CREATION

Preface

Theidealsofspiritualcommunism,accordingtoSrimadBhagavatam,
arebasedmoreorlessontheonenessoftheentirehumansociety,nay,
oftheentireenergyoflivingbeingstoestablishtheidealofacommon
cause.
Materialsciencehastriedtofindtheultimatesourceofcreationvery
insufficiently,butitisafactthatthereisoneultimatesourceof
everythingthatbe.
SrimadBhagavatamisthetranscendentalsciencenotonlyforknowing
theultimatesourceofeverythingbutalsoforknowingourrelationwith
Himandourdutytowardperfectionofthehumansocietyonthebasisof
thisperfectknowledge
TheTenthCantoisdistinctfromthefirstninecantosbecauseitdeals
directlywiththetranscendentalactivitiesofthePersonalityofGodhead
SriKrsna.
"Ontheotherhand,thatliteraturewhichisfullwithdescriptionsofthe
transcendentalgloriesofthename,fame,formandpastimesofthe
unlimitedSupremeLordisatranscendentalcreationmeanttobring
aboutarevolutionintheimpiouslifeofamisdirectedcivilization
TheconceptionofGodandtheconceptionofAbsoluteTrutharenoton
thesamelevel.TheSrimadBhagavatamhitsonthetargetofthe
AbsoluteTruth.TheconceptionofGodindicatesthecontroller,whereas
theconceptionoftheAbsoluteTruthindicatesthesummumbonumor
theultimatesourceofallenergies.Thereisnodifferenceofopinion
aboutthepersonalfeatureofGodasthecontrollerbecauseacontroller
cannotbeimpersonal
Thegodsorthecontrollersareundoubtedlypersons,buttheparam
satyamfromwhomthegodsderivepowersofcontrolistheSupreme
Person.TheSanskritwordisvara(controller)conveystheimportof
God,buttheSupremePersoniscalledtheparamesvara,orthesupreme
isvara.TheSupremePerson,orparamesvara,isthesupremeconscious
personality,andbecauseHedoesnotderiveanypowerfromanyother
source,Heissupremelyindependent.IntheVedicliteraturesBrahmais
describedasthesupremegodortheheadofallothergodslikeIndra,
CandraandVaruna,buttheSrimadBhagavatamconfirmsthateven
Brahmaisnotindependentasfarashispowerandknowledgeare
concerned.HereceivedknowledgeintheformoftheVedasfromthe
SupremePersonwhoresideswithintheheartofeverylivingbeing.That
SupremePersonalityknowseverythingdirectlyandindirectly.
Individualinfinitesimalpersons,whoarepartsandparcelsofthe
Supremepersonality,mayknowdirectlyandindirectlyeverythingabout

theirbodiesorexternalfeatures,buttheSupremePersonalityknows
everythingaboutbothHisexternalandinternalfeatures.
Thewordsjanmadyasyasuggestthatthesourceofallproduction,
maintenanceordestructionisthesamesupremeconsciousperson.
ConsequentlytheperfectpersonalityisaddressedintheSrimad
BhagavatamasVasudeva,oronewholiveseverywhereinfull
consciousnessandinfullpossessionofHiscompleteenergy
InthemodernageLordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhupreachedtheSrimad
Bhagavatambypracticaldemonstration.Itiseasiertopenetrateintothe
topicsoftheSrimadBhagavatamthroughthemediumofSriCaitanya's
causelessmercy
TheSrimadBhagavatamisthescienceofKrsna,theAbsolute
PersonalityofGodheadofwhomwehavepreliminaryinformation
fromthetextoftheBhagavadgita.
Chapter1

OmyLord,SriKrsna,sonofVasudeva,OallpervadingPersonalityof
Godhead,IoffermyrespectfulobeisancesuntoYou.ImeditateuponLordSri
KrsnabecauseHeistheAbsoluteTruthandtheprimevalcauseofallcausesof
thecreation,sustenanceanddestructionofthemanifesteduniverses.Heis
directlyandindirectlyconsciousofallmanifestations,andHeisindependent
becausethereisnoothercausebeyondHim.ItisHeonlywhofirstimparted
theVedicknowledgeuntotheheartofBrahmaji,theoriginallivingbeing.By
Himeventhegreatsagesanddemigodsareplacedintoillusion,asoneis
bewilderedbytheillusoryrepresentationsofwaterseeninfire,orlandseenon
water.OnlybecauseofHimdothematerialuniverses,temporarilymanifested
bythereactionsofthethreemodesofnature,appearfactual,althoughtheyare
unreal.IthereforemeditateuponHim,LordSriKrsna,whoiseternallyexistent
inthetranscendentalabode,whichisforeverfreefromtheillusory
representationsofthematerialworld.ImeditateuponHim,forHeisthe
AbsoluteTruth.
Unlessoneisthoroughlyaccomplishedinthetranscendentalknowledgeofthe
Lord,oneissuretomisunderstandtheLord'sworshipabletranscendental
pastimescalledrasadanceandHisloveaffairswiththegopis.Thissubject
matterishighlyspiritual,andonlytheliberatedpersonswhohavegradually
attainedtothestageofparamahamsacantranscendentallyrelishthisrasa
dance.
WhenoneissuccessfulinchantingtheGayatrimantra,hecanenterintothe
transcendentalpositionoftheLord.Onemustthereforeacquirebrahminical
qualitiesorbeperfectlysituatedinthequalityofgoodnessinordertochantthe
Gayatrimantrasuccessfullyandthenattaintothestageoftranscendentally

realizingtheLord,Hisname,Hisfame,Hisqualitiesandsoon.
SrimadBhagavatamisthenarrationofthesvarupaoftheLordmanifestedby
Hisinternalpotency,andthispotencyisdistinguishedfromtheexternal
potencywhichhasmanifestedthecosmicworld,whichiswithinour
experience
SriVyasadevasayshereinthatthemanifestedinternalpotencyisreal,whereas
theexternalmanifestedenergyintheformofmaterialexistenceisonly
temporaryandillusorylikethemirageinthedesert.Inthedesertmiragethere
isnoactualwater.Thereisonlytheappearanceofwater.Realwateris
somewhereelse.Themanifestedcosmiccreationappearsasreality.Butreality,
ofwhichthisisbutashadow,isinthespiritualworld.AbsoluteTruthisinthe
spiritualsky,notthematerialsky.Inthematerialskyeverythingisrelative
truth.Thatistosay,onetruthdependsonsomethingelse
Thiscosmiccreationresultsfrominteractionofthethreemodesofnature,and
thetemporarymanifestationsaresocreatedastopresentanillusionofreality
tothebewilderedmindoftheconditionedsoul,whoappearsinsomany
speciesoflife,includingthehigherdemigods,likeBrahma,Indra,Candra,and
soon.Inactuality,thereisnorealityinthemanifestedworld.Thereappearsto
bereality,however,becauseofthetruerealitywhichexistsinthespiritual
world,wherethePersonalityofGodheadeternallyexistswithHis
transcendentalparaphernalia.
BeginningfromBrahmadowntotheinsignificantant,nooneisindependentin
thematerialcreation.ThehandoftheLordisseeneverywhere
Thegoldringandthegoldnecklacearequalitativelyonewiththegoldinthe
mine,butquantitativelythegoldinthemineisdifferent.Therefore,the
AbsoluteTruthissimultaneouslyoneanddifferent.Nothingisabsolutelyequal
withtheAbsoluteTruth,butatthesametime,nothingisindependentofthe
AbsoluteTruth.
Conditionedsouls,beginningfromBrahma,whoengineerstheentireuniverse,
downtotheinsignificantant,areallcreating,butnoneofthemareindependent
oftheSupremeLord.Thematerialistwronglythinksthatthereisnocreator
otherthanhisownself.Thisiscalledmaya,orillusion.Becauseofhispoor
fundofknowledge,thematerialistcannotseebeyondthepurviewofhis
imperfectsenses,andthushethinksthatmatterautomaticallytakesitsown
shapewithouttheaidofasuperiorintelligence.
Whateverhappenstothebodyquicklybecomesknowntotheembodied.
Similarly,thecreationisthebodyoftheabsolutewhole.Therefore,the
Absoluteknowseverythingdirectlyandindirectlythathappensinthecreation.

Thatis,nooneiseitherfullycognizantorfullyindependent.EvenBrahmahas
tomeditateupontheSupremeLordinordertocreate.
EvenMayavadiimpersonalistswhoflatterthemselvesthattheycanbecome
onewiththeLordareneitherabhijnahorsvarat.Suchimpersonalistsundergo
severeausteritiestoacquireknowledgetobecomeonewiththeLord.But
ultimatelytheybecomedependentonsomerichdisciplewhosuppliesthem
withmoneytobuildmonasteriesandtemples.
ThatLordhastobeobeyedinallrespects.Anyonewhowantstogetridof
thematerialentanglementmustsurrenderuntoHim.Thisisalso
confirmedinBhagavadgita.
UnlessonesurrendersuntothelotusfeetoftheSupremeLord,itiscertainthat
hewillbebewildered.Whenanintelligentmansurrendersuntothelotusfeetof
KrsnaandknowscompletelythatKrsnaisthecauseofallcauses,asconfirmed
inBhagavadgita,thenonlycansuchanintelligentmanbecomeamahatma,or
greatsoul.Butsuchagreatsoulisrarelyseen.Onlythemahatmascan
understandthattheSupremeLordistheprimevalcauseofallcreations.Heis
paramaorultimatetruthbecauseallothertruthsarerelativetoHim.Heis
omniscient.ForHim,thereisnoillusion.
InthePadmaPuranaalsothereisreferencetotheBhagavatamina
conversationbetweenGautamaandMaharajaAmbarisa.Thekingwasadvised
thereintoreadregularlySrimadBhagavatamifhedesiredliberationfrom
materialbondage.
Thewholematerialcreationismovingundertheprincipleofsexlife.In
moderncivilization,sexlifeisthefocalpointforallactivities.Whereverone
turnshisface,heseessexlifepredominant.Therefore,sexlifeisnotunreal.Its
realityisexperiencedinthespiritualworld.Thematerialsexlifeisbuta
pervertedreflectionoftheoriginalfact
Consequently,manwithoutinformationoftheactualspiritualformofsexhas
acceptedpervertedmaterialsexlifeastheallinall.Thereisadistinction
betweensexlifeinthediseasedmaterialconditionandspiritualsexlife.
ThisSrimadBhagavatamwillgraduallyelevatetheunbiasedreadertothe
highestperfectionalstageoftranscendence.Itwillenablehimtotranscend
thethreemodesofmaterialactivities:fruitiveactions,speculative
philosophy,andworshipoffunctionaldeitiesasinculcatedinVedicverses.
Completelyrejectingallreligiousactivitieswhicharemateriallymotivated,
thisBhagavataPuranapropoundsthehighesttruth,whichisunderstandableby
thosedevoteeswhoarefullypureinheart.Thehighesttruthisreality

distinguishedfromillusionforthewelfareofall.Suchtruthuprootsthe
threefoldmiseries.ThisbeautifulBhagavatam,compiledbythegreatsage
Vyasadeva[inhismaturity],issufficientinitselfforGodrealization.Whatis
theneedofanyotherscripture?Assoonasoneattentivelyandsubmissively
hearsthemessageofBhagavatam,bythiscultureofknowledgetheSupreme
Lordisestablishedwithinhisheart.

Religionincludesfourprimarysubjects,namelypiousactivities,economic
development,satisfactionofthesenses,andfinallyliberationfrommaterial
bondage.
Eating,sleeping,fearing,andmatingarethefourprinciplesofanimallife
Inhumansocietiesthereissomeformofreligionwhichaimsatselfrealization
andwhichmakesreferencetoman'seternalrelationshipwithGod.
Inthelowerstagesofhumancivilization,thereisalwayscompetitiontolordit
overthematerialnatureor,inotherwords,thereisacontinuousrivalryto
satisfythesenses.Drivenbysuchconsciousness,manturnstoreligion.Hethus
performspiousactivitiesorreligiousfunctionsinordertogainsomething
material.Butifsuchmaterialgainsareobtainableinotherways,thensocalled
religionisneglected
Thispracticallyprovesthatreligionisperformedforsomeeconomicgains.
Economicgainsareneededforsensegratification.Oftenwhenoneisbaffledin
thepursuitofsensegratification,hetakestosalvationandtriestobecomeone
withtheSupremeLord.Consequently,allthesestatesaresimplydifferent
typesofsensegratification.
IntheVedas,theabovementionedfouractivitiesareprescribedinthe
regulativewaysothattherewillnotbeanyunduecompetitionforsense
gratification.ButSrimadBhagavatamistranscendentaltoallthesesense
gratificatoryactivities.Itispurelytranscendentalliteraturewhichcanbe
understoodonlybythepuredevoteesoftheLordwhoaretranscendentalto
competitivesensegratification
Inthematerialworldthereiskeencompetitionbetweenanimalandanimal,
manandman,communityandcommunity,nationandnation.Butthedevotees
oftheLordriseabovesuchcompetitions.Theydonotcompetewiththe
materialistbecausetheyareonthepathbacktoGodheadwherelifeiseternal
andblissful.Suchtranscendentalistsarenonenviousandpureinheart.Inthe
materialworld,everyoneisenviousofeveryoneelse,andthereforethereis
competition.ButthetranscendentaldevoteesoftheLordarenotonlyfreefrom
materialenvy,butarewellwisherstoeveryone,andtheystrivetoestablisha

competitionlesssocietywithGodinthecenter.
TherearethreepathsmentionedintheVedas.Oneinvolvesfruitiveactivities
togainpromotiontobetterplanets.Anotherinvolvesworshipingdifferent
demigodsforpromotiontotheplanetsofthedemigods,andanotherinvolves
realizingtheAbsoluteTruthandHisimpersonalfeatureandbecomingone
withHim.
TheimpersonalaspectoftheAbsoluteTruthisnotthehighest.Abovethe
impersonalfeatureistheParamatmafeature,andabovethisisthepersonal
featureoftheAbsoluteTruth,orBhagavan.SrimadBhagavatamgives
informationabouttheAbsoluteTruthinHispersonalfeature.Itishigherthan
impersonalistliteraturesandhigherthanthejnanakandadivisionoftheVedas.
Itisevenhigherthanthekarmakandadivision,andevenhigherthanthe
upasanakandadivision,becauseitrecommendstheworshipoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,LordSriKrsna.Inthekarmakanda,thereis
competitiontoreachheavenlyplanetsforbettersensegratification,andthereis
similarcompetitioninthejnanakandaandtheupasanakanda.TheSrimad
BhagavatamissuperiortoallofthesebecauseitaimsattheSupremeTruth
whichisthesubstanceortherootofallcategories.FromSrimadBhagavatam
onecancometoknowthesubstanceaswellasthecategories.Thesubstanceis
theAbsoluteTruth,theSupremeLord,andallemanationsarerelativeformsof
energy.
Nothingisapartfromthesubstance,butatthesametimetheenergiesare
differentfromthesubstance.Thisconceptionisnotcontradictory.Srimad
Bhagavatamexplicitlypromulgatesthissimultaneouslyoneanddifferent
philosophyoftheVedantasutra,whichbeginswiththe"janmadyasya"sutra.
Whenthisknowledgeisfactuallyunderstood,oneseestheconceptionsof
monismanddualismtobeimperfect
Thethreefoldmiseriesare(1)thosemiserieswhicharisefromthemindand
body,(2)thosemiseriesinflictedbyotherlivingbeings,and(3)thosemiseries
arisingfromnaturalcatastrophesoverwhichonehasnocontrol
SrimadBhagavatambeginswiththesurrenderofthedevoteeuntotheAbsolute
Person
ThedevoteeisfullyawarethatheisonewiththeAbsoluteandatthesame
timeintheeternalpositionofservanttotheAbsolute
Inthematerialconception,onefalselythinkshimselfthelordofallhesurveys,
andthereforeheisalwaystroubledbythethreefoldmiseriesoflife.Butas
soonasonecomestoknowhisrealpositionastranscendentalservant,heat
oncebecomesfreefromallmiseries.Aslongasthelivingentityistryingto

mastermaterialnature,thereisnopossibilityofhisbecomingservantofthe
Supreme.ServicetotheLordisrenderedinpureconsciousnessofone's
spiritualidentity;byserviceoneisimmediatelyfreedfrommaterial
encumbrances.
InotherPuranastherearedifferentmethodssetforthbywhichonecanworship
thedemigods.ButintheBhagavatamonlytheSupremeLordismentioned.
TheSupremeLordisthetotalbody,andthedemigodsarethedifferentpartsof
thatbody.
Consequently,byworshipingtheSupremeLord,onedoesnotneedtoworship
thedemigods.TheSupremeLordbecomesfixedintheheartofthedevotee
immediately.LordCaitanyaMahaprabhuhasrecommendedtheSrimad
BhagavatamasthespotlessPuranaanddistinguishesitfromallotherPuranas.
Thepropermethodforreceivingthistranscendentalmessageistohearit
submissively.Achallengingattitudecannothelponerealizethistranscendental
message.Oneparticularwordisusedhereinforproperguidance.Thiswordis
susrusu.Onemustbeanxioustohearthistranscendentalmessage.Thedesire
tosincerelyhearisthefirstqualification.
Theprocessissimple,buttheapplicationisdifficult
WithoutundergoingthedifferentstagesofrealizationsetforthintheVedas,
onecanbeliftedimmediatelytothepositionofparamahamsasimplyby
agreeingtoreceivethismessage.
Itsnectareanjuicewasalreadyrelishableforall,includingliberatedsouls.
InthisslokaitisstatedthatSrimadBhagavatamisnotonlyasuperior
literaturebutistheripenedfruitofallVedicliteratures.Inotherwords,itisthe
creamofallVedicknowledge.
TheVedasarecomparedtothedesiretreebecausetheycontainallthings
knowablebyman.Theydealwithmundanenecessitiesaswellasspiritual
realization.TheVedascontainregulatedprinciplesofknowledgecovering
social,political,religious,economic,military,medicinal,chemical,physical
andmetaphysicalsubjectmatterandallthatmaybenecessarytokeepthebody
andsoultogether.Aboveandbeyondallthisarespecificdirectionsforspiritual
realization.Regulatedknowledgeinvolvesagradualraisingofthelivingentity
tothespiritualplatform,andthehighestspiritualrealizationisknowledgethat
thePersonalityofGodheadisthereservoirofallspiritualtastes,orrasas.
Everylivingentity,beginningfromBrahma,thefirstbornlivingbeingwithin
thematerialworld,downtotheinsignificantant,desirestorelishsomesortof
tastederivedfromsenseperceptions

Intherevealedscripturesthefollowingtwelvevarietiesofrasasare
enumerated:(1)raudra(anger),(2)adbhuta(wonder),(3)srngara(conjugal
love),(4)hasya(comedy),(5)vira(chivalry),(6)daya(mercy),(7)dasya
(servitorship),(8)sakhya(fraternity),(9)bhayanaka(horror),(10)bibhatsa
(shock),(11)santa(neutrality),(12)vatsalya(parenthood).
Thesumtotalofalltheserasasiscalledaffectionorlove.Primarily,suchsigns
oflovearemanifestedinadoration,service,friendship,paternalaffection,and
conjugallove.Andwhenthesefiveareabsent,loveispresentindirectlyin
anger,wonder,comedy,chivalry,fear,shockandsoon
Therasasareexchangedbetweenmembersofthesamespecies.Butasfar
asthespiritsoulsareconcerned,theyareonequalitativelywiththe
SupremeLord.Therefore,therasaswereoriginallyexchangedbetween
thespirituallivingbeingandthespiritualwhole,theSupremePersonality
ofGodhead.Thespiritualexchangeorrasaisfullyexhibitedinspiritual
existencebetweenlivingbeingsandtheSupremeLord.
TheSupremePersonalityofGodheadisthereforedescribedinthesruti
mantras,Vedichymns,as"thefountainheadofallrasas."Whenoneassociates
withtheSupremeLordandexchangesone'sconstitutionalrasawiththe
Lord,thenthelivingbeingisactuallyhappy.
Thesesrutimantrasindicatethateverylivingbeinghasitsconstitutional
position,whichisendowedwithaparticulartypeofrasatobeexchangedwith
thePersonalityofGodhead.Intheliberatedconditiononly,thisprimaryrasais
experiencedinfull.Inthematerialexistence,therasaisexperiencedinthe
pervertedform,whichistemporary.Andthustherasasofthematerialworld
areexhibitedinthematerialformofraudra(anger)andsoon.
Therefore,onewhoattainsfullknowledgeofthesedifferentrasas,whichare
thebasicprinciplesofactivities,canunderstandthefalserepresentationsofthe
originalrasaswhicharereflectedinthematerialworld.Thelearnedscholar
seekstorelishtherealrasainthespiritualform.Inthebeginninghedesiresto
becomeonewiththeSupreme.Thus,lessintelligenttranscendentalistscannot
gobeyondthisconceptionofbecomingonewiththespiritwhole,without
knowingofthedifferentrasas.
ItwasbroughtbyNaradaMunifromthespiritualworldandgiventohis
discipleSriVyasadeva.ThelatterinturndeliveredthemessagetohissonSrila
SukadevaGosvami,andSrilaSukadevaGosvamideliveredthemessageto
MaharajaPariksitjustsevendaysbeforetheKing'sdeath.
ButSriSukadevaGosvami,duetohisbeingaperfectlyliberatedsoul,didnot
havetoundergoanevolutionaryprocessforspiritualrealization.Yetdespite

hisbeingacompletelyliberatedpersonsituatedinthetranscendentalposition
abovethethreematerialmodes,hewasattractedtothistranscendentalrasaof
theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,whoisadoredbyliberatedsoulswho
singVedichymns.TheSupremeLord'spastimesaremoreattractiveto
liberatedsoulsthantomundanepeople.
Heisofnecessitynotimpersonalbecauseitisonlypossibletocarryon
transcendentalrasawithaperson.
AprofessionalmanwhomakesabusinessoutofrecitingtheBhagavatam
illegallyiscertainlynotarepresentativeofSukadevaGosvami.Suchaman's
businessisonlytoearnhislivelihood.Thereforeoneshouldrefrainfrom
hearingthelecturesofsuchprofessionalmen
greatsagesheadedbythesageSaunakaassembledtoperformagreatthousand
yearsacrificeforthesatisfactionoftheLordandHisdevotees.
ThedevoteesofLordVisnuofferallkindsofsacrificesforHispleasure.The
devoteesarealwaysattachedtotheserviceoftheLord,whereasfallensouls
areattachedtothepleasuresofmaterialexistence.InBhagavadgita,itissaid
thatanythingperformedinthematerialworldforanyreasonotherthanforthe
pleasureofLordVisnucausesfurtherbondagefortheperformer.Itisenjoined
thereforethatallactsmustbeperformedsacrificiallyforthesatisfactionof
VisnuandHisdevotees.Thiswillbringeveryonepeaceandprosperity.
Thegreatsagesarealwaysanxioustodogoodtothepeopleingeneral,andas
suchthesagesheadedbySaunakaandothersassembledatthisholyplaceof
Naimisaranyawithaprogramofperformingagreatandcontinuouschainof
sacrificialceremonies.Forgetfulmendonotknowtherightpathforpeaceand
prosperity.However,thesagesknowitwell,andthereforeforthegoodofall
mentheyarealwaysanxioustoperformactswhichmaybringaboutpeacein
theworld.Theyaresincerefriendstoalllivingentities,andattheriskofgreat
personalinconveniencetheyarealwaysengagedintheserviceoftheLordfor
thegoodofallpeople.
Inthisage,thecongregationalchantingoftheholynamesoftheLordis
theprescribedmethodforwakingup.Thewaysandmeansaremost
scientificallypresentedbyLordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhu,andintelligent
personsmaytakeadvantageofHisteachingsinordertobringaboutrealpeace
andprosperity.SrimadBhagavatamisalsopresentedforthesamepurpose
Morningisthebesttimetoholdspiritualservices
Thesegosvamisrestrainalltheirsenses,andtheysticktothepathmadebythe
previousacaryas.ThegosvamisdonotdeliverlecturesontheBhagavatam
capriciously.Rather,theyexecutetheirservicesmostcarefully,followingtheir

predecessorswhodeliveredthespiritualmessageunbrokentothem
ThefourmajorvicesofKaliyugaare(1)illicitconnectionwithwomen,(2)
animalslaughter,(3)intoxication,(4)speculativegamblingofallsorts.A
gosvamimustbefreefromallthesevicesbeforehecandaresitonthe
vyasasana
Henotonlyshouldbefreedfromallsuchvices,butmustalsobewellversedin
allrevealedscripturesorintheVedas.
Tohearandexplainthemismoreimportantthanreadingthem.Onecan
assimilatetheknowledgeoftherevealedscripturesonlybyhearingand
explaining.Hearingiscalledsravana,andexplainingiscalledkirtana.

SrimadBhagavatamisanaturalcommentationontheBrahmasutra,orthe
BadarayaniVedantasutras.ItiscallednaturalbecauseVyasadevaisauthorof
boththeVedantasutrasandSrimadBhagavatam,ortheessenceofallVedic
literatures.BesidesVyasadeva,thereareothersageswhoaretheauthorsofsix
differentphilosophicalsystems,namelyGautama,Kanada,Kapila,Patanjali,
JaiminiandAstavakra.
TheismisexplainedcompletelyintheVedantasutra,whereasinothersystems
ofphilosophicalspeculations,practicallynomentionisgiventotheultimate
causeofallcauses.Onecansitonthevyasasanaonlyafterbeingconversantin
allsystemsofphilosophysothatonecanpresentfullythetheisticviewsofthe
Bhagavatamindefianceofallothersystems.
Andbecauseyouaresubmissive,yourspiritualmastershaveendowedyou
withallthefavorsbestoweduponagentledisciple.
Theacaryasandgosvamisarealwaysabsorbedinthoughtofthewellbeingof
thegeneralpublic,especiallytheirspiritualwellbeing.Spiritualwellbeingis
automaticallyfollowedbymaterialwellbeing.Theacaryasthereforegive
directionsinspiritualwellbeingforpeopleingeneral.
Olearnedone,inthisironageofKalimenhavebutshortlives.Theyare
quarrelsome,lazy,misguided,unluckyand,aboveall,alwaysdisturbed.
Overeating,oversensegratification,overdependenceonanother'smercy,and
artificialstandardsoflivingsaptheveryvitalityofhumanenergy.Therefore
thedurationoflifeisshortened.

Thepeopleofthisagearealsoverylazy,notonlymateriallybutinthematter
ofselfrealization.Thehumanlifeisespeciallymeantforselfrealization.That
istosay,manshouldcometoknowwhatheis,whattheworldis,andwhatthe
supremetruthis.
Humanlifeisameansbywhichthelivingentitycanendallthemiseriesofthe
hardstruggleforlifeinmaterialexistenceandbywhichhecanreturnto
Godhead,hiseternalhome.But,duetoabadsystemofeducation,menhaveno
desireforselfrealization.Eveniftheycometoknowaboutit,they
unfortunatelybecomevictimsofmisguidedteachers.
Inthisage,menarevictimsnotonlyofdifferentpoliticalcreedsandparties,
butalsoofmanydifferenttypesofsensegratificatorydiversions,suchas
cinemas,sports,gambling,clubs,mundanelibraries,badassociation,smoking,
drinking,cheating,pilfering,bickerings,andsoon

Inthisage,manyunscrupulousmenmanufacturetheirownreligiousfaiths
whicharenotbasedonanyrevealedscriptures,andveryoftenpeoplewhoare
addictedtosensegratificationareattractedbysuchinstitutions.Consequently,
inthenameofreligionsomanysinfulactsarebeingcarriedonthatthepeople
ingeneralhaveneitherpeaceofmindnorhealthofbody
Thestudent(brahmacari)communitiesarenolongerbeingmaintained,and
householdersdonotobservetherulesandregulationsofthegrhasthaasrama.
Consequently,thesocalledvanaprasthasandsannyasiswhocomeoutofsuch
grhasthaasramasareeasilydeviatedfromtherigidpath
IntheKaliyugathewholeatmosphereissurchargedwithfaithlessness.Men
arenolongerinterestedinspiritualvalues.Materialsensegratificationisnow
thestandardofcivilization
Atma,orself,isdistinguishedfrommatterandmaterialelements.Itisspiritual
inconstitution,andthusitisneversatisfiedbyanyamountofmaterial
planning.Allscripturesandspiritualinstructionsaremeantforthesatisfaction
ofthisself,oratma.
Thevarnaandasramasocietywasconsideredtobethebestinstitutionfor
liftingthehumanbeingtothespiritualplatform,butduetoKaliyugaitisnot
possibletoexecutetherulesandregulationsoftheseinstitutions.Norisit
possibleforthepeopleingeneraltocompletelyseverrelationswiththeir
familiesasthevarnasramainstitutionprescribes.Thewholeatmosphereis
surchargedwithopposition

BhagavanmeanstheAlmightyGodwhoisthecontrollerofallopulences,
power,fame,beauty,knowledgeandrenunciation.HeistheprotectorofHis
puredevotees.AlthoughGodisequallydisposedtoeveryone,Heisespecially
inclinedtoHisdevotees.
Pleaseexplaintousthoseteachingsimpartedbypreviousmasters[acaryas],for
oneisupliftedbothbyspeakingthemandbyhearingthem.
AndthealmightyVasudevahasempoweredHisnamewiththepowersofHis
personalSelf.EverythingisrelatedtoHim,andeverythinghasitsidentityin
Him.ItisstatedhereinthatthenameofKrsnaisfearedevenbyfear
personified.ThisindicatesthatthenameofKrsnaisnondifferentfromKrsna.
Therefore,thenameofKrsnaisaspowerfulasLordKrsnaHimself.Thereis
nodifferenceatall.
ThetranscendentalnameofKrsna,eventhoughutteredunconsciouslyor
byforceofcircumstances,canhelponeobtainfreedomfromthehurdleof
birthanddeath.

PuredevoteesoftheLordaremorepowerfulthanthewatersofthesacredriver
Ganges.Butonecanbesanctifiedatoncebythemercyofapuredevoteeofthe
Lord.
TotakeshelterofthelotusfeetoftheLordmeanstotakeshelterofthepure
devotees.Thepuredevoteeswhoseonlybusinessisservingarehonoredbythe
namesPrabhupadaandVisnupada,whichindicatesuchdevoteestobe
representativesofthelotusfeetoftheLord.
SuchdevoteesoftheLordarehonoredequallywiththeLordbecausetheyare
engagedinthemostconfidentialserviceoftheLord,fortheydeliveroutofthe
materialworldthefallensoulswhomtheLordwantstoreturnhome,backto
Godhead
Thesincerediscipleofthepuredevoteeconsidersthespiritualmasterequalto
theLord,butalwaysconsidershimselftobeahumbleservantoftheservantof
theLord.Thisisthepuredevotionalpath.
ThosewhoareengagedinthepuredevotionalserviceoftheLord,whoare
withoutanydesireforselfaggrandizementandwhoarefreedfromtheeffects
offruitiveactionsanddryphilosophicalspeculationsarecapableofgettingout
oftheestrangementsofthiscomplicatedage
Ifwewantactualpeace,wemustopentheroadtounderstandingofthe
SupremeLordKrsnaandglorifyHimforHisvirtuousactivitiesastheyare

depictedinthepagesofSrimadBhagavatam.
Histranscendentalactsaremagnificentandgracious,andgreatlearnedsages
likeNaradasingofthem.Please,therefore,speaktous,whoareeagertohear
abouttheadventuresHeperformsinHisvariousincarnations.
Thesecreations,bothmaterialandspiritual,arefullofopulence,beautyand
knowledge,butthespiritualrealmismoremagnificentduetoitsbeingfullof
knowledge,blissandeternity.Thematerialcreationsaremanifestedforsome
timeaspervertedshadowsofthespiritualkingdomandcanbelikenedto
cinemas.Theyattractpeopleoflessintelligentcaliberwhoareattractedby
falsethings.Suchfoolishmenhavenoinformationofthereality,andtheytake
itforgrantedthatthefalsematerialmanifestationistheallinall.Butmore
intelligentmenguidedbysageslikeVyasaandNaradaknowthattheeternal
kingdomofGodismoredelightful,larger,andeternallyfullofblissand
knowledge.

ThosewhoarenotconversantwiththeactivitiesoftheLordandHis
transcendentalrealmaresometimesfavoredbytheLordinHisadventuresas
incarnationswhereinHedisplaystheeternalblissofHisassociationinthe
transcendentalrealm.BysuchactivitiesHeattractstheconditionedsoulsofthe
materialworld.Someoftheseconditionedsoulsareengagedinthefalse
enjoymentofmaterialsensesandothersinsimplynegatingtheirreallifeinthe
spiritualworld.Theselessintelligentpersonsareknownaskarmis,orfruitive
workers,andjnanis,ordrymentalspeculators.Butabovethesetwoclassesof
menisthetranscendentalistknownassatvata,orthedevotee,whoisbusy
neitherwithrampantmaterialactivitynorwithmaterialspeculation.Heis
engagedinthepositiveserviceoftheLord,andtherebyhederivesthehighest
spiritualbenefitunknowntothekarmisandjnanis.
IncarnationslikeBrahma,Rudra,Manu,PrthuandVyasaareHismaterial
qualitativeincarnations,butHisincarnationslikeRama,Narasimha,Varaha
andVamanaareHistranscendentalincarnations.LordSriKrsnaisthe
fountainheadofallincarnations,andHeisthereforethecauseofallcauses.
WenevertireofhearingthetranscendentalpastimesofthePersonalityof
Godhead,whoisglorifiedbyhymnsandprayers.Thosewhohavedevelopeda
tastefortranscendentalrelationshipswithHimrelishhearingofHispastimesat
everymoment.

Forexample,anyonemayreadBhagavadgitaortheSrimadBhagavatam
repeatedlythroughouthiswholelifeandyetfindinthemnewlightof
information.Mundanenewsisstaticwhereastranscendentalnewsisdynamic,
inasmuchasthespiritisdynamicandmatterisstatic
Thosewhohavedevelopedatasteforunderstandingthetranscendentalsubject
matterarenevertiredofhearingsuchnarrations.Oneisquicklysatiatedby
mundaneactivities,butnooneissatiatedbytranscendentalordevotional
activities
Transcendentalliteratureisabovethemodeofdarkness,anditslightbecomes
moreluminouswithprogressivereadingandrealizationofthetranscendental
subjectmatter.Thesocalledliberatedpersonsareneversatisfiedbythe
repetitionofthewordsahambrahmasmi.SuchartificialrealizationofBrahman
becomeshackneyed,andsotorelishrealpleasuretheyturntothenarrationsof
theSrimadBhagavatam.Thosewhoarenotsofortunateturntoaltruismand
worldlyphilanthropy.
SoknowledgeofthetranscendentalnatureofthebirthanddeedsofLordSri
Krsnaissufficientforliberation.IntheBhagavatam,thetranscendentalnature
oftheLordisdescribedinninecantos,andintheTenthCantoHisspecific
pastimesaretakenup.

Forselfrealization,thepeopleinSatyayuga,livingalifetimeofahundred
thousandyears,wereabletoperformprolongedmeditation.AndinTretayuga,
whenthedurationoflifewastenthousandyears,selfrealizationwasattained
byperformanceofgreatsacrifice.AndintheDvaparayuga,whentheduration
oflifewasonethousandyears,selfrealizationwasattainedbyworshipofthe
Lord.ButintheKaliyuga,themaximumdurationoflifebeingonehundred
yearsonlyandthatcombinedwithvariousdifficulties,therecommended
processofselfrealizationisthatofhearingandchantingoftheholyname,
fame,andpastimesoftheLord.
Bytheexampleofthesesagesoneshouldlearnthatregularhearingand
recitationoftheBhagavatamistheonlywayforselfrealization.Other
attemptsaresimplyawasteoftime,fortheydonotgiveanytangibleresults.
LordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhupreachedthissystemofBhagavatadharma,and
HerecommendedthatallthosewhowereborninIndiashouldtakethe
responsibilityofbroadcastingthemessagesofLordSriKrsna,primarilythe
messageofBhagavadgita.
AndwhenoneiswellestablishedintheteachingsofBhagavadgita,hecan
takeupthestudyofSrimadBhagavatamforfurtherenlightenmentinself
realization.

TheshipisthemessageofLordSriKrsnaintheshapeofBhagavadgitaorthe
SrimadBhagavatam.
TheSrimadBhagavatamisthetranscendentalsoundrepresentationofthe
PersonalityofGodhead,andthusitisthefullrepresentationoftranscendental
knowledgeandreligiousprinciples.
Chapter2

ThesacredthreadisthesignofthosewhoarecompetenttostudytheVedas
fromtheacarya,orthebonafidespiritualmaster.SriSukadevaGosvamidid
notundergosuchpurificatoryceremoniesbecausehewasaliberatedsoulfrom
hisverybirth.
Generally,amanisbornasanordinarybeing,andbythepurificatory
processesheisbornforthesecondtime.Whenheseesanewlightandseeks
directionforspiritualprogress,heapproachesaspiritualmasterforinstruction
intheVedas.Thespiritualmasteracceptsonlythesincereinquirerashis
discipleandgiveshimthesacredthread.Inthiswayamanbecomestwice
born,oradvija.AfterqualifyingasadvijaonemaystudytheVedas,andafter
becomingwellversedintheVedasonebecomesavipra.Avipra,oraqualified
brahmana,thusrealizestheAbsoluteandmakesfurtherprogressinspiritual
lifeuntilhereachestheVaisnavastage.TheVaisnavastageisthepostgraduate
statusofabrahmana.Aprogressivebrahmanamustnecessarilybecomea
Vaisnava,foraVaisnavaisaselfrealized,learnedbrahmana.
Ultimatelytheaimofvarnasramadharmaistoturnacrudemanintoapure
devoteeoftheLord,oraVaisnava
Letmeoffermyrespectfulobeisancesuntohim[Suka],thespiritualmasterof
allsages,thesonofVyasadeva,who,outofhisgreatcompassionforthose
grossmaterialistswhostruggletocrossoverthedarkestregionsofmaterial
existence,spokethismostconfidentialsupplementtothecreamofVedic
knowledge,afterhavingpersonallyassimilateditbyexperience.
TheVedantasutras,ortheBrahmasutras,werecompiledbyVyasadevawitha
viewtopresentingjustthecreamofVedicknowledge.SrimadBhagavatamis
thenaturalcommentaryonthiscream.
NomaterialisticcreaturebehethegreatBrahmaoraninsignificantantcan
behappy.Everyonetriestomakeapermanentplanforhappiness,buteveryone
isbaffledbythelawsofmaterialnature.Thereforethematerialisticworldis
calledthedarkestregionofGod'screation.Yettheunhappymaterialistscan
getoutofitsimplybydesiringtogetout.Unfortunatelytheyaresofoolishthat
theydonotwanttoescape.Thereforetheyarecomparedtothecamelwho
relishesthornytwigsbecausehelikesthetasteofthetwigsmixedwithblood.

Hedoesnotrealizethatitishisownbloodandthathistongueisbeingcutby
thethorns.Similarly,tothematerialisthisownbloodisassweetashoney,and
althoughheisalwaysharassedbyhisownmaterialcreations,hedoesnotwish
toescape.Suchmaterialistsarecalledkarmis.
Outofhundredsofthousandsofkarmis,onlyafewmayfeeltiredofmaterial
engagementanddesiretogetoutofthelabyrinth.Suchintelligentpersonsare
calledjnanis.TheVedantasutraisdirectedtosuchjnanis.ButSrila
Vyasadeva,beingtheincarnationoftheSupremeLord,couldforeseethe
misuseoftheVedantasutrabyunscrupulousmen,and,therefore,hepersonally
supplementedtheVedantasutrawiththeBhagavataPurana.Itisclearlysaid
thatthisBhagavatamistheoriginalcommentaryontheBrahmasutras.
Itisthetranscendentaltorchlightbywhichonecanseeperfectlythe
transcendentalAbsoluteTruthrealizedasBrahman,ParamatmaandBhagavan.
BeforerecitingthisSrimadBhagavatam,whichistheverymeansofconquest,
oneshouldofferrespectfulobeisancesuntothePersonalityofGodhead,
Narayana,untoNaranarayanaRsi,thesupermosthumanbeing,untomother
Sarasvati,thegoddessoflearning,anduntoSrilaVyasadeva,theauthor.

Hisstruggleforexistenceinthematerialworldisperpetual,anditisnot
possibleforhimtogetoutofitbymakingplans.Ifheatallwantstoconquer
thisperpetualstruggleforexistence,hemustreestablishhiseternalrelation
withGod.Andonewhowantstoadoptsuchremedialmeasuresmusttake
shelterofliteraturessuchastheVedasandthePuranas.Foolishpeoplesaythat
thePuranashavenoconnectionwiththeVedas.However,thePuranasare
supplementaryexplanationsoftheVedasintendedfordifferenttypesofmen
Allmenarenotequal.Therearemenwhoareconductedbythemodeof
goodness,otherswhoareunderthemodeofpassionandotherswhoareunder
themodeofignorance.ThePuranasaresodividedthatanyclassofmencan
takeadvantageofthemandgraduallyregaintheirlostpositionandgetoutof
thehardstruggleforexistence.
SrimadBhagavatamisthespotlessPurana,anditisespeciallymeantforthose
whodesiretogetoutofthematerialentanglementpermanently.
Osages,Ihavebeenjustlyquestionedbyyou.Yourquestionsareworthy

becausetheyrelatetoLordKrsnaandsoareofrelevancetotheworld's
welfare.Onlyquestionsofthissortarecapableofcompletelysatisfyingthe
self.
Satisfactionofthesoulcanonlybeobtainedbyquestionsandanswersonthe
subjectofKrsna.
Krsnaisourmostintimatemaster,friend,fatherorsonandobjectofconjugal
love.ForgettingKrsna,wehavecreatedsomanyobjectsofquestionsand
answers,butnoneofthemareabletogiveuscompletesatisfaction.Allthings
butKrsnagivetemporarysatisfactiononly,soifwearetohavecomplete
satisfactionwemusttaketothequestionsandanswersaboutKrsna.
OneshouldlearntheSrimadBhagavatamandmakeanallaroundsolutionto
allproblemspertainingtosocial,politicalorreligiousmatters.Srimad
BhagavatamandKrsnaarethesumtotalofallthings.
Thesupremeoccupation[dharma]forallhumanityisthatbywhichmen
canattaintolovingdevotionalserviceuntothetranscendentLord.Such
devotionalservicemustbeunmotivatedanduninterruptedtocompletely
satisfytheself.

TheVedasprescribetwodifferenttypesofoccupationforthehumanbeing.
Oneiscalledthepravrttimarga,orthepathofsenseenjoyment,andtheother
iscalledthenivrttimarga,orthepathofrenunciation.Thepathofenjoymentis
inferior,andthepathofsacrificeforthesupremecauseissuperior.The
materialexistenceofthelivingbeingisadiseasedconditionofactuallife.
Actuallifeisspiritualexistence,orbrahmabhutaexistence,wherelifeis
eternal,blissfulandfullofknowledge.Materialexistenceistemporary,illusory
andfullofmiseries.Thereisnohappinessatall.Thereisjustthefutileattempt
togetridofthemiseries,andtemporarycessationofmiseryisfalselycalled
happiness.Therefore,thepathofprogressivematerialenjoyment,whichis
temporary,miserableandillusory,isinferior
ButdevotionalservicetotheSupremeLord,whichleadsonetoeternal,blissful
andallcognizantlife,iscalledthesuperiorqualityofoccupation.Thisis
sometimespollutedwhenmixedwiththeinferiorquality.Forexample,
adoptionofdevotionalserviceformaterialgainiscertainlyanobstructionto

theprogressivepathofrenunciation.Renunciationorabnegationforultimate
goodiscertainlyabetteroccupationthanenjoymentinthediseasedcondition
oflife.Suchenjoymentonlyaggravatesthesymptomsofdiseaseandincreases
itsduration.ThereforedevotionalservicetotheLordmustbepureinquality,
i.e.,withouttheleastdesireformaterialenjoyment.Oneshould,therefore,
acceptthesuperiorqualityofoccupationintheformofthedevotionalservice
oftheLordwithoutanytingeofunnecessarydesire,fruitiveactionand
philosophicalspeculation.ThisalonecanleadonetoperpetualsolaceinHis
service.
Wehavepurposelydenoteddharmaasoccupationbecausetherootmeaningof
theworddharmais"thatwhichsustainsone'sexistence."Alivingbeing's
sustenanceofexistenceistocoordinatehisactivitieswithhiseternalrelation
withtheSupremeLordKrsna.Krsnaisthecentralpivotoflivingbeings,and
Heistheallattractivelivingentityoreternalformamongstallotherliving
beingsoreternalforms.Eachandeverylivingbeinghashiseternalforminthe
spiritualexistence,andKrsnaistheeternalattractionforallofthem.Krsnais
thecompletewhole,andeverythingelseisHispartandparcel.Therelationis
oneoftheservantandtheserved.Itistranscendentalandiscompletelydistinct
fromourexperienceinmaterialexistence.Thisrelationofservantandthe
servedisthemostcongenialformofintimacy.Onecanrealizeitasdevotional
serviceprogresses.Everyoneshouldengagehimselfinthattranscendental
lovingserviceoftheLord,eveninthepresentconditionalstateofmaterial
existence.Thatwillgraduallygiveonethecluetoactuallifeandpleasehimto
completesatisfaction.
ByrenderingdevotionalserviceuntothePersonalityofGodhead,SriKrsna,
oneimmediatelyacquirescauselessknowledgeanddetachmentfromtheworld.

ThosewhoconsiderdevotionalservicetotheSupremeLordSriKrsnatobe
somethinglikematerialemotionalaffairsmayarguethatintherevealed
scriptures,sacrifice,charity,austerity,knowledge,mysticpowersandsimilar
otherprocessesoftranscendentalrealizationarerecommended.Accordingto
them,bhakti,orthedevotionalserviceoftheLord,ismeantforthosewho
cannotperformthehighgradeactivities.Generallyitissaidthatthebhakticult
ismeantforthesudras,vaisyasandthelessintelligentwomanclass.Butthatis
nottheactualfact.Thebhakticultisthetopmostofalltranscendental
activities,andthereforeitissimultaneouslysublimeandeasy.Itissublimefor
thepuredevoteeswhoareseriousaboutgettingincontactwiththeSupreme
Lord,anditiseasyfortheneophyteswhoarejustonthethresholdofthehouse
ofbhakti.
Theotherhighgradeactivitiesdesignatedassacrifice,charity,austerity,etc.,

areallcorollaryfactorsfollowingthepureandscientificbhakticult.
Theprinciplesofknowledgeanddetachmentaretwoimportantfactorsonthe
pathoftranscendentalrealization.Thewholespiritualprocessleadstoperfect
knowledgeofeverythingmaterialandspiritual,andtheresultsofsuchperfect
knowledgearethatonebecomesdetachedfrommaterialaffectionandbecomes
attachedtospiritualactivities
Becomingdetachedfrommaterialthingsdoesnotmeanbecominginert
altogether,asmenwithapoorfundofknowledgethink.Naiskarmameansnot
undertakingactivitiesthatwillproducegoodorbadeffects.
Therefore,withthedevelopmentofthebhakticult,withtheapplicationof
positiveservicetothepositiveform,onenaturallybecomesdetachedfrom
inferiorthings,andhebecomesattachedtosuperiorthings.Similarly,the
bhakticult,beingthesupermostoccupationofthelivingbeing,leadshimout
ofmaterialsenseenjoyment.Thatisthesignofapuredevotee
Inconclusion,onewhoisapuredevoteehasallothergoodqualities,namely
knowledge,detachment,etc.,butonewhohasonlyknowledgeordetachment
isnotnecessarilywellacquaintedwiththeprinciplesofthebhakticult.Bhakti
isthesupermostoccupationofthehumanbeing.
Theoccupationalactivitiesamanperformsaccordingtohisownpositionare
onlysomuchuselesslaboriftheydonotprovokeattractionforthemessageof
thePersonalityofGodhead.

Concentratedselfishnesscentersaroundthepersonalbodythisisgenerally
seenamongsttheloweranimals.Extendedselfishnessismanifestedinhuman
societyandcentersaroundthefamily,society,community,nationandworld
withaviewtogrossbodilycomfort.Abovethesegrossmaterialistsarethe
mentalspeculatorswhohoveraloftinthementalspheres,andtheir
occupationaldutiesinvolvemakingpoetryandphilosophyorpropagatingsome
ismwiththesameaimofselfishnesslimitedtothebodyandthemind
Butabovethebodyandmindisthedormantspiritsoulwhoseabsencefromthe
bodymakesthewholerangeofbodilyandmentalselfishnesscompletelynull
andvoid.Butlessintelligentpeoplehavenoinformationoftheneedsofthe
spiritsoul.

Becausefoolishpeoplehavenoinformationofthesoulandhowitisbeyond
thepurviewofthebodyandmind,theyarenotsatisfiedintheperformanceof
theiroccupationalduties.Thequestionofthesatisfactionoftheselfisraised
herein.Theselfisbeyondthegrossbodyandsubtlemind.Heisthepotent
activeprincipleofthebodyandmind.Withoutknowingtheneedofthe
dormantsoul,onecannotbehappysimplywithemolumentofthebodyand
mind.Thebodyandthemindarebutsuperfluousoutercoveringsofthespirit
soul.Thespiritsoul'sneedsmustbefulfilled.Simplybycleansingthecageof
thebird,onedoesnotsatisfythebird.Onemustactuallyknowtheneedsofthe
birdhimself.
Theneedofthespiritsoulisthathewantstogetoutofthelimitedsphereof
materialbondageandfulfillhisdesireforcompletefreedom.Hewantstoget
outofthecoveredwallsofthegreateruniverse.Hewantstoseethefreelight
andthespirit.Thatcompletefreedomisachievedwhenhemeetsthecomplete
spirit,thePersonalityofGodhead.ThereisadormantaffectionforGodwithin
everyone;spiritualexistenceismanifestedthroughthegrossbodyandmindin
theformofpervertedaffectionforgrossandsubtlematter.Thereforewehave
toengageourselvesinoccupationalengagementsthatwillevokeourdivine
consciousness.Thisispossibleonlybyhearingandchantingthedivine
activitiesoftheSupremeLord,andanyoccupationalactivitywhichdoesnot
helponetoachieveattachmentforhearingandchantingthetranscendental
messageofGodheadissaidhereintobesimplyawasteoftime.Thisis
becauseotheroccupationalduties(whateverismtheymaybelongto)cannot
giveliberationtothesoul.Eventheactivitiesofthesalvationistsareconsidered
tobeuselessbecauseoftheirfailuretopickupthefountainheadofallliberties.
Thegrossmaterialistcanpracticallyseethathismaterialgainislimitedonlyto
timeandspace,eitherinthisworldorintheother.Evenifhegoesuptothe
Svargaloka,hewillfindnopermanentabodeforhishankeringsoul.The
hankeringsoulmustbesatisfiedbytheperfectscientificprocessofperfect
devotionalservice.

Alloccupationalengagementsarecertainlymeantforultimateliberation.They
shouldneverbeperformedformaterialgain.Furthermore,accordingtosages,
onewhoisengagedintheultimateoccupationalserviceshouldneveruse
materialgaintocultivatesensegratification.
WehavealreadydiscussedthatpuredevotionalservicetotheLordis
automaticallyfollowedbyperfectknowledgeanddetachmentfrommaterial
existence.Butthereareotherswhoconsiderthatallkindsofdifferent
occupationalengagements,includingthoseofreligion,aremeantformaterial
gain.Thegeneraltendencyofanyordinarymaninanypartoftheworldisto

gainsomematerialprofitinexchangeforreligiousoranyotheroccupational
service.EvenintheVedicliteratures,forallsortsofreligiousperformancesan
allurementofmaterialgainisoffered,andmostpeopleareattractedbysuch
allurementsorblessingsofreligiosity.Whyaresuchsocalledmenofreligion
alluredbymaterialgain?Becausematerialgaincanenableonetofulfill
desires,whichinturnsatisfysensegratification.Thiscycleofoccupational
engagementsincludessocalledreligiosityfollowedbymaterialgainand
materialgainfollowedbyfulfillmentofdesires.Sensegratificationisthe
generalwayforallsortsoffullyoccupiedmen.ButinthestatementofSuta
Gosvami,aspertheverdictoftheSrimadBhagavatam,thisisnullifiedbythe
presentsloka.
Oneshouldnotengagehimselfinanysortofoccupationalserviceformaterial
gainonly.Norshouldmaterialgainbeutilizedforsensegratification
Howmaterialgainshouldbeutilizedisdescribedasfollows:
Life'sdesiresshouldneverbedirectedtowardsensegratification.Oneshould
desireonlyahealthylife,orselfpreservation,sinceahumanbeingismeantfor
inquiryabouttheAbsoluteTruth.Nothingelseshouldbethegoalofone's
works.
Inpolitics,socialservice,altruism,philanthropyandultimatelyinreligionor
eveninsalvation,theverysametintofsensegratificationiseverincreasingly
predominant.
Eventhosewhoareonthepathofsalvationdesiretobecomeonewiththe
AbsoluteTruthanddesiretocommitspiritualsuicideforsensegratification.
ButtheBhagavatamsaysthatoneshouldnotliveforsensegratification.One
shouldsatisfythesensesonlyinsomuchasrequiredforselfpreservation,and
notforsensegratification.

Becausethebodyismadeofsenses,whichalsorequireacertainamountof
satisfaction,thereareregulativedirectionsforsatisfactionofsuchsenses.But
thesensesarenotmeantforunrestrictedenjoyment.Forexample,marriageor
thecombinationofamanwithawomanisnecessaryforprogeny,butitisnot
meantforsenseenjoyment.Intheabsenceofvoluntaryrestraint,thereis
propagandaforfamilyplanning,butfoolishmendonotknowthatfamily
planningisautomaticallyexecutedassoonasthereissearchaftertheAbsolute
Truth

SeekersoftheAbsoluteTruthareneveralluredbyunnecessaryengagementsin
sensegratificationbecausetheseriousstudentsseekingtheAbsoluteTruthare
alwaysoverwhelmedwiththeworkofresearchingtheTruth.Ineverysphereof
life,therefore,theultimateendmustbeseekingaftertheAbsoluteTruth,and
thatsortofengagementwillmakeonehappybecausehewillbelessengaged
invarietiesofsensegratification.
AndwhatthatAbsoluteTruthisisexplainedasfollows:
LearnedtranscendentalistswhoknowtheAbsoluteTruthcallthisnondual
substanceBrahman,ParamatmaorBhagavan.
TheAbsoluteTruthisbothsubjectandobject,andthereisnoqualitative
differencethere.Therefore,Brahman,ParamatmaandBhagavanare
qualitativelyoneandthesame.Thesamesubstanceisrealizedasimpersonal
BrahmanbythestudentsoftheUpanisads,aslocalizedParamatmabythe
Hiranyagarbhasortheyogis,andasBhagavanbythedevotees.Inotherwords,
Bhagavan,orthePersonalityofGodhead,isthelastwordoftheAbsolute
Truth.ParamatmaisthepartialrepresentationofthePersonalityofGodhead,
andimpersonalBrahmanistheglowingeffulgenceofthePersonalityof
Godhead,asthesunraysaretothesungod.Lessintelligentstudentsofeither
oftheaboveschoolssometimesargueinfavoroftheirownrespective
realization,butthosewhoareperfectseersoftheAbsoluteTruthknowwell
thattheabovethreefeaturesoftheoneAbsoluteTrutharedifferentperspective
viewsseenfromdifferentanglesofvision.

AsitisexplainedinthefirstslokaoftheFirstChapteroftheBhagavatam,the
SupremeTruthisselfsufficient,cognizantandfreefromtheillusionof
relativity.Intherelativeworldtheknowerisdifferentfromtheknown,butin
theAbsoluteTruthboththeknowerandtheknownareoneandthesamething.
Intherelativeworldtheknoweristhelivingspiritorsuperiorenergy,whereas
theknownisinertmatterorinferiorenergy.Therefore,thereisadualityof
inferiorandsuperiorenergy,whereasintheabsoluterealmboththeknower

andtheknownareofthesamesuperiorenergy.Therearethreekindsof
energiesofthesupremeenergetic.Thereisnodifferencebetweentheenergy
andenergetic,butthereisadifferenceofqualityofenergies.Theabsolute
realmandthelivingentitiesareofthesamesuperiorenergy,butthematerial
worldisinferiorenergy.Thelivingbeingincontactwiththeinferiorenergyis
illusioned,thinkinghebelongstotheinferiorenergy.Thereforethereisthe
senseofrelativityinthematerialworld.IntheAbsolutethereisnosuchsense
ofdifferencebetweentheknowerandtheknown,andthereforeeverything
thereisabsolute.
Theseriouslyinquisitivestudentorsage,wellequippedwithknowledgeand
detachment,realizesthatAbsoluteTruthbyrenderingdevotionalservicein
termsofwhathehasheardfromtheVedantasruti.
Therearefourdifferenttypesofhumanbeingsthekarmis,thejnanis,the
yogisandthedevotees.Thekarmisarematerialistic,whereastheotherthree
aretranscendental
AsstatedintheBhagavadgitaandotherVedicliteratures,theSupremePerson
isrealizedbydevotionalservice,whichisbackedbyfullknowledgeand
detachmentfrommaterialassociation.Wehavealreadydiscussedthepointthat
devotionalserviceisfollowedbyknowledgeanddetachmentfrommaterial
association.AsBrahmanandParamatmarealizationareimperfectrealizations
oftheAbsoluteTruth,sothemeansofrealizingBrahmanandParamatma,i.e.,
thepathsofjnanaandyoga,arealsoimperfectmeansofrealizingtheAbsolute
Truth.Devotionalservice,whichisbasedontheforegroundoffullknowledge
combinedwithdetachmentfrommaterialassociationandwhichisfixedbythe
auralreceptionoftheVedantasruti,istheonlyperfectmethodbywhichthe
seriouslyinquisitivestudentcanrealizetheAbsoluteTruth.Devotionalservice
isnot,therefore,meantforthelessintelligentclassoftranscendentalist.
Thethirdclassdevotees,ortheneophytes,whohavenoknowledgeandarenot
detachedfrommaterialassociation,butwhoaresimplyattractedbythe
preliminaryprocessofworshipingtheDeityinthetemple,arecalledmaterial
devotees.Materialdevoteesaremoreattachedtomaterialbenefitthan
transcendentalprofit.Therefore,onehastomakedefiniteprogressfromthe
positionofmaterialdevotionalservicetothesecondclassdevotionalposition.
Inthesecondclassposition,thedevoteecanseefourprinciplesinthe
devotionalline,namelythePersonalityofGodhead,Hisdevotees,theignorant
andtheenvious.
Athirdclassdevotee,therefore,hastoreceivetheinstructionsofdevotional
servicefromtheauthoritativesourcesofBhagavata.Thenumberone
Bhagavataistheestablishedpersonalityofdevotee,andtheotherBhagavatam
isthemessageofGodhead.Thethirdclassdevoteethereforehastogotothe

personalityofdevoteeinordertolearntheinstructionsofdevotionalservice.
Suchapersonalityofdevoteeisnotaprofessionalmanwhoearnshis
livelihoodbythebusinessofBhagavatam.Suchadevoteemustbea
representativeofSukadevaGosvami,likeSutaGosvami,andmustpreachthe
cultofdevotionalservicefortheallaroundbenefitofallpeople.
Asinceredevoteemust,therefore,bepreparedtoheartheVedicliteraturelike
theUpanisads,Vedantaandotherliteraturesleftbythepreviousauthoritiesor
Gosvamis,forthebenefitofhisprogress.Withouthearingsuchliteratures,one
cannotmakeactualprogress.Andwithouthearingandfollowingthe
instructions,theshowofdevotionalservicebecomesworthlessandthereforea
sortofdisturbanceinthepathofdevotionalservice.Unless,therefore,
devotionalserviceisestablishedontheprinciplesofsruti,smrti,puranaor
pancaratraauthorities,themakeshowofdevotionalserviceshouldatoncebe
rejected.
ByassimilationofsuchmessagesfromtheVedicliteratures,onecanseethe
allpervadinglocalizedaspectofthePersonalityofGodheadwithinhisown
selfconstantly.Thisiscalledsamadhi.
Obestamongthetwiceborn,itisthereforeconcludedthatthehighest
perfectiononecanachievebydischargingthedutiesprescribedforone's
ownoccupationaccordingtocastedivisionsandordersoflifeistoplease
thePersonalityofGodhead.
Thefourcastesaretheintelligentcaste,themartialcaste,theproductivecaste
andthelaborercaste.Thesecastesareclassifiedintermsofone'sworkand
qualificationandnotbybirth.Thenagaintherearefourordersoflife,namely
thestudentlife,thehouseholder'slife,theretiredandthedevotionallife.And
ineachandeveryoneoftheabovementioneddivisionsoflife,theaimmustbe
topleasethesupremeauthorityofthePersonalityofGodhead.
ThevarnasramainstitutionisconstructedtoenableonetorealizetheAbsolute
Truth.Itisnotforartificialdominationofonedivisionoveranother
Whentheaimoflife,i.e.,realizationoftheAbsoluteTruth,ismissedbytoo
muchattachmentforindriyapriti,orsensegratification,asalreadydiscussed
hereinbefore,theinstitutionofthevarnasramaisutilizedbyselfishmentopose
anartificialpredominanceovertheweakersection.IntheKaliyuga,orinthe
ageofquarrel,thisartificialpredominanceisalreadycurrent,butthesaner
sectionofthepeopleknowitwellthatthedivisionsofcastesandordersoflife
aremeantforsmoothsocialintercourseandhighthinkingselfrealizationand
notforanyotherpurpose.
Therefore,withonepointedattention,oneshouldconstantlyhearabout,

glorify,rememberandworshipthePersonalityofGodhead,whoisthe
protectorofthedevotees.
Thefourprocesses,namelyglorifying,hearing,rememberingandworshiping,
aregeneraloccupations.Withouttheseprinciplesoflife,noonecanexist.
Activitiesofthelivingbeinginvolveengagementsinthesefourdifferent
principlesoflife.Especiallyinmodernsociety,allactivitiesaremoreorless
dependentonhearingandglorifying
TheactualobjectofglorificationistheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,who
hascreatedeverythingmanifestedbeforeus.Wehavebroadlydiscussedthis
factfromthebeginningofthe"janmadyasya"slokaofthisBhagavatam.The
tendencytoglorifyothersorhearothersmustbeturnedtotherealobjectof
glorificationtheSupremeBeing.Andthatwillbringhappiness.
Withswordinhand,intelligentmencutthroughthebindingknotsof
reactionarywork[karma]byrememberingthePersonalityofGodhead.
Therefore,whowillnotpayattentiontoHismessage?
Thecontactofthespiritualsparkwithmaterialelementscreatesaknotwhich
mustbecutifonewantstobeliberatedfromtheactionsandreactionsof
fruitivework.Liberationmeansfreedomfromthecycleofreactionarywork.
Thisliberationautomaticallyfollowsforonewhoconstantlyremembersthe
transcendentalpastimesofthePersonalityofGodhead.Thisisbecauseallthe
activitiesoftheSupremeLord(Hislila)aretranscendentaltothemodesofthe
materialenergy.Theyareallattractivespiritualactivities,andtherefore
constantassociationwiththespiritualactivitiesoftheSupremeLordgradually
spiritualizestheconditionedsoulandultimatelyseverstheknotofmaterial
bondage.
Liberationfrommaterialbondageis,therefore,abyproductofdevotional
service.Attainmentofspiritualknowledgeisnotsufficienttoinsureliberation.
Suchknowledgemustbeovercoatedwithdevotionalservicesothatultimately
thedevotionalservicealonepredominates.Thenliberationismadepossible.
Eventhereactionaryworkofthefruitiveworkerscanleadonetoliberation
whenitisovercoatedwithdevotionalservice.Karmaovercoatedwith
devotionalserviceiscalledkarmayoga.Similarly,empiricalknowledge
overcoatedwithdevotionalserviceiscalledjnanayoga.Butpurebhakti
yogaisindependentofsuchkarmaandjnanabecauseitalonecannotonly
endowonewithliberationfromconditionallifebutalsoawardonethe
transcendentallovingserviceoftheLord.

Therefore,anysensiblemanwhoisabovetheaveragemanwithapoorfundof
knowledgemustconstantlyrememberthePersonalityofGodheadbyhearing
aboutHim,byglorifyingHim,byrememberingHimandbyworshipingHim
always,withoutcessation.Thatistheperfectwayofdevotionalservice.The
GosvamisofVrndavana,whowereauthorizedbySriCaitanyaMahaprabhuto
preachthebhakticult,rigidlyfollowedthisruleandmadeimmenseliteratures
oftranscendentalscienceforourbenefit.Theyhavechalkedoutwaysforall
classesofmenintermsofthedifferentcastesandordersoflifeinpursuanceof
theteachingsofSrimadBhagavatamandsimilarotherauthoritativescriptures.
Otwicebornsages,byservingthosedevoteeswhoarecompletelyfreedfrom
allvice,greatserviceisdone.Bysuchservice,onegainsaffinityforhearing
themessagesofVasudeva.
Theconditionedlifeofalivingbeingiscausedbyhisrevoltingagainstthe
Lord.
TheservantsofGodurgepeopletobecomedevoteesoftheLord.Theynever
toleratebeingcalledGod.SriCaitanyaMahaprabhuwasGodHimself
accordingtotheindicationoftherevealedscriptures,butHeplayedthepartof
adevotee.PeoplewhoknewHimtobeGodaddressedHimasGod,butHe
usedtoblockHisearswithHishandsandchantthenameofLordVisnu.He
stronglyprotestedagainstbeingcalledGod,althoughundoubtedlyHewasGod
Himself.TheLordbehavessotowarnusagainstunscrupulousmenwhotake
pleasureinbeingaddressedasGod.
ByservingtheservantofGod,onecanpleaseGodmorethanbydirectly
servingtheLord.
TheLordismorepleasedwhenHeseesthatHisservantsareproperly
respectedbecausesuchservantsriskeverythingfortheserviceoftheLordand
soareverydeartotheLord.
ByservingtheservantsoftheLord,onegraduallygetsthequalityofsuch
servants,andthusonebecomesqualifiedtohearthegloriesofGod.The
eagernesstohearaboutGodisthefirstqualificationofadevoteeeligiblefor
enteringthekingdomofGod.
MessagesofthePersonalityofGodheadSriKrsnaarenondifferentfromHim.
Whenever,therefore,offenselesshearingandglorificationofGodare
undertaken,itistobeunderstoodthatLordKrsnaispresentthereintheform
oftranscendentalsound,whichisaspowerfulastheLordpersonally
TheLordissokindtousthatHecanbepresentbeforeuspersonallyinthe

formoftranscendentalsound,butunfortunatelywehavenotasteforhearing
andglorifyingtheLord'snameandactivities.Wehavealreadydiscussed
developingatasteforhearingandchantingtheholysound.Itisdonethrough
themediumofservicetothepuredevoteeoftheLord.
TheLordisreciprocallyrespondenttoHisdevotees.WhenHeseesthata
devoteeiscompletelysincereingettingadmittancetothetranscendental
serviceoftheLordandhasthusbecomeeagertohearaboutHim,theLordacts
fromwithinthedevoteeinsuchawaythatthedevoteemayeasilygobackto
Him.TheLordismoreanxioustotakeusbackintoHiskingdomthanwecan
desire.MostofusdonotdesireatalltogobacktoGodhead.Onlyaveryfew
menwanttogobacktoGodhead.Butanyonewhodesirestogobackto
Godhead,SriKrsnahelpsinallrespects.
OnecannotenterintothekingdomofGodunlessoneisperfectlyclearedofall
sins.Thematerialsinsareproductsofourdesirestolorditovermaterial
nature.Itisverydifficulttogetridofsuchdesires.Womenandwealthare
verydifficultproblemsforthedevoteemakingprogressonthepathback
toGodhead.Manystalwartsinthedevotionallinefellvictimtothese
allurementsandthusretreatedfromthepathofliberation.Butwhenoneis
helpedbytheLordHimself,thewholeprocessbecomesaseasyas
anythingbythedivinegraceoftheLord.
Tobecomerestlessinthecontactofwomenandwealthisnotan
astonishment,becauseeverylivingbeingisassociatedwithsuchthings
fromremotetime,practicallyimmemorial,andittakestimetorecover
fromthisforeignnature.Butifoneisengagedinhearingthegloriesofthe
Lord,graduallyherealizeshisrealposition.BythegraceofGodsucha
devoteegetssufficientstrengthtodefendhimselffromthestateof
disturbances,andgraduallyalldisturbingelementsareeliminatedfrom
hismind.
ByregularattendanceinclassesontheBhagavatamandbyrenderingof
servicetothepuredevotee,allthatistroublesometotheheartisalmost
completelydestroyed,andlovingserviceuntothePersonalityofGodhead,who
ispraisedwithtranscendentalsongs,isestablishedasanirrevocablefact.
Hereistheremedyforeliminatingallinauspiciousthingswithintheheart
whichareconsideredtobeobstaclesinthepathofselfrealization.The
remedyistheassociationoftheBhagavatas.Therearetwotypesof
Bhagavatas,namelythebookBhagavataandthedevoteeBhagavata.Boththe
Bhagavatasarecompetentremedies,andbothofthemoreitherofthemcanbe
goodenoughtoeliminatetheobstacles.AdevoteeBhagavataisasgoodasthe
bookBhagavatabecausethedevoteeBhagavataleadshislifeintermsofthe

bookBhagavataandthebookBhagavataisfullofinformationaboutthe
PersonalityofGodheadandHispuredevotees,whoarealsoBhagavatas.
Bhagavatabookandpersonareidentical.
ThedevoteeBhagavataisadirectrepresentativeofBhagavan,thePersonality
ofGodhead.SobypleasingthedevoteeBhagavataonecanreceivethebenefit
ofthebookBhagavata
ButactuallythesearefactsexplainedbySrilaNaradadeva,whohappenedtobe
amaidservant'ssoninhispreviouslife.Themaidservantwasengagedinthe
menialserviceofthesages,andthushealsocameintocontactwiththem.And
simplybyassociatingwiththemandacceptingtheremnantsoffoodstuffleftby
thesages,thesonofthemaidservantgotthechancetobecomethegreat
devoteeandpersonalitySrilaNaradadeva.Thesearethemiraculouseffectsof
theassociationofBhagavatas
Themoreprogressismadeindevotionalserviceundertheguidanceofthe
Bhagavatas,themoreonebecomesfixedinthetranscendentallovingserviceof
theLord.
Assoonasirrevocablelovingserviceisestablishedintheheart,theeffectsof
nature'smodesofpassionandignorance,suchaslust,desireandhankering,
disappearfromtheheart.Thenthedevoteeisestablishedingoodness,andhe
becomescompletelyhappy.
Alivingbeinginhisnormalconstitutionalpositionisfullysatisfiedinspiritual
bliss.Thisstateofexistenceiscalledbrahmabhutaoratmanandi,orthestate
ofselfsatisfaction.Thisselfsatisfactionisnotlikethesatisfactionofthe
inactivefool.Theinactivefoolisinthestateoffoolishignorance,whereasthe
selfsatisfiedatmanandiistranscendentaltothematerialstateofexistence.This
stageofperfectionisattainedassoonasoneisfixedinirrevocabledevotional
service.Devotionalserviceisnotinactivity,buttheunalloyedactivityofthe
soul.
Thesoul'sactivitybecomesadulteratedincontactwithmatter,andassuchthe
diseasedactivitiesareexpressedintheformoflust,desire,hankering,
inactivity,foolishnessandsleep.Theeffectofdevotionalservicebecomes
manifestbycompleteeliminationoftheseeffectsofpassionandignorance.
Thedevoteeisfixedatonceinthemodeofgoodness,andhemakesfurther
progresstorisetothepositionofVasudeva,orthestateofunmixedsattva,
orsuddhasattva.Onlyinthissuddhasattvastatecanonealwayssee
KrsnaeyetoeyebydintofpureaffectionfortheLord.
Adevoteeisalwaysinthemodeofunalloyedgoodness;thereforeheharmsno
one.Butthenondevotee,howevereducatedhemaybe,isalwaysharmful.A

devoteeisneitherfoolishnorpassionate.Theharmful,foolishandpassionate
cannotbedevoteesoftheLord,howevertheymayadvertisethemselvesas
devoteesbyoutwarddress.Adevoteeisalwaysqualifiedwithallthegood
qualitiesofGod.Quantitativelysuchqualificationsmaybedifferent,but
qualitativelyboththeLordandHisdevoteeareoneandthesame.
Thusestablishedinthemodeofunalloyedgoodness,themanwhosemindhas
beenenlivenedbycontactwithdevotionalservicetotheLordgainspositive
scientificknowledgeofthePersonalityofGodheadinthestageofliberation
fromallmaterialassociation.
Perfectionofhumanlifeisattainedwhenonecanunderstandthatheisnotthe
productofmatterbutisinfactspirit.Andassoonasoneunderstandsthathe
hasnothingtodowithmatter,heatonceceaseshismaterialhankeringsand
becomesenlivenedasaspiritualbeing.Thisattainmentofsuccessispossible
whenoneisabovethemodesofpassionandignorance,or,inotherwords,
whenoneisactuallyabrahmanabyqualification.Abrahmanaisthesymbolof
sattvaguna,orthemodeofgoodness.Andothers,whoarenotinthemodeof
goodness,areeitherksatriyas,vaisyas,sudrasorlessthanthesudras.The
brahminicalstageisthehigheststageofhumanlifebecauseofitsgood
qualities.Soonecannotbeadevoteeunlessoneatleastqualifiesasa
brahmana.Thedevoteeisalreadyabrahmanabyaction.Butthatisnottheend
ofit.Asreferredtoabove,suchabrahmanahastobecomeaVaisnavainfact
tobeactuallyinthetranscendentalstage.ApureVaisnavaisaliberatedsoul
andistranscendentaleventothepositionofabrahmana.Inthematerialstage
evenabrahmanaisalsoaconditionedsoulbecausealthoughinthebrahminical
stagetheconceptionofBrahmanortranscendenceisrealized,scientific
knowledgeoftheSupremeLordislacking.Onehastosurpassthebrahminical
stageandreachthevasudevastagetounderstandthePersonalityofGodhead
Krsna.
Thefactis,however,thatonecannotunderstandthescienceofthePersonality
ofGodheadunlessoneisfreedfromthecontaminationofthematerial
modes,evenuptothestageofabrahmana.Whenaqualifiedbrahmana
factuallybecomesaVaisnava,intheenlivenedstateofliberationhecanknow
whatisactuallythePersonalityofGodhead.
Thechainoffruitiveactionsisterminatedwhenoneseestheselfasmaster.
AttainingscientificknowledgeofthePersonalityofGodheadmeansseeing
one'sownselfsimultaneously.
Thematerialistdoesnotbelieveintheexistenceofthespiritself,andempiric
philosophersbelieveintheimpersonalfeatureofthewholespiritwithout
individualityofthelivingbeings.Butthetranscendentalistsaffirmthatthe

soulandtheSupersoularetwodifferentidentities,qualitativelyonebut
quantitativelydifferent
Certainlyadevotee,engagedinHisserviceintranscendentallove,cannot
remainindarkness.Hecomestoknoweverythingoftheabsoluteandthe
relativetruths.Thedevoteecannotremainindarkness,andbecauseadevotee
isenlightenedbythePersonalityofGodhead,hisknowledgeiscertainly
perfect.ThisisnotthecaseforthosewhospeculateontheAbsoluteTruthby
dintoftheirownlimitedpowerofapproach
Perfectknowledgeiscalledparampara,ordeductiveknowledgecomingdown
fromtheauthoritytothesubmissiveauralreceiverwhoisbonafidebyservice
andsurrender.
OnecannotchallengetheauthorityoftheSupremeandknowHimalsoatthe
sametime.
Hereservestherightofnotbeingexposedtosuchachallengingspiritofan
insignificantsparkofthewhole,asparksubjectedtothecontrolofillusory
energy.Thedevoteesaresubmissive,andthereforethetranscendental
knowledgedescendsfromthePersonalityofGodheadtoBrahmaandfrom
Brahmatohissonsanddisciplesinsuccession.Thisprocessishelpedbythe
Supersoulwithinsuchdevotees.Thatistheperfectwayoflearning
transcendentalknowledge.
Thisenlightenmentperfectlyenablesthedevoteetodistinguishspiritfrom
matterbecausetheknotofspiritandmatterisuntiedbytheLord.Thisknotis
calledahankara,anditfalselyobligesalivingbeingtobecomeidentifiedwith
matter.Assoonasthisknotisloosened,therefore,allthecloudsofdoubtareat
onceclearedoff.Oneseeshismasterandfullyengageshimselfinthe
transcendentallovingserviceoftheLord,makingafullterminationofthe
chainoffruitiveaction.Inmaterialexistence,alivingbeingcreateshisown
chainoffruitiveworkandenjoysthegoodandbadeffectsofthoseactionslife
afterlife.ButassoonasheengageshimselfinthelovingserviceoftheLord,
heatoncebecomesfreefromthechainofkarma.Hisactionsnolongercreate
anyreaction.
Certainly,therefore,sincetimeimmemorial,alltranscendentalistshavebeen
renderingdevotionalservicetoLordKrsna,thePersonalityofGodhead,with
greatdelight,becausesuchdevotionalserviceisenliveningtotheself.
ThespecialityofdevotionalserviceuntothePersonalityofGodheadLordSri
Krsnaisspecificallymentionedherein.LordSriKrsnaisthesvayamrupa
PersonalityofGodhead,andallotherformsofGodhead,beginningfromSri
Baladeva,Sankarsana,Vasudeva,Aniruddha,PradyumnaandNarayanaand

extendingtothepurusaavataras,gunaavataras,lilaavataras,yugaavataras
andmanyotherthousandsofmanifestationsofthePersonalityofGodhead,are
LordSriKrsna'splenaryportionsandintegratedparts.
ThereforeLordSriKrsnaistheoriginalformofGodhead,andHeisthelast
wordintheTranscendence.ThusHeismoreattractivetothehigher
transcendentalistswhoparticipateintheeternalpastimesoftheLord.Informs
ofthePersonalityofGodheadotherthanSriKrsnaandBaladeva,thereisno
facilityforintimatepersonalcontactasinthetranscendentalpastimesofthe
LordatVrajabhumi
Hispastimesareeternalandaremanifestedinduecourseonceinadayof
Brahmaji,asthesunrisesontheeasternhorizonattheendofeverytwenty
fourhours.

ThetranscendentalPersonalityofGodheadisindirectlyassociatedwiththe
threemodesofmaterialnature,namelypassion,goodnessandignorance,and
justforthematerialworld'screation,maintenanceanddestructionHeaccepts
thethreequalitativeformsofBrahma,VisnuandSiva.Ofthesethree,all
humanbeingscanderiveultimatebenefitfromVisnu,theformofthequalityof
goodness.
LordSriKrsnaandallHisplenarypartsarevisnutattva,ortheLordshipof
Godhead.FromSriKrsna,thenextmanifestationisBaladeva.FromBaladeva
isSankarsana,fromSankarsanaisNarayana,fromNarayanathereisthesecond
Sankarsana,andfromthisSankarsanatheVisnupurusaavataras.TheVisnuor
theDeityofthequalityofgoodnessinthematerialworldisthepurusaavatara
knownasKsirodakasayiVisnuorParamatma.Brahmaisthedeityofrajas
(passion),andSivaofignorance.
Jivasaresometimessubjectedtothecontrolofmaterialenergy,buttheVisnu
formsarealwayscontrollersofthisenergy
Suchlivingbeingsappearinthematerialworldwithintentionsofbeinglords,
andthustheybecomeentrappedbythethreemodesofnature.Assuch,the
livingentitieshavetochangetheirmaterialcoveringsforundergoingdifferent
termsofimprisonment.Theprisonhouseofthematerialworldiscreatedby
BrahmaunderinstructionofthePersonalityofGodhead,andattheconclusion
ofakalpathewholethingisdestroyedbySiva.Butasfarasmaintenanceof
theprisonhouseisconcerned,itisdonebyVisnu,asmuchasthestateprison
houseismaintainedbythestate
Anyone,therefore,whowishestogetoutofthisprisonhouseofmaterial
existence,whichisfullofmiserieslikerepetitionofbirth,death,diseaseand

oldage,mustpleaseLordVisnuforsuchliberation.LordVisnuisworshiped
bydevotionalserviceonly,andifanyonehastocontinueprisonlifeinthe
materialworld,hemayaskforrelativefacilitiesfortemporaryrelieffromthe
differentdemigodslikeSiva,Brahma,IndraandVaruna.Nodemigod,
however,canreleasetheimprisonedlivingbeingfromtheconditionedlifeof
materialexistence.ThiscanbedoneonlybyVisnu.Therefore,theultimate
benefitmaybederivedfromVisnu,thePersonalityofGodhead.
Similarly,passion[rajas]isbetterthanignorance[tamas],butgoodness[sattva]
isbestbecausebygoodnessonecancometorealizetheAbsoluteTruth.
Itisamistake,therefore,toconsiderthatworshipofanyqualityoranyformof
theSupremePersonalityofGodheadisequallybeneficial.ExceptVisnu,all
separatedformsaremanifestedundertheconditionsofmaterialenergy,and
thereforetheformsofmaterialenergycannothelpanyonetorisetothe
platformofsattva,whichalonecanliberateapersonfrommaterialbondage.

Theuncivilizedstateoflife,orthelifeoftheloweranimals,iscontrolledby
themodeoftamas.Thecivilizedlifeofman,withapassionforvarioustypes
ofmaterialbenefits,isthestageofrajas.Therajasstageoflifegivesaslight
cluetotherealizationoftheAbsoluteTruthintheformsoffinesentimentsin
philosophy,artandculturewithmoralandethicalprinciples,butthemodeof
sattvaisastillhigherstageofmaterialquality,whichactuallyhelpsonein
realizingtheAbsoluteTruth.Inotherwords,thereisaqualitativedifference
betweenthedifferentkindsofworshipingmethodsaswellastherespective
resultsderivedfromthepredominatingdeities,namelyBrahma,Visnuand
Hara.
PreviouslyallthegreatsagesrenderedserviceuntothePersonalityofGodhead
duetoHisexistenceabovethethreemodesofmaterialnature.Theyworshiped
Himtobecomefreefrommaterialconditionsandthusderivetheultimate
benefit.Whoeverfollowssuchgreatauthoritiesisalsoeligibleforliberation
fromthematerialworld.
Thepurposeofperformingreligionisneithertoprofitbymaterialgainnorto
getthesimpleknowledgeofdiscerningmatterfromspirit.Theultimateaimof
religiousperformancesistoreleaseoneselffrommaterialbondageandregain
thelifeoffreedominthetranscendentalworld,wherethePersonalityof
GodheadistheSupremePerson
Lawsofreligion,therefore,aredirectlyenactedbythePersonalityofGodhead,
andexceptforthemahajanas,ortheauthorizedagentsoftheLord,noone
knowsthepurposeofreligion.TherearetwelveparticularagentsoftheLord
whoknowthepurposeofreligion,andallofthemrendertranscendental

serviceuntoHim.Personswhodesiretheirowngoodmayfollowthese
mahajanasandthusattainthesupremebenefit.
Thosewhoareseriousaboutliberationarecertainlynonenvious,andthey
respectall.Yettheyrejectthehorribleandghastlyformsofthedemigodsand
worshiponlytheallblissfulformsofLordVisnuandHisplenaryportions.
TheSupremePersonalityofGodheadSriKrsna,whoistheoriginalpersonof
theVisnucategories,expandsHimselfintwodifferentcategories,namely
integratedplenaryportionsandseparatedpartsandparcels.Theseparatedparts
andparcelsaretheservitors,andtheintegratedplenaryportionsofvisnu
tattvasaretheworshipfulobjectsofservice.

AlldemigodswhoareempoweredbytheSupremeLordarealsoseparated
partsandparcels.Theydonotbelongtothecategoriesofvisnutattva.The
visnutattvasarelivingbeingsequallyaspowerfulastheoriginalformofthe
PersonalityofGodhead,andTheydisplaydifferentcategoriesofpowerin
considerationofdifferenttimesandcircumstances.Theseparatedpartsand
parcelsarepowerfulbylimitation.Theydonothaveunlimitedpowerlikethe
visnutattvas.Therefore,oneshouldneverclassifythevisnutattvas,orthe
plenaryportionsofNarayana,thePersonalityofGodhead,inthesame
categorieswiththepartsandparcels.Ifanyonedoessohebecomesatoncean
offenderbythenamepasandi.IntheageofKalimanyfoolishpersonscommit
suchunlawfuloffensesandequalizethetwocategories.
Theseparatedpartsandparcelshavedifferentpositionsintheestimationof
materialpowers,andsomeofthemarelikeKalabhairava,Smasanabhairava,
Sani,MahakaliandCandika.Thesedemigodsareworshipedmostlybythose
whoareinthelowestcategoriesofthemodeofdarknessorignorance.Other
demigods,likeBrahma,Siva,Surya,Ganesaandmanysimilardeities,are
worshipedbymeninthemodeofpassion,urgedonbythedesireformaterial
enjoyment.Butthosewhoareactuallysituatedinthemodeofgoodness
(sattvaguna)ofmaterialnatureworshiponlyvisnutattvas.Visnutattvasare
representedbyvariousnamesandforms,suchasNarayana,Damodara,
Vamana,GovindaandAdhoksaja.
Highlyqualifiedbrahmanassituatedinthemodeofgoodnesshavenogrudges
againstthemodeofworshipofothers.Theyhaveallrespectforother

demigods,eventhoughtheymaylookghastly,likeKalabhairavaorMahakali.
TheyknowverywellthatthosehorriblefeaturesoftheSupremeLordareall
differentservitorsoftheLordunderdifferentconditions,yettheyrejectthe
worshipofbothhorribleandattractivefeaturesofthedemigods,andthey
concentrateonlyontheformsofVisnubecausetheyareseriousabout
liberationfromthematerialconditions.Thedemigods,eventothestageof
Brahma,thesupremeofallthedemigods,cannotofferliberationtoanyone.
Hiranyakasipuunderwentaseveretypeofpenancetobecomeeternalinlife,
buthisworshipfuldeity,Brahma,couldnotsatisfyhimwithsuchblessings.
ThereforeVisnu,andnoneelse,iscalledmuktipada,orthePersonalityof
Godheadwhocanbestowuponusmukti,liberation.
Thedemigodscanawardtheworshiperssometemporarybenefitonly,andnot
theultimateone.
Thosewhoareinthemodesofpassionandignoranceworshiptheforefathers,
otherlivingbeingsandthedemigodswhoareinchargeofcosmicactivities,for
theyareurgedbyadesiretobemateriallybenefitedwithwomen,wealth,
powerandprogeny.

Weshouldneverdesiretoincreasethedepthofmaterialenjoyment.Material
enjoymentshouldbeacceptedonlyuptothepointofthebarenecessitiesoflife
andnotmoreorlessthanthat.Toacceptmorematerialenjoymentmeansto
bindoneselfmoreandmoretothemiseriesofmaterialexistence
Morewealth,morewomenandfalsearistocracyaresomeofthedemandsof
themateriallydisposedmanbecausehehasnoinformationofthebenefit
derivedfromVisnuworship.ByVisnuworshiponecanderivebenefitinthis
lifeaswellasinlifeafterdeath.Forgettingtheseprinciples,foolishpeoplewho
areaftermorewealth,morewivesandmorechildrenworshipvarious
demigods.Theaimoflifeistoendthemiseriesoflifeandnottoincrease
them.
Formaterialenjoymentthereisnoneedtoapproachthedemigods.The
demigodsarebutservantsoftheLord.Assuch,theyaredutyboundtosupply
necessitiesoflifeintheformofwater,light,air,etc.Oneshouldworkhardand
worshiptheSupremeLordbythefruitsofone'shardlaborforexistence,and
thatshouldbethemottooflife.Oneshouldbecarefultoexecuteoccupational
servicewithfaithinGodintheproperway,andthatwillleadonegraduallyon
theprogressivemarchbacktoGodhead.
Worshipingthemultidemigodsformaterialgainispracticallyaperversityof
religion.Thissortofreligiousactivityhasbeencondemnedinthevery

beginningoftheBhagavatamaskaitavadharma.Thereisonlyonereligionin
theworldtobefollowedbyoneandall,andthatistheBhagavatadharma,or
thereligionwhichteachesonetoworshiptheSupremePersonalityofGodhead
andnooneelse.
Intherevealedscriptures,theultimateobjectofknowledgeisSriKrsna,the
PersonalityofGodhead.ThepurposeofperformingsacrificeistopleaseHim.
YogaisforrealizingHim.Allfruitiveactivitiesareultimatelyrewardedby
Himonly.Heissupremeknowledge,andallsevereausteritiesareperformedto
knowHim.Religion[dharma]isrenderinglovingserviceuntoHim.Heis
thesupremegoaloflife.
IntheVedicliteraturethereisthesameobjective:establishingone's
relationshipandultimatelyrevivingourlostlovingserviceuntoHim.Thatis
thesumandsubstanceoftheVedas
ImpersonalistswhohavenoinformationofthePersonalityofGodhead
minimizetheomnipotencyoftheSupremeLordandputHimonequalfooting
withallotherlivingbeings,andforthisactsuchimpersonalistsgetfreedom
frommaterialbondageonlywithgreatdifficulty.TheycansurrenderuntoHim
onlyaftermany,manybirthsinthecultureoftranscendentalknowledge.

OnemayarguethattheVedicactivitiesarebasedonsacrificialceremonies.
Thatistrue.Butallsuchsacrificesarealsomeantforrealizingthetruthabout
Vasudeva.AnothernameofVasudevaisYajna(sacrifice),andinthe
Bhagavadgitaitisclearlystatedthatallsacrificesandallactivitiesaretobe
conductedforthesatisfactionofYajna,orVisnu,thePersonalityofGodhead.
Thisisthecasealsowiththeyogasystems.Yogameanstogetintotouchwith
theSupremeLord.Theprocess,however,includesseveralbodilyfeaturessuch
asasana,dhyana,pranayamaandmeditation,andallofthemaremeantfor
concentratinguponthelocalizedaspectofVasudevarepresentedas
Paramatma.ParamatmarealizationisbutpartialrealizationofVasudeva,andif
oneissuccessfulinthatattempt,onerealizesVasudevainfull.Butbyillluck
mostyogisarestrandedbythepowersofmysticismachievedthroughthe
bodilyprocess.Illfatedyogisaregivenachanceinthenextbirthbybeing
placedinthefamiliesofgoodlearnedbrahmanasorinthefamiliesofrich
merchantsinordertoexecutetheunfinishedtaskofVasudevarealization
Cultureofknowledgeleadingonetothetranscendentalplaneofmeeting
Vasudevaisrealknowledge
Butthesamephysicalknowledgeleadingtothewayofspiritualunderstanding

helpsonetoendthemiserablelifeofphysicalexistenceandtobeginthelifeof
spiritualexistenceontheplaneofVasudeva.
Oneshouldacceptvoluntarybodilyinconvenienceforthesakeofknowing
Vasudevabecausethatisthewayofrealausterities.Otherwiseallformsof
austeritiesareclassifiedasmodesofpassionandignorance.passionand
ignorancecannotendthemiseriesoflife.Onlythemodeofgoodnesscan
mitigatethethreefoldmiseriesoflife.
VasudevaandDevaki,thesocalledfatherandmotherofLordKrsna,
underwentpenancestogetVasudevaastheirson.LordSriKrsnaisthefather
ofalllivingbeings.LordSriKrsnaagreedtobecomethesonofVasudevaand
Devakiuponbeingpleasedwiththeirsevereausterities.Thereforeifany
austeritieshavetobedone,theymustbedonetoachievetheendofknowledge,
Vasudeva.
Hisenergiesarealsomultifarious,andHisinternalenergiesaresuperiorand
externalenergiesinferiorinquality.SoHisexpansionsofvariousformswhich
takeplaceviatheinternalenergiesaresuperiorforms,whereastheexpansions
whichtakeplaceviatheexternalenergiesareinferiorforms.Thelivingentities
arealsoHisexpansions.ThelivingentitieswhoareexpandedbyHisinternal
potencyareeternallyliberatedpersons,whereasthosewhoareexpandedin
termsofthematerialenergiesareeternallyconditionedsouls.

