Chapter 25

          How All the Residents of Varanasi Became Vaisnavas

 

   The following is a summary of Chapter Twenty-five. A Maharastrian brahmana who was living in Benares was a great devotee of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He was always very happy to hear of the glories of the Lord, and it was by his arrangement that all the sannyasis of Varanasi became devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He invited all the sannyasis to his house to meet Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and this incident has been described in the Seventh Chapter of Adi-lila. From that day, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu became famous in the city of Varanasi, and many important men in that city became His followers. By and by, one of the disciples of the great sannyasi Prakasananda Sarasvati became devoted to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and this devotee explained Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to Prakasananda Sarasvati and supported His views with various arguments.

   One day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to take a bath at Panca-nada, and afterwards all His devotees began chanting the Hare Krsna mantra in front of the temple of Bindu Madhava. At this time Prakasananda Sarasvati and all his devotees approached the Lord. Prakasananda Sarasvati immediately fell down at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and very much regretted his past behavior toward the Lord. He asked Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu about devotional service in terms of the Vedanta-sutra, and the Lord told him about devotional service that is approved by great personalities who know the Vedanta-sutra. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then pointed out that Srimad-Bhagavatam is the proper commentary on the Vedanta-sutra. He then explained the catuh-sloki (four slokas) of Srimad-Bhagavatam, the essence of that great scripture.

   From that day on, all the sannyasis of Varanasi became devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Before returning to His headquarters at Jagannatha Puri, the Lord advised Sanatana Gosvami to go to Vrndavana. The Lord then departed for Jagannatha Puri. Kaviraja Gosvami then describes something about Srila Rupa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami and Subuddhi Raya. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to Jagannatha Puri through the great forest of Jharikhanda in central India. At the end of this chapter, Kaviraja Gosvami sums up the incidents of Madhya-lila and instructs every living being to read this sublime book of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's pastimes.

 

                                TEXT 1

 

                                 TEXT

 

                       vaisnavi-krtya sannyasi-

                        mukhan kasi-nivasinah

                        sanatanam susamskrtya

                       prabhur niladrim agamat

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   vaisnavi-krtya--making into Vaisnavas; sannyasi-mukhan--headed by the sannyasis; kasi-nivasinah--the residents of Varanasi; sanatanam--Sanatana Gosvami; su-samskrtya--completely purifying; prabhuh--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; niladrim--to Jagannatha Puri; agamat--returned.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After converting into Vaisnavas all the residents of Varanasi, who were headed by the sannyasis, and after completely educating and instructing Sanatana Gosvami at Varanasi, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to Jagannatha Puri.

 

                                TEXT 2

 

                                 TEXT

 

                jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityananda

              jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   jaya jaya--all glories; sri-caitanya--to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jaya--all glories; nityananda--to Nityananda Prabhu; jaya--all glories; advaita-candra--to Advaita Prabhu; jaya--all glories; gaura-bhakta-vrnda--to the devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   All glories to Lord Caitanya! All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Advaitacandra! And all glories to all the devotees of Lord Caitanya!

 

                                TEXT 3

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 ei mata mahaprabhu dui masa paryanta

                sikhaila tanre bhakti-siddhantera anta

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei mata--in this way; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; dui masa paryanta--for two months; sikhaila--instructed; tanre--him; bhakti-siddhantera anta--all the conclusions of devotional service.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed Sri Sanatana Gosvami in all the conclusions of devotional service for two consecutive months.

 

                                TEXT 4

 

                                 TEXT

 

               'paramananda kirtaniya'--sekharera sangi

               prabhure kirtana sunaya, ati bada rangi

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   paramananda kirtaniya--Paramananda Kirtaniya; sekharera sangi--a friend of Candrasekhara's; prabhure--unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kirtana sunaya--sings and chants; ati bada rangi--very humorous.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   For as long as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was in Varanasi, Paramananda Kirtaniya, who was a friend of Candrasekhara's, chanted the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and other songs to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in a very humorous way.

 

                                TEXT 5

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sannyasira gana prabhure yadi upeksila

               bhakta-duhkha khandaite tare krpa kaila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sannyasira gana--all the sannyasis; prabhure--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; yadi--when; upeksila--criticized; bhakta-duhkha--the unhappiness of the devotees; khandaite--to drive away; tare--to them; krpa kaila--showed His mercy.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When the Mayavadi sannyasis at Varanasi criticized Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Lord's devotees became very depressed. To satisfy them, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu showed His mercy to the sannyasis.

 

                                TEXT 6

 

                                 TEXT

 

             sannyasire krpa purve likhiyachon vistariya

                  uddese kahiye ihan sanksepa kariya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sannyasire krpa--mercy upon the sannyasis; purve--before this; likhiyachon--I have described; vistariya--elaborately; uddese--in reference to that; kahiye--let me speak; ihan--here; sanksepa kariya--in brief.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   In the Seventh Chapter of Adi-lila I have already elaborately described Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's deliverance of the sannyasis at Varanasi, but I shall briefly repeat it in this chapter.

 

                                TEXT 7

 

                                 TEXT

 

           yahan tahan prabhura ninda kare sannyasira gana

            suni' duhkhe maharastriya vipra karaye cintana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yahan tahan--anywhere and everywhere; prabhura ninda--criticism of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kare--do; sannyasira gana--the Mayavadi sannyasis; suni'--hearing; duhkhe--in great unhappiness; maharastriya vipra--the brahmana of Maharastra province; karaye cintana--was contemplating.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When the Mayavadi sannyasis were criticizing Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu anywhere and everywhere in Varanasi, the Maharastrian brahmana, hearing this blasphemy, began to think about this unhappily.

 

                                TEXT 8

 

                                 TEXT

 

              "prabhura svabhava,--yeba dekhe sannidhane

            'svarupa' anubhavi' tanre 'isvara' kari' mane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhura sva-bhava--the characteristics of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; yeba--anyone who; dekhe--sees; sannidhane--nearby; sva-rupa--His personality; anubhavi'--realizing; tanre--Him; isvara kari'--as the Supreme Lord; mane--accepts.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   The Maharastrian brahmana thought, "Whoever closely sees the characteristics of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately realizes His personality and accepts Him as the Supreme Lord.

 

                                TEXT 9

 

                                 TEXT

 

                kona prakare paron yadi ekatra karite

             iha dekhi' sannyasi-gana habe inhara bhakte

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kona prakare--by some means; paron--I am able; yadi--if; ekatra karite--to assemble; iha dekhi'--by seeing this (Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's personal characteristics); sannyasi-gana--the Mayavadi sannyasis of Varanasi; habe--will become; inhara bhakte--His devotees.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "If by some means I can assemble all the sannyasis together, they will certainly become His devotees after seeing His personal characteristics.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   If one saw the personal characteristics and activities of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, one would certainly be convinced that He was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One can ascertain this by following in the footsteps of the sastric injunctions. This sincere study and appreciation of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is also applicable to His authorized devotees, and it is clearly stated in the Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya 7.11):

 

             kali-kalera dharma----krsna-nama-sankirtana

                krsna-sakti vina nahe tara pravartana

 

   In this Age of Kali, real religious propaganda should induce people to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. This is possible for someone who is especially empowered by Krsna. No one can do this without being especially favored by Krsna. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura comments in this regard in his Anubhasya, wherein he quotes a verse from Narayana-samhita:

 

                      dvapariyair janair visnuh

                       pancaratrais tu kevalaih

                        kalau tu nama-matrena

                        pujyate bhagavan harih

 

   "In Dvapara-yuga, devotees of Lord Visnu and Krsna rendered devotional service according to the principles of pancaratrika. In this Age of Kali, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshiped simply by the chanting of His holy names.» Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura then comments: "Without being empowered by the direct potency of Lord Krsna to fulfill His desire and without being specifically favored by the Lord, no human being can become the spiritual master of the whole world. He certainly cannot succeed by mental concoction, which is not meant for devotees or religious people. Only an empowered personality can distribute the holy name of the Lord and enjoin all fallen souls to worship Krsna. By distributing the holy name of the Lord, he cleanses the hearts of the most fallen people; therefore he extinguishes the blazing fire of the material world. Not only that, he broadcasts the shining brightness of Krsna's effulgence throughout the world. Such an acarya, or spiritual master, should be considered nondifferent from Krsna-that is, he should be considered the incarnation of Lord Krsna's potency. Such a personality is krsnalingita-vigraha-that is, he is always embraced by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. Such a person is above the considerations of the varnasrama institution. He is the guru or spiritual master for the entire world, a devotee on the topmost platform, the maha-bhagavata stage, and a paramahamsa-thakura, a spiritual form only fit to be addressed as paramahamsa or thakura."

   Nonetheless, there are many people who are just like owls but never open their eyes to see the sunshine. These owlish personalities are inferior to the Mayavadi sannyasis who cannot see the brilliance of Krsna's favor. They are prepared to criticize the person engaged in distributing the holy name all over the world and following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who wanted Krsna consciousness preached in every town and city.

 

                               TEXT 10

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 varanasi-vasa amara haya sarva-kale

                sarva-kala duhkha paba, iha na karile"

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   varanasi-vasa--residence at Varanasi; amara--my; haya--there is; sarva-kale--always; sarva-kala--always; duhkha paba--I will suffer unhappiness; iha--this; na karile--if I do not execute.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "I shall have to reside at Varanasi the rest of my life. If I do not try to carry out this plan, I shall certainly continue to suffer mental depression."

 

                               TEXT 11

 

                                 TEXT

 

                eta cinti' nimantrila sannyasira gane

               tabe sei vipra aila mahaprabhura sthane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eta cinti'--thinking this; nimantrila--he invited; sannyasira gane--all the sannyasis; tabe--then; sei vipra--that brahmana; aila--approached; mahaprabhura sthane--the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Thinking like this, the Maharastrian brahmana extended an invitation to all the sannyasis of Varanasi. After doing this, he finally approached Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to extend Him an invitation.

 

                               TEXT 12

 

                                 TEXT

 

                hena-kale ninda suni' sekhara, tapana

                duhkha pana prabhu-pade kaila nivedana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   hena-kale--exactly at this time; ninda suni'--by hearing the criticism (of Lord Caitanya by the Mayavadi sannyasis); sekhara tapana--Candrasekhara and Tapana Misra; duhkha pana--feeling very unhappy; prabhu-pade--unto the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kaila nivedana--submitted a request.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   At this time, Candrasekhara and Tapana Misra both heard blasphemous criticism against Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and felt very unhappy. They came to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's lotus feet to submit a request.

 

                               TEXT 13

 

                                 TEXT

 

              bhakta-duhkha dekhi' prabhu manete cintila

                 sannyasira mana phiraite mana ha-ila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhakta-duhkha dekhi'--seeing the unhappiness of the devotees; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; manete cintila--considered within His mind; sannyasira mana--the minds of the Mayavadi sannyasis; phiraite--to turn; mana ha-ila--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu decided.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   They submitted their request, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, seeing His devotees' unhappiness, decided to turn the minds of the Mayavadi sannyasis.

 

                               TEXT 14

 

                                 TEXT

 

                hena-kale vipra asi' karila nimantrana

                 aneka dainyadi kari' dharila carana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   hena-kale--at this time; vipra--the Maharastrian brahmana; asi'--coming; karila nimantrana--invited Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; aneka--various; dainya-adi--submissions; kari'--doing; dharila carana--touched His lotus feet.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   While Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was seriously considering meeting with the Mayavadi sannyasis, the Maharastrian brahmana approached Him and extended an invitation. The brahmana submitted his invitation with great humility, and he touched the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                               TEXT 15

 

                                 TEXT

 

               tabe mahaprabhu tanra nimantrana manila

              ara dina madhyahna kari' tanra ghare gela

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--after this; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanra--his; nimantrana--invitation; manila--accepted; ara dina--the next day; madhyahna kari'--after finishing His madhyahna activities (taking bath and murmuring mantras); tanra ghare gela--He went to the house of the Maharastrian brahmana.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted his invitation, and the next day, after finishing His noontime activities, He went to the brahmana's house.

 

                               TEXT 16

 

                                 TEXT

 

             tahan yaiche kaila prabhu sannyasira nistara

              panca-tattvakhyane taha kariyachi vistara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tahan--there; yaiche--how; kaila--performed; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sannyasira--of the Mayavadi sannyasis; nistara--deliverance; panca-tattva-akhyane--in describing the glories of the Panca-tattva (Sri Krsna Caitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara and Srivasa); taha--that subject matter; kariyachi vistara--have described elaborately.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   I have already described Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's deliverance of the Mayavadi sannyasis in the Seventh Chapter when I described the glories of the Panca-tattva-Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Advaita Prabhu, Gadadhara Prabhu and Srivasa.

 

                               TEXT 17

 

                                 TEXT

 

               grantha bade, punarukti haya ta' kathana

              tahan ye na likhilun, taha kariye likhana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   grantha--the size of the book; bade--increases; punah-ukti--repetition; haya--would be; ta' kathana--of subject matters once described; tahan--there (in the Seventh Chapter); ye--whatever; na likhilun--I have not described; taha--that; kariye likhana--I am writing.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Since I have already described this incident very elaborately in the Seventh Chapter of Adi-lila, I do not wish to increase the size of this book by giving another description. However, I shall try to include in this chapter whatever was not described there.

 

                               TEXT 18

 

                                 TEXT

 

                ye divasa prabhu sannyasire krpa kaila

                 se divasa haite grame kolahala haila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ye divasa--the day when; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sannyasire--to the Mayavadi sannyasis; krpa kaila--showed His mercy; se divasa haite--beginning from that day; grame--in the locality; kolahala haila--there were many talks about this incident.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Beginning from the day on which Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu showed His mercy to the Mayavadi sannyasis, there were vivid discussions about this conversion among the inhabitants of Varanasi.

 

                               TEXT 19

 

                                 TEXT

 

                lokera sanghatta aise prabhure dekhite

               nana sastre pandita aise sastra vicarite

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   lokera sanghatta--crowds of men; aise--come; prabhure dekhite--to see Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; nana sastre pandita--scholars learned in various scriptures; aise--used to come; sastra vicarite--to talk on various scriptures.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Crowds of people came to see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu from that day on, and scholars of various scriptures discussed different subject matters with the Lord.

 

                               TEXT 20

 

                                 TEXT

 

            sarva-sastra khandi' prabhu 'bhakti' kare sara

                 sayuktika vakye mana phiraya sabara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sarva-sastra khandi'--defeating all the false conclusions of different scriptures; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; bhakti kare sara--established the predominance of devotional service; sa-yuktika vakye--by talks full of pleasing logic and arguments; mana phiraya--turns the minds; sabara--of everyone.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When people came to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to discuss the principles of various scriptures, the Lord defeated their false conclusions and established the predominance of devotional service to the Lord. With logic and argument He very politely changed their minds.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   We have been spreading this sankirtana movement in the Western countries, and in our recent tour of European cities like Rome, Geneva, Paris and Frankfurt, many learned Christian scholars, priests, philosophers and yogis came to see us, and by the grace of Krsna they agreed that this Krsna consciousness movement, the bhakti cult, offers the topmost conclusion. Following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, we are trying to convince everyone that the devotional service of the Lord is enjoined in every scripture. If a person is religious, he must accept the supreme authority of the Lord, become His devotee and try to love Him. This is the real principle of religion. It does not matter whether one is Christian, Mohammedan or whatever. He simply must accept the sublime position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and render service unto Him. It is not a question of being Christian, Mohammedan or Hindu. One should be purely religious and freed from all these material designations. In this way one can learn the art of devotional service. This argument appeals to all intelligent men, and consequently this Krsna consciousness movement is gaining ground throughout the world. Due to our solid logic and scientific presentation, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's prediction that Krsna consciousness will spread in every town and village throughout the world is gradually being realized.

 

                               TEXT 21

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  upadesa lana kare krsna-sankirtana

                sarva-loka hase, gaya, karaye nartana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   upadesa lana--getting instructions from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kare--join; krsna-sankirtana--the sankirtana movement; sarva-loka hase--everyone began to laugh in pleasure; gaya--chant; karaye nartana--and dance.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   As soon as people received instructions from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they began to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Thus everyone laughed, chanted and danced with the Lord.

 

                               TEXT 22

 

                                 TEXT

 

                prabhure pranata haila sannyasira gana

               atma-madhye gosthi kare chadi' adhyayana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhure--unto Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; pranata haila--offered obeisances; sannyasira gana--all the Mayavadi sannyasis; atma-madhye--among themselves; gosthi kare--discussed; chadi' adhyayana--giving up so-called studies of Vedanta.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   All the Mayavadi sannyasis offered their obeisances unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and then began to discuss His movement, giving up their studies of Vedanta and Mayavada philosophy.

 

                               TEXT 23

 

                                 TEXT

 

               prakasanandera sisya eka tanhara samana

              sabha-madhye kahe prabhura kariya sammana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prakasanandera sisya eka--one of the disciples of Prakasananda Sarasvati; tanhara samana--equal in learning with Prakasananda Sarasvati; sabha-madhye--in the assembly of the sannyasis; kahe--explains; prabhura kariya sammana--respecting Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu seriously.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   One of the disciples of Prakasananda Sarasvati, who was as learned as his guru, began to speak in that assembly, offering all respects to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                               TEXT 24

 

                                 TEXT

 

              sri-krsna-caitanya haya 'saksat narayana'

              'vyasa-sutrera' artha karena ati-manorama

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sri-krsna-caitanya--Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu; haya--is; saksat narayana--directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana; vyasa-sutrera--the codes of Vyasadeva (Vedanta-sutra); artha karena--He explains; ati-manorama--very nicely.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   He said, "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana Himself. When He explains the Vedanta-sutra, He does so very nicely.

