMS
raga-marge--on the path of spontaneous loving service; aiche--in the same way; bhakte--all the devotees; sodasa vibheda--divided into sixteen varieties; dui marge--on the two paths, namely regulative devotional service and spontaneous devotional service; atmaramera--of persons enjoying with the Supreme Self; batrisa vibheda--there are thirty-two varieties of devotees.
TRANSLATION
"On the path of spontaneous devotional service, there are also sixteen categories of devotees. Thus there are thirty-two types of atmaramas enjoying the Supreme Lord on these two paths.
TEXT 293
TEXT
'muni', 'nirgrantha', 'ca' 'api',----cari sabdera artha
yahan yei lage, taha kariye samartha
SYNONYMS
muni--the sage; nirgrantha--either learned or foolish; ca--also; api--in spite of; cari sabdera artha--the meanings of these four words; yahan--wherever; yei lage--they apply; taha kariye samartha--make them sound.
TRANSLATION
"When these thirty-two types of devotees are qualified with the words muni nirgrantha ca api, they can be increased in different ways and very soundly elaborated upon.
TEXT 294
TEXT
batrise chabbise mili, asta-pancasa
ara eka bheda suna arthera prakasa
SYNONYMS
batrise--these thirty-two varieties; chabbise--the formerly described twenty-six varieties; mili'--added together; asta-pancasa--they become fifty-eight; ara--another; eka--one; bheda--different; suna--please hear; arthera prakasa--manifestation of import.
TRANSLATION
"When we add the twenty-six types of devotees to these thirty-two, they altogether number fifty-eight. You may now hear from Me of manifestations with different meanings.
TEXT 295
TEXT
itaretara 'ca' diya samasa kariye
'atanna' bara atmarama nama la-iye
SYNONYMS
itaretara--in different varieties; ca--the word ca; diya--adding; samasa kariye--make a compound word; atanna bara--fifty-eight times; atmarama--the atmarama devotees; nama la-iye--I take their different names.
TRANSLATION
"In this way, as I add the word ca to one word after another, I make a compound. Thus the different names of atmaramas can be taken fifty-eight times.
TEXT 296
TEXT
'atmaramas ca atmaramas ca' atanna-bara
sese saba lopa kari' rakhi eka-bara
SYNONYMS
atmaramah ca atmaramah ca--repeating atmaramah; atanna-bara--fifty-eight times; sese--at the end; saba lopa kari'--rejecting all; rakhi--we keep; eka-bara--only one.
TRANSLATION
"In this way, one can repeat the word atmaramah with ca for each of the fifty-eight meanings. By following the rule previously stated and rejecting all but the last, we retain that which represents all the meanings.
TEXT 297
TEXT
sarupanam eka-sesa eka-vibhaktau,
uktarthanam aprayoga iti
SYNONYMS
sa-rupanam--of words of the same form; eka-sesah--only the last; eka-vibhaktau--in the same case; ukta-arthanam--of the previously spoken meanings; aprayogah--nonapplication; iti--thus.
TRANSLATION
" 'Of words having the same form and case termination, the last one is the only one retained.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Panini's sutras (1.2.64).
TEXT 298
TEXT
atanna ca-karera saba lopa haya
eka atmarama-sabde atanna artha kaya
SYNONYMS
atanna--fifty-eight; ca-karera--of the additions of the word ca; saba lopa haya--all of them are rejected; eka--one; atmarama--atmarama; sabde--by the word; atanna artha kaya--fifty-eight imports are automatically derived.
TRANSLATION
"When all the ca-kara, or additions to the word ca, are taken away, fifty-eight different meanings can still be understood by the one word atmarama.
TEXT 299
TEXT
asvattha-vrksas ca bata-vrksas ca kapittha-vrksas ca amra-vrksas ca vrksah
SYNONYMS
asvattha-vrksah--banyan trees; ca--and; bata-vrksah--fig trees; ca--and; kapittha-vrksah--a type of tree named kapittha; ca--and; amra-vrksah--mango trees; ca--and; vrksah--all indicated by the word "trees."
TRANSLATION
" 'By the plural word vrksah [trees], all trees, such as banyan trees, fig trees, kapittha trees and mango trees, are indicated.'
TEXT 300
TEXT
"asmin vane vrksah phalanti" yaiche haya
taiche saba atmarama krsne bhakti karaya
SYNONYMS
asmin vane--in this forest; vrksah phalanti--different varieties of trees bear fruit; yaiche haya--just as in this sentence; taiche--similarly; saba--all; atmarama--self-realized souls; krsne bhakti karaya--engage themselves in loving devotional service to Lord Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"This atmarama verse is like the sentence, 'In this forest many different trees bear fruit.' All atmaramas render devotional service to Lord Krsna.
TEXT 301
TEXT
'atmaramas ca' samuccaye kahiye ca-kara
'munayas ca' bhakti kare,----ei artha tara
SYNONYMS
atmaramah ca--similarly the word atmaramah with the word ca added; samuccaye--in aggregation; kahiye--means; ca-kara--the word ca; munayah ca--the word munayah with the word ca added; bhakti kare--all of them engage in devotional service; ei artha tara--this is the perfect meaning of the verse.
TRANSLATION
"After fifty-eight times uttering the word atmaramah and taking ca in a sense of aggregation, one may add the word munayah. That will mean that they also render devotional service to Lord Krsna. In this way there are fifty-nine meanings.
TEXT 302
TEXT
'nirgrantha eva' hana, 'api'----nirdharane
ei 'unasasti' prakara artha karilun vyakhyane
SYNONYMS
nirgrantha--the word nirgrantha; eva--also the word eva; hana--becoming; api--the word api; nirdharane--in fixation; ei unasasti prakara artha--in this way fifty-nine imports; karilun vyakhyane--I have described.
TRANSLATION
"Then taking the word nirgrantha and considering api in the sense of sustenance, I have tried to explain fifty-nine meanings of the word.
TEXT 303
TEXT
sarva-samuccaye ara eka artha haya
'atmaramas ca munayas ca nirgranthas ca' bhajaya
SYNONYMS
sarva-samuccaye--taking all of them together; ara--another; eka--one; artha--import; haya--there is; atmaramah ca munayah ca nirgranthah ca bhajaya--the atmaramas, great sages and nirgranthas (the learned and the fools) are all eligible to engage in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.
TRANSLATION
"Taking all the words together, there is another meaning. Whether one is an atmarama, a great sage, or nirgrantha, everyone must engage in the service of the Lord.
PURPORT
The word sarva-samuccaye is significant here. It includes all classes of men-atmarama, muni and nirgrantha. Everyone engages in the service of the Lord. Taking the word api in the sense of ascertainment, there are, all together, sixty different meanings.
TEXT 304
TEXT
'api'-sabda----avadharane, seha cari bara
cari-sabda-sange evera karibe uccara
SYNONYMS
api-sabda--the word api; avadharane--in the matter of ascertaining; seha cari bara--those four times; cari-sabda--four words; sange--with; evera--of the word eva; karibe--one can do; uccara--pronouncing.
TRANSLATION
"The word api is then used in the sense of ascertainment, and then four times with four words the word eva can be uttered.
TEXT 305
TEXT
"urukrame eva bhaktim eva ahaitukim eva kurvanty eva"
SYNONYMS
urukrame--unto the most powerful; eva--only; bhaktim--devotional service; eva--only; ahaitukim--without motives; eva--only; kurvanti--they perform; eva--only.
TRANSLATION
"The words urukrama, bhakti, ahaituki and kurvanti are added to the word eva again and again. Thus another meaning is explained.
TEXT 306
TEXT
ei ta' kahilun slokera 'sasti' sankhyaka artha
ara eka artha suna pramane samartha
SYNONYMS
ei ta'--thus; kahilun--I have explained; slokera--of the verse; sasti--sixty; sankhyaka--numbering; artha--imports; ara--another; eka--one; artha--import; suna--please hear; pramane samartha--quite fit for giving evidence.
TRANSLATION
"Now I have given sixty different meanings to the verse, and yet there is another meaning which is also very strongly evident.
TEXT 307
TEXT
'atma'-sabde kahe 'ksetrajna jiva'-laksana
brahmadi kita-paryanta----tanra saktite ganana
SYNONYMS
atma-sabde--by the word atma; kahe--it is said; ksetra-jna jiva--the living entity who knows about his body; laksana--symptom; brahma-adi--beginning from Lord Brahma; kita-paryanta--down to the insignificant ant; tanra--His; saktite--as the marginal potency; ganana--counting.
TRANSLATION
"The word atma also refers to the living entity who knows about his body. That is another symptom. From Lord Brahma down to the insignificant ant, everyone is counted as the marginal potency of the Lord.
