THE STATUS QUO

Chapter 1

AccordingtotheGaudiyaacintyabhedabhedatattvaphilosophy,anything
whichsatisfiesthesensesoftheSupremeLord,SriKrsna,isalsoSriKrsna.
Forexample,SriVrndavanadhamaisnondifferentfromSriKrsna(taddhama
vrndavanam)becauseatVrndavanatheLordenjoysthetranscendentalblissof
Hisinternalpotency.Similarly,thehouseofthePandavaswasalsothesource
oftranscendentalblissfortheLord.ItismentionedherethattheLord
identifiedthehousewithHisownSelf.ThusthehouseofthePandavaswasas
goodasVrndavana,andVidurashouldnothavegivenupthatplaceof
transcendentalbliss.Thereforethereasonforhisquittingthehousewasnot
exactlyfamilymisunderstanding;rather,Viduratooktheopportunitytomeet
RsiMaitreyaanddiscusstranscendentalknowledge.Forasaintlypersonlike
Vidura,anydisturbanceduetoworldlyaffairsisinsignificant.Such
disturbances,however,aresometimesfavorableforhigherrealization,and
thereforeViduratookadvantageofafamilymisunderstandinginordertomeet
MaitreyaRsi.
TheKingwasveryanxioustounderstandthemeaningfuldiscussionthattook
placebetweenthetwogreatsouls.
Thereisadifferencebetweenkarmaandkarmayoga.Karmaisregulated
actionfortheenjoymentofthefruitbytheperformer,butkarmayogaisaction
performedbythedevoteeforthesatisfactionoftheLord.Karmayogaisbased
onbhakti,orpleasingtheLord,whereaskarmaisbasedonpleasingthesenses
oftheperformerhimself.
Butwhenoneisblindspiritually,eventhoughphysicallyfit,thatblindnessis
dangerouslydetrimentaltotheprogressivepathofhumanlife.
Yudhisthira,whowasbornwithoutanyenemy,wasunfairlydefeatedin
gambling.Butbecausehehadtakenthevowoftruthfulness,hewentofftothe
forest.Whenhecamebackinduecourseandbeggedthereturnofhisrightful
shareofthekingdom,hewasrefusedbyDhrtarastra,whowasoverwhelmedby
illusion.
AtlastthePandavasdemandedonlyfivevillages,oneforeachofthefive
brothers,butthatwasalsorefusedbytheusurpers.ThisincidentledtotheWar
ofKuruksetra.TheBattleofKuruksetra,therefore,wasinducedbytheKurus,
andnotthePandavas.
Asksatriyas,theproperlivelihoodofthePandavaswasonlytorule,andnotto
acceptanyotheroccupation.Abrahmana,ksatriyaorvaisyawillnotaccept
employmentforhislivelihoodunderanycircumstances.

Krsnaiseveryone'sLord,yetbecauseHewasthetranscendentalfriendof
Arjuna,Hegladlyacceptedtheroleofmessenger,exactlylikeanordinary
friend.ThatisthebeautyoftheLord'sbehaviorwithHispuredevotees.
ThemessageofGodheadisalwayslikenectartothedevotees,butitisjustthe
oppositetothenondevotees.Sugarcandyisalwayssweettoahealthyman,but
ittastesverybittertopersonssufferingfromjaundice.
Theksatriyasusedtofightthekingsofvariousdominionsandkidnaptheir
beautifulprincessdaughters,afterconqueringtheirrelatives.Thissystemwas
laudablebecausetheksatriyasandtheprincesseswouldbemarriedonlyonthe
basisofthechivalryoftheconqueringksatriya.Alltheyoungprincesofthe
Yadudynastymarriedthedaughtersofotherkingsinthisway,bychivalrous
force,andthustheywereconquerorsofallthekingsoftheworld.
ViduragaveDhrtarastraverygoodcounselregardingpoliticalalliance
withthesonsofPrtha,thePandavas.ThefirstthinghesaidwasthatLord
Krsnawasintimatelyrelatedwiththemastheircousin.BecauseLord
KrsnaistheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,Heisworshipablebyall
brahmanasanddemigods,whoarethecontrollersoftheuniversalaffairs.
Besidesthat,LordKrsnaandHisfamilymembers,theroyalorderofthe
Yadudynasty,weretheconquerorsofallkingsoftheworld.
Agoodsoniscalledapatya,onewhodoesnotallowhisfathertofalldown.
Thesoncanprotectthefather'ssoulwhenthefatherisdeadbyoffering
sacrificestopleasetheSupremeLord,Visnu.Thissystemisstillprevalentin
India.Afterthedeathofhisfather,asongoestooffersacrificesatthelotusfeet
ofVisnuatGayaandthusdeliversthefather'ssoulifthefatherisfallen.Butif
thesonisalreadyanenemyofVisnu,how,insuchaninimicalmood,canhe
offersacrificeuntoLordVisnu'slotusfeet?
AccordingtothemoralinstructionsofCanakyaPandita,"Whatistheuseofa
sonwhoisneitheralearnedmannoradevoteeoftheLord?"Ifasonisnota
devoteeoftheSupremeLord,heisjustlikeblindeyesasourceoftrouble.A
physicianmaysometimesadvisetheextricationofsuchuselesseyesfromtheir
socketssothatonecanberelievedoftheconstanttrouble.
Itissaidthatgivinggoodcounseltoafoolishpersoncausesthefooltobecome
angry,justasfeedingmilktoasnakeonlyincreasesitsvenomouspoison.Saint
Vidurawassohonorablethathischaracterwaslookeduptobyallrespectable
persons.ButDuryodhanawassofoolishthathedaredtoinsultVidura.This
wasduetohisbadassociationwithSakuni,hismaternaluncle,aswellaswith
hisfriendKarna,whoalwaysencouragedDuryodhanainhisnefariousacts.

Whengettingmarried,theksatriyakingswouldtakeonseveralotheryouthful
girlsalongwiththemarriedprincess.Thesegirlattendantsofthekingwere
knownasdasis,orattendantmistresses.Byintimateassociationwiththeking,
thedasiswouldgetsons.Suchsonswerecalleddasiputras.Theyhadnoclaim
toaroyalposition,buttheywouldgetmaintenanceandotherfacilitiesjustlike
princes.Vidurawasthesonofsuchadasi,andhewasthusnotcounted
amongsttheksatriyas.
Whoaskedhimtocomehere,thissonofakeptmistress?Heissocrookedthat
hespiesintheinterestoftheenemyagainstthoseonwhosesupporthehas
grownup.Tosshimoutofthepalaceimmediatelyandleavehimwithonlyhis
breath.
Thusbeingpiercedbyarrowsthroughhisearsandafflictedtothecoreofhis
heart,Viduraplacedhisbowonthedoorandquithisbrother'spalace.Hewas
notsorry,forheconsideredtheactsoftheexternalenergytobesupreme.
Absorbedinthefalseego,hethinksthatheisdoingeverythingbyhimself.The
externalenergyoftheLord,thematerialnature,isfullyunderthecontrolofthe
SupremeLord,andtheconditionedsoulisfullyunderthegripoftheexternal
energy.Therefore,theconditionedsoulisfullyunderthecontrolofthelawof
theLord.But,duetoillusiononly,hethinkshimselfindependentinhis
activities.
InspiteofbeingverystronglyinsultedbyDuryodhana'swords,Viduracould
seethatDuryodhana,undertheinfluenceofmaya,theexternalenergy,was
makingprogressonthepathtowardhisownruination.Hethereforeconsidered
theactsoftheexternalenergytobesupreme,yethealsosawhowtheinternal
energyoftheLordhelpedhiminthatparticularsituation.
Adevoteeisalwaysinarenouncedtemperamentbecausetheworldly
attractionscanneversatisfyhim.Vidurawasneverattractedbytheroyal
palaceofhisbrother.Hewasalwaysreadytoleavetheplaceanddevote
himselfcompletelytothetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.Nowhe
gottheopportunitybythegraceofDuryodhana,andinsteadofbeingsorryat
thestrongwordsofinsult,hethankedhimfromwithinbecauseitgavehimthe
chancetolivealoneinaholyplaceandfullyengageinthedevotionalservice
oftheLord.Thewordgatavyathah(withoutbeingsorry)issignificanthere
becauseVidurawasrelievedfromthetribulationswhichtroubleeveryman
entangledinmaterialactivities.
AfterleavingHastinapura,hetookshelterofmanyplacesofpilgrimages,

whicharetheLord'slotusfeet.Withadesiretogainahighorderofpiouslife,
hetraveledtoholyplaceswherethousandsoftranscendentalformsoftheLord
aresituated.

Tohavehighparentage,topossesswealth,tobehighlylearnedandtohave
greatpersonalbeautyareallduetopastpiousacts.Butsuchpiouspossessions
arenotsufficientforobtainingthegraceoftheLordandbeingengagedinHis
transcendentallovingservice.Viduraconsideredhimselflesspious,and
thereforehedecidedtotraveltoallthegreatplacesofpilgrimageintheworld
inordertoachievegreaterpietyandadvancenearertotheLord.Atthattime,
LordKrsnawaspersonallypresentintheworld,andViduracouldhaveatonce
approachedHimdirectly,buthedidnotdosobecausehewasnotsufficiently
freedfromsin.OnecannotbeonehundredpercentdevotedtotheLordunless
anduntilheiscompletelyfreefromalleffectsofsin.
VidurawasconsciousthatbytheassociationofthediplomaticDhrtarastraand
Duryodhanahehadlosthispietyandwasthereforenotfittoassociateatonce
withtheLord.
Onlythosewhoarepuredevotees,thosewhofollowtheregulativeprinciples
ofreligiouslifeasprescribedinthescriptures,areabletoengagethemselvesin
karmayogaandthenjnanayogaandthereafter,bypuremeditation,can
understandpureconsciousness.WhenGodconsciousnessisdeveloped,one
cantakeadvantageoftheassociationofpuredevotees.Syanmahatsevaya
viprahpunyatirthanisevanat:oneisabletoassociatewiththeLordeven
duringtheexistenceofthislife.
Placesofpilgrimagesaremeantforeradicatingthesinsofthepilgrims,and
theyaredistributedallovertheuniversejusttogivefacilitytoallconcernedfor
attainingpureexistenceandGodrealization.One
shouldnotbesatisfied,
however,merelybyvisitingtheplacesofpilgrimageandperformingone's
prescribedduties;heshouldbeeagertomeetthegreatsoulswhoarealready
there,engagedintheserviceoftheLord.Ineachandeveryplaceof
pilgrimage,theLordispresentinHisvarioustranscendentalforms.
TothedegreethatwehaveenteredintotheserviceoftheLordortothe
proportiontowhichourlivesarefreedfromsins,wecanperceivetheLord.
Buteventhoughwearenotfreefromsins,theLordiskindenoughtoallowus
thefacilityofseeingHiminHisarcamurtisinthetemple.TheLordisall
powerful,andthereforeHeisabletoacceptourservicebypresentationofHis
arcaform.Noone,therefore,shouldfoolishlythinkthearcainthetempletobe
anidol.SuchanarcamurtiisnotanidolbuttheLordHimself,andtothe
proportiontowhichoneisfreefromsins,heisabletoknowthesignificanceof

thearcamurti.Theguidanceofapuredevoteeisthereforealwaysrequired.
TheLordispresentatMathura(thebirthplaceofLordKrsna)asAdikesava;
theLordispresentatPuri(Orissa)asLordJagannatha(alsoknownas
Purusottama);HeispresentatAllahabad(Prayaga)asBindumadhava;at
MandaraHillHeispresentasMadhusudana.IntheAnandaranya,Heisknown
asVasudeva,PadmanabhaandJanardana;atVisnukanci,Heisknownas
Visnu;andatMayapura,HeisknownasHari.
Hebegantotravelalone,thinkingonlyofKrsna,throughvariousholyplaces
likeAyodhya,DvarakaandMathura.Hetraveledwheretheair,hill,orchard,
riverandlakeareallpureandsinlessandwheretheformsoftheUnlimited
decoratethetemples.Thusheperformedthepilgrim'sprogress.
Thereisnodifferencebetweenthepotenciesofthearcaandthoseofthe
personalformsoftheLord.Theexampleofthepostboxandpostofficemaybe
appliedhere.Thelittlepostboxesdistributedalloverthecityhavethesame
potencyasthepostalsystemingeneral.
Similarly,thearcamurticanalsodeliverthesameunlimitedpotencyofthe
LordaswhenHeispersonallypresent.Vidura,therefore,couldseenothingbut
Krsnainthedifferentarcaforms,andultimatelyhewasabletorealizeKrsna
aloneandnothingelse.
Whilesotraversingtheearth,hesimplyperformeddutiestopleasethe
SupremeLordHari.Hisoccupationwaspureandindependent.Hewas
constantlysanctifiedbytakinghisbathinholyplaces,althoughhewasin
thedressofamendicantandhadnohairdressingnorabedonwhichto
lie.Thushewasalwaysunseenbyhisvariousrelatives.
ThefirstandforemostdutyofapilgrimistosatisfytheSupremeLordHari.
Whiletravelingasapilgrim,oneshouldnotbeworriedaboutpleasingsociety.
Thereisnoneedtodependonsocialformalitiesoroccupationordress.One
shouldremainalwaysabsorbedinthefunctionofpleasingtheLord.Thus
sanctifiedbythoughtandaction,oneisabletorealizetheSupremeLordbythe
processofapilgrim'sjourney.
AtpresenttherearehundredsandthousandsofflagsflappingintheUnited
Nations,butduringthetimeofViduratherewas,bythegraceofAjita,Lord
Krsna,onlyoneflag.
AttheplaceofpilgrimageatPrabhasa,itcametohisknowledgethatallhis
relativeshaddiedduetoviolentpassion,justasanentireforestburnsdueto
fireproducedbythefrictionofbamboos.Afterthisheproceededwest,where
theRiverSarasvatiflows.

Noonegoestotheforesttosetitonfire,butdueonlytofrictionbetween
bamboos,firetakesplaceandburnsanentireforest.Similarly,inthegreater
forestofworldlytransaction,thefireofwartakesplacebecauseoftheviolent
passionoftheconditionedsoulsillusionedbytheexternalenergy.Sucha
worldlyfirecanbeextinguishedonlybythewaterofthemercycloudofsaints,
justasaforestfirecanbeextinguishedonlybyrainsfallingfromacloud.
OnthebankoftheRiverSarasvatitherewereelevenplacesofpilgrimage,
namely,(1)Trita,(2)Usana,(3)Manu,(4)Prthu,(5)Agni,(6)Asita,(7)Vayu,
(8)Sudasa,(9)Go,(10)Guhaand(11)Sraddhadeva.Viduravisitedallofthem
anddulyperformedrituals.
Thesages,orpersonswhocompletelydevotedthemselvestothespiritual
upliftmentoftheentirehumansociety,wereknownasdvijadeva,thebest
amongstthetwiceborn.Thedenizensofsuperiorplanets,fromthemoon
planetandupwards,wereknownasdevas.Boththedvijadevasandthedevas
alwaysestablishtemplesofLordVisnuinHisvariousforms,suchasGovinda,
Madhusudana,Nrsimha,Madhava,Kesava,Narayana,Padmanabha,Partha
sarathiandmanyothers
LordVisnuhasfourhands,andeachhandholdsaparticularitemeithera
conchshell,wheel,cluborlotusflower.Ofthesefouremblems,thecakra,or
wheel,isthechief.LordKrsna,beingtheoriginalVisnuform,hasonlyone
emblem,namelythewheel,andthereforeHeissometimescalledtheCakri.
TheLord'scakraisthesymbolofthepowerbywhichtheLordcontrolsthe
wholemanifestation.
ThetopsofVisnutemplesaremarkedwiththesymbolofthewheelsothat
peoplemayhavethechancetoseethesymbolfromaverylongdistanceandat
oncerememberLordKrsna.Thepurposeofbuildingveryhightemplesisto
givepeopleachancetoseethemfromadistantplace.
Thegreatsagesanddemigodsneverestablishedstatuesofmenordemigods,
buttheyestablishedtemplesofVisnuforthebenefitofcommonmen,toraise
themtotheplatformofGodconsciousness.
Thetractoflandcomprisingaboutonehundredsquaremilesfrommodern
DelhitotheMathuradistrictinUttarPradesh,includingaportionofthe
GurgaondistrictinPunjab(EastIndia),isconsideredtobethetopmostplaceof
pilgrimageinallofIndia.ThislandissacredbecauseLordKrsnatraveled
throughitmanytimes.FromtheverybeginningofHisappearance,Hewasat
MathurainthehouseofHismaternaluncleKamsa,andHewasrearedbyHis
fosterfatherMaharajaNandaatVrndavana.Therearestillmanydevoteesof
theLordlingeringthereinecstasyinsearchofKrsnaandHischildhood
associates,thegopis.ItisnotthatsuchdevoteesmeetKrsnafacetofaceinthat

tractofland,butadevotee'seagerlysearchingafterKrsnaisasgoodashis
seeingHimpersonally.Howthisissocannotbeexplained,butitisfactually
realizedbythosewhoarepuredevoteesoftheLord.Philosophically,onecan
understandthatLordKrsnaandHisremembranceareontheabsoluteplaneand
thattheveryideaofsearchingforHimatVrndavanainpureGod
consciousnessgivesmorepleasuretothedevoteethanseeingHimfacetoface.
SuchdevoteesoftheLordseeHimfacetofaceateverymoment,
"ThosewhoareinecstasyoflovewiththeSupremePersonalityofGodhead,
LordSyamasundara[Krsna],seeHimalwaysintheirheartsduetoloveand
devotionalservicerenderedtotheLord."BothViduraandUddhavaweresuch
elevateddevotees,andthereforetheybothcametothebankoftheYamunaand
meteachother.
Uddhavawasagreatscholarinlogic,andhewasknowntobeasonordisciple
ofBrhaspati,thegreatlylearnedpriestandspiritualmasterofthedemigods.
LordKrsnaandBalaramaarenottwodifferentPersonalitiesofGodhead.God
isonewithoutasecond,butHeexpandsHimselfinmanyformswithouttheir
beingseparatefromoneanother.Theyareallplenaryexpansions.The
immediateexpansionofLordKrsnaisBaladeva,andBrahma,bornfromthe
lotusflowerfromGarbhodakasayiVisnu,isanexpansionofBaladeva.This
indicatesthatKrsnaandBaladevaarenotsubjectedtotheregulationsofthe
universe;onthecontrary,thewholeuniverseisunderTheirsubjugation
OUddhava,pleasetellmehowisPradyumna,thecommanderinchiefofthe
Yadus,whowasCupidinaformerlife?Rukminiborehimashersonfrom
LordKrsna,bythegraceofbrahmanaswhomshepleased.
Omyfriend,[tellme]whetherUgrasena,theKingoftheSatvatas,Vrsnis,
BhojasandDasarhas,isnowdoingwell.Hewentfarawayfromhiskingdom,
leavingasideallhopesofhisroyalthrone,butLordKrsnaagaininstalledhim.
ItislearnedherethatKamadevaappearedasPradyumna,KarttikeyaasSamba,
andoneoftheVasusasUddhava.Allofthemservedintheirdifferent
capacitiesinordertoenrichthepastimesofKrsna.
OUddhava,doesYuyudhanafarewell?Helearnedtheintricaciesofthe
militaryartfromArjunaandattainedthetranscendentaldestinationwhichis
verydifficulttoreachevenforgreatrenouncers.
Thedestinationoftranscendenceistobecomethepersonalassociateofthe
PersonalityofGodhead,whoisknownasadhoksaja,Hewhoisbeyondthe
reachofthesenses.Therenouncersoftheworld,thesannyasis,giveupall
worldlyconnections,namely,family,wife,children,friends,home,wealth
everythingtoattainthetranscendentalblissofBrahmanhappiness.But

adhoksajahappinessisbeyondBrahmanhappiness.Theempiricphilosophers
enjoyatranscendentalqualityofblissbyphilosophicalspeculationonthe
SupremeTruth,butbeyondthatpleasureisthepleasureenjoyedbyBrahmanin
HiseternalformofthePersonalityofGodhead.Brahmanblissisenjoyedby
livingentitiesafterliberationfrommaterialbondage.
ButParabrahman,thePersonalityofGodhead,enjoyseternallyablissofHis
ownpotency,whichiscalledthehladinipotency.Theempiricphilosopherwho
studiesBrahmanbynegationoftheexternalfeatureshasnotyetlearnedthe
qualityofthehladinipotencyofBrahman.Outofmanypotenciesofthe
Omnipotent,therearethreefeaturesofHisinternalpotencynamelysamvit,
sandhiniandhladini.Andinspiteoftheirstrictadherencetotheprinciplesof
yama,niyama,asana,dhyana,dharanaandpranayama,thegreatyogisand
jnanisareunabletoenterintotheinternalpotencyoftheLord.