 

                               TEXT 25

 

                                 TEXT

 

               upanisadera karena mukhyartha vyakhyana

                suniya pandita-lokera judaya mana-kana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   upanisadera--of the Vedic version known as the Upanisads; karena--He does; mukhya-artha--the original meaning; vyakhyana--explanation; suniya--hearing; pandita-lokera--of the learned scholars; judaya--satisfies; mana-kana--the minds and ears.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu explains the direct meaning of the Upanisads. When all learned scholars hear this, their minds and ears are satisfied.

 

                               TEXT 26

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 sutra-upanisadera mukhyartha chadiya

                 acarya 'kalpana' kare agraha kariya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sutra-upanisadera--of the Vedanta-sutra and the Upanisads; mukhya-artha--the direct meaning; chadiya--giving up; acarya--Sankaracarya; kalpana--imagination; kare--does; agraha kariya--with great eagerness.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Giving up the direct meaning of the Vedanta-sutra and the Upanisads, Sankaracarya imagines some other interpretation.

 

                               TEXT 27

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 acarya-kalpita artha ye pandita sune

               mukhe 'haya' 'haya' kare, hrdaya na mane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   acarya-kalpita--imagined by Sankaracarya; artha--meaning; ye pandita sune--any learned person who hears; mukhe--only in the mouth; haya haya--yes it is, yes it is; kare--does; hrdaya--his heart; na mane--does not accept.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "All the interpretations of Sankaracarya are imaginary. Such imaginary interpretations are verbally accepted by learned scholars, but they do not appeal to the heart.

 

                               TEXT 28

 

                                 TEXT

 

              sri-krsna-caitanya-vakya drdha satya mani

                kali-kale sannyase 'samsara' nahi jini

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sri-krsna-caitanya-vakya--the words of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; drdha--very firm and convincing; satya mani--I admit as truth; kali-kale--in this Age of Kali; sannyase--simply by accepting the renounced order of life; samsara nahi jini--one cannot escape the material clutches.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "The words of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu are firm and convincing, and I accept them as true. In this Age of Kali, one cannot be delivered from material clutches simply by formally accepting the renounced order.

 

                               TEXT 29

 

                                 TEXT

 

               harer nama-slokera yei karila vyakhyana

                 sei satya sukhadartha parama pramana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   harer nama-slokera--of the verse beginning harer nama harer nama; yei--whatever; karila--made; vyakhyana--the explanation; sei--that; satya--true; sukha-da-artha--a meaning that is pleasing to accept; parama pramana--the supreme evidence.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's explanation of the verse beginning 'harer nama harer nama' is not only pleasing to the ear but is strong, factual evidence.

 

                               TEXT 30

 

                                 TEXT

 

                bhakti vina mukti nahe, bhagavate kaya

                 kali-kale namabhase sukhe mukti haya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhakti vina--without devotional service; mukti nahe--there is no question of liberation; bhagavate kaya--it is said in Srimad-Bhagavatam; kali-kale--in this Age of Kali; nama-abhase--even by a slight appreciation of the Hare Krsna mantra; sukhe--without difficulty; mukti haya--one can get liberation.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "In this Age of Kali, one cannot attain liberation without taking to the devotional service of the Lord. In this age, even if one does not chant the holy name of Krsna perfectly, he still attains liberation very easily.

 

                               TEXT 31

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 sreyah-srtim bhaktim udasya te vibho

                  klisyanti ye kevala-bodha-labdhaye

                    tesam asau klesala eva sisyate

                  nanyad yatha sthula-tusavaghatinam

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sreyah-srtim--the auspicious path of liberation; bhaktim--devotional service; udasya--giving up; te--of You; vibho--O my Lord; klisyanti--accept increased difficulties; ye--all those persons who; kevala--only; bodha-labdhaye--for obtaining knowledge; tesam--for them; asau--that; klesalah--trouble; eva--only; sisyate--remains; na--not; anyat--anything else; yatha--as much as; sthula--bulky; tusa--husks of rice; avaghatinam--of those beating.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'My dear Lord, devotional service unto You is the only auspicious path. If one gives it up simply for speculative knowledge or the understanding that these living beings are spirit soul and the material world is false, he undergoes a great deal of trouble. He only gains troublesome and inauspicious activities. His actions are like beating a husk that is already devoid of rice. One's labor becomes fruitless.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.4).

 

                               TEXT 32

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 ye 'nye 'ravindaksa vimukta-maninas

                tvayy asta-bhavad avisuddha-buddhayah

                  aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah

                patanty adho 'nadrta-yusmad-anghrayah

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ye--all those who; anye--others (nondevotees); aravinda-aksa--O lotus-eyed one; vimukta-maninah--who consider themselves liberated; tvayi--unto You; asta-bhavat--without devotion; avisuddha-buddhayah--whose intelligence is not purified; aruhya--having ascended; krcchrena--by severe austerities and penances; param padam--to the supreme position; tatah--from there; patanti--fall; adhah--down; anadrta--without respecting; yusmat--Your;                              anghrayah--lotus feet.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'O lotus-eyed one, those who think they are liberated in this life but who are devoid of devotional service to You are of impure intelligence. Although they accept severe austerities and penances and rise to the spiritual position, to impersonal Brahman realization, they fall down again because they neglect to worship Your lotus feet.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.2.32).

 

                               TEXT 33

 

                                 TEXT

 

          'brahma'-sabde kahe 'sad-aisvarya-purna bhagavan'

            tanre 'nirvisesa' sthapi, 'purnata' haya hana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   brahma-sabde--by the word brahma; kahe--is meant; sat-aisvarya-purna bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead, full in all six opulences; tanre--Him; nirvisesa sthapi--if we make impersonal; purnata haya hana--His completeness becomes damaged.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "The word Brahman means 'the greatest.' This means that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is full in all six opulences. However, if we take the one-sided impersonalist view, His fullness is diminished.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   The Supreme Personality of Godhead is originally the Supreme Person. The Lord says in Bhagavad-gita (9.4):

 

                        maya tatam idam sarvam

                        jagad avyakta-murtina

                       mat-sthani sarva-bhutani

                       na caham tesv avasthitah

 

   "By Me, in My unmanifested form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings are in Me, but I am not in them."

   The potency of Krsna that is spread everywhere is impersonal. The sunlight is the impersonal expansion of the sun globe and the sun-god. If we simply take one side of the Supreme Personality of Godhead-His impersonal effulgence-that one side does not fully explain the Absolute Truth. Impersonal appreciation of the Absolute Truth is one-sided and incomplete. One should also accept the other side, the personal side-Bhagavan. Brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate. One should not be satisfied simply by understanding the Brahman feature of the Personality of Godhead. One must also know the Lord's personal feature. That is complete understanding of the Absolute Truth.

 

                               TEXT 34

 

                                 TEXT

 

             sruti-purana kahe--krsnera cic-chakti-vilasa

                 taha nahi mani, pandita kare upahasa

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sruti-purana kahe--the Vedic literatures and the Puranas confirm; krsnera--of Lord Krsna; cit-sakti-vilasa--activities of spiritual potencies; taha nahi mani--not accepting that; pandita kare upahasa--so-called scholars play jokes without perfect understanding.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Vedic literatures, the Upanisads, the Brahma-sutra and the Puranas all describe the activities of the spiritual potency of the Lord. If one cannot accept the personal activities of the Lord, he jokes foolishly and gives an impersonal description.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   In the Vedic literatures, including the Puranas, there are full descriptions of the spiritual potency of Krsna. All the pastimes of the Lord are eternal, blissful and full of knowledge, just as the form of Krsna Himself is eternal, blissful and full of knowledge (sac-cid-ananda-vigraha). Unintelligent people with a poor fund of knowledge compare their temporary bodies to the spiritual body of Krsna, and by such foolishness they try to understand Krsna as one of them. Avajananti mam mudha manusim tanum asritam. Bhagavad-gita (9.11) points out that foolish people think of Krsna as one of them. Not understanding His spiritual potency, they simply decry the personal form of the Absolute Truth, foolishly thinking of themselves as jnanis cognizant of the complete truth. They cannot understand that just as the material energy of the Lord has a variety of activities, the spiritual energy has variety also. They consider activities in devotional service the same as activities in material consciousness. Under such a wrong impression, they sometimes dare joke about the spiritual activities of the Lord and His devotional service.

 

                               TEXT 35

 

                                 TEXT

 

             cid-ananda krsna-vigraha 'mayika' kari' mani

                ei bada 'papa',--satya caitanyera vani

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   cit-ananda krsna-vigraha--the transcendental form of Krsna, which is completely spiritual; mayika kari' mani--accept as made of the external energy, maya; ei bada papa--this is a great act of sin; satya--true; caitanyera vani--the words of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "The Mayavadis do not recognize the personal form of the Lord as spiritual and full of bliss. This is a great sin. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's statements are actually factual.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's movement especially aims at defeating the Mayavada conclusion about the Absolute Truth. Since the members of the Mayavada school cannot understand the spiritual form of the Lord, they incorrectly think the Lord's form is also made of material energy. They think that He is covered by a material body just like other living beings. Due to this offensive understanding, they cannot recognize that Sri Krsna's personal form is transcendental, not material. Their conclusion is a great offense at the lotus feet of the Lord. As explained by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Krsna has His eternal, blissful form that is full of knowledge, and all Vaisnava acaryas accept this. That is the proper understanding of the Absolute Truth.

 

                               TEXT 36

 

                                 TEXT

 

               natah param parama yad bhavatah svarupam

                ananda-matram avikalpam aviddha-varcah

                pasyami visva-srjam ekam avisvam atman

               bhutendriyatmakam adas ta upasrito 'smi

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   na--not; atah--than this; param--more supreme; parama--O supreme one; yat--which; bhavatah--of Your Lordship; sva-rupam--the personal form; ananda--of transcendental bliss; matram--only; avikalpam--where there is no creation; aviddha--without contamination; varcah--having an effulgence; pasyami--I see; visva-srjam ekam--who alone has created this universe; avisvam--not belonging to the destructible material world; atman--O Supreme Soul; bhuta-indriya-atmakam--the original cause of the senses and the living beings; adah--transcendental; te--unto You; upasritah asmi--I take full shelter.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'O supreme one, the transcendental form I am now seeing is full of transcendental bliss. It is not contaminated by the external energy. It is full of effulgence. My Lord, there is no better understanding of You than this. You are the Supreme Soul and the creator of this material world, but You are not connected with this material world. You are completely different from created form and variety. I sincerely take shelter of that form of Yours which I am now seeing. This form is the original source of all living beings and their senses.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.9.3). This verse was spoken by Lord Brahma, who perfectly realized the Supreme Personality of Godhead after meditating upon the Lord within the water of the Garbhodhaka Ocean. Brahma realized that the form of the Lord is completely spiritual. This is certainly a better understanding of the Absolute Truth than impersonal understanding.

 

                               TEXT 37

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 drstam srutam bhuta-bhavad-bhavisyat

                  sthasnus carisnur mahad alpakam va

                   vinacyutad vastu-taram na vacyam

                    sa eva sarvam paramatma-bhutah

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   drstam--experienced by direct perception; srutam--experienced by hearing; bhuta--past; bhavat--present; bhavisyat--which will be in the future; sthasnuh--immovable; carisnuh--movable; mahat--the greatest; alpakam--the smallest; va--or; vina--except; acyutat--the infallible Personality of Godhead; vastu-taram--anything else; na vacyam--not to be spoken; sah--that Supreme Personality of Godhead; eva--certainly; sarvam--everything; paramatma-bhutah--the origin of all causes.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Lord Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the cause of all causes. He is past, present and future, and He is the movable and immovable. He is the greatest and the smallest, and He is visible and directly experienced. He is celebrated in Vedic literature. Everything is Krsna, and without Him there is no existence. He is the root of all understanding, and He is that which is understood by all words.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.46.43) was spoken by Uddhava when he came to pacify all the inhabitants of Vrndavana during Krsna's absence.

 

                               TEXT 38

 

                                 TEXT

 

                tad va idam bhuvana-mangala mangalaya

                dhyane sma no darasitam ta upasakanam

               tasmai namo bhagavate 'nuvidhema tubhyam

              yo 'nadrto naraka-bhagbhir asat-prasangaih

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tat--that; va--or; idam--this; bhuvana-mangala--O most auspicious of the entire world; mangalaya--for the benefit; dhyane--in meditation; sma--certainly; nah--of us; darasitam--manifested; te--by You; upasakanam--of devotees engaged in devotional service; tasmai--unto Him; namah--all obeisances; bhagavate--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; anuvidhema--we offer obeisances, following in the footsteps of the acaryas; tubhyam--unto You; yah--who is; anadrtah--not much appreciated; naraka-bhagbhih--by persons who are destined to go to a hellish condition of life; asat-prasangaih--who discuss the Supreme Personality of Godhead illogically.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'O most auspicious one! For our benefit You are worshiped by us. You manifest Your transcendental form, which You show to us in our meditation. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You, the Supreme Person, and we worship You whom impersonalists do not accept due to their poor fund of knowledge. Thus they are liable to descend into a hellish condition.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.9.4).

 

                               TEXT 39

 

                                 TEXT

 

                         avajananti mam mudha

                        manusim tanum asritam

                        param bhavam ajananto

                        mama bhuta-mahesvaram

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   avajananti--decry; mam--Me; mudhah--rascals; manusim--just like a human being; tanum--a body; asritam--accepted; param--supreme; bhavam--position; ajanantah--without knowing; mama--My; bhuta-mahesvaram--exalted position as the Supreme Person, creator of the material world.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Fools disrespect Me because I appear like a human being. They do not know My supreme position as the cause of all causes, the creator of the material energy.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Bhagavad-gita (9.11).

 

                               TEXT 40

 

                                 TEXT

 

                       tan aham dvisatah kruran

                         samsaresu naradhaman

                       ksipamy ajasram asubhan

                          asurisv eva yonisu

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tan--all of them; aham--I; dvisatah--those who are envious; kruran--always willing to do harm; samsaresu--in this material world; nara-adhaman--the lowest of men; ksipami--throw; ajasram--again and again; asubhan--engaged in inauspicious acts; asurisu--demoniac; eva--certainly; yonisu--in families.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Those who are envious of My form, who are cruel and mischievous and lowest among men, are perpetually cast by Me into hellish existence in various demoniac species of life.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is also a quotation from Bhagavad-gita (16.19).

 

                               TEXT 41

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sutrera parinama-vada, taha na maniya

            'vivarta-vada' sthape, 'vyasa bhranta' baliya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sutrera--of the codes of the Vedanta-sutra; parinama-vada--the transformation of energy; taha na maniya--not accepting this fact; vivarta-vada--the theory of illusion; sthape--establishes; vyasa bhranta baliya--accusing Vyasadeva to be mistaken.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Not accepting the transformation of energy, Sripad Sankaracarya has tried to establish the theory of illusion under the plea that Vyasadeva has made a mistake.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   For a further explanation of this verse, one may refer to Chapter Seven (verses 121-126).

 

                               TEXT 42

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 ei ta' kalpita artha mane nahi bhaya

               sastra chadi' kukalpana pasande bujhaya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei ta'--this; kalpita--imaginary; artha--meaning; mane--to the mind; nahi--does not; bhaya--appeal; sastra--the authoritative scriptures; chadi'--giving up; ku-kalpana--mischievous imagination; pasande--to the atheistic class of men; bujhaya--teaches.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Sripad Sankaracarya has given his interpretation and imaginary meaning. It does not actually appeal to the mind of any sane man. He has done this to convince the atheists and bring them under his control.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Sripad Sankaracarya's propaganda opposed the atheistic philosophy of Buddha. Lord Buddha's intention was to stop atheists from committing the sin of killing animals. Atheists cannot understand God; therefore Lord Buddha appeared and spread the philosophy of nonviolence to keep the atheists from killing animals. Unless one is free from the sin of animal killing, he cannot understand religion or God. Although Lord Buddha was an incarnation of Krsna, he did not speak about God, for the people were unable to understand. He simply wanted to stop animal killing. Sripad Sankaracarya wanted to establish the predominance of one's spiritual identity; therefore he wanted to convert the atheists through an imaginary interpretation of Vedic literatures. These are the secrets of the acaryas. Sometimes they conceal the real purpose of the Vedas and explain the Vedas in a different way. Sometimes they enunciate a different theory just to bring the atheists under their control. Thus it is said that Sankara's philosophy is for pasandas, atheists.

 

                               TEXT 43

 

                                 TEXT

 

              paramartha-vicara gela, kari matra 'vada'

               kahan mukti paba, kahan krsnera prasada

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   parama-artha-vicara--discussion on spiritual matters; gela--has gone; kari--we do; matra vada--only argument and word jugglery; kahan--where; mukti--liberation; paba--we shall get; kahan--where; krsnera prasada--the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "The atheists, headed by the Mayavadi philosophers, do not care for liberation or Krsna's mercy. They simply continue to put forward false arguments and counter-theories to atheistic philosophy, not considering or engaging in spiritual matters.

 

                               TEXT 44

 

                                 TEXT

 

            vyasa-sutrera artha acarya kariyache acchadana

               ei haya satya sri-krsna-caitanya-vacana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   vyasa-sutrera--of the codes of the Vedanta known as Vyasa-sutra; artha--the meanings; acarya--Sankaracarya; kariyache acchadana--has purposely covered; ei--this; haya--is; satya--the truth; sri-krsna-caitanya-vacana--the words and explanation given by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "The conclusion is that the import of the Vedanta-sutra is covered by the imaginary explanation of Sankaracarya. Whatever Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said is perfectly true.