TEXT 308
TEXT
visnu-saktih para prokta
ksetrajnakhya tatha para
avidya-karma-samjnanya
trtiya saktir isyate
SYNONYMS
visnu-saktih--the potency of Lord Visnu; para--spiritual; prokta--it is said; ksetra-jna-akhya--the potency known as ksetrajna; tatha--as well as; para--spiritual; avidya--ignorance; karma--fruitive activities; samjna--known as; anya--other; trtiya--third; saktih--potency; isyate--known thus.
TRANSLATION
" 'The potency of Lord Visnu is summarized in three categories-namely the spiritual potency, the living entities and ignorance. The spiritual potency is full of knowledge; the living entities, although belonging to the spiritual potency, are subject to bewilderment; and the third energy, which is full of ignorance, is always visible in fruitive activities.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Visnu Purana. For an explanation, see Adi-lila (7.119).
TEXT 309
TEXT
"ksetrajna atma purusah
pradhanam prakrtih striyam"
SYNONYMS
ksetra-jnah--the word ksetrajna; atma--the living entity; purusah--the enjoyer; pradhanam--the chief; prakrtih--the material nature; striyam--in the feminine gender.
TRANSLATION
" 'The word ksetrajna refers to the living entity, the enjoyer, the chief and material nature.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from the Svarga-varga (7) of the Amara-kosa dictionary.
TEXT 310
TEXT
bhramite bhramite yadi sadhu-sanga paya
saba tyaji' tabe tinho krsnere bhajaya
SYNONYMS
bhramite bhramite--wandering in different forms in different manners; yadi--if; sadhu-sanga paya--one obtains the association of devotees; saba tyaji'--giving up everything; tabe--then; tinho--he; krsnere bhajaya--engages himself in the service of Lord Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"The living entities are wandering in different species of life on different planets, but if by chance they get the association of a pure devotee [sadhu] they give up all other engagements and engage in the service of Lord Krsna.
TEXT 311
TEXT
sati artha kahilun, saba----krsnera bhajane
sei artha haya ei saba udaharane
SYNONYMS
sati--sixty; artha--imports; kahilun--I explained; saba--all; krsnera bhajane--aiming at rendering transcendental loving service to Krsna; sei artha haya--that is the only meaning; ei saba--all these; udaharane--examples.
TRANSLATION
"I have thus explained sixty different meanings, and all of them aim at the service of Lord Krsna. After giving so many examples, that is the only meaning.
TEXT 312
TEXT
'eka-sasti' artha ebe sphurila toma-sange
tomara bhakti-vase uthe arthera tarange
SYNONYMS
eka-sasti--sixty-one; artha--imports; ebe--now; sphurila--has awakened; toma-sange--because of your association; tomara--your; bhakti-vase--by dint of devotional service; uthe--there arises; arthera--of imports; tarange--waves.
TRANSLATION
"Now, due to your association, another meaning has awakened. It is due to your devotional service that these waves of meaning are arising.
PURPORT
The word atma refers to the living entity. From Lord Brahma down to an insignificant ant, everyone is considered a living entity. Living entities are considered part of the Lord's marginal potency. All of them are ksetrajna, knowers of the body. When they become nirgrantha, or free, saintly persons, they engage in Lord Krsna's service. That is the sixty-first meaning of the verse.
TEXT 313
TEXT
aham vedmi suko vetti
vyaso vetti na vetti va
bhaktya bhagavatam grahyam
na buddhya na ca tikaya
SYNONYMS
aham--I (Lord Siva); vedmi--know; sukah--Sukadeva Gosvami; vetti--knows; vyasah--Vyasadeva; vetti--knows; na vetti va--or may not know; bhaktya--by devotional service (executed in nine different processes); bhagavatam--the Bhagavata Purana (called Paramahamsa-samhita, the text or treatise readable by the topmost transcendentalists); grahyam--to be accepted; na--not; buddhya--by so-called intelligence or experimental knowledge; na--nor; ca--also; tikaya--by imaginary commentary.
TRANSLATION
"[Lord Siva said,] 'I may know; Sukadeva Gosvami, the son of Vyasadeva, may know; and Vyasadeva may know or may not know the Srimad Bhagavatam. On the whole, Srimad-Bhagavatam, the spotless Purana, can be learned only through devotional service, not by material intelligence, speculative methods or imaginary commentaries.' »
PURPORT
Devotional service includes nine processes, beginning with hearing, chanting and remembering the activities of Lord Visnu. Only one who has taken to devotional service can understand Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is the spotless Purana for a transcendentalist (paramahamsa). So-called commentaries are useless for this purpose. According to the Vedic injunction: yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau. All Vedic literatures maintain that Srimad-Bhagavatam has to be learned from the person bhagavata, and to understand it one has to engage in pure devotional service. Srimad-Bhagavatam cannot be understood by so-called erudite scholars or grammarians. One who has developed pure Krsna consciousness and has served the pure devotee, the spiritual master, can understand Srimad-Bhagavatam. Others cannot.
TEXT 314
TEXT
artha suni' sanatana vismita hana
stuti kare mahaprabhura carane dhariya
SYNONYMS
artha suni'--by hearing the meaning (of the atmarama verse); sanatana--Sanatana Gosvami; vismita hana--becoming struck with wonder; stuti kare--offers prayers; mahaprabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; carane dhariya--touching the lotus feet.
TRANSLATION
After hearing all the explanations of all the different meanings of the atmarama verse, Sanatana Gosvami was struck with wonder. He fell down at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and began to offer prayers.
TEXT 315
TEXT
"saksat isvara tumi vrajendra-nandana
tomara nisvase sarva-veda-pravartana
SYNONYMS
saksat isvara tumi--You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead; vrajendra-nandana--the son of Maharaja Nanda; tomara nisvase--by Your breathing; sarva-veda--all Vedic literatures; pravartana--are vibrated.
TRANSLATION
Sanatana Gosvami said, "My dear Lord, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, the son of Maharaja Nanda. All the Vedic literatures are vibrated through Your breathing.
TEXT 316
TEXT
tumi----vakta bhagavatera, tumi jana artha
toma vina anya janite nahika samartha"
SYNONYMS
tumi--Your Lordship; vakta--the speaker; bhagavatera--of Srimad-Bhagavatam; tumi--You; jana--know; artha--the import; toma vina--except for You; anya--anyone else; janite--to know; nahika--is not; samartha--able.
TRANSLATION
"My dear Lord, You are the original speaker of the Bhagavatam. You therefore know its real import. But for You, no one can understand the confidential meaning of Srimad-Bhagavatam."
PURPORT
Following this statement by Srila Sanatana Gosvami, we have written our introduction to Srimad-Bhagavatam (First Canto, Part One, pages 7-41).
TEXT 317
TEXT
prabhu kahe,----"kene kara amara stavana
bhagavatera svarupa kene na kara vicarana?
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; kene kara--why do you do; amara stavana--My personal glorification; bhagavatera sva-rupa--the real form of Srimad-Bhagavatam; kene--why; na kara--you do not do; vicarana--consideration.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "Why are you glorifying Me personally? You should understand the transcendental position of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Why don't you consider this important point?
TEXT 318
TEXT
krsna-tulya bhagavata----vibhu, sarvasraya
prati-sloke prati-aksare nana artha kaya
SYNONYMS
krsna-tulya bhagavata--Srimad-Bhagavatam is identical with Krsna; vibhu--the supreme; sarva-asraya--the origin of everything, or that which controls everything; prati-sloke--in every verse; prati-aksare--in every syllable; nana artha kaya--there are varieties of imports.
TRANSLATION
"Srimad-Bhagavatam is as great as Krsna, the Supreme Lord and shelter of everything. In each and every verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam and in each and every syllable, there are various meanings.
TEXT 319
TEXT
prasnottare bhagavate kariyache nirdhara
yanhara sravane loke lage camatkara
SYNONYMS
prasna-uttare--in the form of questions and answers; bhagavate--in Srimad-Bhagavatam; kariyache--has made; nirdhara--conclusion; yanhara sravane--hearing which; loke--in all people; lage--there is; camatkara--wonderful astonishment.
TRANSLATION
"The form of Srimad-Bhagavatam is given in questions and answers. Thus the conclusion is established. By hearing these questions and answers, one is highly astonished.
TEXT 320
TEXT
bruhi yogesvare krsne
brahmanye dharma-varmani
svam kastham adhunopete
dharmah kam saranam gatah
SYNONYMS
bruhi--kindly explain; yoga-isvare--the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of all mystic power; krsne--Lord Krsna; brahmanye--the protector of brahminical culture; dharma-varmani--the strong arms of religious principles; svam--His own; kastham--to the personal abode; adhuna--at present; upete--having returned; dharmah--the religious principles; kam--unto what; saranam--shelter; gatah--have gone.
TRANSLATION
" 'Now that Sri Krsna, the Absolute Truth, the master of all mystic powers, has departed for His own abode, please tell us by whom religious principles are presently protected.'