Therefore,allcultureofknowledge,austerities,sacrificeandactivitiesshould
beaimedatchangingthequalityoftheinfluencethatisactinguponus.Forthe
present,weareallbeingcontrolledbytheexternalenergyoftheLord,andjust
tochangethequalityoftheinfluence,wemustendeavortocultivatespiritual
energy.IntheBhagavadgitaitissaidthatthosewhoaremahatmas,orthose
whosemindshavebeensobroadenedastobeengagedintheserviceofLord
Krsna,areundertheinfluenceoftheinternalpotency,andtheeffectisthat
suchbroadmindedlivingbeingsareconstantlyengagedintheserviceofthe
Lordwithoutdeviation.Thatshouldbetheaimoflife.Andthatistheverdict
ofalltheVedicliteratures.Nooneshouldbotherhimselfwithfruitiveactivities
ordryspeculationabouttranscendentalknowledge.Everyoneshouldatonce
engagehimselfinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.Norshouldone
worshipdifferentdemigodswhoworkasdifferenthandsoftheLordfor
creation,maintenanceordestructionofthematerialworld.Thereare
innumerablepowerfuldemigodswholookovertheexternalmanagementofthe
materialworld.TheyarealldifferentassistinghandsofLordVasudeva.Even
LordSivaandLordBrahmaareincludedinthelistofdemigods,butLord
Visnu,orVasudeva,isalwaystranscendentallysituated.EventhoughHe

acceptsthequalityofgoodnessofthematerialworld,Heisstilltranscendental
toallthematerialmodes
Inthebeginningofthematerialcreation,thatAbsolutePersonalityofGodhead
[Vasudeva],inHistranscendentalposition,createdtheenergiesofcauseand
effectbyHisowninternalenergy.
ThepositionoftheLordisalwaystranscendentalbecausethecausaland
effectualenergiesrequiredforthecreationofthematerialworldwerealso
createdbyHim.Heisunaffected,therefore,bythequalitiesofthematerial
modes.Hisexistence,form,activitiesandparaphernaliaallexistedbeforethe
materialcreation.*Heisallspiritualandhasnothingtodowiththequalitiesof
thematerialworld,whicharequalitativelydistinctfromthespiritualqualities
oftheLord.
Aftercreatingthematerialsubstance,theLord[Vasudeva]expandsHimself
andentersintoit.AndalthoughHeiswithinthematerialmodesofnatureand
appearstobe;oneofthecreatedbeings,HeisalwaysfullyenlightenedinHis
transcendentalposition.
ThelivingentitiesareseparatedpartsandparcelsoftheLord,andthe
conditionedlivingentities,whoareunfitforthespiritualkingdom,arestrewn
withinthematerialworldtoenjoymattertothefullestextent.AsParamatma
andeternalfriendofthelivingentities,theLord,byoneofHisplenary
portions,accompaniesthelivingentitiestoguidethemintheirmaterial
enjoymentandtobecomewitnesstoallactivities.Whilethelivingentities
enjoythematerialconditions,theLordmaintainsHistranscendentalposition
withoutbeingaffectedbythematerialatmosphere.IntheVedicliteratures
(sruti)itissaidthattherearetwobirdsinonetree.
Oneofthemiseatingthefruitofthetree,whiletheotheriswitnessingthe
actions.ThewitnessistheLord,andthefruiteateristhelivingentity.The
fruiteater(livingentity)hasforgottenhisrealidentityandisoverwhelmedin
thefruitiveactivitiesofthematerialconditions,buttheLord(Paramatma)is
alwaysfullintranscendentalknowledge.Thatisthedifferencebetweenthe
Supersoulandtheconditionedsoul.Theconditionedsoul,thelivingentity,is
controlledbythelawsofnature,whiletheParamatma,ortheSupersoul,isthe
controllerofthematerialenergy.
TheLord,asSupersoul,pervadesallthings,justasfirepermeateswood,andso
Heappearstobeofmanyvarieties,thoughHeistheabsoluteonewithouta
second.
LordVasudeva,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,byoneofHisplenary
partsexpandsHimselfalloverthematerialworld,andHisexistencecanbe
perceivedevenwithintheatomicenergy.Matter,antimatter,proton,neutron,

etc.,arealldifferenteffectsoftheParamatmafeatureoftheLord.
TheLordcanberealizedthroughtheauralreceptionofthetranscendental
message,andthatistheonlywaytoexperiencethetranscendentalsubject
Asfireiskindledfromwoodbyanotherfire,thedivineconsciousnessofman
cansimilarlybekindledbyanotherdivinegrace.HisDivineGracethespiritual
mastercankindlethespiritualfirefromthewoodlikelivingentitybyimparting
properspiritualmessagesinjectedthroughthereceptiveear.Thereforeoneis
requiredtoapproachtheproperspiritualmasterwithreceptiveearsonly,and
thusdivineexistenceisgraduallyrealized.Thedifferencebetweenanimality
andhumanityliesinthisprocessonly.Ahumanbeingcanhearproperly,
whereasananimalcannot.
TheSupersoulentersintothebodiesofthecreatedbeingswhoareinfluenced
bythemodesofmaterialnatureandcausesthemtoenjoytheeffectsofthese
modesbythesubtlemind.
Thereare8,400,000speciesoflivingbeingsbeginningfromthehighest
intellectualbeing,Brahma,downtotheinsignificantant,andallofthemare
enjoyingthematerialworldaccordingtothedesiresofthesubtlemindand
grossmaterialbody.Thegrossmaterialbodyisbasedontheconditionsofthe
subtlemind,andthesensesarecreatedaccordingtothedesireoftheliving
being.TheLordasParamatmahelpsthelivingbeingtogetmaterialhappiness
becausethelivingbeingishelplessinallrespectsinobtainingwhathedesires.
Heproposes,andtheLorddisposes

Inanothersense,thelivingbeingsarepartsandparcelsoftheLord.Theyare
thereforeonewiththeLord.IntheBhagavadgitathelivingbeingsinall
varietiesofbodieshavebeenclaimedbytheLordasHissons.Thesufferings
andenjoymentsofthesonsareindirectlythesufferingsandenjoymentsofthe
father.Stillthefatherisnotinanywayaffecteddirectlybythesuffering
andenjoymentofthesons.HeissokindthatHeconstantlyremainswiththe
livingbeingasParamatmaandalwaystriestoconvertthelivingbeingtowards
therealhappiness.
Thereareinnumerablematerialuniverses,andineachandeveryuniversethere
areinnumerableplanetsinhabitedbydifferentgradesoflivingentitiesin
differentmodesofnature.TheLord(Visnu)incarnatesHimselfineachand
everyoneofthemandineachandeverytypeoflivingsociety.Hemanifests

Histranscendentalpastimesamongstthemjusttocreatethedesiretogoback
toGodhead.TheLorddoesnotchangeHisoriginaltranscendentalposition,but
Heappearstobedifferentlymanifestedaccordingtotheparticulartime,
circumstancesandsociety.
SometimesHeincarnatesHimselforempowersasuitablelivingbeingtoact
forHim,butineithercasethepurposeisthesame:theLordwantsthesuffering
livingbeingtogobackhome,backtoGodhead.Thehappinesswhichthe
livingbeingsarehankeringforisnottobefoundwithinanycornerofthe
innumerableuniversesandmaterialplanets.Theeternalhappinesswhichthe
livingbeingwantsisobtainableinthekingdomofGod,buttheforgetfulliving
beingsundertheinfluenceofthematerialmodeshavenoinformationofthe
kingdomofGod.TheLord,therefore,comestopropagatethemessageofthe
kingdomofGod,eitherpersonallyasanincarnationorthroughHisbonafide
representativeasthegoodsonofGod.SuchincarnationsorsonsofGodarenot
makingpropagandaforgoingbacktoGodheadonlywithinthehumansociety.
Theirworkisalsogoingoninalltypesofsocieties,amongstdemigodsand
thoseotherthanhumanbeings.
Chapter3

Sutasaid:Inthebeginningofthecreation,theLordfirstexpandedHimselfin
theuniversalformofthepurusaincarnationandmanifestedalltheingredients
forthematerialcreation.Andthusatfirsttherewasthecreationofthesixteen
principlesofmaterialaction.Thiswasforthepurposeofcreatingthematerial
universe.
LordKrsna,whoisfamousasthesonofKingVasudevaorKingNanda,isfull
withallopulences,allpotencies,allfame,allbeauty,allknowledgeandall
renunciation.

Therearethreepurusafeaturesinthematerialcreation,andthisform,whois
knownastheKaranodakasayiVisnu,isthefirstofthethree.Theothersare
knownastheGarbhodakasayiVisnuandtheKsirodakasayiVisnu,whichwe
shallknowoneafteranother.Theinnumerableuniversesaregeneratedfrom
theskinholesofthisKaranodakasayiVisnu,andineachoneoftheuniverses
theLordentersasGarbhodakasayiVisnu.
Thiscreationanddestructionisdonebythesupremewillbecauseofthe
conditionedsouls,orthenityabaddhalivingbeings.Thenityabaddha,orthe
eternallyconditionedsouls,havethesenseofindividualityorahankara,which
dictatesthemsenseenjoyment,whichtheyareunabletohaveconstitutionally.

TheLordistheonlyenjoyer,andallothersareenjoyed.Thelivingbeingsare
predominatedenjoyers.Buttheeternallyconditionedsouls,forgetfulofthis
constitutionalposition,havestrongaspirationstoenjoy.Thechancetoenjoy
matterisgiventotheconditionedsoulsinthematerialworld,andsidebyside
theyaregiventhechancetounderstandtheirrealconstitutionalposition.Those
fortunatelivingentitieswhocatchthetruthandsurrenderuntothelotusfeetof
Vasudevaaftermany,manybirthsinthematerialworldjointheeternally
liberatedsoulsandthusareallowedtoenterintothekingdomofGodhead.
Afterthis,suchfortunatelivingentitiesneednotcomeagainwithinthe
occasionalmaterialcreation.Butthosewhocannotcatchtheconstitutional
truthareagainmergedintothemahattattvaatthetimeoftheannihilationof
thematerialcreation.Whenthecreationisagainsetup,thismahattattvais
againletloose
Thismahattattvacontainsalltheingredientsofthematerialmanifestations,
includingtheconditionedsouls.Primarilythismahattattvaisdividedinto
sixteenparts,namelythefivegrossmaterialelementsandtheelevenworking
instrumentsorsenses.Itislikethecloudintheclearsky.Inthespiritualsky,
theeffulgenceofBrahmanisspreadallaround,andthewholesystemis
dazzlinginspirituallight.Themahattattvaisassembledinsomecornerofthe
vast,unlimitedspiritualsky,andthepartwhichisthuscoveredbythemahat
tattvaiscalledthematerialsky.Thispartofthespiritualsky,calledthemahat
tattva,isonlyaninsignificantportionofthewholespiritualsky,andwithinthis
mahattattvathereareinnumerableuniverses.Alltheseuniversesare
collectivelyproducedbytheKaranodakasayiVisnu,calledalsotheMaha
Visnu,whosimplythrowsHisglancetoimpregnatethematerialsky.
ThefirstpurusaistheKaranodakasayiVisnu.FromHisskinholesinnumerable
universeshavesprungup.Ineachandeveryuniverse,thepurusaentersasthe
GarbhodakasayiVisnu.Heislyingwithinthehalfoftheuniversewhichisfull
withthewaterofHisbody.AndfromthenavelofGarbhodakasayiVisnuhas
sprungthestemofthelotusflower,thebirthplaceofBrahma,whoisthefather
ofalllivingbeingsandthemasterofallthedemigodengineersengagedinthe
perfectdesignandworkingoftheuniversalorder.

FromGarbhodakasayiVisnuthereisexpansionoftheKsirodakasayiVisnu,
whoisthecollectiveParamatmaofalllivingbeings.HeiscalledHari,and
fromHimallincarnationswithintheuniverseareexpanded.
Nothingcantakeplacewithoutacause.TheKaranaOceanisthereforecalled
theCausalOcean.Karanameans"causal.
Itisbelievedthatalltheuniversalplanetarysystemsaresituatedonthe

extensivebodyofthepurusa,butHehasnothingtodowiththecreated
materialingredients.Hisbodyiseternallyinspiritualexistenceparexcellence.
TheconceptionoftheviratrupaorvisvarupaoftheSupremeAbsoluteTruth
isespeciallymeantfortheneophytewhocanhardlythinkofthetranscendental
formofthePersonalityofGodhead.Tohimaformmeanssomethingofthis
materialworld,andthereforeanoppositeconceptionoftheAbsoluteis
necessaryinthebeginningtoconcentratethemindonthepowerextensionof
theLord.
TheextensionofpowerbytheLordandtheLordHimselfpersonallyareonein
onesense,butatthesametimethemahattattvaisdifferentfromtheLord.
ThereforethepotencyoftheLordandtheLordaresimultaneouslydifferent
andnondifferent.Theconceptionoftheviratrupa,especiallyforthe
impersonalist,isthusnondifferentfromtheeternalformoftheLord.
ThiseternalformoftheLordexistspriortothecreationofthemahat
tattva,anditisstressedherethattheeternalformoftheLordisparexcellence
spiritualortranscendentaltothemodesofmaterialnature.
Withourpresentmaterializedsenseswecannotperceiveanythingofthe
transcendentalLord.Ourpresentsensesaretoberectifiedbytheprocessof
devotionalservice,andthentheLordHimselfbecomesrevealedtous
IntheBrahmasamhitaalsoitissaidthattheLordisalwaysvisibletothe
devoteeswhoseeyeshavebeenanointedwiththetingeofdevotionalservice.
SowehavetotakeinformationofthetranscendentalformoftheLordfrom
personswhohaveactuallyseenHimwithperfecteyessmearedwithdevotional
service
Heisformlesstotheneophytes,butHeisintranscendentalformtotheexpert
servitor.
Thisform[thesecondmanifestationofthepurusa]isthesourceand
indestructibleseedofmultifariousincarnationswithintheuniverse.Fromthe
particlesandportionsofthisform,differentlivingentities,likedemigods,men
andothers,arecreated.

Thepurusa,aftercreatinginnumerableuniversesinthemahattattva,enteredin
eachofthemasthesecondpurusa,GarbhodakasayiVisnu.WhenHesawthat
withintheuniversetherewasonlydarknessandspace,withoutarestingplace,
HefilledhalfoftheuniversewithwaterfromHisownperspirationandlaid
Himselfdownonthesamewater.ThiswateriscalledGarbhodaka.Thenfrom
Hisnavelthestemofthelotusflowersprouted,andontheflowerpetalsthe

birthofBrahma,orthemasterengineeroftheuniversalplan,tookplace
Thereforeallthree,namelyBrahma,VisnuandSiva,areincarnationsofthe
GarbhodakasayiVisnu
FromBrahmatheotherdemigodslikeDaksa,Marici,Manuandmanyothers
becomeincarnatedtogeneratelivingentitieswithintheuniverse.This
GarbhodakasayiVisnuisglorifiedintheVedasinthehymnsofGarbhastuti,
whichbeginwiththedescriptionoftheLordashavingthousandsofheads,etc.
TheVisnuwhoistheplenaryportionoftheGarbhodakasayiVisnuisthe
Supersouloftheuniversallife,andHeisknownasthemaintainerofthe
universeorKsirodakasayiVisnu.
Andalltheincarnationswithintheuniverseareemanationsfromthis
KsirodakasayiVisnu.
Indifferentmillenniatherearedifferentincarnations,andtheyare
innumerable,althoughsomeofthemareveryprominent,suchasMatsya,
Kurma,Varaha,Rama,Nrsimha,Vamanaandmanyothers.Theseincarnations
arecalledlilaincarnations.Thentherearequalitativeincarnationssuchas
Brahma,Visnu,andSiva(orRudra)whotakechargeofthedifferentmodesof
materialnature.
LordVisnuisnondifferentfromthePersonalityofGodhead.LordSivaisinthe
marginalpositionbetweenthePersonalityofGodheadandthelivingentities,
orjivas.Brahmaisalwaysajivatattva.
LordSivaisnotanordinarylivingbeing.HeistheplenaryportionoftheLord,
butbecauseLordSivaisindirecttouchwithmaterialnature,heisnotexactly
inthesametranscendentalpositionasLordVisnu.
ThenextincarnationsaretheManus
Thereareinnumerableuniverses,withoneBrahmaineachofthem,andallof
themarecreatedandannihilatedduringthebreathingtimeofthepurusa.
ThereforeonecansimplyimaginehowmanymillionsofManusthereare
duringonebreathofthepurusa.

Thentherearetheyugavataras,ortheincarnationsofthemillennia.Theyugas
areknownasSatyayuga,Tretayuga,DvaparayugaandKaliyuga.The
incarnationsofeachyugaareofdifferentcolor.Thecolorsarewhite,red,black
andyellow.IntheDvaparayuga,LordKrsnainblackcolorappeared,andin

theKaliyugaLordCaitanyainyellowcolorappeared.
AnincarnationdoesnotdeclareHimselftobeanincarnationoftheLord,but
greatsagesagreebythesymptomsmentionedintherevealedscriptures.The
featuresoftheincarnationandtheparticulartypeofmissionwhichHehasto
executearementionedintherevealedscriptures.
Whentheyaredirectlyempoweredtheyarecalledincarnations,butwhenthey
areindirectlyempoweredtheyarecalledvibhutis.Directlyempowered
incarnationsaretheKumaras,Narada,Prthu,Sesa,Ananta,etc.Asfaras
vibhutisareconcerned,theyareveryexplicitlydescribedintheBhagavadgita
intheVibhutiyogachapter.Andforallthesedifferenttypesofincarnations,
thefountainheadistheGarbhodakasayiVisnu.
TheseKumarasareempoweredincarnations.Andbeforeexecutingthesevere
typeofdisciplinaryactions,allofthembecamequalifiedbrahmanas.This
examplesuggeststhatonemustfirstacquirethequalificationsofa
brahmana,notsimplybybirthbutalsobyquality,andthenonecan
undergotheprocessofBrahmanrealization.
NaradaistheauthorofNaradapancaratra,whichistheexpositionoftheVedas
particularlyforthedevotionalserviceoftheLord.ThisNaradapancaratra
trainsthekarmis,orthefruitiveworkers,toachieveliberationfromthe
bondageoffruitivework.Theconditionedsoulsaremostlyattractedbyfruitive
workbecausetheywanttoenjoylifebythesweatoftheirownbrows.The
wholeuniverseisfulloffruitiveworkersinallspeciesoflife.Thefruitive
worksincludeallkindsofeconomicdevelopmentplans.Butthelawofnature
providesthateveryactionhasitsresultantreaction,andtheperformerofthe
workisboundupbysuchreactions,goodorbad.Thereactionofgoodworkis
comparativematerialprosperity,whereasthereactionofbadworkis
comparativematerialdistress.Butmaterialconditions,eitherinsocalled
happinessorinsocalleddistress,areallmeantultimatelyfordistressonly.
Foolishmaterialistshavenoinformationofhowtoobtaineternalhappinessin
theunconditionalstate.SriNaradainformsthesefoolishfruitiveworkershow
torealizetherealityofhappiness.Hegivesdirectiontothediseasedmenofthe
worldhowone'spresentengagementcanleadonetothepathofspiritual
emancipation
TheBhagavadgitaalsogivesthesamesolutionofservingtheLordbythe
fruitsofone'slabor.Thatwillleadonetothepathofnaiskarmya,orliberation.

Thesocietyofhumanbeingisnaturallydividedintoeightbyordersand
statusesoflifethefourdivisionsofoccupationandfourdivisionsofcultural

advancement.Theintelligentclass,theadministrativeclass,theproductive
classandthelaborerclassarethefourdivisionsofoccupation.Andthestudent
life,thehouseholder'slife,retiredlifeandrenouncedlifearethefourstatuses
ofculturaladvancementtowardsthepathofspiritualrealization.Outofthese,
therenouncedorderoflife,ortheorderofsannyasa,isconsideredthehighest
ofall,andasannyasiisconstitutionallythespiritualmasterforalltheorders
anddivisions.Inthesannyasaorderalsotherearefourstagesofupliftment
towardperfection.Thesestagesarecalledkuticaka,bahudaka,
parivrajakacarya,andparamahamsa.Theparamahamsastageoflifeisthe
higheststageofperfection.
Foolishmenseekaftermaterialsensepleasureasasubstituteforreal
happiness,butsuchfoolishmenforgetthattemporarysocalledhappiness
derivedfromsensepleasuresisalsoenjoyedbythedogsandhogs.Noanimal,
birdorbeastisbereftofthissensepleasure.Ineveryspeciesoflife,including
thehumanformoflife,suchhappinessisimmenselyobtainable.Thehuman
formoflife,however,isnotmeantforsuchcheaphappiness.Thehumanlifeis
meantforattainingeternalandunlimitedhappinessbyspiritualrealization.
Thisspiritualrealizationisobtainedbytapasya,orundergoingvoluntarilythe
pathofpenanceandabstinencefrommaterialpleasure.Thosewhohavebeen
trainedforabstinenceinmaterialpleasuresarecalleddhira,ormenundisturbed
bythesenses.Onlythesedhirascanaccepttheordersofsannyasa,andtheycan
graduallyrisetothestatusoftheparamahamsa,whichisadoredbyall
membersofsociety
Wheneverthereissomenegligenceonthepartofthekingindischarginghis
duty,theintelligentclassofmenmustdethronehim.Theintelligentclassof
men,however,donotoccupytheroyalthrone,becausetheyhavemuchmore
importantdutiesforthewelfareofthepublic.Insteadofoccupyingtheroyal
throne,theyprayedfortheincarnationoftheLord,andtheLordcameas
MaharajaPrthu.Realintelligentmen,orqualifiedbrahmanas,neveraspirefor
politicalposts.
ButSriJivaGosvamihasgivendefiniteproofsfromauthoritativescriptures
(likeVisnudharmottara,MarkandeyaPurana,Harivamsa,etc.)thatthereis
alwaysapartialdevastationaftertheendofeachandeveryManu.
TheAlmightyGodcanbestowuponanyonethekingdomoftheuniversefrom
averysmallbeginning,andsimilarly,Hecantakeawaythekingdomofthe
universeonthepleaofbeggingasmallpieceofland.

Theksatriyas,ortheadministrativeclassofmen,areexpectedtoruletheplanet

bythedirectionoftheintelligentclassofmen,whogivedirectiontotherulers
intermsofthestandardsastras,orthebooksofrevealedknowledge.Therulers
carryontheadministrationaccordingtothatdirection.Wheneverthereis
disobedienceonthepartoftheksatriyas,ortheadministrativeclass,againstthe
ordersofthelearnedandintelligentbrahmanas,theadministratorsareremoved
byforcefromtheposts,andarrangementismadeforbetteradministration.
Thetwicebornmen,namelythebrahmanas,ksatriyasandvaisyas,are
expectedtoundergoaculturalpurificatoryprocessknownassamskaras,but
becauseofthebadinfluenceofthepresentagethesocalledmembersofthe
brahmanaandotherhighorderfamiliesarenolongerhighlycultured.Theyare
calledthedvijabandhus,orthefriendsandfamilymembersofthetwiceborn.
Butthesedvijabandhusareclassifiedamongstthesudrasandthewomen.
Forexample,theattempttoflytootherplanetsbymaterialmeansisa
challengetotheestablishedorder.Theconditionsofeachandeveryplanetare
different,anddifferentclassesofhumanbeingsareaccommodatedtherefor
particularpurposesmentionedinthecodesoftheLord.But,puffedupbytiny
successinmaterialadvancement,sometimesthegodlessmaterialistschallenge
theexistenceofGod.Ravanawasoneofthem,andhewantedtodeport
ordinarymentotheplanetofIndra(heaven)bymaterialmeanswithout
considerationofthenecessaryqualifications.Hewantedastaircasetobebuilt
updirectlyreachingtheheavenlyplanetsothatpeoplemightnotberequiredto
undergotheroutineofpiousworknecessarytoenterthatplanet.Healso
wantedtoperformotheractsagainsttheestablishedruleoftheLord.
ThespecificmentionofthewordbhagavaninthistextindicatesthatBalarama
andKrsnaareoriginalformsoftheLord.Thiswillbefurtherexplainedlater.
LordKrsnaisnotanincarnationofthepurusa,aswelearnedfromthe
beginningofthischapter.HeisdirectlytheoriginalPersonalityofGodhead,
andBalaramaisthefirstplenarymanifestationoftheLord.FromBaladevathe
firstphalanxofplenaryexpansions,Vasudeva,Sankarsana,Aniruddhaand
Pradyumna,expands.LordSriKrsnaisVasudeva,andBaladevaisSankarsana.
Hedeludedtheatheistsbecausesuchatheistswhofollowedhisprinciplesdid
notbelieveinGod,buttheykepttheirabsolutefaithinLordBuddha,who
himselfwastheincarnationofGod.Thusthefaithlesspeopleweremadeto
believeinGodintheformofLordBuddha.ThatwasthemercyofLord
Buddha:hemadethefaithlessfaithfultohim.

ThefoolishscholarsofVedicliteraturewhodonotcaretoreceivethe
transcendentalmessagethroughthetranscendentalrealizedsourcesofdisciplic
successionaresuretobebewildered.Tothem,theritualisticceremoniesare
consideredtobeallinall.Theyhavenodepthofknowledge.Accordingtothe
Bhagavadgita(15.15),vedaiscasarvairahamevavedyah:thewholesystemof
theVedasistoleadonegraduallytothepathoftheSupremeLord.Thewhole
themeofVedicliteratureistoknowtheSupremeLord,theindividualsoul,the
cosmicsituationandtherelationbetweenalltheseitems.Whentherelationis
known,therelativefunctionbegins,andasaresultofsuchafunctionthe
ultimategoaloflifeorgoingbacktoGodheadtakesplaceintheeasiest
manner.
TheanimalsacrificeasstatedintheVedasisdifferentfromtheunrestricted
animalkillingintheslaughterhouse.Becausetheasurasorthesocalled
scholarsofVedicliteraturesputforwardtheevidenceofanimalkillinginthe
Vedas,LordBuddhasuperficiallydeniedtheauthorityoftheVedas.This
rejectionoftheVedasbyLordBuddhawasadoptedinordertosavepeople
fromtheviceofanimalkillingaswellastosavethepooranimalsfromthe
slaughteringprocessoftheirbigbrotherswhoclamorforuniversal
brotherhood,peace,justiceandequity.Thereisnojusticewhenthereis
animalkilling.
TechnicallyLordBuddha'sphilosophyiscalledatheisticbecausethereisno
acceptanceoftheSupremeLordandbecausethatsystemofphilosophydenied
theauthorityoftheVedas.ButthatisanactofcamouflagebytheLord
LordBuddhapreachedthepreliminaryprinciplesoftheVedasinamanner
suitableforthetimebeing(andsoalsodidSankaracarya)toestablishthe
authorityoftheVedas.ThereforebothLordBuddhaandAcaryaSankarapaved
thepathoftheism,andVaisnavaacaryas,specificallyLordSriCaitanya
Mahaprabhu,ledthepeopleonthepathtowardsarealizationofgoingbackto
Godhead.
ThereforeintheSrimadBhagavatamLordBuddhaisforetold.Suchisthe
authorityofthisclearscripture
TheywillindicatethepositivestandingofSrimadBhagavatam,whichis
withouttraceofmistake,illusion,cheatingandimperfection,whicharethefour
flawsofallconditionedsouls.Theliberatedsoulsareabovetheseflaws;
thereforetheycanseeandforetellthingswhicharetotakeplaceondistant
futuredates.
Thereforeattheendofthisperiod,theincarnationofKalkiwilltakeplace,as
foretoldintheSrimadBhagavatam.ThenameofHisfather,VisnuYasa,a

learnedbrahmana,andthevillageSambhalaarealsomentioned.

ThelistofincarnationsofthePersonalityofGodheadgivenhereinisnot
complete.Itisonlyapartialviewofalltheincarnations.Therearemany
others,suchasSriHayagriva,Hari,Hamsa,Prsnigarbha,Vibhu,Satyasena,
Vaikuntha,Sarvabhauma,Visvaksena,Dharmasetu,Sudhama,Yogesvara,
Brhadbhanuandothersofthebygoneages
SriPrahladaMaharajasaidinhisprayer,"MyLord,Youmanifestasmany
incarnationsastherearespeciesoflife,namelytheaquatics,thevegetables,the
reptiles,thebirds,thebeasts,themen,thedemigods,etc.,justforthe
maintenanceofthefaithfulandtheannihilationoftheunfaithful.Youadvent
Yourselfinthiswayinaccordancewiththenecessityofthedifferentyugas.In
theKaliyugaYouhaveincarnatedgarbedasadevotee.
Butsuchincarnationsaredistinguishedbyspecificextraordinaryfeatswhich
areimpossibletobeperformedbyanylivingbeing.Thatisthegeneraltestto
identifyanincarnationoftheLord,directlyandindirectlyempowered.Some
incarnationsmentionedabovearealmostplenaryportions.Forinstance,the
Kumarasareempoweredwithtranscendentalknowledge.SriNaradais
empoweredwithdevotionalservice.MaharajaPrthuisanempowered
incarnationwithexecutivefunction.TheMatsyaincarnationisdirectlya
plenaryportion.SotheinnumerableincarnationsoftheLordaremanifestedall
overtheuniversesconstantly,withoutcessation,aswaterflowsconstantlyfrom
waterfalls.
Thosewhoarecomparativelylesspowerfularecalledvibhuti,andthosewho
arecomparativelymorepowerfularecalledavesaincarnations.
Avatarameans"onewhodescends."
SometimesHecomesHimself,andsometimesHisdifferentplenaryportionsor
partsoftheplenaryportions,orHisdifferentiatedportionsdirectlyorindirectly
empoweredbyHim,descendonthismaterialworldtoexecutecertainspecific
functions.
ThuswecansimplyimaginehowpowerfulHiranyakasipuwasinthismaterial
world.ButevenHiranyakasipuwascutintosmallpiecesbythenailsofLord
Nrsimha.Thismeansthatanyonemateriallypowerfulcannotstandthestrength
oftheLord'snails.
AndthemostextraordinaryfeatureexhibitedbyLordSriKrsnawasHis
internalenergeticmanifestationofHispastimeswiththecowherdgirls.His
pastimeswiththegopisarealldisplaysoftranscendentalexistence,blissand

knowledge,althoughthesearemanifestedapparentlyassexlove
Learnedscholarsintranscendentalsubjectshavecarefullyanalyzedthe
summumbonumKrsnatohavesixtyfourprincipalattributes.Allthe
expansionsorcategoriesoftheLordpossessonlysomepercentagesofthese
attributes.ButSriKrsnaisthepossessoroftheattributescentpercent.
AndHispersonalexpansionssuchassvayamprakasa,tadekatmauptothe
categoriesoftheavataraswhoareallvisnutattva,possessuptoninetythree
percentofthesetranscendentalattributes.LordSiva,whoisneitheravataranor
avesanorinbetweenthem,possessesalmosteightyfourpercentofthe
attributes.Butthejivas,ortheindividuallivingbeingsindifferentstatusesof
life,possessuptothelimitofseventyeightpercentoftheattributes
Alivingbeingcanbecomegodlybydevelopingtheseventyeightpercent
transcendentalattributesinfullness,buthecanneverbecomeaGodlikeSiva,
VisnuorKrsna.HecanbecomeaBrahmainduecourse
Thegodlylivingbeingswhoareallresidentsoftheplanetsinthespiritualsky
areeternalassociatesofGodindifferentspiritualplanetscalledHaridhama
andMahesadhama.TheabodeofLordKrsnaaboveallspiritualplanetsis
calledKrsnalokaorGolokaVrndavana,andtheperfectedlivingbeing,by
developingseventyeightpercentoftheaboveattributesinfullness,canenter
theplanetofKrsnalokaafterleavingthepresentmaterialbody.
ThereforethebirthandactivitiesoftheLord,asmanifestedbyHimforthe
welfareofthepeopleingeneral,arenotordinary.Theyaremysterious,and
onlybythosewhocarefullytrytogodeepintothematterbyspiritualdevotion
isthemysterydiscovered.Thusonegetsliberationfrommaterialbondage.Itis
advisedthereforethatonewhosimplyrecitesthischapterofBhagavatam,
describingtheappearanceoftheLordindifferentincarnations,insincerityand
devotion,canhaveinsightintothebirthandactivitiesoftheLord.Thevery
wordvimukti,orliberation,indicatesthattheLord'sbirthandactivitiesareall
transcendental;otherwisesimplybyrecitingthemonecouldnotattain
liberation.Theyarethereforemysterious,andthosewhodonotfollowthe
prescribedregulationsofdevotionalservicearenotentitledtoenterintothe
mysteriesofHisbirthsandactivities.
TheconceptionoftheviratuniversalformoftheLord,asappearinginthe
materialworld,isimaginary.Itistoenablethelessintelligent[and
neophytes]toadjusttotheideaoftheLord'shavingform.Butfactually
theLordhasnomaterialform.
TheconceptionoftheLordknownasthevisvarupaortheviratrupais
particularlynotmentionedalongwiththevariousincarnationsoftheLord

becausealltheincarnationsoftheLordmentionedabovearetranscendental
andthereisnotatingeofmaterialismintheirbodies.Thereisnodifference
betweenthebodyandselfasthereisintheconditionedsoul.

Theviratrupaisconceivedforthosewhoarejustneophyteworshipers.For
themthematerialviratrupaispresented,anditwillbeexplainedintheSecond
Canto.Intheviratrupathematerialmanifestationsofdifferentplanetshave
beenconceivedasHislegs,hands,etc.Actuallyallsuchdescriptionsarefor
theneophytes.Theneophytescannotconceiveofanythingbeyondmatter.The
materialconceptionoftheLordisnotcountedinthelistofHisfactualforms
TheconclusionisthatthematerialconceptionofthebodyoftheLordasvirat
isimaginary.BoththeLordandthelivingbeingsarelivingspiritsandhave
originalspiritualbodies.
Itisfurtherconfirmedhereinthatwithourmaterialeyesandsenseswecannot
seetheLord,whoisallspirit.Wecannotevendetectthespiritualsparkwhich
existswithinthematerialbodyofthelivingbeing.
Welooktotheoutwardcoveringofthebodyorsubtlemindofthelivingbeing,
butwecannotseethespiritualsparkwithinthebody.Sowehavetoacceptthe
livingbeing'spresencebythepresenceofhisgrossbody.Similarly,thosewho
wanttoseetheLordwiththeirpresentmaterialeyesorwiththematerialsenses
areadvisedtomeditateonthegiganticexternalfeaturecalledtheviratrupa.
Beyondthisgrossconceptionofformisanother,subtleconceptionofform
whichiswithoutformalshapeandisunseen,unheardandunmanifest.The
livingbeinghashisformbeyondthissubtlety,otherwisehecouldnothave
repeatedbirths.
Thelivingbeinghashisspiritualformbeyondthisgrossmaterialorsubtle
psychicexistence.Thegrossbodyandpsychicfunctionsceasetoactassoonas
thelivingbeingleavesthevisiblegrossbody
TheconclusionisthattheLordiseternallyexistentinHistranscendentalform,
whichisneithergrossnorsubtlelikethatofthelivingbeing;Hisbodyisnever
tobecomparedtothegrossandsubtlebodiesofthelivingbeing.Allsuch
conceptionsofGod'sbodyareimaginary.Thelivingbeinghashiseternal
spiritualform,whichisconditionedonlybyhismaterialcontamination.
Wheneverapersonexperiences,byselfrealization,thatboththegrossand

subtlebodieshavenothingtodowiththepureself,atthattimeheseeshimself
aswellastheLord.
Selfrealizationmeansbecomingindifferenttotheneedsofthegrossandsubtle
bodiesandbecomingseriousabouttheactivitiesoftheself.

Theimpetusforactivitiesisgeneratedfromtheself,butsuchactivitiesbecome
illusoryduetoignoranceoftherealpositionoftheself.Byignorance,self
interestiscalculatedintermsofthegrossandsubtlebodies,andthereforea
wholesetofactivitiesisspoiled,lifeafterlife.When,however,onemeetsthe
selfbyproperculture,theactivitiesoftheselfbegin.Thereforeamanwhois
engagedintheactivitiesoftheselfiscalledjivanmukta,oraliberatedperson
evenintheconditionalexistence.
Thisperfectstageofselfrealizationisattainednotbyartificialmeans,but
underthelotusfeetoftheLord,whoisalwaystranscendental.
Whenthelivingbeingdesirestobeanenjoyerofmaterialenergy(illusory
phenomena),theLordcoversthelivingbeinginthemysteryofforgetfulness,
andthusthelivingbeingmisinterpretsthegrossbodyandsubtlemindtobehis
ownself.Andbycultureoftranscendentalknowledge,whenthelivingbeing
praystotheLordfordeliverancefromtheclutchesofforgetfulness,theLord,
byHiscauselessmercy,removesthelivingbeing'sillusorycurtain,andthushe
realizeshisownself.HethenengageshimselfintheserviceoftheLordinhis
eternalconstitutionalposition,becomingliberatedfromtheconditionedlife.
AllthisisexecutedbytheLordeitherthroughHisexternalpotencyordirectly
bytheinternalpotency.
Iftheillusoryenergysubsidesandthelivingentitybecomesfullyenrichedwith
knowledgebythegraceoftheLord,thenhebecomesatonceenlightenedwith
selfrealizationandthusbecomessituatedinhisownglory.
BecausetheLordistheabsoluteTranscendence,allofHisforms,names,
pastimes,attributes,associatesandenergiesareidenticalwithHim.His
transcendentalenergyactsaccordingtoHisomnipotency.Thesameenergy
actsasHisexternal,internalandmarginalenergies,andbyHisomnipotency
Hecanperformanythingandeverythingthroughtheagencyofanyofthe
aboveenergies.HecanturntheexternalenergyintointernalbyHiswill.
ThereforebyHisgracetheexternalenergy,whichisemployedinillusioning
thoselivingbeingswhowanttohaveit,subsidesbythewilloftheLordin

termsofrepentanceandpenancefortheconditionedsoul.Andtheverysame
energythenactstohelpthepurifiedlivingbeingmakeprogressonthepathof
selfrealization.Theexampleofelectricalenergyisveryappropriateinthis
connection.Theexpertelectriciancanutilizetheelectricalenergyforboth
heatingandcoolingbyadjustmentonly.Similarly,theexternalenergy,which
nowbewildersthelivingbeingintocontinuationofbirthanddeath,isturned
intointernalpotencybythewilloftheLordtoleadthelivingbeingtoeternal
life.WhenalivingbeingisthusgracedbytheLord,heisplacedinhisproper
constitutionalpositiontoenjoyeternalspirituallife.
Thuslearnedmendescribethebirthsandactivitiesoftheunbornandinactive,
whichisundiscoverableevenintheVedicliteratures.HeistheLordofthe
heart.
Thelivingbeingswhotakebirthandthenagainacceptdeathareboundbythe
lawsofmaterialnature.Butthesocalledappearanceanddisappearanceofthe
Lordarenotactionsofmaterialnature,butaredemonstrationsoftheinternal
potencyoftheLord.Theyaredescribedbythegreatsagesforthepurposeof
selfrealization.ItisstatedintheBhagavadgitabytheLordthatHissocalled
birthinthematerialworldandHisactivitiesarealltranscendental.Andsimply
bymeditationonsuchactivitiesonecanattainrealizationofBrahmanandthus
becomeliberatedfrommaterialbondage.
Asamatteroffact,theappearanceanddisappearanceoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadandHisdifferentactivitiesareallconfidential,evento
theVedicliteratures.YettheyaredisplayedbytheLordtobestowmercyupon
theconditionedsouls.Weshouldalwaystakeadvantageofthenarrationsofthe
activitiesoftheLord,whicharemeditationsonBrahmaninthemost
convenientandpalatableform.
TheLord,whoseactivitiesarealwaysspotless,isthemasterofthesixsenses
andisfullyomnipotentwithsixopulences.Hecreatesthemanifested
universes,maintainsthemandannihilatesthemwithoutbeingintheleast
affected.Heiswithineverylivingbeingandisalwaysindependent.
HereHeiscalledtheamoghalilah,whichindicatesthatthereisnothing
lamentableinHiscreation.ThosewhocreatedisturbanceinHiscreationare
themselvesdisturbed.
Heisconnectedwiththismaterialcreationverysuperficially,asonesmells
odorwithoutbeingconnectedwiththeodorousarticle.Nongodlyelements,
therefore,canneverapproachHim,despiteallendeavors.
Therearetwoclassesofmaterialists,namelythefruitiveworkersandthe
empiricphilosophers.Thefruitiveworkershavepracticallynoinformationof
theAbsoluteTruth,andthementalspeculators,afterbeingfrustratedinfruitive

activities,turntheirfacestowardstheAbsoluteTruthandtrytoknowHimby
mentalspeculation.

Withsuchlimitedknowledge,theyareunabletopenetrateintothemysterious
regionoftranscendence.Thementalspeculatorsarealittlemoreprogressive
thanthegrossmaterialistsorthefruitiveworkers,butbecausetheyarealso
withinthegripofillusion,theytakeitforgrantedthatanythingwhichhas
form,anameandactivitiesisbutaproductofmaterialenergy.Forthemthe
SupremeSpiritisformless,namelessandinactive.Andbecausesuchmental
speculatorsequalizethetranscendentalnameandformoftheLordwith
mundanenamesandform,theyareinfactinignorance.Withsuchapoorfund
ofknowledge,thereisnoaccesstotherealnatureoftheSupremeBeing.As
statedinBhagavadgita,theLordisalwaysinatranscendentalposition,even
whenHeiswithinthematerialworld.ButignorantmenconsidertheLordone
ofthegreatpersonalitiesoftheworld,andthustheyaremisledbytheillusory
energy.
Onlythosewhorenderunreserved,uninterrupted,favorableserviceuntothe
lotusfeetofLordKrsna,whocarriesthewheelofthechariotinHishand,can
knowthecreatoroftheuniverseinHisfullglory,powerandtranscendence.
Thepuredevoteeshavenothingtoderiveaspersonalprofitfromtheir
unalloyedservicetotheLord.TheyrenderincessantservicetotheLord
spontaneously,withoutanyreservation.Everyonewithinthecreationofthe
LordisrenderingservicetotheLordindirectlyordirectly.Nooneisan
exceptiontothislawoftheLord.Thosewhoarerenderingserviceindirectly,
beingforcedbytheillusoryagentoftheLord,arerenderingserviceuntoHim
unfavorably.ButthosewhoarerenderingserviceuntoHimdirectlyunderthe
directionofHisbelovedagentarerenderingserviceuntoHimfavorably.
AsstatedinBhagavadgita,theLordHimselfguidesthepuredevoteestoward
thepathofrealizationduetotheirconstantengagementinthelovingserviceof

theLordinspontaneousaffection.Thatisthesecretofenteringintothe
kingdomofGod.Fruitiveactivitiesandspeculationarenoqualificationsfor
entering.
Onlybymakingsuchinquiriesinthisworldcanonebesuccessfuland
perfectlycognizant,forsuchinquiriesinvoketranscendentalecstaticloveunto
thePersonalityofGodhead,whoistheproprietorofalltheuniverses,and
guaranteecentpercentimmunityfromthedreadfulrepetitionofbirthand
death.

Asalreadyconcluded,onlythedevoteesoftheLordcanknowHimtoa
considerableextent,andnooneelsecanknowHimatall,sothedevoteesare
perfectlycognizantofallspiritualknowledge.ThePersonalityofGodheadis
thelastwordinAbsoluteTruth.ImpersonalBrahmanandlocalizedParamatma
(Supersoul)areincludedintheknowledgeofthePersonalityofGodhead.So
onewhoknowsthePersonalityofGodheadcanautomaticallyknowallabout
Him,HismultipotenciesandHisexpansions.Sothedevoteesarecongratulated
asbeingallsuccessful.AcentpercentdevoteeoftheLordisimmunetothe
dreadfulmaterialmiseriesofrepeatedbirthanddeath.
LordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhudeclaredthatSrimadBhagavatamisthe
spotlesssoundrepresentationofallVedicknowledgeandhistory.Thereare
selectedhistoriesofgreatdevoteeswhoareindirectcontactwiththe
PersonalityofGodhead.SrimadBhagavatamistheliteraryincarnationofLord
SriKrsnaandisthereforenondifferentfromHim.SrimadBhagavatamshould
beworshipedasrespectfullyasweworshiptheLord.Therebywecanderive
theultimateblessingsoftheLordthroughitscarefulandpatientstudy.
OnecanderivefromthestudyoftheBhagavatamallbenefitsthatarepossible
tobederivedfromthepersonalpresenceoftheLord.Itcarrieswithitallthe
transcendentalblessingsofLordSriKrsnathatwecanexpectfromHis
personalcontact.
Consideringthedifferentsituationofdifferentplanetsandalsotimeand
circumstances,thereisnothingwonderfulinthestoriesofthePuranas,norare
theyimaginary.Weshouldalwaysrememberthemaximthatoneman'sfoodis

anotherman'spoison.Weshouldnot,therefore,rejectthestoriesandhistories
ofthePuranasasimaginary.
IntheSrimadBhagavatamhistoricalfactsselectedfromthehistoriesof
differentplanetshavebeendepicted.Itisthereforeacceptedbyallthespiritual
authoritiesastheMahaPurana.Thespecialsignificanceofthesehistoriesis
thattheyareallconnectedwithactivitiesoftheLordinadifferenttimeand
atmosphere
ItwasdeliveredtoSrilaSukadevaGosvami,andhehadnothingtodowiththe
Bhagavatabusiness.Hedidnothavetomaintainfamilyexpensesbysuch
trade.SrimadBhagavatamshouldthereforebereceivedfromtherepresentative
ofSukadeva,whomustbeintherenouncedorderoflifewithoutfamily
encumbrance.
Therefore,itisthecreamofalltheVedas,anditcontainsallhistoricalfactsof
alltimesinrelationwithSriKrsna.Itisfactuallytheessenceofallhistories.

EmperorPariksitreceivedtheinformationofhisdeathintime,andheatonce
lefthiskingdomandfamilyandsatdownonthebankoftheGangestofasttill
death.Allgreatsages,rsis,philosophers,mystics,etc.,wentthereduetohis
imperialposition.Theyofferedmanysuggestionsabouthisimmediateduty,
andatlastitwassettledthathewouldhearfromSukadevaGosvamiabout
LordKrsna.ThustheBhagavatamwasspokentohim.
IndirectlySripadaSankaracaryaadmittedthatwhathehadpreachedinthe
flowerygrammaticalinterpretationsoftheVedantasutracannothelponeatthe
timeofdeath.Atthecriticalhourofdeathonemustrecitethenameof
Govinda.Thisistherecommendationofallgreattranscendentalists
LordSriKrsnahasHiseternaldhama,orabode,whereHeeternallyenjoys
HimselfwithHiseternalassociatesandparaphernalia.AndHiseternalabodeis
amanifestationofHisinternalenergy,whereasthematerialworldisa
manifestationofHisexternalenergy.WhenHedescendsonthematerialworld,
HedisplaysHimselfwithallparaphernaliainHisinternalpotency,whichis
calledatmamaya.IntheBhagavadgitatheLordsaysthatHedescendsbyHis
ownpotency(atmamaya).Hisform,name,fame,paraphernalia,abode,etc.,
arenot,therefore,creationsofmatter
ExceptforGod,noonecanestablishtheprinciplesofreligion
BhagavadgitaisthepreliminarystudyoftheBhagavatam.AndSrimad

Bhagavatamisthesummumbonumoflife,LordSriKrsnapersonified.We
mustthereforeacceptSrimadBhagavatamasthedirectrepresentationofLord
Krsna.OnewhocanseeSrimadBhagavatamcanseealsoLordSriKrsnain
person.Theyareidentical.
OnecancertainlyseedirectlythepresenceofLordSriKrsnainthepagesof
BhagavatamifonehashearditfromaselfrealizedgreatsoullikeSukadeva
Gosvami.
Onecannot,however,learnBhagavatamfromabogushiredreciterwhoseaim
oflifeistoearnsomemoneyoutofsuchrecitationandemploytheearningin
sexindulgence
NoonecanlearnSrimadBhagavatamwhoisassociatedwithpersonsengaged
insexlife.ThatisthesecretoflearningBhagavatamNorcanonelearn
Bhagavatamfromonewhointerpretsthetextbyhismundanescholarship.One
hastolearnBhagavatamfromtherepresentativeofSukadevaGosvami,andno
oneelse,ifoneatallwantstoseeLordSriKrsnainthepages.Thatisthe
process,andthereisnoalternative.
Simplehearingisnotall;onemustrealizethetextwithproperattention

Noonecangiveraptattentionwhoisnotpureinmind.Noonecanbepurein
mindwhoisnotpureinaction.Noonecanbepureinactionwhoisnotpurein
eating,sleeping,fearingandmating.Butsomehoworotherifsomeonehears
withraptattentionfromtherightperson,attheverybeginningonecan
assuredlyseeLordSriKrsnainpersoninthepagesofBhagavatam.
Chapter4

Inameetingoflearnedmen,whentherearecongratulationsoraddressesfor
thespeaker,thequalificationsofthecongratulatorshouldbeasfollows.He
mustbetheleaderofthehouseandanelderlyman.Hemustbevastlylearned
also.SriSaunakaRsihadallthesequalifications,andthushestoodupto
congratulateSriSutaGosvamiwhenheexpressedhisdesiretopresentSrimad
BhagavatamexactlyashehearditfromSukadevaGosvamiandalsorealizedit
personally
GenerallythesocalledBhagavatamrecitersareeitherprofessionalreadersor
socalledlearnedimpersonalistswhocannotenterintothetranscendental
personalactivitiesoftheSupremePerson.Suchimpersonaliststwistsome
meaningsoutofBhagavatamtosuitandsupportimpersonalistviews,andthe
professionalreadersatoncegototheTenthCantotomisexplainthemost
confidentialpartoftheLord'spastimes

ItwasknowntothemthatSrilaVyasadevahadalreadyexplainedthetextof
theVedasinvariouswaysuptotheMahabharatafortheunderstandingofless
intelligentwomen,sudrasandfallenmembersofthefamilyoftwicebornmen.
SrimadBhagavatamistranscendentaltoallofthembecauseithasnothingto
dowithanythingmundane
SrilaSukadevaGosvamiwasaliberatedsoul,andthusheremainedalways
alertnottobetrappedbytheillusoryenergy.IntheBhagavadgitathis
alertnessisverylucidlyexplained.Theliberatedsoulandtheconditionedsoul
havedifferentengagements.Theliberatedsoulisalwaysengagedinthe
progressivepathofspiritualattainment,whichissomethinglikeadreamfor
theconditionedsoul.Theconditionedsoulcannotimaginetheactual
engagementsoftheliberatedsoul.Whiletheconditionedsoulthusdreams
aboutspiritualengagements,theliberatedsoulisawake.Similarly,the
engagementofaconditionedsoulappearstobeadreamfortheliberatedsoul.
Aconditionedsoulandaliberatedsoulmayapparentlybeonthesame
platform,butfactuallytheyaredifferentlyengaged,andtheirattentionis
alwaysalert,eitherinsenseenjoymentorinselfrealization.Theconditioned
soulisabsorbedinmatter,whereastheliberatedsouliscompletelyindifferent
tomatter.

Thisindifferenceisexplainedasfollows:
WhileSriVyasadevawasfollowinghisson,beautifulyoungdamselswhowere
bathingnakedcoveredtheirbodieswithcloth,althoughSriVyasadevahimself
wasnotnaked.Buttheyhadnotdonesowhenhissonhadpassed.Thesage
inquiredaboutthis,andtheyoungladiesrepliedthathissonwaspurifiedand
whenlookingatthemmadenodistinctionbetweenmaleandfemale.Butthe
sagemadesuchdistinctions.
IntheBhagavadgita(5.18)itissaidthatalearnedsagelooksequallyona
learnedandgentlebrahmana,acandala(dogeater),adogoracowduetohis
spiritualvision.SrilaSukadevaGosvamiattainedthatstage.Thushedidnot
seeamaleorfemale;hesawalllivingentitiesindifferentdress.Theladies
whowerebathingcouldunderstandthemindofamansimplybystudyinghis
demeanor,justasbylookingatachildonecanunderstandhowinnocentheis
SukadevaGosvamiwasayoungboysixteenyearsold,andthereforeallthe
partsofhisbodyweredeveloped.Hewasnakedalso,andsoweretheladies.
ButbecauseSukadevaGosvamiwastranscendentaltosexrelations,he
appearedveryinnocent.Theladies,bytheirspecialqualifications,couldsense
thisatonce,andthereforetheywerenotveryconcernedabouthim

Butwhenhisfatherpassed,theladiesquicklydressed.Theladieswereexactly
likehischildrenorgrandchildren,yettheyreactedtothepresenceof
VyasadevaaccordingtothesocialcustombecauseSrilaVyasadevaplayedthe
partofahouseholder.Ahouseholderhastodistinguishbetweenamaleand
female,otherwisehecannotbeahouseholder
Aliberatedsoulisabovethisperverteddistinction.Hedoesnotdistinguish
betweenonelivingbeingandanother.Forhimtheyarealloneandthesame
spirit.Theperfectionofthisspiritualvisionistheliberatedstage,andSrila
SukadevaGosvamiattainedthatstage.SrilaVyasadevawasalsointhe
transcendentalstage,butbecausehewasinthehouseholder'slife,hedidnot
pretendtobealiberatedsoul,asamatterofcustom.
Howwashe[SrilaSukadeva,thesonofVyasa]recognizedbythecitizens
whenheenteredthecityofHastinapura[nowDelhi],afterwanderinginthe
provincesofKuruandJangala,appearinglikeamadman,dumband
retarded?
GosvamiSukadeva,afterleavinghispaternalhome,wasroaminglikea
madman,andthereforeitwasverydifficultforthecitizenstorecognizehimin
hisexaltedposition.Asageisnot,therefore,recognizedbysight,butby
hearing.Oneshouldapproachasadhuorgreatsagenottoseebuttohearhim.
Ifoneisnotpreparedtohearthewordsofasadhu,thereisnoprofit.Sukadeva
Gosvamiwasasadhuwhocouldspeakonthetranscendentalactivitiesofthe
Lord.Hedidnotsatisfythewhimsofordinarycitizens
ItisalsocalledSukasamhita,ortheVedichymnspokenbySriSukadeva
Gosvami,thegreatliberatedsage.
He[SukadevaGosvami]wasaccustomedtostayatthedoorofahouseholder
onlylongenoughforacowtobemilked.Andhedidthisjusttosanctifythe
residence.
Fromhisactivities,thosewhoareintherenouncedorderoflifeanddedicated
tothemissionofpreachingthemessageofGodheadshouldlearnthatthey
havenobusinesswithhouseholderssaveandexcepttoenlightenthemin
transcendentalknowledge.Suchaskingforalmsfromthehouseholdershould
beforthepurposeofsanctifyinghishome.Onewhoisintherenouncedorder
oflifeshouldnotbealluredbytheglamorofthehouseholder'sworldly
possessionsandthusbecomesubservienttoworldlymen.Foronewhoisinthe
renouncedorderoflife,thisismuchmoredangerousthandrinkingpoisonand
committingsuicide.
Tokillcowsmeanstoendhumancivilization
DuringallthedaysheheardBhagavatam,hedidnottakefoodordrink,nordid

hesleepamoment.Soeverythingabouthimiswonderful,andhisactivitiesare
worthhearingattentively.Desireisexpressedhereintohearabouthimin
detail.
MaharajaPariksitwastheEmperoroftheworldandalltheseasandoceans,
andhedidnothavetotakethetroubletoacquiresuchakingdombyhisown
effort.HeinheriteditfromhisgrandfathersMaharajaYudhisthiraandbrothers
ThosewhoaredevotedtothecauseofthePersonalityofGodheadliveonlyfor
thewelfare,developmentandhappinessofothers.Theydonotliveforany
selfishinterest.
Selfishnessiseitherselfcenteredorselfextended.Hewasneither.Hisinterest
wastopleasetheSupremeTruth,PersonalityofGodhead.Thekingisthe
representativeoftheSupremeLord,andthereforetheking'sinterestmustbe
identicalwiththatoftheSupremeLord.
TheSupremeLordwantsalllivingbeingstobeobedienttoHimandthereby
becomehappy.Thereforetheking'sinterestistoguideallsubjectsbacktothe
kingdomofGod.Hencetheactivitiesofthecitizensshouldbesocoordinated
thattheycanattheendgobackhome,backtoGodhead.Underthe
administrationofarepresentativeking,thekingdomisfullofopulence.
Ifalllivingbeingsaresatisfiedwithfoodandshelterandobeytheprescribed
rules,therecannotbeanydisturbancebetweenonelivingbeingandanother.

ThedifferencebetweentheVedasandthePuranasislikethatbetweenthe
brahmanasandtheparivrajakas.Thebrahmanasaremeanttoadministersome
fruitivesacrificesmentionedintheVedas,buttheparivrajakacaryas,orlearned
preachers,aremeanttodisseminatetranscendentalknowledgetooneandall.
Assuch,theparivrajakacaryasarenotalwaysexpertinpronouncingtheVedic
mantras,whicharepracticedsystematicallybyaccentandmeterbythe
brahmanaswhoaremeantforadministeringVedicrites.Yetitshouldnotbe
consideredthatthebrahmanasaremoreimportantthantheitinerantpreachers.
Theyareoneanddifferentsimultaneouslybecausetheyaremeantforthesame
end,indifferentways.
ThereisnodifferencealsobetweentheVedicmantrasandwhatisexplainedin
thePuranasandItihasa.AccordingtoSrilaJivaGosvami,itismentionedinthe
MadhyandinasrutithatalltheVedas,namelytheSama,Atharva,Rg,Yajur,
Puranas,Itihasas,Upanisads,etc.,areemanationsfromthebreathingofthe
SupremeBeing.TheonlydifferenceisthattheVedicmantrasaremostlybegun
withpranavaomkara,anditrequiressometrainingtopracticethemetric
pronunciationoftheVedicmantras.ButthatdoesnotmeanthatSrimad

BhagavatamisoflessimportancethantheVedicmantras.Onthecontrary,itis
theripenedfruitofalltheVedas,asstatedbefore.
Besidesthat,themostperfectlyliberatedsoul,SrilaSukadevaGosvami,is
absorbedinthestudiesoftheBhagavatam,althoughheisalreadyselfrealized.
SrilaSutaGosvamiisfollowinghisfootsteps,andthereforehispositionisnot
theleastlessimportantbecausehewasnotexpertinchantingVedicmantras
withmetricpronunciation,whichdependsmoreonpracticethanactual
realization.Realizationismoreimportantthanparrotlikechanting.
Thereisachronologicalorderofthefourmillenniums,namelySatya,Dvapara,
TretaandKali.Butsometimesthereisoverlapping.Duringtheregimeof
VaivasvataManu,therewasanoverlappingofthetwentyeighthroundofthe
fourmillenniums,andthethirdmillenniumappearedpriortothesecond.In
thatparticularmillennium,LordSriKrsnaalsodescends,andbecauseofthis
therewassomeparticularalteration
TheRiverSarasvatiisflowingintheBadarikasramaareaoftheHimalayas.So
theplaceindicatedhereisSamyaprasainBadarikasrama,whereSriVyasadeva
isresiding.

Inthisagethedurationofthematerialbodyofthepeopleingeneralismuch
reduced,andsoisthememory.Theactionofmatterhasalsonotsomuch
incentive.Thelanddoesnotproducefoodgrainsinthesameproportionsasit
didinotherages.Thecowdoesnotgiveasmuchmilkasitusedtogive
formerly.Theproductionofvegetablesandfruitsislessthanbefore.Assuch,
alllivingbeings,bothmenandanimals,donothavesumptuous,nourishing
food.Duetowantofsomanynecessitiesoflife,naturallythedurationoflifeis
reduced,thememoryisshort,intelligenceismeager,mutualdealingsarefull
ofhypocrisyandsoon.
ThegreatsageVyasadevacouldseethisbyhistranscendentalvision.Asan
astrologercanseethefuturefateofaman,oranastronomercanforetellthe
solarandlunareclipses,thoseliberatedsoulswhocanseethroughthe
scripturescanforetellthefutureofallmankind.Theycanseethisduetotheir
sharpvisionofspiritualattainment.

Andallsuchtranscendentalists,whoarenaturallydevoteesoftheLord,are
alwayseagertorenderwelfareservicetothepeopleingeneral.Theyarethe
realfriendsofthepeopleingeneral,notthesocalledpublicleaderswhoare
unabletoseewhatisgoingtohappenfiveminutesahead.
Theunfortunatemenofthisagearealwaysreluctanttogiveareceptiontothe
transcendentalistswhoarerepresentativesofSrilaVyasadevaandselfless
workersalwaysbusyinplanningsomethingwhichmayhelpeveryoneinall
statusesandordersoflife.Thegreatestphilanthropistsarethose
transcendentalistswhorepresentthemissionofVyasa,Narada,Madhva,
Caitanya,Rupa,Sarasvati,etc.Theyarealloneandthesame.Thepersonalities
maybedifferent,buttheaimofthemissionisoneandthesame,namely,to
deliverthefallensoulsbackhome,backtoGodhead.
FormerlytherewasonlytheVedaofthenameYajur,andthefourdivisionsof
sacrificesweretherespecificallymentioned.Buttomakethemmoreeasily
performable,theVedawasdividedintofourdivisionsofsacrifice,justto
purifytheoccupationalserviceofthefourorders.AbovethefourVedas,
namelyRg,Yajur,Sama,andAtharva,therearethePuranas,theMahabharata,
Samhitas,etc.,whichareknownasthefifthVeda.
TheoriginalsourceofknowledgeistheVedas.Therearenobranchesof
knowledge,eithermundaneortranscendental,whichdonotbelongtothe
originaltextoftheVedas
Noone,therefore,canclaimindependentknowledgebeyondtheVedas.
ThusthegreatsageVyasadeva,whoisverykindtotheignorantmasses,edited
theVedassotheymightbeassimilatedbylessintellectualmen.

TheVedasaresubjectswhichhadtobeexplainedeventoBrahmajibythe
SupremeLord.Thereforethesubjectmatterisunderstoodbypersonswith
exceptionalqualitiesofgoodness.Personswhoareinthemodesofpassionand
ignoranceareunabletounderstandthesubjectmatteroftheVedas.The
ultimategoalofVedicknowledgeisSriKrsna,thePersonalityofGodhead.
ThisPersonalityisveryrarelyunderstoodbythosewhoareinthemodesof
passionandignorance.IntheSatyayugaeveryonewassituatedinthemodeof
goodness.
Outofcompassion,thegreatsagethoughtitwisethatthiswouldenablemento
achievetheultimategoaloflife.Thushecompiledthegreathistoricalnarration
calledtheMahabharataforwomen,laborersandfriendsofthetwiceborn.
Thefriendsofthetwicebornfamiliesarethosewhoareborninthefamiliesof

brahmanas,ksatriyasandvaisyas,orthespirituallyculturedfamilies,butwho
themselvesarenotequaltotheirforefathers.Suchdescendantsarenot
recognizedassuch,forwantofpurificatoryachievements.Thepurificatory
activitiesbeginevenbeforethebirthofachild,andtheseedgiving
reformatoryprocessiscalledGarbhadhanasamskara.Onewhohasnot
undergonesuchGarbhadhanasamskara,orspiritualfamilyplanning,isnot
acceptedasbeingofanactualtwicebornfamily.TheGarbhadhanasamskara
isfollowedbyotherpurificatoryprocesses,outofwhichthesacredthread
ceremonyisone.Thisisperformedatthetimeofspiritualinitiation.Afterthis
particularsamskara,oneisrightlycalledtwiceborn.Onebirthiscalculated
duringtheseedgivingsamskara,andthesecondbirthiscalculatedatthetime
ofspiritualinitiation.Onewhohasbeenabletoundergosuchimportant
samskarascanbecalledabonafidetwiceborn.
Ifthefatherandthemotherdonotundertaketheprocessofspiritualfamily
planningandsimplybegetchildrenoutofpassiononly,theirchildrenare
calleddvijabandhus.Thesedvijabandhusarecertainlynotasintelligentasthe
childrenoftheregulartwicebornfamilies.Thedvijabandhusareclassified
withthesudrasandthewomanclass,whoarebynaturelessintelligent.The
sudrasandthewomanclassdonothavetoundergoanysamskarasaveand
excepttheceremonyofmarriage.
Thelessintelligentclassesofmen,namelywomen,sudrasandunqualifiedsons
ofthehighercastes,aredevoidofnecessaryqualificationstounderstandthe
purposeofthetranscendentalVedas.ForthemtheMahabharatawasprepared.
ThepurposeoftheMahabharataistoadministerthepurposeoftheVedas,and
thereforewithinthisMahabharatathesummaryVedaofBhagavadgitais
placed.Thelessintelligentaremoreinterestedinstoriesthaninphilosophy,
andthereforethephilosophyoftheVedasintheformoftheBhagavadgitais
spokenbytheLordSriKrsna.

TheBhagavadgitaistheessenceofallVedicknowledge.Itisthefirstbookof
spiritualvalues,astheUpanisadsare.TheVedantaphilosophyisthesubject
matterforstudybythespiritualgraduates.Onlythepostgraduate
spiritualstudentcanenterintothespiritualordevotionalserviceofthe
Lord.Itisagreatscience,andthegreatprofessoristheLordHimselfin
theformofLordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhu.Andpersonswhoare
empoweredbyHimcaninitiateothersinthetranscendentallovingservice
oftheLord.
Thesagebegantosearchoutthecauseofnotbeingsatisfiedatheart.
Perfectionisneverattaineduntiloneissatisfiedatheart.Thissatisfactionof
hearthastobesearchedoutbeyondmatter.

NoonecanunderstandtheimportoftheVedaswithouthavingundergonea
strictdisciplinaryvowanddisciplicsuccession.TheVedas,spiritualmasters
andsacrificialfiremustbeworshipedbythedesiringcandidate.Allthese
intricaciesofVedicknowledgearesystematicallypresentedinthe
Mahabharatafortheunderstandingofthewomanclass,thelaborerclassand
theunqualifiedmembersofbrahmana,ksatriyaorvaisyafamilies.Inthisage,
theMahabharataismoreessentialthantheoriginalVedas.
Iamfeelingincomplete,thoughImyselfamfullyequippedwith
everythingrequiredbytheVedas.
Purificationofthelivingbeingsubmergedinmatterismadepossiblebythe
prescribedactivitiesintheVedas,buttheultimateachievementisdifferent.
Unlessitisattained,thelivingbeing,eventhoughfullyequipped,cannotbe
situatedinthetranscendentallynormalstage.SrilaVyasadevaappearedtohave
losttheclueandthereforefeltdissatisfaction.
Unlessoneisfixedinthenormalconditionofservice,neithertheLordnor
thelivingbeingcanbecomefullysatisfied.
ThevacuumfeltbyVyasadevawasnotduetohislackofknowledge.
BhagavatadharmaispurelydevotionalserviceoftheLordtowhichthemonist
hasnoaccess.Themonistisnotcountedamongsttheparamahamsas(themost
perfectoftherenouncedorderoflife).SrimadBhagavatamisfullofnarrations
ofthetranscendentalactivitiesofthePersonalityofGodhead.Although
Vyasadevawasanempowereddivinity,hestillfeltdissatisfactionbecausein
noneofhisworkswerethetranscendentalactivitiesoftheLordproperly
explained
Itisdefinitelyexpressedherewiththatwithoutthetranscendentalloving
serviceoftheLord,everythingisvoid;butinthetranscendentalserviceofthe
Lord,everythingistangiblewithoutanyseparateattemptatfruitiveworkor
empiricphilosophicalspeculation.

VidhimeansBrahma,thefirstcreatedlivingbeing.Heistheoriginalstudentas
wellasprofessoroftheVedas.HelearneditfromSriKrsnaandtaughtNarada
first.SoNaradaisthesecondacaryainthelineofspiritualdisciplicsuccession.
Chapter5

Ashewillexplaingradually,Vyasadeva'sdisappointmentwasdueto
insufficiencyinpresentingthescienceofdevotionalservice.
AddressingVyasadeva,thesonofParasara,Naradainquired:Areyousatisfied

byidentifyingwiththebodyorthemindasobjectsofselfrealization?
Ordinarymenwithapoorfundofknowledgecanidentifythebodyasselfor
themindasself,butVyasadevashouldnothavedoneso.Onecannotbe
cheerfulbynatureunlessoneisfactuallyseatedinselfrealization,whichis
transcendentaltothematerialbodyandmind.
TheVedantasutra,orBrahmasutra,compiledbySriVyasadevaisthefull
deliberationoftheimpersonalabsolutefeature,anditisacceptedasthemost
exaltedphilosophicalexpositionintheworld.Itcoversthesubjectofeternity,
andthemethodsarescholarly.Sotherecannotbeanydoubtaboutthe
transcendentalscholarshipofVyasadeva.Sowhyshouldhelament?
Assuch,allknowledgedisseminatedinthematerialworldisrelatedeitherwith
thebodyorwiththemind,andthatistherootcauseofalldespondencies
ApersonwhoiscentpercentengagedintheserviceoftheLordistheemblem
ofallknowledge.SuchadevoteeoftheLordinfullperfectionofdevotional
serviceisalsoperfectbythequalificationofthePersonalityofGodhead.As
such,theeightfoldperfectionsofmysticpower(astasiddhi)constitutevery
littleofhisgodlyopulence
SrilaNaradaisacentpercentperfectlivingbeing,althoughnotequaltothe
PersonalityofGodhead.
Please,therefore,findoutthedeficiencyinme,despitemybeingabsorbedin
transcendenceunderdisciplinaryregulationsandvows.
Transcendentalrealization,piousactivities,worshipingtheDeities,charity,
mercifulness,nonviolenceandstudyingthescripturesunderstrictdisciplinary
regulationsarealwayshelpful.
SriNaradasaid:Youhavenotactuallybroadcastthesublimeandspotless
gloriesofthePersonalityofGodhead.Thatphilosophywhichdoesnotsatisfy
thetranscendentalsensesoftheLordisconsideredworthless.

TheeternalrelationofanindividualsoulwiththeSupremeSoulPersonalityof
Godheadisconstitutionallyoneofbeingtheeternalservitoroftheeternal
master.TheLordhasexpandedHimselfaslivingbeingsinordertoaccept
lovingservicefromthem,andthisalonecansatisfyboththeLordandthe
livingbeings.
ThePersonalityofGodheadisthelastwordintranscendentalrealization.The

AbsoluterealizedasimpersonalBrahmanorlocalizedSupersoul,Paramatma,
islessproductiveoftranscendentalblissthanthesupremepersonalrealization
ofHisglories.
ThecompileroftheVedantadarsanaisVyasadevahimself.Yetheistroubled,
althoughheistheauthor.Sowhatsortoftranscendentalblisscanbederivedby
thereadersandlistenersofVedantawhichisnotexplaineddirectlyby
Vyasadeva,theauthor?HereinarisesthenecessityofexplainingVedantasutra
intheformofSrimadBhagavatambytheselfsameauthor.
Hehascertainly,asamatterofcourse,givendescriptionsofthegloriesofthe
Lord(SriKrsna)butnotasmanyasgiventoreligiosity,economic
development,sensegratificationandsalvation.Thesefouritemsarebyfar
inferiortoengagementinthedevotionalserviceoftheLord.
Fromthisitisclearlyindicatedthatnoonecanbepleasedsubstantiallywithout
beingengagedinthedevotionalserviceoftheLord.IntheBhagavadgitathis
factisclearlymentioned.
Afterliberation,whichisthelastiteminthelineofperformingreligiosity,
etc.,oneisengagedinpuredevotionalservice.Thisiscalledthestageof
selfrealization,orthebrahmabhutastage.Afterattainmentofthisbrahma
bhutastage,oneissatisfied.Butsatisfactionisthebeginningof
transcendentalbliss.Oneshouldprogressbyattainingneutralityand
equalityintherelativeworld.Andpassingthisstageofequanimity,oneis
fixedinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.Thisistheinstruction
ofthePersonalityofGodheadintheBhagavadgita.
ThosewordswhichdonotdescribethegloriesoftheLord,whoalonecan
sanctifytheatmosphereofthewholeuniverse,areconsideredbysaintly
personstobelikeuntoaplaceofpilgrimageforcrows.Sincetheallperfect
personsareinhabitantsofthetranscendentalabode,theydonotderiveany
pleasurethere.

Thecrowstakepleasureinaplacewheregarbageisthrownout,justasthe
passionatefruitiveworkerstakepleasureinwineandwomanandplacesfor
grosssensepleasure.Theswansdonottakepleasureintheplaceswherecrows
areassembledforconferencesandmeetings.Theyareinsteadseeninthe

atmosphereofnaturalscenicbeautywheretherearetransparentreservoirsof
waternicelydecoratedwithstemsoflotusflowersinvariegatedcolorsof
naturalbeauty.Thatisthedifferencebetweenthetwoclassesofbirds.
Naturehasinfluenceddifferentspeciesoflifewithdifferentmentalities,andit
isnotpossibletobringthemupintothesamerankandfile.Similarly,thereare
differentkindsofliteraturefordifferenttypesofmenofdifferentmentality.
Theseliteraturesinthemodesofpassionandignorancearedistributedunder
differentlabels,buttheycanhardlyhelpthespiritualurgeofthehumanbeing,
andthustheswanlikespirituallyadvancedmenhavenothingtodowiththem
Suchspirituallyadvancedmenarecalledalsomanasabecausetheyalways
keepupthestandardoftranscendentalvoluntaryservicetotheLordonthe
spiritualplane.Thiscompletelyforbidsfruitiveactivitiesforgrossbodilysense
satisfactionorsubtlespeculationofthematerialegoisticmind.
Socialliterarymen,scientists,mundanepoets,theoreticalphilosophersand
politicianswhoarecompletelyabsorbedinthematerialadvancementofsense
pleasurearealldollsofthematerialenergy.Theytakepleasureinaplace
whererejectedsubjectmattersarethrown.AccordingtoSvamiSridhara,thisis
thepleasureoftheprostitutehunters.
ButliteratureswhichdescribethegloriesoftheLordareenjoyedbythe
paramahamsaswhohavegraspedtheessenceofhumanactivities.
Suchtranscendentalliteratures,eventhoughimperfectlycomposed,areheard,
sungandacceptedbypurifiedmenwhoarethoroughlyhonest.
Itisaqualificationofthegreatthinkerstopickupthebestevenfromtheworst.
Itissaidthattheintelligentmanshouldpickupnectarfromastockofpoison,
shouldacceptgoldevenfromafilthyplace,shouldacceptagoodandqualified
wifeevenfromanobscurefamilyandshouldacceptagoodlessonevenfroma
manorfromateacherwhocomesfromtheuntouchables.Thesearesomeof
theethicalinstructionsforeveryoneineveryplacewithoutexception
Butasaintisfarabovethelevelofanordinaryman.Heisalwaysabsorbedin
glorifyingtheSupremeLord
BecauseIndiahasfailedinherdutybyneglectingthisresponsiblework,there
issomuchquarrelandtroubleallovertheworld.Weareconfidentthatifthe
transcendentalmessageofSrimadBhagavatamisreceivedonlybytheleading
menoftheworld,certainlytherewillbeachangeofheart,andnaturallythe
peopleingeneralwillfollowthem.
Ifthereisachangeofheartoftheleadersonly,certainlytherewillbearadical
changeintheatmosphereoftheworld

Afterall,itisatechnicalscienceofspiritualvalues,andthusweareconcerned
withthetechniquesandnotwiththelanguage.Ifthetechniquesofthisgreat
literatureareunderstoodbythepeopleoftheworld,therewillbesuccess.
Therearesomanyunwantedliteraturesfullofmaterialisticideasofsense
gratification
Knowledgeofselfrealization,eventhoughfreefromallmaterialaffinity,does
notlookwellifdevoidofaconceptionoftheInfallible[God].What,then,is
theuseoffruitiveactivities,whicharenaturallypainfulfromthevery
beginningandtransientbynature,iftheyarenotutilizedforthedevotional
serviceoftheLord?
IntheBhagavadgitaalsoitisconfirmedthattheresultofsuchfruitivework
maybeofferedfortheserviceoftheLord,otherwiseitleadstomaterial
bondage.ThebonafideenjoyerofthefruitiveworkisthePersonalityof
Godhead,andthuswhenitisengagedforthesensegratificationoftheliving
beings,itbecomesanacutesourceoftrouble.
OVyasadeva,yourvisioniscompletelyperfect.Yourgoodfameisspotless.
Youarefirminvowandsituatedintruthfulness.Andthusyoucanthinkof
thepastimesoftheLordintrancefortheliberationofthepeopleingeneral
fromallmaterialbondage.
SrilaVyasadevaandhisrepresentativesarepureinthoughtduetotheir
spiritualenlightenment,fixedintheirvowsduetotheirdevotionalservice,and
determinedtodeliverthefallensoulsrottinginmaterialactivities.
thereforetheVedicliteratures,especiallytheBhagavadgitaandtheSrimad
Bhagavatam,arespecificallyrecommendedtosufferinghumanitytobring
aboutthedesiredeffectofliberationfromthepangsofmaterialcivilization,
whichiseatingthevitalpartofhumanenergy.
TheBhagavadgitaisthespokenmessageoftheLordHimselfrecordedby
Vyasadeva,andtheSrimadBhagavatamisthetranscendentalnarrationofthe
activitiesofthesameLordKrsna,whichalonecansatisfythehankeringdesires
ofthelivingbeingforeternalpeaceandliberationfrommiseries.
SuchtranscendentalnarrationsofthepastimesoftheLordcanbedescribed
onlybyliberatedsoulslikeVyasadevaandhisbonafiderepresentativeswho
arecompletelymergedinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.Onlyto
suchdevoteesdothepastimesoftheLordandtheirtranscendentalnature
becomeautomaticallymanifestbydintofdevotionalservice.Nooneelsecan
eitherknowordescribetheactsoftheLord,eveniftheyspeculateonthe
subjectformany,manyyears

Therefore,thevisionoftheauthorcomprehendspast,presentandfuture.Such
liberatedpersonsasVyasadevaareperfectnotonlybythepowerofvisionand
wisdom,butalsoinauralreception,inthinking,feelingandallothersense
activities.Aliberatedpersonpossessesperfectsenses,andwithperfect
sensesonlycanoneservethesenseproprietor,Hrsikesa,SriKrsnathe
PersonalityofGodhead.SrimadBhagavatam,therefore,istheperfect
descriptionoftheallperfectPersonalityofGodheadbytheallperfect
personalitySrilaVyasadeva,thecompileroftheVedas.
WhateveryoudesiretodescribethatisseparateinvisionfromtheLordsimply
reacts,withdifferentforms,namesandresults,toagitatethemindasthewind
agitatesaboatwhichhasnorestingplace.
SriVyasadevaistheeditorofalldescriptionsoftheVedicliteratures,andthus
hehasdescribedtranscendentalrealizationindifferentways,namelyby
fruitiveactivities,speculativeknowledge,mysticpoweranddevotionalservice.
Besidesthat,inhisvariousPuranashehasrecommendedtheworshipofso
manydemigodsindifferentformsandnames
SrilaNaradadevaisstressingthisparticulardefectintheVedicliteratures
compiledbyVyasadeva,andthusheistryingtoemphasizedescribing
everythinginrelationwiththeSupremeLord,andnooneelse.Infact,thereis
nothingexistentexcepttheLord.
Themostdefectivepartofworshipingdemigodsisthatitcreatesadefinite
conceptionofpantheism,endingdisastrouslyinmanyreligioussects
detrimentaltotheprogressoftheprinciplesoftheBhagavatam,whichalone
cangivetheaccuratedirectionforselfrealizationineternalrelationwiththe
PersonalityofGodheadbydevotionalserviceintranscendentallove.
Thedivertedmindofthepantheistcanneverreachtheperfectionofself
realization,duetothedisturbedconditionoftheselectionofobject.
Thehumanbeings,bylongmaterialassociation,lifeafterlife,haveanatural
inclination,bypractice,toendeavortolorditovermaterialenergy.Theyhave
nosenseoftheresponsibilityofhumanlife.Thishumanformoflifeisa
chancetogetoutoftheclutchesofillusorymatter.TheVedasaremeantfor
goingbacktoGodhead,goingbackhome
Thehumanformoflifeisachancetogetoutofthisimprisonedlife,andas
suchtheonlyoccupationofthehumanbeingistoreestablishhislost
relationshipwithGod.Underthecircumstances,oneshouldneverbe
encouragedinmakingaplanforsenseenjoymentinthenameofreligious
functions.
Theyaresorecommendedtodiscourageflesheating,butgraduallythepurpose

ofsuchreligiousactivitiesisforgotten,andtheslaughterhousebecomes
prominent.
IntheVedasitisdistinctlysaidthattheperfectionoflifeisnevertobeattained
eitherbyvoluminouswork,orbyaccumulationofwealthorevenbyincreasing
thepopulation.Butitissoattainedonlybyrenunciation.
Accordingtothem,thesocalledrenouncedorderoflifeismeantforthose
whoareunabletoearntheirlivelihoodbecauseofsomecorporealdefects,or
forpersonswhohavefailedtoachieveprosperityinfamilylife.
ThewholeideaoftheMahabharataculminatesintheultimateinstructionsof
theBhagavadgita,thatoneshouldrelinquishallotherengagementsandshould
engageoneselfsolelyandfullyinsurrenderinguntothelotusfeetofLordSri
Krsna.Butmenwithmaterialistictendenciesaremoreattractedtothepolitics,
economicsandphilanthropicactivitiesmentionedintheMahabharatathanto
theprincipaltopic,namelytheBhagavadgita.Thiscompromisingspiritof
VyasadevaisdirectlycondemnedbyNarada,whoadviseshimtodirectly
proclaimthattheprimenecessityofhumanlifeistorealizeone'seternal
relationwiththeLordandthussurrenderuntoHimwithoutdelay.
Apatientsufferingfromaparticulartypeofmaladyisalmostalwaysinclined
toaccepteatableswhichareforbiddenforhim.Theexpertphysiciandoesnot
makeanycompromisewiththepatientbyallowinghimtotakepartiallywhat
heshouldnotatalltake.IntheBhagavadgitaitisalsosaidthatamanattached
tofruitiveworkshouldnotbediscouragedfromhisoccupation,forgradually
hemaybeelevatedtothepositionofselfrealization.Thisissometimes
applicableforthosewhoareonlydryempiricphilosopherswithoutspiritual
realization.Butthosewhoareinthedevotionallineneednotbealwaysso
advised.
TheSupremeLordisunlimited.Onlyaveryexpertpersonality,retired
fromtheactivitiesofmaterialhappiness,deservestounderstandthis
knowledgeofspiritualvalues.Thereforethosewhoarenotsowell
situated,duetomaterialattachment,shouldbeshownthewaysof
transcendentalrealization,byYourGoodness,throughdescriptionsofthe
transcendentalactivitiesoftheSupremeLord.
Theologicalscienceisadifficultsubject,especiallywhenitdealswiththe
transcendentalnatureofGod.Itisnotasubjectmattertobeunderstoodby
personswhoaretoomuchattachedtomaterialactivities.Onlytheveryexpert,
whohavealmostretiredfrommaterialisticactivitiesbycultureofspiritual
knowledge,canbeadmittedtothestudyofthisgreatscience
IntheBhagavadgitaitisclearlystatedthatoutofmanyhundredsand

thousandsofmenonlyonepersondeservestoenterintotranscendental
realization.Andoutofmanythousandsofsuchtranscendentallyrealized
persons,onlyafewcanunderstandthetheologicalsciencespecificallydealing
withGodasaperson
Onewhohasforsakenhismaterialoccupationstoengageinthedevotional
serviceoftheLordmaysometimesfalldownwhileinanimmaturestage,yet
thereisnodangerofhisbeingunsuccessful.Ontheotherhand,anondevotee,
thoughfullyengagedinoccupationalduties,doesnotgainanything.
Everymanisdutyboundnotonlytohisparents,familymembers,society,
country,humanity,otherlivingbeings,thedemigods,etc.,butalsotothegreat
philosophers,poets,scientists,etc.Itisenjoinedinthescripturesthatonecan
relinquishallsuchdutiesandsurrenderuntotheserviceoftheLord.
Butitsohappenssometimesthatonesurrendershimselfuntotheserviceofthe
Lordbysometemporarysentiment,andinthelongrun,duetosomanyother
reasons,hefallsdownfromthepathofservicebyundesirableassociation.
Therearesomanyinstancesofthisinthehistories.BharataMaharajawas
obligedtotakehisbirthasastagduetohisintimateattachmenttoastag.
Similarly,CitraketualsofelldownduetohisoffensesatthefeetofSiva.
Butinspiteofallthis,thestressisgivenheretosurrenderinguntothelotus
feetoftheLord,evenifthereisachanceoffallingdown,becauseeventhough
onefallsdownfromtheprescribeddutiesofdevotionalservice,hewillnever
forgetthelotusfeetoftheLord.Onceengagedinthedevotionalserviceofthe
Lord,onewillcontinuetheserviceinallcircumstances.
IntheBhagavadgitaitissaidthatevenasmallquantityofdevotionalservice
cansaveonefromthemostdangerousposition.Therearemanyinstancesof
suchexamplesinhistory.Ajamilaisoneofthem.Ajamilainhisearlylifewas
adevotee,butinhisyouthhefelldown.StillhewassavedbytheLordatthe
end.
Personswhoareactuallyintelligentandphilosophicallyinclinedshould
endeavoronlyforthatpurposefulendwhichisnotobtainableevenby
wanderingfromthetopmostplanet[Brahmaloka]downtothelowestplanet
[Patala].Asfarashappinessderivedfromsenseenjoymentisconcerned,itcan
beobtainedautomaticallyincourseoftime,justasincourseoftimeweobtain
miserieseventhoughwedonotdesirethem.
Everymaneverywhereistryingtoobtainthegreatestamountofsense
enjoymentbyvariousendeavors.Somemenarebusyengagedintrade,
industry,economicdevelopment,politicalsupremacy,etc.,andsomeofthem
areengagedinfruitiveworktobecomehappyinthenextlifebyattaining
higherplanets.Itissaidthatonthemoontheinhabitantsarefitforgreater

senseenjoymentbydrinkingsomarasa,andthePitrlokaisobtainedbygood
charitablework.Sotherearevariousprogramsforsenseenjoyment,either
duringthislifeorinthelifeafterdeath
BythelawoftheSupreme,differentplacesaremeantfordifferentgradesof
livingbeingsaccordingtotheworktheyhaveperformed.
Bygoodworkonly,asprescribedinthescriptures,canoneobtainbirthina
goodfamily,opulence,goodeducationandgoodbodilyfeatures.Weseealso
thateveninthislifeoneobtainsagoodeducationormoneybygoodwork.
Similarly,inournextbirthwegetsuchdesirablepositionsonlybygoodwork.
Otherwise,itwouldnotsohappenthattwopersonsborninthesameplaceat
thesametimeareseendifferentlyplacedaccordingtopreviouswork.Butall
suchmaterialpositionsareimpermanent
ThepositionsinthetopmostBrahmalokaandinthelowestPatalaarealso
changeableaccordingtoourownwork.Thephilosophicallyinclinedperson
mustnotbetemptedbysuchchangeablepositions.Heshouldtrytogetintothe
permanentlifeofblissandknowledgewherehewillnotbeforcedtocome
backagaintothemiserablematerialworld,eitherinthisorthatplanet.
Miseriesandmixedhappinessaretwofeaturesofmateriallife,andtheyare
obtainedinBrahmalokaandinotherlokasalso.Theyareobtainedinthelifeof
thedemigodsandalsointhelifeofthedogsandhogs.Themiseriesandmixed
happinessofalllivingbeingsareonlyofdifferentdegreeandquality,butno
oneisfreefromthemiseriesofbirth,death,oldageanddisease.Similarly,
everyonehashisdestinedhappinessalso.Noonecangetmoreorlessofthese
thingssimplybypersonalendeavors.Eveniftheyareobtained,theycanbelost
again.Oneshouldnot,therefore,wastetimewiththeseflimsythings;one
shouldonlyendeavortogobacktoGodhead.Thatshouldbethemissionof
everyone'slife.
MydearVyasa,eventhoughadevoteeofLordKrsnasometimesfallsdown
somehoworother,hecertainlydoesnotundergomaterialexistencelikeothers
[fruitiveworkers,etc.]becauseapersonwhohasoncerelishedthetasteofthe
lotusfeetoftheLordcandonothingbutrememberthatecstasyagainand
again.
AdevoteeoftheLordautomaticallybecomesuninterestedintheenchantment
ofmaterialexistencebecauseheisrasagraha,oronewhohastastedthe
sweetnessofthelotusfeetofLordKrsna.
Akarmisufferstheresultofhisownfruitivereactions,whereasadevoteeis
reformedbychastisementdirectedbytheLordHimself.Thesufferingsofan
orphanandthesufferingsofabelovedchildofakingarenotoneandthesame.