 

                               TEXT 45

 

                                 TEXT

 

               caitanya-gosani yei kahe, sei mata sara

                 ara yata mata, sei saba charakhara"

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   caitanya-gosani--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; yei kahe--whatever He has said; sei mata sara--that explanation is actually the essence of Vedic knowledge; ara yata mata--any other opinion not in collaboration with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's statement; sei--these; saba charakhara--all distortions.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Whatever meaning Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu gives is perfect. Any other interpretation is only a distortion."

 

                               TEXT 46

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 eta kahi' sei kare krsna-sankirtana

                suni' prakasananda kichu kahena vacana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eta kahi'--speaking so much; sei--the disciple of Prakasananda Sarasvati; kare--performed; krsna-sankirtana--the chanting of the holy name of Krsna; suni'--hearing; prakasananda--the guru, Prakasananda Sarasvati; kichu--something; kahena--says; vacana--words.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After saying this, the disciple of Prakasananda Sarasvati began to chant the holy name of Krsna. Hearing this, Prakasananda Sarasvati made the following statement.

 

                               TEXT 47

 

                                 TEXT

 

               acaryera agraha--'advaita-vada' sthapite

                tate sutrartha vyakhya kare anya rite

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   acaryera--of Sankaracarya; agraha--the eagerness; advaita-vada--monism; sthapite--to establish; tate--for that reason; sutra-artha--the meaning of the Brahma-sutra, or Vedanta philosophy; vyakhya--explanation; kare--does; anya rite--in a different way.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Prakasananda Sarasvati said, "Sankaracarya was very eager to establish the philosophy of monism. Therefore he explained Vedanta-sutra, or Vedanta philosophy, in a different way to support monistic philosophy.

 

                               TEXT 48

 

                                 TEXT

 

            'bhagavatta' manile 'advaita' na yaya sthapana

                  ataeva saba sastra karaye khandana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhagavatta--the Personality of Godhead; manile--if one accepts; advaita--monism or nondualism; na--not; yaya--is possible; sthapana--establishing; ataeva--therefore; saba--all; sastra--revealed scriptures; karaye--does; khandana--refutation.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "If one accepts the Personality of Godhead, the philosophy that maintains that God and the living entity are one cannot be established. Therefore Sankaracarya argued against and refuted all kinds of revealed scriptures.

 

                               TEXT 49

 

                                 TEXT

 

               yei grantha-karta cahe sva-mata sthapite

                sastrera sahaja artha nahe tanha haite

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yei--anyone who; grantha-karta--author; cahe--wants; sva-mata sthapite--to establish his own opinion; sastrera--of the revealed scriptures; sahaja--the direct; artha--meaning; nahe--is not; tanha haite--from such an author.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Anyone who wants to establish his own opinion or philosophy certainly cannot explain any scripture according to the principle of direct interpretation.

 

                               TEXT 50

 

                                 TEXT

 

            'mimamsaka' kahe,--'isvara haya karmera anga'

          'sankhya' kahe,--jagatera prakrti karana-prasanga'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   mimamsaka--the Mimamsaka philosophers; kahe--say; isvara--the Supreme Lord; haya--is; karmera anga--subject to fruitive activities; sankhya kahe--the atheistic Sankhya philosophers say; jagatera--of the cosmic manifestation; prakrti--nature; karana--the cause; prasanga--thesis.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "The Mimamsaka philosophers conclude that if there is a God, He is subjected to our fruitive activities. Similarly, the Sankhya philosophers who analyze the cosmic manifestation say that the cause of the cosmos is material nature.

 

                               TEXT 51

 

                                 TEXT

 

              'nyaya' kahe,--'paramanu haite visva haya'

               'mayavadi' nirvisesa-brahme 'hetu' kaya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nyaya kahe--the philosophers following logic say; paramanu--the atom; haite--from; visva haya--the cosmic manifestation has come; mayavadi--the Mayavadi philosophers, impersonalists; nirvisesa-brahme--in the impersonal Brahman effulgence; hetu--the cause; kaya--say.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "The followers of nyaya, the philosophy of logic, maintain that the atom is the cause of the cosmic manifestation, and the Mayavadi philosophers maintain that the impersonal Brahman effulgence is the cause of the cosmic manifestation.

 

                               TEXT 52

 

                                 TEXT

 

            'patanjala' kahe,--'isvara haya svarupa-jnana'

                veda-mate kahe tanre 'svayam-bhagavan'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   patanjala kahe--the Patanjala philosophers say; isvara haya--the Supreme Lord is; svarupa-jnana--self-realization; veda-mate--in the Vedic version; kahe--they say; tanre--to Him; svayam-bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "The Patanjala philosophers say that when one is self-realized, he understands the Lord. Similarly, according to the Vedas and Vedic principles, the original cause is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

 

                               TEXT 53

 

                                 TEXT

 

               chayera chaya mata vyasa kaila avartana

                sei saba sutra lana 'vedanta'-varnana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   chayera--of the six philosophers; chaya mata--six different theses; vyasa--Vyasadeva; kaila avartana--analyzed fully; sei--that; saba--all; sutra--the codes; lana--taking; vedanta-varnana--explaining the Vedanta philosophy.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "After studying the six philosophical theses, Vyasadeva completely summarized them all in the codes of Vedanta philosophy.

 

                               TEXT 54

 

                                 TEXT

 

              'vedanta'-mate,--brahma 'sakara' nirupana

             'nirguna' vyatireke tinho haya ta' 'saguna'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   vedanta-mate--according to Vedanta philosophy; brahma--the Absolute Truth; sa-akara nirupana--established as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, a person; nirguna--without material qualifications; vyatireke--by indirect explanations; tinho--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; haya--is; ta'--indeed; sa-guna--fully qualified with spiritual attributes.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "According to Vedanta philosophy, the Absolute Truth is a person. When the word nirguna [without qualities] is used, it is to be understood that the Lord has attributes that are totally spiritual.

 

                               TEXT 55

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 parama karana isvara keha nahi mane

               sva-sva-mata sthape para-matera khandane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   parama karana--the supreme cause, the cause of all causes; isvara--the Supreme Lord; keha nahi mane--none of the above-mentioned philosophers accept; sva-sva-mata--their own personal opinions; sthape--they establish; para-matera khandane--busy in refuting the opinions of others.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Of the philosophers mentioned, none really cares for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes. They are always busy refuting the philosophical theories of others and establishing their own.

 

                               TEXT 56

 

                                 TEXT

 

             tate chaya darsana haite 'tattva' nahi jani

                'mahajana' yei kahe, sei 'satya' mani

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tate--therefore; chaya darsana haite--from the six philosophical principles; tat-tva nahi jani--we cannot understand the actual truth; mahajana--the great authorities; yei kahe--whatever they say; sei--that; satya mani--we can accept as truth.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "By studying the six philosophical theories, one cannot reach the Absolute Truth. It is therefore our duty to follow the path of the mahajanas, the authorities. Whatever they say should be accepted as the supreme truth.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   In his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura gives the following summary of the six philosophical processes. Prakasananda admitted that Sripad Sankaracarya, being very eager to establish his philosophy of monism, took shelter of the Vedanta philosophy and tried to explain it in his own way. The fact is, however, that if one accepts the existence of God, he certainly cannot establish the theory of monism. For this reason Sankaracarya refuted all kinds of Vedic literature that establishes the supremacy of the Personality of Godhead. In various ways, Sankaracarya has tried to refute Vedic literature. Throughout the world, ninety-nine percent of the philosophers following in the footsteps of Sankaracarya refuse to accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Instead they try to establish their own opinions. It is typical of mundane philosophers to want to establish their own opinions and refute those of others. Therefore: (1) The Mimamsaka philosophers, following the principles of Jaimini, stress fruitive activity and say that if there is a God, He must be under the laws of fruitive activity. In other words, if one performs his duties very nicely in the material world, God is obliged to give one the desired result. According to these philosophers, there is no need to become a devotee of God. If one strictly follows moral principles, one will be recognized by the Lord, who will give the desired reward. Such philosophers do not accept the Vedic principle of bhakti-yoga. Instead, they give stress to following one's prescribed duty. (2) Atheistic Sankhya philosophers like Kapila analyze the material elements very scrutinizingly and thereby come to the conclusion that material nature is the cause of everything. They do not accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the cause of all causes. (3) Nyaya philosophers like Gautama and Kanada have accepted a combination of atoms as the original cause of the creation. (4) Mayavadi philosophers say that everything is an illusion. Headed by philosophers like Astavakra, they stress the impersonal Brahman effulgence as the cause of everything. (5) Philosophers following the precepts of Patanjali practice raja-yoga. They imagine a form of the Absolute Truth within many forms. That is their process of self-realization.

   All five of these philosophies completely reject the predominance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and strive to establish their own philosophical theories. However, Srila Vyasadeva wrote the Vedanta-sutra and, taking the essence of all Vedic literature, established the supremacy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All five of the philosophers mentioned above understand that impersonal Brahman is without material qualities, and they believe that when the Personality of Godhead appears, He is contaminated and covered by the material qualities. The technical term used is saguna. They say, "saguna Brahman" and "nirguna Brahman." Nirguna Brahman means impersonal, and saguna Brahman means "accepting material contamination." More or less, this kind of philosophical speculation is called Mayavada philosophy. The fact is, however, that the Absolute Truth has nothing to do with material qualities because He is transcendental. He is always complete with full spiritual qualities. The five philosophers mentioned above do not accept Lord Visnu as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but they are very busy refuting the philosophy of other schools. There are six kinds of philosophical processes in India. Because Vyasadeva is the Vedic authority, he is known as Vedavyasa. His philosophical explanation of the Vedanta-sutra is accepted by the devotees. As Krsna confirms in Bhagavad-gita (15.15):

 

                    sarvasya caham hrdi sannivisto

                   mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca

                   vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyo

                    vedanta-krd veda-vid eva caham

 

   "I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas, I am to be known; indeed, I am the compiler of Vedanta, and I am the knower of the Vedas."

   The ultimate goal of studying all Vedic literature is the acceptance of Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This Krsna consciousness movement is propagating the philosophical conclusion of Srila Vyasadeva and following other great acaryas like Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Visnusvami, Nimbarka and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself.

 

                               TEXT 57

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  tarko 'pratisthah srutayo vibhinna

                  nasav rsir yasya matam na bhinnam

                  dharmasya tattvam nihitam guhayam

                    mahajano yena gatah sa panthah

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tarkah--dry argument; apratisthah--not fixed; srutayah--Vedas; vibhinnah--possessing different departments; na--not; asau--that; rsih--great sage; yasya--whose; matam--opinion; na--not; bhinnam--separate; dharmasya--of religious principles; tattvam--truth; nihitam--placed; guhayam--in the heart of a realized person; maha-janah--self-realized predecessors; yena--by which way; gatah--acted; sah--that; panthah--the pure, unadulterated path.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Dry arguments are inconclusive. A great personality whose opinion does not differ from others is not considered a great sage. Simply by studying the Vedas, which are variegated, one cannot come to the right path by which religious principles are understood. The solid truth of religious principles is hidden in the heart of an unadulterated self-realized person. Consequently, as the sastras confirm, one should accept whatever progressive path the mahajanas advocate.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a verse spoken by Yudhisthira Maharaja in the Mahabharata, Vana-parva (313.117).

 

                               TEXT 58

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sri-krsna-caitanya-vani--amrtera dhara

              tinho ye kahaye vastu, sei 'tattva'--sara"

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sri-krsna-caitanya-vani--the message of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; amrtera dhara--a continuous shower of nectar; tinho--the Lord; ye kahaye vastu--whatever He says to be the ultimate truth, the summum bonum; sei tattva sara--that is the essence of all spiritual knowledge.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "The words of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are a shower of nectar. Whatever He concludes to be the ultimate truth is indeed the summum bonum of all spiritual knowledge."

 

                               TEXT 59

 

                                 TEXT

 

             e saba vrttanta suni' maharastriya brahmana

                 prabhure kahite sukhe karila gamana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   e saba vrttanta--all these descriptions; suni'--hearing; maharastriya brahmana--the Maharastrian brahmana; prabhure--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kahite--to inform; sukhe--very happily; karila gamana--went.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After hearing all these statements, the Maharastrian brahmana very jubilantly went to inform Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                               TEXT 60

 

                                 TEXT

 

             hena-kale mahaprabhu panca-nade snana kari'

               dekhite caliyachena 'bindu-madhava hari'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   hena-kale--at this time; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; panca-nade snana kari'--taking His bath in the Ganges, called the Panca-nada; dekhite caliyachena--was going to see; bindu-madhava hari--the Deity known as Lord Bindu Madhava.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When the Maharastrian brahmana went to see Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Lord was going to the temple of Bindu Madhava after bathing in the waters of Panca-nada.

 

                               TEXT 61

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 pathe sei vipra saba vrttanta kahila

                  suni' mahaprabhu sukhe isat hasila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   pathe--on the way; sei vipra--that brahmana; saba vrttanta kahila--explained the whole incident; suni'--hearing; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sukhe--in happiness; isat--mildly; hasila--smiled.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   While the Lord was on His way, the Maharastrian brahmana informed Him about the incident that took place in the camp of Prakasananda Sarasvati. Hearing this, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu smiled happily.

 

                               TEXT 62

 

                                 TEXT

 

                madhava-saundarya dekhi' avista ha-ila

                  anganete asi' preme nacite lagila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   madhava-saundarya dekhi'--after seeing the beauty of Lord Bindu Madhava; avista ha-ila--became ecstatic in love; anganete asi'--coming to the courtyard; preme--in great love; nacite lagila--began to dance.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Upon reaching the temple of Bindu Madhava, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, seeing the beauty of Lord Bindu Madhava, became overwhelmed in ecstatic love. He then began to dance in the courtyard of the temple.

 

                               TEXT 63

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sekhara, paramananda, tapana, sanatana

                 cari-jana mili' kare nama-sankirtana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sekhara--Candrasekhara; paramananda--Paramananda Puri; tapana--Tapana Misra; sanatana--Sanatana Gosvami; cari-jana mili'--all four of them; kare--perform; nama-sankirtana--chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   There were four people accompanying Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and these were Candrasekhara, Paramananda Puri, Tapana Misra and Sanatana Gosvami. They were all chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra in the following way.

 

                               TEXT 64

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  "haraye namah krsna yadavaya namah

                 gopala govinda rama sri-madhusudana"

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   haraye--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; namah--obeisances; krsna--Lord Krsna; yadavaya--to the descendant of the Yadu family; namah--obeisances; gopala--Gopala; govinda--Govinda; rama--Rama; sri-madhusudana--Sri Madhusudana.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   They chanted, "Haraye namah krsna yadavaya namah gopala govinda rama sri-madhusudana."

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is another way of chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. The meaning is: "I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. He is the descendant of the Yadu family. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Gopala, Govinda, Rama and Sri Madhusudana."

 

                               TEXT 65

 

                                 TEXT

 

               caudikete laksa loka bale 'hari' 'hari'

              uthila mangala-dhvani svarga-martya bhari'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   cau-dikete--all around; laksa--hundreds of thousands; loka--people; bale--chant; hari hari--O Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari; uthila--there arose; mangala-dhvani--an auspicious sound; svarga-martya bhari'--overwhelming all the universe.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   In all directions, hundreds and thousands of people began to chant "Hari! Hari!" Thus there arose a tumultuous and auspicious sound filling the entire universe.

 

                               TEXT 66

 

                                 TEXT

 

                nikate hari-dhvani suni' parakasananda

                dekhite kautuke aila lana sisya-vrnda

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nikate--nearby; hari-dhvani suni'--after hearing the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra; parakasananda--Prakasananda Sarasvati; dekhite--to see; kautuke--in great eagerness; aila--came; lana--taking; sisya-vrnda--all the disciples.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When Prakasananda Sarasvati, who was staying nearby, heard this tumultuous chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, he and his disciples immediately came to see the Lord.

 

                               TEXT 67

 

                                 TEXT

 

            dekhiya prabhura nrtya, prema, dehera madhuri

               sisya-gana-sange sei bale 'hari' 'hari'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   dekhiya--seeing; prabhura nrtya--the dancing of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prema--ecstatic love; dehera madhuri--the transcendental beauty of His body; sisya-gana-sange--with his disciples; sei--Prakasananda Sarasvati; bale--chants; hari hari--Lord Hari's name.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When Prakasananda Sarasvati saw the Lord, he and his disciples also joined the chanting with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Prakasananda Sarasvati was charmed by the Lord's dancing and ecstatic love and by the transcendental beauty of His body.

 

                               TEXT 68

 

                                 TEXT

 

            kampa, svara-bhanga, sveda, vaivarnya, stambha

               asru-dharaya bhije loka, pulaka-kadamba

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kampa--trembling; svara-bhanga--faltering voice; sveda--perspiration; vaivarnya--fading of bodily color; stambha--becoming stunned; asru-dharaya--with showers of tears from the eyes; bhije--wet; loka--all the people; pulaka-kadamba--eruptions on the body like kadamba flowers.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Ecstatic spiritual transformations began to take place in the Lord's body. His body trembled, and His voice faltered. He perspired, turned pale and wept a constant flow of tears, which wet all the people standing there. The eruptions on the Lord's body appeared like kadamba flowers.

 

                               TEXT 69

 

                                 TEXT

 

              harsa, dainya, capalyadi 'sancari' vikara

               dekhi' kasi-vasi lokera haila camatkara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   harsa--jubilation; dainya--humility; capalya-adi--talking in ecstasy and so on; sancari vikara--the transient transformations; dekhi'--seeing; kasi-vasi--the inhabitants of Benares; lokera--of all the people; haila camatkara--there was astonishment.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   All the people were astonished to see the Lord's jubilation and humility and to hear Him talk in ecstasy. Indeed, all the residents of Benares [Kasi] saw the bodily transformations and were astonished.

