The Cosmic Manifestation

Chapter 1

Vasudevayameans"toKrsna,thesonofVasudeva."Sincebychantingthe
nameofKrsna,Vasudeva,onecanachieveallthegoodresultsofcharity,
austerityandpenances,itistobeunderstoodthatbythechantingofthis
mantra,omnamobhagavatevasudevaya,theauthororthespeakeroranyone
ofthereadersofSrimadBhagavatamisofferingrespectfulobeisancesuntothe
SupremeLord,Krsna,thereservoirofallpleasure.
ThedifferentplanetarysystemsaredescribedintheSecondCantoasdifferent
partsoftheuniversalbodyoftheLord.Forthisreason,theSecondCantomay
becalled"TheCosmicManifestation."
AndbecauseLordKrsnawasalwayspleasedwithMaharajaPariksit'sfamily,
atthevergeofMaharajaPariksit'sdeathSukadevaGosvamiwassenttohelp
himintheprocessofselfrealization.
Eventheveryquestionissonicethatitisthebestsubjectmatterforhearing.
Simplybysuchquestioningandhearing,onecanachievethehighest
perfectionalstageoflife.BecauseLordKrsnaistheoriginalSupremePerson,
anyquestionaboutHimisoriginalandperfect.
LordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhusaidthatthehighestperfectionoflifeisto
achievethetranscendentallovingserviceofKrsna.Becausequestionsand
answersaboutKrsnaelevateonetothattranscendentalposition,
MaharajaPariksitwantedtoabsorbhismindcompletelyinKrsna,andsuch
absorptioncanbeeffectedsimplybyhearingabouttheuncommonactivitiesof
Krsna.
Oneisgrhastha,andtheotherisgrhamedhi.Thegrhasthasarethosewholive
togetherwithwifeandchildrenbutlivetranscendentallyforrealizingthe
ultimatetruth.Thegrhamedhis,however,arethosewholiveonlyforthe
benefitofthefamilymembers,extendedorcentralized,andthusareenviousof
others.Thewordmedhiindicatesjealousyofothers.
Thelifetimeofsuchanenvioushouseholderispassedatnighteitherin
sleepingorinsexindulgence,andinthedaytimeeitherinmakingmoneyor
maintainingfamilymembers.
Becausehumanlifeisacombinationofmatterandspiritsoul,thewhole
processofVedicknowledgeisdirectedatliberatingthespiritsoulfromthe
contaminationofmatter.Theknowledgeconcerningthisiscalledatmatattva

Suchmaterialisticmenarecalledkarmis,orfruitivelaborers,andtheyare
allowedregulatedeconomicdevelopmentorassociationofwomanforsex
indulgence.Thosewhoareabovethekarmis,thatis,thejnanis,yogisand
devotees,arestrictlyprohibitedfromsexindulgence.
Thehumanlifeisnotmeantforhardlaborforeconomicdevelopment,norisit
meantforsexindulgencelikethatofthedogsandhogs.Itisspeciallymeant
formakingasolutiontotheproblemsofmateriallifeandthemiseriesthereof.
Sothekarmiswastetheirvaluablehumanlifebysleepingandsexindulgence
atnight,andbylaboringhardinthedaytimetoaccumulatewealth,andafter
doingso,theytrytoimprovethestandardofmaterialisticlife.
Personsdevoidofatmatattvadonotinquireintotheproblemsoflife,beingtoo
attachedtothefalliblesoldierslikethebody,childrenandwife.Although
sufficientlyexperienced,theystilldonotseetheirinevitabledestruction.
Thismaterialworldiscalledtheworldofdeath.Everylivingbeing,beginning
fromBrahma,whosedurationoflifeissomethousandsofmillionsofyears,
downtothegermswholiveforafewsecondsonly,isstrugglingforexistence.
Therefore,thislifeisasortoffightwithmaterialnature,whichimposesdeath
uponall.
Noonewillsurviveinthisstrugglewithmaterialnature.
Otherwise,thelivingsoulisalwaysdifferentfromthematerialnature.The
greatoceanofmaterialnatureistossingwiththewavesoftime,andtheso
calledlivingconditionsaresomethinglikefoamingbubbles,whichappear
beforeusasbodilyself,wife,children,society,countrymen,etc.Duetoalack
ofknowledgeofself,webecomevictimizedbytheforceofignoranceandthus
spoilthevaluableenergyofhumanlifeinavainsearchafterpermanentliving
conditions,whichareimpossibleinthismaterialworld.
Stillwethinkthatwearesafewithintheorbitoffamily,societyorcountry.
Thewholematerialisticadvancementofhumancivilizationislikethe
decorationofadeadbody.Everyoneisadeadbodyflappingonlyforafew
days,andyetalltheenergyofhumanlifeisbeingwastedinthedecorationof
thisdeadbody.

Inthepreviousverse,SriSukadevaGosvamihasdescribedhowthefoolish
materiallyattachedmenarewastingtheirvaluabletimeintheimprovementof
thematerialconditionsoflifebysleeping,indulginginsexlife,developing
economicconditionsandmaintainingabandofrelativeswhoaretobe
vanquishedintheairofoblivion.Beingengagedinallthesematerialistic
activities,thelivingsoulentangleshimselfinthecycleofthelawoffruitive
actions.Thisentailsthechainofbirthanddeathinthe8,400,000speciesof
life:theaquatics,thevegetables,thereptiles,thebirds,thebeasts,the
uncivilizedman,andthenagainthehumanform,whichisthechancefor
gettingoutofthecycleoffruitiveaction.
Therefore,ifonedesiresfreedomfromthisviciouscircle,thenonemustcease
toactasakarmiorenjoyeroftheresultsofone'sownwork,goodorbad.One
shouldnotdoanything,eithergoodorbad,onhisownaccount,butmust

executeeverythingonbehalfoftheSupremeLord,theultimateproprietorof
everythingthatbe
Therefore,oneshouldfirstofallhearabouttheLord.Whenonehasperfectly
andscrutinizinglyheard,onemustglorifyHisactsanddeeds,andthusitwill
becomepossibletorememberconstantlythetranscendentalnatureoftheLord
andbysodoing,onewillbealwaysintheassociationoftheLord.Thisbrings
freedomfromallsortsoffear.
TheLordistheSupersoul(Paramatma)presentintheheartsofallliving
beings,andthusbytheabovehearingandglorifyingprocess,theLordinvites
theassociationofallinHiscreation
Therearemanyclassesofhumanbeings:thefruitiveworkers,theempiric
philosophers,themysticyogis,andultimately,theunalloyeddevotees.Forall
ofthem,oneandthesameprocessisapplicableforachievingthedesired
success.Everyonewantstobefreefromallkindsoffear,andeveryonewants
thefullestextentofhappinessinlife.Theperfectprocessforachievingthis,
hereandnow,isrecommendedintheSrimadBhagavatam,whichisutteredby
suchagreatauthorityasSrilaSukadevaGosvami.Byhearingaboutand
glorifyingtheLord,allaperson'sactivitiesbecomemoldedintospiritual
activities,andthusallconceptionsofmaterialmiseriesbecomecompletely
vanquished.
Thehighestperfectionofhumanlife,achievedeitherbycompleteknowledge
ofmatterandspirit,bypracticeofmysticpowers,orbyperfectdischargeof
occupationalduty,istorememberthePersonalityofGodheadattheendoflife.

Everythingthatiscreated,sustained,andattheendannihilatediswithinthe
compassofthemahattattva(materialprinciple)andisknownasthematerial
world.TheexistenceofNarayana,orthePersonalityofGodhead,isnotwithin
thejurisdictionofthismahattattva,andassuch,thename,form,attributes,etc.
ofNarayanaarebeyondthejurisdictionofthematerialworld.Bythe
speculationofempiricphilosophy,whichdiscernsmatterfromspirit,orby
cultivationofmysticpowers,whichultimatelyhelpstheperformertoreachany
planetoftheuniverseorbeyondtheuniverse,orbydischargeofreligious
duties,onecanachievethehighestperfection,providedoneisabletoreachthe
stageofnarayanasmrti,orconstantremembranceofthePersonalityof
Godhead.
Thisispossibleonlybytheassociationofapuredevotee,whocangivea
finishingtouchtothetranscendentalactivitiesofalljnanis,yogis,orkarmis,in
termsofprescribeddutiesdefinedinthescriptures.
Inotherwords,lifeshouldbemoldedinsuchamannerthatoneisableto
progressivelyrememberthepersonalityofGodheadineverystepoflife.
OKingPariksit,mainlythetopmosttranscendentalists,whoareabovethe
regulativeprinciplesandrestrictions,takepleasureindescribingthegloriesof
theLord.
Aneophyte,whoisintendedtobepromotedtothespiritualplane,isguidedby
thespiritualmasterunderregulativeprinciples.Hemaybecomparedtoa
patientwhoistreatedbyvariousrestrictionsundermedicaljurisdiction.
IntheVedicliteraturesalso,itisconfirmedthattheSupremeLordisone,but
thatHeisengagedinHistranscendentalpastimesinthecompanyofHis
unalloyeddevoteesandthatsimultaneouslyHeispresentastheSupersoul,an
expansionofBaladeva,intheheartofalllivingentities.
Buttherearealsootherswhoarenotthetopmosttranscendentalistsbutareina
lowerstatus,andwhodonottakepleasureindescribingthetranscendental
activitiesoftheLord.Rather,theydiscusssuchactivitiesoftheLordformally
withtheaimofmergingintoHisexistence.
SrimadBhagavatam,or,forthatmatter,anyotherscientificliterature,cannot
bestudiedathomebyone'sownintellectualcapacity.Medicalbooksof
anatomyorphysiologyareavailableinthemarket,butnoonecanbecomea

qualifiedmedicalpractitionersimplybyreadingsuchbooksathome.Onehas
tobeadmittedtothemedicalcollegeandstudythebooksundertheguidance
oflearnedprofessors.Similarly,SrimadBhagavatam,thepostgraduatestudyof
thescienceofGodhead,canonlybelearnedbystudyingitatthefeetofa
realizedsoullikeSrilaVyasadeva

SrimadBhagavatamisbasedonthetranscendentalname,form,attributes,
pastimes,entourageandvariegatednessoftheSupremePerson,anditisspoken
bytheincarnationofthePersonalityofGodhead,SrilaVyasadeva
PastimesoftheLordareexecutedincooperationwithHispuredevotees,and
consequentlyhistoricalincidencesarementionedinthisgreatliteraturebecause
theyarerelatedtoKrsna
TheAbsoluteTruthisrealizedastheimpersonalBrahmanatthefirstinstance
byphilosophicalspeculationandlaterastheSupersoulbyfurtherprogressof
transcendentalknowledge.Butif,bythegraceoftheLord,animpersonalistis
enlightenedbythesuperiorstatementsofSrimadBhagavatam,heisalso
convertedintoatranscendentaldevoteeofthePersonalityofGodhead
Heisneitherinactivenorimpersonal.
Foradvancementofmaterialknowledgethereisaneedforpersonalabilityand
researchingaptitude,butinthecaseofspiritualknowledge,allprogress
dependsmoreorlessonthemercyofthespiritualmaster.Thespiritualmaster
mustbesatisfiedwiththedisciple;onlythenisknowledgeautomatically
manifestbeforethestudentofspiritualscience
SriCaitanyaMahaprabhuisLordKrsnaHimselfinHisdevotionalattitude,
descendedonearthtobestowspecialfavorsuponthefallensoulsofthisageof
Kali.
MaharajaPariksitattainedsalvationbyhearingonly,andSukadevaGosvami
attainedsalvationonlybyreciting.Recitationandhearingaretwoprocesses
outofninedevotionalactivities,andbystrenuouslyfollowingtheprinciples,
eitherinallorbyparts,onecanattaintheabsoluteplane.
InthePadmaPurana,itismentionedthatGautamaMuniadvisedMaharaja
AmbarisatohearregularlySrimadBhagavatamasitwasrecitedbySukadeva
Gosvami,andhereinitisconfirmedthatMaharajaAmbarisaheardSrimad
Bhagavatamfromtheverybeginningtotheend,asitwasspokenbySukadeva
Gosvami.OnewhoisactuallyinterestedintheBhagavatam,therefore,must
notplaywithitbyreadingorhearingaportionfromhereandaportionfrom
there;onemustfollowinthefootstepsofgreatkingslikeMaharajaAmbarisa

orMaharajaPariksitandhearitfromabonafiderepresentativeofSukadeva
Gosvami.
OKing,constantchantingoftheholynameoftheLordafterthewaysofthe
greatauthoritiesisthedoubtlessandfearlesswayofsuccessforall,including
thosewhoarefreefromallmaterialdesires,thosewhoaredesirousofall
materialenjoyment,andalsothosewhoareselfsatisfiedbydintof
transcendentalknowledge.

Generallythepersonsarematerialistswhodesiretoenjoythefullestextentof
materialgratification.Nexttothemarethetranscendentalists,whohave
attainedperfectknowledgeaboutthenatureofmaterialenjoymentandthusare
alooffromsuchanillusorywayoflife.Moreorless,theyaresatisfiedin
themselvesbyselfrealization.AbovethemarethedevoteesoftheLord,who
neitheraspiretoenjoythematerialworldnordesiretogetoutofit.Theyare
afterthesatisfactionoftheLord,SriKrsna
Inotherwords,thedevoteesoftheLorddonotwantanythingontheirpersonal
account.IftheLorddesires,thedevoteescanacceptallsortsofmaterial
facilities,andiftheLorddoesnotdesirethis,thedevoteescanleaveasideall
sortsoffacilities,evenuptothelimitofsalvation.Noraretheyselfsatisfied,
becausetheywantthesatisfactionoftheLordonly.
ByoffenselesschantingandhearingoftheholynameoftheLord,one
becomesacquaintedwiththetranscendentalformoftheLord,andthen
withtheattributesoftheLord,andthenwiththetranscendentalnatureof
Hispastimes,etc.
OnecandeliverhimselffromalloffensesatthefeetoftheLordbytaking
shelterofHisholyname.Butonecannotprotecthimselfifonecommitsan
offenseatthefeetoftheholynameoftheLord.
SuchoffensesarementionedinthePadmaPuranaasbeingteninnumber.
Thefirstoffenseistovilifythegreatdevoteeswhohavepreachedaboutthe
gloriesoftheLord.
ThesecondoffenseistoseetheholynamesoftheLordintermsofworldly
distinction.TheLordistheproprietorofalltheuniverses,andthereforeHe
maybeknownindifferentplacesbydifferentnames,butthatdoesnotinany
wayqualifythefullnessoftheLord.Anynomenclaturewhichismeantforthe
SupremeLordisasholyastheothersbecausetheyareallmeantfortheLord.
SuchholynamesareaspowerfulastheLord,andthereisnobarforanyonein
anypartofthecreationtochantandglorifytheLordbytheparticularnameof

theLordasitislocallyunderstood.Theyareallauspicious,andoneshouldnot
distinguishsuchnamesoftheLordasmaterialcommodities.
Thethirdoffenseistoneglecttheordersoftheauthorizedacaryasorspiritual
masters.
ThefourthoffenseistovilifyscripturesorVedicknowledge.
ThefifthoffenseistodefinetheholynameoftheLordintermsofone's
mundanecalculation.TheholynameoftheLordisidenticalwiththeLord
Himself,andoneshouldunderstandtheholynameoftheLordtobe
nondifferentfromHim.
Thesixthoffenseistointerprettheholyname.TheLordisnotimaginary,nor
isHisholyname.Therearepersonswithapoorfundofknowledgewhothink
theLordtobeanimaginationoftheworshiperandthereforethinkHisholy
nametobeimaginary.SuchachanterofthenameoftheLordcannotachieve
thedesiredsuccessinthematterofchantingtheholyname.
Theseventhoffenseistocommitsinsintentionallyonthestrengthoftheholy
name.Inthescripturesitissaidthatonecanbeliberatedfromtheeffectsofall
sinfulactionssimplybychantingtheholynameoftheLord.Onewhotakes
advantageofthistranscendentalmethodandcontinuestocommitsinsonthe
expectationofneutralizingtheeffectsofsinsbychantingtheholynameofthe
Lordisthegreatestoffenderatthefeetoftheholyname.Suchanoffender
cannotpurifyhimselfbyanyrecommendedmethodofpurification.Inother
words,onemaybeasinfulmanbeforechantingtheholynameoftheLord,but
aftertakingshelterintheholynameoftheLordandbecomingimmune,one
shouldstrictlyrestrainoneselffromcommittingsinfulactswithahopethathis
methodofchantingtheholynamewillgivehimprotection.
TheeighthoffenseistoconsidertheholynameoftheLordandHischanting
methodtobeequaltosomematerialauspiciousactivity.Therearevarious
kindsofgoodworksformaterialbenefits,buttheholynameandHischanting
arenotmereauspiciousholyservices.Undoubtedlytheholynameisholy
service,butHeshouldneverbeutilizedforsuchpurposes.Sincetheholyname
andtheLordareofoneandthesameidentity,oneshouldnottrytobringthe
holynameintotheserviceofmankind.TheideaisthattheSupremeLordisthe
supremeenjoyer.Heisnoone'sservantorordersupplier.Similarly,sincethe
holynameoftheLordisidenticalwiththeLord,oneshouldnottrytoutilize
theholynameforone'spersonalservice.
Theninthoffenseistoinstructthosewhoarenotinterestedinchantingtheholy
nameoftheLordaboutthetranscendentalnatureoftheholyname,ifsuch
instructionisimpartedtoanunwillingaudience,theactisconsideredtobean
offenseatthefeetoftheholyname.

ThetenthoffenseistobecomeuninterestedintheholynameoftheLordeven
afterhearingofthetranscendentalnatureoftheholyname.Theeffectof
chantingtheholynameoftheLordisperceivedbythechanterasliberation
fromtheconceptionoffalseegoism.Falseegoismisexhibitedbythinking
oneselftobetheenjoyeroftheworldandthinkingeverythingintheworldto
bemeantfortheenjoymentofone'sselfonly.Thewholematerialisticworldis
movingundersuchfalseegoismof"I"and"mine,"butthefactualeffectof
chantingtheholynameistobecomefreefromsuchmisconceptions.
InordertoencouragetheDing,whohadonlysevenremainingdaysoflife,
SrilaSukadevaGosvamiassertedthatthereisnouseinlivinghundredsof
yearswithoutanyknowledgeoftheproblemsoflifebettertolivefora
momentwithfullconsciousnessofthesupremeinteresttobefulfilled.
Thosewhoarebewilderedbytheexternalfeaturesofthematerialworldand
areengagedintheanimalpropensitiesoftheeatdrinkandbemerrytypeof
lifearesimplywastingtheirlivesbytheunseenpassingawayofvaluable
years.Weshouldknowinperfectconsciousnessthathumanlifeisbestowed
upontheconditionedsoultoachievespiritualsuccess,andtheeasiestpossible
proceduretoattainthisendistochanttheholynameoftheLord.
ExceptfortheLordHimself,everyoneissubordinate;nooneisindependentof
theLord.Sincenooneismorepowerfulthanorequaltotheenergyofthe
SupremeLord,noone'snamecanbeaspowerfulasthatoftheLord.
ThepowerfulholynameoftheLordcancertainlydeliveronefromsinful
effects,butonewhodesirestoutilizethistranscendentalpotencyoftheholy
nameoftheLordinone'ssinisteractivitiesisthemostdegradedpersoninthe
world
Oneshould,therefore,utilizeone'slifeinglorifyingtheLordbyallmeans,
withoutanyoffense.
MaharajaKhatvangaismentionedhereinasasaintlykingbecauseevenwithin
theresponsibilityofthestatemanagement,hewasnotatallforgetfulofthe
primedutyoflife.Suchwasthecasewithotherrajarsis(saintlykings),like
MaharajaYudhisthiraandMaharajaPariksit.Theywereallexemplary
personalitiesonaccountoftheirbeingalertindischargingtheirprimeduty.
MaharajaKhatvangawasinvitedbythedemigodsinthehigherplanetstofight
demons,andasakinghefoughtthebattlestothefullsatisfactionofthe
demigods.Thedemigods,beingfullysatisfiedwithhim,wantedtogivehim
somebenedictionformaterialenjoyment,butMaharajaKhatvanga,beingvery
muchalerttohisprimeduty,inquiredfromthedemigodsabouthisremaining
durationoflife.
Hewasinformedbythedemigods,however,thathislifewouldlastonlya

momentlonger.Thekingatoncelefttheheavenlykingdom,whichisalways
fullofmaterialenjoymentofthehigheststandard,andcomingdowntothis
earth,tookultimateshelteroftheallsafePersonalityofGodhead.Hewas
successfulinhisgreatattemptandachievedliberation.Thisattempt,evenfora
moment,bythesaintlyking,wassuccessfulbecausehewasalwaysalerttohis
primeduty.
Atthelaststageofone'slife,oneshouldbeboldenoughnottobeafraidof

death.Butonemustcutoffallattachmenttothematerialbodyandeverything
pertainingtoitandalldesiresthereof.
Whilesleeping,weforgeteverythingaboutthisbodyandbodilyrelations,
althoughthisforgetfulnessisatemporarysituationforonlyafewhours.

Oneisthereforerequiredtogiveuptheattachmenttofamilyorsocialor
politicallifejustattheageoffiftyyears,ifnotearlier,andthetraininginthe
vanaprasthaandsannyasaasramasisgivenforpreparationofthenextlife.
Thebestthingis,therefore,thateveryonevoluntarilygiveupfamilyrelations
bytransferringattachmentfromfamily,society,country,andeverything
thereoftothedevotionalserviceoftheLord.Itisstatedhereinthatoneshould
giveupalldesiresoffamilyattachment.
Onemusthaveachanceforbetterdesires;otherwisethereisnochanceof
givingupsuchmorbiddesires.Desireistheconcomitantfactoroftheliving
entity.Thelivingentityiseternal,andthereforehisdesires,whicharenatural
foralivingbeing,arealsoeternal.Onecannot,therefore,stopdesiring,butthe
subjectmatterfordesirescanbechanged.Soonemustdevelopthedesiresfor
returningbackhome,backtoGodhead,andautomaticallythedesiresfor
materialgain,materialhonorandmaterialpopularitywilldiminishin
proportiontothedevelopmentofdevotionalservice.
Alivingbeingismeantforserviceactivities,andhisdesiresarecentered
aroundsuchaserviceattitude.Beginningfromthetopexecutiveheadofthe
statedowntotheinsignificantpauperinthestreet,allarerenderingsomesort
ofservicetoothers.Theperfectionofsuchaserviceattitudeisonlyattained
simplybytransferringthedesireofservicefrommattertospirit,orfrom
SatantoGod.
Oneshouldleavehomeandpracticeselfcontrol.Inasacredplaceheshould
batheregularlyandsitdowninalonelyplacedulysanctified.
afterretirementeveryoneexpectstoliveaverycomfortablelifeinawell
furnishedhomedecoratedwithfineladiesandchildren,withoutanydesireto

getoutofsuchacomfortablehome.butsuddenlycrueldeathcomeswithout
mercyandtakesawaythegreatplanmakeragainsthisdesire,forcinghimto
giveupthepresentbodyforanotherbody.Suchaplanmakeristhusforcedto
acceptanotherbodyinoneofthe8,400,000speciesoflifeaccordingtothe
fruitsoftheworkhehasperformed.
thusalltheenergyofthehumanlifeisspoiled.
Theholyplacesallovertheworldaremeantfortheresidentialpurposesof
retiredpersonsgettingreadyforabetternextlife.Intelligentpersonsmustgo
thereattheendoflife,andforthatmatter,afterfiftyyearsofage,tolivealife
ofspiritualregenerationforthesakeofbeingfreedfromfamilyattachment,
whichisconsideredtohetheshackleofmateriallife.
aslongasoneismateriallyattachedonecannotunderstandspiritualfreedom.

Oneshouldnot,however,becomeselfcomplacentsimplybyleavinghomeor
bycreatinganotherhomeattheholyplace,eitherlawfullyorunlawfully.Many
personsleavehomeandgotosuchholyplaces,butduetobadassociation,
againbecomefamilymenbyillicitconnectionwiththeoppositesex.
Therefore,itisessentialthatonepracticeselfcontrolbycelibacywithoutthe
leastdesireforsexindulgence.Foramandesiringtoimprovetheconditionof
hisexistence,sexindulgenceisconsideredsuicidal,orevenworse.Therefore,
toliveapartfromfamilylifemeanstobecomeselfcontrolledinregardtoall
sensedesires,especiallysexdesires.
Themethodisthatoneshouldhaveadulysanctifiedsittingplacemadeof
straw,deerskinandcarpet,andthussittingonitoneshouldchanttheholy
nameoftheLordwithoutoffense,asprescribedabove.Thewholeprocessis
todragthemindfrommaterialengagementsandfixitonthelotusfeetof
theLord.
Aftersittingintheabovemanner,makethemindrememberthethree
transcendentalletters[aum],andbyregulatingthebreathingprocess,control
themindsoasnottoforgetthetranscendentalseed.
Byitschantingbythemind,inconjunctionwiththebreathingprocess,which
isatranscendentalbutmechanicalwayofgettingintotrance,asdevisedbythe
experienceofgreatmystics,oneisabletobringthemind,whichismaterially
absorbed,undercontrol.
Thisisthewayofchangingthehabitofthemind.Themindisnottobekilled.
Mindordesirecannotbestopped,buttodevelopadesiretofunctionfor

spiritualrealization,thequalityofengagementbythemindhastobechanged.
Themindisthepivotoftheactivesenseorgans,andassuchifthequalityof
thinking,feelingandwillingischanged,naturallythequalityofactionsbythe
instrumentalsenseswillalsochange.
Omkaraistheseedofalltranscendentalsoundanditisonlythetranscendental
soundwhichcanbringaboutthedesiredchangeofthemindandthesenses.
Evenamentallyderangedmancanbecuredbytreatmentoftranscendental
sound.
Butpersonswhoareunabletorealizethetranscendentalpersonalformorname
oftheLordonaccountoftheirimperfectsenses(inotherwords,theneophytes)
aretrainedtothepracticeofselfrealizationbythismechanicalprocessof
regulatingthebreathingfunctionandsimultaneouslyrepeatingthepranava
(omkara)withinthemind.
ThedevoteesdirectlyfixtheirmindsonthePersonoftheAbsoluteTruth.But
onewhoisunabletoaccommodatesuchpersonalfeaturesoftheAbsoluteis
disciplinedinimpersonalitytotrainthemindtomakefurtherprogress.
Gradually,asthemindbecomesprogressivelyspiritualized,withdrawitfrom
senseactivities,andbyintelligencethesenseswillbecontrolled.Themindtoo
absorbedinmaterialactivitiescanbeengagedintheserviceofthePersonality
ofGodheadandbecomefixedinfulltranscendentalconsciousness.
Theultimatestateofthispranayamasystemistobefixedintrance,technically
calledsamadhi.Butexperiencehasproventhateventhesamadhistagealso
failstocontrolthemateriallyabsorbedmind.Forexample,thegreatmystic
VisvamitraMuni,eveninthestageofsamadhi,becameavictimofthesenses
andcohabitedwithMenaka.
Themind,althoughceasingtothinkofsensualactivitiesatpresent,remembers
pastsensualactivitiesfromthesubconsciousstatusandthusdisturbsonefrom
centpercentengagementinselfrealization.Therefore,SukadevaGosvami
recommendsthenextstepofassuredpolicy,namelytofixone'smindinthe
serviceofthePersonalityofGodhead.LordSriKrsna,theSupremePersonality
ofGodhead,alsorecommendsthisdirectprocessintheBhagavadgita(6.47).
Thus,themindbeingspirituallycleansed,oneshouldatonceengagehimselfin
thetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLordbythedifferentdevotional
activitiesofhearing,chanting,etc.Ifperformedunderproperguidance,thatis
thesurestpathofprogress,evenforthedisturbedmind.
Thereafter,youshouldmeditateuponthelimbsofVisnu,oneafteranother,
withoutbeingdeviatedfromtheconceptionofthecompletebody.Thusthe
mindbecomesfreefromallsenseobjects.Thereshouldbenootherthingtobe
thoughtupon.BecausetheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,Visnu,isthe

UltimateTruth,themindbecomescompletelyreconciledinHimonly.
Foolishpersons,bewilderedbytheexternalenergyofVisnu,donotknowthat
theultimategoaloftheprogressivesearchafterhappinessistogetintouch
directlywithLordVisnu,thePersonalityofGodhead.
Therefore,thinkingofVisnuormeditatinguponthetranscendentalformof
Visnu,specificallyuponLordKrsna,isthelastwordonthesubjectof
meditation.
ThismeditationmaybebegunfromthelotusfeetoftheLord.Oneshouldnot,
however,forgetorbemisledfromthecompleteformoftheLord;thusone
shouldpracticethinkingofthedifferentpartsofHistranscendentalbody,one
afteranother.
Otherwise,meditationbeginningfromthepranava(omkara)uptothelimbsof
thepersonalbodyofVisnuwouldnothavebeenrecommendedbySukadeva
Gosvamifortheattainmentofcompletespiritualperfection.

Therefore,aneophyte'sconcentrationormeditationuponthelimbsofVisnuin
thetemple,ascontemplatedintherevealedscriptures,isaneasyopportunity
formeditationforpersonswhoareunabletositdowntightlyatoneplaceand
thenconcentrateuponpranavaomkaraorthelimbsofthebodyofVisnu,as
recommendedhereinbySukadevaGosvami,thegreatauthority.Thecommon
mancanbenefitmorebymeditatingontheformofVisnuinthetemplethanon
theomkara,thespiritualcombinationofaumasexplainedbefore.
One'smindisalwaysagitatedbythepassionatemodeofmaterialnatureand
bewilderedbytheignorantmodeofnature.Butonecanrectifysuch
conceptionsbytherelationofVisnuandthusbecomepacifiedbycleansingthe
dirtythingscreatedbythem.
Onlypersonsconductedbythemodeofgoodnesscanhavetheknowledgeof
theSupremeTruth.Effectsofthemodesofpassionandignoranceare
manifestedbytoomuchhankeringafterwealthandwomen
Andthosewhoaretoomuchafterwealthandwomencanrectifytheir
leaningsonlybyconstantremembranceofVisnuinHispotential
impersonalfeature.Generallytheimpersonalistsormonistsareinfluencedby
themodesofpassionandignorance.Suchimpersonaliststhinkofthemselves
asliberatedsouls,buttheyhavenoknowledgeofthetranscendentalpersonal
featureoftheAbsoluteTruth.Actuallytheyareimpureinheartonaccountof

beingdevoidofknowledgeofthepersonalfeatureoftheAbsolute.Inthe
Bhagavadgita,itissaidthataftermanyhundredsofbirths,theimpersonal
philosophersurrendersuntothePersonalityofGodhead.
EverythingcreatedbythematerialenergycanbedovetailedwiththeAbsolute
byanattitudeofservice,whichistheessentialpartoflivingenergy.Thepure
devoteeoftheLordknowstheartofconvertingeverythingintoitsspiritual
existencebythisserviceattitude,andonlyinthatdevotionalwaycanthe
theoryofpantheismbeperfected.
OKing,bythissystemofremembranceandbybeingfixedinthehabitof
seeingtheallgoodpersonalconceptionoftheLord,onecanverysoon
attaindevotionalservicetotheLord,underHisdirectshelter.
Successofmysticperformancesisachievedonlybythehelpofthedevotional
attitude.Pantheism,orthesystemoffeelingthepresenceoftheAlmighty
everywhere,isasortoftrainingofthemindtobecomeaccustomedtothe
devotionalconception,anditisthisdevotionalattitudeofthemysticthat
makespossiblethesuccessfulterminationofsuchmysticattempts.
Thedevotionalatmospherecreatedbypantheisticvisiondevelopsinto
devotionalserviceinlaterdays,andthatistheonlybenefitforthe
impersonalist.
ThefortunateKingPariksit,inquiringfurther,said:Obrahmana,please
describeinfulldetailhowandwherethemindhastobeappliedandhowthe
conceptioncanbefixedsothatthedirtythingsinaperson'smindcanbe
removed.
HeisactuallymeanttoservethewilloftheSupremeLord,butonaccountof
thedirtythingsintheheart,helikestoservehisconcocteddesires.These
desires,insteadofgivinghimanypeaceofmind,createnewproblemsandthus
bindhimtothecycleofrepeatedbirthanddeath.Thesedirtythingsoffruitive
workandempiricphilosophycanberemovedonlybyassociationwiththe
SupremeLord.TheLord,beingomnipotent,canofferHisassociationbyHis
inconceivablepotencies.Thuspersonswhoareunabletopintheirfaithonthe
personalfeatureoftheAbsolutearegivenachancetoassociatewithHisvirat
rupa,orthecosmicimpersonalfeatureoftheLord.
Sincethepotentandpotenciesareidentical,eventheconceptionofHis
impersonalcosmicfeaturehelpstheconditionedsoultoassociatewiththeLord
indirectlyandthusgraduallyrisetothestageofpersonalcontact.

SukadevaGosvamianswered:Oneshouldcontrolthesittingposture,regulate
thebreathingprocessbytheyogicpranayamaandthuscontrolthemindand
sensesandwithintelligenceapplythemindtothegrosspotenciesoftheLord
[calledtheviratrupa].
Themateriallyabsorbedmindoftheconditionedsouldoesnotallowhimto
transcendthelimitofthebodilyconceptionofself,andthustheyogasystem
formeditation(controllingthesittingpostureandbreathingprocessandfixing
themindupontheSupreme)isprescribedinordertomoldthecharacterofthe
grossmaterialist.
Thematerialisticmenareveryanxioustohavesomemysticpowersasaresult
ofsuchacontrollingprocess,buttherealpurposeofyogicregulationsisto
eradicatetheaccumulateddirtythingslikelust,anger,avariceandall
suchmaterialcontaminations.
Ifthemysticyogiisdivertedbytheaccompanyingfeatsofmysticcontrol,then
hismissionofyogicsuccessisafailure,becausetheultimateaimisGod
realization.Heisthereforerecommendedtofixhisgrossmaterialisticmindby
adifferentconceptionandthusrealizethepotencyoftheLord.
Thisgiganticmanifestationofthephenomenalmaterialworldasawholeisthe
personalbodyoftheAbsoluteTruth,whereintheuniversalresultantpast,
presentandfutureofmaterialtimeisexperienced.

AlthoughHeisinHisabode,Hisenergyisdistributedeverywhere,justasthe
sunislocalizedaswellasexpandedeverywhere,sincetheraysofthesun,
beingnondifferentfromthesun,areacceptedasexpansionsofthesundisc.In
theVisnuPurana(1.22.52)itissaidthatasfireexpandsitsraysandheatfrom
oneplace,similarlytheSupremeSpirit,thePersonalityofGodhead,expands
HimselfbyHismanifoldenergyeverywhereandanywhere.
ThephenomenalmanifestationofthegiganticuniverseisonlyapartofHis
viratbody.Lessintelligentmencannotconceiveofthetranscendentalall
spiritualformoftheLord,buttheyareastoundedbyHisdifferentenergies,just
astheaboriginesarestruckwithwonderbythemanifestationoflightning,a
giganticmountainorahugelyexpandedbanyantree.Theaboriginespraisethe
strengthofthetigerandtheelephantbecauseoftheirsuperiorenergyand
strength.
LordKrsna,bytherequestofArjuna,exhibitedHisviratrupafortheasuras.
ThisviratrupaoftheLordwasespeciallymanifested,notforthebenefitof
Arjuna,butforthatunintelligentclassofmenwhoacceptanyoneandeveryone

asanincarnationoftheLordandsomisleadthegeneralmassofpeople.For
them,theindicationisthatoneshouldaskthecheapincarnationtoexhibithis
viratrupaandthusbeestablishedasanincarnation.Theviratrupa
manifestationoftheLordissimultaneouslyachallengetotheatheistanda
favorfortheasuras,whocanthinkoftheLordasviratandthusgradually
cleansethedirtythingsfromtheirheartsinordertobecomequalifiedto
actuallyseethetranscendentalformoftheLordinthenearfuture.Thisisa
favoroftheallmercifulLordtotheatheistsandthegrossmaterialists.
Theycanseeonlythecircularskyoverhead,withoutanyinformationthatthis
universe,aswellasmanyotherhundredsofthousandsofuniverses,areeach
coveredbysevenfoldmaterialcoveringsofwater,fire,air,sky,ego,noumenon
andmaterialnature,justlikeahugefootball,pumpedandcovered,floatingon
thewateroftheCausalOcean,whereintheLordislyingasMahaVisnu.All
theuniversesinseedareemanatingfromthebreathingoftheMahaVisnu,who
isbutpartofapartialexpansionoftheLord,andalltheuniversespresided
overbytheBrahmasvanishwhentheMahaVisnuwithdrawsHisgreatbreath.
TheconceptionoftheuniversalformoftheLordgivesachancetothe
materialisttothinkoftheSupremeLord,butthematerialistmustknowfor
certainthathisvisualizationoftheworldinaspiritoflordingoveritisnotGod
realization.Thematerialisticviewofexploitationofthematerialresourcesis
occasionedbytheillusionoftheexternalenergyoftheLord,andassuch,if
anyonewantstorealizetheSupremeTruthbyconceivingoftheuniversal
formoftheLord,hemustcultivatetheserviceattitude.Unlesstheservice
attitudeisrevived,theconceptionofviratrealizationwillhaveverylittleeffect
ontheseer.
ThetranscendentalLord,inanyconceptionofHisform,isneverapartofthe
materialcreation.HekeepsHisidentityasSupremeSpiritinallcircumstances
andisneveraffectedbythethreematerialqualities,foreverythingmaterialis
contaminated.TheLordalwaysexistsbyHisinternalenergy.
Theuniverseisdividedintofourteenplanetarysystems.Sevenplanetary
systems,calledBhur,Bhuvar,Svar,Mahar,Janas,TapasandSatya,areupward
planetarysystems,oneabovetheother.Therearealsosevenplanetarysystems
downward,knownasAtala,Vitala,Sutala,Talatala,Mahatala,Rasatalaand
Patala,gradually,onebelowtheother
theSatyalokaplanetarysystem,wherethechiefdirectorsofthemodesof
materialnaturereside,namelyVisnu,BrahmaandSiva.ThisVisnuisknown
astheKsirodakasayiVisnu,andHeactsastheSupersoulineverylivingbeing.
ThereareinnumerableuniversesfloatingontheCausalOcean,andineachof
themtherepresentationoftheviratformoftheLordistherealongwith
innumerablesuns,moons,heavenlydemigods,Brahmas,VisnusandSivas,all

ofthemsituatedinonepartoftheinconceivablepotencyofLordKrsna,as
statedintheBhagavadgita(10.42).
Theconceptionoftheviratpurusa,orthegiganticformoftheSupremeLord,
issaidtoincludeallthedominatingdemigodsaswellasthedominatedliving
beings.Eventheminutestpartofalivingbeingiscontrolledbytheempowered
agencyoftheLord.Sincethedemigodsareincludedinthegiganticformofthe
Lord,worshipoftheLord,whetherinHisgiganticmaterialconceptionorin
HiseternaltranscendentalformasLordSriKrsna,alsoappeasesthedemigods
andalltheotherpartsandparcels,asmuchaswateringtherootofatree
distributesenergytoallofthetree'sotherparts.Consequently,foramaterialist
also,worshipoftheuniversalgiganticformoftheLordleadsonetotheright
path.Oneneednotriskbeingmisledbyapproachingmanydemigodsfor
fulfillmentofdifferentdesires.
TherealentityistheLordHimself,andallothersareimaginary,foreverything
isincludedinHimonly.
Onecan,however,worshiptheLordevenbyseeingthehillsandmountainsor
theoceanandtheskyasdifferentpartsandparcelsofthegiganticbodyofthe
Lord,theviratpurusa.
TheVedassaythattheSupremeLordhasnothingtodopersonally,asis
alwaysthecasewithsuperiors,buteverythingisdonebyHisdirection.Asitis
said,notabladeofgrassmoveswithoutHissanction.

IntheBrahmasamhita(5.48),itissaidthatalltheuniversesandtheheadsof
them(theBrahmas)existonlyforthedurationofHisbreathingperiod.The
sameisconfirmedhere.Theaironwhichtheuniversesandtheplanetswithin
theuniversesexistisnothingbutabitofthebreathoftheunchallengeable
viratpurusa.Soevenbystudyingtherivers,trees,airandpassingages,one
canconceiveofthePersonalityofGodheadwithoutbeingmisledbythe
formlessconceptionoftheLord.
Thecelestialspeciesofhumanbeings,liketheGandharvasandVidyadharas,
cansingwonderfullyandcanenticeeventhemindsoftheheavenlydemigods.
TheirmusicalrhythmrepresentsthemusicalsenseoftheLord.Howthencan
Hebeimpersonal?
TheManusamhitaisthestandardlawbookforhumanity,andeveryhuman

beingisadvisedtofollowthisgreatbookofsocialknowledge.Humansociety
istheresidentialquartersfortheLord.Thismeansthatthehumanbeingis
meantforGodrealizationandassociationwithGod.Thislifeisachancefor
theconditionedsoultoregainhiseternalGodconsciousnessandthusfulfillthe
missionoflife
Disruptioninthematterofdischargingthespecificdutyassignedtoeachand
everylivingbeingisthecauseofdisharmonybetweenonelivingbeingand
another,butwhentherelationisreestablishedinrelationwiththeSupreme
Lord,thereiscompleteunitybetweenalllivingbeings,evenuptothelimitof
thewildanimalsandhumansociety.
LordCaitanyaMahaprabhudisplayedthislivingunityinthejungleofMadhya
Pradesh,whereeventhetigers,elephantsandmanyotherferociousanimals
perfectlycooperatedinglorifyingtheSupremeLord.Thatisthewaytopeace
andamityallovertheworld.
Theintelligentclassofmen,orbrahmanas,maygivedirectionforsuch
sacrificesinconsultationwiththepreviousacaryas;theadministratorsmay
giveallfacilitiestoperformsuchsacrifices;thevaisyaclassormercantile
community,whoproducesuchgoods,mayofferthemforsacrifice;andthe
sudraclassmayoffertheirmanuallaborforthesuccessfulterminationofsuch
sacrifice.Thusbythecooperationofallclassesofhumanbeings,thesacrifice
recommendedinthisage,namelythesacrificeofcongregationalchantingof
theholynameoftheLord,maybeexecutedforthecommonwelfareofallthe
peopleoftheworld.

IntheBhagavadgita(9.10),theSupremePersonalityofGodheadhasverily
explainedthatthematerialnatureisonlyanordercarryingagentofHis.Sheis
oneofthedifferentpotenciesoftheLord,andsheactsunderHisdirection
only.AsthesupremetranscendentalLord,Hesimplycastsaglanceoverthe
materialprinciple,andthustheagitationofmatterbegins,andtheresultant
actionsaremanifestedoneafteranotherbysixkindsofgradual
differentiations.
Ihavethusexplainedtoyouthegrossmaterialgiganticconceptionofthe
PersonalityofGodhead.Onewhoseriouslydesiresliberationconcentrateshis
mindonthisformoftheLord,becausethereisnothingmorethanthisinthe

materialworld.
HeconcludesthatthereisnothingbeyondthisgiganticfeatureoftheLord.
Noneofthematerialisticthoughtfulmencangobeyondthisconceptionofthe
giganticform.Themindsofthematerialisticmenareflickeringandconstantly
changingfromoneaspecttoanother.Therefore,oneisadvisedtothinkofthe
LordbythinkingofanypartofHisgiganticbody,andbyone'sintelligence
onlyonecanthinkofHiminanymanifestationofthematerialworldthe
forest,thehill,theocean,theman,theanimal,thedemigod,thebird,thebeast
oranythingelse.
EverythingbeingapartandparceloftheCompleteWhole,theneophyte
studentwillgraduallyrealizethehymnsofIsopanisadwhichstatethatthe
SupremeLordiseverywhere,andthushewilllearntheartofnotcommitting
anyoffensetothebodyoftheLord.
Thusonecanlearntoshowrespecttoeverything,forallthingsarepartsand
parcelsofthesupremebody.
OnemustconcentratethemindonHim,theonlyallblissfulAbsoluteTruth.
Otherwiseonewillbemisledandwillcausehisowndegradation.
Hetriestoimpressuponusthatinsteadofdivertingourattentiontoseveral
branchesofselfrealization,weshouldconcentrateupontheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadasthesupremeobjectofrealization,worshipand
devotion.

Selfrealizationis,asitwere,offeringafightforeternallifeagainstthe
materialstruggleforexistence,andthereforebytheillusorygraceofthe
externalenergy,theyogiorthedevoteeisfacedwithmanyallurementswhich
canentangleagreatfighteragaininthebondageofmaterialexistence.Ayogi
canattainmiraculoussuccessesinmaterialachievements,suchasanimaand
laghima,bywhichonecanbecomemoreminutethantheminutestorlighter
thanthelightest,orintheordinarysense,onemayachievematerial
benedictionsintheshapeofwealthandwomen.Butoneiswarnedagainst
suchallurementsbecauseentanglementagaininsuchillusorypleasuremeans

degradationoftheselfandfurtherimprisonmentinthematerialworld.Bythis
warning,oneshouldfollowone'svigilantintelligenceonly.
Whenamanseesanything,hemustknowthathisseeingissecondaryandthe
Lord'sseeingisprimary.OnecannotseeanythingwithouttheLord'shaving
firstseenit.ThatistheinstructionoftheVedasandtheUpanisads.So
whateverweseeordo,theSupersoulofallactsofseeingordoingistheLord.
Theviratrupa,orthegiganticfeatureoftheSupremeLord,includes
everythingmateriallymanifested,andthereforetheviratorgiganticfeatureof
theLordistheSupersoulofalllivingandnonlivingentities.Buttheviratrupa
isalsothemanifestationofNarayanaorVisnu,andgoingfurtheronandonone
willeventuallyseethatLordKrsnaistheultimateSupersoulofeverythingthat
be.
TheconclusionisthatoneshouldunhesitatinglybecomeaworshiperofLord
Krsna,or,forthatmatter,HisplenaryexpansionNarayana,andnoneelse.In
theVedichymns,itisclearlysaidthatfirstofallNarayanacastaglanceover
matterandthustherewascreation.Beforecreation,therewasneitherBrahma
norSiva,andwhattospeakofothers.
BeinganemanationfromtheglancingpotencyofNarayana,thewholematerial
creationisnondifferentfromHim.ButbecauseitistheeffectofHisexternal
energy(bahirangamaya)andisalooffromtheinternalpotency(atmamaya),
thewholematerialcreationisdifferentfromHimatthesametime.
Thehumanlife,however,isanopportunitytogetoutofthisrepetitionof
creationandannihilation.ItisameanswherebyonemayescapetheLord's
externalpotencyandenterintoHisinternalpotency.
Chapter2

SriSukadevaGosvamisaid:Formerly,priortothemanifestationofthe
cosmos,LordBrahma,bymeditatingontheviratrupa,regainedhislost
consciousnessbyappeasingtheLord.Thushewasabletorebuildthecreation
asitwasbefore.

Beingtheincarnationofthepassionmodeofmaterialnature,heisempowered
bytheLordtogeneratethebeautifulmaterialmanifestation.Yetduetohis
beingoneofthenumerouslivingentities,heisapttoforgettheanofhis
creativeenergy.ThisforgetfulnessofthelivingbeingbeginningfromBrahma
downtothelowestinsignificantantisatendencywhichcanbecounteracted
bymeditationontheviratrupaoftheLord

Thisascertainedknowledgeofthelivingbeingleadstolovingservicetothe
Lord,whichthelivingbeingrequires.ThekingdomofGodisunlimited;
thereforethenumberoftheassistinghandsoftheLordisalsounlimited.
Theconditionedsoul,eveninthepositionofaBrahma,forgetsthisbythe
influenceofillusory,materialenergygeneratedoutoffalseegoism.Onecan
counteractsuchfalseegoismbyinvokingGodconsciousness.
Liberationmeansgettingoutoftheslumberofforgetfulnessandbecoming
situatedinthereallovingserviceoftheLord,asexemplifiedinthecaseof
Brahma.TheserviceofBrahmaisthesampleofserviceinliberation
distinguishedfromthesocalledaltruisticservicesfullofmistakesand
forgetfulness.Liberationisneverinaction,butservicewithouthumanmistakes.
ThewayofpresentationoftheVedicsoundsissobewilderingthatitdirectsthe
intelligenceofthepeopletomeaninglessthingsliketheheavenlykingdoms.
Theconditionedsoulshoverindreamsofsuchheavenlyillusorypleasures,but
actuallytheydonotrelishanytangiblehappinessinsuchplaces.
ButtheLordhaswarnedusintheBhagavadgita(8.16)aboutthe
worthlessnessofalltheinnumerableplanetsofthisuniverse,aswellasthose
planetswithinothersystems.Thereareinnumerableuniversesandalso
innumerableplanetsineachofthem.Butnoneofthemisimmunetothechief
miseriesofmaterialexistence,namelythepangsofbirth,thepangsofdeath,
thepangsofoldageandthepangsofdisease.
Conditionedsoulsarestrictlyunderthelawsoffruitiveactivities,andassuch
theysometimesgouptoBrahmalokaandagaincomedowntoPatalaloka,asif
theywereunintelligentchildrenonamerrygoround.Therealhappinessisin
thekingdomofGod,wherenoonehastoundergothepangsofmaterial
existence.Therefore,theVedicwaysoffruitiveactivitiesforthelivingentities
aremisleading.
Onethinksofasuperiorwayoflifeinthiscountryorthat,oronthisplanetor
another,butnowhereinthematerialworldcanhefulfillhisrealdesireoflife,
namelyeternallife,fullintelligenceandcompletebliss.
Indirectly,SrilaSukadevaGosvamiaffirmsthatMaharajaPariksit,inthelast
stageoflife,shouldnotdesiretotransferhimselftothesocalledheavenly
planets,butshouldpreparehimselfforgoingbackhome,backtoGodhead.
Forthisreasontheenlightenedpersonshouldendeavoronlyforthe
minimumnecessitiesoflifewhileintheworldofnames.Heshouldbe
intelligentlyfixedandneverendeavorforunwantedthings,beingcompetent
toperceivepracticallythatallsuchendeavorsaremerelyhardlaborfor
nothing.