Thisinternalpotencyis,however,easilyrealizedbythedevoteesoftheLord
bydintofdevotionalservice.Yuyudhanaachievedthisstageoflife,justashe
achievedexpertknowledgeinmilitarysciencefromArjuna.Thushislifewas
successfultothefullestextentfromboththematerialandspiritualanglesof
vision.ThatisthewayofdevotionalservicetotheLord.
WhenAkruracametoVrndavanainsearchofKrsna,hesawthefootprintsof
theLordonthedustofNandagramaandatoncefellontheminecstasyof
transcendentallove.Thisecstasyispossibleforadevoteewhoisfully
absorbedinincessantthoughtsofKrsna.SuchapuredevoteeoftheLordis
naturallyfaultlessbecauseheisalwaysassociatedwiththesupremelypure
PersonalityofGodhead.ConstantthoughtoftheLordistheantisepticmethod
forkeepingoneselffreefromtheinfectiouscontaminationofthematerial
qualities.ThepuredevoteeoftheLordisalwaysincompanywiththeLordby
thinkingofHim.Yet,intheparticularcontextoftimeandplace,the
transcendentalemotionstakeadifferentturn,andthisbreaksthemental
equilibriumofthedevotee.LordCaitanyadisplayedthetypicalexampleof
transcendentalecstasy,aswecanunderstandfromthelifeofthisincarnationof
God.
TheVedasaimattheunderstandingoftheLord,andtheLordistheVedas
personified.DevakiiscomparedtothemeaningfulVedasandtheLordtotheir
purposepersonified.
Adicaturbhuja,theoriginalexpansionsfromBaladeva,areVasudeva,
Sankarsana,PradyumnaandAniruddha
AniruddhaisalsothecauseofMahaVisnu,fromwhosebreathingtheRgVeda
appeared.AllthisisnicelyexplainedintheMarkandeyaPurana.Inthe

incarnationofLordKrsna,AniruddhaappearedasthesonoftheLord.Lord
KrsnainDvarakaistheVasudevaexpansionoftheoriginalgroup.Theoriginal
LordKrsnaneverleavesGolokaVrndavana.Alltheplenaryexpansionsare
oneandthesamevisnutattva,andthereisnodifferenceinTheirpotency.
MaharajaYudhisthirawastheemblemofreligion.HisactualarmswereLord
KrsnaandArjuna,andthushesurpassedeveryone'sopulence.Duryodhana,
beingenviousofthisopulence,plannedsomanyschemestoputYudhisthira
intodifficulty,andatlasttheBattleofKuruksetrawasbroughtabout.
PowerfulBhimadidnottakestepsagainstthesonsofDhrtarastraforalong
time.Vidura'sinquirywaswhetherhehadyetreleasedhisanger,whichwas
likethatofasufferingcobra.Whenacobrareleasesitsvenomafterlong
cherishedanger,itsvictimcannotsurvive.

LordSivatestedArjuna'sstrengthbypickingaquarrelwithhimoverahunted
boar.HeconfrontedArjunainthefalsedressofahunter,andArjunacovered
himwitharrowsuntilLordSivawassatisfiedwithArjuna'sfighting.He
offeredArjunathePasupatiweaponandblessedhim.
Indra,theKingofheaven,carriesathunderboltinhishandandisverystrong,
yetGaruda,thecarrierofLordVisnu,wasabletosnatchnectarfromhis
mouth.Similarly,DuryodhanawasasstrongastheKingofheaven,andstill
thesonsofPrtha,thePandavas,wereabletosnatchawaytheirkingdomfrom
Duryodhana.BothGarudaandtheParthasarepetdevoteesoftheLord,and
thusitwaspossibleforthemtofacesuchstrongenemies.
Vidura'sinquirywasabouttheyoungestbrothersofthePandavas,namely
NakulaandSahadeva.ThesetwinbrothersweresonsofMadri,thestepmother
oftheotherPandavas.Butalthoughtheywerestepbrothers,becauseKuntitook
chargeofthemafterthedepartureofMadriwithherhusbandMaharajaPandu,
NakulaandSahadevawereasgoodastheotherthreePandavas,Yudhisthira,
BhimaandArjuna.
WhenMaharajaPandudied,bothhiswives,namelyKuntiandMadri,were
preparedtoembracethefire,butMadrirequestedKuntitoliveforthesakeof
theyoungerchildren,thefivePandavas.ThiswasagreeduponbyKuntiatthe
addedrequestofVyasadeva.Inspiteofhergreatbereavement,Kuntidecided
tolive,nottoenjoylifeintheabsenceofherhusband,butonlytogive
protectiontothechildren.
Viduradidnotaskaboutthewelfareofhiselderbrotherbecausetherewasno

chanceofhiswellbeing,onlynewsofhisglidingdowntohell.Vidurawasa
sincerewellwisherforDhrtarastra,andhehadathoughtabouthiminthe
cornerofhisheart.HelamentedthatDhrtarastracouldrebelagainstthesonsof
hisdeadbrotherPanduandthathecoulddrivehim(Vidura)outofhisown
houseonthedictationofhiscrookedsons.Inspiteoftheseactions,Vidura
neverbecameanenemyofDhrtarastrabutcontinuedtobehiswellwisher,and
atthelaststageofDhrtarastra'slife,itwasViduraonlywhoprovedtobehis
realfriend.SuchisthebehaviorofaVaisnavalikeVidura:hedesiresallgood,
evenforhisenemies.
Iamnotastonishedatthis,havingtraveledovertheworldwithoutbeingseen
byothers.TheactivitiesofthePersonalityofGodhead,whicharelikethoseof
amaninthismortalworld,arebewilderingtoothers,butIknowofHis
greatnessbyHisgrace,andthusIamhappyinallrespects.
AlthoughhewasthebrotherofDhrtarastra,Vidurawascompletelydifferent.
BythegraceofLordKrsna,hewasnotfoolishlikehisbrother,andthushis
brother'sassociationcouldnotinfluencehim.

Dhrtarastraandhismaterialisticsonswantedtofalselylorditovertheworldby
dintoftheirownstrength.TheLordencouragedtheminthis,andthusthey
becamemoreandmorebewildered.ButVidurawantedtoachievesincere
devotionalserviceoftheLordandthereforebecameasoulabsolutely
surrenderedtotheAbsolutePersonalityofGodhead.Hecouldrealizethisin
theprogressofhispilgrim'sjourney,andthushewasfreedfromalldoubts.
Hewasnotatallsorrytobebereftofhishearthandhomebecausehenow
hadexperiencethatdependenceonthemercyoftheLordisagreater
freedomthansocalledfreedomathome.Apersonshouldnotbeinthe
renouncedorderoflifeunlessheisfirmlyconvincedofbeingprotectedbythe
Lord.ThisstageoflifeisexplainedinBhagavadgitaasabhayamsattva
samsuddhih:everylivingentityisfactuallycompletelydependentonthemercy
oftheLord,butunlessoneisinthepurestateofexistence,hecannotbe
establishedinthisposition.Thisstageofdependenceiscalledsattva
samsuddhih,orpurificationofone'sexistence.
Theresultofsuchpurificationisexhibitedinfearlessness.Adevoteeofthe
Lord,whoiscallednarayanapara,isneverafraidofanythingbecauseheis
alwaysawareofthefactthattheLordprotectshiminallcircumstances.With
thisconviction,Viduratraveledalone,andhewasnotseenorrecognizedby
anyfriendorfoe.Thusheenjoyedfreedomoflifewithoutobligationtothe
manydutiesoftheworld.

Thereweremanyotherkingsonearthwhohadbecomeveryproudofthree
kindsofpossessionswealth,educationandfollowersandtheywere
constantlyagitatingtheearthbymovementsofmilitarystrength.TheLordwas
justwaitingtogetthemtogetherontheBattlefieldofKuruksetraandkillthem
allatonetime,justtomakeashortcutinHiskillingmission.
"IhavewillinglydescendedontheearthinMycapacityofinexorableTimein
ordertodecreasetheunwantedpopulation.Ishallfinishallthosewhohave
assembledhereexceptyou,thePandavas.Thiskillingdoesnotwaitforyouto
takepartinit.Itisalreadyarranged:allwillbekilledbyMe.Ifyouwantto
becomefamousastheheroofthebattlefieldandthusenjoythebootyofwar,
then,OSavyasaci,justbecometheimmediatecauseofthiskillingandthus
takethecredit.IhavealreadykilledallthegreatwarriorsBhisma,Drona,
Jayadratha,Karnaandmanyothergreatgenerals.Donotworry.Fightthe
battleandbefamousasagreathero."
TheLordalwayswantstoseeHisdevoteeastheheroofsomeepisodewhich
HeHimselfperforms.HewantedtoseeHisdevoteeandfriendArjunaasthe
herooftheBattleofKuruksetra,andthusHewaitedforallthemiscreantsof
theworldtoassemble.That,andnothingelse,istheexplanationofHiswaiting.

Ordinarylivingbeingsworkfortheimprovementoftheirconditionallives.But
theLordisalreadyfullofallopulence,allstrength,allfame,allbeauty,all
knowledgeandallrenunciation.WhyshouldHedesireimprovement?Noone
canexcelHiminanyopulence,andthereforethedesireforimprovementis
absolutelyuselessforHim.Oneshouldalwaysdiscriminatebetweenthe
activitiesoftheLordandthoseofordinarylivingbeings.
OnewhocancometotheconclusionoftheLord'stranscendencecanbecomea
devoteeoftheLordandcanatoncebefreefromallreactionsofpastdeeds.It
issaid,karmaninirdahatikintucabhaktibhajam:theLordminimizesor
nullifiesthereactionaryinfluenceofthedevotee'spastdeeds.(Brahma
samhita5.54)
TheLordalwaysactsinfavorofthedevotees,andthereforeordinarymenwho
arefruitiveactorsorseekersofsalvationmaybeattractedtotheLordwhenHe
actsasprotectorofthedevotees.Thefruitiveactorscanattaintheirgoalsby
devotionalservice,andthesalvationistscanalsoattaintheirgoalinlifeby
devotionalservicetotheLord.Thedevoteesdonotwantthefruitiveresultsof
theirwork,nordotheywantanykindofsalvation.Theyrelishtheglorious
superhumanactivitiesoftheLord,suchasHisliftingGovardhanaHillandHis
killingthedemonPutanaininfancy.Hisactivitiesareenactedtoattractall
kindsofmenkarmis,jnanisandbhaktas.BecauseHeistranscendentaltoall

lawsofkarma,thereisnopossibilityofHisacceptingaformofmayaasis
forcedontheordinarylivingentitieswhoareboundbytheactionsand
reactionsoftheirowndeeds.
ThesecondarypurposeofHisappearanceistoannihilatetheupstartasurasand
tostopthenonsenseofatheisticpropagandabylessintelligentpersons.Bythe
Lord'scauselessmercy,theasuraswhoarekilledpersonallybythePersonality
ofGodheadgetsalvation.ThemeaningfulappearanceoftheLordisalways
distinctfromordinarybirth.Eventhepuredevoteeshavenoconnectionwith
thematerialbody,andcertainlytheLord,whoappearsasHeis,inHissaccid
anandaform,isnotlimitedbyamaterialform.
Thesurrenderedrulersandthepuredevoteesarealwaysstrictlyunderthe
controloftheLord,andtheyareneverdisobedienttothedesiresoftheLord.
TheLordisthereforealwaysattentivetothem.
ThepurposeofpilgrimagesistoremembertheLordconstantly,andtherefore
theLordisknownastirthakirti.Thepurposeofgoingtoaplaceofpilgrimage
istogetthechancetoglorifytheLord.Eventoday,althoughtimeshave
changed,therearestillpilgrimagesitesinIndia.Forexample,inMathuraand
Vrndavana,wherewehadachancetostay,peopleareawakefromearlyinthe
morningat4A.M.upuntilnighttimeandareconstantlyengaged,somewayor
other,inchantingtheholygloriesoftheLord.Thebeautyofsuchapilgrimage
siteisthatautomaticallyonerememberstheholygloriesoftheLord.
Hisname,fame,quality,form,pastimesandentourageareallidenticaltothe
Lord,andthereforechantingthegloriesoftheLordinvokesthepersonal
presenceoftheLord.Anytimeoranywherepuredevoteesmeetandchantthe
gloriesoftheLord,theLordispresentwithoutanydoubt.ItissaidbytheLord
HimselfthatHealwaysstayswhereHispuredevoteeschantHisglories.
Chapter 2

UddhavusedtoplaywithdollsintheformofKrsna,hewouldservethedolls
bydressing,feedingandworshipingthem,andthushewasconstantlyabsorbed
intheplayoftranscendentalrealization.Thesearethesignsofaneternally
liberatedsoul.AneternallyliberatedsoulisadevoteeoftheLordwhonever
forgetsHim.
particularlyinthesefamiliestheworshipofLordKrsnaisregularlyperformed
andthechildgetstheopportunitytoimitatetheprocessofworshipcalled
arcana.
Thepancaratrikiformulafortrainingpersonsindevotionalserviceistemple
worship,wherebytheneophytesgettheopportunitytolearndevotionalservice
totheLord.MaharajaPariksitalsousedtoplaywithKrsnadollsinhis

childhood.InIndiathechildreningoodfamiliesarestillgivendollsofthe
LordlikeRamaandKrsna,orsometimesthedemigods,sothattheymay
developtheaptitudeofservicetotheLord.
Generally,inoldageapersonisallowedretirementfrommundaneservice.But
inthetranscendentalserviceoftheLordthereisnoretirementatall;onthe
contrary,theserviceattitudeincreasesmoreandmorewiththeprogressofage.
Inthetranscendentalservicethereisnosatiation,andthereforethereisno
retirement.
Materially,whenamanbecomestiredbyrenderingserviceinhisphysical
body,heisallowedretirement,butinthetranscendentalservicethereisno
feelingoffatiguebecauseitisspiritualserviceandisnotonthebodilyplane.
Serviceonthebodilyplanedwindlesasthebodygrowsolder,butthespiritis
neverold,andthereforeonthespiritualplanetheserviceisnevertiresome.
hewasquestionedbyViduraaboutLordKrsna,heatoncerememberedhis
Lordbyreferencetothecontextandforgothimselfonthephysicalplane.
ThatisthesignofpuredevotionalservicetotheLord,aswillbeexplained
lateron(laksanambhaktiyogasya,etc.)inLordKapila'sinstructionsto
Hismother,Devahuti.
Foramomentheremaineddeadsilent,andhisbodydidnotmove.Hebecame
absorbedinthenectarofrememberingtheLord'slotusfeetindevotional
ecstasy,andheappearedtobegoingincreasinglydeeperintothatecstasy.

FeelingsofecstasyaredisplayedbyhighlyadvanceddevoteesoftheLord.
Thereareeightkindsoftranscendentalchangesinthebodytears,shiveringof
thebody,perspiration,restlessness,throbbing,chokingofthethroat,etc.and
allweremanifestedbyUddhavainthepresenceofVidura.
Ecstaticbodilychangesaremanifestedfromthespiritualplaneandarenot
artificialexpressionsdevelopedbypractice.Therearethreedifferentstagesof
developmentindevotionalservice.Thefirststageisthatoffollowingthe
regulativeprinciplesprescribedinthecodesofdevotionalservice,thesecond
stageisthatofassimilationandrealizationofthesteadyconditionof
devotionalservice,andthelaststageisthatofecstasysymptomizedby
transcendentalbodilyexpression.
Theninedifferentmodesofdevotionalservice,suchashearing,chantingand
remembering,arethebeginningoftheprocess.Byregularhearingofthe
gloriesandpastimesoftheLord,theimpuritiesinthestudent'sheartbeginto
bewashedoff.Themoreoneiscleansedofimpurities,themoreonebecomes
fixedindevotionalservice.

Graduallytheactivitiestaketheformsofsteadiness,firmfaith,taste,
realizationandassimilation,oneafteranother.Thesedifferentstagesofgradual
developmentincreaseloveofGodtothehigheststage,andinthehigheststage
therearestillmoresymptoms,suchasaffection,angerandattachment,
graduallyrisinginexceptionalcasestothemahabhavastage,whichis
generallynotpossibleforthelivingentities.AlltheseweremanifestedbyLord
SriCaitanyaMahaprabhu,thepersonificationofloveofGod.
ThegreatdevoteeUddhavasooncamebackfromtheabodeoftheLordtothe
humanplane,andwipinghiseyes,heawakenedhisreminiscenceofthepast
andspoketoVidurainapleasingmood.
ThepuredevoteelivesconstantlyintheabodeoftheSupremeLord,evenin
thepresentbody,whichapparentlybelongstothisworld.
WhenUddhavawantedtospeaktoVidura,hecamedownfromtheabodeof
theLord,Dvaraka,tothematerialplaneofhumanbeings.Eventhoughapure
devoteeispresentonthismortalplanet,heishereinrelationtotheLordfor
engagementintranscendentallovingservice,andnotforanymaterialcause.

Outofallofthem,somemaybeinfluencedbytheassociationofpuredevotees
andthusgetthechancetoexecutedevotionalservicebyattainmentoftaste.
Thistasteistheseedofdevotionalservice,andonewhoisfortunateenoughto
havereceivedsuchaseedisadvisedtosowitinthecoreofhisheart.Asone
cultivatesaseedbypouringwatertofructifyit,theseedofdevotionalservice
sownintheheartofthedevoteemaybeculturedbypouringwaterintheform
ofhearingandchantingoftheholynameandpastimesoftheLord.The
creeperofdevotionalservice,sonourished,graduallygrows,andthedevotee,
actingasagardener,goesonpouringthewaterofconstanthearingand
chanting.Thecreeperofdevotionalservicegraduallygrowssohighthatit
passesthroughtheentirematerialuniverseandentersintothespiritualsky,
growingstillhigherandhigheruntilitreachestheplanetGolokaVrndavana.
Asacreepertakesshelterofanother,strongertree,similarlythecreeperof
devotionalservice,nourishedbythedevotee,takesshelterofthelotusfeetof
theLordandthusbecomesfixed.Whenthecreeperisfixed,thenthefruitof

thecreepercomesintoexistence,andthegardenerwhonourisheditisableto
enjoythisfruitoflove,andhislifebecomessuccessful."
ThatUddhavaattainedthisstageisevidentfromhisdealings.Hecould
simultaneouslyreachthesupremeplanetandstillappearinthisworld.
LordKrsna'sappearanceanddisappearanceareexactlylikethatofthesun.He
appearsanddisappearsininnumerableuniverses,andaslongasHeispresent
inaparticularuniversethereisalltranscendentallightinthatuniverse,butthe
universefromwhichHepassesawayisputintodarkness.Hispastimes,
however,areeverlasting.TheLordisalwayspresentinsomeuniverse,justas
thesunispresentineithertheeasternorthewesternhemisphere.
Asthesunappearsinthemorningandgraduallyrisestothemeridianandthen
againsetsinonehemispherewhilesimultaneouslyrisingintheother,soLord
Krsna'sdisappearanceinoneuniverseandthebeginningofHisdifferent
pastimesinanothertakeplacesimultaneously.Assoonasonepastimeis
finishedhere,itismanifestedinanotheruniverse.AndthusHisnityalila,or
eternalpastimes,aregoingonwithoutending.
Asthesunrisetakesplaceonceintwentyfourhours,similarlythepastimesof
LordKrsnatakeplaceinauniverseonceinadaytimeofBrahma,theaccount
ofwhichisgivenintheBhagavadgitaas4,300,000,000solaryears.But
wherevertheLordispresent,allHisdifferentpastimesasdescribedinthe
revealedscripturestakeplaceatregularintervals.
Asatsunsetthesnakesbecomepowerful,thievesareencouraged,ghosts
becomeactive,thelotusbecomesdisfiguredandthecakravakilaments,sowith
thedisappearanceofLordKrsna,theatheistsfeelenlivened,andthedevotees
becomesorry.
Thisuniversewithallitsplanetsismostunfortunate.Andevenmore
unfortunatearethemembersoftheYadudynastybecausetheycouldnot
identifyLordHariasthePersonalityofGodhead,anymorethanthefishcould
identifythemoon.
FoolishpersonsmighthavethoughtHimanextraordinaryhistoricfigure
becausetheyhadnointimatetouchwiththeLord,butmoreunfortunatewere
thefamilymembersoftheLord,themembersoftheYadudynasty,whowere
alwaysincompanywiththeLordbutwereunabletorecognizeHimasthe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead
UddhavalamentedhisownfortunealsobecausealthoughheknewKrsnatobe
theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,hecouldnotproperlyusetheopportunity
torenderdevotionalservicetotheLord.Heregrettedeveryone'smisfortune,
includinghisown.

ThepuredevoteeoftheLordthinkshimselfmostunfortunate.Thatisdueto
excessivelovefortheLordandisoneofthetranscendentalperceptionsof
viraha,thesufferingofseparation.
Itislearnedfromtherevealedscripturesthatthemoonwasbornfromthemilk
ocean.Thereisamilkoceanintheupperplanets,andthereLordVisnu,who
controlstheheartofeverylivingbeingasParamatma(theSupersoul),resides
astheKsirodakasayiVisnu.
Theurineofacowissalty,andaccordingtoAyurvedicmedicinethecow's
urineisveryeffectiveintreatingpatientssufferingfromlivertrouble.Such
patientsmaynothaveanyexperienceofthecow'smilkbecausemilkisnever
giventoliverpatients.Buttheliverpatientmayknowthatthecowhasmilk
also,althoughhehasnevertastedit.
TheunfortunatepersonswhodonotrecognizeLordKrsnaarelikesuchfish.
TheytakeHimtobeoneofthem,althoughalittleextraordinaryinopulence,
strength,etc.
IntheVedasitissaidthattheSupremeLordortheParamatmacannotbe
understoodsimplybythestrengthofone'seruditionorpowerofmental
speculation:nayamatmapravacanenalabhyonamedhayanabahunasrutena
(KathaUpanisad1.2.23).Hecanbeknownonlybyonewhohasthemercyof
theLord.TheYadavaswereallexceptionallylearnedandexperienced,butin
spiteoftheirknowingtheLordastheonewholivesineveryone'sheart,they
couldnotunderstandthatHeistheoriginalPersonalityofGodhead.

InVrndavana,however,theLordwasnotevenknownastheParamatma
becausetheresidentsofVrndavanawerepureunconventionaldevoteesofthe
LordandcouldthinkofHimonlyastheirobjectoflove.Theydidnotknow
thatHeisthePersonalityofGodhead.TheYadus,ortheresidentsofDvaraka,
however,couldknowLordKrsnaasVasudeva,ortheSupersoulliving
everywhere,butnotastheSupremeLord.
TheYadus,therefore,acceptedLordKrsnaastheSupersoulincarnatedintheir
family,andnotmorethanthat.
Undernocircumstancescanthewordsofpersonsbewilderedbytheillusory
energyoftheLorddeviatetheintelligenceofthosewhoarecompletely
surrenderedsouls.