PURPORT
This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.1.23) was a question raised by all the sages, who were headed by Saunaka. This question put before the great devotee Suta Gosvami is the foremost of the six questions raised. The answer to this important question is given in the next verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.3.43).
TEXT 321
TEXT
krsne svadhamopagate
dharma-jnanadibhih saha
kalau nasta-drsam esa
puranarko 'dhunoditah
SYNONYMS
krsne--Lord Krsna; sva-dhama--to His personal abode; upagate--having returned; dharma-jnana-adibhih saha--along with religious principles, transcendental knowledge, and so on; kalau--in this Age of Kali; nasta-drsam--of persons who have lost their spiritual vision; esah--this; purana-arkah--Purana or Vedic literature that shines like the sun; adhuna--at the present moment; uditah--has arisen.
TRANSLATION
" 'After Lord Krsna departed for His abode along with religious principles and transcendental knowledge, this Purana, Srimad-Bhagavatam, has arisen like the sun in this Age of Kali to enlighten those who have no spiritual vision.'
TEXT 322
TEXT
ei mata kahilun eka slokera vyakhyana
vatulera pralapa kari' ke kare pramana?
SYNONYMS
ei mata--in this way; kahilun--I have spoken; eka--one; slokera--of a verse; vyakhyana--the explanation; vatulera pralapa--the talking of a madman; kari'--doing; ke kare pramana--who will accept this as evidential proof.
TRANSLATION
"In this way, like a madman, I have explained the meaning of just one verse. I do not know who will take this as evidence.
TEXT 323
TEXT
ama-hena yeba keha 'vatula' haya
ei-drste bhagavatera artha janaya"
SYNONYMS
ama-hena--exactly like Me; yeba--anyone who; keha--a person; vatula haya--becomes a madman; ei-drste--according to this process; bhagavatera--of Srimad-Bhagavatam; artha--import; janaya--he can understand.
TRANSLATION
"If one becomes a madman like Me, he may also understand the meaning of Srimad-Bhagavatam by this process."
PURPORT
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu plainly explains that Srimad-Bhagavatam cannot be understood by those who are materially situated. In other words, one has to become a madman like Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Apart from being the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is an acarya who exhibited love of God like a madman. According to His own written verse: yugayitam nimesena. He says that for Him, "a moment seems to last twelve years." Caksusa pravrsayitam: "My tears are flowing like torrents of rain." Sunyayitam jagat sarvam: "I feel as if the entire universe were vacant." Why? Govinda-virahena me: "Due to My being separated from Govinda, Krsna."
One can understand Srimad-Bhagavatam only by following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who was mad for Krsna. We cannot, of course, imitate Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is not possible. However, unless one is very serious about understanding Krsna, he cannot understand Srimad-Bhagavatam. Srimad-Bhagavatam gives the full narration of Krsna's transcendental activities. The first nine cantos explain who Krsna is, and the Lord's birth and activities are narrated in the Tenth Canto. In Bhagavad-gita it is stated: janma karma ca me divyam. Krsna's appearance and disappearance are transcendental, not mundane. A person is eligible to return home, back to Godhead, if he perfectly understands Krsna and His appearance and disappearance. This is verified by Bhagavad-gita: tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti so 'rjuna.
It is therefore concluded that one has to learn about Krsna from Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita, and one has to follow in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Those who do not follow Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu cannot understand Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
TEXT 324
TEXT
punah sanatana kahe yudi' dui kare
"prabhu ajna dila 'vaisnava-smrti' karibare
SYNONYMS
punah--again; sanatana--Sanatana Gosvami; kahe--says; yudi' dui kare--folding his two hands; prabhu ajna dila--Your Lordship has ordered me; vaisnava-smrti karibare--to write a dictionary of Vaisnava activities.
TRANSLATION
Folding his hands, Sanatana Gosvami said, "My Lord, You ordered me to write a directory about the activities of Vaisnavas.
TEXT 325
TEXT
muni----nica-jati, kichu na janon acara
mo-haite kaiche haya smrti-paracara
SYNONYMS
muni--I; nica-jati--belong to a lower caste; kichu--anything; na--not; janon--I know; acara--about proper behavior; mo-haite--from me; kaiche--how; haya--there is; smrti-paracara--propagation of the directions of Vaisnava behavior.
TRANSLATION
"I am a most lowborn person. I have no knowledge of good behavior. How is it possible for me to write authorized directions about Vaisnava activities?"
PURPORT
Actually Sanatana Gosvami belonged to a very respectable brahmana family. Nonetheless, he submitted himself as a fallen, lowborn person because he had served in the Mohammedan government. A brahmana is never supposed to be engaged for anyone's service. Accepting service for a livelihood (paricaryatmakam karma) is the business of sudras. The brahmana is always independent and busy studying sastra and preaching sastra to subordinate social members such as ksatriyas and vaisyas. Sanatana Gosvami felt unfit to write Vaisnava smrti about the behavior of Vaisnavas because he had fallen from the brahminical position. Thus Sanatana Gosvami clearly admits that the brahminical culture should be standardized. Presently in India, so-called brahmanas are almost all engaged in some mundane service, and they do not understand the import of the Vedic sastras. Nonetheless, they are passing themselves off as brahmanas on the basis of birth. In this connection, Sanatana Gosvami declares that a brahmana cannot be engaged in anyone's service if he wants to take a leading part in society. In Srimad-Bhagavatam Narada Muni states that even if a brahmana is in a difficult position, he should not accept the occupation of a sudra. This means that he should not be engaged in service for another, for this is the business of dogs. Under the circumstances, Sanatana Gosvami felt very low because he had accepted the service of the Muslim government. The conclusion is that no one should claim to be a brahmana simply by birthright while engaging in someone else's service.
TEXT 326
TEXT
sutra kari' disa yadi karaha upadesa
apane karaha yadi hrdaye pravesa
SYNONYMS
sutra kari'--making a synopsis; disa--direction; yadi--if; karaha upadesa--You kindly instruct; apane--personally; karaha--You do; yadi--if; hrdaye pravesa--entering into me or manifesting in my heart.
TRANSLATION
Sanatana Gosvami then requested the Lord, "Please personally tell me how I can write this difficult book about Vaisnava behavior. Please manifest Yourself in my heart.
PURPORT
The writing of Vaisnava literatures is not a function for ordinary men. Vaisnava literatures are not mental concoctions. They are all authorized literature meant to guide those who are going to be Vaisnavas. Under these circumstances, an ordinary man cannot give his own opinion. His opinion must always correspond with the conclusion of the Vedas. Unless one is fully qualified in Vaisnava behavior and authorized by superior authority (the Supreme Personality of Godhead), one cannot write Vaisnava literatures or purports and commentaries on Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita.
TEXT 327
TEXT
tabe tara disa sphure mo-nicera hrdaya
isvara tumi,----ye karaha, sei siddha haya"
SYNONYMS
tabe--if you do so; tara--of that; disa--the process of writing; sphure--manifests; mo-nicera--of someone lowborn like me; hrdaya--in the heart; isvara tumi--You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ye karaha--whatever You cause to do; sei siddha haya--that is perfectly done.
TRANSLATION
"If You would please manifest Yourself within my heart and personally direct me in writing this book, then, although I am lowborn, I may hope to be able to write it. You can do this because You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead Yourself, and whatever You direct is perfect."
TEXT 328
TEXT
prabhu kahe,----"ye karite kariba tumi mana
krsna sei sei toma karabe sphurana
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; ye--whatever; karite--to do; kariba tumi mana--you want; krsna--Lord Krsna; sei sei--that; toma--to you; karabe sphurana--will manifest.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "Whatever you want to do you will be able to do correctly by Lord Krsna's favor. He will manifest the real purport.
PURPORT
Sanatana Gosvami was a pure devotee of Krsna. A pure devotee has no business other than serving Krsna; consequently Krsna is always ready to help him. This benediction was given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to Sanatana Gosvami, who was authorized to write Vaisnava smrti. Sanatana Gosvami was a pure devotee of the Lord, and through the blessings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu he was able to write the book perfectly.
TEXT 329
TEXT
tathapi ei sutrera suna dig-darasana
sakarana likhi adau guru-asrayana
SYNONYMS
tathapi--still; ei sutrera--of the synopsis of this book; suna--hear; dik-darasana--an indication; sakarana--the cause; likhi--we should write; adau--in the beginning; guru-asrayana--accepting a bona fide spiritual master.
TRANSLATION
"Because you asked me for a synopsis, please hear these few indications. In the beginning one must take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master.
TEXT 330
TEXT
guru-laksana, sisya-laksana, donhara pariksana
sevya----bhagavan, sarva-mantra-vicarana
SYNONYMS
guru-laksana--the symptoms of a bona fide spiritual master; sisya-laksana--the symptoms of a bona fide disciple; donhara--of both; pariksana--the testing; sevya-bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshipable; sarva-mantra-vicarana--consideration of the different types of mantras.