Thebhagavatadharma,orthecultofSrimadBhagavatam,isperfectlydistinct
fromthewayoffruitiveactivities,whichareconsideredbythedevoteestobe
merelyawasteoftime.Thewholeuniverse,orforthatmatterallmaterial
existence,ismovingonasjagat,simplyforplanningbusinesstomakeone's
positionverycomfortableorsecure,althougheveryoneseesthatthisexistence
isneithercomfortablenorsecureandcanneverbecomecomfortableorsecure
atanystageofdevelopment.
Thebuildings,furniture,cars,bungalows,mills,factories,industries,peace,
waroreventhehighestperfectionofmaterialscience,namelyatomicenergy
andelectronics,areallsimplybewilderingnamesofmaterialelementswith
theirconcomitantreactionsofthethreemodes.SincethedevoteeoftheLord
knowsthemperfectlywell,heisnotinterestedincreatingunwantedthingsfor
asituationwhichisnotatallreality,butsimplynamesofnomoresignificance
thanthebabbleofseawaves
Thegreatkings,leadersandsoldiersfightwithoneanotherinorderto
perpetuatetheirnamesinhistory.Theyareforgotteninduecourseoftime,and
theymakeaplaceforanothererainhistory.Butthedevoteerealizeshowmuch
historyandhistoricalpersonsareuselessproductsofflickeringtime.The
fruitiveworkeraspiresafterabigfortuneinthematterofwealth,womanand
worldlyadoration,butthosewhoarefixedinperfectrealityarenotatall
interestedinsuchfalsethings.Forthemitisallawasteoftime
Sinceeverysecondofhumanlifeisimportant,anenlightenedmanshouldbe
verycarefultoutilizetimeverycautiously.Onesecondofhumanlifewastedin
thevainresearchofplanningforhappinessinthematerialworldcanneverbe
replaced,evenifonespendsmillionsofcoinsofgold.
Thecivilizationwhichaimsatthisutmostperfectionneverindulgesincreating
unwantedthings,andsuchaperfectcivilizationpreparesmenonlytoaccept
thebarenecessitiesoflifeortofollowtheprincipleofthebestuseofabad
bargain.Ourmaterialbodiesandourlivesinthatconnectionarebadbargains
becausethelivingentityisactuallyspirit,andspiritualadvancementofthe
livingentityisabsolutelynecessary.

Humanlifeisintendedfortherealizationofthisimportantfactor,andone
shouldactaccordingly,acceptingonlythebarenecessitiesoflifeand
dependingmoreonGod'sgiftwithoutdiversionofhumanenergyforanyother
purpose,suchasbeingmadformaterialenjoyment.Thematerialistic

advancementofcivilizationiscalled"thecivilizationofthedemons,"which
ultimatelyendsinwarsandscarcity.
Thetranscendentalistisspecificallywarnedherewithtobefixedinmind,so
thatevenifthereisdifficultyinplainlivingandhighthinkinghewillnot
budgeevenaninchfromhisstarkdetermination.Foratranscendentalist,itisa
suicidalpolicytobeintimatelyintouchwiththesensegratifiersoftheworld,
becausesuchapolicywillfrustratetheultimategainoflife.
Itisthedutyofatranscendentalisttohelppersonswhodesirerealsalvation
andtosupportthecauseofsalvation.OnemightnotethatSukadevaGosvami
nevermetMaharajaPariksitwhilehewasrulingasagreatking.Fora
transcendentalist,themodeofactivitiesisexplainedinthenextsloka.
Whenthereareampleearthlyflatstolieon,whatisthenecessityofcotsand
beds?Whenonecanusehisownarms,whatisthenecessityofapillow?When
onecanusethepalmsofhishands,whatisthenecessityofvarietiesof
utensils?Whenthereisamplecovering,ortheskinsoftrees,whatisthe
necessityofclothing?
Thenecessitiesoflifefortheprotectionandcomfortofthebodymustnotbe
unnecessarilyincreased.Humanenergyisspoiledinavainsearchaftersuch
illusoryhappiness.
Ifwemakeastudyofthegenerallifeoftheanimals,wecanseethattheyhave
nointelligenceforbuildingbighouses,furniture,andotherhousehold
paraphernalia,andyettheymaintainahealthylifebylyingdownontheopen
land.Theydonotknowhowtocookorpreparefoodstuff,yettheystilllive
healthylivesmoreeasilythanthehumanbeing.
ButheretheideagivenbySrilaSukadevaGosvamiisthatthereserveenergy
ofhumanlife,whichisfarsuperiortothatofanimals,shouldsimplyhe
utilizedforselfrealization.
Onemustrealizethenullityofthematerialphenomenon,consideringita
passingphantasmagoria,andmustendeavortomakeasolutiontothe
miseriesoflife
Greatsagesandsaintsinthedaysofyorewerenotlivinginpalatialbuildings
furnishedwithgoodfurnitureandsocalledamenitiesoflife.Theyusedtolive
inhutsandgrovesandsitontheflatground,andyettheyhaveleftimmense
treasuresofhighknowledgewithallperfection.

SrilaRupaGosvamiandSrilaSanatanaGosvamiwerehighrankingministers

ofstate,buttheywereabletoleavebehindthemimmensewritingson
transcendentalknowledge,whileresidingonlyforonenightunderneathone
tree.Theydidnotliveeventwonightsunderthesametree,andwhattospeak
ofwellfurnishedroomswithmodernamenities.Andstilltheywereableto
giveusmostimportantliteraturesofselfrealization.
Socalledcomfortsoflifearenotactuallyhelpfulforprogressivecivilization;
rather,theyaredetrimentaltosuchprogressivelife.
thesincerefollowersareadvisedthereintoacceptavoluntarylifeof
renunciationinordertoachievethedesiredgoaloflife.Ifoneisnot
accustomedtoabidingbythelifeofrenunciationandselfabnegationfromthe
beginning,oneshouldtrytogetintothehabitatalaterstageoflifeas
recommendedbySrilaSukadevaGosvami,andthatwillhelponetoachieve
thedesiredsuccess.
Aretherenotornclotheslyingonthecommonroad?Dothetrees,whichexist
formaintainingothers,nolongergivealmsincharity?Dotherivers,being
driedup,nolongersupplywatertothethirsty?Arethecavesofthemountains
nowclosed,or,aboveall,doestheAlmightyLordnotprotectthefully
surrenderedsouls?Whythendothelearnedsagesgotoflatterthosewho
areintoxicatedbyhardearnedwealth?
Therenouncedorderoflifeisnevermeantforbeggingorlivingatthecostof
othersasaparasite.Accordingtothedictionary,aparasiteisasycophantwho
livesatthecostofsocietywithoutmakinganycontributiontothatsociety.The
renouncedorderismeantforcontributingsomethingsubstantialtosocietyand
notdependingontheearningsofthehouseholders.Onthecontrary,acceptance
ofalmsfromthehouseholdersbythebonafidemendicantisanopportunity
affordedbythesaintforthetangiblebenefitofthedonor.
Inthesanatanadharmainstitution,almsgivingtothemendicantispartofa
householder'sduty,anditisadvisedinthescripturesthatthehouseholders
shouldtreatthemendicantsastheirfamilychildrenandshouldprovidethem
withfood,clothing,etc.,withoutbeingasked.Pseudomendicants,therefore,
shouldnottakeadvantageofthecharitabledispositionofthefaithful
householders.

Thefirstdutyofapersonintherenouncedorderoflifeistocontributesome
literaryworkforthebenefitofthehumanbeinginordertogivehimrealized
directiontowardselfrealization.Amongsttheotherdutiesintherenounced
orderoflifeofSrilaSanatana,SrilaRupaandtheotherGosvamisof
Vrndavana,theforemostdutydischargedbythemwastoholdlearned
discoursesamongstthemselvesatSevakunja,Vrndavana(thespotwhereSri
RadhaDamodaraTemplewasestablishedbySrilaJivaGosvamiandwherethe
actualsamadhitombsofSrilaRupaGosvamiandSrilaJivaGosvamiarelaid).
Forthebenefitofallinhumansociety,theyleftbehindthemimmense
literaturesoftranscendentalimportance.Similarly,alltheacaryaswho
voluntarilyacceptedtherenouncedorderoflifeaimedatbenefitinghuman
societyandnotatlivingacomfortableorirresponsiblelifeatthecostofothers
However,thosewhocannotgiveanycontributionshouldnotgotothe
householdersforfood,forsuchmendicantsaskingbreadfromthehouseholders
areaninsulttothehighestorder.SukadevaGosvamigavethiswarning
especiallyforthosemendicantswhoadoptthislineofprofessiontosolvetheir
economicproblems.SuchmendicantsareinabundanceintheageofKali.
Whenamanbecomesamendicantwillfullyorbycircumstances,hemust
beoffirmfaithandconvictionthattheSupremeLordisthemaintainerof
alllivingbeingseverywhereintheuniverse.Why,then,wouldHeneglect
themaintenanceofasurrenderedsoulwhoiscentpercentengagedinthe
serviceoftheLord?Acommonmasterlookstothenecessitiesofhisservant,
sohowmuchmorewouldtheallpowerful,allopulentSupremeLordlook
afterthenecessitiesoflifeforafullysurrenderedsoul.
Thegeneralruleisthatamendicantdevoteewillacceptasimplesmall
loinclothwithoutaskinganyonetogiveitincharity.Hesimplysalvagesit
fromtherejectedtorncloththrowninthestreet.Whenheishungryhemaygo
toamagnanimoustreewhichdropsfruits,andwhenheisthirstyhemaydrink
waterfromtheflowingriver.Hedoesnotrequiretoliveinacomfortable
house,butshouldfindacaveinthehillsandnotbeafraidofjungleanimals,
keepingfaithinGod,wholivesineveryone'sheart.
TheLordmaydictatetotigersandotherjungleanimalsnottodisturbHis
devotee.HaridasaThakura,agreatdevoteeofLordSriCaitanya,usedtolivein
suchacave,andbychanceagreatvenomoussnakewasacopartnerofthe
cave.SomeadmirerofThakuraHaridasawhohadtovisittheThakuraevery
dayfearedthesnakeandsuggestedthattheThakuraleavethatplace.Because
hisdevoteeswereafraidofthesnakeandtheywereregularlyvisitingthecave,
ThakuraHaridasaagreedtotheproposalontheiraccount.Butassoonasthis
wassettled,thesnakeactuallycrawledoutofitsholeinthecaveandleftthe

caveforgoodbeforeeveryonepresent.BythedictationoftheLord,wholived
alsowithintheheartofthesnake,thesnakegavepreferencetoHaridasaand
decidedtoleavetheplaceandnotdisturbhim.Sothisisatangibleexampleof
howtheLordgivesprotectiontoabonafidedevoteelikeThakuraHaridasa
Accordingtotheregulationsofthesanatanadharmainstitution,oneistrained
fromthebeginningtodependfullyontheprotectionoftheLordinall
circumstances.Thepathofrenunciationisrecommendedforacceptancebyone
whoisfullyaccomplishedandfullypurifiedinhisexistence.Thisstageis
describedalsointheBhagavadgita(16.5)asdaivisampat.Ahumanbeingis
requiredtoaccumulatedaivisampat,orspiritualassets;otherwise,thenext
alternative,asurisampat,ormaterialassets,willovercomehim
disproportionately,andthusonewillbeforcedintotheentanglementof
differentmiseriesofthematerialworld.
Asannyasishouldalwayslivealone,withoutcompany,andhemustbe
fearless.Heshouldneverbeafraidoflivingalone,althoughheisneveralone.
TheLordisresidingineveryone'sheart,andunlessoneispurifiedbythe
prescribedprocess,onewillfeelthatheisalone.Butamanintherenounced
orderoflifemustbepurifiedbytheprocess;thushewillfeelthepresenceof
theLordeverywhereandwillhavenothingtofear(suchasbeingwithoutany
company).
Thusbeingfixed,onemustrenderserviceuntotheSupersoulsituatedin
one'sownheartbyHisomnipotency.
ThereforeonewhoisayogicanworshiponlyHimbecauseHeisthesubstance
andnotillusion
Everylivingcreatureisengagingintheserviceofsomethingelse.Aliving
being'sconstitutionalpositionistorenderservice,butintheatmosphereof
maya,orillusion,ortheconditionalstateofexistence,theconditionedsoul
seekstheserviceofillusion.Aconditionedsoulworks
intheserviceofhistemporarybody,bodilyrelativeslikethewifeandchildren,
andthenecessaryparaphernaliaformaintainingthebodyandbodilyrelations,
suchasthehouse,land,wealth,societyandcountry,buthedoesnotknowthat
allsuchrenderingsofservicearetotallyillusory.
Ifweatallwanttoendthecauseofourconditionedlife,wemusttaketothe
worshipofLordSriKrsna,whoispresentineveryone'sheartbyHisnatural
affectionforalllivingbeings,whoareactuallythepartsandparcelsofthe
Lord(Bg.18.61).
ActuallywearehankeringafterHimasthechildseeksthemother.Andto
searchouttheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,weneednotgoanywhereelse,

becausetheLordiswithinourhearts.Thisdoesnotsuggest,however,thatwe
shouldnotgototheplacesofworship,namelythetemples,churchesand
mosques.SuchholyplacesofworshiparealsooccupiedbytheLordbecause
theLordisomnipresent.

Whenthetemplesaredevoidofactivities,thepeopleingeneralbecome
uninterestedinsuchplaces,andconsequentlythemassofpeoplegradually
becomegodless,andagodlesscivilizationistheresult.Suchahellish
civilizationartificiallyincreasestheconditionsoflife,andexistencebecomes
intolerableforeveryone.
Whoelsebutthegrossmaterialistswillneglectsuchtranscendentalthought
andtaketothenonpermanentnamesonly,seeingthemassofpeoplefallenin
theriverofsufferingastheconsequenceofaccruingtheresultoftheirown
work?
Thematerialists,likeanimals,alsodonotknowhowtheyarebeing
misdirectedbyneglectingthetranscendentalthoughtoftheSupremeperson.
Noonecanremainvacantofthought.
Thematerialistsarealwaysworshipingsomeminordemigods,althoughthisis
condemnedintheBhagavadgita(7.20).Aslongasapersonisillusionedby
materialgains,hepetitionstherespectivedemigodstodrawsomeparticular
benefitwhichis,afterall,illusoryandnonpermanent.Theenlightened
transcendentalistisnotcaptivatedbysuchillusorythings;thereforeheis
alwaysabsorbedinthetranscendentalthoughtoftheSupremeindifferent
stagesofrealization,namelyBrahman,ParamatmaandBhagavan.
InthepreviousverseitissuggestedthatoneshouldthinkoftheSupersoul,
whichisonestephigherthantheimpersonalthoughtofBrahman,asitwas
suggestedinthecaseofcontemplatingtheviratrupaofthepersonalityof
Godhead.
ItissaidthatthereisaneverlastingbeltofwatercalledtheRiverVaitaraniat
theentranceoftheplutonicplanetofYamaraja,whopunishessinnersin
differentmanners.Afterbeingsubjectedtosuchsufferings,asinnerisawarded
aparticularspeciesoflifeaccordingtohisdeedsinthepast.Suchliving
entitiesasarepunishedbyYamarajaareseenindifferentvarietiesof
conditionedlife.Someofthemareinheaven,andsomeofthemareinhell.
Someofthemarebrahmanas,andsomeofthemaremisers.Butnooneis
happyinthismaterialworld,andallofthemareeitherclassA,BorC
prisonerssufferingbecauseoftheirowndeeds.
TheLordisimpartialtoallcircumstancesofthesufferingsoftheliving

entities,buttoonewhotakesshelteratHislotusfeet,theLordgivesproper
protection,andHetakessuchalivingentitybackhome,backtoHimself.
OthersconceiveofthePersonalityofGodheadresidingwithinthebodyinthe
regionoftheheartandmeasuringonlyeightinches,withfourhandscarryinga
lotus,awheelofachariot,aconchshellandaclubrespectively.

ThemeasurementofthelocalizedPersonalityofGodheadisestimatedto
expandfromtheringfingertotheendofthethumb,moreorlesseightinches.
TheformoftheLorddescribedinthisversewithdistributionofdifferent
symbolsbeginningfromthelowerrighthandupanddowntothelowerleft
handwithlotus,wheelofachariot,conchshellandclubrespectivelyiscalled
Janardana,ortheplenaryportionoftheLordwhocontrolsthegeneralmass.
TherearemanyotherformsoftheLordwithvariedsituationsofthesymbols
oflotus,conchshell,etc.,andtheyaredifferentlyknownasPurusottama,
Acyuta,Narasimha,Trivikrama,Hrsikesa,Kesava,Madhava,Aniruddha,
Pradyumna,Sankarsana,Sridhara,Vasudeva,Damodara,Janardana,Narayana,
Hari,Padmanabha,Vamana,Madhusudana,Govinda,Krsna,Visnumurti,
AdhoksajaandUpendra.
ThesetwentyfourformsofthelocalizedPersonalityofGodheadare
worshipedindifferentpartsoftheplanetarysystem,andineachsystemthereis
anincarnationoftheLordhavingadifferentVaikunthaplanetinthespiritual
sky,whichiscalledtheparavyoma.Therearemanyotherhundredsandscores
ofdifferentformsoftheLord,andeachandeveryoneofthemhasaparticular
planetinthespiritualsky,ofwhichthismaterialskyisonlyafragmental
offshoot.
Butallsuchformsareadvaita,nondifferentfromoneanother,andeachofthem
iseternallyyoung.
Theornaments,flowers,clothingandalltheotherdecorationsonthe
transcendentalbodyofthePersonalityofGodheadareidenticalwiththebody
oftheLord.Noneofthemaremadeofmaterialingredients;otherwisethere
wouldbenochanceoftheirdecoratingthebodyoftheLord.Assuch,inthe
paravyoma,spiritualvarietiesarealsodistinguishedfromthematerial
variegatedness.
TheSupremePersonalityofGodheadisthemostbeautifulpersonamongstall
others,andSrilaSukadevaGosvamidescribeseverypartofHistranscendental
beauty,oneafteranother,inordertoteachtheimpersonalistthatthe
PersonalityofGodheadisnotanimaginationbythedevoteeforfacilityof
worship,butistheSupremePersoninfactandfigure.Theimpersonalfeature

oftheAbsoluteTruthisbutHisradiation,asthesunraysarebutradiations
fromthesun.
TheLord'smagnanimouspastimesandtheglowingglancingofHissmiling
faceareallindicationsofHisextensivebenedictions.Onemusttherefore
concentrateonthistranscendentalformoftheLord,aslongasthemindcanbe
fixedonHimbymeditation.

InBhagavadgita(12.5)itissaidthattheimpersonalistundergoesaseriesof
difficultprogramsonaccountofhisimpersonalmeditation.Butthedevotee,
duetotheLord'spersonalservice,progressesveryeasily.Impersonal
meditationisthereforeasourceofsufferingfortheimpersonalist.Here,the
devoteehasanadvantageovertheimpersonalistphilosopher.The
impersonalistisdoubtfulaboutthepersonalfeatureoftheLord,andtherefore
healwaystriestomeditateuponsomethingwhichisnotobjective.Forthis
reasonthereisanauthenticstatementintheBhagavatamregardingthepositive
concentrationofthemindonthefactualformoftheLord.
Jnanayogaistheprocessofliberationfromthematerialconditions.Afterone
isliberatedfromtheconditionsofmaterialexistence,i.e.,whenoneisnivrtta,
aspreviouslystatedherein,orwhenoneisfreedfromallmaterialnecessities,
onebecomesqualifiedtodischargetheprocessofbhaktiyoga
Liberationfrommaterialconditionsisautomaticallyachievedbythegradual
developmentofpuredevotionalservice.Theseeffectsofbhaktiyogaarecalled
anarthanivrtti.Thingswhichareartificiallyacquiredgraduallydisappearalong
withtheprogressofbhaktiyoga.
MeditationonthelotusfeetofthepersonalityofGodhead,thefirst
processionalstep,mustshowitseffectbyanarthanivrtti.
Thegrossesttypeofanarthawhichbindstheconditionedsoulinmaterial
existenceissexdesire,andthissexdesiregraduallydevelopsintheunionof
themaleandfemale.Whenthemaleandfemaleareunited,thesexdesireis
furtheraggravatedbytheaccumulationofbuildings,children,friends,relatives
andwealth.Whenalltheseareacquired,theconditionedsoulbecomes
overwhelmedbysuchentanglements,andthefalsesenseofegoism,orthe
senseof"myself"and"mine,"becomesprominent,andthesexdesireexpands
tovariouspolitical,social,altruistic,philanthropicandmanyotherunwanted
engagements,resemblingthefoamoftheseawaves,whichbecomesvery
prominentatonetimeandatthenextmomentvanishesasquicklyasacloudin
thesky.Theconditionedsoulisencircledbysuchproducts,aswellasproducts

ofsexdesire,andthereforebhaktiyogaleadstogradualevaporationofthesex
desire,whichissummarizedinthreeheadings,namelyprofit,adorationand
distinction.Allconditionedsoulsaremadafterthesedifferentformsofsex
desire,andoneshallseeforhimselfhowmuchhehasbeenfreedfromsuch
materialhankeringsbasedprimarilyonthesexdesire
Asapersonfeelshishungersatisfiedaftereatingeachmorseloffoodstuff,he
mustsimilarlybeabletoseethedegreetowhichhehasbeenfreedfromsex
desire.

Thesexdesireisdiminishedalongwithitsvariousformsbytheprocessof
bhaktiyogabecausebhaktiyogaautomatically,bythegraceoftheLord,
effectivelyresultsinknowledgeandrenunciation,evenifthedevoteeisnot
materiallyverywelleducated.
Knowledgemeansknowingthingsastheyare,andifbydeliberationitisfound
thattherearethingswhichareatallunnecessary,naturallythepersonwhohas
acquiredknowledgeleavesasidesuchunwantedthings.Whentheconditioned
soulfindsbycultureofknowledgethatmaterialnecessitiesareunwanted
things,hebecomesdetachedfromsuchunwantedthings.
Thisstageofknowledgeiscalledvairagya,ordetachmentfromunwanted
things.Wehavepreviouslydiscussedthatthetranscendentalistisrequiredto
beselfsufficientandshouldnotbegfromtherichblindpersonstofulfillthe
barenecessitiesoflife.SukadevaGosvamihassuggestedsomealternativesfor
thebarenecessitiesoflife,namelytheproblemofeating,sleepingandshelter,
buthehasnotsuggestedanyalternativeforsexsatisfaction.Onewhohasthe
sexdesirestillwithhimshouldnotatalltrytoaccepttherenouncedorderof
life.Foronewhohasnotattainedtothisstage,thereisnoquestionofa
renouncedorderoflife.Sobythegradualprocessofdevotionalserviceunder
theguidanceofaproperspiritualmaster,andfollowingtheprinciplesofthe
Bhagavatam,onemustbeableatleasttocontrolthegrosssexdesirebefore
oneacceptstherenouncedorderoflifefactually.
Sopurificationmeansgettingfreegraduallyfromsexdesire,andthisis
attainedbymeditationonthepersonoftheLordasdescribedherein,beginning
fromthefeet.Oneshouldnottrytogoupwardsartificiallywithoutseeingfor
himselfhowmuchhehasbeenreleasedfromthesexdesire.
Andasonegetsfreefromtheintoxicationofsexindulgencebypurificationof
intelligence,oneshouldstepforwardforthenextmeditation,orinotherwords,

theprogressofmeditationonthedifferentlimbsofthetranscendentalbodyof
theLordshouldbeenhancedinproportiontotheprogressofpurificationofthe
heart.
Theconclusionisthatthosewhoarestillentrappedbysexindulgenceshould
neverprogresstomeditationabovethefeetoftheLord;thereforerecitalof
SrimadBhagavatambythemshouldberestrictedtotheFirstandSecond
Cantosofthegreatliterature.
Onemustcompletethepurificatoryprocessbyassimilatingthecontentsofthe
firstninecantos.ThenoneshouldbeadmittedintotherealmoftheTenth
CantoofSrimadBhagavatam.

TheprocessofmeditationshouldbeginfromthelotusfeetoftheLordand
progresstoHissmilingface.Themeditationshouldbeconcentrateduponthe
lotusfeet,thenthecalves,thenthethighs,andinthiswayhigherandhigher.
Themorethemindbecomesfixeduponthedifferentpartsofthelimbs,one
afteranother,themoretheintelligencebecomespurified.
TheprocessofmeditationrecommendedintheSrimadBhagavatamisnotto
fixone'sattentiononsomethingimpersonalorvoid.Themeditationshould
concentrateonthepersonoftheSupremeGodhead,eitherinHisviratrupa,the
giganticuniversalform,orinHissaccidanandavigraha,asdescribedinthe
scriptures.
Itisbettertopracticeconcentratingourattentionbyofferingflowersandtulasi
tothelotusfeetoftheLord.Inthisway,wegraduallybecomepurifiedbythe
arcanaprocess.WedresstheLord,batheHim,etc.,andallthesetranscendental
activitieshelpuspurifyourexistence.
Inthisverseitisclearlystated,"themoretheintelligencebecomespurified,"
whichmeansthemoreonebecomesdetachedfromsensegratification.Our
intelligenceinthepresentconditionedstateoflifeisimpureduetobeing
engagedinsensegratification.Theresultofmeditationonthetranscendental
formoftheLordwillbemanifestedbyone'sdetachmentfromsense
gratification.
Thosewhoaretooengrossedinsensegratificationcannotbeallowedto
participateinarcanaortotouchthetranscendentalformoftheRadhaKrsnaor
VisnuDeities.Forthemitisbettertomeditateuponthegiganticviratrupaof
theLord,asrecommendedinthenextverse.Theimpersonalistsandthe
voidistsarethereforerecommendedtomeditateupontheuniversalformofthe

Lord,whereasthedevoteesarerecommendedtomeditateontheDeityworship
inthetemple.Becausetheimpersonalistsandthevoidistsarenotsufficiently
purifiedintheirspiritualactivities,arcanaisnotmeantforthem.
Unlessthegrossmaterialistdevelopsasenseoflovingserviceuntothe
SupremeLord,theseerofboththetranscendentalandmaterialworlds,he
shouldrememberormeditateupontheuniversalformoftheLordattheendof
hisprescribedduties.
ThespiritualworldisthemanifestationofHisinternalpotency,andthe
materialworldisthemanifestationofHisexternalpotency.Thelivingentities
arealsoHismarginalpotency,andbytheirownchoicetheycanliveineither
thetranscendentalormaterialworlds
TheLordwantsalllivingentities,whoareHispartsandparcels,tolivewith
Himinthetranscendentalworld,andforenlighteningconditionedsoulsinthe
materialworld,alltheVedasandtherevealedscripturesarethereexpresslyto
recalltheconditionedsoulsbackhome,backtoGodhead.
Unfortunately,theconditionedlivingentities,althoughsufferingcontinually
thethreefoldmiseriesofconditionedlife,arenotveryseriousaboutgoingback
toGodhead.Itisduetotheirmisguidedwayofliving,complicatedbysinsand
virtues.
TherealpurposeoflifeistomakecontactwiththeLordandbeengaged
inHisservice.Thatisthenaturalpositionoflivingentities.Butthosewhoare
impersonalistsandareunabletorenderanylovingservicetotheLordhave
beenadvisedtomeditateuponHisimpersonalfeature,theviratrupa,or
universalform
Forthelessintelligentbeginners,meditationontheimpersonalfeature,the
viratrupa,oruniversalformoftheLord,willgraduallyqualifyonetoriseto
personalcontact.Oneisadvisedherewithtomeditateupontheviratrupa
specifiedinthepreviouschaptersinordertounderstandhowthedifferent
planets,seas,mountains,rivers,birds,beasts,humanbeings,demigodsandall
thatwecanconceivearebutdifferentpartsandlimbsoftheLord'sviratform.
ThissortofthinkingisalsoatypeofmeditationontheAbsoluteTruth,andas
soonassuchmeditationbegins,onedevelopsone'sgodlyqualities,andthe
wholeworldappearstobeahappyandpeacefulresidenceforallthepeopleof
theworld.
OKing,whenevertheyogidesirestoleavethisplanetofhumanbeings,he
shouldnotbeperplexedaboutthepropertimeorplace,butshouldcomfortably
sitwithoutbeingdisturbedand,regulatingthelifeair,shouldcontrolthesenses
bythemind.

Suchdevoteesdonotneedtoseekanopportunemomenttoleavethepresent
body.Butthosewhoaremixeddevotees,alloyedwithfruitiveactionor
empiricalphilosophicalspeculation,requireanopportunemomentforquitting
thisbody.
ForthemtheopportunemomentsarestatedintheBhagavadgita(8.2326).But
theseopportunemomentsarenotasimportantasone'sbeingasuccessfulyogi
whoisabletoquithisbodyashelikes.Suchayogimustbecompetentto
controlhissensesbythemind.Themindiseasilyconqueredsimplyby
engagingitatthelotusfeetoftheLord.Gradually,bysuchservice,allthe
sensesbecomeautomaticallyengagedintheserviceoftheLord.Thatisthe
wayofmergingintotheSupremeAbsolute.
Thereafter,theyogishouldmergehismind,byhisunalloyedintelligence,into
thelivingentity,andthenmergethelivingentityintotheSuperself.Andby
doingthis,thefullysatisfiedlivingentitybecomessituatedinthesupreme
stageofsatisfaction,sothatheceasesfromallotheractivities.
Thefunctionsofthemindarethinking,feelingandwilling.
Thereforethemindhastobemanipulatedbygoodandunalloyedintelligence.
Oneshouldbeintelligentenoughtounderstandthatthelivingbeingis,inall
circumstances,aservantofthecircumstances.Everylivingbeingisservingthe
dictatesofdesire,anger,lust,illusion,insanityandenviousnessallmaterially
affected.Butevenwhileexecutingsuchdictationsofdifferenttemperaments,
heisperpetuallyunhappy.
andthus,byunalloyedintelligence,themindisbroughtintotheserviceof
theLord.
ThereforetheunalloyedintelligenceandthemindaremergedintotheLord,
andthusthelivingentitydoesnotremainaseerhimselfbutbecomesseenby
theLordtranscendentally.WhenthelivingentityisdirectlyseenbytheLord,
theLorddictatestohimtoactaccordingtoHisdesire,andwhentheliving
entityfollowsHimperfectly,thelivingentityceasestodischargeanyother
dutyforhisillusorysatisfaction.
Inthattranscendentalstateoflabdhopasanti,thereisnosupremacyof
devastatingtime,whichcontrolseventhecelestialdemigodswhoare
empoweredtoruleovermundanecreatures.(Andwhattospeakofthe
demigodsthemselves?)Noristherethemodeofmaterialgoodness,nor
passion,norignorance,noreventhefalseego,northematerialCausalOcean,
northematerialnature.
Theinfluenceoftimeisexhibitedbythesymptomsofbirth,death,oldageand

disease
butinthetranscendentalstatethedevoteeisgunatita,orabovethematerial
modesofgoodness,passionandignorance.
Inthematerialworldthefalseegoofthelivingbeingtryingtolorditoverthe
materialnatureissomethinglikethemoth'sfallinginablazingfire.Themoth
iscaptivatedbytheglaringbeautyofthefire,andwhenhecomestoenjoyit,
theblazingfireconsumeshim.Inthetranscendentalstatethelivingbeingis
pureinhisconsciousness,andassuchhehasnofalseegotolorditoverthe
materialnature.Rather,hispureconsciousnessdirectshimtosurrenderunto
theSupremeLord

Theabovementionedstateofaffairsisfactualonthetranscendentalplane,but
isfactuallyrevealedinatranscendentalist'sknowledgeoftheadvancedstateof
pureconsciousness.Suchtranscendentalistsareoftwotypes,namelythe
impersonalistsandthedevotees.Fortheimpersonalisttheultimategoalor
destinationisthebrahmajyotiofthespiritualsky,butforthedevoteesthe
ultimategoalistheVaikunthaplanets.Thedevoteesexperiencetheabove
mentionedstateofaffairsbyattainmentofspiritualformsforactivityinthe
transcendentallovingserviceoftheLord.Buttheimpersonalist,becauseofhis
neglectingtheassociationoftheLord,doesnotdevelopaspiritualbodyfor
spiritualactivity,butremainsaspiritualsparkonly,mergedintheeffulgent
spiritualraysoftheSupremepersonalityofGodhead.TheLordisthefull
fledgedformofeternity,blissandknowledge,buttheformlessbrahmajyotiis
simplyeternityandknowledge.
TheVaikunthaplanetsarealsoformsofeternity,blissandknowledge,and
thereforethedevoteesoftheLord,whoareadmittedintotheabodeoftheLord,
alsogetbodiesofeternity,blissandknowledge.
IntheBhagavadgita,threeprincipalsubjectshavebeenexplainedbyLordSri
Krsna,namelykarmayoga,jnanayogaandbhaktiyoga,butonecanreachthe
Vaikunthaplanetsbythepracticeofbhaktiyogaonly.Theothertwoare
incompetentinhelpingonereachtheVaikunthalokas,althoughtheycan,
however,convenientlytakeonetotheeffulgentbrahmajyoti,asdescribed

above.
ThereforeapuredevoteewhoisinabsoluteharmonywiththeLorddoesnot
createperplexities,butworshipsthelotusfeetoftheLordateverymoment,
takingthemintohisheart.
Inthatsky,whichisfar,farbeyondthematerialskyanditssevenfold
coverings,thereisnoneedofthesunorthemoon,noristherenecessityof
electricityforillumination,becausetheplanetsareselfilluminatingandmore
brilliantthanthematerialsuns.puredevoteesoftheLordareabsolutelyin
harmonywiththePersonalityofGodhead,orinotherwords,theyalwaysthink
oftheLordastheironlydependablefriendandwellwisher.Theydonotcare
foranymundanecreature,uptothestatusofBrahma,thelordoftheuniverse.
OnlytheycandefinitelyhaveaclearvisionoftheVaikunthaplanets.
Nordotheyconcernthemselveswithmanyobscurespeculativetheories,which
areinactualitysomanystumblingblocksonthepathoftranscendental
understanding.Apartfromtheclassofimpersonalistsornondevotees,thereare
alsoclasseswhoposethemselvesasdevoteesoftheLordbutatheartmaintain
theideaofsalvationbybecomingonewiththeimpersonalBrahman.

SotheVaikunthaplanetsarefactuallythesupremeresidentialplacescalledthe
parampadam.Theimpersonalbrahmajyotiisalsocalledtheparampadamdue
toitsbeingtheraysoftheVaikunthaplanets,asthesunraysaretheraysofthe
sun.
ApuredevoteeoftheLordnolongerwastesvaluabletimeindiscriminating
theBrahmanfromnonBrahmanbecauseheknowsperfectlywellthattheLord
Parabrahman,byHisBrahmanenergy,isinterwovenineverything,andthus
everythingislookeduponbyadevoteeasthepropertyoftheLord.
Ineverything,thedevoteeseestheLord,andheseeseverythingintheLord.
Bythestrengthofscientificknowledge,oneshouldbewellsituatedinabsolute
realizationandthusbeabletoextinguishallmaterialdesires.Oneshouldthen
giveupthematerialbodybyblockingtheairhole[throughwhichstoolis
evacuated]withtheheelofone'sfootandbyliftingthelifeairfromone
placetoanotherinthesixprimaryplaces.
TherearemanyduratmaswhoclaimtohaverealizedthemselvesasBrahman
andyetareunabletoconquermaterialdesires.IntheBhagavadgita(18.54)it
isclearlyexplainedthatanabsolutelyselfrealizedsoulbecomescompletely

alooffromallmaterialdesires.Materialdesiresarebasedonthefalseegoof
thelivingbeingandareexhibitedbyhischildishanduselessactivitiesto
conquerthelawsofmaterialnatureandbyhisdesiretolorditoverthe
resourcesofthefiveelements.
Assuch,hisconstitutionalpositionistocooperatewithHiminallrespectsin
thetranscendentalrelationoftheservedandtheservitor.Suchaselfrealized
soulceasestoexhibithisuselessactivitiesofattemptingtolorditovermaterial
nature.Beingscientificallywellinformed,hefullyengageshimselfinfaithful
devotiontotheLord.
Theexpertyogiwhohasthoroughlypracticedthecontrolofthelifeairbythe
prescribedmethodoftheyogasystemisadvisedtoquitthebodyasfollows.
Heshouldpluguptheevacuatingholewiththeheelofthefootandthen
progressivelymovethelifeaironandontosixplaces:thenavel,abdomen,
heart,chest,palate,eyebrowsandcerebralpit.Controllingthelifeairbythe
prescribedyogicprocessismechanical,andthepracticeismoreorlessa
physicalendeavorforspiritualperfection.Inoldendayssuchpracticewasvery
commonforthetranscendentalist,forthemodeoflifeandcharacterinthose
dayswerefavorable.Butinmoderndays,whentheinfluenceofKaliAgeisso
disturbing,practicallyeveryoneisuntrainedinthisartofbodilyexercise.
Concentrationofthemindismoreeasilyattainedinthesedaysbythechanting
oftheholynameoftheLord.Theresultsaremoreeffectivethanthosederived
fromtheinnerexerciseofthelifeair.

Themeditativedevoteeshouldslowlypushupthelifeairfromthenaveltothe
heart,fromtheretothechestandfromtheretotherootofthepalate.Heshould
searchouttheproperplaceswithintelligence.
Thereafterthebhaktiyogishouldpushthelifeairupbetweentheeyebrows,
andthen,blockingthesevenoutletsofthelifeair,heshouldmaintainhis
aimforgoingbackhome,backtoGodhead.Ifheiscompletelyfreefrom
alldesiresformaterialenjoyment,heshouldthenreachthecerebralholeand
giveuphismaterialconnections,havinggonetotheSupreme.
Theconditionisthatoneshouldbecompletelyfreedfromdesireformaterial
enjoyment.Therearedifferentgradesofmaterialenjoymentsinrespectto
durationoflifeandsensualgratification.Thehighestplaneofsensual
enjoymentforthelongestperiodoflifeismentionedintheBhagavadgita
(9.20).Allarebutmaterialenjoyments,andoneshouldbethoroughly
convincedthathehasnoneedofsuchalongdurationoflife,eveninthe
Brahmalokaplanet.Hemustreturnhome,backtoGodhead,andmustnotbe
attractedbyanyamountofmaterialfacilities.

IntheBhagavadgita(2.59)itissaidthatthissortofmaterialdetachmentis
possibletoattainwhenoneisacquaintedwiththesupremeassociationoflife.
Paramdrstvanivartate.Onecannotbefreedfrommaterialattractionunlesshe
hascompleteunderstandingofthenatureofspirituallife.
andonlyonewhohashisaimfixeduponthatspiritualworldandpersonal
associationwiththeGodheadcangiveuphismaterialconnectionsevenwhile
livinginthematerialworld.
Thelifeairpassesthroughsevenopenings,namelytwoeyes,twonostrils,two
earsandonemouth.Generallyitpassesthroughthemouthatthetimeofan
ordinaryman'sdeath.Buttheyogi,asabovementioned,whocontrolsthelife
airinhisownway,generallyreleasesthelifeairbypuncturingthecerebral
holeinthehead.Theyogithereforeblocksupalltheabovementionedseven
openings,sothatthelifeairwillnaturallyburstforththroughthecerebralhole.
Thisisthesuresignofagreatdevotee'sleavingthematerialconnection.
However,OKing,ifayogimaintainsadesireforimprovedmaterial
enjoyments,liketransferencetothetopmostplanet,Brahmaloka,orthe
achievementoftheeightfoldperfections,travelinouterspacewiththe
Vaihayasas,orasituationinoneofthemillionsofplanets,thenhehastotake
awaywithhimthemateriallymoldedmindandsenses.

ThetopmostplanetarysystemsconsistofplanetslikeBrahmalokaand
Dhruvaloka(thepolestar),andallofthemaresituatedbeyondMaharloka.The
inhabitantsofthoseplanetsareempoweredwitheightfoldachievementsof
mysticperfection.Theydonothavetolearnandpracticethemysticprocesses
ofyogaperfectionandachievethepowerofbecomingsmalllikeaparticle
(animasiddhi),orlighterthanasoftfeather(laghimasiddhi).Theydonothave
togetanythingandeverythingfromanywhereandeverywhere(praptisiddhi),
tobecomeheavierthantheheaviest(mahimasiddhi),toactfreelyevento
createsomethingwonderfulortoannihilateanythingatwill(isitvasiddhi),to
controlallmaterialelements(vasitvasiddhi),topossesssuchpoweraswill
neverbefrustratedinanydesire(prakamyasiddhi),ortoassumeanyshapeor
formonemayevenwhimsicallydesire(kamavasayitasiddhi).Allthese
experienciesareascommonasnaturalgiftsfortheinhabitantsofthosehigher
planets.Theydonotrequireanymechanicalhelptotravelinouterspace,and
theycanmoveandtravelatwillfromoneplanettoanyotherplanetwithinno
time.

Sinceamaterialistisgenerallyinquisitivetoexperiencewhatisactuallyin
suchplanetarysystems,hewantstoseeeverythingpersonally.Asinquisitive
personstourallovertheworldtogaindirectlocalexperience,theless
intelligenttranscendentalistsimilarlydesirestohavesomeexperienceof
thoseplanetsaboutwhichhehasheardsomanywonderfulthings.The
yogican,however,easilyfulfillhisdesirebygoingtherewiththepresent
materialisticmindandsenses.Theprimeinclinationofthematerialisticmindis
tolorditoverthematerialworld,andallthesiddhismentionedaboveare
featuresofdominationovertheworld.
ThedevoteesoftheLordarenotambitioustodominateafalseandtemporary
phenomenon.Onthecontrary,adevoteewantstobedominatedbythesupreme
predominator,theLord.
AdesiretoservetheLord,thesupremepredominator,isspiritualor
transcendental,andonehastoattainthispurificationofthemindandthe
sensestogetadmissionintothespiritualkingdom.
Withthematerialisticmindonecanreachthebestplanetintheuniverse,butno
onecanenterintothekingdomofGod.Sensesarecalledspirituallypurified
whentheyarenotinvolvedinsensegratification.Sensesrequireengagements,
andwhenthesensesareengagedtotallyinthetranscendentallovingserviceof
theLord,theyhavenochancetobecomecontaminatedbymaterialinfections.
Thetranscendentalistsareconcernedwiththespiritualbody.Assuch,bythe
strengthoftheirdevotionalservice,austerities,mysticpowerand
transcendentalknowledge,theirmovementsareunrestricted,withinand
beyondthematerialworlds.Thefruitiveworkers,orthegrossmaterialists,can
nevermoveinsuchanunrestrictedmanner.
Onecan,however,reachheavenlyplanetsbyvirtuousactivities,butonecan
neverexpecttogobeyondSvargaorJanalokabysuchmechanicalor
materialisticactivities,eithergrossorsubtle.Thetranscendentalistswhohave
nothingtodowiththegrossmaterialbodycanmoveanywherewithinor
beyondthematerialworlds.Withinthematerialworldstheymoveinthe
planetarysystemsoftheMahar,Janas,TapasandSatyaloka,andbeyondthe
materialworldstheycanmoveintheVaikunthasasunrestrictedspacemen.
NaradaMuniisoneoftheexamplesofsuchspacemen,andDurvasaMuniis
oneofsuchmystics.
OKing,whensuchamysticpassesovertheMilkyWaybytheilluminating
Susumnatoreachthehighestplanet,Brahmaloka,hegoesfirsttoVaisvanara,
theplanetofthedeityoffire,whereinhebecomescompletelycleansedofall
contaminations,andthereafterhestillgoeshigher,tothecircleofSisumara,to
relatewithLordHari,thePersonalityofGodhead.

ThepolarstaroftheuniverseandthecirclethereofiscalledtheSisumara
circle,andthereinthelocalresidentialplanetofthePersonalityofGodhead
(KsirodakasayiVisnu)issituated.Beforereachingthere,themysticpassesover
theMilkyWaytoreachBrahmaloka,andwhilegoingtherehefirstreaches
Vaisvanaraloka,wherethedemigodcontrolsfire.OnVaisvanaralokatheyogi
becomescompletelycleansedofalldirtysinsacquiredwhileincontactwith
thematerialworld.TheMilkyWayintheskyisindicatedhereinastheway
leadingtoBrahmaloka,thehighestplanetoftheuniverse.
ThisSisumaraisthepivotfortheturningofthecompleteuniverse,anditis
calledthenavelofVisnu[GarbhodakasayiVisnu].Theyogialonegoesbeyond
thiscircleofSisumaraandattainstheplanet[Maharloka]wherepurifiedsaints
likeBhrguenjoyadurationoflifeof4,300,000,000solaryears.Thisplanetis
worshipableevenforthesaintswhoaretranscendentallysituated.
Atthetimeofthefinaldevastationofthecompleteuniverse[theendofthe
durationofBrahma'slife],aflameoffireemanatesfromthemouthofAnanta
[fromthebottomoftheuniverse].Theyogiseesalltheplanetsoftheuniverse
burningtoashes,andthusheleavesforSatyalokabyairplanesusedbythe
greatpurifiedsouls.ThedurationoflifeinSatyalokaiscalculatedtobe
15,480,000,000,000years.
ItisindicatedhereinthattheresidentsofMaharloka,wherethepurifiedliving
entitiesordemigodspossessadurationoflifecalculatedtobe4,300,000,000
solaryears

Itissaidthatoneshouldbecomeabrahmanabeforeonecanunderstandthe
Vedicstatements,andthisstrictureisasimportantasthestricturethatnoone
shallbecomealawyerwhohasnotqualifiedhimselfasagraduate.Sucha
strictureisnotanimpedimentinthepathofprogressforanyoneandeveryone,
butitisnecessaryforanunqualifiedunderstandingofaparticularscience.
Vedicknowledgeismisinterpretedbythosewhoarenotqualifiedbrahmanas.
Aqualifiedbrahmanaisonewhohasundergonestricttrainingunderthe
guidanceofabonafidespiritualmaster.
Theywanttomakeaplantobecomehappyinaplacewherethereisno
happiness.Forfalsehappinesstheytrytoreachotherplanets,eitherbyVedic
ritualsorbyspacecraft,buttheyshouldknowforcertainthatanyamountof
materialisticadjustmentforbecominghappyinaplacewhichismeantfor
distresscannotbenefitthemisguidedmanbecause,afterall,thewholeuniverse

withallitsparaphernaliawillcometoanendafteracertainperiod.Thenall
plansofmaterialistichappinesswillautomaticallycometoanend.The
intelligentpersonthereforemakesaplantoreturnhome,backtoGodhead.
Suchanintelligentpersonsurpassesallthepangsofmaterialexistence,like
birth,death,diseaseandoldage.
andwarnmennottomakeafalseplanforhappinessinaplacewhere
happinessisonlyamyth.
AfterreachingSatyaloka,thedevoteeisspecificallyabletobeincorporated
fearlesslybythesubtlebodyinanidentitysimilartothatofthegrossbody,and
oneafteranotherhegraduallyattainsstagesofexistencefromearthlyto
watery,fiery,glowingandairy,untilhereachestheetherealstage.
OnewhohasattainedtheplacebydintofviratorHiranyagarbhaworshipis
liberatedalongwiththeliberationofBrahma.Butonewhoattainstheplaceby
dintofdevotionalserviceisspecificallymentionedhere,inrelationtohowhe
canpenetrateintothedifferentcoveringsoftheuniverseandthusultimately
disclosehisspiritualidentityintheabsoluteatmosphereofsupremeexistence.
AccordingtoSrilaJivaGosvami,alltheuniversesareclusteredtogetherupand
down,andeachandeveryoneofthemisseparatelysevenfoldcovered.The
wateryportionisbeyondthesevenfoldcoverings,andeachcoveringisten
timesmoreexpansivethanthepreviouscovering.ThepersonalityofGodhead
whocreatesallsuchuniversesbyHisbreathingperiodliesabovetheclusterof
theuniverses.ThewateroftheCausalOceanisdifferentlysituatedthanthe
coveringwateroftheuniverse.Thewaterthatservesascoveringforthe
universeismaterial,whereasthewateroftheCausalOceanisspiritual.

SrilaSridharaSvamiconfirmsthatapartofthematerialnature,afterbeing
initiatedbytheLord,isknownasthemahattattva.Afractionalportionofthe
mahattattvaiscalledthefalseego.Aportionoftheegoisthevibrationof
sound,andaportionofsoundisatmosphericair.Aportionoftheairy
atmosphereisturnedintoforms,andtheformsconstitutethepowerof
electricityorheat.Heatproducesthesmellofthearomaoftheearth,andthe
grossearthisproducedbysucharoma.Andallthesecombinedtogether
constitutethecosmicphenomenon.Theextentofthecosmicphenomenonis
calculatedtobediametrically(bothways)fourbillionmiles.Thenthe
coveringsoftheuniversebegin.Thefirststratumofthecoveringiscalculated
toextendeightymillionmiles,andthesubsequentcoveringsoftheuniverseare

respectivelyoffire,effulgence,airandether,oneafteranother,eachextending
tentimesfurtherthantheprevious.ThefearlessdevoteeoftheLordpenetrates
eachoneofthemandultimatelyreachestheabsoluteatmospherewhere
everythingisofoneandthesamespiritualidentity.Thenthedevoteeenters
oneoftheVaikunthaplanets,whereheassumesexactlythesameformasthe
LordandengagesinthelovingtranscendentalserviceoftheLord.Thatisthe
highestperfectionofdevotionallife.Beyondthisthereisnothingtobedesired
orachievedbytheperfectyogi.
Thedevoteethussurpassesthesubtleobjectsofdifferentsenseslikearomaby
smelling,thepalatebytasting,visionbyseeingforms,touchbycontacting,the
vibrationsoftheearbyetherealidentification,andthesenseorgansbymaterial
activities.
Sotheyogiordevotee,alongwithliquidationofthegrosselements,
relinquishesthesubtlecauseslikearomabysmelling.Thepurespiritualspark,
thelivingentity,thusbecomescompletelycleansedofallmaterial
contaminationtobecomeeligibleforentranceintothekingdomofGod.
Thedevotee,thussurpassingthegrossandthesubtleformsofcoverings,enters
theplaneofegoism.Andinthatstatushemergesthematerialmodesofnature
[ignoranceandpassion]inthispointofneutralizationandthusreachesegoism
ingoodness.Afterthis,allegoismismergedinthemahattattva,andhecomes
tothepointofpureselfrealization.
Pureselfrealization,aswehaveseveraltimesdiscussed,isthepure
consciousnessofadmittingoneselftobetheeternalservitoroftheLord.
ThisstageofrenderingtranscendentallovingservicetotheLordwithoutany
hopesofemolumentfromtheLord,oranyotherway,canbeattainedwhenthe
materialsensesarepurifiedandtheoriginalpurestateofthesensesisrevived.