ButwhenHewaspresentintheworld,differentclassesofmenacceptedHim
differently,andthereforetheircalculationsoftheLordwerealsodifferent.
Generally,personswhohadfaithintherevealedscripturesacceptedtheLord
asHeis,andallofthemmergedintogreatbereavementwhentheLord
disappearedfromtheworld
Accordingtotheatheisticpointofview,LordKrsna'sfamily,theYadu
dynasty,wasvanquishedduetobeingcursedbythebrahmanasforthesins
committedbyKrsnainkillingthesonsofDhrtarastra,etc.Allthese
blasphemiesdonottouchtheheartofthedevoteesoftheLordbecausethey
knowperfectlywellwhatiswhat.TheirintelligenceregardingtheLordis
neverdisturbed.Butthosewhoaredisturbedbythestatementsoftheasurasare
alsocondemned.ThatiswhatUddhavameantinthisverse.
LordSriKrsna,whomanifestedHiseternalformbeforethevisionofallonthe
earth,performedHisdisappearancebyremovingHisformfromthesightof
thosewhowereunabletoseeHim[asHeis]duetonotexecutingrequired
penance.
Ifonetakesafishfromthewaterandputsinontheland,itcannotbemade
happybyanyamountofofferedpleasure.Thespiritsoulcanbehappyonlyin
theassociationofthesupremelivingbeing,thePersonalityofGodhead,and
nowhereelse.
Butforwantofsufficientpiety,theonlookersarenotattractedbysuch
pastimesoftheLord.InBhagavadgitaitissaidthatonlythosewhohave
completelysurpassedthewayofsinfulreactioncanengagethemselvesinthe
transcendentallovingserviceoftheLord.

TheentireVedicwayofritualisticperformancesistoputeveryconditioned
soulonthepathofpiety.Bystrictadherencetotheprescribedprinciplesforall
ordersofsociallife,onecanattainthequalitiesoftruthfulness,controlofthe
mind,controlofthesenses,forbearance,etc.,andcanbeelevatedtotheplane
ofrenderingpuredevotionalservicetotheLord.Onlybysuchatranscendental
visionareone'smaterialhankeringsfullysatisfied.
Thesepastimeswerewonderfulforeveryone,evenforthoseproudoftheirown
opulence,includingtheLordHimselfinHisformastheLordofVaikuntha.
ThusHis[SriKrsna's]transcendentalbodyistheornamentofallornaments.

HedidnotappearinhumansocietyinHisVaikunthafeaturewithfourhands
becausethatwouldnothavebeensuitableforHispastimes.ButinspiteofHis
appearingasahumanbeing,noonewasorisequaltoHiminanyrespectin
anyofthesixdifferentopulences.
WhentheLord'spastimesarevisibletothehumaneye,theyarecalledprakata,
andwhentheyarenotvisibletheyarecalledaprakata.Infact,theLord's
pastimesneverstop,justasthesunneverleavesthesky.
IntheVaikunthalokastheLordismercifultowardtheliberatedornityamukta
livingentities,butinHispastimesinthemortalworldHeismercifulevento
thefallensoulswhoarenityabaddha,orconditionedforever.Thesixexcellent
opulenceswhichHedisplayedinthemortalworldbytheagencyofHis
internalpotency,yogamaya,arerareevenintheVaikunthalokas.
TheexcellenceofHisrasalilaatVrndavanaandHishouseholderlifewith
sixteenthousandwivesiswonderfulevenforNarayanainVaikunthaandis
certainlysoforotherlivingentitieswithinthismortalworld.Hispastimesare
wonderfulevenforotherincarnationsoftheLord,suchasSriRama,Nrsimha
andVaraha.HisopulencewassosuperexcellentthatHispastimeswereadored
evenbytheLordofVaikuntha,whoisnotdifferentfromLordKrsnaHimself.
eventhelotusflowerandthemoonweredefeatedbythebeautyofthebodily
featuresofLordKrsna,andthiswascertifiedbythedemigods,themost
beautifullivingcreaturesintheuniverse.ThedemigodsthoughtthatLord
Krsna,likethemselves,wasalsocreatedbyLordBrahma,butinfactBrahma
wascreatedbyLordKrsna.ItwasnotwithinthepowerofBrahmatocreatethe
transcendentalbeautyoftheSupremeLord.
ThedamselsofVraja,afterpastimesoflaughter,humorandexchangesof
glances,wereanguishedwhenKrsnaleftthem.TheyusedtofollowHimwith
theireyes,andthustheysatdownwithstunnedintelligenceandcouldnot
finishtheirhouseholdduties.

InHisboyhoodatVrndavana,LordKrsnawasnotoriousasateasingfriendin
transcendentallovetoallthegirlsHisage.Hisloveforthemwassointense
thatthereisnocomparisontothatecstasy,andthedamselsofVrajawereso
muchattachedtoHimthattheiraffectionexcelledthatofthegreatdemigods
likeBrahmaandSiva.LordKrsnafinallyadmittedHisdefeatbeforethe
transcendentalaffectionofthegopisanddeclaredthatHewasunabletorepay
themfortheirunalloyedaffection.Althoughthegopiswereseemingly
anguishedbytheLord'steasingbehavior,whenKrsnawouldleavethemthey

couldnottoleratetheseparationandusedtofollowHimwiththeireyesand
minds.Theyweresostunnedbythesituationthattheycouldnotfinishtheir
householdduties.NoonecouldexcelHimeveninthedealingoflove
exchangedbetweenboysandgirls.ItissaidintherevealedscripturesthatLord
KrsnapersonallynevergoesbeyondtheboundaryofVrndavana.Heremains
thereeternallybecauseofthetranscendentalloveoftheinhabitants.Thuseven
thoughHeisnotvisibleatpresent,HeisnotawayfromVrndavanafora
moment.
ThedevoteesoftheLordarebynaturepeacefulbecausetheyhavenomaterial
hankering.Aliberatedsoulhasnohankering,andthereforehehasno
lamentation.Onewhowantstopossessalsolamentswhenheloseshis
possession.Devoteeshavenohankeringsformaterialpossessionsandno
hankeringsforspiritualsalvation.Theyaresituatedinthetranscendentalloving
serviceoftheLordasamatterofduty,andtheydonotmindwheretheyareor
howtheyhavetoact.Karmis,jnanisandyogisallhankertopossesssome
materialorspiritualassets.Karmiswantmaterialpossessions,jnanisandyogis
wantspiritualpossessions,butdevoteesdonotwantanymaterialorspiritual
assets.TheywantonlytoservetheLordanywhereinthematerialorspiritual
worldsthattheLorddesires,andtheLordisalwaysspecificallycompassionate
towardssuchdevotees.
WhenHeappearedasthesonofVasudeva,thereweredifferencesofopinion
aboutHisincarnation.Somesaid,"HeistheSupremePersonalityofGodhead."
Somesaid,"HeisanincarnationofNarayana,"andotherssaid,"Heisthe
incarnationofKsirodakasayiVisnu."ButactuallyHeistheoriginalSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadkrsnastubhagavansvayamandNarayana,the
purusasandallotherincarnationsaccompanyHimtofunctionasdifferentparts
ofHispastimes.
UddhavaknewperfectlywellthatLordSriKrsnaiseternallyexistentandcan
neitherdienordisappearforgood,yethelamentedforLordKrsna.Allthese
eventsareperfectarrangementstogiveperfectiontoHissupremeglories.Itis
forenjoyment'ssake
BecausetheLordisallpowerful,itispossibleforHimtoadjustoppositessuch
asbirthandnobirth,poweranddefeat,fearandfearlessness.Apuredevotee
knowsverywellhowitispossiblefortheLordtoadjustoppositethings
ButoutofhisgreatloveforKrsnahebrokehispromise,andtheLordwasvery
pleasedwithVasudevaforhistranscendentalmentality.Hedidnotwantto
disturbtheintenseaffectionofVasudeva,andthusHeagreedtobecarriedby
HisfathertothehouseofNandaandYasoda.Andjusttotesttheintenselove
ofVasudeva,LordKrsnafelldowninthewatersoftheYamunawhileHis
fatherwascrossingtheriver.Vasudevabecamemadafterhischildashetried

torecoverHiminthemidstoftherisingriver.
TheLord,whoselotusfeetareworshipedbydemigodslikeBrahmaandSiva,
wantedtoworshipthefeetofVasudeva.SuchinstructionbytheLordtothe
worldisquiteappropriate.EvenifoneistheSupremeLord,onemustservehis
parents.
YouhavepersonallyseenhowtheKingofCedi[Sisupala]achievedsuccessin
yogapractice,althoughhehatedLordKrsna.Eventheactualyogisaspireafter
suchsuccesswithgreatinterestbyperformanceoftheirvariouspractices.Who
cantolerateseparationfromHim?
IntheopenassemblyoftherajasuyasacrificeperformedbyMaharaja
Yudhisthira,SisupalainsultedLordKrsna,andhewasfinallykilledbythe
Lord.Butitwasseenbyeveryoneintheassemblythatalightflashedoutofthe
bodyoftheKingofCediandmergedintothebodyofLordKrsna.Thismeans
thatCedirajaachievedthesalvationofattainingonenesswiththeSupreme,
whichisaperfectionmostdesiredbythejnanisandyogisandforwhichthey
executetheirdifferenttypesoftranscendentalactivities.
WhenthewarriorsfromtheothersideofthebattlefieldsawLordKrsnaatthe
front,theyappreciatedHisbeauty,andtheirdormantinstinctofloveofGod
wasawakened.SisupalasawtheLordalso,buthesawHimashisenemy,and
hislovewasnotawakened.
ThereforeSisupalaachievedonenesswiththeLordbymerginginthe
impersonalglareofHisbody,calledthebrahmajyoti.Others,whowereinthe
marginalposition,beingneitherfriendsnorenemiesbutslightlyinloveof
GodheadbyappreciatingthebeautyofHisface,wereatoncepromotedtothe
spiritualplanets,theVaikunthas.TheLord'spersonalabodeiscalledGoloka
Vrndavana,andtheabodeswhereHisplenaryexpansionsresidearecalledthe
Vaikunthas,wheretheLordispresentasNarayana.
LoveofGodheadisdormantineverylivingentity,andtheentireprocessof
devotionalserviceuntotheLordismeantforawakeningthisdormant,eternal
loveofGodhead.Buttherearedegreesofsuchtranscendentalawakening.
ThosewhoseloveofGodisawakenedtothefullestextentgobacktothe
GolokaVrndavanaplanetinthespiritualsky,whereaspersonswhohavejust
awakenedtoloveofGodheadbyaccidentorassociationaretransferredtothe
Vaikunthaplanets.
EssentiallythereisnomaterialdifferencebetweenGolokaandVaikuntha,
butintheVaikunthastheLordisservedinunlimitedopulence,whereasin
GolokatheLordisservedinnaturalaffection.
ThisloveofGodisawakenedbytheassociationofpuredevoteesoftheLord.

Herethewordparthastraputahissignificant.Thosewhosawthebeautiful
faceoftheLordontheBattlefieldofKuruksetrawerepurifiedfirstbyArjuna
whenhemadehisonslaughtwitharrows.TheLordappearedforthemissionof
diminishingtheburdenoftheworld,andArjunawasassistingtheLordby
fightingonHisbehalf.Arjunapersonallydeclinedtofight,andthewhole
instructionoftheBhagavadgitawasgiventoArjunatoengagehiminthe
fight.AsapuredevoteeoftheLord,Arjunaagreedtofightinpreferencetohis
owndecision,andthusArjunafoughttoassisttheLordinHismissionof
diminishingtheburdenoftheworld.Alltheactivitiesofapuredevoteeare
executedonbehalfoftheLordbecauseapuredevoteeoftheLordhasnothing
todoforhispersonalinterest.
Uddhavaseeminglylamentedthathisownpositionwaslessthanthatofthe
warriorsontheBattlefieldofKuruksetrabecausetheyhadattainedto
VaikunthawhereasheremainedtolamentthedisappearanceoftheLord.
HeistheSupremeLordofthethreeworlds,thethreequalitiesofmaterial
natureandthethreepurusas(Karanodakasayi,Garbhodakasayiand
KsirodakasayiVisnu).Thereareinnumerableuniverses,andineachandevery
universetherearedifferentmanifestationsofBrahma,VisnuandRudra.
Besidesthat,thereistheSesamurtiwhobearsalltheuniversesonHishoods.
AndLordKrsnaistheLordofallofthem.AstheincarnationofManu,Heis
theoriginalsourceofallManusininnumerableuniverses.Eachuniversehas
manifestationsof504,000Manus.HeistheLordofthethreeprincipal
potencies,namelycitsakti,mayasaktiandtatasthasakti,andHeisthe
completemasterofsixkindsoffortunewealth,strength,fame,beauty,
knowledgeandrenunciation.ThereisnonewhocanexcelHiminanymatterof
enjoyment,andcertainlythereisnoonegreaterthanHim.Nooneisequaltoor
greaterthanHim.
Itisthedutyofeveryone,whoeverandwhereveronemaybe,tosurrender
completelyuntoHim.Itisnotwonderful,therefore,thatallthetranscendental
controllerssurrendertoHimandmakeallofferingsofworship.
Therefore,OVidura,doesitnotpainus,Hisservitors,whenwerememberthat
He[LordKrsna]usedtostandbeforeKingUgrasena,whowassittingonthe
royalthrone,andusedtosubmitexplanationsbeforehim,saying,"OMylord,
pleaseletitbeknowntoyou"?

LordKrsna'sgentlebehaviorbeforeHissocalledsuperiorssuchasHisfather,
grandfatherandelderbrother,HisamiablebehaviorwithHissocalledwives,
friendsandcontemporaries,HisbehaviorasachildbeforeHismotherYasoda,

andHisnaughtydealingswithHisyounggirlfriendscannotbewilderapure
devoteelikeUddhava.Others,whoarenotdevotees,arebewilderedbysuch
behavioroftheLord,whoactedjustlikeahumanbeing.
butthedemoniacatheisticstudentsqueezesoutaninterpretationtosuithisown
purposeandmisleadsunfortunatefollowersintothesamementality.Such
unfortunatepersonsmerelypickupsomeslogansfromthegreatbookof
knowledge,butareunabletoestimatetheLordastheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead
Alas,howshallItakeshelterofonemoremercifulthanHewhograntedthe
positionofmothertoashedemon[Putana]althoughshewasunfaithfuland
sheprepareddeadlypoisontobesuckedfromherbreast?
Itissaidthatanoblemanacceptsthegoodqualitiesofapersonofdoubtful
character,justasoneacceptsnectarfromastockofpoison.
Alivingcreature,howeverpowerfulhemaybecomebydintofseverepenance,
canneverbecomeequaltotheSupremeLord.
LordKrsnaacceptedthemotherhoodofPutanabecauseshepretendedtobean
affectionatemother,allowingKrsnatosuckherbreast.TheLordacceptsthe
leastqualificationofthelivingentityandawardshimthehighestreward.That
isthestandardofHischaracter.Therefore,whobuttheLordcanbethe
ultimateshelter?
Iconsiderthedemons,whoareinimicaltowardtheLord,tobemorethanthe
devoteesbecausewhilefightingwiththeLord,absorbedinthoughtsofenmity,
theyareabletoseetheLordcarriedontheshoulderofGaruda,thesonof
Tarksya[Kasyapa],andcarryingthewheelweaponinHishand.
ThissalvationofthedemonsisnotduetotheirbeingdevoteesoftheLord;itis
becauseoftheLord'scauselessmercy.Anyonewhoisslightlyintouchwith
theLord,somehoworother,isgreatlybenefited,eventothepointofsalvation,
duetotheexcellenceoftheLord.HeissokindthatHeawardssalvationeven
toHisenemiesbecausetheycomeintocontactwithHimandareindirectly
absorbedinHimbytheirinimicalthoughts
Actually,thedemonscanneverbeequaltothepuredevotees,butUddhava
wasthinkinginthatwaybecauseofhisfeelingsofseparation.Hewasthinking
thatatthelaststageofhislifehemightnotbeabletoseetheLordfacetoface
asdidthedemons.Thefactisthatthedevoteeswhoarealwaysengagedinthe
devotionalserviceoftheLordintranscendentallovearerewardedmany
hundredsandthousandsoftimesmorethanthedemons
Thedemonsandimpersonalistsareawardedthefacilityofmerginginthe

brahmajyotieffulgenceoftheLord,whereasthedevoteesareadmittedintothe
spiritualplanets.Forcomparison,onecanjustimaginethedifferencebetween
floatinginspaceandresidinginoneoftheplanetsinthesky.Thepleasureof
thelivingentitiesontheplanetsisgreaterthanthatofthosewhohavenobody
andwhomergewiththemoleculesofthesun'srays.
Theimpersonalists,therefore,arenomorefavoredthantheenemiesofthe
Lord;rather,theyarebothonthesamelevelofspiritualsalvation.
TheLordhasnobusinessinthisworld,butwhenHeissorequestedby
devoteeslikeBrahma,Hedescendsontheearthforthewelfareoftheentire
universe.
Thereafter,Hisfather,beingafraidofKamsa,broughtHimtothecowpastures
ofMaharajaNanda,andthereHelivedforelevenyearslikeacoveredflame
withHiselderbrother,Baladeva.
ItisthebusinessoftheasurastotrytokilltheSupremePersonalityofGodhead
ortoprovebyallmeansthatthereisnoGodorthatKrsnaisanordinary
humanbeingandnotGod.
TheLordenjoysmorewhensomeonetakesHimashissubordinatesonwho
needstheprotectionofafatherthanHedoeswhensomeoneacceptsHimasthe
SupremeLord.Heisthefatherofeveryone,andHeprotectseveryone,but
whenHisdevoteetakesitforgrantedthattheLordistobeprotectedbythe
devotee'scare,itisatranscendentaljoyfortheLord.ThuswhenVasudeva,out
offearofKamsa,carriedHimtoVrndavana,theLordenjoyedit;otherwise,He
hadnofearfromKamsaoranyoneelse.
NandaMaharajawasalandholderforKingKamsa,butbecausebycastehe
wasavaisya,amemberofthemercantileandagriculturalcommunity,he
maintainedthousandsofcows.Itisthedutyofthevaisyastogiveprotectionto
thecows,justastheksatriyasaretogiveprotectiontothehumanbeings.
BecausetheLordwasachild,HewasputinchargeofthecalveswithHis
cowherdboyfriends.Thesecowherdboysweregreatrsisandyogisintheir
previousbirths,andaftermanysuchpiousbirths,theygainedtheassociationof
theLordandcouldplaywithHimonequalterms.Suchcowherdboysnever
caredtoknowwhoKrsnawas,buttheyplayedwithHimasamostintimate
andlovablefriend.TheyweresofondoftheLordthatatnighttheywouldonly
thinkofthenextmorningwhentheywouldbeabletomeettheLordandgo
togethertotheforestsforcowherding.
Allthesetreesandbirdsandbeastswerepiouslivingentitiesborninthe
transcendentalabodeofVrndavanajusttogivepleasuretotheLordandHis
eternalassociates,thecowherdboys.

AndbecausethelandisidenticalwiththeLord,devoteeslikeUddhavaand
Viduravisitedtheseplacesfivethousandyearsagoinordertohavedirect
contactwiththeLord,visibleornotvisible,
Sometimeswhenattackedintheforestbydemons,Krsnawouldappearstruck
withwonder,butHelookedonthemlikethecubofalionandkilledthem.His
childhoodcompanionswouldalsobestruckwithwonder,andwhentheycame
backhometheywouldnarratethestorytotheirparents,andeveryonewould
appreciatethequalitiesoftheirKrsna.ChildKrsnadidnotbelongonlytoHis
parents,NandaandYasoda;Hewasthesonofalltheelderlyinhabitantsof
Vrndavanaandthefriendofallcontemporaryboysandgirls.Everyoneloved
Krsna.Hewasthelifeandsoulofeveryone,includingtheanimals,thecows
andthecalves.
AsHegrewtosixandsevenyearsold,theLordwasgivenchargeoflooking
afterthecowsandbullsinthegrazinggrounds
Accordingtosmrtiregulation,thecowisthemotherandthebullthefatherof
thehumanbeing.Thecowisthemotherbecausejustasonesucksthebreastof
one'smother,humansocietytakescow'smilk.Similarly,thebullisthefather
ofhumansocietybecausethefatherearnsforthechildrenjustasthebulltills
thegroundtoproducefoodgrains.
Itismentionedhereinthatthebeautifulcowsandbullswereofvarious
checkeredcolorsred,black,green,yellow,ash,etc.
ThesoundvibratedbyHisflutewouldgiveHisfriendssuchtranscendental
pleasurethattheywouldforgetallthetalksofthebrahmanandawhichisso
praisedbytheimpersonalists.Thesecowherdboys,aswillbeexplainedby
SukadevaGosvami,werelivingentitieswhohadaccumulatedheapsofpious
actsandthuswereenjoyingwiththeLordinpersonandwerehearingHis
transcendentalflute.
Jnana,yogaandbhaktiarethreerecognizedprocessesofspiritualrealization.
Theperfectionofone'soccupationalduty,whetherinthesphereofdutyto
oneself,one'scommunityorone'snation,isjudgedbythedegreetowhichthe
Lordissatisfied.
Inthethirdseasonoftheyear,theLordenjoyedasthecentralbeautyofthe
assemblyofwomenbyattractingthemwithHispleasingsongsinanautumn
nightbrightenedbymoonshine.