TRANSLATION
"In your book there should be the characteristics of the bona fide guru and the bona fide disciple. Then, before accepting a spiritual master, one can be assured of the spiritual master's position. Similarly, the spiritual master can also be assured of the disciple's position. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, should be described as the worshipable object, and you should consider the bija-mantra for the worship of Krsna, Rama or any other expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
PURPORT
In the Padma Purana, the characteristics of the guru, the bona fide spiritual master, have been described:
maha-bhagavata-srestho
brahmano vai gurur nrnam
sarvesam eva lokanam
asau pujyo yatha harih
maha-kula-prasuto 'pi
sarva-yajnesu diksitah
sahasra-sakhadhyayi ca
na guruh syad avaisnavah
The guru must be situated on the topmost platform of devotional service. There are three classes of devotees, and the guru must be accepted from the topmost class. The first-class devotee is the spiritual master for all kinds of people. It is said: gurur nrnam. The word nrnam means "of all human beings." The guru is not limited to a particular group. It is stated in the Upadesamrta of Rupa Gosvami that a guru is a gosvami, a controller of the senses and the mind. Such a guru can accept disciples from all over the world. Prthivim sa sisyat. This is the test of the guru.
In India there are many so-called gurus, and they are limited to a certain district or a province. They do not even travel about India, yet they declare themselves to be jagad-guru, gurus of the whole world. Such cheating gurus should not be accepted. Anyone can see how the bona fide spiritual master accepts disciples from all over the world. The guru is a qualified brahmana; therefore he knows Brahman and Parabrahman. He thus devotes his life for the service of Parabrahman. The bona fide spiritual master who accepts disciples from all over the world is also worshiped all over the world because of his qualities. Lokanam asau pujyo yatha harih: the people of the world worship him just as they worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All these honors are offered to him because he strictly follows the brahminical principles and teaches these principles to his disciples. Such a person is called an acarya because he knows the principles of devotional service, he behaves in that way himself, and he teaches his disciples to follow in his footsteps. Thus he is an acarya or jagad-guru. Even though a person is born in a brahminical family and is very expert in performing sacrifices, he cannot be accepted as a guru if he is not a strict Vaisnava. A guru is a brahmana by qualification, and he can turn others into brahmanas according to the sastric principles and brahminical qualifications. Brahmanism is not a question of heredity. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.11.35) Sri Narada Muni tells Maharaja Yudhisthira what a brahmana is. He states that if brahminical qualifications are observed in ksatriyas, vaisyas or even sudras, one should accept them as brahmanas. In this regard, Srila Sridhara Svami has commented: samadibhir eva brahmanadi-vyavaharo mukhyah, na jati-matradity aha-yasyeti. yad yadi anyatra varnantare 'pi drsyeta, tad-varnantaram tenaiva laksana-nimittenaiva varnena vinirdiset, na tu jati-nimittenety arthah.
There is a similar statement made by Nilakantha, the commentator on Mahabharata:
sudro 'pi samady-upeto brahmana eva
brahmano 'pi kamady-upetah sudra eva
"Although one may be born in a sudra family, if he is endowed with the brahminical qualities beginning with sama [control of the mind], he is to be accepted as a brahmana. Although one may be born in a brahmana family, if he is endowed with the qualities beginning with kama [lust], he is to be considered a sudra." No one should present himself as a brahmana simply on the basis of being born in a brahminical family. One must be qualified by the brahminical qualities mentioned in the sastras, particularly Bhagavad-gita:
samo damas tapah saucam
ksantir arjavam eva ca
jnanam vijnanam astikyam
brahma-karma svabhava-jam
"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge and religiousness-these are the qualities by which the brahmanas work." (Bg. 18.42)
Unless one is qualified with all these attributes, he cannot be accepted as a brahmana. It is not a question of simply taking birth in a brahmana family. In this regard, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura remarks that Narottama dasa Thakura and Syamananda Gosvami, although not born in brahmana families, are accepted as bona fide spiritual masters because they were brahmanas by qualification. Personalities like Sri Ganga-narayana, Ramakrsna and many others, who were actually born in brahmana families, accepted Narottama dasa Thakura and Syamananda Gosvami as their spiritual masters.
The maha-bhagavata is one who decorates his body with tilaka and whose name indicates him to be a servant of Krsna by the word dasa. He is also initiated by a bona fide spiritual master and is expert in worshiping the Deity, chanting mantras correctly, performing sacrifices, offering prayers to the Lord, and performing sankirtana. He knows how to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead and how to respect a Vaisnava. When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible to occupy the post of a guru. However, if one is highly qualified but is not a Vaisnava, he cannot be accepted as a guru. One cannot be a brahmana unless one is a Vaisnava. If one is a Vaisnava, he is already a brahmana. If a guru is completely qualified as a Vaisnava, he must be accepted as a brahmana even if he is not born in a brahmana family. The caste system method of distinguishing a brahmana by birth is not acceptable when applied to a bona fide spiritual master. A spiritual master is a qualified brahmana and acarya. If one is not a qualified brahmana, he is not expert in studying Vedic literatures. Nana-sastra-vicaranaika-nipunau. Every Vaisnava is a spiritual master, and a spiritual master is automatically expert in brahminical behavior. He also understands the Vedic sastras.
Similarly, a disciple's qualifications must be observed by the spiritual master before he is accepted as a disciple. In our Krsna consciousness movement, the requirement is that one must be prepared to give up the four pillars of sinful life-illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. In Western countries especially, we first observe whether a potential disciple is prepared to follow the regulative principles. Then he is given the name of a Vaisnava servant and initiated to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, at least sixteen rounds daily. In this way the disciple renders devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master or his representative for at least six months to a year. He is then recommended for a second initiation, during which a sacred thread is offered and the disciple is accepted as a bona fide brahmana. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura introduced the system of giving the sacred thread to a bona fide Vaisnava, and we are also following in his footsteps. The qualifications of a bona fide disciple are described in Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.10.6) as follows:
amanya-matsaro dakso
nirmamo drdha-sauhrdah
asatvaro 'rtha-jijnasur
anasuyur amogha-vak
The disciple must have the following qualifications. He must give up interest in the material bodily conception. He must give up material lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness and envy. He should be interested only in understanding the science of God, and he should be ready to consider all points in this matter. He should no longer think, "I am this body," or, "This thing belongs to me." One must love the spiritual master with unflinching faith, and one must be very steady and fixed. The bona fide disciple should be inquisitive to understand transcendental subject matter. He must not search out faults among good qualities, and he should no longer be interested in material topics. His only interest should be Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
As far as the mutual testing of the spiritual master and disciple is concerned, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura explains that a bona fide disciple must be very inquisitive to understand the transcendental subject matter. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.3.21):
tasmad gurum prapadyeta
jijnasuh sreya uttamam
"One who is inquisitive to understand the highest goal and benefit of life must approach a bona fide spiritual master and surrender unto him." A serious disciple must be alert when selecting a bona fide spiritual master. He must be sure that the spiritual master can deliver all the transcendental necessities. The spiritual master must observe how inquisitive the disciple is and how eager he is to understand the transcendental subject matter. The spiritual master should study the disciple's inquisitiveness for no less than six months or a year. A spiritual master should not be very anxious to accept a disciple because of his material opulences. Sometimes a big businessman or landlord may approach a spiritual master for initiation. Those who are materially interested are called visayis (karmis), which indicates that they are very fond of sense gratification. Such visayis sometimes approach a famous guru and ask to become a disciple just as a matter of fashion. Sometimes visayis pose as disciples of a reputed spiritual master just to cover their activities and advertise themselves as advanced in spiritual knowledge. In other words, they want to attain material success. A spiritual master must be very careful in this regard. Such business is going on all over the world. The spiritual master does not accept a materially opulent disciple just to advertise the fact that he has such a big disciple. He knows that by associating with such visayi disciples, he may fall down. One who accepts a visayi disciple is not a bona fide spiritual master. Even if he is, his position may be damaged due to association with an unscrupulous visayi. If a so-called spiritual master accepts a disciple for his personal benefit or for material gain, the relationship between the spiritual master and the disciple turns into a material affair, and the spiritual master becomes like a smarta-guru. There are many caste gosvamis who professionally create some disciples who do not care for them or their instructions. Such spiritual masters are satisfied simply to get some material benefits from their disciples. Such a relationship is condemned by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, who calls such spiritual masters and disciples a society of cheaters and cheated. They are also called baulas or prakrta-sahajiyas. Their aim is to make the connection between the spiritual master and the disciple into a very cheap thing. They are not serious in wanting to understand spiritual life.