Itissuggestedhereinthattheprocessofpurifyingthesensesisbytheyogic
way,namelythegrosssensesaremergedinthemodeofignorance,andthe
subtlesensesaremergedinthemodeofpassion.Themindbelongstothemode
ofgoodnessandthereforeiscalleddevamaya,orgodly.perfectpurificationof
themindismadepossiblewhenoneisfixedintheconvictionofbeingthe
eternalservitoroftheLord.
Thereforesimpleattainmentofgoodnessisalsoamaterialmode;onehasto
surpassthisstageofmaterialgoodnessandreachthepointofpurified
goodness,orvasudevasattva.Thisvasudevasattvahelpsonetoenterintothe

kingdomofGod.
Wemayalsorememberinthisconnectionthattheprocessofgradual
emancipationbythedevoteesinthemannermentionedabove,although
authoritative,isnotviableinthepresentagebecauseofpeople'sbeing
primarilyunawareofyogapractice.
LordSriCaitanya,therefore,madeiteasierfortheprospectivedevoteeofthe
presentageinthefollowingspecificmanner.Ultimatelythereisnodifference
intheresult.
TherearethreestagesinchantingtheholynameoftheLord.Thefirststageis
theoffensivechantingoftheholyname,andthesecondisthereflectivestage
ofchantingtheholyname.Thethirdstageistheoffenselesschantingofthe
holynameoftheLord.Inthesecondstageonly,thestageofreflection,
betweentheoffensiveandoffenselessstages,oneautomaticallyattainsthe
stageofemancipation.Andintheoffenselessstage,oneactuallyentersintothe
kingdomofGod,althoughphysicallyhemayapparentlybewithinthematerial
world.
Bysystematicnurturing,thecreeperwillgrowtosuchanextentthatitwill
penetratethecoveringsoftheuniverse,aswehaveheardintheprevious
verses,reachtheeffulgentsky,thebrahmajyoti,andgofartherandfartherand
reachthespiritualsky,wherethereareinnumerablespiritualplanetscalled
Vaikunthalokas.AboveallofthemisKrsnaloka,orGolokaVrndavana,
whereinthegrowingcreeperentersandtakesreposeatthelotusfeetofLord
SriKrsna,theoriginalPersonalityofGodhead.
WhenonereachesthelotusfeetofLordKrsnaatGolokaVrndavana,the
wateringprocessofhearingandreading,asalsochantingoftheholynamein
thepuredevotionalstage,fructifies,andthefruitsgrownthereintheformof
loveofGodaretangiblytastedbythedevotee,eventhoughheishereinthis
materialworld.

Buttheworkingdevoteemustalwaysbemindfulsothatthecreeperwhichhas
sogrownwillnotbecutoff.Thereforeheshouldbemindfulofthefollowing
considerations:
(1)Offensebyoneatthefeetofapuredevoteemaybelikenedtothemad
elephantwhodevastatesaverygoodgardenifitenters.
(2)Onemustbeverycarefultoguardhimselfagainstsuchoffensesatthefeet

ofpuredevotees,justasoneprotectsacreeperbyallaroundfencing.
(3)Itsohappensthatbythewateringprocesssomeweedsarealsogrown,and
unlesssuchweedsareuprooted,thenurturingofthemaincreeper,orthe
creeperofbhaktiyoga,maybehampered.
(4)Actuallytheseweedsarematerialenjoyment,mergingoftheselfinthe
Absolutewithoutseparateindividuality,andmanyotherdesiresinthefieldof
religion,economicdevelopment,senseenjoymentandemancipation.
(5)Therearemanyotherweeds,likedisobediencetothetenetsoftherevered
scriptures,unnecessaryengagements,killinganimals,andhankeringafter
materialgain,prestigeandadoration.
(6)Ifsufficientcareisnottaken,thenthewateringprocessmayonlyhelpto
breedtheweeds,stuntingthehealthygrowthofthemaincreeperandresulting
innofructificationoftheultimaterequirement:loveofGod.
(7)Thedevoteemustthereforebeverycarefultouprootthedifferentweedsin
theverybeginning.Onlythenwillthehealthygrowthofthemaincreepernot
bestunted.
(8)Andbysodoing,thedevoteeisabletorelishthefruitofloveofGod
andthuslivepracticallywithLordKrsna,eveninthislife,andbeableto
seetheLordineverystep.
Thehighestperfectionoflifeistoenjoylifeconstantlyintheassociationofthe
Lord,andonewhocanrelishthisdoesnotaspireafteranytemporary
enjoymentofthematerialworldviaothermedia.
Onlythepurifiedsoulcanattaintheperfectionofassociatingwiththe
PersonalityofGodheadincompleteblissandsatisfactioninhisconstitutional
state.Whoeverisabletorenovatesuchdevotionalperfectionisneveragain
attractedbythismaterialworld,andheneverreturns.
Butthenumberofeverliberatedsoulsisfar,fargreaterthanthenumberof
conditionedsoulsinthematerialworld,andtheeverliberatedsoulsinthe
Vaikunthaplanetsnevercaretovisitthismiserablematerialworld.

Theycannotstayintheoceanindefinitely,fortheirurgeforsensegratification
bringsthembacktotheriversandstreamstospawn.Similarly,whenthe
materialistbecomesfrustratedinhisattemptstoenjoyhimselfinthelimited
materialworld,hemayseekimpersonalliberationbymergingeitherwiththe
CausalOceanorwiththeimpersonalbrahmajyotieffulgence.However,as

neithertheCausalOceannortheimpersonalbrahmajyotieffulgenceaffords
anysuperiorsubstituteforassociationandengagementofthesenses,the
impersonalistwillfallagainintothelimitedmaterialworldtobecome
entangledoncemoreinthewheelofbirthsanddeaths,drawnonbythe
inextinguishabledesireforsensualengagement.Butanydevoteewhoenters
thekingdomofGodbytranscendentalengagementofhissensesindevotional
service,andwhoassociateswiththeliberatedsoulsandthePersonalityof
Godheadthere,willneverbeattractedtothelimitedsurroundingsofthe
materialworld.
Thebhaktiyogi,beingcompletelyengagedintheLord'sservice,hasno
attractionforanyotherprocessofliberationlikejnanaoryoga.Apuredevotee
isaonehundredpercentdevoteeoftheLordandnothingmore.
Weshouldfurthernoteinthisversethetwowordssantamandanandam,which
denotethatdevotionalserviceoftheLordcanreallybestowuponthedevotee
twoimportantbenedictions,namelypeaceandsatisfaction.
Themysticyogisbecomeencumberedbyvariousmysticpowersandsohave
neitherpeacenorsatisfaction.Soneithertheimpersonalistsnortheyogican
haverealpeaceandsatisfaction,butthedevoteecanbecomefullypeacefuland
satisfiedbecauseofhisassociationwiththecompletewhole.
AttainmentofloveofGodheadmeanscompletefreedomfromallother
attractions.Theconditionedsoulhasmanyaspirationssuchasbecominga
religiousman,arichman,orafirstclassenjoyerorbecomingGodhimself,or
becomingpowerfullikethemysticsandactingwonderfullybygettinganything
ordoinganything,butalltheseaspirationsshouldberejectedbythe
prospectivedevoteewhoactuallywantstorevivehisdormantloveofGod.
Theimpuredevoteeaspiresafteralloftheabovementionedmaterialthingsby
perfectionofdevotion.Butapuredevoteehasnoneofthetingesoftheabove
contaminations,whicharetheinfluenceofmaterialdesires,impersonal
speculationsandattainmentofmysticpowers.Onecanattainthestageoflove
ofGodbypuredevotionalservice,orby"alearnedlaboroflove,"forthesake
ofthedevotee'slovableobject,thePersonalityofGodhead.

Tobemoreclear,ifonewantstoattainthestageofloveofGodhead,hemust
giveupalldesiresformaterialenjoyment,heshouldrefrainfromworshiping
anyofthedemigods,andheshoulddevotehimselfonlytotheworshipofthe

SupremepersonalityofGodhead.Hemustgiveupthefoolishideaof
becomingonewiththeLordandthedesiretohavesomewonderfulpowersjust
togettheephemeraladorationoftheworld.Thepuredevoteeisonlyfavorably
engagedintheserviceoftheLord,withoutanyhopeofemolument.Thiswill
bringaboutloveofGodhead,orthestageofsantamandanandam,asstatedin
thisverse.
Thetwodifferentwaysofreachingthespiritualskyandtherebygetting
emancipationfromallmaterialbondage,namelyeitherthedirectprocessof
reachingthekingdomofGodorthegradualprocessthroughtheotherhigher
planetsoftheuniverse,aresetforthexactlyaccordingtotheversionofthe
Vedas.
ThedisciplicsuccessionholdsthattheVedaswereutteredbyLordKrsnato
Brahma,byBrahmatoNarada,andbyNaradatoVyasadeva,andthenby
VyasadevatoSukadevaGosvamiandsoon.Sothereisnodifferencebetween
theversionsofalltheauthorities.Thetruthiseternal,andassuchtherecannot
beanynewopinionaboutthetruth.Thatisthewayofknowingtheknowledge
containedintheVedas.Itisnotathingtobeunderstoodbyone'serudite
scholarshiporbythefashionableinterpretationsofmundanescholars.Thereis
nothingtobeaddedandnothingtobesubtracted,becausethetruthisthetruth.
Onehastoaccept,afterall,someauthority.
Themeansofjnanaandyogaandotherallieddisciplinesarenotindependentin
deliveringaperformer.Suchactivitieshelponetoreachthestageofbhakti
yogaaftermany,manyyears.IntheBhagavadgita(12.5)itissaidthatthose
whoareattachedtotheimpersonalfeatureoftheAbsoluteareliabletomany
troublesinthepursuitoftheirdesiredgoal,andtheempiricistphilosophers,
searchingaftertheAbsoluteTruth,realizetheimportanceofVasudeva
realizationasallinallaftermany,manybirths(Bg.7.19).Asfarasyoga
systemsareconcerned,itisalsosaidintheBhagavadgita(6.47)thatamongst
themysticswhopursuetheAbsoluteTruth,theonewhoisalwaysengagedin
theserviceoftheLordisthegreatestofall.
AndthelastinstructionintheBhagavadgita(18.66)advisesfullysurrendering
untotheLord,leavingasideallotherengagementsordifferentprocessesfor
selfrealizationandliberationfrommaterialbondage.Andthepurportofall
Vediclite
ThegreatpersonalityBrahma,withgreatattentionandconcentrationofthe
mind,studiedtheVedasthreetimes,andafterscrutinizinglyexaminingthem,
heascertainedthatattractionfortheSupremePersonalityofGodheadSri
Krsnaisthehighestperfectionofreligion.
ThegeneralargumentofthecommonmanisthatsincetheLordisnotvisible

tooureyes,howcanoneeithersurrenderuntoHimorrendertranscendental
lovingserviceuntoHim?Tosuchacommonman,hereisapractical
suggestiongivenbySrilaSukadevaGosvamiastohowonecanperceivethe
SupremeLordbyreasonandperception.ActuallytheLordisnotperceivable
byourpresentmaterializedsenses,butwhenoneisconvincedofthepresence
oftheLordbyapracticalserviceattitude,thereisarevelationbytheLord's
mercy,andsuchapuredevoteeoftheLordcanperceivetheLord'spresence
alwaysandeverywhere.
HecanperceivethatintelligenceistheformdirectionoftheParamatma
plenaryportionofthePersonalityofGodhead.ThepresenceofParamatmain
everyone'scompanyisnotverydifficulttorealize,evenforthecommonman.
Theprocedureisasfollows.Onecanperceiveone'sselfidentificationandfeel
positivelythatheexists.Hemaynotfeelitveryabruptly,butbyusingalittle
intelligence,hecanfeelthatheisnotthebody.Hecanfeelthatthehand,the
leg,thehead,thehairandthelimbsareallhisbodilypartsandparcels,butas
suchthehand,theleg,thehead,etc.,cannotbeidentifiedwithhisself.
Thereforejustbyusingintelligencehecandistinguishandseparatehisself
fromotherthingsthathesees.Sothenaturalconclusionisthatthelivingbeing,
eithermanorbeast,istheseer,andheseesbesideshimselfallotherthings.So
thereisadifferencebetweentheseerandtheseen.
Oursensesofperceptionandofaction,thatistosay,ourfiveperceptivesenses
of(1)hearing,(2)touch,(3)sight,(4)tasteand(5)smell,aswellasourfive
sensesofaction,namely(1)hands,(2)legs,(3)speech,(4)evacuationorgans
and(5)reproductiveorgans,andalsoourthreesubtlesenses,namely(1)mind,
(2)intelligenceand(3)ego(thirteensensesinall),aresuppliedtousbyvarious
arrangementsofgrossorsubtleformsofnaturalenergy.
Thehigherauthority,whoispresentandresidingwithineveryindividualliving
being,istheSuperself.
TheSuperselfandtheindividualselfarebothspirit,andthereforetheSuperself
andtheindividualselfarebothqualitativelyoneanddistinctfrommatter.But
theSuperselfandtheindividualselfcannotbeonanequallevelbecausethe
Superselfgivesdirectionorsuppliesintelligenceandtheindividualselffollows
thedirection,andthusactionsareperformedproperly.Theindividualis
completelydependentonthedirectionoftheSuperselfbecauseineverystep
theindividualselffollowsthedirectionoftheSuperselfinthematterofseeing,
hearing,thinking,feeling,willing,etc.

Sofarascommonsenseisconcerned,wecometotheconclusionthatthereare
threeidentities,namelymatter,spiritandSuperspirit.Nowifwegotothe
Bhagavadgita,ortheVedicintelligence,wecanfurtherunderstandthatall
threeidentities,namelymatter,individualspirit,andtheSuperspirit,areall
dependentontheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.TheSuperselfisapartial
representationorplenaryportionoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
RealizationoftheSuperselfbytheindividualselfisthebeginningofself
realization,andbytheprogressofsuchselfrealizationoneisabletorealizethe
SupremePersonalityofGodheadbyintelligence,bythehelpofauthorized
scriptures,and,principally,bythegraceoftheLord.
Thebhaktiyogaprocessispracticedbythedevoteesindifferentmethodslike
hearing,chanting,remembering,servingthelotusfeetoftheLord,worshiping,
praying,renderingserviceinlove,becomingfriendly,andofferingallthatone
maypossess
Hearingissolidifiedbytheprocessofchanting
BecausetheLordisallpervading,itisessentialtoglorifyHimalwaysand
everywhere.IntheprocessofglorifyingtheLordthereshouldbenorestriction
oftimeandspace.Thisiscalledsanatanadharmaorbhagavatadharma.
Sanatanameanseternal,alwaysandeverywhere.
andrenderHimtranscendentallovingserviceinthespiritualplanetofthename
GolokaVrndavana,whichresemblesahugelotusflower.
bysufficienthearingofthetranscendentalmessageoftheLord,thematerial
contaminationisdirectlyeliminatedwithoutone'sattemptingtocontemplate
theimpersonalviratconceptionoftheLord
Chapter3

Butinspiteofreadingandhearingsuchscriptures,unlessoneisintouchwitha
realizedspiritualmaster,hecannotactuallyrealizetherealnatureofself,etc.
Andoutofthousandsandhundredsofthousandsofmen,someonemayknow
whatLordKrsnaisinfact
RavanawasmadeaverypowerfulmanbyworshipingLordSiva,andheused
toofferseveredheadstopleaseLordSiva.Hebecamesopowerfulbythegrace
ofLordSivathatallthedemigodswereafraidofhim,untilheatlast
challengedthePersonalityofGodheadSriRamacandraandthusruined
himself.

TheLordhasproclaimedthatthematerialists,whodesirematerialenjoyment
andthusseekthefavorofdifferentdemigods,asabovementioned,arenotin
controloftheirsensesandsogivethemselvestononsense.Oneshould
thereforenotdesireanysortofmaterialenjoyment,beingsensibleenoughto
worshiptheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
NoonecanreachBombayfromDelhibypurchasingaticketforBaroda.Itis
clearlydefinedhereinthatpersonsimpregnatedwithdifferentdesireshave
differentmodesofworship,butonewhohasnodesireformaterialenjoyment
shouldworshiptheSupremeLord,SriKrsna,thePersonalityofGodhead.And
thisworshipingprocessiscalleddevotionalservice.Puredevotionalservice
meansservicetotheLordwithoutanytingeofmaterialdesires,including
desireforfruitiveactivityandempiricspeculation.
GenerallytheLorddoesnotfulfillanyone'smaterialdesiresforsense
enjoyment,butHeawardssuchbenedictionstoworshipersoftheLord,forthey
ultimatelycometothepointofnotdesiringmaterialenjoyment.
Theconclusionisthatonemustminimizethedesiresformaterialenjoyment,
andforthisoneshouldworshiptheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,whois
describedhereasparam,orbeyondanythingmaterial.SripadaSankaracarya
hasalsostated,narayanahparo'vyaktat:theSupremeLordisbeyondthe
materialencirclement.
Apersonwhohasbroaderintelligence,whetherhebefullofallmaterialdesire,
withoutanymaterialdesire,ordesiringliberation,mustbyallmeansworship
thesupremewhole,thePersonalityofGodhead.
Desirelessmeans,therefore,nottobeinertlikethestone,buttobeconscious
ofone'sactualpositionandthusdesiresatisfactiononlyfromtheSupreme
Lord.Thismeansthatoneshouldfeelhappyonlybyexperiencingthe
happinessoftheSupremeLord.
Thisintuitionofthelivingbeingissometimesmanifestedevenduringthe
conditionedstageofalivingbeinginthematerialworld,andsuchintuitionis
expressedinthemannerofaltruism,philanthropy,socialism,communism,etc.,
bytheundevelopedmindsoflessintelligentpersons.Inthemundanefieldsuch
anoutlookofdoinggoodtoothersintheformofsociety,community,family,
countryorhumanityisapartialmanifestationofthesameoriginalfeelingin
whichapurelivingentityfeelshappinessbythehappinessoftheSupreme
Lord.
SuchsuperbfeelingswereexhibitedbythedamselsofVrajabhumiforthe
happinessoftheLord.ThegopislovedtheLordwithoutanyreturn,andthisis

theperfectexhibitionoftheakamahspirit.Kamaspirit,orthedesireforone's
ownsatisfaction,isfullyexhibitedinthematerialworld,whereasthespiritof
akamahisfullyexhibitedinthespiritualworld.
ThoughtsofbecomingonewiththeLord,orbeingmergedinthebrahmajyoti,
canalsobeexhibitionsofkamaspiritiftheyaredesiresforone'sown
satisfactiontobefreefromthematerialmiseries.Apuredevoteedoesnotwant
liberationsothathemayberelievedfromthemiseriesoflife.Evenwithoutso
calledliberation,apuredevoteeisaspirantforthesatisfactionoftheLord.
Influencedbythekamaspirit,ArjunadeclinedtofightintheKuruksetra
battlefieldbecausehewantedtosavehisrelativesforhisownsatisfaction.But
beingapuredevotee,heagreedtofightontheinstructionoftheLordbecause
hecametohissensesandrealizedthatsatisfactionoftheLordatthecostofhis
ownsatisfactionwashisprimeduty.Thushebecameakama.Thatisthe
perfectstageofaperfectlivingbeing.
Onecannotobtainanyresultfromdemigodswithoutgettingsanctionfromthe
SupremeLord.Thereforeapersonwithabroaderoutlookcanseethatthe
ultimateauthorityistheLord,evenformaterialbenefits.Underthe
circumstances,onewithabroaderoutlook,evenwiththedesireformaterial
enjoymentorforliberation,shouldtaketotheworshipoftheLorddirectly.
Andeveryone,whetheranakamaorsakamaormoksakama,shouldworship
theLordwithgreatexpedience.Thisimpliesthatbhaktiyogamaybeperfectly
administeredwithoutanymixtureofkarmaandjnana.Astheunmixedsunray
isveryforcefulandisthereforecalledtivra,similarlyunmixedbhaktiyogaof
hearing,chanting,etc.,maybeperformedbyoneandallregardlessofinner
motive.
Allthedifferentkindsofworshipersofmultidemigodscanattainthehighest
perfectionalbenediction,whichisspontaneousattractionunflinchinglyfixed
upontheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,onlybytheassociationofthepure
devoteeoftheLord.
theconditionedlivingbeingwithinthecompassofmaterialcreationcannever
solvetheproblemsoflife,namelybirth,death,oldageanddisease.
Thecompletefunctionalactivitiesofapuredevoteearealwaysengagedinthe
serviceoftheLord,andthusthepuredevoteesexchangefeelingsofecstasy
betweenthemselvesandrelishtranscendentalbliss.Thistranscendentalblissis
experiencedeveninthestageofdevotionalpractice(sadhanaavastha),if
properlyundertakenundertheguidanceofabonafidespiritualmaster.Andin
thematurestagethedevelopedtranscendentalfeelingculminatesinrealization
oftheparticularrelationshipwiththeLordbywhichalivingentityisoriginally
constituted(uptotherelationshipofconjugallovewiththeLord,whichis

estimatedtobethehighesttranscendentalbliss).Thusbhaktiyoga,beingthe
onlymeansofGodrealization,iscalledkaivalya.

Foradevotee,allmundaneactivities,socialandpolitical,becomeunattractive,
andinthematurestatesuchadevoteebecomesuninterestedeveninhisown
body,andwhattospeakofbodilyrelatives.Insuchastateofaffairsoneisnot
agitatedbythewavesofthematerialmodes.
Thisstateofaffairsisdescribedhereinaspratinivrttagunormi,anditis
possiblebyatmaprasada,orcompleteselfsatisfactionwithoutanymaterial
connection.ThefirstclassdevoteeoftheLordattainsthisstagebydevotional
service,butdespitehisloftiness,fortheLord'ssatisfactionhemayplaythe
voluntarypartofapreacheroftheLord'sgloryanddovetailallintodevotional
service,evenmundaneinterest,justtogivetheneophytesachancetotransform
mundaneinterestintotranscendentalbliss.SrilaRupaGosvamihasdescribed
thisactionofapuredevoteeasnirbandhahkrsnasambandheyuktam
vairagyamucyate.EvenmundaneactivitiesdovetailedwithservicetotheLord
arealsocalculatedtobetranscendentalorapprovedkaivalyaaffairs.
ApuredevoteeoftheLordautomaticallydevelopsallgodlyqualities,and
someoftheprominentfeaturesofthosequalitiesareasfollows:heiskind,
peaceful,truthful,equable,faultless,magnanimous,mild,clean,nonpossessive,
awellwishertoall,satisfied,surrenderedtoKrsna,withouthankering,simple,
fixed,selfcontrolled,abalancedeater,sane,mannerly,prideless,grave,
sympathetic,friendly,poetic,expertandsilent.Outofthesetwentysix
prominentfeaturesofadevotee,asdescribedbyKrsnadasaKavirajainhis
Caitanyacaritamrta,thequalificationofbeingpoeticisespeciallymentioned
hereininrelationtoSukadevaGosvami.ThepresentationofSrimad
Bhagavatambyhisrecitationisthehighestpoeticcontribution.Hewasaself
realizedlearnedsage.Inotherwords,hewasapoetamongstthesages.
AswehavealreadyquotedabovefromtheBhaktirasamrtasindhuofRupa
Gosvami,evenmundanethings,ifdovetailedintheserviceoftheLordSri
Krsna,areacceptedastranscendental.Forexample,theepicsorthehistoriesof
RamayanaandMahabharata,whicharespecificallyrecommendedfortheless
intelligentclasses(women,sudrasandunworthysonsofthehighercastes),are
alsoacceptedasVedicliteraturebecausetheyarecompiledinconnectionwith
theactivitiesoftheLord.Mahabharataisacceptedasthefifthdivisionofthe
Vedasafteritsfirstfourdivisions,namelySama,Yajur,RgandAtharva.The
lessintelligentdonotacceptMahabharataaspartoftheVedas,butgreatsages
andauthoritiesacceptitasthefifthdivisionoftheVedas.Bhagavadgitais

alsopartoftheMahabharata,anditisfulloftheLord'sinstructionfortheless
intelligentclassofmen.SomelessintelligentmensaythatBhagavadgitais
notmeantforhouseholders,butsuchfoolishmenforgetthatBhagavadgita
wasexplainedtoArjuna,agrhastha(familyman),andspokenbytheLordin
Hisroleasagrhastha.SoBhagavadgita,althoughcontainingthehigh
philosophyoftheVedicwisdom,isforthebeginnersinthetranscendental
science,andSrimadBhagavatamisforgraduatesandpostgraduatesinthe
transcendentalscience.
Thedifficultyisthatsuchliteratures,whendiscussedbyprofessionalmen,
appeartobemundaneliteraturelikehistoriesorepicsbecausethereareso
manyhistoricalfactsandfigures.Itissaidhere,therefore,thatsuchliteratures
shouldbediscussedintheassemblyofdevotees.Unlesstheyarediscussedby
devotees,suchliteraturescannotberelishedbythehigherclassofmen.
Menhaveinclinationsforstudyinghistoryandmanyothermundane
literaturesstories,fiction,dramas,magazines,newspapers,etc.soletthembe
dovetailedwiththetranscendentalserviceoftheLord,andallofthemwillturn
tothetopicsrelishedbyalldevotees.
SrimadBhagavatambeginsfromthehistoryofthePandavas(withnecessary
politicsandsocialactivities),andyetSrimadBhagavatamissaidtobethe
Paramahamsasamhita,ortheVedicliteraturemeantforthetopmost
transcendentalist,anditdescribesparamjnanam,thehighesttranscendental
knowledge.puredevoteesoftheLordareallparamahamsas,andtheyarelike
theswans,whoknowtheartofsuckingmilkoutofamixtureofmilkand
water.
Childrenwhoappearinsuchfamiliesfortunatelygenerallyimitatesuch
worshipoftheDeities,eveninthewayofchildhoodplay.BythegraceofLord
SriKrsna,wehadthechanceofbeingborninaVaisnavafamily,andinour
childhoodweimitatedtheworshipofLordKrsnabyimitatingourfather.Our
fatherencouragedusinallrespectstoobserveallfunctionssuchastheRatha
yatraandDolayatraceremonies,andheusedtospendmoneyliberallyfor
distributingprasadatouschildrenandourfriends.
ThecelebratedMiraBaiwasastaunchdevoteeofLordKrsnaasthegreatlifter
ofGovardhanaHill.
Hemighthaveimitatedeitheroftheabovementionedactivities,andallof
themestablishhisgreatdevotionfromhisverychildhood,asymptomofa
mahabhagavata.Suchmahabhagavatasarecallednityasiddhas,orsouls
liberatedfrombirth.Buttherearealsoothers,whomaynotbeliberatedfrom
birthbutwhodevelopatendencyfordevotionalservicebyassociation,and
theyarecalledsadhanasiddhas.Thereisnodifferencebetweenthetwointhe

ultimateissue,andsotheconclusionisthateveryonecanbecomeasadhana
siddha,adevoteeoftheLord,simplybyassociationwiththepuredevotees.
TheconcreteexampleisourgreatspiritualmasterSriNaradaMuni.Inhis
previouslifehewassimplyaboyofamaidservant,butthroughassociation
withgreatdevoteeshebecameadevoteeoftheLordofhisownstandard,
uniqueinthehistoryofdevotionalservice.
Thewordsatamisveryimportantinthisverse.Satammeansthepuredevotees,
whohavenootherdesirethantoservetheLord.Onlyintheassociationof
suchdevoteesarethetranscendentalgloriesofLordKrsnaproperlydiscussed.
ItappearedthatMaharajaPariksitwasagreatkingaccustomedtoroyal
facilitieswhereasSukadevaGosvamiwasatypicalrenounceroftheworld,so
muchsothathedidnotevenputaclothonhisbody.Superficially,Maharaja
PariksitandSukadevaGosvamimightseemtobeopposites,butbasicallythey
werebothunalloyedpuredevoteesoftheLord.
Bothbyrisingandbysetting,thesundecreasesthedurationoflifeof
everyone,exceptonewhoutilizesthetimebydiscussingtopicsoftheallgood
PersonalityofGodhead.
Butheisvainlyseekinghappinessinthematerialatmosphere.Alivingbeingis
constitutionallyaspiritualsparkofthecompletewhole,andhishappinesscan
beperfectlyperceivedinspiritualactivities.TheLordisthecompletespirit
whole,andHisname,form,quality,pastimes,entourageandpersonalityareall
identicalwithHim.Onceapersoncomesintocontactwithanyoneofthe
abovementionedenergiesoftheLordthroughtheproperchannelofdevotional
service,thedoortoperfectionisimmediatelyopened.
Thematerialisticwayofpiousactivitieslikecharityisrecommendedinthe
smrtisastrasasquotedbySrilaVisvanathaCakravartiThakura.Moneygiven
incharitytoasuitablepersonisguaranteedbankbalanceinthenextlife.Such
charityisrecommendedtobegiventoabrahmana.Ifthemoneyisgivenin
charitytoanonbrahmana(withoutbrahminicalqualification)themoneyis
returnedinthenextlifeinthesameproportion.Ifitisgivenincharitytoahalf
educatedbrahmana,eventhenthemoneyisreturneddouble.Ifthemoneyis
givenincharitytoalearnedandfullyqualifiedbrahmana,themoneyis
returnedahundredandathousandtimes,andifthemoneyisgiventoaveda
paraga(onewhohasfactuallyrealizedthepathoftheVedas),itisreturnedby
unlimitedmultiplication.
Dothetreesnotlive?Dothebellowsoftheblacksmithnotbreathe?Allaround
us,dothebeastsnoteatanddischargesemen?
ButtheSrimadBhagavatamaffirmsthatlifeisnotmeantforsocalled

economicdevelopmentoradvancementofmaterialisticscienceforthe
hedonisticphilosophyofeating,mating,drinkingandmerrymaking.Lifeis
solelymeantfortapasya,forpurifyingexistencesothatonemayenterinto
eternallifejustaftertheendofthehumanformoflife.
AtVrndavanathereisatamarindtree(theplaceisknownasImlitala)whichis
saidtohaveexistedsincethetimeofLordKrsna.IntheCalcuttaBotanical
Gardenthereisabanyantreesaidtobeolderthanfivehundredyears,andthere
aremanysuchtreesallovertheworld.SvamiSankaracaryalivedonlythirty
twoyears,andLordCaitanyalivedfortyeightyears.Doesitmeanthatthe
prolongedlivesoftheabovementionedtreesaremoreimportantthanSankara
orCaitanya?Prolongedlifewithoutspiritualvalueisnotveryimportant.
TheBhagavatamsaysthatthebellowsoftheblacksmithbreathesverysoundly,
butthatdoesnotmeanthatthebellowshaslife.Thematerialistwillarguethat
lifeinthetreeandlifeinthemancannotbecomparedbecausethetreecannot
enjoylifebyeatingpalatabledishesorbyenjoyingsexualintercourse.Inreply
tothis,theBhagavatamaskswhetherotheranimalslikethedogsandhogs,
livinginthesamevillagewithhumanbeings,donoteatandenjoysexuallife.
ThespecificutteranceofSrimadBhagavataminregardto"otheranimals"
meansthatpersonswhoaresimplyengagedinplanningabettertypeofanimal
lifeconsistingofeating,breathingandmatingarealsoanimalsintheshapeof
humanbeings.Asocietyofsuchpolishedanimalscannotbenefitsuffering
humanity,forananimalcaneasilyharmanotheranimalbutrarelydogood.
Menwhoarelikedogs,hogs,camelsandassespraisethosemenwhonever
listentothetranscendentalpastimesofLordSriKrsna,thedelivererfromevils.
Modernuniversityeducationpracticallypreparesonetoacquireadoggish
mentalitywithwhichtoaccepttheserviceofagreatermaster.Afterfinishinga
socallededucation,thesocallededucatedpersonsmovelikedogsfromdoor
todoorwithapplicationsforsomeservice,andmostlytheyaredrivenaway,
informedofnovacancy.Asdogsarenegligibleanimalsandservethemaster
faithfullyforbitsofbread,amanservesamasterfaithfullywithoutsufficient
rewards.
Hogsareverymuchattachedtoeatingstools.Therefore,apersonwhohasno
discriminationinregardtoeatingiscomparedtoahog.Itisknowntoeveryone
thatoneman'sfoodisanotherman'spoison.Humanbeingsareexpectedto
accepttheremnantsoffoodofferedtoLordSriKrsna,andtheLordaccepts
foodstufffromthecategoriesofleaves,flowers,fruits,etc.(Bg.9.26).As
prescribedbyVedicscriptures,noanimalfoodisofferedtotheLord.
Therefore,ahumanbeingismeanttoeataparticulartypeoffood.

Thecamelisakindofanimalthattakespleasureineatingthorns.Aperson
whowantstoenjoyfamilylifeortheworldlylifeofsocalledenjoymentis
comparedtothecamel.Materialisticlifeisfullofthorns,andsooneshould
liveonlybytheprescribedmethodofVedicregulationsjusttomakethebest
useofabadbargain.Lifeinthematerialworldismaintainedbysuckingone's
ownblood.Thecentralpointofattractionformaterialenjoymentissexlife.To
enjoysexlifeistosuckone'sownblood,andthereisnotmuchmoretobe
explainedinthisconnection.Thecamelalsosucksitsownbloodwhile
chewingthornytwigs.Thethornsthecameleatscutthetongueofthecamel,
andsobloodbeginstoflowwithinthecamel'smouth.Thethorns,mixedwith
freshblood,createatasteforthefoolishcamel,andsoheenjoysthethorn
eatingbusinesswithfalsepleasure.Similarly,thegreatbusinessmagnates,
industrialistswhoworkveryhardtoearnmoneybydifferentwaysand
questionablemeans,eatthethornyresultsoftheiractionsmixedwiththeirown
blood.ThereforetheBhagavatamhassituatedthesediseasedfellowsalong
withthecamels.
Theassisananimalwhoiscelebratedasthegreatestfool,evenamongstthe
animals.Theassworksveryhardandcarriesburdensofthemaximumweight
withoutmakingprofitforitself.).One'sselfishnessmustbeaimedatthepoint
ofgoingbacktoGodhead.Theassdoesnotknowhisselfinterest,anditworks
veryhardforothersonly.Apersonwhoworksveryhardforothersonly,
forgettinghispersonalinterestavailableinthehumanformoflife,iscompared
totheass.
Thehumanlifeissoimportantthateventhedemigodsinthehigherplanets
sometimesaspireforahumanbodyonthisearthbecauseinthehumanbody
onlycanoneeasilygobacktoGodhead.Inspiteofhavingobtainedsuchan
importantbody,ifonedoesnotreestablishhislosteternalrelationwith
Govinda,LordKrsna,heiscertainlyafoolwhohasforgottenhisselfinterest.

Andthespecialqualificationoftheassisthatitisverymuchaccustomedto
beingkickedbytheoppositesex.Whentheassbegsforsexualintercourse,he
iskickedbythefairsex,yethestillfollowsthefemaleforsuchsexual
pleasure.Ahenpeckedmaniscompared,therefore,totheass;notonlyforsex
enjoymentbutalsoforsomanyhouseholdaffairs.
Onewhohasnotlistenedtothemessagesabouttheprowessandmarvelous
actsofthePersonalityofGodheadandhasnotsungorchantedloudlythe
worthysongsabouttheLordistobeconsideredtopossessearholeslikethe
holesofsnakesandatonguelikethetongueofafrog.
DevotionalservicetotheLordisrenderedbyalllimbsorpartsofthe
body.

Thefrogsloudlycroak,withtheresultthattheyinvitethesnakestoeatthem.
ThehumantongueisespeciallygivenforchantingtheVedichymnsandnotfor
croakinglikefrogs.
Thewordasatiusedinthisverseisalsosignificant.Asatimeansawomanwho
hasbecomeaprostitute.Aprostitutehasnoreputationforgoodwomanly
qualities.Similarly,thetongue,whichisgiventothehumanbeingforchanting
theVedichymns,willbeconsideredaprostitutewhenengagedinchanting
somemundanenonsense.
Asstatedhereinbefore,therearethreekindsofdevoteesoftheLord.Thefirst
classdevoteedoesnotatallseeanyonewhoisnotintheserviceoftheLord,
butthesecondclassdevoteemakesdistinctionsbetweendevoteesand
nondevotees.Thesecondclassdevoteesarethereforemeantforpreaching
work,andasreferredtointheaboveverse,theymustloudlypreachtheglories
oftheLord.Thesecondclassdevoteeacceptsdisciplesfromthesectionof
thirdclassdevoteesornondevotees.Sometimesthefirstclassdevoteealso
comesdowntothecategoryofthesecondclassdevoteeforpreachingwork.
Butthecommonman,whoisexpectedtobecomeatleastathirdclassdevotee,
isadvisedhereintovisitthetempleoftheLordandbowdownbeforethe
Deity,
TheLordinthetempleintheworshipableformisnevertobeconsideredtobe
madeofstoneorwood,fortheLordinHisarcaincarnationastheDeityinthe
templeshowsimmensefavortothefallensoulsbyHisauspiciouspresence.
AdvancementofmaterialsciencewithoutGodconsciousnessisaheavyload
ontheheadofhumansociety,andsoonemusttakeheedofthisgreatwarning.
Thecommonman,ifhehasnotimetoworshiptheLord,mayatleastengage

hishandsforafewsecondsinwashingorsweepingtheLord'stemple.
MaharajaPrataparudra,thegreatlypowerfulkingofOrissa,wasalwaysvery
busywithheavystateresponsibilities,yethemadeitapointtosweepthe
templeofLordJagannathaatPurionceayearduringthefestivaloftheLord.
Theideaisthathoweverimportantamanonemaybehemustacceptthe
supremacyoftheSupremeLord.ThisGodconsciousnesswillhelpamaneven
inhismaterialprosperity.MaharajaPrataparudra'ssubordinationbeforeLord
Jagannathamadehimapowerfulking,somuchsothateventhegreatPathanin
histimecouldnotenterintoOrissaonaccountofthepowerfulMaharaja
Prataparudra.AndatlastMaharajaPrataparudrawasgracedbyLordSri
CaitanyaontheverygroundsofhisacceptanceofsubordinationtotheLordof
theuniverse.Soeventhougharichman'swifehasglitteringbanglesmadeof
goldonherhands,shemustengageherselfinrenderingservicetotheLord.

Especiallyforthehouseholderdevotees,thepathofDeityworshipisstrongly
recommended.Asfaraspossible,everyhouseholder,bythedirectionofthe
spiritualmaster,mustinstalltheDeityofVisnu,formslikeRadhaKrsna,
LaksmiNarayanaorSitaRamaespecially,oranyotherformoftheLord,like
Nrsimha,Varaha,GauraNitai,Matsya,Kurma,salagramasilaandmanyother
formsofVisnu,likeTrivikrama,Kesava,Acyuta,Vasudeva,Narayanaand
Damodara,asrecommendedintheVaisnavatantrasorPuranas,andone's
familyshouldworshipstrictlyfollowingthedirectionsandregulationsof
arcanavidhi.
allthemembersofthehouseholdshouldbeengagedinthedailyserviceofthe
Lord,beginningfrommorning(4a.m.)tillnight(10p.m.)byperforming
mangalaaratrika,niranjana,arcana,puja,kirtana,srngara,bhoga
vaikali,sandhyaaratrika,patha,bhoga(atnight),sayanaaratrika,etc.
Bookknowledgeistheoretical,whereasthearcanaprocessispractical
Visitingthetempleofadevoteeandlookingattheprofuselydecoratedforms
oftheLordwelldressedinawelldecorated,sanctifiedtemplenaturallyinfuse
themundanemindwithspiritualinspiration.Peopleshouldvisitholyplaces
likeVrndavanawheresuchtemplesandworshipoftheDeityarespecifically
maintained.Formerlyallrichmenlikekingsandrichmerchantsconstructed
suchtemplesunderthedirectionofexpertdevoteesoftheLord,likethesix
Gosvamis,anditisthedutyofthecommonmantotakeadvantageofthese
templesandfestivalsobservedintheholyplacesofpilgrimagebyfollowingin
thefootstepsofgreatdevotees(anuvraja).

Oneshouldnotvisitallthesesanctifiedpilgrimageplacesandtempleswith
sightseeinginmind,butonemustgotosuchtemplesandsanctifiedplaces
immortalizedbythetranscendentalpastimesoftheLordandbeguidedby
propermenwhoknowthescience.
Themovingtendencyofthehumanbeingismisusedbyvisitingplacesfor
sightseeing.Thebestpurposeofsuchtravelingtendenciescouldbefulfilledby
visitingtheholyplacesestablishedbygreatacaryasandtherebynotbeing
misledbytheatheisticpropagandaofmoneymakingmenwhohaveno
knowledgeofspiritualmatters.
Whenamandies,heiscalleddead,butwhenheagainappearsinasubtleform
notvisibletoourpresentvisionandyetacts,suchadeadbodyiscalleda
ghost.Ghostsarealwaysverybadelements,alwayscreatingafearfulsituation
forothers.

Thereisacommonsayingthatoneshouldfirstlovethedogofthebeloved
beforeoneshowsanylovingsentimentsforthebeloved.Thestageofpure
devotionisattainedbysincerelyservingapuredevoteeoftheLord.Thefirst
conditionofdevotionalservicetotheLordisthereforetobeaservantofapure
devotee,andthisconditionisfulfilledbythestatement"receptionofthedustof
thelotusfeetofapuredevoteewhohasalsoservedanotherpuredevotee."
Thatisthewayofpuredisciplicsuccession,ordevotionalparampara.
"OKingRahugana,theperfectionalstageofdevotionalservice,orthe
paramahamsastageoflife,cannotbeattainedunlessoneisblessedbythedust
ofthefeetofgreatdevotees.Itisneverattainedbytapasya[austerity],the
Vedicworshipingprocess,acceptanceoftherenouncedorderoflife,the
dischargeofthedutiesofhouseholdlife,thechantingoftheVedichymns,or
theperformanceofpenancesinthehotsun,withincoldwaterorbeforethe
blazingfire."
Inotherwords,LordSriKrsnaisthepropertyofHispureunconditional
devotees,andassuchonlythedevoteescandeliverKrsnatoanotherdevotee;
Krsnaisneverobtainabledirectly.LordCaitanyathereforedesignatedHimself
asgopibhartuhpadakamalayordasadasanudasah,or"themostobedient
servantoftheservantsoftheLord,whomaintainsthegopidamselsat
Vrndavana."ApuredevoteethereforeneverapproachestheLorddirectly,but
triestopleasetheservantoftheLord'sservants,andthustheLordbecomes
pleased,andonlythencanthedevoteerelishthetasteofthetulasileavesstuck
toHislotusfeet.

IntheBrahmasamhitaitissaidthattheLordisnevertobefoundbybecoming
agreatscholaroftheVedicliteratures,butHeisveryeasilyapproachable
throughHispuredevotee.
InVrndavanaallthepuredevoteesprayforthemercyofSrimatiRadharani,
thepleasurepotencyofLordKrsna.SrimatiRadharaniisatenderhearted
femininecounterpartofthesupremewhole,resemblingtheperfectionalstage
oftheworldlyfemininenature.Therefore,themercyofRadharaniisavailable
veryreadilytothesinceredevotees,andonceSherecommendssuchadevotee
toLordKrsna,theLordatonceacceptsthedevotee'sadmittanceintoHis
association.Theconclusionis,therefore,thatoneshouldbemoreseriousabout
seekingthemercyofthedevoteethanthatoftheLorddirectly,andbyone's
doingso(bythegoodwillofthedevotee)thenaturalattractionfortheservice
oftheLordwillberevived.
Certainlythatheartissteelframedwhich,inspiteofone'schantingtheholy
nameoftheLordwithconcentration,doesnotchangewhenecstasytakes
place,tearsfilltheeyesandthehairsstandonend.

WeshouldnotewithprofitthatinthefirstthreechaptersoftheSecondCantoa
gradualprocessofdevelopmentofdevotionalserviceisbeingpresented.Inthe
FirstChapterthefirststepindevotionalserviceforGodconsciousnessbythe
processofhearingandchantinghasbeenstressed,andagrossconceptionof
thePersonalityofGodheadinHisuniversalformforthebeginnersis
recommended.BysuchagrossconceptionofGodthroughthematerial
manifestationsofHisenergy,oneisenabledtospiritualizethemindandthe
sensesandgraduallyconcentratetheminduponLordVisnu,theSupreme,who
ispresentastheSupersoulineveryheartandeverywhere,ineveryatomofthe
materialuniverse.Thesystemofpancaupasana,recommendingfivemental
attitudesforthecommonman,isalsoenactedforthispurpose,namelygradual
development,worshipofthesuperiorthatmaybeintheformoffire,
electricity,thesun,themassoflivingbeings,LordSivaand,atlast,the
impersonalSupersoul,thepartialrepresentationofLordVisnu.Theyareall
nicelydescribedintheSecondChapter,butintheThirdChapterfurther
developmentisprescribedafteronehasactuallyreachedthestageofVisnu
worship,orpuredevotionalservice,andthematurestageofVisnuworshipis
suggestedhereininrelationtothechangeofheart.
Thewholeprocessofspiritualcultureisaimedatchangingtheheartofthe
livingbeinginthematterofhiseternalrelationwiththeSupremeLordas
subordinateservant,whichishiseternalconstitutionalposition.
Sowiththeprogressofdevotionalservice,thereactionofchangeintheheartis

exhibitedbygradualdetachmentfromthesenseofmaterialenjoymentbya
falsesenseoflordingitovertheworldandanincreaseintheattitudeof
renderinglovingservicetotheLord.
Vidhibhakti,orregulateddevotionalservicebythelimbsofthebody(namely
theeyes,theears,thenose,thehandsandthelegs,asalreadyexplained
hereinbefore),isnowstressedhereininrelationtothemind,whichisthe
impetusforallactivitiesofthelimbsofthebody.
Wemustalwaysrememberthathearingandchantingarethebasicprinciplesof
dischargingdevotionalduties,andiftheyareproperlyperformedtherewill
followthereactionalecstasywithsignsoftearsintheeyesandstandingofthe
hairsonthebody.Thesearenaturalconsequencesandarethepreliminary
symptomsofthebhavastage,whichoccursbeforeonereachestheperfectional
stageofprema,loveofGodhead.
Ifthereactiondoesnottakeplace,evenaftercontinuoushearingandchanting
oftheholynameoftheLord,itmaybeconsideredtobeduetooffensesonly.
ThatistheopinionoftheSandarbha.Inthebeginningofchantingoftheholy
nameoftheLord,ifthedevoteehasnotbeenverycarefulaboutevadingthe
tenkindsofoffensesatthefeetoftheholyname,certainlythereactionof
feelingsofseparationwillnotbevisiblebytearsintheeyesandstandingofthe
haironend.
Thebhavastageismanifestedbyeighttranscendentalsymptoms,namely
inertness,perspiration,standingofhairsonend,failinginthevoice,trembling,
palenessofthebody,tearsintheeyesandfinallytrance.
Eventhoughdecoratedwiththesignsofadevotee,apersonaddictedto
smoking,drinkingorillegitimatesexwithwomencannothavealltheabove
mentionedecstaticsymptoms.
WhenLordCaitanyametSrilaRamanandaRayaofKavauronthebankofthe
Godavari,theLorddevelopedallthesesymptoms,butbecauseofthepresence
ofsomenondevoteebrahmanaswhowereattendantsoftheRaya,theLord
suppressedthesesymptoms.Sosometimestheyarenotvisibleeveninthebody
ofthefirstclassdevoteeforcertaincircumstantialreasons.Thereforereal,
steadybhavaisdefinitelydisplayedinthematterofcessationofmaterial
desires(ksanti),utilizationofeverymomentinthetranscendentalloving
serviceoftheLord(avyarthakalatvam),eagernessforglorifyingtheLord
constantly(namaganesadaruci),attractionforlivinginthelandoftheLord
(pritistadvasatisthale),completedetachmentfrommaterialhappiness
(virakti),andpridelessness(manasunyata).Onewhohasdevelopedallthese
transcendentalqualitiesisreallypossessedofthebhavastage,asdistinguished
fromthestoneheartedimitatorormundanedevotee.