Chapter3

TheirparentsfearedthatnowKamsawouldfinallygettheopportunitytokill
theirsons,whomtheyhadhiddenforsolonginthehouseofNandaMaharaja.
TheparentsoftheLord,duetoparentalaffection,feltextremedanger,andthey
almostfainted.JusttoconvincethemthatTheyhadactuallykilledKamsa,
KrsnaandBaladevapulledKamsa'sdeadbodyalongthegroundtoencourage
them.
TheLordlearnedalltheVedaswiththeirdifferentbranchessimplybyhearing
themoncefromHisteacher,SandipaniMuni,whomHerewardedbybringing
backhisdeadsonfromtheregionofYamaloka.
TheLordisconstitutionallywellversedinalltheVedas,andyettoteachby
examplethateveryonemustgotolearntheVedasfromanauthorizedteacher
andmustsatisfytheteacherbyserviceandreward,HeHimselfadoptedthis
system.
TheLordisnot,therefore,aningratetoanyonewhorendersHimsomesortof
service.ThedevoteesoftheLordwhoalwaysengageinHislovingserviceare
nevertobedisappointedintheprogressivemarchofdevotionalservice.
PrincessRukmini,thedaughterofKingBhismaka,wasactuallyasattractiveas
fortuneitselfbecauseshewasasvaluableasgoldbothincolorandinvalue.
Sincethegoddessoffortune,Laksmi,isthepropertyoftheSupremeLord,
RukminiwasactuallymeantforLordKrsna.ButSisupalawasselectedasher
bridegroombyRukmini'selderbrother,althoughKingBhismakawantedhis
daughtertobemarriedtoKrsna.RukminiinvitedKrsnatotakeherawayfrom
theclutchesofSisupala,sowhenthebridegroom,Sisupala,cametherewithhis
partywiththedesiretomarryRukmini,Krsnaallofasuddensweptherfrom
thescene,steppingovertheheadsofalltheprincesthere,justasGaruda
carriedawaynectarfromthehandsofthedemons.
Bysubduingsevenbullswhosenoseswerenotpierced,theLordachievedthe
handofPrincessNagnijitiintheopencompetitiontoselectherbridegroom.
AlthoughtheLordwasvictorious,Hiscompetitorsaskedthehandofthe
princess,andthustherewasafight.Wellequippedwithweapons,theLord
killedorwoundedallofthem,butHewasnothurtHimself.
JusttopleaseHisdearwife,theLordbroughtbacktheparijatatreefrom
heaven,justasanordinaryhusbandwoulddo.ButIndra,theKingofheaven,
inducedbyhiswives(henpeckedashewas),ranaftertheLordwithfullforce

tofightHim.

JusttopleaseHiswife,likeanordinaryhusband,theLordbroughtbackthe
tree,andthisenragedVajri,orthecontrollerofthethunderbolt.causehewasa
henpeckedhusbandandalsoafool,listenedtothemanddaredtofightwith
Krsna.Hewasafoolonthisoccasionbecauseheforgotthateverything
belongstotheLord.
TherewasnofaultonthepartoftheLord,eventhoughHetookawaythetree
fromtheheavenlykingdom,butbecauseIndrawashenpecked,dominatedby
hisbeautifulwiveslikeSaci,hebecameafool,justasallpersonswhoare
dominatedbytheirwivesaregenerallyfoolish.IndrathoughtthatKrsnawasa
henpeckedhusbandwhoonlybythewillofHiswifeSatyabhamatookaway
thepropertyofheaven,andthereforehethoughtthatKrsnacouldbepunished.
HeforgotthattheLordistheproprietorofeverythingandcannotbe
henpecked.TheLordisfullyindependent,andbyHiswillonlyHecanhave
hundredsandthousandsofwiveslikeSatyabhama.Hewasnot,therefore,
attachedtoSatyabhamabecauseshewasabeautifulwife,butHewaspleased
withherdevotionalserviceandthuswantedtoreciprocatetheunalloyed
devotionofHisdevotee.
Birthisnotalwaysthecriterionofgoodness;unlessanduntiloneistrainedin
thecultureofgoodassociation,onecannotbecomegood.
Narakasurakidnappedmanydaughtersofgreatkingsandkeptthem
imprisonedinhispalace.ButwhenhewaskilledbytheLordandtheLord
enteredthehouseofthedemon,alltheprincesseswereenlivenedwithjoyand
offeredtobecomeHiswivesbecausetheLordistheonlyfriendofthe
distressed.UnlesstheLordacceptedthem,therewouldbenochanceoftheir
beingmarriedbecausethedemonkidnappedthemfromtheirfathers'custody
andthereforenoonewouldagreetomarrythem.AccordingtoVedicsociety,
girlsaretransferredfromthecustodyofthefathertothecustodyofthe
husband.Sincetheseprincesseshadalreadybeentakenawayfromthecustody
oftheirfathers,itwouldhavebeendifficultforthemtohaveanyhusbandother
thantheLordHimself.
Allthoseprincesseswerelodgedindifferentapartments,andtheLord
simultaneouslyassumeddifferentbodilyexpansionsexactlymatchingeachand
everyprincess.HeacceptedtheirhandsinperfectritualsbyHisinternal
potency.
"TheLord,Govinda,whomIworship,istheoriginalPersonalityofGodhead.

HeisnondifferentfromHisinnumerableplenaryexpansions,whoareall
infallible,originalandunlimitedandwhohaveeternalforms.AlthoughHeis
primeval,theoldestpersonality,Heisalwaysfreshandyoung."

ByHisinternalpotencytheLordcanexpandHimselfintovariouspersonalities
ofsvayamprakasaandagainintoprabhavaandvaibhavaforms,andallof
themarenondifferentfromoneanother.TheformsintowhichtheLord
expandedtomarrytheprincessesindifferentapartmentswereallslightly
differentjusttomatcheachandeveryoneofthem.Theyarecalledvaibhava
vilasaformsoftheLordandareeffectedbyHisinternalpotency,yogamaya.
Kalayavana,theKingofMagadhaandSalvaattackedthecityofMathura,but
whenthecitywasencircledbytheirsoldiers,theLordrefrainedfromkilling
thempersonally,justtoshowthepowerofHisownmen.
AfterthedeathofKamsa,whenMathurawasencircledbythesoldiersof
Kalayavana,JarasandhaandSalva,theLordseeminglyfledfromthecity,and
thusHeisknownasRanchor,oronewhofledfromfighting.Actually,thefact
wasthattheLordwantedtokillthemthroughtheagencyofHisownmen,
devoteeslikeMucukundaandBhima.KalayavanaandtheKingofMagadha
werekilledbyMucukundaandBhimarespectively,whoactedasagentsofthe
Lord
TherelationshipoftheLordwithHisdevoteesisaveryhappyone.
WhatHewantstodoHimselfbyHistranscendentalplans,Heexecutesthrough
Hisconfidentialdevotees.ThatisthewayoftheLord'smercytowardsHis
pureunalloyeddevotees.
ThefallofDuryodhana,theleadingsonofDhrtarastra,wasnotpleasingtothe
Lord,althoughHewasonthesideofArjunaanditwasHewhoadvisedBhima
howtobreakthethighsofDuryodhanawhilethefightwasgoingon.TheLord
isconstrainedtoawardpunishmentuponthewrongdoer,butHeisnothappyto
awardsuchpunishmentsbecausethelivingentitiesareoriginallyHispartsand
parcels.Heisharderthanthethunderboltforthewrongdoerandsofterthanthe
roseforthefaithful.Thewrongdoerismisledbybadassociatesandbyill
advice,whichisagainsttheestablishedprinciplesoftheLord'sorder,andthus
hebecomessubjecttopunishment.Thesurestpathtohappinessistoliveby
theprincipleslaiddownbytheLordandnotdisobeyHisestablishedlaws,
whichareenactedintheVedasandthePuranasfortheforgetfullivingentities.
[AftertheendoftheBattleofKuruksetra,theLordsaid:]Theabatementofthe

earth'sgreatburden,eighteenaksauhinis,hasnowbeeneffectedwiththehelp
ofDrona,Bhisma,ArjunaandBhima.Butwhatisthis?Thereisstillthegreat
strengthoftheYadudynasty,bornofMyself,whichmaybeamoreunbearable
burden.

Ifacensusweretakenofallthelivingbeingsonthesurfaceoftheearth,
certainlyitwouldbefoundthatthenumberofhumansisnotevenfivepercent
ofthetotalnumberoflivingbeings.Ifthebirthrateofhumanbeingsis
increasing,thenthebirthrateofotherlivingbeingsisincreasing
proportionately.Thebirthrateofloweranimalsbeasts,aquatics,birds,etc.is
fargreaterthanthatofhumanbeings.Thereisanadequatearrangementfor
foodforallthelivingbeingsallovertheearthbytheorderoftheSupreme
Lord,andHecanarrangemoreandmoreifthereisactuallyadisproportionate
increaseoflivingbeings.
Therefore,thereisnoquestionofanincreaseinpopulationcausingaburden.
Theearthbecameoverburdenedduetodharmaglani,orirregulardischargeof
theLord'sdesire.
WhenLordKrsnaappeared,therehadbeenasufficientincreaseinmiscreants
whohadviolatedthedesireoftheLord.Thematerialcreationismeantfor
fulfillingthedesireoftheLord,andHisdesireisthattheconditionedsouls
whoareunfittoenterintothekingdomofGodhaveachancetoimprovetheir
conditionsforentering.
Therearetwokindsofburdens.Thereistheburdenofthebeastandthe
burdenoflove.Theburdenofthebeastisunbearable,buttheburdenof
loveisasourceofpleasure
SrilaVisvanathaCakravartidescribestheburdenofloveverypractically.He
saysthattheburdenofthehusbandontheyoungwife,theburdenofthechild
onthelapofthemother,andtheburdenofwealthonthebusinessman,
althoughactuallyburdensfromtheviewpointofheaviness,aresourcesof
pleasure,andintheabsenceofsuchburdensomeobjects,onemayfeelthe
burdenofseparation,whichisheaviertobearthantheactualburdenoflove.
WhenLordKrsnareferredtotheburdenoftheYadudynastyontheearth,He
referredtosomethingdifferentthantheburdenofthebeast.Thelargenumbers
offamilymembersbornofLordKrsnacountedtosomemillionsandwere
certainlyagreatincreaseinthepopulationoftheearth,butbecauseallofthem

wereexpansionsoftheLordHimselfbyHistranscendentalplenary
expansions,theywereasourceofgreatpleasurefortheearth.WhentheLord
referredtotheminconnectionwiththeburdenontheearth,Hehadinmind
theirimminentdisappearancefromtheearth.Allthemembersofthefamilyof
LordKrsnawereincarnationsofdifferentdemigods,andtheywereto
disappearfromthesurfaceoftheearthalongwiththeLord.WhenHereferred
totheunbearableheavinessontheearthinconnectionwiththeYadudynasty,
Hewasreferringtotheburdenoftheirseparation.SrilaJivaGosvamiconfirms
thisinference.

TheLordandHisassociatesappearanddisappearbythewilloftheLord.They
arenotsubjectedtothelawsofmaterialnature.Noonewasabletokillthe
familyoftheLord,norwasthereanypossibilityoftheirnaturaldeathbythe
lawsofnature.Theonlymeans,therefore,fortheirdisappearancewasthe
makeshowofafightamongstthemselves,asifbrawlinginintoxicationdueto
drinking.ThatsocalledfightingwouldalsotakeplacebythewilloftheLord,
otherwisetherewouldbenocausefortheirfighting.
ThedevoteesandassociatesoftheLordarecompletelysurrenderedsouls.Thus
theyaretranscendentalinstrumentsinthehandsoftheLordandcanbeusedin
anywaytheLorddesires.Thepuredevoteesalsoenjoysuchpastimesofthe
LordbecausetheywanttoseeHimhappy.DevoteesoftheLordneverassert
independentindividuality;onthecontrary,theyutilizetheirindividualityin
pursuitofthedesiresoftheLord,andthiscooperationofthedevoteeswiththe
LordmakesaperfectsceneoftheLord'spastimes.
AsstatedintheVedas(Isopanisad),theLordistheproprietoroftheentire
manifestedcosmiccreation,whichpresentsachancefortheconditionedsouls
torevivetheireternalrelationshipwiththeLordandthusgobacktoGodhead,
backhome.Thewholesystemofthematerialworldisarrangedwiththat
programandplan.Anyonewhoviolatestheplanispunishedbythelawof
nature,whichisactingbythedirectionoftheSupremeLord.
Simultaneously,thePersonalityofGodheadenjoyedlifeinthecityofDvaraka,
strictlyinconformitywiththeVediccustomsofsociety.Hewassituatedin
detachmentandknowledge,asenunciatedbytheSankhyasystemof
philosophy.
WhileMaharajaYudhisthirawastheEmperoroftheearth,LordSriKrsnawas
theKingofDvarakaandwasknownasDvarakadhisa.Likeothersubordinate
kings,HewasundertheregimeofMaharajaYudhisthira
RegulatedhumanlifeaccordingtotheVedicprinciples,whicharebasedonthe
systemofknowledgecalledSankhyaphilosophy,istherealwayofenjoyment

ofthenecessitiesoflife.Withoutsuchknowledge,detachmentandcustom,the
socalledhumancivilizationisnomorethanananimalsocietyofeat,drink,be
merryandenjoy.TheLordwasactingfreely,asHewilled,yetbyHispractical
exampleHetaughtnottoleadalifewhichgoesagainsttheprinciplesof
detachmentandknowledge.
Knowledgemeanstoknowthatthemissionofthehumanformoflifeistoend
allthemiseriesofmaterialexistenceandthatinspiteofhavingtofulfillthe
bodilynecessitiesinaregulatedway,onemustbedetachedfromsuchanimal
life.
Fulfillingthedemandsofthebodyisanimallife,andfulfillingthemission
ofspiritsoulisthehumanmission.
HewasthereinHistranscendentalbody,theresidenceofthegoddessof
fortune,withHisusualgentleandsweetlysmilingface,Hisnectareanwords
andHisflawlesscharacter.
InBhagavadgita,theinternalpotencyisdescribedastheparaprakrti.Inthe
VisnuPuranaalso,theinternalpotencyofVisnuisdescribedasparasakti.The
Lordisneverdetachedfromtheassociationofparasakti
LordKrsnaisdetachedfromthevariegatednessoftheinferiornature,butHeis
ineternal,blissfulenjoymentofthespiritualnature,orHisinternalpotency.
AlltheseattachmentsoftheLordaremanifestationsofHisinternalpotency,of
whichtheexternalpotencyisonlyashadowrepresentation.IntheSkanda
Purana,Prabhasakhanda,inthetopicsbetweenLordSivaandGauri,thereis
confirmationofHisinternalpotentialmanifestations.Thereismentionofthe
Lord'smeetingwithsixteenthousandcowherddamselsalthoughHeisthe
Hamsa(transcendental)Supersoulandmaintainerofalllivingentities.The
sixteenthousandcowherddamselsareadisplayofsixteenvarietiesofinternal
potencies.ThiswillbemoreelaboratelyexplainedintheTenthCanto.Itissaid
therethatLordKrsnaisjustlikethemoonandtheinternalpotentialdamsels
arelikethestarsaroundthemoon.
InallHisactivitieswhilepresentontheearth,theLordexhibited
detachment.
ThiswasfullydisplayedwhenHewantedtoteachbyexamplethatoneshould
notremainattachedtohouseholdlifeforallthedaysofone'slife.Oneshould
naturallydevelopdetachmentasamatterofcourse
ButtheLorddesiredtoendHissocalledattachmenttothethreemodesof
materialnature.

Thesenseenjoymentofallanimals,menanddemigodswithinthepurviewof
thematerialuniverseiscontrolledbythesupernaturalforcecalledtheprakrti,
ordaivimaya.Nooneisindependentinobtainingsenseenjoyment,and
everyoneinthismaterialworldisaftersenseenjoyment.
IntheBrahmasamhitatheLord'ssensesaredescribedasomnipotent;i.e.,with
anysenseHecanperformtheactivitiesoftheothersenses.Onewhohas
limitedsensescannotbelievethattheLordcaneatbyHistranscendentalpower
ofhearingandcanperformtheactofsexlifesimplybyseeing
onecannotknowevenafractionoftheactivitiesoftheLordifheisnotapure
devoteeoftheLord.

Thecursingoftheprincesbythesageswasanothertranscendentalpastimeof
theLordtomakeashowofanger.Theprinceswerecursedinorderthatone
mayknowthateventhedescendantsoftheLord,whocouldneverbe
vanquishedbyanyactofmaterialnature,weresubjectedtothereactionsof
angerbygreatdevoteesoftheLord.Oneshouldthereforetakegreatcareand
attentionnottocommitanoffenseatthefeetofadevoteeoftheLord.
Afewmonthspassed,andthen,bewilderedbyKrsna,allthedescendantsof
Vrsni,BhojaandAndhakawhowereincarnationsofdemigodswentto
Prabhasa,whilethosewhowereeternaldevoteesoftheLorddidnotleavebut
remainedinDvaraka.
AmongstthedevoteesoftheLordthereareseveraldivisions,mainlynitya
siddhasandsadhanasiddhas.Thenityasiddhadevoteesneverfalldowntothe
regionofthematerialatmosphere,eventhoughtheysometimescomeontothe
materialplanetoexecutethemissionoftheLord.Thesadhanasiddhadevotees
arechosenfromtheconditionedsouls.
Outofthesadhanadevotees,therearemixedandpuredevotees.Themixed
devoteesaresometimesenthusiasticaboutfruitiveactivitiesandarehabituated
tophilosophicalspeculation.Thepuredevoteesarefreefromallthesemixtures
andarecompletelyabsorbedintheserviceoftheLord,regardlessofhowand
wheretheyaresituated.PuredevoteesoftheLordarenotenthusiastictoput
asidetheirservicetotheLordinordertogovisitholyplacesofpilgrimage.
AgreatdevoteeoftheLordinmoderntimes,SriNarottamadasaThakura,has
sunglikethis:"Tovisitholyplacesofpilgrimageisanotherbewildermentof
themindbecausedevotionalservicetotheLordatanyplaceisthelastwordin
spiritualperfection."
ForpuredevoteesoftheLordwhoarecompletelysatisfiedwiththe

transcendentallovingserviceoftheLord,thereishardlyanynecessitytovisit
thevariousplacesofpilgrimage.Butthosewhoarenotsoadvancedhavethe
prescribeddutiesofvisitingpilgrimagesitesandregularlyperformingthe
rituals.ThepartoftheprincelyorderoftheYadudynastywhowentto
Prabhasaperformedalldutiestobedoneinaplaceofpilgrimageandoffered
theirpiousactionstotheirforefathersandothers.
Asarule,everyhumanbeingisindebtedtoGod,thedemigods,greatsages,
otherlivingentities,peopleingeneral,forefathers,etc.,forvarious
contributionsreceivedfromthem.Thuseveryoneisobligedtorepaythedebt
ofgratitude.TheYaduswhowenttothePrabhasapilgrimagesiteperformed
theirdutiesbydistributingland,gold,andwellnourishedcowsinroyalcharity,
asdescribedinthefollowingverse.

Thebrahmanaswerenotonlygivenwellfedcowsincharity,butalsogold,
goldcoins,bedding,clothing,animalskinseats,blankets,horses,elephants,
girlsandsufficientlandformaintenance.
Allthesecharitiesweremeantforthebrahmanas,whoselivesweredevoted
entirelytothewelfareofsociety,bothspirituallyandmaterially.The
brahmanaswerenotgivingtheirservicesaspaidservants,butthesociety
providedthemwithallnecessities.Itwasarrangedforsomeofthebrahmanas,
whowereindifficultyformarriage,tobegivengirls.Thebrahmanas,
therefore,hadnoeconomicproblems.Theksatriyakingsandrichmercantile
menwouldprovidethemwithallthattheyneeded,andinexchangethe
brahmanaswerecompletelydevotedtotheelevationofsociety.Thatwasthe
wayofsocialcooperationbetweenthedifferentcastes.Whenthebrahmana
classorcastegraduallybecameeasygoing,beingfedbythesocietyalthough
theyhadnobrahminicalqualifications,theydegradedthemselvesintobrahma
bandhus,ordisqualifiedbrahmanas,andthusothermembersofsocietyalso
graduallyfelldownfromthesocialstandardofprogressivelife.Asdescribed
inBhagavadgita,thecastesystemisthecreationoftheLordandisarranged
accordingtothequalityofworkrenderedtosocietyandnotintermsof
birthright,asfalselyclaimedinthepresentdegradedsociety.
BrahmanasandVaisnavasdonotacceptanyfoodstuffwhichisnotfirstoffered
tothePersonalityofGodhead.FoodstuffofferedtotheLordisacceptedbythe
devoteesasthemercyoftheLord.
Theintelligentclassofmenarecalledbrahmanas,andthosewhohaverealized
theAbsoluteTruthinHissupremepersonalfeaturearecalledVaisnavas.But
bothofthemacceptfoodstuffswhicharetheremnantsofsacrifice.Sacrificeis

ultimatelymeanttosatisfytheyajnapurusa,Visnu.
InBhagavadgita(3.13)itissaidthatonewhoacceptsfoodstuffsasthe
remnantsofsacrificeisfreedfromallsinfulreactions,andonewhocooks
foodstuffsformaintenanceofhisbodytakesinallkindsofsins,whichlead
onlytosuffering.
theLordacceptsonlyfoodstuffswhicharewithintherangeoffruits,flowers,
leavesandliquids,providedtheyareofferedincompletedevotionalservice.
DevotionalserviceistheonlycriterionforabonafideofferingtotheLord.
Chapter4

Thereafter,allofthem[thedescendantsofVrsniandBhoja],beingpermitted
bythebrahmanas,partookoftheremnantsofprasadaandalsodrankliquor
madeofrice.Bydrinkingtheyallbecamedelirious,and,bereftofknowledge,
theytouchedthecoresofeachother'sheartswithharshwords.