 

                               TEXT 70

 

                                 TEXT

 

          loka-sanghatta dekhi' prabhura 'bahya' yabe haila

                sannyasira gana dekhi' nrtya samvarila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   loka-sanghatta dekhi'--by seeing the great crowd of people; prabhura--of Lord Caitanya; bahya--external consciousness; yabe haila--when there was; sannyasira gana--the groups of Mayavadi sannyasis, headed by Prakasananda Sarasvati; dekhi'--seeing; nrtya samvarila--suspended His dancing.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu regained His external consciousness, He saw that many Mayavadi sannyasis and other people were gathered there. He therefore suspended His dancing for the time being.

 

                               TEXT 71

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 prakasanandera prabhu vandila carana

                prakasananda asi' tanra dharila carana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prakasanandera--of Prakasananda Sarasvati; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vandila--prayed; carana--at the feet; prakasananda--Prakasananda Sarasvati; asi'--coming; tanra--His; dharila carana--immediately caught the lotus feet.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After stopping the kirtana, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is a great example of humility, offered prayers unto the feet of Prakasananda Sarasvati. At this, Prakasananda Sarasvati immediately came forward and clasped the Lord's lotus feet.

 

                               TEXT 72

 

                                 TEXT

 

               prabhu kahe,--'tumi jagad-guru pujyatama

               ami tomara na ha-i 'sisyera sisya' sama

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu kahe--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued to speak; tumi--you; jagat-guru--the spiritual master of the whole world; pujya-tama--the most worshipable; ami--I; tomara--your; na ha-i--am not; sisyera sisya sama--equal to the disciple of the disciple.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When Prakasananda Sarasvati caught hold of the Lord's lotus feet, the Lord said, "My dear sir, you are the spiritual master of the whole world; therefore you are most worshipable. As far as I am concerned, I am not even on the level of the disciple of your disciple."

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Mayavadi sannyasis generally call themselves jagad-guru, the spiritual master of the whole world. Many consider themselves worshipable by everyone, although they do not even go outside India or their own district. Out of His great magnanimity and humility, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu presented Himself as a subordinate disciple of Prakasananda Sarasvati.

 

                               TEXT 73

 

                                 TEXT

 

                srestha hana kene kara hinera vandana

               amara sarva-nasa haya, tumi brahma-sama

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   srestha hana--being a more honorable person; kene--why; kara--you do; hinera--of an inferior person; vandana--worship; amara sarva-nasa haya--I become minimized in My strength; tumi brahma-sama--you are equal with the impersonal Brahman.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "You are a great, spiritually advanced personality, and therefore you cannot worship a person like Me. I am far inferior. If you do so, My spiritual power will be diminished, for you are as good as the impersonal Brahman.

 

                               TEXT 74

 

                                 TEXT

 

                yadyapi tomare saba brahma-sama bhase

                loka-siksa lagi' aiche karite na aise'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yadyapi--although; tomare--for you; saba--everyone; brahma-sama--equal to the impersonal Brahman; bhase--appears; loka-siksa lagi'--for the enlightenment of people in general; aiche--in such a way; karite na aise--you should not present yourself.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "My dear sir, for you everyone is on the level of impersonal Brahman, but for the enlightenment of people in general you should not behave in that way."

 

                               TEXT 75

 

                                 TEXT

 

          tenho kahe, 'tomara purve ninda-aparadha ye karila

                tomara carana-sparse, saba ksaya gela

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tenho kahe--he replied; tomara--of You; purve--formerly; ninda-aparadha--offenses and blasphemy; ye karila--whatever I have done; tomara carana-sparse--by touching Your lotus feet; saba ksaya gela--the effects of all those offenses have been destroyed.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Prakasananda Sarasvati replied, "Formerly I have committed many offenses against You by blaspheming You, but now the effects of my offenses are counteracted by my touching Your lotus feet.

 

                               TEXT 76

 

                                 TEXT

 

                        jivan-mukta api punar

                        yanti samsara-vasanam

                       yady acintya-maha-saktau

                        bhagavaty aparadhinah

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   jivat-muktah--persons liberated during this life; api--also; punah--again; yanti--go; samsara-vasanam--to desire material enjoyment; yadi--if; acintya-maha-saktau--to the possessor of inconceivable spiritual potency; bhagavati--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; aparadhinah--offenders.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'If a person considered liberated in this life commits offenses against the reservoir of inconceivable potencies, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he will again fall down and desire the material atmosphere for material enjoyment.'

 

                               TEXT 77

 

                                 TEXT

 

                      sa vai bhagavatah srimat-

                        pada-sparsa-hatasubhah

                       bheje sarpa-vapur hitva

                        rupam vidyadhararcitam

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sah--he (the serpent); vai--indeed; bhagavatah--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna; srimat-pada-sparsa--by the touch of the lotus feet; hata-asubhah--relieved from all reactions of sinful life; bheje--achieved; sarpa-vapuh--the body of a snake; hitva--giving up; rupam--beauty; vidyadhara-arcitam--suitable for a person of Vidyadhara-loka.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Being touched by the lotus feet of Sri Krsna, that serpent was immediately freed from the reactions of his sinful life. Thus the serpent gave up his body and assumed the body of a beautiful Vidyadhara demigod.' »

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.34.9). The inhabitants of Vrndavana, under the leadership of Nanda Maharaja, once wanted to go to the bank of the Sarasvati on a pilgrimage. Nanda Maharaja was fasting, and he lay down near the forest. At that time a serpent, who was formerly cursed by Angirasa Rsi, appeared. This serpent had formerly been named Sudarsana, and he had belonged to the Gandharvaloka planet. However, because he joked with the rsi, he was condemned to take on the body of a big snake. When this serpent attacked Nanda Maharaja, Nanda Maharaja began to call, "Krsna! Help!" Krsna immediately appeared and began to kick the serpent with His lotus feet. Due to being touched by the Lord's lotus feet, the serpent was immediately freed from the reactions of his sinful life. Being freed, he again assumed his original form of Sudarsana, the Gandharva.

 

                               TEXT 78

 

                                 TEXT

 

         prabhu kahe,--'visnu' 'visnu', ami ksudra jiva hina

                 jive 'visnu' mani--ei aparadha-cihna

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu kahe--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; visnu visnu--the holy name of Visnu; ami--I; ksudra--infinitesimal; jiva--a living entity; hina--bereft of all good qualities; jive--such a low-grade living entity; visnu mani--accepting as Lord Visnu or the Personality of Godhead; ei aparadha-cihna--this is a great offense.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When Prakasananda Sarasvati supported himself by quoting the verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately protested by uttering the holy name of Lord Visnu. The Lord then presented Himself as a most fallen living entity, and He said, "If someone accepts a fallen conditioned soul as Visnu, Bhagavan, or an incarnation, he commits a great offense."

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Although Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He nonetheless, to teach us a lesson, denied belonging to the Visnu category. Unfortunately, there are many so-called Visnu incarnations in this Age of Kali. People do not know that posing oneself as an incarnation is most offensive. People should not accept an ordinary man as an incarnation of God, for this also is a very great offense.

 

                               TEXT 79

 

                                 TEXT

 

           jive 'visnu' buddhi dure--yei brahma-rudra-sama

                narayane mane tare 'pasandite' ganana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   jive--an ordinary living being; visnu--as Lord Visnu; buddhi--acceptance; dure--let alone; yei--anyone who; brahma-rudra-sama--equal to personalities like Lord Brahma and Lord Siva; narayane--Lord Narayana, Visnu; mane--accepts; tare--such a person; pasandite ganana--is grouped among the pasandis, atheistic offenders.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "To say nothing of ordinary living entities, even Lord Brahma and Lord Siva cannot be considered on the level of Visnu or Narayana. If one considers them as such, he is immediately considered an offender and atheist.

 

                               TEXT 80

 

                                 TEXT

 

                        yas tu narayanam devam

                       brahma-rudradi-daivataih

                         samatvenaiva vikseta

                      sa pasandi bhaved dhruvam"

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yah--any person who; tu--however; narayanam--the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of such demigods as Brahma and Siva; devam--the Lord; brahma--Lord Brahma; rudra--Lord Siva; adi--and others; daivataih--with such demigods; samatvena--on an equal level; eva--certainly; vikseta--observes; sah--such a person; pasandi--pasandi; bhavet--must be; dhruvam--certainly.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'A person who considers demigods like Brahma and Siva to be on an equal level with Narayana is to be considered an offender, a pasandi.' "

 

                               TEXT 81

 

                                 TEXT

 

              prakasananda kahe,--"tumi saksat bhagavan

                 tabu yadi kara tanra 'dasa'-abhimana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prakasananda kahe--Prakasananda Sarasvati replied; tumi--You; saksat--directly; bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna; tabu--yet; yadi--if; kara--You pose; tanra dasa-abhimana--considering Yourself His servant.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Prakasananda replied, "You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna Himself. Nonetheless, You are considering Yourself His eternal servant.

 

                               TEXT 82

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 tabu pujya hao, tumi bada ama haite

                 sarva-nasa haya mora tomara nindate

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabu--still; pujya hao--You are worshipable; tumi bada--You are much greater; ama haite--than me; sarva-nasa haya--everything becomes lost; mora--my; tomara nindate--by blaspheming You.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "My dear Lord, You are the Supreme Lord, and although You consider Yourself the Lord's servant, You are nonetheless worshipable. You are much greater than I am; therefore all my spiritual achievements have been lost because I have blasphemed You.

 

                               TEXT 83

 

                                 TEXT

 

                        muktanam api siddhanam

                          narayana-parayanah

                       sudurlabhah prasantatma

                         kotisv api maha-mune

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   muktanam--of persons liberated or freed from the bondage of ignorance; api--even; siddhanam--of persons who have achieved perfection; narayana--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; parayanah--the devotee; su-durlabhah--very rare; prasanta-atma--completely satisfied, desireless; kotisu--among many millions; api--certainly; maha-mune--O great sage.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'O great sage, out of many millions of materially liberated people who are free from ignorance, and out of many millions of siddhas who have nearly attained perfection, there is hardly one pure devotee of Narayana. Only such a devotee is actually completely satisfied and peaceful.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (6.14.5).

 

                               TEXT 84

 

                                 TEXT

 

                       ayuh sriyam yaso dharmam

                          lokan asisa eva ca

                        hanti sreyamsi sarvani

                        pumso mahad-atikramah

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ayuh--duration of life; sriyam--opulence; yasah--reputation; dharmam--religion; lokan--possessions; asisah--benedictions; eva--certainly; ca--and; hanti--destroys; sreyamsi--good fortune; sarvani--all; pumsah--of a person; mahat--of great souls; atikramah--violation.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'When a person mistreats great souls, his life span, opulence, reputation, religion, possessions and good fortune are all destroyed.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a statement made by Sukadeva Gosvami, who was relating Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.4.46) to Maharaja Pariksit.

 

                               TEXT 85

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  naisam matis tavad urukramanghrim

                   sprsaty anarthapagamo yad-arthah

                    mahiyasam pada-rajo-'bhisekam

                    niskincananam na vrnita yavat

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   na--not; esam--of those who are attached to household life; matih--the interest; tavat--that long; urukrama-anghrim--the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is credited with uncommon activities; sprsati--touches; anartha--of unwanted things; apagamah--vanquishing; yat--of which; arthah--results; mahiyasam--of the great personalities, devotees; pada-rajah--of the dust of the lotus feet; abhisekam--sprinkling on the head; niskincananam--who are completely detached from material possessions; na vrnita--does not do; yavat--as long as.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Unless human society accepts the dust of the lotus feet of great mahatmas-devotees who have nothing to do with material possessions-mankind cannot turn its attention to the lotus feet of Krsna. Those lotus feet vanquish all the unwanted miserable conditions of material life.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This verse appears in Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.5.32).

 

                               TEXT 86

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  ebe tomara padabje upajibe bhakti

               tathi lagi' kari tomara carane pranati"

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ebe--now; tomara--Your; pada-abje--to the lotus feet; upajibe--will grow; bhakti--devotional service; tathi lagi'--for that reason; kari--I do; tomara carane pranati--humble obeisances at Your lotus feet.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Henceforward I shall certainly develop devotional service unto Your lotus feet. For this reason I have come to You and have fallen down at Your lotus feet."

 

                               TEXT 87

 

                                 TEXT

 

                eta bali' prabhure lana tathaya vasila

                 prabhure prakasananda puchite lagila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eta bali'--saying this; prabhure--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; lana--taking; tathaya vasila--sat down there; prabhure--unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prakasananda--Prakasananda Sarasvati; puchite lagila--began to inquire.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After saying this, Prakasananda Sarasvati sat down with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and began to question the Lord as follows.

 

                               TEXT 88

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 mayavade karila yata dosera akhyana

               sabe ei jani' acaryera kalpita vyakhyana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   mayavade--in the philosophy of Mayavada, impersonalism; karila--You have done; yata--all; dosera akhyana--description of the faults; sabe--all; ei--these; jani'--knowing; acaryera--of Sankaracarya; kalpita vyakhyana--imaginary explanations.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Prakasananda Sarasvati said, "We can understand the faults You have pointed out in the Mayavada philosophy. All the explanations given by Sankaracarya are imaginary.

 

                               TEXT 89

 

                                 TEXT

 

               sutrera karila tumi mukhyartha-vivarana

                taha suni' sabara haila camatkara mana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sutrera--of the Brahma-sutra; karila--have done; tumi--You; mukhya-artha-vivarana--description of the direct meaning; taha suni'--hearing that; sabara--of everyone; haila--became; camatkara--astonished; mana--the mind.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "My dear Lord, whatever direct meaning You have given when explaining the Brahma-sutra is certainly very wonderful to all of us.

 

                               TEXT 90

 

                                 TEXT

 

               tumi ta' isvara, tomara ache sarva-sakti

               sanksepa-rupe kaha tumi sunite haya mati

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tumi ta'--indeed You are; isvara--the Supreme Lord; tomara--of You; ache--there are; sarva-sakti--all potencies; sanksepa-rupe--briefly; kaha--please explain; tumi--You; sunite haya mati--I wish to hear.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore You have inconceivable energies. I wish to hear from You briefly about the Brahma-sutra."

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Prakasananda Sarasvati said that he had already understood Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's explanation of the direct import of Brahma-sutra. Nonetheless, he was requesting the Lord to briefly give the purpose and purport of the Brahma-sutra, the Vedanta-sutra.

 

                               TEXT 91

 

                                 TEXT

 

             prabhu kahe,--"ami jiva', ati tuccha-jnana!

            vyasa-sutrera gambhira artha, vyasa--bhagavan

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu kahe--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied; ami jiva--I am an insignificant living being; ati tuccha-jnana--My knowledge is very meager; vyasa-sutrera--of the Vedanta-sutra, written by Vyasadeva; gambhira artha--very grave meaning; vyasa--Vyasadeva; bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "I am an ordinary living being, and therefore my knowledge is very insignificant. However, the meaning of the Brahma-sutra is very grave because its author, Vyasadeva, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   An ordinary living being cannot actually understand the purpose of the Vedanta-sutra. One can understand the purpose if he hears it from the authority, Vyasadeva himself. For this reason, Vyasadeva gave a commentary on the Brahma-sutra in the form of Srimad-Bhagavatam. He had been instructed to do this by his spiritual master, Narada. Of course, Sankaracarya distorted the purpose of the Brahma-sutra because he had a motive to serve. He wanted to establish Vedic knowledge in place of the atheistic knowledge spread by Lord Buddha. All these necessities are there according to time and circumstances. Neither Lord Buddha nor Sankaracarya is to be blamed. The time required such an explanation for the understanding of various types of atheists. The conclusion is that one cannot understand the purpose of the Vedanta-sutra without going through Srimad-Bhagavatam and rendering devotional service. Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore further explains the matter in the following verses.

 

                               TEXT 92

 

                                 TEXT

 

               tanra sutrera artha kona jiva nahi jane

              ataeva apane sutrartha kariyache vyakhyane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tanra sutrera artha--the meaning of Vyasadeva's Vedanta-sutra; kona--any; jiva--living being; nahi jane--does not know; ataeva--therefore; apane--personally; sutra-artha--the meanings of the sutras; kariyache vyakhyane--has described.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "The purpose of the Vedanta-sutra is very difficult for an ordinary person to understand, but Vyasadeva, out of his causeless mercy, has personally explained the meaning.

 

                               TEXT 93

 

                                 TEXT

 

              yei sutra-karta, se yadi karaye vyakhyana

              tabe sutrera mula artha lokera haya jnana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yei sutra-karta--the person who has made the Vedanta-sutra; se--that person; yadi--if; karaye vyakhyana--explains the meaning; tabe--then; sutrera--of the codes of Vedanta-sutra; mula--the original; artha--meaning; lokera--of the people in general; haya jnana--comes within knowledge.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "If the Vedanta-sutra is explained by Vyasadeva himself, who has written it, its original meaning can be understood by the people in general.

 

                               TEXT 94

 

                                 TEXT

 

               pranavera yei artha, gayatrite sei haya

                sei artha catuh-slokite vivariya kaya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   pranavera--of the sound vibration, omkara; yei--whatever; artha--meaning; gayatrite--in the Gayatri mantra; sei--that; haya--there is; sei artha--that same meaning; catuh-slokite--in Srimad-Bhagavatam summarized in four slokas; vivariya--describing elaborately; kaya--has said.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "The meaning of the sound vibration omkara is present in the Gayatri mantra. The same is elaborately explained in the four slokas of Srimad Bhagavatam known as catuh-sloki.