The words sevya bhagavan in this verse are important. Bhagavan indicates the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu. Lord Visnu alone is worshipable. There is no need to worship demigods. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita:
kamais tais tair hrta-jnanah
prapadyante 'nya-devatah
tam tam niyamam asthaya
prakrtya niyatah svaya
"Those whose minds are distorted by material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according to their own natures." (Bg. 7.20)
It is also stated in the Skanda Purana:
vasudevam parityajya
yo 'anya-devam upasate
svamataram parityajya
sva-pacim vandate hi sah
"A person who worships the demigods and gives up Lord Vasudeva is like a man who gives up the protection of his mother for the shelter of a witch."
It is also stated in Bhagavad-gita (9.23):
ye 'py anya-devata-bhakta
yajante sraddhayanvitah
te 'pi mam eva kaunteya
yajanty avidhi-purvakam
"Whatever a man may sacrifice to other gods, O son of Kunti, is really meant for Me alone, but it is offered without true understanding."
Demigods are also living entities and parts and parcels of Krsna. Therefore in one sense one worships Krsna when one worships the demigods, but not in the proper way. There is a proper method to water a tree. One should water the roots, but if one waters the leaves and branches instead, he is simply wasting his time. If one worships the demigods to the exclusion of Lord Visnu, his rewards will only be material. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita:
antavat tu phalam tesam
tad bhavaty alpa-medhasam
devan deva-yajo yanti
mad-bhakta yanti mam api
"Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet." (Bg. 7.23)
Demigod worship is meant for unintelligent men because the benefits derived from demigod worship are all material, temporary and retractable. It is also stated in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa:
yas tu narayanam devam
brahma-rudradi-devataih
samatvenaiva vikseta
sa pasandi bhaved dhruvam
"Whoever thinks Lord Visnu and the demigods are on the same level is to be immediately considered a rogue as far as spiritual understanding is concerned."
There are three modes of nature in the material world, but when one is situated spiritually, he is above the material modes, even though he lives in this material world. Lord Krsna states in Bhagavad-gita (14.26):
mam ca yo 'vyabhicarena
bhakti-yogena sevate
sa gunan samatityaitan
brahma bhuyaya kalpate
"One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstances at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman." When one engages in the Supreme Lord's devotional service, he is in a transcendental position. Even though one may be situated in the mode of goodness in the material world, he is susceptible to pollution by the modes of passion and ignorance. When the mode of goodness is mixed with the mode of passion, one worships the sun-god, Vivasvan. When the mode of goodness is mixed with the mode of ignorance, he worships Ganapati, or Ganesa. When the mode of passion is mixed with the mode of ignorance, one worships Durga, or Kali, the external potency. When one is simply in the mode of ignorance, he becomes a devotee of Lord Siva because Lord Siva is the predominating deity of the mode of ignorance within this material world. However, when one is completely free from the influence of all the modes of material nature, he becomes a pure Vaisnava on the devotional platform. Srila Rupa Gosvami states in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu:
anyabhilasita-sunyam
jnana-karmady-anavrtam
anukulyena krsnanu-
silanam bhaktir uttama
The position of visuddha-sattva is the position of uncontaminated goodness. On that platform, one can then understand, aradhyo bhagavan vrajesa-tanayas tad-dhama vrndavanam: "The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the son of Nanda Maharaja, is to be worshiped along with His transcendental abode, Vrndavana."
The word sarva-mantra-vicarana means "considering all different types of mantras." There are different kinds of mantras for different kinds of devotees. There are the mantras known as the dvadasaksara, and these are composed of twelve syllables. Similarly, there are mantras composed of eighteen syllables-the Narasimha mantra, the Rama mantra, Gopala mantra and so on. Each and every mantra has its own spiritual significance. The spiritual master has to select a mantra for his disciple according to the disciple's ability to chant different mantras.
TEXT 331
TEXT
mantra-adhikari, mantra-siddhy-adi-sodhana
diksa, pratah-smrti-krtya, sauca, acamana
SYNONYMS
mantra-adhikari--qualification for receiving mantra initiation; mantra-siddhi-adi--the perfection of the mantra and so on; sodhana--purification; diksa--initiation; pratah-smrti-krtya--morning duties and remembrance of the Supreme Lord; sauca--cleanliness; acamana--washing the mouth and other parts of the body.
TRANSLATION
"You should discuss the qualifications necessary for receiving a mantra, the perfection of the mantra, the purification of the mantra, initiation, morning duties, remembrance of the Supreme Lord, cleanliness, and washing the mouth and other parts of the body.
PURPORT
The following injunction is given in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (1.194):
tantrikesu ca mantresu
diksayam yositam api
sadhvinam adhikaro 'sti
sudradinam ca sad-dhiyam
"Sudras and women who are chaste and sincerely interested in understanding the Absolute Truth are qualified to be initiated with the pancaratrika-mantras." This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (9.32):
mam hi partha vyapasritya
ye 'pi syuh papa-yonayah
striyo vaisyas tatha sudras
te 'pi yanti param gatim
"O son of Prtha, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth-women, vaisyas [merchants], as well as sudras [workers]-can approach the supreme destination."
If one actually wants to serve Krsna, it doesn't matter whether one is a sudra, vaisya, or even a woman. If one is sincerely eager to chant the Hare Krsna mantra or diksa-mantra, he is qualified to be initiated according to the pancaratrika process. According to Vedic principles, only a brahmana who is fully engaged in his occupational duties can be initiated. Sudras and women are not admitted to a vaidika initiation. Unless one is fit according to the estimation of the spiritual master, one cannot accept a mantra from the pancaratrika-vidhi or the vaidika-vidhi. When one is fit to accept the mantra, he is initiated by the pancaratrika-vidhi or the vaidika-vidhi. In any case, the result is the same.
Regarding mantra-siddhi-adi-sodhana, the efficiency of the mantra, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura gives sixteen divisions, which are confirmed in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (beginning with 1.204):
siddha-sadhya-susiddhari-
kramaj jneyo vicaksanaih
These are (1) siddha, (2) sadhya, (3) susiddha and (4) ari. These four principles can be divided further: (1) siddha-siddha, (2) siddha-sadhya, (3) siddha-susiddha, (4) siddha-ari, (5) sadhya-siddha, (6) sadhya-sadhya, (7) sadhya-susiddha, (8) sadhya-ari, (9) susiddha-siddha, (10) susiddha-sadhya, (11) susiddha-susiddha, (12) susiddha-ari, (13) ari-siddha, (14) ari-sadhya, (15) ari-susiddha, and (16) ari-ari.
Those who are initiated with the eighteen-alphabet mantra do not need to consider the above-mentioned sixteen divisions. As enjoined in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (1.215, 219, 220):
na catra satrava dosa
narnasvadi-vicarana
rksarasi-vicaro va
na kartavyo manau priye
natra cintyo 'ri-suddhyadir
nari-mitradi-laksanam
siddha-sadhya-susiddhari-
rupa natra vicarana
There is sodhana, or purification of the mantra, but there is no such consideration for the Krsna mantra. Balitvat krsna-mantranam samskarapeksanam na hi. "The Krsna mantra is so strong that there is no question of sodhana. (1.235)
As far as diksa is concerned, one should consult Madhya-lila, Chapter Fifteen (108). On the whole, when a person is initiated according to the pancaratrika-vidhi, he has already attained the position of a brahmana. This is enjoined in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (2.12):
yatha kancanatam yati
kamsyam rasa-vidhanatah
tatha diksa-vidhanena
dvijatvam jayate nrnam
"As bell metal can be turned into gold when treated with mercury, a disciple initiated by a bona fide guru immediately attains the position of a brahmana."
As far as the time of diksa (initiation) is concerned, everything depends on the position of the guru. As soon as a bona fide guru is received by chance or by a program, one should immediately take the opportunity to receive initiation. In the book called Tattva-sagara, it is stated:
durlabhe sad-gurunam ca
sakrt-sanga upasthite
tad-anujna yada labdha
sa diksavasaro mahan
grame va yadi varanye
ksetre va divase nisi
agacchati gurur daivad
yatha diksa tad-ajnaya
yadaiveccha tada diksa
guror ajnanurupatah
na tirtham na vratam hemo
na snanam na japa-kriya
diksayah karanam kintu
sveccha-prapte tu sad-gurau
"If, by chance, one gets a sad-guru, it doesn't matter whether one is in the temple or the forest. If the sad-guru, the bona fide spiritual master, agrees, one can be initiated immediately, without waiting for a suitable time or place."