AdevoteeoftheLord,duetowrongassociation,sometimesimitatesthe
fruitiveworkers.Thefruitiveworkerswanttolorditoverthematerialworld.
Similarly,aneophytedevoteefoolishlythinksofaccumulatingsomematerial
powerinexchangefordevotionalservice.Suchfoolishdevoteesaresometimes
putintodifficultybytheLordHimself.Asaspecialfavor,Hemayremoveall
materialparaphernalia.Bysuchaction,thebewildereddevoteeisforsakenby
allfriendsandrelatives,andsohecomestohissensesagainbythemercyof
theLordandissetrighttoexecutehisdevotionalservice.
IntheBhagavadgitaitisalsosaidthatsuchfallendevoteesaregivenachance
totakebirthinafamilyofhighlyqualifiedbrahmanasorinarichmercantile
family.Adevoteeinsuchapositionisnotasfortunateasonewhoischastised
bytheLordandputintoapositionseeminglyofhelplessness.
ThedevoteewhobecomeshelplessbythewilloftheLordismorefortunate
thanthosewhoareborningoodfamilies.Thefallendevoteesborninagood
familymayforgetthelotusfeetoftheLordbecausetheyarelessfortunate,but
thedevoteewhoisputintoaforlornconditionismorefortunatebecausehe
swiftlyreturnstothelotusfeetoftheLord,thinkinghimselfhelplessall
around.
Puredevotionalserviceissospirituallyrelishablethatadevoteebecomes
automaticallyuninterestedinmaterialenjoyment.Thatisthesignof
perfectioninprogressivedevotionalservice.Apuredevoteecontinuously
remembersthelotusfeetofLordSriKrsnaanddoesnotforgetHimevenfora
moment,noteveninexchangeforalltheopulenceofthethreeworlds.
Forapuredevotee,theconceptionofMukunda,LordSriKrsna,isboth
personalandimpersonal.Theleavesandbranchesofthetreearealsothetree,
butthetreeitselfisneithertheleavesnorthebranches
TheVedicversionthatthewholecosmiccreationisnothingbutBrahman
meansthatsinceeverythingisemanatingfromtheSupremeBrahman,nothing
isapartfromHim.
TheLordisthetranscendentalformofeternity,cognitionandbeauty.Andthus
thecreationoftheenergyoftheLordappearstobepartiallyeternal,fullof
knowledgeandbeautifulalso.Thecaptivatedconditionedsoulsunderthe
influenceoftheexternalenergy,maya,arethereforeentrappedinthenetwork
ofthematerialnature.
Norhavetheyinformationthatthepartsandparcelsofthebody,being
detachedfromthewholebody,arenolongerthesamehandorlegaswhen
attachedtothebody.Similarly,agodlesscivilizationdetachedfromthe
transcendentallovingserviceoftheSupremePersonalityofGodheadisjust

likeadetachedhandorleg.Suchpartsandparcelsmayappearlikehandsand
legs,buttheyhavenoefficiency
Boththespiritualandthematerialskiesandtheirparaphernaliaareemanations
oftheinternalandexternalenergiesoftheLord.Externalenergyis
comparativelyinferior,whereastheinternalpotencyissuperior.Thesuperior
energyislivingforce,andthereforesheiscompletelyidentical,buttheexternal
energy,beinginert,ispartiallyidentical.Butboththeenergiesareneitherequal
tonorgreaterthantheLord,whoisthegeneratorofallenergies;suchenergies
arealwaysunderHiscontrol

ThehumanbeingandallotherlivingbeingsareproductsofHisinternal
energies.ThusthelivingbeingisalsoidenticalwiththeLord.Butheisnever
equalorsuperiortothePersonalityofGodhead.TheLordandlivingbeingsare
allindividualpersons.
Thehumanbeing,afterattainingcompleteperfection,mayachievealarge
percentageofthequalitiesoftheLord(sayuptoseventyeightpercent),butit
isneverpossibletosurpasstheLordortobecomeequalwithHim.
Themisguidedlivingbeings,therefore,mustacceptthesupremacyoftheLord
andagreetorenderlovingservicetoHim.Forthistheyhavebeencreated.
LordSriKrsna,LordSriRamaandLordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhu,all
incarnationsofGodhead,acceptedformalspiritualmasters,althoughbyTheir
transcendentalnatureTheywerecognizantofallknowledge.
Learnedcircleshavepositivelyconcludedthattheinfalliblepurposeofthe
advancementofknowledge,namelyausterities,studyoftheVedas,sacrifice,
chantingofhymnsandcharity,culminatesinthetranscendentaldescriptionsof
theLord,whoisdefinedinchoicepoetry.
Humanintellectisdevelopedforadvancementoflearninginart,science,
philosophy,physics,chemistry,psychology,economics,politics,etc.By
cultureofsuchknowledgethehumansocietycanattainperfectionoflife.This
perfectionoflifeculminatesintherealizationoftheSupremeBeing,Visnu.
Thesrutithereforedirectsthatthosewhoareactuallyadvancedinlearning
shouldaspirefortheserviceofLordVisnu.
Unfortunatelypersonswhoareenamoredbytheexternalbeautyofvisnumaya
donotunderstandthatculminationofperfectionorselfrealizationdependson
Visnu.Visnumayameanssenseenjoyment,whichistransientandmiserable.
Thosewhoareentrappedbyvisnumayautilizeadvancementofknowledgefor
senseenjoyment

SriNaradaMunihasexplainedthatallparaphernaliaofthecosmicuniverseis
butanemanationfromtheLordoutofHisdifferentenergiesbecausetheLord
hassetinmotion,byHisinconceivableenergy,theactionsandreactionsofthe
createdmanifestation.TheyhavecometobeoutofHisenergy,theyrestonHis
energy,andafterannihilationtheymergeintoHim.Nothingis,therefore,
differentfromHim,butatthesametimetheLordisalwaysdifferentfrom
them.

Therefore,allthesagesanddevoteesoftheLordhaverecommendedthatthe
subjectmatterofart,science,philosophy,physics,chemistry,psychologyand
allotherbranchesofknowledgeshouldbewhollyandsolelyappliedinthe
serviceoftheLord.Art,literature,poetry,painting,etc.,maybeusedin
glorifyingtheLord.Thefictionwriters,poetsandcelebratedlitterateursare
generallyengagedinwritingofsensuoussubjects,butiftheyturntowardsthe
serviceoftheLordtheycandescribethetranscendentalpastimesoftheLord.
Valmikiwasagreatpoet,andsimilarlyVyasadevaisagreatwriter,andbothof
themhaveabsolutelyengagedthemselvesindelineatingthetranscendental
activitiesoftheLordandbydoingsohavebecomeimmortal.Similarly,
scienceandphilosophyalsoshouldbeappliedintheserviceoftheLord
Omuni,inthelastmillenniumIwasbornasthesonofacertainmaidservant
engagedintheserviceofbrahmanaswhowerefollowingtheprinciplesof
Vedanta.Whentheywerelivingtogetherduringthefourmonthsoftherainy
season,Iwasengagedintheirpersonalservice.
ThewonderofanatmospheresurchargedwithdevotionalservicetotheLordis
brieflydescribedhereinbySriNaradaMuni.Hewasthesonofthemost
insignificantparentage.Hewasnotproperlyeducated.Still,becausehis
completeenergywasengagedintheserviceoftheLord,hebecamean
immortalsage.Suchisthepowerfulactionofdevotionalservice
ThelivingentitiesarethemarginalenergyoftheLord,andthereforetheyare
meantforbeingproperlyutilizedinthetranscendentallovingserviceofthe
Lord.Whenthisisnotdone,one'ssituationiscalledmaya.Thereforethe
illusionofmayaisatoncedissipatedassoonasone'sfullenergyisconverted
intheserviceoftheLordinsteadofinsenseenjoyment.Fromthepersonal
exampleofSriNaradaMuniinhispreviousbirth,itisclearthattheserviceof
theLordbeginswiththeserviceoftheLord'sbonafideservants.

Byserviceofthebonafidespiritualmaster,theLordconsentstoreveal
Himselfinproportiontotheservicerendered.Utilizationofthehumanenergy
intheserviceoftheLordistheprogressivepathofsalvation.
ThewholecosmiccreationbecomesatonceidenticalwiththeLordassoonas
serviceinrelationwiththeLordisrenderedundertheguidanceofabonafide
spiritualmaster.Theexpertspiritualmasterknowstheartofutilizing
everythingtoglorifytheLord,andthereforeunderhisguidancethewhole
worldcanbeturnedintothespiritualabodebythedivinegraceoftheLord's
servant.

IntheBhagavadgitatheLordsays,"AlltheVedasaresearchingafterMe."
LordSriCaitanyasaysthatintheVedasthesubjectmattersareonlythree,
namelytoestablishtherelationofthelivingentitieswiththePersonalityof
Godhead,performtherelativedutiesindevotionalserviceandthusachievethe
ultimategoal,backtoGodhead
Suchvedantavadis,orthebhaktivedantas,areimpartialindistributingthe
transcendentalknowledgeofdevotionalservice.Tothemnooneisenemyor
friend;nooneiseducatedoruneducated.Nooneisespeciallyfavorable,and
nooneisunfavorable.
Theboywaseveninjectedwithspiritualacumenbeforebeingplacedbythe
fatherinthewombofthemother.Boththefatherandthemotherwere
responsiblefortheboy'ssuccessinbeingliberatedfromthematerialbondage.
Thatistheprocessofsuccessfulfamilyplanning.Itistobegetchildrenfor
completeperfection.Withoutbeingselfcontrolled,withoutbeing
disciplinedandwithoutbeingfullyobedient,noonecanbecomesuccessful
infollowingtheinstructionsofthespiritualmaster,andwithoutdoingso,
nooneisabletogobacktoGodhead.
Onceonly,bytheirpermission,Itooktheremnantsoftheirfood,andbyso
doingallmysinswereatonceeradicated.Thusbeingengaged,Ibecame
purifiedinheart,andatthattimetheverynatureofthetranscendentalist
becameattractivetome.
Puredevotionisasmuchinfectious
Suchremnantsmaybetakenevenwithoutpermissionofthepuredevotees.
Therearesometimespseudodevotees,andoneshouldbeverymuchcautious

aboutthem.Therearemanythingswhichhinderonefromenteringdevotional
service.Butbytheassociationofpuredevoteesalltheseobstaclesare
removed.Theneophytedevoteebecomespracticallyenrichedwiththe
transcendentalqualitiesofthepuredevotee,whichmeansattractionforthe
PersonalityofGodhead'sname,fame,quality,pastimes,etc
Aftertheeliminationofallsinsorobstaclesonthepathofdevotional
service,onecanbecomeattracted,onecanhavesteadiness,onecanhave
perfecttaste,onecanhavetranscendentalemotions,andatlastonecanbe
situatedontheplaneoflovingserviceoftheLord.Allthesestagesdevelop
bytheassociationofpuredevotees,andthatisthepurportofthisstanza.

LordSriKrsna,theAbsolutePersonalityofGodhead,isattractivenotonlyin
Hispersonalfeatures,butalsoinHistranscendentalactivities.Menare
naturallyapttohearhistoriesandnarrationsofvariouspersonalitiesperforming
mundaneactivities,withoutknowingthatbysuchassociationonesimply
wastesvaluabletimeandalsobecomesaddictedtothethreequalitiesof
mundanenature.Insteadofwastingtime,onecangetspiritualsuccessby
turninghisattentiontothetranscendentalpastimesoftheLord.
ThewholeideaisthatsimplybyhearingabouttheLord'spastimesonecan
becomeoneoftheassociatesoftheLord.NaradaMunihaseternallife,
unlimitedknowledgeandunfathomedbliss,andhecantravelalloverthe
materialandspiritualworldswithoutrestriction.Onecanattaintothehighest
perfectionoflifesimplybyattentivehearingofthetranscendentalpastimesof
theLordfromtherightsources,asSriNaradaheardthemfromthepure
devotees(bhaktivedantas)inhispreviouslife.Thisprocessofhearinginthe
associationofthedevoteesisespeciallyrecommendedinthisageofquarrel
(Kali).
Byignoranceonly,theconditionedsoulwronglythinksthatbothheandthe
Lordareproductsofmaterialnature.ButinfactthePersonalityofGodhead
andthelivingbeingsaretranscendental,andtheyhavenothingtodowiththe
materialnature.Whenignoranceisremovedanditisperfectlyrealizedthat
thereisnothingexistingwithoutthePersonalityofGodhead,thennescienceis
removed.
SincethegrossandsubtlebodiesareemanationsfromthePersonalityof

Godhead,theknowledgeoflightpermitsonetoengagebothoftheminthe
serviceoftheLord.Thegrossbodyshouldbeengagedinactsofrendering
servicetotheLord(asinbringingwater,cleansingthetempleormaking
obeisances,etc.).Thepathofarcana,orworshipingtheLordinthetemple,
involvesengagingone'sgrossbodyintheserviceoftheLord.Similarly,the
subtlemindshouldbeengagedinhearingthetranscendentalpastimesofthe
Lord,thinkingaboutthem,chantingHisname,etc.Allsuchactivitiesare
transcendental.
Noneofthegrossorsubtlesensesshouldotherwisebeengaged
Suchrealizationoftranscendentalactivitiesismadepossiblebymany,many
yearsofapprenticeshipinthedevotionalservice,butsimplyattractionoflove
forthePersonalityofGodhead,asitwasdevelopedinNaradaMuni,by
hearing,ishighlyeffective.
Astheflowofmydevotionalservicebegan,thecoveringsofthemodesof
passionandignorancevanished.

TranscendentallovingservicefortheSupremeLordisthenaturalinclinationof
everylivingbeing.Theinstinctisdormantineveryone,butduetothe
associationofmaterialnaturethemodesofpassionandignorancecoverthis
fromtimeimmemorial
Astheriverflowsontillshereachesthesea,similarlypuredevotionalservice
flowsbytheassociationofpuredevoteestillitreachestheultimategoal,
namely,transcendentalloveofGod.Suchaflowofdevotionalservicecannot
stop.Onthecontrary,itincreasesmoreandmorewithoutlimitation.Theflow
ofdevotionalserviceissopotentthatanyonlookeralsobecomesliberated
fromtheinfluenceofthemodesofpassionandignorance.
Iwasverymuchattachedtothosesages.Iwasgentleinbehavior,andallmy
sinswereeradicatedintheirservice.InmyheartIhadstrongfaithinthem.I
hadsubjugatedthesenses,andIwasstrictlyfollowingthemwithbodyand
mind.
Apuredevoteeisacompletely

surrenderedsouluntothePersonalityof
Godhead.HeknowsthePersonalityofGodheadasthesupremeproprietorand
allothersasHisservitors.Andbytheassociationofpuredevoteesonly,one
cangetridofallsinsaccumulatedbymundaneassociation.Aneophyte
devoteemustfaithfullyservethepuredevotee,andheshouldbeverymuch
obedientandstrictlyfollowtheinstructions.Thesearethesignsofadevotee

whoisdeterminedtoachievesuccessevenintheexistingdurationoflife.
ApureVedantist,orabhaktivedanta,instructsfollowersexactlyaccordingto
theinstructionsoftheLordHimself.ThePersonalityofGodhead,bothinthe
Bhagavadgitaandinallotherscriptures,hasdefinitelyinstructedmento
followtheLordonly.
ThewholemanifestedcreationisexistingbyHiswill,andbyHiswillwhenthe
wholeshowisfinishedHewillremaininHiseternalabodewithallHis
paraphernalia.BeforethecreationHewasthereintheeternalabode,andafter
theannihilationHewillcontinuetoremain.Heisnot,therefore,oneofthe
createdbeings.
Therefore,theinstructionoftheLordcanbeunderstoodbythedevoteesonly
andnooneelse.Theimpersonalist,whohasnoideaofthetranscendentalform
oftheLord,cannotunderstandthismostconfidentialmessageoftheLord.The
expression"mostconfidential"issignificantherebecauseknowledgeof
devotionalserviceisfar,faraboveknowledgeofimpersonalBrahman

Jnanammeansordinaryknowledgeoranybranchofknowledge.This
knowledgedevelopsuptotheknowledgeofimpersonalBrahman.Abovethis,
whenitispartiallymixedwithdevotion,suchknowledgedevelopsto
knowledgeofParamatma,ortheallpervadingGodhead.Thisismore
confidential.Butwhensuchknowledgeisturnedintopuredevotionalservice
andtheconfidentialpartoftranscendentalknowledgeisattained,itiscalledthe
mostconfidentialknowledge.Thismostconfidentialknowledgewasimparted
bytheLordtoBrahma,Arjuna,Uddhava,etc.
Bythatconfidentialknowledge,Icouldunderstandclearlytheinfluenceof
theenergyofLordSriKrsna,thecreator,maintainerandannihilatorof
everything.Byknowingthat,onecanreturntoHimandpersonallymeet
Him.
Onepartofenergyismanifestingthematerialworld;theother(superior)part
ofHisenergyismanifestingthespiritualworld.Andtheviamediumenergyis
manifestingthelivingentitieswhoareservingeitheroftheabovementioned
energies.
Thelivingentitiesservingmaterialenergyarestrugglinghardforexistenceand
happiness,whichispresentedtothemasillusion.Butthoseinthespiritual

energyareplacedunderthedirectserviceoftheLordineternallife,complete
knowledgeandperpetualbliss.TheLorddesires,asHehasdirectlysaidinthe
Bhagavadgita,thatallconditionedsouls,rottinginthekingdomofmaterial
energy,comebacktoHimbygivingupallengagementsinthematerialworld.
Thisisthemostconfidentialpartofknowledge.Butthiscanbeunderstood
onlybythepuredevotees,andonlysuchdevoteesenterthekingdomofGodto
seeHimpersonallyandserveHimpersonally.TheconcreteexampleisNarada
Himself,whoattainedthisstageofeternalknowledgeandeternalbliss
Andthewaysandmeansareopentoall,providedoneagreestofollowinthe
footstepsofSriNaradaMuni.
OBrahmanaVyasadeva,itisdecidedbythelearnedthatthebestremedial
measureforremovingalltroublesandmiseriesistodedicateone'sactivities
totheserviceoftheSupremeLordPersonalityofGodhead[SriKrsna].
SriNaradaMunipersonallyexperiencedthatthemostfeasibleandpractical
waytoopenthepathofsalvationorgetrelieffromallmiseriesoflifeistohear
submissivelythetranscendentalactivitiesoftheLordfromtherightandbona
fidesources.Thisistheonlyremedialprocess
Weshould,therefore,learntodedicateouractivitiesuntothemercyofthe
LordandacceptHimeitherasimpersonalBrahman,localizedParamatmaor
theSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Itdoesnotmatterwhatoneis.Onemust
dedicateeverythingintheserviceoftheLord

Ifoneisalearnedscholar,scientist,philosopher,poet,etc.,thenheshould
employhislearningtoestablishthesupremacyoftheLord.Trytostudythe
energyoftheLordineverysphereoflife.DonotdecryHimandtrytobecome
likeHimortakeHispositionsimplybyfragmentalaccumulationof
knowledge.Ifoneisanadministrator,statesman,warrior,politician,etc.,then
oneshouldtrytoestablishtheLord'ssupremacyinstatesmanship.Fightforthe
causeoftheLordasSriArjunadid.Inthebeginning,SriArjuna,thegreat
fighter,declinedtofight,butwhenhewasconvincedbytheLordthatthe
fightingwasnecessary,SriArjunachangedhisdecisionandfoughtforHis
cause.Similarly,ifoneisabusinessman,anindustrialist,anagriculturist,etc.,
thenoneshouldspendhishardearnedmoneyforthecauseoftheLord.Think
alwaysthatthemoneywhichisaccumulatedisthewealthoftheLord.Wealth
isconsideredtobethegoddessoffortune(Laksmi),andtheLordisNarayana,
orthehusbandofLaksmi.TrytoengageLaksmiintheserviceofLord
Narayanaandbehappy.ThatisthewaytorealizetheLordineverysphereof
life
Thebestthingis,afterall,togetrelieffromallmaterialactivitiesandengage

oneselfcompletelyinhearingthetranscendentalpastimesoftheLord.Butin
caseoftheabsenceofsuchanopportunity,oneshouldtrytoengageinthe
serviceoftheLordeverythingforwhichonehasspecificattraction,andthatis
thewayofpeaceandprosperity
Ogoodsoul,doesnotathing,appliedtherapeutically,cureadiseasewhichwas
causedbythatverysamething?
Similarly,thethreefoldmiseriesofmaterialexistencecannotbemitigated
simplybymaterialactivities.Suchactivitieshavetobespiritualized
Similarly,thematerialconceptionofathingisatoncechangedassoonasitis
putintotheserviceoftheLord.Thatisthesecretofspiritualsuccess.We
shouldnottrytolorditoverthematerialnature,norshouldwerejectmaterial
things.Thebestwaytomakethebestuseofabadbargainistouseeverything
inrelationwiththesupremespiritualbeing.
EverythingisanemanationfromtheSupremeSpirit,andbyHisinconceivable
powerHecanconvertspiritintomatterandmatterintospirit.Thereforea
materialthing(socalled)isatonceturnedintoaspiritualforcebythegreat
willoftheLord.Thenecessaryconditionforsuchachangeistoemployso
calledmatterintheserviceofthespirit.
WheneverythingisthusemployedintheserviceoftheLord,wecan
experiencethatthereisnothingexcepttheSupremeBrahman.TheVedic
mantrathat"everythingisBrahman"isthusrealizedbyus.

Thuswhenallaman'sactivitiesarededicatedtotheserviceoftheLord,those
veryactivitieswhichcausedhisperpetualbondagebecomethedestroyerofthe
treeofwork.
Fruitiveworkwhichhasperpetuallyengagedthelivingbeingiscomparedto
thebanyantreeintheBhagavadgita,foritiscertainlyverydeeplyrooted.
Aslongasthepropensityforenjoyingthefruitofworkisthere,onehasto
continuethetransmigrationofthesoulfromonebodyorplacetoanother,
accordingtoone'snatureofwork.Thepropensityforenjoymentmaybeturned
intothedesireforservingthemissionoftheLord,Bydoingso,one'sactivityis
changedintokarmayoga,orthewaybywhichonecanattainspiritual
perfectionwhileengagingintheworkforwhichhehasanaturaltendency.
Theconclusionisthatwhentheresultofallfruitiveandotherworkis

dovetailedwiththeserviceoftheLord,itwillceasetogeneratefurtherkarma
andwillgraduallydevelopintotranscendentaldevotionalservice,whichwill
notonlycutoffcompletelytherootofthebanyantreeofworkbutwillalso
carrytheperformertothelotusfeetoftheLord.
Thesummaryisthatonehasto,firstofall,seektheassociationofpure
devoteeswhonotonlyarelearnedintheVedantabutareselfrealizedsouls
andunalloyeddevoteesofLordSriKrsna,thePersonalityofGodhead.Inthat
association,theneophytedevoteesmustrenderlovingservicephysically and
mentallywithoutreservation.Thisserviceattitudewillinducethegreatsoulsto
bemorefavorableinbestowingtheirmercy,whichinjectstheneophytewith
allthetranscendentalqualitiesofthepuredevotees.Graduallythisisdeveloped
intoastrongattachmenttohearingthetranscendentalpastimesoftheLord,
whichmakeshimabletocatchuptheconstitutionalpositionofthegrossand
subtlebodiesandbeyondthemtheknowledgeofpuresoulandhiseternal
relationwiththeSupremeSoul,thePersonalityofGodhead.Aftertherelation
isascertainedbyestablishmentoftheeternalrelation,puredevotionalservice
totheLordbeginsgraduallydevelopingintoperfectknowledgeofthe
PersonalityofGodheadbeyondthepurviewofimpersonalBrahmanand
localizedParamatma
Bysuchpurusottamayoga,asitisstatedintheBhagavadgita,oneismade
perfectevenduringthepresentcorporealexistence,andoneexhibitsallthe
goodqualitiesoftheLordtothehighestpercentage.Suchisthegradual
developmentbyassociationofpuredevotees.
Whateverworkisdonehereinthislifeforthesatisfactionofthemissionofthe
Lordiscalledbhaktiyoga,ortranscendentallovingservicetotheLord,and
whatiscalledknowledgebecomesaconcomitantfactor.

Thegeneralandpopularnotionisthatbydischargingfruitiveworkintermsof
thedirectionofthescripturesonebecomesperfectlyabletoacquire
transcendentalknowledgeforspiritualrealization.Bhaktiyogaisconsidered
bysometobeanotherformofkarma.Butfactuallybhaktiyogaisaboveboth
karmaandjnana.Bhaktiyogaisindependentofjnanaorkarma;ontheother
hand,jnanaandkarmaaredependentonbhaktiyoga.Thiskriyayogaor
karmayoga,asrecommendedbySriNaradatoVyasa,isspecifically
recommendedbecausetheprincipleistosatisfytheLord
TheLorddoesnotwantHissons,thelivingbeings,tosufferthethreefold
miseriesoflife.HedesiresthatallofthemcometoHimandlivewithHim,but
goingbacktoGodheadmeansthatonemustpurifyhimselffrommaterial

infections.Whenworkisperformed,therefore,tosatisfytheLord,the
performerbecomesgraduallypurifiedfromthematerialaffection.This
purificationmeansattainmentofspiritualknowledge.Thereforeknowledgeis
dependentonkarma,orwork,doneonbehalfoftheLord.
WhileperformingdutiesaccordingtotheorderofSriKrsna,theSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,oneconstantlyremembersHim,HisnamesandHis
qualities.
AnexpertdevoteeoftheLordcanmoldhislifeinsuchawaythatwhile
performingallkindsofdutieseitherforthisorthenextlife,hecanconstantly
remembertheLord'sname,fame,qualities,etc.
TheorderoftheLordisdistinctlythereintheBhagavadgita:oneshouldwork
onlyfortheLordinallspheresoflife.IneverysphereoflifetheLordshould
besituatedastheproprietor.
AccordingtotheVedicrites,evenintheworshipofsomedemigodslikeIndra,
Brahma,SarasvatiandGanesa,thesystemisthatinallcircumstancesthe
representationofVisnumustbethereasyajnesvara,orthecontrollingpowerof
suchsacrifices
NooneelsebutLordSriKrsnacanclaimtobetheproprietorofeverything
withinHiscreation.Apuredevoteeremembersthisconstantly,andindoingso
herepeatsthetranscendentalname,fameandqualitiesoftheLord,which
meansthatheisconstantlyintouchwiththeLord
TheLordisidenticalwithHisname,fame,etc.,andthereforetobeassociated
withHisname,fame,etc.,constantly,meansactuallytoassociatewiththe
Lord.

Themajorportionofourmonetaryincome,notlessthanfiftypercent,mustbe
spenttocarryouttheorderofLordKrsna.Notonlyshouldwegivetheprofit
ofourearningtothiscause,butwemustalsoarrangetopreachthiscultof
devotiontoothersbecausethatisalsooneoftheordersoftheLord.TheLord
definitelysaysthatnooneismoredeartoHimthanonewhoisalwaysengaged
inthepreachingworkoftheLord'snameandfameallovertheworld.
Itmaynotbesodoneamongstthosewhohavenocreditofausterities,charity,
education,etc.

Therefore,theattemptmustgoontoconvertunwillingmentobecomeHis
devotees.LordCaitanyahastaughtaverysimplemethodinthisconnection.
Hehastaughtthelessonforpreachingthetranscendentalmessagethrough
singing,dancingandrefreshment
NoonehastodiscoverthenatureoftheLord.ItisalreadyspokenbytheLord
HimselfintheBhagavadgitaespeciallyandinallotherVedicliteratures
generally.Wehavesimplytoacceptthemintotoandabidebytheordersofthe
Lord.Thatwillguideustothepathofperfection.
AccordingtoPancaratra,Narayanaistheprimevalcauseofallexpansionsof
Godhead.TheseareVasudeva,Sankarsana,PradyumnaandAniruddha.
VasudevaandSankarsanaareonthemiddleleftandright,Pradyumnaisonthe
rightofSankarsana,andAniruddhaisontheleftofVasudeva,andthusthe
fourDeitiesaresituated.TheyareknownasthefouraidesdecampofLordSri
Krsna.ThoseexpansionsaretheoriginalDeitiesforallothertruths,namely
eithervisnutattvaorsaktitattvas.
Naradajihasthereforeexplainedthenatureofunalloyeddevotionalserviceby
hispersonalexperienceinthedevelopmentofintimacybetweentheLordand
thelivingentitybyagradualprocessofprogressivedevotionalactivities.Such
aprogressivemarchoftranscendentaldevotionfortheLordculminatesinthe
attainmentoflovingserviceoftheLord,whichiscalledpremaindifferent
transcendentalvariegatednesscalledrasas(tastes).Suchdevotionalserviceis
alsoexecutedinmixedforms,namelymixedwithfruitiveworkorempiric
philosophicalspeculations.
Thusheistheactualseerwhoworships,intheformoftranscendentalsound
representation,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,Visnu,whohasno
materialform.
Ourpresentsensesareallmadeofmaterialelements,andthereforetheyare
imperfectinrealizingthetranscendentalformofLordVisnu.Heistherefore
worshipedbysoundrepresentationviathetranscendentalmethodofchanting
Thetranscendentalformofeternalblissandknowledgecanbeexperiencedby
ouroriginalspiritualsenses,whichcanberevivedbychantingoftheholy
mantras,ortranscendentalsoundrepresentations.
Thepancaratrikasystemhasthemostauthorizedcodesfortranscendental
devotionalservice.Withoutthehelpofsuchcodes,onecannotapproachthe
Lord,certainlynotbydryphilosophicalspeculation.Thepancaratrikasystemis
bothpracticalandsuitableforthisageofquarrel.ThePancaratraismore
importantthantheVedantaforthismodernage.
Obrahmana,thusbytheSupremeLordKrsnaIwasendowedfirstwiththe

transcendentalknowledgeoftheLordasinculcatedintheconfidentialpartsof
theVedas,thenwiththespiritualopulences,andthenwithHisintimateloving
service.
CommunionwiththeLordbytransmissionofthetranscendentalsoundis
nondifferentfromthewholespiritLordSriKrsna.
TheLordrevealsHisidentitygraduallytoonewhohasunflinchingfaith,both
inthespiritualmasterandintheLord.Afterthis,thedevoteeisendowed
withmysticopulences,whichareeightinnumber.Andaboveall,thedevotee
isacceptedintheconfidentialentourageoftheLordandisentrustedwith
specificserviceoftheLordthroughtheagencyofthespiritualmaster
ApuredevoteeismoreinterestedinservingtheLordthaninshowingan
exhibitionofthemysticpowersdormantinhim.SriNaradahasexplainedall
thesefromhispersonalexperience,andonecanobtainallthefacilitieswhich
SriNaradaobtainedbyperfectingthechantingprocessofthesound
representationoftheLord
Please,therefore,describetheAlmightyLord'sactivitieswhichyouhave
learnedbyyourvastknowledgeoftheVedas,forthatwillsatisfythe
hankeringsofgreatlearnedmenandatthesametimemitigatethemiseriesof
themassesofcommonpeoplewhoarealwayssufferingfrommaterialpangs.
Indeed,thereisnootherwaytogetoutofsuchmiseries.
ThefourclassesofgoodmenacknowledgetheauthorityoftheAlmightyGod,
andthereforesuchgoodmen(1)whentheyareindifficulty,(2)whentheyare
inneedofmoney,(3)whentheyareadvancedinknowledgeand(4)whenthey
areinquisitivetoknowmoreandmoreaboutGod,intuitivelytakeshelterofthe
Lord.
Asfarasthebadmenareconcerned,theyarealsofourinnumber:(1)those
whoaresimplyaddictedtothemodeofprogressivefruitiveworkandthusare
subjectedtotheaccompanyingmiseries,(2)thosewhoaresimplyaddictedto
viciousworkforsensesatisfactionandsosuffertheconsequence,(3)those
whoaremateriallyverymuchadvancedinknowledge,butwhosufferbecause
theydonothavethesensetoacknowledgetheauthorityoftheAlmightyLord,
and(4)theclassofmenwhoareknownasatheistsandwhotherefore
purposelyhatetheverynameofGod,althoughtheyarealwaysindifficulty.

SrimadBhagavatamisthereforenotmeantforanyparticularclassofmenor
sect.Itisforthesinceresoulwhoactuallywantshisownwelfareandpeaceof
mind.

Chapter6

VyasadevawasfurtherinquisitivetoknowabouttheperfectionofNaradaji,
andthereforehewantedtoknowabouthimmoreandmore.
HewantedtofollowinNarada'sfootstepsinordertoattaintothesameperfect
stageoflife.Thisdesiretoinquirefromthespiritualmasterisanessential
factortotheprogressivepath.Thisprocessistechnicallyknownassad
dharmaprccha.
OsonofBrahma,howdidyoupassyourlifeafterinitiation,andhowdidyou
attainthisbody,havingquityouroldoneinduecourse?
Asspiritisnotannihilatedevenaftertheannihilationofthematerialbody,so
alsospiritualconsciousnessisnotannihilated.SriNaradadevelopedthis
spiritualconsciousnessevenwhenhehadhismaterialbodyintheprevious
kalpa.Consciousnessofthematerialbodymeansspiritualconsciousness
expressedthroughthemediumofamaterialbody.Thisconsciousnessis
inferior,destructibleandperverted.Butsuperconsciousnessofthesupramind
inthespiritualplaneisasgoodasthespiritsoulandisneverannihilated.
Actualassociationofdevoteesbringsaboutaquickchangeinlifeforspiritual
realization
Shewantedtolookaftermymaintenanceproperly,butbecauseshewasnot
independent,shewasnotabletodoanythingforme.Theworldisunderthe
fullcontroloftheSupremeLord;thereforeeveryoneislikeawoodendollin
thehandsofapuppetmaster.
WhenIwasamerechildoffiveyears,Ilivedinabrahmanaschool.Iwas
dependentonmymother'saffectionandhadnoexperienceofdifferentlands.
ThatisthewayofdraggingasinceresoulnearertoGod.Thepoorboy
wasbeinglookedafteronlybyhisaffectionatemother,andyetthemother
wastakenfromtheworldbythesupremewillinordertoputhim
completelyatthemercyoftheLord.
ItookthisasthespecialmercyoftheLord,whoalwaysdesires
benedictionforHisdevotees,andsothinking,Istartedforthenorth.
ConfidentialdevoteesoftheLordseeineverystepabenedictorydirectionof
theLord.Whatisconsideredtobeanoddordifficultmomentinthemundane
senseisacceptedasspecialmercyoftheLord.Mundanepeoplemisunderstand
it.
Aftermydeparture,Ipassedthroughmanyflourishingmetropolises,towns,

villages,animalfarms,mines,agriculturallands,valleys,flowergardens,
nurserygardensandnaturalforests.
Man'sactivitiesinagriculture,mining,farming,industries,gardening,etc.,
wereallonthesamescaleastheyarenow,evenprevioustothepresent
creation,andthesameactivitieswillremainastheyare,eveninthenext
creation.Aftermanyhundredsofmillionsofyears,onecreationisstartedby
thelawofnature,andthehistoryoftheuniverserepeatsitselfpracticallyinthe
sameway
SriNaradaMuni,eventhoughamerechild,didnotwastetimeforasingle
momentwitheconomicdevelopment,althoughhepassedtownsandvillages,
minesandindustries.Hecontinuallywentontoprogressivespiritual
emancipation
Ipassedthroughhillsandmountainsfullofreservoirsofvariousmineralslike
gold,silverandcopper,andthroughtractsoflandwithreservoirsofwater
filledwithbeautifullotusflowers,fitforthedenizensofheaven,decorated
withbewilderedbeesandsingingbirds.
Ithenpassedalonethroughmanyforestsofrushes,bamboo,reeds,sharpgrass,
weedsandcaves,whichwereverydifficulttogothroughalone.Ivisiteddeep,
darkanddangerouslyfearfulforests,whichweretheplayyardsofsnakes,owls
andjackals.
Itisthedutyofamendicant(parivrajakacarya)toexperienceallvarietiesof
God'screationbytravelingalonethroughallforests,hills,towns,villages,etc.,
togainfaithinGodandstrengthofmindaswellastoenlightentheinhabitants
withthemessageofGod.Asannyasiisdutyboundtotakealltheserisks
withoutfear,andthemosttypicalsannyasiofthepresentageisLordCaitanya,
whotraveledinthesamemannerthroughthecentralIndianjungles,
enlighteningeventhetigers,bears,snakes,deer,elephantsandmanyother
jungleanimals
InthisageofKali,sannyasaisforbiddenforordinarymen.Onewhochanges
hisdresstomakepropagandaisadifferentmanfromtheoriginalideal
sannyasi.Oneshould,however,takethevowtostopsocialintercourse
completelyanddevotelifeexclusivelytotheserviceoftheLord.Thechange
ofdressisonlyaformality.
LordCaitanyadidnotacceptthenameofasannyasi,andinthisageofKalithe
socalledsannyasisshouldnotchangetheirformernames,followinginthe
footstepsofLordCaitanya.

Andonewhotakesthevowofrenunciationoffamilylifeneednotimitatethe
parivrajakacaryalikeNaradaorLordCaitanya,butmaysitdownatsomeholy
placeanddevotehiswholetimeandenergytohearandrepeatedlychantthe
holyscripturesleftbythegreatacaryaslikethesixGosvamisofVrndavana.
Atravelingmendicantcanmeettheneedsofbody,namelythirstand
hunger,bythegiftsofnaturewithoutbeingabeggaratthedoorsofthe
householders.Themendicantthereforedoesnotgotothehouseofa
householdertobegbuttoenlightenhimspiritually.
Afterthat,undertheshadowofabanyantreeinanuninhabitedforestIbegan
tomeditateupontheSupersoulsituatedwithin,usingmyintelligence,asIhad
learnedfromliberatedsouls.
Thisconsciousnessisfirmlydevelopedbyadevoteewhohasrenderedloving
serviceuntotheLordbycarryingouttheordersofthespiritualmaster
AssoonasIbegantomeditateuponthelotusfeetofthePersonalityof
Godheadwithmymindtransformedintranscendentallove,tearsrolleddown
myeyes,andwithoutdelaythePersonalityofGodheadSriKrsnaappearedon
thelotusofmyheart.
Thewordbhavaissignificanthere.Thisbhavastageisattainedafteronehas
transcendentalaffectionfortheLord.Thefirstinitialstageiscalledsraddha,or
alikingfortheSupremeLord,andinordertoincreasethatlikingonehasto
associatewithpuredevoteesoftheLord.Thethirdstageistopracticethe
prescribedrulesandregulationsofdevotionalservice.Thiswilldissipateall
sortsofmisgivingsandremoveallpersonaldeficienciesthathamperprogress
indevotionalservice.
Whenallmisgivingsandpersonaldeficienciesareremoved,thereisastandard
faithintranscendentalmatter,andthetasteforitincreasesingreater
proportion.Thisstageleadstoattraction,andafterthisthereisbhava,orthe
priorstageofunalloyedloveforGod.Alltheabovedifferentstagesarebut
differentstagesofdevelopmentoftranscendentallove.Beingsosurcharged
withtranscendentallove,therecomesastrongfeelingofseparationwhich
leadstoeightdifferentkindsofecstasies.
OVyasadeva,atthattime,beingexceedinglyoverpoweredbyfeelingsof
happiness,everypartofmybodybecameseparatelyenlivened.Beingabsorbed
inanoceanofecstasy,IcouldnotseebothmyselfandtheLord.
Spiritualfeelingsofhappinessandintenseecstasieshavenomundane
comparison.Thereforeitisverydifficulttogiveexpressiontosuchfeelings.

WecanjusthaveaglimpseofsuchecstasyinthewordsofSriNaradaMuni

AfterseeingtheLord,allthesensesbecomefullyawakenedtorenderservice
untotheLordbecauseintheliberatedstatethesensesarefullyefficientin
servingtheLord.Assuch,inthattranscendentalecstasyitsohappenedthatthe
sensesbecameseparatelyenlivenedtoservetheLord.
Asspiritualbeings,havingeternalrelationswiththattranscendentalformofthe
Lord,weare,lifeafterlife,searchingafterthatformoftheLord,andweare
notsatisfiedbyanyotherformofmaterialappeasement.NaradaMunigota
glimpseofthis
ThereisnomechanicalprocesstoseetheformoftheLord.Itcompletely
dependsonthecauselessmercyoftheLord.WecannotdemandtheLordtobe
presentbeforeourvision,justaswecannotdemandthesuntorisewhenever
welike
TheLordispleasedtobepresentoutofHiscauselessmercy
Oneshouldsimplyawaittheopportunemomentandgoondischarginghis
prescribeddutyindevotionalserviceoftheLord
NaradaMunithoughtthattheLordcouldbeseenagainbythesame
mechanicalprocesswhichwassuccessfulinthefirstattempt,butinspiteofhis
utmostendeavorhecouldnotmakethesecondattemptsuccessful
TheLordiscompletelyindependentofallobligations.Hecansimplybebound
upbythetieofunalloyeddevotion.NorisHevisibleorperceivablebyour
materialsenses.WhenHepleases,beingsatisfiedwiththesincereattemptof
devotionalservicedependingcompletelyonthemercyoftheLord,thenHe
maybeseenoutofHisownaccord.
OneuponwhomHismercyisbestowedcanhearHim
AdevoteeinlovewithGodfeelsalwaysthepangsofseparationandis
thereforealwaysenwrappedintranscendentalecstasy.
ONarada[theLordspoke],Iregretthatduringthislifetimeyouwillnotbe
abletoseeMeanymore.Thosewhoareincompleteinserviceandwhoare
notcompletelyfreefromallmaterialtaintscanhardlyseeMe.
ThereisnotraceofatingeofmaterialityinHisperson,andthusonewhohas
theslightesttingeofmaterialaffectioncannotapproachHim.

Thebeginningofdevotionalservicestartsfromthepointwhenoneisfreed
fromatleasttwoformsofmaterialmodes,namelythemodeofpassionandthe
modeofignorance.Theresultisexhibitedbythesignsofbeingfreedfrom
kama(lust)andlobha(covetousness).Thatistosay,onemustbefreedfrom
thedesiresforsensesatisfactionandavariceforsensegratification.The
balancedmodeofnatureisgoodness.Andtobecompletelyfreedfromall
materialtingesistobecomefreefromthemodeofgoodnessalso.
TosearchtheaudienceofGodinalonelyforestisconsideredtobeinthemode
ofgoodness.Onecangooutintotheforesttoattainspiritualperfection,but
thatdoesnotmeanthatonecanseetheLordpersonallythere.Onemustbe
completelyfreedfromallmaterialattachmentandbesituatedontheplaneof
transcendence,whichalonewillhelpthedevoteegetinpersonaltouchwiththe
PersonalityofGodhead.Thebestmethodisthatoneshouldliveataplace
wherethetranscendentalformoftheLordisworshiped.Thetempleofthe
Lordisatranscendentalplace,whereastheforestisamateriallygood
habitation.AneophytedevoteeisalwaysrecommendedtoworshiptheDeityof
theLord(arcana)ratherthangointotheforesttosearchouttheLord.
Devotionalservicebeginsfromtheprocessofarcana,whichisbetterthan
goingoutintheforest.
SriNaradaMunidoesnotgointotheforest,althoughhecanturneveryplace
intoVaikunthabyhispresenceonly.
Ovirtuousone,youhaveonlyonceseenMyperson,andthisisjusttoincrease
yourdesireforMe,becausethemoreyouhankerforMe,themoreyouwillbe
freedfromallmaterialdesires.
Alivingbeingcannotbevacantofdesires.Heisnotadeadstone.Hemustbe
working,thinking,feelingandwilling.Butwhenhethinks,feelsandwills
materially,hebecomesentangled,andconverselywhenhethinks,feelsand
willsfortheserviceoftheLord,hebecomesgraduallyfreedfromall
entanglement.Themoreapersonisengagedinthetranscendentalloving
serviceoftheLord,themoreheacquiresahankeringforit.Thatisthe
transcendentalnatureofgodlyservice.
Onecangoonincreasinghishankeringsforthelovingtranscendentalservice
oftheLord,andyethewillnotfindsatiationorend.Byintenseserviceofthe
Lord,onecanexperiencethepresenceoftheLordtranscendentally.Therefore
seeingtheLordmeansbeingengagedinHisservicebecauseHisserviceand

Hispersonareidentical.Thesinceredevoteeshouldgoonwithsincereservice
oftheLord.TheLordwillgiveproperdirectionastohowandwhereithasto
bedone.

TheneophytedevoteehasnoabilitytoapproachtheAbsolutePersonalityof
Godheadbythestrengthofhispresentimperfectmaterialsenses,andtherefore
underthedirectionofthespiritualmasterheistrainedintranscendentalservice
oftheLord
IntelligenceengagedinMydevotioncannotbethwartedatanytime.Evenat
thetimeofcreation,aswellasatthetimeofannihilation,yourremembrance
willcontinuebyMymercy.
SuchaccumulationofGod'sserviceisnevervanquished,butincreasestillfully
matured.
Thenthatsupremeauthority,personifiedbysoundandunseenbyeyes,but
mostwonderful,stoppedspeaking.
ThusIbeganchantingtheholynameandfameoftheLordbyrepeated
recitation,ignoringalltheformalitiesofthematerialworld.Suchchantingand
rememberingofthetranscendentalpastimesoftheLordarebenedictory.So
doing,Itraveledallovertheearth,fullysatisfied,humbleandunenvious.
Suchdevoteeshavenodesireformaterialgain.Theyareconductedbyone
singledesire:togobacktoGodhead.Thisawaitstheminduecourseon
quittingthematerialbody.Becausetheyhavethehighestaimoflife,going
backtoGodhead,theyareneverenviousofanyone,noraretheyproudofbeing
eligibletogobacktoGodhead.Theironlybusinessistochantandremember
theholyname,fameandpastimesoftheLordand,accordingtopersonal
capacity,todistributethemessageforothers'welfarewithoutmotiveof
materialgain.
Andso,OBrahmanaVyasadeva,induecourseoftimeI,whowasfully
absorbedinthinkingofKrsnaandwhothereforehadnoattachments,being
completelyfreedfromallmaterialtaints,metwithdeath,aslightningand
illuminationoccursimultaneously.
Thatistosayadevoteesimultaneouslychangeshismaterialbodyanddevelops
aspiritualbodybythewilloftheSupreme.Evenbeforedeath,apuredevotee
hasnomaterialaffection,duetohisbody'sbeingspiritualizedlikearedhot
ironincontactwithfire.

TobefullyabsorbedinthethoughtofKrsnameansclearanceofmaterialdirts
orhankerings.
Asaveryrichmanhasnohankeringsforsmallpettythings,soalsoadevotee
ofLordKrsna,whoisguaranteedtopassontothekingdomofGod,wherelife
iseternal,fullycognizantandblissful,naturallyhasnohankeringsforpetty
materialthings,whicharelikedollsorshadowsoftherealityandarewithout
permanentvalue.
Thistranscendentalbodyisfreefrommaterialaffinityandinvestedwiththree
primarytranscendentalqualities,namelyeternity,freedomfrommaterial
modes,andfreedomfromreactionsoffruitiveactivities.
DhruvaMaharajaandPrahladaMaharajaandmanyotherdevoteeswereableto
seethePersonalityofGodheadfacetofaceapparentlyinthesamebody.This
meansthatthequalityofadevotee'sbodychangesfrommaterialto
transcendence.ThatistheopinionoftheauthorizedGosvamisviatheauthentic
scriptures.
IntheBrahmasamhitaitissaidthatbeginningfromtheindragopagermupto
thegreatIndra,Kingofheaven,alllivingbeingsaresubjectedtothelawof
karmaandareboundtosufferandenjoythefruitiveresultsoftheirownwork.
Onlythedevoteeisexemptfromsuchreactions,bythecauselessmercyofthe
supremeauthority,thePersonalityofGodhead.
Attheendofthemillennium,whenthePersonalityofGodheadLordNarayana
laydownwithinthewaterofdevastation,BrahmabegantoenterintoHim
alongwithallcreativeelements,andIalsoenteredthroughHisbreathing.
After4,300,000,000solaryears,whenBrahmaawoketocreateagainbythe
willoftheLord,allthersislikeMarici,Angira,Atriandsoonwerecreated
fromthetranscendentalbodyoftheLord,andIalsoappearedalongwiththem.
ThismeansthatNaradaappearsinthesametranscendentalbody,justasaman
awakesfromsleepinthesamebody.Heappearsanddisappearsinhisown
transcendentalbody,whichiswithoutdistinctionofbodyandsoul,unlike
conditionedbeings.
Sincethen,bythegraceofthealmightyVisnu,Itraveleverywherewithout
restrictionbothinthetranscendentalworldandinthethreedivisionsofthe
materialworld.ThisisbecauseIamfixedinunbrokendevotionalserviceof
theLord.
AsstatedintheBhagavadgita,therearethreedivisionsofthematerialspheres,
namelytheurdhvaloka(topmostplanets),madhyaloka(midwayplanets)and
adholoka(downwardplanets).Beyondtheurdhvalokaplanets,thatistosay

abovetheBrahmaloka,arethematerialcoveringsoftheuniverses,andabove
thatisthespiritualsky,whichisunlimitedinexpansion,containingunlimited
selfilluminatedVaikunthaplanetsinhabitedbyGodHimselfalongwithHis
associates,whoarealleternallyliberatedlivingentities.SriNaradaMunicould
enteralltheseplanetsinboththematerialandspiritualsphereswithout
restriction,asmuchasthealmightyLordisfreetomovepersonallyinanypart
ofHiscreation.

Inthematerialworldthelivingbeingsareinfluencedbythethreematerial
modesofnature,namelygoodness,passionandignorance.ButSriNarada
Muniistranscendentaltoallthesematerialmodes,andthushecantravel
everywhereunrestricted.Heisaliberatedspaceman
ThecauselessmercyofLordVisnuisunparalleled,andsuchmercyis
perceivedbythedevoteesonlybythegraceoftheLord.Therefore,the
devoteesneverfalldown,butthematerialists,i.e.,thefruitiveworkersandthe
speculativephilosophers,dofalldown,beingforcedbytheirrespectivemodes
ofnature.
Thersis,asabovementioned,cannotenterintothetranscendentalworldlike
Narada.ThisfactisdisclosedintheNarasimhaPurana.RsislikeMariciare
authoritiesinfruitivework,andrsislikeSanakaandSanatanaareauthoritiesin
philosophicalspeculations.ButSriNaradaMuniistheprimeauthorityfor
transcendentaldevotionalserviceoftheLord.Allthegreatauthoritiesinthe
devotionalserviceoftheLordfollowinthefootstepsofNaradaMuniinthe
orderoftheNaradabhaktisutra,andthereforeallthedevoteesoftheLordare
unhesitatinglyqualifiedtoenterintothekingdomofGod,Vaikuntha.
Themusicalstringedinstrumentcalledthevina,whichwashandedtoNarada
byLordSriKrsna,isdescribedintheLingaPurana,andthisisconfirmedby
SrilaJivaGosvami.ThistranscendentalinstrumentisidenticalwithLordSri
KrsnaandNaradabecauseallofthemareofthesametranscendentalcategory.
Thesevensingingmeters,namelysa(sadja),r(rsabha),ga(gandhara),ma
(madhyama),pa(pancama),dha(dhaivata)andni(nisada),arealso
transcendentalandspecificallymeantfortranscendentalsongs.Asapure
devoteeoftheLord,SriNaradadevaisalwaysfulfillinghisobligationtothe
LordforHisgiftoftheinstrument,andthusheisalwaysengagedinsinging
Histranscendentalgloriesandisthereforeinfallibleinhisexaltedposition.
TheSupremeLordSriKrsna,whosegloriesandactivitiesarepleasingtohear,
atonceappearsontheseatofmyheart,asifcalledfor,assoonasIbeginto

chantHisholyactivities.
ThereforeapuredevoteewhoisrelatedwiththeLordinloving
transcendentalservicecanexperiencethepresenceoftheLordatevery
moment.
SrilaNaradachantstheglorificationoftheLordnotforhispersonalbenefitbut
becausetheglorificationsareidenticalwiththeLord.NaradaMunipenetrates
intothepresenceoftheLordbythetranscendentalchanting.

Thesymptomofalivingbeingisthathecannotremainsilentevenforsome
time.Hemustbedoingsomething,thinkingofsomethingortalkingabout
something.Generallythematerialisticmenthinkanddiscussaboutsubjects
whichsatisfytheirsenses.Butasthesethingsareexercisedundertheinfluence
oftheexternal,illusoryenergy,suchsensualactivitiesdonotactuallygive
themanysatisfaction.Onthecontrary,theybecomefullwithcaresand
anxieties.Thisiscalledmaya,orwhatisnot.Thatwhichcannotgivethem
satisfactionisacceptedasanobjectforsatisfaction.SoNaradaMuni,byhis
personalexperience,saysthatsatisfactionforsuchfrustratedbeingsengagedin
sensegratificationistochantalwaystheactivitiesoftheLord.Thepointisthat
thesubjectmatteronlyshouldbechanged.
Insteadoftalkingofthepoliticsofadyingman,onemightdiscussthepolitics
administeredbytheLordHimself.Insteadofrelishingactivitiesofthecinema
artists,onecanturnhisattentiontotheactivitiesoftheLordwithHiseternal
associateslikethegopisandLaksmis
Itistruethatbypracticingrestraintofthesensesbytheyogasystemonecan
getrelieffromthedisturbancesofdesireandlust,butthisisnotsufficientto
givesatisfactiontothesoul,forthis[satisfaction]isderivedfromdevotional
servicetothePersonalityofGodhead.
Bypracticeofthemysticprocessofbodilyexerciseinsitting,thinking,feeling,
willing,concentrating,meditatingandatlastbeingmergedintotranscendence,
onecancontrolthesenses.Thesensesareconsideredlikevenomousserpents,
andtheyogasystemisjusttocontrolthem.Ontheotherhand,NaradaMuni
recommendsanothermethodforcontrollingthesensesinthetranscendental
lovingserviceofMukunda,thePersonalityofGodhead.Byhisexperiencehe
saysthatdevotionalservicetotheLordismoreeffectiveandpracticalthanthe
systemofartificiallycontrollingthesenses.
IntheserviceoftheLordMukunda,thesensesaretranscendentallyengaged.

Thusthereisnochanceoftheirbeingengagedinsensesatisfaction.Thesenses
wantsomeengagement.Tocheckthemartificiallyisnocheckatallbecauseas
soonasthereissomeopportunityforenjoyment,theserpentlikesenseswill
certainlytakeadvantageofit.Therearemanysuchinstancesinhistory,just
likeVisvamitraMuni'sfallingavictimtothebeautyofMenaka.ButThakura
HaridasawasalluredatmidnightbythewelldressedMaya,andstillshecould
notinducethatgreatdevoteeintohertrap.
PuredevotionalserviceoftheLord,withoutbeingtingedwithfruitivework,
mysticyogaorspeculativephilosophy,istheforemostproceduretoattainself
realization.Suchpuredevotionalserviceistranscendentalinnature,andthe
systemsofyogaandjnanaaresubordinatetosuchaprocess.Whenthe
transcendentaldevotionalserviceismixedwithasubordinateprocess,itisno
longertranscendentalbutiscalledmixeddevotionalservice
AllthemysteriesoftranscendentalrealizationaredulyexperiencedbyNarada
Munihimself,andthereforebyhearingsuchanauthorityonecanhavesome
ideaoftheresultsofdevotionallife,whicharehardlydelineatedeveninthe
originaltextsoftheVedas.IntheVedasandUpanisadsthereareonlyindirect
hintstoallthis.Nothingisdirectlyexplainedthere,andthereforeSrimad
BhagavatamisthematurefruitofalltheVedictreesofliteratures.
SutaGosvamisaid:ThusaddressingVyasadeva,SrilaNaradaMunitookleave
ofhim,andvibratingonhisvinainstrument,helefttowanderathisfreewill.
Everylivingbeingisanxiousforfullfreedombecausethatishistranscendental
nature.Andthisfreedomisobtainedonlythroughthetranscendentalserviceof
theLord.
Illusionedbytheexternalenergy,everyonethinksthatheisfree,butactually
heisboundupbythelawsofnature
Aconditionedsoulcannotfreelymovefromoneplacetoanotherevenonthis
earth,andwhattospeakofoneplanettoanother.Butafullfledgedfreesoul
likeNarada,alwaysengagedinchantingtheLord'sglory,isfreetomovenot
onlyonearthbutalsoinanypartoftheuniverse,aswellasinanypartofthe
spiritualsky.Wecanjustimaginetheextentandunlimitednessofhisfreedom,
whichisasgoodasthatoftheSupremeLord
Thereisnoreasonorobligationforhistraveling,andnoonecanstophimfrom
hisfreemovement.Similarly,thetranscendentalsystemofdevotionalservice
isalsofree.Itmayormaynotdevelopinaparticularpersonevenafterhe
undergoesallthedetailedformulas.Similarly,theassociationofthedevoteeis
alsofree.Onemaybefortunatetohaveit,oronemaynothaveitevenafter
thousandsofendeavors

Therefore,inallspheresofdevotionalservice,freedomisthemainpivot.
Withoutfreedomthereisnoexecutionofdevotionalservice.Thefreedom
surrenderedtotheLorddoesnotmeanthatthedevoteebecomesdependentin
everyrespect.TosurrenderuntotheLordthroughthetransparentmediumof
thespiritualmasteristoattaincompletefreedomoflife.
TheillusoryenergyoftheLordissostrongthateventhehogwholiveson
filthystoolfeelshappy.Noonecanbetrulyhappywithinthematerialworld
Chapter7

BeforecommencingthegreatepicSrimadBhagavatam,SriVyasadeva
realizedthewholetruthbytranceindevotion.
Forspiritualadvancementofknowledgeasuitableplaceandatmosphereare
definitelyrequired.TheplaceonthewesternbankoftheSarasvatiisespecially
suitableforthispurpose.AndthereistheasramaofVyasadevaatSamyaprasa.
SrilaVyasadevawasahouseholder,yethisresidentialplaceiscalledan
asrama.Anasramaisaplacewherespiritualcultureisalwaysforemost.Itdoes
notmatterwhethertheplacebelongstoahouseholderoramendicant.The
wholevarnasramasystemissodesignedthateachandeverystatusoflifeis
calledanasrama.Thismeansthatspiritualcultureisthecommonfactorforall.
Thebrahmacaris,thegrhasthas,thevanaprasthasandthesannyasisallbelong
tothesamemissionoflife,namely,realizationoftheSupreme.Thereforenone
ofthemarelessimportantasfarasspiritualcultureisconcerned.
Thedifferenceisamatterofformalityonthestrengthofrenunciation.
Thesannyasisareheldinhighestimationonthestrengthofpractical
renunciation.
UnderinstructionsofhisspiritualmasterSrilaNaradaMuni,Vyasadeva
concentratedhismindinthattranscendentalplaceofmeditation.
SriNaradaadvisedSrilaVyasadevatobecomeabsorbedintranscendental
meditationonthePersonalityofGodheadandHisactivities.SrilaVyasadeva
didnottakenoticeoftheeffulgenceofBrahmanbecausethatisnotabsolute
vision.TheabsolutevisionisthePersonalityofGodhead
IntheUpanisadsalsoitisconfirmedthatVasudeva,thePersonalityof
Godhead,iscoveredbythegoldenglowinghiranmayenapatrenaveilof
impersonalBrahman,andwhenthatcurtainisremovedbythemercyofthe
LordtherealfaceoftheAbsoluteisseen.TheAbsoluteismentionedhereas
thepurusa,orperson.
TheSupremePersonhasmanifoldenergies,outofwhichtheinternal,external

andmarginalenergiesarespecificallyimportant.Theenergymentionedhereis
theexternalenergy,aswillbeclearfromthestatementsofheractivities.The
internalenergyistherealongwiththeAbsolutePersonasthemoonlightis
therewiththemoon.Theexternalenergyiscomparedtodarknessbecauseit
keepsthelivingentitiesinthedarknessofignorance
Whenoneisundertheshelterofthisinternalpotency,thedarknessofmaterial
ignoranceisatoncedissipated.Andeventhosewhoareatmarama,orfixedin
trance,takeshelterofthismaya,orinternalenergy.Devotionalservice,or
bhaktiyoga,isthefunctionoftheinternalenergy;thusthereisnoplaceforthe
inferiorenergy,ormaterialenergy,justasthereisnoplacefordarknessinthe
effulgenceofspirituallight.Suchinternalenergyisevensuperiortothe
spiritualblissattainableintheconceptionofimpersonalBrahman.
Duetothisexternalenergy,thelivingentity,althoughtranscendentaltothe
threemodesofmaterialnature,thinksofhimselfasamaterialproductandthus
undergoesthereactionsofmaterialmiseries.

Andduetothisunholycontact,thepurespiritualentitysuffersmaterial
miseriesunderthemodesofmaterialnature.Thelivingentitymisunderstands
himselftobeamaterialproduct.Thismeansthatthepresentpervertedwayof
thinking,feelingandwilling,undermaterialconditions,isnotnaturalforhim.
Buthehashisnormalwayofthinking,feelingandwilling.Thelivingbeingin
hisoriginalstateisnotwithoutthinking,willingandfeelingpower.
ThusthetheorythatalivingbeingisabsoluteimpersonalBrahmanis
refutedherein.Thiscannotbe,becausethelivingentityhashisownwayof
thinkinginhisoriginalunconditionalstatealso.
TheLorddoesnotdesirethatalivingbeingbeillusionedbyexternalenergy.
Theexternalenergyisawareofthisfact,butstillsheacceptsathanklesstask
ofkeepingtheforgottensoulunderillusionbyherbewilderinginfluence.The
Lorddoesnotinterferewiththetaskoftheillusoryenergybecausesuch
performancesoftheillusoryenergyarealsonecessaryforreformationofthe
conditionedsoul
Anaffectionatefatherdoesnotlikehischildrentobechastisedbyanother
agent,yetheputshisdisobedientchildrenunderthecustodyofasevereman
justtobringthemtoorder
Thekingputsthedisobedientcitizenswithinthewallsofthejail,but
sometimestheking,desiringtheprisoners'relief,personallygoesthereand
pleadsforreformation,andonhisdoingsotheprisonersaresetfree.Similarly,
theSupremeLorddescendsfromHiskingdomuponthekingdomofillusory

energyandpersonallygivesreliefintheformoftheBhagavadgita,wherein
Hepersonallysuggeststhatalthoughthewaysofillusoryenergyareverystiff
toovercome,onewhosurrendersuntothelotusfeetoftheLordissetfreeby
theorderoftheSupreme.
Thesurrenderingprocessiscompletedbytheinfluenceofassociation.The
Lordhassuggested,therefore,thatbytheinfluenceofthespeechesofsaintly
personswhohaveactuallyrealizedtheSupreme,menareengagedinHis
transcendentallovingservice.Theconditionedsoulgetsatasteforhearing
abouttheLord,andbysuchhearingonlyheisgraduallyelevatedtothe
platformofrespect,devotionandattachmentfortheLord.Thewholethingis
completedbythesurrenderingprocess.
ThismeansthattheconditionedsoulsarebeingreclaimedbytheLordboth
ways,namelybytheprocessofpunishmentbytheexternalenergyoftheLord,
andbyHimselfasthespiritualmasterwithinandwithout
WithintheheartofeverylivingbeingtheLordHimselfastheSupersoul
(Paramatma)becomesthespiritualmaster,andfromwithoutHebecomesthe
spiritualmasterintheshapeofscriptures,saintsandtheinitiatorspiritual
master.
PersonalsuperintendenceoftheillusoryenergyisconfirmedintheVedas(the
KenaUpanisad)inrelationtothedemigods'controllingpower
Hereinalsoitisclearlystatedthatthelivingentityiscontrolledbytheexternal
energyinapersonalcapacity
Thelivingbeingthussubjecttothecontrolofexternalenergyisdifferently
situated.Itisclear,however,fromthepresentstatementofBhagavatamthat
thesameexternalenergyissituatedintheinferiorpositionbeforethe
PersonalityofGodhead,ortheperfectbeing.Theperfectbeing,ortheLord,
cannotbeapproachedevenbytheillusoryenergy,whocanonlyworkonthe
livingentities.
Sotherearesomanyunscrupulousimaginationsonthepartofthemoniststo
endeavortoputboththeLordandthelivingbeinginthesamecategory.
BoththeSupremePersonalityofGodheadandthelivingbeingsare
undoubtedlyqualitativelyone,buttheLordisthecontrolleroftheillusory
energy,whereasthelivingentityiscontrolledbytheillusoryenergy.
ThateternalrelationbetweentheLordandthelivingbeingistranscendental,
otherwisetheLordwouldnothavetakenthetroubletoreclaimtheconditioned
soulsfromtheclutchesofmaya.Inthesameway,thelivingentityisalso
requiredtorevivehisnaturalloveandaffectionfortheLord,andthatisthe

highestperfectionofthelivingentity.SrimadBhagavatamtreatsthe
conditionedsoulwithanaimtothatgoaloflife.
SrimadBhagavatamisthesummumbonumremedyforsufferinghumanityin
theclutchesofmaya.SrilaVyasadevathereforefirstofalldiagnosedtheactual
diseaseoftheconditionedsouls,i.e.,theirbeingillusionedbytheexternal
energy.HealsosawtheperfectSupremeBeing,fromwhomillusoryenergyis
farremoved,thoughHesawboththediseasedconditionedsoulsandalsothe
causeofthedisease.
Andtheremedialmeasuresaresuggestedinthenextverse:
Thematerialmiseriesofthelivingentity,whicharesuperfluoustohim,canbe
directlymitigatedbythelinkingprocessofdevotionalservice.Butthemassof
peopledonotknowthis,andthereforethelearnedVyasadevacompiledthis
Vedicliterature,whichisinrelationtotheSupremeTruth.
SrilaVyasadevasawtheallperfectPersonalityofGodhead.Thisstatement
suggeststhatthecompleteunitofthePersonalityofGodheadincludesHis
partsandparcelsalso.Hesaw,therefore,Hisdifferentenergies,namelythe
internalenergy,themarginalenergyandtheexternalenergy.HealsosawHis
differentplenaryportionsandpartsoftheplenaryportions,namelyHis
differentincarnationsalso,andhespecificallyobservedtheunwantedmiseries
oftheconditionedsouls,whoarebewilderedbytheexternalenergy.
Andatlasthesawtheremedialmeasurefortheconditionedsouls,namely,the
processofdevotionalservice.Itisagreattranscendentalscienceandbegins
withtheprocessofhearingandchantingthename,fame,glory,etc.,ofthe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead
RevivalofthedormantaffectionorloveofGodheaddoesnotdependonthe
mechanicalsystemofhearingandchanting,butitsolelyandwhollydepends
onthecauselessmercyoftheLord.WhentheLordisfullysatisfiedwiththe
sincereeffortsofthedevotee,HemayendowhimwithHisloving
transcendentalservice
Knowledgeisdependentondevotionalservicefortheultimaterealizationof
theSupremeTruth.
SimplybygivingauralreceptiontothisVedicliterature,thefeelingforloving
devotionalservicetoLordKrsna,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,sprouts
upatoncetoextinguishthefireoflamentation,illusionandfearfulness.
Therearevarioussenses,ofwhichtheearisthemosteffective.Thissense
worksevenwhenamanisdeepasleep.Onecanprotecthimselffromthehands
ofanenemywhileawake,butwhileasleeponeisprotectedbytheearonly.

Everyoneisfulloflamentationateverymoment,heisafterthemirageof
illusorythings,andheisalwaysafraidofhissupposedenemy.Thesearethe
primarysymptomsofmaterialdisease.Anditisdefinitelysuggestedherein
thatsimplybyhearingthemessageofSrimadBhagavatamonegetsattachment
fortheSupremePersonalityofGodheadSriKrsna,andassoonasthisis
effectedthesymptomsofthematerialdiseasesdisappear.
Theultimateresultofdevotionalserviceistodevelopgenuineloveforthe
SupremePersonality.Loveisawordwhichisoftenusedinrelationwithman
andwoman.Andloveistheonlywordthatcanbeproperlyusedtoindicatethe
relationbetweenLordKrsnaandthelivingentities.Thelivingentitiesare
mentionedasprakrtiintheBhagavadgita,andinSanskritprakrtiisafeminine
object.TheLordisalwaysdescribedastheparamapurusa,orthesupreme
malepersonality.ThustheaffectionbetweentheLordandthelivingentitiesis
somethinglikethatbetweenthemaleandthefemale.Thereforethetermlove
ofGodheadisquiteappropriate.
LovingdevotionalservicetotheLordbeginswithhearingabouttheLord
alivingentitydevelopsasortofcomplexitybymaterialassociation,andthe
illusoryencagementofthematerialbodyisacceptedasanactualfact.Under
suchfalsecomplexity,thelivingbeingsunderdifferentcategoriesoflife
becomeillusionedindifferentways.Eveninthemostdevelopedstageof
humanlife,thesameillusionprevailsintheformofmanyismsanddividesthe
lovingrelationwiththeLordandtherebydividesthelovingrelationbetween
manandman
Thepoliticianswantapeacefulsituationbetweenmanandman,andnationand
nation,butatthesametime,becauseoftoomuchattachmentformaterial
domination,thereisillusionandfearfulness.
UntilwereachthestageofreestablishingourlostrelationwithKrsna,the
illusionofacceptingthebodyastheselfwillprevail,andthusfearfulnesswill
alsoprevail.
Thousandsofevidencesfrompersonalexperiencesofdevoteesinvarious
placeslikeVrndavana,NavadvipaandPuri.
TheconclusionisthatsimplybyhearingtheVedicliteratureSrimad
Bhagavatam,onecanhavedirectconnectionwiththeSupremePersonalityof
GodheadSriKrsna,andtherebyonecanattainthehighestperfectionoflifeby
transcendingworldlymiseries,illusionandfearfulness.Thesearepractical
testsforonewhohasactuallygivenasubmissivehearingtothereadingsof
theSrimadBhagavatam.

Althoughitisespeciallymeantfortheparamahamsas,orthosewhoare
totallyengagedinselfrealization,itworksintothedepthsoftheheartsofthose
whomaybeworldlymen.
Itis,however,certainfromthetextoftheBhagavatamthatitwascompiled
beforethedisappearanceofKingPariksitandafterthedepartureofLord
Krsna.MahabharatawascompiledbeforeSrimadBhagavatam,andthe
PuranaswerecompiledbeforeMahabharata
ThesynopsisofSrimadBhagavatamwasgivenbeforethedetaileddescription
underinstructionofNarada.SrimadBhagavatamisthescienceforfollowing
thepathofnivrttimarga.Thepathofpravrttimargawascondemnedby
Narada.Thatpathisthenaturalinclinationforallconditionedsouls.Thetheme
ofSrimadBhagavatamisthecureofthematerialisticdiseaseofthehuman
being,orstoppingcompletelythepangsofmaterialexistence.
SrimadBhagavatamisthecureofthematerialisticdiseaseofthehumanbeing,
orstoppingcompletelythepangsofmaterialexistence.
Outofthousandsandmillionsofsuchkarmis,onemaybecomeanatmarama
byselfrealization.Atmameansself,andaramameanstotakepleasure.
Everyoneissearchingafterthehighestpleasure,butthestandardofpleasureof
onemaybedifferentfromthestandardofanother.Therefore,thestandardof
pleasureenjoyedbythekarmisisdifferentfromthatoftheatmaramas.The
atmaramasarecompletelyindifferenttomaterialenjoymentineveryrespect.
SrilaSukadevaGosvamihadalreadyattainedthatstage,andstillhewas
attractedtoundergothetroubleofstudyingthegreatBhagavatamliterature.
ThismeansthatSrimadBhagavatamisapostgraduatestudyevenforthe
atmaramas,whohavesurpassedallthestudiesofVedicknowledge.
Alldifferentvarietiesofatmaramas[thosewhotakepleasureinatma,orspirit
self],especiallythoseestablishedonthepathofselfrealization,thoughfreed
fromallkindsofmaterialbondage,desiretorenderunalloyeddevotional
serviceuntothePersonalityofGodhead.ThismeansthattheLordpossesses
transcendentalqualitiesandthereforecanattracteveryone,includingliberated
souls.
LordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhuexplainedthisatmaramaslokaveryvividly
beforeHischiefdevoteeSrilaSanatanaGosvami.Hepointsoutelevenfactors
inthesloka,namely(1)atmarama,(2)munayah,(3)nirgrantha,(4)api,(5)ca,
(6)urukrama,(7)kurvanti,(8)ahaitukim,(9)bhaktim,(10)itthambhuta
gunahand(11)harih
ThiswordurukramaspecificallyindicatestheLord'sincarnationasVamana,
whocoveredthewholeuniversebyimmeasurablesteps.LordVisnuis
powerful,andHisactivitiesaresogloriousthatHehascreatedthespiritual

worldbyHisinternalpotencyandthematerialworldbyHisexternalpotency.
ByHisallpervadingfeaturesHeiseverywherepresentastheSupreme
Truth,andinHispersonalfeatureHeisalwayspresentinHis
transcendentalabodeofGolokaVrndavana,whereHedisplaysHis
transcendentalpastimesinallvariegatedness.
Hetumeans"causal."Therearemanycausesforone'ssensesatisfaction,and
theycanbechieflyclassifiedasmaterialenjoyment,mysticpowersand
liberation,whicharegenerallydesiredbyprogressivepersons.Asfaras
materialenjoymentsareconcerned,theyareinnumerable,andthematerialists
areeagertoincreasethemmoreandmorebecausetheyareundertheillusory
energy.Thereisnoendtothelistofmaterialenjoyments,norcananyonein
thematerialuniversehaveallofthem.Asfarasthemysticpowersare
concerned,theyareeightinall(suchastobecometheminutestinform,to
becomeweightless,tohaveanythingonedesires,tolorditoverthematerial
nature,tocontrolotherlivingbeings,tothrowearthlyglobesinouterspace,
etc.).ThesemysticpowersarementionedintheBhagavatam.Theformsof
liberationarefiveinnumber.
Therefore,unalloyeddevotionmeansservicetotheLordwithoutdesire
fortheabovementionedpersonalbenefits.AndthepowerfulPersonality
ofGodheadSriKrsnacanbefullysatisfiedbysuchunalloyeddevotees
freefromallsortsofdesiresforpersonalbenefit.

UnalloyeddevotionalserviceoftheLordprogressesindifferentstages.
Practiceofdevotionalserviceinthematerialfieldisofeightyonedifferent
qualities,andabovesuchactivitiesisthetranscendentalpracticeofdevotional
service,whichisoneandiscalledsadhanabhakti.Whenunalloyedpracticeof
sadhanabhaktiismaturedintotranscendentallovefortheLord,the
transcendentallovingserviceoftheLordbeginsgraduallydevelopingintonine
progressivestagesoflovingserviceundertheheadingsofattachment,love,
affection,feelings,affinity,adherence,following,ecstasy,andintense
feelingsofseparation.
Theattachmentofaninactivedevoteedevelopsuptothestageof
transcendentalloveofGod.Attachmentofanactiveservitordevelopsuptothe
stageofadherence,andthatforafriendlydevoteedevelopsuptothestageof

following,andthesameisalsothecaseforthepaternaldevotees.Devoteesin
conjugallovedevelopecstasyuptothestageofintensefeelingsof
separation.Thesearesomeofthefeaturesofunalloyeddevotionalservice
oftheLord.
TranscendentalblissintherealizationofimpersonalBrahmanbecomes
comparabletothescantywatercontainedinthepitmadebyacow'shoof.Itis
nothingcomparedwiththeoceanofblissofthevisionofthePersonalityof
Godhead.ThepersonalformofLordSriKrsnaissoattractivethatit
comprehendsallattraction,allblissandalltastes(rasas).Theseattractionsare
sostrongthatnoonewantstoexchangethemformaterialenjoyment,mystic
powersandliberation.
ThereareinnumerablequalitiesoftheLord,andoneisattractedbyonequality
whileanotherisattractedbyanother.
Greatsages,suchasthefourbachelordevoteesSanaka,Sanatana,Sanandaand
Sanatkumara,wereattractedbythefragranceofflowersandtulasileaves
anointedwiththepulpofsandalwoodofferedatthelotusfeetoftheLord.
Similarly,SukadevaGosvamiwasattractedbythetranscendentalpastimesof
theLord.SukadevaGosvamiwasalreadysituatedintheliberatedstage,yethe
wasattractedbythepastimesoftheLord.ThisprovesthatthequalityofHis
pastimeshasnothingtodowithmaterialaffinity.Similarly,theyoungcowherd
damselswereattractedbythebodilyfeaturesoftheLord,andRukminiwas
attractedbyhearingaboutthegloriesoftheLord.LordKrsnaattractseventhe
mindofthegoddessoffortune.Heattracts,inspecialcases,themindsofall
younggirls.Heattractsthemindsoftheelderlyladiesbypaternalaffection.He
attractsthemindofthemaleinthehumorsofservitudeandfriendship.

ByHispersonalfeaturesandtranscendentalattributes,theLordattractsall
psychologicalactivitiesofapuredevotee.SuchistheattractivepowerofLord
Krsna.Theattractionissopowerfulthatapuredevoteeneverhankersforany
oneofthefourprinciplesofreligion.Thesearetheattractivefeaturesofthe
transcendentalattributesoftheLord
AccordingtoBrahmavaivartaPurana,SrilaSukadevaGosvamiwasaliberated
soulevenwithinthewombofhismother.SrilaVyasadevaknewthatthechild,
afterhisbirth,wouldnotstayathome.Thereforehe(Vyasadeva)impressed
uponhimthesynopsisoftheBhagavatamsothatthechildcouldbemade
attachedtothetranscendentalactivitiesoftheLord

Theideaisthatgenerallytheliberatedsoulsareattachedtothefeatureof
impersonalBrahmanwithamonisticviewofbecomingonewiththesupreme
whole.ButbytheassociationofpuredevoteeslikeVyasadeva,eventhe
liberatedsoulbecomesattractedtothetranscendentalqualitiesoftheLord.
ThetranscendentalqualitiesoftheLordaresoattractivethatSrilaSukadeva
Gosvamibecamedetachedfrombeingcompletelyabsorbedinimpersonal
BrahmanandpositivelytookupthepersonalactivityoftheLord.
Herealizedmoretranscendentalblisswiththepersonalfeaturethanthe
impersonal
ThedevoteesoftheLord,whodonotwishtokilltheindividualityoftheliving
entitiesandwhodesiretobecomepersonalservitorsoftheLord,donotvery
muchliketheimpersonalists,andsimilarlytheimpersonalists,whodesireto
becomeonewiththeSupreme,areunabletoevaluatethedevoteesoftheLord.
Thusfromtimeimmemorialthesetwotranscendentalpilgrimshavesometimes
beencompetitors.Inotherwords,eachofthemlikestokeepseparatefromthe
otherbecauseoftheultimatepersonalandimpersonalrealizations
ThereisaclassoflessintelligentdevoteesoftheBhagavataPuranawhodesire
torelishatoncetheactivitiesoftheLordnarratedintheTenthCantowithout
firstunderstandingtheprimarycantos.Theyareunderthefalseimpressionthat
theothercantosarenotconcernedwithKrsna,andthusmorefoolishlythan
intelligentlytheytaketothereadingoftheTenthCanto.Thesereadersare
specificallytoldhereinthattheothercantosoftheBhagavatamareas
importantastheTenthCanto.Nooneshouldtrytogointothemattersofthe
TenthCantowithouthavingthoroughlyunderstoodthepurportoftheother
ninecantos
TranscendentaltopicsoftheactivitiesofLordSriKrsnaintheSrimad
BhagavatambeginfromtheendofthebattleatKuruksetra,wheretheLord
HimselfspokeaboutHimselfintheBhagavadgita.
TheGitaiskrsnakatha,ortopicsofKrsna,becauseitisspokenbytheLord,
andtheBhagavatamisalsokrsnakathabecauseitisspokenabouttheLord.
LordKrsnaCaitanyaisKrsnaHimselfinthegarbofadevoteeofKrsna,and
thereforetheversionsofbothLordKrsnaandSriKrsnaCaitanyaMahaprabhu
areidentical
Anenemywhosetsfiretothehouse,administerspoison,attacksallofa
suddenwithdeadlyweapons,plunderswealthorusurpsagriculturalfields,or
enticesone'swifeiscalledanaggressor.Suchanaggressor,thoughhebea
brahmanaorasocalledsonofabrahmana,hastobepunishedinall
circumstances

Arjuna,whoisguidedbytheinfallibleLordasfriendanddriver
Accordingtothereadingmatter,eitherkahorarkah,therearetworeferencesin
thePuranas.KahmeansBrahma,whooncebecamealluredbyhisdaughterand
begantofollowher,whichinfuriatedSiva,whoattackedBrahmawithhis
trident.Brahmajifledinfearofhislife.Asfarasarkahisconcerned,thereisa
referenceintheVamanaPurana.TherewasademonbythenameVidyunmali
whowasgiftedwithaglowinggoldenairplanewhichtraveledtothebackof
thesun,andnightdisappearedbecauseoftheglowingeffulgenceofthisplane.
Thusthesungodbecameangry,andwithhisvirulentrayshemeltedtheplane.
ThisenragedLordSiva.LordSivathenattackedthesungod,whofledaway
andatlastfelldownatKasi(Varanasi),andtheplacebecamefamousas
Lolarka.
Themostintelligentmaniscalledabrahmana,anditisnotahereditarytitle.
Asvatthamawasalsoformerlycalledthebrahmabandhu,orthefriendofa
brahmana.Beingafriendofabrahmanadoesnotmeanthatoneisabrahmana
byqualification.Afriendorsonofabrahmana,whenfullyqualified,canbe
calledabrahmanaandnototherwise.SinceAsvatthama'sdecisionisimmature,
heispurposelycalledhereinthesonofabrahmana.
Thesubtleformsofmaterialactivitiesarefinerthangrossermethodsof
materialmanipulation.Suchsubtleformsofmaterialactivitiesareeffected
throughpurificationofsound.Thesamemethodisadoptedherebychanting
hymnstoactasnuclearweapons.
Arjunasaid:OmyLordSriKrsna,YouarethealmightyPersonalityof
Godhead.ThereisnolimittoYourdifferentenergies.ThereforeonlyYouare
competenttoinstillfearlessnessintheheartsofYourdevotees.Everyoneinthe
flamesofmaterialmiseriescanfindthepathofliberationinYouonly.

Krsnaisalmightyandisespeciallythecauseoffearlessnessforthedevotees.A
devoteeoftheLordisalwaysfearlessbecauseoftheprotectiongivenbythe
Lord.Materialexistenceissomethinglikeablazingfireintheforest,which
canbeextinguishedbythemercyoftheLordSriKrsna.Thespiritualmasteris
themercyrepresentativeoftheLord.Therefore,apersonburningintheflames
ofmaterialexistencemayreceivetherainsofmercyoftheLordthroughthe
transparentmediumoftheselfrealizedspiritualmaster.Thespiritualmaster,

byhiswords,canpenetrateintotheheartofthesufferingpersonandinject
knowledgetranscendental,whichalonecanextinguishthefireofmaterial
existence.
Youarealwayssituatedineternalblissandtranscendentalknowledge.
TheLordisaddressedhereinastheoriginalPersonalityofGodhead.FromHim
allotherPersonalitiesofGodheadexpand.TheallpervasiveLordVisnuis
LordKrsna'splenaryportionorexpansion.
ButSriKrsnaistheoriginalprimevalLordfromwhomeverythingemanates
TheallpervasivefeatureoftheLordexperiencedwithinthemanifestedworld
isalsoapartialrepresentationoftheLord.Paramatma,therefore,isincluded
withinHim.HeistheAbsolutePersonalityofGodhead.Hehasnothingtodo
withtheactionsandreactionsofthematerialmanifestationbecauseHeisfar
abovethematerialcreation
Heisnotonlyfullofbliss,butalsofulloftranscendentalvariegatedness.
Transcendenceisnotatallstatic,butfullofdynamicvariegatedness.
Andyet,thoughYouarebeyondthepurviewofthematerialenergy,You
executethefourprinciplesofliberationcharacterizedbyreligionandsoonfor
theultimategoodoftheconditionedsouls.
ThusYoudescendasanincarnationtoremovetheburdenoftheworldandto
benefitYourfriends,especiallythosewhoareYourexclusivedevoteesandare
raptinmeditationuponYou.
ItappearsthattheLordispartialtoHisdevotees.Everyoneisrelatedwiththe
Lord.Heisequaltoeveryone,andyetHeismoreinclinedtoHisownmenand
devotees.TheLordiseveryone'sfather.NoonecanbeHisfather,andyetno
onecanbeHisson.HisdevoteesareHiskinsmen,andHisdevoteesareHis
relations.ThisisHistranscendentalpastime.Ithasnothingtodowithmundane
ideasofrelations,fatherhoodoranythinglikethat.Asmentionedabove,the
Lordisabovethemodesofmaterialnature,andthusthereisnothingmundane
aboutHiskinsmenandrelationsindevotionalservice.

AnythingthatispresentedbeforethePersonalityofGodheadshouldbesodone
afterduepresentationofrespectfulprayers.Thatisthestandardprocedure,and
SriArjuna,althoughanintimatefriendoftheLord,isobservingthismethod
forgeneralinformation.

TheSupremePersonalityofGodheadsaid:KnowfromMethatthisistheact
ofthesonofDrona.Hehasthrownthehymnsofnuclearenergy[brahmastra],
andhedoesnotknowhowtoretracttheglare.Hehashelplesslydonethis,
beingafraidofimminentdeath.
butthedifferenceisthattheatomicbombisagrosstypeofnuclearweapon,
whereasthebrahmastraisasubtletypeofweaponproducedbychanting
hymns.
Thesubtlescienceofchantinghymnsisalsomaterial,butithasyettobe
knownbythemodernmaterialscientists.Subtlematerialscienceisnot
spiritual,butithasadirectrelationshipwiththespiritualmethod,whichisstill
subtler.Achanterofhymnsknewhowtoapplytheweaponaswellashowto
retractit.
Heappliedit,beingafraidofhisimminentdeath,andthusthepracticewasnot
onlyimproperbutalsoirreligious.Asthesonofabrahmana,heshouldnot
havemadesomanymistakes,andforsuchgrossnegligenceofdutyhewasto
bepunishedbytheLordHimself.
Theradiationofatomicenergyisveryinsignificantincomparisontotheheat
producedbyabrahmastra.Theatomicbombexplosioncanatutmostblowup
oneglobe,buttheheatproducedbythebrahmastracandestroythewhole
cosmicsituation.Thecomparisonisthereforemadetotheheatatthetimeof
annihilation.
ultimatelyitallrestsonthesupremewilloftheSupremeLordbecausewithout
Hiswillorsanctionnothingcanbebuiltupordestroyed.Itisfoolishalsoto
thinkthatnaturallawsareultimatelypowerful.Materialnature'slawworks
underthedirectionoftheLord,asconfirmedintheBhagavadgita
BothArjunaandLordSriKrsnaaredescribedhereinanangrymood,but
Arjuna'seyeswerelikeballsofredcopperwhereastheeyesoftheLordwere
likelotuses.ThismeansthattheangrymoodofArjunaandthatoftheLordare
notonthesamelevel.TheLordisTranscendence,andthusHeisabsolutein
anystage.Hisangerisnotliketheangerofaconditionedlivingbeingwithin
themodesofqualitativematerialnature.BecauseHeisabsolute,bothHis
angerandpleasurearethesame.Hisangerisnotexhibitedinthethreemodes
ofmaterialnature.ItisonlyasignofHisbentofmindtowardsthecauseofHis
devoteebecausethatisHistranscendentalnature.Therefore,evenifHeis
angry,theobjectofangerisblessed.Heisunchangedinallcircumstances.

Apersonwhoknowstheprinciplesofreligiondoesnotkillanenemywhois
careless,intoxicated,insane,asleep,afraidordevoidofhischariot.Nordoeshe

killaboy,awoman,afoolishcreatureorasurrenderedsoul.
Anenemywhodoesnotresistisneverkilledbyawarriorwhoknowsthe
principlesofreligion.Formerlybattleswerefoughtontheprinciplesofreligion
andnotforthesakeofsensegratification.Iftheenemyhappenedtobe
intoxicated,asleep,etc.,asabovementioned,hewasnevertobekilled.These
aresomeofthecodesofreligiouswar.Formerlywarwasneverdeclaredbythe
whimsofselfishpoliticalleaders;itwascarriedoutonreligiousprinciplesfree
fromallvices.Violencecarriedoutonreligiousprinciplesisfarsuperiortoso
callednonviolence.
Acruelandwretchedpersonwhomaintainshisexistenceatthecostofothers'
livesdeservestobekilledforhisownwellbeing,otherwisehewillgodown
byhisownactions.
Alifeforalifeisjustpunishmentforapersonwhocruellyandshamelessly
livesatthecostofanother'slife.Politicalmoralityistopunishapersonbya
deathsentenceinordertosaveacruelpersonfromgoingtohell
itissaidinthesmrtisastrasthatmenwhoarepunishedbythekingonthe
principleofalifeforalifearepurifiedofalltheirsins,somuchsothatthey
maybeeligibleforbeingpromotedtotheplanetsofheaven
Hewhogivespermission,hewhokillstheanimal,hewhosellstheslaughtered
animal,hewhocookstheanimal,hewhoadministersdistributionofthe
foodstuff,andatlasthewhoeatssuchcookedanimalfoodareallmurderers,
andallofthemareliabletobepunishedbythelawsofnature.Noonecan
createalivingbeingdespitealladvancementofmaterialscience,andtherefore
noonehastherighttokillalivingbeingbyone'sindependentwhims
Theprocedureunderwhichanimalsacrificeisallowedinthescripturesisgood
bothfortheanimalsacrificedandtheanimaleaters.Itisgoodfortheanimalin
thesensethatthesacrificedanimalisatoncepromotedtothehumanformof
lifeafterbeingsacrificedatthealtar,andtheanimaleaterissavedfromgrosser
typesofsins(eatingmeatssuppliedbyorganizedslaughterhouseswhichare
ghastlyplacesforbreedingallkindsofmaterialafflictionstosociety,country
andthepeopleingeneral)
ButthesonofDronacaryadegradedhimselfbycommittingactswhichare
neverdonebythedvijas,orthetwicebornhighercastes.Asvatthama,theson
ofDronacarya,committedmurderbykillingthefivesleepingsonsof
Draupadi,bywhichhedissatisfiedhismasterDuryodhana,whonever
approvedoftheheinousactofkillingthefivesleepingsonsofthePandavas
Inthesastras,hewhoattackswithoutnoticeorkillsfrombehindorsetsfireto
another'shouseorkidnapsone'swifeiscondemnedtodeath.

Arjunawasagreatsoulundoubtedly,whichisprovedherealso.Heis
encouragedhereinpersonallybytheLordtokillthesonofDrona,butArjuna
considersthatthesonofhisgreatteachershouldbespared,forhehappensto
bethesonofDronacarya,eventhoughheisanunworthyson,havingdoneall
sortsofheinousactswhimsicallyfornoone'sbenefit.
LordSriKrsnaencouragedArjunaoutwardlyjusttotestArjuna'ssenseofduty.
ItisnotthatArjunawasincompleteinthesenseofhisduty,norwasLordSri
KrsnaunawareofArjuna'ssenseofduty.ButLordSriKrsnaputtotestmany
ofHispuredevoteesjusttomagnifythesenseofduty.Thegopiswereputto
suchtestsaswell.PrahladaMaharajaalsowasputtosuchatest.Allpure
devoteescomeoutsuccessfulintherespectivetestsbytheLord.
EverylivingbeingisthusrelatedwiththeSupremeLordbysomesortof
affectionaterelation,eitherasservantorasfriendorasparentorasanobjectof
conjugallove.EveryonethuscanenjoythecompanyoftheLordinthespiritual
realmifheatalldesiresandsincerelytriesforitbytheprocessofbhaktiyoga.
SriSutaGosvamisaid:DraupadithensawAsvatthama,whowasboundwith
ropeslikeananimalandsilentforhavingenactedthemostingloriousmurder.
Duetoherfemalenature,andduetoherbeingnaturallygoodandwell
behaved,sheshowedhimduerespectsasabrahmana.
Womenasaclassarenobetterthanboys,andthereforetheyhaveno
discriminatorypowerlikethatofaman
Eventodate,inaHindufamilyawomanshowsproperrespecttothebrahmana
caste,howeverfallenandheinousabrahmabandhumaybe.Butthemenhave
beguntoprotestagainstbrahmabandhuswhoareborninfamiliesofgood
brahmanasbutbyactionarelessthansudras.
But,anyway,weshouldnotgiveupourreasonanddiscriminatorypower
justtobegentle.Onemusthavegooddiscriminatorypowertojudgea
thingonitsmerit.Weshouldnotfollowthemildnatureofawomanand
therebyacceptthatwhichisnotgenuine.Asvatthamamayberespectedby
agoodnaturedwoman,butthatdoesnotmeanthatheisasgoodasa
genuinebrahmana.
Accordingtorevealedscriptures,ateacherorspiritualmasterisliabletobe
rejectedifheproveshimselfunworthyofthepositionofaguruorspiritual
master.Aguruiscalledalsoanacarya,orapersonwhohaspersonally
assimilatedalltheessenceofsastrasandhashelpedhisdisciplestoadoptthe
ways.Asvatthamafailedtodischargethedutiesofabrahmanaorteacher,and
thereforehewasliabletoberejectedfromtheexaltedpositionofabrahmana.