 

                               TEXT 95

 

                                 TEXT

 

                brahmare isvara catuh-sloki ye kahila

                   brahma narade sei upadesa kaila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   brahmare--to Lord Brahma; isvara--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; catuh-sloki--the four famous verses known as catuh-sloki; ye kahila--whatever was explained; brahma--Lord Brahma; narade--to Narada Muni; sei--that; upadesa kaila--instructed.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Whatever was spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead to Lord Brahma in the four verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam, was also explained to Narada by Lord Brahma.

 

                               TEXT 96

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   narada sei artha vyasere kahila

                 suni' veda-vyasa mane vicara karila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   narada--the great sage Narada; sei artha--the same purpose; vyasere kahila--explained to Vyasadeva; suni'--hearing; veda-vyasa--Vyasadeva; mane--within the mind; vicara karila--considered very carefully.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Whatever Lord Brahma told Narada Muni was again explained by Narada Muni to Vyasadeva. Vyasadeva later considered these instructions in his mind.

 

                               TEXT 97

 

                                 TEXT

 

                "ei artha--amara sutrera vyakhyanurupa

              'bhagavata' kariba sutrera bhasya-svarupa"

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei artha--this explanation; amara--my; sutrera--of Brahma-sutra; vyakhya--anurupa--a suitable explanation; bhagavata--Srimad-Bhagavata Purana; kariba--I shall make; sutrera--of the Brahma-sutra; bhasya-svarupa--as the original commentary.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Srila Vyasadeva considered that whatever he had received from Narada Muni as an explanation of omkara he would elaborately explain in his book Srimad-Bhagavatam as a commentary on Brahma-sutra.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   The sound vibration omkara is the root of Vedic knowledge. This omkara is known as maha-vakya, or the supreme sound. Whatever meaning is in the supreme sound omkara is further understood in the Gayatri mantra. Again, this same meaning is explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam in the four slokas known as catuh-sloki, which begin with the words aham evasam evagre. The Lord says, "Only I existed before the creation." From this verse, four slokas have been composed, and these are known as the catuh-sloki. In this way the Supreme Personality of Godhead informed Lord Brahma about the purpose of the catuh-sloki. Again, Lord Brahma explained this to Narada Muni, and Narada Muni explained it to Srila Vyasadeva. This is the parampara system, the disciplic succession. The import of Vedic knowledge, the original word pranava, has been explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam. The conclusion is that the Brahma-sutra is explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam.

 

                               TEXT 98

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 cari-veda-upanisade yata kichu haya

                 tara artha lana vyasa karila sancaya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   cari-veda--the four divisions of the Vedas (Sama, Yajur, Rg and Atharva); upanisade--and in 108 Upanisads; yata--whatever; kichu haya--is there; tara artha--the meanings of those Vedic literatures; lana--taking together; vyasa--Vyasadeva; karila sancaya--collected.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Vyasadeva collected whatever Vedic conclusions were in the four Vedas and 108 Upanisads and placed them in the codes of the Vedanta-sutra.

 

                               TEXT 99

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   yei sutre yei rk--visaya-vacana

                  bhagavate sei rk sloke nibandhana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yei sutre--in the codes of Vedanta-sutra; yei--whatever; rk--Vedic mantra; visaya-vacana--subject matter to be explained; bhagavate--in Srimad-Bhagavatam; sei rk--that same Vedic mantra; sloke--in eighteen thousand verses; nibandhana--compiling.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "In Vedanta-sutra, the purpose of all Vedic knowledge is explained, and in Srimad-Bhagavatam the same purpose has been explained in eighteen thousand verses.

 

                               TEXT 100

 

                                 TEXT

 

             ataeva brahma-sutrera bhasya--sri-bhagavata

              bhagavata-sloka, upanisat kahe 'eka' mata

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ataeva--therefore; brahma-sutrera bhasya--the commentary on the Brahma-sutra codes; sri-bhagavata--Srimad-Bhagavatam; bhagavata-sloka--the verses in Srimad-Bhagavatam; upanisat--the explanations in the Upanisads; kahe--state; eka mata--the same version.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "That which is explained in the verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam and in the Upanisads serves the same purpose.

 

                               TEXT 101

 

                                 TEXT

 

                        atmavasyam idam visvam

                      yat kincij jagatyam jagat

                       tena tyaktena bhunjitha

                      ma grdhah kasyasvid dhanam

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   atma-avasyam--the expansion of the energy of the Supreme Soul, the Personality of Godhead; idam--this; visvam--universe; yat--whatever; kincit--something; jagatyam--within the universe; jagat--all that is animate or inanimate; tena--by Him; tyaktena--by things allotted to every person; bhunjitha--you should accept for your maintenance; ma--never; grdhah--encroach; kasyasvit--someone else's; dhanam--property.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things for himself that are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (8.1.10). Communists and socialists are trying to propagate the philosophy that everything belongs to the mass of people or to the state. Such an idea is not perfect. When this idea is expanded, we can see that everything belongs to God. That will be the perfection of the communistic idea. The purpose of Srimad-Bhagavatam is here very nicely explained. Every one of us must be satisfied with those things the Supreme Personality of Godhead has allotted us. We should not encroach upon the possessions of others. This simple idea can be expanded in our daily lives. Everyone should have a piece of land given by the government, and everyone should possess a few cows. Both of these should be utilized for one's daily bread. Above that, if something is manufactured in a factory, it should be considered the property of the Supreme Personality of Godhead because the ingredients belong to the Supreme Lord. Actually, there is no need to manufacture such things artificially, but if it is done, one should consider that the goods produced belong to the Supreme Lord. Spiritual communism recognizes the supreme proprietorship of the Supreme Lord. As explained in Bhagavad-gita (5.29):

 

                       bhoktaram yajna-tapasam

                        sarva-loka-mahesvaram

                        suhrdam sarva-bhutanam

                      jnatva mam santim rcchati

 

   "The sages, knowing Me as the ultimate purpose of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attain peace from the pangs of material miseries."

   It is further explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam that no one should claim anything as his property. Whatever property one claims to be his actually belongs to Krsna.

   One should be satisfied with whatever has been allotted by the Supreme Lord and should not encroach upon the property of others. This will lead to peace in the whole world.

 

                               TEXT 102

 

                                 TEXT

 

             bhagavatera sambandha, abhidheya, prayojana

             catuh-slokite prakata tara kariyache laksana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhagavatera--of Srimad-Bhagavatam; sambandha--a personal relationship with God; abhidheya--activities in that relationship; prayojana--the ultimate goal of life; catuh-slokite--in the four famous verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam; prakata--manifesting; tara--of them; kariyache--has done; laksana--the symptoms.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "The essence of Srimad-Bhagavatam-our relationship with the Supreme Lord, our activities in that connection and the goal of life-is manifest in the four verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam known as the catuh-sloki. Everything is explained in those verses.

 

                               TEXT 103

 

                                 TEXT

 

            "ami--'sambandha'-tattva, amara jnana-vijnana

              ama paite sadhana-bhakti 'abhidheya'-nama

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ami--I; sambandha-tattva--the center of all relationships; amara--of Me; jnana--knowledge; vijnana--practical application of that knowledge; ama paite--to obtain Me; sadhana-bhakti--the practice of devotional service; abhidheya-nama--is called activities in that relationship.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Lord Krsna says, 'I am the center of all relationships. Knowledge of Me and the practical application of that knowledge is actual knowledge. Approaching Me for devotional service is called abhidheya.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Spiritual knowledge means fully understanding the Absolute Truth in three features-impersonal Brahman, localized Paramatma and the all-powerful Supreme Personality of Godhead. Ultimately when one takes shelter at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and engages in the Lord's service, the resultant knowledge is called vijnana, special knowledge, or the practical application of spiritual knowledge. One should be engaged in the Lord's devotional service to achieve the aim of life, called prayojana. The practice of devotional service to attain that goal of life is called abhidheya.

 

                               TEXT 104

 

                                 TEXT

 

               sadhanera phala--'prema' mula-prayojana

                  sei preme paya jiva amara 'sevana'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sadhanera phala--the result of devotional service; prema--love of Godhead; mula-prayojana--the chief goal; sei preme--by that love of Godhead; paya--gets; jiva--the living entity; amara--My; sevana--service.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'By rendering devotional service, one gradually rises to the platform of love of Godhead. That is the chief goal of life. On the platform of love of Godhead, one is eternally engaged in the service of the Lord.

 

                               TEXT 105

 

                                 TEXT

 

                       jnanam parama-guhyam me

                        yad vijnana-samanvitam

                       sa-rahasyam tad-angam ca

                         grhana gaditam maya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   jnanam--knowledge; parama--extremely; guhyam--confidential; me--of Me; yat--which; vijnana--realization; samanvitam--fully endowed with; sa-rahasyam--with mystery; tat--of that; angam--supplementary parts; ca--and; grhana--just try to take up; gaditam--explained; maya--by Me.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Please hear attentively what I shall speak to you, for transcendental knowledge about Me is not only scientific but full of mysteries.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.9.31).

 

                               TEXT 106

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  ei 'tina' tattva ami kahinu tomare

                 'jiva' tumi ei tina naribe janibare

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei tina tattva--all three of these features of the Absolute Truth; ami--I; kahinu--shall speak; tomare--unto you; jiva--a living being; tumi--you; ei tina--these three; naribe--will not be able; janibare--to understand.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'O Brahma, I shall explain all these truths to you. You are a living being, and without My explanation you will not be able to understand your relationship with Me, devotional activity and life's ultimate goal.

 

                               TEXT 107

 

                                 TEXT

 

            yaiche amara 'svarupa', yaiche amara 'sthiti'

             yaiche amara guna, karma, sad-aisvarya-sakti

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yaiche--as far as; amara--My; svarupa--original form; yaiche--as far as; amara--My; sthiti--situation; yaiche--as far as; amara--My; guna--attributes; karma--activities; sat-aisvarya-sakti--six kinds of opulence.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'I shall explain to you My actual form and situation, My attributes, activities and six opulences.'

 

                               TEXT 108

 

                                 TEXT

 

                amara krpaya ei saba sphuruka tomare"

                 eta bali' tina tattva kahila tanhare

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   amara--My; krpaya--by mercy; ei saba--all these; sphuruka tomare--let them be awakened in you; eta bali'--saying this; tina tattva--the three truths; kahila tanhare--explained to him.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Lord Krsna assured Lord Brahma, 'By My mercy all these things will be awakened in you.' Saying this, the Lord began to explain the three truths [tattvas] to Lord Brahma.

 

                               TEXT 109

 

                                 TEXT

 

                        yavan aham yatha-bhavo

                        yad-rupa-guna-karmakah

                       tathaiva tattva-vijnanam

                        astu te mad-anugrahat

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yavan--as I am in My eternal form; aham--I; yatha--in whichever manner; bhavah--transcendental existence; yat--whatever; rupa--various forms and colors; guna--qualities; karmakah--activities; tatha eva--exactly so; tattva-vijnanam--factual realization; astu--let there be; te--your; mat--My; anugrahat--by causeless mercy.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'By My causeless mercy, be enlightened in truth about My personality, manifestations, qualities and pastimes.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.9.32). For an explanation see Adi-lila, Chapter One, texts 51-52.

 

                               TEXT 110

 

                                 TEXT

 

           srstira purve sad-aisvarya-purna ami ta' ha-iye

             'prapanca', 'prakrti', 'purusa' amatei laye

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   srstira purve--before the creation of this cosmic manifestation; sat-aisvarya-purna--full of six opulences; ami--I; ta' ha-iye--indeed existed; prapanca--the total material energy; prakrti--material nature; purusa--the living entities; amatei laye--were all existing in Me.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Before the creation of the cosmic manifestation,' the Lord said, 'I existed, and the total material energy, material nature and the living entities all existed in Me.

 

                               TEXT 111

 

                                 TEXT

 

                srsti kari' tara madhye ami pravesiye

               prapanca ye dekha saba, seha ami ha-iye

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   srsti kari'--after creating; tara madhye--within the creation; ami pravesiye--I enter as Lord Visnu; prapanca--the cosmic manifestation; ye--whatever; dekha--you see; saba--all; seha--that; ami ha-iye--I am.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'After creating the cosmic manifestation, I entered into it. Whatever you see in the cosmic manifestation is but an expansion of My energy.

 

                               TEXT 112

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 pralaye avasista ami 'purna' ha-iye

                  prakrta prapanca paya amatei laye

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   pralaye--at the time of annihilation; avasista--what remains; ami--I; purna--full; ha-iye--am; prakrta prapanca--the material cosmic manifestation; paya--obtains; amatei--in Me; laye--dissolution.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'When the whole universe dissolves, I remain full in Myself, and everything that is manifested is again preserved in Me.

 

                               TEXT 113

 

                                 TEXT

 

                          aham evasam evagre

                      nanyad yat sad-asat-param

                       pascad aham yad etac ca

                      yo 'vasisyeta so 'smy aham

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   aham--I, the Personality of Godhead; eva--certainly; asam--existed; eva--only; agre--before the creation; na--never; anyat--anything else; yat--which; sat--the effect; asat--the cause; param--the supreme; pascat--after; aham--I, the Personality of Godhead; yat--which; etat--this creation; ca--also; yah--who; avasisyeta--remains; sah--that; asmi--am; aham--I, the Personality of Godhead.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Prior to the cosmic manifestation, only I exist, and no phenomena exist, either gross, subtle or primordial. After creation, only I exist in everything, and after annihilation, only I remain eternally.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.9.33). It is the first verse of the catuh-sloki. For an explanation see Adi-lila, Chapter One, text 53.

 

                               TEXT 114

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  "aham eva"-sloke 'aham'--tina-bara

              purnaisvarya sri-vigraha-sthitira nirdhara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   aham eva--I only; sloke--in this verse; aham--the word aham; tina-bara--three times; purna-aisvarya--full of all opulences; sri-vigraha--of the transcendental form of the Lord; sthitira--of the existence; nirdhara--confirmation.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'In the verse beginning "aham eva," the word "aham" is expressed three times. In the beginning there are the words "aham eva." In the second line there are the words "pascad aham." At the end are the words "so' smy aham." This "aham" indicates the Supreme Person. By the repetition of "aham," the transcendental personality who is complete with six opulences is confirmed.

 

                               TEXT 115

 

                                 TEXT

 

               ye 'vigraha' nahi mane, 'nirakara' mane

                 tare tiraskaribare karila nirdharane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ye--one who; vigraha--that Personality of Godhead; nahi mane--does not accept; nirakara mane--considers impersonal; tare--him; tiraskaribare--just to chastise; karila--has done; nirdharane--ascertainment.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Impersonalists do not accept the personal feature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Personality of Godhead is stressed in this verse in order to impress upon them the necessity of accepting Him. Therefore the word "aham" is mentioned three times. To stress something important, one repeats it three times.

 

                               TEXT 116

 

                                 TEXT

 

             ei saba sabde haya--'jnana'-'vijnana'-viveka

                maya-karya, maya haite ami--vyatireka

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei saba--all these; sabde--in the words; haya--there is; jnana--of real spiritual knowledge; vijnana--of the practical application of the knowledge; viveka--consideration; maya-karya--the activities of the external energy; maya haite--from the activities of the material energy; ami--I; vyatireka--distinct.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Actual spiritual knowledge and its practical application are considered in all these sound vibrations. Although the external energy comes from Me, I am different from it.

 

                               TEXT 117

 

                                 TEXT

 

                yaiche suryera sthane bhasaye 'abhasa'

              surya vina svatantra tara na haya prakasa

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yaiche--just as; suryera--of the sun; sthane--in place; bhasaye--appears; abhasa--the illumination; surya vina--without the sun; svatantra--independently; tara--of that; na haya--is not; prakasa--manifestation.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Sometimes a reflection of the sun is experienced in place of the sun, but its illumination is never possible independent of the sun.

 

                               TEXT 118

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 mayatita haile haya amara 'anubhava'

             ei 'sambandha'-tattva kahilun, suna ara saba

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   maya-atita haile--when one becomes transcendentally situated above this external energy; haya--there is; amara anubhava--perception of Me; ei sambandha-tattva kahilun--this has been explained as the principle of a relationship with Me; suna--please hear; ara saba--all the rest.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'When one is transcendentally situated, he can perceive Me. This perception is the basis of one's relationship with the Supreme Lord. Now let Me further explain this subject matter.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Real spiritual knowledge has to be received from revealed scriptures. After this knowledge is attained, one can begin to perceive his actual spiritual life. Any knowledge achieved by speculation is imperfect. One must receive knowledge from the parampara system and from the guru, otherwise one will be bewildered, and will ultimately become an impersonalist. When one very scrutinizingly deliberates, he can realize the personal feature of the Absolute Truth. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is always transcendental to this material creation. Narayanah paro 'vyaktat: Narayana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is always transcendental. He is not a creation of this material world. Without realizing spiritual knowledge, one cannot understand that the transcendental form of the Lord is always beyond the creative energy. The example of the sun and sunshine is given. The sunshine is not the sun, but still the sunshine is not separate from the sun. The philosophy of acintya-bhedabheda-tattva (simultaneously one and different) cannot be understood by one who is fully under the influence of the external energy. Consequently a person under the influence of the material energy cannot understand the nature and form of the Personality of the Absolute Truth.

 

                               TEXT 119

 

                                 TEXT

 

                       rte 'rtham yat pratiyeta

                         na pratiyeta catmani

                       tad vidyad atmano mayam

                        yathabhaso yatha tamah

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   rte--without; artham--value; yat--that which; pratiyeta--appears to be; na--not; pratiyeta--appears to be; ca--certainly; atmani--in relation to Me; tat--that; vidyat--you must know; atmanah--My; mayam--illusory energy; yatha--just as; abhasah--the reflection; yatha--just as; tamah--the darkness.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'What appears to be truth without Me, is certainly My illusory energy, for nothing can exist without Me. It is like a reflection of a real light in the shadows, for in the light there are neither shadows nor reflections.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.9.34). It is the second verse of the catuh-sloki. For an explanation of this verse, see Adi-lila, Chapter One, text 54.