Thewholeprocesscanbesummarizedasfollows:Theadvanceddevoteewho
chantstheholynameoftheLordinaperfectlyoffenselessmannerandis
friendlytoeveryonecanactuallyrelishthetranscendentaltasteofglorifying
theLord.Andtheresultofsuchrealizationisreflectedinthecessationofall
materialdesires,etc.,asmentionedabove.Theneophytes,duetotheirbeingin
thelowerstageofdevotionalservice,areinvariablyenvious,somuchsothat
theyinventtheirownwaysandmeansofdevotionalregulationswithout
followingtheacaryas.Assuch,eveniftheymakeashowofconstantly
chantingtheholynameoftheLord,theycannotrelishthetranscendentaltaste
oftheholyname.Therefore,theshowoftearsintheeyes,trembling,
perspirationorunconsciousness,etc.,iscondemned.Theycan,however,getin
touchwithapuredevoteeoftheLordandrectifytheirbadhabits;otherwise
theyshallcontinuetobestoneheartedandunfitforanytreatment.Acomplete
progressivemarchonthereturnpathhome,backtoGodhead,willdependon
theinstructionsoftherevealedscripturesdirectedbyarealizeddevotee.
Chapter4

SutaGosvamisaid:MaharajaPariksit,thesonofUttara,afterhearingthe
speechesofSukadevaGosvami,whichwereallaboutthetruthoftheself,
appliedhisconcentrationfaithfullyuponLordKrsna.
Thewordsatimisverysignificant.Thismeans"existing"and"chaste."And
bothimportsareperfectlyapplicableinthecaseofMaharajaPariksit.
thatoneshouldworshiptheLordonlyandnooneelse,eventhoughfullofall
desiresordesireless
TobecomeapuredevoteeofLordKrsna,twothingsareverymuchessential,
namelyhavingachancetobeborninthefamilyofadevoteeandhavingthe
blessingsofabonafidespiritualmaster.BythegraceofLordKrsna,Pariksit
Maharajahadbothopportunities
MaharajaPariksit,asaresultofhiswholeheartedattractionforLordKrsna,
wasabletogiveupalldeeprootedaffectionforhispersonalbody,hiswife,
hischildren,hispalace,hisanimalslikehorsesandelephants,histreasury
house,hisfriendsandrelatives,andhisundisputedkingdom.
Oneselectsawifeforbodilycomforts,andtheresultischildren.Forwifeand
childrenonerequiresadwellingplace,andassucharesidentialhouseisalso
necessary.Animalslikehorses,elephants,cowsanddogsareallhousehold
animals,andahouseholderhastokeepthemashouseholdparaphernalia.In
moderncivilizationthehorsesandelephantshavebeenreplacedbycarsand
conveyanceswithconsiderablehorsepower.Tomaintainallthehousehold
affairs,onehastoincreasethebankbalanceandbecarefulaboutthetreasury
house,andinordertodisplaytheopulenceofmaterialassets,onehastokeep

goodrelationswithfriendsandrelatives,aswellasbecomeverycarefulabout
maintainingthestatusquo.Thisiscalledmaterialcivilizationofmaterial
attachment.DevotionforLordKrsnameansnegationofallmaterial
attachmentsasdetailedabove.
MaharajaPariksit,duetohisnaturalaffectionforLordKrsnaasadevoteeof
theLord,wasalwaysexecutinghisroyaldutiesonbehalfoftheLord,andasa
responsiblekingoftheworldhewasalwayscarefultoseethattheinfluenceof
Kaliwouldnotenterhiskingdom.
AdevoteeoftheLordneverthinksofhishouseholdparaphernaliaashisown,
butsurrenderseverythingfortheserviceoftheLord.
AttachmentforhouseholdparaphernaliaandforLordKrsnagopoorly
together.

Oneattachmentisthepathofdarkness,andtheotherattachmentisthepathof
light.Wherethereislight,thereisnodarkness,andwherethereisdarkness,
thereisnolight.Butanexpertdevoteecanturneverythingtothepathoflight
byanattitudeofservicetotheLord,andthebestexamplehereisthePandavas.
MaharajaYudhisthiraandhouseholderslikehimcanturneverythingtolightby
dovetailingsocalledmaterialassetsintheserviceoftheLord,butonewhois
nottrainedorisunabletoturneverythingtotheserviceoftheLord
(nirbandhahkrsnasambandhe)mustgiveupallmaterialconnectionsbeforehe
canbefittohearandchantthegloriesoftheLord,orinotherwords,onewho
hasseriouslyheardSrimadBhagavatamforevenoneday,likeMaharaja
Pariksit,fromafitpersonalitylikeSukadevaGosvami,maybeabletoloseall
affinityformaterialthings.
Ogreatsages,thegreatsoulMaharajaPariksit,constantlyraptinthoughtof
LordKrsna,knowingwellofhisimminentdeath,renouncedallsortsoffruitive
activities,namelyactsofreligion,economicdevelopmentandsense
gratification,andthusfixedhimselffirmlyinhisnaturalloveforKrsnaand
askedallthesequestions,exactlyasyouareaskingme.

Thethreeactivitiesofreligion,economicdevelopmentandsensegratification
aregenerallyattractiveforconditionedsoulsstrugglingforexistenceinthe
materialworld.SuchregulatedactivitiesprescribedintheVedasarecalledthe
karmakandiyaconceptionoflife,andhouseholdersaregenerally
recommendedtofollowtherulesjusttoenjoymaterialprosperitybothinthis
lifeandinthenext.Mostpeopleareattractedbysuchactivities.
Evenintheactivitiesoftheirmoderngodlesscivilization,peoplearemore
concernedwitheconomicdevelopmentandsensegratificationwithoutany
religioussentiments.
Thejnanis,ortheempiricphilosophersendeavoringforliberation,are
thousandsoftimesbetterthanthefruitiveworkers,andoutofhundredsof
thousandsofsuchjnanisoneisliberatedfactually.Andoutofhundredsof
thousandsofsuchliberatedpersons,evenonepersonisrarelyfoundwhocan
firmlyfixhisminduntothelotusfeetofLordSriKrsna,asdeclaredbythe
LordHimselfintheBhagavadgita(7.19).
"LordKrsna,whoistheloverofmanydevotees(women),mayembracethis
fullysurrenderedmaidservantormaytramplemewithHisfeet,orHemay
rendermebrokenheartedbynotbeingpresentbeforemeforalongdurationof
time,butstillHeisnothinglessthantheAbsoluteLordofmyheart."
"OLordofthepoor,dowhatyoulikewithme,givemeeithermercyor
punishment,butinthisworldIhavenonetolooktoexceptYourLordship.The
catakabirdalwayspraysforthecloud,regardlessofwhetheritshowersrainsor
throwsathunderbolt."
SrilaMadhavendraPuri,thegrandspiritualmasterofLordCaitanya,took
leaveofallkarmakandiyaobligationsinthefollowingwords:
"Omyeveningprayer,allgooduntoyou.Omymorningbath,Ibidyougood
bye.Odemigodsandforefathers,pleaseexcuseme.Iamunabletoperformany
moreofferingsforyourpleasure.NowIhavedecidedtofreemyselffromall
reactionstosinssimplybyrememberinganywhereandeverywherethegreat
descendantofYaduandthegreatenemyofKamsa[LordKrsna].Ithinkthat
thisissufficientforme.Sowhatistheuseoffurtherendeavors?"
"Letthesharpmoralistaccusemeofbeingillusioned;Idonotmind.Expertsin
Vedicactivitiesmayslandermeasbeingmisled,friendsandrelativesmaycall
mefrustrated,mybrothersmaycallmeafool,thewealthymammonitesmay
pointmeoutasmad,andthelearnedphilosophersmayassertthatIammuch
tooproud;stillmyminddoesnotbudgeaninchfromthedeterminationto
servethelotusfeetofGovinda,thoughIbeunabletodoit."
AndalsoPrahladaMaharajasaid:

"Religion,economicdevelopmentandsensegratificationarecelebratedas
threemeansofattainingthepathofsalvation.Ofthese,iksatrayiespecially,
i.e.,knowledgeoftheself,knowledgeoffruitiveactsandlogicandalso
politicsandeconomics,aredifferentmeansoflivelihood.Alltheseare
differentsubjectsofVediceducation,andthereforeIconsiderthemtemporary
engagements.Ontheotherhand,surrenderinguntotheSupremeLordVisnuis
afactualgaininlife,andIconsiderittheultimatetruth."(Bhag.7.6.26)
SriBaladevaVidyabhusana,agreatVaisnavascholar,definesthisas
bhagavadarcanarupaikaniskamakarmabhirvisuddhacittahaccepting
transcendentallovingservicetotheLordastheprimeduty,freefromfruitive
reaction.
Inotherwords,receptionofthemessagesofSrimadBhagavatamfrom
professionalmen,heardbyakarmakandiyaaudience,neveractsmiraculously
asstatedhere.DevotionalhearingofthemessagesoftheLordisnotlike
hearingordinarytopics;thereforetheactionwillbefeltbythesincerehearer
byexperienceofthegradualdisappearanceofignorance.
Whenahungrymanisgivenfoodtoeat,hefeelssatiationofhungerandthe
pleasureofdiningsimultaneously.Thushedoesnothavetoaskwhetherhehas
actuallybeenfedornot.ThecrucialtestofhearingSrimadBhagavatamisthat
oneshouldgetpositiveenlightenmentbysuchanact.
Theresearchscholarfindsoutthecauseandtheeffectofeverything,but
researchscholarsasgreatasBrahma,Siva,Indraandmanyotherdemigodsare
sometimesbewilderedbyseeingthewonderfulcreativeenergyoftheLord,so
whattospeakofthetinymundanescholarsdealinginpettythings.
Astherearedifferencesinthelivingconditionsofdifferentplanetsofthe
universe,andasoneplanetissuperiortoothers,thebrainsofthelivingentities
inthoserespectiveplanetsarealsoofdifferentcategoricalvalues.Asstatedin
theBhagavadgita,onecancomparethelongdurationoflifeoftheinhabitants
ofBrahma'splanet,whichisinconceivabletotheinhabitantsofthisplanet
earth,tothecategoricalvalueofthebrainofBrahmaji,alsoinconceivableto
anygreatscientistofthisplanet.
"TherearemanypersonalitiespossessingthequalitiesofBhagavan,butKrsna
isthesupremebecausenonecanexcelHim.HeistheSupremePerson,andHis
bodyiseternal,fullofknowledgeandbliss.HeistheprimevalLordGovinda
andthecauseofallcauses."
Heissaccidanandavigraha,ortheAbsolutePersonalityofGodhead,and
thereisnodifferencebetweenHisbodyandHissoul.Heisboththepowerand
thepowerful.

MaharajaPariksitdidnotaskhisspiritualmaster,SukadevaGosvami,to
narrateLordKrsna'spastimesinVrndavana;hewantedtohearfirstaboutthe
creationoftheLord
ThosewhoareincontroloftheexternalenergyoftheLord,orinotherwords
thosewhoareinthematerialworld,mustfirstofallknowhowtheexternal
energyoftheLordisworkingunderthedirectionoftheSupremepersonality,
andafterwardsonemaytrytoenterintotheactivitiesofHisinternalenergy.
ThemundanersaremostlyworshipersofDurgadevi,theexternalenergyof
Krsna,buttheydonotknowthatDurgadeviisbuttheshadowenergyofthe
Lord.
andwithoutHissanctionthepowerfulDurgasakticannotmoveevenablade
ofgrass.
mayknowhowgreattheSupremeLordisbyinquiringabouttheprocessofHis
creativeenergy.
OnlywhenoneknowsLordKrsna'sgreatnesscanonefirmlyputone's
unflinchingfaithinHim;otherwise,likethecommonman,eventhegreat
leadersofmenwillmistakeLordKrsnaforoneofthemanydemigods,ora
historicalpersonality,oramythonly.
ThetranscendentalpastimesoftheLordinVrndavana,orevenatDvaraka,are
relishableforpersonswhohavealreadyqualifiedthemselvesinadvanced
spiritualtechniques,andthecommonmanmaybeabletoattaintosucha
planebythegradualprocessofserviceandinquiries,asweshallseeinthe
behaviorofMaharajaPariksit.

SuchmaintenanceiseffectedbytheLordthroughHisdifferentexpansionsof
Selfandthreeprincipalenergies,namelytheinternal,externalandmarginal
energies.ThelivingentitiesareHismarginalenergies,andsomeofthem,in
theconfidenceoftheLord,areentrustedwiththeworkofcreationalso,asare
Brahma,Marici,etc.,andtheactsofcreationareinspiredbytheLordunto
them(tenebrahmahrda).Theexternalenergy(maya)isalsoimpregnatedwith
thejivas,orconditionedsouls.Theunconditionedmarginalpotencyactsinthe
spiritualkingdom,andtheLord,byHisdifferentplenaryexpansions,maintains
themindifferenttranscendentalrelationsdisplayedinthespiritualsky.
Olearnedbrahmana,thetranscendentalactivitiesoftheLordareallwonderful,
andtheyappearinconceivablebecauseevengreatendeavorsbymanylearned
scholarshavestillprovedinsufficientforunderstandingthem.
WehavemarkedinthepreviousversethatHecreatesandagainwindsupthe

creation.Thisactionisapplicableonlyinthematerialworldbecausetheother,
greaterpartofHiscreation,namelytheVaikunthaworld,isneithercreatednor
annihilated;otherwisetheVaikunthadhamawouldnothavebeencalled
eternal.TheLordexistswithdhama;Hiseternalname,quality,pastimes,
entourageandpersonalityarealladisplayofHisdifferentenergiesand
expansions.
TheLordiscalledanadi,orhavingnocreator,andadi,ortheoriginofall.
Thisadaptabilityofanorganismtodifferentvarietiesofplanetsisdescribedin
theBrahmasamhitaasvibhutibhinnam;i.e.,eachandeveryoneofthe
innumerableplanetswithintheuniverseisendowedwithaparticulartypeof
atmosphere,andthelivingbeingstherearemoreperfectlyadvancedinscience
andpsychologybecauseofabetteratmosphere.Vibhutimeans"specific
powers,"andbhinnammeans"variegated."
Scientistswhoareattemptingtoexploreouterspaceandaretryingtoreach
otherplanetsbymechanicalarrangementsmustknowforcertainthat
organismsadaptedtotheatmosphereofearthcannotexistintheatmospheres
ofotherplanets(EasyJourneytoOtherplanets).Onehastopreparehimself,
therefore,tobetransferredtoadifferentplanetafterbeingrelievedofthe
presentbody
Hesaidthereforethatevengreatlylearnedscholarsfailtoknowaboutthat,
evenaftergreateffort.TheLordisunlimited,andHisactivitiesarealso
unfathomed.Withalimitedsourceofknowledgeandwithimperfectsenses,
anylivingbeing,uptothestandardofBrahmaji,thehighestperfectliving
beingwithintheuniverse,canneverimagineknowingabouttheunlimited.

Kindlyclearupallthesedoubtfulinquiries,becauseyouarenotonlyvastly
learnedintheVedicliteraturesandselfrealizedintranscendence,butarealso
agreatdevoteeoftheLordandarethereforeasgoodasthePersonalityof
Godhead.
Heisverydifficulttoknowsimplybylearningthetranscendentalscienceof
theVedas,butHeisveryeasilyrealizedbyHispuredevotees.
TheexpansionsofdifferentformsoftheLord,asfromKrsnatoBaladevato
Sankarsana,fromSankarsanatoVasudeva,fromVasudevatoAniruddha,from
AniruddhatoPradyumnaandthenagaintosecondSankarsanaandfromHim
totheNarayanapurusavataras,andinnumerableotherforms,whichare
comparedtotheconstantflowingoftheuncountablewavesofariver,areall

oneandthesame.
TheVedassaythatHeissocompletethateventhoughthewholecomplete
identityemanatesfromHim,Hestillremainsthesamecompletewhole
thataftersurpassingthestageofknowledge,whenoneisabletobeengagedin
thedevotionalserviceoftheLord,thenonlycanoneknowthetruenatureof
theLord.OnecannothaveanyclearconceptionoftheLordorHisholyname,
form,attributes,pastimes,etc.,unlessoneisengagedinHistranscendental
lovingservice.
ThestatementoftheBhagavadgitathatonemustfirstofallsurrenderuntothe
Lord,beingfreedfromallotherengagements,meansthatonemustbecomea
pure,unconditionaldevoteeoftheLord.OnlythencanoneknowHimbythe
strengthofdevotionalservice.
SriRamacandraattemptedtobridgetheIndianOceantoreachtheislandof
Lanka,butSriHanumanji,theunalloyeddevoteeofthePersonalityof
Godhead,couldcrosstheoceansimplybyjumpingoverit.TheLordisso
mercifuluponHispuredevoteethatHepresentsHisbeloveddevoteeasmore
powerfulthanHimself.
Therefore,notonlyisadevoteeoftheLordmorepowerfulthantheLord,but
alsoworshipofthedevoteeisconsideredmoreeffectivethandirectworshipof
theLord(madbhaktapujabhyadhika).
Theconclusionis,therefore,thataseriousdevoteemustfirstapproacha
spiritualmasterwhonotonlyiswellversedintheVedicliteraturesbutisalsoa
greatdevoteewithfactualrealizationoftheLordandHisdifferentenergies.
AndabonafidespiritualmasterlikeSukadevaGosvamidoesnotspeakabout
theLordonlyinthematterofHisinternalpotencies,butalsoexplainshowHe
associateswithHisexternalpotencies.

TheLord'spastimesintheinternalpotencyaredisplayedinHisactivitiesin
Vrndavana,butHisexternalpotentialworksaredirectedinHisfeaturesof
KaranarnavasayiVisnu,GarbhodakasayiVisnuandKsirodakasayiVisnu.
ThedevoteesoftheLord,whiledeliveringspeechesanddescribingthe
transcendentalattributesoftheLord,donotthinkthattheycandoanything
independently.Theythinkthattheycanspeakonlywhattheyareinducedto
speakbytheSupremeLord,themasterofthesenses.
Thesensesoftheindividualbeingarenothisown;thedevoteeknowsthatsuch
sensesbelongtotheSupremeLordandthattheycanbeproperlyusedwhen

theyareemployedfortheserviceoftheLord.Thesensesareinstruments,and
elementsareingredients,allendowedbytheLord;thereforewhateveran
individualcando,speak,see,etc.,isunderthedirectionoftheLordonly.
Nooneisfreetoactfreelyandindependently,andassuch,oneshouldalways
seekthepermissionoftheLordtoactoreatorspeak,andbytheblessingofthe
Lordeverythingdonebyadevoteeisbeyondtheprinciplesofthefourdefects
typicaloftheconditionedsoul.
Thismaterialworldisamanifestationofthethreemodesgoodness,passion
andignorance,andtheSupremeLord,forthecreation,maintenanceand
destructionofthematerialworld,acceptsthreepredominatingformsas
Brahma,VisnuandSankara(Siva).AsVisnuHeentersintoeverybody
materiallycreated.AsGarbhodakasayiVisnuHeentersintoeveryuniverse,
andasKsirodakasayiVisnuHeentersthebodyofeverylivingbeing.
LordSriKrsna,beingtheoriginofallvisnutattvas,isaddressedhereasparah
puman,orPurusottama,asdescribedintheBhagavadgita(15.18).Heisthe
completewhole.ThepurusavatarasarethereforeHisplenaryexpansions.
Bhaktiyogaistheonlyprocessbywhichonecanbecomecompetenttoknow
Him.Becausetheempiricphilosophersandmysticyogiscannotconceiveof
thePersonalityofGodhead,Heiscalledanupalaksyavartmane,theLordofthe
inconceivableway,orbhaktiyoga.
Forthetranscendentalistswhoaresituatedinthetopmostspiritualperfection,
Hegrantstheirspecificdestinations.
Thematerialnatureiscalledapara,orinferior,andthespiritualnatureiscalled
superiorortranscendental.ThereforetheformoftheLordisnotoftheinferior,
materialnature.Heiscompletetranscendence.
Thelessintelligentmen,whoareunawareofHistranscendentalform,describe
HimasimpersonalBrahman.ButBrahmanissimplytheraysofHis
transcendentalbody(yasyaprabha).Thedevotees,whoareawareofHis
transcendentalform,renderHimservice;thereforetheLordalsoreciprocates
byHiscauselessmercyandthusdeliversHisdevoteesfromalldistresses.
Justlikeakindfather,eitherinHisfavoruponthedevoteesorHispunishment
ofthedemonsHeiseverkindtoeveryonebecauseHeisthecomplete
existenceforallindividualexistence.
AsthereisgradualrealizationofthetranscendencefromimpersonalBrahman
tolocalizedParamatmatothePersonalityofGodhead,Purusottama,Lord
Krsna,similarlythereisgradualpromotionofone'ssituationinthe
spirituallifeofsannyasa.Kuticaka,bahudaka,parivrajakacaryaand
paramahamsaaregradualprogressivestagesintherenouncedorderof

life
Theparamahamsasaregenerallyfoundamongboththeimpersonalistsandthe
devotees,butaccordingtoSrimadBhagavatam(asclearlystatedby
Kuntidevi),purebhaktiyogaisunderstoodbytheparamahamsas,and
KuntidevihasespeciallymentionedthattheLorddescends(paritranaya
sadhunam)especiallytoawardbhaktiyogatotheparamahamsas.Soultimately
theparamahamsas,inthetruesenseoftheterm,areunalloyeddevoteesofthe
Lord.
Thosewhoacceptthepathofbhaktiyogaarethefactualparamahamsas.
AccordingtoSrilaVisvanathaCakravarti,therearetwoclassesof
paramahamsas,namelythebrahmanandis(impersonalists)andthepremanandis
(devotees),andbothareawardedtheirdesireddestinations,althoughthe
premanandisaremorefortunatethanthebrahmanandis.Butboththe
brahmanandisandthepremanandisaretranscendentalists,andtheyhave
nothingtodowiththeinferior,materialnaturefulloftheexistentialmiseriesof
life.
Heisthesupremeenjoyerofboththematerialandspiritualworlds,yetHe
enjoysHisownabodeinthespiritualsky
TherearetwosidesofthetranscendentalmanifestationsoftheSupremeLord,
SriKrsna.ForthepuredevoteesHeistheconstantcompanion,asinthecaseof
HisbecomingoneofthefamilymembersoftheYadudynasty,orHis
becomingthefriendofArjuna,orHisbecomingtheassociateneighborofthe
inhabitantsofVrndavana,asthesonofNandaYasoda,thefriendofSudama,
SridamaandMadhumangala,ortheloverofthedamselsofVrajabhumi,etc.
ThatispartofHispersonalfeatures.
AndbyHisimpersonalfeatureHeexpandstheraysofthebrahmajyoti,which
islimitlessandallpervasive.Partofthisallpervasivebrahmajyoti,whichis
comparedtothesunrays,iscoveredbythedarknessofthemahattattva,and
thisinsignificantpartisknownasthematerialworld.

Themundanersaremoreorlesscaptivatedbytheunlimitedexpansionofthe
raysoftheLord,butthedevoteesareconcernedmorewithHispersonalform,
fromwhicheverythingisemanating(janmadyasyayatah).Asthesunraysare
concentratedinthesundisc,thebrahmajyotiisconcentratedinGoloka
Vrndavana,thetopmostspiritualplanetinthespiritualsky.

Onewhoisdazzledbytheeffulgenceoftheimpersonalbrahmajyoticannot
knowthepersonaltranscendence;thereforeintheIsopanisad(15)itisprayed
thattheLordshiftHisdazzlingeffulgencesothatthedevoteecanseethereal
reality.
TheVaikunthaplanetsandtheGolokaVrndavanaplanetareallself
illuminating,andtheraysscatteredbythosesvadhamaoftheLordconstitute
theexistenceofthebrahmajyoti.AsfurtherconfirmedintheVedaslikethe
Mundaka(2.2.10),Katha(2.2.15)andSvetasvataraUpanisads(6.14)
ThedevoteesneednotbedisappointedinthephysicalabsenceoftheLord,
thoughtheymaythinkofnotbeingassociatedwithHim.Thedevotional
processofchanting,hearing,remembering,etc.,(eitherallorsomeofthem,or
evenoneofthem)cangiveusthedesiredresultofassociatingwiththeLordby
dischargingthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLordintheabovemanner.
EventheverysoundoftheholynameofLordKrsnaorRamacanatonce
surchargetheatmospherespiritually.WemustknowdefinitelythattheLordis
presentwhereversuchpuretranscendentalserviceisperformed,andthusthe
performerofoffenselesskirtanamhaspositiveassociationwiththeLord.
Thismentalityofcommittingsinswillfullyonthestrengthofdevotional
serviceiscallednamnobaladyasyahipapabuddhih,anditisthegreatest
offenseinthedischargeofdevotionalservice.Hearing,therefore,isessentialin
ordertokeeponeselfstrictlyonguardagainstsuchpitfallsofsins.
Letmeoffermyrespectfulobeisancesagainandagainuntotheallauspicious
LordSriKrsna.Thehighlyintellectual,simplybysurrenderinguntoHis
lotusfeet,arerelievedofallattachmentstopresentandfutureexistences
andwithoutdifficultyprogresstowardspiritualexistence.
"MydearArjuna,youareverydeartoMe,andthereforeonlyforyourgoodI
willdisclosethemostsecretpartofMyinstructions.Itissimplythis:becomea
puredevoteeofMineandgiveyourselfuntoMeonly,andIpromiseyoufull
spiritualexistence,bywhichyoumaygaintheeternalrightoftranscendental
lovingserviceuntoMe.Justgiveupallotherwaysofreligiosityand
exclusivelysurrenderuntoMeandbelievethatIwillprotectyoufromyour
sinfulacts,andIshalldeliveryou.Donotworryanymore."

Personswhoareintelligenttakeseriousnoticeofthislastinstructionofthe
Lord.Knowledgeoftheselfisthefirststepinspiritualrealization,whichis
calledconfidentialknowledge,andastepfurtherisGodrealization,whichis
calledmoreconfidentialknowledge.

TheculminationoftheknowledgeofBhagavadgitaisGodrealization,and
whenoneattainsthisstageofGodrealization,henaturally,voluntarily
becomesadevoteeoftheLordtorenderHimlovingtranscendentalservice.
ThisdevotionalservicetotheLordisalwaysbasedonloveofGodandis
distinctfromthenatureofroutineserviceasprescribedinkarmayoga,jnana
yogaordhyanayoga.
IntheBhagavadgitatherearedifferentinstructionsforsuchmenofdifferent
categories,andtherearevariousdescriptionsforvarnasramadharma,
sannyasadharma,yatidharma,therenouncedorderoflife,controllingthe
senses,meditation,perfectionofmysticpowers,etc.,butonewhofully
surrendersuntotheLordtorenderserviceuntoHim,outofspontaneouslove
forHim,factuallyassimilatestheessenceofallknowledgedescribedinthe
Vedas.
Attainmentofthisperfectionoflifeiseasilyavailabletoapuredevoteeofthe
Lordwithouthisundergoinganydifficultmethodofperfection.Sucha
devotionallifeisfullofkirtanam,smaranam,iksanam,etc.,asmentionedinthe
previousverse.
WhenLordBrahmametLordKrsnaasaplayfulchildatVrndavana,heoffered
hisprayerinwhichhesaid:
Bhaktiyogaisthehighestqualityofperfectiontobeachievedbythe
intelligentpersoninlieuofperformingalargequantityofspiritualactivities.
Theexamplecitedhereisveryappropriate.Ahandfulofrealpaddyismore
valuablethanheapsofpaddyskinswithoutanysubstancewithin.Similarly,
oneshouldnotbeattractedbythejuggleryofkarmakandaorjnanakandaor
eventhegymnasticperformancesofyoga,butskillfullyshouldtaketothe
simpleperformancesofkirtanam,smaranam,etc.,underabonafidespiritual
master,andwithoutanydifficultyattainthehighestperfection.
LetmeoffermyrespectfulobeisancesuntotheallauspiciousLordSriKrsna
againandagainbecausethegreatlearnedsages,thegreatperformersof
charity,thegreatworkersofdistinction,thegreatphilosophersandmystics,the
greatchantersoftheVedichymnsandthegreatfollowersofVedicprinciples
cannotachieveanyfruitfulresultwithoutdedicationofsuchgreatqualitiesto
theserviceoftheLord.
Withoutsuchdovetailing,allsuchqualitiesbecomesourcesoftroublefor
peopleingeneral.

Therearetwokindsofselfinterestalso,namelypersonalselfishnessand
extendedselfishness.Butthereisnoqualitativedifferencebetweenpersonal

andextendedselfishness.Theftforpersonalinterestorforthefamilyinterestis
ofthesamequalitynamely,criminal.Athiefpleadingnotguiltybecauseof
committingtheftnotforpersonalinterestbutfortheinterestofsocietyor
countryhasneverbeenexcusedbytheestablishedlawofanycountry.
Peopleingeneralhavenoknowledgethattheselfinterestofalivingbeing
attainsperfectiononlywhensuchaninterestcoincideswiththeinterestofthe
Lord.Forexample,whatistheinterestofmaintainingbodyandsoultogether?
Oneearnsmoneyformaintenanceofthebody(personalorsocial),butunless
thereisGodconsciousness,unlessthebodyisbeingproperlymaintainedto
realizeone'srelationwithGod,allgoodeffortstomaintainbodyandsoul
togetheraresimilartotheattemptsoftheanimalstomaintainbodyandsoul
together.
eventheexecutionofpiousactivities(likecharity,openingofhospitals,and
thedistributionoffoodgrains)shouldbedoneinrelationwiththeLord.The
aimofallsuchactsandendeavorsmustbethepleasureoftheLordandnotthe
satisfactionofanyotheridentity,individualorcollective(samsiddhirhari
tosanam).
Kirata:AprovinceofoldBharatavarsamentionedintheBhismaparvaof
Mahabharata.GenerallytheKiratasareknownastheaboriginaltribesofIndia,
andinmoderndaystheSantalParganasinBiharandChotaNagpurmight
comprisetheoldprovincenamedKirata.
Huna:TheareaofEastGermanyandpartofRussiaisknownastheprovince
oftheHunas.Accordingly,sometimesakindofhilltribeisknownasthe
Hunas.
Andhra:AprovinceinsouthernIndiamentionedintheBhismaparvaof
Mahabharata.Itisstillextantunderthesamename.
Pulinda:ItismentionedintheMahabharata(Adiparva174.38),viz.,the
inhabitantsoftheprovinceofthenamePulinda.Thiscountrywasconquered
byBhimasenaandSahadeva.TheGreeksareknownasPulindas,anditis
mentionedintheVanaparvaofMahabharatathatthenonVedicraceofthis
partoftheworldwouldruleovertheworld.ThisPulindaprovincewasalso
oneoftheprovincesofBharata,andtheinhabitantswereclassifiedamongst
theksatriyakings.Butlateron,duetotheirgivingupthebrahminicalculture,
theywerementionedasmlecchas(justasthosewhoarenotfollowersofthe
Islamicculturearecalledkafirsandthosewhoarenotfollowersofthe
Christianculturearecalledheathens).
Abhira:ThisnamealsoappearsintheMahabharata,bothintheSabhaparva
andBhismaparva.ItismentionedthatthisprovincewassituatedontheRiver
SarasvatiinSind.ThemodernSindprovinceformerlyextendedontheother

sideoftheArabianSea,andalltheinhabitantsofthatprovincewereknownas
theAbhiras.TheywereunderthedominationofMaharajaYudhisthira,and
accordingtothestatementsofMarkandeyathemlecchasofthispartofthe
worldwouldalsoruleoverBharata.Lateronthisprovedtobetrue,asinthe
caseofthePulindas.OnbehalfofthePulindas,AlexandertheGreatconquered
India,andonbehalfoftheAbhiras,MuhammadGhoriconqueredIndia.These
Abhiraswere
alsoformerlyksatriyaswithinthebrahminicalculture,buttheygaveupthe
connection.TheksatriyaswhowereafraidofParasuramaandhadhidden
themselvesintheCaucasianhillyregionslateronbecameknownasthe
Abhiras,andtheplacetheyinhabitedwasknownasAbhiradesa.
SumbhasorKankas:TheinhabitantsoftheKankaprovinceofoldBharata,
mentionedintheMahabharata.
Yavanas:YavanawasthenameofoneofthesonsofMaharajaYayatiwhowas
giventhepartoftheworldknownasTurkeytorule.ThereforetheTurksare
YavanasduetobeingdescendantsofMaharajaYavana.TheYavanaswere
thereforeksatriyas,andlateron,bygivingupthebrahminicalculture,they
becamemlecchayavanas.DescriptionsoftheYavanasareintheMahabharata
(Adiparva85.34).AnotherprincecalledTurvasuwasalsoknownasYavana,
andhiscountrywasconqueredbySahadeva,oneofthePandavas.Thewestern
YavanajoinedwithDuryodhanaintheBattleofKuruksetraunderthepressure
ofKarna.ItisalsoforetoldthattheseYavanasalsowouldconquerIndia,andit
provedtobetrue.
Khasa:TheinhabitantsoftheKhasadesaarementionedintheMahabharata
(Dronaparva).Thosewhohaveastuntedgrowthofhairontheupperlipare
generallycalledKhasas.Assuch,theKhasaaretheMongolians,theChinese
andotherswhoaresodesignated.
Theabovementionedhistoricalnamesaredifferentnationsoftheworld.
JesusChristandMuhammad,twopowerfuldevoteesoftheLord,havedone
tremendousserviceonbehalfoftheLordonthesurfaceoftheglobe
Thepoliticiansoftheworldmayremainintheirrespectivepositionsbecause
thepuredevoteesoftheLordarenotinterestedinpoliticalleadershipor
diplomaticimplications.Thedevoteesareinterestedonlyinseeingthatthe
peopleingeneralarenotmisguidedbypoliticalpropagandaandinseeingthat
thevaluablelifeofahumanbeingisnotspoiledinfollowingatypeof
civilizationwhichisultimatelydoomed.

AstheallpowerfulLordacceptsthehumbleserviceofHisdevoteein
devotionalactivitiesofthearcanaHisformastheworshipableDeityinthe
temple,similarlythebodyofapureVaisnavachangestranscendentallyatonce
whenhegiveshimselfuptotheserviceoftheLordandistrainedbyaqualified
Vaisnava.
"OneshouldnotconsidertheDeityoftheLordasworshipedinthetempleto
beanidol,norshouldoneconsidertheauthorizedspiritualmasteranordinary
man.NorshouldoneconsiderapureVaisnavatobelongtoaparticularcaste,
etc."(PadmaPurana)
Everyoneissearchingforeternalpeaceoreternallife,andwithanaimtothis
destinationeveryoneiseitherstudyingtheVedicscripturesorotherreligious
scripturesorundergoingsevereausterityasempiricphilosophers,asmystics
yogisorasunalloyeddevotees,etc.ButtheSupremeLordisperfectlyrealized
onlybythedevoteesbecausetheyareaboveallpretensions
Thosewhoareonthepathofselfrealizationaregenerallyclassifiedaskarmis,
jnanis,yogis,ordevoteesoftheLord.Thekarmis,whoaremuchattractedby
thefruitiveactivitiesoftheVedicrituals,arecalledbhuktikami,orthosewho
desirematerialenjoyment.Thejnanis,whotrytobecomeonewiththe
Supremebymentalspeculation,arecalledmuktikami,orthosewhodesire
liberationfrommaterialexistence.Themysticyogis,whopracticedifferent
typesofausteritiesforattainmentofeightkindsofmaterialperfectionandwho
ultimatelymeettheSupersoul(Paramatma)intrance,arecalledsiddhikami,or
thosewhodesiretheperfectionofbecomingfinerthanthefinest,becoming
heavierthantheheaviest,gettingeverythingdesired,havingcontrolover
everyone,creatingeverythingliked,etc.Alltheseareabilitiesofapowerful
yogi.
Alltheseareabilitiesofapowerfulyogi.ButthedevoteesoftheLorddonot
wantanythinglikethatforselfsatisfaction.TheywantonlytoservetheLord
becausetheLordisgreatandaslivingentitiestheyareeternallysubordinate
partsandparcelsoftheLord.Thisperfectrealizationoftheselfbythedevotee
helpshimtobecomedesireless,todesirenothingforhispersonalself,andthus
thedevoteesarecalledniskami,withoutanydesire.
theniskamidevoteesoftheLorddesireeverythingforthesatisfactionofthe
Lord.TheyarecompletelydependentontheordersoftheLordandarealways
readytodischargetheirdutyforthesatisfactionoftheLord.
TheexamplesofBrahmaandLordSivaarespecificallycitedherebecause
Brahmaji,LordSiva,SrimatiLaksmijiandthefourKumaras(Sanaka,
Sanatana,etc.)areleadersofthefourdesirelessVaisnavasampradayas.They

areallfreedfromallpretensions.

Thosewhoareafterfruitiveresultsfortheirpiousactivities,thosewho
desiresalvationandidentitywiththeSupreme,andthosewhodesire
materialperfectionsofmysticpowerareallrestlessbecausetheywant
somethingforthemselves,butthedevoteeiscompletelypeacefulbecause
hehasnodemandforhimselfandisalwaysreadytoservethedesireofthe
Lord
fortheLordisadhisvara(theoriginalcontroller)ofeveryone,namelythe
Vedantists,thegreatkarmakandiyas,thegreatreligiousleaders,thegreat
performersofausterityandallwhoarestrivingforspiritualadvancement.But
ultimatelyHeisrealizedbythepretensionlessdevoteesonly.Thereforespecial
stressisgiventothedevotionalserviceoftheLordbySrilaSukadeva
Gosvami.
MayLordSriKrsna,whoistheworshipableLordofalldevotees,theprotector
andgloryofallthekingslikeAndhakaandVrsnioftheYadudynasty,the
husbandofallgoddessesoffortune,thedirectorofallsacrificesandtherefore
theleaderofalllivingentities,thecontrollerofallintelligence,theproprietor
ofallplanets,spiritualandmaterial,andthesupremeincarnationontheearth
(thesupremeallinall),bemercifuluponme.
SinceSukadevaGosvamiisoneoftheprominentgatavyalikas,whoarefreed
fromallmisconceptions,hethereforeexpresseshisownrealizedperceptionof
LordSriKrsnaasbeingthesumtotalofallperfection,thepersonalityof
Godhead
Everyoneisseekingthefavorofthegoddessoffortune,butpeopledonot
knowthatLordSriKrsnaisthebelovedhusbandofallgoddessesoffortune.
IntheBrahmasamhitaitissaidthattheLord,inHistranscendentalabode
GolokaVrndavana,isaccustomedtoherdingthesurabhicowsandisserved
therebyhundredsofthousandsofgoddessesoffortune.Allthesegoddessesof
fortunearemanifestationsofHistranscendentalpleasurepotency(hladini
sakti)inHisinternalenergy,andwhentheLordmanifestedHimselfonthis
earthHepartiallydisplayedtheactivitiesofHispleasurepotencyinHisrasa
lilajusttoattracttheconditionedsouls,whoareallafterthephantasmagoria
pleasurepotencyindegradedsexenjoyment.
LordCaitanyawasastrictsannyasi,somuchsothatHedidnotallowany
womantocomenearHim,noteventobowdownandofferrespects.Henever
evenheardtheprayersofthedevadasisofferedinthetempleofJagannatha

becauseasannyasiisforbiddentohearsongssungbythefairsex.Yetevenin
therigidpositionofasannyasiHerecommendedthemodeofworship
preferredbythegopisofVrndavanaasthetopmostlovingservicepossibleto
berenderedtotheLord.

AndSrimatiRadharaniistheprincipalheadofallsuchgoddessesoffortune,
andthereforeSheisthepleasurecounterpartoftheLordandisnondifferent
fromKrsna.
Suchbenedictionsastheresultsofperforminggreatsacrificesare,afterall,
favorsgivenbythegoddessoffortune,andtheLord,beingthehusbandor
loverofthegoddessoffortune,isfactuallytheLordofallsacrificesalso.Heis
thefinalenjoyerofallkindsofyajna;thereforeYajnapatiisanothernameof
LordVisnu.
ItisrecommendedintheBhagavadgitathateverythingbedonefortheYajna
pati(yajnartatkarmanah),forotherwiseone'sactswillbethecauseof
conditioningbythelawofmaterialnature.
Thosewhoarenotfreedfromallmisconceptions(vyalikam)performsacrifices
topleasetheminordemigods,butthedevoteesoftheLordknowverywellthat
LordSriKrsnaisthesupremeenjoyerofallperformancesofsacrifice;
thereforetheyperformthesankirtanayajna(sravanamkirtanamvisnoh),which
isespeciallyrecommendedinthisageofKali.InKaliyuga,performanceof
othertypesofsacrificeisnotfeasibleduetoinsufficientarrangementsand
inexpertpriesthood.
WehaveinformationfromtheBhagavadgita(3.1011)thatLordBrahma,after
givingrebirthtotheconditionedsoulswithintheuniverse,instructedthemto
performsacrificesandtoleadaprosperouslife.Withsuchsacrificial
performancestheconditionedsoulswillneverbeindifficultyinkeepingbody
andsoultogether.
Aconditionedsoulshouldnevergiveupthepracticeofsacrifice,charityand
austerity,inanycircumstances.
TheaimofallsuchsacrificesistopleasetheYajnapati,thePersonalityof
Godhead;thereforetheLordisalsoPrajapati.AccordingtotheKatha
Upanisad,theoneLordistheleaderoftheinnumerablelivingentities.The
livingentitiesaremaintainedbytheLord(ekobahunamyovidadhatikaman).
TheLordisthereforecalledthesupremeBhutabhrt,ormaintainerofallliving
beings.
AsParamatma,Supersoul,theLordislivingineveryone'sheart,andfromHim

onlydoesone'spowerofremembrance,knowledgeandforgetfulnessfollow
(mattahsmrtirjnanamapohanamca).Onepersoncansharplyrememberpast
activitiesbythegraceoftheLordwhileotherscannot.
Thismisuseofintelligencebytheconditionedsouliscalledmadness.One's
fullintelligenceshouldbeappliedtogetfreefromthematerialclutches.But
theconditionedsoul,duetomadnessonly,engageshisfullenergyand
intelligenceinsensegratification,andtoachievethisendoflifehewillfully
commitsallsortsofmisdeeds.
Theconditionedsoulcanenjoyafragmentofthismaterialcreationunderthe
controloftheLord,butnotselfsufficiently.Thatistheinstructioninthe
Isopanisad.OneshouldbesatisfiedwiththingsawardedbytheLordofthe
universe.Itisoutofmadnessonlythatonetriestoencroachuponanother's
shareofmaterialpossessions.
HeinstructsalltosurrenderuntoHiminsteadoffalselyclaimingtobeenjoyers
foracertainlimitunderHiscontrol.WhenHesodescendsHeproveshow
muchgreaterisHisabilitytoenjoy,andHeexhibitsHispowerofenjoyment
by(forinstance)marryingsixteenthousandwivesatonce.Theconditioned
soulisveryproudofbecomingthehusbandofevenonewife,buttheLord
laughsatthis
theintelligentmancanknowwhoistherealhusband.Factually,theLordis
thehusbandofallthewomeninHiscreation
TheannihilationoftheYadudynastywasamaterialshowcreatedbythe
SupremeLord;otherwisetheLordandthemembersoftheYadudynastyare
alleternalassociates.
TheLordisthereforetheguideofalldevotees,andassuch,SukadevaGosvami
offeredHimduerespectswithloveladenfeelings.
BythinkingofHislotusfeetateverysecond,followinginthefootstepsof
authorities,thedevoteeintrancecanseetheAbsoluteTruth.Thelearned
mentalspeculators,however,thinkofHimaccordingtotheirwhims
Themysticyogis,afterastrenuousefforttocontrolthesenses,maybesituated
inatranceofyogajusttohaveavisionoftheSupersoulwithineveryone,but
thepuredevotee,simplybyrememberingtheLord'slotusfeetateverysecond,
atoncebecomesestablishedinrealtrancebecausebysuchrealizationhismind
andintelligencearecompletelycleansedofthediseasesofmaterialenjoyment.
"MyLordKrsna,Ipraythattheswanofmymindmayimmediatelysinkdown
tothestemsofthelotusfeetofYourLordshipandbelockedintheirnetwork;
otherwiseatthetimeofmyfinalbreath,whenmythroatischokedupwith

cough,howwillitbepossibletothinkofYou?"
Thereisanintimaterelationshipbetweentheswanandthelotusstem.Sothe
comparisonisveryappropriate:withoutbecomingaswan,orparamahamsa,
onecannotenterintothenetworkofthelotusfeetoftheLord.
AndbecausetheycannotenterintonetworkstemofthelotusstemoftheLord,
allmaterialspeculatorsdifferinconclusions,andattheendtheymakea
uselesscompromisebysaying,"asmanyconclusions,asmanyways,"
accordingtoone'sowninclination.

TheLordiswhatHeis,theAbsolutePersonalityofGodhead,andHedemands
absolutesurrenderuntoHimonly.
ThepuredevoteenevertriestoseetheLordbymentalspeculation,butby
followinginthefootstepsoftheacaryas(mahajanoyenagatahsapanthah).
ThereforethereisnodifferenceofconclusionsamongsttheVaisnavaacaryas
regardingtheLordandthedevotees.
LordCaitanyaassertsthatthelivingentity(jiva)iseternallytheservitorofthe
LordandthatheissimultaneouslyonewithanddifferentfromtheLord.This
tattvaofLordCaitanya'sissharedbyallfoursampradayasoftheVaisnava
school(allacceptingeternalservitudetotheLordevenaftersalvation),and
thereisnoauthorizedVaisnavaacaryawhomaythinkoftheLordandhimself
asone.
Thishumblenessofthepuredevotee,whoisonehundredpercentengagedin
Hisservice,putsthedevoteeoftheLordinatrancebywhichtorealize
everything,becausetothesinceredevoteeoftheLord,theLordreveals
Himself,asstatedintheBhagavadgita(10.10).TheLord,beingtheLordof
intelligenceineveryone(eveninthenondevotee),favorsHisdevoteewith
properintelligencesothatautomaticallythepuredevoteeisenlightenedwith
thefactualtruthabouttheLordandHisdifferentenergies
Rather,hepraystotheLordonly,invokingHistranscendentalpleasure.Thatis
thewayofknowingtheLord.
AlivingbeingissufficientlypotenttopossessknowledgefromtheLordinthe
proportionoffiftysixtyfourths,orseventyeightpercentofthefullknowledge
acquirable.
Thisawakeningofknowledgeisneitheranautomaticnoramaterial
interaction.ThesupplysourceistheLordHimself
Brahmatherewerenootherlivingbeings.Brahmaisbornfromthelotuswhich

growsfromtheabdomenoftheGarbhodakasayiVisnu,andthereforeheis
knownasAja.
TheVedicknowledgewasthereforefirstimpregnatedwithinBrahma,andit
appearsthatBrahmadistributedtheVedicknowledge.
TheVedasarethereforecalledapauruseya,ornotimpartedbyanycreated
being.
NomundanescholarcantranslateorrevealthetrueimportoftheVedic
mantras(hymns).Theycannotbeunderstoodunlessoneisinspiredorinitiated
bytheauthorizedspiritualmaster.TheoriginalspiritualmasteristheLord
Himself,
Thedevoteealwaysthinksofhimselfasinstrumentalforanythingsuccessfully
carriedout,andhedeclinestotakecreditforanythingdonebyhimself.
Thegodlessatheistwantstotakeallcreditforactivities,notknowingthateven
abladeofgrasscannotmovewithoutthesanctionoftheSupremeSpirit,the
PersonalityofGodhead.SukadevaGosvamithereforewantstomovebythe
directionoftheSupremeLord,whoinspiredBrahmatospeaktheVedic
wisdom
Thesixteenprincipalcreativeelements,namelyearth,water,fire,air,sky,and
theelevensenseorgans,firstdevelopedfromtheLordHimselfandwere
therebysharedbythelivingentities.
TheLordhelpsthelivingentitytoenjoymaterialcreation,butHeisalooffrom
suchfalseenjoyment
namelythatthenectarfromthemouthofLordKrsnaistransferredtoHis
differentconsorts,andthustheylearnthefinerartsofmusic,dance,dressing,
decorationsandallsuchthingswhicharerelishedbytheLord.Suchmusic,
danceanddecorationsenjoyedbytheLordarecertainlynotanythingmundane,
becausetheLordisaddressedintheverybeginningaspara,ortranscendental.
Bygradualdevelopmentoftranscendentalknowledge,onecanrisetothestage
ofthetranscendentalartsofmusicanddancedisplayedbytheLordinHisrasa
lila.ButwithouthavingtheVedicknowledgeonecanhardlyunderstandthe
transcendentalnatureoftheLord'srasadanceandmusic.
Chapter5

Knowledgereceivedbysubmissiveinquiriesandserviceismoreeffectivethan
knowledgereceivedinexchangeformoney
Abonafidestudenthastosatisfyhimbysincereservicetoobtainknowledge

oftherelationandnatureoftheindividualsoulandtheSupersoul.
Contrarytosuchmentalspeculativetheoriesofcreation,however,Narada
Muniwantedtoknowallthefactsofcreationintruth,andnotbytheories.
BecauseBrahmaisthefirstbornlivingbeing,naturallyheissupposedtoknow
everythingaboutcreativefunctions.
ItwasknowntoSriNaradaMunithatLordBrahmaattainedcreativeenergyby
undergoingsevereausterities.
NaradacomparedthepositionofBrahmatotheselfsufficiencyofthespider,
whocreatesitsownfieldofactivitieswithoutanyother'shelpbyemployment
ofitsownenergeticcreationofsaliva.