Itwassobecausegenerallythepeopleacceptthesonofabrahmanaasareal
brahmana,bysentimentonly.Factuallythematterisdifferent.Abrahmanais
acceptedonthemeritofqualificationandnotonthemeritofsimplybeingthe
sonofabrahmana.
Butinspiteofallthis,DraupadidesiredthatAsvatthamabeatoncereleased,
anditwasallthesameagoodsentimentforher.Thismeansthatadevoteeof
theLordcantolerateallsortsoftribulationpersonally,butstillsuchdevotees
areneverunkindtoothers,eventotheenemy.Thesearethecharacteristicsof
onewhoisapuredevoteeoftheLord.
Dhanurveda,ormilitaryscience,wastaughtbyDronacaryawithallits
confidentialsecretsofthrowingandcontrollingbyVedichymns.Gross
militaryscienceisdependentonmaterialweapons,butfinerthanthatistheart
ofthrowingthearrowssaturatedwithVedichymns,whichactmoreeffectively
thangrossmaterialweaponslikemachinegunsoratomicbombs.
Arjunawastaughtallthis,andthereforeDraupadiwishedthatArjunafeel
obligedtoAcaryaDronaforallthesebenefits.Andintheabsenceof
Dronacarya,hissonwashisrepresentative.Thatwastheopinionofthegood
ladyDraupadi.
ItmaybearguedwhyDronacarya,arigidbrahmana,shouldbeateacherin
militaryscience.Butthereplyisthatabrahmanashouldbecomeateacher,
regardlessofwhathisdepartmentofknowledgeis.Alearnedbrahmana
shouldbecomeateacher,apriestandarecipientofcharity.Abonafide
brahmanaisauthorizedtoacceptsuchprofessions.
He[Dronacarya]iscertainlystillexisting,beingrepresentedbyhisson.His
wifeKrpididnotundergoasatiwithhimbecauseshehadason.
Adevotedwife,whoisaccordingtorevealedscripturethebetterhalfofher
husband,isjustifiedinembracingvoluntarydeathalongwithherhusbandif
sheiswithoutissue.ButinthecaseofthewifeofDronacarya,shedidnot
undergosuchatrialbecauseshehadherson,therepresentativeofherhusband.
SoineithercaseAsvatthamawastherepresentativeofDronacarya,and
thereforekillingAsvatthamawouldbelikekillingDronacarya.Thatwasthe
argumentofDraupadiagainstthekillingofAsvatthama.
Mylord,donotmakethewifeofDronacaryacrylikeme.Iamaggrievedfor
thedeathofmysons.Sheneednotcryconstantlylikeme.
Sympatheticgoodladyasshewas,SrimatiDraupadididnotwanttoputthe

wifeofDronacaryainthesamepositionofchildlessness,bothfromthepointof
motherlyfeelingsandfromtherespectablepositionheldbythewifeof
Dronacarya.
Ifthekinglyadministrativeorder,beingunrestrictedinsensecontrol,
offendsthebrahmanaorderandenragesthem,thenthefireofthatrage
burnsupthewholebodyoftheroyalfamilyandbringsgriefuponall.
SuchstatementsbyDraupadiarewithoutduplicitybecauseactionsshouldbe
takenwithfullknowledge.ThefeelingofequalitywastherebecauseDraupadi
spokeoutofherpersonalexperience.Abarrenwomancannotunderstandthe
griefofamother.Draupadiwasherselfamother,andthereforehercalculation
ofthedepthofKrpi'sgriefwasquitetothepoint.Anditwasgloriousbecause
shewantedtoshowproperrespecttoagreatfamily.
Originally,theprimevalLordSriKrsnadisplaysonlytwoarms,butinHis
NarayanafeatureHeexhibitsfour.InHisNarayanafeatureHeresides
withHisdevoteesintheVaikunthaplanets,whileinHisoriginalSriKrsna
featureHeresidesintheKrsnalokaplanetfar,farabovetheVaikuntha
planetsinthespiritualsky.Therefore,ifSriKrsnaiscalledcaturbhujah,there
isnocontradiction.IfneedbeHecandisplayhundredsofarms,asHe
exhibitedinHisvisvarupashowntoArjuna.
ThePersonalityofGodheadSriKrsnasaid:Afriendofabrahmanaisnottobe
killed,butifheisanaggressorhemustbekilled.Alltheserulingsareinthe
scriptures,andyoushouldactaccordingly.Youhavetofulfillyourpromiseto
yourwife,andyoumustalsoacttothesatisfactionofBhimasenaandMe.
Therulingisthatanaggressor,whenheiswithoutweaponorchariot,cannot
bekilled.Allthesewerecertainlyperplexities.Besidesthat,Arjunahadtokeep
thepromisehehadmadebeforeDraupadijusttopacifyher.Andhealsohadto
satisfybothBhimaandKrsna,whoadvisedkillinghim.Thisdilemmawas
presentbeforeArjuna,andthesolutionwasawardedbyKrsna.
Contradictoryordersofdifferentpersonsareimpossibletocarryout.Therefore
acompromisewasselectedbyArjunabyhissharpintelligence,andhe
separatedthejewelfromtheheadofAsvatthama.
Thusbeinginsulted,thehumiliatedAsvatthamawassimultaneouslykilledand
notkilledbytheintelligenceofLordKrsnaandArjuna.
Cuttingthehairfromhishead,deprivinghimofhiswealthanddrivinghim
fromhisresidencearetheprescribedpunishmentsfortherelativeofa
brahmana.Thereisnoinjunctionforkillingthebody.

Chapter8

LordKrsna,beingacousinofthePandavas,wasalsoamongstthefamily
members.

Thestringentlawsofnature,undertheorderoftheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,cannotbealteredbyanylivingentity.Thelivingentitiesare
eternallyunderthesubjugationofthealmightyLord.TheLordmakesallthe
lawsandorders,andtheselawsandordersaregenerallycalleddharmaor
religion.Noonecancreateanyreligiousformula.
BonafidereligionistoabidebytheordersoftheLord.TheLord'sordersare
clearlydeclaredintheBhagavadgita.EveryoneshouldfollowHimonlyor
Hisorders,andthatwillmakeallhappy,bothmateriallyandspiritually.As
longasweareinthematerialworld,ourdutyistofollowtheordersofthe
Lord,andifbythegraceoftheLordweareliberatedfromtheclutchesof
thematerialworld,theninourliberatedstagealsowecanrender
transcendentallovingserviceuntotheLord.
Butwhenweareliberatedfrommaterialaffectionandaresituatedinour
originalspiritualformwecanseebothourselvesandtheLordfacetoface.
Muktimeanstobereinstatedinone'soriginalspiritualstatusaftergivingupthe
materialconceptionoflife.Therefore,humanlifeisspecificallymeantfor
qualifyingourselvesforthisspiritualliberty.Unfortunately,underthe
influenceofillusorymaterialenergy,weacceptthisspotlifeofonlyafew
yearsasourpermanentexistenceandthusbecomeillusionedbypossessingso
calledcountry,home,land,children,wife,community,wealth,etc.,whichare
falserepresentationscreatedbymaya(illusion).Andunderthedictationof
maya,wefightwithoneanothertoprotectthesefalsepossessions.By
cultivatingspiritualknowledge,wecanrealizethatwehavenothingtodowith
allthismaterialparaphernalia.Thenatoncewebecomefreefrommaterial
attachment.Thisclearanceofthemisgivingsofmaterialexistenceatoncetakes
placebyassociationwiththeLord'sdevotees,whoareabletoinjectthe
transcendentalsoundintothedepthsofthebewilderedheartandthusmakeone
practicallyliberatedfromalllamentationandillusion.
Thevictimsofwar,namely,thefamilymembersoftheKurus,werelamenting
theproblemsofdeath,andtheLordpacifiedthemonthebasisofknowledge.
Inthegloriousdays,orbeforetheadventoftheageofKali,thebrahmanas,the
cows,thewomen,thechildrenandtheoldmenwereproperlygivenprotection.

1.Theprotectionofthebrahmanasmaintainstheinstitutionofvarnaand
asrama,themostscientificcultureforattainmentofspirituallife.
2.Theprotectionofcowsmaintainsthemostmiraculousformoffood,i.e.,
milkformaintainingthefinertissuesofthebrainforunderstandinghigheraims
oflife.
3.Theprotectionofwomenmaintainsthechastityofsociety,bywhichwecan
getagoodgenerationforpeace,tranquillityandprogressoflife.
4.Theprotectionofchildrengivesthehumanformoflifeitsbestchanceto
preparethewayoflibertyfrommaterialbondage.Suchprotectionofchildren
beginsfromtheverydayofbegettingachildbythepurificatoryprocessof
garbhadhanasamskara,thebeginningofpurelife.
5.Theprotectionoftheoldmengivesthemachancetopreparethemselvesfor
betterlifeafterdeath.
Thekillingoftheabovementionedinnocentcreaturesistotallyforbidden
becauseevenbyinsultingthemonelosesone'sdurationoflife.Intheageof
Kalitheyarenotproperlyprotected,andthereforethedurationoflifeofthe
presentgenerationhasshortenedconsiderably.IntheBhagavadgitaitisstated
thatwhenthewomenbecomeunchasteforwantofproperprotection,thereare
unwantedchildrencalledvarnasankara.Toinsultachastewomanmeansto
bringaboutdisasterinthedurationoflife.
TheKingofheavenisthousandsandthousandsoftimesgreaterthanMaharaja
Yudhisthirainopulence,yetthefameofMaharajaYudhisthirawasnotless.
ThereasonisthatMaharajaYudhisthirawasapuredevoteeoftheLord,andby
HisgraceonlywasKingYudhisthiraontheleveloftheKingofheaven,even
thoughheperformedonlythreeyajnaswhereastheKingofheavenperformed
hundreds.
ThatistheprerogativeofthedevoteeoftheLord.TheLordisequalto
everyone,butadevoteeoftheLordismoreglorifiedbecauseheisalwaysin
touchwiththeallgreat.

ApparentlyLordSriKrsnawasaksatriyaandwasnotworshipablebythe
brahmanas.Butthebrahmanaspresentthere,headedbySrilaVyasadeva,all
knewHimtobethePersonalityofGodhead,andthereforetheyworshiped
Him.TheLordreciprocatedthegreetingsjusttohonorthesocialorderthata
ksatriyaisobedienttotheordersofthebrahmanas.AlthoughLordSriKrsna
wasalwaysofferedtherespectsduetheSupremeLordfromallresponsible
quarters,theLordneverdeviatedfromthecustomaryusagesbetweenthefour
ordersofsociety.TheLordpurposelyobservedallthesesocialcustomssothat
otherswouldfollowHiminthefuture.

AllthemembersofthefamilyofthePandavaswerecompletelydependenton
theprotectionoftheLord,andthereforetheLordprotectedalloftheminall
circumstances.TheLordprotectseveryone,butonewhodependscompletely
uponHimisespeciallylookedafterbytheLord.Thefatherismoreattentiveto
thelittlesonwhoisexclusivelydependentonthefather.
Thismaterialworldistheworldofduality,incontrastwiththeonenessofthe
absoluterealm.Theworldofdualityiscomposedofmatterandspirit,whereas
theabsoluteworldiscompletespiritwithoutanytingeofthematerialqualities.
Inthedualworldeveryoneisfalselytryingtobecomethemasteroftheworld,
whereasintheabsoluteworldtheLordistheabsoluteLord,andallothersare
Hisabsoluteservitors.Intheworldofdualityeveryoneisenviousofallothers,
anddeathisinevitableduetothedualexistenceofmatterandspirit.TheLord
istheonlyshelteroffearlessnessforthesurrenderedsoul.Onecannotsave
himselffromthecruelhandsofdeathinthematerialworldwithouthaving
surrenderedhimselfatthelotusfeetoftheLord.
ThePandavafamilywasafamilyofdevotees,andthereforetheLordwanted
themtoruletheworld.
Mainlytheatomicbombsdoharmtotheinnocentbecausethereisnocontrol.
Thebrahmastraisnotlikethat.Itmarksoutthetargetandproceeds
accordinglywithoutharmingtheinnocent.
ThealmightyPersonalityofGodhead,SriKrsna,havingobservedthata
greatdangerwasbefallingHisunalloyeddevotees,whowerefully
surrenderedsouls,atoncetookupHisSudarsanadisctoprotectthem.
LordSriKrsnaatoncetookupHispersonalweapontoprotectHisdevotees,
whodidnotknowanyoneotherthanKrsna.IntheBhagavadgitatheLordhas
clearlypromisedthatHisdevoteesarenevertobevanquished.AndHe
behavesaccordingtothequalityordegreeofthedevotionalservice
renderedbythedevotees.

ThePandavaswerecentpercentdependentontheprotectionoftheLord,
althoughtheywereallgreatwarriorsthemselves.
Heisbetterknownasthebhaktavatsala,ortheloverofHisdevotee,and
thusHepreferredtocontinueasbhaktavatsalathantobeaworldlymoralist
whoneverbreakshissolemnvow.
TheLordofsuprememysticismcansimultaneouslyresidewithineveryone's
heart,orevenwithintheatoms,byHisParamatmafeature,Hisplenaryportion.
Therefore,fromwithinthebodyofUttaraHecoveredtheembryotosave
MaharajaPariksitandprotecttheprogenyofMaharajaKuru,ofwhomKing
Panduwasalsoadescendant.

IntheBhagavadgitaitissaidthatthebrahmajyoti,ortheglowing
transcendentaleffulgence,isrestingonLordSriKrsna.Inotherwords,the
glowingeffulgenceknownasbrahmatejasisnothingbuttheraysoftheLord,
justasthesunraysareraysofthesundisc
TheLordiscentpercentperfect,whereasothers,namelyNarayana,Brahma,
Siva,thedemigodsandallotherlivingbeings,possessonlydifferent
percentagesofsuchperfection.NooneisequaltoorgreaterthanHim.Heis
unrivaled.
Kuntiisdescribedhereinassati,orchaste,duetoherunalloyeddevotionto
LordSriKrsna.Hermindwillnowbeexpressedinthefollowingprayersfor
LordKrsna.AchastedevoteeoftheLorddoesnotlooktoothers,namelyany
otherlivingbeingordemigod,evenfordeliverancefromdanger.Thatwasall
alongthecharacteristicofthewholefamilyofthePandavas.Theyknew
nothingexceptKrsna,andthereforetheLordwasalsoalwaysreadytohelp
theminallrespectsandinallcircumstances.Thatisthetranscendentalnature
oftheLord.Hereciprocatesthedependenceofthedevotee.Oneshouldnot,
therefore,lookforhelpfromimperfectlivingbeingsordemigods,butone
shouldlookforallhelpfromLordKrsna,whoiscompetenttosaveHis
devotees.SuchachastedevoteealsoneveraskstheLordforhelp,buttheLord,
outofHisownaccord,isalwaysanxioustorenderit.
SrimatiKuntisaid:OKrsna,IoffermyobeisancesuntoYoubecauseYouare
theoriginalpersonalityandareunaffectedbythequalitiesofthematerial
world.Youareexistingbothwithinandwithouteverything,yetYouare
invisibletoall.
Althoughalllivingentitiesarealsotranscendental,theyareneitheroriginalnor
infallible.Thelivingentitiesareapttofalldownundertheclutchesofmaterial
nature,buttheLordisneverlikethat.

QueenKuntiexperiencedpersonallythatLordKrsnawaspresentbeforeher,
yetHeenteredwithinthewombofUttaratosaveherembryofromtheattack
ofAsvatthama'sbrahmastra.KuntiherselfwaspuzzledaboutwhetherSri
Krsnaisallpervasiveorlocalized.Infact,Heisboth,butHereservestheright
ofnotbeingexposedtopersonswhoarenotsurrenderedsouls.Thischecking
curtainiscalledthemayaenergyoftheSupremeLord,anditcontrolsthe
limitedvisionoftherebellioussoul.
Hehasshownmarvelouscapacitiesasahero,asahouseholder,asateacher
andasarenouncer

Andyetthereisaclassofmenwithdemoniacmentalitywhoarealways
reluctanttoaccepttheLordastheSupremeAbsoluteTruth.Thisispartially
duetotheirpoorfundofknowledgeandpartiallyduetotheirstubborn
obstinacy,whichresultsfromvariousmisdeedsinthepastandpresent.Such
personscouldnotrecognizeLordSriKrsnaevenwhenHewaspresentbefore
them.Anotherdifficultyisthatthosewhodependmoreontheirimperfect
sensescannotrealizeHimastheSupremeLord
QueenKuntiacceptsthisdeficiencyoftheconditionedsoul,especiallyofthe
womanclass,whoarelessintelligent.Forlessintelligentmentheremustbe
suchthingsastemples,mosquesorchurchessothattheymaybeginto
recognizetheauthorityoftheLordandhearaboutHimfromauthorities
insuchholyplaces.
Forlessintelligentpersons,bowingdownbeforetheauthorityoftheLord,as
generallydoneinthetemples,mosquesorchurches,isasbeneficialasitisfor
theadvanceddevoteestomeditateuponHimbyactiveservice.
YouYourselfdescendtopropagatethetranscendentalscienceofdevotional
serviceuntotheheartsoftheadvancedtranscendentalistsandmental
speculators,whoarepurifiedbybeingabletodiscriminatebetweenmatterand
spirit.
Eventhegreatestphilosophicalspeculatorscannothaveaccesstotheregionof
theLord.ItissaidintheUpanisadsthattheSupremeTruth,theAbsolute
PersonalityofGodhead,isbeyondtherangeofthethinkingpowerofthe
greatestphilosopher.Heisunknowablebygreatlearningorbythegreatest
brain.HeisknowableonlybyonewhohasHismercy.Othersmaygoon
thinkingaboutHimforyearstogether,yetHeisunknowable.

Womeningeneralareunabletospeculatelikephilosophers,buttheyare
blessedbytheLordbecausetheybelieveatonceinthesuperiorityand
almightinessoftheLord,andthustheyofferobeisanceswithoutreservation
Forthisreasononly,womengenerallyassembleingreatnumberinanysortof
religiousfunction.Ineverycountryandineverysectofreligionitappearsthat
thewomenaremoreinterestedthanthemen.Thissimplicityofacceptanceof
theLord'sauthorityismoreeffectivethanshowyinsincerereligious
fervor.
LetmethereforeoffermyrespectfulobeisancesuntotheLord,whohas
becomethesonofVasudeva,thepleasureofDevaki,theboyofNandaandthe
othercowherdmenofVrndavana,andtheenlivenerofthecowsandthesenses.
QueenKuntispecificallyadorestheincarnationordescentofLordKrsna
aboveallotherincarnationsbecauseinthisparticularincarnationHeismore
approachable.
ButNandaandYasodaaremorefortunatebecausetheycouldrelishtheLord's
childhoodpastimes,whicharemoreattractivethanallotherpastimes
LordSriKrsnadescendedHimselfatVrajabhumiwithallHistranscendental
entourageandparaphernalia
SriCaitanyaMahaprabhuthereforeconfirmedthatnooneisasfortunateasthe
residentsofVrajabhumi,andspecificallythecowherdgirls,whodedicated
theireverythingforthesatisfactionoftheLord
LordKrsnaasGovindaismoreinclinedtothebrahmanasandthecows,
indicatingtherebythathumanprosperitydependsmoreonthesetwoitems,
namelybrahminicalcultureandcowprotection.LordKrsnaisneversatisfied
wherethesearelacking.
MyrespectfulobeisancesareuntoYou,OLord,whoseabdomenismarked
withadepressionlikealotusflower,whoarealwaysdecoratedwithgarlands
oflotusflowers,whoseglanceisascoolasthelotusandwhosefeetare
engravedwithlotuses.
Herearesomeofthespecificsymbolicalmarksonthespiritualbodyofthe
PersonalityofGodheadwhichdistinguishHisbodyfromthebodiesofall
others.TheyareallspecialfeaturesofthebodyoftheLord.TheLordmay
appearasoneofus,butHeisalwaysdistinctbyHisspecificbodilyfeatures.
ThePankajanabhiLordacceptsthearcavigraha(Histranscendentalform)in
differentelements,namelyaformwithinthemind,aformmadeofwood,a
formmadeofearth,aformmadeofmetal,aformmadeofjewel,aformmade

ofpaint,aformdrawnonsand,etc
Themeditatorsworshipaformwithinthemind.
llthegreatacaryasestablishedsuchtemplesofworshipinallplacesjustto
favorthelessintelligent,andoneshouldnotposehimselfastranscendingthe
stageoftempleworshipwhileoneisactuallyinthecategoryofthesudrasand
thewomenorless
OneshouldbegintoseetheLordfromHislotusfeet,graduallyrisingtothe
thighs,waist,chestandface.OneshouldnottrytolookatthefaceoftheLord
withoutbeingaccustomedtoseeingthelotusfeetoftheLord.
SrimatiKunti,becauseofherbeingtheauntoftheLord,didnotbegintosee
theLordfromthelotusfeetbecausetheLordmightfeelashamed,andthus
Kuntidevi,justtosaveapainfulsituationfortheLord,begantoseetheLord
justaboveHislotusfeet,i.e.,fromthewaistoftheLord,graduallyrisingtothe
face,andthendowntothelotusfeet
Intheround,everythingthereisinorder.
ButKuntideviwasshownfarmorefavorbecauseLordKrsnadidnotsavethe
otherchildrenofDevaki,whereasHesavedthechildrenofKuntidevi.Thiswas
donebecauseDevaki'shusband,Vasudeva,wasliving,whereasKuntideviwas
awidow,andtherewasnonetohelpherexceptKrsna.
SometimesHeputsHispuredevoteesinsuchdangersbecauseinthat
conditionofhelplessnessthedevoteebecomesmoreattachedtotheLord.
ThemoretheattachmentistherefortheLord,themoresuccessisthereforthe
devotee.
Devakiwasonceputintodifficultybyherenviousbrother,otherwiseshewas
well.ButKuntideviandhersonswereputintoonedifficultyafteranotherfor
yearsandyearstogether.
MydearKrsna,YourLordshiphasprotectedusfromapoisonedcake,froma
greatfire,fromcannibals,fromtheviciousassembly,fromsufferingsduring
ourexileintheforestandfromthebattlewheregreatgeneralsfought.And
nowYouhavesavedusfromtheweaponofAsvatthama.
Iwishthatallthosecalamitieswouldhappenagainandagainsothatwe
couldseeYouagainandagain,forseeingYoumeansthatwewillno
longerseerepeatedbirthsanddeaths.
Generallythedistressed,theneedy,theintelligentandtheinquisitive,who
haveperformedsomepiousactivities,worshiporbegintoworshiptheLord.

Therefore,forapiousperson,ifthereissomecalamitythereisnoother
alternativethantotakeshelterofthelotusfeetoftheLord.Constantly
rememberingthelotusfeetoftheLordmeanspreparingforliberationfrom
birthanddeath.Therefore,eventhoughtherearesocalledcalamities,theyare
welcomebecausetheygiveusanopportunitytoremembertheLord,which
meansliberation.
OnewhohastakenshelterofthelotusfeetoftheLord,whichareacceptedas
themostsuitableboatforcrossingtheoceanofnescience,canachieve
liberationaseasilyasoneleapsovertheholesmadebythehoofsofacalf.
SuchpersonsaremeanttoresideintheabodeoftheLord,andtheyhave
nothingtodowithaplacewherethereisdangerineverystep.
ThismaterialworldiscertifiedbytheLordintheBhagavadgitaasa
dangerousplacefullofcalamities.Lessintelligentpersonsprepareplansto
adjusttothosecalamitieswithoutknowingthatthenatureofthisplaceisitself
fullofcalamities.

Thedutyofthesaneperson,therefore,istobeundisturbedbyworldly
calamities,whicharesuretohappeninallcircumstances.Sufferingallsortsof
unavoidablemisfortunes,oneshouldmakeprogressinspiritualrealization
becausethatisthemissionofhumanlife.Thespiritsoulistranscendentaltoall
materialcalamities;therefore,thesocalledcalamitiesarecalledfalse
Amanmayseeatigerswallowinghiminadream,andhemaycryforthis
calamity.Actuallythereisnotigerandthereisnosuffering;itissimplyacase
ofdreams.Inthesameway,allcalamitiesoflifearesaidtobedreams.If
someoneisluckyenoughtogetincontactwiththeLordbydevotionalservice,
itisallgain.ContactwiththeLordbyanyoneoftheninedevotionalservices
isalwaysaforwardsteponthepathgoingbacktoGodhead.
MyLord,YourLordshipcaneasilybeapproached,butonlybythosewho
aremateriallyexhausted.Onewhoisonthepathof[material]progress,
tryingtoimprovehimselfwithrespectableparentage,greatopulence,high
educationandbodilybeauty,cannotapproachYouwithsincerefeeling.
Consequently,suchmateriallypuffeduppersonsareincapableofutteringthe
holynameoftheLordbyaddressingHimfeelingly,"OGovinda,OKrsna."It
issaidinthesastrasthatbyonceutteringtheholynameoftheLord,thesinner
getsridofaquantityofsinsthatheisunabletocommit.Suchisthepowerof
utteringtheholynameoftheLord.

Butthereisaqualitytosuchutterancesalso.Itdependsonthequalityof
feeling.AhelplessmancanfeelinglyuttertheholynameoftheLord,whereas
amanwhouttersthesameholynameingreatmaterialsatisfactioncannotbeso
sincere.AmateriallypuffeduppersonmayuttertheholynameoftheLord
occasionally,butheisincapableofutteringthenameinquality
Therefore,thefourprinciplesofmaterialadvancement,namely(1)high
parentage,(2)goodwealth,(3)higheducationand(4)attractivebeauty,are,so
tospeak,disqualificationsforprogressonthepathofspiritualadvancement.
Sometimesitisseenthatspirituallyadvancedpersonsbecomematerially
impoverished.Thisisnodiscouragement.Ontheotherhand,such
impoverishmentisagoodsignasmuchasthefallingoftemperatureisagood
sign
MyobeisancesareuntoYou,whoarethepropertyofthematerially
impoverished.Youhavenothingtodowiththeactionsandreactionsofthe
materialmodesofnature.Youareselfsatisfied,andthereforeYouarethemost
gentleandaremasterofthemonists.

Alivingbeingisfinishedassoonasthereisnothingtopossess.Thereforea
livingbeingcannotbe,intherealsenseoftheterm,arenouncer.Alivingbeing
renouncessomethingforgainingsomethingmorevaluable.Astudentsacrifices
hischildishproclivitiestogainbettereducation.Aservantgivesuphisjobfor
abetterjob.Similarly,adevoteerenouncesthematerialworldnotfornothing
butforsomethingtangibleinspiritualvalue.
Buttheylefteverythingtogainsomethingsuperiortowhattheypreviously
possessed
Thedevoteesaregenerallywithoutmaterialprosperity,buttheyhaveavery
secrettreasurehouseinthelotusfeetoftheLord
ThereisanicestoryaboutSrilaSanatanaGosvami.Hehadatouchstonewith
him,andthisstonewasleftinapileofrefuse.Aneedymantookit,butlateron
wonderedwhythevaluablestonewaskeptinsuchaneglectedplace.He
thereforeaskedhimforthemostvaluablething,andthenhewasgiventheholy
nameoftheLord.Akincanameansonewhohasnothingtogivematerially.A
factualdevotee,ormahatma,doesnotgiveanythingmaterialtoanyone
becausehehasalreadyleftallmaterialassets.Hecan,however,deliverthe
supremeasset,namelythePersonalityofGodhead,becauseHeistheonly
propertyofafactualdevotee.ThetouchstoneofSanatanaGosvami,whichwas

thrownintherubbish,wasnotthepropertyoftheGosvami,otherwiseitwould
nothavebeenkeptinsuchaplace.Thisspecificexampleisgivenforthe
neophytedevoteesjusttoconvincethemthatmaterialhankeringsand
spiritualadvancementgoilltogether.
Unlessoneisabletoseeeverythingasspiritualinrelationwiththe
SupremeLord,onemustalwaysdistinguishbetweenspiritandmatter.
Suchmaterialadvancementiscalledanartha,orthingsnotwanted
Inthepresentcontextofmaterialadvancementoneuseslipstickatacostof
fiftycents,andtherearesomanyunwantedthingswhichareallproductsofthe
materialconceptionoflife.Bydivertingattentiontosomanyunwantedthings,
humanenergyisspoiledwithoutachievementofspiritualrealization,theprime
necessityofhumanlife
ThedevoteesoftheLordarecalledakincanasbecausetheyhavepracticallyno
materialassets.Suchmaterialassetsareallproductsofthethreemodesof
materialnature.Theyfoilspiritualenergy,andthusthelesswepossesssuch
productsofmaterialnature,themorewehaveagoodchanceforspiritual
progress.
TheSupremePersonalityofGodheadhasnodirectconnectionwithmaterial
activities

Thematerialdiseaseisduetohankeringafterandlordingitovermaterial
nature.
Thishankeringisduetoaninteractionofthethreemodesofnature,andneither
theLordnorthedevoteeshaveattachmentforsuchfalseenjoyment.Therefore,
theLordandthedevoteesarecallednivrttagunavrtti.Theperfectnivrtta
gunavrttiistheSupremeLordbecauseHeneverbecomesattractedbythe
modesofmaterialnature,whereasthelivingbeingshavesuchatendency.
Someofthemareentrappedbytheillusoryattractionofmaterialnature.
BecausetheLordisthepropertyofthedevotees,andthedevoteesarethe
propertyoftheLordreciprocally,thedevoteesarecertainlytranscendentalto
themodesofmaterialnature.Thatisanaturalconclusion
Suchunalloyeddevoteesaredistinctfromthemixeddevoteeswhoapproach
theLordformitigationofmiseriesandpovertyorbecauseofinquisitiveness
andspeculation.
TheunalloyeddevoteesandtheLordaretranscendentallyattachedtoone

another.
Forothers,theLordhasnothingtoreciprocate,andthereforeHeiscalled
atmarama,selfsatisfied.SelfsatisfiedasHeis,Heisthemasterofallmonists
whoseektomergeintotheexistenceoftheLord.Suchmonistsmergewithin
thepersonaleffulgenceoftheLordcalledthebrahmajyoti,butthedevotees
enterintothetranscendentalpastimesoftheLord,whicharenevertobe
misunderstoodasmaterial.
MyLord,IconsiderYourLordshiptobeeternaltime,thesupremecontroller,
withoutbeginningandend,theallpervasiveone.IndistributingYourmercy,
Youareequaltoeveryone.Thedissensionsbetweenlivingbeingsaredueto
socialintercourse.
KuntideviknewthatKrsnawasneitherhernephewnoranordinaryfamily
memberofherpaternalhouse.SheknewperfectlywellthatKrsnaisthe
primevalLordwholivesineveryone'sheartastheSupersoul,Paramatma
AnothernameoftheParamatmafeatureoftheLordiskala,oreternaltime.
Eternaltimeisthewitnessofallouractions,goodandbad,andthusresultant
reactionsaredestinedbyHim.Itisnousesayingthatwedonotknowwhyand
forwhatwearesuffering.Wemayforgetthemisdeedforwhichwemaysuffer
atthispresentmoment,butwemustrememberthatParamatmaisourconstant
companion,andthereforeHeknowseverything,past,presentandfuture
WithoutHissanctionnotabladeofgrasscanmove

Thelivingbeingsaregivenasmuchfreedomastheydeserve,andmisuseof
thatfreedomisthecauseofsuffering.ThedevoteesoftheLorddonotmisuse
theirfreedom,andthereforetheyarethegoodsonsoftheLord.
Aswehavemiseriesuncalledfor,sowemayhavehappinessalsowithout
beingasked,fortheyareallpredestinedbykala.Nooneisthereforeeitheran
enemyorfriendoftheLord.Everyoneissufferingandenjoyingtheresultof
hisowndestiny.Thisdestinyismadebythelivingbeingsincourseofsocial
intercourse.Everyoneherewantstolorditoverthematerialnature,andthus
everyonecreateshisowndestinyunderthesupervisionoftheSupremeLord.
Darknessandlightaretwooppositeconceptions,butthisdoesnotmeanthat
thesunispartialindistributingitsrays.Thesunraysareopentoeveryone,but
thecapacitiesofthereceptaclesdiffer
FoolishpeoplethinkthatdevotionalserviceisflatteringtheLordtogetspecial
mercy.Factuallythepuredevoteeswhoareengagedinthetranscendental

lovingserviceoftheLordarenotamercantilecommunity.Amercantilehouse
rendersservicetosomeoneinexchangeforvalues.Thepuredevoteedoesnot
renderserviceuntotheLordforsuchexchange,andthereforethefullmercyof
theLordisopenforhim.
Sufferingandneedymen,inquisitivepersonsorphilosophersmaketemporary
connectionswiththeLordtoserveaparticularpurpose.Whenthepurposeis
served,thereisnomorerelationwiththeLord.Asufferingman,ifheispious
atall,praystotheLordforhisrecovery.Butassoonastherecoveryisover,in
mostcasesthesufferingmannolongercarestokeepanyconnectionwiththe
Lord.
ThemercyoftheLordisopenforhim,butheisreluctanttoreceiveit.Thatis
thedifferencebetweenapuredevoteeandamixeddevotee.Thosewhoare
completelyagainsttheserviceoftheLordareconsideredtobeinabject
darkness,thosewhoaskfortheLord'sfavoronlyatthetimeofnecessityare
partialrecipientsofthemercyoftheLord,andthosewhoarecentpercent
engagedintheserviceoftheLordarefullrecipientsofthemercyoftheLord.
SuchpartialityinreceivingtheLord'smercyisrelativetotherecipient,anditis
notduetothepartialityoftheallmercifulLord.
IntheBattlefieldofKuruksetraallpersonswhodiedinthefightbeforethe
presenceoftheLordgotsalvationwithoutthenecessaryqualificationsbecause
deathbeforethepresenceoftheLordpurifiesthepassingsoulfromtheeffects
ofallsins,andthereforethedyingmangetsaplacesomewhereinthe
transcendentalabode.
YouYourselfdescendamongstanimals,men,sagesandaquatics.Verily,this
isbewildering.
ThetranscendentalpastimesoftheLordarenotonlybewilderingbutalso
apparentlycontradictory.
Inotherwords,theyareallinconceivabletothelimitedthinkingpowerofthe
humanbeing.TheLordistheallprevailingSupersoulofallexistence,andyet
Heappearsintheformofaboaramongsttheanimals,intheformofahuman
beingasRama,Krsna,etc.,intheformofarsilikeNarayana,andintheform
ofanaquaticlikeafish.
InthesrutimantraitissaidthattheSupremeBrahmanhasnothingtodo.No
oneisequaltoorgreaterthanHim.Hehasmanifoldenergies,andeverything
isperformedbyHimperfectlybyautomaticknowledge,strengthandactivity.
HecannotbeunderstoodbytheVedicknowledge,butHecanbeeasily
understoodbythepuredevoteesbecausetheyareintimatelyrelatedwithHim.

ThedevoteesthereforeknowthatalthoughHeappearsamongsttheanimals,
Heisnotananimal,noraman,norarsi,norafish.HeiseternallytheSupreme
Lord,inallcircumstances.
TheLord'spuredevoteerendersserviceuntotheLordoutofunalloyedlove
only,andwhiledischargingsuchdevotionalservicethepuredevoteeforgets
thepositionoftheSupremeLord.TheSupremeLordalsoacceptstheloving
serviceofHisdevoteesmorerelishablywhentheserviceisrendered
spontaneouslyoutofpureaffection,withoutanythingofreverential
admiration.
GenerallytheLordisworshipedbythedevoteesinareverentialattitude,but
theLordismeticulouslypleasedwhenthedevotee,outofpureaffectionand
love,considerstheLordtobelessimportantthanhimself.TheLord'spastimes
intheoriginalabodeofGolokaVrndavanaareexchangedinthatspirit.

ThefriendsofKrsnaconsiderHimoneofthem.TheydonotconsiderHimto
beofreverentialimportance.TheparentsoftheLord(whoareallpure
devotees)considerHimachildonly.TheLordacceptsthechastisementsofthe
parentsmorecheerfullythantheprayersoftheVedichymns.Similarly,He
acceptsthereproachesofHisfianceesmorepalatablythantheVedichymns.
WhenLordKrsnawaspresentinthismaterialworldtomanifestHiseternal
pastimesofthetranscendentalrealmofGolokaVrndavanaasanattractionfor
thepeopleingeneral,Hedisplayedauniquepictureofsubordinationbefore
Hisfostermother,Yasoda.TheLord,inHisnaturallychildishplayful
activities,usedtospoilthestockedbutterofmotherYasodabybreakingthe
potsanddistributingthecontentstoHisfriendsandplaymates,includingthe
celebratedmonkeysofVrndavana,whotookadvantageoftheLord's

munificence.MotherYasodasawthis,andoutofherpureloveshewantedto
makeashowofpunishmentforhertranscendentalchild.Shetookaropeand
threatenedtheLordthatshewouldtieHimup,asisgenerallydoneinthe
ordinaryhousehold.SeeingtheropeinthehandsofmotherYasoda,theLord
boweddownHisheadandbegantoweepjustlikeachild,andtearsrolled
downHischeeks,washingofftheblackointmentsmearedaboutHisbeautiful
eyes.ThispictureoftheLordisadoredbyKuntidevibecausesheisconscious
oftheLord'ssupremeposition.Heisfearedoftenbyfearpersonified,yetHeis
afraidofHismother,whowantedtopunishHimjustinanordinarymanner.
KuntiwasconsciousoftheexaltedpositionofKrsna,whereasYasodawasnot.
ThereforeYasoda'spositionwasmoreexaltedthanKunti's.MotherYasodagot
theLordasherchild,andtheLordmadeherforgetaltogetherthatherchild
wastheLordHimself
motherYasodaispraisedforheruniquepositionoflove,forshecould
controleventheallpowerfulLordasherbelovedchild.
LordSriKrsnacertainlywantedtoestablishthekingdomofthePandavasfor
thegoodofallintheworld.Whenthereisapiouskingrulingovertheworld,
thepeoplearehappy.Whentherulerisimpious,thepeopleareunhappy.Inthe
ageofKaliinmostcasestherulersareimpious,andthereforethecitizensare
alsocontinuouslyunhappy.Butinthecaseofdemocracy,theimpiouscitizens
themselveselecttheirrepresentativetoruleoverthem,andthereforethey
cannotblameanyonefortheirunhappiness.
ItisalsosaidthatVasudevaandDevaki,intheirpreviousbirthasSutapaand
Prsni,underwentaseveretypeofpenancetogettheLordastheirson,andasa
resultofsuchausteritiestheLordappearedastheirson
Brahma,orthefirstlivingbeingbornjustafterthecreation,isthedirectsonof
Narayana.Narayana,asGarbhodakasayiVisnu,firstofallenteredthematerial
universe.Withoutspiritualcontact,mattercannotcreate.

LaksmijiwaspresentnearNarayana,engagedintheserviceoftheLord,and
still,withoutcontactwithLaksmiji,NarayanabegotBrahma.Thatisthe
omnipotencyoftheLord.
HeisthePersonalityofGodheadHimself,andHehasallthepotenciesofall
thesensesinallpartsofHistranscendentalbody.Anordinarylivingbeing
begetsachildbysexualintercourse,andhehasnoothermeanstobegetachild
otherthantheonedesignedforhim.
Withinthehalooftheuniversethereisatranscendentalplanetknownas

Svetadvipa,whichistheabodeoftheKsirodakasayiVisnu,theParamatma
featureoftheSupremeLord.Wheneverthereistroubleintheuniversethat
cannotbesolvedbytheadministrativedemigods,theyapproachBrahmajifora
solution,andifitisnottobesolvedevenbyBrahmaji,thenBrahmajiconsults
andpraystotheKsirodakasayiVisnuforanincarnationandsolutiontothe
problems.
ThefactualwayofreligionistoaccepttheLordasthesupremeauthorityand
thusrenderserviceuntoHiminspontaneouslove.Alivingbeingcannothelp
butrenderservicebecauseheisconstitutionallymadeforthatpurpose.The
onlyfunctionofthelivingbeingistorenderservicetotheLord
Unfortunatelytheillusionedlivingbeings,outofmisunderstandingonly,
becomeservantsofthesensesbymaterialdesire.Thisdesireiscalledavidya,
ornescience.Andoutofsuchdesirethelivingbeingmakesdifferentplansfor
materialenjoymentcenteredaboutapervertedsexlife.Hethereforebecomes
entangledinthechainofbirthanddeathbytransmigratingintodifferentbodies
ondifferentplanetsunderthedirectionoftheSupremeLord.Unless,therefore,
oneisbeyondtheboundaryofthisnescience,onecannotgetfreefromthe
threefoldmiseriesofmateriallife.Thatisthelawofnature.
Renovatestheprinciplesofdevotionalservicecomprisedofhearing,chanting,
remembering,serving,worshiping,praying,cooperatingandsurrenderingunto
Him.Adoptionofalltheabovementioneditems,oranyoneofthem,canhelp
aconditionedsoulgetoutofthetangleofnescienceandthusbecomeliberated
fromallmaterialsufferingscreatedbythelivingbeingillusionedbythe
externalenergy.
TheSupremeLordSriKrsnacannotbeseenbyourpresentconditionalvision.
InordertoseeHim,onehastochangehispresentvisionbydevelopinga
differentconditionoflifefullofspontaneousloveofGodhead.

Thisnecessaryqualificationisdevelopedbytheprocessofdevotionalservice
only,beginningwithhearingabouttheLordfromtherightsources.The
Bhagavadgitaisoneofthepopularliteratureswhicharegenerallyheard,
chanted,repeated,etc.,bythepeopleingeneral,butinspiteofsuchhearing,
etc.,sometimesitisexperiencedthattheperformerofsuchdevotionalservice
doesnotseetheLordeyetoeye.Thereasonisthatthefirstitem,sravana,is
veryimportant.Ifhearingisfromtherightsources,itactsveryquickly.
Generallypeoplehearfromunauthorizedpersons

Suchunauthorizedpersonsmaybeverylearnedbyacademicqualifications,but
becausetheydonotfollowtheprinciplesofdevotionalservice,hearingfrom
thembecomesasheerwasteoftime.Sometimesthetextsareinterpreted
fashionablytosuittheirownpurposes.Therefore,firstoneshouldselecta
competentandbonafidespeakerandthenhearfromhim.Whenthehearing
processisperfectandcomplete,theotherprocessesbecomeautomatically
perfectintheirownway.
IntheBhagavatamtheactivitiesoftheLordbeginfromHisdealingswiththe
Pandavas.TherearemanyotherpastimesoftheLordinconnectionwithHis
dealingswiththeasurasandothers.AndintheTenthCantothesublime
dealingswithHisconjugalassociates,thegopis,aswellaswithHismarried
wivesatDvarakaarementioned.SincetheLordisabsolute,thereisno
differenceinthetranscendentalnatureofeachandeverydealingoftheLord.
Butsometimespeople,inanunauthorizedhearingprocess,takemoreinterest
inhearingaboutHisdealingswiththegopis.
Oneshouldnot,therefore,considerthatHisdealingswiththePandavasareless
importantthanHisdealingswiththegopis.Wemustalwaysrememberthatthe
Lordisalwaystranscendentaltoallmundaneattachment.
Inthematerialworld,tobedependentonthemercyofsomeoneelseisthe
utmostsignofmisfortune,butinthecaseofourtranscendentalrelationwith
theLord,itisthemostfortunatecasewhenwecanlivecompletelydependent
onHim.
Thematerialdiseaseisduetothinkingofbecomingindependentofeverything.
Thefalseattempttobecomeindependentofthestringentlawsofnatureis
knownasmaterialadvancementofexperimentalknowledge.Thewhole
materialworldismovingonthisfalseattemptofbecomingindependentofthe
lawsofnature.BeginningfromRavana,whowantedtoprepareadirect
staircasetotheplanetsofheaven,downtothepresentage,theyaretryingto
overcomethelawsofnature.

Butthehighestgoalofhumancivilizationistoworkhardundertheguidance
oftheLordandbecomecompletelydependentonHim.Thehighest
achievementofperfectcivilizationistoworkwithvalorbutatthesametime
dependcompletelyontheLord.ThePandavasweretheidealexecutorsofthis
standardofcivilization.
UndoubtedlytheywerecompletelydependentonthegoodwillofLordSri

Krsna,buttheywerenotidleparasitesoftheLord.Theywereallhighly
qualifiedbothbypersonalcharacterandbyphysicalactivities.Stillthey
alwayslookedforthemercyoftheLordbecausetheyknewthateveryliving
beingisdependentbyconstitutionalposition.
ThosewhotrytobecomefalselyindependentoftheLordarecalledanatha,or
withoutanyguardian,whereasthosewhoarecompletelydependentonthewill
oftheLordarecalledsanatha,orthosehavingsomeonetoprotectthem.
Thereforewemusttrytobesanathasothatwecanalwaysbeprotectedfrom
theunfavorableconditionofmaterialexistence.
Forthem,separationfromtheLordwasjustliketheseparationofafishfrom
water.SrimatiKuntidevi,therefore,feltsuchseparationlikeathunderbolt,and
thewholeprayeroftheQueenistotrytopersuadetheLordtostaywiththem
ItisnotonlythePandavaswhowereputintotheconditionofenmity,butallof
usarealwaysinsuchacondition,andthebestwayoflivingistobecome
completelydependentonthewilloftheLordandtherebyovercomeall
difficultiesofmaterialexistence.
Nooneshouldbeproudofhisprestige,powerandfamewithoutbeingguided
bythefavoroftheSupremeLord
Asthenameandfameofaparticularbodyisfinishedwiththedisappearanceof
thelivingspirit,similarlyifYoudonotlookuponus,allourfameand
activities,alongwiththePandavasandYadus,willendatonce.
KuntideviisquiteawarethattheexistenceofthePandavasisduetoSriKrsna
only
TherearecertainparticularmarksonthefeetoftheLordwhichdistinguishthe
Lordfromothers.Themarksofaflag,thunderbolt,andinstrumenttodrivean
elephant,umbrella,lotus,disc,etc.,areonthebottomoftheLord'sfeet.These
marksareimpresseduponthesoftdustofthelandwheretheLordtraverses.
Allthesecitiesandvillagesareflourishinginallrespectsbecausetheherbsand
grainsareinabundance,thetreesarefulloffruits,theriversareflowing,the
hillsarefullofmineralsandtheoceansfullofwealth.Andthisisalldueto
Yourglancingoverthem.

Humanprosperityflourishesbynaturalgiftsandnotbygiganticindustrial
enterprises.
Themorewegoonincreasingsuchtroublesomeindustriestosqueezeoutthe
vitalenergyofthehumanbeing,themoretherewillbeunrestand

dissatisfactionofthepeopleingeneral,althoughafewonlycanlivelavishlyby
exploitation
Thenaturallawisthatthehumanbeingmaytakeadvantageofthesegodly
giftsbynatureandsatisfactorilyflourishonthemwithoutbeingcaptivatedby
theexploitativemotiveoflordingitovermaterialnature.
Ifwehavesufficientgrains,fruits,vegetablesandherbs,thenwhatisthe
necessityofrunningaslaughterhouseandkillingpooranimals?Amanneed
notkillananimalifhehassufficientgrainsandvegetablestoeat.
Theflowofriverwatersfertilizesthefields,andthereismorethanwhatwe
need
ButallthesenaturalgiftsaredependentonthemercyoftheLord.Whatwe
need,therefore,istobeobedienttothelawsoftheLordandachievethe
perfectionofhumanlifebydevotionalservice.TheindicationsbyKuntidevi
arejusttothepoint.ShedesiresthatGod'smercybebestoweduponthemso
thatnaturalprosperitybemaintainedbyHisgrace.
OLordoftheuniverse,souloftheuniverse,Opersonalityoftheformof
theuniverse,please,therefore,severmytieofaffectionformykinsmen,
thePandavasandtheVrsnis.
ApuredevoteeoftheLordisashamedtoaskanythinginselfinterestfromthe
Lord.ButthehouseholdersaresometimesobligedtoaskfavorsfromtheLord,
beingboundbythetieoffamilyaffection.SrimatiKuntideviwasconsciousof
thisfact,andthereforesheprayedtotheLordtocutofftheaffectionatetie
fromherownkinsmen,thePandavasandtheVrsnis.
ThePandavasareherownsons,andtheVrsnisarethemembersofherpaternal
family.Krsnawasequallyrelatedtoboththefamilies.Boththefamilies
requiredtheLord'shelpbecausebothweredependentdevoteesoftheLord.
SrimatiKuntideviwishedSriKrsnatoremainwithhersonsthePandavas,but
byHisdoingsoherpaternalhousewouldbebereftofthebenefit.Allthese
partialitiestroubledthemindofKunti,andthereforeshedesiredtocutoffthe
affectionatetie.

Apuredevoteecutsoffthelimitedtiesofaffectionforhisfamilyandwidens
hisactivitiesofdevotionalserviceforallforgottensouls.Thetypicalexample

isthebandofsixGosvamis,whofollowedthepathofLordCaitanya.Allof
thembelongedtothemostenlightenedandculturedrichfamiliesofthehigher
castes,butforthebenefitofthemassofpopulationtheylefttheircomfortable
homesandbecamemendicants.
Tocutoffallfamilyaffectionmeanstobroadenthefieldofactivities.Without
doingthis,noonecanbequalifiedasabrahmana,aking,apublicleaderora
devoteeoftheLord.ThePersonalityofGodhead,asanidealking,showedthis
byexample.SriRamacandracutoffthetieofaffectionforHisbelovedwifeto
manifestthequalitiesofanidealking.
Therefore,itissometimesexperiencedthattheLord,outofHisspecialaffinity
towardsaweakdevotee,breaksthefamilyaffectionbyforceofcircumstances
arrangedbyHisallpowerfulenergy.BydoingsoHecausesthedevoteeto
becomecompletelydependentonHimandthusclearsthepathforhisgoing
backtoGodhead.
OLordofMadhu,astheGangesforeverflowstotheseawithouthindrance,let
myattractionbeconstantlydrawnuntoYouwithoutbeingdivertedto
anyoneelse.
Perfectionofpuredevotionalserviceisattainedwhenallattentionisdiverted
towardsthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.Tocutoffthetieof
allotheraffectionsdoesnotmeancompletenegationofthefinerelements,like
affectionforsomeoneelse.Thisisnotpossible.Alivingbeing,whoeverhe
maybe,musthavethisfeelingofaffectionforothersbecausethisisasymptom
oflife.
Thesymptomsoflife,suchasdesire,anger,hankerings,feelingsofattraction,
etc.,cannotbeannihilated.Onlytheobjectivehastobechanged.Desirecannot
benegated,butindevotionalservicethedesireischangedonlyfortheservice
oftheLordinplaceofdesireforsensegratification.Thesocalledaffectionfor
family,society,country,etc.,consistsofdifferentphasesofsensegratification.
WhenthisdesireischangedforthesatisfactionoftheLord,itiscalled
devotionalservice.
Andforhisdoingso,hebecameafamousdevoteeoftheLord,foritis
declaredinallthescripturesthatArjunaattainedspiritualperfectionby
devotionalservicetotheLordinfriendship.Thefightingwasthere,the
friendshipwasthere,Arjunawasthere,andKrsnawasthere,butArjuna
becameadifferentpersonbydevotionalservice

Therefore,theprayersofKuntialsoindicatethesamecategoricalchangesin
activities.SrimatiKuntiwantedtoservetheLordwithoutdiversion,andthat
washerprayer.Thisunalloyeddevotionistheultimategoaloflife.Our
attentionisusuallydivertedtotheserviceofsomethingwhichisnongodlyor
notintheprogramoftheLord.
WhentheprogramischangedintotheserviceoftheLord,thatistosaywhen
thesensesarepurifiedinrelationwiththeserviceoftheLord,itiscalledpure
unalloyeddevotionalservice.SrimatiKuntideviwantedthatperfectionand
prayedforitfromtheLord.
HeraffectionforthePandavasandtheVrsnisisnotoutoftherangeof
devotionalservicebecausetheserviceoftheLordandtheserviceofthe
devoteesareidentical.Sometimesservicetothedevoteeismorevaluablethan
servicetotheLord.
ButheretheaffectionofKuntideviforthePandavasandtheVrsniswasdueto
familyrelation.Thistieofaffectionintermsofmaterialrelationistherelation
ofmayabecausetherelationsofthebodyorthemindareduetotheinfluence
oftheexternalenergy.Relationsofthesoul,establishedinrelationwiththe
SupremeSoul,arefactualrelations.
Theskinrelationisthecauseofmaterialbondage,buttherelationofthesoulis
thecauseoffreedom.Thisrelationofthesoultothesoulcanbeestablishedby
theviamediumoftherelationwiththeSupersoul
OKrsna,OfriendofArjuna,OchiefamongstthedescendantsofVrsni,You
arethedestroyerofthosepoliticalpartieswhicharedisturbingelementsonthis
earth.Yourprowessneverdeteriorates.Youaretheproprietorofthe
transcendentalabode,andYoudescendtorelievethedistressesofthecows,the
brahmanasandthedevotees.Youpossessallmysticpowers,andYouarethe
preceptoroftheentireuniverse.YouarethealmightyGod,andIofferYoumy
respectfulobeisances.
ThealmightyLordhasHiseternaltranscendentalabodewhereHeisengaged
inkeepingsurabhicows.Heisservedbyhundredsandthousandsofgoddesses
offortune
Thecows,thebrahmanasandthedevoteesoftheLordareallobjectsofHis
specialattentionbecausetheyareveryimportantfactorsforthegeneralwelfare
oflivingbeings.
Anythingthatisenchantingintheworldissaidtobearepresentationofthe
Lord.

Theconditionedsouls,whoareengagedintryingtolorditoverthematerial
world,arealsoenchantedbyHismysticpowers,butHisdevoteesare
enchantedinadifferentwaybythegloriesoftheLord,andHismerciful
blessingsareuponthem.
NoamountofchosenwordsissufficienttoenumeratetheLord'sglory,andyet
Heissatisfiedbysuchprayersasthefatherissatisfiedevenbythebroken
linguisticattemptsofthegrowingchild.
NoonecouldmakeLordKrsnastayatHastinapurawhenHedecidedtostart
forDvaraka,butthesimplerequestofKingYudhisthirathattheLordremain
thereforafewdaysmorewasimmediatelyeffective.Thissignifiesthatthe
powerofKingYudhisthirawaslovingaffection,whichtheLordcouldnot
deny.ThealmightyGodisthusconqueredonlybylovingserviceandnothing
else.HeisfullyindependentinallHisdealings,butHevoluntarilyaccepts
obligationsbythelovingaffectionofHispuredevotees.
ButontheprincipleofjusticeYudhisthirawastoreplacehim.Thewhole
cliqueofpoliticscenteredaroundthispoint,andallthekingsandresidentsof
thewholeworldbecameinvolvedinthisfightbetweentherivalbrothers
ItissaidintheMahabharata,Adiparva(20)that640,000,000menwerekilled
intheeighteendaysoftheBattleofKuruksetra,andsomehundredsof
thousandsweremissing.Practicallythiswasthegreatestbattleintheworld
withinfivethousandyears.
ThismasskillingsimplytoenthroneMaharajaYudhisthirawastoomortifying,
sohetriedtobeconvincedwithevidencesfromhistoriesbygreatsageslike
VyasaandtheLordHimselfthatthefightwasjustbecausethecausewasjust.
ButMaharajaYudhisthirawouldnotbesatisfied,eventhoughhewas
instructedbythegreatestpersonalitiesofthetime.
TheinterpretationisthattheLordasisvara,ortheSupersoulintheheartsof
bothKingYudhisthiraandVyasa,performedstillmoresuperhumanaction
becausetheLorddesiredit.AsSupersoulofKingYudhisthira,Hedidnot
allowtheKingtobeconvincedbythewordsofVyasaandothers,including
Himself,becauseHedesiredthattheKinghearinstructionsfromthedying
Bhismadeva,whowasanothergreatdevoteeoftheLord.
BhismadevawasnotatallsatisfiedtofightagainstthePandavas,whowerehis
belovedfatherlessgrandchildren.Buttheksatriyasarealsoverysternpeople,
andthereforehewasobligedtotakethesideofDuryodhanabecausehewas
maintainedattheexpenseofDuryodhana.Besidesthis,theLordalsodesired
thatKingYudhisthirabepacifiedbythewordsofBhismadevasothatthe

worldcouldseethatBhismadevaexcelledallinknowledge,includingtheLord
Himself.

KingYudhisthira,thoughhewasnotexpectedtobecomeaggrievedlikea
commonman,becamedeludedbyworldlyaffectionbythewilloftheLord
(justasArjunawasapparentlydeluded).
Thecommonmanthinksofviolenceandnonviolenceintermsofthebody,but
thatisakindofdelusion.
Aksatriyaisboundtofightfortherightcause,regardlessoftheoppositeparty.
Insuchdischargeofduty,oneshouldnotbedisturbedbyannihilationofthe
materialbody,whichisonlyanexternaldressofthelivingsoul.
Asolidphalanxof21,870chariots,21,870elephants,109,650infantryand
65,600cavalryiscalledanaksauhini
Thisbodyis,afterall,meantforothers.Whilethereislifeinthebody,itis
meantfortheserviceofothers,andwhenitisdeaditismeanttobeeatenby
dogsandjackalsormaggots.Heissorrybecauseforsuchatemporarybody
suchahugemassacrewascommitted.
Wheneverthereisawar,thereiscertainlyamassacreofmanyinnocentliving
beings,suchasboys,brahmanasandwomen,whosekillingisconsideredtobe
thegreatestofsins.Theyareallinnocentcreatures,andinallcircumstances
killingofthemisforbiddeninthescriptures.
Thekillingwascommittednotinthecourseofadministrationbutforthesake
ofselfaggrandizement,andassuchhethoughthimselfresponsibleforallthe
sins.
Ihavekilledmanyfriendsofwomen,andIhavethuscausedenmitytosuchan
extentthatitisnotpossibletoundoitbymaterialwelfarework.
Thegrhamedhisarethosewhoseonlybusinessistoperformwelfareworkfor
thesakeofmaterialprosperity.Suchmaterialprosperityissometimes
hamperedbysinfulactivities,forthematerialistissuretocommitsins,even
unintentionally,inthecourseofdischargingmaterialduties.Togetrelieffrom
suchsinfulreactions,theVedasprescribeseveralkindsofsacrifices.Itissaid
intheVedasthatbyperformingtheAsvamedhayajna(horsesacrifice)onecan
getrelieffromevenbrahmahatya(killingofabrahmana).
Thewayofwork(karma)islikethat.Itcreatesoneactionandanotherreaction
simultaneouslyandthusincreasesthechainofmaterialactivities,bindingthe
performerinmaterialbondage.IntheBhagavadgita(Bg.9.2728)theremedy

issuggestedthatsuchactionsandreactionsofthepathofworkcanbe
checkedonlywhenworkisdoneonbehalfoftheSupremeLord.

TheBattleofKuruksetrawasactuallyfoughtbythewilloftheSupremeLord
SriKrsna,asitisevidentfromHisversion,andonlybyHiswillwas
YudhisthiraplacedonthethroneofHastinapura.Therefore,factuallynosin
whatsoevertouchedthePandavas,whowereonlytheordercarriersofthe
Lord.Forothers,whodeclarewaroutofpersonalinterest,thewhole
responsibilityliesonthem.
Asitisnotpossibletofiltermuddywaterthroughmud,orpurifyawine
stainedpotwithwine,itisnotpossibletocounteractthekillingofmenby
sacrificinganimals.
AsvamedhayajnasorGomedhayajnas,sacrificesinwhichahorseorabullis

sacrificed,werenot,ofcourse,forthepurposeofkillingtheanimals.Lord
Caitanyasaidthatsuchanimalssacrificedonthealtarofyajnawere
rejuvenatedandanewlifewasgiventothem.Itwasjusttoprovetheefficacy
ofthehymnsoftheVedas.
Inthisageofquarrelandhypocrisythereisnopossibilityofperformingthe
yajnasperfectlyforwantofexpertbrahmanaswhoareabletoconductsuch
yajnas.MaharajaYudhisthirathereforegivesahinttoperformingsacrificesin
theageofKali.IntheKaliyugatheonlysacrificerecommendedisthe
performanceofharinamayajnainauguratedbyLordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhu
Butoneshouldnotindulgeinanimalkillingandcounteractitbyperforming
theharinamayajna.
ThosewhoaredevoteesoftheLordneverkillananimalforselfinterest,and
(astheLordorderedArjuna)theydonotrefrainfromperformingthedutyofa
ksatriya.Thewholepurpose,therefore,isservedwheneverythingisdone
forthewilloftheLord.Thisispossibleonlyforthedevotees.
Chapter9

Bhismadevawasendowedwiththepowerofleavinghismaterialbodyatwill,
andhislyingdownonthebedofarrowswashisownchoice
LordSriKrsnawantedthePandavastobepresentbeforeBhismadevainthe
mostaristocraticordersothathemightbepleasedtoseethemhappyatthe
timeofhisdeath.

ButallthefamilymembersofthePandavasknewLordKrsnaastheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.TheLord,althoughconsciousofHissupreme
position,alwaysbehavedinahumanlycustom,andsoHealsoboweddown
beforethedyingBhismadevaasifHewereoneoftheyoungerbrothersofKing
Yudhisthira.

JusttoseethechiefofthedescendantsofKingBharata[Bhisma],allthegreat
soulsintheuniverse,namelythersisamongstthedemigods,brahmanasand
kings,allsituatedinthequalityofgoodness,wereassembledthere.
Thersisarethosewhohaveattainedperfectionbyspiritualachievements
Suchspiritualachievementscanbeearnedbyall,whetheroneisakingora
mendicant.Bhismadevahimselfwasalsooneofthebrahmarsisandthechiefof
thedescendantsofKingBharata.Allrsisaresituatedinthequalityof
goodness.
ParvataMuni:isconsideredtobeoneoftheoldestsages.Heisalmostalwaysa
constantcompanionofNaradaMuni.HewaspresentalongwithNaradaatthe
sacrificialceremonyofMaharajaJanamejaya,sonofMaharajaPariksit.Inthis
sacrificeallthesnakesoftheworldweretobekilled.
ParvataMuniandNaradaMuniarecalledGandharvasalsobecausetheycan
travelintheairsingingthegloriesoftheLord.Sincetheycantravelintheair,
theyobservedDraupadi'ssvayamvaraceremony(selectingofherown
husband)fromtheair
LikeNaradaMuni,ParvataMunialsousedtovisittheroyalassemblyinthe
heavenofKingIndra.AsaGandharva,sometimeshevisitedtheroyal
assemblyofKuvera,oneoftheimportantdemigods
NaradaMuni:isinevitablyassociatedwiththenarrationsofthePuranas.Heis
describedintheBhagavatam.Inhispreviouslifehewasthesonofa
maidservant,butbygoodassociationwithpuredevoteeshebecame
enlightenedindevotionalservice,andinthenextlifehebecameaperfectman
comparablewithhimselfonly.IntheMahabharatahisnameismentionedin
manyplaces.Heistheprincipledevarsi,orthechiefsageamongstthe
demigods.HeisthesonanddiscipleofBrahmaji,andfromhimthedisciplic
successioninthelineofBrahmahasbeenspread.HeinitiatedPrahlada
Maharaja,DhruvaMaharajaandmanycelebrateddevoteesoftheLord.He
initiatedevenVyasadeva,theauthoroftheVedicliteratures.Naradajihas
instructedmanykingsfromtimeimmemorial

Dhaumya:AgreatsagewhopracticedseverepenancesatUtkocakaTirthaand
wasappointedroyalpriestofthePandavakings.Heactedasthepriestinmany
religiousfunctionsofthePandavas(samskara),andalsoeachofthePandavas
wasattendedbyhimatthebetrothalofDraupadi.Hewaspresentevenduring
theexileofthePandavasandusedtoadvisethemincircumstanceswhenthey
wereperplexed.Heinstructedthemhowtoliveincognitoforoneyear,andhis
instructionswerestrictlyfollowedbythePandavasduringthattime.Hisname
ismentionedalsowhenthegeneralfuneralceremonywasperformedafterthe
BattleofKuruksetra.IntheAnusasanaparvaofMahabharata(127.1516),he
gavereligiousinstructionsveryelaboratelytoMaharajaYudhisthira.Hewas
actuallytherighttypeofpriestofahouseholder,forhecouldguidethe
Pandavasontherightpathofreligion.Apriestismeantforguidingthe
householderprogressivelyintherightpathofasramadharma,orthe
occupationaldutyofaparticularcaste.Thereispracticallynodifference
betweenthefamilypriestandthespiritualmaster.Thesages,saintsand
brahmanaswereespeciallymeantforsuchfunctions.
Amongstsagesheisthemostrespectedauthorbydintofseverepenances.
WhenhewantedtorecordthegreatepicMahabharataforthewelfareofall
peopleintheageofKali,hewasfeelingthenecessityofapowerfulwriterwho
couldtakeuphisdictation.BytheorderofBrahmaji,SriGanesajitookupthe
chargeofnotingdownthedictationontheconditionthatVyasadevawouldnot
stopdictationforamoment.TheMahabharatawasthuscompiledbythejoint
endeavorofVyasaandGanesa.
Bharadvaja:Heisoneofthesevengreatrsisandwaspresentatthetimeofthe
birthceremonyofArjuna.Thepowerfulrsisometimesundertooksevere
penancesontheshoreoftheGanges,andhisasramaisstillcelebratedat
Prayagadhama.Itislearnedthatthisrsi,whiletakingbathintheGanges,
happenedtomeetGhrtaci,oneofthebeautifulsocietygirlsofheaven,andthus
hedischargedsemen,whichwaskeptandpreservedinanearthenpotandfrom
whichDronawasborn.SoDronacaryaisthesonofBharadvajaMuni.
Parasurama,orRenukasuta:HeisthesonofMaharsiJamadagniandSrimati
Renuka.ThusheisalsoknownasRenukasuta.Heisoneofthepowerful
incarnationsofGod,andhekilledtheksatriyacommunityasawholetwenty

onetimes.Withthebloodoftheksatriyashepleasedthesoulsofhis
forefathers.LateronheunderwentseverepenancesattheMahendraParvata.
Aftertakingthewholeearthfromtheksatriyas,hegaveitincharitytoKasyapa
Muni.ParasuramainstructedtheDhanurveda,orthescienceoffighting,to
Dronacaryabecausehehappenedtobeabrahmana.

ParasuramaissooldthathemetbothRamaandKrsnaatdifferenttimes.He
foughtwithRama,butheacceptedKrsnaastheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead.HealsopraisedArjunawhenhesawhimwithKrsna.WhenBhisma
refusedtomarryAmba,whowantedhimtobecomeherhusband,Ambamet
Parasurama,andbyherrequestonly,heaskedBhismadevatoacceptherashis
wife.Bhismarefusedtoobeyhisorder,althoughhewasoneofthespiritual
mastersofBhismadeva.ParasuramafoughtwithBhismadevawhenBhisma
neglectedhiswarning.Bothofthemfoughtveryseverely,andatlast
ParasuramawaspleasedwithBhismaandgavehimthebenedictionof
becomingthegreatestfighterintheworld.
Vasistha:Thegreatcelebratedsageamongthebrahmanas,wellknownasthe
BrahmarsiVasisthadeva.HeisaprominentfigureinboththeRamayanaand
Mahabharataperiods.HecelebratedthecoronationceremonyofthePersonality
ofGodheadSriRama.HewaspresentalsoontheBattlefieldofKuruksetra.He
couldapproachallthehigherandlowerplanets,andhisnameisalsoconnected
withthehistoryofHiranyakasipu.Therewasagreattensionbetweenhimand
Visvamitra,whowantedhiskamadhenu,wishfulfillingcow.VasisthaMuni
refusedtosparehiskamadhenu,andforthisVisvamitrakilledhisonehundred
sons.AsaperfectbrahmanahetoleratedallthetauntsofVisvamitra.Heisalso
oneofthesevenrsisandhusbandofArundhati,thefamousstar.
TritawasoneofthesevensagesintheVarunaloka.Hehailedfromthe
Westerncountriesoftheworld.Assuch,mostprobablyhebelongedtothe
Europeancountries.AtthattimethewholeworldwasunderoneVedicculture.
SometimestheenemiesofIndramistookGrtsamadatobeIndraandarrested
him.HewasagreatscholaroftheRgveda,andthushewashighlyrespected
bythebrahmanacommunity.Helivedalifeofcelibacyandwaspowerfulin
everyrespect.
Atri:AtriMuniwasagreatbrahmanasageandwasoneofthementalsonsof
Brahmaji.Brahmajiissopowerfulthatsimplybythinkingofasonhecanhave
it.Thesesonsareknownasmanasaputras.Outofsevenmanasaputrasof

Brahmajiandoutofthesevengreatbrahmanasages,Atriwasone.Inhis
familythegreatPracetaswerealsoborn.AtriMunihadtwoksatriyasonswho
becamekings.KingArthamaisoneofthem.Heiscountedasoneofthe
twentyoneprajapatis.Hiswife'snamewasAnasuya,andhehelpedMaharaja
Pariksitinhisgreatsacrifices.
Agnidevapresentedthisweapon,Sudarsana,toKrsnainthesamewaythat
RukminiwasgivenbyMaharajaRukmatotheLord.TheLordacceptssuch
presentationsfromHisdevotees,eventhoughsuchpresentationsareeternally
Hisproperty.ThereisanelaboratedescriptionofthisweaponintheAdiparva
oftheMahabharata.
SukadevaGosvamirecited1,400,000versesoftheMahabharatainthecouncils
oftheGandharvas,YaksasandRaksasas,andherecitedSrimadBhagavatam
forthefirsttimeinthepresenceofMaharajaPariksit.Sometimeshewentto
thesunplanetwiththepermissionofhisfatherandNaradaji.Descriptionsof
histravelinspacearegivenintheSantiparvaoftheMahabharata(332).At
lastheattainedthetranscende
Kasyapa:Oneoftheprajapatis,thesonofMariciandoneofthesonsinlawof
PrajapatiDaksa.HeisthefatherofthegiganticbirdGaruda,whowasgiven
elephantsandtortoisesaseatables.HemarriedthirteendaughtersofPrajapati
Daksa,andtheirnamesareAditi,Diti,Danu,Kastha,Arista,Surasa,Ila,Muni,
Krodhavasa,Tamra,Surabhi,SaramaandTimi.Hebegotmanychildren,both
demigodsanddemons,bythosewives.Fromhisfirstwife,Aditi,allthetwelve
Adityaswereborn;oneofthemisVamana,theincarnationofGodhead.This
greatsage,Kasyapa,wasalsopresentatthetimeofArjuna'sbirth.Hereceived
apresentationofthewholeworldfromParasurama,andlateronheasked
Parasuramatogooutoftheworld.HisothernameisAristanemi.Heliveson
thenorthernsideoftheuniverse.
Angirasa:HeisthesonofMaharsiAngiraandisknownasBrhaspati,thepriest
ofthedemigods.ItissaidthatDronacaryawashispartialincarnation.
Sukracaryawasthespiritualmasterofthedemons,andBrhaspatichallenged
him.HissonisKaca,andhedeliveredthefireweaponfirsttoBharadvaja
Muni.Hebegotsixsons(likethefiregod)byhiswifeCandramasi,oneofthe
reputedstars.Hecouldtravelinspace,andthereforehecouldpresenthimself
evenintheplanetsofBrahmalokaandIndraloka.HeadvisedtheKingof
heaven,Indra,aboutconqueringthedemons.OncehecursedIndra,whothus
hadtobecomeahogontheearthandwasunwillingtoreturntoheaven.Such
isthepoweroftheattractionoftheillusoryenergy.Evenahogdoesnotwish
topartwithitsearthlypossessionsinexchangeforaheavenlykingdom.He
wasthereligiouspreceptorofthenativesofdifferentplanets.
Bhismadeva,whowasthebestamongsttheeightVasus,receivedand

welcomedallthegreatandpowerfulrsiswhowereassembledthere,forhe
knewperfectlyallthereligiousprinciplesaccordingtotimeandplace.
Therearedifferentclimatesandsituationsindifferentpartsoftheworld,andif
onehastodischargehisdutiestopreachthemessageoftheLord,hemustbe
expertinadjustingthingsintermsofthetimeandplace.Bhismadevawasone
ofthetwelvegreatauthoritiesinpreachingthiscultofdevotionalservice,and
thereforehecouldreceiveandwelcomeallthepowerfulsagesassembledthere
athisdeathbedfromallpartsoftheuniverse.
Onecanperformone'sdutybyphysicalwork,bymindandbywords.Andhe
knewwellhowtoutilizethemintheproperplace,andthereforetherewasno
difficultyforhimtoreceivethem,althoughphysicallyunfit.
TheLord'somnipotencyisdisplayedbyHissimultaneouspresenceinevery
place.HeispresentalwaysinHiseternalabodeGolokaVrndavana,andstill
Heispresentineveryone'sheartandevenwithineveryinvisibleatom.When
HemanifestsHiseternaltranscendentalforminthematerialworld,Hedoesso
byHisinternalpotency.Theexternalpotency,orthematerialenergy,has
nothingtodowithHiseternalform.
WhenMaharajaPandudied,hissonswereallsmallchildren,andnaturallythey
werebroughtupundertheaffectionofelderlymembersoftheroyalfamily,
specificallybyBhismadeva.Lateron,whenthePandavasweregrownup,they
werecheatedbycunningDuryodhanaandcompany,andBhismadeva,although
heknewthatthePandavaswereinnocentandwereunnecessarilyputinto
trouble,couldnottakethesideofthePandavasforpoliticalreasons.Atthelast
stageofhislife,whenBhismadevasawhismostexaltedgrandsons,headedby
MaharajaYudhisthira,sittingverygentlyathisside,thegreatwarrior
grandfathercouldnotcheckhislovingtears,whichwereautomaticallyflowing
fromhiseyes.Herememberedthegreattribulationssufferedbyhismostpious
grandsons.
Bhismadevasaid:Oh,whatterriblesufferingsandwhatterribleinjusticesyou
goodsoulssufferforbeingthesonsofreligionpersonified.Youdidnot
deservetoremainaliveunderthosetribulations,yetyouwereprotectedbythe
brahmanas,Godandreligion.
AslongasapersonisfullyincooperationwiththewishesoftheLord,
guidedbythebonafidebrahmanasandVaisnavasandstrictlyfollowing
religiousprinciples,onehasnocausefordespondency,howevertryingthe
circumstancesoflife
ThesufferingsofKuntideviaredoublylamented.Shesufferedgreatlybecause
ofearlywidowhoodandtogetherminorchildrenbroughtupintheroyal

family.Andwhenherchildrenweregrownup,shecontinuedtosufferbecause
ofhersons'actions.Sohersufferingscontinued.Thismeansthatshewas
destinedtosufferbyprovidence,andthisonehastotoleratewithoutbeing
disturbed.
Allthebiggiganticplanets,includingthesun,arebeingcontrolledbytheforce
ofair,asthecloudsarecarriedbytheforceofair.Similarly,theinevitable
kala,ortime,controlseventheactionoftheairandotherelements.Everything,
therefore,iscontrolledbythesupremekala,aforcefulrepresentativeofthe
Lordwithinthematerialworld
ThusYudhisthirashouldnotbesorryfortheinconceivableactionoftime.
Everyonehastobeartheactionsandreactionsoftimeaslongasoneiswithin
theconditionsofthematerialworld.Yudhisthirashouldnotthinkthathehad
committedsinsinhispreviousbirthandissufferingtheconsequence.Eventhe
mostpioushastosuffertheconditionofmaterialnature
ButapiousmanisfaithfultotheLord,forheisguidedbythebonafide
brahmanaandVaisnavafollowingthereligiousprinciples.Thesethreeguiding
principlesshouldbetheaimoflife.Oneshouldnotbedisturbedbythetricks
ofeternaltime
Eventhegreatcontrolleroftheuniverse,Brahmaji,isalsounderthecontrolof
thattime;therefore,oneshouldnotgrudgebeingthuscontrolledbytime
despitebeingatruefollowerofreligiousprinciples.
Asfarasthematerialorspiritualresourceswererequired,therewasnoscarcity
inthecaseofthePandavas.Materiallytheywerewellequippedbecausetwo
greatwarriors,namelyBhimaandArjuna,werethere.SpirituallytheKing
himselfwasthesymbolofreligion,andaboveallofthemthePersonalityof
Godhead,LordSriKrsna,waspersonallyconcernedwiththeiraffairsasthe
wellwisher.AndyetthereweresomanyreversesonthesideofthePandavas.
Despitethepowerofpiousacts,thepowerofpersonalities,thepowerofexpert
managementandthepowerofweaponsunderthedirectsupervisionofLord
Krsna,thePandavassufferedsomanypracticalreverses,whichcanonlybe
explainedasduetotheinfluenceofkala,inevitabletime.
KalaisidenticalwiththeLordHimself,andthereforetheinfluenceofkala
indicatestheinexplicablewishoftheLordHimself.Thereisnothingtobe
lamentedwhenamatterisbeyondthecontrolofanyhumanbeing.
OKing,noonecanknowtheplanoftheLord[SriKrsna].Eventhough
greatphilosophersinquireexhaustively,theyarebewildered.
Eventheexhaustivephilosophicalinquiriesofsagescannotascertaintheplan
oftheLord.ThebestpolicyissimplytoabidebytheordersoftheLord

withoutargument.ThesufferingsofthePandavaswereneverduetotheirpast
deeds.TheLordhadtoexecutetheplanofestablishingthekingdomofvirtue,
andthereforeHisowndevoteessufferedtemporarilyinordertoestablishthe
conquestofvirtue.
EvenagreatfighterlikeBhismacouldnotwintheBattleofKuruksetra
becausetheLordwantedtoshowthatvicecannotconquervirtue,regardlessof
whotriestoexecuteit.BhismadevawasagreatdevoteeoftheLord,buthe
chosetofightagainstthePandavasbythewilloftheLordbecausetheLord
wantedtoshowthatafighterlikeBhismacannotwinonthewrongside.
Thepopularsayingisthatahousewifeteachesthedaughterinlawbyteaching
thedaughter.Similarly,theLordteachestheworldbyteachingthedevotee.
ThedevoteedoesnothavetolearnanythingnewfromtheLordbecausethe
Lordteachesthesinceredevoteealwaysfromwithin.Whenever,therefore,a
showismadetoteachthedevotee,asinthecaseoftheteachingsofBhagavad
gita,itisforteachingthelessintelligentmen.Adevotee'sduty,therefore,isto
ungrudginglyaccepttribulationsfromtheLordasabenediction.
ApuredevoteeoftheLordacceptstribulationsasfavorsfromtheLord.Since
theLordisabsolute,thereisnomundanedifferencebetweenthetwo.
ThisSriKrsnaisnootherthantheinconceivable,originalPersonalityof
Godhead.HeisthefirstNarayana,thesupremeenjoyer.ButHeismoving
amongstthedescendantsofKingVrsnijustlikeoneofusandHeis
bewilderinguswithHisselfcreatedenergy.
BhismadevasaysthatHeisthefirstNarayana.Thisisalsoconfirmedby
BrahmajiintheBhagavatam(10.14.14).KrsnaisthefirstNarayana.Inthe
spiritualworld(Vaikuntha)thereareunlimitednumbersofNarayanas,whoare
allthesamePersonalityofGodheadandareconsideredtobetheplenary
expansionsoftheoriginalPersonalityofGodhead,SriKrsna.Thefirstformof
theLordSriKrsnafirstexpandsHimselfastheformofBaladeva,and
Baladevaexpandsinsomanyotherforms,suchasSankarsana,Pradyumna,
Aniruddha,Vasudeva,Narayana,Purusa,RamaandNrsimha.Allthese
expansionsareoneandthesamevisnutattva,andSriKrsnaistheoriginal
sourceofalltheplenaryexpansions.HeisthereforethedirectPersonalityof
Godhead.
ThebewildermentregardingSriKrsnaisduetotheactionofHistwofold
internalandexternalenergiesuponthethirdone,calledmarginalenergy.The
livingentitiesareexpansionsofHismarginalenergy,andthustheyare
sometimesbewilderedbytheinternalenergyandsometimesbytheexternal
energy.

Byinternalenergeticbewilderment,SriKrsnaexpandsHimselfintounlimited
numbersofNarayanasandexchangesoracceptstranscendentallovingservice
fromthelivingentitiesinthetranscendentalworld.AndbyHisexternal
energeticexpansions,HeincarnatesHimselfinthematerialworldamongstthe
men,animalsordemigodstoreestablishHisforgottenrelationwiththeliving
entitiesindifferentspeciesoflife.GreatauthoritieslikeBhisma,however,
escapeHisbewildermentbythemercyoftheLord.
OKing,LordSiva,Naradathesageamongstthedemigods,andKapila,the
incarnationofGodhead,allknowveryconfidentiallyaboutHisglories
throughdirectcontact.
PuredevoteesoftheLordareallbhavas,orpersonswhoknowthegloriesof
theLordindifferenttranscendentallovingservices.AstheLordhas
innumerableexpansionsofHisplenaryform,thereareinnumerablepure
devoteesoftheLord,whoareengagedintheexchangeofserviceofdifferent
humors.
OrdinarilytherearetwelvegreatdevoteesoftheLord,namelyBrahma,
Narada,Siva,Kumara,Kapila,Manu,Prahlada,Bhisma,Janaka,Sukadeva
Gosvami,BaliMaharajaandYamaraja.
SrilaVisvanathaCakravartiThakura,oneofthegreatacaryasinthemodern
age,explainsthatanubhava,orthegloryoftheLord,isfirstappreciatedbythe
devoteeinecstasymanifestingthesymptomsofperspiring,trembling,
weeping,bodilyeruptions,etc.,whicharefurtherenhancedbysteady
understandingofthegloriesoftheLord
SuchdifferentunderstandingsofbhavasareexchangedbetweenYasodaand
theLord(bindingtheLordbyropes)andinthechariotdrivingbytheLordin
theexchangeoflovewithArjuna.ThesegloriesoftheLordareexhibitedin
HisbeingsubordinatedbeforeHisdevotees,andthatisanotherfeatureofthe
gloriesoftheLord
SukadevaGosvamiandtheKumaras,althoughsituatedinthetranscendental
position,becameconvertedbyanotherfeatureofbhavaandturnedintopure
devoteesoftheLord.TribulationsimposeduponthedevoteesbytheLord
constituteanotherexchangeoftranscendentalbhavabetweentheLordandthe
devotees.TheLordsays"IputMydevoteeintodifficulty,andthusthedevotee
becomesmorepurifiedinexchangingtranscendentalbhavawithMe."
Placingthedevoteeintomaterialtroublesnecessitatesdeliveringhimfromthe
illusorymaterialrelations.Thematerialrelationsarebasedonreciprocationof
materialenjoyment,whichdependsmainlyonmaterialresources.Therefore,
whenmaterialresourcesarewithdrawnbytheLord,thedevoteeiscentpercent
attractedtowardthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.

TribulationsofferedbytheLordtoHisdevoteearedifferentfromthe
tribulationsresultingfromviciousaction.AllthesegloriesoftheLordare
especiallyknowntothegreatmahajanaslikeBrahma,Siva,Narada,Kapila,
KumaraandBhisma,asmentionedabove,andoneisabletograspitbytheir
grace.
OutofHiscauselessmercyandfavoruponHisunalloyeddevotees,He
performsallkindsofservice,butthatdoesnotmeanthatHehaschangedHis
positionastheAbsolutePerson.TothinkofHimasanordinarymanisthe
grossesttypeofignorance.
BeingtheAbsolutePersonalityofGodhead,Heispresentineveryone'sheart.
Heisequallykindtoeveryone,andHeisfreefromthefalseegoof
differentiation.ThereforewhateverHedoesisfreefrommaterialinebriety.He
isequibalanced.
Heiskaivalya;thereisnothingexceptHimself.
Thesunisidentifiedwitheveryinchofthesunraysandeverymolecular
particleoftherays
SinceHehasnothingtodowiththematerialconceptionoflifebecauseHeis
absolutespiritualidentity,thereisforHimnosuperiororinferioraction.
BeingtheAbsolutePersonalityofGodhead,Hehasnofalseego,andsoHe
doesnotidentifyHimselfwithanythingdifferentfromHim.
ThematerialconceptionofegoisequibalancedinHim.Hedoesnotfeel,
therefore,inferiorbybecomingthechariotdriverofHispuredevotee.
Itisthegloryofthepuredevoteethatonlyhecanbringaboutservicefromthe
affectionateLord.
TheSupremeLord,theAbsolutePersonalityofGodhead,SriKrsna,although
equaltoeveryone,isstillmoreinclinedtoHisunflinchingdevoteewhois
completelysurrenderedandknowsnooneelseashisprotectorandmaster
AlivingentityissomadebythewilloftheAlmightythatheismosthappy
whenplacinghimselfinaconditionofabsolutedependence.
Theoppositetendencyisthecauseoffalldown.Thelivingentityhasthis
tendencyoffallingdownbydintofmisidentifyinghimselfasfullyindependent
tolorditoverthematerialworld.Therootcauseofalltroublesisthereinfalse
egotism.
OnemustdrawtowardstheLordinallcircumstances.

ArjunahadsomebodilyrelationwithKrsnabecausetheLordhappenedtobe
hismaternalcousin.ButBhismahadnosuchbodilyrelation.Thereforethe
causeofattractionwasduetotheintimaterelationofthesoul
Yetbecausetherelationofthebodyisverypleasingandnatural,theLordis
morepleasedwhenHeisaddressedasthesonofMaharajaNanda,thesonof
Yasoda,theloverofRadharani.ThisaffinitybybodilyrelationwiththeLordis
anotherfeatureofreciprocatinglovingservicewiththeLord.
Bhismadevaisconsciousofthissweetnessoftranscendentalhumor,and
thereforehelikestoaddresstheLordasVijayaSakhe,ParthaSakhe,etc.,
exactlylikeNandanandanaorYasodanandana
ThePersonalityofGodhead,whoappearsinthemindofthedevoteeby
attentivedevotionandmeditationandbychantingoftheholyname,releases
thedevoteefromthebondageoffruitiveactivitiesatthetimeofhisquittingthe
materialbody.

SuchayogidevoteeoftheLordengageshimselftwentyfourhoursdailyinthe
serviceoftheLordsothathiswholeattentionisengrossedwiththethoughtsof
theLordinninefolddevotionalservice,namelyhearing,chanting,
remembering,worshiping,praying,becomingavoluntaryservant,carryingout
orders,establishingafriendlyrelationship,orofferingallthatonemaypossess,
intheserviceoftheLord.Bysuchpracticeofyoga,orlinkingupintheservice
oftheLord,oneisrecognizedbytheLordHimself,asitisexplainedinthe
Bhagavadgitaconcerningthehighestperfectionalstageofsamadhi.
Suchmateriallifeisproducedbymaterialdesiresonly.Devotionalserviceto
theLorddoesnotkillthenaturaldesiresofthelivingbeing,buttheyare
appliedintherightcauseofdevotionalservice.Thisqualifiesthedesiretobe
transferredtothespiritualsky.
AVaisnavaisalwayshumbleinhisbehavior.
AVaisnavaisnotpuffedup,althoughtheLordguaranteesHispuredevotee
entranceintoHisabode.
ThismeansthatthegreatGeneralwouldquitthebodybyhisownwill;hewas
notbeingforcedbythelawsofnature.Hewassopowerfulthathecouldstay

inhisbodyaslongashedesired.
HedesiredthattheLordstaybeforehiminHisfourhandedNarayanafeature
sothathemightconcentrateuponHimandthusbeintranceinthatmeditation.
ThenhismindmightbesanctifiedwiththinkingoftheLord.
ApuredevoteeisneververyanxioustogobacktothekingdomofGod.He
entirelydependsonthegoodwilloftheLord.Heisequallysatisfiedevenifthe
Lorddesireshimtogotohell.Theonlydesirethatapuredevoteeentertainsis
thathemayalwaysbeinraptattentionwiththinkingofthelotusfeetofthe
Lord,regardless
Bhismadevawantedthismuchonly:thathismindbeabsorbedinthinkingof
theLordandthathepassawaythus.Thatisthehighestambitionofapure
devotee.
AndMaharajaYudhisthirawasinspiredbyLordSriKrsnatoaskhimofthe
principlesofreligion.LordSriKrsnainspiredMaharajaYudhisthiratoask
Bhismadevainthepresenceofmanygreatsages,indicatingtherebythatthe
Lord'sdevoteelikeBhismadeva,althoughapparentlylivingasaworldlyman,
isfarsuperiortomanygreatsages,evenVyasadeva.

AnotherpointisthatBhismadevaatthattimewasnotonlylyingonadeathbed
ofarrows,butwasgreatlyaggrievedbecauseofthatstate.Oneshouldnothave
askedhimanyquestionatthattime,butLordSriKrsnawantedtoprovethat
Hispuredevoteesarealwayssoundinbodyandmindbydintofspiritual
enlightenment,andthusinanycircumstancesadevoteeoftheLordisin
perfectordertospeakoftherightwayoflife.
Thefatherlikestoseethesonbecomemorefamousthanhimself.TheLord
declaresveryemphaticallythatworshipofHisdevoteeismorevaluablethan
theworshipoftheLordHimself.
Thenhesystematically,intwofolddivisions,describedcounteractionby
detachmentandinteractionbyattachment.
Theconceptionoffourcastesandfourordersoflife,asplannedbytheLord
Himself(Bg.4.13),istoacceleratetranscendentalqualitiesoftheindividual
personsothathemaygraduallyrealizehisspiritualidentityandthusact
accordinglytogetfreefrommaterialbondage,orconditionallife.

Thevarnasramadharmaisprescribedforthecivilizedhumanbeingjusttotrain
himtosuccessfullyterminatehumanlife
Selfrealizationisdistinguishedfromthelifeoftheloweranimalsengagedin
eating,sleeping,fearingandmating.
Bhismadevaadvisedforallhumanbeingsninequalifications:(1)notto
becomeangry,(2)nottolie,(3)toequallydistributewealth,(4)toforgive,(5)
tobegetchildrenonlybyone'slegitimatewife,(6)tobepureinmindand
hygienicinbody,(7)nottobeinimicaltowardanyone,(8)tobesimple,and
(9)tosupportservantsorsubordinates
Besidesthese,thebrahmanas(theintelligentmen),theadministrativemen,the
mercantilecommunityandthelaborerclassmustacquirespecialqualitiesin
termsofoccupationaldutiesmentionedinalltheVedicscriptures.
Fortheintelligentmen,controllingthesensesisthemostessential
qualification.Itisthebasisofmorality.Sexindulgenceevenwithalegitimate
wifemustalsobecontrolled,andtherebyfamilycontrolwillautomatically
follow.
Anintelligentmanabuseshisgreatqualificationsifhedoesnotfollowthe
Vedicwayoflife.ThismeanshemustseriouslymakeastudyoftheVedic
literatures,especiallyoftheSrimadBhagavatamandtheBhagavadgita

Hemustnotdothingswhichareforbiddeninthesastras.Apersoncannotbea
teacherifhedrinksorsmokes.Inthemodernsystemofeducationtheteacher's
academicqualificationistakenintoconsiderationwithoutevaluationofhis
morallife.
Therefore,theresultofeducationismisuseofhighintelligenceinsomany
ways.
Theksatriya,thememberoftheadministrativeclass,isespeciallyadvisedto
givecharityandnottoacceptcharityinanycircumstances.Modern
administratorsraisesubscriptionsforsomepoliticalfunctions,butnevergive
charitytothecitizensinanystatefunction.Itisjustthereverseinthe
injunctionsofthesastras.
Theadministrativeclassmustbewellversedinthesastras,butmustnottaketo
theprofessionofteachers.Theadministratorsshouldneverpretendtobecome
nonviolentandtherebygotohell.

Theadministrativeclassmustbepersonallytrainedinmilitaryeducation.
Cowardsshouldnotbeelevatedtothepresidentialthronebydintofnumerical
votesonly.Themonarchswereallchivalrouspersonalities
Infighting,thekingorthepresidentshouldneverreturnhomewithoutbeing
hurtbytheenemy.Thesocalledkingoftodaynevervisitsthewarfield.
Assoonastheadministrativeclassisturnedintoagangofmercantileand
laborermen,thewholemachineryofgovernmentbecomespolluted.
Thevaisyas,themembersofthemercantilecommunities,areespecially
advisedtoprotectthecows.Cowprotectionmeansincreasingthemilk
productions,namelycurdandbutter.Agricultureanddistributionofthe
foodstuffaretheprimarydutiesofthemercantilecommunitybackedby
educationinVedicknowledgeandtrainedtogiveincharity.Astheksatriyas
weregivenchargeoftheprotectionofthecitizens,vaisyasweregiventhe
chargeoftheprotectionofanimals.
Forahumanbeing,agriculturalproduce,fruitsandmilkaresufficientand
compatiblefoodstuffs.Thehumansocietyshouldgivemoreattentiontoanimal
protection.
Theproductiveenergyofthelaborerismisusedwhenheisoccupiedby
industrialenterprises.Industryofvarioustypescannotproducetheessential
needsofman,namelyrice,wheat,grains,milk,fruitsandvegetables.The
productionofmachinesandmachinetoolsincreasestheartificiallivingfashion
ofaclassofvestedinterestsandkeepsthousandsofmeninstarvationand
unrest.Thisshouldnotbethestandardofcivilization.
Thesudraclassislessintelligentandshouldhavenoindependence.Theyare
meantforrenderingsincereservicetothethreehighersectionsofthesociety.
Thesudraclasscanattainallcomfortsoflifesimplybyrenderingservicetothe
higherclasses.Itisespeciallyenjoinedthatasudrashouldneverbankmoney.
Assoonasthesudrasaccumulatewealth,itwillbemisusedforsinfulactivities
inwine,womenandgambling.Wine,womenandgamblingindicatethatthe
populationisdegradedtolessthansudraquality.
Thehighercastesshouldalwayslookafterthemaintenanceofthesudras,and
theyshouldprovidethemwitholdandusedgarments.Asudrashouldnotleave
hismasterwhenthemasterisoldandinvalid,andthemastershouldkeepthe
servantssatisfiedinallrespects.Thesudrasmustfirstofallbesatisfiedby
sumptuousfoodandclothingbeforeanysacrificeisperformed.Inthisageso
manyfunctionsareheldbyspendingmillions,butthepoorlaborerisnot
sumptuouslyfedorgivencharity,clothing,etc.Thelaborersarethus
dissatisfied,andsotheymakeagitation.