In the early morning hours (known as brahma-muhurta) one should get up and immediately chant the Hare Krsna mantra, or, at least, "Krsna, Krsna, Krsna." In this way, one should remember Krsna. Some slokas or prayers should also be chanted. By chanting, one immediately becomes auspicious and transcendental to the infection of material qualities. Actually one has to chant and remember Lord Krsna twenty-four hours daily, or as much as possible.
smartavyah satatam visnur
vismartavyo na jatucit
sarve vidhi-nisedhah syur
etayor eva kinkarah
"Krsna is the origin of Lord Visnu. He should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the sastras should be the servants of these two principles." This is a quotation from padma Purana in the portion called Brhat-sahasra-nama-stotra. pratah-krtya means that one should evacuate regularly and then cleanse himself by taking a bath. One has to gargle (acamana) and brush his teeth (danta-dhavana). He should do this either with twigs or a toothbrush-whatever is available. This will purify the mouth. Then one should take his bath. Actually householders and vanaprasthas should bathe two times a day (pratar-madhyahnayoh snanam vanaprastha-grhasthayoh). A sannyasi should bathe three times daily, and a brahmacari may take only one bath a day. Whenever one is not able to bathe in water, he can bathe by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra. One also has to perform his sandhyadi-vandana-that is, one has to chant his Gayatri mantra three times daily-morning, noon and evening.
TEXT 332
TEXT
danta-dhavana, snana, sandhyadi vandana
guru-seva, urdhva-pundra-cakradi-dharana
SYNONYMS
danta-dhavana--washing the teeth; snana--bath; sandhya-adi vandana--regular chanting of the mantras; guru-seva--serving the spiritual master; urdhva-pundra--wearing perpendicularly straight tilaka; cakra-adi-dharana--stamping the body with different names and symbols of the Lord.
TRANSLATION
"In the morning, one should regularly brush his teeth, take his bath, offer prayers to the Lord and offer obeisances to the spiritual master. One should render service to the spiritual master and paint one's body in twelve places with urdhva-pundra [tilaka]. One should stamp the holy names of the Lord on his body, or one should stamp the symbols of the Lord, such as the disc and club.
TEXT 333
TEXT
gopicandana-malya-dhrti, tulasi-aharana
vastra-pitha-grha-samskara, krsna-prabodhana
SYNONYMS
gopi-candana--gopi-candana (available in Vrndavana and Dvaraka); malya--beads on the neck; dhrti--wearing regularly; tulasi-aharana--collecting tulasi leaves; vastra--cloth; pitha--temple; grha--the house; samskara--cleansing; krsna-prabodhana--awakening the Deity of Lord Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"After this, you should describe how one should decorate his body with gopicandana, wear neck beads, collect tulasi leaves from the tulasi tree, cleanse his cloth and the altar, cleanse one's own house or apartment and go to the temple and ring the bell just to draw the attention of Lord Krsna.
TEXT 334
TEXT
panca, sodasa, pancasat upacare arcana
panca-kala puja arati, krsnera bhojana-sayana
SYNONYMS
panca--five; sodasa--sixteen; pancasat--fifty; upacare--with ingredients; arcana--offering worship; panca-kala--five times; puja--worshiping; arati--offering arati; krsnera bhojana-sayana--in this way offering eatables to Krsna and laying Him down to rest.
TRANSLATION
"Also describe Deity worship, wherein one should offer food to Krsna at least five times daily. One should in due time place Krsna on a bed. You should also describe the process for offering arati and the worship of the Lord according to the list of five, sixteen or fifty ingredients.
PURPORT
The five ingredients are (1) very good scents, (2) very good flowers, (3) incense, (4) a lamp and (5) something edible. As for sodasopacara, the sixteen ingredients, one should (1) provide a sitting place (asana), (2) ask Krsna to sit down, (3) offer arghya, (4) offer water to wash the legs, (5) wash the mouth, (6) offer madhu-parka, (7) offer water for washing the mouth, (8) bathe, (9) offer garments, (10) decorate the Lord's body with ornaments, (11) offer sweet scents, (12) offer flowers with good fragrance, like the rose or campaka, (13) offer incense, (14) offer a lamp, (15) give good food, and (16) offer prayers.
In the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (Eleventh Vilasa, verses 127-140) there is a vivid description of what is required in Deity worship. There are sixty-four items mentioned. In the temple, worship should be so gorgeous that all sixty-four items should be available for the satisfaction of the Personality of Godhead. Sometimes it is impossible to get all sixty-four items; therefore we recommend that at least on the first day of installation all sixty-four items should be available. When the Lord is established, worship with all sixty-four items should continue as far as possible. The sixty-four items are as follows: (1) There must be a big bell hanging in front of the temple room so that whoever comes in the room can ring the bell. This item is called prabodhana, or offering oneself submissively to the Lord. This is the first item. (2) The visitor must chant jaya Sri Radha-Govinda, or jaya Sri Radha-Madhava when he rings the bell. In either case, the word jaya must be uttered. (3) One should immediately offer obeisances to the Lord, falling down like a stick. (4) There must be regular mangala-arati in the temple during the early morning, an hour and a half before the sun rises. (5) There must be an asana, a sitting place before the altar. This asana is for the spiritual master. The disciple brings everything before the spiritual master, and the spiritual master offers everything to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (6) After mangala-arati, the Deity is supposed to wash His teeth by using a twig; therefore a twig must be offered. (7) Water must be offered for washing the Deity's feet. (8) Arghya should be offered. (9) Water for acamana should be offered. (10) Madhu-parka, a small bowl containing madhu (honey, a little ghee, a little water, a little sugar, yogurt and milk) should be offered. This is called madhu-parka-acamana. (11) One should place wooden slippers before the Lord. (12) One should massage the body of the Lord. (13) One should massage the body of the Lord with oil. (14) With a soft, wet sponge one should remove all the oil smeared over the Lord's body. (15) One should bathe the Lord with water in which nicely scented flowers have been soaking for some time. (16) After bathing the body of the Lord with water, one should bathe Him with milk. (17) Then with yogurt. (18) Then with ghee. (19) Then with honey. (20) Then with sugar. (21) Then one should wash the Deity with water and chant this mantra:
cintamani-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vrksa-
laksavrtesu surabhir abhipalayantam
laksmi-sahasra-sata-sambhrama-sevyamanam
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
(22) One should dry the entire body with a towel. (23) A new dress should be put on the body. (24) A sacred thread should be given to the body. (25) Water should be offered for cleansing the mouth (acamana). (26) Nicely scented oils like liquid sandalwood pulp should be smeared over the body. (27) All kinds of ornaments and crowns should be placed on the body. (28) Then one should offer flower garlands and decorative flowers. (29) One should burn incense. (30) Lamps should be offered. (31) Precautions should always be taken so that demons and atheists cannot harm the body of the Lord. (32) Food offerings should be placed before the Lord. (33) Spices for chewing should be offered. (34) Betel nuts should be offered. (35) At the proper time, there should be arrangements so that the Lord may take rest in bed. (36) The Lord's hair should be combed and decorated. (37) First-class garments should be offered. (38) A first-class helmet should be offered. (39) The garments should be scented. (40) There should be Kaustubha jewels and other ornaments offered. (41) A variety of flowers should be offered. (42) Another mangala-arati should be offered. (43) A mirror should be offered. (44) The Lord should be carried on a nice palanquin to the altar. (45) The Lord should be seated on the throne. (46) Again water should be given for the washing of His feet. (47) Something again should be offered for eating. (48) Evening arati. (49) The Lord should be fanned with a camara fan, and an umbrella should be placed over His head. (50) The Hare Krsna mantra and approved songs should be sung. (51) Musical instruments should be played. (52) One should dance before the Deity. (53) One should circumambulate the Deity. (54) One should again offer obeisances. (55) One should offer different types of prayers and hymns at the Lord's lotus feet. (56) One should touch the lotus feet of the Lord with one's head. This may not be possible for everyone, but at least the pujari should do this. (57) The flowers offered on the previous day should touch one's head. (58) One should take the remnants of the Lord's food. (59) One should sit before the Lord and think that he is massaging the Lord's legs. (60) One should decorate the Lord's bed with flowers before the Lord takes His rest. (61) One should offer one's hand to the Lord. (62) One should take the Deity to His bed. (63) One should wash the feet of the Lord and then sit Him on the bed. (64) One should place the Lord on the bed and then massage His feet.
Arati should be offered to the Deities five times daily-early in the morning before sunrise, later in the morning, at noon, in the evening and at night. This means that there should be worship and a change of dress and flowers. As far as the eatables are concerned, all items should be first-class preparations. There should be first-class rice, dhal, fruit, sweet rice, vegetables and a variety of foods to be sucked, drunk and chewed. All the eatables offered to the Deities should be extraordinarily excellent. In Europe and America there is presently no monetary scarcity. People are not poor, and if they follow these principles of Deity worship, they will advance in spiritual life. As far as placing the Deity in the bed is concerned, if the Deity is large and heavy, it is not possible to move Him daily. It is better that a small Deity, which is also worshiped, be taken to the bed. This mantra should be chanted: agaccha sayana-sthanam priyabhih saha kesava. "O Kesava, kindly come to Your bed along with Srimati Radharani." (Hari-bhakti-vilasa 11.40)
The Deity should be placed in bed with Srimati Radharani, and this should be indicated by bringing the wooden slippers from the altar to the bedside. When the Deity is laid down, His legs should be massaged. Before laying the Deity down, a pot of milk and sugar should be offered to Him. After taking this thick milk, the Deity should lie down and should be offered betel nuts and spices to chew.