ThedescendantsofVrsniandBhojawerenotexpectedtoforgetthemselvesin
thisway,butbythewilloftheSupremeithappened,andthustheybecame
harshtowardsoneanother.
Justasthereisnopossibilityofafire'soccurringdeepintheforestdueto
humaneffort,soalsotherewasnopowerintheuniversewhichcouldvanquish
thedescendantsofYadu,whowereprotectedbytheLord.TheLordwanted
themtobesodestroyed,andthustheyobeyedHisorder,asindicatedbythe
wordtadanujnata.
AlltheabovementionedactivitiesoftheYadusandBhojaswereexecutedby
theinternalpotencyoftheLordbecauseHewantedthemtobedispatchedto
theirrespectiveabodesafterHehadfinishedHismissionofdescent.Theywere
allHissonsandgrandsonsandweregivencompleteprotectionbythepaternal
affectionoftheLord.Howtheycouldbevanquishedinthepresenceofthe
Lordisansweredinthisverse:everythingwasdonebytheLordHimself
(svatmamayayah).TheLord'sfamilymemberswereeitherincarnationsofHis
plenaryexpansionsordemigodsfromtheheavenlyplanets,andthusbeforeHis
departureHeseparatedthembyHisinternalpotency.Beforebeingdispatched
totheirrespectiveabodes,theyweresenttotheholyplaceofPrabhasa,where
theyperformedpiousactivitiesandtookfoodanddrinktotheirheart'scontent.
Itwasthenarrangedforthemtobesentbacktotheirabodessothatothers
couldseethatthepowerfulYadudynastywasnolongerintheworld.Inthe
previousverse,thewordanujnata,indicatingthatthewholesequenceofevents
wasarrangedbytheLord,issignificant.

TheLordisthevanquisherofthedistressesofonewhoissurrenderedunto
Him.ThusHewhodesiredtodestroyHisfamilytoldmepreviouslytogoto
Badarikasrama.
WhileatDvaraka,Uddhavawaswarnedtoavoidthedistresseswhichwereto
followthedisappearanceoftheLordandthedestructionoftheYadudynasty.
HewasadvisedtoproceedtoBadarikasramabecausetherehecouldassociate
withthedevoteesofNaraNarayana,andintheirassociationofdevotional
servicehecouldincreasehiseagernessforchanting,hearing,knowledgeand
detachment.
Thosewhoareintherenouncedorderoflifeoftentakeshelterunderneatha
tree.
TheLordwasfoundbyUddhavainthatconditionoftakingshelterasdo
personswhohavenoshelter.BecauseHeistheproprietorofeverything,
everywhereisHisshelter,andeverywhereisunderHisshelter.Theentire
materialandspiritualcosmicmanifestationissustainedbyHim,andtherefore
Heistheshelterofeverything.SotherewasnothingastonishinginHistaking
shelterinthewayoftheunshelteredwhoareintherenouncedorderoflife.
TheLord'sbodyisblackish,butiseternal,fullofblissandknowledge,and
very,verybeautiful.Hiseyesarealwayspeaceful,andtheyarereddishlikethe
risingmorningsun.IcouldimmediatelyrecognizeHimastheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadbyHisfourhands,differentsymbolicrepresentations,
andyellowsilkgarments.
TheLordwassitting,takingrestagainstayoungbanyantree,withHisright
lotusfootonHisleftthigh,andalthoughHehadleftallhouseholdcomforts,
Helookedquitecheerfulinthatposture.
ThematerialenergiesrepresentedbythebanyantreeareallproductsofHis
externalpotencyandarethereforekepttoHisback.
husVyasadevaandMaitreyawerefriendsandmutualwellwishers.Bysome
fortunateaccident,MaitreyareachedtheplacewhereLordSriKrsnawas
resting.TomeettheLordisnotanordinaryincident.Maitreyawasagreatsage
andalearnedscholarphilosopherbutnotapuredevoteeoftheLord,and
thereforehismeetingwiththeLordatthattimemayhavebeenduetoajnata
sukrti,orsomeunknowndevotionalservice.Puredevoteesalwaysengagein
puredevotionalactivities,andthereforetheirmeetingwiththeLordisnatural.
ButwhenthosewhoarenotuptothatstandardmeettheLord,itisduetothe
unforeseenfortuneofaccidentaldevotionalservice.
AlthoughbothUddhavaandMaitreyaweregreatsouls,theLord'sattention
wasmoreonUddhavabecausehewasaspotlesslypuredevotee.Ajnana

bhakta,oronewhosedevotionismixedwiththemonisticviewpoint,isnota
puredevotee.AlthoughMaitreyawasadevotee,hisdevotionwasmixed.
TheLordreciprocateswithHisdevoteesonthebasisoftranscendental
loveandnotonthebasisofphilosophicalknowledgeorfruitiveactivities.
InthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord,thereisnoplaceformonistic
knowledgeorfruitiveactivities.
ThegopisinVrndavanawereneitherhighlylearnedscholarsnormystic
yogis.TheyhadspontaneouslovefortheLord,andthusHebecametheir
heartandsoul,andthegopisalsobecametheheartandsouloftheLord.
LordCaitanyaapprovedtherelationshipofthegopiswiththeLordassupreme.
HereintheLord'sattitudetowardsUddhavawasmoreintimatethanwith
MaitreyaMuni.
OVasu,Iknowfromwithinyourmindwhatyoudesiredinthedaysofyore
whentheVasusandotherdemigodsresponsibleforexpandingtheuniversal
affairsperformedsacrifices.YouparticularlydesiredtoachieveMy
association.Thisisverydifficulttoobtainforothers,butIawardituntoyou.

UddhavaisoneoftheeternalassociatesoftheLord,andaplenaryportionof
UddhavawasoneoftheeightVasusinthedaysofyore.TheeightVasusand
thedemigodsintheupperplanetarysystem,whoareresponsibleforthe
managementoftheuniversalaffairs,performedasacrificeinthedaysofyore,
desiringtofulfilltheirrespectiveultimategoalsinlife.Atthattimean
expansionofUddhava,actingasoneoftheVasus,desiredtobecomean
associateoftheLord.TheLordknewthisbecauseHeispresentintheheartof
everylivingentityasParamatma,theSuperconsciousness.
Everyoneisatlibertytodesireashelikes,butthedesireisfulfilledbythe
SupremeLord.Everyoneisindependenttothinkordesire,butthefulfillment
ofone'sdesiredependsonthesupremewill.Thislawisexpressedas"Man
proposes,Goddisposes."
thepersonalassociationoftheLordisthehighestperfectionoflife.
UddhavawasfortunatetoseeHimevenatthattimeandthusreceivetheLord's
permissiontoenterVaikuntha.TheLordiseverywhereatalltimes,andHis
appearanceanddisappearancearemerelytheexperienceoftheinhabitantsofa
particularuniverse.Heisjustlikethesun.Thesundoesnotappearor
disappearinthesky;itisonlyintheexperienceofmenthatinthemorningthe
sunrisesandintheeveningthesunsets.TheLordissimultaneouslybothin

VaikunthaandeverywherewithinandwithoutVaikuntha.
OmyLord,devoteeswhoengageinthetranscendentallovingserviceofYour
lotusfeethavenodifficultyinachievinganythingwithintherealmofthefour
principlesofreligiosity,economicdevelopment,sensegratificationand
liberation.But,Ogreatone,asfarasIamconcerned,Ihavepreferredonlyto
engageinthelovingserviceofYourlotusfeet.
Thedevoteescanachievenotonlyliberationbutanysuccessintherealmof
religiosity,economicdevelopmentorsensegratificationuptothestandardof
thedemigodsintheheavenlyplanets.ButsuchapuredevoteeasUddhava
refusestoacceptallsuchfacilities.Apuredevoteewantssimplytoengagein
theserviceoftheLordanddoesnotconsiderhisownpersonalbenefit.
WhateverlittleknowledgetheyhaveabouttheLordissufficientforthem
becausedevoteesaresimplysatisfiedinhearingandchantingaboutthe
transcendentalpastimesoftheLord.Thisgivesthemalltranscendentalbliss.
TheBrahmanconceptionoftheAbsoluteTruthiscertainlythenegationofall
mundaneactivities,buttheParabrahmanconceptionisfullwithtranscendental
activities.OnewhoknowsthedistinctionsbetweentheconceptionofBrahman
andtheconceptionofSupremeBrahmaniscertainlytherealtranscendentalist.
AlltheseactionsoftheLordappeartobecontradictory,althoughthereisno
contradictionintheroutineactivitiesoftheLord.Thereforeitisbettertosee
themastheyareandnotattempttoexplainthem.
AdevoteefeelsafflictedwithouttheassociationoftheLord.Constant
remembranceoftheLord'sactivitieskeepsthedevoteealive,andtherefore
UddhavarequestedthattheLordpleaseenlightenhimwiththeknowledgeof
SrimadBhagavatam,aspreviouslyinstructedtoBrahmaji.
TheLord'stranscendentalsituationwasnotevenspokenoftoBrahmawhen
thefourversesofSrimadBhagavatam(2.9.3336)wereexplained.This
transcendentalsituationcomprisesHisdealingswithdevoteesengagedin
transcendentallovingservice,asexhibitedatDvarakaandVrndavana.When
theLordexplainedHisspecifictranscendentalsituation,itwasmeantfor
Uddhavaonly,
TheLord'sactivitiesinconfidentialloveareveryrarelydisclosedtothe
generaldevoteeswhoareattractedbydevotionmixedwithknowledgeand
mysticism.SuchactivitiesaretheinconceivablepastimesoftheLord.
SripadaSankaracaryapreachedtheMayavadaphilosophyforaparticular
purpose.SuchaphilosophywasnecessarytodefeattheBuddhistphilosophyof
thenonexistenceofthespiritsoul,butitwasnevermeantforperpetual

acceptance.Itwasanemergency.
SrilaVyasadevahasdefinitelyforbiddenpersonsengagedinreligiosity,
economicdevelopment,sensegratificationand,finally,salvation,fromtrying
tounderstandSrimadBhagavatam,whichisnotmeantforthem(Bhag.1.1.2)
SripadaSridharaSvami,thegreatcommentatoronSrimadBhagavatam,has
definitelyforbiddenthesalvationistsormoniststodealinSrimadBhagavatam.
Itisnotforthem.
UnlessoneisawakenedtothestageofUddhavaeverlastinglyfeelingthe
separationoftheLordintranscendentallove,asexhibitedbyLordCaitanya
alsoonecannotunderstandtherealimportofthefouressentialversesof
SrimadBhagavatam.
ApuredevoteeoftheLordofthestandardofUddhavaconstantlyassociates
withtheLordinthedoubleperceptionofsimultaneousseparationandmeeting.
Thepuredevoteeisnotforamomentunengagedinthetranscendentalservice
oftheLord.ExecutionoftheLord'sserviceisthemainoccupationofthepure
devotee.Uddhava'sseparationfromtheLordwasunbearable,andthereforehe
startedtoBadarikasramainobediencetotheLord'sorderbecausetheorderof
theLordandtheLordHimselfareidentical.Aslongasoneisengagedinthe
executionoftheorderoftheLord,thereisnofactualseparationfromHim.
ThereinBadarikasramathePersonalityofGodhead,inHisincarnationasthe
sagesNaraandNarayana,hasbeenundergoinggreatpenancesincetime
immemorialforthewelfareofallamiablelivingentities.

Therearefourdhamas,orkingdomsofGod,whichrepresenttheplanetsofthe
spiritualsky,whichconsistsofthebrahmajyotiandtheVaikunthas.Theseare
Badarikasrama,Ramesvara,JagannathaPuriandDvaraka.
VidurawasinformedthattheresultoftheBattleofKuruksetrawasthe
annihilationofhisfriendsandrelativesaswellasthedestructionoftheYadu
dynastyandalsothepassingawayoftheLord.Allthesehurledhiminto
bereavementforthetimebeing,butbecausehewashighlyadvancedin
transcendentalknowledge,hewasquitecompetenttopacifyhimselfby
enlightenment.
AsitisstatedinBhagavadgitaduetoourlongassociationwithbodily
relationships,bereavementonaccountoftheannihilationoffriendsand
relativesisnotatallastonishing,butonehastolearntheartofsubduingsuch
bereavementwithhigher,transcendentalknowledge.
Butalthoughjuniorbyage,Uddhavawasmuchadvancedinthedevotional

serviceoftheLord,andthereforeheisdescribedhereinasthechiefamongst
thedevoteesoftheLord.Vidurawasconfidentaboutthis,andthushe
addressedUddhavainthathighercategory.Thatisthewayofcourteous
dealingsbetweentwodevotees.
TheservantsoftheLordareactuallytheservantsofsociety.Theyhaveno
interestinhumansocietyotherthantoenlightenitintranscendental
knowledge;theyareinterestedinimpartingknowledgeoftherelationshipof
thelivingbeingwiththeSupremeLord,theactivitiesinthattranscendental
relationship,andtheultimategoalofhumanlife.
Knowledgeinthematterofthebodilynecessitiesofeating,sleeping,mating
andfearing,transformedintovariousbranchesofadvancementofknowledge,
isalltemporary.Alivingbeingisnotthematerialbodybutaneternalpartand
parceloftheSupremeBeing,andthusrevivalofhisselfknowledgeis
essential.Withoutthisknowledge,thehumanlifeisbaffled.Theservantsof
theLord,Visnu,areentrustedwiththisresponsiblework,andsotheywander
overtheearthandtoallotherplanetsintheuniverse.
Realtranscendentalknowledgedescendsinthedisciplicsuccessionfromthe
LordtoUddhava,fromUddhavatoViduraandsoon.

Althoughonemaybewellversedinthetranscendentalscience,oneshouldbe
carefulabouttheoffenseofmaryadavyatikrama,orimpertinentlysurpassinga
greaterpersonality.Accordingtoscripturalinjunctiononeshouldbevery
carefuloftransgressingthelawofmaryadavyatikramabecausebysodoing
oneloseshisdurationoflife,hisopulence,fameandpietyandtheblessingsof
alltheworld.Tobewellversedinthetranscendentalsciencenecessitates
awarenessofthetechniquesofspiritualscience.Uddhava,beingwellawareof
allthesetechnicalitiesoftranscendentalscience,advisedViduratoapproach
MaitreyaRsitoreceivetranscendentalknowledge.Vidurawantedtoaccept
Uddhavaashisspiritualmaster,butUddhavadidnotacceptthepostbecause
VidurawasasoldasUddhava'sfatherandthereforeUddhavacouldnotaccept
himashisdisciple,especiallywhenMaitreyawaspresentnearby.Theruleis
thatinthepresenceofahigherpersonalityoneshouldnotbeveryeagerto
impartinstructions,evenifoneiscompetentandwellversed.

Oneshouldnotbeeagertobecomeaspiritualmastercheaplyforthesakeof
profitandfame,butshouldbecomeaspiritualmasteronlyfortheserviceofthe
Lord.
Themoretheydiscussedthetranscendentalname,fameandqualitiesofthe
Lord,themorethepictureoftheLordbecamevisibletothemeverywhere.
SuchvisualizationofthetranscendentalformoftheLordisneitherfalsenor
imaginarybutisfactualAbsoluteTruth.WhentheLordisperceivedasvisva
murti,itisnotthatHelosesHispersonalityortranscendentaleternalform,but
Hebecomesvisibleinthesameformeverywhere.
Sometimes,duetoinquisitiveness,devoteeswhoaretobepromotedtothe
abodeoftheLordhavesomeattractionfortheopulenceofthehighermaterial
planetsabovetheearth,andthustheydesiretoseethemwhilegoinguptothe
perfection.ButtheVrsnisandBhojasweredirectlydispatchedbecausethey
hadnoattractionformaterialplanets.
LordKrsnaorderedUddhavabysignaltogotoBadarikasramaafterHis
departure,andUddhava,asapuredevoteeoftheLord,carriedouttheorder
morefaithfullythangoingbacktoGodhead,ortheabodeoftheLord.Thatwas
thecauseofhisremainingaloneevenafterthedepartureoftheLordfromthe
faceoftheearth.
IntheFifthCantoitwillbeseenhowtheLordisworshipedindifferentplanets
inHisdifferentforms,evennow,andhowHeisworshipedindifferenttemples
ofthisearthalso.

HealwayskeepsHimselfoutofthevisionofthenondevotees,whoaredevoid
ofloveanddevotion,andthusHeputsthemstillfurtherawayfromtheLord.
TheLordappearedontheinvitationofBrahma,whoprayedbeforethe
KsirodakasayiVisnu,andthereforewhentheLordappeared,alltheformsof
VisnuamalgamatedwithHim,andwhenthemissionwasfulfilled,allofthem
disintegratedfromHimintheusualcourse.
Onewhoistranscendentallyadvancedcangaindirectinspirationfromthe
templeDeity,andthusadevoteeoftheLordalwaystakesshelterofa
recognizedtempleoftheLordinordertomaketangibleadvancementin
transcendentalknowledgebythegraceoftheLord.
ThespecificqualificationforbecomingtherepresentativeoftheLordisto

beunaffectedbythematerialmodesofnature.Thehighestqualificationofa
personinthematerialworldistobeabrahmana.Butsinceabrahmanaisinthe
modeofgoodness,tobeabrahmanaisnotsufficientforbecominga
representativeoftheLord.Onehastotranscendthemodeofgoodnessalsoand
besituatedinunalloyedgoodness,unaffectedbyanyofthequalitiesof
materialnature.Thisstageoftranscendentalqualificationiscalledsuddha
sattva,orvasudeva,andinthisstagethescienceofGodcanberealized.
AstheLordisnotaffectedbythemodesofmaterialnature,soapuredevotee
oftheLordisalsonotaffectedbythemodesofnature.Thatistheprimary
qualificationforbeingonewiththeLord.Apersonwhoisabletoattainthis
transcendentalqualificationiscalledjivanmukta,orliberated,eventhoughhe
isapparentlyinmaterialconditions.Thisliberationisachievedbyonewho
constantlyengagesinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.
"Anyonewho,byhisactions,mindandwords,livesonlyforthe
transcendentallovingserviceoftheLord,iscertainlyaliberatedsoul,even
thoughhemayappeartobeinaconditionofmaterialexistence."
SuchadevoteeoftheLordisneveraffectedbymaterialstrength,intelligence
orevenrenunciation.SuchadevoteeoftheLordcanwithstandallonslaughts
ofmaterialnature,andthereforeheisknownasgosvami.Onlysuchgosvamis
canpenetratethemysteriesoftheLord'stranscendentallovingrelationships.
TheLordwantedUddhavatofulfillHismissionanddisseminateknowledge
whichHehadnotspokeneveninBhagavadgita.
TheBrahmasamhitasaysthatitisverydifficulttounderstandtheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadfromtheVedas,butHeiseasilyunderstoodfroma
puredevoteelikeUddhava.Takingmercyonthegreatsageswholivedat
Badarikasrama,theLordauthorizedUddhavatospeakonHisbehalf.

TheLordisundoubtedlythesourceofallknowledge,andthemessages
dispatchedthroughUddhavatoNaraNarayanaandothersageswerealsopart
oftheVedicknowledge,buttheyweremoreconfidentialandcouldbesentor
understoodonlythroughsuchapuredevoteeasUddhava.Sincesuch
confidentialknowledgewasknownonlytotheLordandUddhava,
Everylivingentitycan,likeUddhava,alsobecomeaconfidentialmessengeron
thesamelevelastheLord,providedhebecomesconfidentialhimselfbydintof
lovingdevotionalservice.Suchconfidentialknowledgeisentrusted,as
confirmedinBhagavadgitaonlytopuredevoteeslikeUddhavaandArjuna,

andonehastolearnthemysterythroughthem,andnototherwise.Onecannot
understandBhagavadgitaorSrimadBhagavatamwithoutthehelpofsuch
confidentialdevoteesoftheLord.AccordingtoSrilaVisvanathaCakravarti
Thakura,thatconfidentialmessagemusthaveconcernedthemysteryofHis
departureandtheannihilationofHisdynastyaftertheendofHisappearancein
themundaneworldforonehundredyears.Everyonemusthavebeenvery
anxioustoknowaboutthemysteryoftheannihilationoftheYadudynasty,and
thatmessagemusthavebeenexplainedbytheLordtoUddhavaanddispatched
toBadarikasramafortheinformationofNaraNarayanaandotherpure
devoteesoftheLord.
Buteventhegreatsageshavenoinformationthatbeyondthematerialskyis
thespiritualskywhereSriKrsnaeternallyresideswithHisassociates,although
atthesametimeHeexhibitsHispastimesinthemortalworldinallthe
universesoneafteranother.
ThereforeHisappearanceanddisappearancearesimultaneouslygoingon,and
noonecansaydefinitelywhichofthemisthebeginningandwhichistheend.
Hiseternalpastimeshavenobeginningorend,andonehastolearnofthem
fromthepuredevoteeonlyandnotwastevaluabletimeinsocalledresearch
work.
TheLord'sgloriousactsandHisacceptanceofvarioustranscendentalformsfor
theperformanceofextraordinarypastimesinthemortalworldareverydifficult
foranyoneotherthanHisdevoteestounderstand,andforthebeaststheyare
simplyamentaldisturbance.
AsconfirmedinBhagavadgita(7.15),themiscreantswhoaresimply
concernedwithmaterialenjoyment,whoworkveryhardlikebeastsofburden,
canhardlyknowthePersonalityofGodheadatanystageduetoasurikabhava,
oraspiritofrevoltagainsttheSupremeLord.
Thiscryingisthelastwordintheprogressivepathofdevotionalservice.One
whocancryfortheLordinloveiscertainlysuccessfulinthelineofdevotional
service.

Chapter5
Vidurahadalreadysurpassedthefalliblenatureofthelivingentityin
conditionallifeduetohisbeingacyutabhava,orlegitimatelyabsorbedinthe
devotionalserviceoftheLord.Thisstageoflifeiscalledacyutabhavasiddha,
orperfectionbydintofdevotionalservice.Anyone,therefore,whoisabsorbed
inthedevotionalserviceoftheLordisaliberatedsoulandhasalladmirable
qualities.