Yetwearemovedtowonderabouttheexistenceofsomeonemorepowerful
thanyouwhenwethinkofyourgreatausteritiesinperfectdiscipline,although
yourgoodselfissopowerfulinthematterofcreation.
Brahmaji,beingsoquestionedbyNaradaji,congratulatedhim,foritisusual
forthedevoteestobecomeveryenthusiasticwhenevertheyarequestioned
concerningtheAlmightypersonalityofGodhead.Thatisthesignofapure
devoteeoftheLord.
ThepuredevoteesarenotonlysatisfiedbyknowingeverythingabouttheLord,
butarealsoeagertobroadcasttheinformationtoothers,fortheywanttosee
thatthegloriesoftheLordareknowntoeveryone.
SuchbewildermentinArjunaorinNaradatakesplacebythewilloftheLord
sothatother,nonliberatedpersonsmayrealizetherealtruthandknowledgeof
theLord.
LordKrsnaaskedMaharajaYudhisthiratolie,butMaharajaYudhisthira
protested.ButthatdoesnotmeanthatMaharajaYudhisthiracouldbeequalto
LordRamacandraorLordKrsna.Thegreatauthoritieshaveestimated
MaharajaYudhisthiratobeapiousman,buttheyhaveacceptedLordRamaor
KrsnaasthePersonalityofGodhead.
InthisverseBrahmajiclearsupthewrongimpressionheldbytheless
intelligentandaffirmsthathecreatestheuniversalvariegatednessafterthe
potentialcreationbytheglaringeffulgenceofLordSriKrsna.
"IservetheSupremePersonalityofGodheadGovinda,theprimevalLord,
whosetranscendentalbodilyeffulgence,knownasthebrahmajyoti,whichis
unlimited,unfathomedandallpervasive,isthecauseofthecreationof

unlimitednumbersofplanets,etc.,withvarietiesofclimatesandspecific
conditionsoflife."
Sothebrahmajyotiisnotindependentorselfsufficient.LordSriKrsnais
ultimatelythecreatorofthebrahmajyoti,mentionedinthisverseassvarocisa,
ortheeffulgenceofthetranscendentalbodyoftheLord.
theLorddisseminatesallvarietiesofseedsbyHispotentialbrahmajyoti(sva
rocisa),andtheseedsaremadetodevelopbythewateringprocessofpersons
likeBrahma.Brahmacannotcreatetheseeds,buthecanmanifesttheseedinto
atree,justasagardenerhelpsplantsandorchardstogrowbythewatering
process.
TheillusoryenergyoftheLordcannottakeprecedence,beingashamedofher
position,butthosewhoarebewilderedbyheralwaystalknonsense,being
absorbedinthoughtsof"ItisI"and"Itismine."

Theingredients,namelyearth,water,fire,airandsky,aswellastheconception
ofmaterialidentity,intelligenceandthemind,areproducedoftheexternal
energyoftheLord.Thelivingentitywhoenjoystheinteractionoftheabove
grossandsubtleingredients,assetupbyeternaltime,isanoffshootofinternal
potency,withfreedomtoremaineitherinthematerialworldorinthespiritual
world.Inthematerialworldthelivingentityisenticedbydeludingnescience,
butinthespiritualworldheisinthenormalconditionofspiritualexistence
withoutanydelusion.Thelivingentityisknownasthemarginalpotencyofthe
Lord.
Suchdeludingbooksofknowledge,nothavingNarayanaastheiraim,arenot
atallknowledge,butaretheplaygroundsforcrowswhoareinterestedinthe
rejectedrefuseoftheworld.
Astheofficersofakingdomarerespectedduetotheirrelationtotheking,the
demigodsareworshipedduetotheirrelationtotheLord
AlldifferentkindsofsacrificeareperformedjusttosatisfyLordNarayanawith
aviewtoreachHim,andthebestsacrificerecommendedinthisageofKaliis
sankirtanayajna,themainstayofthedevotionalserviceofanarayanapara
devotee.
Inmeditation,therearetwosystemsofyoga,namelyastangayogaand
sankhyayoga.Astangayogaispracticeinconcentratingthemind,releasing
oneselffromallengagementsbytheregulativeprocessesofmeditation,
concentration,sittingpostures,blockingthemovementsoftheinternal
circulationofair,etc.Sankhyayogaismeanttodistinguishthetruthfrom

ephemerals.Butultimatelyboththesystemsaremeantforrealizingthe
impersonalBrahman,whichisbutapartialrepresentationofNarayana,the
PersonalityofGodhead.
Onenesswiththeimpersonalbrahmajyotiisnotultimateliberation;superiorto
thatisthesublimeassociationofthePersonalityofGodheadinoneofthe
innumerablespiritualplanetsintheVaikunthasky.
InspiredbyHimonly,IdiscoverwhatisalreadycreatedbyHim[Narayana]
underHisvisionastheallpervadingSupersoul,andIalsoamcreatedbyHim
only.
TheLordinspirestheindividualsoultocreatewhatisalreadycreatedbythe
Lord,andbythegoodwilloftheLordadiscovererofsomethingintheworld
isaccreditedasthediscoverer.

Similarly,noonecancreateanythingwithoutthesanctionoftheLord,since
everyoneseesaccordingtohisability.Thisabilityisalsoawardedbythe
Lordaccordingtoone'swillingnesstorenderserviceuntotheLord.One
mustthereforebevoluntarilywillingtorenderserviceuntotheLord,andthus
theLordwillempowerthedoerinproportiontohissurrenderuntothelotus
feetoftheLord.LordBrahmaisagreatdevoteeoftheLord;thereforehehas
beenempoweredorinspiredbytheLordtocreatesuchauniverseastheone
manifestedbeforeus.
TheBattleofKuruksetra,oranyotherbattleatanyplaceoratanytime,is
madebythewilloftheLord,fornoonecanarrangesuchmassannihilation
withoutthesanctionoftheLord.
ArjunawasthenadvisedbytheLordtofightandtakecredit;otherwisethe
partyofDuryodhanawouldbekilledanywaybythewilloftheLord.So
Arjunawasadvisedjusttobecometheagentandtakethecreditforkilling
greatgeneralslikeBhismaandKarna.
DevoteeslikeBrahmaandArjunadonotdoanythingontheirownaccount,but
asfullysurrenderedsoulstheyalwaysawaitindicationsfromtheLord;
thereforetheyattempttodosomethingwhichappearsverywonderfulto
ordinaryvision.
ThesubtlepresenceoftheLordisfeltbytheintelligentmanwhocanstudythe

psychiceffectsofthinking,feelingandwilling.
Inotherwords,thematerialmodesofnature,beingproductsoftheenergyof
theLord,arecertainlyconnectedwiththeLord,buttheconnectionisjustlike
thatbetweenthemasterandtheservants.
Thesethreemodesofmaterialnature,beingfurthermanifestedasmatter,
knowledgeandactivities,puttheeternallytranscendentallivingentityunder
conditionsofcauseandeffectandmakehimresponsibleforsuchactivities.
Factually,thelivingentitiesarenotmeanttobesoconditionedbymaterial
energy,butduetotheirbeingaffectedbythefalsesenseoflordingitoverthe
materialenergy,theycomeundertheinfluenceofsuchpotencyandthus
becomeconditionedbythethreemodesofmaterialnature.
Bythecoveringpowerofthematerialenergy,thematerialscientistcannotlook
beyondthematerialcauses,butfactually,behindthematerialmanifestations,
thereareadhibhuta,adhyatmaandadhidaivaactions,whichtheconditioned
soulinthemodeofignorancecannotsee.Theadhibhutamanifestationentails
repetitionsofbirthsanddeathswitholdageanddiseases,theadhyatma
manifestationconditionsthespiritsoul,andtheadhidaivamanifestationisthe
controllingsystem.

Thefactisthatsuchimpersonalistsarecoveredbytheabovementionedthree
modesofmaterialnature;therefore,theyareunabletoapproachthe
transcendentalPersonalityoftheLord.
ThismisconceptionoftheformlessnessoftheSupremepersonalityofGodhead
isduetotheyogamayacurtainoftheLordandcanberemovedonlybythe
SupremeWill,assoonastheconditionedsoulsurrendersuntoHim.The
devoteesoftheLordwhoaretranscendentaltotheabovementionedthree
modesofmaterialnaturecanseetheallblissfultranscendentalformofthe
Lordwiththeirvisionofloveintheattitudeofpuredevotionalservice.
Therealskyisthespiritualsky,eternallyfilledwiththeraysofthe
brahmajyoti,andaportionofthisunlimitedskyiscoveredbythemahattattva
cloudofthematerialcreation,inwhichtheconditionedsouls,whowanttolord
itagainstthewilloftheLord,areputintoplayastheydesireunderthecontrol
oftheLordbytheagencyofHisexternalenergy
Narayanaexistsseparately,apartfromtheimpersonalcreativeenergy.The
wholecreationthusmergeswithinthebodyoftranscendentalNarayanaatthe
timeofannihilation,andthecreationemanatesfromHisbodyagainwiththe
sameunchangingcategoriesoffateandindividualnature.

Aftertheincarnationofthefirstpurusa[KaranarnavasayiVisnu],themahat
tattva,ortheprinciplesofmaterialcreation,takeplace,andthentimeis
manifested,andincourseoftimethethreequalitiesappear.Naturemeansthe
threequalitativeappearances.Theytransformintoactivities.
Atfirstthereistransformationofthemodesofgoodnessandpassion,and
laterduetothemodeofignorancematter,itsknowledge,anddifferent
activitiesofmaterialknowledgecomeintoplay.
Materialcreationsofeverydescriptionaremoreorlessduetothedevelopment
ofthemodeofpassion(rajas).
Brahmaistherepresentationofthemodeofpassion,andVisnuisthe
representationofthemodeofgoodness,whilethemodeofignoranceis
representedbyLordSiva,thefatherofmaterialactivities

IntheageofKali(whenthemodeofpassionismostprominent)material
activitiesofdifferentvarieties,inthenameofadvancementofhuman
civilization,takeplace,andthelivingentitiesbecomemoreandmoreinvolved
inforgettingtheirrealidentitythespiritualnature.Byaslightcultivationof
themodeofgoodness,aglimpseofspiritualnatureisperceived,butduetothe
prominenceofthemodeofpassion,themodeofgoodnessbecomes
adulterated.Thereforeonecannottranscendthelimitsofthematerialmodes,
andthereforerealizationoftheLord,whoisalwaystranscendentaltothe
modesofmaterialnature,becomesverydifficultforthelivingentities,even
thoughprominentlysituatedinthemodeofgoodnessthroughcultivationofthe
variousmethods.
Inotherwords,thegrossmattersareadhibhutam,theirmaintenanceis
adhidaivam,andtheinitiatorofmaterialactivitiesiscalledadhyatmam.Inthe
materialworldthesethreeprinciplesactasprominentfeatures,namelyasraw
material,itsregularsupplies,anditsuseindifferentvarietiesofmaterial
creationsforsenseenjoymentbythebewilderedentities.
Theselfcenteredmaterialisticego,thusbeingtransformedintothreefeatures,

becomesknownasthemodesofgoodness,passionandignoranceinthree
divisions,namelythepowersthatevolvematter,knowledgeofmaterial
creations,andtheintelligencethatguidessuchmaterialisticactivities.
Thecauseofsuchgrossignoranceisconstantengagementbythematerialistic
maninthematterofartificiallyincreasingmaterialdemands.Torealizethe
SupremepersonalityofGodhead,onehastopurifythematerialisticsensesby
devotionalservice.Themodeofgoodness,orthebrahminicalculture
recommendedintheVedicliteratures,ishelpfultosuchspiritualrealization,
andthusthejnanasaktistageoftheconditionedsouliscomparativelybetter
thantheothertwostages,namelydravyasaktiandkriyasakti.
Inordertorectifythisgreatanomalyofmaterialisticcivilization,basedon
theprinciplesofdravyasaktiandkriyasakti,onehastoadopttheprocessof
devotionalserviceoftheLordbyadoptionoftheprinciplesofkarmayoga
Fromthedarknessoffalseego,thefirstofthefiveelements,namelythesky,is
generated.Itssubtleformisthequalityofsound,exactlyastheseerisin
relationshipwiththeseen.
Thismeansthatthefalseegointhesumtotalformofmahattattvaisgenerated
fromthemarginalpotencyoftheLord,andduetothisfalseegooflordingit
overthematerialcreation,ingredientsaregeneratedforthefalseenjoymentof
thelivingbeing

thelivingentityfalselydesirestobecometheenjoyer.Thisistheoriginoffalse
ego.Whenthebewilderedlivingbeingdesiresthis,theshadowelementsare
generatedbythewilloftheLord,andthelivingentitiesareallowedtorunafter
themasafteraphantasmagoria.
Itissaidthatfirstthetanmatrasoundiscreatedandthenthesky,andinthis
verseitisconfirmedthatactuallyitisso,butsoundisthesubtleformofthe
sky,andthedistinctionislikethatbetweentheseerandtheseen.
Thesoundistherepresentationoftheactualobject,asthesoundproduced
speakingoftheobjectgivesanideaofthedescriptionoftheobject.Therefore
soundisthesubtlecharacteristicoftheobject.
Becausetheskyistransformed,theairisgeneratedwiththequalityoftouch,
andbyprevioussuccessiontheairisalsofullofsoundandthebasicprinciples
ofdurationoflife:senseperception,mentalpowerandbodilystrength.When

theairistransformedincourseoftimeandnature'scourse,fireisgenerated,
takingshapewiththesenseoftouchandsound.Sincefireisalsotransformed,
thereisamanifestationofwater,fullofjuiceandtaste.Aspreviously,italso
hasformandtouchandisalsofullofsound.Andwater,beingtransformed
fromallvariegatednessonearth,appearsodorousand,aspreviously,becomes
qualitativelyfullofjuice,touch,soundandformrespectively.
Theyareallmutuallythecauseandeffectofoneanother,buttheoriginalcause
istheLordHimselfinplenaryportion,asMahaVisnulyinginthecausalwater
ofthemahattattva.
Thereforeontheearththereisafulldisplayofvariegatednessoflife,
Mentaldiseasesresultfromspecialderangementoftheairwithinthebody,and
assuch,yogicexerciseisespeciallybeneficialtokeeptheairinordersothat
diseasesofthebodybecomealmostnilbysuchexercises.Whentheyare
properlydonethedurationoflifealsoincreases,andonecanhavecontrolover
deathalsobysuchpractices.
Fromthemodeofgoodnessthemindisgeneratedandbecomesmanifest,as
alsothetendemigodscontrollingthebodilymovements.
Food,shelter,defenseandsensegratificationareallneedsinmaterial
existence.Otherwise,inhispure,uncontaminatedstateoforiginallife,the
livingentityhasnosuchneeds
Hrsikameansthesenses,andisameansthemaster.
Thestandardofhumancivilizationshouldbetocurethediseaseofsense
gratification,andonecandothissimplybybecominganagentforsatisfying
thespiritualsensesoftheLord.

Arjunawantedfirstofalltosatisfyhisownsensesbyhisdecisionnottofight
withhiskinsmenandfriends,butLordSriKrsnataughthimtheBhagavadgita
justtopurifyArjuna'sdecisionforsensegratification.ThereforeArjunaagreed
tosatisfythesensesoftheLord,andthushefoughttheBattleofKuruksetra,as
theLorddesired.
Onthecontrary,theyartificiallytrytostoptheactivitiesofthesenses(yoga
system),ortheydenythetranscendentalsensesoftheLord(jnanasystem).The
devotees,however,areabovetheyogisandthejnanisbecausepuredevoteesdo
notdenythesensesoftheLord;theywanttosatisfythesensesoftheLord.
Byfurthertransformationofthemodeofpassion,thesenseorgansliketheear,
skin,nose,eyes,tongue,mouth,hands,genitals,legs,andtheoutletfor

evacuating,togetherwithintelligenceandlivingenergy,areallgenerated.
Butonthewhole,thestruggleforexistenceisanexertionofthemodeof
passion.Thismodeofpassion,however,istheproductoftheairelement,as
describedbefore.
Justasafathergivessomeplaythingstothecryingchildtosatisfyhim,the
wholematerialcreationismadepossiblebythewilloftheLordtoallowthe
bewilderedlivingentitiestolorditoverthingsastheydesire,althoughunder
thecontroloftheagentoftheLord.Thelivingentitiesareexactlylikesmall
childrenplayingthematerialfieldunderthecontrolofthemaidservantofthe
Lord(nature).Theyacceptthemaya,orthemaidservant,asallinallandthus
wronglyconceivetheSupremeTruthtobefeminine(goddessDurga,etc.).
Thepartsofthebody,suchasthesenses,arethecreationofthemahattattva,
andwhentheyareassembledbythewilloftheLord,thematerialbodycomes
intoexistence,andthelivingentityisallowedtouseitforfurtheractivities.
Inacornerofthespiritualskyofbrahmajyotiaspiritualcloudsometimes
appears,andthecoveredportioniscalledthemahattattva.TheLordthen,by
HisplenaryportionasMahaVisnu,liesdownwithinthewaterofthemahat
tattva,andthewateriscalledtheCausalOcean(Karanajala).WhileMaha
VisnusleepswithintheCausalOcean,innumerableuniversesaregenerated
alongwithHisbreathing.Theseuniversesarefloating,andtheyarescattered
allovertheCausalOcean.TheystayonlyduringthebreathingperiodofMaha
Visnu.Ineachandeveryuniversalglobe,thesameMahaVisnuentersagainas
GarbhodakasayiVisnuandliesthereontheserpentlikeSesaincarnation.From
Hisnavelsproutsalotusstem,andonthelotus,Brahma,thelord ofthe
universe,isborn.Brahmacreatesallformsoflivingbeingsofdifferentshapes
intermsofdifferentdesireswithintheuniverse.Healsocreatesthesun,moon
andotherdemigods.

Thusalltheuniversesremainedthousandsofeonswithinthewater[theCausal
Ocean],andtheLordoflivingbeings,enteringineachofthem,causedthemto
befullyanimated.
TheLord[MahaVisnu],althoughlyingintheCausalOcean,cameoutofit,
anddividingHimselfasHiranyagarbha,Heenteredintoeachuniverseand
assumedtheviratrupa,withthousandsoflegs,arms,mouths,heads,etc.
ThebrahmanasrepresentHismouth,theksatriyasHisarms,thevaisyasHis
thighs,andthesudrasarebornofHislegs.
Theintelligentclassofmen,thebrahmanas,arethereforeespecially

responsibleforbroadcastingthisknowledgeofourrelationshipwiththeLord
andleadingthegeneralmassofpeopletotherightpath.Theadministrative
classismeantforprotectingthelivingbeingssothattheycanservethis
purpose;themercantileclassismeantforproducingfoodgrainsand
distributingthemtothecompletehumansocietysothatthewholepopulationis
givenachancetolivecomfortablyanddischargethedutiesofhumanlife.The
mercantileclassisalsorequiredtogiveprotectiontothecowsinordertoget
sufficientmilkandmilkproducts,whichalonecangivetheproperhealthand
intelligencetomaintainacivilizationperfectlymeantforknowledgeofthe
ultimatetruth.Andthelaborerclass,whoareneitherintelligentnorpowerful,
canhelpbyphysicalservicestotheotherhigherclassesandthusbebenefited
bytheircooperation.
Therearefourteenspheresofplanetarysystemswithinthisuniverse.Thelower
systemsarecalledBhurloka,themiddlesystemsarecalledBhuvarloka,andthe
higherplanetarysystems,uptoBrahmaloka,thehighestplanetarysystemof
theuniverse,arecalledSvarloka.Andallofthemaresituatedonthebodyof
theLord.Inotherwords,noonewithinthisuniverseiswithoutarelationship
withtheLord.
Inthoseplanetsthereisnodifferencebetweenthebodyandthesoul,noris
thereanyinfluenceoftimeasweexperienceitinthematerialworld.Andin
additiontotherebeingnoinfluenceoftime,theplanetsin,Brahmaloka,dueto
beingspiritual,areneverannihilated.
Thismaterialworldisonlyashadowphantasmagoriaofthespiritualkingdom
oftheLord,andbecauseitisashadowitisnevereternal;thevariegatednessin
thematerialworldofduality(spiritandmatter)cannotbecomparedtothatof
thespiritualworld.

MydearsonNarada,knowfrommethattherearesevenlowerplanetary
systemsoutofthetotalfourteen.Thefirstplanetarysystem,knownasAtala,is
situatedonthewaist;thesecond,Vitala,issituatedonthethighs;thethird,
Sutala,ontheknees;thefourth,Talatala,ontheshanks;thefifth,Mahatala,on
theankles;thesixth,Rasatala,ontheupperportionofthefeet;andtheseventh,
Patala,onthesolesofthefeet.ThustheviratformoftheLordisfullofall
planetarysystems.
Onlybyattainmentofaserviceattitudeinthetranscendentalpositioncanone
enterintothekingdomofGodhead.Thereforethespeculativephilosophers,as

wellasthemystics,mustfirstofallbeattractedtothedevotionalcultbefore
theycanfactuallyattainliberation.
Chapter6

LordBrahmasaid:Themouthoftheviratpurusa[theuniversalformofthe
Lord]isthegeneratingcenterofthevoice,andthecontrollingdeityisfire.His
skinandsixotherlayersarethegeneratingcentersoftheVedichymns,andHis
tongueistheproductivecenterofdifferentfoodstuffsanddelicaciesfor
offeringtothedemigods,theforefathersandthegeneralmassofpeople.
GayatriisthebeginningofallVedicmantras,anditisexplainedinthefirst
volumeofSrimadBhagavatam
Inthespiritualworld,allthepervertedformsofmaterialvariegatednessare
fullyrepresentedintheiroriginalspiritualidentity.Theonlydifferenceisthat
materialactivitiesarecontaminatedbythethreemodesofmaterialnature,
whereasthepotenciesinthespiritualworldareallpurebecausetheyare
engagedintheunalloyedtranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.Inthe
spiritualworld,theLordisthesublimeenjoyerofeverything,andtheliving
entitiesthereareallengagedinHistranscendentallovingservicewithoutany
contaminationofthemodesofmaterialnature.
Originally,sinceallthesensesareproducedoftheLord'sreservoirofsenses,
thesensualactivitiesofthematerialworldaretobepurifiedbytheprocessof
devotionalservice,andthustheperfectionoflifecanbeattainedsimplyby
purifyingthepresentpositionofourmaterialactivities.Andthepurifying
processbeginsfromthestageofbeingliberatedfromtheconceptionof
differentdesignations.Everylivingentityisengagedinsomesortofservice,
eitherfortheself,orforthefamily,orforthesociety,country,etc.,but,
unfortunately,allsuchservicesarerenderedduetomaterialattachment.The
attachmentsofthematerialaffinitymaybesimplychangedtotheserviceofthe
Lord,andthusthetreatmentofbeingfreedfrommaterialattachmentbegins
automatically.Theprocessofliberationisthereforeeasierthroughdevotional
servicethanbyanyothermethods,

Thewordtirthanamissometimesinterpretedtomeantheplacesofpilgrimage,
butSrilaJivaGosvamisaysthatitmeansthereceptionoftheVedic
transcendentalknowledge.ThepropoundersoftheVedicknowledgearealso
knownasthetirthas.
Alllivingbeingsmustaccepttheoriginoftheirspecificpowerasmentionedin
thisverse.

Theactionsofmayaaresuchthatapowerfulperson,misledbytheillusory,
materialenergy,wronglyacceptshimselfasallinallanddoesnotdevelopGod
consciousness.Assuch,thefalsesenseofegoism(namelymyselfandmine)
hasbecomeoverlyprominentintheworld,andthereisahardstrugglefor
existenceinhumansociety.Theintelligentclassofmen,therefore,mustadmit
theLordastheultimatesourceofallenergiesandthuspaytributetotheLord
forHisgoodblessings.
ifapersontriestoreciprocateafeelingoflovetowardstheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadandissatisfiedwiththeblessingsoftheLord,hewill
atoncefeelthehighestpeaceofmindforwhichheishankeringlifeafterlife.
Peaceofmind,orinotherwordsthehealthystateofmind,canbeachieved
onlywhenthemindissituatedinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.
Hislotusfeetserveasprotectionfromallkindsoffear.
ThisabsolutedependenceonthelotusfeetoftheLordiscalledpuredevotional
service,
Everyone,excepttheLordHimself,isdependentonthemercyoftheLord;
eventheallpervadingSupersoulisalsodependentonthesupremeaspectof
Bhagavan,thePersonalityofGodhead.
FromtheLord'sgenitalsoriginatewater,semen,generatives,rains,andthe
procreators.Hisgenitalsarethecauseofapleasurethatcounteractsthedistress
ofbegetting.
Thegenitalsandthepleasureofbegettingcounteractthedistressesoffamily
encumbrances.Onewouldceasetogeneratealtogetheriftherewerenot,bythe
graceoftheLord,acoating,apleasuregivingsubstance,onthesurfaceofthe
generativeorgans.Thissubstancegivesapleasuresointensethatitcounteracts
fullythedistressoffamilyencumbrances.Apersonissocaptivatedbythis
pleasuregivingsubstancethatheisnotsatisfiedbybegettingasinglechild,but
increasesthenumberofchildren,withgreatriskinregardtomaintainingthem,
simplyforthispleasuregivingsubstance.Thispleasuregivingsubstanceisnot
false,however,becauseitoriginatesfromthetranscendentalbodyoftheLord.
Inotherwords,thepleasuregivingsubstanceisareality,butithastakenonan
aspectofpervertednessonaccountofmaterialcontamination.Inthematerial
world,sexlifeisthecauseofmanydistressesonaccountofmaterialcontact.
Materialistswhousethesedeviceswanttofullyutilizethepleasurepotencyof
thecoatingonthegenitalsbyartificialmeans,withoutknowingthespiritual
importance.Andwithoutknowledgeofspiritualvalues,thelessintelligentman
triestoutilizeonlythematerialsensepleasureofthegenitals.
InordertodefytheimpersonalconceptionoftheSupremePersonalityof

Godhead,asystematicanalysisofthephysiologicalandanatomical
constitutionofHistranscendentalbodyisgivenhere.
Onthecontrary,theperfectdescriptionoftheLordholdsthatHeisboth
impersonalandpersonalsimultaneously
ThosewhoarefortunateenoughtohaveaviewoftheLordfromthefrontcan
realizeHispersonalfeature,whereasthosewhoarefrustratedandarethuskept
ontheignorancesideoftheLord,or,inotherwords,thosewhohavetheview
oftheLordfromtheback,realizeHiminHisimpersonalfeature.
Avyakta,mentionedhereinthisverse,meansthenightofBrahma,when
partialannihilationtakesplaceandthelivingentitiesofthatparticular
brahmanda,uptotheplanetsofBrahmaloka,alongwiththebigoceans,etc.,all
reposeinthebellyoftheviratpurusa.AttheendofaBrahma'snight,the
creationagaintakesplace,andthelivingentities,reservedwithinthebellyof
theLord,areletloosetoplaytheirrespectivepartsasifbeingawakenedfroma
deepslumber.Sincethelivingentitiesareneverdestroyed,theannihilationof
thematerialworlddoesnotannihilatetheexistenceofthelivingentities,but
untilliberationisattainedonehastoacceptonematerialbodyafteranother,
againandagain.
Beginningfromme[Brahma]downtoyouandBhava[Siva],allthegreat
sageswhowerebornbeforeyou,thedemigods,thedemons,theNagas,the
humanbeings,thebirds,thebeasts,aswellasthereptiles,etc.,andall
phenomenalmanifestationsoftheuniverses,namelytheplanets,stars,
asteroids,luminaries,lightning,thunder,andtheinhabitantsofthedifferent
planetarysystems,namelytheGandharvas,Apsaras,Yaksas,Raksas,
Bhutaganas,Uragas,Pasus,Pitas,Siddhas,Vidyadharas,Caranas,andallother
differentvarietiesoflivingentities,includingthebirds,beasts,treesand
everythingthatbe,areallcoveredbytheuniversalformoftheLordatall
times,namelypast,presentandfuture,althoughHeistranscendentaltoallof
them,eternallyexistinginaformnotexceedingnineinches.
Brahma,NaradaandallothersaresimultaneouslyonewiththeLordand
differentfromtheSupremeLord.WeareallonewithHim,justasthegold
ornamentsareoneinqualitywiththestockgold,buttheindividualgold
ornamentisneverequalinquantitywiththestockgold.

SotheuniversalformoftheLordisthesecondaryimaginationofthe
impersonalformoftheLord,buttheprimaryformoftheLordis
Syamasundara,withtwohands,playingonHiseternalflute.

SeventyfivepercentoftheexpansiveradiationoftheLordismanifestedinthe
spiritualsky(tripadvibhuti),andtwentyfivepercentofHispersonalradiation
comprehendstheentireexpansionofthematerialuniverses.Thustheseventy
fivepercentexpansionofHisradiationiscalledHisinternalenergy,whereas
thetwentyfivepercentexpansioniscalledtheexternalenergyoftheLord.
Thelivingentities,whoareresidentsofthespiritualaswellasthematerial
expansions,areHismarginalenergy(tatasthasakti),andtheyareatlibertyto
liveineitheroftheenergies,externalorinternal.
ThosewholivewithinthespiritualexpansionoftheLordarecalledliberated
souls,whereastheresidentsoftheexternalexpansionarecalledthe
conditionedsouls.Wecanjustmakeanestimateofthenumberoftheresidents
oftheinternalexpansionsincomparisonwiththenumberofresidentsinthe
externalenergyandmayeasilyconcludethattheliberatedsoulsarefarmore
numerousthantheconditionedsouls.
ThegloriesoftheLord,inthetranscendentalseventyfivepercentoftheLord's
internalpotency,arestatedinthePadmaPurana(Uttarakhanda).
Theyhavenothingtodothereexcepttorendertranscendentallovingserviceto
theSupremeLordNarayana,whoisthepredominatingDeityofsuch
Vaikunthaplanets.Thoseliberatedsoulsareengagedincessantlyinsinging
songsmentionedintheSamaVeda(vedaihsangapadakramopanisadair
gayantiyamsamagah).AllofthemarepersonificationsofthefiveUpanisads.
Itisalsosaidinthepadmapuranathatthekingdomoftripadvibhutiis
transcendental,whereasthepadavibhutiismundane;tripadvibhutiiseternal,
whereasthepadavibhutiistransient.
TheSupremeLord,whoistheleaderofalllivingentities,canawardallthe
qualitiesofHispersonalityuntoHisdevotees,includingimmortalityand
spiritualbliss.Inthematerialworldthereisalwaysanxietyorfearfulnessinthe
heartsofalllivingentities,buttheLord,beingHimselfthesupremefearless,
alsoawardsthesamequalityoffearlessnesstoHispuredevotees
Thechangingeffectsofeternaltimeareconspicuouslyabsentintheimmortal
kingdomofGod,whichshouldthereforebeunderstoodtohavenoinfluenceof
timeandthereforenofearwhatsoever.I

Inthematerialworld,socalledhappinessistheresultofone'sownwork.One
canbecomearichmanbydintofone'sownhardlabor,andtherearealways

fearanddoubtsastothedurationofsuchacquiredhappiness.Butinthe
kingdomofGod,noonehastoendeavortoattainastandardofhappiness.
Happinessisthenatureofthespirit,asstatedintheVedantasutras:
anandamayo'bhyasatthespiritisbynaturefullofhappiness.
Happinessinspiritualnaturealwaysincreasesinvolumewithanewphaseof
appreciation;thereisnoquestionofdecreasingthebliss.Suchunalloyed
spiritualblissisnowheretobefoundwithintheorbitofthematerialuniverse,
includingtheJanalokaplanets,or,forthatmatter,theMaharlokaorSatyaloka
planets,becauseevenLordBrahmaissubjecttothelawsoffruitiveactionsand
thelawofbirthanddeath.
Itisthereforestatedhere:duratyayah,or,inotherwords,spiritualhappinessin
theeternalkingdomofGodcannotbeimaginedevenbythegreatbrahmacaris
orsannyasiswhoareeligibletobepromotedtotheplanetsbeyondtheregion
ofheaven.Or,thegreatnessoftheSupremeLordissogreatthatitcannotbe
imaginedevenbythegreatbrahmacarisorsannyasis,butsuchhappinessis
factuallyattainedbytheunalloyeddevoteesoftheLord,byHisdivinegrace.
Deathlessness,fearlessnessandfreedomfromtheanxietiesofoldageand
diseaseexistinthekingdomofGod,whichisbeyondthethreehigherplanetary
systemsandbeyondthematerialcoverings.
TheLord'senergyisdividedintothreecomponentparts,namelysandhini,
samvitandhladini;inotherwords,Heisthefullmanifestationofexistence,
knowledgeandbliss.
Inthematerialworldsuchasenseofexistence,knowledgeandpleasureis
meagerlyexhibited,andalllivingentities,whoareminutepartsandparcelsof
theLord,areeligibletorelishsuchconsciousnessofexistence,knowledgeand
blissveryminutelyintheliberatedstage,whereasintheconditionedstageof
materialexistencetheycanhardlyappreciatewhatisthefactual,existential,
cognizableandpurehappinessoflife.Theliberatedsouls,whoexistinfar
greaternumericalstrengththanthosesoulsinthematerialworld,canfactually
experiencethepotencyoftheabovementionedsandhini,samvitandhladini
energiesoftheLordinthematterofdeathlessness,fearlessnessandfreedom
fromoldageanddisease.
Inthematerialworld,theplanetarysystemsarearrangedinthreespheres,
calledtriloka,orSvarga,MartyaandPatala,andallofthemconstituteonlyone
fourthofthetotalsandhinienergy.Beyondthatisthespiritualskywherethe
Vaikunthaplanetsexistbeyondthecoveringsofsevenmaterialstrata.

Theupperthreeplanetarysystemsarecalledsattvikaplanetsbecausethey
providefacilitiesforalongdurationoflifeandrelativefreedomfromdisease
andoldage,aswellasasenseoffearlessness.
Thegreatsagesandsaintsarepromotedbeyondtheheavenlyplanetsto
Maharloka,butthatalsoisnottheplaceofcompletefearlessnessbecauseatthe
endofonekalpatheMaharlokaisannihilatedandtheinhabitantshaveto
transportthemselvestostillhigherplanets.Yetevenontheseplanetsnooneis
immunetodeath.Theremaybeacomparativeextensionoflife,expansionof
knowledgeandsenseoffullbliss,butfactualdeathlessness,fearlessnessand
freedomfromoldage,diseases,etc.,arepossibleonlybeyondthematerial
spheresofthecoveringsofthematerialsky.
Thespiritualworld,whichconsistsofthreefourthsoftheLord'senergy,is
situatedbeyondthismaterialworld,anditisespeciallymeantforthosewho
willneverbereborn.Others,whoareattachedtofamilylifeandwhodonot
strictlyfollowcelibacyvows,mustlivewithinthethreematerialworlds.
Thehighestbenefitthatcanbeawardedtoahumanbeingistotrainhimtobe
detachedfromsexlife,particularlybecauseitisonlyduetosexindulgencethat
theconditionedlifeofmaterialexistencecontinuesbirthafterbirth.
Butaslongasthebodilyattachmentforsensualenjoymentisencouraged,the
individualspiritsoulisforcedtocontinuetherepetitionofbirthanddeathon
accountofthematerialbody,whichiscomparedtogarmentssubjectedtothe
lawofdeterioration.
Thebrahmacarilifeisforstudentswhoareeducatedtofollowstrictlythevow
ofcelibacy.Youngsterswhohavehadnotasteofsexlifecaneasilyfollowthe
vowofcelibacy,andoncefixedintheprincipleofsuchalife,onecanvery
easilycontinuetothehighestperfectionalstage,attainingthekingdomofthe
threefourthsenergyoftheLord.
Ahouseholderisrecommendedtoquithomeattheendoffiftyyears
(pancasordhvamvanamvrajet)andlivealifeintheforest;then,beingfully
detachedfromfamilyaffection,hemayaccepttheorderofrenunciationasa
sannyasifullyengagedintheserviceoftheLord.
Theprinciplesofnirvana,asrecommendedbyLordBuddha,arealsomeantfor
endingthemiserablelifeofmaterialexistence.Andthisprocess,inthehighest
degree,isrecommendedhereintheSrimadBhagavatam,withclearperception
ofidealperfection,althoughbasicallythereisnodifferencebetweenthe
processofBuddhists,SankaritesandVaisnavites.

Thehouseholdersandpersonswhohavedeliberatelybrokenthevowof
celibacycannotenterintothekingdomofdeathlessness.Thepious
householdersorthefallenyogisorthefallentranscendentalistscanbe
promotedtothehigherplanetswithinthematerialworld(onefourthofthe
energyoftheLord),buttheywillfailtoenterintothekingdomof
deathlessness.
Thevanaprasthas,orthoseretiredfromfamilylife,andthesannyasis,orthe
renouncedpersons,cannotbreakthevowofcelibacyiftheywantsuccessin
theprocess.Thebrahmacaris,vanaprasthasandsannyasisdonotintendtotake
rebirth(apraja),noraretheymeantforsecretlyindulginginsexlife.Sucha
falldownbythespiritualistmaybecompensatedbyanotherchanceforhuman
lifeingoodfamiliesoflearnedbrahmanasorofrichmerchantsforanother
termofelevation,butthebestthingistoattainthehighestperfectionof
deathlessnessassoonasthehumanformoflifeisattained;otherwisethewhole
policyofhumanlifewillprovetobeatotalfailure.
LordCaitanyawasverystrictinadvisingHisfollowersinthismatterof
celibacy.OneofHispersonalattendants,ChotaHaridasa,wasseverely
punishedbyLordCaitanyabecauseofhisfailuretoobservethevowof
celibacy.
Sexlifeintherenouncedorderoflifeisthemostpervertedformofreligious
life,andsuchamisguidedpersoncanonlybesavedif,bychance,hemeetsa
puredevotee.
ByHisenergies,theallpervadingPersonalityofGodheadisthus
comprehensivelythemasterintheactivitiesofcontrollingandindevotional
service.Heistheultimatemasterofbothnescienceandfactualknowledgeof
allsituations.
Onewhotravelsperfectlyineveryfieldofactivityiscalledthepurusaor
ksetrajna.Thesetwoterms,ksetrajnaandpurusa,areequallyapplicabletoboth
theindividualselfandtheSupremeSelf,theLord.
ksetrameanstheplace,andonewhoknowstheplaceiscalledtheksetrajna.
Theindividualselfknowsabouthislimitedfieldofactivities,buttheSupreme
Self,theLord,knowsabouttheunlimitedfieldofactivities.Theindividual
soulknowsabouthisownthinking,feelingandwillingactivities,butthe
Supersoul,ortheParamatma,thesupremecontroller,beingpresent
everywhere,knowseveryone'sthinking,feelingandwillingactivities,andas
suchtheindividuallivingentityistheminutemasterofhispersonalaffairs
whereastheSupremePersonalityofGodheadisthemasterofeveryone's
affairs,past,presentandfuture(vedahamsamatitani,etc.).

Therearedifferentstagesofavidya,andtheyarecalleddharma,arthaand
moksa.Theideaofmoksa,orliberation,heldbythemonistinthematterof
onenessofthelivingentityandtheLordbyultimatemerginginone,isalsothe
laststageofmaterialismorforgetfulness.
TheindividualselfcanneverbeequaltotheLordincognizance;otherwisehe
couldnotbeplacedinthestateofforgetfulness.
TheLordisthustheproprietorofthefieldsbothofnescienceandofcognition,
anditremainsthechoiceofthelivingentitytoexistineitheroftheabove
regions.
Thevisvarupa,asitwasshowntoArjuna,isnottheoriginalformoftheLord.
TheoriginalformoftheLordisthetranscendentalformofPurusottama,or
KrsnaHimself.ItisverynicelyexplainedhereinthatHeexpandsHimselfjust
likethesun.Thesunexpandsitselfbyitsterribleheatandrays,yetthesunis
alwaysalooffromsuchraysandheat.
"TheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,Govinda,theonewhoenlivensthe
sensesofeveryonebyHispersonalbodilyrays,residesinHistranscendental
abode,calledGoloka.YetHeispresentineverynookandcornerofHis
creationbyexpansionofhappyspiritualrays,equalinpowertoHispersonal
potencyofbliss."
LordBrahma,thecreatorofthecosmicmanifestation,isknownasSvayambhu,
oronewhoisbornwithoutfatherandmother.
Brahma,afterhisappearanceinthegigantichollowoftheuniverse,saw
darknessandnothingelse.Hefeltperplexity,andfromhishearthewas
inspiredbytheLordtoundergoausterity,therebyacquiringtheingredientsfor
sacrificialperformances.Buttherewasnothingbesidesthetwoofthem,
namelythePersonalityofMahaVisnuandBrahmahimself,bornofthebodily
partoftheLord.
Forsacrificialperformancesmanyingredientswereinneed,especiallyanimals.
Theanimalsacrificeisnevermeantforkillingtheanimal,butforachievingthe
successfulresultofthesacrifice.Theanimalofferedinthesacrificialfireis,so
tospeak,destroyed,butthenextmomentitisgivenanewlifebydintofthe
Vedichymnschantedbytheexpertpriest.Whensuchanexpertpriestisnot
available,theanimalsacrificeinthefireofthesacrificialaltarisforbidden.
ThusBrahmacreatedeventhesacrificialingredientsoutofthebodilylimbsof

theGarbhodakasayiVisnu,whichmeansthatthecosmicorderwascreatedby
Brahmahimself.Also,nothingiscreatedoutofnothing,buteverythingis
createdfromthepersonoftheLord.

TheimpersonalistsarguethatthereisnouseinworshipingtheLordwhen
everythingisnothingbuttheLordHimself.Thepersonalist,however,worships
theLordoutofagreatsenseofgratitude,utilizingtheingredientsbornoutof
thebodilylimbsoftheLord.Thefruitsandflowersareavailablefromthebody
oftheearth,andyetmotherearthisworshipedbythesensibledevoteewith
ingredientsbornfromtheearth.Similarly,motherGangesisworshipedbythe
wateroftheGanges,andyettheworshiperenjoystheresultofsuchworship.
WorshipoftheLordisalsoperformedbytheingredientsbornfromthebodily
limbsoftheLord,andyettheworshiper,whoishimselfapartoftheLord,
achievestheresultofdevotionalservicetotheLord.
Forperformingsacrificialceremonies,onerequiressacrificialingredients,such
asflowers,leavesandstraw,alongwiththesacrificialaltarandasuitabletime
[spring].
Otherrequirementsareutensils,grains,clarifiedbutter,honey,gold,earth,
water,theRgVeda,YajurVedaandSamaVedaandfourprieststoperformthe
sacrifice.
Toperformasacrificesuccessfully,atleastfourexpertpriestsareneeded:one
whocanoffer(hota),onewhocanchant(udgata),onewhocankindlethe
sacrificialfirewithouttheaidofseparatefire(adhvaryu),andonewhocan
supervise(brahma).
Othernecessitiesincludeinvokingthedifferentnamesofthedemigodsby
specifichymnsandvowsofrecompense,inaccordancewiththeparticular
scripture,forspecificpurposesandbyspecificprocesses.
Thewholeprocessofofferingsacrificeisunderthecategoryoffruitiveaction,
andsuchactivitiesareextremelyscientific.Theymainlydependontheprocess
ofvibratingsoundswithaparticularaccent.Itisagreatscience,anddueto
beingoutofproperuseformorethanfourthousandyears,forwantofqualified
brahmanas,suchperformancesofsacrificearenolongereffective.
Sincetheultimateaimoflifeisspiritualrealization,thedirectwayofinvoking
theholynameoftheLord,asmentionedabove,ispreciselyrecommendedby
LordCaitanya,andpeopleofthemodernagecaneasilytakeadvantageofthis
simpleprocess,whichistenablefortheconditionofthecomplicatedsocial
structure.

Inthisverse,specialstressisgiventothepersonoftheSupremeLord,andnot
toHisimpersonalbrahmajyoti,asbeingthesourceofallsupplies
Suchpeaceintheworldisobtainablebyperformancesofsacrificeandby
practiceofausterity.

Theword"sacrifice"suggestsdedicationofone'sowninterestsforsatisfaction
ofasecondperson.Thatisthewayofallactivities.Everymanisengagedin
sacrificinghisinterestsforothers,eitherintheformoffamily,society,
community,countryortheentirehumansociety.Butperfectionofsuch
sacrificesisattainedwhentheyareperformedforthesakeoftheSupreme
Person,theLord.
Themanifestedpersonalitiesarethedemigodsliketheruleroftheheavenly
kingdom,Indra,andhisassociates;andthenonmanifestedpersonalityisthe
LordHimself.Themanifestedpersonalitiesaremundanecontrollersofthe
materialaffairs,whereasthenonmanifestedPersonalityofGodheadis
transcendental,beyondtherangeofthematerialatmosphere.InthisageofKali
themanifesteddemigodsarealsonottobeseen,forspacetravelhas
completelystopped.SoboththepowerfuldemigodsandtheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadarenonmanifestedtothecoveredeyesofthemodern
man.
Eveninthesedays,Godcanalsobeseenbyqualifiedeyestingedwiththe
ointmentofloveofGod.
Thedaityasaredevoteesofthedemigodsbecausetheywanttoderivethe
greatestpossiblematerialfacilitiesfromthem.ThedevoteesoftheLordare
ekanistha,orabsolutelyattachedtothedevotionalserviceoftheLord.
Thereforetheyhavepracticallynotimetoseekthebenefitsofmaterial
facilities.Becauseoftheirrealizationoftheirspiritualidentity,theyaremore
concernedwithspiritualemancipationthanwithmaterialcomforts.
ByHiswill,Icreate,LordSivadestroys,andHeHimself,inHiseternalform
asthePersonalityofGodhead,maintainseverything.Heisthepowerful
controllerofthesethreeenergies.
LordVasudevaisonewithoutasecond,butbecauseHeisallpowerful,Hecan
expandHimselfaswellasdisplayHisomnipotencies.
SoprimarilyHisthreeenergiesareinternal,marginalandexternal.This
externalenergyisalsodisplayedinthethreemodesofgoodness,passionand
ignorance.Similarly,theinternalpotencyisalsodisplayedinthreespiritual
modessamvit,sandhiniandhladini.Themarginalpotency,ortheliving

entities,isalsospiritual(prakrtimviddhimeparam),butthelivingentitiesare
neverequaltotheLord.
Inthematerialworldalso,inHiseternalformofVisnu,Hemaintainsand
controlsalltheaffairsofthedemigods,includingBrahmaandSiva.
ONarada,becauseIhavecaughtholdofthelotusfeetoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,Hari,withgreatzeal,whateverIsayhasneverproved
tohavebeenfalse.Noristheprogressofmymindeverdeterred.Noraremy
senseseverdegradedbytemporaryattachmenttomatter.
"IamaworshiperoftheoriginalpersonalityofGodhead,Govinda,the
primevalLord."Sowhateverhesays,whateverhethinks,andwhateverhe
doesnormallyinhismoodaretobeacceptedastruthbecauseofhisdirectand
veryintimateconnectionwithGovinda,theprimevalLord.SriGovinda,who
pleasinglyacceptsthelovingtranscendentalserviceofHisdevotees,givesall
protectiontothewordsandactionsofHisdevotees.
Thedevoteesarealwaysliberated,butthatdoesnotmeanthattheyare
impersonal.TheLordisapersoneternally,andthedevoteeoftheLordisalso
apersoneternally.Becausethedevoteehashissenseorgansevenatthe
liberatedstage,heisthereforeapersonalways.
Byselfrealization,oneisqualifiedtobecomeadevotee,andthedevotee,by
servicemood(bhaktya)only,cangraduallyknowthepersonalityofGodhead.
Losingone'sindividualityisnottheaimofbhaktiyogaorofthedevoteesof
theLord
Therearefivetypesofliberation,oneofwhichiscalledsayujyamukti,or
beingmergedintotheexistenceorbodyoftheLord.Theotherformsof
liberationmaintaintheindividualityoftheparticlesoulandinvolvebeing
alwaysengagedinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.Theword
visate,usedintheversesoftheBhagavadgita,isthusmeantforthedevotees
whoarenotatallanxiousforanykindofliberation.Thedevoteesaresatisfied
simplyinbeingengagedintheserviceoftheLord,regardlessofthesituation.
Vedantameansselfrealization,andbhaktimeansrealizationofthePersonality
ofGodhead,tosomeextent.NoonecanknowthepersonalityofGodheadin
full,butatleasttoacertainextentonecanknowtheAbsoluteTruth,the
PersonalityofGodhead,byselfsurrenderandadevotionalattitude,andby
nothingelse.
Suchsurrenderisallauspiciousandallowsonetoperceiveallhappiness.Even
theskycannotestimatethelimitsofitsownexpansion.Sowhatcanothersdo
whentheLordHimselfisunabletoestimateHisownlimits?