TEXT 335
TEXT
sri-murti -laksana, ara salagrama-laksana
krsna-ksetra-yatra, krsna-murti-darasana
SYNONYMS
sri-murti-laksana--characteristics of the Deity; ara--and; salagrama-laksana--characteristics of the salagrama-sila; krsna-ksetra-yatra--visiting places like Vrndavana, Dvaraka and Mathura; krsna-murti-darasana--visiting the Deity in the temple.
TRANSLATION
"The characteristics of the Deities should be discussed as well as the characteristics of the salagrama-sila. One should also discuss visiting the Deities in the temple and touring holy places like Vrndavana, Mathura and Dvaraka.
TEXT 336
TEXT
nama-mahima, namaparadha dure varjana
vaisnava-laksana, sevaparadha-khandana
SYNONYMS
nama-mahima--the glories of the holy name; nama-aparadha--offenses in chanting the holy name; dure varjana--giving up very carefully; vaisnava-laksana--the symptoms of a Vaisnava; seva-aparadha-khandana--rejecting offenses in worshiping the Deity.
TRANSLATION
"You should glorify the holy name and carefully give up offenses when chanting the holy name. One should know the symptoms of a Vaisnava. One must give up or nullify all kinds of seva-aparadha, offenses in Deity worship.
PURPORT
The devotee should always be very careful not to commit the ten offenses when chanting the Hare Krsna mantra. If a devotee very strictly follows the methods of Deity worship, he will naturally and quickly become a pure Vaisnava. A pure Vaisnava has unflinching faith in the Lord, and he does not deviate at all. He is always engaged in perfect Deity worship.
One should also notice the specific offenses against Deity worship. These are mentioned in the Skanda Purana (Avanti-khanda), spoken by Vyasadeva himself. One should liquidate all kinds of offenses.
The salagrama-sila should be worshiped with tulasi where a sufficient quantity of tulasi leaves are available. Worship of salagrama-sila should be introduced in all ISKCON temples. Salagrama-sila is the form of the Lord's mercy. To worship the Deity with the sixty-four items mentioned may be a difficult job, but the Lord has become so small that anyone in any temple can carefully handle Deity worship simply by performing the same activities with salagrama-sila.
There are thirty-two offenses that should be avoided. (1) One should not enter the temple in a vehicle. Shoes and slippers should be removed before entering the temple. (2) One should offer obeisances as soon as he sees the Deity. (3) One should enter the temple after taking a bath. In other words, one should be very clean. (4) One should not offer obeisances to the Lord with one hand. (5) One should not circumambulate demigods before the Deities. (6) One should not spread out his legs before the Deity. (7) One should not sit down before the Deity with his legs crossed, nor should one touch his legs with his hands. (8) One should not lie down before the Deity. (9) One should not eat before the Deity. (10) One should not speak lies before the Deity. (11) One should not speak very loudly before the Deity. (12) One should not talk nonsense before the Deity. (13) One should not cry before the Deity. (14) One should not deal with others before the Deity. (15) One should not utter harsh words before the Deity. (16) One should not cover himself with a blanket. (17) One should not talk enviously of others before the Deity. (18) One should not praise others before the Deity. (19) One should not use slang before the Deity. (20) One should not pass air before the Deity. (21) One should not neglect the sixty-four items of Deity worship. (22) One should not eat anything not offered to the Deity. (23) One should not neglect offering seasonal fruits as soon as they are available. (24) One should always offer fresh, untouched fruit to the Deity. (25) One should not sit with his back toward the Deity. (26) One should not offer obeisances to others before the Deity. (27) One should not sit near the Deity without taking the spiritual master's permission. (28) One should not be proud to hear himself praised before the Deity. (29) One should not blaspheme the demigods. (30) One should not be unkind to others before the Deities. (31) One should observe all festivals in the temple. (32) One should not fight or quarrel before the Deity.
TEXT 337
TEXT
sankha-jala-gandha-puspa-dhupadi-laksana
japa, stuti, parikrama, dandavat vandana
SYNONYMS
sankha--of a conchshell; jala--of water; gandha--of incense or scents; puspa--of flowers; dhupa-adi--of incense, and so on; laksana--the characteristics; japa--murmuring; stuti--offering prayers; parikrama--circumambulation; dandavat--offering obeisances; vandana--offering prayers.
TRANSLATION
"The items of worship, such as water, conchshell, flowers, incense and lamp, should be described. You should also mention chanting softly, offering prayers, circumambulating, and offering obeisances. All these should be carefully studied.
PURPORT
All these are mentioned in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa. The Astama Vilasa of that book should be consulted as far as possible.
TEXT 338
TEXT
purascarana-vidhi, krsna-prasada-bhojana
anivedita-tyaga, vaisnava-nindadi-varjana
SYNONYMS
purascarana-vidhi--ritualistic ceremonies; krsna-prasada-bhojana--eating the remnants of food offered to the Lord; anivedita-tyaga--not touching anything not offered to the Lord; vaisnava-ninda-adi-varjana--completely avoiding blaspheming a Vaisnava.
TRANSLATION
"Other items to be considered are the method of performing purascarana, taking krsna-prasada, giving up unoffered food and not blaspheming the Lord's devotees.
PURPORT
Regarding the vaisnava-ninda, see Madhya-lila, 15.260.
TEXT 339
TEXT
sadhu-laksana, sadhu-sanga, sadhu-sevana
asatsanga-tyaga, sri-bhagavata-sravana
SYNONYMS
sadhu-laksana--the symptoms of a devotee; sadhu-sanga--association with devotees; sadhu-sevana--offering service to devotees; asat-sanga-tyaga--giving up the company of nondevotees; sri-bhagavata-sravana--regularly hearing the recitation of Srimad-Bhagavatam.
TRANSLATION
"One should know the symptoms of a devotee and how to associate with devotees. One should know how to satisfy the devotee by rendering service, and one should know how to give up the association of nondevotees. One should also regularly hear the recitation of Srimad-Bhagavatam.
TEXT 340
TEXT
dina-krtya, paksa-krtya, ekadasy-adi-vivarana
masa-krtya, janmastamyadi-vidhi-vicarana
SYNONYMS
dina-krtya--daily duties; paksa-krtya--duties on the fortnights; ekadasi-adi-vivarana--description of Ekadasi and so on; masa-krtya--duties every month; janmastami-adi--of performing Janmastami and other ceremonies; vidhi--of the process; vicarana--consideration.
TRANSLATION
"You should describe the ritualistic duties of every day, and you should describe the fortnightly duties-especially observing Ekadasi fast, which comes every fortnight. You should also describe the duties of every month, especially the observance of ceremonies like Janmastami, Rama-navami and Nrsimha-caturdasi.
TEXT 341
TEXT
ekadasi, janmastami, vamana-dvadasi
sri-rama-navami, ara nrsimha-caturdasi
SYNONYMS
ekadasi--the eleventh day of the fortnight; janmastami--the birthday ceremony of Lord Krsna; vamana-dvadasi--the birthday or appearance day of Lord Vamana; sri-rama-navami--the birthday ceremony of Lord Ramacandra; ara--and; nrsimha-caturdasi--the appearance day of Lord Nrsimha.
TRANSLATION
"Ekadasi, Janmastami, Vamana-dvadasi, Rama-navami and Nrsimha-caturdasi should all be observed.
TEXT 342
TEXT
ei sabe viddha-tyaga, aviddha-karana
akarane dosa, kaile bhaktira lambhana
SYNONYMS
ei sabe--all these things; viddha-tyaga--to avoid viddha-ekadasi or mixed Ekadasi; aviddha-karana--performing the pure Ekadasi; akarane dosa--the fault of not performing them; kaile--if done so; bhaktira lambhana--there will be discrepancies in devotional service.
TRANSLATION
"You should recommend the avoidance of mixed Ekadasi and the performance of pure Ekadasi. You should also describe the fault in not observing this. One should be very careful as far as these items are concerned. If one is not careful, one will be negligent in executing devotional service.
TEXT 343
TEXT
sarvatra pramana dibe purana-vacana
sri-murti-visnu-mandira karana-laksana
SYNONYMS
sarvatra--everywhere; pramana--evidence; dibe--you should give; purana-vacana--quoting from the Puranas; sri-murti--the Deity; visnu-mandira--of the Visnu temple; karana-laksana--the characteristics of constructing.
TRANSLATION
"Whatever you say about Vaisnava behavior, the establishment of Vaisnava temples and Deities and everything else should be supported by evidence from the Puranas.