 

                               TEXT 120

 

                                 TEXT

 

              'abhidheya' sadhana-bhaktira sunaha vicara

               sarva-jana-desa-kala-dasate vyapti yara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   abhidheya--the means to obtain an end; sadhana-bhaktira--of the process of executing devotional service; sunaha vicara--please hear the procedure; sarva--all; jana--people; desa--countries; kala--times; dasate--and in circumstances; vyapti yara--which is all-pervasive.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Now please hear from Me about the process of devotional service, which is applicable in any country, for any person, at all times and in all circumstances.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   The cult of bhagavata-dharma can be spread in all circumstances, among all people and in all countries. Many envious people accuse this Krsna consciousness movement of spoiling the rigidity of so-called Hinduism. That is not actually the fact. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu confirms that devotional service to the Lord-the cult of bhagavata-dharma, which is now being spread as the Hare Krsna movement-can be spread in every country, for every person, in any condition of life, and in all circumstances. Bhagavata-dharma does not restrict pure devotees to the Hindu community. A pure devotee is above a brahmana; therefore it is not incompatible to offer the sacred thread to devotees in Europe, America, Australia, Japan, Canada, and so on. Sometimes these pure devotees, who have been accepted by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, are not allowed to enter certain temples in India. Some high-caste brahmanas and gosvamis refuse to take prasada in the temples of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Actually this is against the instruction of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Devotees can come from any country, and they can belong to any creed or race. On the strength of this verse, those who are actually devotees and followers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu must accept devotees from all parts of the world as pure Vaisnavas. They should be accepted not artificially but factually. One should see how they are advanced in Krsna consciousness and how they are conducting Deity worship, sankirtana and Ratha-yatra. Considering all these points, an envious person should refrain from malicious atrocities.

 

                               TEXT 121

 

                                 TEXT

 

               'dharmadi' visaye yaiche e 'cari, vicara

                sadhana-bhakti--ei cari vicarera para

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   dharma-adi--of religious activities and so on; visaye--in the subject matter; yaiche--just as; e cari vicara--there is a consideration of four principles, namely the person, country, time and atmosphere; sadhana-bhakti--of devotional service; ei--these; cari--four; vicarera--to the considerations; para--transcendental.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'As far as religious principles are concerned, there is a consideration of the person, the country, the time and the circumstance. In devotional service, however, there are no such considerations. Devotional service is transcendental to all considerations.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   When we are on the material platform, there are different types of religions-Hinduism, Christianity, Mohammedanism, Buddhism, and so on. These are instituted for a particular time, a particular country or a particular person. Consequently there are differences. Christian principles are different from Hindu principles, and Hindu principles are different from Mohammedan and Buddhist principles. These may be considered on the material platform, but when we come to the platform of transcendental devotional service, there are no such considerations. The transcendental service of the Lord (sadhana-bhakti) is above these principles. The world is anxious for religious unity, and that common platform can be achieved in transcendental devotional service. This is the verdict of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. When one becomes a Vaisnava, he becomes transcendental to all these limited considerations. This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (14.26):

 

                       mam ca yo 'vyabhicarena

                         bhakti-yogena sevate

                        sa gunan samatityaitan

                        brahma-bhuyaya kalpate

 

   "One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstance, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman."

   The devotional activities of the Krsna consciousness movement are completely transcendental to material considerations. As far as different faiths are concerned, religions may be of different types, but on the spiritual platform, everyone has an equal right to execute devotional service. That is the platform of oneness and the basis for a classless society. In his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura confirms that one has to learn from a bona fide spiritual master about religious principles, economic development, sense gratification and ultimately liberation. These are the four divisions of regulated life, but they are subjected to the material platform. On the spiritual platform, the four principles are jnana, vijnana, tad-anga and tad-rahasya. Rules, regulations and restrictions are on the material platform, but on the spiritual platform one has to be equipped with transcendental knowledge, which is above the principles of religious rituals. Mundane religious activity is known as smarta-viddhi, but transcendental devotional service is called Gosvami-viddhi. Unfortunately many so-called gosvamis are on the platform of smarta-viddhi, yet they try to pass as Gosvami-viddhi, and thus the people are cheated. Gosvami-viddhi is strictly explained in Sanatana Gosvami's Hari-bhakti-vilasa, wherein it is stated:

 

                        yatha kancanatam yati

                       kamsyam rasa-vidhanatah

                        tatha diska-vidhanena

                        dvijatvam jayate nrnam

 

   The conclusion is that devotional service is open for everyone, regardless of caste, creed, time and country. This Krsna consciousness movement is functioning according to this principle.

 

                               TEXT 122

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sarva-desa-kala-dasaya janera kartavya

               guru-pase sei bhakti prastavya, srotavya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sarva--all; desa--countries; kala--times; dasaya--and in circumstances; janera--of every man; kartavya--the duty; guru-pase--in the care of a spiritual master; sei--that; bhakti--devotional service; prastavya--to be inquired; srotavya--and to be heard.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'It is therefore the duty of every man-in every country, in every circumstance and at all times-to approach the bona fide spiritual master, question him about devotional service and listen to him explain the process.

 

                               TEXT 123

 

                                 TEXT

 

                         etavad eva jijnasyam

                        tattva-jijnasunatmanah

                        anvaya-vyatirekabhyam

                      yat syat sarvatra sarvada

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   etavat--up to this; eva--certainly; jijnasyam--to be inquired about; tattva--of the Absolute Truth; jijnasuna--by the student; atmanah--of the self; anvaya--directly; vyatirekabhyam--and indirectly; yat--whatever; syat--it may be; sarvatra--everywhere; sarvada--always.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'A person interested in transcendental knowledge must therefore always directly and indirectly inquire about it to know about the all-pervading truth.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.9.36). It is the fourth verse of the catuh-sloki. For an explanation see Adi-lila, Chapter One, text 56.

 

                               TEXT 124

 

                                 TEXT

 

              amate ye 'priti', sei 'prema'--'prayojana'

               karya-dvare kahi tara 'svarupa'-laksana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   amate--unto Me; ye--whatever; priti--affection; sei--that; prema--love of Godhead; prayojana--the ultimate goal of life; karya-dvare--by practical example; kahi--let Me inform; tara--its; svarupa-laksana--natural characteristics.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Supreme affection for Me is called love of Godhead, and that is the ultimate goal of life. Let Me explain by practical example the natural characteristics of such love.

 

                               TEXT 125

 

                                 TEXT

 

              panca-bhuta yaiche bhutera bhitare-bahire

                 bhakta-gane sphuri ami bahire-antare

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   panca-bhuta--the five material elements; yaiche--just as; bhutera--of the living entities; bhitare--inside; bahire--and outside; bhakta-gane--unto the devotees; sphuri--becoming manifest; ami--I; bahire-antare--externally and internally.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'The five material elements are existing inside and outside of every living entity. Similarly, I, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, am manifest within the heart of the devotee as well as outside his body.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   The pure devotee knows that he is a servant of Krsna eternally. He knows that everything can be used in the service of the Lord.

 

                               TEXT 126

 

                                 TEXT

 

                        yatha mahanti bhutani

                         bhutesuccavacesv anu

                        pravistany apravistani

                       tatha tesu na tesv aham

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yatha--as; mahanti--the universal; bhutani--elements; bhutesu--in the living entities; ucca-avacesu--both gigantic and minute; anu--after; pravistani--situated internally; apravistani--situated externally; tatha--so; tesu--in them; na--not; tesu--in them; aham--I.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'As the material elements enter the bodies of all living beings and yet remain outside them all, I exist within all material creations and yet am not within them.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.9.35). It is also the third verse of the catuh-sloki. For an explanation see Adi-lila, Chapter One, text 55.

 

                               TEXT 127

 

                                 TEXT

 

             bhakta ama preme bandhiyache hrdaya-bhitare

                 yahan netra pade tahan dekhaye amare

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhakta--a devotee; ama--Me; preme--by love; bandhiyache--has bound; hrdaya-bhitare--within his heart; yahan--wherever; netra--the eyes; pade--fall; tahan--there; dekhaye--he sees; amare--Me.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'A highly elevated devotee can bind Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in his heart by love. Wherever he looks, he sees Me and nothing else.

 

                               TEXT 128

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   visrjati hrdayam na yasya saksad

                dharir avasabhihito 'py aghaugha-nasah

                  pranaya-rasanaya dhrtanghri-padmah

                 sa bhavati bhagavata-pradhana uktah

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   visrjati--gives up; hrdayam--the heart; na--not; yasya--whose; saksat--directly; harih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; avasa-abhihitah--who is automatically glorified; api--although; aghaugha-nasah--who annihilates all kinds of inauspicious offenses for a devotee; pranaya-rasanaya--with the rope of love; dhrta-anghri-padmah--whose lotus feet are bound; sah--such a devotee; bhavati--is; bhagavata-pradhanah--the most elevated devotee; uktah--is said.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who destroys everything inauspicious for His devotees, does not leave the hearts of His devotees even if they remember Him and chant about Him inattentively. This is because the rope of love always binds the Lord within the devotees' hearts. Such devotees should be accepted as most elevated.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.55).

 

                               TEXT 129

 

                                 TEXT

 

                       sarva-bhutesu yah pasyed

                       bhagavad-bhavam atmanah

                       bhutani bhagavaty atmany

                         esa bhagavatottamah

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sarva-bhutesu--in all objects (in matter, spirit, or combinations of matter and spirit); yah--anyone who; pasyet--sees; bhagavat-bhavam--the capacity to be engaged in the service of the Lord; atmanah--of the Supreme Spirit Soul, or the transcendence beyond the material conception of life; bhutani--all beings; bhagavati--in the Supreme Personality of Godhead; atmani--the basic principle of all existence; esah--this; bhagavata-uttamah--a person advanced in devotional service.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'A person advanced in devotional service sees within everything the soul of souls, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna. Consequently he always sees the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the cause of all causes and understands that all things are situated in Him.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.45).

 

                               TEXT 130

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   gayanta uccair amum eva samhatah

                  vicikyur unmattakavad vanad vanam

                  papracchur akasavad antaram bahir

                  bhutesu santam purusam vanaspatin

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   gayantah--continuously singing; uccaih--very loudly; amum--that one (Lord Sri Krsna); eva--certainly; samhatah--being assembled together; vicikyuh--searched; unmattaka-vat--like those who have become mad; vanat--from one forest; vanam--to another forest; papracchuh--asked about; akasa-vat--like the sky; antaram--within; bahih--outside; bhutesu--in all living entities; santam--existing; purusam--the Supreme Person; vanaspatin--all the trees and plants.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'All the gopis assembled to chant the transcendental qualities of Krsna very loudly, and they began to wander from one forest to another like madwomen. They began to inquire about the Lord, who is situated in all living entities internally and externally. Indeed, they even asked all the plants and vegetables about Him, the Supreme Person.' »

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.30.4). The gopis almost went mad due to Krsna's suddenly leaving the rasa dance. Because the gopis were fully absorbed in thoughts of Krsna, they were imitating His different postures and pastimes. They became very saddened because of His absence, and this incident is explained by Sukadeva Gosvami to Maharaja Pariksit.

 

                               TEXT 131

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   ataeva bhagavate ei 'tina' kaya

                  sambandha-abhidheya-prayojana-maya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ataeva--therefore; bhagavate--in Srimad-Bhagavatam; ei tina--these three principles; kaya--are explained; sambandha-abhidheya-prayojana-maya--first one's relationship, then activities in devotional service, and then achieving the highest goal of life, love of Godhead.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "One's relationship with the Lord, activities and devotional service, and the attainment of the highest goal of life, love of Godhead, are the subject matters of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

 

                               TEXT 132

 

                                 TEXT

 

                       vadanti tat tattva-vidas

                      tattvam yaj jnanam advayam

                         brahmeti paramatmeti

                        bhagavan iti sabdyate

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   vadanti--they say; tat--that; tattva-vidah--those who know the Absolute Truth; tattvam--the ultimate goal; yat--which; jnanam advayam--identical knowledge; brahma iti--as the impersonal Brahman; paramatma iti--as the Supersoul; bhagavan iti--as the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sabdyate--it is described.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'The Absolute Truth is known by the self-realized souls as a unified identity known by different names-impersonal Brahman, localized Paramatma, and Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.11).

 

                               TEXT 133

 

                                 TEXT

 

                         bhagavan eka asedam

                        agra atmatmanam vibhuh

                         atmecchanugatav atma

                        ananamaty-upalaksanah

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ekah--only; asa--was; idam--this universe; agre--before (before the creation of this cosmic manifestation); atma--the living force; atmanam--of all the living entities; vibhuh--the Supreme Lord; atma--of the Supreme; iccha--the will; anugatau--according to; atma--the Supersoul; ananamati-upalaksanah--who is not realized by persons having many angles of vision.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Before the cosmic manifestation was created, the creative propensity was merged in His person. At that time all potencies and manifestations were preserved in the personality of the Supreme Lord. The Lord is the cause of all causes, and He is the all-pervading, self-sufficient person. Before the creation, He existed with His spiritual potency in the spiritual world, wherein various Vaikuntha planets are manifest.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.5.23).

 

                               TEXT 134

 

                                 TEXT

 

                        ete camsa-kalah pumsah

                      krsnas tu bhagavan svayam

                        indrari-vyakulam lokam

                         mrdayanti yuge yuge

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ete--these; ca--and; amsa--plenary portions; kalah--parts of plenary portions; pumsah--of the purusa-avataras; krsnah--Lord Krsna; tu--but; bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; svayam--Himself; indra-ari--the enemies of Lord Indra; vyakulam--full of; lokam--the world; mrdayanti--make happy; yuge yuge--at the right time in each age.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'All these incarnations of Godhead are either plenary portions or parts of the plenary portions of the purusa-avataras. But Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. In every age He protects the world through His different features when the world is disturbed by the enemies of Indra.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.3.28). For an explanation, see Adi-lila, Chapter Two, text 67.

 

                               TEXT 135

 

                                 TEXT

 

              eita' 'sambandha', suna 'abhidheya' bhakti

               bhagavate prati-sloke vyape yara sthiti

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eita'--this; sambandha--relationship; suna--please hear; abhidheya--the function; bhakti--known as devotional service; bhagavate--in Srimad-Bhagavatam; prati-sloke--in each and every verse; vyape--pervades; yara--of which; sthiti--the situation.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "This is one's eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Now please hear about the execution of devotional service. This principle pervades practically all the verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

 

                               TEXT 136

 

                                 TEXT

 

                       bhaktyaham ekaya grahyah

                      sraddhayatma priyah satam

                      bhaktih punati man-nistha

                       sva-pakan api sambhavat

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhaktya--by devotional service; aham--I, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ekaya--unflinching; grahyah--obtainable; sraddhaya--by faith; atma--the most dear; priyah--to be served; satam--by the devotees; bhaktih--the devotional service; punati--purifies; mat-nistha--fixed only on Me; sva-pakan--the lowest grade of human beings, who are accustomed to eating dogs; api--certainly; sambhavat--from all faults due to birth and so on.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Being very dear to the devotees and sadhus, I am attained through unflinching faith and devotional service. This bhakti-yoga system, which gradually increases attachment for Me, purifies even a human being born among dog-eaters. That is to say, everyone can be elevated to the spiritual platform by the process of bhakti-yoga.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This verse is from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.14.21).

 

                               TEXT 137

 

                                 TEXT

 

                        na sadhayati mam yogo

                      na sankhyam dharma uddhava

                      na svadhyayas tapas tyago

                       yatha bhaktir mamorjita

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   na--never; sadhayati--causes to remain satisfied; mam--Me; yogah--the process of control; na--nor; sankhyam--the process of gaining philosophical knowledge about the Absolute Truth; dharmah--such an occupation; uddhava--My dear Uddhava; na--nor; svadhyayah--study of the Vedas; tapah--austerities; tyagah--renunciation, acceptance of sannyasa, or charity; yatha--as much as; bhaktih--devotional service; mama--unto Me; urjita--developed.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, said: "My dear Uddhava, neither through astanga-yoga [the mystic yoga system to control the senses], nor through impersonalism or an analytical study of the Absolute Truth, nor through study of the Vedas, nor through practice of austerities, nor through charity, nor through acceptance of sannyasa, can one satisfy Me as much as one can by developing unalloyed devotional service unto Me.' "

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.14.20). For an explanation see Adi-lila, Chapter Seventeen, text 76.

 

                               TEXT 138

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   bhayam dvitiyabhinivesatah syad

                   isad apetasya viparyayo 'smrtih

                    tan-mayayato budha abhajet tam

                    bhaktyaikayesam guru-devatatma

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhayam--fear; dvitiya-abhinivesatah--from the misconception of being a product of material energy; syat--arises; isat--from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna; apetasya--of one who has withdrawn (the conditioned soul); viparyayah--reversal of position; asmrtih--no conception of his relationship with the Supreme Lord; tat-mayaya--because of the illusory energy of the Supreme Lord; atah--therefore; budhah--one who is wise; abhajet--must worship; tam--Him; bhaktya--by devotional service; ekaya--undiverted to karma and jnana; isam--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; guru--as the spiritual master; devata--worshipable Lord; atma--Supersoul.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'When the living entity is attracted by the material energy, which is separate from Krsna, he is overpowered by fear. Because he is separated from the Supreme Personality of Godhead by the material energy, his conception of life is reversed. In other words, instead of being the eternal servant of Krsna, he becomes Krsna's competitor. This is called viparyayo 'smrtih. To nullify this mistake, one who is actually learned and advanced worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead as his spiritual master, worshipful Deity and source of life. He thus worships the Lord by the process of unalloyed devotional service.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.37).