Thevarnasare,sotospeak,classificationsofdifferentoccupations,and
asramadharmaisgradualprogressonthepathofselfrealization.Bothare
interrelated,andoneisdependentontheother.Themainpurposeofasrama
dharmaistoawakenknowledgeanddetachment
Thebrahmacariasramaisthetraininggroundfortheprospectivecandidates.In
thisasramaitisinstructedthatthismaterialworldisnotactuallythehome
ofthelivingbeing.
Theconditionedsoulsundermaterialbondageareprisonersofmatter,and
thereforeselfrealizationistheultimateaimoflife.
Onewhofailstoassimilatethisspiritofdetachmentisallowedtoenterinto
familylifewiththesamespiritofdetachment.Therefore,onewhoattains
detachmentmayatonceadoptthefourthorder,namely,renounced,andthus
liveoncharityonly,nottoaccumulatewealth,butjusttokeepbodyandsoul
togetherforultimaterealization.
Householdlifeisforonewhoisattached,andthevanaprasthaandsannyasa
ordersoflifeareforthosewhoaredetachedfrommateriallife.The
brahmacariasramaisespeciallymeantfortrainingboththeattachedand
detached.
Togivecharityisoneofthehouseholder'smainfunctions,andheshouldbe
preparedtogiveincharityatleastfiftypercentofhishardearnedmoney.
Abrahmacari,orstudent,shouldperformsacrifices,ahouseholdershouldgive
charity,andapersonintheretiredlifeorintherenouncedordershould
practicepenancesandausterities.

Inthebrahmacarilifethetrainingissufficientlyimpartedsothatonemay
understandthattheworldaspropertybelongstotheSupremeLord,the
PersonalityofGodhead.Noone,therefore,canclaimtobetheproprietorof
anythingintheworld
Therefore,inthelifeofahouseholder,whichisasortoflicenseforsex
enjoyment,onemustgiveincharityfortheserviceoftheLord.
Everyone'senergyisgeneratedorborrowedfromthereservoirofenergyofthe
Lord;therefore,theresultantactionsofsuchenergymustbegiventotheLord
intheshapeoftranscendentallovingserviceforHim
Astheriversdrawwaterfromtheseathroughthecloudsandagaingodownto
thesea,similarlyourenergyisborrowedfromthesupremesource,theLord's

energy,anditmustreturntotheLord.Thatistheperfectionofourenergy.The
Lord,therefore,intheBhagavadgita(9.27)saysthatwhateverwedo,
whateverweundergoaspenance,whateverwesacrifice,whateverweeator
whateverwegiveincharitymustbeofferedtoHim(theLord).Thatistheway
ofutilizingourborrowedenergy.Whenourenergyisutilizedinthatway,our
energyispurifiedfromthecontaminationofmaterialinebrieties,andthuswe
becomefitforouroriginalnaturallifeofservicetotheLord.
Rajadharmaisagreatscience,unlikemoderndiplomacyforpolitical
supremacy.Thekingsweretrainedsystematicallytobecomemunificentand
notmerelybetaxcollectors.Theyweretrainedtoperformdifferentsacrifices
onlyfortheprosperityofthesubjects.Toleadtheprajastotheattainmentof
salvationwasagreatdutyoftheking.
Thefather,thespiritualmasterandthekingarenottobecomeirresponsiblein
thematterofleadingtheirsubjectstothepathofultimateliberationfrombirth,
death,diseasesandoldage.Whentheseprimarydutiesareproperly
discharged,thereisnoneedofgovernmentofthepeople,bythepeople.
Actuallythequalifiedbrahmanasaremeanttogivedirectiontothekingsfor
properadministrationintermsofthescripturesliketheManusamhitaand
DharmasastrasofParasara.Atypicalkingistheidealofthepeopleingeneral,
andifthekingispious,religious,chivalrousandmunificent,thecitizens
generallyfollowhim.Suchakingisnotalazysensuouspersonlivingatthe
costofthesubjects,butalertalwaystokillthievesanddacoits.Thepiouskings
werenotmercifultodacoitsandthievesinthenameofnonsensicalahimsa
(nonviolence).Thethievesanddacoitswerepunishedinanexemplarywayso
thatinthefuturenoonewoulddarecommitsuchnuisancesinanorganized
form.Suchthievesanddacoitswerenevermeantforadministrationastheyare
now.

Thetaxationlawwassimple.Therewasnoforce,noencroachment.Theking
hadarighttotakeonefourthoftheproductionmadebythesubject.Theking
hadarighttoclaimafourthofone'sallottedwealth.Onewouldnevergrudge
partingwithitbecauseduetothepiouskingandreligiousharmonytherewas
enoughnaturalwealth,namelygrains,fruits,flowers,silk,cotton,milk,jewels,
minerals,etc.,andthereforenoonewasmateriallyunhappy.Thecitizenswere
richinagricultureandanimalhusbandry,andthereforetheyhadenoughgrains,
fruitsandmilkwithoutanyartificialneedsofsoapsandtoilets,cinemasand
bars.
Thekinghadtoseethatthereservedenergyofhumanitywasproperlyutilized.

Humanenergyismeantnotexactlyforfulfillinganimalpropensities,butfor
selfrealization.
Thekingwasespeciallyvigilanttoseethatthetapasvis,orpersonswho
sacrificedeverythingfordisseminatingspiritualknowledge,werenever
disregarded.ThekingknewwellthattheSupremePersonalityofGodhead
nevertoleratesanyinsulttoHisunalloyeddevotees.Suchtapasvisweretrusted
leadersevenoftheroguesandthieves,whowouldneverdisobeytheordersof
tapasvis.
Thekingwouldgivespecialprotectiontoilliterates,thehelplessandwidows
ofthestate.Defensemeasureswerearrangedprevioustoanyattackbythe
enemies.Thetaxingprocesswaseasy,anditwasnotmeantforsquandering,
butwasforstrengtheningthereservefund.Thesoldierswererecruitedfromall
partsoftheworld,andtheyweretrainedforspecialduties.
Asfarassalvationisconcerned,onehastoconquertheprinciplesoflust,
anger,unlawfuldesires,avariceandbewilderment.Togetfreedomfromanger,
oneshouldlearnhowtoforgive.Tobefreefromunlawfuldesiresoneshould
notmakeplans.Byspiritualcultureoneisabletoconquersleep.Bytolerance
onlycanoneconquerdesiresandavarice.Disturbancesfromvariousdiseases
canbeavoidedbyregulateddiets.Byselfcontrolonecanbefreefromfalse
hopes,andmoneycanbesavedbyavoidingundesirableassociation.By
practiceofyogaonecancontrolhunger,andworldlinesscanbeavoidedby
culturingtheknowledgeofimpermanence.Dizzinesscanbeconqueredby
risingup,andfalseargumentscanbeconqueredbyfactualascertainment.
Talkativenesscanbeavoidedbygravityandsilence,andbyprowessonecan
avoidfearfulness.Perfectknowledgecanbeobtainedbyselfcultivation.One
mustbefreefromlust,avarice,anger,dreaming,etc.,toactuallyattainthepath
ofsalvation.

Asfarasthewomenclassareconcerned,theyareacceptedasapowerof
inspirationformen.Assuch,womenaremorepowerfulthanmen.Mighty
JuliusCaesarwascontrolledbyaCleopatra.Suchpowerfulwomenare
controlledbyshyness.Therefore,shynessisimportantforwomen.Oncethis
controlvalveisloosened,womencancreatehavocinsocietybyadultery.
Adulterymeansproductionofunwantedchildrenknownasvarnasankara,who
disturbtheworld.
ThelastitemtaughtbyBhismadevawastheprocessofpleasingtheLord.We

arealleternalservantsoftheLord,andwhenweforgetthisessentialpartof
ournatureweareputintomaterialconditionsoflife.Thesimpleprocessof
pleasingtheLord(forthehouseholdersespecially)istoinstalltheDeityofthe
Lordathome.ByconcentratingontheDeity,onemayprogressivelygoon
withthedailyroutinework.WorshipingtheDeityathome,servingthe
devotee,hearingtheSrimadBhagavatam,residinginaholyplaceandchanting
theholynameoftheLordareallinexpensiveitemsbywhichonecanplease
theLord.
WhileBhismadevawasdescribingoccupationalduties,thesun'scourseran
intothenorthernhemisphere.Thisperiodisdesiredbymysticswhodieattheir
will.
Theperfectyogisormysticscanleavethematerialbodyattheirownsweet
willatasuitabletimeandgotoasuitableplanetdesiredbythem.Thisisa
differentscience,andBhismadevaknewwellhowtoutilizeit.
IntheBhagavadgita(8.24)itissaidthatselfrealizedsoulswhohaveexactly
identifiedthemselveswiththeinterestoftheSupremeLordcangenerallyleave
thematerialbodyduringthetimeofthefiregod'seffulgenceandwhenthesun
isinthenorthernhorizon,andthusachievethetranscendentalsky
Thereuponthatmanwhospokeondifferentsubjectswiththousandsof
meaningsandwhofoughtonthousandsofbattlefieldsandprotectedthousands
ofmen,stoppedspeakingand,beingcompletelyfreedfromallbondage,
withdrewhismindfromeverythingelseandfixedhiswideopeneyesuponthe
originalPersonalityofGodhead,SriKrsna,whostoodbeforehim,four
handed,dressedinyellowgarmentsthatglitteredandshined.
Thesubjectmatterwhichattractsthedyingmanbecomesthebeginningofhis
nextlife.Therefore,ifoneisabsorbedinthoughtsoftheSupremeLordSri
Krsna,heissuretogobacktoGodheadwithoutanydoubt.

HethereforefixedhisopeneyesuponHim.HewantedtoseeSriKrsnafora
longtimeoutofhisspontaneousloveforHim.Becausehewasapuredevotee,
hehadverylittletodowiththedetailedperformanceofyogicprinciples.
Simplebhaktiyogaisenoughtobringaboutperfection.Therefore,theardent
desireofBhismadevawastoseethepersonofLordKrsna,themostlovable
object,andbythegraceoftheLord,SriBhismadevahadthisopportunityatthe
laststageofhisbreathing.

Bypuremeditation,lookingatLordSriKrsna,heatoncewasfreedfromall
materialinauspiciousnessandwasrelievedofallbodilypainscausedbythe
arrowwounds.Thusalltheexternalactivitiesofhissensesatoncestopped,
andheprayedtranscendentallytothecontrollerofalllivingbeingswhile
quittinghismaterialbody.
Thematerialbodyisagiftofthematerialenergy,technicallycalledillusion.
Identificationwiththematerialbodyisduetoforgetfulnessofoureternal
relationshipwiththeLord.
Thesoulisoriginallypureandsoalsothesenses.Bymaterialcontamination
thesensesassumetheroleofimperfectionandimpurity.Byrevivalofcontact
withtheSupremePure,LordKrsna,thesensesagainbecomefreedfrom
materialcontaminations.
AndHealoneprovidesallnecessitiesforallkindsoflivingbeings.
Bhismadevasaid:Letmenowinvestmythinking,feelingandwilling,which
weresolongengagedindifferentsubjectsandoccupationalduties,intheall
powerfulLordSriKrsna.Heisalwaysselfsatisfied,butsometimes,beingthe
leaderofthedevotees,Heenjoystranscendentalpleasurebydescendingonthe
materialworld,althoughfromHimonlythematerialworldiscreated.
Now,inordertoachievepuredevotionalservice,hewantedtoinvestall
powersofthinking,feelingandwillingentirelyintheSupremeBeing,Lord
Krsna
HedescendssometimesasLordKrsnaasHeis,andsometimesasLord
Caitanya.Bothareleadersofthepuredevotees.
PuredevoteesoftheLordhavenodesireotherthantheserviceoftheLord,and
thereforetheyarecalledsatvata.
Unlessoneispurifiedfromallsortsofmaterialdesires,theLorddoesnot
becomeone'sleader.Desirescannotbewipedout,buttheyhaveonlytobe
purified.

ItisconfirmedintheBhagavadgitabytheLordHimselfthatHegivesHis
instructionfromwithintheheartofapuredevoteewhoisconstantlyengaged
intheserviceoftheLord.Suchinstructionisgivennotforanymaterial
purposebutonlyforgoingbackhome,backtoGodhead(Bg.10.10).
Fortheordinarymanwhowantstolorditovermaterialnature,theLordnot

onlysanctionsandbecomesawitnessofactivities,butHenevergivesthe
nondevoteeinstructionsforgoingbacktoGodhead.Thatisthedifferencein
dealingsbytheLordwithdifferentlivingbeings,boththedevoteeandthe
nondevotee.
NondevoteesnevercaretotakeanyinstructionfromtheLord,andthereforethe
Lordissilentintheircase,althoughHewitnessesalltheiractivitiesandawards
themthenecessaryresults,goodorbad.Thedevoteesareabovethismaterial
goodnessandbadness.Theyareprogressiveonthepathoftranscendence,and
thereforetheyhavenodesireforanythingmaterial.
TheLordalsodesirestheassociationofHispuredevotees,andforthemonly
theLorddescendsontheearthandenlivensthem.TheLordappearsoutofHis
ownwill.Heisnotforcedbytheconditionsofmaterialnature.
HehasappearedonthisearthinHistranscendentalbody,whichresemblesthe
bluishcolorofthetamalatree.Hisbodyattractseveryoneinthethreeplanetary
systems[upper,middleandlower].MayHisglitteringyellowdressandHis
lotusface,coveredwithpaintingsofsandalwoodpulp,betheobjectofmy
attraction,andmayInotdesirefruitiveresults.
Nowhereintheuniversearetheresuchbeautifulbodilyfeaturesasthoseof
LordKrsna.ThereforeHistranscendentalbodyhasnothingtodowithanything
materiallycreated.
WhilefightingwasgoingonbetweenArjunaandBhisma,Bhisma'sattraction
wasdrawnbytheglitteringdressofKrsna,andindirectlyheadmiredhisso
calledenemyArjunaforpossessingtheLordashisfriend.Arjunawasalwaysa
conquerorbecausetheLordwashisfriend.
BhismadevatakesthisopportunitytoaddresstheLordasvijayasakhe(friend
ofArjuna)becausetheLordispleasedwhenHeisaddressedconjointlywith
Hisdevotees,whoarerelatedwithHimindifferenttranscendentalhumors
AsagreatfighterhewasrelishingtherelationofKrsnainthechivalrous
humor.
Lessintelligentmundanerswhowanttomakeashowofbeingtranscendentally
relatedwiththeLordartificiallyjumpatoncetotherelationofconjugallove,
imitatingthedamselsofVrajadhama.

onewhohasrelishedconjugalhumorwiththeLordcannotbeattachedto
worldlyconjugalrasa,whichiscondemnedevenbymundaneethics.
TheeternalrelationofaparticularsoulwiththeLordisevolved.

AgenuinerelationofthelivingbeingwiththeSupremeLordcantakeany
formoutofthefiveprincipalrasas,anditdoesnotmakeanydifferencein
transcendentaldegreetothegenuinedevotee.Bhismadevaisaconcrete
exampleofthis,anditshouldbecarefullyobservedhowthegreatgeneralis
transcendentallyrelatedwiththeLord.
Onthebattlefield[whereSriKrsnaattendedArjunaoutoffriendship],the
flowinghairofLordKrsnaturnedashenduetothedustraisedbythehoofsof
thehorses.AndbecauseofHislabor,beadsofsweatwettedHisface.Allthese
decorations,intensifiedbythewoundsdealtbymysharparrows,wereenjoyed
byHim.LetmymindthusgountoSriKrsna.
Assuch,transcendentallovingservicetotheLordinoneofthefiveprincipal
relations,namelysanta,dasya,sakhya,vatsalyaandmadhurya,i.e.,neutrality,
servitorship,fraternity,filialaffectionandconjugallove,isgraciouslyaccepted
bytheLordwhenofferedtotheLordingenuineloveandaffection.
SriBhismadevaisagreatdevoteeoftheLordintherelationofservitorship.
ThushisthrowingofsharparrowsatthetranscendentalbodyoftheLordisas
goodastheworshipofanotherdevoteewhothrowssoftrosesuponHim.
ItappearsthatBhismadevaisrepentingtheactionshecommittedagainstthe
personoftheLord.ButfactuallytheLord'sbodywasnotatallpained,dueto
Histranscendentalexistence.Hisbodyisnotmatter.BothHeHimselfandHis
bodyarecompletespiritualidentity.Spiritisneverpierced,burnt,dried,
moistened,etc.
WhenLordVisnuinHisincarnationappearsbeforeus,Heseemstobelikeone
oftheconditionedsouls,materiallyencaged,justtobewildertheasuras,orthe
nonbelievers,whoarealwaysalerttokilltheLord,evenfromthevery
beginningofHisappearance.
ThereforeBhismadeva'spiercingofthebodyofLordKrsnaisasortof
bewilderingproblemforthenondevoteeatheist,butthosewhoaredevotees,or
liberatedsouls,arenotbewildered.
BhismadevaappreciatedtheallmercifulattitudeoftheLordbecauseHedid
notleaveArjunaalone,althoughHewasdisturbedbythesharpenedarrowsof
Bhismadeva,norwasHereluctanttocomebeforeBhisma'sdeathbed,even
thoughHewasilltreatedbyhimonthebattlefield.Bhisma'srepentanceand
theLord'smercifulattitudearebothuniqueinthispicture.

HesaysthatthewoundscreatedonthebodyoftheLordbythesharpened
arrowsofBhismadevawereaspleasingtotheLordasthebitingofafiancee

whobitesthebodyoftheLorddirectedbyastrongsenseofsexdesire.Such
bitingbytheoppositesexisnevertakenasasignofenmity,evenifthereisa
woundonthebody.
ThewordvibhidyamanaissignificantbecausetheLord'sskinisnotdifferent
fromtheLord.Becauseourskinisdifferentfromoursoul,inourcasetheword
vibhidyamana,orbeingbruisedandcut,wouldhavebeenquitesuitable
Transcendentalblissisofdifferentvarieties,andthevarietyofactivitiesinthe
mundaneworldisbutapervertedreflectionoftranscendentalbliss.Because
everythinginthemundaneworldisqualitativelymundane,itisfullof
inebrieties,whereasintheabsoluterealm,becauseeverythingisofthesame
absolutenature,therearevarietiesofenjoymentwithoutinebriety.
becauseBhismadevaisadevoteeinthechivalrousrelation,hefixesuphis
mindonKrsnainthatwoundedcondition.
TheLord,beingthesupremelivingbeing,isnevertheordersupplierororder
carrierofanyone,whoeverhemaybe.ButoutofHiscauselessmercyand
affectionforHispuredevotees,sometimesHecarriesouttheorderofthe
devoteelikeanawaitingservant.Byexecutingtheorderofadevotee,theLord
becomespleased,asafatherispleasedtocarryouttheorderofhissmallchild.
ThisispossibleonlyoutofpuretranscendentallovebetweentheLordandHis
devotees
Therefore,HisdiminishingthedurationoflifeofArjuna'senemydoesnot
meanthatHewaspartialtothecauseofArjuna.FactuallyHewasmercifulto
theoppositepartybecausetheywouldnothaveattainedsalvationbydyingat
homeintheordinarycourseoflife.
Therefore,theLordisallgood,andwhateverHedoesisforeveryone'sgood
ApparentlyitwasforthevictoryofArjuna,Hisintimatefriend,butfactuallyit
wasforthegoodofArjuna'senemies.Sucharethetranscendentalactivitiesof
theLord,andwhoeverunderstandsthisalsogetssalvationafterquittingthis
materialbody.
allofthemwereactualparticipantsinthefighting,whichwasselectedtobe
executedataplaceawayfromthecivilresidentialquarters.Thismeansthatthe
innocentcitizenswereimmunefromalleffectsoffightingbetweentherival
royalparties.
Hisintelligencecouldnotbepollutedatanytimebecausehewasadevoteeand
constantcompanionoftheLord

FulfillingmydesireandsacrificingHisownpromise,Hegotdownfromthe
chariot,tookupitswheel,andrantowardsmehurriedly,justasaliongoesto
killanelephant.HeevendroppedHisoutergarmentontheway.
DuryodhanacriticizedBhismadeva,allegingthathewasreluctanttokill
Arjunabecauseofpaternalaffection.Aksatriyacannottolerateinsultsonthe
principleoffighting.Bhismadevathereforepromisedthatthenextdayhe
wouldkillallfivePandavaswithspecialweaponsmadeforthepurpose.
Inthenextday'sfightingBhismadevafoughtsoviolentlythatbothArjunaand
Krsnawereintrouble.Arjunawasalmostdefeated;thesituationwassotense
thathewasabouttobekilledbyBhismadevatheverynextmoment.Atthat
timeLordKrsnawantedtopleaseHisdevotee,Bhisma,bykeepingBhisma's
promise,whichwasmoreimportantthanHisown.SeeminglyHebrokeHis
ownpromise.HepromisedbeforethebeginningoftheBattleofKuruksetra
thatHewouldremainwithoutweaponsandwouldnotuseHisstrengthfor
eitheroftheparties.ButtoprotectArjunaHegotdownfromthechariot,took
upthewheelofthechariotandhurriedlyrushedatBhismadevainanangry
mood,asaliongoestokillanelephant.HedroppedHiscoveringclothonthe
way,andoutofgreatangerHedidnotknowthatHehaddroppedit.
BhismadevaatoncegaveuphisweaponsandstoodtobekilledbyKrsna,his
belovedLord.Thefightingofthedaywasthusendedatthatverymoment,and
Arjunawassaved.
butbecauseBhismadevawantedtoseeLordKrsnatakeupsomeweaponto
saveHisfriend,theLordcreatedthissituation,makingArjuna'sdeath
imminent.HestoodbeforeBhismadevatoshowhimthathispromisewas
fulfilledandthatHehadtakenupthewheel.
TheastoundingfeatureofsuchdealingsisthatadevoteecanpleasetheLord
byplayingthepartofanenemy.TheLord,beingabsolute,canacceptservice
fromHispuredevoteeeveninthegarbofanenemy.
ButstillHetakespleasurewhenHispuredevoteebeatsHimlikeanenemyor
rebukesHimfromasuperiorposition,althoughnoonecanbesuperiortothe
Lord.Thesearesomeofthetranscendentalreciprocatorydealingsofthe
devoteewiththeLord.Andthosewhohavenoinformationofpuredevotional
servicecannotpenetrateintothemysteryofsuchdealings
ButHedidsobecausethewarriordevoteewantedtoseethetranscendental
beautyoftheLorddecoratedwithwoundscreatedbyapuredevotee.Thisis
thewayofexchangingtranscendentalrasa,orrelationsbetweentheLordand
theservitor.

ApuredevoteeoftheLordconstantlyseesthepresenceoftheLordwithin
himselfbecauseofbeingtranscendentallyrelatedbylovingservice.Sucha
puredevoteecannotforgettheLordforamoment.Thisiscalledtrance.The
mystic(yogi)triestoconcentrateupontheSupersoulbycontrollingthesenses
fromallotherengagements,andthusheultimatelyattainssamadhi.Adevotee
moreeasilyattainssamadhi,ortrance,byconstantlyrememberingtheLord's
personalfeaturealongwithHisholyname,fame,pastimes,etc.Therefore,the
concentrationofthemysticyogiandthatofthedevoteearenotonthesame
level.Theconcentrationofthemysticismechanical,whereasthatofthepure
devoteeisnaturalinpureloveandspontaneousaffection.
SoBhismadevaneverforgotthebeautifulfeatureoftheLordasParthasarathi,
whichevenArjunacouldnotsee.ArjunawasbehindthebeautifulPartha
sarathiwhileBhismadevawasjustinfrontoftheLord.Asfarasthemilitary
featureoftheLordisconcerned,Bhismadevaobservedthiswithmorerelish
thanArjuna.
TheimpersonalistwantstoattaintheimpersonalBrahmaneffulgenceofthe
Lord,butthatisnotatallcongenialtothelivingsparks,partsandparcelsof
theLord.Therefore,theimpersonalistsagainfalldownandgetmaterialforms,
whichareallfalsetothespiritsoul.AspiritualformliketheLord's,eithertwo
handedorfourhanded,isattainedbythedevoteesoftheLordeitherinthe
VaikunthasorintheGolokaplanet,accordingtotheoriginalnatureofthesoul.
LetmymindbefixeduponLordSriKrsna,whosemotionsandsmilesoflove
attractedthedamselsofVrajadhama[thegopis].Thedamselsimitatedthe
characteristicmovementsoftheLord[afterHisdisappearancefromthe
rasadance].
Byintenseecstasyinlovingservice,thedamselsofVrajabhumiattained
qualitativeonenesswiththeLordbydancingwithHimonanequallevel,
embracingHiminnuptiallove,smilingatHiminjoke,andlookingatHim
withalovingattitude.TherelationoftheLordwithArjunaisundoubtedly
praiseworthyfordevoteeslikeBhismadeva,buttherelationofthegopiswith
theLordisstillmorepraiseworthybecauseoftheirstillmorepurifiedloving
service
BythegraceoftheLord,Arjunawasfortunateenoughtohavethefraternal
serviceoftheLordaschariotdriver,buttheLorddidnotawardArjunawith
equalstrength.Thegopis,however,practicallybecameonewiththeLordby
attainmentofequalfootingwiththeLord.Bhisma'saspirationtorememberthe
gopisisaprayertohavetheirmercyalsoatthelaststageofhislife.TheLord
issatisfiedmorewhenHispuredevoteesareglorified,andtherefore

BhismadevahasnotonlyglorifiedtheactsofArjuna,hisimmediateobjectof
attraction,buthasalsorememberedthegopis,whowereendowedwith
unrivalledopportunitiesbyrenderinglovingservicetotheLord.
Thegopis'equalitywiththeLordshouldneverbemisunderstoodtobelikethe
sayujyaliberationoftheimpersonalist.Theequalityisoneofperfectecstasy
wherethedifferentialconceptioniscompletelyeradicated,fortheinterests
oftheloverandthebelovedbecomeidentical.
AftergainingvictoryintheBattleofKuruksetra,MaharajaYudhisthira,the
Emperoroftheworld,performedtheRajasuyasacrificialceremony.The
emperor,inthosedays,uponhisascendancetothethrone,wouldsenda
challengehorseallovertheworldtodeclarehissupremacy,andanyruling
princeorkingwasatlibertytoacceptthechallengeandexpresshistacit
willingnesseithertoobeyortodisobeythesupremacyoftheparticular
emperor.Onewhoacceptedthechallengehadtofightwiththeemperorand
establishhisownsupremacybyvictory.Thedefeatedchallengerwouldhaveto
sacrificehislife,makingaplaceforanotherkingorruler.SoMaharaja
Yudhisthiraalsodispatchedsuchchallenginghorsesallovertheworld,and
everyrulingprinceandkingallovertheworldacceptedMaharaja
Yudhisthira'sleadershipastheEmperoroftheworld.
Thevaisyasandsudraswereunimportantelementsinsociety,andtheyarenot
mentionedherein.Duetothechangeofsocialactivitiesinthemodernage,the
importanceofmenhasalsochangedintermsofoccupationalpositions.
SotomeditateontheSupremeLordistomeditateontheactivities,form,
pastimes,nameandfameoftheLord.Thatiseasierthanwhatisimaginedas
meditationontheimpersonalfeatureoftheSupreme.IntheBhagavadgita
(12.5)itisclearlystatedthattomeditateupontheimpersonalfeatureofthe
Supremeisverydifficult.Itispracticallynomeditationorsimplyawasteof
timebecauseveryseldomisthedesiredresultobtained.
NowIcanmeditatewithfullconcentrationuponthatoneLord,SriKrsna,now
presentbeforemebecausenowIhavetranscendedthemisconceptionsof
dualityinregardtoHispresenceineveryone'sheart,evenintheheartsofthe
mentalspeculators.Heisineveryone'sheart.Thesunmaybeperceived
differently,butthesunisone.
HeexpandsHimselfasParamatmaineveryone'sheartbyHisinconceivable
energy,andHealsoexpandsHimselfastheglowingeffulgenceofbrahmajyoti
byexpansionofHispersonalglow.ItisstatedintheBrahmasamhitathatthe
brahmajyotiisHispersonalglow
Thisenlightenmentisattainedbythegreatmahatmasordevotees,asitisstated

inBhagavadgita(7.19)thatVasudevaisallinallineverythingandthatthere
isnoexistenceofanythingwithoutVasudeva

TheworshipableobjectofBhismadevaisLordSriKrsnaasParthasarathi,and
thatofthegopisisthesameKrsnainVrndavanaasthemostattractive
Syamasundara.Sometimeslessintelligentscholarsmakeamistakeandthink
thattheKrsnaofVrndavanaandthatoftheBattleofKuruksetraaredifferent
personalities.ButforBhismadevathismisconceptioniscompletelyremoved.
KrsnaisbothbrahmajyotiandlocalizedParamatma,butinbrahmajyotior
ParamatmathereisnoKrsnaorsweetrelationswithKrsna.InHispersonal
featureKrsnaisbothParthasarathiandSyamasundaraofVrndavana,
ThestageattainedbyBhismadevawhilequittinghismaterialbodyiscalled
nirvikalpasamadhibecausehemergedhisselfintothinkingoftheLordandhis
mindintorememberingHisdifferentactivities.
HechantedthegloriesoftheLord,andbyhissighthebegantoseetheLord
personallypresentbeforehim,andthusallhisactivitiesbecameconcentrated
upontheLordwithoutdeviation.Thisisthehigheststageofperfection,andit
ispossibleforeveryonetoattainthisstagebypracticeofdevotionalservice.
ThedevotionalserviceoftheLordconsistsofnineprinciplesofservice
activities,andtheyare(1)hearing,(2)chanting,(3)remembering,(4)serving
thelotusfeet,(5)worshiping,(6)praying,(7)executingtheorders,(8)
fraternizing,and(9)fullysurrendering.Anyoneofthemorallofthemare
equallycompetenttoawardthedesiredresult,buttheyrequiretobepracticed
persistentlyundertheguidanceofanexpertdevoteeoftheLord
ThelivingbeingsareallcomponentpartsandparcelsoftheAbsolute
PersonalityofGodhead,andthereforetheyareeternallyrelatedwithHimas
theservitorandtheserved.TheLordisservedbyallHispartsandparcels,as
thecompletemachineisservedbyitspartsandparcels.Anypartofthe
machineremovedfromthewholeisnolongerimportant.Similarly,anypart
andparceloftheAbsolutedetachedfromtheserviceoftheLordisuseless.The
livingbeingswhoareinthematerialworldarealldisintegratedpartsand
parcelsofthesupremewhole,andtheyarenolongerasimportantasthe
originalpartsandparcels.
Thereare,however,moreintegratedlivingbeingswhoareeternallyliberated.
ThematerialenergyoftheLord,calledDurgasakti,orthesuperintendentof
theprisonhouse,takeschargeofthedisintegratedpartsandparcels,andthus
theyundergoaconditionedlifeunderthelawsofmaterialnature.Whenthe

livingbeingbecomesconsciousofthisfact,hetriestogobackhome,backto
Godhead,andthusthespiritualurgeofthelivingbeingbegins.Thisspiritual
urgeiscalledbrahmajijnasa,orinquiryaboutBrahman.

Principallythisbrahmajijnasaissuccessfulbyknowledge,renunciationand
devotionalservicetotheLord.Jnana,orknowledge,meansknowledgeof
everythingofBrahman,theSupreme;renunciationmeansdetachmentof
materialaffection,anddevotionalserviceistherevivalbypracticeofthe
originalpositionofthelivingbeing.Thesuccessfullivingbeingswhoare
eligibletoenterintotherealmoftheAbsolutearecalledthejnanis,theyogis
andthebhaktas
ThejnanisandyogisenterintotheimpersonalraysoftheSupreme,butthe
bhaktasenterintothespiritualplanetsknownastheVaikunthas.Inthese
spiritualplanetstheSupremeLordasNarayanapredominates,andthehealthy,
unconditionedlivingbeingslivetherebyrenderinglovingservicetotheLord
inthecapacityofservant,friend,parentsandfiancee.Theretheunconditioned
livingbeingsenjoylifeinfullfreedomwiththeLord,whereasthe
impersonalistjnanisandyogisenterintotheimpersonalglowingeffulgenceof
theVaikunthaplanets.
TheVaikunthaplanetsareallselfilluminatinglikethesun,andtheraysofthe
Vaikunthaplanetsarecalledthebrahmajyoti.Thebrahmajyotiisspread
unlimitedly,andthematerialworldisbutacoveredportionofaninsignificant
partofthesamebrahmajyoti.Thiscoveringistemporary,andthereforeitisa
sortofillusion.
Bhismadevawasrespectedbothbythehumanbeingsandbythedemigods.
ThehumanbeingsliveonearthandsimilarotherplanetsintheBhurand
Bhuvargroupofplanets,butthedemigodsliveintheSvar,orheavenlyplanets,
andallofthemknewBhismadevaasagreatwarrioranddevoteeoftheLord.
Asamahajana(orauthority)hewasonthelevelofBrahma,NaradaandSiva,
althoughhewasahumanbeing.Qualificationonaparwiththegreatdemigods
ispossibleonlyonattainmentofspiritualperfection
WhenthedistantplanetswereinformedofthepassingawayofBhismadeva,all
theinhabitantsoftheupperplanetsaswellasoftheearthdroppedshowersof
flowerstoshowduerespecttothedepartedgreatpersonality.Thisshowering
offlowersfromheavenisasignofrecognitionbygreatdemigods,andit
shouldneverbecomparedtothedecorationofadeadbody.

ThebodyofBhismadevalostitsmaterialeffectsduetobeingsurchargedwith
spiritualrealization,andthusthebodywasspiritualizedaswhenironbecomes
redhotwhenincontactwithfire.Thebodyofafullyselfrealizedsoulisnot,
therefore,acceptedasmaterial.Specialceremoniesareobservedforsuch
spiritualbodies
Accordingtoauthorizedsastras,suchajayanticeremonyforanordinaryman,
howeverexaltedhemaybematerially,isanoffensetotheLordbecausejayanti
isreservedforthedaywhentheLordappearsontheearth
AlthoughMaharajaDhrtarastra,theelderuncleofMaharajaYudhisthira,was
theretolookafterthem,hisaffectionwasmoreonthesideofhishundredsons,
headedbyDuryodhana.Ultimatelyacolossalcliquewasfabricatedtodeprive
thefivefatherlessbrothersoftherightfulclaimofthekingdomofHastinapura.
Therewasgreatintrigue,commoninimperialpalaces,andthefivebrothers
wereexiledtothewilderness.ButBhismadevawasalwaysasincerely
sympatheticwellwisher,grandfather,friendandphilosophertoMaharaja
Yudhisthira,evenuptothelastmomentofhislife.Hediedveryhappilyby
seeingMaharajaYudhisthiratothethrone,otherwisehewouldhavelongago
quittedhismaterialbody,insteadofsufferingagonyovertheunduesufferings
ofthePandavas.
Hewassimplywaitingfortheopportunemomentbecausehewassureand
certainthatthesonsofPanduwouldcomeoutvictoriousintheBattlefieldof
Kuruksetra,asHisLordshipSriKrsnawastheirprotector.Asadevoteeofthe
Lord,heknewthattheLord'sdevoteecannotbevanquishedatanytime.
MaharajaYudhisthirawasquiteawareofallthesegoodwishesofBhismadeva,
andthereforehemusthavebeenfeelingthegreatseparation.Hewassorryfor
theseparationofagreatsoul,andnotforthematerialbodywhichBhismadeva
relinquished
ThedevoteesoftheLordarealwaysintheheartoftheLord,andtheLordis
alwaysintheheartsofthedevotees.Thatisthesweetrelationbetweenthe
LordandHisdevotees.DuetounalloyedloveanddevotionfortheLord,the
devoteesalwaysseeHimwithinthemselves,andtheLordalso,althoughHe
hasnothingtodoandnothingtoaspireto,isalwaysbusyinattendingtothe
welfareofHisdevotees.
Thedevotees,therefore,areunderthedirectcareoftheLord.Andthe
LordalsovoluntarilyputsHimselfunderthecareofHisdevoteesonly
Gandhariwasapowerfulascetic,althoughshewaslivingthelifeofafaithful
wifeandakindmother.ItissaidthatGandharialsovoluntarilyclosedhereyes
becauseoftheblindnessofherhusband.Awife'sdutyistofollowthehusband

centpercent.AndGandhariwassotruetoherhusbandthatshefollowedhim
eveninhisperpetualblindness.Thereforeinheractionsshewasagreat
ascetic.Besidesthat,theshockshesufferedbecauseofthewholesalekillingof
heronehundredsonsandhergrandsonsalsowascertainlytoomuchfora
woman.Butshesufferedallthisjustlikeanascetic.
Thekingistoseetothewelfareofthecitizensfromallanglesofsocial,
political,economicandspiritualupliftment.Thekingmustknowthathuman
lifeismeantforliberatingtheencagedsoulfromthebondageofmaterial
conditions,andthereforehisdutyistoseethatthecitizensareproperlylooked
aftertoattainthishigheststageofperfection.
MaharajaYudhisthiraistheidealmonarch,andmonarchyunderatrainedking
likeMaharajaYudhisthiraisbyfarthemostsuperiorformofgovernment,
superiortomodernrepublicsorgovernmentsofthepeople,bythepeople.The
massofpeople,especiallyinthisageofKali,areallbornsudras,basically
lowborn,illtrained,unfortunateandbadlyassociated.Theythemselvesdonot
knowthehighestperfectionalaimoflife.Therefore,votescastbythem
actuallyhavenovalue,andthuspersonselectedbysuchirresponsiblevotes
cannotberesponsiblerepresentativeslikeMaharajaYudhisthira.
Chapter10

MaharajaYudhisthirawasthegreatestofallmenofreligion.Thushewasnot
atallinclinedtofightwithhiscousinsforthesakeofenjoyingthekingdom:he
foughtfortherightcausebecausethekingdomofHastinapurawashisrightful
inheritanceandhiscousinswantedtousurpitforthemselves.Hefought,
therefore,fortherightcauseundertheguidanceofLordSriKrsna,buthe
couldnotenjoytheresultsofhisvictorybecausehiscousinswereallkilledin
thefight.Hethereforeruledoverthekingdomasamatterofduty,assistedby
hisyoungerbrothers.
Thisworldiscomparedtoaforestfirecausedbythecohesionofbamboo
bushes.Suchaforestfiretakesplaceautomatically,forbamboocohesion
occurswithoutexternalcause.Similarly,inthematerialworldthewrathof
thosewhowanttolorditovermaterialnatureinteracts,andthefireofwar
takesplace,exhaustingtheunwantedpopulation.
TheBattleofKuruksetrawasfoughtaccordingtotheplanoftheLordsothat
undesirablepersonscouldgetoutoftheworldandapeacefulkingdomunder
Hisdevoteecouldbeestablished.
InthosedaystheKingofHastinapura(nowpartofNewDelhi)wasthe
emperoroftheworld,includingtheseas,uptothetimeofMaharajaPariksit,
thegrandsonofMaharajaYudhisthira.

therearesomanystatesovertheearthquarrelingbecauseofideological
differencesorotherselfishmotives.ButakinglikeMaharajaYudhisthirahad
noideologyofhisown.Hehadbuttofollowtheinstructionsoftheinfallible
LordandtheLord'srepresentativeandtheauthorizedagent,Bhismadeva.Itis
instructedinthesastrasthatoneshouldfollowthegreatauthorityandthe
infallibleLordwithoutanypersonalmotiveandmanufacturedideology.
Therefore,itwaspossibleforMaharajaYudhisthiratorulethewholeworld,
includingtheseas,becausetheprincipleswereinfallibleanduniversally
applicabletoeveryone.Theconceptionofoneworldstatecanonlybefulfilled
ifwecanfollowtheinfallibleauthority
Thebasicprincipleofeconomicdevelopmentiscenteredonlandandcows.
Certainlyonedoesnotrequirefleshandfishorirontoolsandmachinery.
Ifthereisenoughmilk,enoughgrains,enoughfruit,enoughcotton,enough
silkandenoughjewels,thenwhydothepeopleneedcinemas,housesof
prostitution,slaughterhouses,etc.?Whatistheneedofanartificialluxurious
lifeofcinema,cars,radio,fleshandhotels?Hasthiscivilizationproduced
anythingbutquarrelingindividuallyandnationally?Hasthiscivilization
enhancedthecauseofequalityandfraternitybysendingthousandsofmeninto
ahellishfactoryandthewarfieldsatthewhimsofaparticularman?
Whyshouldmannotbesatisfiedwithgrains,fruitsandmilk,which,combined
together,canproducehundredsandthousandsofpalatabledishes.Whyare
thereslaughterhousesallovertheworldtokillinnocentanimals?
Arenottheanimalsofacountrycitizensalso?
Humancivilizationsshoulddependontheproductionofmaterialnature
withoutartificiallyattemptingeconomicdevelopmenttoturntheworldintoa
chaosofartificialgreedandpoweronlyforthepurposeofartificialluxuries
andsensegratification.Thisisbutthelifeofdogsandhogs.
SinceMaharajaYudhisthirawasundertheprotectionoftheajita,theinfallible
Lord,asabovementioned,thepropertiesoftheLord,namelytherivers,
oceans,hills,forests,etc.,wereallpleased,andtheyusedtosupplytheir
respectivequotaoftaxestotheKing.
WithoutHissanction,nothingcanbepossible.
Tomakeeconomicdevelopmentbyourownendeavorsonthestrengthoftools
andmachineryisnotall.ThesanctionoftheSupremeLordmustbethere,
otherwisedespiteallinstrumentalarrangementseverythingwillbe
unsuccessful.

ActuallythestatebelongstotheSupremeLord.Therivers,oceans,forests,
hills,drugs,etc.,arenotcreationsofman.Theyareallcreationsofthe
SupremeLord,andthelivingbeingisallowedtomakeuseofthepropertyof
theLordfortheserviceoftheLord.
ThereisenoughofeverythingbythewilloftheLord,andwecanmakeproper
useofthingstolivecomfortablywithoutenmitybetweenmen,oranimaland
manornature
ThecontroloftheLordiseverywhere,andiftheLordispleased,every
partofnaturewillbepleased.

Theartificialwayoflivingdependingonfactoriesandtoolscanrenderso
calledhappinessonlytoalimitednumberatthecostofmillions.Sincethe
energyofthemassofpeopleisengagedinfactoryproduction,thenatural
productsarebeinghampered,andforthisthemassisunhappy.Withoutbeing
educatedproperly,themassofpeoplearefollowinginthefootstepsofthe
vestedinterestsbyexploitingnaturalreserves,andthereforethereisacute
competitionbetweenindividualandindividualandnationandnation.Thereis
nocontrolbythetrainedagentoftheLord
Tobenonviolenttohumanbeingsandtobeakillerorenemyofthepoor
animalsisSatan'sphilosophy.Inthisagethereisenmitytowardpooranimals,
andthereforethepoorcreaturesarealwaysanxious.
UnlessoneispiousandrecognizedbytheLord,hecannotmakeothershappy
whoareunderhiscare
TheLorddecidedtostayespeciallytopacifytheaggrievedKingaswellasto
pleaseSubhadra,sisterofLordSriKrsna.Subhadrawasespeciallytobe
pacifiedbecauseshelostheronlyson,Abhimanyu,whowasjustmarried.The
boylefthiswife,Uttara,motherofMaharajaPariksit.
TheLordisalwayspleasedtosatisfyHisdevoteesinanycapacity.OnlyHis
devoteescanplaythepartsofHisrelatives.TheLordisabsolute.
TheLordtakespleasurewhensomeofHisdevoteesacceptHimasless
importantintermsoflove.
Theimpersonalistcannotenterintothesupernaturalrolesplayedbythe

devoteeoftheLord
LordSriKrsnaissoattractiveforthelivingbeings,especiallyforthedevotees,
thatitisimpossibleforthemtotolerateseparation.Theconditionedsoulunder
thespellofillusoryenergyforgetstheLord,otherwisehecannot.Thefeeling
ofsuchseparationcannotbedescribed,butitcansimplybeimaginedby
devoteesonly
AfterHisseparationfromVrndavanaandtheinnocentruralcowherdboys,
girls,ladiesandothers,theyallfeltshockthroughouttheirlives,andthe
separationofRadharani,themostbelovedcowherdgirl,isbeyondexpression.
OncetheymetatKuruksetraduringasolareclipse,andthefeelingwhichwas
expressedbythemisheartrending
Thereis,ofcourse,adifferenceinthequalitiesofthetranscendentaldevotees
oftheLord,butnoneofthemwhohaveevercontactedtheLordbydirect
communionorotherwisecanleaveHimforamoment.Thatistheattitude
ofthepuredevotee.

Theintelligent,whohaveunderstoodtheSupremeLordinassociationwith
puredevoteesandhavebecomefreedfrombadmaterialisticassociation,can
neveravoidhearingthegloriesoftheLord,eventhoughtheyhaveheardthem
onlyonce.How,then,couldthePandavastolerateHisseparation,fortheyhad
beenintimatelyassociatedwithHisperson,seeingHimfacetoface,touching
Him,conversingwithHim,andsleeping,sittinganddiningwithHim?
Thelivingbeing'sconstitutionalpositionisoneofservingasuperior.
Heisobligedtoservebyforcethedictatesofillusorymaterialenergyin
differentphasesofsensegratification.Andinservingthesensesheisnever
tired.Eventhoughhemaybetired,theillusoryenergyperpetuallyforceshim
todosowithoutbeingsatisfied.Thereisnoendtosuchsensegratificatory
business,andtheconditionedsoulbecomesentangledinsuchservitudewithout
hopeofrelease
Thereleaseisonlyeffectedbyassociationwithpuredevotees.Bysuch
associationoneisgraduallypromotedtohistranscendentalconsciousness.
ThushecanknowthathiseternalpositionistorenderserviceuntotheLord
andnottothepervertedsensesinthecapacityoflust,anger,desiretolordit
over,etc
Materialsociety,friendshipandlovearealldifferentphasesoflust.Home,
country,family,society,wealthandallsortsofcorollariesareallcausesof
bondageinthematerialworld,wherethethreefoldmiseriesoflifeare

concomitantfactors.
ItissaidthatHari,thePersonalityofGodhead,issotranscendentallyattractive
thateventhosewhoareselfsatisfiedbyselfrealizationandarefactually
liberatedfromallmaterialbondagealsobecomedevoteesoftheLord
TheycouldnoteventhinkofseparationfromSriKrsna,sincetheattraction
wasmoreintenseforthembecauseofcontinuouspersonalcontact.
ThisassociationismadepossiblenotonlybypersonalcontactwiththeLord,
butalsobyassociationwithHisname,fame,formandquality.Srimad
Bhagavatamtrainstheconditionedsoultothisstageofperfectionby
submissivehearingfromthepuredevotee.
TherewerehundredsofladiesinthepalaceofHastinapura.Allofthemwere
affectionatetoKrsna.Allofthemwererelativesalso
Shynessisaparticularextranaturalbeautyofthefairsex,anditcommands
respectfromtheoppositesex.

ThisincidentfromtheMahabharataperiodprovesdefinitelythattheladiesof
thepalaceobservedstrictparda(restrictedassociationwithmen),andinstead
ofcomingdownintheopenairwhereLordKrsnaandotherswereassembled,
theladiesofthepalacewentuponthetopofthepalaceandfromtherepaid
theirrespectstoLordKrsnabyshowersofflowers.
Asweeperwomancommandedtherespectofmanyrespectablegentlemen
simplybymanifestingalady'sshyness.Halfnakedladiesinthestreetdonot
commandanyrespect,butashysweeper'swifecommandsrespectfromall.
Thematerialbeautyofawomanisanillusionbecauseactuallythebodyis
madeofearth,water,fire,air,etc.Butbecausethereistheassociationofthe
livingsparkwithmatter,itappearstobebeautiful.Nooneisattractedbyan
earthendoll,evenifitismostperfectlypreparedtoattracttheattentionof
others.Thedeadbodyhasnobeautybecausenoonewillacceptthedeadbody
ofasocalledbeautifulwoman.Therefore,theconclusionisthatthespirit
sparkisbeautiful,andbecauseofthesoul'sbeautyoneisattractedbythe
beautyoftheoutwardbody.
TheVedicwisdom,therefore,forbidsustobeattractedbyfalsebeauty.But
becausewearenowinthedarknessofignorance,theVediccivilizationallows
veryrestrictedmixingofwomanandman.Theysaythatthewomanis
consideredtobethefire,andthemanisconsideredtobethebutter.Thebutter

mustmeltinassociationwithfire,andthereforetheymaybebroughttogether
onlywhenitisnecessary.Andshynessisachecktotheunrestrictedmixing.It
isnature'sgift,anditmustbeutilized.
ItwasbeingheardhereandtherethatthebenedictionsbeingpaidtoKrsna
wereneitherbefittingnorunbefittingbecausetheywereallfortheAbsolute,
whowasnowplayingthepartofahumanbeing.
ThebenedictionswerefittinginthesensethattheLordwasplayingthepartof
ahumanbeing,asifacousinofMaharajaYudhisthira,buttheywerealso
unfittingbecausetheLordisabsoluteandhasnothingtodowithanykindof
materialrelativities.
Heisnirguna,ortherearenomaterialqualitiesinHim,butHeisfullof
transcendentalqualities.Inthetranscendentalworldthereisnothing
contradictory,whereasintherelativeworldeverythinghasitsopposite.Inthe
relativeworldwhiteistheoppositeconceptionofblack,butinthe
transcendentalworldthereisnodistinctionbetweenwhiteandblack.

Thereforethesoundsofbenedictionsutteredbythelearnedbrahmanashere
andthereappeartobecontradictoryinrelationwiththeAbsolutePerson,but
whentheyareappliedtotheAbsolutePersontheyloseallcontradictionand
becometranscendental.Oneexamplemayclearthisidea.LordSriKrsnais
sometimesdescribedasathief.HeisveryfamousamongstHispuredevotees
astheMakhanacora.Heusedtostealbutterfromthehousesofneighborsat
VrndavanainHisearlyage.SincethenHeisfamousasathief.Butinspiteof
Hisbeingfamousasathief,Heisworshipedasathief,whereasinthe
mundaneworldathiefispunishedandisneverpraised.SinceHeisthe
AbsolutePersonalityofGodhead,everythingisapplicabletoHim,andstillin
spiteofallcontradictionsHeistheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
AbsorbedinthethoughtofthetranscendentalqualitiesoftheLord,whois
glorifiedinselectpoetry,theladiesontheroofsofallthehousesof
HastinapurabegantotalkofHim.Thistalkwasmoreattractivethanthehymns
oftheVedas.
FactuallythegloriesoftheLordaredepictedinsuchliteratureastheVedas,
RamayanaandMahabharata.AndintheBhagavatamtheyarespecifically
mentionedinrespecttotheSupremeLord.

Theladies,whowereallabsorbedinthethoughtandactionsoftheLord,
developedtheconsciousnessofVedicwisdombythegraceoftheLord.
TheVedichymnsintheUpanisadsaresometimesindirectlydirectedtothe
SupremeLord.ButthetalksoftheladiesweredirectlyspokenoftheLord,and
thustheyweremorepleasingtotheheart
Theysaid:HereHeis,theoriginalPersonalityofGodheadaswedefinitely
rememberHim.Healoneexistedbeforethemanifestedcreationofthemodes
ofnature,andinHimonly,becauseHeistheSupremeLord,alllivingbeings
merge,asifsleepingatnight,theirenergysuspended.
Therearetwotypesofdissolutionofthemanifestedcosmos.Attheendof
every4,320,000,000solaryears,whenBrahma,thelordofoneparticular
universe,goestosleep,thereisoneannihilation.AndattheendofLord
Brahma'slife,whichtakesplaceattheendofBrahma'sonehundredyearsof
age,inourcalculationattheendof8,640,000,000x30x12x100solaryears,
thereiscompleteannihilationoftheentireuniverse,andinboththeperiods
boththematerialenergycalledthemahattattvaandthemarginalenergycalled
jivatattvamergeinthepersonoftheSupremeLord.Thelivingbeingsremain
asleepwithinthebodyoftheLorduntilthereisanothercreationofthematerial
world,andthatisthewayofthecreation,maintenanceandannihilationofthe
materialmanifestation.

IntheSrutimantraitissaidthatonlyVisnu,theSupremeLord,existedbefore
thecreation,andtherewasnoBrahma,Sivaorotherdemigods.Visnumeans
theMahaVisnu,whoislyingontheCausalOcean.ByHisbreathingonlyall
theuniversesaregeneratedinseedsandgraduallydevelopintogiganticforms
withinnumerableplanetswithineachandeveryuniverse.
"LetmeoffermyrespectfulobeisancesuntotheoriginalPersonalityof
Godhead,Govinda,whoseplenaryportionistheMahaVisnu.AlltheBrahmas,
theheadsoftheuniverses,liveonlyfortheperiodofHisexhaling,afterthe
universesaregeneratedfromtheporesofHistranscendentalbody."(Brahma
samhita5.58)
ThusGovinda,orLordKrsna,isthecauseofMahaVisnualso.
ThemergingofthelivingbeingsintothebodyofMahaVisnutakesplace
automaticallyattheendofBrahma'sonehundredyears.Butthatdoesnot
meanthattheindividuallivingbeingloseshisidentity.Theidentityisthere,
andassoonasthereisanothercreationbythesupremewilloftheLord,allthe

sleeping,inactivelivingbeingsareagainletloosetobegintheiractivitiesinthe
continuationofpastdifferentspheresoflife.Itiscalledsuptotthitanaya,or
awakeningfromsleepandagainengaginginone'srespectivecontinuousduty
Whenamanisasleepatnight,heforgetshimself,whatheis,whathisdutyis
andeverythingofhiswakingstate.Butassoonasheawakensfromslumber,
heremembersallthathehastodoandthusengageshimselfagaininhis
prescribedactivities.Thelivingbeingsalsoremainmergedinthebodyof
MahaVisnuduringtheperiodofannihilation,butassoonasthereisanother
creationtheyarisetotakeuptheirunfinishedwork
Theyareoftwovarieties,namelynityamuktaandnityabaddha.Thenitya
muktasareeternallyliberatedsouls,andtheyareeternallyengagedinthe
reciprocationoftranscendentallovingservicewiththeLordinHiseternal
abodebeyondthemanifestedmundanecreations.Butthenityabaddha,or
eternallyconditionedsouls,areentrustedtoHisexternalenergy,maya,for
rectificationoftheirrebelliousattitudetowardtheSupremeFather.
NityabaddhasareeternallyforgetfuloftheirrelationwiththeLordaspartsand
parcels.Theyarebewilderedbytheillusoryenergyasproductsofmatter,and
thustheyareverybusyinmakingplansinthematerialworldforbecoming
happy.Theygoonmerrilywithplans,butbythewilloftheLordboththe
planmakersandtheplansareannihilatedattheendofacertainperiod,as
abovementioned.

Actuallythespiritualsparklivingentitieshavenomaterialnamesorforms.But
inordertofulfilltheirdesiretolorditoverthematerialenergyofmaterial
formsandnames,theyaregivenachanceforsuchfalseenjoyment,andatthe
sametimetheyaregivenachancetounderstandtherealpositionthroughthe
revealedscriptures.
Menaremadafterfalsenameandform.
SrimadBhagavatamisthepostgraduatestudyofknowledgeforonewhohas
thoroughlyunderstoodtheprinciplesoftheBhagavadgita.Unfortunately
peoplehavenotasteforthem,andthereforetheyareundertheclutchesof
mayaforrepetitionofbirthanddeath.
HereisthesameSupremePersonalityofGodheadwhosetranscendentalform
isexperiencedbythegreatdevoteeswhoarecompletelycleansedofmaterial

consciousnessbydintofrigiddevotionalserviceandfullcontroloflifeandthe
senses.Andthatistheonlywaytopurifyexistence.
Jitendriyameansonewhohasfullcontroloverthesenses.Thesensesare
activepartsofthebody,andtheiractivitiescannotbestopped.Theartificial
meansoftheyogicprocessestomakethesensesinactivehasprovedtobe
abjectfailure,eveninthecaseofgreatyogislikeVisvamitraMuni.Visvamitra
Municontrolledthesensesbyyogictrance,butwhenhehappenedtomeet
Menaka(aheavenlysocietywoman),hebecameavictimofsex,andthe
artificialwayofcontrollingthesensesfailed.Butinthecaseofapuredevotee,
thesensesarenotatallartificiallystoppedfromdoinganything,buttheyare
givendifferentgoodengagements.
Whenthesensesareengagedinmoreattractiveactivities,thereisnochanceof
theirbeingattractedbyanyinferiorengagements.IntheBhagavadgitaitis
saidthatthesensescanbecontrolledonlybybetterengagements.Devotional
servicenecessitatespurifyingthesensesorengagingthemintheactivitiesof
devotionalservice.Devotionalserviceisnotinaction.Anythingdoneinthe
serviceoftheLordbecomesatoncepurifiedofitsmaterialnature.
ThereisnothingbeyondVasudeva.TheVasudevaconceptiongradually
developsintheheartofthelearnedafteraprolongedaccelerationofthe
receptiveorgans.Buttheprocessendsintheknowledgeofaccepting
Vasudevaasallinall.
Inthecaseofdevotionalservice,thisverysamemethodisacceptedfromthe
verybeginning,andbythegraceoftheLordallfactualknowledgebecomes
revealedintheheartofadevoteeduetodictationbytheLordfromwithin.
Thereforecontrollingthesensesbydevotionalserviceistheonlyand
easiestmeans.

Hisidentitybeingfullyspiritual,Hisform,name,quality,andparaphernalia,
etc.,havebeenelaboratelydistinguishedfrommatter,andthereforeHeis
sometimesmisunderstoodbylessintelligentpersonsasimpersonal.But
factuallyHeistheSupremePerson,Bhagavan,andHeispartiallyrepresented
asParamatmaorimpersonalBrahman.
ThisisthebasicphilosophyofIsopanisad:everythingisthepropertyofthe
SupremeBeing.NooneshouldencroachuponthepropertyoftheSupreme
Lord.OneshouldacceptonlywhatiskindlyawardedbyHim.Therefore,the
earthoranyotherplanetoruniverseistheabsolutepropertyoftheLord.The
livingbeingsarecertainlyHispartsandparcels,orsons,andthuseveryoneof
themhasarighttoliveatthemercyoftheLordtoexecutehisprescribedwork.

Noone,therefore,canencroachupontherightofanotherindividualmanor
animalwithoutbeingsosanctionedbytheLord.
andsuchfoolishadministratorslivelikeanimalsforthesakeoftheirown
personalinterest
Nepotism,bribery,cheating,aggressionand,therefore,famine,epidemic,war
andsimilarotherdisturbingfeaturesbecomeprominentinhumansociety.And
thedevoteesoftheLordorthefaithfularepersecutedbyallmeans.Allthese
symptomsindicatethetimeofanincarnationoftheLordtoreestablishthe
principlesofreligionandtovanquishthemaladministrators.
HedescendsjusttokeepthestateofHiscreationinanormalcondition.The
normalconditionisthattheLordhasprovidedeachandeveryplanetwithall
theneedsofthenativelivingbeings.Theycanhappilyliveandexecutetheir
predestinedoccupationstoattainsalvationattheend,followingtherulesand
regulationsmentionedintherevealedscriptures.
Thematerialworldiscreatedtosatisfythewhimsofthenityabaddha,or
everlastingconditionedsouls,justasnaughtyboysareprovidedwithplaying
cradles.Otherwise,therewasnoneedofthematerialworld
Heactsinamannerwhichnoonecanimitate
Hemarried16,108queens,andallofthemwereblessedwithasufficient
numberofchildren.ThesumtotalofHispersonalfamilymembersamounted
toabout100,000,popularlyknownastheYaduvamsa.Andagain,duringHis
lifetime,Hemanagedtovanquishthemal
Thesunarisesontheeasternhorizon,butthatdoesnotmeanthattheeastern
horizonistheparentofthesun.Thesunisexistentineverypartofthesolar
system,buthebecomesvisibleatascheduledtimeandsoalsobecomes
invisibleatanotherscheduledtime.Similarly,theLordappearsinthisuniverse
likethesunandagainleavesoursightatanothertime.Heexistsatalltimes
andateveryplace
Anyonewhocanunderstandthistruth,intermsofthestatementsofrevealed
scriptures,certainlybecomesliberatedjustafterquittingthepresentbody
Liberationisobtainableaftermanybirthsandaftergreatendeavorinpatience
andperseverance,inknowledgeandrenunciation.Butsimplybyknowingin
truthabouttheLord'stranscendentalbirthsandactivities,onecangetliberation
atonce.ThatistheverdictoftheBhagavadgita.
ThefortunesoftheYadudynastyandthatoftheinhabitantsofthelandof
Mathuracannotbemateriallyestimated.

AllthosewhowerefortunateenoughtoassociatewiththeLord,thehusbandof
thegoddessoffortune,certainlyobtainedsomethingmorethanwhatisknown
asliberation.Therefore,rightly,thedynastyandthelandarebotheverglorious
bythegraceoftheLord.
UndoubtedlyitiswonderfulthatDvarakahasdefeatedthegloriesofthe
heavenlyplanetsandhasenhancedthecelebrityoftheearth.Theinhabitantsof
Dvarakaarealwaysseeingthesoulofalllivingbeings[Krsna]inHisloving
feature.Heglancesatthemandfavorsthemwithsweetsmiles.
Sixmonthsonearthisequaltoonedayontheheavenlyplanets.Facilitiesof
enjoymentarealsosimilarlyenhanced,andthebeautyoftheinhabitantsis
legendary.Commonmenontheearthareverymuchfondofreachingthe
heavenlyplanetsbecausetheyhaveheardthatcomfortsoflifearefargreater
therethanontheearth
Threeplaces,namelyVrndavana,MathuraandDvaraka,aremoreimportant
thanthefamousplanetswithintheuniverse.
TheLordisthesoulofalllivingbeings,andHedesiresalwaystohaveallthe
livingbeings,intheirsvarupa,intheirconstitutionalposition,toparticipatein
transcendentallifeinHisassociation.Hisattractivefeaturesandsweetsmiles
godeepintotheheartofeveryone,andonceitissodonethelivingbeingis
admittedintothekingdomofGod,fromwhichnoonereturns.
Dvarakaiscertainlymoreimportantthantheheavenlyplanetsbecause
whoeverhasbeenfavoredwiththesmilingglanceoftheLordshallnevercome
backagaintothisrottenearth,whichiscertifiedbytheLordHimselfasaplace
ofmisery.Notonlythisearthbutalsoalltheplanetsoftheuniversesareplaces
ofmiserybecauseinnoneoftheplanetswithintheuniverseisthereeternal
life,eternalblissandeternalknowledge
Ofriends,justthinkofHiswives,whosehandsHehasaccepted.Howthey
musthaveundergonevows,baths,firesacrificesandperfectworshipofthe
LordoftheuniversetoconstantlyrelishnowthenectarfromHislips[by
kissing].ThedamselsofVrajabhumiwouldoftenfaintjustbyexpectingsuch
favors.
graduallypromotedtothestageofrenderingtranscendentalserviceuntothe
SupremeLord.Attainmentofthisstageofpurespirituallifeisthehighest
perfection,andthisstageiscalledsvarupa,orthefactualidentityoftheliving
being.Liberationmeansrenovationofthisstageofsvarupa.
TheLordisalwaysperfectinHimself,andthusHehasnohankeringfor
Himself.He,however,becomesamaster,afriend,asonorahusbandtofulfill
theintenseloveofthedevoteeconcerned.

Oneissvakiya,andtheotherisparakiya.Bothofthemareinconjugallove
withthePersonalityofGodheadKrsna.ThequeensatDvarakaweresvakiya,
ordulymarriedwives,butthedamselsofVrajawereyoungfriendsoftheLord
whileHewasunmarried.TheLordstayedatVrndavanatilltheageofsixteen,
andHisfriendlyrelationswiththeneighboringgirlswereintermsofparakiya.
Thesegirls,aswellasthequeens,underwentseverepenancesbytakingvows,
bathingandofferingsacrificesinthefire,asprescribedinthescriptures.The
rites,astheyare,arenotanendinthemselves,norarefruitiveaction,cultureof
knowledgeorperfectioninmysticpowersendsinthemselves.Theyareall
meanstoattaintothehigheststageofsvarupa,torenderconstitutional
transcendentalservicetotheLord
Eachandeverylivingbeinghashisindividualpositioninoneoftheabove
mentionedfivedifferentkindsofreciprocatingmeanswiththeLord,andin
one'spurespiritualformofsvarupatherelationbecomesmanifestwithout
mundaneaffinity.
ThekissingoftheLord,eitherbyHiswivesorHisyounggirlfriendswho
aspiredtohavetheLordastheirfiance,isnotofanymundaneperverted
quality.Hadsuchthingsbeenmundane,aliberatedsoullikeSukadevawould
nothavetakenthetroubletorelishthem,norwouldLordSriCaitanya
Mahaprabhuhavebeeninclinedtoparticipateinthosesubjectsafter
renouncingworldlylife.Thestageisearnedaftermanylivesofpenance.
ThechildrenoftheseladiesarePradyumna,Samba,Amba,etc:Ladieslike
Rukmini,SatyabhamaandJambavatiwereforciblytakenawaybyHimfrom
theirsvayamvaraceremoniesafterHedefeatedmanypowerfulkings,headed
bySisupala.AndotherladieswerealsoforciblytakenawaybyHimafterHe
killedBhaumasuraandthousandsofhisassistants.Alloftheseladiesare
glorious.
Becausethesvayamvarawasanopencompetitionbetweentherivalandvaliant
princes,suchprinceswereinvitedbythefatheroftheprincess,andusually
therewereregularfightsbetweentheinvitedprincelyorderinasportingspirit.
Butitsohappenedthatsometimesthebelligerentprinceswerekilledinsuch
marriagefighting,andthevictoriousprincewasofferedthetrophyprincessfor
whomsomanyprincesdied.
ThesegirlsprayedpiteouslytoLordKrsnafortheirdeliverance,andthe
mercifulLord,calledbytheirferventprayer,releasedthemallbyfightingand
killingBhaumasura.Allthesecaptiveprincesseswerethenacceptedbythe
LordasHiswives,althoughintheestimationofsocietytheywereallfallen
girls
Allthesewomenauspiciouslyglorifiedtheirlivesdespitetheirbeingwithout

individualityandwithoutpurity.Theirhusband,thelotuseyedPersonalityof
Godhead,neverleftthemaloneathome.Healwayspleasedtheirheartsby
makingvaluablepresentations.
ThedevoteesoftheLordarepurifiedsouls.Assoonasthedevoteessurrender
untothelotusfeetoftheLordsincerely,theLordacceptsthem,andthusthe
devoteesatoncebecomefreefromallmaterialcontaminations.Suchdevotees
areabovethethreemodesofmaterialnature.Thereisnobodily
disqualificationofadevotee,justasthereisnoqualitativedifferencebetween
theGangeswaterandthefilthydrainwaterwhentheyareamalgamated
Women,merchantsandlaborersarenotveryintelligent,andthusitisvery
difficultforthemtounderstandthescienceofGodortobeengagedinthe
devotionalserviceoftheLord.Theyaremorematerialistic,andlessthanthem
aretheKiratas,Hunas,Andhras,Pulindas,Pulkasas,Abhiras,Kankas,
Yavanas,Khasas,etc.,butallofthemcanbedeliverediftheyareproperly
engagedinthedevotionalserviceoftheLord
ByengagementintheserviceoftheLord,thedesignativedisqualifications
areremoved,andaspuresoulstheybecomeeligibletoenterintothekingdom
ofGod.
TheLordusedtolivewithHis16,108wivesconstantly.HeexpandedHimself
into16,108plenaryportions,andeachandeveryoneofthemwastheLord
HimselfwithoutdeviationfromtheOriginalPersonality
Ashusbandofsomanywives,Hepleasedthemallwithpresentations,evenat
acostlyendeavor.Hebroughttheparijataplantfromheavenandimplantedit
atthepalaceofSatyabhama,oneoftheprincipalqueens.If,therefore,anyone
desirestheLordtobecomeone'shusband,theLordfulfillssuchdesiresinfull.
MaharajaYudhisthira,althoughnoone'senemy,engagedfourdivisionsof
defense[horse,elephant,chariotandarmy]toaccompanyLordKrsna,the
enemyoftheasuras[demons].TheMaharajadidthisbecauseoftheenemy,
andalsooutofaffectionfortheLord.
MaharajaYudhisthiraknewwellthatKrsnaiseveryone'sfriendandwell
wisher,andyettherewereasuraswhowerebynatureenviousoftheLord.So
outoffearofattackfromothersandoutofaffectionalso,heengagedall
varietiesofdefensiveforcesasbodyguardsofLordKrsna
TheLordplaysthepartofasubordinateinHistranscendentalsporting,and
thussometimesHeputsHimselfinthecareofYasodamataforHisprotection
inHissocalledhelplessnessofchildhood.Thatisthetranscendentallila,or
pastimeoftheLord

ThebasicprincipleforalltranscendentalexchangesbetweentheLordandHis
devoteesisexhibitedtoenjoyatranscendentalblissforwhichthereisno
comparison,evenuptothelevelofbrahmananda.
Thetheoryofsoilexpertsthatthedesertdevelopedinrecentyearsisnot
supportedbythestatementsofBhagavatam.
Wemayleavethematterforexpertgeologiststoresearchbecausethechanging
universehasdifferentphasesofgeologicaldevelopment.Wearesatisfiedthat
theLordhasnowreachedHisownprovince,Dvarakadhama,fromtheKuru
provinces.KuruksetracontinuestoexistsincetheVedicage,anditissheer
foolishnesswheninterpretersignoreordenytheexistenceofKuruksetra.
Intheevening,inallplaces,theLordsuspendedHisjourneytoperform
eveningrites.Thiswasregularlyobservedaftersunset.
SincetheLordisabsolute,everythingdonebyHimisgoodforeveryone
AlthoughHehasnoobligatoryduty,stillHedoeseverythingsothatothers
mayfollow.Thatisthewayoffactualteaching;onemustactproperlyhimself
andteachthesametoothers,otherwisenoonewillacceptone'sblindteaching.
Butintheadvancedstage,whenonecanunderstandthetranscendentalnature
oftheLord,onedoesnottrytoimitateHim.Thisisnotpossible.
TheLordinhumansocietydoeswhatisthedutyofeveryone,butsometimes
Hedoessomethingextraordinaryandnottobeimitatedbythelivingbeing.
Hisactsofeveningprayerasstatedhereinmustbefollowedbytheliving
being,butitisnotpossibletofollowHismountainliftingordancingwiththe
gopis.
Therefore,inallactions,theexperiencedguide,thespiritualmaster,whoisthe
manifestedmercyoftheLord,shouldalwaysbeconsulted,andthepathof
progresswillbeassured.

Chapter11

WhentheLorddescendsontheearth,Hiseternalassociatesalsocomewith

Him,justastheentourageofakingaccompanieshim.Suchassociatesofthe
Lordareeternallyliberatedsouls,andtheycannotbeartheseparationofthe
LordevenforamomentbecauseofintenseaffectionfortheLord.Thusthe
inhabitantsofthecityofDvarakawereinamoodofdejectionandexpectedthe
arrivaloftheLordatanymoment.Sotheheraldingsoundoftheauspicious
conchshellwasveryencouraging,andapparentlythesoundpacifiedtheir
dejection.TheywerestillmoreaspiranttoseetheLordamongstthemselves,
andallofthembecamealerttoreceiveHiminthebefittingmanner.Theseare
thesignsofspontaneousloveofGodhead.
Thewhiteandfatboweledconchshell,beinggrippedbythehandofLord
KrsnaandsoundedbyHim,appearedtobereddenedbythetouchofHis
transcendentallips.Itseemedthatawhiteswanwasplayinginthestemsofred
lotusflowers.
TheLordispresentineveryparticleofallexistence,andHecanmanifestHis
presenceinanyone.
theparamahamsa,orthesupremelyintelligentperson,playsthepartofthe
duckingswaninthewaterofspiritualbliss,eternallydecoratedbythelotus
floweroftheLord'sfeet.
AllwereveryanxioustohaveanaudiencewiththeLord,althoughbecauseof
spiritualcontacttheywereneverseparatedfromtheLord.Justasthegopisat
VrndavanausedtothinkofKrsnawhileHewasawayfromthevillagefor
cowherdingengagements,thecitizensofDvarakawereallimmersedinthought
oftheLordwhileHewasawayfromDvarakatoattendtheBattleof
Kuruksetra.
SoallthecitizensofDvarakaawokefromastateofslumberbecauseofthe
sunriseofKrsna,andtheyallhastenedtowardsHimjusttohaveanaudience
ThedevoteesoftheLordknownooneelseasprotector.
ThissoundoftheLordisidenticalwiththeLord,aswehavetriedtoexplainby
thenondualpositionoftheLord.
Thematerialexistenceofourpresentstatusisfulloffear.Outofthefour
problemsofmaterialexistence,namelythefoodproblem,theshelterproblem,
thefearproblemandthematingproblem,thefearproblemgivesusmore
troublethantheothers.Wearealwaysfearfulduetoourignoranceofthenext
problem.

yetallfearisvanishedassoonasthereisthesoundoftheLord,representedby

Hisholyname,asitwassoundedbyLordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhuinthe
followingsixteenwords:
HareKrsna,HareKrsna,KrsnaKrsna,HareHareHareRama,HareRama,
RamaRama,HareHare
Wecantakeadvantageofthesesoundsandbefreefromallthreatening
problemsofmaterialexistence.
ThecitizensarrivedbeforetheLordwiththeirrespectivepresentations,
offeringthemtothefullysatisfiedandselfsufficientone,who,byHisown
potency,incessantlysuppliesothers.Thesepresentationswereliketheoffering
ofalamptothesun.Yetthecitizensbegantospeakinecstaticlanguageto
receivetheLord,justaswardswelcometheirguardianandfather.
TheSupremeLordKrsnaisdescribedhereinasatmarama.Heisselfsufficient,
andthereisnoneedforHimtoseekhappinessfromanythingbeyondHimself.
HeisselfsufficientbecauseHisverytranscendentalexistenceistotalbliss.He
iseternallyexistent;Heisallcognizantandallblissful.Therefore,any
presentation,howevervaluableitmaybe,isnotneededbyHim.Butstill,
becauseHeisthewellwisherforoneandall,Heacceptsfromeveryone
everythingthatisofferedtoHiminpuredevotionalservice.
butinthecaseofdevotionalservicetotheLord,thereisnoquestionofdemand
fromeitherside.ItisallasignofpureloveandaffectionbetweentheLordand
thedevotee.
TheLordisjustlikethedesiretree,andfromHimeveryonecanhave
everythingbythecauselessmercyoftheLord.AstheSupremeFather,the
Lord,however,doesnotsupplytoapuredevoteewhatisconsideredtobea
barriertothedischargeofdevotionalservice.Thosewhoareengagedinthe
devotionalserviceoftheLordcanrisetothepositionofunalloyeddevotional
servicebyHistranscendentalattraction.
ThelivingentitiesarepredominatedBrahman,whereastheSupremeLordis
thepredominatingAbsolute.
TheclearconsciousnessofthecognizantlivingbeingisGodconsciousness,
inwhichonebowsdownuntoHiminallcircumstances.
ThereisnoneedtoworshipanydeitybuttheLord.
TheLordisallpowerful,andifHeissatisfiedbyourobedienceuntoHislotus
feet,Heiscompetenttobestowuponusallkindsofblessingsforthesuccessful
executionofbothourmaterialandspirituallives.

OurrelationwithHimiseternal;itcanneitherbebrokennorvanquished.It
maybeforgottenforthetimebeing,butitcanberevivedalsobythegraceof
theLord,ifwefollowHisinjunctions,whicharerevealedinthescripturesof
alltimesandallplaces.
Oh,itisourgoodluckthatwehavecomeagaintodayunderYourprotection
byYourpresence,forYourLordshiprarelyvisitseventhedenizensofheaven.
NowitispossibleforustolookintoYoursmilingface,whichisfullof
affectionateglances.WecannowseeYourtranscendentalform,fullofall
auspiciousness.
TheLordinHiseternalpersonalformcanbeseenonlybythepuredevotees.
TheLordisneverimpersonal,butHeistheSupremeAbsolutePersonalityof
Godhead,possibletobevisitedbydevotionalservicefacetoface,whichis
impossibletobedoneevenbythedenizensofhigherplanets.WhenBrahmaji
andotherdemigodswanttoconsultLordVisnu,theplenaryportionofLord
Krsna,theyhavetowaitontheshoreoftheoceanofmilkwhereLordVisnuis
lyingonWhiteLand(Svetadvipa).ThisoceanofmilkandtheSvetadvipa
planetarethereplicaofVaikunthalokawithintheuniverse
NeitherBrahmajinorthedemigodslikeIndracanenterintothisislandof
Svetadvipa,buttheycanstandontheshoreoftheoceanofmilkandtransmit
theirmessagetoLordVisnu,knownasKsirodakasayiVisnu.Therefore,the
Lordisrarelyseenbythem,buttheinhabitantsofDvaraka,becauseoftheir
beingpuredevoteeswithoutanytingeofthematerialcontaminationoffruitive
activitiesandempiricphilosophicalspeculation,canseeHimfacetofaceby
thegraceoftheLord.Thisistheoriginalstateofthelivingentitiesandcanbe
attainedbyrevivingournaturalandconstitutionalstateoflife,whichis
discoveredbydevotionalserviceonly.
OlotuseyedLord,wheneverYougoawaytoMathura,Vrndavanaor
HastinapuratomeetYourfriendsandrelatives,everymomentofYourabsence
seemslikeamillionyears.Oinfallibleone,atthattimeoureyesbecome
useless,asifbereftofsun.
Butweforgetthatoursensesarenotabsolutebythemselves.Theycanonlyact
undercertainconditions.Forexample,oureyes.Aslongasthesunshineis
there,oureyesareusefultoacertainextent.Butintheabsenceofsunshine,the
eyesareuseless.
Theoppositeofthesunisthedarkness,andsimilarlytheoppositeofKrsnais
maya,orillusion.ThedevoteesoftheLordcanseeeverythingintrue
perspectiveduetothelightdisseminatedbyLordKrsna.Bythegraceofthe
Lordthepuredevoteecannotbeinthedarknessofignorance

Therefore,itisnecessarythatwemustalwaysbeinthesightofLordKrsnaso
thatwecanseebothourselvesandtheLordwithHisdifferentenergies.Aswe
cannotseeanythingintheabsenceofthesun,soalsowecannotseeanything
includingourownself,withoutthefactualpresenceoftheLord.WithoutHim
allourknowledgeiscoveredbyillusion.
LordKrsna'sattractionissopowerfulthatoncebeingattractedbyHimone
cannottolerateseparationfromHim.Whyisthisso?Becauseweareall
eternallyrelatedwithHimasthesunraysareeternallyrelatedwiththesundisc
Everyoneofuswantstoremovethemiseriesoflife,butwedonotknowhow
todoit.Thesolutionisgivenhere,anditrestsonustoassimilateitornot.
TheNagalokaplanetissituatedbelowtheearthplanet,anditisunderstoodthat
thesunraysarehamperedthere.Thedarknessoftheplanetis,however,
removedbytheflashesofthejewelssetontheheadsoftheNagas(celestial
serpents),anditissaidthattherearebeautifulgardens,rivulets,etc.,forthe
enjoymentoftheNagas.Itisunderstoodherealsothattheplaceiswell
protectedbytheinhabitants.SoalsothecityofDvarakawaswell
protectedbythedescendantsofVrsni,whowereaspowerfulastheLord,
insofarasHemanifestedHisstrengthuponthisearth.
Perfectionofhumancivilizationismadepossiblebyutilizingthegiftsof
natureintheirownway.Aswefindherewithinthedescriptionofitsopulence,
Dvarakawassurroundedbyflowergardensandfruitorchardsalongwith
reservoirsofwaterandgrowinglotuses.Thereisnomentionofmillsand
factoriessupportedbyslaughterhouses,whicharethenecessaryparaphernalia
ofthemodernmetropolis.
Developmentoffactoriesandmillsiscalledugrakarma,orpungentactivities,
andsuchactivitiesdeterioratethefinersentimentsofthehumanbeingand
societytoformadungeonofdemons.
Wefindhereinthementionofpioustreeswhichproduceseasonalflowersand
fruits.Theimpioustreesareuselessjunglesonly,andtheycanonlybeusedto
supplyfuels.Inthemoderncivilizationsuchimpioustreesareplantedonthe
sidesofroads.
Thevestedinterestsflourishatthecostoftheworkingclass,andconsequently
therearesevereclashesbetweentheminsomanyways.Thedescriptionof
Dvarakadhamaistheidealofhumancivilization.

Mangotrees,coconutpalmsandplantaintreesarestillacceptedasauspicious
signs.
TheflagsmentionedabovewereallpaintedwiththepictureofeitherGarudaor
Hanuman,thetwogreatservitorsoftheLord
andtheservitorofthemasterispaidmorerespectsforthesatisfactionofthe
Lord.
Fromtheabovedescription,itappearsthatthecityofDvarakadhamawas
considerablybig,containingmanyhighways,streetsandpublicmeetingplaces
withparks,gardensandreservoirsofwater,allverynicelydecoratedwith
flowersandfruits.AndtowelcometheLordsuchflowersandfruitswith
unbrokenseedsofgrainwerealsostrewnoverthepublicplaces.Unbroken
seedsofgrainorfruitsintheseedlingstagewereconsideredauspicious,and
theyarestillsousedbytheHindusingeneralonfestivaldays.
Ineachandeverydooroftheresidentialhouses,auspiciousthingslikecurd,
unbrokenfruits,sugarcaneandfullwaterpotswitharticlesforworship,incense
andcandleswerealldisplayed.
Thereceptionwasmadenotsimplybydecoratingtheroadsandstreetsas
abovementioned,butbyworshipingtheLordwithrequisiteingredientslike
incense,lamps,flowers,sweets,fruitsandotherpalatableeatables,according
toone'scapacity.AllwereofferedtotheLord,andtheremnantsofthe
foodstuffweredistributedamongstthegatheringcitizens
Withoutdistributionoffood,nofunctioniscomplete,andthatisthewayof
Vedicculture.
OnhearingthatthemostdearKrsnawasapproachingDvarakadhama,
magnanimousVasudeva,Akrura,Ugrasena,Balarama(thesuperhumanly
powerful),Pradyumna,CarudesnaandSambathesonofJambavati,all
extremelyhappy,abandonedresting,sittinganddining.
AkruraattainedsuccessindevotionalservicetotheLordbytheonesingle
processofofferingprayers
Ahuka,thefatherinlawofAkrura,wasnotongoodtermswithAkrura.But
bothofthemweredevoteesoftheLord.
WhentheYadudynastywastobevanquished,Ugrasenawasentrustedwith
theironlumpproducedfromthewombofSamba.Hecuttheironlumpinto
piecesandthenpasteditandmixeditupwiththeseawateronthecoastof
Dvaraka.Afterthis,heorderedcompleteprohibitionwithinthecityofDvaraka
andthekingdom.Hegotsalvationafterhisdeath.

WhenSubhadrawaskidnappedbyArjunabytheorganizedplanofSriKrsna,
BaladevawasveryangrywithArjunaandwantedtokillhimatonce.Sri
Krsna,forthesakeofHisdearfriend,fellatthefeetofLordBaladevaand
imploredHimnottobesoangry.SriBaladevawasthussatisfied.
HisothernameisthereforeSankarsana,whoisalsotheplenaryportionofSri
Baladeva.
IntheVedasalsoitisenjoinedthatnoonecanknowtheSupremeLord
withoutbeingfavoredbyBaladeva.Balameansspiritualstrengthnot
physical
Physicalstrengthendswiththeendofthephysicalbody,butspiritualstrength
followsthespiritsoultothenexttransmigration,andthereforethestrength
obtainedbyBaladevaisneverwasted.Thestrengthiseternal,andthus
Baladevaistheoriginalspiritualmasterofalldevotees.
Atthelaststage,Hedepartedfromthisworldbyproducingagreatwhitesnake
fromHismouth,andthusHewascarriedbySesanagaintheshapeofaserpent.
Pradyumna:IncarnationofKamadevaor,accordingtoothers,incarnationof
Sanatkumara,bornasthesonofthePersonalityofGodheadLordSriKrsna
andLaksmideviSrimatiRukmini,theprincipalqueenatDvaraka.Heheardall
aboutthedifferentdemigodsfromNaradaji.Heisoneofthefourplenary
expansionsofLordSriKrsna.Heisthethirdone.Heinquiredfromhisfather,
SriKrsna,aboutthegloriesofthebrahmanas.Duringthefratricidalwar
amongstthedescendantsofYadu,hediedatthehandofBhoja,anotherkingof
theVrsnis.Afterhisdeath,hewasinstalledinhisoriginalposition.
Hewaspresentedbeforesomersisfalselydressedasapregnantwomanbyhis
brothers,andinfunheaskedthersiswhathewasgoingtodeliver.Thersis
repliedthathewoulddeliveralumpofiron,whichwouldbethecauseof
fratricidalwarinthefamilyofYadu.Thenextday,inthemorning,Samba
deliveredalargelumpofiron,whichwasentrustedwithUgrasenafor
necessaryaction.Actuallylaterontherewastheforetoldfratricidalwar,and
Sambadiedinthatwar.
Thustheyofferedtheirrespects,whichweresaturatedwithaffection.
Theauspiciousatmosphereofsuchareceptiondependsontheparaphernalia
describedabove,includingconchshells,flowers,incense,decoratedelephants,
andthequalifiedbrahmanasrecitingversesfromtheVedicliteratures.Sucha
programofreceptionisfullofsincerity,onthepartofboththereceiverandthe
received.
WemaynothateeventheprostitutesiftheyaredevoteesoftheLord.Evento

datetherearemanyprostitutesingreatcitiesofIndiawhoaresinceredevotees
oftheLord.Bytricksofchanceonemaybeobligedtoadoptaprofession
whichisnotveryadorableinsociety,butthatdoesnothamperonein
executingdevotionalservicetotheLord
Itisbetterthatprostitutesbeavailableinthemarketplacesothatthesanctityof
societycanbemaintained.Itisbettertomaintainaclassofprostitutesthanto
encourageprostituteswithinsociety.Therealreformationistoenlightenall
peopletobecomedevoteesoftheLord,andthatwillcheckallkindsof
deterioratingfactorsoflife.
SriBilvamangalaThakura,agreatacaryaoftheVisnusvamiVaisnavasect,in
hishouseholderlifewasoverlyattachedtoaprostitutewhohappenedtobea
devoteeoftheLord.OnenightwhentheThakuracametoCintamani'shousein
torrentsofrainandthunder,CintamaniwasastonishedtoseehowtheThakura
couldcomeonsuchadreadfulnightaftercrossingafoamingriverwhichwas
fullofwaves.ShesaidtoThakuraBilvamangalathathisattractionfortheflesh
andboneofaninsignificantwomanlikeherwouldbeproperlyutilizedifit
couldbedivertedtothedevotionalserviceoftheLordtoachieveattractionfor
thetranscendentalbeautyoftheLord.Itwasamomentoushourforthe
Thakura,andhetookaturntowardsspiritualrealizationbythewordsofa
prostitute.LaterontheThakuraacceptedtheprostituteashisspiritualmaster,
andinseveralplacesofhisliteraryworkshehasglorifiedthenameof
Cintamani,whoshowedhimtherightpath.
IntheBhagavadgita(9.32)theLordsays,"OsonofPrtha,eventhelowborn
candalasandthosewhoareborninafamilyofunbelievers,andeventhe
prostitutes,shallattainperfectionoflifeiftheytakeshelterofunalloyed
devotionalservicetoMe,becauseinthepathofdevotionalservicethereareno
impedimentsduetodegradedbirthandoccupation.Thepathisopenfor
everyonewhoagreestofollowit."
Therefore,theonlyreformationthatisnecessaryinsocietyistomakean
organizedefforttoturnthecitizensintodevoteesoftheLord,andthusallgood
qualitiesofthedenizensofheavenwillovertakethemintheirownway
ThedifferenceisthatthedevoteesoftheLordareonthepathofliberation,
whereasthenondevoteesareonthepathoffurtherentanglementinmaterial
bondage.
Suchdramatists,dancers,singers,historians,genealogistsandpublicspeakers
woulddwellonthesubjectoftheLord'ssuperhumanactivitiesindifferentages
andmillenniums,andnotonordinaryevents
TheAlmightyLordgreetedeveryonepresentbybowingHishead,exchanging
greetings,embracing,shakinghands,lookingandsmiling,givingassurances

andawardingbenedictions,eventothelowestinrank.
Aspurelivingentities,allaretheseparatedpartsandparcelsoftheLord,and
thusnooneisalienbyHiseternalrelation.Suchpurelivingentitiesaregraded
differentlyintermsofcontaminationofthemodesofmaterialnature,butthe
LordisequallyaffectionatetoallHispartsandparcels,despitematerial
gradation.
HedescendsonlytorecallthesematerialisticlivingbeingsbacktoHis
kingdom,andintelligentpersonstakeadvantageofthisfacilityofferedbythe
PersonalityofGodheadtoalllivingbeings.

Thebrahmanasinsocietywereneverattentivetobankingmoneyforfuture
retiredlife.Whentheywereoldinvalids,theyusedtoapproachtheassembly
ofthekings,andsimplybypraisingthegloriousdeedsperformedbythekings,
alongwiththeirwives,theywouldbeprovidedwithallnecessitiesoflife.Such
brahmanaswerenot,sotospeak,flatterersofthekings,butthekingswere
actuallyglorifiedbytheiractions,andtheyweresincerelystillmore
encouragedinpiousactsbysuchbrahmanasinadignifiedway.
ThetranscendentalformoftheLordinstalledinatempleisnotdifferent
fromtheLordpersonally.SuchaformoftheLordiscalledarcavigraha,or
arcaincarnation,andisexpandedbytheLordbyHisinternalpotencyjustto
facilitatethedevotionalserviceofHisinnumerabledevoteeswhoareinthe
materialworld.
Theladiesdidnotmixwiththecrowdonthestreet,andthustheir
respectabilitywasperfectlyobserved.Therewasnoartificialequalitywiththe
man.Femalerespectabilityispreservedmoreelegantlybykeepingthewoman
separatefromtheman.Thesexesshouldnotmixunrestrictedly.
TheinhabitantsofDvarakawereregularlyaccustomedtolookuponthe
reservoirofallbeauty,theinfallibleLord,yettheywereneversatiated.
Anythingmaterialseenforanumberoftimesultimatelybecomesunattractive
bythelawofsatiation.Thelawofsatiationactsmaterially,butthereisno
scopeforitinthespiritualrealm.
Thelivingentitiesarefalliblebecausewhentheycomeincontactwiththe
materialworldtheylacktheirspiritualidentity,andthusthebodymaterially
obtainedbecomessubjectedtobirth,growth,transformation,situation,
deteriorationandannihilationunderthelawsofnature.TheLord'sbodyisnot
likethat.