Vidurasaid:Ogreatsage,everyoneinthisworldengagesinfruitiveactivities
toattainhappiness,butonefindsneithersatiationnorthemitigationofdistress.
Onthecontrary,oneisonlyaggravatedbysuchactivities.
ViduraaskedMaitreyasomecommonquestions,whichwasnotoriginallyhis
intention.UddhavaaskedViduratoapproachMaitreyaMuniandinquireinto
allthetruthsconcerningtheLord,Hisname,fame,quality,form,pastimes,
entourage,etc.,andthuswhenViduraapproachedMaitreya,heshouldhave
askedonlyabouttheLord.Butoutofnaturalhumilityhedidnotimmediately
askabouttheLord,butinquiredintoasubjectwhichwouldbeofgreat
importancetothecommonman.
AcommonmancannotunderstandtheLord.Hemustfirstknowthereal
positionofhislifeundertheinfluenceoftheillusoryenergy.Inillusionone
thinksthathecanbehappyonlybyfruitiveactivities,butwhatactually
happensisthatonebecomesmoreandmoreentangledinthenetworkofaction
andreactionanddoesnotfindanysolutiontotheproblemoflife.
Thereisanicesonginthisconnection:"Becauseofagreatdesiretohaveall
happinessinlife,Ibuiltthishouse.Butunfortunatelythewholeschemehas
turnedtoashesbecausethehousewasunexpectedlysetonfire."Thelawof
natureislikethat.Everyonetriestobecomehappybyplanninginthematerial
world,butthelawofnatureissocruelthatitsetsfiretoone'sschemes;the
fruitiveworkerisnothappyinhisschemes,noristhereanysatiationofhis
continuoushankeringforhappiness.
NoonehasanythingtodobutrenderdevotionalservicetotheSupremeLord,
SriKrsna.Thereforeanyactivityotherthantranscendentallovingservicetothe
Lordismoreorlessarebelliousactionagainstthesupremewill.Allfruitive
activity,empiricalphilosophyandmysticismaremoreorlessagainstthesense
ofsubordinationtotheLord,andanylivingentityengagedinsuchrebellious
activityismoreorlesscondemnedbythelawsofmaterialnature,whichwork
underthesubordinationoftheLord.
ThemostcapabletranscendentalististhepuredevoteeoftheLord,whois
withoutanytingeoffruitiveactionsorphilosophicalspeculation.

Bydevotionalserviceonlydoesone'sheartbecomecompletelypurifiedfrom
allmaterialcoveringslikekarma,jnanaandyoga.Onlyinsuchapurifiedstage
doestheLord,whoisseatedineveryone'sheartwiththeindividualsoul,give
instructionsothatthedevoteecanreachtheultimatedestinationofgoingback
home,backtoGodhead.
Thebhaktiprocess,asperformedundertheregulativeprinciplesofvaidhi

bhakti,ordevotionalservicefollowingtheprescribedrulesandregulations,is
definedbytherevealedscripturesandconfirmedbygreatacaryas.This
practicecanhelptheneophytedevoteetorisetothestageofragabhakti,in
whichtheLordrespondsfromwithinasthecaityaguru,orthespiritualmaster
asSuperconsciousness.Alltranscendentalistsotherthandevoteesmakeno
distinctionbetweentheindividualsoulandtheSupersoulbecausethey
miscalculatetheSuperconsciousnessandtheindividualconsciousnesstobe
oneandthesame.Suchmiscalculationbythenondevoteesmakesthemunfitto
receiveanydirectionfromwithin,andthereforetheyarebereftofthedirect
cooperationoftheLord.
TheprocessofunderstandingtheAbsoluteTruthadoptedbythemisguided
nondualistisverydifficult,whereasthedevotee'swayofunderstandingthe
AbsoluteTruthcomesdirectlyfromtheLord,whoispleasedbydevotional
service.
Becauseoftheirpoorfundofknowledge,thematerialistsaredisturbedwhen
thereisanapparentincreaseofpopulationontheearth.Wheneverthereisa
livingbeingontheearth,however,hissubsistenceisimmediatelyarrangedby
theLord.Theotherspeciesoflivingentities,whofaroutnumberhuman
society,areneverdisturbedformaintenance;theyareneverseendyingof
starvation.Itisonlyhumansocietythatisdisturbedaboutthefoodsituation
and,tocoveruptherealfactofadministrativemismanagement,takesshelterin
thepleathatthepopulationisexcessivelyincreasing.Ifthereisanyscarcityin
theworld,itisthescarcityofGodconsciousness,otherwise,bythegraceofthe
Lord,thereisnoscarcityofanything.
HedoesnothavetoendeavorforHismaintenance,becauseHeisthemasterof
allmysticpowersandtheproprietorofeverything.ThusHeisdistinctfromthe
livingentities.
Therefore,beginningfromthesky,thefirstmaterialmanifestationtothegross
vision,downtotheearth,everythingiscalledBrahman.Sarvamkhalvidam
brahma:"ThereisnothingbuttheLord,andHeisonewithoutasecond."
Ourmindsareneversatisfiedcompletely,althoughwecontinuouslyhearof
Histranscendentalactivities.

Thefatherandmotherofthematerialbodyaresoonlyinonebirth,andinthe
nextbirththefatherandmothermaybeadifferentcouple.Butthebonafide
spiritualmaster,astherepresentativeoftheLord,istheeternalfatherbecause
thespiritualmasterhastheresponsibilitytoleadthediscipletospiritual

salvation,ortheultimategoaloflife.
Thebodycanbemaintainedbyanykindoffoodstuff,butcow'smilkis
particularlyessentialfordevelopingthefinertissuesofthehumanbrainsothat
onecanunderstandtheintricaciesoftranscendentalknowledge.Acivilized
manisexpectedtoliveonfoodstuffscomprisingfruits,vegetables,grains,
sugarandmilk.
Thewholesystemofthematerialcreationisplannedsothattheconditioned
soulsmayhavetheopportunityforselfrealization.Onewhotakesadvantage
ofsuchanarrangementiscalledademigodorcivilizedman.
ButthebeautyoftranscendentalliteratureslikeBhagavadgitaandSrimad
Bhagavatamisthattheyneverbecomeold.Theyhavebeenreadintheworld
bycivilizedmanforthelastfivethousandyears,andtheyhaveneverbecome
old.Theyareeverfreshtothelearnedscholarsanddevotees,andevenbydaily
repetitionoftheversesofBhagavadgitaandSrimadBhagavatam,thereisno
satiationfordevoteeslikeVidura.Viduramighthaveheardthepastimesofthe
Lordmany,manytimesbeforehemetMaitreya,butstillhewantedthesame
narrationstoberepeatedbecausehewasneversatiatedbyhearingthem.That
isthetranscendentalnatureoftheLord'sgloriouspastimes.
Everylivingbeingisundertheplanofhisnaturalinclinationsintermsofthe
modesofmaterialnature.Hisworkismanifestedintermsofthenatureofthe
threemodes,hisformandbodilyfeaturesaredesignedaccordingtohiswork,
andhisnameisdesignatedaccordingtohisbodilyfeatures.
Historicaleventsandothernarrationsconcerningsocialandpoliticalincidents
allbecometranscendentalassoonastheyareinrelationshipwithKrsna.That
isthewaytotransformmundanethingsintospiritualidentity.Thewholeworld
canbetransformedintoVaikunthaifallworldlyactivitiesaredovetailedwith
krsnakatha.
Whoinhumansocietycanbesatisfiedwithouthearingsufficienttalkofthe
Lord,whoselotusfeetarethesumtotalofallplacesofpilgrimageandwhois
worshipedbygreatsagesanddevotees?Suchtopicscancutoffone's
bondagetofamilyaffectionsimplybyenteringtheholesofone'sears.

Peoplearemostinfluencedbythemodeofignorance,andsomeareinfluenced
bythepassionatemodeofmaterialnature,andunderthespellofthesetwo

modesalivingbeingisactuatedbythematerialconceptionoflife.The
mundanequalitiesdonotallowalivingentitytounderstandhisrealposition.
Thequalitiesofbothignoranceandpassionstronglybindonetotheillusory
bodilyconceptionoftheself.Thebestamongthefoolswhoarethusdeluded
arethosewhoengageinaltruisticactivitiesunderthespellofthematerial
modeofpassion
Anyonewhomisunderstandsthisperishablebodytobetheselfandwhoworks
foritinthenameofsociology,politics,philanthropy,altruism,nationalismor
internationalism,underthefalsepleaofthebodilyconceptionoflife,is
certainlyafoolanddoesnotknowtheimplicationsofrealityandunreality.
Someofthemareabovethemodesofignoranceandpassionandaresituatedin
themodeofgoodness,butmundanegoodnessisalwayscontaminatedbytinges
ofignoranceandpassion.
Mundanegoodnesscanenlightenonethatthebodyandtheselfaredifferent,
andoneingoodnessisconcernedwiththeselfandnotthebody.Butdueto
beingcontaminated,thoseinmundanegoodnesscannotunderstandthereal
natureoftheselfasaperson.
Theirimpersonalconceptionoftheselfasdistinctfromthebodykeepsthemin
themodeofgoodnesswithinmaterialnature,andunlesstheyareattractedby
krsnakatha,theywillneverbeliberatedfromthebondageofmaterial
existence.
Krsnakathaistheonlyremedyforallpeopleoftheworldbecauseitcan
situateoneinpureconsciousnessoftheselfandliberateonefrommaterial
bondage.Topreachkrsnakathaallovertheworld,asrecommendedbyLord
Caitanya,isthegreatestmissionaryactivity,andallsensiblemenandwomen
oftheworldmayjoininthisgreatmovementstartedbyLordCaitanya.
SrilaVyasadevacompiledtheMahabharataforthelessintelligentclassofmen,
whotakemoreinterestinmundanetopicsthaninthephilosophyoflife.The
Vedantasutrawascompiledforpersonsalreadyabovethemundanetopics,
whomightalreadyhavetastedthebitternessofthesocalledhappinessof
mundaneaffairs.ThefirstaphorismofVedantasutraisathatobrahmajijnasa,
i.e.,onlywhenonehasfinishedthebusinessofmundaneinquiriesinthe
marketplaceofsensegratificationcanonemakerelevantinquiriesregarding
Brahman,theTranscendence.

Thosepersonswhoarebusywiththemundaneinquirieswhichfillthe
newspapersandothersuchliteraturesareclassifiedasstrisudradvijabandhus,
orwomen,thelaborerclassandunworthysonsofthehigherclasses
(brahmana,ksatriyaandvaisya).Suchlessintelligentmencannotunderstand
thepurposeofVedantasutra,althoughtheymaymakeashowofstudyingthe
sutrasinapervertedway.TherealpurposeofVedantasutraisexplainedbythe
authorhimselfintheSrimadBhagavatam,andanyonetryingtounderstand
VedantasutrawithoutreferencetoSrimadBhagavatamiscertainlymisguided.
Foronewhoisanxioustoengageconstantlyinhearingsuchtopics,krsna
kathagraduallyincreaseshisindifferencetowardsallotherthings.Such
constantremembranceofthelotusfeetofLordKrsnabythedevoteewhohas
achievedtranscendentalblissvanquishesallhismiserieswithoutdelay.
Onlythedevotee,byhisfactualexperience,canunderstandtheimportofthis
versespokenbyVidura.ThepuredevoteeoftheLordenjoyslifebyconstantly
rememberingthelotusfeetoftheLordbyhearingkrsnakatha.Forsucha
devoteethereisnosuchthingasmaterialexistence,andthemuchadvertised
blissofbrahmanandaislikeafigforthedevoteewhoisinthemidstofthe
transcendentaloceanofbliss.
Thosewhoareinthemodesofignoranceandpassionareaversetothe
existenceofGod,orelsetheyformallyaccepttheexistenceofGodinthe
capacityofanordersupplier.Abovethemarethosewhoareinthemodeof
goodness.ThissecondclassofmenbelievetheSupremeBrahmantobe
impersonal.Theyacceptthecultofbhakti,inwhichhearingofkrsnakathais
thefirstitem,asameansandnottheend.Abovethemarethosewhoarepure
devotees.Theyaresituatedinthetranscendentalstageabovethemodeof
materialgoodness.Suchpersonsaredecidedlyconvincedthatthename,form,
fame,qualities,etc.,ofthePersonalityofGodheadarenondifferentfromone
anotherontheabsoluteplane.Forthem,hearingofthetopicsofKrsnaisequal
tomeetingwithHimfacetoface.Accordingtothisclassofmen,whoare
situatedinpuredevotionalservicetotheLord,thehighestgoalofhumanlifeis
purusartha,devotionalservicetotheLord,therealmissionoflife.
Thepitiableimpersonalistspitythosewhoareinfluencedbythemodesof
ignoranceandpassion,butthepuredevoteesoftheLordtakepityonthemboth
becausebothwastetheirmostvaluabletimeinthehumanformoflifeinfalse
pursuits,senseenjoymentandmentalspeculativepresentationsofdifferent
theoriesandgoalsoflife.
Therefore,justasbeescollecthoneyfromflowers,kindlydescribetheessence
ofalltopicsthetopicsoftheLord.
Therearemanytopicsfordifferentpersonsindifferentmodesofmaterial

nature,buttheessentialtopicsarethoseinrelationshipwiththeSupremeLord.
Boththenonbelieversandtheimpersonalistsdenytheessenceofalltopics;
therefore,theyengageintopicsofrelativityinvariousways,eitherinsense
gratificationorinmentalspeculation.
ThegreatsageMaitreyaMuniisdescribedhereasbhagavanbecausehe
surpassedallordinaryhumanbeingsinlearningandexperience.Thushis
selectionofthegreatestwelfareservicefortheworldisconsidered
authoritative.
Accordingtohisstatusofwork,alivingentityisplacedinaparticularfather's
semen,andbecauseVidurawasnotanordinarylivingentity,hewasgiventhe
chancetobebornfromthesemenofVyasa
Thebirthofahumanbeingisagreatscience,andthereforereformationofthe
actofimpregnationaccordingtotheVedicritualcalledGarbhadhanasamskara
isveryimportantforgeneratinggoodpopulation.Theproblemisnottocheck
thegrowthofthepopulation,buttogenerategoodpopulationonthelevelof
Vidura,VyasaandMaitreya.
MandavyaMuniwasagreatsage(cf.Bhag.1.13.1),andVidurawasformerly
thecontrollerYamaraja,whotakeschargeofthelivingentitiesafterdeath.
Birth,maintenanceanddeatharethreeconditionalstatesofthelivingentities
whoarewithinthematerialworld.Astheappointedcontrollerafterdeath,
YamarajaoncetriedMandavyaMuniforhischildhoodprofligacyandordered
himtobepiercedwithalance.Mandavya,beingangryatYamarajafor
awardinghimunduepunishment,cursedhimtobecomeasudra(memberof
thelessintelligentlaborerclass).ThusYamarajatookbirthinthewombofthe
keptwifeofVicitraviryafromthesemenofVicitravirya'sbrother,Vyasadeva
Yamaraja,thegreatcontrolleroflifeafterdeath,decidesthelivingentities'
destiniesintheirnextlives.Heissurelyamongthemostconfidential
representativesoftheLord.Suchconfidentialpostsareofferedtogreat
devoteesoftheLordwhoareasgoodasHiseternalassociatesinthespiritual
sky.AndbecauseVidurahappenedtobeamongthem,theLord,while
returningtoVaikuntha,leftinstructionsforVidurawithMaitreyaMuni.
GenerallytheeternalassociatesoftheLordinthespiritualskydonotcometo
thematerialworld.Sometimestheycome,however,bytheorderoftheLord
nottoholdanyadministrativepost,buttoassociatewiththeLordinpersonor
topropagatethemessageofGodinhumansociety.Suchempowered
representativesarecalledsaktyavesaavataras,orincarnationsinvestedwith
transcendentalpowerofattorney.

BecauseeverythingthatbeisanemanationfromthePersonalityofGodhead,
Healwaysexistsalonewithoutasecond.HecansoexistbecauseHeisall
perfectandomnipotent.EverythingotherthanHim,includingHisplenary
expansions,thevisnutattvas,isHispartandparcel.Beforethecreationthere
werenoKaranarnavasayiorGarbhodakasayiorKsirodakasayiVisnus,orwas
thereBrahmanorSankara.TheVisnuplenaryexpansionandthelivingentities
beginningfromBrahmaareseparatedpartsandparcels.
ThediversityoftheVaikunthalokaisonewiththeLord,justasthediversityof
soldiersisonewithandthesameastheking.AsexplainedinBhagavadgita
(9.7),thematerialcreationtakesplaceatintervalsbythewilloftheLord,and
intheperiodsbetweendissolutionandcreation,thelivingentitiesandthe
materialenergyremaindormantinHim.
Althoughthecreationoftheinternalpotencywasmanifested,theotherpotency
appearedtobesleeping,andtheLordwantedtoawakenhertoactivity,justas
ahusbandwantstoawakenhiswifefromthesleepingstateforenjoyment.
SincetheLordissaccidanandavigraha,HelikeseverypartandparcelofHis
differentpotenciestotakepartintheblissfulrasabecauseparticipationwith
theLordinHiseternalrasalilaisthehighestlivingcondition,perfectin
spiritualblissandeternalknowledge.
TheLordistheseer,andtheexternalenergy,whichisseen,worksasboth
causeandeffectinthecosmicmanifestation.
Thisimpregnatingprocessisperformedbythefirstpurusaincarnation,
KaranarnavasayiVisnu.SimplybyHisglanceovermaterialnature,thewhole
matterisaccomplished.
Whenthecosmiccreationismanifested,thelivingentitiesaredirectlysupplied
fromtheLord;theyareneverproductsofmaterialnature.Thus,noscientific
advancementofmaterialsciencecaneverproducealivingbeing.Thatisthe
wholemysteryofthematerialcreation.Thelivingentitiesareforeigntomatter,
andthustheycannotbehappyunlesstheyaresituatedinthesamespirituallife
astheLord.Themistakenlivingbeing,outofforgetfulnessofthisoriginal
conditionoflife,unnecessarilywastestimetryingtobecomehappyinthe
materialworld
TheLordofferstheconditionedsoulamaterialbodyforhissocalled
enjoyment,butifonedoesnotcometohissensesandenterintospiritual
consciousness,theLordagainputshimintheunmanifestedconditionasit

existedinthebeginningofthecreation

Thereafterthemahattattvadifferentiateditselfintomanydifferentformsasthe
reservoirofthewouldbeentities.Themahattattvaischieflyinthemodeof
ignorance,anditgeneratesthefalseego.Itisaplenaryexpansionofthe
PersonalityofGodhead,withfullconsciousnessofcreativeprinciplesandtime
forfructification.
Themahattattvaistheviamediumbetweenpurespiritandmaterialexistence.
Itisthejunctionofmatterandspiritwherefromthefalseegooftheliving
entityisgenerated.
Thisfalseegoisthebindingforceofmaterialexistence.TheLordagainand
againgivesachancetothebewilderedconditionedsoulstogetfreefromthis
falseego,andthatiswhythematerialcreationtakesplaceatintervals.He
givestheconditionedsoulsallfacilitiesforrectifyingtheactivitiesofthefalse
ego,butHedoesnotinterferewiththeirsmallindependenceaspartsand
parcelsoftheLord.
Mahattattva,orthegreatcausaltruth,transformsintofalseego,whichis
manifestedinthreephasescause,effectandthedoer.Allsuchactivitiesare
onthementalplaneandarebasedonthematerialelements,grosssensesand
mentalspeculation.Thefalseegoisrepresentedinthreedifferentmodes
goodness,passionandignorance.
Allsoulswhoaresituatedinsuchpureconsciousnessareliberated,and
thereforetheyeternallyliveinblissandknowledgeinthevariousVaikuntha
planetsinthespiritualsky.Whenthematerialcreationismanifested,itisnot
meantforthem.Theeternallyliberatedsoulsarecallednityamuktas,andthey
havenothingtodowiththematerialcreation.

Thematerialcreationismeantforrebellioussoulswhoarenotpreparedto
acceptsubordinationundertheSupremeLord.Thisspiritoffalselordshipis
calledfalseego.Itismanifestedinthreemodesofmaterialnature,anditexists
inmentalspeculationonly.Thosewhoareinthemodeofgoodnessthinkthat
eachandeverypersonisGod,andthustheylaughatthepuredevotees,whotry
toengageinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.Thosewhoare
puffedupbythemodeofpassiontrytolorditovermaterialnatureinvarious
ways.Someofthemengageinaltruisticactivitiesasiftheywereagents
appointedtodogoodtoothersbytheirmentalspeculativeplans.Suchmen
acceptthestandardwaysofmundanealtruism,buttheirplansaremadeonthe
basisoffalseego.Thisfalseegoextendstothelimitofbecomingonewiththe
Lord.Thelastclassofegoisticconditionedsoulsthoseinthemodeof
ignorancearemisguidedbyidentificationofthegrossbodywiththeself.
Thus,alltheiractivitiesarecenteredaroundthebodyonly.Allthesepersons
aregiventhechancetoplaywithfalseegoisticideas,butatthesametimethe
Lordiskindenoughtogivethemachancetotakehelpfromscriptureslike
BhagavadgitaandSrimadBhagavatamsothattheymayunderstandthe
scienceofKrsnaandthusmaketheirlivessuccessful.Theentirematerial
creation,therefore,ismeantforthefalselyegoisticlivingentitieshoveringon
thementalplaneunderdifferentillusionsinthemodesofmaterialnature.
Thefalseegoistransformedintomindbyinteractionwiththemodeof
goodness.Allthedemigodswhocontrolthephenomenalworldarealso
productsofthesameprinciple,namelytheinteractionoffalseegoandthe
modeofgoodness.
Thesensesarecertainlyproductsofthemodeofpassioninfalseego,and
thereforephilosophicalspeculativeknowledgeandfruitiveactivitiesare
predominantlyproductsofthemodeofpassion.
Thechieffunctionofthefalseegoisgodlessness.
Whenapersonforgetshisconstitutionalpositionasaneternallysubordinate
partandparceloftheSupremePersonalityofGodheadandwantstobehappy
independently,hefunctionsmainlyintwoways.Hefirstattemptstoact
fruitivelyforpersonalgainorsensegratification,andafterattemptingsuch
fruitiveactivitiesforaconsiderabletime,whenheisfrustratedhebecomesa
philosophicalspeculatorandthinkshimselftobeonthesamelevelasGod.