TEXT 344
TEXT
'samanya' sad-acara, ara 'vaisnava'-acara
kartavyakartavya saba 'smarta' vyavahara
SYNONYMS
samanya--general; sat-acara--good behavior; ara--and; vaisnava--of devotees of Lord Visnu; acara--etiquette; kartavya-akartavya--things which are to be done and which are not to be done; saba--all; smarta--connected with regulative principles; vyavahara--business.
TRANSLATION
"You should give general and specific descriptions of the behavior and activities of a Vaisnava. You should outline things that are to be done and things that are not to be done. All this should be described as regulations and etiquette.
TEXT 345
TEXT
ei sanksepe sutra kahilun dig-darasana
yabe tumi likhiba, krsna karabe sphurana
SYNONYMS
ei--thus; sanksepe--in brief; sutra--codes; kahilun--I have described; dik-darasana--just a little direction; yabe--whenever; tumi--you; likhiba--will attempt to write; krsna--Lord Krsna; karabe--will do; sphurana--manifesting.
TRANSLATION
"I have thus given a synopsis of the Vaisnava regulative principles. I have given this in brief just to give you a little direction. When you write on this subject, Krsna will help you by spiritually awakening you."
PURPORT
One cannot write on spiritual matters without being blessed by Krsna and the disciplic succession of gurus. The blessings of the authorities are one's power of attorney. One should not try to write anything about Vaisnava behavior and activities without being authorized by superior authorities. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita: evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh.
TEXT 346
TEXT
ei ta' kahilu prabhura sanatane prasada
yahara sravane cittera khande avasada
SYNONYMS
ei ta'--in this way; kahilu--l have described; prabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sanatane--unto Sanatana Gosvami; prasada--mercy; yahara sravane--hearing which; cittera--of the mind; khande--disappears; avasada--all moroseness.
TRANSLATION
Thus I have narrated Lord Caitanya's mercy upon Sanatana Gosvami. When one hears these topics, one's heart will be cleansed of all contamination.
TEXT 347
TEXT
nija-granthe karnapura vistara kariya
sanatane prabhura prasada rakhiyache likhiya
SYNONYMS
nija-granthe--in his own book; karnapura--Kavi-karnapura; vistara kariya--vividly describing; sanatane--unto Sanatana Gosvami; prabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prasada--the mercy; rakhiyache--has kept; likhiya--writing.
TRANSLATION
The authorized poet Kavi-karnapura has written a book named Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka. This book tells how Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu blessed Sanatana Gosvami with His specific mercy.
TEXT 348
TEXT
gaudendrasya sabha-vibhusana-manis tyaktva ya rddham sriyam
rupasyagraja esa eva tarunim vairagya-laksmim dadhe
antar-bhakti-rasena purna-hrdayo bahye 'vadhutakrtih
saivalaih pihitam maha-sara iva priti-pradas tad-vidam
SYNONYMS
gauda-indrasya--of the ruler of Gauda-desa (Bengal); sabha--of the parliament; vibhusana--fundamental; manih--the gem; tyaktva--relinquishing; yah--one who; rddham--opulent; sriyam--kingly enjoyment; rupasya agrajah--the elder brother of Srila Rupa Gosvami; esah--this; eva--certainly; tarunim--youthful; vairagya-laksmim--the fortune of renunciation; dadhe--accepted; antah-bhakti-rasena--by the mellows of inner love of Krsna; purna-hrdayah--satisfied fully; bahye--externally; avadhuta-akrtih--the dress of a mendicant; saivalaih--by moss; pihitam--covered; maha-sarah--a great lake or very deep lake; iva--like; priti-pradah--very pleasing; tat-vidam--to persons acquainted with the science of devotional service.
TRANSLATION
"Srila Sanatana Gosvami, the elder brother of Srila Rupa Gosvami, was a most important minister in the government of Hussain Shah, the ruler of Bengal, and he was considered a most brilliant gem in that assembly. He possessed all the opulences of a royal position, but he gave up everything just to accept the youthful goddess of renunciation. Although he externally appeared to be a mendicant who had renounced everything, he was filled with the pleasure of devotional service within his heart. Thus he can be compared to a deep lake covered with moss. He was the object of pleasure for all the devotees who knew the science of devotional service.
PURPORT
This and the following two verses are from Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka (9.34, 35, 38).
TEXT 349
TEXT
tam sanatanam upagatam aksnor
drsta-matram atimatra-dayardrah
alilinga parighayata-dorbhyam
sanukampam atha campaka-gaurah
SYNONYMS
tam--unto him; sanatanam--Sanatana Gosvami; upagatam--having arrived; aksnoh--with the eyes; drsta-matram--being only seen; ati-matra--greatly; daya-ardrah--merciful; alilinga--embraced; parighayata-dorbhyam--with His two arms; sa-anukampam--with great affection; atha--thus; campaka-gaurah--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who has a complexion the color of a campaka flower (golden).
TRANSLATION
"As soon as Sanatana Gosvami arrived in front of Lord Caitanya, the Lord, seeing him, became merciful to him. The Lord, who has the complexion of a golden campaka flower, opened His arms and embraced him while expressing great affection."
TEXT 350
TEXT
kalena vrndavana-keli-varta
lupteti tam khyapayitum visisya
krpamrtenabhisiseca devas
tatraiva rupam ca sanatanam ca
SYNONYMS
kalena--in the course of time; vrndavana-keli-varta--topics concerning the transcendental mellows of the pastimes of Lord Krsna in Vrndavana; lupta--almost lost; iti--thus; tam--all those; khyapayitum--to enunciate; visisya--making specific; krpa-amrtena--with the nectar of mercy; abhisiseca--sprinkled; devah--the Lord; tatra--there; eva--indeed; rupam--Srila Rupa Gosvami; ca--and; sanatanam--Sanatana Gosvami; ca--as well as.
TRANSLATION
"In the course of time, the transcendental news of Krsna's pastimes in Vrndavana was almost lost. To enunciate explicitly those transcendental pastimes, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, at Prayaga, empowered Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami with the nectar of His mercy to carry out this work in Vrndavana."
TEXT 351
TEXT
ei ta' kahilun sanatane prabhura prasada
yahara sravane cittera khande avasada
SYNONYMS
ei ta'--thus; kahilun--I have explained; sanatane--unto Sanatana Gosvami; prabhura prasada--the mercy of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; yahara sravane--hearing which; cittera--of the heart; khande--disappears; avasada--moroseness.
TRANSLATION
I have thus explained the mercy bestowed on Sanatana Gosvami by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. If one hears this, all moroseness in the heart will diminish.
TEXT 352
TEXT
krsnera svarupa-ganera sakala haya 'jnana'
vidhi-raga-marge 'sadhana bhakti'ra vidhana
SYNONYMS
krsnera svarupa-ganera--of Lord Krsna in His various expansions; sakala--all; haya--there is; jnana--knowledge; vidhi-raga-marge--in the process of devotional service under regulative principles or in spontaneous love; sadhana bhaktira vidhana--the authorized means of executing devotional service.
TRANSLATION
By reading these instructions to Sanatana Gosvami, one will become fully aware of Lord Krsna's various expansions and the process of devotional service according to the regulative principles and spontaneous love. Thus everything can be fully known.
TEXT 353
TEXT
'krsna-prema', 'bhakti-rasa', 'bhaktira siddhanta'
ihara sravane bhakta janena saba anta
SYNONYMS
krsna-prema--love of Godhead; bhakti-rasa--the mellows of devotional service; bhaktira siddhanta--the conclusions of devotional service; ihara sravane--by hearing this chapter; bhakta--a devotee; janena--knows; saba--all; anta--limits.
TRANSLATION
By reading this chapter, a pure devotee can understand love of Krsna, the mellows of devotional service and the conclusion of devotional service. Everyone can understand all these things to their ultimate end by studying this chapter.
TEXT 354
TEXT
sri-caitanya-nityananda-advaita-carana
yanra prana-dhana, sei paya ei dhana
SYNONYMS
sri-caitanya-nityananda-advaita-carana--the lotus feet of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Nityananda and Advaita Prabhu; yanra prana-dhana--whose life and soul; sei--such a person; paya--gets; ei dhana--this treasure-house of devotional service.
TRANSLATION
The conclusion of this chapter can be known to one whose life and soul are the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityananda Prabhu and Advaita Prabhu.
TEXT 355
TEXT
sri-rupa-raghunatha-pade yara asa
caitanya-caritamrta kahe krsnadasa
SYNONYMS
sri-rupa--Srila Rupa Gosvami; raghunatha--Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami; pade--at the lotus feet; yara--whose; asa--expectation; caitanya-caritamrta--the book named Caitanya-caritamrta; kahe--describes; krsnadasa--Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami.
TRANSLATION
Praying at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha, always desiring their mercy, I, Krsnadasa, narrate Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, following in their footsteps.
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, Twenty-fourth Chapter, describing the atmarama verse and the Lord's mercy upon Sanatana Gosvami.