HedescendsasHeisandisneverunderthelawsofthematerialmodes.His
bodyisthesourceofeverythingthatbe,thereservoirofallbeautiesbeyond
ourexperience.Noone,therefore,issatiatedbyseeingthetranscendentalbody
oftheLordbecausetherearealwaysmanifestationsofnewerandnewer
beauties.Thetranscendentalname,form,qualities,entourage,etc.,areall
spiritualmanifestations,andthereisnosatiationinchantingtheholynameof
theLord,thereisnosatiationindiscussingthequalitiesoftheLord,andthere
isnolimitationoftheentourageoftheLord.Heisthesourceofallandis
limitless.
TheLord'schestistheabodeofthegoddessoffortune.Hismoonlikeface
isthedrinkingvesselforeyeswhichhankerafterallthatisbeautiful.His
armsaretherestingplacesfortheadministrativedemigods.AndHislotus
feetaretherefugeofpuredevoteeswhonevertalkorsingofanysubject
exceptHisLordship.
theLordisalwaysservedwithallreverencebythousandsandthousandsof
goddessesoffortuneatthecintamanidhama,thetranscendentalabodeofthe
Lordwherethetreesarealldesiretreesandthebuildingsaremadeof
touchstone.TheLordGovindaisengagedthereinherdingthesurabhicowsas
Hisnaturaloccupation.Thesegoddessesoffortunecanbeseenautomaticallyif
weareattractedbythebodilyfeaturesoftheLord.Theimpersonalistscannot
observesuchgoddessesoffortunebecauseoftheirdryspeculativehabit.And
thosewhoareartists,overtakenbythebeautifulcreation,shouldbetterseeto
thebeautifulfaceoftheLordforcompletesatisfaction.ThefaceoftheLordis
theembodimentofbeauty.WhattheycallbeautifulnatureisbutHissmile,and
whattheycallthesweetsongsofthebirdsarebutspecimensofthewhispering
voiceoftheLord
TheessenceofeverythingistheSupremeLord:Heiscalledthesaram.And
thosewhosingandtalkaboutHimarecalledthesarangas,orthepure
devotees.Thepuredevoteesarealwayshankeringafterthelotusfeetofthe
Lord.Thelotushasakindofhoneywhichistranscendentallyrelishedbythe
devotees.Theyarelikethebeeswhoarealwaysafterthehoney.
Osupremeeternal,please,therefore,letmymindbefixedatYourlotusfeetso
thateternallyImaybeabletorelishthetasteofYourtranscendentalservice."
ThedevoteesaresatisfiedwithbeingplacedatthelotusfeetoftheLordand
havenoambitiontoseeHisallbeautifulfaceoraspirefortheprotectionofthe
strongarmsoftheLord.Theyarehumblebynature,andtheLordisalways
leaningtowardssuchhumbledevotees.
LordKrsnaalsodidnotdistinguishHisrealmotherfromHisstepmothers,and
HeequallyofferedHisobeisancesuntoallthewivesofVasudevapresenton
theoccasion.Accordingtoscripturesalso,therearesevenmothers:(1)thereal

mother,(2)thewifeofthespiritualmaster,(3)thewifeofabrahmana,(4)the
wifeoftheking,(5)thecow,(6)thenurse,and(7)theearth.
Themothers,afterembracingtheirson,satHimontheirlaps.Duetopure
affection,milksprangfromtheirbreasts.Theywereoverwhelmedwithdelight,
andthetearsfromtheireyeswettedtheLord.
WhenLordKrsnawasatVrndavanaeventhecowswouldbecomemoistened
byaffectiontowardsHim,andHewoulddrawmilkfromthenipplesofevery
affectionatelivingbeing,sowhattospeakofthestepmotherswhowerealready
asgoodasHisownmother.
ThePersonalityofGodheadmeansonewhoisfullwithallpower,allenergy,
allopulences,allbeauties,allknowledgeandallrenunciation.Therefore,inthe
palacesoftheLordtherewasnothingwantingforfulfillingalldesiresofthe
Lord.TheLordisunlimited,andthereforeHisdesiresarealsounlimited,and
thesupplyisalsounlimited.
HecanexpandHimselfinasmanyformsofspiritualidentityasHedesires,
eventhoughHeisonewithoutasecond.ItisconfirmedbytheSrutimantra
thattheAbsoluteisonealone,andyetHebecomesmanyassoonasHeso
desires.
TheseparatedportionsarerepresentationsofHisenergy,andtheplenary
portionsaremanifestationsofHisPersonality.
Ordinarily,ayogiormysticlivingbeingisabletoexpandhimselfatutmostto
tenfoldexpansionsofhisbody,buttheLordcandosototheextentofasmany
thousandsorinfinitely,asHelikes.
AccordingtoYajnavalkya'sreligiousinjunctions,awomanwhosehusbandis
awayfromhomeshouldnottakepartinanysocialfunctions,shouldnot
decorateherbody,shouldnotlaughandshouldnotgotoanyrelative'shousein
anycircumstance.Thisisthevowoftheladieswhosehusbandsareawayfrom
home.
Atthesametime,itisalsoenjoinedthatawifeshouldneverpresentherself
beforethehusbandinanuncleanstate.Shemustdecorateherselfwith
ornamentsandgooddressandshouldalwaysbepresentbeforethehusbandin
ahappyandjoyousmood.
TheycanneverbeseparatedfromtheLord,eitherbypresenceorbytrance.
ThegopisatVrndavanacouldnotforgettheLordwhentheLordwasawayin
theforestcowherding.WhentheLordboyKrsnawasabsentfromthevillage,
thegopisathomeusedtoworryaboutHimtraversingtheroughgroundwith
Hissoftlotusfeet.Bythinkingthus,theyweresometimesoverwhelmedin

tranceandmortifiedintheheart.Suchistheconditionofthepureassociatesof
theLord.Theyarealwaysintrance,andsothequeensalsowereintrance
duringtheabsenceoftheLord.
AccordingtoSriVisvanathaCarkavartiThakura,therewasaregular
psychologicalreactionontheoccasion.Firstofall,risingfromtheirseats,
althoughtheywantedtoseetheirhusband,theyweredeterredbecauseof
feminineshyness.Butduetostrongecstasy,theyovercamethatstageof
weaknessandbecamecaughtupwiththeideaofembracingtheLord,andthis
thoughtfactuallymadethemunconsciousoftheirsurroundingenvironment.
Thisprimestateofecstasyannihilatedallotherformalitiesandsocial
conventions,andthustheyescapedallstumblingblocksonthepathofmeeting
theLord.AndthatistheperfectstageofmeetingtheLordofthesoul,Sri
Krsna.
Oneindirectlyembracesthehusbandbysendingthesontoembracehim
becausethesonisdevelopedaspartofthemother'sbody.Theembraceofthe
sonisnotexactlytheembraceofhusbandandwifefromthesexualpointof
view,buttheembraceissatisfactionfromtheaffectionatepointofview.
Theembraceoftheeyesismoreeffectiveintheconjugalrelation.
AlthoughLordSriKrsnawasconstantlybytheirsides,aswellasexclusively
alone,Hisfeetappearedtothemtobenewerandnewer.Thegoddessof
fortune,althoughbynaturealwaysrestlessandmoving,couldnotquitthe
Lord'sfeet.Sowhatwomancanbedetachedfromthosefeet,havingoncetaken
shelterofthem?
Conditionedlivingbeingsarealwaysafterthefavorofthegoddessoffortune,
althoughbynaturesheismovingfromoneplacetoanother.
AccordingtoBrahmasamhita,theLordisservedveryrespectfullyby
hundredsandthousandsofgoddessesoffortune.Theyarealwaysinalonely
placealsowiththeLord.ButstilltheassociationoftheLordissoinspiringly
newerandnewerthattheycannotquittheLordforamoment,eventhough
theyarebynatureveryrestlessandaremovingabout.Thespiritualrelation
withtheLordissoenliveningandresourcefulthatnoonecanleavethe
companyoftheLord,oncehavingtakenshelterofHim.
Thelivingbeingsarebyconstitutionfemininebynature.Themaleorenjoyer
istheLord,andallmanifestationsofHisdifferentpotenciesarefeminineby
nature.
IntheBhagavadgita,thelivingbeingsaredesignatedasparaprakrti,orthe
superiorpotency.Thematerialelementsareaparaprakrti,orinferiorpotency.
Suchpotenciesarealwaysemployedforthesatisfactionoftheemployer,orthe

enjoyer.ThesupremeenjoyeristheLordHimself,asstatedintheBhagavad
gita(5.29).Thepotencies,therefore,whenengageddirectlyintheserviceof
theLord,revivethenaturalcolor,andthusthereisnodisparityintherelation
ofthepotentandpotency.
Generallypeopleengagedinservicearealwaysseekingsomepostunderthe
governmentorthesupremeenjoyerofthestate
SincetheLordisthesupremeenjoyerofeverythinginoroutsidetheuniverse,
itishappinesstobeemployedbyHim.Onceengagedinthesupreme
governmentalserviceoftheLord,nolivingbeingwishestoberelievedfrom
theengagement.
Thehighestperfectionofhumanlifeistoseeksomeemploymentunderthe
Lord'ssupremeservice.Thatwillmakeoneextremelyhappy.Oneneednot
seekthemovinggoddessoffortunewithouttherelationoftheLord.

TheLordwaspacifiedafterkillingthosekingswhowereburdensometothe
earth.Theywerepuffedupwiththeirmilitarystrength,theirhorses,elephants,
chariots,infantry,etc.HeHimselfwasnotapartyinthefight.Hesimply
createdhostilitybetweenthepowerfuladministrators,andtheyfoughtamongst
themselves.Hewaslikethewindwhichcausesfrictionbetweenbamboosand
sosparksafire.
Theunwantedadministrators,puffedupbyfalsepowerandmilitarystrength,
thusbecomeengagedinfightingamongstthemselvesoverideologicalconflicts
andsoexhaustthemselvesofallpowers.
ThehistoryoftheworldreflectsthisfactualwilloftheLord,anditwill
continuetobeenacteduntilthelivingbeingsareattachedtotheserviceofthe
Lord
"ThedeludingenergyisMypotency,andthusitisnotpossibleforthe
dependentlivingbeingstosupersedethestrengthofthematerialmodes.But
thosewhotakeshelterinMe[thePersonalityofGodheadSriKrsna]cancross
overthegiganticoceanofmaterialenergy."
Thismeansthatnoonecanestablishpeaceandprosperityintheworldby
fruitiveactivitiesorbyspeculativephilosophyorideology.Theonlywayisto
surrenderuntotheSupremeLordandthusbecomefreefromtheillusionof

thedeludingenergy.
Unfortunatelypersonswhoareengagedindestructiveworkareunableto
surrendertothePersonalityofGodhead.Theyareallofthedemoniac
mentality,alwayschallengingthesupremepoweroftheLord.Thosewhoare
verymaterialistic,alwayshankeringaftermaterialpowerandstrength,are
undoubtedlyfoolsofthefirstorderbecausetheyhavenoinformationofthe
livingenergy,andbeingignorantofthatsupremespiritualscience,theyare
absorbedinmaterialscience,whichendswiththeendofthematerialbody.
Theyarethelowestofhumanbeingsbecausethehumanlifeisespecially
meantforreestablishingthelostrelationwiththeLord,andtheymissthis
opportunitybybeingengagedinmaterialactivities.
ThewomenwhobecamethewivesoftheLordarecertainlynotordinary
women,becausetogettheLordasone'shusbandistheresultofmany,many
millionsofbirths'tapasya(austerity).
Inthetranscendentalworld,wheretheLordeternallyreciprocatessuch
exchangesofservice.
Serviceispervertedlyrepresentedinthematerialworldandbrokenuntimely,
resultinginsadexperience

Suchrelationscannothelpusbehappyperpetually,butifthesamerelationis
establishedwiththeLord,thenwearetransferredtothetranscendentalworld
afterleavingthismaterialbodyandbecomeeternallyrelatedwithHiminthe
relationwedesire.ThewomenamongstwhomHelivedastheirhusbandare
not,therefore,womenofthismundaneworld,butareeternallyrelatedwith
Himastranscendentalwives,apositionwhichtheyattainedbyperfectionof
devotionalservice.Thatistheircompetency
TheLordisparambrahma,ortheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
Conditionedsoulsseekafterperpetualhappinessinallplacesnotonlyonthis
earthbutalsoonotherplanetsthroughouttheuniversebecause
constitutionallyaspiritualspark,asheis,cantraveltoanypartofGod's
creation.
Byotherprocesseshecanreachanywhere,butevenifhereachesthehighest
planet,hecannotattainthatperpetualhappinessforwhichheissearchinglife
afterlife.Whenhecomestohissenses,however,heseeksafterBrahman
happiness,knowingitforcertainthatunlimitedhappiness,whichheisseeking,
isneverattainableinthematerialworld.
Assuch,theSupremeBeing,Parabrahman,certainlydoesnotseekHis

happinessanywhereinthematerialworld.NorcanHisparaphernaliaof
happinessbefoundinthematerialworld.Heisnotimpersonal.
Althoughthequeens'beautifulsmilesandfurtiveglanceswereallspotlessand
exciting,andalthoughtheycouldconquerCupidhimselfbymakinghimgive
uphisbowinfrustration,andalthougheventhetolerantSivacouldfallvictim
tothem,still,despitealltheirmagicalfeatsandattractions,theycouldnot
agitatethesensesoftheLord.
ThepathofsalvationorthepathgoingbacktoGodheadalwaysforbidsthe
associationofwomen,andthecompletesanatanadharmaorvarnasrama
dharmaschemeforbidsorrestrictsassociationwithwomen.
Cupid'sbusinessistoinvokemundanelust.Thewholeuniverseismoving
beingagitatedbyCupid'sarrow.Theactivitiesoftheworldarebeingcarried
onbythecentralattractionofmaleandfemale.Amaleissearchingaftera
matetohisliking,andthefemaleislookingafterasuitablemale.Thatisthe
wayofmaterialstimulus.Andassoonasamaleiscombinedwithafemale,the
materialbondageofthelivingbeingisatoncetightlyinterlockedbysex
relation,andasaresultofthis,boththemale'sandfemale'sattractionforsweet
home,motherland,bodilyoffspring,societyandfriendshipandaccumulation
ofwealthbecomestheillusoryfieldofactivities,andthusafalsebut
indefatigableattractionforthetemporarymaterialexistence,whichisfullof
miseries,ismanifest.

Thosewhoare,therefore,onthepathofsalvationforgoingbackhomebackto
Godhead,areespeciallyadvisedbyallscripturalinstructiontobecomefree
fromsuchparaphernaliaofmaterialattraction.Andthatispossibleonlybythe
associationofthedevoteesoftheLord,whoarecalledthemahatmas
Cupidthrowshisarrowuponthelivingbeingstomakethemmadafterthe
oppositesex,whetherthepartyisactuallybeautifulornot.Cupid's
provocationsaregoingon,evenamongbeastlysocietieswhoareallugly
lookingintheestimationofthecivilizednations.ThusCupid'sinfluenceis
exertedevenamongsttheugliestforms,andwhattospeakofthemostperfect
beauties.LordSiva,whoisconsideredtobemosttolerant,wasalsostruckby
Cupid'sarrowbecausehealsobecamemadaftertheMohiniincarnationofthe
Lordandacknowledgedhimselftobedefeated
Cupid,however,washimselfcaptivatedbythegraveandexcitingdealingsof
thegoddessesoffortune,andhevoluntarilygaveuphisbowandarrowina
spiritoffrustration.SuchwasthebeautyandattractionofthequeensofLord
Krsna.YettheycouldnotdisturbthetranscendentalsensesoftheLord.Thisis
becausetheLordisallperfectatmarama,orselfsufficient.Hedoesnotrequire

anyone'sextraneoushelpforHispersonalsatisfaction.
Therefore,thequeenscouldnotsatisfytheLordbytheirfeminine
attractiveness,buttheysatisfiedHimbytheirsincereaffectionandservice.
OnlybyunalloyedtranscendentallovingservicecouldtheysatisfytheLord,
andtheLordwaspleasedtotreatthemaswivesinreciprocation.Thusbeing
satisfiedbytheirunalloyedserviceonly,theLordreciprocatedtheservicejust
likeadevouthusband.
Heisthehusbandofeveryone,buttoonewhoacceptsHimassuch,He
reciprocates.
Therefore,onewhoconsiderstheLordonthelevelofone'slimitedpotencyis
onlyacommonman.SuchamancannotbeconvincedthatthePersonalityof
Godheadisalwaysunaffectedbythemodesofmaterialnature.Hecannot
understandthatthesunisalwaysunaffectedbyinfectiousmatter.
ThisisthedivinityofthePersonalityofGodhead:Heisnotaffectedbythe
qualitiesofmaterialnature,eventhoughHeisincontactwiththem.Similarly,
thedevoteeswhohavetakenshelteroftheLorddonotbecomeinfluencedby
thematerialqualities.
ThegreatsixGosvamisofVrndavanaallcamefromgreatlyrichand
aristocraticfamilies,butwhentheyadoptedthelifeofmendicantsat
Vrndavana,superficiallytheyappearedtobeinwretchedconditionsoflife,but
factuallytheyweretherichestofallinspiritualvalues.

Suchmahabhagavatas,orfirstgradedevotees,althoughmovingamongstmen,
arenotcontaminatedbyhonororinsult,hungerorsatisfaction,sleepor
wakefulness,whichareallresultantactionsofthethreemodesofmaterial
nature.Similarly,someofthemareengagedinworldlydealings,yetare
unaffected.Unlesstheseneutralitiesoflifearethere,onecannotbe
consideredsituatedintranscendence.
TheDivinityandHisassociatesareonthesametranscendentalplane,andtheir
gloriesarealwayssanctifiedbytheactionofyogamaya,ortheinternalpotency
oftheLord.ThedevoteesoftheLordarealwaystranscendental,evenifthey
aresometimesfoundtohavefallenintheirbehavior.
TheLordprotectshimalwaysbecauseofhisrenderingserviceuntoHim,and
thefallenconditionsaretobeconsideredaccidentalandtemporary.Theywill
vanishinnotime.
ThesimpleanddelicatewomentrulythoughtthatLordSriKrsna,theirbeloved

husband,followedthemandwasdominatedbythem.Theywereunawareof
theextentofthegloriesoftheirhusband,astheatheistsareunawareofHimas
thesupremecontroller.
TheLordexchangestranscendentalrelationsinfiveways,asproprietor,
master,friend,sonandlover,andineachofthesepastimesHeplaysfullyby
thepotencyofyogamaya,theinternalpotency.Heplaysexactlylikeanequal
friendwiththecowherdboysorevenwithfriendslikeArjuna.Heplaysexactly
likeasoninthepresenceofYasodamata,Heplaysexactlylikealoverinthe
presenceofthecowherddamsels,andHeplaysexactlylikeahusbandinthe
presenceofthequeensofDvaraka.SuchdevoteesoftheLordneverthinkof
theLordastheSupreme,butthinkofHimexactlyasacommonfriend,apet
son,oraloverorhusbandverymuchdeartoheartandsoul.Thatistherelation
betweentheLordandHistranscendentaldevotees,whoactasHisassociatesin
thespiritualsky,wherethereareinnumerableVaikunthaplanets.
WhentheLorddescends,HedoessoalongwithHisentouragetodisplaya
completepictureofthetranscendentalworld,wherepureloveanddevotionfor
theLordprevailwithoutanymundanetingeoflordingitoverthecreationof
theLord.SuchdevoteesoftheLordareallliberatedsouls,perfect
representationsofthemarginalorinternalpotencyincompletenegationofthe
influenceoftheexternalpotency.ThewivesofLordKrsnaweremadeto
forgettheimmeasurablegloriesoftheLordbytheinternalpotencysothat
theremightnotbeanyflawofexchange,andtheytookitforgrantedthatthe
Lordwasahenpeckedhusband,alwaysfollowingtheminlonelyplaces.
Inotherwords,eventhepersonalassociatesoftheLorddonotknowHim
perfectlywell,sowhatdothethesiswritersormentalspeculatorsknowabout
thetranscendentalgloriesoftheLord?
TheLordcanbeknownbythemercyoftheLordonly,andbynoothermeans
Chapter12

KalibegantoactjustaftertheassumptionofpowerbyMaharajaPariksit,the
firstsignofmisgivingswasexhibitedinthecursingofsuchagreatlyintelligent
anddevotedkingasMaharajaPariksit.Thekingistheprotectorofthehelpless
citizens,andtheirwelfare,peaceandprosperitydependonhim.Unfortunately,
bytheinstigationofthefallenageofKali,anunfortunatebrahmana'ssonwas
employedtocondemntheinnocentMaharajaPariksit,andsotheKinghadto
preparehimselffordeathwithinsevendays
andwhenhewasundulycursedbyabrahmana'sson,hecouldhaveinvoked
themercyoftheLordtosavehim,buthedidnotwanttobecausehewasa
puredevotee.ApuredevoteeneveraskstheLordforanyunduefavor.

Hedidnotwanttointerferewiththecurrentofthetime,butheprepared
himselftomeetdeathverycheerfullyandveryproperly.
MaharajaPariksitandSukadevaGosvamiwereseriousperformersofthefirst
twoimportantitems,namelytheprocessofchantingandtheprocessof
hearing,
Thereisatypeofspiritualmasteranddisciplemuchadvertisedinthisageof
Kali.Itissaidthatthemasterinjectsspiritualforceintothedisciplebyan
electricalcurrentgeneratedbythemaster,andthedisciplebeginstofeelthe
shock.Hebecomesunconscious,andthemasterweepsforhisexhaustinghis
storeofsocalledspiritualassets.Suchbogusadvertisementisgoingoninthis
age,andthepoorcommonmanisbecomingthevictimofsuchadvertisement.
Ardenthearingfromthebonafidemasteristheonlywaytoreceive
transcendentalknowledge,andthereisnoneedformedicalperformancesor
occultmysticismformiraculouseffects.Theprocessissimple,butonlythe
sincerepartycanachievethedesiredresult.
EmperorYudhisthiraadministeredgenerouslytoeveryoneduringhisreign.He
wasexactlylikehisfather.Hehadnopersonalambitionandwasfreedfromall
sortsofsensegratificationbecauseofhiscontinuousserviceuntothelotusfeet
oftheLordSriKrsna.
Ontheearththerearemanyspeciesoflife,fromtheaquaticsuptotheperfect
humanbeings,andallareknownasprajas.LordBrahma,thecreatorofthis
particularuniverse,isknownastheprajapatibecauseheisthegrandfatherof
allwhohavetakenbirth.
EveryoneofthemisapartandparceloftheSupremeLord(Bg.14.4),andthe
king,beingtherepresentativeoftheSupremeLord,isdutyboundtogive
properprotectiontoeveryoneofthem
Thisisnotthecasewiththepresidentsanddictatorsofthisdemoralizedsystem
ofadministration,wheretheloweranimalsaregivennoprotectionwhilethe
higheranimalsaregivensocalledprotection.Butthisisagreatsciencewhich
canbelearnedonlybyonewhoknowsthescienceofKrsna.Byknowingthe
scienceofKrsna,onecanbecomethemostperfectmanintheworld,and
unlessonehasknowledgeinthisscience,allqualificationsanddoctorate
diplomasacquiredbyacademiceducationarespoiledanduseless.
MaharajaYudhisthiraknewthisscienceofKrsnaverywell,foritisstatedhere
thatbycontinuouscultivationofthisscience,orbycontinuousdevotional
servicetoLordKrsna,heacquiredthequalificationofadministeringthestate.
Asanidealking,hehadnopersonalambition,andtherewasnoplaceforsense

gratificationbecauseallhissensesatalltimeswereengagedintheloving
serviceoftheSupremeLord,whichincludesthepartialservicetotheliving
beings,whoformthepartsandparcelsofthecompletewhole.
Thosewhoarebusyrenderingservicetothepartsandparcels,leavingasidethe
whole,onlyspoiltimeandenergy,asonedoeswhenwateringtheleavesofa
treewithoutwateringtheroot.
Onlyarichandgreatman'snameandfameareknownallovertheworld
Therearedifferentlokasorhigherplanetsscatteredalloverthesky,both
materialandspiritual.Apersoncanreachthembydintofhisworkinthe
presentlife,asstatedinBhagavadgita(9.25).Noforcefulentranceisallowed
there.
Onemustqualifyhimselftoenterintosuchhappyplanetsbysacrificeand
service.
MaharajaYudhisthira'sgoodsacrificesandqualificationsweresoloftyand
virtuousthateventheresidentsofthehighercelestialplanetswerealready
preparedtoreceivehimasoneofthem.
Obrahmanas,theopulenceoftheKingwassoenchantingthatthedenizensof
heavenaspiredforit.ButbecausehewasabsorbedintheserviceoftheLord,
nothingcouldsatisfyhimexcepttheLord'sservice.
Whenoneismateriallyengrossed,heissatisfiedonlybysensegratification,
butwhenoneisliberatedfromtheconditionsofthematerialmodes,heis
satisfiedonlybyrenderinglovingserviceforthesatisfactionoftheLord.This
meansthatthelivingbeingisconstitutionallyaservitor,andnotonewhois
served.Beingillusionedbytheconditionsoftheexternalenergy,onefalsely
thinkshimselftobetheserved,butactuallyheisnotserved;heisservantof
thesenseslikelust,desire,anger,avarice,pride,madnessandintolerance.

AtthattimehebegsfortheserviceoftheLordandthusbecomeshappy
withoutbeingillusionedbysocalledmaterialhappiness.MaharajaYudhisthira
wasoneoftheliberatedsouls,andthereforeforhimtherewasnopleasureina
vastkingdom,goodwife,obedientbrothers,happysubjectsandprosperous
world.Theseblessingsautomaticallyfollowforapuredevotee,eventhough
thedevoteedoesnotaspireforthem
Thehungerisforthespiritualatmosphere.
Duetoignoranceonlytheythinkthattheworldisdissatisfiedbecausethereis
notsufficientfood,shelter,defenseandobjectsofsensegratification.Thisis

calledillusion.
Thishungerisactuallyforspiritualfood,spiritualshelter,spiritual
defenseandspiritualsensegratification.
ThesecanbeobtainedintheassociationoftheSupremeSpirit,LordSriKrsna,
andthereforeonewhohasthemcannotbeattractedbythesocalledfood,
shelter,defenseandsensegratificationofthematerialworld,eveniftheyare
relishedbythedenizensoftheheavenlyplanets.
Suchhungercanbesatisfiedonlywhenthelivingbeingissituatedin
immortality,whichisattainedinthespiritualsky,far,farabovethe
Brahmaloka,intheassociationofLordMukunda,theLordwhoawardsHis
devoteesthetranscendentalpleasureofliberation.
Deathgenerallyinvolvesremainingintranceforsevenmonths.
MaharajaPariksit,whileinthewombofhismother,wasstruckbythe
brahmastrareleasedbyAsvatthama,andhewasfeelingtheburningheat.But
becausehewasadevoteeoftheLord,theLordatonceappearedHimself
withinthewombbyHisallpowerfulenergy,andthechildcouldseethat
someoneelsehadcometosavehim
He[theLord]wasonlythumbhigh,butHewasalltranscendental.Hehada
verybeautiful,blackish,infalliblebody,andHeworeadressoflightning
yellowandahelmetofblazinggold.ThusHewasseenbythechild.TheLord
wasenrichedwithfourhands,earringsofmoltengoldandeyesbloodredwith
fury.AsHeloiteredabout,HisclubconstantlyencircledHimlikeashooting
star.
ItissaidintheBrahmasamhita(Ch.5)thattheSupremeLordGovinda,byHis
oneplenaryportion,entersintothehalooftheuniverseanddistributeshimself
asParamatma,ortheSupersoul,notonlywithintheheartofeverylivingbeing,
butalsowithineveryatomofthematerialelements.ThustheLordisall
pervadingbyHisinconceivablepotency

NoonecankilladevoteeoftheLordbecauseheisprotectedbytheLord,and
noonecansaveapersonwhomtheLorddesirestokill.
HebecamevisibletoHisdevoteeMaharajaPariksiteveninthatawkward
position(inthewombofhismother)inashapejustsuitableforhisvision.
ThereisnodifferencebetweenthethumblikeVisnuinthewombofUttaraand
thefullfledgedNarayanaintheVaikunthadhama,thekingdomofGodhead.

Heacceptstheformofarcavigraha(worshipableDeity)justtoacceptservice
fromHisdifferentincapabledevotees
suchanarcavigrahaoftheLordisnevertobeconsideredmaterial.Thereisno
differencebetweenmatterandspiritfortheLord
FortheLordthereisnothingbutspiritualexistence,andsimilarlythereis
nothingexceptspiritualexistenceforthepuredevoteeoftheLordinhis
intimaterelationwiththeLord.
AnyonewhoisasurrenderedsouluntotheSupremeisrighteous,andheis
specificallyprotectedbytheLordinallcircumstances.TheLordistheindirect
protectoroftheunrighteousalso,forHerectifiestheirsinsthroughHisexternal
potency.
HisdisappearancefromthesightofthechildPariksitdoesnotmeanthatHe
appearedonthespotfromanyotherplace.Hewaspresentthere,andevenafter
HisdisappearanceHewasthere,althoughinvisibletotheeyesofthe child.
Thismaterialcoveringoftheeffulgentfirmamentisalsosomethinglikea
wombofthemothernature,andweareallputintothewombbytheLord,the
fatherofalllivingbeings.Heispresenteverywhere,eveninthismaterial
wombofmotherDurga,andthosewhoaredeservingcanseetheLord.
everyactionoflifeproducesanotherreaction,whichisbindinguponus,and
onlythosewhoareactingonbehalfofYajna(Visnu)arenotboundby
reactions.
Thelawofnatureissosubtlethateverypartofourbodyisinfluencedbythe
respectivestars,andalivingbeingobtainshisworkingbodytofulfillhisterms
ofimprisonmentbythemanipulationofsuchastronomicalinfluence
Themostauspiciousconstellationofstarstakesplaceduringtheappearanceof
theLordinthismaterialworld,anditisspecificallycalledjayanti,awordnot
tobeabusedforanyotherpurposes.

asuitablemomentischosenwhenallgoodstarsassembledtogethertoexert
theirinfluenceupontheKing.Thushetookhisbirthjusttobeknownasthe
greatheroofSrimadBhagavatam.Thissuitablearrangementofastral
influencesisneveracreationofman'swill,butisthearrangementofthe
superiormanagementoftheagencyoftheSupremeLord.Ofcourse,the

arrangementismadeaccordingtothegoodorbaddeedsofthelivingbeing.
Onlybypiousactscanonebeallowedtogetgoodwealth,goodeducationand
beautifulfeatures.
Thesamskarasoftheschoolofsanatanadharma(man'seternalengagement)
arehighlysuitableforcreatinganatmospherefortakingadvantageofgood
stellarinfluences,andthereforegarbhadhanasamskara,orthefirstseedling
purificatoryprocessprescribedforthehighercastes,isthebeginningofall
piousactstoreceiveagoodpiousandintelligentclassofmeninhuman
society.Therewillbepeaceandprosperityintheworldduetogoodandsane
populationonly;thereishellanddisturbanceonlybecauseoftheunwanted,
insanepopulaceaddictedtosexindulgence.
ThePancaratrikasystemactsonthesudraclassofmen,supposedlythe
populationoftheKaliyuga
Afterthegarbhadhanapurificatoryprocess,therearecertainothersamskaras
likesimantonnayana,sadhabhaksanam,etc.,duringtheperiodofpregnancy,
andwhenthechildisbornthefirstpurificatoryprocessisjatakarman
andKrpacarya,whowasnotonlyapriestbutalsoagreatgeneral.Boththese
learnedandperfectpriests,assistedbyothergoodbrahmanas,wereemployed
byMaharajaYudhisthiratoperformtheceremony.
Suchbrahmanasarenotonlyrare,butalsonotavailableinthisage,and
therefore,forthepurposeofspiritualupliftmentinthisfallenage,the
GosvamispreferthepurificatoryprocessesunderPancaratrikaformulastothe
Vedicrites.
KrpacaryaisthesonofthegreatRsiSardbanandwasborninthefamilyof
Gautama.Thebirthissaidtobeaccidental.Bychance,thegreatRsiSardban
metJanapadi,afamoussocietygirlofheaven,andtheRsiSardbandischarged
seminaintwoparts.Byonepartimmediatelyamalechildandbytheotherpart
afemalechildwerebornastwins.ThemalechildwaslateronknownasKrpa,
andthefemalechildwasknownasKrpi.MaharajaSantanu,whileengagedin
chaseinthejungle,pickedupthechildrenandbroughtthemuptothe
brahminicalstatusbytheproperpurificatoryprocess.

Aftertheendofthebattle,Krpacaryaagainbecameamemberoftheroyal
assembly,andhewascalledduringthebirthofMaharajaPariksitforrecitation
ofauspiciousVedichymnstomaketheceremonysuccessful.Maharaja

Yudhisthira,whilequittingthepalaceforhisgreatdeparturetotheHimalayas,
entrustedKrpacaryawithMaharajaPariksitashisdisciple,andhelefthome
satisfiedbecauseofKrpacarya'stakingchargeofMaharajaPariksit
Thegreatadministrators,kingsandemperorswerealwaysundertheguidance
oflearnedbrahmanaslikeKrpacaryaandthuswereabletoactproperlyinthe
dischargeofpoliticalresponsibilities.
Uponthebirthofason,theKing,whoknewhow,whereandwhencharity
shouldbegiven,gavegold,land,villages,elephants,horsesandgoodfood
grainstothebrahmanas.
Onlythebrahmanasandsannyasisareauthorizedtoacceptcharityfromthe
householders.Inallthedifferentoccasionsofsamskaras,especiallyduringthe
timeofbirth,marriageanddeath,wealthisdistributedtothebrahmanas
becausethebrahmanasgivethehighestqualityofserviceinregardtotheprime
necessityofhumankind.
Thebrahmanaswerenot,therefore,poorintheactualsenseoftheterm.Onthe
contrary,becausetheypossessedgold,land,villages,horses,elephantsand
sufficientgrains,theyhadnothingtoearnforthemselves.Theywouldsimply
devotethemselvestothewellbeingoftheentiresociety.
Inthesastrascharitywasofferedtopersonswhodeservetoacceptcharityby
dintofspiritualenlightenment.Thesocalleddaridranarayana,a
misconceptionoftheSupremeLordbyunauthorizedpersons,isnevertobe
foundinthesastrasastheobjectofcharity.Norcanawretchedpoorman
receivemuchmunificentcharityinthewayofhorses,elephants,landand
villages.Theconclusionisthattheintelligentmen,orthebrahmanas
specificallyengagedintheserviceoftheLord,wereproperlymaintained
withoutanxietyfortheneedsofthebody,andtheKingandotherhouseholders
gladlylookedafteralltheircomforts.
ThechildPariksitwassavedbytheallpowerfulandallpervasiveVisnu(Lord
Krsna)fortworeasons.Thefirstreasonisthatthechildinthewombofhis
motherwasspotlessduetohisbeingapuredevoteeoftheLord.Thesecond
reasonisthatthechildwastheonlysurvivingmaledescendantofPuru,the
piousforefatherofthevirtuousKingYudhisthira.
LordKrsna,theoriginalPersonalityofGodhead,doestheworkofprotection
andannihilationinHiscapacityofVisnu.LordVisnuistheplenaryexpansion
ofLordKrsna.

ChildPariksitisdescribedhereasspotlesslywhitebecauseheisanunalloyed

devoteeoftheLord.SuchunalloyeddevoteesoftheLordappearontheearth
justtoexecutethemissionoftheLord.
SuchprotectionisgivenbyHisdifferentpotenciestodifferentgradesofliving
beings.ButasfarasHisunalloyeddevoteesareconcerned,Hegivesthe
protectionpersonally.
Therearethreegradesofdevotees,namelythemahabhagavata,madhyam
adhikariandthekanisthaadhikari.ThosewhogotothetemplesoftheLord
andofferworshipfulrespecttotheDeitywithoutsufficientknowledgeinthe
theologicalscienceandthereforewithoutanyrespectforthedevoteesofthe
Lordarecalledmaterialisticdevotees,orkanisthaadhikari,thethirdgrade
devotees.Secondly,thedevoteeswhohavedevelopedamentalityofgenuine
servicetotheLordandwhothusmakefriendshipsonlywithsimilardevotees,
showfavortotheneophytesandavoidtheatheistsarecalledthesecondgrade
devotees.ButthosewhoseeeverythingintheLordoreverythingofthe
LordandalsoseeineverythinganeternalrelationoftheLord,sothat
thereisnothingwithintheirpurviewofsightexcepttheLord,arecalled
themahabhagavatas,orthefirstgradedevoteesoftheLord.Suchfirst
gradedevoteesoftheLordareperfectinallrespects.
Thefamilyinwhichamahabhagavatatakeshisbirthisfortunatebecausedue
tothebirthofafirstgradedevoteethemembersofthefamily,past,presentand
futureuptoonehundredgenerations,becomeliberatedbythegraceofthe
Lord,outofrespectforHisbeloveddevotee.Therefore,thehighestbenefitis
donetoone'sfamilysimplybybecominganunalloyeddevoteeoftheLord.
Hewashappytolearnfromthelearnedbrahmanasthatbyastrological
calculationsthechildwouldbebornafirstgradedevoteeoftheLord,and
moreconfidentiallyhewantedtoknowwhetherthechildwasgoingtofollow
inthefootstepsofhisgreatforefathers.Thatisthewayofthemonarchical
state.Thereigningkingshouldbeapious,chivalrousdevoteeoftheLordand
fearpersonifiedfortheupstarts.Hemustalsoleaveanheirapparentequally
qualifiedtoruleovertheinnocentcitizens
Thusthewholeatmosphereissurchargedwithsudraqualities,manifestedby
lustandavarice.Suchadministratorsquarreleverydayamongthemselves.The
cabinetofministerschangesoftenduetopartyandgroupselfishness.Everyone
wantstoexploitthestateresourcestillhedies.Nooneretiresfrompoliticallife
unlessforcedtodoso.
Thismeansthateventheanimalsweregivenprotectionbythesaintly
administrators,notfromanysentimentalpointofview,butbecausethosewho
havetakentheirbirthinthematerialworldhavetherighttolive.

TherearefourteenManusinonedayofBrahma,andtheManureferredto
hereinistheseventhManu,whoisoneoftheprajapatis(thosewhocreate
progeny),andheisthesonofthesungod.HeisknownastheVaivasvata
Manu.Hehadtensons,andMaharajaIksvakuisoneofthem
Thebrahmanasandksatriyasaremeanttocooperateforthewelfareofthemass
ofpeople.Thebrahmanasagesendeavortoenlightenthepeoplebyperfect
knowledge,andtheksatriyasaremeantfortheirprotection
HeperformedtenAsvamedhasacrifices,andlateronHedisappearedwhile
takingabathintheSarayuRiver.ThegreatepicRamayanaisthehistoryof
LordRama'sactivitiesintheworld,andtheauthoritativeRamayanawas
writtenbythegreatpoetValmiki.
Akingbecomesfamousbyhisactsofcharity,performancesofyajnas,
protectionofthesurrendered,etc.Aksatriyakingisproudtogiveprotectionto
thesurrenderedsouls.Thisattitudeofakingiscalledisvarabhava,orfactual
powertogiveprotectioninarighteouscause.
TheLordisallpowerfulandtruetoHisword,andthereforeHeneverfailsto
giveprotectiontoHisdifferentdevotees.Theking,beingtherepresentativeof
theLord,mustpossessthisattitudeofgivingprotectiontothesurrendered
soulsatallrisk.
MaharajaSibiwassocharitablydisposedthathewantedtogiveoverhis
acquiredpositionintheheavenlykingdomtoYayati,buthedidnotacceptit.
YayatiwenttotheheavenlyplanetalongwithgreatrsislikeAstakaandothers.
Oninquiryfromthersis,YayatigaveanaccountofSibi'spiousactswhenall
ofthemwereonthepathtoheaven.Hehasbecomeamemberoftheassembly
ofYamaraja,whohasbecomehisworshipfuldeity.Asconfirmedinthe
Bhagavadgita,theworshiperofthedemigodsgoestotheplanetsofthe
demigods(yantidevavratadevan);soMaharajaSibihasbecomeanassociate
ofthegreatVaisnavaauthorityYamarajaonthatparticularplanet.

TheKingofheavenoncetooktheshapeofapigeonhunterbird(eagle),and
Agni,thefiregod,tooktheshapeofapigeon.Thepigeon,whilebeingchased
bytheeagle,tookshelteronthelapofMaharajaSibi,andthehuntereagle
wantedthepigeonbackfromtheKing.TheKingwantedtogiveitsomeother
meattoeatandrequestedthebirdnottokillthepigeon.Thehunterbird
refusedtoaccepttheKing'soffer,butitwassettledlateronthattheeagle
wouldacceptfleshfromthebodyoftheKingofthepigeon'sequivalent
weight.TheKingbegantocutfleshfromhisbodytoweighinthebalance
equivalenttotheweightofthepigeon,butthemysticpigeonalwaysremained
heavier.TheKingthenputhimselfonthebalancetoequatewiththepigeon,
andthedemigodswerepleasedwithhim.TheKingofheavenandthefiregod
disclosedtheiridentity,andtheKingwasblessedbythem.DevarsiNaradaalso
glorifiedMaharajaSibiforhisgreatachievements,specificallyincharityand
protection.MaharajaSibisacrificedhisownsonforthesatisfactionofhuman
beingsinhiskingdom.AndthuschildPariksitwastobecomeasecondSibiin
charityandprotection.
QueenKuntidevicouldcallforanyoneofthedemigods,andthusshecalled
Indra,andArjunawasbornbyhim.Arjunaisthereforeaplenarypartofthe
heavenlyKingIndra.
ArjunwasborninthemonthofPhalguna(FebruaryMarch),andthereforehe
isalsocalledPhalguni.WhenheappearedasthesonofKunti,hisfuture
greatnesswasproclaimedbyairmessages,andalltheimportantpersonalities
fromdifferentpartsoftheuniverse,suchasthedemigods,theGandharvas,the
Adityas(fromthesunglobe),theRudras,theVasus,theNagas,thedifferent
rsis(sages)ofimportance,andtheApsaras(thesocietygirlsofheaven),all
attendedtheceremony.TheApsaraspleasedeveryonebytheirheavenlydances
andsongs.
Arjunmarriedfourwives,Draupadi,Subhadra,CitrangadaandUlupi,from
whomhegotfoursonsofthenamesSrutakirti,Abhimanyu,Babhruvahanaand
Iravanrespectively.
Hewassoardentastudentthatheusedtopracticebowmanshipevenatnight,
andforallthesereasonsProfessorDronacaryawasdeterminedtomakehimthe
topmostbowmanoftheworld.Hepassedverybrilliantlytheexaminationin
piercingthetarget,andDronacaryawasverypleased.Royalfamiliesat
ManipurandTripuraaredescendantsofArjuna'ssonBabhruvahana.Arjuna
savedDronacaryafromtheattackofacrocodile,andtheAcarya,beingpleased
withhim,rewardedhimwithaweaponofthenamebrahmasira.

HethereforearrangedforDraupadi'spersonalselectionofagroomwhocould
piercetheeyeofafishhangingontheceiling.Thistrickwasespeciallymade
becauseonlyArjunacoulddoit,andhewassuccessfulinhisdesiretohand
overhisequallyworthydaughtertoArjuna.
HemetUlupiatHaridvara(Hardwar),andhewasattractedbyagirlbelonging
toNagaloka,andthusIravanwasborn.Similarly,hemetCitrangada,a
daughteroftheKingofManipura,andthusBabhruvahanawasborn.LordSri
KrsnamadeaplantohelpArjunatokidnapSubhadra,sisterofSriKrsna,
becauseBaladevawasinclinedtohandherovertoDuryodhana.Yudhisthira
alsoagreedwithSriKrsna,andthusSubhadrawastakenbyforcebyArjuna
andthenmarriedtohim.Subhadra'ssonisAbhimanyu,thefatherofPariksit
Maharaja,theposthumouschild.
ArjunasatisfiedthefiregodbysettingfiretotheKhandavaForest,andthus
thefiregodgavehimoneweapon.
ArjunaalsopromisedallprotectiontooneMayasura,andthelatterpresented
himonevaluableconchshellcelebratedastheDevadatta.Similarly,hereceived
manyothervaluableweaponsfromIndradevawhenhewassatisfiedtoseehis
chivalry.
LordSivaalsowantedtotrythestrengthofArjuna,andintheformofan
aborigine,LordSivamethim.Therewasagreatfightbetweenthetwo,andat
lastLordSivawassatisfiedwithhimanddisclosedhisidentity.Arjunaprayed
tothelordinallhumbleness,andthelord,beingpleasedwithhim,presented
himthepasupataweapon.
HereceiveddandastrafromYamaraja,pasastrafromVaruna,andantardhana
astrafromKuvera,thetreasureroftheheavenlykingdom.Indrawantedhimto
cometotheheavenlykingdom,theIndralokaplanetbeyondthemoonplanet.
Inthatplanethewascordiallyreceivedbythelocalresidents,andhewas
awardedreceptionintheheavenlyparliamentofIndradeva.Thenhemet
Indradeva,whonotonlypresentedhimwithhisvajraweapon,butalsotaught
himthemilitaryandmusicalscienceasusedintheheavenlyplanet
Inonesense,IndraistherealfatherofArjuna,andthereforeindirectlyhe
wantedtoentertainArjunawiththefamoussocietygirlofheaven,Urvasi,the
celebratedbeauty.Thesocietygirlsofheavenarelusty,andUrvasiwasvery
eagertocontactArjuna,thestrongesthumanbeing.Shemethiminhisroom
andexpressedherdesiresbutArjunasustainedhisunimpeachablecharacterby
closinghiseyesbeforeUrvasi,addressingherasmotheroftheKurudynasty
andplacingherinthecategoryofhismothersKunti,MadriandSacidevi,wife
ofIndradeva.Disappointed,UrvasicursedArjunaandleft
intheheavenlyplanethealsometthegreatcelebratedasceticLomasaand

prayedtohimfortheprotectionofMaharajaYudhisthira.
WhenhisinimicalcousinDuryodhanawasundertheclutchesofthe
Gandharvas,hewantedtosavehimandrequestedtheGandharvastorelease
Duryodhana,buttheGandharvasrefused,andthushefoughtwiththemandgot
Duryodhanareleased.
WhenallthePandavaslivedincognito,hepresentedhimselfinthecourtof
KingVirataasaeunuchandwasemployedasthemusicalteacherofUttara,his
futuredaughterinlaw,andwasknownintheViratacourtastheBrhannala.As
Brhannala,hefoughtonbehalfofUttara,thesonofKingVirata,andthus
defeatedtheKurusinthefightincognito.Hissecretweaponsweresafelykept
inthecustodyofasomitree,andheorderedUttaratogetthemback.His
identityandhisbrothers'identitywerelaterondisclosedtoUttara
ItisduetoArjunaonlythatthegreatphilosophicaldiscoursesofthe
BhagavadgitawereagainspokenbytheLordontheBattlefieldofKuruksetra.
WhileArjunawastakingallthewivesofKrsnatoIndraprastha,hewas
attackedontheway,andhecouldnotprotecttheladiesinhiscustody.Atlast,
advisedbyVyasadeva,allthebrothersheadedforMahaprasthan.Ontheway,
attherequestofhisbrother,hegaveupallimportantweaponsasuseless,and
hedroppedthemallinthewater.
TheHimalayaMountainsarefamousforallrichness.Thereareinnumerable
cavestolivein,numberlesstreesofgoodfruitstoeat,goodspringstodrink
waterfromandprofusedrugsandmineralstocurediseases.Anymanwhois
notmateriallyprosperouscantakeshelterofthesegreatmountains,andhewill
beprovidedwitheverythingrequired.
andstilltheearthisforbearingtotheinhabitants,likeamotherwhoexcusesa
littlechild.Parentsarealwaystoleranttochildrenforallsortsofmischievous
acts.Anidealkingmaybepossessedofallthesegoodqualities,andthechild
Pariksitisforetoldtohaveallthesequalitiesinperfection.
havetomaintainmentalequanimity,beingengagedinwelfareworkforthe
livingbeing.Anyresponsibleexecutiveagentatthetopofadministrationhas
totoleratedifferenttypesofonslaughtsfromtheverypersonsforwhomhe
works.Brahmajiwascriticizedevenbythegopis,thehighestperfectional
devoteesoftheLord.ThegopisweredissatisfiedwiththeworkofBrahmaji
becauseLordBrahma,ascreatorofthisparticularuniverse,createdeyelids
whichobstructedtheirseeingLordKrsna.Theycouldnottolerateamoment's
blinkingoftheeyes,foritkeptthemfromseeingtheirbelovedLordKrsna.So
whattospeakofothers,whoarenaturallyverycriticalofeveryactionofa
responsibleman?

LordSivaisacelebrateddemigodwhoawardsgiftstobeggars.Hisnameis
thereforeAsutosa,oronewhoispleasedveryeasily.Heisalsocalledthe
Bhutanatha,orthelordofthecommonfolk,whoaremainlyattachedtohim
becauseofhismunificentgifts,evenwithoutconsiderationoftheaftereffects.

LordSivaawardedabenedictionwhichwasnotonlyawkward,butalso
disturbing.Vrkasurabecameempowered,bythegraceofLordSiva,tovanish
anyone'sheadsimplybytouchingit.AlthoughthiswasawardedbyLordSiva,
thecunningfellowwantedtomakeanexperimentofthepowerbytouchingthe
headofLordSiva.ThusthelordhadtotakeshelterofVisnutosavehimself
fromtrouble,andtheLordVisnu,byHisillusorypotency,askedVrkasurato
makeanexperimentwithhisownhead.Thefellowdiditandwasfinished
himself,andsotheworldwassavedfromallsortsoftroublebysuchacunning
beggarofthedemigods
Ramameansthegoddessoffortune.AndhershelterisLordVisnu.LordVisnu
isthemaintainerofalllivingbeings
Thesemenarealwaysafterthemercyoftheillusorygoddessoffortune,but
theydonotknowthatthegoddessoffortunecanliveonlyundertheprotection
ofVisnu.WithoutVisnu,thegoddessoffortuneisanillusion.Weshould
thereforeseektheprotectionofVisnuinsteadofdirectlyseekingtheprotection
ofthegoddessoffortune.OnlyVisnuandthedevoteesofVisnucangive
protectiontoall,andbecauseMaharajaPariksitwashimselfprotectedby
Visnu,itwasquitepossibleforhimtogivecompleteprotectiontoallwho
wantedtoliveunderhisrule.
ThelastinstructionofLordSriKrsnaintheBhagavadgitaisthatoneshould
giveupeverythingandshouldfollowinthefootstepsoftheLordalone.Less
intelligentpersonsdonotagreetothisgreatinstructionoftheLord,asillluck
wouldhaveit,butonewhoisactuallyintelligentcatchesupthissublime
instructionandisimmenselybenefited.
Foolishpeopledonotknowthatassociationisthecauseofacquiringqualities.
Associationwithfiremakesanobjecthot,eveninthematerialsense.
Therefore,associationwiththeSupremePersonalityofGodheadmakesone
qualifiedliketheLord
Aswehavediscussedpreviously,onecanachieveseventyeightpercentofthe
godlyqualitiesbytheLord'sintimateassociation.
TofollowtheinstructionsoftheLordistoassociatewiththeLord.TheLordis

notamaterialobjectwhosepresenceonehastofeelforsuchassociation.The
Lordispresenteverywhereandatalltimes.ItisquitepossibletohaveHis
associationsimplybyfollowingHisinstructionbecausetheLordandHis
instructionandtheLordandHisname,fame,attributesandparaphernaliaare
allidenticalwithHim,beingabsoluteknowledge.

Rantidevawasagreatking,liberalforhospitalityanddistributionoffoodstuff.
Heusedtosupplyfruits,rootsandleavestothersis,andthushewasblessedby
themwithfulfillmentofhisdesires.Althoughaksatriyabybirth,heneverate
fleshinhislife.HewasespeciallyhospitabletoVasisthaMuni,andbyhis
blessingsonlyheattainedthehigherplanetaryresidence.Heisoneofthose
piouskingswhosenamesarerememberedinthemorningandevening.
Yayatibecametheemperoroftheworldduetohiselderbrother'sbecominga
greatandliberatedsaintlymystic.
Accordingtosastras,abrahmanacouldmarrythedaughterofaksatriyabuta
ksatriyacouldnotmarrythedaughterofabrahmana.
Fromhisfivesons,namely(1)Yadu,(2)Turvasu,(3)Druhyu,(4)Anuand(5)
Puru,fivefamousdynasties,namely(1)theYadudynasty,(2)theYavana
(Turk)dynasty,(3)theBhojadynasty,(4)theMlecchadynasty(Greek)and(5)
thePauravadynasty,allemanatedtospreadallovertheworld.
Hereachedtheheavenlyplanetsbydintofhispiousacts,buthefelldownfrom
therebecauseofhisselfadvertisementandcriticizingothergreatsouls
Afterhisfall,hisdaughterandgrandsonbestoweduponhimtheiraccumulated
virtues,andbythehelpofhisgrandsonandfriendSibi,hewasagainpromoted
totheheavenlykingdom,becomingoneoftheassemblymembersof
Yamaraja,withwhomheisstayingasadevotee.
Hisyoungestsonagreedtoawardhimhisyouthfulnesswhenhewastroubled
withlustfuldesires,evenforonethousandyears.
BaliMaharaja:Oneofthetwelveauthoritiesinthedevotionalserviceofthe
Lord.BaliMaharajaisagreatauthorityindevotionalservicebecausehe
sacrificedeverythingtopleasetheLordandrelinquishedtheconnectionofhis
socalledspiritualmasterwhoobstructedhimonthepathofriskingeverything
fortheserviceoftheLord.Thehighestperfectionofreligiouslifeistoattainto
thestageofunqualifieddevotionalserviceoftheLordwithoutanycauseor

withoutbeingobstructedbyanykindofworldlyobligation.BaliMaharajawas
determinedtogiveupeverythingforthesatisfactionoftheLord,andhedidnot
careforanyobstructionwhatsoever.HeisthegrandsonofPrahladaMaharaja,
anotherauthorityinthedevotionalserviceoftheLord.

PrahladaMaharaja:AperfectdevoteeofLordKrsna(Visnu).Hisfather,
Hiranyakasipu,chastisedhimseverelywhenhewasonlyfiveyearsoldforhis
becominganunalloyeddevoteeoftheLord.Hewasthefirstsonof
Hiranyakasipu,andhismother'snamewasKayadhu.PrahladaMaharajawas
anauthorityinthedevotionalserviceoftheLordbecausehehadhisfather
killedbyLordNrsimhadeva,settingtheexamplethatevenafathershouldbe
removedfromthepathofdevotionalserviceifsuchafatherhappenstobean
obstacle.Hehadfoursons,andtheeldestson,Virocana,isthefatherofBali
Maharaja,mentionedabove.
ThesymptomsofKaliare(1)wine,(2)women,(3)gamblingand(4)
slaughterhouses.
Afterhearingabouthisdeath,whichwillbecausedbythebiteofasnakebird
sentbyasonofabrahmana,hewillgethimselffreedfromallmaterial
attachmentandsurrenderuntothePersonalityofGodhead,takingshelterof
Him.
MaterialattachmentandtakingshelterofthelotusfeetoftheLordgoill
together.Materialattachmentmeansignoranceoftranscendentalhappiness
undertheshelteroftheLord.DevotionalservicetotheLord,whileexistingin
thematerialworld,isawaytopracticeone'stranscendentalrelationwiththe
Lord,andwhenitismatured,onegetscompletelyfreefromallmaterial
attachmentandbecomescompetenttogobackhome,backtoGodhead.
SincehewasalwaysprotectedbytheLord,hecouldhaveavoidedtheeffectof
suchacursebythegraceoftheLord,buthedidnottakesuchundueadvantage
fornothing.Rather,hemadethebestuseofabadbargain.Forsevendays
continuouslyheheardSrimadBhagavatamfromtherightsource,andthushe
gotshelteratthelotusfeetoftheLordbythatopportunity.
AfterinquiringaboutproperselfknowledgefromthesonofVyasadeva,who
willbeagreatphilosopher,hewillrenounceallmaterialattachmentand

achievealifeoffearlessness.
Thismaterialworldisfearfulness.Itsprisonersarealwaysfearfulaswithina
prisonhouse.Intheprisonhousenoonecanviolatethejailrulesand
regulations,andviolatingtherulesmeansanothertermforextensionofprison
life.Similarly,weinthismaterialexistencearealwaysfearful.Thisfearfulness
iscalledanxiety.Everyoneinthemateriallife,inallspeciesandvarietiesof
life,isfullofanxieties,eitherbybreakingorwithoutbreakingthelawsof
nature.
Liberation,ormukti,meansgettingrelieffromtheseconstantanxieties.Thisis
possibleonlywhentheanxietyischangedtothedevotionalserviceoftheLord.
SrimadBhagavatamgivesusthechancetochangethequalityofanxietyfrom
mattertospirit
ThereisasortofimitationofthisrecitingandhearingofSrimadBhagavatam
byprofessionalmen,andtheirfoolishaudiencethinksthattheywillgetfree
fromtheclutchesofmaterialattachmentandattainthelifeoffearlessness.
SuchimitativehearingofSrimadBhagavatamisacaricatureonly,andone
shouldnotbemisledbysuchaperformanceofbhagavatamsaptahaundertaken
byridiculousgreedyfellowstomaintainanestablishmentofmaterial
enjoyment.
TheVedasarethestorehouseofknowledge,bothmaterialandspiritual.But
suchknowledgeaimsatperfectionofselfrealization
Sincehumanlifeistheopportunitytogetfreefromallmaterialmiseries,itis
properlyguidedbytheknowledgeoftheVedas,inthemattersofbothmaterial
needsandspiritualsalvation.Thespecificintelligentclassofmenwhowere
devotedparticularlytotheknowledgeoftheVedaswerecalledthevipras,or
thegraduatesoftheVedicknowledge.
Thewordvipramentionedhereinissignificant.Thereisalittledifference
betweentheviprasandthebrahmanas.Theviprasarethosewhoareexpertin
karmakanda,orfruitiveactivities,guidingthesocietytowardsfulfillingthe
materialnecessitiesoflife,whereasthebrahmanasareexpertinspiritual
knowledgeoftranscendence.Thisdepartmentofknowledgeiscalledjnana
kanda,andabovethisthereistheupasanakanda.Theculminationofupasana
kandaisthedevotionalserviceoftheLordVisnu,andwhenthebrahmanas
achieveperfection,theyarecalledVaisnavas.Visnuworshipisthehighestof
themodesofworship.ElevatedbrahmanasareVaisnavasengagedinthe
transcendentallovingserviceoftheLord,andthusSrimadBhagavatam,which
isthescienceofdevotionalservice,isverydeartotheVaisnavas.Andas
explainedinthebeginningoftheSrimadBhagavatam,itisthematurefruitof
Vedicknowledgeandissuperiorsubjectmatter,abovethethreekandas,

namelykarma,jnanaandupasana.
Suchexpertvipras,beingsufficientlypaidbythestate,couldgivefreeservice
tothepeopleingeneral,andthusthisdepartmentofVedicknowledgecouldbe
availableforall.
SohissonwouldbecomefamousintheworldasPariksit[examiner]because
hewouldcometoexamineallhumanbeingsinhissearchafterthatpersonality
whomhesawbeforehisbirth.Thushewouldcometoconstantlycontemplate
Him.
OncetheimpressionofthetranscendentalformoftheLordisfixedinone's
mind,onecanneverforgetHiminanycircumstance.Butnoonecouldbe
equaltoormoreattractivethantheLord,andthereforeheneveraccepted
anyone.ButtheLordwasconstantlywithhimbysuchexamination,andthus
MaharajaPariksitwasalwaysengagedinthedevotionalserviceoftheLordby
remembrance.
MyfatherwasapuredevoteeoftheLord,andwhenIwasonlyfourorfive
yearsold,myfathergavemeacoupleofformsofRadhaandKrsna.Ina
playfulmanner,IusedtoworshiptheseDeitiesalongwithmysister,andIused
toimitatetheperformancesofaneighboringtempleofRadhaGovinda.By
constantlyvisitingthisneighboringtempleandcopyingtheceremoniesin
connectionwithmyownDeitiesofplay,Idevelopedanaturalaffinityforthe
Lord.Myfatherusedtoobservealltheceremoniesbefittingmyposition.Later
on,theseactivitiesweresuspendedduetomyassociationintheschoolsand
colleges,andIbecamecompletelyoutofpractice.Butinmyyouthfuldays,
whenImetmyspiritualmaster,SriSrimadBhaktisiddhantaSarasvatiGosvami
Maharaja,againIrevivedmyoldhabit,andthesameplayfulDeitiesbecame
myworshipfulDeitiesinproperregulation.ThiswasfollowedupuntilIleft
thefamilyconnection
UnderstandingtheheartywishesoftheKing,hisbrothers,asadvisedbythe
infallibleLordKrsna,collectedsufficientrichesfromtheNorth[leftbyKing
Marutta].
HeconductedonesacrificecalledSankarayajnabywhichtheLordwasso
satisfiedthatHewaspleasedtohandovertohimthechargeofamountain
peakofgold.ThispeakofgoldissomewhereintheHimalayaMountains,and
modernadventurersmaytrytofinditthere.Hewassopowerfulanemperor
thatattheday'sendofsacrifice,thedemigodsfromtheotherplanetslikeIndra,
CandraandBrhaspatiusedtovisithispalace.
Thecanopyofthesacrificialaltarwascompletelymadeofgold.inhisdaily
performancesofthesacrificialceremonies,someoftheinhabitantsofthe
Vayuloka(airyplanets)wereinvitedtoexpeditethecookingworkofthe

ceremony
Firstofall,hewantedtoofferthepriesthoodofhissacrificestolearned
Brhaspati,butthedemigodrefusedtoacceptthepostbecauseoftheKing's
beingahumanbeing,amanofthisearth.Hewasverysorryforthis,butonthe
adviceofNaradaMuniheappointedSamvartatothepost,andhewas
successfulinhismission.
Inthisage,allkindsofsacrificeareforbiddenbecausethereisnolearnedpriest
amongstthesocalledbrahmanas,whogobythefalsenotionofbecomingsons
ofbrahmanaswithoutbrahminicalqualifications.InthisageofKali,therefore,
onlyonekindofsacrificeisrecommended,sankirtanayajna,asinauguratedby
LordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhu.

Thelearnedbrahmanascouldnottakeawayalltheloadsofgoldgivenby
MaharajaMarutta,andthereforetheyleftbehindthemajorportionofthegift.
AndMaharajaMaruttaalsodidnotagaincollectsuchheapsofgoldgiven
awayincharity.Besidesthat,allthegoldenplatesandutensilswhichwere
usedinthesacrificewerealsothrowninthedustbins,andallsuchheapsof
goldremainedunclaimedpropertyforalongtime,tillMaharajaYudhisthira
collectedthemforhisownpurposes
Themoreastonishingthingisthatnosubjectofthestatealsocollectedsuch
unclaimedgoldforindustrialenterpriseoranythinglikethat.Thismeansthat
thestatecitizenswerecompletelysatisfiedwithallnecessitiesoflifeand
thereforenotinclinedtoacceptunnecessaryproductiveenterprisesforsense
gratification.
MaharajaYudhisthiraalsorequisitionedtheheapsofgoldforperforming
sacrificesandforpleasingtheSupremeHariPersonalityofGodhead.
Otherwisehehadnodesiretocollectthemforthestatetreasury.
Thisindicatesthatunintentionalsinsarealsocommittedinourdaily
occupationaldischargeofduties,andtocounteractevensuchunintentional
crimes,onemustperformsacrificesastheyarerecommendedintherevealed
scriptures.
Andthosewhodonotdosobutworkforselfinterestorsensegratification
havetoundergoalltribulationsaccruedfromcommittedsins.Therefore,the
mainpurposeofperformingsacrificesistosatisfytheSupremePersonality

Hari.
TheBhagavatamsays,therefore,thattheprimedutyofthehumanbeingisto
satisfytheSupremeLordbytheperformanceofone'soccupationalduty(Bhag.
1.2.13).
TheLordhasdeclaredopenlyinBhagavadgitahowHebecomespleased
withus,andthesameprocessispracticallydemonstratedinthelifeand
preachingworkofLordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhu.
MaharajaYudhisthirahadtocollectheapsofgoldtosecuretheparaphernalia
forthehorsesacrificeyajnasindaysofsufficiency,sowecanhardlythinkof
suchperformanceofyajnasinthesedaysofinsufficiencyandcomplete
scarcityofgold.
ThehorsesacrificeyajnaorcowsacrificeyajnaperformedbytheVedic
regulationsshouldn'tbemisunderstoodasaprocessofkillinganimals.Onthe
contrary,animalsofferedfortheyajnawererejuvenatedtoanewspanoflife
bythetranscendentalpowerofchantingtheVedichymns,which,ifproperly
chanted,aredifferentfromwhatisunderstoodbythecommonlayman

Simplytakingbirthinthefamilyofabrahmanadoesnotmakeonequalifiedto
performyajnas.Onemustbetwicebornbypropertrainingandinitiationfrom
thebonafideacarya.
Chapter13

ViduraistheincarnationofYamaraja.BeingcursedbyMandukaMuni,hewas
tobecomeasudra.
Thestoryisnarratedasfollows.Onceuponatimethestatepolicecaughtsome
thieveswhohadconcealedthemselvesinthehermitageofMandukaMuni.The
policeconstables,asusual,arrestedallthethievesandMandukaMunialong
withthem.Themagistratespecificallypunishedthemunitodeathbybeing
piercedwithalance.Whenhewasjusttobepierced,thenewsreachedthe
king,andheatoncestoppedtheactonconsiderationofhisbeingagreatmuni.
Thekingpersonallybeggedthemuni'spardonforthemistakeofhismen,and
thesaintatoncewenttoYamaraja,whoprescribesthedestinyoftheliving
beings.Yamaraja,beingquestionedbythemuni,repliedthatthemuniinhis
childhoodpiercedanantwithasharpenedstraw,andforthatreasonhewasput
intodifficulty.ThemunithoughtitunwiseonthepartofYamarajathathewas
punishedforhischildishinnocence,andthusthemunicursedYamarajato
becomeasudra,andthissudraincarnationofYamarajawasknownasVidura,
thesudrabrotherofDhrtarastraandMaharajaPandu.

ButthissudrasonoftheKurudynastywasequallytreatedbyBhismadeva,
alongwithhisothernephews,andinduecourseVidurawasmarriedwithagirl
whowasalsoborninthewombofasudranibyabrahmana.AlthoughVidura
didnotinheritthepropertyofhisfather(thebrotherofBhismadeva),stillhe
wasgivensufficientstatepropertybyDhrtarastra,theelderbrotherofVidura
VidurarepeatedlyimploredhiselderbrothertodojusticetothesonsofPandu,
butDuryodhanadidnotlikesuchinterferencebyhisuncle,andthushe
practicallyinsultedVidura.ThisresultedinVidura'sleavinghomefor
pilgrimageandtakinginstructionsfromMaitreya.
Theconditionedsoul,thelivingbeinginmaterialexistence,seekshappinessby
employinghissensesinthemodesofmaterialism,butthatcannotgivehim
satisfaction.HethensearchesaftertheSupremeTruthbytheempiric
philosophicspeculativemethodandintellectualfeats.Butifhedoesnotfind
theultimategoal,heagaingoesdowntomaterialactivitiesandengages
himselfinvariousphilanthropicandaltruisticworks,whichallfailtogivehim
satisfaction.Soneitherfruitiveactivitiesnordryphilosophicalspeculationcan
giveonesatisfactionbecausebynaturealivingbeingistheeternalservitorof
theSupremeLordSriKrsna,andalltheVedicliteraturesgivehimdirection
towardsthatultimateend.

LikeVidura,aninquisitiveconditionedsoulmustapproachabonafide
spiritualmasterlikeMaitreyaandbyintelligentinquiriesmusttrytoknow
everythingaboutkarma(fruitiveactivities),jnana(philosophicalresearchfor
theSupremeTruth)andyoga(thelinkingprocessofspiritualrealization).
Onewhoisnotseriouslyinclinedtoputquestionsbeforeaspiritualmaster
neednotaccommodateashowbottlespiritualmaster,norshouldaperson
whomaybeaspiritualmasterforothersposetobesoifheisunableto
engagehisdiscipleultimatelyinthetranscendentallovingserviceofLord
SriKrsna.
VidurawassuccessfulinapproachingsuchaspiritualmasterlikeMaitreya,and
hegottheultimategoaloflife:bhaktiuntoGovinda.Thustherewas
nothingtobeknownfurtheraboutspiritualprogress.
GandharisatisfiedLordSiva,andbyhisbenedictiontoobtainonehundred
sons,shewasbetrothedtoDhrtarastra,despitehisbeingblindforever.When
Gandharicametoknowthatherwouldbehusbandwasablindman,tofollow
herlifecompanionshedecidedtobecomevoluntarilyblind.Soshewrappedup
hereyeswithmanysilklinens,andshewasmarriedtoDhrtarastraunderthe
guidanceofherelderbrotherSakuni

Butdespiteallhergoodqualities,shehadthenaturalfrailtiesofawoman,and
shewasenviousofKuntiwhenthelattergavebirthtoamalechild.Boththe
queenswerepregnant,butKuntifirstgavebirthtoamalechild.ThusGandhari
becameangryandgaveablowtoherownabdomen.Asaresult,shegavebirth
toalumpoffleshonly,butsinceshewasadevoteeofVyasadeva,bythe
instructionofVyasadevathelumpwasdividedintoonehundredparts,and
eachpartgraduallydevelopedtobecomeamalechild.
KuntiistheincarnationofthesuccesspotencyofthePersonalityofGodhead.
TheheavenlydenizensfromtheupperplanetsusedtovisitthepalaceofKing
Kuntibhoja,andKuntiwasengagedfortheirreception.Shealsoservedthe
greatmysticsageDurvasa,andbeingsatisfiedbyherfaithfulservice,Durvasa
Munigaveheramantrabywhichitwaspossibleforhertocallforany
demigodshepleased.
MaharajaPandulaterwantedtoretirefromfamilylifeandadopttherenounced
orderoflife.Kuntirefusedtoallowherhusbandtoadoptsuchlife,butatlast
MaharajaPandugaveherpermissiontobecomeamotherofsonsbycalling
someothersuitablepersonalities.Kuntididnotacceptthisproposalatfirst,but
whenvividexamplesweresetbyPandusheagreed

Twocowives,namelyKuntiandMadri,decidedthatKuntishouldliveforthe
maintenanceofthefiveminorchildren,thePandavas,andMadrishouldaccept
thesatiritualsbymeetingvoluntarydeathalongwithherhusband.This
agreementwasendorsedbygreatsageslikeSatasrngaandotherspresentonthe
occasion.
Draupadi:ThemostchastedaughterofMaharajaDrupadaandpartlyan
incarnationofgoddessSaci,thewifeofIndra.MaharajaDrupadaperformeda
greatsacrificeunderthesuperintendenceofthesageYaja.Byhisfirstoffering,
Dhrstadyumnawasborn,andbythesecondoffering,Draupadiwasborn.She
isthereforethesisterofDhrstadyumna,andsheisalsonamedPancali.Thefive
Pandavasmarriedherasacommonwife,andeachofthembegotasoninher
Sheisdescribedasamostbeautifullady,equaltohermotherinlaw,Kunti.
ShewasagreatdevoteeofLordKrsna,andbyherpraying,theLordHimself
becameanunlimitedgarmenttosaveherfromtheinsult.Ademonofthename
Jatasurakidnappedher,buthersecondhusband,Bhimasena,killedthedemon
andsavedher.ShesavedthePandavasfromthecurseofMaharsiDurvasaby

thegraceofLordKrsna.
ThecauseofherfallingwasexplainedbyYudhisthira,butwhenYudhisthira
enteredtheheavenlyplanethesawDraupadigloriouslypresentthereasthe
goddessoffortuneintheheavenlyplanet.
Subhadra:DaughterofVasudevaandsisterofLordSriKrsna.Shewasnot
onlyaverydeardaughterofVasudeva,butalsoaverydearsistertobothKrsna
andBaladeva.Thetwobrothersandsisterarerepresentedinthefamous
JagannathatempleofPuri,andthetempleisstillvisitedbythousandsof
pilgrimsdaily.ThistempleisinremembranceoftheLord'svisitatKuruksetra
duringanoccasionofsolareclipseandHissubsequentmeetingwiththe
residentsofVrndavana.ThemeetingofRadhaandKrsnaduringthisoccasion
isaverypatheticstory,andLordSriCaitanya,intheecstasyofRadharani,
alwayspinedforLordSriKrsnaatJagannathaPuri
WhileArjunawasatDvaraka,hewantedtohaveSubhadraashisqueen,andhe
expressedhisdesiretoLordKrsna.SriKrsnaknewthatHiselderbrother,Lord
Baladeva,wasarranginghermarriageelsewhere,andsinceHedidnotdareto
goagainstthearrangementofBaladeva,HeadvisedArjunatokidnapSubhadra
Vidurawaswellreceivedbyallthefamilymembersbyexchangeofembraces
andobeisances.Afterthat,bathingandarrangementsforasumptuousdinner
weremade,andthenhewasgivensufficientrest.Afterfinishinghisrest,he
wasofferedacomfortableplacetosit,andthentheKingbegantotalkaboutall
happenings,bothfamilyandotherwise.Thatistheproperwaytoreceivea
belovedfriend,orevenanenemy
AccordingtoIndianmoralcodes,evenanenemyreceivedathomeshouldbe
sowellreceivedthathewillnotfeelanyfearfulsituation.Anenemyisalways
afraidofhisenemy,butthisshouldnotbesowhenheisreceivedathomeby
hisenemy.
Hewasequallyaffectionatetoboththecampsofnephewsinthesensethathe
alwayschastisedDuryodhanaforhisintriguingpolicyagainsthiscousins.He
alwayscriticizedhiselderbrotherforhispolicyofencouragementtohissons,
andatthesametimehewasalwaysalertingivingspecialprotectiontothe
Pandavas.AllthesedifferentactivitiesofVidurawithinthepalacepolitics
madehimwellknownaspartialtothePandavas
Aweaponnotmadeofsteeloranyothermaterialelementcanbemorethan
sharptokillanenemy,andhewhoknowsthisisneverkilled."Thatistosay,
hehintedthatthepartyofthePandavaswasbeingsenttoVaranavatatobe
killed,andthushewarnedYudhisthiratobeverycarefulintheirnew
residentialpalace.Healsogaveindicationsoffireandsaidthatfirecannot
extinguishthesoulbutcanannihilatethematerialbody.Butonewhoprotects

thesoulcanlive.Kunticouldnotfollowsuchindirectconversationsbetween
MaharajaYudhisthiraandVidurandthuswhensheinquiredfromher
sonaboutthepurportoftheconversation,Yudhisthirarepliedthatfromthe
talksofViduraitwasunderstoodthattherewasahintoffireinthehouse
wheretheywereproceeding
Lateron,ViduracameindisguisetothePandavasandinformedthemthatthe
housekeeperwasgoingtosetfiretothehouseonthefourteenthnightofthe
waningmoon.
Whiletravelingonthesurfaceoftheearth,howdidyoumaintainyour
livelihood?Atwhichholyplacesandpilgrimagesitesdidyourenderservice?
Hethereforedecidedtoquithispaternalhouseandpreparefortherenounced
orderoflife.Thispreparatorystageiscalledvanaprasthaasrama,orretiredlife
fortravelingandvisitingtheholyplacesonthesurfaceoftheearth
MaharajaYudhisthirawasinquisitivetolearnwhetherViduramaintained
himselfbythemercyofthefreekitchenhouses(chatras).
MyLord,devoteeslikeyourgoodselfareverilyholyplacespersonified.
BecauseyoucarrythePersonalityofGodheadwithinyourheart,youturn
allplacesintoplacesofpilgrimage.

ApuredevoteelikeViduraalwaysfeelsthepresenceoftheLordeverywhere.
HeseeseverythinginthepotencyoftheLordandtheLordineverything.The
holyplacesallovertheeartharemeantforpurifyingthepolluted
consciousnessofthehumanbeingbyanatmospheresurchargedwiththe
presenceoftheLord'sunalloyeddevotees.Ifanyonevisitsaholyplace,he
mustsearchoutthepuredevoteesresidinginsuchholyplaces,takelessons
fromthem,trytoapplysuchinstructionsinpracticallifeandthusgradually
prepareoneselffortheultimatesalvation,goingbacktoGodhead
Togotosomeholyplaceofpilgrimagedoesnotmeanonlytotakeabathin
theGangesorYamunaortovisitthetemplessituatedinthoseplaces.One
shouldalsofindrepresentativesofVidurawhohavenodesireinlifesaveand
excepttoservethePersonalityofGodhead.ThePersonalityofGodheadis
alwayswithsuchpuredevoteesbecauseoftheirunalloyedservice,whichis
withoutanytingeoffruitiveactionorutopianspeculation.Theyareinthe

actualserviceoftheLord,specificallybytheprocessofhearingandchanting.
Thepuredevoteeshearfromtheauthoritiesandchant,singandwriteofthe
gloriesoftheLord
SobytheiractionsthepuredevoteesoftheLordcanrenderanyplaceintoa
placeofpilgrimage,andtheholyplacesareworththenameonlyontheir
account.
aholyplacerenderedunholybythequestionableactionsofinterestedpersons
whotrytoadoptaprofessionallifeatthecostofthereputationofaholyplace.
Viduralefthomeinordertodevotehimselfcompletelytotheserviceofthe
Lord,butthePandavasandtheYadavaswerealwaysraptinthethoughtof
LordKrsna.
Eitherremainingathomeorleavinghome,therealqualificationofapure
devoteeistobecomeraptinthethoughtofKrsnafavorably,
Kamsa,Jarasandha,Sisupalaandotherdemonslikethemwerealsoalwaysrapt
inthethoughtofLordKrsna,buttheywereabsorbedinadifferentway,
namelyunfavorably,orthinkingHimtobeapowerfulmanonly.
MaharajaYudhisthirawasalsoalwaysraptinthethoughtofLordKrsnaand
HisassociatesatDvaraka.Otherwisehecouldnothaveaskedallaboutthem
fromVidura.MaharajaYudhisthirawasthereforeonthesamelevelofdevotion
asVidura,althoughengagedinthestateaffairsofthekingdomoftheworld.
CompassionateMahatmaViduracouldnotstandtoseethePandavasdistressed
atanytime.Thereforehedidnotdisclosethisunpalatableandunbearable
incidentbecausecalamitiescomeoftheirownaccord.

AccordingtoNitisastra(civiclaws)oneshouldnotspeakanunpalatabletruth
tocausedistresstoothers.Distresscomesuponusinitsownwaybythelaws
ofnature,sooneshouldnotaggravateitbypropaganda
Inthosedaysdenizensofheavenlyplanetsusedtovisithomeslikethatof
MaharajaYudhisthira,andsometimespersonslikeArjunaandothersusedto
visithigherplanets.
EvenNaradausedtovisitthepalaceofMaharajaYudhisthiraandwhatto
speakofothercelestialdemigods.Itisonlythespiritualcultureofthepeople
concernedthatmakesinterplanetarytravelpossible,eveninthepresentbody
MahatmaVidurahadalreadyadoptedtherenouncedorderoflife,andtherefore
hedidnotreturntohispaternalpalacetoenjoysomematerialcomforts.He

acceptedoutofhisownmercywhatwasofferedtohimbyMaharaja
Yudhisthira,butthepurposeoflivinginthepalacewastodeliverhiselder
brother,Dhrtarastra,whowastoomuchmateriallyattached.
DhrtarastralostallhisstateanddescendantsinthefightwithMaharaja
Yudhisthira,andstill,duetohissenseofhelplessness,hedidnotfeelashamed
toacceptthecharityandhospitalityofMaharajaYudhisthira.
ViduraparticularlycametoenlightenDhrtarastraandtogivehimalifttothe
higherstatusofspiritualcognition.Itisthedutyofenlightenedsoulstodeliver
thefallenones,andViduracameforthatreason
Themessageshouldbeheardattentively,andifspokenbyarealizedsoul,it
willactonthedormantheartoftheconditionedsoul.Andbycontinuously
hearing,onecanattaintheperfectstageofselfrealization.
AslongasViduraplayedthepartofasudra,beingcursedbyMandukaMuni,
AryamaofficiatedatthepostofYamarajatopunishthosewhocommitted
sinfulacts.
AccordingtoSriCaitanyaMahaprabhu,anyonewhoisconversantinthe
transcendentalknowledge,orthescienceofGodhead,beheabrahmanaora
sudra,ahouseholderorasannyasi,iseligibletobecomeaspiritualmaster.
Therearemorewrongdoersthanrighteousmen.ThereforeYamarajahastodo
moreworkthanotherdemigodswhoarealsoauthorizedagentsoftheSupreme
Lord.ButhewantedtopreachthegloriesoftheLord,andthereforebythewill
oftheLordhewascursedbyMandukaMunitocomeintotheworldinthe
incarnationofViduraandworkveryhardasagreatdevotee
TheLordandHisdifferentauthorizeddevoteessometimeshavetoplaytherole
ofmanylowercreaturestoclaimtheconditionedsouls,butboththeLordand
Hispuredevoteesarealwaysinthetranscendentalposition.
AryamaisoneofthetwelveAdityas.
BothMaharajaYudhisthiraandArjunawereunhappyfromthebeginningof
theBattleofKuruksetra,buteventhoughtheywereunwillingtokilltheirown
meninthefight,ithadtobedoneasamatterofduty,foritwasplannedbythe
supremewillofLordSriKrsna
Insurmountable,eternaltimeimperceptiblyovercomesthosewhoaretoomuch
attachedtofamilyaffairsandarealwaysengrossedintheirthought.
"Iamnowhappy;Ihaveeverythinginorder;mybankbalanceisquiteenough;
Icannowgivemychildrenenoughestate;Iamnowsuccessful;thepoor
beggarsannyasisdependonGod,buttheycometobegfromme;thereforeIam

morethantheSupremeGod."Thesearesomeofthethoughtswhichengross
theinsanelyattachedhouseholderwhoisblindtothepassingofeternaltime
Everysecondofhumanlifeismeantformakinganultimatesolutiontothe
problemsoflife,i.e.repetitionofbirthanddeathandrevolvinginthecycleof
8,400,000differentspeciesoflife.
Butsuchillusioncannotworkononewhoisawakeinthedevotionalserviceof
theLord.YudhisthiraMaharajaandhisbrothersthePandavaswereallengaged
intheserviceoftheLordSriKrsna,andtheyhadverylittleattractionforthe
illusoryhappinessofthismaterialworld.Aswehavediscussedpreviously,
MaharajaYudhisthirawasfixedintheserviceoftheLordMukunda(theLord,
whocanawardsalvation),andthereforehehadnoattractionevenforsuch
comfortsoflifeasareavailableinthekingdomofheaven,becauseeventhe
happinessobtainedontheplanetBrahmalokaisalsotemporaryandillusory.
Becausethelivingbeingiseternal,hecanbehappyonlyintheeternalabodeof
thekingdomofGod(paravyoma),fromwhichnoonereturnstothisregionof
repeatedbirthanddeath,diseaseandoldage.Therefore,anycomfortoflifeor
anymaterialhappinesswhichdoesnotwarrantaneternallifeisbutillusionfor
theeternallivingbeing.Onewhounderstandsthisfactuallyislearned,and
suchalearnedpersoncansacrificeanyamountofmaterialhappinessto
achievethedesiredgoalknownasbrahmasukham,orabsolutehappiness
MahatmaViduraknewallthis,andthereforeheaddressedDhrtarastra,saying:
MydearKing,pleasegetoutofhereimmediately.Donotdelay.Justseehow
fearhasovertakenyou.
ButeverythingfailedbythewilloftheLord,andatthelaststage,evenafter
losingeverything,menandmoney,hewantedtoremainasking,beingthe
eldestuncleofMaharajaYudhisthira.MaharajaYudhisthira,asamatterof
duty,maintainedDhrtarastrainroyalhonor,andDhrtarastrawashappily
passingawayhisnumbereddaysintheillusionofbeingakingortheroyal
uncleofKingYudhisthira.
Whereverthereistheinfluenceofeternaltime,thereisthissetoftribulations,
namelybirth,disease,oldageanddeath,andallofthemareinvincible.
Whoeverisundertheinfluenceofsupremekala[eternaltime]mustsurrender
hismostdearlife,andwhattospeakofotherthings,suchaswealth,honor,
children,landandhome.
Yourfather,brother,wellwishersandsonsarealldeadandpassedaway.You
yourselfhaveexpendedthemajorportionofyourlife,yourbodyisnow
overtakenbyinvalidity,andyouarelivinginthehomeofanother.

Anddespiteallthesereverses,hethoughtthathewouldprolonghislifemore
andmore.VidurawantedtopointouttoDhrtarastrathateveryonehasto
protecthimselfbyhisactionandthegraceoftheLord
Nofriend,nochildren,nofather,nobrother,nostateandnooneelsecan
protectapersonwhoisnotprotectedbytheSupremeLord.Oneshould,
therefore,seektheprotectionoftheSupremeLord,forthehumanformoflife
ismeantforseekingthatprotection.
Youhavebeenblindfromyourverybirth,andrecentlyyouhavebecomehard
ofhearing.Yourmemoryisshortened,andyourintelligenceisdisturbed.Your
teethareloose,yourliverisdefective,andyouarecoughingupmucus.
Butfoolishmenwanttomakeapermanentsettlementoftheperishablebody
andthinkthattheirestate,children,society,country,etc.,willgivethem
protection.Withsuchfoolishideas,theybecomeovertakenbysuchtemporary
engagementsandforgetaltogetherthattheymustgiveupthistemporarybody
andtakeanewone,againtoarrangeforanothertermofsociety,friendshipand
love,againtoperishultimately
SaintsandsageslikeViduraapproachsuchfoolishmentoawakenthemtothe
realsituation,buttheytakesuchsadhusandsaintsasparasitesofsociety,and
almostallofthemrefusetohearthewordsofsuchsadhusandsaints,although
theywelcomeshowbottlesadhusandsocalledsaintswhocansatisfytheir
senses.
VidurawasnotasadhutosatisfytheillgottensentimentofDhrtarastra.He
wascorrectlypointingouttherealsituationoflife,andhowonecansave
oneselffromsuchcatastrophies.
Alas,howpowerfularethehopesofalivingbeingtocontinuehislife.Verily,
youarelivingjustlikeahouseholddogandareeatingremnantsoffoodgiven
byBhima.
Asadhushouldneverflatterkingsorrichmentolivecomfortablyattheircost.
Asadhuistospeaktothehouseholdersaboutthenakedtruthoflifesothat
theymaycometotheirsensesabouttheprecariouslifeinmaterialexistence.
WhywasDhrtarastralivingthereatthehouseofthePandavas?Becausehe
wantedtocontinuehislifecomfortably,evenattheriskofallhumiliation.
Thefoolishmandoesnotknowthataparticulartermofbodilyexistenceis
awardedtohimtoundergoatermofimprisonment,andthehumanbodyis
awarded,aftermany,manybirthsanddeaths,asachanceforselfrealizationto
gobackhome,backtoGodhead.ButpersonslikeDhrtarastratrytomakeplans
tolivethereinacomfortablepositionwithprofitandinterest,fortheydonot

seethingsastheyare.Dhrtarastraisblindandcontinuestohopetolive
comfortablyinthemidstofallkindsofreversesoflife
Thereisnoneedtoliveadegradedlifeandsubsistonthecharityofthose
whomyoutriedtokillbyarsonandpoisoning.Youalsoinsultedoneoftheir
wivesandusurpedtheirkingdomandwealth.
Vidurawantedtopointthisoutandimpresseduponhimthatitwasbettertodie
likehissonsthanacceptsuchhumiliatingcharity.Fivethousandyearsago
therewasoneDhrtarastra,butatthepresentmomentthereareDhrtarastrasin
everyhome.Politiciansespeciallydonotretirefrompoliticalactivitiesunless
theyaredraggedbythecruelhandofdeathorkilledbysomeopposing
element.Tosticktofamilylifetotheendofone'shumanlifeisthegrossest
typeofdegradationandthereisanabsoluteneedfortheVidurastoeducate
suchDhrtarastras,evenatthepresentmoment.
Despiteyourunwillingnesstodieandyourdesiretoliveevenatthecostof
honorandprestige,yourmiserlybodywillcertainlydwindleanddeteriorate
likeanoldgarment.
Sincedeathisinevitable,whyshouldheacceptsuchahumiliatingpositionfor
living?Itisbettertotaketherightpath,evenattheriskofdeath
Heiscalledundisturbedwhogoestoanunknown,remoteplaceand,freed
fromallobligations,quitshismaterialbodywhenithasbecomeuseless.
Dhirameansonewhoisnotdisturbed,evenwhenthereissufficient
provocation.Onecannotgiveupacomfortablefamilylifeduetohis
affectionaterelationwithwifeandchildren.Selfrealizationisobstructedby
suchundueaffectionforfamily,andifanyoneisatallabletoforgetsucha
relation,heiscalledundisturbed,ordhira.Thisis,however,thepathof
renunciationbasedonafrustratedlife,butstabilizationofsuchrenunciationis
possibleonlybyassociationwithbonafidesaintsandselfrealizedsoulsby
whichonecanbeengagedinthelovingdevotionalserviceoftheLord.Sincere
surrenderuntothelotusfeetoftheLordispossiblebyawakeningthe
transcendentalsenseofservice.Thisismadepossiblebyassociationwithpure
devoteesoftheLord.