Thebestmeansofliberationfromtheclutchesoffalseegoistogiveupthe
habitofphilosophicalspeculationregardingtheAbsoluteTruth.Oneshould
knowdefinitelythattheAbsoluteTruthisneverrealizedbythephilosophical
speculationsoftheimperfectegoisticperson.TheAbsoluteTruth,orthe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,isrealizedbyhearingaboutHiminall
submissionandlovefromabonafideauthoritywhoisarepresentativeofthe
twelvegreatauthoritiesmentionedintheSrimadBhagavatam.Bysuchan
attemptonlycanoneconquertheillusoryenergyoftheLord,althoughfor
otherssheisunsurpassable,asconfirmedinBhagavadgita(7.14).

Theskyisaproductofsound,andsoundisthetransformationofegoistic
passion.Inotherwords,theskyisthesymbolicrepresentationoftheSupreme
Soul.
Thosewhoareegoisticinpassionandignorancecannotconceiveofthe
PersonalityofGodhead.Forthemtheskyisthesymbolicrepresentationofthe
SupremeSoul.
ThereafterthePersonalityofGodheadglancedoverthesky,partlymixedwith
eternaltimeandexternalenergy,andthusdevelopedthetouchsensation,from
whichtheairintheskywasproduced.
Allmaterialcreationstakeplacefromsubtletogross.Theentireuniversehas
developedinthatmanner.Fromtheskydevelopedthetouchsensation,which
isamixtureofeternaltime,theexternalenergyandtheglanceofthe
PersonalityofGodhead.Thetouchsensationdevelopedintotheairinthesky.
Similarly,allothergrossmatteralsodevelopedfromsubtletogross:sound
developedintosky,touchdevelopedintoair,formdevelopedintofire,taste
developedintowater,andsmelldevelopedintoearth.
Thereaftertheextremelypowerfulair,interactingwiththesky,generatedthe
formofsenseperception,andtheperceptionofformtransformedinto
electricity,thelighttoseetheworld.
Whenelectricitywassurchargedintheairandwasglancedoverbythe

Supreme,atthattime,byamixtureofeternaltimeandexternalenergy,there
occurredthecreationofwaterandtaste.
Thereafterthewaterproducedfromelectricitywasglancedoverbythe
SupremePersonalityofGodheadandmixedwitheternaltimeandexternal
energy.Thusitwastransformedintotheearth,whichisqualifiedprimarilyby
smell.
Ineverytransformation,thelastfinishingtouchistheglanceoftheLord,who
actsasapainterdoeswhenhemixesdifferentcolorstotransformthemintoa
particularcolor.
Forexample,theskyisthecauseofair.Theskyhasonlyonequality,namely
sound,butbytheinteractionoftheskywiththeglanceoftheLord,mixedwith
eternaltimeandexternalnature,theairisproduced,whichhastwoqualities
soundandtouch.Similarlyaftertheairiscreated,interactionofskyandair,
touchedbytimeandtheexternalenergyoftheLord,produceselectricity.And
aftertheinteractionofelectricitywithairandsky,mixedwithtime,external
energyandtheLord'sglanceoverthem,thewaterisproduced.Inthefinal
stageofskythereisonequality,namelysound;intheairtwoqualities,sound
andtouch;intheelectricitythreequalities,namelysound,touchandform;in
thewaterfourqualities,sound,touch,formandtaste;andinthelaststageof
physicaldevelopmenttheresultisearth,whichhasallfivequalitiessound,
touch,form,tasteandsmell.
TheautomaticsystemisfactuallyactivatedbytheglancingtouchoftheLord.
Thecontrollingdeitiesofalltheabovementionedphysicalelementsare
empoweredexpansionsofLordVisnu.Theyareembodiedbyeternaltime
undertheexternalenergy,andtheyareHispartsandparcels.Becausethey
wereentrustedwithdifferentfunctionsofuniversaldutiesandwereunableto
performthem,theyofferedfascinatingprayerstotheLordasfollows.
Thedemigodsshouldnotbedespisedbythecontrolledlivingbeings.Theyare
allgreatdevoteesoftheLordentrustedtoexecutecertainfunctionsofuniversal
affairs.OnemaybeangrywithYamarajaforhisthanklesstaskofpunishing
sinfulsouls,butYamarajaisoneoftheauthorizeddevoteesoftheLord,andso
arealltheotherdemigods.AdevoteeoftheLordisnevercontrolledbysuch
deputeddemigods,whofunctionasassistantsoftheLord,butheshowsthem
allrespectsonaccountoftheresponsiblepositionstowhichtheyhavebeen
appointedbytheLord.Atthesametime,adevoteeoftheLorddoesnot
foolishlymistakethemtobetheSupremeLord.Onlyfoolishpersonsaccept
thedemigodsasbeingonthesamelevelasVisnu;actuallytheyareall
appointedasservantsofVisnu.
Thedemigodsareworshipedbypersonswhoaremoreorlessadherentsofthe

processesofjnana,yogaandkarma,i.e.,theimpersonalists,meditatorsand
fruitiveworkers.Thedevotees,however,worshiponlytheSupremeLord
Visnu.Thisworshipisnotforanymaterialbenefit,asdesiredbyallthe
materialists,evenuptothesalvationists,mysticsandfruitiveworkers.
DevoteesworshiptheSupremeLordtoattainunalloyeddevotiontotheLord.
TheLord,however,isnotworshipedbyothers,whohavenoprogramfor
attainingloveofGod,whichistheessentialaimofhumanlife.Personsaverse
toalovingrelationshipwithGodaremoreorlesscondemnedbytheirown
actions.

TheLordisequaltoeverylivingentity,justliketheflowingGanges.The
Gangeswaterismeantforthepurificationofeveryone,yetthetreesonthe
banksoftheGangeshavedifferentvalues.Amangotreeonthebankofthe
Gangesdrinksthewater,andthenimbatreealsodrinksthesamewater.Butthe
fruitsofbothtreesaredifferent.Oneiscelestiallysweet,andtheotheris
hellishlybitter.Thecondemnedbitternessofthenimbaisduetoitsownpast
work,justasthesweetnessofthemangoisalsoduetoitsownkarma.
Therearemanysagesandsaintswhoengageintryingtoconquerrebirthand
allothermaterialmiseries.Butofallofthem,thosewhotakeshelterunderthe
lotusfeetoftheLordcancompletelythrowoffallsuchmiserieswithout
difficulty.Others,whoareengagedintranscendentalactivitiesindifferent
ways,cannotdoso.Forthemitisverydifficult.
Thewayofdevotionalserviceisneithersentimentalnormundane.Itisthepath
ofrealitybywhichthelivingentitycanattainthetranscendentalhappinessof
beingfreedfromthethreekindsofmaterialmiseriesmiseriesarisingfromthe
bodyandmind,fromotherlivingentitiesandfromnaturaldisturbances.
Everyonewhoisconditionedbymaterialexistencewhetherhebeamanor
beastordemigodorbirdmustsufferfromadhyatmika(bodilyormental)
pains,adhibhautikapains(thoseofferedbylivingcreatures),andadhidaivika
pains(thoseduetosupernaturaldisturbances).Hishappinessisnothingbuta
hardstruggletogetfreefromthemiseriesofconditionallife.Butthereisonly
onewayhecanberescued,andthatisbyacceptingtheshelterofthelotusfeet
oftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
ThereisnowantofknowledgeinthedevotionalserviceofVasudeva,the
PersonalityofGodhead.He,theLord,personallytakeschargeofdissipating
thedarknessofignorancefromtheheartofadevotee.
SimplytoendeavorforknowledgewithoutdevotingoneselftotheLordisa

wasteofvaluabletime.
ThelotusfeetoftheLordarebythemselvestheshelterofallplacesof
pilgrimage.Thegreatclearmindedsages,carriedbythewingsoftheVedas,
alwayssearchafterthenestofYourlotuslikeface.Someofthemsurrenderto
Yourlotusfeetateverystepbytakingshelterofthebestofrivers[theGanges],
whichcandeliveronefromallsinfulreactions.
Theparamahamsasarecomparedtoroyalswanswhomaketheirnestsonthe
petalsofthelotusflower.
TheLordissokindthatHehasspreadtheRiverGangesthroughoutthe
universesothatbytakingbathinthatholyrivereveryonecangetreleasefrom
thereactionsofsins,whichoccurateverystep.

SimplybyhearingaboutYourlotusfeetwitheagernessanddevotionandby
meditatinguponthemwithintheheart,oneatoncebecomesenlightenedwith
knowledge,andonthestrengthofdetachmentonebecomespacified.Wemust
thereforetakeshelterofthesanctuaryofYourlotusfeet.
ThemiraclesofmeditatingonthelotusfeetoftheLordwitheagernessand
devotionaresogreatthatnootherprocesscancomparetoit.Themindsof
materialisticpersonsaresodisturbedthatitisalmostimpossibleforthemto
searchaftertheSupremeTruthbypersonalregulativeendeavors.
Cultureofselfknowledgecanbringaboutdetachmentfrommaterialaffection,
andwithoutsuchdetachmentthereisnomeaningtoknowledge.
Themoststubbornattachmentformaterialenjoymentissexlife.Onewhois
attachedtosexlifeistobeunderstoodasdevoidofknowledge.
Knowledgemustbefollowedbydetachment.Thatisthewayofself
realization.
Thesetwoessentialsforselfrealizationknowledgeanddetachmentbecome
manifestveryquicklyifoneperformsdevotionalservicetothelotusfeetofthe
Lord.
Theworddhiraisverysignificantinthisconnection.Apersonwhoisnot
disturbedeveninthepresenceofcauseofdisturbanceiscalleddhira.
SriYamunacaryasays,"Sincemyhearthasbeenoverwhelmedbythe
devotionalserviceofLordKrsna,Icannoteventhinkofsexlife,andif
thoughtsofsexcomeuponmeIatoncefeeldisgust."AdevoteeoftheLord
becomesanelevateddhirabythesimpleprocessofmeditatingineagernesson

thelotusfeetoftheLord.
Devotionalserviceentailsbeinginitiatedbyabonafidespiritualmasterand
followinghisinstructioninregardtohearingabouttheLord.Suchabonafide
spiritualmasterisacceptedbyregularlyhearingfromhimabouttheLord.The
improvementinknowledgeanddetachmentcanbeperceivedbydevoteesasan
actualexperience.
LordSriCaitanyaMahaprabhustronglyrecommendedthisprocessofhearing
fromabonafidedevotee,andbyfollowingthisprocessonecanachievethe
highestresult,conqueringallothermethods.
Visnuisthemasterofthemodeofgoodness,Brahmaisthemasterofthemode
ofpassion,andMahesvaraisthemasterofthemodeofignorance.Thereare
differentkindsofdevoteesaccordingtothemodesofnature.

AllthreeofthesedeitiesareincarnationsoftheSupremeLordKrsnabecause
HeistheoriginalSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Thedemigodsdirectly
refertothelotusfeetoftheSupremeLordandnottothedifferentincarnations.
TheincarnationofVisnuinthematerialworldis,however,directlyworshiped
bythedemigods
Visnualwaystakesthepartofthedemigods,butBrahmaandSivasometimes
takethesideofthedemons;itisnotthattheybecomeoneininterestwith
them,butsometimestheydosomethinginordertogaincontroloverthe
demons.
InthisageofKali,theprocessofhearingkrsnakathaisthemosteffective
meanstogainreleasefromunwantedfamilyaffectionandthusfindpermanent
freedominlife.
OgreatSupremeLord,offensivepersonswhoseinternalvisionhasbeentoo
affectedbyexternalmaterialisticactivitiescannotseeYourlotusfeet,butthey
areseenbyYourpuredevotees,whoseoneandonlyaimisto
transcendentallyenjoyYouractivities.
ItisnaturalthatoneshouldheabletoseetheLordatleastwithinhimself.But
thatisnotpossibleforthosewhoseinternalvisionhasbeencoveredbyexternal
activities.
TheyogasystemasrecommendedinBhagavadgitaistoconcentratethe
mentalactivitiesinternallyandthusseethelotusfeetoftheLordwithin
oneself.ButtherearemanysocalledyogiswhohavenoconcernwiththeLord
butareonlyconcernedwithconsciousness,whichtheyacceptasthefinal

realization.SuchrealizationofconsciousnessistaughtbyBhagavadgita
withinonlyafewminutes,whereasthesocalledyogistakecontinuousyearsto
realizeitbecauseoftheiroffensesatthelotusfeetoftheLord.
Theimpersonalistsmisinterpretthetheoryareflection,andthustheywrongly
accepttheindividualconsciousnessasthesupremeconsciousness.
Transcendentalistswhodonotacceptthesupremeconsciousnessasseparate
fromtheindividualconsciousnessareasoffensiveasthematerialistswhodeny
eventheexistenceoftheLord.
SuchoffenderscannotactuallyseethelotusfeetoftheLordwithinthemselves,
noraretheyevenabletoseethedevoteesoftheLord.ThedevoteesoftheLord
aresokindthattheyroamtoallplacestoenlightenpeopleinGod
consciousness.

theoffenselesscommonmanisatonceinfluencedbythedevotees'presence.In
thisconnectionthereisaninterestingstoryofahunterandDevarsiNarada.A
hunterintheforest,althoughagreatsinner,wasnotanintentionaloffender.He
wasatonceinfluencedbythepresenceofNarada,andheagreedtotakethe
pathofdevotion,leavingasidehishearthandhome.Buttheoffenders
NalakuvaraandManigriva,eventhoughlivingamongstthedemigods,hadto
undergothepunishmentofbecomingtreesintheirnextlives,althoughbythe
graceofadevoteetheywerelaterdeliveredbytheLord.
Offendershavetowaituntiltheyreceivethemercyofdevotees,andthenthey
canbecomeeligibletoseethelotusfeetoftheLordwithinthemselves.Butdue
totheiroffensesandtheirextremematerialism,theycannotseeeventhe
devoteesoftheLord.Engagedinexternalactivities,theykilltheinternal
vision.
TheLord'sdevotees,however,donotmindtheoffensesofthefoolishintheir
manygrossandsubtlebodilyendeavors.TheLord'sdevoteescontinueto
bestowtheblessingsofdevotionuponallsuchoffenderswithouthesitation.
Thatisthenatureofdevotees.
Thedifferencebetweentheimpersonalisticmentalspeculatorsandthepure
devoteesoftheLordisthattheformerpassthroughamiserableunderstanding
oftheAbsoluteTruthateverystage,whereasthedevoteesenterintothe
kingdomofallpleasuresevenfromthebeginningoftheirattempt.Witha
seriousattitude,thedevoteethrowsawayallachievementslikesomuchdust,
andheacceptsonlydevotionalservice,thetranscendentalculmination.

Others,whoarepacifiedbymeansoftranscendentalselfrealizationandhave
conqueredoverthemodesofnaturebydintofstrongpowerandknowledge,
alsoenterintoYou,butforthemthereismuchpain,whereasthedevotee
simplydischargesdevotionalserviceandthusfeelsnosuchpain.
Intermsofalaborofloveanditsreturns,thebhaktas,ordevoteesoftheLord,
alwayshavepriorityoverpersonswhoareaddictedtotheassociationofjnanis,
orimpersonalists,andyogis,ormystics.
Althoughtheirdestinationisnotsoimportantincomparisontothedestination
ofthedevotees,thelaborofthenondevoteesisfargreaterthanthatofthe
bhaktas.
Onemaysuggestthatthereissufficientlaborforthedevoteesalsointhematter
ofdischargingdevotionalservice.Butthatlaboriscompensatedbythe
enhancementoftranscendentalpleasure.Thedevoteesderivemore
transcendentalpleasurewhileengagedcontinuouslyintheserviceoftheLord
thanwhentheyhavenosuchengagement.

Inthefamilycombinationofamanandawomanthereismuchlaborand
responsibilityforbothofthem,yetwhentheyaresingletheyfeelmoretrouble
forwantoftheirunitedactivities.
Theimpersonaliststrytofullystoptheirindividualitybyattainingsayujya
mukti,orunificationbymergingintooneness,whereasthedevoteeskeeptheir
individualitytoexchangefeelingsinrelationshipwiththesupremeindividual
Lord.Suchreciprocationoffeelingstakesplaceinthetranscendental
Vaikunthaplanets,andthereforetheliberationsoughtbytheimpersonalistsis
alreadyachievedindevotionalservice.Thedevoteesattainmukti
automatically,whilecontinuingthetranscendentalpleasureofmaintaining
individuality.
Asexplainedinthepreviousverse,thedestinationofthedevoteesis
Vaikuntha,orakunthadhisnya,theplacewhereanxietiesarecompletely
eradicated.
Thedestinationsaredistinctlydifferent,andthetranscendentalpleasure
derivedbythedevoteeisalsodistinctfromcinmatra,orspiritualfeelings
alone.
Thecosmiccreationisworkingundertheinfluenceofthethreemodesofthe
externalpotencyoftheLord.Differentcreaturesarealsounderthesame
influence,andthereforetheycannotactconcertedlyinsatisfyingtheLord.
Becauseofthisdiverseactivity,therecannotbeanyharmonyinthematerial

world.Thebestpolicy,therefore,istoactforthesakeoftheLord.Thatwill
bringaboutthedesiredharmony.
Theearthissituatedalmostinthemiddleoftheuniverse,andthehumanform
oflifeistheviamediumbetweenthelifeofthedemigodsandthatofthe
demons.
Theyarecalleddemigodsbecausealthoughtheirstandardoflifeisfarmore
advancedinculture,enjoyment,luxury,beauty,educationanddurationoflife,
theyarealwaysfullyGodconscious.
ThedevoteesordemigodsarefullyawarethattheLordcanmaintainany
numberoflivingentities,providedtheyareconsciousofhowtoeat
Iftheywanttoeatlikeordinaryanimals,whohavenoGodconsciousness,then
theymustliveinstarvation,povertyandwant,likethejungleanimalsinthe
forest.
butitisthedutyofhumanbeingstoacknowledgethemercyoftheLord.Asa
matterofgratitude,theyshouldfeelobligedtotheLordfortheirsupplyof
foodstuff,andtheymustfirstofferHimfoodinsacrificeandthenpartakeof
theremnants.
WhenhumansocietyisgratefultotheLordforallHisgiftsforthemaintenance
ofthelivingentities,thenthereiscertainlynoscarcityorwantinsociety.But
whenmenareunawareoftheintrinsicvalueofsuchgiftsfromtheLord,surely
theyareinwant.
ApersonwhohasnoGodconsciousnessmayliveinopulenceforthetime
beingduetohispastvirtuousacts,butifoneforgetshisrelationshipwiththe
Lord,certainlyhemustawaitthestageofstarvationbythelawofthepowerful
materialnature.Onecannotescapethevigilanceofthepowerfulmaterial
natureunlessheleadsaGodconsciousordevotionallife.
WhenHedescendsonthematerialplane,outofMiscauselessmercyHe
acceptsoneofHisgreatdevoteesasHisfathertokeeppacewiththerulesof
thematerialworld.ButsinceHeistheLord,Heisalwaysindependentin
choosingwhowillbecomeHisfather.Forexample,theLordcameoutofa
pillarinHisincarnationasNrsimhadeva,andbytheLord'scauselessmercy,
AhalyacameoutofastonebythetouchofthelotusfeetofHisincarnationas
LordSriRama.
HeisalsothecompanionofeverylivingentityastheSupersoul,butHeis
unchanged.

Thelivingentitychangeshisbodyinthematerialworld,butevenwhenthe
Lordisinthematerialworld,Heiseverunchanged.ThatisHisprerogative.
Sometimesinlovethesonismorethanthefather,buttherelationshipoffather
andsonisoneofthesuperiorandthesubordinate.Everylivingentity,however
greathemaybe,evenuptodemigodslikeBrahmaandIndra,isaneternally
subordinateservitorofthesupremefather.
OSupremeSelf,pleasegiveus,whoarecreatedinthebeginningfromthe
mahattattva,thetotalcosmicenergy,Yourkinddirectionsonhowwe
shallact.KindlyawardusYourperfectknowledgeandpotencysothatwe
canrenderYouserviceinthedifferentdepartmentsofsubsequent
creation.
TheLordcreatesthismaterialworldandimpregnatesthematerialenergywith
thelivingentitieswhowillactinthematerialworld.Alltheseactionshavea
divineplanbehindthem.Theplanistogivetheconditionedsoulswhoso
desireachancetoenjoysensegratification.Butthereisanotherplanbehindthe
creation:tohelpthelivingentitiesrealizethattheyarecreatedforthe
transcendentalsensegratificationoftheLordandnotfortheirindividualsense
gratification.Thisistheconstitutionalpositionofthelivingentities.