Rather,oneshouldsimplysurrenderuntothefeetoftheLordtomakea
solutiontoallmiseriesoflife.ThatistheinstructionofLordKrsnadirectlyin
theBhagavadgita,andthatistheinstructionofSrimadBhagavatamby
Brahmaji,thesupremefatherofalllivingbeings.
Anyonedenyingthissurrenderingprocessasrecommendedbothinthe
BhagavadgitaandintheSrimadBhagavatamand,forthatmatter,inall
authorizedscriptureswillbeforcedtosurrenderuntothelawsofmaterial
nature.
Thelivingentity,byhisconstitutionalposition,isnotindependent.Hemust
surrender,eitheruntotheLordoruntomaterialnature.
thesurrenderingprocessitselfisbhavacchidam(liberationfromallmaterial
miseries),svastyayanam(perceptionofallhappiness),andsumangalam(the
sourceofeverythingauspicious).
Itissaidinthescriptures,brahmasaukhyamtvanantam:spiritualhappinessis
unlimited.
IntheCaitanyacaritamrta,(Adilila,FourthChapter)KavirajaGosvamihas
verynicelydescribedthisdynamicincrementoftheoceanofspiritual
happinessinthetranscendentalpersonofSrimatiRadharani,thepleasure
potencyofLordKrsna.
Wehavemanytimesmentionedthenamesoftwelveselectedauthorities
(dvadasamahajana),ofwhichBrahma,NaradaandLordSivaheadthelistas
thefirst,secondandthirdinorderofmeritofthosewhoknowsomethingofthe
SupremeLord.Othersarethe

fourKumaras,Kapilathesonof
Devahuti,SvayambhuvaManu,Prahlada,Janaka,Bhishma,Bali,uka,
andYama
OneshouldnotexpecttheLordtobeanordersupplyingagentwhomustbe
presentbeforeusassoonaswedesiretoseeHim.Wemustbereadyto
undergotheprescribeddevotionalduties,followingthepathshownbythe
predecessorsinthedisciplicsuccessionfromBrahma,Naradaandsimilar
authorities.
ThatsupremeoriginalPersonalityofGodhead,LordSriKrsna,expandingHis
plenaryportionasMahaVisnu,thefirstincarnation,createsthismanifested
cosmos,butHeisunborn.
LordBrahmajisaysinhisBrahmasamhita,"IworshiptheprimevalLord
Govinda,wholiesdownintheCausalOceaninHisplenaryportionasMaha

Visnu,withalltheuniversesgeneratingfromtheporesofhaironHis
transcendentalbody,andwhoacceptsthemysticslumberofeternity."
ONarada,Ogreatsage,thegreatthinkerscanknowHimwhencompletely
freedfromallmaterialhankeringsandwhenshelteredunderundisturbed
conditionsofthesenses.Otherwise,byuntenablearguments,allisdistorted,
andtheLorddisappearsfromoursight.
KaranarnavasayiVisnuisthefirstincarnationoftheSupremeLord,andHeis
themasterofeternaltime,space,causeandeffects,mind,theelements,the
materialego,themodesofnature,thesenses,theuniversalformoftheLord,
GarbhodakasayiVisnu,andthesumtotalofalllivingbeings,bothmovingand
nonmoving.
Alltheinnumerableuniversesaremaintainedonlyduringthebreathingperiod
ofMahaVisnu,orKaranarnavasayiVisnu,whoisonlyaplenarypartof
Govinda,theoriginalPersonalityofGodheadLordKrsna.
Imyself[Brahma],LordSiva,LordVisnu,greatgeneratorsoflivingbeings
likeDaksaandPrajapati,yourselves[NaradaandtheKumaras],heavenly
demigodslikeIndraandCandra,theleadersoftheBhurlokaplanets,the
leadersoftheearthlyplanets,theleadersofthelowerplanets,theleadersofthe
Gandharvaplanets,theleadersoftheVidyadharaplanets,theleadersofthe
Caranalokaplanets,theleadersoftheYaksas,RaksasandUragas,thegreat
sages,thegreatdemons,thegreatatheistsandthegreatspacemen,aswellas
thedeadbodies,evilspirits,satans,jinn,kusmandas,greataquatics,great
beastsandgreatbirds,etc.inotherwords,anythingandeverythingwhichis
exceptionallypossessedofpower,opulence,mentalandperceptualdexterity,
strength,forgiveness,beauty,modesty,opulence,andbreeding,whetherin
formorformlessmayappeartobethespecifictruthandtheformoftheLord,
butactuallytheyarenotso.Theyareonlyafragmentofthetranscendental
potencyoftheLord.
Therefore,thosewhoaresimplyastonishedbythepowersofanythinginthe
creationoftheLord,withoutanyfactualinformationoftheLordHimself,are
knownassaktas,orworshipersofthegreatpowers.Themodernscientistis
alsocaptivatedbythewonderfulactionsandreactionsofnaturalphenomena
andthereforeisalsoasakta.Theselowergradepersonsgraduallyriseto
becomesauriyas(worshipersofthesungod)organapatyas(worshipersofthe
massofpeopleasjanatajanardanaordaridranarayana,etc.,intheformof
Ganapati)andthenrisetotheplatformofworshipingLordSivainsearchfor
theeverexistingsoul,andthentothestageofworshipingLordVisnu,the
Supersoul,etc.,withoutanyinformationofGovinda,LordKrsna,whoisthe
originalLordVisnu.Inotherwayssomeareworshipersofrace,nationality,
birds,beasts,evilspirits,satans,etc.ThegeneralworshipofSanideva,thelord

ofdistressfulcondition,andSitaladevi,thegoddessofsmallpox,isalso
commontothemassofpeople,andtherearemanyfoolishmenwhoworship
themassofpeopleorthepoorclassofmen.Sodifferentpersons,societiesand
communities,etc.,worshipsomeofthepotentmanifestationsoftheLord,
wronglyacceptingthepowerfulobjectasGod.Butinthisverseitisadvisedby
BrahmajithatnoneofthemistheSupremeLord;theyareonlyborrowed
plumesfromtheoriginalAlmightyLordSriKrsna.
WhentheLordadvisesinBhagavadgitatoworshipHimalone,itistobe
understoodthatworshipingLordKrsnaincludesworshipingallthatis
mentioned,becauseHe,LordKrsna,includeseveryone.
ThedevoteesoftheLord,however,knowwellhowthecreativeforceswork
concurrentlybytheactionandreactionofthematerialenergyoftheLord.
ThereforetheytakemoreinterestinthetranscendentalactivitiesoftheLordas
HeincarnatesHimselfonthesurfaceofthematerialworld.

Chapter7

Sincethebeginningofcreation,thedemonsandthedemigods,orthe
Vaisnavas,arealwaysthetwoclassesoflivingbeingstodominatetheplanets
oftheuniverses.LordBrahmaisthefirstdemigod,andHiranyaksaisthefirst
demoninthisuniverse.
Onlyundercertainconditionsdotheplanetsfloatasweightlessballsintheair,
andassoonastheseconditionsaredisturbed,theplanetsmayfalldowninthe
GarbhodakaOcean,whichcovershalftheuniverse.Theotherhalfisthe
sphericaldomewithinwhichtheinnumerableplanetarysystemsexist.
Thefloatingoftheplanetsintheweightlessairisduetotheinnerconstitution
oftheglobes,andthemodernizeddrillingoftheearthtoexploitoilfromwithin
isasortofdisturbancebythemoderndemonsandcanresultinagreatly
harmfulreactiontothefloatingconditionoftheearth.
"OKesava!OSupremeLordwhohaveassumedtheformofaboar!OLord!
TheplanetearthrestedonYourtusks,anditappearedlikethemoonengraved
withspots."
Noone,therefore,canbeacceptedasanincarnationoftheLordifhisfather's
name,aswellasthenameofthevillageorplaceinwhichheappears,isnot
mentionedbytheauthorizedscriptures.IntheBhagavataPuranathenameof
theKalkiincarnation,whichistotakeplaceinalmostfourhundredthousand
years,ismentionedalongwiththenameofHisfatherandthenameofthe

villageinwhichHewillappear.
OneshouldknowtheLordasmuchascanbeknownbyourlimited
knowledge.
HisLordshipKapila,theincarnationoftheLord,instructedHismotherfully
aboutthepersonalformoftheLord,andtherebysherealizedthepersonalform
oftheLordandwasabletoachieveaplaceintheVaikunthalokawhere,Lord
Kapilapredominates.EveryincarnationoftheLordhasHisownabodeinthe
spiritualsky.ThereforeLordKapilaalsohasHisseparateVaikunthaplanet.
Thespiritualskyisnotvoid.ThereareinnumerableVaikunthaplanets,andin
eachofthemtheLord,byHisinnumerableexpansions,predominates,andthe
puredevoteeswhoaretherealsoliveinthesamestyleastheLordandHis
eternalassociates.
WhentheLorddescendspersonallyorbyHispersonalplenaryexpansions,
suchincarnationsarecalledamsa,kala,guna,yugaandmanvantara
incarnations,andwhentheLord'sassociatesdescendbytheorderoftheLord,
suchincarnationsarecalledsaktyavesaincarnations.

thelivingentitiesareapttobecontaminatedbyassociationwiththematerial
modesofgoodness,passionandignorance.Thiscontaminationbythematerial
modescanbewashedoffcompletelybyknowledge,renunciationand
devotionalservice.DevotionalservicetotheLordistheultimateissue,and
thereforethosewhoaredirectlyengagedinthedevotionalserviceoftheLord
notonlyacquirethenecessaryknowledgeinspiritualscience,butalsoattain
detachmentfrommaterialconnectionandarethuspromotedtothekingdomof
Godbycompleteliberation
TheantisepticpotencyofdevotionalservicetotheLordissogreatthatitcan
neutralizethematerialinfectioneveninthepresentlifeofadevotee.Adevotee
doesnotneedtowaitforhisnextbirthforcompleteliberation.
TranscendentalrelationsbetweenthePersonalityofGodheadandtheliving
entitiesareeternallyestablishedinfivedifferentaffectionatehumors,which
areknownassanta,dasya,sakhya,vatsalyaandmadhurya.ThesageAtriwas
relatedwiththeLordintheaffectionatevatsalyahumor,andtherefore,asa
resultofhisdevotionalperfection,hewasinclinedtohavethePersonalityof
Godheadashisson.
TheLordtakesmorepleasureinbecomingthesonofadevoteethanin
becomingone'sfather.Thefatheractuallyservestheson,whereasthesononly
demandsallsortsofservicesfromthefather;thereforeapuredevoteewhois
alwaysinclinedtoservetheLordwantsHimastheson,andnotasthefather.

ParentsandotherrelativesoftheLordachieveallmysticopulences
automaticallybecauseoftheirintimaterelationshipwiththeLord.Such
opulencesincludealldetailsofmaterialenjoyment,salvationandmystic
powers.Therefore,thedevoteeoftheLorddoesnotseekthemseparately,
wastinghisvaluabletimeinlife.Thevaluabletimeofone'slifemusttherefore
befullyengagedinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.
Thenotherdesirableachievementsareautomaticallygained.Butevenafter
obtainingsuchachievements,oneshouldbeonguardagainstthepitfallof
offensesatthefeetofthedevotees.ThevividexampleisHaihaya,who
achievedallsuchperfectionindevotionalservicebut,becauseofhisoffenseat
thefeetofadevotee,waskilledbyLordParasurama.
Thewordsanisalsousedinthesenseofcharity;thereforewheneverythingis
givenupincharityuntotheLord,theLordreciprocatesbygivingHimselfunto
thedevotee.
ThesefoursanaswereincarnationsoftheknowledgeoftheSupremeLord

ToexhibitHispersonalwayofausterityandpenance,Heappearedintwin
formsasNarayanaandNarainthewombofMurti,thewifeofDharmaandthe
daughterofDaksa.Celestialbeauties,thecompanionsofCupid,wenttotryto
breakHisvows,buttheywereunsuccessful,fortheysawthatmanybeauties
likethemwereemanatingfromHim,thePersonalityofGodhead.
Intherigidlifeoftapasya,thereisnoplacefortheassociationofwomen.And
becausehumanlifeismeantfortapasya,forselfrealization,
Intheorderofgradualculturaldevelopment,one'slifemaybedividedinto
fourdivisions:celibacy,householdlife,retirement,andrenunciation.
Duringthefirststageoflife,uptotwentyfiveyearsofage,amanmaybe
trainedasabrahmacariundertheguidanceofabonafidespiritualmasterjust
tounderstandthatwomanistherealbindingforceinmaterialexistence.Ifone
wantstogetfreedomfromthematerialbondageofconditionallife,hemustget
freefromtheattractionfortheformofwoman.Woman,orthefairsex,isthe
enchantingprincipleforthelivingentities,andthemaleform,especiallyinthe
humanbeing,ismeantforselfrealization.Thewholeworldismovingunder
thespellofwomanlyattraction,andassoonasamanbecomesunitedwitha
woman,heatoncebecomesavictimofmaterialbondageunderatightknot.
Thedesiresforlordingitoverthematerialworld,undertheintoxicationofa
falsesenseoflordship,specificallybeginjustaftertheman'sunificationwitha

woman.Thedesiresforacquiringahouse,possessingland,havingchildrenand
becomingprominentinsociety,theaffectionforcommunityandtheplaceof
birth,andthehankeringforwealth,whicharealllikephantasmagoriaor
illusorydreams,encumberahumanbeing,andheisthusimpededinhis
progresstowardselfrealization,therealaimoflife.

Thebrahmacari,oraboyfromtheageoffiveyears,especiallyfromthehigher
castes,namelyfromthescholarlyparents(thebrahmanas),theadministrative
parents(theksatriyas),orthemercantileorproductiveparents(thevaisyas),is
traineduntiltwentyfiveyearsofageunderthecareofabonafideguruor
teacher,andunderstrictobservanceofdisciplinehecomestounderstandthe
valuesoflifealongwithtakingspecifictrainingforalivelihood.The
brahmacariisthenallowedtogohomeandenterhouseholderlifeandget
marriedtoasuitablewoman.Buttherearemanybrahmacariswhodonotgo
hometobecomehouseholdersbutcontinuethelifeofnaisthikabrahmacaris,
withoutanyconnectionwithwomen.Theyaccepttheorderofsannyasa,orthe
renouncedorderoflife,knowingwellthatcombinationwithwomenisan
unnecessaryburdenthatchecksselfrealization.Sincesexdesireisverystrong
atacertainstageoflife,thegurumayallowthebrahmacaritomarry;this
licenseisgiventoabrahmacariwhoisunabletocontinuethewayofnaisthika
brahmacarya,andsuchdiscriminationsarepossibleforthebonafideguru.A
programofsocalledfamilyplanningisneeded.Thehouseholderwho
associateswithwomanunderscripturalrestrictions,afterathoroughtrainingof
brahmacarya,cannotbeahouseholderlikecatsanddogs.Suchahouseholder,
afterfiftyyearsofage,wouldretirefromtheassociationofwomanasa
vanaprasthatobetrainedtolivealonewithouttheassociationofwoman.When
thepracticeiscomplete,thesameretiredhouseholderbecomesasannyasi,

strictlyseparatefromwoman,evenfromhismarriedwife.
Studyingthewholeschemeofdisassociationfromwomen,itappearsthata
womanisastumblingblockforselfrealization,andtheLordappearedas
Narayanatoteachtheprincipleofwomanlydisassociationwithavowinlife.
Thedemigods,beingenviousoftheausterelifeoftherigidbrahmacaris,would
trytocausethemtobreaktheirvowsbydispatchingsoldiersofCupid.Butin
thecaseoftheLord,itbecameanunsuccessfulattemptwhenthecelestial
beautiessawthattheLordcanproduceinnumerablesuchbeautiesbyHis
mysticinternalpotencyandthattherewasconsequentlynoneedtobeattracted
byothersexternally.Thereisacommonproverbthataconfectioneris
neverattractedbysweetmeats.Theconfectioner,whoisalways
manufacturingsweetmeats,hasverylittledesiretoeatthem;similarly,the
Lord,byHispleasurepotentialpowers,canproduceinnumerablespiritual
beautiesandnotbetheleastattractedbythefalsebeautiesofmaterialcreation.
OnewhodoesnotknowallegesfoolishlythatLordKrsnaenjoyedwomenin
HisrasalilainVrndavana,orwithHissixteenthousandmarriedwivesat
Dvaraka.

WhenLordSivawasengagedinseverelyausteremeditation,Cupid,the
demigodoflust,threwhisarrowofsexdesire.LordSiva,thusbeingangryat
him,glancedatCupidingreatwrath,andatoncethebodyofCupidwas
annihilated.AlthoughLordSivawassopowerful,hewasunabletogetfree
fromtheeffectsofsuchwrath.
ButinthebehaviorofLordVisnuthereisnoincidentofsuchwrathatany
time.Onthecontrary,BhrguMunitestedthetoleranceoftheLordby
purposelykickingHischest,butinsteadofbeingangryatBhrguMunitheLord
beggedhispardon,sayingthatBhrguMuni'slegmighthavebeenbadlyhurt
becauseHischestistoohard.TheLordhasthesignofthefootofbhrgupadaas
themarkoftolerance.
TheLord,therefore,isneveraffectedbyanykindofwrath,sohowcanthere
beanyplaceforlust,whichislessstrongthanwrath?Whenlustordesireisnot
fulfilled,thereistheappearanceofwrath,butintheabsenceofwrathhowcan
therebeanyplaceforlust?
TheLordisknownasaptakama,oronewhocanfulfillHisdesiresbyHimself.

Hedoesnotrequireanyone'shelptosatisfyHisdesires.TheLordisunlimited,
andthereforeHisdesiresarealsounlimited.AlllivingentitiesbuttheLordare
limitedineveryrespect;howthencanthelimitedsatisfythedesiresofthe
unlimited?TheconclusionisthattheAbsolutePersonalityofGodheadhas
neitherlustnoranger,andevenifthereissometimesashowoflustandanger
bytheAbsolute,itshouldbeconsideredanabsolutebenediction.
Beinginsultedbysharpwordsspokenbythecowifeoftheking,eveninhis
presence,PrinceDhruva,thoughonlyaboy,tooktoseverepenancesinthe
forest.AndtheLord,beingsatisfiedbyhisprayer,awardedhimtheDhruva
planet,whichisworshipedbygreatsages,bothupwardanddownward.
Whenhewasonlyfiveyearsold,PrinceDhruva,agreatdevoteeandthesonof
MaharajaUttanapada,wassittingonthelapofhisfather.Hisstepmotherdid
notliketheKing'spattingherstepson,soshedraggedhimout,sayingthathe
couldnotclaimtositonthelapoftheKingbecausehewasnotbornoutofher
womb.Thelittleboyfeltinsultedbythisactofhisstepmother.Nordidhis
fathermakeanyprotest,forhewastooattachedtohissecondwife.Afterthis
incident,PrinceDhruvawenttohisownmotherandcomplained.Hisreal
motheralsocouldnottakeanystepagainstthisinsultingbehavior,andsoshe
wept.Theboyinquiredfromhismotherhowhecouldsitontheroyalthroneof
hisfather,andthepoorqueenrepliedthatonlytheLordcouldhelphim

.
TheboyinquiredwheretheLordcouldbeseen,andthequeenrepliedthatitis
saidthattheLordissometimesseenbygreatsagesinthedenseforest.The
childprincedecidedtogointotheforesttoperformseverepenancesinorderto
achievehisobjective.

PrinceDhruvaperformedastringenttypeofpenanceundertheinstructionof
hisspiritualmaster,SriNaradaMuni,whowasspecificallydeputedforthis
purposebythePersonalityofGodhead.PrinceDhruvawasinitiatedbyNarada
intochantingthehymncomposedofeighteenletters,namelyomnamo
bhagavatevasudevaya,andLordVasudevaincarnatedHimselfas
Prsnigarbha,thePersonalityofGodheadwithfourhands,andawardedthe
princeaspecificplanetabovethesevenstars.PrinceDhruva,afterachieving
successinhisundertakings,sawtheLordfacetoface,andhewassatisfiedthat
allhisneedswerefulfilled.
TheplanetawardedtoPrinceDhruvaMaharajaisafixedVaikunthaplanet,
installedinthematerialatmospherebythewilloftheSupremeLord,
Vasudeva.Thisplanet,althoughwithinthematerialworld,willnotbe
annihilatedatthetimeofdevastation,butwillremainfixedinitsplace.And
becauseitisaVaikunthaplanetnevertobeannihilated,itisworshipedevenby
thedenizensofthesevenstarssituatedbelowtheDhruvaplanet,aswellasby

theplanetswhichareevenabovetheDhruvaplanet.MaharsiBhrgu'splanetis
situatedabovetheDhruvaplanet.
Aseriouspersonalitycanthusachievethehighestperfectionofmeetingthe
Lordandattainhisobjectivesimplybybeingguidedbyapuredevotee,who
automaticallyapproachesbydintofone'sseriousdeterminationtomeet
theLordbyallmeans.
Thebrahmanas,bytheirlearnedlaboroflove,wouldinstructtheadministrator
kingshowtorulethecountryincompleterighteousness,andthustheprocess
wouldgoonasaperfectwelfarestate.Thekingsortheksatriyaadministrators
wouldalwaysconsultthecounciloflearnedbrahmanas.Theywerenever
autocraticmonarchs.ThescriptureslikeManusamhitaandotherauthorized
booksofthegreatsageswereguidingprinciplesforrulingthesubjects,and
therewasnoneedforlessintelligentpersonstomanufactureacodeoflawin
thenameofdemocracy.
Suchbrahmanaswerenotpaidservantsoftheking,andthereforetheyhadthe
strengthtodictatetothekingontheprinciplesofscriptures.Thissystem
continuedevenuptothetimeofMaharajaCandragupta,andthebrahmana
Canakyawashisunpaidprimeminister.
MaharajaVenadidnotadheretothisprincipleofruling,andhedisobeyedthe
learnedbrahmanas.Thebroadmindedbrahmanaswerenotselfinterested,but
lookedtotheinterestofcompletewelfareforallthesubjects.Theywantedto
chastiseKingVenaforhismisconductandsoprayedtotheAlmightyLordas
wellascursedtheking.

IntheVamanapuranathehistoryofMaharajaVenaandhisdegradationare
fullydescribed.WhenMaharajaPrthuheardaboutthehellishconditionofhis
father,Vena,whowassufferingfromleprosyinthefamilyofamleccha,heat
oncebroughttheformerkingtoKuruksetraforhispurificationandrelieved
himofallsufferings.
MaharajaPrthu,theincarnationofGod,descendedbytheprayerofthe
brahmanastorectifythedisordersonearth.Heproducedallkindsofcrops.
But,atthesametime,heperformedthedutyofasonwhodelivershisfather
fromhellishconditions.Thewordputrameansonewhodeliversfromhell,
calledput.Thatisaworthyson.
Outofmanytypesofmysticperformancesforselfrealization,theprocessof
jadayogaisalsooneacceptedbyauthorities.Thisjadayogainvolves

practicingbecominglikeadumbstoneandnotbeingaffectedbymaterial
reactions.Justasastoneisindifferenttoallkindsofattacksandreattacksof
externalsituations,similarlyonepracticesjadayogabytoleratingvoluntary
inflictionofpainuponthematerialbody.Suchyogis,outofmanyself
inflictionmethods,practicepluckingoutthehairsontheirheads,without
shavingandwithoutanyinstrumentalhelp.Buttherealpurposeofsuchjada
yogapracticeistogetfreefromallmaterialaffectionandtobecompletely
situatedintheself.Atthelaststageofhislife,EmperorRsabhadevawandered
likeadumbmadman,unaffectedbyallkindsofbodilymistreatment.Seeing
himlikeamadman,wanderingnakedwithlonghairandalongbeard,less
intelligentchildrenandmeninthestreetusedtospitonhimandurinateonhis
body.Heusedtolieinhisownstoolandnevermove.Butthestoolofhisbody
wasfragrantlikethesmelloffragrantflowers,andasaintlypersonwould
recognizehimasaparamahamsa,oneinthehigheststateofhumanperfection.
Onewhoisnotabletomakehisstoolfragrantshouldnot,however,imitate
EmperorRsabhadeva.ThepracticeofjadayogawaspossibleforRsabhadeva
andothersonthesamelevelofperfection,butsuchanuncommonpracticeis
impossibleforanordinaryman.
Therealpurposeofjadayoga,asmentionedhereinthisverse,isprasanta
karanah,orsubduingthesenses.Thewholeprocessofyoga,underwhatever
headingitmaybe,istocontroltheunbridledmaterialsensesandthusprepare
oneselfforselfrealization.Inthisagespecifically,thisjadayogacannotbeof
anypracticalvalue,butontheotherhandthepracticeofbhaktiyogaisfeasible
becauseitisjustsuitableforthisage.
RsabhadevawasthesonofKingNabhiandthegrandsonofKingAgnidhra,
andhewasthefatherofKingBharata,afterwhosenamethisplanetearthwas
calledBharatavarsa.

TheLordappearedastheHayagrivaincarnationinasacrificeperformedbyme
[Brahma].Heisthepersonifiedsacrifices,andthehueofHisbodyisgolden.
HeisthepersonifiedVedasaswell,andtheSupersoulofalldemigods.When
Hebreathed,allthesweetsoundsoftheVedichymnscameoutofHisnostrils.
DuringonedayofBrahmatherearefourteenManus,andattheendofeach
Manuthereisdevastationuptotheearthlyplanets,andthevastwaterisfearful
eventoBrahma.SointhebeginningofthewouldbeVaivasvataManu,such
devastationwouldbeseenbyhim.Therewouldbemanyotherincidentsalso,
suchasthekillingofthefamousSankhasura.Thisforetellingisbythepast
experienceofBrahmaji,whoknewthatinthatfearfuldevastatingscene,the

Vedaswouldcomeoutofhismouth,buttheLordinHisfishincarnationnot
onlywouldsavealllivingentities,namelythedemigods,animals,menand
greatsages,butwouldalsosavetheVedas.
Thegiganticworkofchurningthemilkoceanbythecombinedeffortofthe
demigodsandthedemonsrequiredagiganticrestinggroundorpivotforthe
giganticMandaraHill.Thustohelptheattemptofthedemigodstheprimeval
Lordassumedtheincarnationofagigantictortoise,swimmingintheoceanof
milk.Atthesametime,themountainscratchedHisbackboneasHewas
partiallysleepingandthusrelievedHisitchingsensation.
ThePersonalityofGodheadassumedtheincarnationofNrsimhadevainorder
tovanquishthegreatfearsofthedemigods.Hekilledthekingofthedemons
[Hiranyakasipu],whochallengedtheLordwithaclubinhishand,byplacing
thedemononHisthighsandpiercinghimwithHisnails,rollingHiseyebrows
inangerandshowingHisfearfulteethandmouth.

Hiranyakasipubecameverypowerfulbymaterialachievementsandthought
himselftobeimmortalbythegraceofBrahmaji.Brahmajideclinedtoaward
himthebenedictionofimmortalitybecausehehimselfisnotanimmortal
being.ButHiranyakasipuderivedBrahmaji'sbenedictioninaroundaboutway,
almostequaltobecominganimmortalbeing.Hiranyakasipuwassurethathe
wouldnotbekilledbyanymanordemigodorbyanykindofknownweapon,
norwouldhedieindayornight.TheLord,however,assumedtheincarnation
ofhalfmanandhalflion,whichwasbeyondtheimaginationofamaterialistic

demonlikeHiranyakasipu,andthus,keepingpacewiththebenedictionof
Brahmaji,theLordkilledhim.HekilledhimonHislap,sothathewaskilled
neitheronthelandnoronthewaternorinthesky.Thedemonwaspiercedby
Nrsimha'snails,whichwerebeyondthehumanweaponsimaginableby
Hiranyakasipu.TheliteralmeaningofHiranyakasipuisonewhoisaftergold
andsoftbedding,theultimateaimofallmaterialisticmen.Suchdemonicmen,
whohavenorelationshipwithGod,graduallybecomepuffedupbymaterial
acquisitionsandbegintochallengetheauthorityoftheSupremeLordand
torturethosewhoaredevoteesoftheLord.PrahladaMaharajahappenedtobe
thesonofHiranyakasipu,andbecausetheboywasagreatdevotee,hisfather
torturedhimtothebestofhisability.Inthisextremesituation,theLord
assumedtheincarnationofNrsimhadeva,andjusttofinishtheenemyofthe
demigods,theLordkilledHiranyakasipuinamannerbeyondthedemon's
imagination.Materialisticplansofgodlessdemonsarealwaysfrustratedbythe
allpowerfulLord.
Theleaderoftheelephants,whoselegwasattackedinariverbyacrocodileof
superiorstrength,wasmuchaggrieved.Takingalotusflowerinhistrunk,he
addressedtheLord,saying,"Ooriginalenjoyer,Lordoftheuniverse!O
deliverer,asfamousasaplaceofpilgrimage!Allarepurifiedsimplyby
hearingYourholyname,whichisworthytobechanted."
Theleaderoftheelephantswasmuchdistressedwhenhewasattackedbythe
crocodile.Althoughtheelephantisalwaysstrongerthanthecrocodile,the
latterisstrongerthantheelephantwhenitisinthewater.Andbecausethe
elephantwasagreatdevoteeoftheLordinhispreviousbirth,hewasableto
chanttheholynameoftheLordbydintofhispastgooddeeds.Everyliving
entityisalwaysdistressedinthismaterialworldbecausethisplaceissuchthat
ateverysteponehastomeetwithsomekindofdistress.
ThepersonalityofGodheadHariappearedatonceonthebackofHiseternal
bearer,Garuda,anddeliveredtheelephant.
Apuredevoteeknowswellthateverythingintheuniverseisthepropertyofthe
LordandthatalivingentitycanenjoyathingasordainedbytheLord.Aliving
beingcannoteventouchathingwhichisnotallottedtohim.Thisideaofthe
originalenjoyerisexplainedverynicelyintheIsopanisad.Onewhoknowsthis
differencebetweentheLordandhimselfneveracceptsanythingwithoutfirst
offeringittotheLord
Theelephant,beingapuredevoteeoftheLord,specificallydeservedtobe
savedfromtheattackofthecrocodile,andbecauseitisapromiseoftheLord
thatHisdevoteewillneverbevanquished,itwasquitebefittingthatthe
elephantcalledupontheLordtoprotecthim,andthemercifulLordalsoat
onceresponded.TheLordistheprotectorofeveryone,butHeisthefirst

protectorofonewhoacknowledgesthesuperiorityoftheLordinsteadofbeing
sofalselyproudastodenythesuperiorityoftheLordortoclaimtobeequalto
Him.Heiseversuperior
TheelephantaddressedtheLordastirthasravah,or"asfamousasaplaceof
pilgrimage."Peoplegotoplacesofpilgrimageinordertobedeliveredfromthe
reactionsofunknownsinfulacts.Butonecanbefreedfromallsinfulreactions
simplybyrememberingHisholyname.TheLordisthereforeasgoodasthe
holyplacesofpilgrimage.Onecanbefreefromallsinfulreactionsafter
reachingaplaceofpilgrimage,butonecanhavethesamebenefitathomeorat
anyplacesimplybychantingtheholynameoftheLord.Forapuredevotee,
thereisnoneedtogototheholyplaceofpilgrimage.Hecanbedeliveredfrom
allsinfulactssimplybyrememberingtheLordinearnestness.Apuredevotee
oftheLordnevercommitsanysinfulacts,butbecausethewholeworldisfull
ofthesinfulatmosphere,evenapuredevoteemaycommitasinunconsciously,
asamatterofcourse.Onewhocommitssinfulactsconsciouslycannotbe
worthyofbeingadevoteeoftheLord,butapuredevoteewhounconsciously
doessomethingsinfuliscertainlydeliveredbytheLordbecauseapuredevotee
rememberstheLordalways.
ThePersonalityofGodhead,afterhearingtheelephant'splea,feltthatthe
elephantneededHisimmediatehelp,forhewasingreatdistress.Thusatonce
theLordappearedthereonthewingsofthekingofbirds,Garuda,fully
equippedwithHisweapon,thewheel[cakra].WiththewheelHecuttopieces
themouthofthecrocodiletosavetheelephant,andHedeliveredtheelephant
byliftinghimbyhistrunk.
Theyogiscanreachanydistantplaceveryquicklywiththehelpofmindships.
ButneithertheairshipnorthemindshiphasaccesstothekingdomofGodin
theVaikunthaloka,situatedfarbeyondthematerialsky
TheLordcanhearfromsuchadistantplace,Hecaneatfromthere,andHecan
appearsimultaneouslyinallplacesatamoment'snotice.Suchisthe
omnipotencyoftheLord.

BaliMaharajaconqueredalltheplanetsoftheuniversebyrightfulpossession.
Akingcanconquerotherkingsbystrength,andsuchpossessionisconsidered
toberightful.SoBaliMaharajapossessedallthelandsoftheuniverse,andhe

happenedtobecharitablydisposedtowardthebrahmanas.TheLordtherefore
pretendedtobeabeggarbrahmana,andHeaskedBaliMaharajafora
measurementofthreefootstepsofland.TheLord,astheproprietorof
everything,couldtakefromBaliMaharajaallthelandhepossessed,buthedid
notdosobecauseBaliMaharajapossessedallthoselandsbyking'srights.
WhenBaliMaharajawasaskedbyLordVamanaforsuchsmallcharity,Bali
Maharaja'sspiritualmaster,namelySukracarya,objectedtothisproposal
becauseheknewthatVamanadevawasVisnuHimself,pretendingtobea
beggar.BaliMaharajadidnotagreetoabidebytheorderofhisspiritualmaster
whenheunderstoodthatthebeggarwasVisnuHimself,andheatonceagreed
togiveHimincharitythelandrequested.BythisagreementLordVamana
coveredallthelandsoftheuniversewithHisfirsttwostepsandthenasked
BaliMaharajawheretoplacethethirdstep.BaliMaharajawasverygladto
receivetheLord'sremainingstepuponhishead,andthusBaliMaharaja,
insteadoflosingeverythinghepossessed,wasblessedbytheLord'sbecoming
hisconstantcompanionanddoorman.So,bygivingeverythingtothecauseof
theLord,onedoesnotloseanything,buthegainseverythingthathecould
neverotherwiseexpect.
BaliMaharaja,whoputonhisheadthewaterwashedfromthelotusfeetofthe
Lord,didnotthinkofanythingbesideshispromise,inspiteofbeingforbidden
byhisspiritualmaster.Thekingdedicatedhisownpersonalbodytofulfillthe
measurementoftheLord'sthirdstep.Forsuchapersonality,eventhekingdom
ofheaven,whichheconqueredbyhisstrength,wasofnovalue.
whentheLordsnatchesawayone'shardearnedmaterialpossessionsand
favorsonewithHispersonaltranscendentalserviceforeternallife,blissand
knowledge,suchtakingawaybytheLordshouldbeconsideredaspecialfavor
uponsuchapuredevotee.
Onewhopossessesmoreinthismaterialworld,intheshapeofhouses,land,
children,society,friendshipandwealth,possessesthesethingsonlyforthe
timebeing.Onecannotpossessallthisillusoryparaphernalia,createdbymaya,
permanently.Suchapossessorismoreillusionedinthematterofhisself
realization;thereforeoneshouldpossesslessornothing,sothatonemaybe
freefromartificialprestige.

Therefore,themoreonespirituallyadvancesbydevotionalservicetotheLord,

inexchangeforhistemporarypossessions,themoreoneisfreedfromthe
attachmentofmaterialillusion.Toachievethisstageoflifeonemustbefirmly
convincedaboutspiritualexistenceanditspermanenteffects.Toknowexactly
thepermanencyofspiritualexistence,onemustvoluntarilypracticepossessing
lessoronlytheminimumtomaintainone'smaterialexistencewithout
difficulty.Oneshouldnotcreateartificialneeds.Thatwillhelponebesatisfied
withtheminimum.Artificialneedsoflifeareactivitiesofthesenses.
Themodernadvancementofcivilizationisbasedontheseactivitiesofthe
senses,or,inotherwords,itisacivilizationofsensegratification.Perfect
civilizationisthecivilizationofatma,orthesoulproper.
Thecivilizedmanofsensegratificationisonanequallevelwithanimals
becauseanimalscannotgobeyondtheactivitiesofthesenses.Abovethe
sensesisthemind.Thecivilizationofmentalspeculationisalsonottheperfect
stageoflifebecauseabovethemindistheintelligence,andtheBhagavadgita
givesusinformationoftheintellectualcivilization.TheVedicliteraturesgive
differentdirectionsforthehumancivilization,includingthecivilizationofthe
senses,ofthemind,oftheintelligence,andofthesoulproper.
Thekingdomofheaven,whichheachievedbydintofhismaterialpower,was
consideredmostinsignificantincomparisonwiththekingdomofGod.
Thosewhohaveattainedthecomfortsofamaterialcivilizationmadeforsense
gratificationshouldtrytoattainthekingdomofGodbyfollowinginthe
footstepsofBaliMaharaja,whoexchangedhisacquiredmaterialstrength,
adoptingtheprocessofbhaktiyogaasrecommendedintheBhagavadgitaand
furtherexplainedintheSrimadBhagavatam.

ONarada,youweretaughtaboutthescienceofGodandHistranscendental
lovingservicebythePersonalityofGodheadinHisincarnationof
Hamsavatara.Hewasverymuchpleasedwithyou,duetoyourintense
proportionofdevotionalservice.

Thewholeprocessisthatalllivingentities,beingconstitutionallypartsand
parcelsofthesupremelivingbeing,theAbsolutePersonalityofGodhead,have
proportionatelyminuteindependenceofactionalso.Sothepreliminary
qualificationforenteringintothedevotionalserviceoftheLordisthatone
becomeawillingcooperator,andassuchoneshouldvoluntarilycooperatewith
personswhoarealreadyengagedinthetranscendentaldevotionalserviceofthe
Lord.Bycooperatingwithsuchpersons,theprospectivecandidatewill
graduallylearnthetechniquesofdevotionalservice,andwiththeprogressof
suchlearningonebecomesproportionatelyfreefromthecontaminationof
materialassociation.Suchapurificatoryprocesswillestablishtheprospective
candidateinfirmfaithandgraduallyelevatehimtothestageoftranscendental
tasteforsuchdevotionalservice.Thusheacquiresagenuineattachmentforthe
devotionalserviceoftheLord,andhisconvictioncarrieshimontothepointof
ecstasy,justpriortothestageoftranscendentallove.
Suchknowledgeofdevotionalservicemaybedividedintotwosections,
namelypreliminaryknowledgeofthenatureofdevotionalserviceandthe
secondaryknowledgeofitsexecution.Bhagavatamisinrelationwiththe
PersonalityofGodhead,Hisbeauty,fame,opulence,dignity,attractionand
transcendentalqualitieswhichattractonetowardsHimforexchangesoflove
andaffection.Thereisanaturalaffinityofthelivingentityfortheloving
serviceoftheLord.Thisaffinitybecomesartificiallycoveredbytheinfluence
ofmaterialassociation,andSrimadBhagavatamhelpsoneverygenuinely
removethatartificialcovering.
Thesetwosectionsoftranscendentalknowledgeindevotionalservicebecome
revealedtoapersonwhoisasoulsurrendereduntoVasudeva;asitissaidin
theBhagavadgita(7.19),suchagreatsoul,fullysurrendereduntothelotus
feetofVasudeva,isvery,veryrare.
AstheincarnationofManu,theLordbecamethedescendantoftheManu
dynastyandruledoverthemiscreantkinglyorder,subduingthembyHis
powerfulwheelweapon.
WehavealreadydiscussedtheincarnationsofManuintheFirstCanto.Inone
dayofBrahmatherearefourteenManus,changingoneafteranother.Inthat
waythereare420ManusinamonthofBrahmaand5,040Manusinoneyear
ofBrahma.Brahmalivesforonehundredyearsaccordingtohiscalculation,
andassuchthereare504,000ManusinthejurisdictionofoneBrahma.There
areinnumerableBrahmas,andallofthemliveonlyduringonebreathing
periodofMahaVisnu.Sowecanjustimaginehowtheincarnationsofthe
SupremeLordworkalloverthematerialworlds,whichcomprehendonlyone

fourthofthetotalenergyoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.

TheLordinHisincarnationofDhanvantariveryquicklycuresthediseasesof
theeverdiseasedlivingentitiessimplybyhisfamepersonified,andonly
becauseofhimdothedemigodsachievelonglives.
Thebodyisthesymbolofdiseases.
ThenameoftheLordisalsocalledbhavausadhi,orthesourceofcuringthe
diseaseofmaterialexistence.
LordParasurama,theincarnationofthePersonalityofGodhead,appearedin
suchastateofworldlyaffairsandkilledallthemiscreantkingstwentyone
times.ManyksatriyakingsfledfromIndiatootherpartsoftheworldatthat
time,andaccordingtotheauthorityoftheMahabharata,thekingsofEgypt
originallymigratedfromIndiabecauseofParasurama'sprogramof
chastisement.Thekingsoradministratorsaresimilarlychastisedinall
circumstanceswhenevertheybecomegodlessandplanagodlesscivilization.
ThatistheorderoftheAlmighty.
DuetoHiscauselessmercyuponalllivingentitieswithintheuniverse,the
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,alongwithHisplenaryextensions,appeared
inthefamilyofMaharajaIksvakuastheLordofHisinternalpotency,Sita.
UndertheorderofHisfather,MaharajaDasaratha,Heenteredtheforestand
livedthereforconsiderableyearswithHiswifeandyoungerbrother.Ravana,
whowasverymateriallypowerful,withtenheadsonhisshoulders,committed
agreatoffenseagainstHimandwasthusultimatelyvanquished.
OriginallyLordRamacandraistheincarnationofVasudeva,Laksmanaisthe
incarnationofSankarsana,BharataistheincarnationofPradyumna,and
SatrughnaistheincarnationofAniruddha,expansionsofthePersonalityof
Godhead.LaksmijiSitaistheinternalpotencyoftheLordandisneitheran
ordinarywomannortheexternalpotencyincarnationofDurga.Durgaisthe
externalpotencyoftheLord,andsheisassociatedwithLordSiva.
SitaisLaksmiji,orthegoddessoffortune,butsheisnevertobeenjoyedby
anylivingbeing.Sheismeantforbeingworshipedbythelivingbeingalong
withherhusband,SriRamacandra.AmaterialisticmanlikeRavanadoesnot
understandthisgreattruth,butonthecontraryhewantstosnatchSitadevifrom
thecustodyofRamaandthusincursgreatmiseries.Thematerialists,whoare
afteropulenceandmaterialprosperity,maytakelessonsfromtheRamayana
thatthepolicyofexploitingthenatureoftheLordwithoutacknowledgingthe
supremacyoftheSupremeLordisthepolicyofRavana.Ravanawasvery
advancedmaterially,somuchsothatheturnedhiskingdom,Lanka,intopure

gold,orfullmaterialwealth.Butbecausehedidnotrecognizethesupremacy
ofLordRamacandraanddefiedHimbystealingHiswife,Sita,Ravanawas
killed,andallhisopulenceandpowerweredestroyed.

TheimpersonalistswillseehavocinthisredhotsentimentoftheLordbecause
theywanttoseenegationinperfection.
BecausetheLordisabsolute,theimpersonalistsimaginethatintheAbsolute
thesentimentofanger,whichresemblesmundanesentiments,mustbe
conspicuousbyabsence.Duetoapoorfundofknowledge,theydonotrealize
thatthesentimentoftheAbsolutePersonistranscendentaltoallmundane
conceptsofqualityandquantity.HadLordRamacandra'ssentimentbeenof
mundaneorigin,howcoulditdisturbthewholeoceananditsinhabitants?Can
anymundaneredhoteyegenerateheatinthegreatocean?
Howeverpowerfulalivingbeingmaybe,whenheiscondemnedbyGod
noonecansavehim,and,similarly,howeverweakonemaybe,ifheis
protectedbytheLordnoonecanannihilatehim.
Whentheworldisoverburdenedbythefightingstrengthofkingswhohaveno
faithinGod,theLord,justtodiminishthedistressoftheworld,descendswith
Hisplenaryportion.TheLordcomesinHisoriginalform,withbeautifulblack
hair.AndjusttoexpandHistranscendentalglories,Heactsextraordinarily.No
onecanproperlyestimatehowgreatHeis.
Thepersonalexpansionsarecalledthevisnutattvas,andthedifferential
expansionsarecalledthejivatattvas.Andinsuchexpansionalactivity,Lord
BaladevaisthefirstpersonalexpansionofKrsna,theSupremePersonalityof
Godhead.
Inotherwords,Hereservestherightofnotbeingexposedtoanyoneand
everyone.OnlythebonafidedevoteescanknowHimbyHisspecific
symptoms,andoutofmany,manysuchsymptoms,onesymptomismentioned
hereinthisverse,thattheLordissitakrsnakesah,oronewhoisobserved
alwayswithbeautifulblackhair
IntheBrahmasamhitaitisstatedthatalthoughHeistheoldestpersonality
amongalllivingentities,Healwayslookslikeanew,youthfulboy.Thatisthe
characteristicofaspiritualbody.
Therefore,whentheLorddescendsfromthatworldtothisworld,Hedescends
inHisspiritualbodyofatmamaya,orinternalpotency,withoutanytouchof
thebahirangamaya,orexternal,materialenergy.Theallegationthatthe
impersonalBrahmanappearsinthismaterialworldbyacceptingamaterial

bodyisquiteabsurd.ThereforetheLord,whenHecomeshere,hasnota
materialbody,butaspiritualbody.

HedoesnotrequiretobecomeGodbyundergoingseverepenances,although
somementhinkofbecomingGodinthatway.Byundergoingsevereausterities
andpenances,onecannotbecomeoneorequalwithGod,butonecanattain
mostofthegodlyqualities.Alivingbeingcanattaingodlyqualitiestoalarge
extent,buthecannotbecomeGod,whereasKrsna,withoutundergoingany
typeofpenance,isGodalways,eitherinthelapofHismotherorgrowingup
oratanystageofgrowth.
YasodamayiwantedtohavetheLordasherchild,andtheLordplayedexactly
likeachildinherlap,butatthesametimeplayedthepartoftheAlmighty
Lordwheneveritwassorequired.Thebeautyofsuchpastimeswasthatthe
Lordfulfilledeveryone'sdesire.
BecauseofherdeepaffectionforKrsna,shecouldneverthinkthathervery
sonwasNarayana,thePersonalityofGodheadHimself.Thatistheactionof
yogamaya,theinternalpotencyoftheSupremeLord,whichactstoperfectall
thepastimesoftheLordwithHisdifferenttypesofdevotees.
NandaMaharaja,thefosterfatherofLordKrsna,wenttotakehisbathinthe
RiverYamunainthedeadofnight,mistakenlythinkingthatthenightwas
alreadyover;thusthedemigodVarunatookhimtotheVarunaplanetjustto
havealookatthePersonalityofGodheadLordKrsna,whoappearedthereto
releaseHisfather.ActuallytherewasnoarrestofNandaMaharajabyVaruna
becausetheinhabitantsofVrndavanawerealwaysengagedinthinkingof
Krsna,inconstantmeditationonthePersonalityofGodheadinaparticular
formofsamadhi,ortranceofbhaktiyoga.Theyhadnofearofthemiseriesof
materialexistence.IntheBhagavadgitaitisconfirmedthattobeinassociation
withtheSupremePersonalityofGodheadbyfullsurrenderintranscendental
lovefreesonefromthemiseriesinflictedbythelawsofmaterialnature.
HereitisclearlymentionedthattheinhabitantsofVrndavanawereextensively
busyinthehardlaboroftheirday'swork,andduetotheday'shardlaborthey
wereengagedinsoundsleepatnight.Sopracticallytheyhadverylittletimeto
devotetomeditationortotheotherparaphernaliaofspiritualactivities.But
factuallytheywereengagedinthehighestspiritualactivitiesonly.
Everythingdonebythemwasspiritualizedbecauseeverythingwasdovetailed

intheirrelationshipwithLordSriKrsna.Thecentralpointofactivitieswas
Krsna,andassuchthesocalledactivitiesinthematerialworldweresaturated
withspiritualpotency.Thatistheadvantageofthewayofbhaktiyoga.One
shoulddischargeone'sdutyonLordKrsna'sbehalf,andallone'sactionswill
besaturatedwithKrsnathought,thehighestpatternoftranceinspiritual
realization.