Heiscertainlyafirstclassmanwhoawakensandunderstands,eitherby
himselforfromothers,thefalsityandmiseryofthismaterialworldandthus
leaveshomeanddependsfullyonthePersonalityofGodheadresiding
withinhisheart.
Therearethreeclassesoftranscendentalists,namely,(1)thedhira,ortheone

whoisnotdisturbedbybeingawayfromfamilyassociation,(2)oneinthe
renouncedorderoflife,asannyasibyfrustratedsentiment,and(3)asincere
devoteeoftheLord,whoawakensGodconsciousnessbyhearingandchanting
andleaveshomedependingcompletelyonthePersonalityofGodhead,who
residesinhisheart.
butrealperfectionofthepathofliberationisattainedwhenoneispracticedto
dependfullyontheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,wholivesineveryone's
heartasParamatma.Onemayliveinthedarkestjunglealoneoutofhome,but
asteadfastdevoteeknowsverywellthatheisnotalone.TheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadiswithhim,andHecanprotectHissinceredevoteein
anyawkwardcircumstance.
Oneshouldthereforepracticedevotionalserviceathome,hearingandchanting
theholyname,quality,form,pastimes,entourage,etc.,inassociationwithpure
devotees,andthispracticewillhelponeawakenGodconsciousnessin
proportiontoone'ssincerityofpurpose.
Onewhodesiresmaterialbenefitbysuchdevotionalactivitiescannever
dependontheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,althoughHesitsineveryone's
heart.NordoestheLordgiveanydirectiontopersonswhoworshipHimfor
materialgain.SuchmaterialisticdevoteesmaybeblessedbytheLordwith
materialbenefits,buttheycannotreachthestageofthefirstclasshumanbeing,
asabovementioned.
Please,therefore,leavefortheNorthimmediately,withoutlettingyour
relativesknow,forsoonthattimewillapproachwhichwilldiminishthegood
qualitiesofmen.
Tobecomenarottama,orafirstclasshumanbeingdependingcompletelyon
theSupremeLordSriKrsna,isnotpossibleforanyordinaryman.Itisstatedin
Bhagavadgita(7.28)thatapersonwhoiscompletelyrelievedofalltaintsof
sinfulactscanalonedependontheSupremeLordSriKrsna,thePersonalityof
Godhead.DhrtarastrawasadvisedbyViduraatleasttobecomeadhirainthe
beginningifitwereimpossibleforhimtobecomeasannyasioranarottama.
Thedhirastageisattainedafterprolongedpracticeoftheyogasystem,butby
thegraceofViduraonecanattainthestageimmediatelysimplybywillingto
adoptthemeansofthedhirastage,whichisthepreparatorystageforsannyasa.
Thesannyasastageisthepreparatorystageofparamahamsa,orthefirstgrade
devoteeoftheLord.
ThusMaharajaDhrtarastra,thescionofthefamilyofAjamidha,firmly
convincedbyintrospectiveknowledge[prajna],brokeatoncethestrong
networkoffamilialaffectionbyhisresolutedetermination.Thushe

immediatelylefthometosetoutonthepathofliberation,asdirectedbyhis
youngerbrotherVidura.
Hesaidthatevenbyamomentsassociationwithapuredevotee,onecan
achieveallperfection
Thescripturesenjoin,therefore,thatoneshouldassociatewithsadhusonly,
rejectingallotherkindsofassociation,andbydoingsoonewillhaveample
opportunitytohearthesadhus,whocancuttopiecesthebondsofillusory
affectioninthematerialworld.Itisafactthatthematerialworldisagreat
illusionbecauseeverythingappearstobeatangiblerealitybutatthenext
momentevaporateslikethedashingfoamoftheseaoracloudinthesky.
Similarly,theAbsoluteTruth,whichiscomparedtothesky,remainseternally,
andthetemporarycloudlikeillusioncomesandgoesaway.Foolishliving
beingsareattractedbythetemporarycloud,butintelligentmenaremore
concernedwiththeeternalskywithallitsvariegatedness.
ThegentleandchasteGandhari,whowasthedaughterofKingSubalaof
Kandahar[orGandhara],followedherhusband,seeingthathewasgoingtothe
HimalayaMountains,whicharethedelightofthosewhohaveacceptedthe
staffoftherenouncedorderlikefighterswhohaveacceptedagoodlashing
fromtheenemy.
LaksmijiSitadeviwasalsoadaughterofagreatking,butshefollowedher
husband,LordRamacandra,intotheforest.Similarly,asawomanGandhari
couldhaveremainedathomeoratherfather'shouse,butasachasteandgentle
ladyshefollowedherhusbandwithoutconsideration.
Buthedidnotaskhertofollowhimbecausehewasatthattimefully
determined,likeagreatwarriorwhofacesallkindsofdangersinthe
battlefield.
MaharajaDhrtarastraacceptedtheorderofvanaprastha,andatthisstagethe
wifeisallowedtoremainasavoluntaryservitor,butinthesannyasastageno
wifecanstaywithherformerhusband.Asannyasiisconsideredtobeadead
mancivilly,andthereforethewifebecomesacivilwidowwithoutconnection
withherformerhusband.
Thesannyasisacceptarodasthesignoftherenouncedorderoflife.Thereare
twotypesofsannyasis.ThosewhofollowtheMayavadiphilosophy,headedby
SripadaSankaracarya,acceptonlyonerod(ekadanda),butthosewhofollow
theVaisnavitephilosophyacceptthreecombinedrods(tridanda).

TheekadandisvamisaremostlyfondoftheHimalayas,buttheVaisnava
sannyasisarefondofVrndavanaandPuri.TheVaisnavasannyasisare
narottamas,whereastheMayavadisannyasisaredhiras.MaharajaDhrtarastra
wasadvisedtofollowthedhirasbecauseatthatstageitwasdifficultforhimto
becomeanarottama.
MaharajaYudhisthira,whoseenemywasneverborn,performedhisdaily
morningdutiesbypraying,offeringfiresacrificetothesungod,andoffering
obeisances,grains,cows,landandgoldtothebrahmanas.Hethenenteredthe
palacetopayrespectstotheelderly.However,hecouldnotfindhisunclesor
aunt,thedaughterofKingSubala.
Thehouseholdersarerequiredtoriseearlyinthemorning,andafterbathing
theyshouldofferrespectstotheDeitiesathomebyprayers,byofferingfuelin
thesacredfire,bygivingthebrahmanasincharityland,cows,grains,gold,
etc.,andatlastofferingtotheelderlymembersduerespectsandobeisances.
Onewhoisnotpreparedtopracticeinjunctionsprescribedinthesastrascannot
beagoodmansimplybybookknowledge.
HethoughthimselfungratefulbecausewhenthePandavaswerefatherless,
MaharajaDhrtarastrahadgiventhemallroyalfacilitiestolive,andinreturnhe
hadkilledallDhrtarastra'ssonsintheBattleofKuruksetra.Asapiousman,
MaharajaYudhisthiratookintoaccountallhisunavoidablemisdeeds,andhe
neverthoughtofthemisdeedsofhisuncleandcompany.
Adevoteeneverfindsfaultwithothers,buttriestofindhisownandthus
rectifythemasfaraspossible.
DhrtarastrahasbeenawakenedbyViduraandthatthereforehehadlefthome
inenthusiasticcheerfulnessforabetterlifeafterdeparturefromthedarkwell
ofhome.
Unlessoneisconvincedofabetterlifeafterrenunciationofthepresentlife,
onecannotsticktotherenouncedorderoflifesimplybyartificialdressor
stayingoutofthehome.
Thatgreatsoulscheatothersmaybeastonishingtoknow,butitisafactthat
greatsoulscheatothersforagreatcause.ItissaidthatLordKrsnaalsoadvised
YudhisthiratotellaliebeforeDronacarya,anditwasalsoforagreatcause.
TheLordwantedit,andthereforeitwasagreatcause.Satisfactionofthe
Lordisthecriterionofonewhoisbonafide,andthehighestperfectionof
lifeistosatisfytheLordbyone'soccupationalduty.ThatistheverdictofGita
andBhagavatam.

SanjayaneverthoughtthatDhrtarastracouldperformanyactwithout
consultinghim.ButDhrtarastra'sgoingawayfromhomewassoconfidential
thatitcouldnotbedisclosedeventoSanjaya.SanatanaGosvamialsocheated
thekeeperoftheprisonhousewhilegoingawaytoseeSriCaitanya
Mahaprabhu,andsimilarlyRaghunathadasaGosvamialsocheatedhispriest
andlefthomeforgoodtosatisfytheLord
TosatisfytheLord,anythingisgood,foritisinrelationwiththeAbsolute
Truth.
Wealsohadthesameopportunitytocheatthefamilymembersandleavehome
toengageintheserviceofSrimadBhagavatam.Suchcheatingwasnecessary
foragreatcause,andthereisnolossforanypartyinsuchtranscendentalfraud.
DevarsiNaradaisdescribedhereinasbhagavanduetohisbeingthemost
confidentialdevoteeoftheLord.TheLordandHisveryconfidentialdevotees
aretreatedonthesamelevelbythosewhoareactuallyengagedintheloving
serviceoftheLord.SuchconfidentialdevoteesoftheLordareverymuchdear
totheLordbecausetheytraveleverywheretopreachthegloriesoftheLordin
differentcapacitiesandtrytheirutmosttoconvertthenondevoteesoftheLord
intodevoteesinordertobringthemtotheplatformofsanity.
MaharajaYudhisthira,asagoodsoulanddevoteeoftheLord,wasalways
consciousofthegreatlossofhisauntandhersufferingsasanascetic.An
asceticisneverdisturbedbyallkindsofsufferings,andthatmakeshimstrong
anddeterminedonthepathofspiritualprogress.QueenGandhariisatypical
exampleofanasceticbecauseofhermarvelouscharacterinmanytrying
situations.
Therearedifferenttypesofphilosophers,andthegreatestofallofthemare
thosewhohaveseenthePersonalityofGodheadandhavesurrendered
themselvesinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.Amongallsuch
puredevoteesoftheLord,DevarsiNaradaisthechief,andthereforehehas
beendescribedhereinasthegreatestofallphilosopherdevotees
Onemustbeveryfaithful,learnedandrenounced,otherwiseonecannotbea
puredevotee
SriNaradasaid:OpiousKing,donotlamentforanyone,foreveryoneisunder
thecontroloftheSupremeLord.Thereforealllivingbeingsandtheirleaders
carryonworshiptobewellprotected.ItisHeonlywhobringsthemtogether
anddispersesthem.

BeginningfromBrahmaji,theleaderofthisuniverse,downtotheinsignificant
ant,allareabidingbytheorderoftheSupremeLord.Thustheconstitutional
positionofthelivingbeingissubordinationunderthecontroloftheLord.The
foolishlivingbeing,especiallyman,artificiallyrebelsagainstthelawofthe
Supremeandthusbecomeschastisedasanasura,orlawbreaker.
AlivingbeingisplacedinaparticularpositionbytheorderoftheSupreme
Lord,andheisagainshiftedfromthatplacebytheorderoftheSupremeLord
orHisauthorizedagents.Brahma,Siva,Indra,Candra,MaharajaYudhisthira
or,inmodernhistory,Napoleon,Akbar,Alexander,Gandhi,Shubhashand
NehruallareservantsoftheLord,andtheyareplacedinandremovedfrom
theirrespectivepositionsbythesupremewilloftheLord.Noneofthemis
independent.
Eventhoughsuchmenorleadersrebelsoasnottorecognizethesupremacyof
theLord,theyareputunderstillmorerigorouslawsofthematerialworldby
differentmiseries.
Ordinarilyonecannotchangethecourseofone'sduehappinessanddistressby
plan.Everyonehastoacceptthemastheycomeunderthesubtlearrangement
ofkala,orinvincibletime.Thereisnousetryingtocounteractthem.Thebest
thingis,therefore,thatoneshouldendeavortoachievesalvation,andthis
prerogativeisgivenonlytomanbecauseofhisdevelopedconditionofmental
activitiesandintelligence.
Asacow,boundthroughthenosebyalongrope,isconditioned,soalso
humanbeingsareboundbydifferentVedicinjunctionsandareconditionedto
obeytheordersoftheSupreme.
SuchlawsoftheSupremearegenerallyknownasthecodesofreligion,under
differentconditions,buttheprincipleofreligioneverywhereisoneandthe
same,namely,obeytheordersoftheSupremeGod,thecodesofreligion.That
istheconditionofmaterialexistence.
Alllivingbeingsinthematerialworldhavetakenuptheriskofconditioned
lifebytheirownselectionandarethusentrappedbythelawsofmaterial
nature.Theonlywaytogetoutoftheentanglementistoagreetoobeythe
Supreme.
Thecodesofreligion,scripturalinjunctions,aremadebyliberated
representativesofGodinconsiderationofdifferentconditionsofliving,andby
carryingouttheordersoftheLord,theconditionedlivingbeingsgradually

becomefreefromtheclutchesofmaterialexistence.
Thefactualpositionofthelivingbeingis,however,thatheistheeternal
servitoroftheSupremeLord.Inhisliberatedstateherendersservicetothe
Lordintranscendentalloveandthusenjoysalifeoffullfreedom,even
sometimesonanequallevelwiththeLordorsometimesmorethantheLord.
Sointhematerialworldthelivingbeingisstillmoreconditioned,untilhe
surrendersuntotheLordbyrevivinghisoriginalstateofeternalservitorship.
ThatisthelastinstructionoftheBhagavadgitaandallotherrecognized
scripturesoftheworld.
Asaplayersetsupanddisperseshisplaythingsaccordingtohisownsweet
will,sothesupremewilloftheLordbringsmentogetherandseparatesthem.
Herewardsthereactionsofouractionsbyplacingusinsomeparticularplace.
ThesechangesofresultantactionsareespeciallyrenderedbytheLordwhena
puredevoteeisinvolved.ItisassuredintheBhagavadgita(9.3031)thatthe
LordsavesapuredevoteewhohassurrendereduntoHimwithoutreservation
fromallsortsofreactionsofsins,andthereisnodoubtaboutthis
OKing,inallcircumstances,whetheryouconsiderthesoultobeaneternal
principle,orthematerialbodytobeperishable,oreverythingtoexistinthe
impersonalAbsoluteTruth,oreverythingtobeaninexplicablecombinationof
matterandspirit,feelingsofseparationaredueonlytoillusoryaffection
andnothingmore.
Inourdailyexperiencewefindsomanytransformationsofmatterfromone
formtoanother,butwedonotlamentsuchchangingfeatures.Ineitherofthe
abovecases,theforceofdivineenergyisuncheckable;noonehasanyhandin
it,andthusthereisnocauseofgrief.
Thereforegiveupyouranxietyduetoignoranceoftheself.Youarenow
thinkingofhowthey,whoarehelplesspoorcreatures,willexistwithoutyou.
Whenwethinkofourkithandkinasbeinghelplessanddependentonus,itis
allduetoignorance.Everylivingcreatureisallowedallprotectionbytheorder
oftheSupremeLordintermsofeachone'sacquiredpositionintheworld.
Oneshoulddischargehisdutiesonly,fornoonebuttheSupremeLord
cangiveprotectiontoanyoneelse
Thisgrossmaterialbodymadeoffiveelementsisalreadyunderthecontrolof
eternaltime[kala],action[karma]andthemodesofmaterialnature[guna].
How,then,canit,beingalreadyinthejawsoftheserpent,protectothers?

Unlessoneissituatedinthemodeofgoodness,onecannotseethingsasthey
are.Thepassionateandtheignorantcannotevenseethingsastheyare.
Thereforeapersonwhoispassionateandignorantcannotdirecthisactivities
ontherightpath.
Mostpersonsarepassionateandignorant,andthereforetheirplansandprojects
canhardlydoanygoodtoothers
Abovethemodesofnatureiseternaltime,whichiscalledkalabecauseit
changestheshapeofeverythinginthematerialworld.
Theonlythingpossibletobedoneistogetridofeternaltime,kala,whichis
comparedtokalasarpa,orthecobrasnake,whosebiteisalwayslethal
Thebestremedyforgettingoutoftheclutchesofthecobralikekalaorits
integrity,themodesofnature,isbhaktiyoga,asitisrecommendedinthe
Bhagavadgita(14.26).
Thehighestperfectionalprojectofphilanthropicactivitiesistoengage
everyoneintheactofpreachingbhaktiyogaallovertheworldbecausethat
alonecansavethepeoplefromthecontrolofmaya,orthematerialnature
representedbykala,karmaandguna,asdescribedabove
Thosewhoaredevoidofhandsarepreyforthosewhohavehands;those
devoidoflegsarepreyforthefourlegged.Theweakarethesubsistenceofthe
strong,andthegeneralruleholdsthatonelivingbeingisfoodforanother.
Thereisnothingtobelamentedifatigereatsaweakeranimal,includinga
man,becausethatisthelawoftheSupremeLord.
Thehumanbeingismeantforselfrealization,andforthatpurposeheisnotto
eatanythingwhichisnotfirstofferedtotheLord.
Nooneshouldbeveryanxiousforhissubsistenceinanycircumstances
becausetherearelivingbeingseverywhere,andnolivingbeingstarvesfor
wantoffoodatanyplace.MaharajaYudhisthiraisadvisedbyNaradanotto
worryabouthisuncles'sufferingforwantoffood,fortheycouldliveon
vegetablesavailableinthejunglesasprasadaoftheSupremeLordandthus
realizethepathofsalvation.
Suchexperiencesareallephemeralanddonotaffectthespiritsoul.
FromwithinHecorrectsthedesiringlivingbeingsaslocalizedParamatma,and
fromwithoutHecorrectsbyHismanifestations,thespiritualmasterandthe
revealedscriptures.
ByHisorderonly,oneshouldbecomeaspiritualmasterandcooperatewiththe

Lord.Oneshouldnotbecomeaspiritualmasterforone'spersonalbenefit,for
somematerialgainorasanavenueofbusinessoroccupationforearning
livelihood.
BonafidespiritualmasterswholookuntotheSupremeLordtocooperatewith
HimareactuallyqualitativelyonewiththeLord,andtheforgetfulonesare
pervertedreflectionsonly.

YudhisthiraMaharajaisadvisedbyNarada,therefore,nottobedisturbedby
theaffairsofsocalledhappinessanddistress,buttolookonlyuntotheLordto
executethemissionforwhichtheLordhasdescended.Thatwashisprime
duty.
ForthedevoteesHisfactualformisdisclosed,andforthenondevoteesHe
appearslikekalarupa,whichiscausalform.ThiscausalformoftheLordis
notatallpleasingtotheasuras,andthereforetheythinkoftheLordasformless
inordertofeelsecurethattheywillnotbevanquishedbytheLord.
YouPandavasmaywaitaslongastheLordishereonearth.
heconditionedlivingbeingscontactmaterialassociationbytheirownchoice,
dictatedbyastrongdesiretolorditovertheresourcesofthematerialworld
andbecomeimitationlordsofalltheysurvey.Everyoneistryingtobecomean
imitationGod;thereiskeencompetitionamongstsuchimitationgods,and
suchcompetitorsaregenerallyknownasasuras
OKing,youruncleDhrtarastra,hisbrotherViduraandhiswifeGandharihave
gonetothesouthernsideoftheHimalayaMountains,wherethereareshelters
ofthegreatsages.
TheplaceiscalledSaptasrota["dividedbyseven"]becausetherethewatersof
thesacredGangesweredividedintosevenbranches.Thiswasdoneforthe
satisfactionofthesevengreatrsis.
OnthebanksatSaptasrota,Dhrtarastraisnowengagedinbeginningastanga
yogabybathingthreetimesdaily,inthemorning,noonandevening,by
performingtheAgnihotrasacrificewithfireandbydrinkingonlywater.This
helpsonecontrolthemindandthesensesandfreesonecompletelyfrom
thoughtsoffamilialaffection.
Theyogasystemisamechanicalwaytocontrolthesensesandthemindand
divertthemfrommattertospirit.Thepreliminaryprocessesarethesitting
posture,meditation,spiritualthoughts,manipulationofairpassingwithinthe
body,andgradualsituationintrance,facingtheAbsolutePerson,Paramatma.

Materialexistencemeanstobeabsorbedinthematerialobjective,whichis
simplyillusory.House,country,family,society,children,property,and
businessaresomeofthematerialcoveringsofthespirit,atma,andtheyoga
systemhelpsonetobecomefreefromalltheseillusorythoughtsandgradually
turntowardstheAbsolutePerson,Paramatma

Bymaterialassociationandeducation,welearnsimplytoconcentrateon
flimsythings,butyogaistheprocessofforgettingthemaltogether.Modernso
calledyogisandyogasystemsmanifestsomemagicalfeats,andignorant
personsareattractedbysuchfalsethings,ortheyaccepttheyogasystemasa
cheaphealingprocessfordiseasesofthegrossbody.Butfactuallytheyoga
systemistheprocessoflearningtoforgetwhatwehaveacquired
throughoutthestruggleforexistence.
Drinkingwateronly,withoutsolidfood,isalsoconsideredfasting.Thisis
necessaryforadvancementofspiritualknowledge.
Afoolishmanwantstobeacheapyogiwithoutobservingtheregulative
principles.Amanwhohasnocontroloverthetongueatfirstcanhardly
becomeayogi.Yogiandbhogiaretwooppositeterms.Thebhogi,orthemerry
manwhoeatsanddrinks,cannotbeayogi,forayogiisneverallowedtoeat
anddrinkunrestrictedly.
Onewhohascontrolledthesittingpostures[theyogicasanas]andthe
breathingprocesscanturnthesensestowardtheAbsolutePersonalityof
Godheadandthusbecomeimmunetothecontaminationsofthemodesof
materialnature,namelymundanegoodness,passionandignorance.
Eventhehighestmode,thematerialmodeofgoodness,isalsoacauseof
materialbondage,
Passionandignoranceincreasethematerialpropensitiesofhankeringfor
materialenjoyment,andastrongsenseoflustprovokestheaccumulationof
wealthandpower.Onewhohasconqueredthesetwobasementalitiesandhas
raisedhimselftotheplatformofgoodness,whichisfullofknowledgeand
morality,cannotalsocontrolthesenses,namelytheeyes,thetongue,thenose,
theearandtouch.
ButonewhohassurrenderedhimselfuntothelotusfeetofLordHari,asabove
mentioned,cantranscendallinfluencesofthemodesofmaterialnatureandbe

fixedintheserviceoftheLord.Thebhaktiyogaprocess,therefore,directly
appliesthesensestothelovingserviceoftheLord.
Thisprohibitstheperformerfromengaginginmaterialactivities.Thisprocess
ofturningthesensesfrommaterialattachmenttothelovingtranscendental
serviceoftheLordiscalledpratyahara,andtheveryprocessiscalled
pranayama,ultimatelyendinginsamadhi,orabsorptioninpleasingthe
SupremeLordHaribyallmeans.
Dhrtarastrawillhavetoamalgamatehispureidentitywithintelligence
andthenmergeintotheSupremeBeingwithknowledgeofhisqualitative
oneness,asalivingentity,withtheSupremeBrahman.Beingfreedfrom
theblockedsky,hewillhavetorisetothespiritualsky.
Thelivingbeing,byhisdesiringtolorditoverthematerialworldand
decliningtocooperatewiththeSupremeLord,contactsthesumtotalofthe
materialworld,namelythemahattattva,andfromthemahattattvahisfalse
identitywiththematerialworld,intelligence,mindandsensesisdeveloped.
Thiscovershispurespiritualidentity.Bytheyogicprocess,whenhispure
identityisrealizedinselfrealization,onehastoreverttotheoriginalposition
byamalgamatingthefivegrosselementsandthesubtleelements,mindand
intelligence,intothemahattattvaagain.Thusgettingfreedfromtheclutches
ofthemahattattva,hehastomergeintheexistenceoftheSupersoul
andthushetranscendsthematerialskybyhispureidenticalintelligenceand
thusbecomesengagedinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.Thisis
thehighestperfectionaldevelopmentofspiritualidentity,whichwasattained
byDhrtarastrabythegraceofViduraandtheLord.
Heisalwaysinthespiritualsky,whichheattainsbybeingtranscendentalto
thesevenfoldmaterialcoveringbytheeffectofhisdevotionalservice.The
conditionedsoulsarewithinthecoverings,whereastheliberatedsoulisfar
beyondthecover.
Hewillhavetosuspendalltheactionsofthesenses,evenfromtheoutside,and
willhavetobeimpervioustointeractionsofthesenses,whichareinfluenced
bythemodesofmaterialnature.Afterrenouncingallmaterialduties,hemust
becomeimmovablyestablished,beyondallsourcesofhindrancesonthepath.
Dhrtarastrahadattained,bytheyogicprocess,thestageofnegationofallsorts
ofmaterialreaction.
Theeffectsofthematerialmodesofnaturedrawthevictimtoindefatigable
desiresofenjoyingmatter,butonecanescapesuchfalseenjoymentbythe
yogicprocess.Everysenseisalwaysbusyinsearchingforitsfood,andthus
theconditionedsoulisassaultedfromallsidesandhasnochancetobecome

steadyinanypursuit.MaharajaYudhisthirawasadvisedbyNaradanotto
disturbhisunclebyattemptingtobringhimbackhome.Hewasnowbeyond
theattractionofanythingmaterial
Thematerialmodesofnature(thegunas)havetheirdifferentmodesof
activities,butabovethematerialmodesofnatureisaspiritualmode,whichis
absolute.Nirgunameanswithoutreaction.Thespiritualmodeanditseffectare
identical;thereforethespiritualqualityisdistinguishedfromitsmaterial
counterpartbythewordnirguna.Aftercompletesuspensionofthematerial
modesofnature,oneisadmittedtothespiritualsphere,andactiondictatedby
thespiritualmodesiscalleddevotionalservice,orbhakti.Bhaktiistherefore
nirgunaattainedbydirectcontactwiththeAbsolute.

evenafterquittingthebodybyhisownmysticpower,Dhrtarastrawouldnotbe
inneedofanyfuneralceremony;NaradaMuniindicatedthathisbodybyitself
wouldburntoashes.Theperfectionoftheyogasystemisattainedbysuch
mysticpower.Theyogiisabletoquithisbodybyhisownchoiceoftimeand
canattainanyplanethedesiresbyturningthepresentbodyintoashesbyself
madefire.
Nowsheactuallyfeltalone,andthereforesheenteredthefireofherhusband
andfollowedherhusbandtodeath.Thisenteringofachasteladyintothefire
ofherdeadhusbandiscalledthesatirite,andtheactionisconsideredtobe
mostperfectforawoman.Inalaterage,thissatiritebecameanobnoxious
criminalaffairbecausetheceremonywasforceduponevenanunwilling
woman
AchastewifelikeGandhariwouldfeeltheseparationofherhusbandtobe
moreburningthanactualfire.Suchaladycanobservethesatiritevoluntarily,
andthereisnocriminalforcebyanyone.
VidurawasastonishedtoseethemarvelousdepartureofhisbrotherDhrtarastra
asaliberatedyogi,forinhispastlifehewasmuchattachedtomaterialism.But
hewassorrythathecouldnotmakehisbrotherturnintoapuredevotee.This
wasnotdonebyVidurabecauseofDhrtarastra'sbeinginimicaltothe
Pandavas,whowerealldevoteesoftheLord.Anoffenseatthefeetofa
VaisnavaismoredangerousthananoffenseatthelotusfeetoftheLord.
Dhrtarastraattainedliberationonly,andaftermanysuchliberatedstates
oflifeonecanattaintothestageofdevotionalservice.
Vidurawascertainlyverymortifiedbythedeathofhisbrotherandsisterin

law,andtheonlyremedytomitigatesuchlamentationwastogooutto
pilgrimage.ThusMaharajaYudhisthirahadnochancetocallbackVidura,his
survivinguncle.
Yudhisthirakepthisinstructioninhisheartandsowasabletogetridofall
lamentations.
MaharajaYudhisthirawasapiousking,andthereforehecouldseeNarada
Munioccasionally;anyonewhodesirestoseeNaradaMunimustfirstbepious
andfollowinthefootstepsofNaradaMuni.
Chapter14

Afewmonthspassed,andArjunadidnotreturn.MaharajaYudhisthirathen
begantoobservesomeinauspiciousomens,whichwerefearfulinthemselves.
HesuspectedthedisappearanceofLordKrsna,otherwisetherewouldhave
beennopossibilityoffearfulomens.
WhencivilizationisdisconnectedfromthelovingrelationoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,symptomslikechangesofseasonalregulations,foul
meansoflivelihood,greed,angerandfraudulencebecomerampant.
Agodlessmanisinvariablygreedy,angryandfraudulent.Suchamancanearn
hislivelihoodbyanymeans,blackorwhite
Aconditionedlivingbeingisendowedwithfourprinciplesofmalpractice,
namelyerrors,insanity,inabilityandcheating.Thesearesignsofimperfection,
andoutofthefourthepropensitytocheatothersismostprominent
alivingbeingiseternallysubservienttotheSupremeBeing,andthusitis
alwaysgoodforhimtoremainsubservient,insteadoffalselytryingtolordit
overthepropertyoftheSupremeLord
Intheconditionedstatethelivingbeingisnotsatisfiedevenifheactually
becomesthelordofallthathesurveys
SuchapiouskingasMaharajaYudhisthiraatoncebecameperturbedwhen
thereweresuchinhumansymptomsasgreed,anger,irreligiosityandhypocrisy
rampantinsociety
AndyetLordKrsnaasHeisappearsonceeverytwentyfourhoursof
Brahma'stime(orafteralapseof8,640,000,000solaryears)ineachand
everyuniverse,andallHistranscendentalpastimesaredisplayedineachand
everyuniverseinaroutinespool.
WhentheLord,however,appearsinHispersonasLordSriKrsna,Hisother

plenaryportionsalsojoininHimbyHisinconceivablepotencycalled
yogamaya,andthustheLordKrsnaofVrndavanaisdifferentfromtheLord
KrsnaofMathuraortheLordKrsnaofDvaraka.TheviratrupaofLordKrsna
isalsodifferentfromHim,byHisinconceivablepotency.Theviratrupa
exhibitedontheBattlefieldofKuruksetraisthematerialconceptionofHis
form.ThereforeitshouldbeunderstoodthatwhenLordKrsnawasapparently
killedbythebowandarrowofthehunter,theLordleftHissocalledmaterial
bodyinthematerialworld.
butfactuallytheLordneverquitsHistranscendentalbody,asismisconceived
bylessintelligentpersons
Materialprosperityconsistsofagoodwife,goodhome,sufficientland,good
children,aristocraticfamilyrelations,victoryovercompetitorsand,bypious
work,attainmentofaccommodationsinthehighercelestialplanetsforbetter
facilitiesofmaterialamenities.Thesefacilitiesareearnednotonlybyone's
hardmanuallabororbyunfairmeans,butbythemercyoftheSupremeLord.
theultimatesanctionforallsuccessrestsinthehandsoftheSupremeLord
AnysuccessfulmanshouldfeelgratefultotheLordforallhehasachieved.
Theaggregateresultisagonyofthebodyandthemind.Manmadematerial
sciencecannotdoanythingtocounteractthesethreefoldmiseries.Theyareall
punishmentsfromthesuperiorenergyofmayaunderthedirectionofthe
SupremeLord.ThereforeourconstanttouchwiththeLordbydevotional
servicecangiveusreliefwithoutourbeingdisturbedinthedischargeofour
humanduties.Theasuras,however,whodonotbelieveintheexistenceof
God,maketheirownplanstocounteractallthesethreefoldmiseries,andso
theymeetwithfailureseverytime
becauseofthebindingeffectsofthethreemodes.Theycansimplybe
overcomebyonewhosurrendersfullyindevotionunderthelotusfeetofthe
Lord.
Theleftsideofmybody,mythighs,armsandeyesareallquiveringagainand
again.Iamhavingheartpalpitationsduetofear.Allthisindicatesundesirable
happenings.
Similarly,undesirablehappeningsinlifecannotbecheckedbyanynumberof
plans.SuchmiseriescanberemovedonlybythemercyoftheLord,whosends
Hisbonafiderepresentativestoenlightenhumanbeingsandthussavethem
fromallcalamities.
LordBalaramaistheimmediateexpansionofvisnutattvaasprakasavigraha
ofLordKrsna

Butexpansionsofthejivasakti,thecategoryoftheordinarylivingbeings,are
notatallequalwiththeLord.Onewhoconsidersthejivasaktiandthevisnu
tattvatobeonanequallevelisconsideredacondemnedsouloftheworld
Baladevaactsasthespiritualmasterofalldevotees,andbyHiscauseless
mercythefallensoulsaredelivered.SriBaladevaappearedasSriNityananda
PrabhuduringtheadventofLordCaitanya,andthegreatLordNityananda
PrabhuexhibitedHiscauselessmercybydeliveringapairofextremelyfallen
souls,namelyJagaiandMadhai.
AtDvarakaLordVasudevaisengagedinHistranscendentalpastimesalong
withHisplenaryexpansions,namelySankarsana,PradyumnaandAniruddha,
Therefore16,108x10161,080sons.Theyallgrewup,andeachofthemhadas
manysonsastheirfather,andthewholeaggregatewassomethingnear
1,610,800familymembersoftheLord.TheLordisthefatherofallliving
beings,whoarecountlessinnumber;thereforeonlyafewofthemarecalledto
associatewiththeLordinHistranscendentalpastimesastheLordofDvaraka
onthisearth.

TheconstantcompanionsofLordKrsna,suchasUddhava,areallliberated
souls,andtheydescendedalongwithLordKrsnatothismaterialworldto
fulfillthemissionoftheLord.ThePandavasarealsoliberatedsoulswho
descendedalongwithLordKrsnatoserveHiminHistranscendentalpastimes
onthisearth
TheLordremembersthemall,butHisassociates,althoughliberatedsouls,
forgetduetotheirbeingtatasthasakti,ormarginalpotencyoftheLord.Thatis
thedifferencebetweenthevisnutattvaandjivatattva.Thejivatattvasare
infinitesimalpotentialparticlesoftheLord,andthereforetheyrequirethe
protectionoftheLordatalltimes
Theliberatedsoulsnever,therefore,thinkthemselvesasfreeastheLordoras
powerfulastheLord,buttheyalwaysseektheprotectionoftheLordinall
circumstances,bothinthematerialworldandinthespiritualworld.This
dependenceoftheliberatedsoulisconstitutional,fortheliberatedsoulsare
likesparksofafirethatareabletoexhibittheglowoffirealongwiththefire
andnotindependently
ThusthosewhogiveuptheprotectionoftheLordandbecomesocalledlords
themselves,outofspiritualignorance,comebackagaintothismaterialworld,
evenafterprolongedtapasyaoftheseveresttype.Thatistheverdictofall
Vedicliterature.

IsLordKrsna,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,whogivespleasureto
thecows,thesensesandthebrahmanas,whoisveryaffectionatetowards
Hisdevotees,enjoyingthepiousassemblyatDvarakaPurisurroundedby
friends?
HereinthisparticularversetheLordisdescribedasbhagavan,govinda,
brahmanyaandbhaktavatsala.Heisbhagavansvayam,ortheoriginal
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,fullwithallopulences,allpower,all
knowledge,allbeauty,allfameandallrenunciation.Nooneisequaltoor
greaterthanHim.HeisGovindabecauseHeisthepleasureofthecowsandthe
senses.Thosewhohavepurifiedtheirsensesbythedevotionalserviceofthe
LordcanrenderuntoHimrealserviceandtherebyderivetranscendental
pleasureoutofsuchpurifiedsenses.

Bybrahminicalculture,thedevelopmentofthedormantqualitiesofgoodness,
namelytruthfulness,equanimity,sensecontrol,forbearance,simplicity,general
knowledge,transcendentalknowledge,andfirmfaithintheVedicwisdom,one
canbecomeabrahmanaandthusseetheLordasHeis.Andaftersurpassing
thebrahminicalperfection,onehastobecomeadevoteeoftheLordsothatHis
lovingaffectionintheformofproprietor,master,friend,sonandlovercanbe
transcendentallyachieved.Thestageofadevotee,whichattractsthe
transcendentalaffectionoftheLord,doesnotdevelopunlessonehas
developedthequalitiesofabrahmanaasabovementioned.TheLordis
inclinedtoabrahmanaofqualityandnotoffalseprestige.
TheLordstaysonlywherepiousmenassembleandtakespleasureintheir
glorifyingtheSupremeTruth.
Beyondthematerialsky,furtherthanwecanseewithoureyesandbeyondthe
sevenfoldcoveringsoftheuniverse,thereistheCausalOceaninwhichallthe
universesarefloatinglikefootballs,andbeyondtheCausalOceanthereisan
unlimitedspanofspiritualskygenerallyknownastheeffulgenceofBrahman.
Withinthiseffulgencethereareinnumerablespiritualplanets,andtheyare
knownastheVaikunthaplanets.
EachandeveryVaikunthaplanetismany,manytimesbiggerthanthebiggest

universewithinthematerialworld,andineachofthemthereareinnumerable
inhabitantswholookexactlylikeLordVisnu.Theseinhabitantsareknownas
theMahapaurusikas,orpersonsdirectlyengagedintheserviceoftheLord.
Theyarehappyinthoseplanetsandarewithoutanykindofmisery,andthey
liveperpetuallyinfullyouthfulness,enjoyinglifeinfullblissandknowledge
withoutfearofbirth,death,oldageordisease,andwithouttheinfluenceof
kala,eternaltime.MaharajaYudhisthirahascomparedtheinhabitantsof
DvarakatotheMahapaurusikasofVaikunthalokabecausetheyaresohappy
withtheLord.
SimplybyadministeringcomfortsatthelotusfeetoftheLord,whichisthe
mostimportantofallservices,thequeensatDvaraka,headedbySatyabhama,
inducedtheLordtoconquerthedemigods.Thusthequeensenjoythingswhich
areprerogativesofthewivesofthecontrollerofthunderbolts.

Satyabhama:OneoftheprincipalqueensofLordSriKrsnaatDvaraka.After
killingNarakasura,LordKrsnavisitedthepalaceofNarakasuraaccompanied
bySatyabhama.HewenttoIndralokaalsowithSatyabhama,andshewas
receivedbySacidevi,whointroducedhertothemotherofthedemigods,Aditi.
AditiwasverymuchpleasedwithSatyabhama,andsheblessedherwiththe
benedictionofpermanentyouthaslongasLordKrsnaremainedontheearth.
Aditialsotookherwithhertoshowherthespecialprerogativesofthe
demigodsintheheavenlyplanets.WhenSatyabhamasawtheparijataflower,
shedesiredtohaveitinherpalaceatDvaraka.Afterthat,shecamebackto
Dvarakaalongwithherhusbandandexpressedherwillingnesstohavethe
parijatafloweratherpalace.Satyabhama'spalacewasespeciallybedecked
withvaluablejewels,andeveninthehottestseasonofsummertheinsideofthe
palaceremainedcool,asifairconditioned.Shedecoratedherpalacewith
variousflags,heraldingthenewsofhergreathusband'spresencethere.Once,
alongwithherhusband,shemetDraupadi,andshewasanxioustobe
instructedbyDraupadiinthewaysandmeansofpleasingherhusband.
Draupadiwasexpertinthisaffairbecauseshekeptfivehusbands,the
Pandavas,andallwereverymuchpleasedwithher.OnreceiptofDraupadi's
instructions,shewasverymuchpleasedandofferedhergoodwishesand

returnedtoDvaraka.ShewasthedaughterofSatrajit.Afterthedepartureof
LordKrsna,whenArjunavisitedDvaraka,allthequeens,including
SatyabhamaandRukmini,lamentedfortheLordwithgreatfeeling.Atthelast
stageofherlife,sheleftfortheforesttoundergoseverepenance.
Asalreadyexplained,theLordhadverylittletodowithsomanywivesto
carryouttheirorderslikeanordinaryman.Butbecausethequeensaccepted
thehighqualityofdevotionalservice,namelyadministeringtheLordall
comforts,theLordplayedthepartofafaithfulandcompletehusband.No
earthlycreaturecanexpecttohavethingsfromtheheavenlykingdom,
especiallytheparijataflowers
ButduringthetimeofLordKrsna'spresenceontheearth,themembersofthe
Yadufamilyforciblybroughtthecelestialassemblyhousetoearthandplaced
itatDvaraka.Theywereabletousesuchforcebecausetheywerecertainofthe
indulgenceandprotectionoftheSupremeLordKrsna.Inotherwords,the
LordisprovidedwiththebestthingsintheuniversebyHispuredevotees.
LordKrsnawasprovidedwithallkindsofcomfortsandfacilitiesavailable
withintheuniversebythemembersoftheYadudynasty,andinreturnsuch
servitorsoftheLordwereprotectedandfearless.
Aforgetful,conditionedsoulisfearful.Butaliberatedsoulisneverfearful,
justasasmallchildcompletelydependentonthemercyofhisfatherisnever
fearfulofanyone.Fearfulnessisasortofillusionforthelivingbeingwhenhe
isinslumberandforgettinghiseternalrelationwiththeLord

Aksatriyaorarichmanissometimesvisitedbypersonswhoareinneedof
money.Whentheyareaskedforadonation,itisthedutyofthepossessorof
wealthtogiveincharityinconsiderationoftheperson,placeandtime.Ifa
ksatriyaorarichmanfailstocomplywiththisobligation,hemustbevery
sorryforthisdiscrepancy.
Youarealwaystheprotectorofthedeservinglivingbeings,suchasbrahmanas,
children,cows,womenandthediseased.Couldyounotgivethemprotection
whentheyapproachedyouforshelter?
Thebrahmanas,whoarealwaysengagedinresearchingknowledgeforthe
society'swelfarework,bothmateriallyandspiritually,deservetheprotection
ofthekinginallrespects
Thehighercastemen,namelythebrahmanasandksatriyas,couldaccepta
womanofthevaisyaorthesudracommunity,butamanfromthelowercastes
couldnotcontactawomanofthehighercaste.Evenaksatriyacouldnot
contactawomanofthebrahmanacaste.

Thewifeofabrahmanaisconsideredoneofthesevenmothers(namelyone's
ownmother,thewifeofthespiritualmasterorteacher,thewifeofabrahmana,
thewifeofaking,thecow,thenurse,andtheearth).Suchcontactbetween
manandwomanwasknownasuttamaandadhama.Contactofabrahmana
withaksatriyawomanisuttama,butthecontactofaksatriyawithabrahmana
womanisadhamaandthereforecondemned.
BhimawasapproachedbyHidimbifromacommunitylowerthanthesudras,
andYayatirefusedtomarrythedaughterofSukracaryabecauseof
Sukracarya'sbeingabrahmana.Vyasadeva,abrahmana,wascalledtobeget
PanduandDhrtarastra.Satyavatibelongedtoafamilyoffishermen,but
Parasara,agreatbrahmana,begotinherVyasadeva.
ArjunawasdefeatedbyBhismadeva,andLordKrsnasavedhimfromthe
danger.ThiswasnotaninsultforArjunabecauseBhismadevawasfarsuperior
toArjunainallways,namelyage,respectandstrength.ButKarnawasequalto
Arjuna,andthereforeArjunawasincrisiswhenfightingwithKarna.Itwasfelt
byArjuna,andthereforeKarnawaskilledevenbycrookedmeans.Suchare
theengagementsoftheksatriyas,
Itisthedutyofahouseholdertofeedfirstofallthechildren,theoldmembers
ofthefamily,thebrahmanasandtheinvalids.Besidesthat,anideal
householderisrequiredtocallforanyunknownhungrymantocomeanddine
beforehehimselfgoestotakehismeals.Heisrequiredtocallforsucha
hungrymanthriceontheroad.Theneglectofthisprescribeddutyofa
householder,especiallyinthematteroftheoldmenandchildren,is
unpardonable.
Now,rememberingtheSupremeLord,hecouldhardlyutterawordinreply.
Withgreatdifficultyhecheckedthetearsofgriefthatsmearedhiseyes.He
wasverydistressedbecauseLordKrsnawasoutofhissight,andhe
increasinglyfeltaffectionforHim.
SriArjunaisoneofthetypicalpuredevoteesoftheLordreciprocatinginthe
fraternalrelationship,andtheLord'sdealingswithArjunaaredisplaysof
friendshipofthehighestperfectorder.HewasnotonlyawellwisherofArjuna
butactuallyabenefactor,andtomakeitstillmoreperfecttheLordtiedhim
intoafamilyrelationshipbyarrangingSubhadra'smarriagewithhim.
Arjunasaid:OKing!TheSupremePersonalityofGodheadHari,who
treatedmeexactlylikeanintimatefriend,hasleftmealone.Thusmy
astoundingpower,whichastonishedeventhedemigods,isnolongerwith
me.
Hiseternaleverliberatedassociates,

ThepowerandenergywhichwerebestoweduponArjunawererequiredfor
fulfillmentofthemissionoftheLord,butwhenHismissionwasfulfilled,the
emergencypowerswerewithdrawnfromArjunabecausetheastounding
powersofArjuna,whichwereastonishingeventothedenizensofheaven,were
nolongerrequired,andtheywerenotmeantforgoingbackhome,backto
Godhead.
Thelessonis,therefore,thatnooneshouldbepuffedupforhispowers
borrowedfromtheLord.ThesanemanshouldratherfeelobligedtotheLord
forsuchbenefactionsandmustutilizesuchpowerfortheserviceoftheLord.
SuchpowercanbewithdrawnatanytimebytheLord,sothebestuseofsuch
powerandopulenceistoengagethemintheserviceoftheLord.
Karnawasknownasthesonofacarpenter,asudra.SoDraupadiavoided
Karnabythisplea.
Thedemonspossesswonderfulandsupernaturalpowerstocreatematerial
wonders.Buttheyarealwaysdisturbingelementsofthesociety.Themodern
demonsaretheharmfulmaterialscientistswhocreatesomematerialwonders
fordisturbanceinthesociety.Forexample,thecreationofnuclearweapons
WhenhewaschasedbothbythefireandbythewheelofLordKrsna,hetook
shelterofsuchadevoteeasArjuna,whosavedhimfromthewrathofthefire
ofLordSriKrsna.DevoteesarethereforemoremercifulthantheLord,andin
devotionalservicethemercyofadevoteeismorevaluablethanthemercyof
theLord

LordSriKrsna,however,beingpleasedwithMayaforhistakingshelterofa
devotee,askedhimtorenderserviceuntoKingYudhisthirabybuildinga
wonderfulassemblyhouse.Theprocessisthatbythegraceofthedevoteethe
mercyoftheLordisobtained,andbythemercyoftheLordachancetoserve
theLord'sdevoteeisobtained.
Sincehepossesseddemoniacqualitiesfrombirth,naturallyhebecamea
greatdevoteeofLordSiva,whoisthelordofallghostlyanddemoniac
men
Jarasandhaneverrefusedcharitytoanybrahmana,andheperformedmany
sacrificesalso,yethewasnotonaparwithdevotionalservice.LordKrsna,
BhimaandArjunaaskedJarasandhaforthefacilityoffightinghim,anditwas
settledthatJarasandhawouldfightwithBhimaonly.Soallofthemwereboth
guestsandcombatantsofJarasandha,andBhimaandJarasandhafoughtevery

dayforseveraldays.Bhimabecamedisappointed,butKrsnagavehimhints
aboutJarasandha'sbeingjoinedtogetherasaninfant,andthusBhimadissected
himagainandsokilledhim.
Duhsasanatouchedherglorifiedhairtoinsulther.Draupadithenfelldownat
thelotusfeetofLordKrsna,andLordKrsnadecidedthatallthewivesof
Duhsasanaandcompanyshouldhavetheirhairloosenedasaresultofthe
BattleofKuruksetra.ThusaftertheBattleofKuruksetra,afterallthesonsand
grandsonsofDhrtarastradiedinbattle,allthewivesofthefamilywereobliged
toloosentheirhairaswidows.Inotherwords,allthewivesoftheKurufamily
becamewidowsbecauseofDuhsasana'sinsultingagreatdevoteeoftheLord.
TheLordcantolerateinsultsuponHimselfbyanymiscreantbecausethefather
tolerateseveninsultsfromtheson.ButHenevertoleratesinsultsuponHis
devotees.Byinsultingagreatsoul,onehastoforegoalltheresultsofpious
actsandbenedictionsalso.
DurvasaMuni:Apowerfulmysticbrahmanadeterminedtoobservethe
principlesofreligionwithgreatvowsandunderstrictausterities,anditappears
thatthegreatmysticcouldbebotheasilysatisfiedandeasilyannoyed,like
LordSiva.Whenhewassatisfied,hecoulddotremendousgoodtotheservitor,
butifhewasdissatisfiedhecouldbringaboutthegreatestcalamity.
Hetraveledalltheselongdistanceswithinoneyear,duringhisquarrelwith
KingAmbarisa,thegreatdevoteeandEmperoroftheworld.

OncehevisitedthehouseofDuryodhana,theenemycousinofMaharaja
Yudhisthira.Duryodhanawasintelligentenoughtosatisfythebrahmanabyall
means,andthegreatrsiwantedtogivesomebenedictiontoDuryodhana.
Duryodhanaknewhismysticpowers,andheknewalsothatthemystic
brahmana,ifdissatisfied,couldcausesomehavoc,andthushedesignedto
engagethebrahmanatoshowhiswrathuponhisenemycousins,thePandavas.
WhenthersiwantedtoawardsomebenedictiontoDuryodhana,thelatter
wishedthatheshouldvisitthehouseofMaharajaYudhisthira,whowasthe
eldestandchiefamongallhiscousins.Butbyhisrequesthewouldgotohim
afterhehadfinishedhismealswithhisQueen,Draupadi.Duryodhanaknew
thatafterDraupadi'sdinneritwouldbeimpossibleforMaharajaYudhisthirato
receivesuchalargenumberofbrahmanaguests,andthusthersiwouldbe
annoyedandwouldcreatesometroubleforhiscousinMaharajaYudhisthira.

ThatwastheplanofDuryodhana.DurvasaMuniagreedtothisproposal,and
heapproachedtheKinginexile,accordingtotheplanofDuryodhana,afterthe
KingandDraupadihadfinishedtheirmeals.
OnhisarrivalatthedoorofMaharajaYudhisthira,hewasatoncewell
received,andtheKingrequestedhimtofinishhisnoontimereligiousritesin
theriver,forbythattimethefoodstuffwouldbeprepared.DurvasaMuni,
alongwithhislargenumberofdisciples,wenttotakeabathintheriver,and
MaharajaYudhisthirawasingreatanxietyabouttheguests.Aslongas
Draupadihadnottakenhermeals,foodcouldbeservedtoanynumberof
guests,butthersi,bytheplanofDuryodhana,reachedthereafterDraupadihad
finishedhermeals.
Whenthedevoteesareputintodifficulty,theyhaveanopportunitytorecollect
theLordwithraptattention.SoDraupadiwasthinkingofLordKrsnainthat
dangerousposition,andtheallpervadingLordcouldatonceknowthe
dangerouspositionofHisdevotees.Hethereforecamethereonthesceneand
askedDraupaditogivewhateverfoodshemighthaveinherstock.Onher
beingsorequestedbytheLord,DraupadiwassorrowfulbecausetheSupreme
Lordaskedherforsomefoodandshewasunabletosupplyitatthattime.She
saidtotheLordthatthemysteriousdishwhichshehadreceivedfromthesun
godcouldsupplyanyamountoffoodifsheherselfhadnoteaten.Butonthat
dayshehadalreadytakenhermeals,andthustheywereindanger.By
expressingherdifficultiesshebegantocrybeforetheLordasonlyawoman
woulddoinsuchaposition.TheLord,however,askedDraupaditobringup
thecookingpotstoseeiftherewasanyparticleoffoodstuffleft,andon
Draupadi'sdoingso,theLordfoundsomeparticleofvegetablestickingtothe
pot.TheLordatoncepickeditupandateit.Afterdoingso,theLordasked
Draupaditocallforherguests,thecompanyofDurvasa.

Bhimawassenttocallthemfromtheriver.Bhimasaid,"Whyareyou
delaying,sirs?Comeon,thefoodisreadyforyou."Butthebrahmanas,
becauseofLordKrsna'sacceptingalittleparticleoffood,feltsumptuouslyfed,
evenwhiletheywereinthewater.TheythoughtthatsinceMaharaja
Yudhisthiramusthavepreparedmanyvaluabledishesforthemandsincethey
werenothungryandcouldnoteat,theKingwouldfeelverysorry,soitwas
betternottogothere.Thustheydecidedtogoaway.
ThisincidentprovesthattheLordisthegreatestmystic,andthereforeHeis
knownasYogesvara.Anotherinstructionisthateveryhouseholdermustoffer
foodtotheLord,andtheresultwillbethateveryone,evenacompanyofguests

numberingtenthousand,willbesatisfiedbecauseoftheLord'sbeingsatisfied.
Thatisthewayofdevotionalservice.
BythegraceoftheSupremePersonalityofGodheadSriKrsna,allthe
demigods,includingLordSiva,werepleasedwithArjuna.Theideaisthatone
whoisfavoredbyLordSivaoranyotherdemigodmaynotnecessarilybe
favoredbytheSupremeLordSriKrsna.
ThedevoteesoftheSupremeLordknowhowtorespectthedemigods,butthe
devoteesofthedemigodssometimesfoolishlythinkthattheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadisnogreaterthanthedemigods.
whereasthedevoteesorworshipersofthedemigodsmayachieveonlypartial
benefits,whicharealsoperishable,justasthedemigodsthemselvesare.
Onecanreachtheheavenlyplanetsbythepiousactsrecommendedinthe
sastrasinthecategoryoffruitiveactivities.AndasstatedintheBhagavadgita
(9.21),whenthereactionsofsuchpiousactsarespent,theenjoyerisagain
degradedtothisearthlyplanet.Themoonisalsoonthelevelwiththeheavenly
planets,andonlypersonswhohaveperformedvirtuesonlyperforming
sacrifices,givingcharityandundergoingsevereausteritiescanbeallowedto
enterintotheheavenlyplanetsafterthedurationoflifeofthebody.
Arjunawasallowedtoenterintotheheavenlyplanetsintheselfsamebody
simplybythegraceoftheLord,otherwiseitisnotpossibletodoso.
Thepresentpopulationismoreorlessinfluencedbythemodesofpassionand
ignorance,andthesymptomsforsuchinfluenceareexhibitedintheirbecoming
verylustyandgreedy.Suchdegradedfellowscanhardlyapproachthehigher
planetarysystems.

Abovetheheavenlyplanetstherearemanyotherplanetsalso,whichonlythose
whoareinfluencedbygoodnesscanreach.Inheavenlyandotherplanets
withintheuniverse,theinhabitantsareallhighlyintelligent,manymoretimes
thanthehumanbeings,andtheyareallpiousinthehigherandhighestmodeof
goodness.TheyarealldevoteesoftheLord,andalthoughtheirgoodnessisnot
unadulterated,stilltheyareknownasdemigodspossessingthemaximum
amountofgoodqualitiespossiblewithinthematerialworld.
OntheKauravasidethereweremanystalwartcommanderslikeBhisma,

Drona,KrpaandKarna,andtheirmilitarystrengthwasasinsurmountableas
thegreatocean.AndyetitwasduetoLordKrsna'sgracethatArjunaalone,
sittingonthechariot,couldmanagetovanquishthemoneafteranotherwithout
difficulty.
ItwasHeonlywhowithdrewthedurationoflifefromeveryoneandwho,in
thebattlefield,withdrewthespeculativepowerandstrengthofenthusiasm
fromthegreatmilitaryphalanxmadebytheKauravas,headedbyBhisma,
Karna,Drona,Salya,etc
HisplenaryParamatmaportionineveryonesheart,andthusHedirects
everyoneinthematterofrecollection,forgetfulness,knowledge,theabsenceof
intelligenceandallpsychologicalactivities.
ButbecauseArjunawastheLord'saffectionatedevotee,theLorddidall
thisHimselfwithoutpersonalanxietybyArjuna.Thatisthewayofthe
devotionalservicetotheLord.
GreatgeneralslikeBhisma,Drona,Karna,Bhurisrava,Susarma,Salya,
Jayadratha,andBahlikaalldirectedtheirinvincibleweaponsagainstme.But
byHis[LordKrsna's]gracetheycouldnoteventouchahaironmyhead.
Similarly,PrahladaMaharaja,thesupremedevoteeofLordNrsimhadeva,was
unaffectedbytheweaponsthedemonsusedagainsthim.
Hewasthrowninafire,inboilingoil,fromthetopofahill,underneaththe
legsofanelephant,andhewasadministeredpoison.Atlastthefatherhimself
tookupachoppertokillhisson,andthusNrsimhadevaappearedandkilledthe
heinousfatherinthepresenceoftheson.
Karnawasverycharitable,especiallytowardthebrahmanas.Therewas
nothinghecouldnotspareforabrahmana.butwhenhegrewuphepresented
hisnaturalbanglesandearringstoIndradeva,andthenceforwardhebecame
knownasVaikartana.
DuryodhanawasverymuchpleasedwithKarnabecauseofhisconstantrivalry
withArjuna,andwhenhewasinpowerheenthronedKarnainthestateof
Anga
AtlasttherewasaseverefightwithArjuna,anditwasheonlywhowasableto
knockoffthehelmetofArjuna.Butitsohappenedthatthewheelofhischariot
stuckinthebattlefieldmud,andwhenhegotdowntosetthewheelright,
Arjunatooktheopportunityandkilledhim,althoughherequestedArjunanot
todoso.
DraupadiatoncerefusedvehementlytheproposalofJayadratha,butbeingso
muchattractedbythebeautyofDraupadi,hetriedagainandagain.Everytime

hewasrefusedbyDraupadi.Hetriedtotakeherawayforciblyonhischariot,
andatfirstDraupadigavehimagooddashing,andhefelllikeacutroottree.
Buthewasnotdiscouraged,andhewasabletoforceDraupaditositonthe
chariot.ThisincidentwasseenbyDhaumyaMuni,andhestronglyprotested
theactionofJayadratha.ThePandavasthenattackedthesoldiersofJayadratha
andkilledthemall,andatlastBhimacaughtholdofJayadrathaandbeathim
veryseverely,almostdead.
HewasforcedtoadmithimselftobetheslaveofMaharajaYudhisthirabefore
alltheprincelyorder,andinthesameconditionhewasbroughtbefore
MaharajaYudhisthira.MaharajaYudhisthirawaskindenoughtoorderhim
released,andwhenheadmittedtobeingatributaryprinceunderMaharaja
Yudhisthira,QueenDraupadialsodesiredhisrelease.
Beingsoinsulted,hewenttoGangatriintheHimalayasandundertookasevere
typeofpenancetopleaseLordSiva.Heaskedhisbenedictiontodefeatallthe
Pandavas,atleastoneatatime.ThentheBattleofKuruksetrabegan,andhe
tooksideswithDuryodhana.Inthefirstday'sfighthewasengagedwith
MaharajaDrupada,thenwithVirataandthenwithAbhimanyu.While
Abhimanyuwasbeingkilled,mercilesslysurroundedbysevengreatgenerals,
thePandavascametohishelp,butJayadratha,bythemercyofLordSiva,
repulsedthemwithgreatability.Atthis,Arjunatookavowtokillhim,andon
hearingthis,Jayadrathawantedtoleavethewarfieldandaskedpermission
fromtheKauravasforthiscowardlyaction.Buthewasnotallowedtodoso.
Onthecontrary,hewasobligedtofightwithArjuna,andwhilethefightwas
goingonLordKrsnaremindedArjunathatthebenedictionofSivaupon
Jayadrathawasthatwhoeverwouldcausehisheadtofallonthegroundwould
dieatonce.HethereforeadvisedArjunatothrowtheheadofJayadratha
directlyontothelapofhisfather,whowasengagedinpenancesatthe
Samantapancakapilgrimage.ThiswasactuallydonebyArjuna.Jayadratha's
fatherwassurprisedtoseeaseveredheadonhislap,andheatoncethrewitto
theground.Thefatherimmediatelydied,hisforeheadbeingcrackedinseven
pieces.
ItwasbyHismercyonlythatmyenemiesneglectedtokillmewhenI
descendedfrommychariottogetwaterformythirstyhorses.Anditwasdue
tomylackofesteemformyLordthatIdaredengageHimasmychariotdriver,
forHeisworshipedandofferedservicesbythebestmentoattainsalvation.
TheimpersonalistsworshipHisglowingeffulgence,emanatingfromHis
transcendentalbodyofeternalform,blissandknowledge,andthedevotees
worshipHimastheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Thosewhoarebelow
eventheimpersonalistsconsiderHimtobeoneofthegreathistorical
personalities.

Generallybothofususedtolivetogetherandsleep,sitandloitertogether.
Andatthetimeofadvertisingoneselfforactsofchivalry,sometimes,ifthere
wereanyirregularity,IusedtoreproachHimbysaying,"Myfriend,Youare
verytruthful."EveninthosehourswhenHisvaluewasminimized,He,being
theSupremeSoul,usedtotolerateallthoseutteringsofmine,excusingme
exactlyasatruefriendexcuseshistruefriend,orafatherexcuseshisson.
TheLordrelishesthereproachesoffriends,parentsorfianceesmorethanthe
VedichymnsofferedtoHimbygreatlearnedscholarsandreligionistsinan
officialfashion.
InHisabsenceIhavebeendefeatedbyanumberofinfidelcowherdmenwhile
IwasguardingthebodiesofallthewivesofKrsna.
SrilaVisvanathaCakravartiThakurahasjustifiedthecontradictionbyresearch
intheVisnuPuranaandBrahmaPurana.InthesePuranasitissaidthatonce
thefairdenizensofheavenpleasedAstavakraMunibytheirserviceandwere
blessedbythemunitohavetheSupremeLordastheirhusband
AstavakraMuniwascurvedineightjointsofhisbody,andthusheusedto
moveinapeculiarcurvedmanner.Thedaughtersofthedemigodscouldnot
checktheirlaughteruponseeingthemovementsofthemuni,andthemuni,
beingangryatthem,cursedthemthattheywouldbekidnappedbyrogues,
eveniftheywouldgettheLordastheirhusband.Lateron,thegirlsagain
satisfiedthemunibytheirprayers,andthemuniblessedthemthattheywould
regaintheirhusbandevenafterbeingrobbedbytherogues.So,inordertokeep
thewordsofthegreatmuni,theLordHimselfkidnappedHiswivesfromthe
protectionofArjuna,otherwisetheywouldhaveatoncevanishedfromthe
sceneassoonastheyweretouchedbytherogues.
Besidesthat,someofthegopiswhoprayedtobecomewivesoftheLord
returnedtotheirrespectivepositionsaftertheirdesirewasfulfilled.
OKing,sinceyouhaveaskedmeaboutourfriendsandrelativesinthecityof
Dvaraka,Iwillinformyouthatallofthemwerecursedbythebrahmanas,and
asaresulttheyallbecameintoxicatedwithwinemadeofputrefiedriceand
foughtamongthemselveswithsticks,notevenrecognizingoneanother.Now
allbutfourorfiveofthemaredeadandgone
FactuallythisisallduetothesupremewilloftheLord,thePersonalityof
Godhead.Sometimespeoplekilloneanother,andatothertimesthey
protectoneanother.
NotabladeofgrassmoveswithoutthewilloftheLord.
Thesurestwaytothepathofpeace,therefore,isdovetailingeverythingtothe

establishedruleoftheLord.Theestablishedruleisthatwhateverwedo,
whateverweeat,whateverwesacrificeorwhateverwegiveincharitymustbe
donetothefullsatisfactionoftheLord.Nooneshoulddoanything,eat
anything,sacrificeanythingorgiveanythingincharityagainstthewillofthe
Lord.
Discretionisthebetterpartofvalor,andonemustlearnhowto
discriminatebetweenactionswhichmaybepleasingtotheLordandthose
whichmaynotbepleasingtotheLord.Anactionisthusjudgedbythe
Lord'spleasureordispleasure.Thereisnoroomforpersonalwhims;we
mustalwaysbeguidedbythepleasureoftheLord.Suchactioniscalled
yogahkarmasukausalam,oractionsperformedwhicharelinkedwiththe
SupremeLord.Thatistheartofdoingathingperfectly.
Inthematerialworldthestruggleforexistenceandsurvivalofthefittestare
lawsbecauseinthematerialworldthereisdisparitybetweenconditionedsouls
duetoeveryone'sdesiretolorditoverthematerialresources.Thisvery
mentalityoflordingitoverthematerialnatureistherootcauseofconditioned
life.Andtogivefacilitytosuchimitationlords,theillusoryenergyoftheLord
hascreatedadisparitybetweenconditionedlivingbeingsbycreatingthe
strongerandtheweakerineveryspeciesoflife.Thementalityoflordingit
overthematerialnatureandthecreationhasnaturallycreatedadisparityand
thereforethelawofstruggleforexistence.
Inthespiritualworldthereisnostruggleforexistencebecauseeveryonethere
existseternally.Thereisnodisparitybecauseeveryonewantstorenderservice
totheSupremeLord,andnoonewantstoimitatetheLordinbecomingthe
beneficiary.TheLord,beingcreatorofeverything,includingthelivingbeings,
factuallyistheproprietorandenjoyerofeverythingthatbe,butinthematerial
world,bythespellofmaya,orillusion,thiseternalrelationwiththeSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadisforgotten,andsothelivingbeingisconditioned
underthelawofstruggleforexistenceandsurvivalofthefittest.
ThesenseofenjoymentintheLordisreal,butsuchasenseinthelivingbeing
isasortofwishfuldesireonly.Thisdifferenceinconsciousnessisthe
distinctionofthetwoidentities,namelytheLordandthelivingbeing.
OtherwisethereisnodifferencebetweentheLordandthelivingbeing.The
livingbeingisthereforeeternallyoneanddifferentsimultaneously.Thewhole
instructionoftheBhagavadgitastandsonthisprinciple.

Theprocessofbeingliberatedfromthemisconceptionofmaterial
identificationiscalled,indifferentstages,fruitiveactivity,empiricphilosophy
anddevotionalservice,uptotranscendentalrealization.Suchtranscendental
realizationismadepossiblebydovetailingalltheaboveitemsinrelationwith
theLord
Aslongasoneisengagedinresearchingthesolutionoftheproblemsoflife,
hisknowledgeiscalledjnana,orpurifiedknowledge,butonrealizingthe
actualsolutionoflife,onebecomessituatedinthedevotionalserviceofthe
Lord.
SincetheLordisabsolute,deepmeditationuponHimisasgoodasyogic
trance.
ThefeelingofseparationfromtheLordisundoubtedlypainfultothedevotee,
butbecauseitisinconnectionwiththeLord,ithasaspecifictranscendental
effectwhichpacifiestheheart.Feelingsofseparationarealsosourcesof
transcendentalbliss,andtheyarenevercomparabletocontaminatedmaterial
feelingsofseparation.
Arjuna'sconstantremembranceofthelotusfeetofLordSriKrsnarapidly
increasedhisdevotion,andasaresultallthetrashinhisthoughtssubsided.
Arjunahadnodesiretofightwithhisrelatives,buthefoughtforthemissionof
theLord.
Oneshould,therefore,adjusttheactivitiesoflifeinpacewiththemissionof
theLord,andbydoingthisoneissuretoreturnbackhome,backtoGodhead.
Thisisthehighestperfectionoflife.
Doubtsofdualitybeginfromthemisconceptionofthematerialbody,whichis
acceptedastheselfbylessintelligentpersons
Everythinginrelationwiththebodyisignorantlyacceptedasourown.Doubts
duetomisconceptionsof"myself"and"mine"inotherwords,"mybody,"
"myrelatives,""myproperty,""mywife,""mychildren,""mywealth,""my
country,""mycommunity,"andhundredsandthousandsofsimilarillusory
contemplationscausebewildermentfortheconditionedsoul.
realknowledgeisknowledgethattheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,
Vasudeva,LordKrsna,iseverything,includingone'sself.Everythingisa
manifestationofHispotencyaspartandparcel.Thepotencyandthepotentare
nondifferent,sotheconceptionofdualityisatoncemitigatedbyattainmentof
perfectknowledge.
Tobecomefreefrommaterialconditionsmeanstoliberatethesoul.

Thispracticalrealizationofthelivingbeingismadepossibleduetohis
becomingfreefromthereactionofthethreemodesofmaterialnature,namely
goodness,passionandignorance.BythegraceoftheLord,apuredevoteeisat
onceraisedtotheplaceoftheAbsolute,andthereisnochanceofthedevotee's
becomingmateriallyentangledagaininconditionedlife.
OneisnotabletofeelthepresenceoftheLordinallcircumstancesuntiloneis
endowedwiththerequiredtranscendentalvisionmadepossiblebydevotional
serviceprescribedintherevealedscriptures.
Itisconcluded,therefore,thatsimplybyunderstandingtheLord'sappearance
anddisappearanceintruth,onecanattaintheperfectionalstageofeternallife.
Therefore,MaharajaYudhisthiraalsobegantoconsidergoingbacktoGodhead
Thesettingofthesundoesnotmeantheendofthesun.Itmeansthatthesunis
outofoursight.Similarly,theendofthemissionoftheLordonaparticular
planetoruniverseonlymeansthatHeisoutofoursight.TheendoftheYadu
dynastyalsodoesnotmeanthatitisannihilated.Itdisappears,alongwiththe
Lord,outofoursight
FortheSupremeLord,boththeasurasandthedemigodsareequal,butthe
demigodsareobedienttotheLord,whereastheasurasarenot.Therefore,the
exampleofpickingoutathornbyanotherthornisquitebefitting.Onethorn,
whichcausespinpricksonthelegoftheLord,iscertainlydisturbingtothe
Lord,andtheotherthorn,whichtakesoutthedisturbingelements,certainly
givesservicetotheLord.
Sisupala,atthetimeofbeingkilledbytheLord,couldnotseeHimasKrsna,
beingdazzledbytheglareofthebrahmajyoti.
TheinfluenceofKalicanbeenforcedonlyuponthosewhoarenotfully
developedinGodconsciousness.
ThenhepostedVajra,thesonofAniruddha[grandsonofLordKrsna],at
MathuraastheKingofSurasena.AfterwardsMaharajaYudhisthiraperformed
aPrajapatyasacrificeandplacedinhimselfthefireforquittinghouseholdlife.
sayatleastthelastfifteentotwentyyearspriortodeath,canbeabsolutely
devotedtothedevotionalserviceoftheLordtoattainthehighestperfectionof
life.
becauseaslongasthemindremainsabsorbedinfruitiveworkformaterial
enjoyment,thereisnochanceofgettingoutfromconditionedlife,ormaterial
bondage.

MaharajaYudhisthiraatoncerelinquishedallhisgarments,beltandornaments
oftheroyalorderandbecamecompletelydisinterestedandunattachedto
everything.
NoonecanbecomeanassociateoftheLordorcangobacktoGodhead
withoutsuchpurification.MaharajaYudhisthira,therefore,tobecome
spirituallypure,atoncegaveuphisroyalopulence,relinquishinghisroyal
dressandgarments.Thekasaya,orsaffronloinclothofasannyasi,indicates
freedomfromallattractivematerialgarments,andthushechangedhisdress
accordingly.Hebecamedisinterestedinhiskingdomandfamilyandthus
becamefreefromallmaterialcontamination,ormaterialdesignation.
Foolishpeopleadoresuchmenwhodieinnationalconsciousness,buthereis
anexampleofMaharajaYudhisthira,aroyalkingwhopreparedhimselfto
leavethisworldwithoutsuchnationalconsciousness.
Thenheamalgamatedallthesenseorgansintothemind,thenthemindinto
life,lifeintobreathing,histotalexistenceintotheembodimentofthefive
elements,andhisbodyintodeath.Then,aspureself,hebecamefreefromthe
materialconceptionoflife.
Firstheconcentratedalltheactionsofthesensesandamalgamatedtheminto
themind,orinotherwordsheturnedhismindtowardthetranscendental
serviceoftheLord.themindwouldwindupitsmaterialactivitiesandbe
turnedtowardsthetranscendentalservicetotheLord.Therewasnolongera
needformaterialactivities
Actuallytheactivitiesofthemindcannotbestopped,fortheyarethereflection
oftheeternalsoul,butthequalityoftheactivitiescanbechangedfrommatter
tothetranscendentalserviceoftheLord.
ifthemindispurifiedbypracticeoftranscendentallovingservicetothe
LordandisconstantlyengagedintheserviceofthelotusfeetoftheLord,
thereisnomorechanceofthemind'sproducinganothermaterialbody
afterdeath.
Thusannihilatingthegrossbodyoffiveelementsintothethreequalitative
modesofmaterialnature,hemergedtheminonenescienceandthenabsorbed
thatnescienceintheself,Brahman,whichisinexhaustibleinallcircumstances.
Allthatismanifestedinthematerialworldistheproductofthemahattattva
avyakta,andthingsthatarevisibleinourmaterialvisionarenothingbut
combinationsandpermutationsofsuchvariegatedmaterialproducts.Butthe
livingentityisdifferentfromsuchmaterialproducts.
MaharajaYudhisthirareversedtheactionandmergedthefiveelementsofthe

bodyinthethreemodesofmaterialnature.
onehastothinkalwaysthatheisdifferentfromthematerialenergy;hehas
nothingtodowithit,andhehastorealizehimselfaspurespirit,Brahman,
qualitativelyequalwiththeSupremeBrahman(Paramesvara)
Thissenseoffreedomfrommaterialrelations,aswellasfreedomfromthe
materialencagementofthegrossandsubtleencirclement,makesonefreeto
actastheservitoroftheLord,eventhoughoneisinthematerialworld.This
stageiscalledthejivanmuktastage,ortheliberatedstage,eveninthe
materialworld.Thatistheprocessofendingmaterialexistence
OnemustnotonlythinkthatheisBrahman,butmustactlikeBrahman.One
whoonlythinkshimselfBrahmanisanimpersonalist.Andonewhoactslike
Brahmanisthepuredevotee.
Afterthat,MaharajaYudhisthiradressedhimselfintornclothing,gaveup
eatingallsolidfoods,voluntarilybecamedumbandlethishairhangloose.All
thiscombinedtomakehimlooklikeanurchinormadmanwithnooccupation.
Hedidnotdependonhisbrothersforanything.And,justlikeadeafman,he
heardnothing.
Thusbeingfreedfromallexternalaffairs,hehadnothingtodowithimperial
lifeorfamilyprestige,andforallpracticalpurposesheposedhimselfexactly
likeaninertmadurchinanddidnotspeakofmaterialaffairs.Hehadno
dependenceonhisbrothers,whohadallalongbeenhelpinghim.Thisstageof
completeindependencefromeverythingisalsocalledthepurifiedstageof
fearlessness.
Hethenstartedtowardsthenorth,treadingthepathacceptedbyhisforefathers
andgreatmen,todevotehimselfcompletelytothethoughtoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.Andhelivedinthatwaywhereverhewent.
AccordingtoSvamiSridhara,dharma,artha,kamaandmoksa,orfruitive
activities,philosophicalspeculationsandsalvation,asconceivedbyseveral
persons,arenottheultimategoaloflife.Theyaremoreorlesspracticedby
personswhohavenoinformationoftheultimategoaloflife.Theultimategoal
oflifeisalreadyindicatedbytheLordHimselfintheBhagavadgita(18.64),
andthePandavaswereintelligentenoughtofollowitwithouthesitation.
ThereforetheymeditateduponHisfeetwithoutinterruption.
IntheBhagavadgita(7.28)theLordsaysthatonlythosewhohavedonepious
deedsinpreviouslivesandhavebecomefreedfromtheresultsofallimpious
actscanconcentrateuponthelotusfeetoftheSupremeLordSriKrsna.

AccordingtoSriVisvanathaCakravarti,dharma,artha,kamaandmoksa
principlesareacceptedbypersonswhoarenotfreefromtheresultsofimpious
action.Suchpersonsaffectedwiththecontaminationsoftheabovefour
principlescannotatonceacceptthelotusfeetoftheLordinthespiritualsky
ThematerialskyisunderthemanagementofDurgaDevi,orthematerial
energyoftheLord,buttheVaikunthaworldismanagedbythepersonalenergy
oftheLord.
AccordingtoSrilaJivaGosvami,apersonfreedfromthethreemodesof
materialqualities,namelygoodness,passionandignorance,andsituatedin
transcendencecanreachthehighestperfectionoflifewithoutchangeofbody
Itisthereforetheactualguidancethatmattersintheprocessofbecominga
brahmana,evenwithoutchangeofbody,oringoingbacktoGodheadwithout
changeofbody.
SrilaJivaGosvamiwhentheLordsaysthatanyonewhoexecutesdevotional
servicesystematicallywithoutdeviationcanattaintheperfectionofBrahman
bysurpassingthecontaminationofthethreemodesofmaterialnature,and
whentheBrahmanperfectionisstillmoreadvancedbytheselfsameexecution
ofdevotionalservice,thereisnodoubtatallthatonecanattainthesupreme
spiritualplanet,GolokaVrndavana,withoutchangeofbody,aswehave
alreadydiscussedinconnectionwiththeLord'sreturningtoHisabodewithout
achangeofbody.
ThedifferencebetweenthePandavasandViduraisthatthePandavasare
eternalassociatesoftheLord,thePersonalityofGodhead,whereasVidurais
oneoftheadministrativedemigodsinchargeofthePitrlokaplanetandis
knownasYamaraja
ThedemigodsarealsoassociatesoftheLordwithoutpersonaltouch,whereas
thedirectassociatesoftheLordareinconstantpersonaltouchwithHim.
Draupadialsosawthatherhusbands,withoutcaringforher,wereleaving
home.SheknewwellaboutLordVasudeva,Krsna,thePersonalityof
Godhead.BothsheandSubhadrabecameabsorbedinthoughtsofKrsnaand
attainedthesameresultsastheirhusbands.
Whenflyinganairplane,onecannottakecareofotherplanes.Everyonehasto
takecareofhisownplane,andifthereisanydanger,nootherplanecanhelp
anotherinthatcondition.Similarly,attheendoflife,whenonehastogoback
home,backtoGodhead,everyonehastotakecareofhimselfwithouthelp
renderedbyanother.Thehelpis,however,offeredonthegroundbeforeflying
inspace.Similarly,thespiritualmaster,thefather,themother,therelatives,the
husbandandotherscanallrenderhelpduringone'slifetime,butwhilecrossing

theseaonehastotakecareofhimselfandutilizetheinstructionsformerly
received
KingslikeMaharajaPariksithadtheircouncilofadvisers,andallthemembers
ofthatcouncilwereeithergreatsagesorbrahmanasofthefirstorder.Theydid
notacceptanysalary,norhadtheyanynecessityforsuchsalaries.Thestate
wouldgetthebestadvicewithoutexpenditure.

HeperformedagreatsacrificecalledSarpayajna,tokilltheraceofserpents,
includingthetaksaka,whichhadbittenhisfathertodeath.Onrequestfrom
manyinfluentialdemigodsandsages,hehadtochangehisdecisiontokillthe
raceofsnakes,butdespitestoppingthesacrifice,hesatisfiedeveryone
concernedinthesacrificebyrewardingthemproperly
MaharajaPariksit,afterhavingselectedKrpacaryaforguidanceashisspiritual
master,performedthreehorsesacrificesonthebanksoftheGanges.These
wereexecutedwithsufficientrewardsfortheattendants.Andatthese
sacrifices,eventhecommonmancouldseedemigods.
Acloudisnothingbutanotherformofwater,or,inotherwords,thewatersof
theearthtransformintoclouds.Similarly,thecharitymadebythekingsinsuch
sacrificesarebutanotherformofthetaxescollectedfromthecitizens
Once,whenMaharajaPariksitwasonhiswaytoconquertheworld,hesawthe
masterofKaliyuga,whowaslowerthanasudra,disguisedasakingand
hurtingthelegsofacowandbull.
Thepurposeofaking'sgoingouttoconquertheworldisnotforself
aggrandizement.MaharajaPariksitwentouttoconquertheworldafterhis
ascendancetothethrone,butthiswasnotforthepurposeofaggressionon
otherstates.HewastheEmperoroftheworld,andallsmallstateswerealready
underhisregime.Hispurposeingoingoutwastoseehowthingsweregoing
onintermsofthegodlystate.
Brahminicalculturecanadvanceonlywhenmaniseducatedtodevelopthe
qualityofgoodness,andforthisthereisaprimenecessityoffoodprepared
withmilk,fruitsandgrains
Andtherootcauseofallmismanagementandquarrelisthatworthlessmen
withthemodesoflowerclassmen,whohavenohigherambitioninlife,come
tothehelmofthestatemanagement.Suchmenatthepostofakingaresureto
firsthurtthecowandthebrahminicalculture,therebypushingallsociety

towardshell
Thersisinthosedays,however,couldnotevenimaginethatintheadvanced
daysoftheageofKalithelowestofthesudraswillbeelectedasadministrators
andwillopenorganizedslaughterhousesforkillingcows
ThedevoteesoftheLordareaccustomedtolickingupthehoneyavailable
fromthelotusfeetoftheLord.
Anytopic,howeverpleasant,isnotworthhearingifitisdevoidofits
relationtoKrsna.

Thespiritualplanet,GolokaVrndavana,theeternalabodeofLordKrsna,is
shapedlikethewhorlofalotusflower.EvenwhentheLorddescendstoany
oneofthemundaneplanets,HedoessobymanifestingHisownabodeasitis.
ThusHisfeetremainalwaysonthesamebigwhorlofthelotusflower.Hisfeet
arealsoasbeautifulasthelotusflower.ThereforeitissaidthatLordKrsnahas
lotusfeet.
YamarajaisagreatdevoteeoftheLord,andhelikestobeinvitedtokirtanas
andsacrificesbythepuredevotees,whoareconstantlyengagedinthe
devotionalserviceoftheLord.Thusthegreatsages,headedbySaunakaand
others,invitedYamarajatoattendthesacrificeperformedatNaimisaranya.
Lazyhumanbeingswithpaltryintelligenceandashortdurationoflifepassthe
nightsleepingandthedayperformingactivitiesthatarefornaught.
Theintelligenttakecareofthisimportantgiftbystrenuouslyendeavoringto
getoutoftheentanglement.
Hereinitissaidthatduringthedaytimeoneworks"fornothing"becausethe
aimisnothingbutsenseenjoymentandnotforgettingoutofmaterialbondage.
Andafterworkinghardduringthedaytime,atiredmaneithersleepsor
engagesinsexhabitsatnight.Thatistheprogramofmaterialisticcivilizedlife
forthelessintelligent.Thereforetheyaredesignatedhereinaslazy,
unfortunateandshortlived.
WhatarethesymptomsoftheageofKali?Theyare(1)illicitconnectionwith
women,(2)indulgenceinmeateating,(3)intoxicationand(4)takingpleasure
ingambling.TheageofKaliliterallymeanstheageofquarrel,andthe
abovementionedfoursymptomsinhumansocietyaretherootcausesforall
kindsofquarrel
Aperfectksatriyakingisalwaysjubilantassoonashegetsachancetofight,

justasasportsmaniseagerwhenthereisachanceforasportingmatch.
Intherainyseason,rainispredestined,andyetpeopletakeprecautionsto
protectthemselves.Similarly,intheageofKalithesymptomsasabove
mentionedaresuretoinfiltrateintosociallife,butitisthedutyofthestateto
savethecitizensfromtheassociationoftheagentsoftheageofKali.
MaharajaPariksitisdistinguishedfromhisgrandfatherArjuna,forblack
horsespulledhischariotinsteadofwhitehorses.Hemarkedhisflagwiththe
markofalion,andhisgrandfathermarkedhiswiththemarkofHanumanji.
Bhadrasva:ItisatractoflandnearMeruParvata,anditextendsfromGandha
madanaParvatatothesaltwaterocean.Thereisadescriptionofthisvarsain
theMahabharata(Bhismaparva7.1418).Thedescriptionwasnarratedby
SanjayatoDhrtarastra.
Ketumala:Thisearthplanetisdividedintosevendvipasbysevenoceans,and
thecentraldvipa,calledJambudvipa,isdividedintoninevarsas,orparts,by
eighthugemountains.Bharatavarsaisoneoftheabovementionednine
varsas,andKetumalaisalsodescribedasoneoftheabovevarsas.Itissaidthat
inKetumalavarsa,womenarethemostbeautiful.Thisvarsawasconqueredby
Arjunaalso.Adescriptionofthispartoftheworldisavailableinthe
Mahabharata(Sabha28.6).
Kimpurusavarsa:ItisstatedtobesituatednorthofthegreatHimalaya
Mountain,whichiseightythousandmilesinlengthandheightandwhich
coverssixteenthousandmilesinwidth.Thesepartsoftheworldwerealso
conqueredbyArjuna(Sabha28.12).TheKimpurusasaredescendantsofa
daughterofDaksa.WhenMaharajaYudhisthiraperformedahorsesacrifice
yajna,theinhabitantsofthesecountrieswerealsopresenttotakepartinthe
festival,andtheypaidtributestotheEmperor.Thispartoftheworldiscalled
Kimpurusavarsa,orsometimestheHimalayanprovinces(Himavati).Itissaid
thatSukadevaGosvamiwasbornintheseHimalayanprovincesandthathe
cametoBharatavarsaaftercrossingtheHimalayancountries.
KrsnaandHisunalloyeddevoteescannotbeseparated
ThedevoteesoftheLordareneverindanger,butinthematerialworldwhich
isfullofdangersateverystep,thedevoteesareapparentlyplacedinto
dangerouspositions,andwhentheyaresavedbytheLord,theLordisglorified
MaharajaPariksitheardthatoutofHiscauselessmercyLordKrsna[Visnu],
whoisuniversallyobeyed,renderedallkindsofservicetothemalleablesons
ofPandubyacceptingpostsrangingfromchariotdrivertopresidentto
messenger,friend,nightwatchman,etc.,accordingtothewillofthePandavas,
obeyingthemlikeaservantandofferingobeisanceslikeoneyoungerinyears.

Whenheheardthis,MaharajaPariksitbecameoverwhelmedwithdevotionto
thelotusfeetoftheLord.
TheLord'sdealingswithHisdevoteesappeartobeordinaryhumandealings,
butonewhoknowsthemintruthbecomesatonceeligibletogobackhome,
backtoGodhead.ThePandavasweresomalleabletothewilloftheLord
thattheycouldsacrificeanyamountofenergyfortheserviceoftheLord,
andbysuchunalloyeddeterminationtheycouldsecuretheLord'smercy
inanyshapetheydesired.
Thebullistheemblemofthemoralprinciple,andthecowistherepresentative
oftheearth.Whenthebullandthecowareinajoyfulmood,itistobe
understoodthatthepeopleoftheworldarealsoinajoyfulmood.Thereasonis
thatthebullhelpsproductionofgrainsintheagriculturalfield,andthecow
deliversmilk,themiracleofaggregatefoodvalues

TheparticularsymptomoftheageofKaliisthatnofamilyisnowblessedto
livetogether.Toearnalivelihood,thefatherlivesataplacefarawayfromthe
son,orthewifelivesfarawayfromthehusbandandsoon.Thereare
sufferingsfrominternaldiseases,separationfromthosenearanddear,and
anxietiesformaintainingthestatusquo.Thesearebutsomeimportantfactors
whichmakethepeopleofthisagealwaysunhappy.
WiththeprogressoftheageofKali,fourthingsparticularly,namelythe
durationoflife,mercy,thepowerofrecollection,andmoralorreligious
principleswillgraduallydiminish
Andthusfaithlesssocietiesofmenwillmaketheworlduninhabitableforthe
sanersectionofpeople.
Thereisnoquestionofbirthrightorcommunity.Onecanacquiretherespective
qualificationsbyone'sownefforts,andthusthesonofaVaisnavacanbecome
amleccha,orthesonofacandalacanbecomemorethanabrahmana,allin
termsoftheirassociationandintimaterelationwiththeSupremeLord.
Beefisforbiddeninthescriptures,andthebullsandcowsareofferedspecial
protectionbyfollowersoftheVedas.
Thepeopleofthisagewillnotperformanysacrifice.Themlecchapopulation
willcareverylittleforperformancesofsacrifices,althoughperformanceof
sacrificeisessentialforpersonswhoaremateriallyengagedinsense
enjoyment.
IntheManusmrtiitisrecommendedthatbyofferingsofsacrificeonthealtar

ofthefire,thesungodispleased.Whenthesungodispleased,heproperly
collectswaterfromthesea,andthussufficientcloudscollectonthehorizon
andrainsfall.Aftersufficientrainsfall,thereissufficientproductionofgrains
formenandallanimals,andthusthereisenergyinthelivingbeingfor
progressiveactivity
Thismaterialworldisasortofprisonhouse,aswehaveseveraltimes
mentioned.ThedemigodsaretheservantsoftheLordwhoseetotheproper
upkeepoftheprisonhouse.Thesedemigodswanttoseethattherebelliving
beings,whowanttosurvivefaithlessly,aregraduallyturnedtowardsthe
supremepoweroftheLord.
Thematerialisticmenwanttoworkhardandenjoyfruitiveresultsforsense
enjoyment.Thustheyarecommittingmanytypesofsinsateverystepoflife.
Those,however,whoareconsciouslyengagedinthedevotionalserviceofthe
Lordaretranscendentaltoallvarietiesofsinandvirtue.Theiractivitiesarefree
fromthecontaminationofthethreemodesofmaterialnature
Forthedevoteesthereisnoneedforperformanceofprescribedsacrifices
becausetheverylifeofthedevoteeisasymbolofsacrifice.
Sacrificeisthemeansforcounteractingsuchaccumulatedsins.Thedemigods
arepleasedwhensuchsacrificesareperformed,justasprisonofficersare
satisfiedwhentheprisonersareturnedintoobedientsubjects.LordCaitanya,
however,hasrecommendedonlyoneyajna,orsacrifice,calledthesankirtana
yajna,thechantingofHareKrsna,inwhicheveryonecantakepart.Thusboth
devoteesandfruitiveworkerscanderiveequalbenefitfromtheperformances
ofsankirtanayajna.
Areyoufeelingcompunctionfortheunhappywomenandchildrenwhoareleft
forlornbyunscrupulouspersons?Orareyouunhappybecausethegoddessof
learningisbeinghandledby
brahmanasaddictedtoactsagainsttheprinciplesofreligion?Orareyousorry
toseethatthebrahmanashavetakenshelterofadministrativefamiliesthatdo
notrespectbrahminicalculture?
Circumstantially,thewomenwilltrytobecomeindependentoftheprotection
ofmen,andmarriagewillbeperformedasamatterofformalagreement
betweenmanandwoman.Inmostcases,thechildrenwillnotbetakencareof
properly.Thebrahmanasaretraditionallyintelligentmen,andthustheywillbe
abletopickupmoderneducationtothetopmostrank,butasfarasmoraland
religiousprinciplesareconcerned,theyshallbethemostfallen.Educationand
badcharactergoilltogether,butsuchthingswillrunparallel.The
administrativeheadsasaclasswillcondemnthetenetsofVedicwisdomand

willprefertoconductasocalledsecularstate,andthesocallededucated
brahmanaswillbepurchasedbysuchunscrupulousadministrators.Evena
philosopherandwriterofmanybooksonreligiousprinciplesmayalsoaccept
anexaltedpostinagovernmentwhichdeniesallthemoralcodesofthesastras.
Thebrahmanasarespecificallyrestrictedfromacceptingsuchservice.Butin
thisagetheywillnotonlyacceptservice,buttheywilldosoevenifitisofthe
meanestquality.ThesearesomeofthesymptomsoftheKaliagewhichare
harmfultothegeneralwelfareofhumansociety.
Nowthegeneralpopulacedoesnotfollowtherulesandregulationsforeating,
sleeping,drinking,mating,etc.,andtheyareinclinedtoperformsuch
anywhereandeverywhere.
WeknowfromSrimadBhagavatamthatAjamila,aninnocentsonofa
brahmana,waswalkingdownaroadandsawasudrapairsexuallyembracing.
Thisattractedtheboy,andlaterontheboybecameavictimofall
debaucheries.Fromapurebrahmana,hefelldowntothepositionofa
wretchedurchin,anditwasallduetobadassociation.Therewasbutone
victimlikeAjamilainthosedays,butinthisageofKalithepoorinnocent
studentsaredailyvictimsofcinemaswhichattractmenonlyforsexindulgence
Theksatriyasaremeantforadministration,asthebrahmanasaremeantfor
knowledgeandguidance
Howcansuchpeopleselectapropermanwhentheyarethemselvesfallenin
thestandardoflife?
AccordingtoSrilaJivaGosvamiandVisvanathaCakravartiThakura,theword
usedhereisnirvanavilambitani,thatwhichminimizesthevalueofliberation.
Toattainnirvana,liberation,onehastoundergoaseveretypeoftapasya,
austerity,buttheLordissomercifulthatHeincarnatestodiminishtheburden
oftheearth.Simplybyrememberingsuchactivities,onecandefythepleasure
derivedfromnirvanaandreachthetranscendentalabodeoftheLordto
associatewithHim,eternallyengagedinHisblissfullovingservice.
SuchprinciplesworkfullyintheageofSatyayuga;intheTretayugatheyare
reducedbyafractionofonefourth;intheDvaparayugatheyarereducedto
onehalf,andintheKaliyugatheyarereducedtoonefourth,gradually
diminishingtothezeropoint,andthendevastationtakesplace.Happinessin
theworlddependsproportionatelyonthemaintenanceofthereligious
principles,individuallyorcollectively.Thebestpartofvaloristomaintain
theprinciplesdespiteallkindsofodds.
InHimreside(1)truthfulness,(2)cleanliness,(3)intoleranceofanother's
unhappiness,(4)thepowertocontrolanger,(5)selfsatisfaction,(6)

straightforwardness,(7)steadinessofmind,(8)controlofthesenseorgans,(9)
responsibility,(10)equality,(11)tolerance,(12)equanimity,(13)faithfulness,
(14)knowledge,(15)absenceofsenseenjoyment,(16)leadership,(17)
chivalry,(18)influence,(19)thepowertomakeeverythingpossible,(20)the
dischargeofproperduty,(21)completeindependence,(22)dexterity,(23)
fullnessofallbeauty,(24)serenity,(25)kindheartedness,(26)ingenuity,(27)
gentility,(28)magnanimity,(29)determination,(30)perfectioninall
knowledge,(31)properexecution,(32)possessionofallobjectsofenjoyment,
(33)joyfulness,(34)immovability,(35)fidelity,(36)fame,(37)worship,(38)
pridelessness,(39)being(asthePersonalityofGodhead),(40)eternity,and
manyothertranscendentalqualitieswhichareeternallypresentandnevertobe
separatedfromHim.ThatPersonalityofGodhead,thereservoirofallgoodness
andbeauty,LordSriKrsna,hasnowclosedHistranscendentalpastimesonthe
faceoftheearth.InHisabsencetheageofKalihasspreaditsinfluence
everywhere,soIamsorrytoseethisconditionofexistence.
ItissaidthatLordAnantadevahastriedtoexpoundthetranscendentalqualities
oftheSupremeLordwithHisnumberlesstongues,andthatfornumberless
yearstogetherithasbeenimpossibletoestimatethequalitiesoftheLord.