 

                               TEXT 139

 

                                 TEXT

 

                ebe suna, prema, yei--mula 'prayojana'

                 pulakasru-nrtya-gita--yahara laksana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ebe suna--now hear; prema--love of Godhead; yei--which; mula prayojana--the chief objective; pulaka-asru-nrtya-gita--trembling of the body, tears in the eyes, dancing and chanting; yahara laksana--the symptoms of which.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Now hear from Me what actual love of Godhead is. It is the prime object of life and is symptomized by bodily trembling, tears in the eyes, chanting and dancing.

 

                               TEXT 140

 

                                 TEXT

 

                        smarantah smarayas ca

                      mitho 'ghaugha-haram harim

                      bhaktya sanjataya bhaktya

                       bibhraty utpulakam tanum

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   smarantah--remembering; smarayah ca--and reminding; mithah--one another; aghaugha-haram--who takes away everything inauspicious from the devotee; harim--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhaktya--by devotion; sanjataya--awakened; bhaktya--by devotion; bibhrati--possess; utpulakam--agitated by ecstasy; tanum--body.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Pure devotees develop a spiritual body and symptoms of ecstatic love simply by remembering and reminding others of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, who takes away everything inauspicious from the devotee. This position is attained by rendering devotional service according to the regulative principles and then rising to the platform of spontaneous love.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.3.31).

 

                               TEXT 141

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  evam-vratah sva-priya-nama-kirtya

                    jatanurago druta-citta uccaih

                   hastay atho roditi rauti gayaty

                    unmadavan nrtyati loka-bahyah

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   evam-vratah--when one thus engages in a vow to chant and dance; sva--own; priya--very dear; nama--holy name; kirtya--by chanting; jata--in this way develops; anuragah--attachment; druta-cittah--very eagerly; uccaih--loudly; hasati--laughs; atho--also; roditi--cries; rauti--becomes agitated; gayati--chants; unmada-vat--like a madman; nrtyati--dances; loka-bahyah--without caring for outsiders.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'When a person is actually advanced and takes pleasure in chanting the holy name of the Lord, who is very dear to him, he is agitated and loudly chants the holy name. He also laughs, cries, becomes agitated and chants like a madman, not caring for outsiders.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.40).

 

                               TEXT 142

 

                                 TEXT

 

                ataeva bhagavata--sutrera 'artha'-rupa

               nija-krta sutrera nija-'bhasya'-svarupa

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ataeva--therefore; bhagavata--Srimad-Bhagavatam; sutrera--of the Brahma-sutra; artha--of the meaning; rupa--the form; nija-krta--made by himself; sutrera--of the Vedanta-sutra; nija-bhasya--of his own commentary; svarupa--the original form.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Srimad-Bhagavatam gives the actual meaning of the Vedanta-sutra. The author of the Vedanta-sutra is Vyasadeva, and he himself has explained those codes in the form of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

 

                            TEXTS 143-144

 

                                 TEXT

 

                      artho 'yam brahma-sutranam

                        bharatartha-vinirnayah

                       gayatri-bhasya-rupo 'sau

                        vedartha-paribrmhitah

 

                         purananam sama-rupah

                        saksad-bhagavatoditah

                      dvadasa-skandha-yukto 'yam

                        sata-viccheda-samyutah

                      grantho 'stadasa-sahasrah

                       srimad-bhagavatabhidhah

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   artah ayam--this is the meaning; brahma-sutranam--of the codes of Vedanta-sutra; bharata-artha-vinirnayah--the ascertainment of the Mahabharata; gayatri-bhasya-rupah--the purport of Brahma-gayatri, the mother of the Vedic literatures; asau--that; veda-artha-paribrmhitah--expanded by the meanings of all the Vedas; purananam--of the Puranas; sama-rupah--the best (like the Sama among the Vedas); saksat--directly; bhagavata uditah--spoken by Vyasadeva, an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; dvadasa-skanda-yuktah--having twelve cantos; ayam--this; sata-viccheda-samyutah--having 355 chapters; granthah--this great literature; astadasa-sahasrah--having 18,000 verses; srimad-bhagavata-abhidhah--named Srimad-Bhagavatam.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'The meaning of the Vedanta-sutra is present in Srimad-Bhagavatam. The full purport of the Mahabharata is also there. The commentary of the Brahma-gayatri is also there and fully expanded with all Vedic knowledge. Srimad Bhagavatam is the supreme Purana, and it was compiled by the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Vyasadeva. There are twelve cantos, 335 chapters and eighteen thousand verses.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from the Garuda Purana.

 

                               TEXT 145

 

                                 TEXT

 

                         sarva-vedetihasanam

                       saram saram samuddhrtam

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sarva-veda--of all Vedic literature; itihasanam--of historical literature; saram saram--the essence of the essence; samuddhrtam--is collected (in Srimad-Bhagavatam).

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'The essence of all Vedic literature and all histories has been collected in this Srimad-Bhagavatam.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Srimad-Bhagavatam was collected by the incarnation of God, Vyasadeva, and it was later taught to his son, Sukadeva Gosvami. This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.3.42).

 

                               TEXT 146

 

                                 TEXT

 

                        sarva-vedanta-saram hi

                       srimad-bhagavatam isyate

                        tad-rasamrta-trptasya

                      nanyatra syad ratih kvacit

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sarva-vedanta-saram--the best part of all the Vedanta; hi--certainly; srimad-bhagavatam--the great literature about Bhagavan; isyate--is accepted; tat-rasa-amrta--by the transcendental mellow derived from that great literature; trp-tasya--of one who is satisfied; na--never; anyatra--anywhere else; syat--is; ratih--attraction; kvacit--at any time.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   « 'Srimad-Bhagavatam is accepted as the essence of all Vedic literature and Vedanta philosophy. Whoever tastes the transcendental mellow of Srimad Bhagavatam is never attracted to any other literature.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.13.15).

 

                               TEXT 147

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 gayatrira arthe ei grantha-arambhana

       "satyam param"--sambandha, "dhimahi"--sadhana-prayojana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   gayatrira arthe--with the meaning of Brahma-gayatri; ei--this; grantha--of the great literature; arambhana--the beginning; satyam param--the supreme Absolute Truth; sambandha--shows a relationship; dhimahi--we meditate (the end of the Gayatri mantra); sadhana-prayojana--the execution of service and the achievement of the ultimate goal.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "In the beginning of Srimad-Bhagavatam there is an explanation of the Brahma-gayatri mantra. 'The Absolute Truth [satyam param]' indicates the relationship, and 'we meditate [dhimahi] on Him' indicates the execution of devotional service and the ultimate goal of life.

 

                               TEXT 148

 

                                 TEXT

 

     janmady asya yato 'nvayad itaratas carthesv abhijnah svarat

         tene brahma hrda ya adi-kavaye muhyanti yat surayah

         tejo-vari-mrdam yatha vinimayo yatra tri-sargo 'mrsa

        dhamna svena sada nirasta-kuhakam satyam param dhimahi

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   janma-adi--creation, maintenance and dissolution; asya--of this (the universe); yatah--from whom; anvayat--directly from the spiritual connection; itaratah--indirectly from the lack of material contact; ca--also; arthesu--in all affairs; abhijnah--perfectly cognizant; sva-rat--independent; tene--imparted; brahma--the Absolute Truth; hrda--through the heart; yah--who; adi-kavaye--unto Lord Brahma; muhyanti--are bewildered; yat--in whom; surayah--great personalities like Lord Brahma and other demigods or great brahmanas; tejah-vari-mrdam--of fire, water and earth; yatha--as; vinimayah--the exchange; yatra--in whom; tri-sargah--the material creation of three modes; amrsa--factual; dhamna--with the abode; svena--His own personal; sada--always; nirasta-kuhakam--devoid of all illusion; satyam--the truth; param--absolute; dhimahi--let us meditate upon.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'I offer my obeisances unto Lord Sri Krsna, son of Vasudeva, who is the supreme all-pervading Personality of Godhead. I meditate upon Him, the transcendent reality, who is the primeval cause of all causes, from whom all manifested universes arise, in whom they dwell and by whom they are destroyed. I meditate upon that eternally effulgent Lord who is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations and yet is beyond them. It is He only who first imparted Vedic knowledge unto the heart of Brahma, the first created being. Through Him this world, like a mirage, appears real even to great sages and demigods. Because of Him, the material universes, created by the three modes of nature, appear to be factual, although they are unreal. I meditate therefore upon Him, the Absolute Truth, who is eternally existent in His transcendental abode, and who is forever free of illusion.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is the opening invocation of Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.1.1).

 

                               TEXT 149

 

                                 TEXT

 

      dharmah projjhita-kaitavo 'tra paramo nirmatsaranam satam

        vedyam vastavam atra vastu sivadam tapa-trayonmulanam

         srimad-bhagavate mahamuni-krte kim va parair isvarah

     sadyo hrdy avarudhyate 'tra krtibhih susrusubhis tat-ksanat

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   dharmah--religiosity; projjhita--completely rejected; kaitavah--in which there is fruitive intention; atra--herein; paramah--the highest; nirmatsaranam--of the one hundred percent pure in heart; satam--devotees; vedyam--to be understood; vastavam--factual; atra--herein; vastu--substance; siva-dam--giving well-being; tapa-traya--of the threefold miseries; unmulanam--causing uprooting; srimat--beautiful; bhagavate--in the Bhagavata Purana; maha-muni--by the great sage (Vyasadeva); krte--compiled; kim--what; va--indeed; paraih--with others; isvarah--the Supreme Lord; sadyah--at once; hrdi--within the heart; avarudhyate--becomes confined; atra--herein; krtibhih--by pious men; susrusubhih--desiring to hear; tat-ksanat--without delay.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhagavata Purana propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. This beautiful Bhagavatam, compiled by the great sage Sri Vyasadeva, is sufficient in itself for God realization. As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhagavatam, he becomes attached to the Supreme Lord.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.1.2). See also Adi-lila, Chapter One, text 91.

 

                               TEXT 150

 

                                 TEXT

 

              'krsna-bhakti-rasa-svarupa' sri-bhagavata

                tate veda-sastra haite parama mahattva

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   krsna-bhakti--of devotional service to Krsna; rasa--of the transcendental mellow; svarupa--the very form; sri-bhagavata--Srimad-Bhagavatam; tate--therefore; veda-sastra--the Vedic literature; haite--than; parama mahattva--has greater utility and value.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Srimad-Bhagavatam gives direct information of the mellow derived from service to Krsna. Therefore Srimad-Bhagavatam is above all other Vedic literatures.

 

                               TEXT 151

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  nigama-kalpa-taror galitam phalam

                   suka-mukhad amrta-drava-samyutam

                    pibata bhagavatam rasam alayam

                   muhur aho rasika bhuvi bhavukah

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nigama-kalpa-taroh--of the Vedic literature which is like a desire tree; galitam--completely ripened; phalam--fruit (which has come down without being distorted); suka-mukhat--from the mouth of Sukadeva Gosvami; amrta--which is like nectar; drava-samyutam--mixed with juice; pibata--just drink; bhagavatam--Srimad-Bhagavatam; rasam alayam--the reservoir of all mellows; muhuh--constantly; aho--O; rasikah--intelligent and humorous devotees; bhuvi--in this world; bhavukah--thoughtful.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Srimad-Bhagavatam is the essence of all Vedic literatures, and it is considered the ripened fruit of the wish-fulfilling tree of Vedic knowledge. It has been sweetened by emanating from the mouth of Sukadeva Gosvami. You who are thoughtful and who relish mellows should always try to taste this ripened fruit. O thoughtful devotees, as long as you are not absorbed in transcendental bliss, you should continue tasting this Srimad-Bhagavatam, and when you are fully absorbed in bliss, you should go on tasting its mellows forever.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.1.3).

 

                               TEXT 152

 

                                 TEXT

 

                        vayam tu na vitrpyama

                         uttamahsloka-vikrame

                      yac chrnvatam rasa-jnanam

                        svadu svadu pade pade

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   vayam tu--we of course; na--never; vitrpyamah--are satisfied; uttamah-sloka-vikrame--in the activities and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; yat--which; srnvatam--of those hearing; rasa-jnanam--who know the taste of mellows; svadu svadu--more palatable; pade pade--in every step.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'We never tire of hearing the transcendental pastimes of the Personality of Godhead, who is glorified by hymns and prayers. Those who enjoy association with Him relish hearing His pastimes at every moment.' »

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.1.19).

 

                               TEXT 153

 

                                 TEXT

 

                    ataeva bhagavata karaha vicara

               iha haite pabe sutra-srutira artha-sara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ataeva--therefore; bhagavata--Srimad-Bhagavatam; karaha vicara--try to understand scrutinizingly; iha haite--from this; pabe--you will get; sutra-srutira--of the Vedic philosophy, the Brahma-sutra; artha-sara--the actual meaning.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised Prakasananda Sarasvati, "Study Srimad Bhagavatam very scrutinizingly. Then you will understand the actual meaning of Brahma-sutra"

 

                               TEXT 154

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 nirantara kara krsna-nama-sankirtana

                 helaya mukti pabe, pabe prema-dhana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nirantara kara--constantly perform; krsna-nama-sankirtana--the chanting of the holy name of Krsna; helaya--very easily; mukti pabe--you will get liberation; pabe prema-dhana--you will achieve the highest goal, ecstatic love of Krsna.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "Always discuss Srimad-Bhagavatam and constantly chant the holy name of Lord Krsna. In this way you will be able to attain liberation very easily, and you will be elevated to the enjoyment of love of Godhead.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura states that without studying Srimad-Bhagavatam, one cannot understand the purport of Brahma-sutra (Vedanta-sutra) or the Upanisads. If one tries to understand Vedanta philosophy and the Upanisads without studying Srimad-Bhagavatam, he will be bewildered and, construing a different meaning will gradually become an atheist or an impersonalist.

 

                               TEXT 155

 

                                 TEXT

 

                      brahma-bhutah prasannatma

                        na socati na kanksati

                        samah sarvesu bhutesu

                      mad-bhaktim labhate param

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   brahma-bhutah--freed from material conceptions of life but attached to an impersonal situation; prasanna-atma--fully joyful; na socati--he does not lament; na kanksati--he does not hanker; samah--equally disposed; sarvesu--all; bhutesu--to the living entities; mat-bhaktim--My devotional service; labhate--achieves; param--transcendental.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments nor desires to have anything; he is equally disposed to every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me.'

 

                               TEXT 156

 

                                 TEXT

 

                      "mukta api lilaya vigraham

                     krtva bhagavantam bhajante"

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   muktah--liberated; api--although; lilaya--by pastimes; vigraham--the form of the Lord; krtva--having installed; bhagavantam--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhajante--worship.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Even a liberated soul merged in the impersonal Brahman effulgence is attracted to the pastimes of Krsna. He thus installs a Deity and renders the Lord service.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Sankaracarya's commentary on the Nrsimha-tapani.

 

                               TEXT 157

 

                                 TEXT

 

                      parinisthito 'pi nairgunye

                         uttamahsloka-lilaya

                         grhita-ceta rajarse

                        akhyanam yad adhitavan

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   parinisthitah--situated; api--although; nairgunye--in the transcendental position, freed from the material modes of nature; uttamah-sloka-lilaya--by the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Uttamahsloka; grhita-ceta--the mind became fully taken over; rajarse--O great King; akhyanam--the narration; yat--which; adhitavan--studied.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Sukadeva Gosvami addressed Pariksit Maharaja, "My dear King, although I was fully situated in the transcendental position, I was nonetheless attracted to the pastimes of Lord Krsna. Therefore I studied Srimad-Bhagavatam from my father.' "

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.9).

 

                               TEXT 158

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 tasyaravinda-nayanasya padaravinda-

                kinjalka-misra-tulasi-makaranda-vayuh

                 antargatah svavivarena cakara tesam

               sanksobham aksara-jusam api citta-tanvoh

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tasya--of Him; aravinda-nayanasya--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose eyes are like the petals of a lotus flower; pada-aravinda--of the lotus feet; kinjalka--with saffron; misra--mixed; tulasi--of tulasi leaves; makaranda--with the aroma; vayuh--the air; antargatah--entered; sva-vivarena--through the nostrils; cakara--created; tesam--of them; sanksobham--strong agitation; aksara-jusam--of the impersonally self-realized (Kumaras); api--also; citta-tanvoh--of the mind and the body.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'When the breeze carrying the aroma of tulasi leaves and saffron from the lotus feet of the lotus-eyed Personality of Godhead entered through the nostrils into the hearts of those sages [the Kumaras], they experienced a change in both body and mind, even though they were attached to impersonal Brahman understanding.'

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.15.43).

 

                               TEXT 159

 

                                 TEXT

 

                         atmaramas ca munayo

                       nirgrantha apy urukrame

                      kurvanty ahaitukim bhaktim

                       ittham-bhuta-guno harih

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   atma-aramah--persons who take pleasure in being transcendentally situated in the service of the Lord; ca--also; munayah--great saintly persons who have completely rejected material aspirations, fruitive activities, and so forth; nirgranthah--without interest in any material desire; api--certainly; urukrame--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, whose activities are wonderful; kurvanti--do; ahaitukim--causeless, or without material desires; bhaktim--devotional service; ittham-bhuta--so wonderful as to attract the attention of the self-satisfied; gunah--who has transcendental qualities; harih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   " 'Those who are self-satisfied and unattracted by external material desires are also attracted to the loving service of Sri Krsna, whose qualities are transcendental and whose activities are wonderful. Hari, the Personality of Godhead, is called Krsna because He has such transcendentally attractive features.' "

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.7.10).