ButwhentheSupremeLordisworshipeddirectlythereisnoneedof
worshipingthedemigodsorofferingthemsacrificesasrecommendedin
particularcircumstances.LordKrsnathereforeadvisedtheinhabitantsof
VrajabhuminottoofferanysacrificestotheheavenlyKingIndra.ButIndra,
notknowingLordKrsnainVrajabhumi,wasangryattheinhabitantsof
Vrajabhumiandtriedtoavengetheoffense.But,competentastheLordwas,
HesavedtheinhabitantsandanimalsofVrajabhumibyHispersonalenergy
andproveddefinitelythatanyonedirectlyengagedasadevoteeoftheSupreme
Lordneednotsatisfyanyotherdemigods,howevergreat,eventothelevelof
Brahma,orSiva.
ThepastimesoftheLordareknowntotheexpertswhoareabletoseepast,
presentandfuture,andBrahmaji,beingoneofthem,foretoldwhatwould
happeninthefuture.ThekillingofSankhacudabytheLordisamorerecent
incident,aftertherasalila,andnotexactlyasimultaneousaffair.
Andthedemons,thusbeingkilled,wouldattaineithertheimpersonal
brahmajyotiorHispersonalabodeintheVaikunthaplanets.
HereinBrahmamentionsthefuturecompilationofSrimadBhagavatamforthe
shortlivedpersonsoftheKaliagebyVyasdeva.
Whentheatheists,afterbeingwellversedintheVedicscientificknowledge,
annihilateinhabitantsofdifferentplanets,flyingunseenintheskyonwellbuilt
rocketspreparedbythegreatscientistMaya,theLordwillbewildertheirminds
bydressingHimselfattractivelyasBuddhaandwillpreachonsubreligious
principles.
ThisincarnationofLordBuddhaisnotthesameBuddhaincarnationwehave
inthepresenthistoryofmankind.AccordingtoSrilaJivaGosvami,theBuddha
incarnationmentionedinthisverseappearedinadifferentKaliage.Inthe
durationoflifeofoneManutherearemorethanseventytwoKaliyugas,and
inoneofthemtheparticulartypeofBuddhamentionedherewouldappear.
LordBuddhaincarnatesatatimewhenthepeoplearemostmaterialisticand
preachescommonsensereligiousprinciples.Suchahimsaisnotareligious

principleitself,butitisanimportantqualityforpersonswhoareactually
religious.Itisacommonsensereligionbecauseoneisadvisedtodonoharm
toanyotheranimalorlivingbeingbecausesuchharmfulactionsareequally
harmfultohewhodoestheharm.Butbeforelearningtheseprinciplesof
nonviolenceonehastolearntwootherprinciples,namelytobehumbleandto
beprideless.Unlessoneishumbleandprideless,onecannotbeharmlessand
nonviolent.Andafterbeingnonviolentonehastolearntoleranceand
simplicityofliving.
TheremustbeGodinthecenter;otherwisesimplemoralinstructionsare
merelysubreligiousprinciples,generallyknownasupadharma,ornearnessto
religiousprinciples.
Thereafter,attheendofKaliyuga,whenthereexistnotopicsonthesubjectof
God,evenattheresidencesofsocalledsaintsandrespectablegentlemenofthe
threehighercastes,andwhenthepowerofgovernmentistransferredtothe
handsofministerselectedfromthelowbornsudraclassorthoselessthanthem,
andwhennothingisknownofthetechniquesofsacrifice,evenbyword,atthat
timetheLordwillappearasthesupremechastiserkalki.
Thesaintsandthehighercastesorordersofthesocietyarejudgedbytheir
proportionofknowledgeinthescienceofGod,ortattvajnana,andnotbyany
kindofbirthrightorbodilydesignations.
Thesignificanceofbeingtwicebornhasbeenexplainedinmanyplacesin
thesegreatliteratures,andagainoneisremindedherewiththatbirth,executed
bythesexlifeofthefatherandthemother,iscalledanimalbirth.Butsuch
animalbirthandprogressoflifeontheanimalprinciplesofeating,sleeping,
fearingandmating(withoutanyscientificcultureofspirituallife)iscalledthe
sudralife,or,tobemoreexplicit,theunculturedlifeofthelowerclassofmen
Atthebeginningofcreationtherearepenance,myself[Brahma],andthe
Prajapatis,thegreatsageswhogenerate;then,duringthemaintenanceofthe
creation,thereareLordVisnu,thedemigodswithcontrollingpowers,andthe
kingsofdifferentplanets.Butattheendthereisirreligion,andthenLordSiva
andtheatheistsfullofanger,etc.Allofthemaredifferentrepresentative
manifestationsoftheenergyofthesupremepower,theLord.
Ultimately,thematerialcreationisbutatemporarymanifestationmeanttogive
thechanceofliberationtotheconditionedsouls,whoareentrappedinthe
materialworld,andonewhodevelopsthemodeofgoodnessunderthe
protectionofLordVisnuhasthegreatestchanceofbeingliberatedby
followingtheVaisnavaprinciplesandthusbeingpromotedtothekingdomof
God,nomoretoreturntothismiserablematerialworld.
Therearesevenlayersofmaterialcoveringsoverthematerialsky,andthe

Lordcouldpenetrateeventhosecoverings.WithHistoeHemadeahole
throughwhichthewateroftheCausalOceanfiltersintothematerialsky,and
thecurrentisknownasthesacredGanges,whichpurifiestheplanetsofthe
threeworlds.
EventhefirstincarnationoftheLord,namelySesa,hasnotbeenabletoreach
thelimitofsuchknowledge,althoughHeisdescribingthequalitiesoftheLord
withtenhundredfaces.
ButanyonewhoisspecificallyfavoredbytheSupremeLord,thePersonalityof
Godhead,duetounalloyedsurrenderuntotheserviceoftheLord,can
overcometheinsurmountableoceanofillusionandcanunderstandtheLord.
Butthosewhoareattachedtothisbody,whichismeanttobeeatenattheend
bydogsandjackals,cannotdoso.
TheLordisunlimitedand,bythegraceoftheyogamaya,helpsthesurrendered
soultoknowHimproportionatelywiththeadvanceofone'ssurrender.
TheconceptionofaffectionisduetotherelationshipofsoultoSupersoul.In
theliberatedstateofaffairs,thefullfledgedaffectionfortheLordisawakened.
IntheUpanisadsthedescriptionismoreorlessnegationofthematerial
conceptionofthings,butthisisnotdenialofthetranscendentalsensesofthe
SupremeLord.Hereinalsothesameisaffirmedinthestatementsaboutthe
materialelements;theyarealltranscendental,freefromallcontaminationof
materialidentification.Andalsotheliberatedsoulsarenotdevoidofsenses;
otherwisetherecannotbeanyreciprocationofunhamperedspiritualhappiness
exchangedbetweentheminspontaneousunbrokenjoy.Allthesenses,bothof
theLordandofthedevotees,arewithoutmaterialcontamination.
Inthematerialworldthesensesaremanipulatedforindividualandpersonal
satisfaction,whereasinthespiritualworldthesensesareproperlyusedforthe
purposeforwhichtheywereoriginallymeant,namelythesatisfactionofthe
SupremeLord.Suchsensualactivitiesarenatural,andthereforesense
gratificationthereisuninterruptedandunbrokenbymaterialcontamination
becausethesensesarespirituallypurified.Andsuchsatisfactionofthesenses
isequallysharedbythetranscendentalreciprocators.
Insuchatranscendentalstatethereisnoneedofartificialcontrolofthemind,
mentalspeculationormeditation,asperformedbythejnanisandyogis.One
givesupsuchprocesses,astheheavenlyKing,Indra,forgoesthetroubletodig
awell.
Itisforthisreasonthatthegreatliberatedsoulsalsodesiretobeassociatedin
hearingandchantingtheactivitiesoftheLord.

Similarly,thosewhoarefactuallyengagedinthelovingserviceoftheLord
haveattainedtheultimategoaloflife,andforthemthereisnoneedofmental
speculationtofindoutthetruenatureofGodorHisactivities.Nordosuch
devoteeshavetomeditateupontheimaginaryorrealidentityoftheLord.
Becausetheyarefactuallyengagedinthetranscendentallovingserviceofthe
Lord,theLord'spuredevoteeshavealreadyachievedtheresultsofmental
speculationandmeditation.Therealperfectionoflifeisthereforetobe
engagedinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.
ItisconfirmedintheBhagavadgita(4.11)thattheLordawardssimilarresults,
asonedesires,inone'spresentlife.Thelivingentitiesaregivenfreedomto
maketheirchoice,andtheLordawardsthemaccordingly.
Theimpersonalist,insteadofspeculatingormeditating,candirectlyexecute
theroutinedevotionalserviceoftheLordandthuseasilyobtainthedesired
goal.
Thedevotees,therefore,followingtheirconstitutionalinstincts,achievethe
desiredgoalofbecomingservitors,friends,fathers,mothersorconjugallovers
oftheLord.
ThedevotionalserviceoftheLordinvolvesninetranscendentalprocesses,such
ashearingandchanting,andbyperformingsucheasyandnaturaldevotional
servicesthedevoteesachievethehighestperfectionalresults,far,farsuperior
tomergingintotheexistenceofBrahman.Thedevoteesarethereforenever
advisedtoindulgeinspeculatinguponthenatureoftheSupremeorartificially
meditatingonthethevoid.
AndbythedirectionoftheLord,becauseHeistheultimatebenefactor,the
livingentityisatonceawardedthenecessaryspiritualbodybefittinghis
associationwiththeLordinthemannerofsarupya(equalbodilyfeature),
salokya(equalfacilitytoliveonthesameplanetwiththeLord),sarsti(equal
possessionofopulenceliketheLord),andsamipya(equalassociationwiththe
Lord).
SinceHehasnodirectattachmenttothismaterialworld,Heisnottobe
blamedforitscreation.
TheBhagavataminanutshell,spokenbythePersonalityofGodheadinabout
halfadozenverses,whichwillappearahead,isthescienceofGod,anditisthe
potentrepresentationofthePersonalityofGodhead.
PriortotheageofKalitherewasnoneedforsuchabookofknowledgeto
knowtheLordandHispotentialenergies,butwiththebeginningoftheageof
Kalihumansocietygraduallybecameinfluencedbyfoursinfulprinciples,
namelyillegitimateconnectionwithwomen,intoxication,gamblingand

unnecessarykillingofanimals.
Forsuchablindhumansocietyinthedarknessofignorance,Srimad
Bhagavatamisthetorchlighttoseethingsinproperperspective.Thereforeit
wasnecessarytodescribethescienceofGodfromtheverybeginning,orfrom
theverybirthofthephenomenalworld.
Happinessincompleteperfectionwithouthindrancecanbeachievedonlyby
ourdevotionalrelationshipwithHim.AnditisonlybyHisassociationthatwe
cangetfreeofdistressfulmaterialexistence.
NaradawasneveradvisedtopreachtheprinciplesofBhagavatamtoearna
livelihood;hewasorderedbyhisspiritualmastertotakethemattervery
seriouslyinamissionaryspirit.
IntheSrimadBhagavatam,thescienceofGod,thefirstninecantospreparethe
groundforhearingtheTenthCanto.

Chapter8
aguna,orwithoutanyquality,itdoesnotmeanthatHehasnoquality,butthat
Hehasnomaterialquality,suchasthemodesofgoodness,passionor
ignorance,astheconditionedsoulshave.Heistranscendentaltoallmaterial
conceptions,andthusHeisdescribedasaguna.
SrimadBhagavatam,whichisfullofnarrationsoftheactivitiesoftheSupreme
Lord,isauspiciousforalllivingbeingsresidingineveryplanet.Onewhotakes
itasbelongingtoaparticularsectiscertainlymistaken.SrimadBhagavatamis
certainlyaverydearscriptureforallthedevoteesoftheLord,butitis
auspiciousevenforthenondevoteesalsobecauseitexplainsthateventhe
nondevoteeshoveringunderthespellofmaterialenergycanbedeliveredfrom
suchclutchesiftheyhearthenarrationoftheSrimadBhagavatamwith
devotionandattentionfromtherightsourcerepresentingtheLordbydisciplic
succession.
Tobefullyengagedinhearingthetranscendentalnarrationdescribedinthe
textofSrimadBhagavatammeanstoconstantlyassociatewiththeSupreme
Soul,SriKrsna.AndtoconstantlyassociatewiththeSupremeLordKrsna
meanstobeliberatedfromthequalitiesofmatter.
Asthepresenceofthesundissipatesdarkness,constantengagementinthe
associationoftheLordSriKrsnafreesonefromthecontaminationofthe
materialqualities.Contaminationbythematerialqualitiesisthecauseof
repeatedbirthanddeath,andliberationfrommaterialqualitiesis

transcendence.MaharajaPariksitwasnowarealizedsoulbythissecretof
liberation,throughthegraceofSukadevaGosvami,forthelatterhadinformed
theKingthatthehighestperfectionoflifeistobeinremembranceofNarayana
attheendoflife.
Oneshouldcontinuesuchhearingtilltheendofone'slifesothatonecan
actuallyhavethetranscendentalassociationoftheLordandthusbeliberated
simplybyhearingSrimadBhagavatam.
MaharajaPariksithadalreadygivenupallhisconnectionswithhiskingdom
andfamily,themostattractivefeaturesofmaterialism,butstillhewas
consciousofhismaterialbody.Hewantedtobefreeofsuchbondagealsoby
theconstantassociationoftheLord.
onehearSrimadBhagavatamregularly,nityam,alwaysbyone'sowneffort
andwithseriousdevotionalso.ThatwillhelponetoseetheLordSriKrsna
manifestedinone'sheartwithinnotime.
Thepseudodevotee,however,isveryanxioustoseetheLordaccordingtohis
whims,notmakinganyseriousefforttohearSrimadBhagavatamregularly
andwithoutdetachmentfrommaterialbenefit.
ThesoundincarnationofLordKrsna,theSupremeSoul[i.e.Srimad
Bhagavatam],entersintotheheartofaselfrealizeddevotee,sitsonthelotus
flowerofhislovingrelationship,andthuscleansesthedustofmaterial
association,suchaslust,angerandhankering.
ApowerfulpuredevoteeoftheLord,however,candelivernotonlyhis
personalselfbutalsomanyothersinhisassociation.
AtruerepresentativeoftheLordlikeNarada,SukadevaGosvami,Lord
Caitanya,thesixGosvamisandlaterSrilaBhaktivinodaThakuraandSrimad
BhaktisiddhantaSarasvatiThakura,etc.,candeliverallpeoplebytheir
empowereddevotionalservice.
BysincereeffortstohearSrimadBhagavatamonerealizeshisconstitutional
relationshipwiththeLordinthetranscendentalhumorofservitude,friendship,
paternalaffectionorconjugallove,andbysuchselfrealizationonebecomes
situatedatonceinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.
TheybecamesopowerfulbecausetheysincerelyfollowedtheBhagavatam
principlesbyregularhearingandworshiping.Bysuchactionstheaccumulated
materiallusts,etc.,becomecleansedbythepersonalendeavoroftheLord
withintheheart.

OnewhoisnotapuredevoteeoftheSupremeLordKrsnaisnotcompletely
cleansedintheheart.Butaperfectlycleansedpersonneverquitsthedevotional
serviceoftheLord.
LordJesusChristwascrucifiedbythenonbelievers.Butsuchdifficultiesare
verygladlysufferedbythedevoteesinpreachingbecauseinsuchactivities,
althoughapparentlyverysevere,thedevoteesoftheLordfeeltranscendental
pleasurebecausetheLordissatisfied.PrahladaMaharajasufferedgreatly,but
stillheneverforgotthelotusfeetoftheLord.Thisisbecauseapuredevoteeof
theLordissopurifiedinhisheartthathecannotleavetheshelterofLord
Krsnainanycircumstances.
Thereisnoselfinterestinsuchservice.Theprogressofculturingknowledge
bythejnanisorthebodilygymnasticsbytheyogisareultimatelygivenupby
therespectiveperformers,butadevoteeoftheLordcannotgiveuptheservice
oftheLord,forheisorderedbyhisspiritualmaster.
PuredevoteeslikeNaradaandNityanandaPrabhutakeuptheorderofthe
spiritualmasterasthesustenanceoflife.Theydonotmindwhatbecomesof
thefutureoftheirlives.Theytakethematterveryseriouslyastheordercomes
fromthehigherauthority,fromtherepresentativeoftheLord,orfromtheLord
Himself.

Butallsuchtroublesareatoncemitigatedassoonasthesenseofhisfamily
affectionisremembered,andassoonashereturnshomeheforgetsallsuch
troublesontheway.ApuredevoteeoftheLordisexactlyinafamilytie
withtheLord,andthereforeheisundeterredindischarginghisdutyinafull
affectionatetiewiththeLord.
Intheprocessofdevotionalservice,thefirststepistotakeshelterofthe
spiritualmasterandtheninquirefromthespiritualmasterallabouttheprocess.
Thisinquiryisessentialforimmunitytoallkindsofoffensesonthepathof
devotionalservice.EvenifoneisfixedindevotionalservicelikeMaharaja
Pariksit,hemuststillinquirefromtherealizedspiritualmasterallaboutthis.In
otherwords,thespiritualmastermustalsobewellversedandlearnedsothat
hemaybeabletoansweralltheseinquiriesfromthedevotees.Thusonewhois
notwellversedintheauthorizedscripturesandnotabletoanswerallsuch
relevantinquiriesshouldnotposeasaspiritualmasterforthematterof
materialgain.Itisillegaltobecomeaspiritualmasterifoneisunableto
deliverthedisciple.
IthasbeendescribedinmanyplacesbeforethisthattheLordassumeda
giganticbody,likethatofKaranodakasayiVisnu,fromwhosehairpores
innumerableuniverseshavegenerated.ThebodyofGarbhodakasayiVisnuis

describedassproutingthelotusstemwithinwhichalltheplanetsofthe
universeremain,andatthetopofthestemisthelotusfloweronwhichLord
Brahmaisborn.
UndoubtedlytheformoftheLordwhowasseenbyBrahmamustbe
transcendental,otherwisehowcouldHesimplylookuponthecreativeenergy
withoutbeingtouched?Itisunderstoodalsothatthesamepurusaliesinthe
heartofeverylivingentity
Lifeinthehigherplanets,knownastheabodesofthedenizensofheaven,is
obtainednotbythestrengthofspacecraft(asisnowbeingcontemplatedbythe
inexperiencedscientists),butbyworksdoneinthemodeofgoodness.
Thevariousactionsandreactionsofworkinthemodeofgoodnessare
generallyknownaspiousworkwithdevotionalservice,cultureofknowledge
withdevotionalservice,mysticpowerswithdevotionalserviceand(atlast)
devotionalserviceunmixedwithanyothervarietiesofgoodness.This
unmixeddevotionalserviceistranscendentalandiscalledparabhakti.Italone
canpromoteapersontothetranscendentalkingdomofGod.Sucha
transcendentalkingdomisnotamyth,butisasfactualasthemoon.Onemust
havetranscendentalqualitiestounderstandthekingdomofGodandGod
Himself.

Theinhabitantsofdifferentvarietiesofland,etc.,aredifferentlysituated,and
notallofthemareequalinallrespects.Theinhabitantsofthelandaredifferent
fromtheinhabitantsofthewaterorthesky,andsimilarlytheinhabitantsofthe
differentplanetsandstarsintheskyarealsodifferentfromoneanother.Bythe
lawsoftheLord,noplaceisvacant,butthecreaturesofoneparticularplace
aredifferentfromthoseofotherplaces.Eveninhumansocietytheinhabitants
ofthejunglesorthedesertsaredifferentfromthoseofthecitiesandvillages.
Theyaresomadeaccordingtodifferentqualitiesofthemodesofnature.Such
adjustmentbythelawsofnatureisnotblind.Thereisagreatplanbehindthe
arrangement.
Hewantstoknowtheinnerandouterspaceoftheuniversalform.Itisquite
fittingfortherealsearcherofknowledgetoknowallaboutthis.Thosewhoare
oftheopinionthatthedevoteesoftheLordaresatisfiedwithmeresentiments
canfindintheinquiriesofMaharajaPariksitgoodlessonsastohowinquisitive
apuredevoteeistoknowthingsintheirtrueperfection.
MaharajaPariksitisnotsatisfiedwithonlymaterialknowledge.Heis
inquisitiveaboutthecharacterandactivitiesofthegreatsouls,thedevoteesof

theLord.ThegloriesoftheLordandthegloriesofHisdevotees,combined
together
LordKrsnashowedHismotherthecompleteuniversalcreationwithinHis
mouth,whileshe,completelycharmedbyherson,wantedtolookinsidethe
mouthoftheLordjusttoseehowmuchearththechildhadeaten.Bythegrace
oftheLordthedevoteesareabletoseeeverythingintheuniversewithin
themouthoftheLord.
Pariksitwasnottobecarriedawaybythesentimentsofthecommonmanto
acceptanincarnationoftheLordverycheaply.Insteadhewishedtoacceptthe
incarnationoftheLordbysymptomsmentionedintheVedicliteraturesand
confirmedbyanacaryalikeSukadevaGosvami.TheLorddescendsbyHis
internalenergywithoutanyobligationtothelawsofmaterialnature,andthus
Hisactivitiesarealsouncommon.
ThustoheartheactivitiesoftheLordmeanstoassociatewiththeLorddirectly
Thecommonreligionofallclassesofhumanbeings,regardlessofwhosoever
andwhatsoeveronemaybe,isdevotionalservice.Eventheanimalsmaybe
includedindevotionalservicetotheLord,andthebestexampleissetbySri
Vajrangaji,orHanuman,thegreatdevoteeofLordSriRama.Aswehave
alreadydiscussed,eventheaboriginesandcannibalscanalsobeengagedinthe
devotionalserviceoftheLordiftheyhappentobeundertheguidanceofa
genuinedevoteeoftheLord.IntheSkandaPuranathereisanarrationthata
hunterinthejunglebecamethemostenlighteneddevoteeoftheLordbythe
guidanceofSriNaradaMuni.ThereforedevotionalservicetotheLordcanbe
equallysharedbyeverylivingbeing.
PeoplefollowingtheprinciplesofdevotionalservicetotheLordcanneverbe
putintodifficulty,andthustherecannotbeanyquestionofapaddharma,or
religionindistress.Aswillbeexplainedinthisbookbythegreatestauthority,
SrilaSukadevaGosvami,thereisnoreligionsaveandexceptthedevotional
serviceoftheLord,thoughthismaybepresentedindifferentforms.
Theyogesvara,orthemasterofmysticpowers,canexhibiteightkindsof
wondersofperfectionbybecomingsmallerthantheatomorlighterthana
feather,gettinganythingandeverythinghedesires,goinganywhereand
everywherehelikes,creatingevenaplanetinthesky,etc.Therearemany
yogesvarashavingdifferentproficienciesinthesewonderfulpowers,andthe
topmostofallofthemisLordSiva.LordSivaisthegreatestyogi,andhecan
performsuchwonderfulthings,farbeyondtheordinarylivingbeings.
ThedevoteesoftheLord,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,donotdirectly
practicetheprocessofmysticpowers,but,bythegraceoftheLord,His

devoteecandefeatevenagreatyogesvaralikeDurvasaMuni,whopickeda
quarrelwithMaharajaAmbarisaandwantedtoshowthewonderful
achievementsofhismysticpowers.MaharajaAmbarisawasapuredevoteeof
theLord,andthuswithoutanyeffortonhisparttheLordsavedhimfromthe
wrathofYogesvaraDurvasaMuni,andthelatterwasobligedtobegpardon
fromtheKing.Similarly,atthetimeofDraupadi'sprecariousposition,when
shewasattackedbytheKuruswhowantedtoseehernakedintheopen
assemblyoftheroyalorder,theLordsavedherfrombeingstrippedby
supplyinganunlimitedlengthofsaritocoverher.AndDraupadiknewnothing
ofmysticpowers.Thereforethedevoteesarealsoyogesvarasbytheunlimited
poweroftheLord,justasachildispowerfulbythestrengthoftheparents.
Theydonottrytoprotectthemselvesbyanyartificialmeans,butaresavedby
themercyoftheparents.

OnewhoisfirmlysituatedinthedevotionalserviceoftheLordcanveryeasily
executethefunctionofconditionallife.Livingtheconditionallifeisjustlike
plyingaboatinthemiddleoftheocean.Oneiscompletelyatthemercyofthe
ocean,andateverymomentthereiseverychanceofbeingdrownedinthe
oceanbyslightagitation.Iftheatmosphereisallright,theboatcanplyvery
easily,undoubtedly,butifthereissomestorm,fog,windorcloud,thereis
everypossibilityofbeingdrownedintheocean.Noonecancontrolthewhims
oftheocean,howeveronemaybemateriallywellequipped.Onewhohas
crossedtheoceansbyshipmayhavesufficientexperienceofsuchdependence
uponthemercyoftheocean.Butonecanplyovertheoceanofmaterial
existencebythegraceoftheLordveryeasily,withoutanyfearofstormorfog.
ItalldependsonthewilloftheLord;noonecanhelpifthereissome
unfortunatedangerinthestateofconditionallife.ThedevoteesoftheLord,

however,crosstheoceanofmaterialexistencewithoutanxietybecauseapure
devoteeisalwaysprotectedbytheLord(Bg.9.13).TheLordgivesspecial
attentiontoHisdevoteesintheiractivitieswithinmaterial,conditionallife(Bg.
9.29).ThereforeeveryoneshouldtakeshelterofthelotusfeetoftheLordand
beapuredevoteeoftheLordbyallmeans.
AccordingtoBhaktirasamrtasindhu,thescienceofdevotionalservice,one
shouldnoteatmorethanwhatherequirestomaintainbodyandsoultogether.
Vegetabledietsandmilkaresufficientformaintenanceofthehumanbody,and
thereforeonehasnoneedtoeatanythingmoretosatisfythepalate.Oneshould
alsonotaccumulatemoneytobecomepuffedupinthematerialworld.One
shouldearnhislivelihoodeasilyandhonestly,foritisbettertobecomea
coolieforanhonestlivelihoodthantobecomeagreatmaninsocietybyhook
andcrook.Thereisnoharmifonebecomestherichestmanintheworldby
honestdealings,butoneshouldnotsacrificethehonestmeansoflivelihood
simplytoaccumulatewealth.Suchanendeavorisharmfultodevotional
service.Oneshouldnottalknonsense.Adevotee'sbusinessistoearnthefavor
oftheLord.ThereforeadevoteeshouldalwaysglorifytheLordinHis
wonderfulcreations.AdevoteeshouldnotdecrythecreationoftheLord,
defyingHimbysayingthatHehascreatedafalseworld.Theworldisnot
false.Factuallywehavetotakesomanythingsfromtheworldforour
maintenance,sohowwecansaythattheworldisfalse?Similarly,howcanone
thinkoftheLordasbeingwithoutform?Howcanonebecomeformlessandat
thesametimehaveallintelligenceandconsciousness,directandindirect?So
therearemanythingsforapuredevoteetolearn,andheshouldlearnthem
perfectlyfromabonafidepersonalitylikeSukadevaGosvami.
Thefavorableconditionsfordischargingdevotionalservicearethatoneshould
beveryenthusiasticinservingtheLord.Everydevoteeshouldbevery
enthusiastic,notonlyinperforminghisdailyritualsofdevotionalservice,but
intryingtopreachthecultpeacefullybyfollowinginthefootstepsofLord
Caitanya.

Preachingthecultofdevotionalserviceissomethinglikedeclaringwaragainst
materialisticlife.Therearedifferentkindsofmaterialists,suchasthefruitive
workers,thementalspeculators,themysticjugglers,andsomanyothers.Allof
themareagainsttheexistenceofGodhead.Theywoulddeclarethattheyare
themselvesGod,althoughineverystepandineveryactiontheyaredependent
onthemercyoftheLord.
Adevoteeshouldseetotherightdischargeofdevotionalserviceunderthe
guidanceofabonafidespiritualmasterandshouldnotstickonlytothe
formalities.Underthedirectionofthebonafidespiritualmaster,oneshould

seehowmuchserviceisbeingexecuted,andnotsimplyinthematterofrituals.
Adevoteeshouldnothankerafteranything,butheshouldbesatisfiedwith
thingsthatmayautomaticallycometohimbythewilloftheLord.Thatshould
betheprincipleofadevotionallife.
PiousactsareprescribedinthesupplementaryVedas(smrtis),which
specificallymentiondiggingtanksandwellsforthewatersupplyofthepeople
ingeneral.Toplanttreesonthepublicroads,toconstructpublictemplesand
placesofworshipofGod,toestablishplacesofcharitywherethepoor
destitutescanbeprovidedwithfoodstuff,andsimilaractivitiesarecalledpurta.
ItmaybearguedthatSukadevaGosvamiisnottheonlyauthorityofperfect
knowledgeintranscendencebecausetherearemanyothersagesandtheir
followers.ContemporarytoVyasadevaorevenpriortohimthereweremany
othergreatsages,suchasGautama,Kanada,Jaimini,KapilaandAstavakra,
andallofthemhavepresentedaphilosophicalpathbythemselves.Patanjaliis
alsooneofthem,andallthesesixgreatrsishavetheirownwayofthinking,
exactlylikethemodernphilosophersandmentalspeculators.Thedifference
betweenthesixphilosophicalpathsputforwardbytherenownedsagesabove
mentionedandthatofSukadevaGosvami,aspresentedintheSrimad
Bhagavatam,isthatallthesixsagesmentionedabovespeakthefactsaccording
totheirownthinking,butSukadevaGosvamipresentstheknowledgewhich
comesdowndirectlyfromBrahmaji,whoisknownasatmabhuh,orbornof
andeducatedbytheAlmightyPersonalityofGodhead.
Olearnedbrahmana,becauseofmydrinkingthenectarofthemessageofthe
infalliblePersonalityofGodhead,whichisflowingdownfromtheoceanof
yourspeeches,Idonotfeelanysortofexhaustionduetomyfasting.
MaharajaPariksitwasnotatallafraidofdeath,forhewasfullyencouragedby
themessageoftheLord.Onewhoisfullyabsorbedinacyutakathacannever
beafraidofanythinginthisworld.

SrimadBhagavatamcanbelegitimatelydiscussedonlyamongthedevoteesof
theLord.AstheBhagavadgitawasauthoritativelydiscussedbetweenLord
KrsnaandArjuna(theLordandthedevoteerespectively),similarlySrimad
Bhagavatam,whichisthepostgraduatestudyoftheBhagavadgita,canalsobe
discussedbetweenthescholarsanddevoteeslikeSukadevaGosvamiand
MaharajaPariksit.Otherwisetherealtasteofthenectarcannotberelished.

Thereisnouseinnondevotees'meddlingwiththetwotopmostVedic
literatures,andthereforeSankaracaryadidnottouchSrimadBhagavatamfor
commentation.InhiscommentationontheBhagavadgita,Sripada
SankaracaryaacceptedLordKrsnaastheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,but
lateronhecommentedfromtheimpersonalist'sview.But,beingconsciousof
hisposition,hedidnotcommentontheSrimadBhagavatam.
AsdevoteesoftheLord,theyarealwaysprotectedbytheLord
Chapter9

SriSukadevaGosvamisaid:OKing,unlessoneisinfluencedbytheenergyof
theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,thereisnomeaningtotherelationshipof
thepuresoulinpureconsciousnesswiththematerialbody.Thatrelationshipis
justlikeadreamer'sseeinghisownbodyworking.
MaharajaPariksit'squestionastohowalivingentitybeganhismateriallife,
althoughheisapartfromthematerialbodyandmind,isperfectlyanswered.
Thespiritsoulisdistinctfromthematerialconceptionofhislife,butheis
absorbedinsuchamaterialconceptionbecauseofbeinginfluencedbythe
externalenergyoftheLord,calledatmamaya.
Therefore,althoughthelivingentityispurelyconsciousinhispurestate,heis
subordinatetothewilloftheLordinbeinginfluencedbytheexternalenergyof
theLord.IntheBhagavadgita(15.15)alsothesamethingisconfirmed;the
Lordispresentwithintheheartofeverylivingentity,andallthelivingentity's
consciousnessandforgetfulnessareinfluencedbytheLord.
NowthenextquestionautomaticallymadewillbewhytheLordinfluencesthe
livingentitytosuchconsciousnessandforgetfulness.Theansweristhatthe
Lordclearlywishesthateverylivingentitybeinhispureconsciousnessasa
partandparceloftheLordandthusbeengagedinthelovingserviceofthe
Lordasheisconstitutionallymade;butbecausethelivingentityispartially
independentalso,hemaynotbewillingtoservetheLord,butmaytryto
becomeasindependentastheLordis.
Thechildcriestohavethemoonfromthemother,andthemothergivesthe
childamirrortosatisfythecryinganddisturbingchildwiththereflectionof
themoon.Similarly,thecryingchildoftheLordisgivenovertothereflection,
thematerialworld,tolorditoveraskarmiandtogivethisupinfrustrationto
becomeonewiththeLord.Boththesestagesaredreamingillusionsonly.
Thereisnonecessityoftracingoutthehistoryofwhenthelivingentitydesired
this.Butthefactisthatassoonashedesiredit,hewasputunderthecontrolof
atmamayabythedirectionoftheLord.Thereforethelivingentityinhis
materialconditionisdreamingfalselythatthisis"mine"andthisis"I."The

dreamisthattheconditionedsoulthinksofhismaterialbodyas"I"orfalsely
thinksthatheistheLordandthateverythinginconnectionwiththatmaterial
bodyis"mine."Thusonlyindreamdoesthemisconceptionof"I"and"mine"
persistlifeafterlife.Thiscontinueslifeafterlife,aslongasthelivingentityis
notpurelyconsciousofhisidentityasthesubordinatepartandparcelofthe
Lord.
Inhispureconsciousness,however,thereisnosuchmisconceiveddream,and
inthatpureconsciousstatethelivingentitydoesnotforgetthatheisneverthe
Lord,butthatheiseternallytheservitoroftheLordintranscendentallove.
Similarly,alivingentitydesiringtogetthebodyofademigodinahigher
planetcanalsogetitbythegraceoftheLord.Andifheisintelligentenough,
hecandesiretogetaspiritualbodytoenjoythecompanyoftheLord,andhe
willgetit.
Hadthelivingentitiesnotbeensubordinatetothesupremewill,whywouldthe
livingentitybeaskedtosurrender?Hadthelivingbeingbeenequalinall
respects,thenwhywasheputundertheinfluenceofmaya?
Tobecomeuntingedbythemodesofmaterialnatureisthequalification
forenteringintotheserviceoftheLord.
BoththeParamatmaandthejivatma,beingtranscendentaltothematerial
energy,arecalledatma.
Exceptforbhaktiyoga,anymethodforrealizationofatmatattva,orthe
scienceofatma,willprovedeceptiveinthelongrun.
onecanseeHimonlybyspiritualizedvisionafterproperdischargeoftapasya
orpenance,inpurebhaktiyoga.TheformoftheLordmanifestedbefore
Brahmaisnotoneoftheformswithwhichwehaveexperienceinthematerial
world.Brahmajididnotperformsuchseveretypesofpenancejusttoseea
formofmaterialproduction.
BrahmawasthentoldbytheLordthegistofSrimadBhagavataminfour
originalverses
BybhaktiyogaonecanknowtheLord,andbyknowingtheLordasthe
Supreme,oneisabletoknoweverythingelse.OnewhoknowstheSupreme
knowseverythingelse

Eventhefirstspiritualmasteroftheuniversewasenlightenedbythegraceof
theLord,sowhoelsecanattainperfectknowledgeofeverythingwithoutthe

mercyoftheLord?Ifanyonedesirestoseekperfectknowledgeofeverything,
hemustseekthemercyoftheLord,andthereisnoothermeans.Toseek
knowledgeonthestrengthofone'spersonalattemptisasheerwasteoftime.
Whilethusengagedinthinking,inthewater,Brahmajiheardtwicefrom
nearbytwosyllablesjoinedtogether.Oneofthesyllableswastakenfromthe
sixteenthandtheotherfromthetwentyfirstofthesparsaalphabets,andboth
joinedtobecomethewealthoftherenouncedorderoflife.
Thesixteenthofthegroupiscalledta,whereasthetwentyfirstletteriscalled
pa.Sowhentheyarejoinedtogether,thewordtapa,orpenance,isconstructed.
Thispenanceisthebeautyandwealthofthebrahmanasandtherenounced
orderoflife.
AccordingtoBhagavataphilosophy,everyhumanbeingismeantsimplyfor
thistapaandfornootherbusiness,becausebypenanceonlycanonerealizehis
self;andselfrealization,notsensegratification,isthebusinessofhumanlife.
Thistapa,orpenance,wasbegunfromtheverybeginningofthecreation,and
itwasfirstadoptedbythesupremespiritualmaster,LordBrahma.Bytapasya
onlycanonegettheprofitofhumanlife,andnotbyapolishedcivilizationof
animallife.
Takingthepathoftapaisthesecondbirthofthedesiringdisciple.
ThusBrahmawasinitiatedbytheKrsnamantra,byLordKrsnaHimself,and
thushebecameaVaisnava,oradevoteeoftheLord,beforehewasableto
constructthehugeuniverse.
AfterbeinginitiatedbytheSupremeLordtoexecutetapasya,hewasfixedin
hisdeterminationtodoit,andalthoughhecouldnotfindanyonebesides
himself,hecouldrightlyunderstandthatthesoundwastransmittedbytheLord
Himself.
thatBrahmawasinitiatedbytheLordfromwithin.TheLordiswithinevery
livingentityastheSupersoul,andHeinitiatedBrahmabecauseBrahmawas
willingtoreceivetheinitiation.TheLordcansimilarlyinitiateeveryonewhois
inclinedtohaveit.
ThepostofBrahmatoofficiateinthecreationoftheuniverseisofferedtothe
mostpurelivingbeing,andunlessoneissoqualifiedonecannotexpecttobe
treatedlikeBrahmajidirectly.
LordBrahmaheardtheoccultsoundtapa,buthedidnotseethepersonwho
vibratedthesound.Andstillheacceptedtheinstructionasbeneficialforhim,
andthereforeheengagedhimselfinmeditationforonethousandcelestial
years.Onecelestialyearisequalto6x30x12x1000ofouryears

Onehastoreceivethetranscendentalsoundfromtherightsource,accept
itasarealityandprosecutethedirectionwithouthesitation
ThetroublesofpenanceacceptedbyLordBrahmawerecertainlyinthelineof
devotionalservice(bhakti).OtherwisetherewasnochancethatVaikunthaor
svalokam,theLord'spersonalabodes,wouldbecomevisibletoBrahmaji
Thematerialbodyisovercastwithfivekindsofmiserableconditions,namely
ignorance,materialconception,attachment,hatredandabsorption.Aslongas
oneisoverwhelmedbythosefivekindsofmaterialmiseries,thereisno
questionofenteringintotheVaikunthalokas.Theimpersonalconceptionof
one'sselfisjustthenegationofmaterialpersonalityandisfarfromthepositive
existenceofpersonalform
BrahmajialsodescribedthehighestplanetoftheVaikunthalokaasGoloka
Vrndavana,wheretheLordresidesasacowherdboykeepingtranscendental
surabhicowsandsurroundedbyhundredsandthousandsofgoddessesof
fortune.
InthatpersonalabodeoftheLord,thematerialmodesofignoranceandpassion
donotprevail,noristhereanyoftheirinfluenceingoodness.Thereisno
predominanceoftheinfluenceoftime,sowhattospeakoftheillusory,
externalenergy;itcannotenterthatregion.Withoutdiscrimination,boththe
demigodsandthedemonsworshiptheLordasdevotees.
Whenoneisnotinthemodesofignoranceandpassion,oneissupposedtobe
situatedinthemodeofgoodnessinthematerialworld.Goodnessinthe
materialworldalsoattimesbecomescontaminatedbytouchesofthemodesof
passionandignorance.IntheVaikunthaloka,itisunalloyedgoodnessonly.
Themarginallinebetweenthematerialmanifestationandthespiritual
manifestationistheVirajaRiver,andbeyondtheViraja,whichisa
transcendentalcurrentflowingfromtheperspirationofthebodyoftheLord,
thereisthethreefourthsmanifestationofGod'screation.
IntheSankhyakaumudiitisstatedthatunalloyedgoodnessortranscendence
isjustoppositetothematerialmodes.Alllivingentitiesthereareeternally
associatedwithoutanybreak,andtheLordisthechiefandprimeentity.Inthe
AgamaPuranasalso,thetranscendentalabodeisdescribedasfollows:The
associatedmemberstherearefreetogoeverywherewithinthecreationofthe
Lord,andthereisnolimittosuchcreation,particularlyintheregionofthe
threefourthsmagnitude.Sincethenatureofthatregionisunlimited,thereisno
historyofsuchassociation,noristhereendofit.

TheinhabitantsoftheVaikunthaplanetsaredescribedashavingaglowing
skybluishcomplexion.Theireyesresemblelotusflowers,theirdressisof
yellowishcolor,andtheirbodilyfeaturesveryattractive.Theyarejusttheage
ofgrowingyouths,theyallhavefourhands,theyareallnicelydecoratedwith
pearlnecklaceswithornamentalmedallions,andtheyallappeartobe
effulgent.
Someofthemareeffulgentlikecoralanddiamondsincomplexionandhave
garlandsontheirheads,bloominglikelotusflowers,andsomewearearrings.
Therearesomeinhabitantswhohaveattainedtheliberationofsarupya,or
possessingbodilyfeatureslikethoseofthePersonalityofGodhead.The
vaiduryadiamondisespeciallymeantforthePersonalityofGodhead,butone
whoachievestheliberationofbodilyequalitywiththeLordisespecially
favoredwithsuchdiamondsonhisbody.
TheVaikunthaplanetsarealsosurroundedbyvariousairplanes,allglowing
andbrilliantlysituated.Theseairplanesbelongtothegreatmahatmasor
devoteesoftheLord.Theladiesareasbeautifulaslightningbecauseoftheir
celestialcomplexions,andallthesecombinedtogetherappearjustlikethesky
decoratedwithbothcloudsandlightning.
Becauseeverythingisofthesamenatureofeternity,blissandknowledge,the
airplanesandcarriagesareofthesamequalityasBrahman.Althoughthereis
nothingexceptBrahman,oneshouldnotmistakenlythinkthatthereisonly
voidandnovariegatedness.Thinkinglikethatisduetoapoorfundof
knowledge;otherwisenoonewouldhavesuchamisconceptionofvoidnessin
Brahman.
Thegoddessoffortuneinhertranscendentalformisengagedintheloving
serviceoftheLord'slotusfeet,andbeingmovedbytheblackbees,followers
ofspring,sheisnotonlyengagedinvariegatedpleasureservicetotheLord,
alongwithherconstantcompanionsbutisalsoengagedinsingingtheglories
oftheLord'sactivities.
ThePersonalityofGodhead,seenleaningfavorablytowardsHisloving
servitors,Hisverysightintoxicatingandattractive,appearedtobeverymuch
satisfied.Hehadasmilingfacedecoratedwithanenchantingreddishhue.He
wasdressedinyellowrobesandworeearringsandahelmetonhishead.He
hadfourhands,andHischestwasmarkedwiththelinesofthegoddessof
fortune.

Inthatyogapitha,thepersonificationsofreligion,knowledge,opulenceand
renunciationareallseatedatthelotusfeetoftheLord.ThefourVedas,namely
Rk,Sama,YajurandAtharva,arepresenttherepersonallytoadvisetheLord.
ThesixteenenergiesheadedbyCandaareallpresentthere.CandaandKumuda
arethefirsttwodoorkeepers,atthemiddledoorarethedoorkeepersnamed
BhadraandSubhadra,andatthelastdoorareJayaandVijaya.Thereareother
doorkeepersalso,namedKumuda,Kumudaksa,Pundarika,Vamana,
Sankukarna,Sarvanetra,Sumukha,etc.TheLord'spalaceiswelldecoratedand
protectedbytheabovementioneddoorkeepers.
TheLordisnaturallyendowedwithHissixopulences.Specifically,Heisthe
richest,Heisthemostpowerful,Heisthemostfamous,Heisthemost
beautiful,Heisthegreatestinknowledge,andHeisthegreatestrenounceras
well.AndforHismaterialcreativeenergies,Heisservedbyfour,namelythe
principlesofprakrti,purusa,mahattattvaandego.Heisalsoservedbythe
sixteen,namelythefiveelements(earth,water,air,fireandsky),thefive
perceptivesenseorgans(theeye,ear,nose,tongueandskin),andthefive
workingsenseorgans(thehand,theleg,thestomach,theevacuationoutletand
thegenitals),andthemind.Thefiveincludesthesenseobjects,namelyform,
taste,smell,soundandtouch.AllthesetwentyfiveitemsservetheLordinthe
materialcreation,andallofthemarepersonallypresenttoservetheLord.The
insignificantopulencesnumberingeight(theastasiddhis,attainedbyyogisfor
temporaryoverlordship)arealsounderHiscontrol,butHeisnaturallyfullwith
allsuchpowerswithoutanyeffort,andthereforeHeistheSupremeLord.
TheLordwasseatedonHisthroneandwassurroundedbydifferentenergies
likethefour,thesixteen,thefive,andthesixnaturalopulences,alongwith
otherinsignificantenergiesofthetemporarycharacter.ButHewasthefactual
SupremeLord,enjoyingHisownabode.
InthebeginningoftheSrimadBhagavatamitisstatedthatthisgreatliterature
ismeantfortheparamahamsas.
Thelastportionofthegreatliteraturehasemphaticallystressedthatoneshould
surrenderuntothePersonalityofGodheadtobesavedfromthemiseriesoflife
Thisbhaktiyogabeginsifapersonhasthefirmconvictionthatsimply
dischargingdevotionalservicetotheLordinfulltranscendentallovecan
elevatehimtothehighestperfectionalstageoflife.Brahmajibelievedinthis
artofbhaktiyoga;hebelievedintheinstructionoftheLordtoexecutetapa,
andhedischargedthefunctionwithgreatpenanceandthusachievedthegreat
successofseeingtheVaikunthalokasandtheLordalsobypersonalexperience.

OneshouldhearsuchdiscoursesfromapersonBhagavatamandnotfromthe
professionalman,orfromthekarmi,jnanioryogi.Thatisthesecretof
learningthescience
Onedoesnotneedtobeintherenouncedorderoflife;hecanremaininhis
presentconditionoflife,buthemustsearchouttheassociationofabonafide
devoteeoftheLordandhearfromhimthetranscendentalmessageoftheLord
withfaithandconviction.Thatisthepathoftheparamahamsarecommended
herein.AmongstvariousholynamesoftheLord,Heisalsocalledajita,orone
whocanneverbeconqueredbyanyoneelse.YetHecanbeconqueredbythe
paramahamsapath,aspracticallyrealizedandshownbythegreatspiritual
masterLordBrahma.
Anyone,however,preachingthemissionoftheLordinthelineoftheBrahma
sampradayaisalwaysdeartotheLord,andtheLord,beingsatisfiedwithsuch
apreacheroftheauthorizedbhakticult,shakeshandswithhimingreat
satisfaction.
Therearetwokindsofpenance:oneforsensegratificationandtheotherfor
selfrealization.Therearemanypseudomysticswhoundergoseverepenances
fortheirownsatisfaction,andthereareotherswhoundergoseverepenances
forthesatisfactionofthesensesoftheLord.Forexample,thepenances
undertakentodiscovernuclearweaponswillneversatisfytheLordbecause
suchapenanceisneversatisfactory
Brahmaunderwentseverepenancesforthatpurpose,namelytoregulatethe
processofcreationsothattheLordmightbesatisfied.ThereforetheLordwas
verymuchpleasedwithhim,andforthisBrahmawasimpregnatedwithVedic
knowledge.
Youmayknowthattheultimatebenediction,astheresultofallpenances,isto
seeMebyrealization.
TheultimaterealizationoftheSupremeTruthisknowingandseeingfaceto
facethePersonalityofGodhead.RealizationoftheimpersonalBrahmanand
localizedParamatmafeaturesofthePersonalityofGodheadisnotultimate
realization,WhenonerealizestheSupremeLord,onedoesnotstrugglehardto
performsuchpenances.Thenextstageoflifeistodischargedevotionalservice
totheLordjusttosatisfyHim.
ThehighestperfectionalingenuityisthepersonalperceptionofMyabodes,and
thishasbeenpossiblebecauseofyoursubmissiveattitudeintheperformance
ofseverepenanceaccordingtoMyorder.

Andbydoingsooneissuretogobackhome,backtoGodhead,withoutany
doubt.Inotherplacesalsothesameorderisthere,thatonegiveupallother
engagementsandfullysurrenderuntotheLordwithouthesitation.Andthe
Lordwillgivesuchadevoteeallprotection.Thesearethesecretsofattaining
thehighestperfectionalstage.LordBrahmaexactlyfollowedtheseprinciples
withoutanysuperioritycomplex,andthusheattainedthehighestperfectional
stageofexperiencingtheabodeoftheLordandtheLordHimselfwithallHis
paraphernalia
Suchactsofinternalpotencyareexhibitedbynonattachmentformaterial
enjoyment.ButbyengagementinthedevotionalserviceoftheLordone
becomesdetachedfromthisenjoyingspirit.Thedevoteesautomatically
becomedetachedfromworldlyenjoyment,andthisdetachmentistheresultof
perfectknowledge.Thereforethepenanceofdevotionalserviceincludes
knowledgeanddetachment,andthatisthemanifestationofthetranscendental
potency.
Onewhohasnoinformationofthetranscendentalblissintheassociationofthe
Lordfoolishlydesirestoenjoythistemporarymaterialhappiness.Inthe
CaitanyacaritamrtaitissaidthatifsomeonesincerelywantstoseetheLord
andatthesametimewantstoenjoythismaterialworld,heisconsideredtobe
afoolonly.
TheLordfavorssuchafoolishdevoteebysnatchingallthathemaypossessin
thematerialworld.IfsuchafoolishdevoteeoftheLordtriestorecouphis
position,thenthemercifulLordagainsnatchesawayallthathemayhave
possessed.
Bysuchrepeatedfailuresinmaterialprosperityhebecomesveryunpopular
withhisfamilymembersandfriends.Inthematerialworldthefamilymembers
andfriendshonorpersonswhoareverysuccessfulinaccumulatingwealthby
anymeans.
ThefoolishdevoteeoftheLordisthusputintoforciblepenancebythegrace
oftheLord,andattheendthedevoteebecomesperfectlyhappy,being
engagedintheserviceoftheLord.Thereforepenanceindevotionalserviceof
theLord,eitherbyvoluntarysubmissionorbybeingforcedbytheLord,is
necessaryforattainingperfection,andthussuchpenanceistheinternalpotency
oftheLord.

Onecannot,however,beengagedinthepenanceofdevotionalservicewithout
beingcompletelyfreefromallsins.AsstatedintheBhagavadgita,onlya
personwhoiscompletelyfreefromallreactionsofsinscanengagehimselfin
theworshipoftheLord.