AccordingtoSrilaJivaGosvami,thethirdquality,intoleranceofanother's
unhappiness,canbesubdividedinto(1)protectionofthesurrenderedsoulsand
(2)wellwishesforthedevotees.IntheBhagavadgitatheLordstatesthatHe
wantseverysoultosurrenderuntoHimonly,andHeassureseveryonethatif
onedoessoHewillgiveprotectionfromthereactionsofallsins.
UnsurrenderedsoulsarenotdevoteesoftheLord,andthusthereisno
particularprotectionforeveryoneingeneraltheunfortunatelivingbeing,due
tobadassociationonly,isunabletoacceptHisinstructionsintoto,andforthis
theLordisnevertobeblamed.
TheLordneverdeviatesfromHiswordofhonor.WhenHegivesassurancefor
protection,thepromiseisexecutedinallcircumstances.Itisthedutyofthe
puredevoteetobefixedinthedischargeofthedutyentrustedtohimbythe
LordortheLord'sbonafiderepresentative,thespiritualmaster.Therestis
carriedonbytheLordwithoutabreak.
TheLordhasnoresponsibilitybecauseallHisworkisdonebyHisdifferent
appointedenergies.ButstillHeacceptsvoluntaryresponsibilitiesindisplaying

differentrolesinHistranscendentalpastimes.Asaboy,Hewasplayingthe
partofacowboy.AsthesonofNandaMaharaja,Hedischargedresponsibility
perfectly.Similarly,whenHewasplayingthepartofaksatriyaasthesonof
MaharajaVasudeva,Hedisplayedalltheskillofamartiallyspiritedksatriya.
Inalmostallcases,theksatriyakinghastosecureawifebyfightingor
kidnapping.Thissortofbehaviorforaksatriyaispraiseworthyinthesensethat
aksatriyamustshowhispowerofchivalrytohiswouldbewifesothatthe
daughterofaksatriyacanseethevalorofherwouldbehusband.
Thefourteenthquality,knowledge,canbefurtherextendedintofive
subheadings,namely(1)intelligence,(2)gratefulness,(3)powerof
understandingthecircumstantialenvironmentsofplace,objectandtime,(4)
perfectknowledgeofeverything,and(5)knowledgeoftheself.
TheLord,however,doesnotrequirebenefitfromanyonebesidesHimself
becauseHeisfullinHimself;stillHefeelsbenefitedbytheunalloyedservices
ofHisdevotees.TheLordfeelsgratefultoHisdevoteesforsuch
unsophisticated,unconditionalserviceandtriestoreciprocateitbyrendering
service,althoughthedevoteealsohasnosuchdesireinhisheart.The
transcendentalserviceoftheLordisitselfatranscendentalbenefitforthe
devotee,andthereforethedevoteehasnothingtoexpectfromtheLord.
wecanunderstandthattheLord,bytheomnipresentraysofHiseffulgence,
calledbrahmajyoti,isallpervadinginsideoroutsideofeverything,likethe
omnipresentmaterialsky,andthusHeisalsoomniscient.

HehassomespecialattractivebeautifulfeaturesbywhichHeattractsthemind
ofevenRadharani,thesupermostbeautifulcreationoftheLord.Heisknown,
therefore,asMadanamohana,oronewhoattractsthemindofevenCupid.
ThenondevoteeclasscannotunderstandthedynamicnatureofHis
knowledgebecausetheyaresatisfiedtoreachuptoHiseternalformof
knowledge.AllgreatsoulsaspiretobeequalinknowledgewithHim.This
meansthatallotherknowledgeiseverinsufficient,flexibleandmeasurable,
whereastheknowledgeoftheLordiseverfixedandunfathomable
Thismaterialworldisaproductofthemahattattva,whichisastateofthe
Lord'sdreamingconditioninHisyoganidramysticslumberintheCausal
Ocean,andyetthewholecreationappearstobeafactualpresentationofHis
creation.ThismeansthattheLord'sdreamingconditionsarealsofactual
manifestations.

Heisattractiveeventothetopmostliberatedsoul,andthusHeisworshipable
evenbyBrahmaandSiva,thegreatestofalldemigods
TherearemorethanfivehundredthousandincarnationsofManuinonlyone
universe,besidesotherincarnationsindifferentuniverses.
Inthespiritualworld,however,beyondthemahattattva,thereisnoquestionof
incarnations,butthereareplenaryexpansionsoftheLordindifferent
Vaikunthas.Theplanetsinthespiritualskyareatleastthreetimesthenumber
ofthosewithintheinnumerableuniversesinthemahattattva.
IntheageofKali,thefirstattackofthevenomoussnakestrikesagainstthe
Godmadevarnasramadharma,andthusapersonproperlyqualifiedasa
brahmanaiscalledasudra,andasudrabyqualificationispassingasa
brahmana,allonafalsebirthrightclaim.Tobecomeabrahmanabyabirthright
claimisnotatallbonafide,althoughitmaybeafulfillmentofoneofthe
conditions.
Buttherealqualificationofabrahmanaistocontrolthemindandthesenses,
andtocultivatetolerance,simplicity,cleanliness,knowledge,truthfulness,
devotionandfaithintheVedicwisdom.
Laksmiji,thegoddessoffortune,whoseglanceofgracewassoughtby
demigodslikeBrahmaandforwhomtheysurrenderedmanyadayuntothe
PersonalityofGodhead,gaveupherownabodeintheforestoflotusflowers
andengagedherselfintheserviceofthelotusfeetoftheLord.Iwasendowed
withspecificpowerstosupersedethefortuneofallthethreeplanetarysystems
bybeingdecoratedwiththeimpressionsoftheflag,thunderbolt,elephant
drivingrodandlotusflower,whicharesignsofthelotusfeetoftheLord

OnemayaskhowwecandetaintheSupremeLordonthisearthafterHis
missionisfulfilledandHehasleftthisearthforHisownabode.Theansweris
thatthereisnoneedtodetaintheLord.TheLord,beingomnipresent,canbe
presentwithusifwewantHimatall.ByHisomnipresence,Hecanalwaysbe
withusifweareattachedtoHisdevotionalservicebyhearing,chanting,
remembering,etc.
TheholynameoftheLordandtheLordHimselfareidentical,andonewho
chantstheholynameoftheLordinanoffenselessmannercanatoncerealize
thattheLordispresentbeforehim
OnlybythepropagationofthechantingoftheholynameoftheLordcanwe
beimmunefromalleffectsoftheageofKali.

Theasuraswanttoenjoyalifeofsensegratification,evenatthecostofothers'
happiness.
HecouldconquerthegravityandpassionatewrathofHissweetheartslike
SatyabhamabyHissweetsmileoflove,pleasingglanceandheartyappeals.
WhenHetraversedmy[earth's]surface,Iwouldbeimmersedinthedustof
Hislotusfeetandthuswouldbesumptuouslycoveredwithgrasswhich
appearedlikehairsstandingonmeoutofpleasure.
TherewerechancesofseparationbetweentheLordandHisthousandsof
queensbecauseoftheLord'sbeingabsentfromhome,butasfarasHis
connectionwithearthwasconcerned,theLordwouldtraversetheearthwith
Hislotusfeet,andthereforetherewasnochanceofseparation.WhentheLord
leftthesurfaceoftheearthtoreturntoHisspiritualabode,theearth'sfeelings
ofseparationwerethereforemoreacute.
Chapter17

Thebullwasaswhiteasawhitelotusflower.Hewasterrifiedofthesudrawho
wasbeatinghim,andhewassoafraidthathewasstandingononeleg,
tremblingandurinating.
Thegreatrsisandmuniswouldliveonlyonmilk.SrilaSukadevaGosvami
wouldgotoahouseholderwhilehewasmilkingacow,andhewouldsimply
takealittlequantityofitforsubsistence
Evenfiftyyearsago,noonewoulddepriveasadhuofaquartortwoofmilk,
andeveryhouseholderwouldgivemilklikewater.
Thedressorstyleofroyalorderdoesnotcount.Itisone'sactionswhichare
counted.

Thebrahmanas,ksatriyasandvaisyasarecalledtwicebornbecauseforthese
higherclassesofmenthereisonebirthbyparentalconjugationandthereis
anotherbirthofculturalrejuvenationbyspiritualinitiationfromthebonafide
acarya,orspiritualmaster.Soaksatriyaisalsotwicebornlikeabrahmana,
andhisdutyistogiveprotectiontothehelpless.Theksatriyakingis
consideredtobetherepresentativeofGodtogiveprotectiontothehelplessand
chastisethemiscreants.
Uptillnownooneonearthhasevershedtearsbecauseofroyalnegligence.
Theprotectionofthelivesofboththehumanbeingsandtheanimalsisthefirst

andforemostdutyofagovernment.Agovernmentmustnotdiscriminatein
suchprinciples.Itissimplyhorribleforapureheartedsoultoseeorganized
animalkillingbythestateinthisageofKali.
Ochasteone,theking'sgoodname,durationoflifeandgoodrebirthvanish
whenallkindsoflivingbeingsareterrifiedbymiscreantsinhiskingdom.Itis
certainlytheprimedutyofthekingtosubduefirstthesufferingsofthosewho
suffer.ThereforeImustkillthismostwretchedmanbecauseheisviolent
againstotherlivingbeings.
Thetigercankillaloweranimalforhissubsistence,butamancannotkillan
animalforhissubsistence.ThatisthelawofGod,whohascreatedthelawthat
alivingbeingsubsistsbyeatinganotherlivingbeing.Thusthevegetariansare
alsolivingbyeatingotherlivingbeings.Therefore,thelawisthatoneshould
liveonlybyeatingspecificlivingbeings,asordainedbythelawofGod.
TheIsopanisaddirectsthatoneshouldlivebythedirectionoftheLord
andnotatone'ssweetwill.
WhenKrsnawaspersonallypresent,thecodesofKrsnawerebeingfollowed
withoutquestion,butinHisabsencesuchcodesarepresentedinthepagesof
SrimadBhagavatamfortheguidanceoftheblindpersonswhohappentobeat
thehelmofallaffairs.
Thebullandthecowarethesymbolsofthemostoffenselesslivingbeings
becauseeventhestoolandurineoftheseanimalsareutilizedtobenefithuman
society.
Bycurbingdishonestmiscreants,oneautomaticallybenefitstheoffenseless.
MaharajaPariksitchallengesevensuchdenizensofheaveniftheytorturethe
offenseless.Thismeansthatthestateexecutiveheadmustbeasstrongas
MaharajaPariksitsothathemaybedeterminedtopunishthestrongest
offenders.

Inthescripturesthereismentionofapaddharma,oroccupationaldutyattimes
ofextraordinaryhappenings.ItissaidthatsometimesthegreatsageVisvamitra
hadtoliveonthefleshofdogsinsomeextraordinarydangerousposition.In
casesofemergency.
Suchsvadharmamightbeviolatedincasesofemergency,ifoneisforcedby
circumstances,buttheycannotbeviolatedinordinarytimes.
SuchdutiesexecutedbytheLordforHisdevoteearealwaysverypleasingto

theLordbecausetheLordwantstorenderservicetoHisunalloyeddevotee,
whoselifehasnootherengagementthantoservetheLordwithfullloveand
devotion.
Generallytherearesixgreatphilosophers:Kanada,theauthorofVaisesika
philosophy;Gautama,theauthoroflogic;Patanjali,theauthorofmysticyoga;
Kapila,theauthorofSankhyaphilosophy;Jaimini,theauthorofKarma
mimamsa;andVyasadeva,theauthorofVedantadarsana.
asdevoteesoftheLord,theyknewwellalsothatwithoutthesanctionofthe
Lordnoonecouldinflicttroubleuponthem.
Theytakeitforgrantedthatthemischiefmongerismadetoactbysome
indirectcause,andthereforetheytoleratethesufferings,thinkingthemtobe
Godgiveninsmalldoses,forotherwisethesufferingsshouldhavebeen
greater.
AccordingtoSrilaJivaGosvami,suchspeculatorsarethemselvesbewildered,
andthustheycannotknowthattheultimatecauseofallcausesisthe
SupremeLord,thePersonalityofGodhead.
Someofthephilosophers,whodenyallsortsofduality,declarethatone'sown
selfisresponsibleforhispersonalhappinessanddistress.Otherssaythat
superhumanpowersareresponsible,whileyetotherssaythatactivityis
responsible,andthegrossmaterialistsmaintainthatnatureistheultimate
cause.
philosopherslikeJaiminiandhisfollowersestablishthatfruitiveactivityisthe
rootcauseofalldistressandhappiness,andthatevenifthereisasuperior
authority,somesuperhumanpowerfulGodorgods,Heortheyarealsounder
theinfluenceoffruitiveactivitybecausetheyrewardresultaccordingtoone's
action.Theysaythatactionisnotindependentbecauseactionisperformedby
someperformer;therefore,theperformerhimselfisthecauseofhisown
happinessordistress

IntheBhagavadgita(6.5)alsoitisconfirmedthatbyone'smind,freedfrom
materialaffection,onecandeliverhimselffromthesufferingsofmaterial
pangs.Sooneshouldnotentangleoneselfinmatterbythemind'smaterial
affections.Thusone'sownmindisone'sfriendorenemyinone'smaterial
happinessanddistress.
Atheistic,materialisticSankhyaitesconcludethatmaterialnatureisthecause

ofallcauses.Accordingtothem,combinationsofmaterialelementsarethe
causesofmaterialhappinessanddistress,anddisintegrationofmatteristhe
causeoffreedomfromallmaterialpangs.GautamaandKanadafindthat
atomiccombinationisthecauseofeverything,andimpersonalistslike
AstavakradiscoverthatthespiritualeffulgenceofBrahmanisthecauseofall
causes.ButintheBhagavadgitatheLordHimselfdeclaresthatHeisthe
sourceofimpersonalBrahman,andthereforeHe,thePersonalityofGodhead,
istheultimatecauseofallcauses.ItisalsoconfirmedintheBrahmasamhita
thatLordKrsnaistheultimatecauseofallcauses.
Alivingbeingmayforgetallthathemighthavedoneinhispastorpresentlife,
butonemustknowthatinthesametreeofthematerialbody,theindividual
soulandtheSupremeSoulasParamatmaaresittingliketwobirds.Oneof
them,thelivingbeing,isenjoyingthefruitsofthetree,whereastheSupreme
Beingistheretowitnesstheactivities.
ThereforetheParamatmafeature,theSupremeSoul,isactuallythewitnessof
allactivitiesofthelivingbeing,andonlybyHisdirectioncanthelivingbeing
rememberorforgetwhathemighthavedoneinthepast
onecannotestimatetheLord'sreactions,eitherbyspeculationorby
scholarship.WhydoesHeputsomeintodifficultyandnotothers?
NooneisindependentofHim,andeveryoneisengagedinHisservicein
differentways.Intheconditionedstate,suchservicesarerenderedbytheliving
beingunderforceofthematerialnature,whereasintheliberatedstatethe
livingbeingishelpedbythespiritualnatureinthevoluntarylovingserviceof
theLord.
HeisquitecorrectinHisactionwhenHedesiressomethingtobedoneby
someone,irrespectiveoftheconsiderationoftheparticularcase.Maharaja
Pariksitwasthusputtotestforhisgreatness.
Adevotee'sconclusionisthatnooneisdirectlyresponsibleforbeinga
benefactorormischiefmongerwithoutthesanctionoftheLord;thereforehe
doesnotconsideranyonetobedirectlyresponsibleforsuchaction.

ButinboththecaseshetakesitforgrantedthateitherbenefitorlossisGod
sent,andthusitisHisgrace.Incaseofbenefit,noonewilldenythatitisGod
sent,butincaseoflossorreversesonebecomesdoubtfulabouthowtheLord
couldbesounkindtoHisdevoteeastoputhimingreatdifficulty.JesusChrist
wasseeminglyputintosuchgreatdifficulty,beingcrucifiedbytheignorant,

buthewasneverangryatthemischiefmongers.Thatisthewayofacceptinga
thing,eitherfavorableorunfavorable.
ByGod'sgrace,thedevoteetoleratesallreverses.
Inotherwords,adevoteehasnosufferingatallbecausesocalledsufferingis
alsoGod'sgraceforadevoteewhoseesGodineverything.Thecowandbull
neverplacedanycomplaintbeforetheKingforbeingtorturedbythe
personalityofKali,althougheveryonelodgessuchcomplaintsbeforethestate
authorities.
thereplyisthattheLordisalsonotdirectlyresponsible,foreverythingisdone
byHisdeputedmayasakti,ormaterialenergy.
IntheageofSatya[truthfulness]yourfourlegswereestablishedbythefour
principlesofausterity,cleanliness,mercyandtruthfulness.Butitappearsthat
threeofyourlegsarebrokenduetorampantirreligionintheformofpride,lust
forwomen,andintoxication.
TheLordHimselfalsowarnsthatthedeludingpowerofmaterialenergyistoo
powerfultoovercome,butonewhocompletelysurrendersuntotheLordcan
easilydoso.ButtosurrenderuntothelotusfeetoftheLordisalsonot
veryeasy.Suchsurrenderispossiblebypersonsofausterity,cleanliness,
mercyandtruthfulness.Thesefourprinciplesofadvancedcivilizationwere
remarkablefeaturesintheageofSatya
Butgradually,asthebasicprinciplesofbrahminicalculture,namelyausterity,
cleanliness,mercyandtruthfulness,becamecurtailedbyproportionate
developmentofpride,attachmentforwomenandintoxication,thepathof
salvationorthepathoftranscendentalblissretreatedfar,farawayfromhuman
society.
BytheinfluenceoftheageofKali,evenapauperisproudofhispenny,the
womenarealwaysdressedinanoverlyattractivefashiontovictimizethe
mindsofmen,andthemanisaddictedtodrinkingwine,smoking,drinkingtea
andchewingtobacco,etc.Allthesehabits,orsocalledadvancementof
civilization,aretherootcausesofallirreligiosities,andthereforeitisnot
possibletocheckcorruption,briberyandnepotism
hecancurethediseaseofthemindbythepropermedicine,namely
advocatingtheprinciplesofbrahminicalcultureortheprinciplesof
austerity,cleanliness,mercyandtruthfulness.
Youarenowstandingononelegonly,whichisyourtruthfulness,andyouare
somehoworotherhobblingalong.Butquarrelpersonified[Kali],flourishing

bydeceit,isalsotryingtodestroythatleg.
Austeritymeanstoacceptvoluntarilythingswhichmaynotbevery
comfortableforthebodybutareconduciveforspiritualrealization,for
example,fasting.
Simplybodilycleanlinessmayhelptosomeextent,butcleanlinessofthemind
isnecessary,anditiseffectedbyglorifyingtheSupremeLord.
Bypride,eitherartificialorreal,theresultantactionofausterityis
spoiled;bytoomuchaffectionforfemaleassociation,cleanlinessisspoiled;
bytoomuchaddictiontointoxication,mercyisspoiled;andbytoomuch
lyingpropaganda,truthfulnessisspoiled.
thepersonalityofKaliishewhodeliberatelycommitsallkindsofsinfulacts
whichareforbiddenintherevealedscriptures.
ThisageofKaliwillcertainlybefullofallactivitiesofKali,butthisdoesnot
meanthattheleadersofsociety,theexecutiveheads,thelearnedandintelligent
men,oraboveallthedevoteesoftheLordshouldsitdowntightlyandbecome
calloustothereactionsoftheageofKali.Intherainyseasoncertainlythere
willbeprofuserainfalls,butthatdoesnotmeanthatmenshouldnottake
meanstoprotectthemselvesfromtherains.Itisthedutyoftheexecutiveheads
ofstateandotherstotakeallnecessaryactionsagainsttheactivitiesofKalior
thepersonsinfluencedbytheageofKali;andMaharajaPariksitistheideal
executiveheadofthestate,foratoncehewasreadytokillthepersonalityof
Kaliwithhissharpsword.Theadministratorsshouldnotsimplypass
resolutionsforanticorruptionalsteps,buttheymustbereadywithsharpswords
tokillthepersonscreatingcorruptionsfromtheangleofvisionofthe
recognizedsastras.
Arealksatriyaneversurrenders.Heacceptsthechallengeofhisrivalksatriya,
andhefightseithertodieortowin.
Evenanordinaryksatriyadoesnotkillasurrenderedperson,andwhattospeak
ofMaharajaPariksit,whowasbynaturecompassionateandkindtothepoor
MaharajaPariksit'sgloryandkindnessarethereforesunginhistory.
theultimategoalofallreligionsistosatisfytheLord.
ThepersonalityofKaliwasmeantformischief,andMaharajaPariksitwas
meantforsubduingallkindsofmischiefmongers,especiallythepersonality
ofKali.

Asurrenderedsoulshouldbegivenallprotection,eventhoughhemaybean
enemy.Thatistheprincipleofreligion.Andwecanjustimaginewhatsortof
protectionisgivenbythePersonalityofGodheadtothepersonwhosurrenders
untoHim,notasanenemybutasadevotedservitor.TheLordprotectsthe
surrenderedsoulfromallsinsandallresultantreactionsofsinfulacts
SutaGosvamisaid:MaharajaPariksit,thusbeingpetitionedbythepersonality
ofKali,gavehimpermissiontoresideinplaceswheregambling,drinking,
prostitutionandanimalslaughterwereperformed.
Therefore,forthosewhoareintheloweststageofignoranceandwhoindulge
inwine,womenandflesh,drinkingbyperformingsautramaniyajna,
associationofwomenbymarriageandflesheatingbysacrificesaresometimes
recommended.
Oneman'sfoodmaybepoisonforothers;similarly,whatisrecommendedfor
thoseinthemodeofignorancemaybepoisonforthoseinthemodeof
goodness.SrilaJivaGosvamiPrabhu,therefore,affirmsthatrecommendations
inthescripturesforacertainclassofmenarenevertobeconsideredadharma,
orirreligious.Butsuchactivitiesarefactuallyadharma,andtheyareneverto
beencouraged.Therecommendationsinthescripturesarenotmeantforthe
encouragementofsuchadharma,butforregulatingthenecessaryadharma
graduallytowardthepathofdharma.
Thestatewhichwantstoeradicatecorruptionbymajoritymayintroducethe
principlesofreligioninthefollowingmanner:
1.Twocompulsoryfastingdaysinamonth,ifnotmore(austerity).Evenfrom
theeconomicpointofview,suchtwofastingdaysinamonthinthestatewill
savetonsoffood,andthesystemwillalsoactveryfavorablyonthegeneral
healthofthecitizens.
2.Theremustbecompulsorymarriageofyoungboysandgirlsattaining
twentyfouryearsofageandsixteenyearsofagerespectively.Thereisno
harmincoeducationintheschoolsandcolleges,providedtheboysandgirls
aredulymarried,andincasethereisanyintimateconnectionbetweenamale
andfemalestudent,theyshouldbemarriedproperlywithoutillicitrelation.The
divorceactisencouragingprostitution,andthisshouldbeabolished.

3.Thecitizensofthestatemustgiveincharityuptofiftypercentoftheir
incomeforthepurposeofcreatingaspiritualatmosphereinthestateorin
humansociety,bothindividuallyandcollectively.Theyshouldpreachthe
principlesofBhagavatamby(a)karmayoga,ordoingeverythingforthe
satisfactionoftheLord,(b)regularhearingoftheSrimadBhagavatamfrom
authorizedpersonsorrealizedsouls,(c)chantingofthegloriesoftheLord
congregationallyathomeoratplacesofworship,(d)renderingallkindsof
servicetobhagavatasengagedinpreachingSrimadBhagavatamand(e)
residinginaplacewheretheatmosphereissaturatedwithGodconsciousness.
Ifthestateisregulatedbytheaboveprocess,naturallytherewillbeGod
consciousnesseverywhere.
Whengamblingisencouragedinthestate,thereisacompletedisappearanceof
truthfulness.
ThepersonalityofKaliaskedforsomethingmore,andbecauseofhisbegging,
theKinggavehimpermissiontolivewherethereisgoldbecausewherever
thereisgoldthereisalsofalsity,intoxication,lust,envyandenmity.
Evenagoldstandardexchangeandcurrencyisbad.Goldstandardcurrencyis
basedonfalsehoodbecausethecurrencyisnotonaparwiththereservedgold.
Thebasicprincipleisfalsitybecausecurrencynotesareissuedinvaluebeyond
thatoftheactualreservedgold.Thisartificialinflationofcurrencybythe
authoritiesencouragesprostitutionofthestateeconomy.Thepriceof
commoditiesbecomesartificiallyinflatedbecauseofbadmoney,orartificial
currencynotes.
Insteadofpapercurrency,actualgoldcoinsshouldbeusedforexchange,and
thiswillstopprostitutionofgold.Goldornamentsforwomenmaybeallowed
bycontrol,notbyquality,butbyquantity.Thiswilldiscouragelust,envyand
enmity.Whenthereisactualgoldcurrencyintheformofcoins,theinfluence
ofgoldinproducingfalsity,prostitution,etc.,willautomaticallycease.There
willbenoneedofananticorruptionministryforanothertermofprostitution
andfalsityofpurpose.
Therefore,whoeverdesiresprogressivewellbeing,especiallykings,
religionists,publicleaders,brahmanasandsannyasis,shouldnevercomein
contactwiththefourabovementionedirreligiousprinciples.
Thebrahmanasarethereligiouspreceptorsforallothercastes,andthe
sannyasisarethespiritualmastersforallthecastesandordersofsociety
Theprogressivereligionistsandthosewhoareresponsiblehumanbeingsor
thosewhodonotwanttospoiltheirvaluablehumanlivesshouldrefrainfrom

alltheprinciplesofirreligiosity,especiallyillicitconnectionwithwomen

Truthfulnessisthebasicprincipleforallreligions.Thefourleadersofthe
humansociety,namelythesannyasis,thebrahmana,thekingandthepublic
leader,mustbetestedcruciallybytheircharacterandqualification
itisnecessaryprimarilythattheybefreefromthecontaminationofthefour
disqualifications,namelygambling,drinking,prostitutionandanimalslaughter.
MaharajaPariksit,therefore,likehisgrandfatherArjuna,collectedallillicit
goldkeptforthepropensitiesofKaliandemployeditinthesankirtanayajna,
asperinstructionoftheSrimadBhagavatam.Aswehavesuggestedbefore,
one'saccumulatedwealthmaybedividedintothreepartsfordistribution,
namelyfiftypercentfortheserviceoftheLord,twentyfivepercentforthe
familymembersandtwentyfivepercentforpersonalnecessities.
KalicouldnotfindsuchplacesintheworldatallbecauseMaharajaPariksit
wasstrictlyvigilanttoseethattherewerenoplacesforgambling,drinking,
prostitutionandanimalslaughter.
Thereshouldbecompletecooperationbetweenthebrahmanasandtheksatriyas
forthiscommongood.EvenuptoMaharajaAsoka,thesamespiritwas
prevailing.LordBuddhawassufficientlysupportedbyKingAsoka,andthus
hisparticularcultofknowledgewasspreadallovertheworld.
Chapter18

AselfsurrendereddevoteeoftheLordiscallednarayanaparayana.Sucha
personisneverafraidofanyplaceorperson,notevenofdeath.Forhim
nothingisasimportantastheSupremeLord,andthushegivesequal
importancetoheavenandhell.Heknowswellthatbothheavenandhellare
creationsoftheLord,andsimilarlylifeanddeatharedifferentconditionsof
existencecreatedbytheLord.Butinallconditionsandinallcircumstances,
remembranceofNarayanaisessential.
Hewaswrongfullycursedbyaninexperiencedsonofabrahmana,whowas
undertheinfluenceofKali,andMaharajaPariksittookthistobesentby
Narayana.HeknewthatNarayana(LordKrsna)hadsavedhimwhenhewas
burnedinthewombofhismother,andifheweretobekilledbyasnakebite,it
wouldalsotakeplacebythewilloftheLord.Thedevoteenevergoesagainst
thewilloftheLord;anythingsentbyGodisablessingforthedevotee.
ThereforeMaharajaPariksitwasneitherafraidofnorbewilderedbysuch
things.ThatisthesignofapuredevoteeoftheLord.

Furthermore,afterleavingallhisassociates,theKingsurrenderedhimselfasa
discipletothesonofVyasa[SukadevaGosvami],andthushewasableto
understandtheactualpositionofthePersonalityofGodhead.

theKingwasconfidentabouthisultimatedestination,andbyknowingthishe
couldleaveasideeverythingmaterial,evenhisownbody,withoutany
difficultyofattachment.
onecangiveupallconnectionwithmaterialattachmentwhenoneisabletosee
theparam,orthesuperiorqualityofthings.
bythegraceofabonafidespiritualmasterlikeSukadevaGosvami,itisquite
possibletoknoweverythingofthesuperiorenergyoftheLordbywhichthe
LordmanifestsHiseternalname,quality,pastimes,paraphernaliaand
variegatedness.Unlessonethoroughlyunderstandsthissuperiororeternal
energyoftheLord,itisnotpossibletoleavethematerialenergy,howeverone
maytheoreticallyspeculateonthetruenatureoftheAbsoluteTruth.
ItisverydifficulttofindtheLordfromtheVedicliteratures,butitisveryeasy
toknowHimbythemercyofaliberateddevoteelikeSukadevaGosvami.
Thehighestperfectionoflifeisattainedbyrememberingthetranscendental
natureoftheLordatthelastmomentofone'slife.
ThereisnogaininhearingtheVedichymnsfromsomementalspeculator.
Whenthesameisheardfromanactualselfrealizedsoulandisproperly
understoodbyserviceandsubmission,everythingbecomestransparentlyclear.
Thusasubmissivediscipleisabletolivetranscendentallyandcontinuetothe
endoflife
NothingisbadifproperlyusedfortheserviceoftheLord.
HeknewperfectlywellthatinthisageofKali,auspiciousthingsproducegood
effectsimmediately,whereasinauspiciousactsmustbeactuallyperformed[to
rendereffects].SohewasneverenviousofthepersonalityofKali.
TheageofKaliiscalledthefallenage.Inthisfallenage,becausetheliving
beingsareinanawkwardposition,theSupremeLordhasgivensomespecial
facilitiestothem.SobythewilloftheLord,alivingbeingdoesnotbecomea
victimofasinfulactuntiltheactisactuallyperformed.Inotherages,simply
bythinkingofperformingasinfulact,oneusedtobecomeavictimoftheact.
Onthecontrary,alivingbeinginthisageisawardedwiththeresultsofpious
actssimplybythinkingofthem
AttheendoftheSrimadBhagavatamitissaidthateventhoughallnefarious

activitiesofthepersonalityofKaliarepresent,thereisagreatadvantageinthe
ageofKali.Onecanattainsalvationsimplybychantingtheholynameofthe
Lord

InthebeginningoftheSrimadBhagavatamitisalsosaidthatbytherecitation
ofSrimadBhagavatam,theSupremeLordbecomesatoncearrestedwithin
one'sheart.ThesearesomeofthegreatadvantagesoftheageofKali,and
MaharajaPariksittookalltheadvantagesanddidnotthinkanyilloftheageof
Kali,truetohisVaisnavitecult.
MaharajaPariksitconsideredthatlessintelligentmenmightfindthe
personalityofKalitobeverypowerful,butthatthosewhoareself
controlledwouldhavenothingtofear
SrimadBhagavatamisthehistoryoftheactivitiesoftheLord.Andthe
activitiesoftheLordareperformedinrelationwiththedevoteesoftheLord.
Therefore,thehistoryofthedevoteesisnotdifferentfromthehistoryofLord
Krsna'sactivities.AdevoteeoftheLordregardsboththeactivitiesoftheLord
andthoseofHispuredevoteesonanequallevel,fortheyareall
transcendental.
Thesystematichearingofthetranscendentalactivities,qualitiesandnamesof
LordSriKrsnapushesonetowardseternallife.Systematichearingmeans
knowingHimgraduallyintruthandfact,andthisknowingHimintruthand
factmeansattainingeternallife,asstatedintheBhagavadgita
ThismeansthatHedoesnotactortakeHisbirthlikeanordinarylivingbeing
underthecustodyofmaterialenergy.NorisHisbodymaterialorchangeable
likethatofordinarylivingbeings.Andonewhounderstandsthisfact,either
fromtheLordorfromauthorizedsources,isnotrebornafterleavingthe
presentmaterialbody.
SuchanenlightenedsoulisadmittedintothespiritualrealmoftheLordand
engagesinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.
Thefirstflawisthatthereisanacutescarcityofexpertbrahmanasabletocarry
outsuchperformancessuccessfullyinthisageofKali.Unscrupulousgreedy
brahmanasoftheageofKaliinducetheinnocentpublictosuchuncertain
sacrificialshowswithoutdisclosingthescripturalinjunctionthatintheageof
Kalithereisnofruitfulsacrificialperformancebutthesacrificeofthe
congregationalchantingoftheholynameoftheLord

SutaGosvamiwasnarratingthetranscendentalactivitiesoftheLordbeforethe
congregationofsages,andtheywerefactuallyperceivingtheresultofhearing
thesetranscendentalactivities.Onecanfeelthispractically,asonecanfeelthe
resultofeatingfood.Spiritualrealizationactsinthatway.

ThesagesofNaimisaranyawerepracticallysufferersfromthesmokeofa
sacrificialfireandweredoubtfulabouttheresult,butbyhearingfroma
realizedpersonlikeSutaGosvami,theywerefullysatisfied.IntheBrahma
vaivartaPurana,VisnutellsSivathatintheageofKali,menfullofanxietiesof
variouskindscanvainlylaborinfruitiveactivityandphilosophical
speculations,butwhentheyareengagedindevotionalservice,theresultissure
andcertain,andthereisnolossofenergy.
Thevalueofamoment'sassociationwiththedevoteeoftheLordcannoteven
becomparedtotheattainmentofheavenlyplanetsorliberationfrommatter,
andwhattospeakofworldlybenedictionsintheformofmaterialprosperity,
whichareforthosewhoaremeantfordeath.
Whenonebecomesfrustratedwithallkindsofmaterialadvancement,one
desirestheoppositetypeofliberation,whichiscalledapunarbhava,orno
rebirth.ButthepuredevoteesoftheLorddonotaspireafterthehappiness
obtainedintheheavenlykingdom,nordotheyaspireafterliberationfrom
materialbondage.Inotherwords,forthepuredevoteesoftheLordthematerial
pleasuresobtainableintheheavenlyplanetsarelikephantasmagoria,and
becausetheyarealreadyliberatedfromallmaterialconceptionsofpleasureand
distress,theyarefactuallyliberatedeveninthematerialworld.Thismeansthat
thepuredevoteesoftheLordareengagedinatranscendentalexistence,
namelyinthelovingserviceoftheLord,bothinthematerialworldandinthe
spiritualworld.
Asagovernmentservantisalwaysthesame,eitherintheofficeorathomeor
atanyplace,soadevoteehasnothingtodowithanythingmaterial,forheis
exclusivelyengagedinthetranscendentalserviceoftheLord.Sincehehas
nothingtodowithanythingmaterial,whatpleasurecanhederivefrom
materialbenedictionslikekingshiporotheroverlordships,whicharefinished
quicklywiththeendofthebody?
Devotionalserviceiseternal;ithasnoend,becauseitisspiritual.
Therefore,sincetheassetsofapuredevoteearecompletelydifferentfrom

materialassets,thereisnocomparisonbetweenthetwo.
Inthematerialworld,associationwithgrossmaterialistsisveritably
condemned.Thematerialistiscalledyositsangi,oronewhoismuchattached
tomaterialentanglement(womenandotherparaphernalia).Suchattachmentis
conditionedbecauseitdrivesawaythebenedictionsoflifeandprosperity.
Andjusttheoppositeisbhagavatasangi,oronewhoisalwaysinthe
associationwiththeLord'sname,form,qualities,etc.Suchassociationis
alwaysdesirable;itisworshipable,itispraiseworthy,andonemayacceptitas
thehighestgoaloflife.

LordSivaandLordBrahmaaretwochiefsofthedemigods.Theyarefullof
mysticpowers.
Buttheyarenotthesupremepowerful.ThesupremepowerfulisGovinda,
LordKrsna.HeistheTranscendence,andHistranscendentalattributescannot
bemeasuredevenbysuchpowerfulisvarasasSivaandBrahma
Andwhyisthegreatestofallthelivingbeingssomuchattachedtothe
transcendentaltopicsofLordKrsna?BecauseHeisthereservoirofall
enjoyment.Everyonewantstorelishsomekindoftasteineverything,butone
whoisengagedinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLordcanderive
unlimitedpleasurefromsuchengagement.
TheLordisunlimited,andHisname,attributes,pastimes,entourage,
variegatedness,etc.areunlimited,andthosewhorelishthemcandoso
unlimitedlyandstillnotfeelsatiated.
Inmundaneaffairsthereisthelawofsatiation,butintranscendencethereisno
suchsatiation.
OSutaGosvami,youarealearnedandpuredevoteeoftheLordbecausethe
PersonalityofGodheadisyourchiefobjectofservice.Thereforeplease
describetousthepastimesoftheLord,whichareaboveallmaterial
conception,forweareanxioustoreceivesuchmessages.
ThespeakeronthetranscendentalactivitiesoftheLordshouldhaveonlyone
objectofworshipandservice,LordKrsna,theSupremePersonalityof
Godhead.
ProfessionalspeakersmakeashowofBhagavatasaptahaforthesakeoffamily
maintenance,andthemateriallydisposedaudiencehearssuchdiscoursesof
Bhagavatasaptahaforsomematerialbenefit,namelyreligiosity,wealth,
gratificationofthesenses,orliberation.

ButthediscoursesbetweenthesaintsofNaimisaranyaandSriSutaGosvami
areonthetranscendentallevel.Thereisnomotiveformaterialgain.Insuch
discourses,unlimitedtranscendentalpleasureisrelishedbothbytheaudience
andbythespeaker,andthereforetheycancontinuethetopicsformany
thousandsofyears.NowBhagavatasaptahasareheldforsevendaysonly,and
afterfinishingtheshow,boththeaudienceandthespeakerbecomeengagedin
materialactivitiesasusual.Theycandosobecausethespeakerisnot
bhagavatpradhanaandtheaudienceisnotsusrusatam,
ThedevoteeoftheLordworshipsthetranscendentalformoftheLord,whereas
theimpersonalistmeditatesupontheglaringeffulgence,orthebodilyraysof
theLord,knownasthebrahmajyoti.

SukadevaGosvamiwasalsoanimpersonalistinthebeginning,ashehimself
hasadmittedintheBhagavatam(2.1.9),butlateronhewasattractedbythe
transcendentalpastimesoftheLordandthusbecameadevotee.Suchdevotees
withperfectknowledgearecalledmahabhagavatas,orfirstclassdevotees.
Therearethreeclassesofdevotees,namelytheprakrta,madhyama,andmaha
bhagavata.Theprakrta,orthirdclassdevotees,aretempleworshiperswithout
specificknowledgeoftheLordandtheLord'sdevotees.Themadhyama,orthe
secondclassdevotee,knowswelltheLord,theLord'sdevotees,theneophytes,
andthenondevoteesalso.Butthemahabhagavata,orthefirstclassdevotee,
seeseverythinginrelationwiththeLordandtheLordpresentineveryone's
relation.
Themahabhagavata,therefore,doesnotmakeanydistinction,particularly
betweenadevoteeandnondevotee.
Butadevoteehasneverbecomeanimpersonalist.Thisveryfactprovesthaton
thetranscendentalsteps,thestepoccupiedbyadevoteeishigherthanthestep
occupiedbyanimpersonalist.ItisalsostatedintheBhagavadgita(12.5)that
personsstuckontheimpersonalstepundergomoresufferingsthan
achievementofreality.ThereforeknowledgeimpartedbySukadevaGosvami
untoMaharajaPariksithelpedhimattaintheserviceoftheLord.Andthisstage
ofperfectioniscalledapavarga,ortheperfectstageofliberation.
Simpleknowledgeofliberationismaterialknowledge.Actualfreedomfrom
materialbondageiscalledliberation,butattainmentofthetranscendental
serviceoftheLordiscalledtheperfectstageofliberation.Suchastageis
attainedbyknowledgeandrenunciation,aswehavealreadyexplained(Bhag.
1.2.12),andperfectknowledge,asdeliveredbySrilaSukadevaGosvami,
resultsintheattainmentofthetranscendentalserviceoftheLord.
SutaGosvamididnottakehisbirthinabrahmanafamily.Hewasbornina

familyofmixedcaste,oranunculturedlowfamily.Butbecauseofhigher
association,likeSriSukadevaGosvamiandthegreatrsisofNaimisaranya,
certainlythedisqualificationofinferiorbirthwaswashedoff.
LordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhufollowedthisprincipleinpursuanceofthe
Vedicusages,andbyHistranscendentalassociationHeelevatedmany
lowborn,orthosedisqualifiedbybirthoraction,tothestatusofdevotional
serviceandestablishedtheminthepositionofacaryas,orauthorities.
Thismeansthatthousandsofyearsagotherewasnobartolearningor
preachingthetranscendentalsciencebecauseofinferiorbirth.Therigidityof
thesocalledcastesysteminHindusocietybecameprominentwithinonlyone
hundredyearsorsowhenthenumberofdvijabandhus,ordisqualifiedmenin
thefamiliesofhighercastes,increased.

ButasfarasthegreatdevoteesoftheLordareconcerned,theycanpurifya
degradedsoulevenbybeingseenbythelowborn
Thementaldiseasesofthepresentgenerationaremoreacutethanbodily
diseases;itisquitefitandpropertotakeupthepreachingofSrimad
Bhagavatamallovertheworldwithoutdelay.
SrimadBhagavatamassertsthatonewhochantstheholynameoftheLord
underthedirectionofapuredevoteecanatoncegetfreefromthe
disadvantagesduetoalowercastebirth.ApuredevoteeoftheLorddoesnot
commitanyoffensewhilechantingtheholynameoftheLord.
Thisoffenselesschantingindicatesthatonehasfullyunderstoodthe
transcendentalnatureoftheholynameandhasthussurrendereduntotheLord.
TranscendentallytheholynameoftheLordandtheLordHimselfareidentical,
beingabsolute.TheholynameoftheLordisaspowerfulastheLord.TheLord
istheallpowerfulPersonalityofGodhead,andHehasinnumerablenames,
whichareallnondifferentfromHimandareequallypowerfulalso.
Othersaskforthefavorofthegoddessoffortune,anddespitesuchprayersshe
declinestoawardsuchfavors.ButstillsherendersserviceuntotheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,althoughHehasnothingtoacceptfromher
HeistranscendentallysofullofinconceivablepotenciesthatsimplybyHis
willing,everythingisdonewithoutphysicalorpersonalendeavor.Heiscalled,
therefore,Yogesvara,ortheLordofallmysticpowers.
TheconceptionofmanygodsintheVedicliteraturesbytheignorantis
completelywrong.TheLordisonewithoutasecond,butHeexpandsHimself

inmanyways,andthisisconfirmedintheVedas.SuchexpansionsoftheLord
arelimitless,butsomeofthemarethelivingentities.Thelivingentitiesarenot
aspowerfulastheLord'splenaryexpansions,andthereforetherearetwo
differenttypesofexpansions.LordBrahmaisgenerallyoneoftheliving
entities,andLordSivaistheviamediumbetweentheLordandtheliving
entities.
Thegoddessoffortune,Laksmiji,LordBrahmaandLordSivaarenot
independentlypowerful;theyarepowerfulasexpansionsoftheSupremeLord,
andallofthemareengagedinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord,
andsoalsoarethelivingentities.Therearefoursectsofworshipfuldevotees
oftheLord,andthechiefamongstthemaretheBrahmasampradaya,Rudra
sampradayaandSrisampradaya,descendingdirectlyfromLordBrahma,Lord
Sivaandthegoddessoffortune,Laksmi,respectively.Besidestheabove
mentionedthreesampradayas,thereistheKumarasampradaya,descending
fromSanatkumara

SelfcontrolledpersonswhoareattachedtotheSupremeLordSriKrsna
canallofasuddengiveuptheworldofmaterialattachment,includingthe
grossbodyandsubtlemind,andgoawaytoattainthehighestperfectionof
therenouncedorderoflife,bywhichnonviolenceandrenunciationare
consequential.
OnlytheselfcontrolledcangraduallybeattachedtotheSupremePersonality
ofGodhead.Selfcontrolledmeansnotindulginginsenseenjoymentmore
thanisnecessary.Andthosewhoarenotselfcontrolledaregivenoverto
senseenjoyment.Dryphilosophicalspeculationisasubtlesenseenjoymentof
themind.Senseenjoymentleadsonetothepathofdarkness.Thosewhoare
selfcontrolledcanmakeprogressonthepathofliberationfromtheconditional
lifeofmaterialexistence.
Selfcontrolisactuallyachievednotbyartificiallystoppingthesensesfrom
materialenjoyment,butbybecomingfactuallyattachedtotheSupremeLord
byengagingone'sunalloyedsensesinthetranscendentalserviceoftheLord.
Thesensescannotbeforciblycurbed,buttheycanbegivenproper
engagement.Purifiedsenses,therefore,arealwaysengagedinthe
transcendentalserviceoftheLord.
Thisperfectionalstageofsenseengagementiscalledbhaktiyoga.Sothose
whoareattachedtothemeansofbhaktiyogaarefactuallyselfcontrolledand
canallofasuddengiveuptheirhomelyorbodilyattachmentfortheserviceof
theLord.Thisiscalledtheparamahamsastage.Hamsas,orswans,acceptonly
milkoutofamixtureofmilkandwater.Similarly,thosewhoacceptthe

serviceoftheLordinsteadofmaya'sservicearecalledtheparamahamsas.
Theyarenaturallyqualifiedwithallthegoodattributes,suchaspridelessness,
freedomfromvanity,nonviolence,tolerance,simplicity,respectability,
worship,devotionandsincerity.Allthesegodlyqualitiesexistinthedevotee
oftheLordspontaneously.Suchparamahamsas,whoarecompletelygivenup
totheserviceoftheLord,areveryrare.Theyareveryrareevenamongstthe
liberatedsouls.
Realnonviolencemeansfreedomfromenvy.Inthisworldeveryoneisenvious
ofhisfellowbeing.Butaperfectparamahamsa,beingcompletelygivenupto
theserviceoftheLord,isperfectlynonenvious.Heloveseverylivingbeingin
relationwiththeSupremeLord.Realrenunciationmeansperfectdependence
onGod.Everylivingbeingisdependentonsomeoneelsebecauseheisso
made.
Renunciationmeansrenouncingonesdependenceontheconditionsofmaterial
natureandthusbecomingcompletelydependentonthemercyoftheLord.Real
independencemeanscompletefaithinthemercyoftheLordwithout
dependenceontheconditionsofmatter.Thisparamahamsastageisthehighest
perfectionalstageinbhaktiyoga,theprocessofdevotionalservicetothe
SupremeLord.
Asthebirdsflyintheskyasfarastheircapacityallows,sodothelearned
devoteesdescribetheLordasfarastheirrealizationallows.
TheSupremeAbsoluteTruthisunlimited.Nolivingbeingcanknowaboutthe
unlimitedbyhislimitedcapacity.TheLordisimpersonal,personaland
localized.
FactuallyonlytheLordHimselfcandescribeHimself,andHislearneddevotee
alsocandescribeHimasfarastheLordgiveshimthepowerofdescription.
TheSupremeLordissokindtoHispuredevoteesthatinpropertimeHecalls
suchdevoteesuptoHimandthuscreatesanauspiciouscircumstanceforthe
devotee.MaharajaPariksitwasapuredevoteeoftheLord,andtherewasno
reasonforhimtobecomeextremelyfatigued,hungryandthirstybecausea
devoteeoftheLordneverbecomesperturbedbysuchbodilydemands.Butby
thedesireoftheLord,evensuchadevoteecanbecomeapparentlyfatiguedand
thirstyjusttocreateasituationfavorableforhisrenunciationofworldly
activities.Onehastogiveupallattachmentforworldlyrelationsbeforeoneis
abletogobacktoGodhead,andthuswhenadevoteeistoomuchabsorbedin
worldlyaffairs,theLordcreatesasituationtocauseindifference
TheSupremeLordneverforgetsHispuredevotee,eventhoughhemaybe
engagedinsocalledworldlyaffairs.SometimesHecreatesanawkward
situation,andthedevoteebecomesobligedtorenounceallworldlyaffairs.The

devoteecanunderstandbythesignaloftheLord,butotherstakeittobe
unfavorableandfrustrating.
HadArjunanotbeentakenupwithanillusionoffamilyaffectionbythewillof
theLord,theBhagavadgitawouldnothavebeenspokenbytheLordHimself
forthegoodofallconcerned.Similarly,hadMaharajaPariksitnotbeen
fatigued,hungryandthirstyatthistime,SrimadBhagavatamwouldnothave
beenspokenbySrilaSukadevaGosvami,
Themuni'ssenseorgans,breath,mindandintelligencewereallrestrainedfrom
materialactivities,andhewassituatedinatranceapartfromthethree
[wakefulness,dreamandunconsciousness],havingachievedatranscendental
positionqualitativelyequalwiththeSupremeAbsolute.
Thetranscendentalpositionisattainedbythreeprocesses,namelytheprocess
ofjnana,ortheoreticalknowledgeoftranscendence,theprocessofyoga,or
factualrealizationoftrancebymanipulationofthephysiologicaland
psychologicalfunctionsofthebody,andthemostapprovedprocessofbhakti
yoga,ortheengagementofsensesinthedevotionalserviceoftheLord

Thejnanaprocesstheoreticallyspeculatesabouttherealityofthesoul.But
bhaktiyogafactuallyengagesthespiritsoulinactivities.Theperceptionof
matteristranscendedtostillsubtlerstatesofthesenses.Thesensesare
transcendedtothesubtlermind,andthentobreathingactivitiesandgradually
tointelligence.Beyondtheintelligence,thelivingsoulisrealizedbythe
mechanicalactivitiesoftheyogasystem,orpracticeofmeditationrestraining
thesenses,regulatingthebreathingsystemandapplyingintelligencetoriseto
thetranscendentalposition.Thistrancestopsallmaterialactivitiesofthebody.
Thatsuchagreatdevoteeandkingaskedforwaterfromasageabsorbedin
trancewascertainlyprovidential.
TheKing,notreceivedbyanyformalwelcomebymeansofbeingoffereda
seat,place,waterandsweetaddresses,consideredhimselfneglected,andso
thinkinghebecameangry.
ThelawofreceptioninthecodesoftheVedicprinciplesstatesthatevenifan
enemyisreceivedathome,hemustbereceivedwithallrespects.Heshould
notbegivenachancetounderstandthathehascomeintothehouseofan
enemy.WhenLordKrsna,accompaniedbyArjunaandBhima,approached
JarasandhainMagadha,therespectableenemiesweregivenaroyalreception

byKingJarasandha.Theguestenemy,namelyBhima,wastofightwith
Jarasandha,andyettheyweregivenagrandreception.Atnighttheyusedtosit
downtogetherasfriendsandguests,andinthedaytheyusedtofight,risking
lifeanddeath.Thatwasthelawofreception.
ButbythewilloftheLord,thecircumstancesweresocreatedthattheybecame
waystotheKing'sbecomingunattachedtofamilyconnectionand
governmentalactivitiesandthusbecomingacompletelysurrenderedsoulunto
thelotusfeetofLordKrsna
ThedevoteesoftheLordarealwaysundertheprotectionoftheLord,andin
anycondition,frustrationorsuccess,theLordisthesupremeguideforthe
devotees.Thepuredevotees,therefore,acceptallconditionsoffrustrationas
blessingsfromtheLord.
TheKingknewwellthatbrahmanas,sages,children,womenandoldmenare
alwaysbeyondthejurisdictionofpunishment.
Whileleaving,theKing,beingsoinsulted,pickedupalifelesssnakewithhis
bowandangrilyplaceditontheshoulderofthesage.Thenhereturnedtohis
palace.
Repentancecomesinthemindofagoodsoulassoonashecommitssomething
wrong.

HisrasalilawiththespiritualcowherddamselsofVrajabhumi.Thisspecific
pastimeoftheLordhasaspecialsignificancebecauseanyonewhoproperly
learnsaboutthisparticularpastimeoftheLordwillcertainlybedissuadedfrom
mundanesexdesireandbeplacedonthepathofsublimedevotionalserviceto
theLord
Thepuredevotee'smundanefrustrationismeanttoelevatethedevoteetoa
highertranscendentalposition.
Hatredofthelowerordersoflifebeganfromthisbrahmanaboy.
Thebrahmanasareconsideredtobetheheadandbrainsofthesocialbody,and
theksatriyasareconsideredtobethearmsofthesocialbody.Thearmsare
requiredtoprotectthebodyfromallharm,butthearmsmustactaccordingto
thedirectionsoftheheadandbrain
BytheinfluenceofKali,thesonofabrahmanabecamepuffedupwith
brahminicalpowerandthuswronglycomparedMaharajaPariksittocrowsand
watchdogs.

Andsincebrahmanasaretheheadsofthesocialorder,allotherordersof
societyalsobegantodeteriorate.
Thedescendantsofthekinglyordersaredefinitelydesignatedaswatchdogs,
andtheymustkeepthemselvesatthedoor.Onwhatgroundscandogsenterthe
houseandclaimtodinewiththemasteronthesameplate?
Thismentalityoffalseprestigeisthecauseofdownfalloftheperfectsocial
order,andwecanseethatinthebeginningitwasstartedbytheinexperienced
sonofabrahmana.
Theinexperiencedbrahmana,puffedupbyalittlebrahmatejas,became
influencedbythespellofKaliyuga
Srngiwasshowinghisimpudencyamongsthisplaymates,whowereinnocent.
Anysanemanwouldhavepreventedhimfromdoingsuchgreatharmtoall
humansociety.
Thebrahmana'ssoncursedtheKingthus:Ontheseventhdayfromtodaya
snakebirdwillbitethemostwretchedoneofthatdynasty[MaharajaPariksit]
becauseofhishavingbrokenthelawsofetiquettebyinsultingmyfather.
ThepersonalityofKaliconqueredthebrahmanaboyfirst,andgraduallythe
othercastes.
Oneshouldseetotherootcauseofvitiationandnottrytocondemnthesystem
asitis,withoutknowledgeofitsscientificvalue.

Thefatherdidnottakethedeadsnakeonhisneckveryseriously.Hesimply
threwitaway.ActuallytherewasnothingseriouslywronginMaharaja
Pariksit'sact,butthefoolishsontookitveryseriously,andbeinginfluencedby
KalihecursedtheKingandthusendedachapterofhappyhistory.
Thekingmayorderhangingofaculpritsonofabrahmana,buthedoesnot
becomesinfulforkillingabrahmana.Evenifthereissomethingwrongwith
theking,heisnevertobecondemned.Amedicalpractitionermaykillapatient
bymistakentreatment,butsuchakillerisnevercondemnedtodeath
Mydearboy,theLord,whocarriesthewheelofachariot,isrepresentedbythe
monarchicalregime,andwhenthisregimeisabolishedthewholeworld
becomesfilledwiththieves,whothenatoncevanquishtheunprotected
subjectslikescatteredlambs.
Everyonecapturesthepostforpersonalgratification,andthusinsteadofone
king,anumberofirresponsiblekingsgrowuptotaxthecitizens.

Itisforetoldhereinthatintheabsenceofamonarchicalregime,thegeneral
massofpeoplewillbeanunwantedpopulationlikedogsandmonkeys.Asthe
monkeysaretoosexuallyinclinedanddogsareshamelessinsexual
intercourse,
TheVedicwayoflifeistheprogressivemarchofthecivilizationofthe
Aryans.
Adegradedcivilizationofsensegratificationandeconomicdevelopmentisthe
byproductofagodlessorkinglessgovernmentofthepeople,bythepeople,
andforthepeople
Heisasaintamongstroyalty,andhehasperformedmanyhorsesacrifices.
Whensuchakingistiredandfatigued,beingstrickenwithhungerandthirst,
hedoesnotatalldeservetobecursed.
ThenthersiprayedtotheallpervadingPersonalityofGodheadtopardonhis
immatureboy,whohadnointelligenceandwhocommittedthegreatsinof
cursingapersonwhowascompletelyfreefromallsins,whowassubordinate
andwhodeservedtobeprotected.
WhenanoffenseisdoneuntothedevoteeoftheLord,itisverydifficultto
overcomethereaction.Thebrahmanas,beingattheheadofthesocialorders,
aremeanttogiveprotectiontotheirsubordinatesandnottocursethem.

AquestionmayberaisedhereinthatsinceitwasthedesireoftheLordthat
PariksitMaharajabeputintothatawkwardpositionsothathemightbe
deliveredfrommaterialexistence,thenwhywasabrahmana'ssonmade
responsibleforthisoffensiveact?Theansweristhattheoffensiveactwas
performedbyachildonlysothathecouldbeexcusedveryeasily,andthusthe
prayerofthefatherwasaccepted.
Butifthequestionisraisedwhythebrahmanacommunityasawholewas
maderesponsibleforallowingKaliintotheworldaffairs,theanswerisgiven
intheVarahaPuranathatthedemonswhoactedinimicallytowardthe
PersonalityofGodheadbutwerenotkilledbytheLordwereallowedtotake
birthinthefamiliesofbrahmanastotakeadvantageoftheageofKali.Theall
mercifulLordgavethemachancetohavetheirbirthsinthefamiliesofpious
brahmanassothattheycouldprogresstowardsalvation.Butthedemons,
insteadofutilizingthegoodopportunity,misusedthebrahminicalculturedue

tobeingpuffedupbyvanityinbecomingbrahmanas.Thetypicalexampleis
thesonofSamikaRsi,andallthefoolishsonsofbrahmanasarewarnedhereby
nottobecomeasfoolishasSrngiandbealwaysonguardagainstthedemoniac
qualitieswhichtheyhadintheirpreviousbirths.
Thefoolishboywas,ofcourse,excusedbytheLord,butothers,whomaynot
haveafatherlikeSamikaRsi,willbeputintogreatdifficultyiftheymisusethe
advantagesobtainedbybirthinabrahmanafamily.
ThedevoteesoftheLordaresoforbearingthateventhoughtheyaredefamed,
cheated,cursed,disturbed,neglectedorevenkilled,theyareneverinclinedto
avengethemselves.
HethoughtwithinhimselfthatifMaharajaPariksitwouldcountercursethe
boy,hemightbesaved.Butheknewalsothatapuredevoteeiscallousabout
worldlyadvantagesorreverses.Assuch,thedevoteesareneverinclinedto
counteractpersonaldefamation,curses,negligence,etc.Asfarassuchthings
areconcerned,inpersonalaffairsthedevoteesdonotcareforthem
Itwasapersonalaffair,andthereforeSamikaRsiknewthattheKingwould
nottakecounteraction.Thustherewasnoalternativethantoplaceanappealto
theLordfortheimmatureboy.
ThedevoteeoftheLord,eventhoughhemaynotbeabrahmana,ismore
powerfulthanabrahmana.Butapowerfuldevoteenevermisusesthepowerfor
personalbenefit.Whateverpowerthedevoteemayhaveisalwaysutilizedin
servicetowardstheLordandHisdevoteesonly.
Thesagethusregrettedthesincommittedbyhisownson.Hedidnottakethe
insultpaidbytheKingveryseriously.

MaharajaPariksitalsodidnotmindthecurseofferedtohimbyafoolish
brahmana.Onthecontrary,hetookfulladvantageoftheawkwardsituation,
andbythegreatwilloftheLord,MaharajaPariksitachievedthehighest
perfectionoflifethroughthegraceofSrilaSukadevaGosvami.Actuallyitwas
thedesireoftheLord,andMaharajaPariksit,RsiSamikaandhissonSrngi
wereallinstrumentalinfulfillingthedesireoftheLord.Sononeofthemwere
putintodifficultybecauseeverythingwasdoneinrelationwiththeSupreme
Person.
Generallythetranscendentalists,eventhoughengagedbyothersinthe
dualitiesofthematerialworld,arenotdistressed.Nordotheytakepleasure[in
worldlythings],fortheyaretranscendentallyengaged.

Thetranscendentalistsaretheempiricphilosophers,themysticsandthe
devoteesoftheLord.Empiricphilosophersaimattheperfectionofmerging
intothebeingoftheAbsolute,mysticsaimatperceivingtheallpervading
Supersoul,andthedevoteesoftheLordareengagedinthetranscendental
lovingserviceofthePersonalityofGodhead.SinceBrahman,Paramatmaand
BhagavanaredifferentphasesofthesameTranscendence,allthese
transcendentalistsarebeyondthethreemodesofmaterialnature.Material
distressesandhappinessesareproductsofthethreemodes,andthereforethe
causesofsuchmaterialdistressandhappinesshavenothingtodowiththe
transcendentalists.TheKingwasadevotee,andthersiwasamystic.Therefore
bothofthemwereunattachedtotheaccidentalincidentcreatedbythesupreme
will.TheplayfulchildwasaninstrumentinfulfillingtheLord'swill.
Chapter19

Thedevoteesarenaturallyfaultless.Accidentalsinscommittedbyadevotee
aresincerelyregretted,andbythegraceoftheLordallsinsunwillingly
committedbyadevoteeareburntinthefireofrepentance.
Inowdesirewithoutreservationthatthecalamitycomenow,forinthiswayI
maybefreedofthesinfulactionandnotcommitsuchanoffenseagain.
Bysufferingpersonallyhewouldberestrainedfromfuturesins,andatthe
sametimethesinwhichhehadcommittedwouldbecounteractedsothathis
descendantswouldnotsuffer.Thatisthewayaresponsibledevoteethinks.The
familymembersofadevoteealsosharetheeffectsofadevotee'sserviceunto
theLord.MaharajaPrahladasavedhisdemonfatherbyhispersonaldevotional
service.Adevoteesoninthefamilyisthegreatestboonorblessingofthe
Lord.
ThereforeIwishthatmykingdom,strengthandrichesburnupimmediatelyby
thefireofthebrahmana'swrathsothatinthefutureImaynotbeguidedby
suchinauspiciousattitudes.

Wherewealthandstrengtharenotengagedintheadvancementofbrahminical
culture,Godconsciousnessandcowprotection,thestateandhomearesurely
doomedbyProvidence.Ifwewantpeaceandprosperityintheworld,we
shouldtakelessonsfromthisverse;everystateandeveryhomemustendeavor
toadvancethecauseofbrahminicalcultureforselfpurification,God
consciousnessforselfrealizationandcowprotectionforgettingsufficient
milkandthebestfoodtocontinueaperfectcivilization.
WhiletheKingwasthusrepenting,hereceivednewsofhisimminentdeath,
whichwouldbeduetothebiteofasnakebird,occasionedbythecursespoken

bythesage'sson.TheKingacceptedthisasgoodnews,foritwouldbethe
causeofhisindifferencetowardworldlythings.
OnecanstoptherepetitionofbirthanddeathonlybygoingbacktoGodhead.
Inthematerialworld,evenbyattainingthetopmostplanet(Brahmaloka),one
cannotgetridoftheconditionsofrepeatedbirthanddeath,butstillwedonot
acceptthepathofattainingperfection.Thepathofperfectionfreesonefromall
materialattachments,andthusonebecomesfittoenterintothespiritual
kingdom.Therefore,thosewhoaremateriallypovertystrickenarebetter
candidatesthanthosewhoaremateriallyprosperous.
SamikaMunialso,afterregrettingtheincident,conveyedthenewstotheKing
asamatterofdutysothattheKingwouldbeabletopreparehimselftogoback
toGodhead.
Inotherwords,thesystemofvarnasramadharmaisknownalsoassanatana
dharma,ortheeternaloccupation.Thesystemofvarnasramadharmaprepares
amanforgoingbacktoGodhead,andthusahouseholderisorderedtogoto
theforestasvanaprasthatoacquirecompleteknowledgeandthentotake
sannyasapriortohisinevitabledeath
Theyspoiltheirlivesinanimalpropensitiestoeat,drink,bemerryandenjoy.
SuchanirresponsiblelifeisadoptedbythepeopleintheageofKalibecauseof
asinfuldesiretocondemnbrahminicalculture,Godconsciousnessandcow
protection,forwhichthestateisresponsible.
MaharajaPariksitsatdownfirmlyonthebanksoftheGangestoconcentrate
hismindinKrsnaconsciousness,rejectingallotherpracticesofself
realization,becausetranscendentallovingservicetoKrsnaisthegreatest
achievement,supersedingallothermethods.

ThedevoteesaretoldbytheLordandHisrepresentatives,thespiritualmasters
oracaryas,thatnotoneoftheplanetswithinalltheinnumerableuniversesis
suitablefortheresidentialpurposesofadevotee.Thedevoteealwaysdesiresto
gobackhome,backtoGodhead,justtobecomeoneoftheassociatesofthe
Lordinthecapacityofservitor,friend,parentorconjugalloveroftheLord,
eitherinoneoftheinnumerableVaikunthaplanetsorinGolokaVrndavana,
theplanetofLordSriKrsna.Alltheseplanetsareeternallysituatedinthe

spiritualsky,theparavyoma,whichisontheothersideoftheCausalOcean
withinthemahattattva
ForadevoteelikeMaharajaPariksit,noneofthematerialplanets,eventhe
topmostBrahmaloka,isasdesirableasGolokaVrndavana,theabodeofLord
SriKrsna,theprimevalLordandoriginalPersonalityofGodhead.Thisearthis
oneoftheinnumerablematerialplanetswithintheuniverse,andthereare
innumerableuniversesalsowithinthecompassofthemahattattva.
BoththeGangesandtheYamunaareamartya(transcendental)rivers,and
Yamunaisstillmoresanctifiedforthefollowingreasons.
Theriver[Ganges,bywhichtheKingsattofast]carriesthemostauspicious
water,whichismixedwiththedustofthelotusfeetoftheLordandtulasi
leaves.Thereforethatwatersanctifiesthethreeworldsinsideandoutsideand
evensanctifiesLordSivaandotherdemigods.Consequentlyeveryonewhois
destinedtodiemusttakeshelterofthisriver.
GenerallyitissaidthattheKingtookshelteronthebankoftheGanges,but
accordingtoSrilaJivaGosvami,theKingtookshelteronthebankofthe
Yamuna.SrilaJivaGosvami'sstatementappearstobemoreaccuratebecause
ofthegeographicalsituation.MaharajaPariksitresidedinhiscapital
Hastinapura,situatednearpresentDelhi,andtheRiverYamunaflowsdown
pastthecity.NaturallytheKingwouldtakeshelteroftheRiverYamuna
becauseshewasflowingpasthispalacedoor.Andasfarassanctityis
concerned,theRiverYamunaismoredirectlyconnectedwithLordKrsnathan
theGanges.
Similarly,itissaidinthescripturesthatonethousandnamesofVisnuareequal
toonenameofRama,andthreenamesofLordRamaareequaltoonenameof
Krsna.
So,freeinghimselffromallkindsofassociationsandattachments,heaccepted
thevowsofasage.
MaharajaPariksit,therefore,decidedtomeditateuponthelotusfeetofLordSri
Krsna,whoisMukunda,orthegiverofliberationsofalldescription

Hewascursedalso,butbecausehewasagreatdevoteeoftheLord,evensuch
reversesoflifebecamefavorable.Theprincipleisthatoneshouldnotwillingly
commitanysininhislifeandshouldconstantlyrememberthelotusfeetofthe
Lordwithoutdeviation.OnlyinsuchamoodwilltheLordhelpthedevotee

makeregularprogresstowardthepathofliberationandthusattainthelotus
feetoftheLord.Evenifthereareaccidentalsinscommittedbythedevotee,the
Lordsavesthesurrenderedsoulfromallsins,asconfirmedinallscriptures.
Atthattimeallthegreatmindsandthinkers,accompaniedbytheirdisciples,
andsageswhocouldverilysanctifyaplaceofpilgrimagejustbytheir
presence,arrivedthereonthepleaofmakingapilgrim'sjourney.
ActuallytheycametomeetMaharajaPariksitandnottotakeabathof
pilgrimagebecauseallofthemwerecompetentenoughtosanctifytheplacesof
pilgrimage.Commonmengotopilgrimagesitestogetthemselvespurifiedof
allsins.Thustheplacesofpilgrimagebecomeoverburdenedwiththesinsof
others.Butwhensuchsagesvisitoverburdenedplacesofpilgrimage,they
sanctifytheplacesbytheirpresence
Bhrgu:WhenBrahmajiwasperformingagreatsacrificeonbehalfofVaruna,
MaharsiBhrguwasbornfromthesacrificialfire.Heexplainedhowair,fire,
waterandeartharegeneratedfromether
Parasara:HeisthegrandsonofVasisthaMuniandfatherofVyasadeva.Heis
thesonofMaharsiSakti,andhismother'snamewasAdrsyati.Hewasinthe
wombofhismotherwhenshewasonlytwelveyearsold.Andfromwithinthe
wombofhismotherhelearnedtheVedas.Hisfatherwaskilledbyademon,
Kalmasapada,andtoavengethishewantedtoannihilatethewholeworld.He
wasrestrained,however,byhisgrandfatherVasistha.Hethenperformeda
Raksasakillingyajna,butMaharsiPulastyarestrainedhim.Hebegot
Vyasadeva,beingattractedbySatyavati,whowastobecomethewifeof
MaharajaSantanu.BytheblessingsofParasara,Satyavatibecamefragrantfor
miles.HewaspresentalsoduringthetimeofBhisma'sdeath.Hewasspiritual
masterofMaharajaJanakaandagreatdevoteeofLordSiva.Heistheauthor
ofmanyVedicscripturesandsociologicaldirections.

Gadhisuta,orVisvamitra:Agreatsageofausterityandmysticpower.Heis
famousasGadhisutabecausehisfatherwasGadhi,apowerfulkingofthe
provinceofKanyakubja(partofUttaraPradesh).Althoughhewasaksatriya

bybirth,hebecameabrahmanaintheverysamebodybythepowerofhis
spiritualachievements.HepickedaquarrelwithVasisthaMuniwhenhewasa
ksatriyakingandperformedagreatsacrificeincooperationwithMaganga
MuniandthuswasabletovanquishthesonsofVasistha.Hebecameagreat
yogi,andyethefailedtocheckhissensesandthuswasobligedtobecomethe
fatherofSakuntala,thebeautyqueenofworldhistory.Once,whenhewasa
ksatriyaking,hevisitedthehermitageofVasisthaMuni,andhewasgivena
royalreception.VisvamitrawantedfromVasisthaacownamedNandini,and
theMunirefusedtodeliverit.Visvamitrastolethecow,andthustherewasa
quarrelbetweenthesageandtheKing.Visvamitrawasdefeatedbythe
spiritualstrengthofVasistha,andthustheKingdecidedtobecomea
brahmana.Beforebecomingabrahmanaheunderwentsevereausterityonthe
bankoftheKausika.HewasalsoonewhotriedtostoptheKuruksetrawar.
Angira:HeisoneofthesixmentalsonsofBrahmaandthefatherofBrhaspati,
thegreatlearnedpriestofthedemigodsintheheavenlyplanets.Hewasbornof
thesemenofBrahmajigiventoacinderoffire.UtathyaandSamvartaarehis
sons.Itissaidthatheisstillperformingausterityandchantingtheholyname
oftheLordataplaceknownasAlokanandaonthebanksoftheGanges.
Utathya:OneofthethreesonsofMaharsiAngira.Hewasthespiritualmaster
ofMaharajaMandhata.HemarriedBhadra,thedaughterofSoma(moon).
VarunakidnappedhiswifeBhadra,andtoretaliatetheoffenseofthegodof
water,hedrankallthewateroftheworld.
Medhatithi:Anoldsageofyore.AnassemblymemberoftheheavenlyKing
Indradeva.HissonwasKanvaMuni,whobroughtupSakuntalaintheforest.
Hewaspromotedtotheheavenlyplanetbystrictlyfollowingtheprinciplesof
retiredlife(vanaprastha).
Gautama:Oneofthesevengreatsagesoftheuniverse.SaradvanGautamawas
oneofhissons.PersonsintheGautamagotra(dynasty)todayareeitherhis
familydescendantsorinhisdisciplicsuccession.Thebrahmanaswhoprofess
Gautamagotraaregenerallyfamilydescendants,andtheksatriyasandvaisyas
whoprofessGautamagotraareallinthelineofhisdisciplicsuccession.He
wasthehusbandofthefamousAhalyawhoturnedintostonewhenIndradeva,
theKingoftheheaven,molestedher.AhalyawasdeliveredbyLord
Ramacandra.GautamawasthegrandfatherofKrpacarya,oneoftheheroesof
theBattleofKuruksetra.
Thesystemofbowingtheheadtothegroundtoshowrespecttosuperiorsisan
excellentetiquettewhichobligesthehonoredguestdeepintotheheart.Even
thefirstgradeoffenderisexcusedsimplybythisprocess,
Afterallthersisandothershadseatedthemselvescomfortably,theKing,

humblystandingbeforethemwithfoldedhands,toldthemofhisdecisionto
fastuntildeath.
Anydecision,howeverimportant,shouldbeconfirmedbysomeauthority.That
makesthematterperfect.Thismeansthatthemonarchswhoruledtheearthin
thosedayswerenotirresponsibledictators.Theyscrupulouslyfollowedthe
authoritativedecisionsofthesaintsandsagesintermsofVedicinjunction
ThefortunateKingsaid:Indeed,wearethemostgratefulofallthekingswho
aretrainedtogetfavorsfromthegreatsouls.Generallyyou[sages]consider
royaltyasrefusetoberejectedandleftinadistantplace.
Accordingtoreligiousprinciples,stool,urine,washwater,etc.,mustbeleftat
alongdistance.Attachedbathrooms,urinals,etc.maybeveryconvenient
amenitiesofmoderncivilization,buttheyareorderedtobesituatedata
distancefromresidentialquarters.
LordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhusaidthattobeinintimatetouchwithdollars
andcentsmen,orthekinglyorder,isworsethansuicideforonewhodesiresto
gobacktoGodhead.Inotherwords,thetranscendentalistsdonotgenerally
associatewithmenwhoaretooenamoredbytheexternalbeautyofGod's
creation.Byadvancedknowledgeinspiritualrealization,thetranscendentalist
knowsthatthisbeautifulmaterialworldisnothingbutashadowyreflectionof
thereality,thekingdomofGod.Theyarenot,therefore,verymuchcaptivated
byroyalopulenceoranythinglikethat
ApparentlytheKingwascondemnedtodeathbyaninexperiencedbrahmana
boy,butfactuallyhewascalledbytheLordtoreturntoHim
MaharajaPariksit,althoughborninafamilyofgreatdevotees,thePandavas,
andalthoughsecurelytrainedintranscendentalattachmentfortheassociation
oftheLord,stillfoundtheallurementofmundanefamilylifesostrongthathe
hadtobedetachedbyaplanoftheLord.Suchdirectactionistakenbythe
Lordinthecaseofaspecialdevotee.
TheLordresideswithHisdevotees,andthereforethepresenceofthegreat
saintsindicatedthepresenceoftheLord.
Letthesnakebirdorwhatevermagicalthingthebrahmanacreatedbitemeat
once.IonlydesirethatyouallcontinuesingingthedeedsofLordVisnu.
AssoonasoneisgivenupcompletelyuntothelotusfeetoftheSupremeLord,
heisnotatallafraidofdeath.

Again,offeringobeisancesuntoallyoubrahmanas,IpraythatifIshould
againtakemybirthinthematerialworldIwillhavecompleteattachment
totheunlimitedLordKrsna,associationwithHisdevoteesandfriendly
relationswithalllivingbeings.
AdevoteeoftheLordisnoone'senemy,althoughtheremaybemanyenemies
ofadevotee.AdevoteeoftheLorddoesnotliketoassociatewith
nondevotees,althoughhehasnoenmitywiththem.Hedesiresassociationwith
thedevoteesoftheLord.Thisisperfectlynaturalbecausebirdsofthesame
feathermixtogether.Andthemostimportantfunctionofadevoteeistohave
completeattachmentforLordSriKrsna,thefatherofalllivingbeings.Asa
goodsonofthefatherbehavesinafriendlywaywithallhisotherbrothers,so
alsothedevoteeoftheLord,beingagoodsonofthesupremefather,Lord
Krsna,seesallotherlivingbeingsinrelationwiththesupremefather.Hetries
tobringbacktheupstartsonsofthefathertoasanerstageandtogetthemto
acceptthesupremefatherhoodofGod.
Apuredevoteedoesnotdesirethecompanyofapersonalityasgreatas
Brahma,buthepreferstheassociationofapettylivingbeing,providedheisa
devoteeoftheLord.
Inperfectselfcontrol,MaharajaPariksitsatdownonaseatofstraw,with
strawrootsfacingtheeast,placedonthesouthernbankoftheGanges,andhe
himselffacedthenorth.
TheRiverGangesiscelebratedasthewifeofthesea.Theseatofkusastrawis
consideredtobesanctifiedifthestrawistakenoutoftheearthcompletewith
root,andiftherootispointedtowardtheeastitisconsideredtobeauspicious.
Facingthenorthisstillmorefavorableforattainingspiritualsuccess.
Thedemigodsaremoreluxuriousthanhumanbeings,butallofthemare
obedienttotheordersoftheSupremeLord.Thereisnooneintheheavenly
planetswhoisanatheistornonbeliever.
AdemigodtakespleasureinseeingsomeonegobacktoGodhead.Heisalways
pleasedwithadevoteeoftheLord,somuchsothatbyhisadhidaivicpowers
hemayhelpthedevoteesinallrespects.
Andbytheiractions,theLordispleasedwiththem.
ThereisaninvisiblechainofcompletecooperationbetweentheLord,the
demigodsandthedevoteeoftheLordonearth.

Suchsagesarenaturallyinclinedtodogoodtothecommonman,andwhen
theyseeapersonalitylikeMaharajaPariksitadvanceindevotionalservice,
theirpleasureknowsnobounds,andtheyofferallblessingsintheirpower.The
devotionalserviceoftheLordissoauspiciousthatalldemigodsandsages,up
totheLordHimself,becamepleasedwiththedevotee,andthereforethe
devoteefindseverythingauspicious.Allinauspiciousmattersareremoved
fromthepathofaprogressivedevotee.
PrahladaMaharaja,whileprayingtoLordNrsimha,said,"OmyLord,Iam
verymuchafraidofthematerialisticwayoflife,andIamnottheleastafraidof
YourpresentghastlyferociousfeatureasNrsimhadeva.Thismaterialisticway
oflifeissomethinglikeagrindingstone,andwearebeingcrushedbyit.We
havefallenintothishorriblewhirlpoolofthetossingwavesoflife,andthus,
myLord,IprayatYourlotusfeettocallmebacktoYoureternalabodeasone
ofYourservitors.Thisisthesummitliberationofthismaterialisticwayoflife.
Ihaveverybitterexperienceofthematerialisticwayoflife.Inwhichever
speciesoflifeIhavetakenbirth,compelledbytheforceofmyownactivities,I
haveverypainfullyexperiencedtwothings,namelyseparationfrommy
belovedandmeetingwithwhatisnotwanted.Andtocounteractthem,the
remedieswhichIundertookweremoredangerousthanthediseaseitself.SoI
driftfromonepointtoanotherbirthafterbirth,andIpraytoYouthereforeto
givemeashelteratYourlotusfeet."
ThusthedevoteesoftheLordareneverenchantedbytheglareofmaterialistic
life,andtheyliveimpartially,unattachedtotheobjectsofthefalse,illusory
materialisticwayoflife.
SuchVaikunthaplanetsarealsodifferentlyknownasthePurusottamaloka,
Acyutaloka,Trivikramaloka,Hrsikesaloka,Kesavaloka,Aniruddhaloka,
Madhavaloka,Pradyumnaloka,Sankarsanaloka,Sridharaloka,Vasudevaloka,
Ayodhyaloka,Dvarakalokaandmanyothermillionsofspirituallokaswherein
thePersonalityofGodheadpredominates;
AndamongstalltheabovementionedVaikunthalokas,thereisonesupreme
lokacalledGolokaVrndavana,whichistheabodeoftheLordSriKrsnaand
Hisspecificassociates.MaharajaPariksitwasdestinedtoachievethis
particularloka,andthegreatrsisassembledtherecouldforeseethis
AstheLordisrarelytobeseenbyourpresenteyes,soalsoarethegreat
devotees.Thegreatrsis,therefore,correctlydecidedtoremainonthespottill
thelastmoment.

Inthematerialworldtheseattributes(uptoseventyeightpercentoftheLord's
attributes)arecoveredbythematerialenergy,asthesuniscoveredbyacloud

Therearethreeplanetarysystems,namelythelowerworlds,theintermediate
worldsandtheupperworlds.Thehumanbeingsoneartharesituatedatthe
beginningoftheintermediateworlds,butlivingbeingslikeBrahmaandhis
contemporariesliveintheupperworlds,ofwhichthetopmostisSatyaloka.In
SatyalokatheinhabitantsarefullycognizantofVedicwisdom,andthusthe
mysticcloudofmaterialenergyiscleared.Thereforetheyareknownasthe
Vedaspersonified.Suchpersons,beingfullyawareofknowledgeboth
mundaneandtranscendental,havenointerestineitherthemundaneor
transcendentalworlds.Theyarepracticallydesirelessdevotees.Inthemundane
worldtheyhavenothingtoachieve,andinthetranscendentalworldtheyare
fullinthemselves.Thenwhydotheycometothemundaneworld?They
descendondifferentplanetsasmessiahsbytheorderoftheLordtodeliverthe
fallensouls.
Thefirstquestioniswhatisthedutyofeveryoneinallcircumstances,andthe
secondquestioniswhatisthespecificdutyofonewhoistodieveryshortly
TheconclusionarrivedatthereofisthatdevotionalserviceoftheLordSri
Krsna,asitisconfirmedbytheLordHimselfinthelastphasesofthe
Bhagavadgita,isthelastwordinrelationtoeveryone'spermanentdutyinlife.
Fortranscendentalrealizationorselfrealization,manyprocessesare
recommendedbyvariousclassesofphilosophers.Someofthemarefirstclass
methods,andsomeofthemaresecondorthirdclassmethods.Thefirstclass
methoddemandsthatonegiveupallothermethodsandsurrenderuntothe
lotusfeetoftheLordandthusbesavedfromallsinsandtheirreactions.
AtthatmomentthereappearedthepowerfulsonofVyasadeva,whotraveled
overtheearthdisinterestedandsatisfiedwithhimself.Hedidnotmanifestany
symptomsofbelongingtoanysocialorderorstatusoflife.Hewassurrounded
withwomenandchildren,andhedressedasifothershadneglectedhim.
Suchliberatedsoulsaredisinterestedintheaffairsofthismaterialworld
becausetheyareselfsatisfiedbythegreatachievementsofdevotionalservice.
Asexplainedbefore,SukadevaGosvamineveracceptedanyformalspiritual
master,nordidheundergoanyformalreformatoryperformances.Hisfather,
Vyasadeva,washisnaturalspiritualmasterbecauseSukadevaGosvamiheard
SrimadBhagavatam

fromhim.Afterthis,hebecamecompletelyselfsatisfied.Thushewasnot
dependentonanyformalprocess.Theformalprocessesarenecessaryforthose
whoareexpectedtoreachthestageofcompleteliberation,butSriSukadeva
Gosvamiwasalreadyinthatstatusbythegraceofhisfather

Asayoungboyhewasexpectedtobeproperlydressed,buthewentabout
nakedandwasuninterestedinsocialcustoms.Hewasneglectedbythegeneral
populace,andinquisitiveboysandwomensurroundedhimasifhewerea
madman.Hethusappearsonthescenewhiletravelingontheearthofhisown
accord.
ThissonofVyasadevawasonlysixteenyearsold.Hislegs,hands,thighs,
arms,shoulders,foreheadandtheotherpartsofhisbodywerealldelicately
formed.Hiseyeswerebeautifullywide,andhisnoseandearswerehighly
raised.Hehadaveryattractiveface,andhisneckwaswellformedand
beautifullikeaconchshell.
Arespectablepersonalityisdescribedbeginningwiththelegs,andthishonored
systemisobservedherewithSukadevaGosvami.
Hiscollarbonewasfleshy,hischestbroadandthick,hisnaveldeepandhis
abdomenbeautifullystriped.Hisarmswerelong,andcurlyhairwasstrewn
overhisbeautifulface.Hewasnaked,andthehueofhisbodyreflectedthatof
LordKrsna.
Hisbodilyfeaturesindicatehimtobedifferentfromcommonmen.Allthe
signsdescribedinconnectionwiththebodilyfeaturesofSukadevaGosvami
areuncommonsymptoms,typicalofgreatpersonalities,accordingto
physiognomicalcalculations.
Hewasblackishandverybeautifulduetohisyouth.Becauseoftheglamorof
hisbodyandhisattractivesmiles,hewaspleasingtowomen.Thoughhetried
tocoverhisnaturalglories,thegreatsagespresenttherewereallexpertinthe
artofphysiognomy,andsotheyhonoredhimbyrisingfromtheirseats.
MaharajaPariksit,whoisalsoknownasVisnurata[onewhoisalways
protectedbyVisnu],bowedhisheadtoreceivethechiefguest,Sukadeva
Gosvami.AtthattimealltheignorantwomenandboysceasedfollowingSrila
Sukadeva.Receivingrespectfromall,SukadevaGosvamitookhisexaltedseat.
OnSukadevaGosvami'sarrivalatthemeeting,everyone,exceptSrila
Vyasadeva,Naradaandafewothers,stoodup,andMaharajaPariksit,whowas

gladtoreceiveagreatdevoteeoftheLord,boweddownbeforehimwithallthe
limbsofhisbody.
Whenhewassoreceivedbythekingandsages,thestreetboysandless
intelligentwomenwhofollowedhimwerestruckwithwonderandfear.So
theyretiredfromtheirfrivolousactivities,andeverythingwasfullofgravity
andcalm.

Inthegreatassemblyofsaintlypersonalities,therewasVyasadevathe
brahmarsi,Naradathedevarsi,Parasuramathegreatruleroftheksatriyakings,
etc.SomeofthemwerepowerfulincarnationsoftheLord.SukadevaGosvami
wasnotknownasbrahmarsi,rajarsiordevarsi,norwasheanincarnationlike
Narada,VyasaorParasurama.Andyetheexcelledtheminrespectspaid.This
meansthatthedevoteeoftheLordismorehonoredintheworldthantheLord
Himself.Oneshouldthereforeneverminimizetheimportanceofadevoteelike
SukadevaGosvami.
Thereisnonecessityofapproachingaspiritualmasterunlessoneisinneedof
solvingtheproblemsoflife.Onewhodoesnotknowhowtoputquestions
beforethespiritualmasterhasnobusinessseeinghim.
Byyourmercy,we,whoarebutunworthyroyalty,becomeeligibletoservethe
devotee.
SaintlydevoteeslikeSukadevaGosvamigenerallydonotapproachworldly
enjoyers,especiallythoseinroyalorders.MaharajaPrataparudrawasa
followerofLordCaitanya,butwhenhewantedtoseetheLord,theLord
refusedtoseehimbecausehewasaking.Foradevoteewhodesirestogoback
toGodhead,twothingsarestrictlyprohibited:worldlyenjoyersandwomen.
Therefore,devoteesofthestandardofSukadevaGosvamiareneverinterested
inseeingkings.
Simplybyourrememberingyou,ourhousesbecomeinstantlysanctified.
Andwhattospeakofseeingyou,touchingyou,washingyourholyfeetand
offeringyouaseatinourhome?
Ifsuchsaintsappearinthehomesofworldlypeople,certainlytheaccumulated
sinsofsuchworldlyenjoyersbecomeneutralized.Therefore,theholysaints
actuallyhavenoselfinterestwiththehouseholders.Theonlyaimofsuch
saintsistosanctifythehousesofthehouseholders,andthehouseholders
thereforeshouldfeelgratefulwhensuchsaintsandsagesappearattheirdoors.

thatahouseholderwhodoesnotbowdownbeforeasaintatoncemustundergo
fastingforthedayinordertoneutralizethegreatoffense.
ThedemoncannotstandthepresenceofVisnu,thePersonalityofGodhead.
ItissaidthataghostcannotremainassoonastheholynameoftheLordis
chanted
Oneisrecommended,therefore,toassociateonlywithsaintlydevoteessothat
worldlydemonsandghostscannotexerttheirsinisterinfluence.

ApureandexclusivedevoteeoftheLordserveshisfamilyinterestmore
dexterouslythanothers,whoareattachedtoillusoryfamilyaffairs.Generally
peopleareattachedtofamilymatters,andthewholeeconomicimpetusof
humansocietyismovingundertheinfluenceoffamilyaffection.Suchdeluded
personshavenoinformationthatonecanrenderbetterservicetothefamilyby
becomingadevoteeoftheLord.TheLordgivesspecialprotectiontothe
familymembersanddescendantsofadevotee,eventhoughsuchmembersare
themselvesnondevotees!MaharajaPrahladawasagreatdevoteeoftheLord,
buthisfather,Hiranyakasipu,wasagreatatheistanddeclaredenemyofthe
Lord.Butdespiteallthis,Hiranyakasipuwasawardedsalvationduetohis
beingthefatherofMaharajaPrahlada.
TheLordissokindthathegivesallprotectiontothefamilymembersofHis
devotee,andthusthedevoteehasnoneedtobotherabouthisfamilymembers,
evenifoneleavessuchfamilymembersasidetodischargedevotionalservice
Otherwise[withoutbeinginspiredbyLordKrsna]howisitthatyouhave
voluntarilyappearedhere,thoughyouaremovingincognitotothecommon
manandarenotvisibletouswhoareonthevergeofdeath?
OnewhoisnotauthorizedbytheLordcannotbecomeaspiritualmaster.
AssoonastheLordfindsthataparticularsoulisveryeagertogobackto
Godhead,theLordatoncesendsHisbonafiderepresentative.Thesincere
devoteeisthusassuredbytheLordofgoingbacktoGodhead.
Aspiritualmasterisnotakindofdecorationforahouseholder.Generallya
fashionablematerialistengagesasocalledspiritualmasterwithoutanyprofit.
Thepseudospiritualmasterflattersthesocalleddisciple,andtherebyboththe
masterandhiswardgotohellwithoutadoubt.
MaharajaPariksitistherighttypeofdisciplebecauseheputsforward

questionsvitaltotheinterestofallmen,particularlyforthedyingmen.The
questionputforwardbyMaharajaPariksitisthebasicprincipleofthecomplete
thesisofSrimadBhagavatam
Opowerfulbrahmana,itissaidthatyouhardlystayinthehousesofmenlong
enoughtomilkacow.
Saintsandsagesintherenouncedorderoflifegotothehousesofthe
householdersatthetimetheymilkthecows,earlyinthemorning,andask
somequantityofmilkforsubsistence.Apoundofmilkfreshfromthemilkbag
ofacowissufficienttofeedanadultwithallvitaminvalues,andtherefore
saintsandsagesliveonlyonmilk
Itisthedutyofhouseholderstomaintainthesaintsandsages,likethechildren.

Thehouseholdersalsoshouldbeintelligentenoughtogetsometranscendental
informationfromvisitingsages.Thehouseholdershouldnotfoolishlyaska
sainttodeliverwhatisavailableinthemarket.Thatshouldbethereciprocal
relationbetweenthesaintsandthehouseholders.