 

                               TEXT 160

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 hena-kale sei maharastriya brahmana

                  sabhate kahila sei sloka-vivarana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   hena-kale--at this time; sei--that; maharastriya brahmana--the brahmana of Maharastra province; sabhate--in the meeting; kahila--declared; sei--that; sloka-vivarana--the description of the atmarama-sloka explained by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   At this time the brahmana from the province of Maharastra mentioned Lord Caitanya's explanation of the atmarama verse.

 

                               TEXT 161

 

                                 TEXT

 

              ei slokera artha prabhu 'ekasasti' prakara

                kariyachena, yaha suni' loke camatkara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei slokera artha--the meanings of this verse; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; eka-sasti prakara--sixty-one varieties; kariyachena--has done; yaha suni'--hearing which; loke camatkara--everyone is astonished.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   The Maharastrian brahmana stated that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had already explained that verse in sixty-one ways. Everyone was astonished to hear this.

 

                               TEXT 162

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 tabe saba loka sunite agraha karila

                'ekasasti' artha prabhu vivari' kahila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--then; saba loka--all the people gathered there; sunite--to hear; agraha karila--expressed their eagerness; eka-sasti artha--sixty-one different meanings of the verse; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vivari'--elaborately; kahila--explained.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When all the people gathered there expressed the desire to hear again the sixty-one different meanings of the atmarama-sloka, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu again explained them.

 

                               TEXT 163

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  suniya lokera bada camatkara haila

               caitanya-gosani--'sri-krsna', nirdharila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   suniya--hearing; lokera--of all the people; bada--very great; camatkara--wonder; haila--there was; caitanya-gosani--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sri-krsna--personally Lord Krsna; nirdharila--they concluded.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When everyone heard Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's explanation of the atmarama-sloka, everyone was astonished and struck with wonder. They concluded that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was none other than Lord Krsna Himself.

 

                               TEXT 164

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  eta kahi' uthiya calila gaurahari

                 namaskara kare loka hari-dhvani kari

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eta kahi'--after speaking that; uthiya--standing; calila--began to walk; gaurahari--Sri Gaurasundara, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; namaskara kare loka--all the people offered their obeisances; hari-dhvani kari--loudly chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After giving those explanations again, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu arose and took His leave. All the people there offered their obeisances unto Him and chanted the maha-mantra.

 

                               TEXT 165

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 saba kasi-vasi kare nama-sankirtana

               preme hase, kande, gaya, karaye nartana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   saba kasi-vasi--all the inhabitants of Kasi (Varanasi); kare--performed; nama-sankirtana--chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra; preme--in ecstatic love of Godhead; hase--they laughed; kande--they cried; gaya--chanted; karaye nartana--and danced.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   All the inhabitants of Kasi [Varanasi] began chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra in ecstatic love. Sometimes they laughed, sometimes they cried, sometimes they chanted, and sometimes they danced.

 

                               TEXT 166

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sannyasi pandita kare bhagavata vicara

                 varanasi-pura prabhu karila nistara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sannyasi--the Mayavadi sannyasis; pandita--the learned scholars; kare--do; bhagavata vicara--discussion on Srimad-Bhagavatam; varanasi-pura--the city known as Varanasi; prabhu--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; karila nistara--delivered.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After this, all the Mayavadi sannyasis and learned scholars at Varanasi began discussing Srimad-Bhagavatam. In this way Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu delivered them.

 

                               TEXT 167

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 nija-loka lana prabhu aila vasaghara

                 varanasi haila dvitiya nadiya-nagara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nija-loka lana--with His personal associates; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; aila vasa-aghara--came to His residential place; varanasi--the city of Varanasi; haila--became; dvitiya--second; nadiya-nagara--Navadvipa (Nadia).

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then returned to His residence with His personal associates. Thus He turned the whole city of Varanasi into another Navadvipa [Nadiya-nagara].

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Both Navadvipa and Varanasi were celebrated for their highly educational activities. At the present time these cities are still inhabited by great, learned scholars, but Varanasi is especially a center for Mayavadi sannyasis who are learned scholars. However, unlike Navadvipa, there are hardly any devotees in Varanasi. Consequently a discussion of Srimad-Bhagavatam was very rare in Varanasi. In Navadvipa, such a discussion was quite ordinary. After Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited Varanasi and turned Prakasananda Sarasvati and his disciples into Vaisnavas, Varanasi became like Navadvipa because so many devotees began discussing Srimad-Bhagavatam. Even at the present moment one can hear many discussions on Srimad-Bhagavatam taking place on the banks of the Ganges. Many scholars and sannyasis gather there to hear Srimad-Bhagavatam and perform sankirtana.

 

                               TEXT 168

 

                                 TEXT

 

                nija-gana lana prabhu kahe hasya kari'

                  kasite ami ailana vecite bhavakali

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nija-gana lana--with His personal associates; prabhu kahe--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; hasya kari'--laughingly; kasite--in Kasi; ami ailana--I came; vecite--to sell; bhavakali--emotional ecstatic love.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Among His own associates, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu laughingly said, "I came here to sell My emotional ecstatic love.

 

                               TEXT 169

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 kasite grahaka nahi, vastu na vikaya

                 punarapi dese vahi' laoya nahi yaya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kasite--in Kasi (Benares); grahaka nahi--there was no customer; vastu na vikaya--it was not selling; punarapi--again; dese--to My own country; vahi'--carrying (it); laoya--to take; nahi yaya--was not possible.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Although I came to Varanasi to sell My goods, there were no customers, and it appeared necessary for Me to carry them back to My own country.

 

                               TEXT 170

 

                                 TEXT

 

              ami bojha vahimu, toma-sabara duhkha haila

                toma-sabara icchaya vina-mulye bilaila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ami--I; bojha--burden; vahimu--shall carry; toma-sabara duhkha haila--all of you became very unhappy; toma-sabara icchaya--only by your will; vina-mulye bilaila--I distributed without a price.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "All of you were feeling unhappy that no one was purchasing My goods and that I would have to carry them away. Therefore, by your will only, I have distributed them without charging."

 

                               PURPORT

 

   When we began distributing the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the Western countries, a similar thing happened. In the beginning we were very disappointed for at least one year because no one came forth to help this movement, but by the grace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, some young boys joined this movement in 1966. Of course we distributed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's message of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra without bargaining or selling. As a result, this movement has spread all over the world, with the assistance of European and American boys and girls. We therefore pray for all the blessings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu upon all the devotees in the Western world who are spreading this movement.

 

                               TEXT 171

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sabe kahe,--loka tarite tomara avatara

              'purva' 'daksina' 'pascima' karila nistara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sabe kahe--everyone says; loka tarite--to deliver the fallen souls; tomara avatara--Your incarnation; purva--east; daksina--south; pascima--west; karila nistara--You have delivered.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   All the Lord's devotees then said, "You have incarnated to deliver fallen souls. You have delivered them in the east and in the south, and now you are delivering them in the west.

 

                               TEXT 172

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 'eka' varanasi chila tomate vimukha

                taha nistariya kaila ama-sabara sukha

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eka--one; varanasi--the city of Varanasi; chila--remained; tomate vimukha--against Your missionary activities; taha--that; nistariya--delivering; kaila--have done; ama-sabara--of all of us; sukha--awakening of happiness.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Only Varanasi was left because the people there were against Your missionary activities. Now You have delivered them, and we are all very happy."

 

                               TEXT 173

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  varanasi-grame yadi kolahala haila

                  suni' grami desi loka asite lagila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   varanasi-grame--in the city of Varanasi; yadi--when; kolahala haila--there was broadcasting of this news; suni'--hearing; grami--from the villages; desi--from the towns; loka asite lagila--people began to pour in.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After the news of these events was broadcast, everyone from the surrounding neighborhoods began to pour in to see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                               TEXT 174

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 laksa koti loka aise, nahika ganana

              sankirna-sthane prabhura na paya darasana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   laksa koti--hundreds and thousands; loka--people; aise--come; nahika ganana--there was no counting; sankirna-sthane--in a small place; prabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; na paya darasana--could not get an audience.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Hundreds and thousands of people came to see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. There was no counting the number. Because the Lord's residence was very small, not everyone could see Him.

 

                               TEXT 175

 

                                 TEXT

 

              prabhu yabe snane yana visvesvara-darasane

                  dui-dike loka kare prabhu-vilokane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; yabe--when; snane yana--goes to bathe; visvesvara-darasane--or to see the Deity of Lord Visvesvara; dui-dike--on two sides; loka--all the people; kare--do; prabhu-vilokane--seeing of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to take His bath in the Ganges and to see the temple of Visvesvara, people would line up on both sides to see the Lord.

 

                               TEXT 176

 

                                 TEXT

 

             bahu tuli' prabhu kahe--bala 'krsna' 'hari'

                 dandavat kare loke hari-dhvani kari'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bahu tuli'--raising His two arms; prabhu kahe--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says; bala--please say; krsna hari--Krsna, Hari; danda vat kare--offer their respects; loke--the people; hari-dhvani kari'--loudly chanting the name of Hari.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu passed by the people, He would raise His arms and say, "Please chant Krsna! Please chant Hari!" All the people received Him by chanting Hare Krsna, and they offered their respects to Him by this chanting.

 

                               TEXT 177

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  ei-mata dina panca loka nistariya

                 ara dina calila prabhu udvigna hana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei-mata--in this way; dina panca--five days; loka--the people; nistariya--delivering; ara dina--on the next day; calila--departed; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; udvigna hana--being very eager.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   In this way, for five days, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu delivered the people of Varanasi. Finally, on the next day, He became very eager to leave.

 

                               TEXT 178

 

                                 TEXT

 

                ratre uthi' prabhu yadi karila gamana

               pache lag la-ila tabe bhakta panca jana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ratre uthi'--rising at night; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; yadi--when; karila gamana--departed; pache--behind Him; lag la-ila--began to follow; tabe--then; bhakta panca jana--five devotees.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After rising very early on the sixth day, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu started to leave, and five devotees began to follow Him.

 

                               TEXT 179

 

                                 TEXT

 

           tapana misra, raghunatha, maharastriya brahmana

          candrasekhara, kirtaniya-paramananda,--panca jana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tapana misra--Tapana Misra; raghunatha--Raghunatha; maharastriya brahmana--the Maharastrian brahmana; candrasekhara--Candrasekhara; kirtaniya-paramananda--Paramananda, who used to perform kirtana; panca jana--these five persons.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   These five devotees were Tapana Misra, Raghunatha, the Maharastrian brahmana, Candrasekhara and Paramananda Kirtaniya.

 

                               TEXT 180

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sabe cahe prabhu-sange nilacala yaite

                sabare vidaya dila prabhu yatna-sahite

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sabe cahe--every one of them wanted; prabhu-sange--with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; nilacala yaite--to go to Jagannatha Puri; sabare--to all of them; vidaya dila--bade farewell; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; yatna-sahite--with great attention.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   These five wanted to accompany Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to Jagannatha Puri, but the Lord attentively bade them farewell.

 

                               TEXT 181

 

                                 TEXT

 

                "yanra iccha, pache aisa amare dekhite

                 ebe ami eka yamu jharikhanda-pathe"

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yanra--of one who; iccha--there is a desire; pache--later; aisa--you may come; amare dekhite--to see Me; ebe--but at this time; ami--I; eka--alone; yamu--shall go; jharikhanda-pathe--through the forest known as Jharikhanda.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "If you want to see Me, you may come later, but for the time being I shall go alone through the Jharikhanda forest."

 

                               TEXT 182

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sanatane kahila,--tumi yaha' vrndavana

                tomara dui bhai tatha kariyache gamana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sanatane kahila--he advised Sanatana Gosvami; tumi--you; yaha' vrndavana--go to Vrndavana; tomara--your; dui bhai--two brothers; tatha--there; kariyache gamana--have already gone.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised Sanatana Gosvami to proceed toward Vrndavana, and He informed him that his two brothers had already gone there.

 

                               TEXT 183

 

                                 TEXT

 

              kantha-karangiya mora kangala bhakta-gana

                 vrndavane aile tandera kariha palana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kantha--torn quilt; karangiya--a small waterpot; mora--My; kangala--poor; bhakta-gana--devotees; vrndavane aile--when they come to Vrndavana; tandera--of all of them; kariha palana--take care.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu told Sanatana Gosvami, "All My devotees who go to Vrndavana are generally very poor. They each have nothing with them but a torn quilt and a small waterpot. Therefore, Sanatana, you should give them shelter and maintain them."

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, we have constructed temples both in Vrndavana and Mayapur, Navadvipa, just to give shelter to the foreign devotees coming from Europe and America. Since the Hare Krsna movement started, many Europeans and Americans have been visiting Vrndavana, but they have not been properly received by any asrama or temple there. It is the purpose of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness to give them shelter and train them in devotional service. There are also many tourists eager to come to India to understand India's spiritual life, and the devotees in our temples both in Vrndavana and in Navadvipa should make arrangements to accommodate them as far as possible.

 

                               TEXT 184

 

                                 TEXT

 

                eta bali' calila prabhu saba alingiya

                  sabei padila tatha murcchita hana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eta bali'--saying this; calila--began to proceed; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; saba--all of them; alingiya--embracing; sabei--all of them; padila--fell down; tatha--there; murcchita hana--fainting.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After saying this, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu embraced them all and began to proceed on His way, and they all fainted and fell down.

 

                               TEXT 185

 

                                 TEXT

 

               kata-ksane uthi' sabe duhkhe ghare aila

                  sanatana-gosani vrndavanere calila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kata-ksane--after some time; uthi'--rising; sabe--all of them; duhkhe--in great unhappiness; ghare aila--returned to their homes; sanatana-gosani--Sanatana Gosvami; vrndavanere calila--proceeded toward Vrndavana.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After some time, all the devotees got up and returned to their homes very much grief-stricken. Sanatana Gosvami proceeded toward Vrndavana alone.

 

                               TEXT 186

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  etha rupa-gosani yabe mathura aila

               dhruva-ghate tanre subuddhi-raya milila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   etha--there; rupa-gosani--Rupa Gosani; yabe--when; mathura aila--came to Mathura; dhruva-ghate--at the bank of the Yamuna known as Dhruva-ghata; tanre--him; subuddhi-raya--a devotee of Lord Caitanya named Subuddhi Raya; milila--met.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When Rupa Gosvami reached Mathura, he met Subuddhi Raya on the banks of the Yamuna at a place called Dhruva-ghata.

 

                               TEXT 187

 

                                 TEXT

 

           purve yabe subuddhi-raya chila gaude 'adhikari'

               husena-khan 'saiyada' kare tahara cakari

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   purve--formerly; yabe--when; subuddhi-raya--Subuddhi Raya; chila--resided; gaude--in Bengal; adhikari--a very respectable man; husena-khan--Nawab Hussain Khan; saiyada--named Saiyada; kare--performed; tahara cakari--service of Subuddhi Raya.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Formerly Subuddhi Raya had been a big landholder in Gauda-desa [Bengal]. Saiyada Hussain Khan was then a servant of Subuddhi Raya.

 

                               TEXT 188

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 dighi khodaite tare 'munsipha' kaila

                 chidra pana raya tare cabuka marila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   dighi khodaite--to dig a big lake; tare--Hussain Khan; munsipha kaila--appointed as the supervisor; chidra pana--finding some fault; raya--Subuddhi Raya; tare--him; cabuka marila--whipped.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Subuddhi Raya put Hussain Khan in charge of digging a big lake, but, once, finding fault with him, he struck him with a whip.

 

                               TEXT 189

 

                                 TEXT

 

              pache yabe husena-khan gaude 'raja' ha-ila

                  subuddhi-rayere tinho bahu badaila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   pache--later; yabe--when; husena-khan--Hussain Khan; gaude--in Bengal; raja ha-ila--was appointed Nawab, or governor, by the central Mohammedan government; subuddhi-rayere--unto Subuddhi Raya; tinho--he; bahu badaila--increased the opulences.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Later Hussain Khan somehow or other was appointed Nawab by the central Mohammedan government. As a matter of obligation, he increased the opulences of Subuddhi Raya.

 

                               TEXT 190

 

                                 TEXT

 

               tara stri tara ange dekhe maranera cihne

               subuddhi-rayere marite kahe raja-sthane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tara stri--his wife; tara ange--on his body; dekhe--sees; maranera cihne--the mark of the whip; subuddhi-rayere--Subuddhi Raya; marite--to kill; kahe--says; raja-sthane--in the presence of the King.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Later, when the wife of Nawab Saiyada Hussain Khan saw the whip marks on his body, she requested him to kill Subuddhi Raya.

 

                               TEXT 191

 

                                 TEXT

 

               raja kahe,--amara posta raya haya 'pita'

                 tahare marimu ami,--bhala nahe katha

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   raja kahe--the King said; amara--my; posta--maintainer; raya--Subuddhi Raya; haya--is; pita--just like my father; tahare marimu--shall kill him; ami--I; bhala nahe katha--this is not a good proposal.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Hussain Khan replied, "Subuddhi Raya has maintained me very carefully. He was just like a father to me," he said. "Now you are asking me to kill him. This is not a very good proposal."

 

                               TEXT 192

 

                                 TEXT

 

             stri kahe,--jati laha', yadi prane na maribe

                 raja kahe,--jati nile inho nahi jibe

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   stri kahe--the wife replied; jati laha'--then take his caste; yadi--if; prane na maribe--you will not kill him; raja kahe--the King replied; jati nile--if I take his caste; inho nahi jibe--he will not live (he will commit suicide).

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   As a last alternative, the wife suggested that the Nawab take away Subuddhi Raya's caste and turn him into a Mohammedan, but Hussain Khan replied that if he did this, Subuddhi Raya would not live.