Inexecutingpenance,onemustbedeterminedtoreturnhome,backto
Godhead,andmustdecidetoundergoalltypesoftribulationsforthatend.
Evenformaterialprosperity,nameandfame,onehastoundergoseveretypes
ofpenance,otherwisenoonecanbecomeanimportantfigureinthismaterial
world.Why,then,arethereseveretypesofpenancefortheperfectionof
devotionalservice?Aneasygoinglifeandattainmentofperfectionin
transcendentalrealizationcannotgotogether.TheLordismorecleverthanany
livingentity;thereforeHewantstoseehowpainstakingthedevoteeisin
devotionalservice.TheorderisreceivedfromtheLord,eitherdirectlyor
throughthebonafidespiritualmaster,andtoexecutethatorder,however
painstaking,istheseveretypeofpenance.Onewhofollowstheprinciple
rigidlyissuretoachievesuccessinattainingtheLord'smercy.
ThealmightyLord,beingverykindtothelivingentity,asthefatheriskindto
theson,fulfillsthelivingentity'sdesireforhischildishsatisfaction.Withsuch
desiresinmind,thelivingentitydoesnotactuallyenjoy,butheservesthe
bodilywhimsunnecessarily,withoutprofit.Thedrunkarddoesnotderiveany
profitoutofdrinking,butbecausehehasbecomeaservantofthedrinking
habitanddoesnotwishtogetoutofit,themercifulLordgiveshimall
facilitiestofulfillsuchdesires.
Theimpersonalistsrecommendthatoneshouldbecomedesireless,andothers
recommendbanishingdesiresaltogether.Thatisimpossible;noonecanbanish
desiresaltogetherbecausedesiringisthelivingsymptom.Withouthaving
desiresalivingentitywouldbedead,whichheisnot.Therefore,living
conditionsanddesiregotogether.perfectionofdesiresmaybeachievedwhen
onedesirestoservetheLord,andtheLordalsodesiresthateverylivingentity
banishallpersonaldesiresandcooperatewithHisdesires.Thatisthelast
instructionoftheBhagavadgita.Brahmajiagreedtothisproposal,and
thereforeheisgiventheresponsiblepostofcreatinggenerationsinthevacant
universe.OnenesswiththeLordthereforeconsistsofdovetailingone'sdesires
withthedesiresoftheSupremeLord.Thatmakesfortheperfectionofall
desires.
Omasterofallenergies,pleasetellmephilosophicallyallaboutthem.You
playlikeaspiderthatcoversitselfbyitsownenergy,andYour

determinationisinfallible.
TobeinstrumentaltothedirectwilloftheLordisthenaturalconstitutional
positionofthelivingentity,whereastobeaninstrumentinthehandsofthe
illusoryenergyoftheLordismaterialbondageforthelivingentity

TheBhagavadgita(10.1011)confirmsemphaticallythatthepuredevotees,
whoareconstantlyengagedinthelovingtranscendentalserviceoftheLord,
aredirectlyadvisedbytheLord,somuchsothatthedevoteeunwaveringly
makesprogressonthepathhome,backtoGodhead.PuredevoteesoftheLord
arethereforenotproudoftheirdefiniteprogress,whereasthenondevotee
speculatorisinthedarknessofillusoryenergyandisverymuchproudofhis
misleadingknowledgebasedonspeculationwithoutanydefinitepath
OmyLord,theunborn,Youhaveshakenhandswithmejustasafrienddoes
withafriend[asifequalinposition].Ishallbeengagedinthecreationof
differenttypesoflivingentities,andIshallbeoccupiedinYourservice.Ishall
havenoperturbation,butIpraythatallthismaynotgiverisetopride,asifI
weretheSupreme.
LordBrahmaisdefinitelysituatedinthehumoroffriendshipwiththeLord.
EverylivingbeingiseternallyrelatedwiththePersonalityofGodheadinone
offivedifferenttranscendentalhumors,namelysanta,dasya,sakhya,vatsalya
andmadhurya.Wehavealreadydiscussedthesefivekindsofhumorsin
relationshipwiththePersonalityofGodhead.
AndbecausethepuredevoteesoftheLordaresurrenderedsouls,theyare
abovetheillusorysnaresofmaya
FactuallyLordBrahmadoesnotcreatethelivingentities.Inthebeginningof
thecreationheisempoweredtogivedifferentbodilyshapestotheliving
entitiesaccordingtotheirworkduringthelastmillennium.
DevoteesoftheLordareengagedinthespecificdutyofferedbytheLord,and
suchdutiesaresuccessfullycarriedoutwithouthindrancebecausetheyare
ordainedbytheLord.ThecreditofsuccessgoesnottothedoerbuttotheLord.
ThesewereBrahma'squestions:(1)WhataretheformsoftheLordbothin
matterandintranscendence?(2)HowarethedifferentenergiesoftheLord
working?(3)HowdoestheLordplaywithHisdifferentenergies?(4)How
mayBrahmabeinstructedtodischargethedutyentrustedtoHim?

ThismysteryisloveofGodhead.
ThereinliesthemainqualificationforknowingthemysteryofthePersonality
ofGodhead.AndtoattainthestageoftranscendentalloveofGodhead,
regulativeprinciplesofdevotionalservicemustbefollowed.Theregulative
principlesarecalledvidhibhakti,orthedevotionalserviceoftheLord,and
theycanbepracticedbyaneophytewithhispresentsenses.Suchregulative
principlesaremainlybasedonhearingandchantingofthegloriesoftheLord.
AndsuchhearingandchantingofthegloriesoftheLordcanbemadepossible
intheassociationofdevoteesonly.
LordCaitanyathereforerecommendedfivemainprinciplesforattaining
perfectioninthedevotionalserviceoftheLord.Thefirstisassociationwith
devotees(hearing);secondischantingthegloriesoftheLord;third,hearing
SrimadBhagavatamfromthepuredevotee;fourth,residinginaholyplace
connectedwiththeLord;andfifth,worshipingtheDeityoftheLordwith
devotion.Suchrulesandregulationsarepartsofdevotionalservice
AllofMe,namelyMyactualeternalformandMytranscendentalexistence,
color,qualitiesandactivitiesletallbeawakenedwithinyoubyfactual
realization,outofMycauselessmercy.
Animportantmaninthesocialordercanbeknownbyhismercyonly.
Similarly,onemustbeverydeartotheLordinordertoknowtheLord.
IntheBrahmasamhitaitissaidthattheLordhasatranscendentalformand
thatHecanutilizeanyoneofHissensesforanypurpose.Forexample,Hecan
eatwithHiseyes,andHecanseewithHisleg.Inthemundaneconceptionof
form,onecannoteatwithone'seyesorseewithhisleg.Thatisthedifference
betweenthemundanebodyandthespiritualbodyofsaccidananda.A
spiritualbodyisnotformless;itisadifferenttypeofbody,ofwhichwecannot
conceivewithourpresentmundanesenses.
1. Brahma,itisI,thePersonalityofGodhead,whowasexistingbeforethe

creation,whentherewasnothingbutMyself.Norwastherethematerial

nature,thecauseofthiscreation.ThatwhichyouseenowisalsoI,the
PersonalityofGodhead,andafterannihilationwhatremainswillalsobe
I,thePersonalityofGodhead.
2. OBrahma,whateverappearstobeofanyvalue,ifitiswithoutrelation
toMe,hasnoreality.KnowitasMyillusoryenergy,thatreflection
whichappearstobeindarkness.
3. OBrahma,pleaseknowthattheuniversalelementsenterintothe
cosmosandatthesametimedonotenterintothecosmos;similarly,I
Myselfalsoexistwithineverythingcreated,andatthesametimeIam
outsideofeverything.

4. ApersonwhoissearchingaftertheSupremeAbsoluteTruth,the

PersonalityofGodhead,mostcertainlysearchforituptothis,inall
circumstances,inallspaceandtime,andbothdirectlyandindirectly.
OBrahma,justfollowthisconclusionbyfixedconcentrationofmind,and
nopridewilldisturbyou,neitherinthepartialnorinthefinaldevastation.
TherightconclusionofdovetailingeverythinginrelationshipwiththeLordis
calledyogamaya,ortheenergyofunion,andthewrongconceptionof
detachingathingfromitsrelationshipwiththeLordiscalledtheLord'sdaivi
maya,ormahamaya.
Inthematerialworld,thelightofthesunisalsonotindependent,noristhatof
themoon.Therealsourceoflightisthebrahmajyoti,whichdiffuseslightfrom
thetranscendentalbodyoftheLord,andthesamelightisreflectedinvarieties
oflight:thelightofthesun,thelightofthemoon,thelightoffire,orthelight
ofelectricity.
Theindependenceoftheindividuallivingentityisnotrealindependence,butis
justthereflectionoftherealindependenceexistingintheSupremeBeing,the
Lord.Thefalseclaimofsupremeindependencebytheconditionedsoulsis
illusion,andthisconclusionisadmittedinthisverse.
Theillusoryenergyhastwophasesofexistence,namelythecoveringinfluence
andthethrowinginfluence.Bythethrowinginfluencetheillusoryenergy
throwsthelivingentitiesintothedarknessofignorance,andbythecovering
influenceshecoverstheeyesofmenwithapoorfundofknowledgeaboutthe
existenceoftheSupremePersonwhoenlightenedthesupremeindividualliving
being,Brahma.TheidentityofBrahmawiththeSupremeLordisnever
claimedherein,andthereforesuchafoolishclaimbythemanwithapoorfund
ofknowledgeisanotherdisplayoftheillusoryenergyoftheLord.
Thisenergyofthefire(namelyheat)isexplainedhereasareflection,andnot

directlyfire.Thereforethelivingenergyrepresentedbythelivingentitiesisthe
reflectionoftheLord,andnevertheLordHimself.
Suchapersonisalreadydoomed,andanyassociationwithsuchadoomed
personmakestheassociateralsodoomed.
ThismysteryistranscendentalloveofGodhead,andonewhoissurcharged
withsuchtranscendentalloveofGodheadcanwithoutdifficultyseethe
PersonalityofGodheadineveryatomandeverymovableorimmovableobject.
AndatthesametimehecanseethePersonalityofGodheadinHisownabode,
Goloka,enjoyingeternalpastimeswithHiseternalassociates,whoarealso
expansionsofHistranscendentalexistence.Thisvisionistherealmysteryof
spiritualknowledge,asstatedbytheLordinthebeginning(sarahasyamtad
angamca).
ThismysteryisthemostconfidentialpartoftheknowledgeoftheSupreme,
anditisimpossibleforthementalspeculatorstodiscoverbydintofintellectual
gymnastics.Themysterycanberevealedthroughtheprocessrecommendedby
BrahmajiinhisBrahmasamhita(5.38)asfollows
"IworshiptheoriginalPersonalityofGodhead,Govinda,whomthepure
devotees,theireyessmearedwiththeointmentofloveofGodhead,always
observewithintheirhearts.ThisGovinda,theoriginalPersonalityofGodhead,
isSyamasundarawithalltranscendentalqualities."
AndthisloveofGodheadcanbeattainedonlybythepracticeoftranscendental
lovingserviceoftheLord,andnothingelse.Thevisionofthedevoteesisnot
ordinary;itispurifiedbytheprocessofdevotionalservice.Inotherwords,as
theuniversalelementsarebothwithinandwithout,similarlytheLord'sname,
form,quality,pastimes,entourage,etc.,astheyaredescribedintherevealed
scripturesorasperformedintheVaikunthalokas,far,farbeyondthematerial
cosmicmanifestation,arefactuallybeingtelevisedintheheartofthedevotee.
Factually,thespirituallydevelopedpersonisabletohavethetelevisionof
thekingdomofGodalwaysreflectedwithinhisheart.Thatisthemystery
ofknowledgeofthePersonalityofGodhead.
TheLordcanawardanyoneandeveryoneliberation(mukti)fromthebondage
ofmaterialexistence,yetHerarelyawardstheprivilegeofloveofGodhead,as
confirmedbyNarada(muktimdadhatikarhicitsmanabhaktiyogam).This
transcendentaldevotionalserviceoftheLordissowonderfulthatthe
occupationkeepsthedeservingdevoteealwaysraptinpsychologicalactivities,
withoutdeviationfromtheabsolutetouch.ThusloveofGodhead,developedin
theheartofthedevotee,isagreatmystery.BrahmajipreviouslytoldNarada
thatthedesiresofBrahmajiareneverunfulfilledbecauseheisalwaysabsorbed

inthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord;norhasheanydesireinhis
heartsaveandexceptthetranscendentalserviceoftheLord.Thatisthebeauty
andmysteryoftheprocessofbhaktiyoga.AstheLord'sdesireisinfallible
becauseHeisacyuta,similarlythedesiresofthedevoteesinthetranscendental
serviceoftheLordarealsoacyuta,infallible
Itisverydifficulttoknowthepotencyoftouchstone.Astouchstoneisrarely
found,apuredevoteeoftheLordisalsorarelytobeseen,evenamongst
millionsofliberatedsouls(kotisvapimahamune).Outofallkindsof
perfectionsattainedbytheprocessofknowledge,yogaperfectionindevotional
serviceisthehighestofallandthemostmysteriousalso,evenmoremysterious
thantheeightkindsofmysticperfectionattainedbytheprocessofyogic
performances.

aspiritualmasterisgreaterthantheLordinthesensethathecandeliverthe
Lordbyhispersonallyrealizedexperience.TheLordisnottobefoundsimply
byeducationorbyagoodfertilebrain,butsurelyHecanbefoundbythe
sincerestudentthroughthetransparentmediumofthebonafidespiritual
master.
Itisone'smindthatgeneratesdifferentkindsofbodiesforsufferingdifferent
kindsofmaterialpangs.Thereforeaslongasthemindisabsorbedinfruitive
activities,themindisunderstoodtobeabsorbedinnescience,andthusoneis
suretobesubjectedtomaterialbondageindifferentbodiesagainandagain
untilonedevelopsatranscendentalloveforGodhead,Vasudeva,theSupreme
Person.Tobecomeabsorbedinthetranscendentalname,quality,formand
activitiesoftheSupremePerson,Vasudeva,meanstochangethetemperofthe
mindfrommattertoabsoluteknowledge,whichleadsonetothepathof
absoluterealizationandthusfreesonefromthebondageofmaterialcontact
andencagementsindifferentmaterialbodies.
"EventhoughonemayhavegonetotheothersideofalltheVedas,andeven
thoughoneiswellversedinalltherevealedscriptures,ifoneisnotadevotee
oftheSupremeLord,hemustbeconsideredthelowestofmankind."
Thereforethereisnoneedtoseekproperlyqualifiedcandidatesfordischarging
devotionalservicetotheLord.Letthembeeitherwellbehavedorilltrained,
letthembeeitherlearnedorfools,letthembeeithergrosslyattachedorinthe
renouncedorderoflife,letthembeliberatedsoulsordesirousofsalvation,let
thembeinexpertinthedischargeofdevotionalserviceorexpertinthesame,
allofthemcanbeelevatedtothesupremepositionbydischargingdevotional
serviceundertheproperguidance.

Evenifapersonisfullyaddictedtoallsortsofsinfulacts,ifhehappenstobe
engagedinthelovingtranscendentalserviceoftheLordunderproper
guidance,heistobeconsideredthemostperfectholymanwithoutadoubt.
Fireisalwaysfire,andthusifsomeonetouchesthefire,knowinglyor
unknowingly,thefirewillactinitsownwaywithoutdiscrimination.
ApersonwhodoesnotmovefromthelotusfeetoftheLordevenforamoment
orasecondistobeconsideredthegreatestofallVaisnavas.
TheLordcanbeservedbyallthesenses,orevensimplybythemind.The
SouthIndianbrahmanawhoservedtheLordsimplyonthestrengthofhismind
alsofactuallyrealizedtheLord.
Hecanbeservedsimplybyhearing,Hecanbeservedsimplybychantingor
readingaboutHisactivities,HecanbeservedsimplybyadoringHimand
acceptingHim.

GenerallymenmaysaythatwhatevertheyaredoingisinspiredbyGod,but
thatisnotall.OneshouldactuallyworkonbehalfofGodasaservantofGod.
Dowhateveryoulikeorwhatevermaybeeasierforyoutodo,eatwhatever
youmayeat,sacrificewhateveryoucansacrifice,givewhateveryoumaygive
incharity,anddowhateveryoumayundertakeinpenance,buteverythingmust
bedoneforHimonly.Ifyoudobusinessorifyouacceptsomeemployment,
dosoonbehalfoftheLord.Whateveryoumayeat,youmayofferthesameto
theLordandbeassuredthatHewillreturnthefoodaftereatingitHimself.He
isthecompletewhole,andthereforewhateverHemayeatasofferedbythe
devoteeisacceptedbecauseofthedevotee'slove,butagainitisreturnedas
prasadaforthedevoteesothathecanbehappybyeating.Inotherwords,bea
servantofGodandlivepeacefullyinthatconsciousness,ultimatelyreturning
home,backtoGodhead.
"IfevenforamomentremembranceofVasudeva,theSupremepersonalityof
Godhead,ismissed,thatisthegreatestloss,thatisthegreatestillusion,and
thatisthegreatestanomaly."
"SimplybychantingtheholynameoftheLordtheinhabitantsofhellbecame
releasedfromtheirhellishpersecution."
WhatisthecomparisonofthousandsofprajapatistoonedevoteeoftheLord?
Evenifaplaceismoregloriousthanheaven,ifthereisnoglorificationofthe
LordofVaikunthaorHispuredevotee,itshouldatoncebequitted.

Thepuredevoteerefusestoacceptallthefivedifferenttypesofliberationin
ordertobeengagedintheserviceoftheLord.
Asfarasfruitiveworkisconcerned,itislimitedtoanenjoyablebody;asfaras
yogaisconcerned,itislimitedtotheacquirementofmysticpower;asfaras
empiricphilosophyisconcerned,itislimitedtotheattainmentof
transcendentalknowledge;andasfarastranscendentalknowledgeis
concerned,itislimitedtoattainmentofsalvation.
ButadoptionofthetranscendentaldevotionalserviceoftheLordhasnolimit,
noristherefearoffallingdown.Theprocessautomaticallyreachesthefinal
stagebythegraceoftheLord.
Inthepreliminarystageofdevotionalservicethereisanapparentrequisitefor
knowledge,butinthehigherstagethereisnonecessityofsuchknowledge.
Thebestandguaranteedpathofprogressisthereforeengagementinbhakti
yoga,puredevotionalservice.

Thisdetachmentfromthesensoryworldiscalledthebrahmabhutastageof
realization,thepreliminarystageoftranscendentaldevotionallife(para
bhaktih).Thebrahmabhutastageoflifeisalsoknownastheatmaramastage,
inwhichoneisfullyselfsatisfiedanddoesnothankerfortheworldofsense
enjoyment.Thisstageoffullsatisfactionisthepropersituationfor
understandingthetranscendentalknowledgeofthePersonalityofGodhead.
Thusinthecompletelysatisfiedstageoflife,exhibitedbyfulldetachmentfrom
theworldofsenseenjoymentasaresultofperformingdevotionalservice,one
canunderstandthescienceofGodintheliberatedstage.
Inthisstageoffullsatisfactionanddetachmentfromthesensoryworld,one
canknowthemysteryofthescienceofGodwithallitsconfidentialintricacies,
andnotbygrammaroracademicspeculation.
BrahmajidesirestoworshiptheoriginalpersonalityofGodhead,LordSri
Krsna,whoresidesinthetopmostVaikunthaplanet,knownasGoloka
Vrndavana,whereHeisinthehabitofkeepingsurabhicowsasacowboyand
whereHeisservedbyhundredsandthousandsofgoddessesoffortune(the
gopis)withloveandrespect.
ThereforeLordSriKrsnaistheoriginalformoftheSupremeLord(krsnastu
bhagavansvayam).Thisisalsoclearfromthisinstruction.TheSupreme

PersonalityofGodheadisLordKrsna,andnotdirectlyNarayanaorthepurusa
avataras,whicharesubsequentmanifestations
Originallythesensesofthelivingentitywereawardedforthispurpose,namely
toengagetheminthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLordorthatofHis
devotees,buttheconditionedsouls,illusionedbythematerialenergy,became
captivatedbysenseenjoyment.ThereforethewholeprocessofGod
consciousnessismeanttorectifytheconditionalactivitiesofthesensesandto
reengagetheminthedirectserviceoftheLord.
Insteadofdoingso,i.e.convertingtheactionsofthesenses,theimpersonalists
begantomaketheconditionedsoulssenseless,andtheLordalsosenseless.
Thatisimpropertreatmentfortheconditionedsouls.Thediseasedconditionof
thesensesmaybetreatedbycuringthedefect,butnotuprootingthesenses
altogether
Onecannotbesituatedinanexaltedpositionwithouthavingundertakena
regulativelifeofrulesandregulations.
Narada,themostdearoftheinheritorsonsofBrahma,alwaysreadytoserve
hisfather,strictlyfollowstheinstructionsofhisfatherbyhismannerly
behavior,meeknessandsensecontrol.
InthreedepartmentsofhumanknowledgedisseminatedbytheVedas,namely
fruitivework(karmakanda),transcendentalknowledge(jnanakanda),and
devotionalservice(upasanakanda),DevarsiNaradainheritedfromhisfather
Brahmadevotionalservice,whereasDaksainheritedfromhisfatherfruitive
work,andSanaka,Sanatana,etc.,inheritedfromtheirfatherinformationabout
jnanakanda,ortranscendentalknowledge.
Butoutofthemall,Naradaisdescribedhereasthemostbelovedsonof
Brahmabecauseofgoodbehavior,obedience,meeknessandreadinessto
renderserviceuntothefather.Hisonlybusinessistoturneveryonetothe
transcendentallovingserviceoftheLord.Thedevoteesarealwaysanxiousto
knowmoreandmoreabouttheSupremeLord,themasterofallenergies.
Thespiritualmasterisnotapaidagent.Norcanheimpartinstructionwithout
beingauthorized.
Arjunawasadvisedtoreceivetranscendentalknowledgefromtherealized
personbysurrender,questionsandservice.
AsBrahmajireceivedtheknowledgedirectlyfromtheLordbysatisfyingHim
fully,similarlyonehastoreceivethetranscendentalknowledgefromthe
spiritualmasterbysatisfyinghim.Thespiritualmaster'ssatisfactionisthe
meansofassimilatingtranscendentalknowledge.

Onewhoisnotselfcontrolled,specificallyinsexlife,canbecomeneithera
disciplenoraspiritualmaster.Onemusthavedisciplinarytrainingin
controllingspeaking,anger,thetongue,themind,thebellyandthegenitals.
Onewhohascontrolledtheparticularsensesmentionedaboveiscalleda
gosvami
OneshouldnotthinkofBrahmajiasadeadgreatgrandfather,aswehave
experienceonthisplanet.Heistheoldestgreatgrandfather,andheisstill
living,andNaradaisalsoliving.
SriCaitanyaMahaprabhuinstructedthistoSrilaRupaGosvamiinanutshell,
butthediscipleRupaGosvamiexpandedthisveryelaborately,andthesame
subjectwasfurtherexpandedbyJivaGosvamiandevenfurtherbySri
VisvanathaCakravartiThakura.
Itisunlimitedinstrength,andhoweveronemayexpanditaccordingtoone's
ownability,Bhagavatamstillcannotbefinishedbysuchexpansion.Srimad
Bhagavatam,beingthesoundrepresentationoftheLord,issimultaneously
explainedinfourversesandinfourbillionversesallthesame,inasmuchasthe
Lordissmallerthantheatomandbiggerthantheunlimitedsky.Suchisthe
potencyofSrimadBhagavatam.

WhenVyasadevafixedhismindinmeditation,hediditinbhaktiyogatrance
andactuallysawtheSupremePersonwithmaya,theillusoryenergy,in
contraposition.
Theanswersdependonlyonthequalificationofthepersonwhoexplainsthem.
Chapter10

SriSukadevaGosvamisaid:IntheSrimadBhagavatamtherearetendivisions
ofstatementsregardingthefollowing:thecreationoftheuniverse,subcreation,
planetarysystems,protectionbytheLord,thecreativeimpetus,thechangeof
Manus,thescienceofGod,returninghome,backtoGodhead,liberation,and
thesummumbonum.
Toisolatethetranscendenceofthesummumbonum,thesymptomsoftherest
aredescribedsometimesbyVedicinference,sometimesbydirectexplanation,
andsometimesbysummaryexplanationsgivenbythegreatsages.
TherightsituationforthelivingentitiesistoobeythelawsoftheLordand
thusbeinperfectpeaceofmindundertheprotectionoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.TheManusandtheirlawsaremeanttogiveright
directioninlife.Theimpetusforactivityisthedesireforfruitivework.

ThefirstpurusaincarnationisMahaVisnu,andthesecondpurusaincarnation
istheGarbhodakasayiVisnu,fromwhomBrahmaiscreated.Thethirdpurusa
avataraistheKsirodakasayiVisnu,wholivesastheSupersoulofeverythingin
theuniverseandmaintainsthecreationgeneratedbyBrahma.Sivaisoneofthe
manysonsofBrahma,andheannihilatesthecreation.Thereforetheoriginal
creatoroftheuniverseisVisnu
Thecreationisnotfalse,butitisatemporarymanifestationjusttogivea
chancefortheconditionedsoulstogobacktoGodhead
Saddharma,ordutyperformedforgoingbacktoGodheadandthusbecoming
Hisunalloyeddevotee,istheonlypiousactivity;allothersmaypretendtobe
pious,butactuallytheyarenot.ItisforthisreasononlythattheLordadvises
intheBhagavadgitathatonegiveupallsocalledreligiousactivitiesand
completelyengageinthedevotionalserviceoftheLordtobecomefreefrom
allanxietiesduetothedangerouslifeofmaterialexistence.
Themergingofthelivingentity,alongwithhisconditionallivingtendency,
withthemysticlyingdownoftheMahaVisnuiscalledthewindingupofthe
cosmicmanifestation.Liberationisthepermanentsituationoftheformofthe
livingentityafterhegivesupthechangeablegrossandsubtlematerialbodies.
Soafterthewindingupofthecosmicmanifestation,mostoftheconditioned
soulsmergeintotheexistenceoftheMahaVisnuPersonalityofGodhead,
lyinginHismysticslumber,tobecreatedagaininthenextcreation.Butsome
oftheconditionedsouls,whofollowthetranscendentalsoundintheformof
VedicliteraturesandarethusabletogobacktoGodhead,attainspiritualand
originalbodiesafterquittingtheconditionalgrossandsubtlematerialbodies.
Readingorhearingofsuchtranscendentalliteratureshelpsonebecome
liberatedevenintheconditionalstateofmaterialexistence.
assoonasheisfixedinthedevotionalserviceoftheLord,hebecomeseligible
tobefreedfromtheconditionedstate.Thisdevotionalserviceistranscendental
attractionfortheSupremeonaccountofHisbeingthesourceofallpleasing
humors.Everyoneisaftersomepleasureofhumorforenjoyment,butdoesnot
knowthesupremesourceofallattraction

IntheFirstCantoofSrimadBhagavatamthistruthisindicatedinthequestions
andanswersbySutaGosvamiandgreatsageslikeSaunaka,andintheFirst
andSecondChaptersofthecantothisisexplained.IntheThirdChapterthis
subjectismoreexplicit,andintheFourthChapterevenmoreexplicit.Inthe
SecondCantotheAbsoluteTruthasthepersonalityofGodheadisfurther
emphasized,andtheindicationistheSupremeLordKrsna.Thesummaryof
SrimadBhagavataminfourverses,aswehavealreadydiscussed,issuccinct.
ThisSupremePersonalityofGodheadintheultimateissueisconfirmedby
BrahmainhisBrahmasamhitaasisvarahparamahkrsnahsaccidananda
vigrahah.SoitisconcludedintheThirdCantooftheSrimadBhagavatam.The
completesubjectmatteriselaboratelyexplainedintheTenthandEleventh
CantosoftheSrimadBhagavatam.InthematterofthechangesoftheManus
ormanvantaras,suchastheSvayambhuvamanvantaraandCaksusa
manvantara,astheyarediscussedintheThird,Fourth,Fifth,SixthandSeventh
CantosofSrimadBhagavatam,LordKrsnaisindicated.IntheEighthCanto
theVaivasvatamanvantaraexplainsthesamesubjectindirectly,andinthe
NinthCantothesamepurportisthere.IntheTwelfthCantothesameisfurther
explained,specificallyregardingthedifferentincarnationsoftheLord.Thusit
isconcludedbystudyingthecompleteSrimadBhagavatamthatLordSriKrsna
istheultimatesummumbonum,ortheultimatesourceofallenergy.And
accordingtothegradesofworshipers,theindicationsofthenomenclaturemay
bedifferentlyexplainedasNarayana,Brahma,Paramatma,etc.
Theindividualpersonpossessingdifferentinstrumentsofsensesiscalledthe
adhyatmicperson,andtheindividualcontrollingdeityofthesensesiscalled
adhidaivic.Theembodimentseenontheeyeballsiscalledtheadhibhautic
person.
Thisbodyiscalledtheannarasaembodiment.Thisbodydependsonfood.The
livingentitywhichisembodieddoesnoteatanything,however,becausethe
ownerisspiritinessence.
Allthreeoftheabovementionedstagesofdifferentlivingentitiesare
interdependent.Intheabsenceofone,anotherisnotunderstood.Butthe
SupremeBeingwhoseeseveryoneofthemastheshelteroftheshelteris
independentofall,andthereforeHeisthesupremeshelter.
Theindividualisundertheclutchesofillusoryenergy,andthereforealthough

qualitativelyonewiththeSupersoul,heisundertheillusionofidentifying
himselfwithmatter.Andtogetoutofthisillusoryconceptionoffactuallife,
theindividualsoulhastodependontheSupersoultoberecognizedasonewith
Him.InthatsensealsotheSupersoulisthesupremeshelter.Andthereisno
doubtaboutit.

Afterseparatingthedifferentuniverses,thegiganticuniversalformoftheLord
[MahaVisnu],whichcameoutofthecausalocean,theplaceofappearancefor
thefirstpurusaavatara,enteredintoeachoftheseparateuniverses,desiringto
lieonthecreatedtranscendentalwater[Garbhodaka].
SrilaVisvanathaCakravartiThakurarepliesthatthepastimesoftheLordin
VrndavanaaremeanttoberelishedbyadvanceddevoteesoftheLord.
Neophytedevoteeswillmisunderstandsuchsupremetranscendentalactivities
oftheLord,andthereforetheLord'spastimesinthematerialsphererelatedto
creation,maintenanceanddestructionareverilyrelishablebytheprakrta,or
mundanedevoteesoftheLord.Astheyogasystemmainlybasedonbodily
exercisesismeantforthepersonwhoistoomuchattachedtothebodily
conceptionofexistence,similarlytheLord'spastimesrelatedtothecreation
anddestructionofthematerialworldareforthosewhoaretoomaterially
attached.
ThemostwonderfulmanifestationoftheLord'spowerisexhibitedwhenthe
infiniteLordbecomesvisibletooureyesasoneofus.
YetHisactivitiesaredifferentfromthoseofthefinitebeings.Liftinga
mountainattheageofsevenyearsandmarryingsixteenthousandwivesinthe
primeofHisyoutharesomeoftheexamplesofHisinfiniteenergy,butthe
mudhas,afterseeingthemorhearingaboutthem,decrythemaslegendaryand
taketheLordasoneofthem.TheycannotunderstandthattheLordSriKrsna,
althoughintheformofahumanbeingbyHisownpotency,isstilltheSupreme
Lordwithfullpotencyasthesupremecontroller.
JusthearfrommehowthepotencyofHisLordshipdividesoneintothree,
calledthecontrollingentities,thecontrolledentitiesandthematerialbodies,in
themannermentionedabove.
FromtheskysituatedwithinthetranscendentalbodyofthemanifestingMaha
Visnu,senseenergy,mentalforceandbodilystrengthareallgenerated,aswell
asthesumtotalofthefountainheadofthetotallivingforce.
Theprocessbywhichalllivingbeingsinthewombofthemotherdeveloptheir

senseorgansandsenseperceptionsappearstofollowthesameprinciplesinthe
caseoftheviratpurusa,thesumtotalofalllivingentities.
Thedesiresforallkindsofsenseperceptionandsenseorgansexistinthe
Supreme,andthustheytakeplaceintheindividualpersons.Thisdesireisthe
natureofthesupremelivingbeing,theAbsoluteTruth.BecauseHehasthe
sumtotalofallmouths,theindividuallivingentitieshavemouths.Similarly
withallothersensesandsenseorgans.

Thisgradualprocessofevolutionsuggeststheexplanationofthecontrolling
deities(adhidaiva)becauseVarunaisthecontrollingdeityforallrelishable
juices.Thereforethemouthbecomestherestingplaceforthetongue,which
tastesallthedifferentjuices,ofwhichthecontrollingdeityisVaruna.This
suggests,therefore,thatVarunawasalsogeneratedalongwiththedevelopment
ofthetongue.Thetongueandthepalate,beinginstrumental,areadhibhutam,
orformsofmatter,butthefunctioningdeity,whoisalivingentity,is
adhidaiva,whereasthepersonundergoingthefunctionisadhyatma.
Ifthehumanbeingdevelopstastewithoutdiscrimination,asdoestheswine,
thenthecontrollingdeityiscertainlycertifiedforthenexttermtoawardhim
thebodyofaswine.Theswineacceptsanykindoffoodstuff,includingstools,
andahumanbeingwhohasdevelopedsuchindiscriminatetastemustbe
preparedforadegradedlifeinthenextlife
Anirresponsiblelifeofindiscriminationisrisky,andthatisthedeclarationof
allscriptures.
Thenasalinstrument,odor,andthecontrollingdeityair,smelling,etc.,all
becamemanifestedsimultaneouslywhentheLorddesiredtosmell.TheVedic
mantrasconfirmthisstatementintheUpanisads'statementthateverythingis
firstdesiredbytheSupremebeforethesubordinatelivingentitycanactuponit.
ThelivingentitycanseeonlywhentheLordsees,thelivingentitycansmell
whentheLordsmells,andsoon.
Theideaisthatthelivingentitycannotdoanythingindependently.Hecan
simplythinkofdoingsomethingindependently,buthecannotact
independently.ThisindependenceinthinkingistherebythegraceoftheLord,
butthethinkingcanbegivenshapebythegraceoftheLord,andthereforethe
commonsayingisthatmanproposesandGoddisposes.Thewholeexplanation
isonthesubjectoftheabsolutedependenceofthelivingentitiesandabsolute
independenceoftheSupremeLord.

Theuniverseisbynaturedensedarkness,andthereforethetotalcreationis
calledtamas,ordarkness.Thenightistherealfeatureoftheuniverse,forthen
onecannotseeanything,includingoneself.TheLord,outofHiscauseless
mercy,firstdesiredtoseeHimselfandallthecreationaswell,andthusthesun
becamemanifested,thepowerofvisionforalllivingentitiesbecamepossible,
andtheobjectsofvisionwerealsomanifested.
Thereis,however,anintimaterelationbetweenthehairsonthebodyandthe
vegetationonthebodyoftheearth.
Thelivingentityiscontrolledbythesenses,thesensesarecontrolledbythe
demigods,andthedemigodsaretheservantsoftheSupremeLord.Thatisthe
arrangementinthesystemofcreation

Theheavenlypleasurefortheconditionedsoulissexualpleasure,andthis
pleasureistastedbythegenitals.Thewomanistheobjectofsexualpleasure,
andboththesenseperceptionofsexualpleasureandthewomanarecontrolled
bythePrajapati,whoisunderthecontroloftheLord'sgenitals.
Noonewouldhavetakenthetroubletomaintainchildreniftherewerenotaste
ofheavenlynectarbymeansofsexualintercourse.
Onecanbegethundredsofchildrenandenjoythecelestialpleasureofsexual
intercourse,providedheisabletotrainthechildreninGodconsciousness.
Otherwisebegettingchildrenisontheleveloftheswine.Rather,theswineis
moreexpertthanthehumanbeingbecausetheswinecanbegetadozenpiglets
atatime,whereasthehumanbeingcangivebirthtoonlyoneatatime.Soone
shouldalwaysrememberthatthegenitals,sexualpleasure,thewomanandthe
offspringareallrelatedintheserviceoftheLord,andonewhoforgetsthis
relationshipintheserviceoftheSupremeLordbecomessubjectedtothe
threefoldmiseriesofmaterialexistencebythelawsofnature.
Thereafter,whenHedesiredtomovefromonebodytoanother,thenaveland
theairofdepartureanddeathwerecombinedlycreated.Thenavelistheshelter
forboth,namelydeathandtheseparatingforce.
Thepranavayucontinuesthelife,andtheapanavayustopsthelivingforce.
Boththevibrationsaregeneratedfromtheabdominalhole,thenavel.This
navelisthejointfromonebodytotheother.LordBrahmawasbornofthe
abdominalholeofGarbhodakasayiVisnuasaseparatebody,andthesame
principleisfollowedeveninthebirthofanyordinarybody.Thebodyofthe
childdevelopsfromthebodyofthemother,andwhenthechildisseparated
fromthebodyofthemother,itisseparatedbycuttingthenaveljoint.Andthat
isthewaytheSupremeLordmanifestedHimselfasseparatedmany.Theliving

entitiesarethereforeseparatedparts,andthustheyhavenoindependence.
Thecontrollingdeitiesoftheintestinesaretherivers,andthoseofthearteries,
theseas.Fulfillmentofthebellywithfoodanddrinkisthecauseofsustenance
WhentherewasadesiretothinkabouttheactivitiesofHisownenergy,then
theheart(theseatofthemind),themind,themoon,determinationandall
desirebecamemanifested.
TheheartofeverylivingentityistheseatoftheSupersoul,Paramatma,a
plenaryexpansionoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead

When,therefore,theSupersoulissituatedintheheartoftheconditionedsoul,
therequisitemindismanifestedintheconditionedsoul,andhebecomes
consciousofhisoccupationasoneisconsciousofhisdutyafterwakingup
fromslumber.Thereforethematerialmindofthelivingentitydevelopswhen
theSupersoulsitsonhisheart,afterwhichthemind,thecontrollingdeity
(moon),andthentheactivitiesofthemind(namelythinking,feelingand
willing)alltakeplace.Theactivitiesofthemindcannotbeginwithoutthe
manifestationoftheheart,andtheheartbecomesmanifestedwhentheLord
wantstoseetheactivitiesofthematerialcreation.
Thesevenelementsofthebody,namelythethinlayerontheskin,theskin
itself,theflesh,blood,fat,marrowandbone,areallmadeofearth,waterand
fire,whereasthelifebreathisproducedbythesky,waterandair.
Theconstructionofthewholematerialworldisprominentlymadebythree
elements,namelyearth,waterandfire.Butthelivingforceisproducedbysky,
airandwater.Sowateristhecommonelementinboththegrossandsubtle
formsofallmaterialcreation,anditshouldbenotedherewiththatdueto
necessity,water,beingmostprominentinthematerialcreation,istheprincipal
elementofallthefive.
Thesenseorgansareattachedtothemodesofmaterialnature,andthemodes
ofmaterialnatureareproductsofthefalseego.Themindissubjectedtoall
kindsofmaterialexperiences(happinessanddistress),andtheintelligenceis
thefeatureofthemind'sdeliberation.
Itisadvised,therefore,thatanintelligentpersonassociatewiththegreatsages
andsaintswhoareonthepathofsalvation.Bysuchassociation,onecan
receiveinstructionswhichareabletoslackentheconditionedsoul'sattachment

formatter,andthustheintelligentmangraduallygetsridoftheillusionof
matterandfalseegoandispromotedtothereallifeofeternity,knowledgeand
bliss.
AsexplainedintheBhagavadgita(7.4),theseparatedmaterialenergyofthe
PersonalityofGodheadiscoveredbyeightkindsofmaterialcoverings:earth,
water,fire,air,sky,mind,intelligenceandfalseego.Alltheseareemanations
fromthePersonalityofGodheadasHisexternalenergy.Thesecoveringsare
justlikethecoveringofcloudsforthesun.
Thereforebeyondthis[grossmanifestation]isatranscendentalmanifestation
finerthanthefinestform.Ithasnobeginning,nointermediatestageandno
end;thereforeitisbeyondthelimitsofexpressionormentalspeculationandis
distinctfromthematerialconception.
Theetherinthematerialworldisconsideredtobethefinest.Finerthanthe
etherismind,intelligence,andfalseego.Butalleightoftheoutwardcoverings
areexplainedasoutercoveringsoftheAbsoluteTruth.
Thisiscallednirvisesanam.Oneshouldnot,however,misunderstand
nirvisesanamasbeingwithoutanytranscendentalqualifications.Visesanam
meansqualities.Thereforeniraddedtoitmeansthathehasnomaterial
qualitiesorvariegatedness.Thisnullifyingexpressionisdescribedinfour
transcendentalqualifications,namelyunmanifested,transcendental,eternal,
andbeyondtheconceptionofmindorword.Beyondthelimitsofwordsmeans
negationofthematerialconception.Unlessoneistranscendentallysituated,it
isnotpossibletoknowthetranscendentalformoftheLord.
NeitheroftheaboveformsoftheLord,asjustdescribeduntoyoufromthe
materialangleofvision,isacceptedbythepuredevoteesoftheLordwho
knowHimwell.
TheimpersonaliststhinkoftheAbsolutePersonalityofGodheadintwo
differentways,asabovementioned.OntheonehandtheyworshiptheLordin
Hisvisvarupa,orallpervadinguniversalform,andontheothertheythinkof
theLord'sunmanifested,indescribable,subtleform.Thetheoriesofpantheism
andmonismarerespectivelyapplicabletothesetwoconceptionsofthe
Supremeasgrossandsubtle,butbothofthemarerejectedbythelearnedpure
devoteesoftheLordbecausetheyareawareofthefactualposition.
Arjuna,asapuredevoteeoftheLord,neverpreviouslysawthecontemplated
universalformoftheLord(visvarupa),butwhenhedidseeit,hiscuriosities
weresatisfied.ButhewasnothappytoseesuchaformoftheLordbecauseof
hisattachmentasapuredevotee.Hewasafraidtoseethegiganticformofthe
Lord.HethereforeprayedtotheLordtoassumeHisfourhandedNarayanaor
Krsnaform,whichalonecouldpleaseArjuna.

ThenondevoteeimpersonalistsimaginethematerialformsoftheLord,and
ultimatelytheymergeintheimpersonalbrahmajyotioftheLord,whereasthe
puredevoteesoftheLordareworshipersoftheLordbothinthebeginningand
alsointheperfectstageofsalvation,eternally.Theworshipofthepuredevotee
neverstops,whereastheworshipoftheimpersonaliststopsafterhisattainment
ofsalvation,whenhemergesintheimpersonalformoftheLordknownasthe
brahmajyoti.ThereforethepuredevoteesoftheLordaredescribedhereas
vipascita,orthelearnedwhoareintheknowledgeoftheLordperfectly.
AlthoughHeisunaffectedbyallsuchactivities,Heappearstobesoengaged.
Thereforeanintelligentpersonwhocandistinguishbetweenthetranscendental
activitiesoftheLordandtheactivitiesoftheconditionedsoulsisalsonot
boundbythereactionsofactivities.TheLordasVisnu,BrahmaandSiva
conductsthethreemodesofmaterialnature.FromVisnuisbornBrahma,and
fromBrahmaisbornSiva.
thelivingentitiesbornfromembryos,fromeggs,fromperspirationandfrom
seeds,andallothers,
Someofthelivingentitiesarerelativelyhappyinbetterconditionsoflife,
whereasothersareindistressedconditionsoflife.Butfactually,noneofthem
areactuallyhappyinmaterialconditionallife.Noonecanbehappyinprison
life,althoughonemaybeafirstclassprisonerandanotherathirdclass
prisoner.Theintelligentpersonshouldnottrytobepromotedfromthirdclass
prisonlifetofirstclassprisonlife,butshouldtrytobereleasedfromtheprison
altogether.Onemaybepromotedtofirstclassprisoner,butthesamefirstclass
prisonerisagaindegradedtoathirdclassprisonerinthenextterm.Oneshould
trytobefreefromprisonlifeandgobackhome,backtoGodhead.Thatisthe
realgoalforalltypesoflivingentities.
Accordingtothedifferentmodesofmaterialnaturethemodeofgoodness,the
modeofpassionandthemodeofdarknesstherearedifferentlivingcreatures,
whoareknownasdemigods,humanbeingsandhellishlivingentities.OKing,
evenaparticularmodeofnature,beingmixedwiththeothertwo,isdivided
intothree,andthuseachkindoflivingcreatureisinfluencedbytheother
modesandacquiresitshabitsalso.
Generally,allconditionedsoulsinthematerialencagementareinfluencedby
themodeofpassionbecauseeveryoneofthemistryingtolorditoverthe
materialnaturetofulfillhisindividualdesire
Onecanchangehishabitbygoodorbadassociation,andonehastobecome
intelligentenoughtodiscriminatebetweengoodandbad.Thebestassociation
istheserviceofthedevoteesoftheLord,andbythatassociationonecan

becomethehighestqualifiedmanbythegraceoftheLord'spuredevotees.
Bysuchassociation,histasteforchantingandhearingthetranscendental
gloriesoftheLordbecameprominent,andbecausethegloriesoftheLordare
nondifferentfromtheLord,hegotdirectassociationwiththeLordbymeansof
soundrepresentation
Oneshouldtrytoraisehimselfbytheassociationofthegreatsoul.Thatisthe
wayoftheperfectionoflife.
HeincarnatesHimselfevenasafish,hog,treeandmanyotherforms,butless
intelligentpersonswhohavenoknowledgeofHimderideHimevenifHeisin
humansocietyasahumanbeing.
Thereafter,attheendofthemillennium,theLordHimselfintheformof
Rudra,thedestroyer,willannihilatethecompletecreationasthewind
displacestheclouds.
Thiscreationisveryappropriatelycomparedtoclouds.Cloudsarecreatedor
situatedinthesky,andwhentheyaredisplacedtheyremaininthesamesky
withoutmanifestation.

Togivehopetosuchfoolishconditionedsoulswhowastetheirenergyinthis
temporarymaterialworld,theLordgivesinformationthatthereisanother
nature,whichiseternallyexistentwithoutbeingoccasionallycreatedor
destroyed,andthattheconditionedsoulcanunderstandwhatheshoulddoand
howhisvaluableenergymaybeutilized.Insteadofwastinghisenergyin
matter,whichissuretobedestroyedinduecoursebythesupremewill,the
conditionedsoulshouldutilizehisenergyinthedevotionalserviceoftheLord
sothathecanbetransferredtotheother,eternalnature,wherethereisnobirth,
nodeath,nocreation,nodestruction,butpermanentlifeinstead,fullof
knowledgeandunlimitedbliss.
ThegreattranscendentaliststhusdescribetheactivitiesoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,butthepuredevoteesdeservetoseemoreglorious
thingsintranscendence,beyondthesefeatures.
TheLordisnotonlythecreatoranddestroyerofthematerialmanifestationsof
Hisdifferentenergies.Heismorethanasimplecreatoranddestroyer,forthere
isHisfeatureofananda,orHispleasurefeature.Thispleasurefeatureofthe
Lordisunderstoodbythepuredevoteesonly,andnotbyothers.The
impersonalistissatisfiedsimplybyunderstandingtheallpervasiveinfluence
oftheLord.ThisiscalledBrahmanrealization.Greaterthantheimpersonalist
isthemysticwhoseestheLordsituatedinhisheartasParamatma,thepartial

representationoftheLord.Buttherearepuredevoteeswhotakepartinthe
directpleasure(ananda)potencyoftheLordbyfactualreciprocationofloving
service.TheLordinHisabodecalledtheVaikunthaplanets,whichareeternal
manifestations,alwaysremainswithHisassociatesandenjoystranscendental
lovingservicesbyHispuredevoteesindifferenttranscendentalhumors.
BydevelopmentofpuredevotionalserviceonecanfactuallyknowtheLordas
HeisandthusbetrainedinthebonafideserviceoftheLordandbeallowedto
enterintothedirectassociationoftheLordinsomanycapacities.Thehighest
gloriousassociationwiththeLordismadepossibleintheplanetofGoloka
Vrndavana,whereLordKrsnaenjoysHimselfwiththegopisandHisfavorite
animals,thesurabhicows.AdescriptionofthistranscendentallandofKrsnais
givenintheBrahmasamhita,whichisconsideredbyLordSriCaitanyatobe
themostauthenticliteratureinthisconnection.
Theoriginalfire,itsflame,itssparksanditssmokeareallone,forfireisstill
fireyetisdifferentfromtheflame,flameisdifferentfromsparks,andsparks
aredifferentfromthesmoke.Ineveryoneofthem,namelyintheflames,inthe
sparksandinthesmoke,theintegrityoffireispresent,yetallofthemare
differentlysituatedwithdifferentpositions.Thecosmicmanifestationis
comparedtothesmokebecausewhensmokepassesovertheskysomany
formsappear,resemblingmanyknownandunknownmanifestations.The
sparksarecomparedtolivingentities,andtheflamesarecomparedtomaterial
nature(pradhana).
Thereforeallofthem,namelythematerialnature,thecosmicmanifestationand
thelivingentities,arebutdifferentenergiesoftheLord(fire).
Therearethreedifferenttypesofcreation,calledmahakalpa,vikalpaand
kalpa.InthemahakalpatheLordassumesthefirstpurusaincarnationas
KaranodakasayiVisnuwithallthepotenciesofthemahattattvaandthe
sixteenprinciplesofcreativematterandinstruments.Thecreativeinstruments
areeleven,theingredientsarefive,andallofthemareproductsofmahat,or
materialisticego.ThesecreationsbytheLordinHisfeatureofKaranodakasayi
Visnuarecalledmahakalpa.ThecreationofBrahmaanddispersionofthe
materialingredientsarecalledvikalpa,andthecreationbyBrahmaineachday
ofhislifeiscalledkalpa.ThereforeeachdayofBrahmaiscalledakalpa,and
therearethirtykalpasintermsofBrahma'sdays.
Thefouryugasarecalculatedintermsoftheheavenlycalendarsand
accordinglyaretwelvethousandyearsintermsoftheheavenlyplanets.Thisis
calledadivyayuga,andonethousanddivyayugasmakeonedayofBrahma.
ThecreationduringthedayofBrahmaiscalledkalpa,andthecreationof
Brahmaiscalledvikalpa.Whenvikalpasaremadepossiblebythebreathingof
MahaVisnu,thisiscalledamahakalpa.

ThereforethethirtykalpasofBrahmaare:(1)Svetakalpa,(2)Nilalohita,(3)
Vamadeva,(4)Gathantara,(5)Raurava,(6)Prana,(7)Brhatkalpa,(8)
Kandarpa,(9)Sadyotha,(10)Isana,(11)Dhyana,(12)Sarasvata,(13)Udana,
(14)Garuda,(15)Kaurma,(16)Narasimha,(17)Samadhi,(18)Agneya,(19)
Visnuja,(20)Saura,(21)Somakalpa,(22)Bhavana,(23)Supuma,(24)
Vaikuntha,(25)Arcisa,(26)Valikalpa,(27)Vairaja,(28)Gaurikalpa,(29)
Mahesvara,(30)Paitrkalpa.
TheseareBrahma'sdaysonly,andhehastolivemonthsandyearsuptoone
hundred,sowecanjustimaginehowmanycreationsthereareinkalpasonly.
Thenagaintherearevikalpas,whicharegeneratedbythebreathingofMaha
Visnu,asstatedintheBrahmasamhita(yasyaikanisvasitakalam
athavalambyajivantilomavilajajagadandanathah).TheBrahmasliveonly
duringthebreathingperiodofMahaVisnu.Sotheexhalingandinhalingof
Visnuaremahakalpas,andalltheseareduetotheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,fornooneelseisthemasterofallcreations.
ThepresentdurationofakalpaofBrahmaiscalledtheVarahakalpaor
SvetavarahakalpabecausetheincarnationoftheLordasVarahatookplace
duringthecreationofBrahma,whowasbornonthelotuscomingoutofthe
abdomenofVisnu.ThereforethisVarahakalpaisalsocalledPadmakalpa