Alltheexpansionsthevisnutattvas,thejivatattvasandthesaktitattvas(the
PersonalitiesofGodhead,thelivingentitiesandthedifferentpotential
energies)aredifferentoffshootsfromthesameoneSupremeLord.
Thedemigodsareamongsttheconditionedsoulswhohavedevelopedthispure
consciousnessofservicetotheLordbutwhoatthesametimecontinueto
desiretolorditoverthematerialenergy.Suchmixedconsciousnessputsa
conditionedsoulinthepositionofmanagingtheaffairsofthiscreation.The
demigodsareentrustedleadersoftheconditionedsouls.
Assomeoftheoldprisonersingovernmentjailsareentrustedwithsome
responsibleworkofprisonmanagement,sothedemigodsareimproved
conditionedsoulsactingasrepresentativesoftheLordinthematerialcreation.
SuchdemigodsaredevoteesoftheLordinthematerialworld,andwhen
completelyfreefromallmaterialdesiretolorditoverthematerialenergythey
becomepuredevoteesandhavenodesirebuttoservetheLord.
OnecannotdoanythingunlessheisenlightenedandempoweredbytheLord.
Allrecollections,knowledge,etc.,aswellasallforgetfulness,areengineered

bytheLord,whoissittingwithintheheartofeveryone.Theintelligentman
seeksthehelpoftheLord,andtheLordhelpsthesinceredevoteesengagedin
Hismultifariousservices.
anyconditionedsoulmayalsoengageintheserviceoftheLordunderthe
guidanceofanexpertspiritualmasterandthusgraduallybecomefreedfrom
theentanglementofmaterialexistence.
Chapter6

Theingredientsofmatterarecountedastwentythree:thetotalmaterialenergy,
falseego,sound,touch,form,taste,smell,earth,water,fire,air,sky,eye,ear,
nose,tongue,skin,hand,leg,evacuatingorgan,genitals,speechandmind.All
arecombinedtogetherbytheinfluenceoftimeandareagaindissolvedinthe
courseoftime.Time,therefore,istheenergyoftheLordandactsinherown
waybythedirectionoftheLord.ThisenergyiscalledKaliandisrepresented
bythedarkdestructivegoddessgenerallyworshipedbypersonsinfluencedby
themodeofdarknessorignoranceinmaterialexistence.
"OArjuna,thereisnonecessityofyourknowingaboutMyinnumerable
energies,whichactinvariousways.IenterintothematerialcreationbyMy
partialplenaryexpansion[Paramatma,ortheSupersoul]inalltheuniverses
andinalltheelementsthereof,andthustheworkofcreationgoeson."
Everyindividualsoulremainsunconsciousafterthedissolutionofthecreation
andthusentersintotheLordwithHismaterialenergy.Theseindividualliving
entitiesareconditionedsoulseverlastingly,butineachandeverymaterial
creationtheyaregivenachancetoliberatethemselvesandbecomefreesouls.
Theindividualsoulsinthematerialworldengageindifferentactivities
accordingtotheirpastunfinisheddesires.Afterthedissolutionofaparticular
body,theindividualsoulforgetseverything,buttheallmercifulLord,whois
situatedineveryone'sheartasthewitness,theSupersoul,awakenshimand
remindshimofhispastdesires,andthushebeginstoactaccordinglyin
hisnextlife.Thisunseenguidanceisdescribedasfate,andasensiblemancan
understandthatthiscontinueshismaterialbondageinthethreemodesof
nature.
Theunconscioussleepingstageofthelivingentityjustafterthepartialortotal
dissolutionofthecreationiswronglyacceptedasthefinalstageoflifebysome
lessintelligentphilosophers.Afterthedissolutionofthepartialmaterialbody,
alivingentityremainsunconsciousforonlyafewmonths,andafterthetotal
dissolutionofthematerialcreation,heremainsunconsciousformanymillions
ofyears.Butwhenthecreationisagainrevived,heisawakenedtohisworkby
theLord.

Thelivingentityiseternal,andthewakefulstateofhisconsciousness,
manifestedbyactivities,ishisnaturalconditionoflife.Hecannotstopacting
whileawake,andthusheactsaccordingtohisdiversedesires.Whenhis
desiresaretrainedinthetranscendentalserviceoftheLord,hislife
becomesperfect,andheispromotedtothespiritualskytoenjoyeternal
awakenedlife.
Whenthetwentythreeprincipalelementsweresetinactionbythewillofthe
Supreme,thegiganticuniversalform,orthevisvarupabodyoftheLord,came
intoexistence.
LordKrsnaexhibitedthisviratorvisvarupatoArjunajusttoconvincethe
impersonaliststhatHeistheoriginalPersonalityofGodhead.
Thearcavigraha,ortheworshipableDeityinthetemple,isasimilar
manifestationoftheLordfortheneophytes.Butinspiteoftheirmaterialtouch,
suchformsoftheLordastheviratandarcaareallnondifferentfromHis
eternalformasLordKrsna.
AstheLord,inHisplenaryportion,enteredintotheelementsoftheuniversal
creation,theytransformedintothegiganticforminwhichalltheplanetary
systemsandallmovableandimmovablecreationsrest.
Matterisaproductofspiritandincreasesonlybythetouchofspirit.
Theentirecosmicbodyincreasedbythesameprocessthatweexperiencein
oursmallbodies.Oneshouldnot,however,foolishlythinkthattheindividual
infinitesimalsoulisthecauseofthegiganticmanifestationoftheuniversal
form.TheuniversalformiscalledtheviratrupabecausetheSupremeLordis
withinitinHisplenaryportion.
Thegiganticviratpurusa,knownasHiranmaya,livedforonethousand
celestialyearsonthewateroftheuniverse,andallthelivingentitieslaywith
Him.
AftertheLordenteredeachandeveryuniverseastheGarbhodakasayiVisnu,
halfoftheuniversewasfilledwithwater.Thecosmicmanifestationofthe
planetarysystems,outerspace,etc.,whicharevisibletous,isonlyonehalfof
thecompleteuniverse.Beforethemanifestationtakesplaceandafterthe
entranceofVisnuwithintheuniverse,thereisaperiodofonethousand
celestialyears.Allthelivingentitiesinjectedwithinthewombofthemahat
tattvaaredividedinalluniverseswiththeincarnationofGarbhodakasayi
Visnu,andallofthemliedownwiththeLorduntilBrahmaisborn.Brahmais
thefirstlivingbeingwithintheuniverse,andfromhimallotherdemigodsand
livingcreaturesareborn.Manuistheoriginalfatherofmankind,andtherefore,
inSanskrit,mankindiscalledmanusya.

Theexistenceofthesoulismanifestintheformofconsciousness,calledjnana
sakti.Thetotalconsciousnessisthatofthegiganticviratrupa,andthesame
consciousnessisexhibitedinindividualpersons.
Thetotalenergyofthemahattattva,intheformofthegiganticviratrupa,
dividedHimselfbyHimselfintotheconsciousnessofthelivingentities,the
lifeofactivity,andselfidentification,whicharesubdividedintoone,tenand
threerespectively.
Theactivityofconsciousnessisperformedthroughtheairoflife,whichisof
tendivisions.Theairsoflifearecalledprana,apana,udana,vyanaandsamana
andarealsodifferentlyqualifiedasnaga,kurma,krkara,devadattaand
dhananjaya.
Inpureconsciousnesstheactivityisone.Theconsciousnessoftheindividual
soulbecomesonewiththesupremeconsciousnesswhenthereiscomplete
synthesisbetweenthetwo.
Thisconsciousnessisdividedintothreemodesofselfidentificationaccording
totheproportionofpurity:adhyatmika,orselfidentificationwiththebodyand
mind,adhibhautika,orselfidentificationwiththematerialproducts,and
adhidaivika,orselfidentificationasaservantoftheLord.Ofthethree,
adhidaivikaselfidentificationisthebeginningofpurityofconsciousnessin
pursuanceofthedesireoftheLord.
ThegiganticuniversalformoftheSupremeLordisthefirstincarnationand
plenaryportionoftheSupersoul.
Thegrosselements,namely,earth,etc.,formtheexternalgrossbodyandare
likeacoat,whereasthesubtlemindandfalseegoactliketheinnerclothingof
thebody.
Thetenkindsofairaredescribedasfollows:Themainairpassingthroughthe
noseinbreathingiscalledprana.Theairwhichpassesthroughtherectumas
evacuatedbodilyairiscalledapana.Theairwhichadjuststhefoodstuffwithin
thestomachandwhichsometimessoundsasbelchingiscalledsamana.Theair
whichpassesthroughthethroatandthestoppageofwhichconstitutes
suffocationiscalledtheudanaair.Aidthetotalairwhichcirculatesthroughout
theentirebodyiscalledthevyanaair.Subtlerthanthesefiveairs,thereare
othersalso.Thatwhichfacilitatestheopeningoftheeyes,mouth,etc.,iscalled
nagaair.Theairwhichincreasesappetiteiscalledkrkaraair.Theairwhich
helpscontractioniscalledkurmaair.Theairwhichhelpsrelaxationbyopening
themouthwide(inyawning)iscalleddevadattaair,andtheairwhichhelps
sustenanceiscalleddhananjayaair.

Alltheseairsaregeneratedfromthecenteroftheheart,whichisoneonly.This
centralenergyissuperiorenergyoftheLord,whoisseatedwithintheheart
withthesoulofthebody,whoactsundertheguidanceoftheLord.
ThecompletecentralforceisgeneratedfromtheheartbytheLord,whois
seatedthereandwhohelpstheconditionedsoulinrememberingandforgetting.
Theconditionedstateisduetothesoul'sforgetfulnessofhisrelationshipof
subordinationtotheLord.OnewhowantstocontinuetoforgettheLordis
helpedbytheLordtoforgetHimbirthafterbirth,butonewhoremembers
Him,bydintofassociationwithadevoteeoftheLord,ishelpedtoremember
Himmoreandmore.Thustheconditionedsoulcanultimatelygobackhome,
backtoGodhead.
Thebuddhiyogaprocessofselfrealizationwithintelligencetranscendentalto
themind(devotionalservice)canaloneelevateonefromtheconditionedstate
ofmaterialentanglementinthecosmicconstruction.
Thementalspeculatorscannotunderstandthatthetwobirds(Svetasvatara
Upanisad)sittinginonetreearethesoulandtheSupersoul.Theindividualsoul
eatsthefruitofthetree,whiletheotherbirddoesnoteatthefruitbutonly
observestheactivitiesoftheeatingbird.Withoutattachment,thewitnessing
birdhelpsthefruiteatingbirdperformfruitfulactivities.
Forexample,theindividualhumanbodydoesnotdevelopfromthewombof
themotherindependentlybutbecausethelivingentity,thesoul,iswithinthe
body.
ThetitlePh.D.canalsobeinterpretedasPloughDepartment,atitlemeantfor
thetillersinthepaddyfield.Theattemptofthetillersinthepaddyfieldto
understandthecosmicmanifestationandthecausebehindsuchwonderful
workcanbecomparedtotheendeavorofthefroginthewelltocalculatethe
measurementofthePacificOcean.

TheLordcanrevealHimselfonlytoapersonwhoissubmissiveandwho
engagesinHistranscendentallovingservice.Thedemigodscontrollingthe
elementsandingredientsofuniversalaffairsprayedtotheLordforguidance,
andthusHemanifestedHisgiganticform,asHedidattherequestofArjuna.
InBhagavadgita(14.1415)itissaidthatthosewhoarehighlydevelopedin
themodeofgoodnessarepromotedtothehigher,heavenlyplanetarysystem,
andthosewhoareoverpoweredbythemodeofpassionaresituatedinthe
middleplanetarysystemstheearthandsimilarplanets.Butthosewhoare
surchargedwiththemodeofignorancearedegradedtothelowerplanetary
systemsortotheanimalkingdom.Thedemigodsarehighlydevelopedinthe

modeofgoodness,andthustheyaresituatedintheheavenlyplanets.Below
humanbeingsaretheanimals,althoughsomeofthemminglewithhuman
society;cows,horses,dogs,etc.,arehabituatedtolivingundertheprotectionof
humanbeings.
Butbyexcessivedevelopmentofthemodesofpassionandignorance,the
humanbeingindulgesinkillingtheanimalswhoaremeanttobeprotectedby
mankind.Personswhoindulgeinunnecessaryanimalkillinghaveexcessively
developedinthemodesofpassionandignoranceandhavenohopeof
advancingtothemodeofgoodness;theyaredestinedtobedegradedtolower
statusesoflife.
Thosewhoaresituatedonthemoutharecalledbrahmanas,thosewhoare
situatedonthearmsarecalledksatriyas,thosewhoaresituatedonthewaistare
calledvaisyas,andthosewhoaresituatedonthelegsarecalledsudras.
EveryoneissituatedinthebodyoftheSupremeinHisgiganticvisvarupa
form.Intermsofthefourorders,therefore,nocasteistobeconsidered
degradedbecauseofbeingsituatedonaparticularpartofthebody.Inourown
bodieswedonotshowanyactualdifferenceinourtreatmenttowardsthehands
orlegs.Eachandeverypartofthebodyisimportant,althoughthemouthisthe
mostimportantofthebodilyparts.Ifotherpartsarecutofffromthebody,a
mancancontinuehislife,butifthemouthiscutoff,onecannotlive.
Therefore,thismostimportantpartofthebodyoftheLordiscalledthesitting
placeofthebrahmanas,whoareinclinedtotheVedicwisdom.
ThemainqualificationofabrahmanaistobeinclinedtotheVedicwisdom.
OnewhoissituatedintheimpersonalBrahmanandhasnoinformationofthe
SupremePersonalityofGodheadmaybecomeabrahmana,buthecannot
becomeaspiritualmaster.
Apersonmaybeabrahmanaorasudraorasannyasi,butifhehappenstobe
wellversedinthescienceofKrsna,thenheisfittobecomeaspiritualmaster.
(Cc.Madhya8.128)Thequalification,then,ofaspiritualmasterisnottobea
qualifiedbrahmana,buttobewellversedinthescienceofKrsna.
Theconceptionofthecastesystemisalwaysbasedonqualityandnotonthe
qualificationofbirth.
OfthethreedeitiesBrahma,VisnuandMahesvara,thefirsthasthepowerto
create,thesecondhasthepowertoprotect,andthethirdhasthepowerto
destroy
Themoderndemocraticstate,whichhasnoksatriyas,isagovernmentofthe
vaisyasandsudras,andnotofbrahmanasandksatriyasasformerly.Modern
electedpresidentscannotevengiveprotectionfromtheftcases,andtherefore

onehastotakeprotectionfromaninsurancecompany.Theproblemsof
modernhumansocietyareduetothelackofqualifiedbrahmanasandksatriyas
andtheoverinfluenceofthevaisyasandsudrasbysocalledgeneralfranchise.
Humansociety'smeansoflivingisclearlymentionedhereasvisa,or
agricultureandthebusinessofdistributingagriculturalproducts,which
involvestransport,banking,etc.Industryisanartificialmeansoflivelihood,
andlargescaleindustryespeciallyisthesourceofalltheproblemsofsociety.
InBhagavadgitaalsothedutiesofthevaisyas,whoareengagedinvisa,are
statedascowprotection,agricultureandbusiness.
Theexchangeofproducebybankingandtransportationisabranchofthistype
ofliving.Thevaisyasaredividedintomanysubsections:someofthemare
calledksetri,orlandowners,somearecalledkrsana,orlandtillers,someof
themarecalledtilavanik,orgrainraisers,somearecalledgandhavanik,or
merchantsinspices,andsomearecalledsuvarnavanik,ormerchantsingold
andbanking.
Thebrahmanasaretheteachersandspiritualmasters,theksatriyasprotectthe
citizensfromthehandsofthievesandmiscreants,andthevaisyasareincharge
ofproductionanddistribution.Thesudras,theunintelligentclassofmenwho
cannotactindependentlyinanyoftheabovementionedactivities,aremeant
forservingthethreehigherclassesfortheirlivelihood.
Formerly,thebrahmanasweregivenallthenecessitiesoflifebytheksatriyas
andvaisyasbecausetheyhadnotimetospendmakingaliving.Theksatriyas
wouldcollecttaxesfromthevaisyasandsudras,butthebrahmanaswere
exemptfrompayingincometaxorlandrevenue.Thatsystemofhumansociety
wassonicethattherewerenopolitical,socialandeconomicupheavals.The
differentcastes,orvarnaclassifications,arethereforeessentialformaintaining
apeacefulhumansociety.
Serviceistherealconstitutionaloccupationofalllivingentities.

ThelivingentitiesaremeanttorenderservicetotheLord,andtheycanattain
religiousperfectionbythisserviceattitude.Onecannotattainreligious
perfectionsimplybyspeculatingtoattaintheoreticalknowledge.Thejnani
divisionofspiritualistsgoonspeculatingonlytodistinguishthesoulfrom
matter,buttheyhavenoinformationoftheactivitiesofthesoulafterbeing
liberatedbyknowledge.
Itisclearlysaidherethattheprincipleofservicewasgeneratedfromthelegs

oftheLordforthesakeofperfectingthereligiousprocess,butthis
transcendentalserviceisdifferentfromtheideaofserviceinthematerial
world.Inthematerialworld,noonewantstobeaservant;everyonewantsto
becomethemasterbecausefalsemastershipisthebasicdiseaseofthe
conditionedsoul.Theconditionedsoulinthematerialworldwantstolordit
overothers.IllusionedbytheexternalenergyoftheLord,heisforcedto
becomeaservantofthematerialworld.Thatistherealpositionofthe
conditionedsoul.
Itisactuallybettertobeasudrathantobeabrahmanaandnotdevelopthe
serviceattitude,becausethatattitudealonesatisfiestheLord.Everyliving
beingevenifhebeabrahmanabyqualificationmusttaketothe
transcendentalserviceoftheLord.
Evenifoneisnotaperfectbrahmana,ksatriya,vaisyaorsudrabuttakestothe
serviceoftheLord,notcaringfortheperfectionofhissocialposition,he
becomesaperfecthumanbeingsimplybydevelopingtheattitudeofserviceto
theSupremeLord.
alltheconditionedsoulsareimpureduetocontactwiththematerialenergyin
threemodesofnature.Thereforeitisnecessarythattheypurifythemselves
undertheguidanceofthebonafidespiritualmaster,whonotonlyisa
brahmanabyqualificationbutmustalsobeaVaisnava.
TheonlyselfpurifyingprocessmentionedhereinistoworshiptheLordunder
therecognizedmethodundertheguidanceofthebonafidespiritualmaster.
Thatisthenaturalwayofpurification,andnoothermethodisrecommendedas
bonafide.Theothermethodsofpurificationmaybehelpfultocometothis
stageoflife,butultimatelyonehastocometothislastpointbeforeheattains
actualperfection.
"OmyLord,Ogiganticvisvarupaform,Omasteroftheuniverse,Isee
innumerablehands,bodies,mouthsandeyesinalldirections,andtheyareall
unlimited.Icannotfindtheendofthismanifestation,nordoIseethemiddle,
northebeginning."
SinceArjunawasunabletoestimatethelengthandbreadthofthepotencyof
theLord,whoelsewouldbeabletodoso?

Thebestpathistobecomeacoolheaded,submissivedevoteeoftheLord,try
tohearabouttheLordfromthebonafidespiritualmaster,andthusservethe
Lordintranscendentallovingservice,assuggestedinthepreviousverse.
Inspiteofmyinability,whateverIhavebeenabletohear[fromthespiritual

master]andwhateverIcouldassimilateIamnowdescribinginglorificationof
theLordbypurespeech,forotherwisemypowerofspeakingwouldremain
unchaste.
Thepurificationoftheconditionedsoulnecessitatespurificationofhis
consciousness.Bythepresenceofconsciousness,thepresenceofthe
transcendentalsoulisverified
Consciousnessisperceived,therefore,byactivities.Thetheoryputforwardby
empiricphilosophersthatconsciousnesscanremaininaninactivestateisthe
proofoftheirpoorfundofknowledge.Oneshouldnotbecomeunchasteby
stoppingtheactivitiesofpureconsciousness.Iftheactivitiesofpure
consciousnessarestopped,certainlytheconsciouslivingforcewillbe
otherwiseengagedbecauseunlessengagedtheconsciousnesshasnostanding.
Consciousnesscannotbesilent,evenforamoment.Whenthebodydoesnot
act,theconsciousnessactsintheformofdreams.Unconsciousnessisartificial;
byinducedextraneoushelpitremainsforalimitedperiod,butwhenthe
intoxicationofthedrugisfinishedorwhenoneisawake,theconsciousness
againactsearnestly.
Theexistenceoftheconditionedsoulcanbepurifiedonlybythemethodof
engagingmindandspeechintheserviceoftheLord.
ThetridandisannyasioftheVaisnavaschoolacceptsthreerods,representing
thevowtoengageintheserviceoftheLordwithbody,mindandspeech,
whereastheekadandisannyasitakesthevowtobecomeonewiththeSupreme.
SincetheLordistheAbsolute,thereisnodistinctionbetweenHimandHis
glories.
ThegloriesoftheLordaschantedbytheVaisnavasannyasiareassubstantial
astheLordHimself,andthuswhileglorifyingtheLordthedevoteebecomes
onewithHimintranscendentalinterest,althoughheremainseternallya
transcendentalservitor.Thissimultaneouslyoneanddifferentpositionofthe
devoteemakeshimeternallypurified,andthushislifebecomesacomplete
success.
Thehighestperfectionalgainofhumanityistoengageindiscussionsofthe
activitiesandgloriesofthePiousActor.Suchactivitiesaresonicely
arrangedinwritingbythegreatlylearnedsagesthattheactualpurposeof
theearisservedjustbybeingnearthem.

TheimpersonalistsareverymuchafraidofhearingtheactivitiesoftheLord
becausetheythinkthatthehappinessderivedfromthetranscendentalsituation
ofBrahmanistheultimategoaloflife;theythinkthatanyone'sactivity,even

thatofthePersonalityofGodhead,ismundane.Buttheideaofhappiness
indicatedinthisverseisdifferentbecauseitrelatestotheactivitiesofthe
SupremePersonality,whohastranscendentalqualities.
Omyson,theoriginalpoet,Brahma,aftermaturemeditationforonethousand
celestialyears,couldknowonlythatthegloriesoftheSupremeSoulare
inconceivable.
Thesephilosophers,likethefroginthewellwhotriedtoestimatethe
measurementofthePacificOcean,liketotaketroubleoverfruitlessmental
speculationinsteadoftakinginstructionsfromdevoteesliketheoriginalpoet,
namely,Brahma.
ItissaidintheBrahmasamhitathatthementalspeculatormayflythroughthe
skyofspeculationwiththevelocityofthemindorthewindforthousandsof
millionsofyears,andstillhewillfinditinconceivable.Thedevotees,however,
donotwastetimeinsuchvainsearchingafterknowledgeoftheSupreme,but
theysubmissivelyhearthegloriesoftheLordfrombonafidedevotees.Thus
theytranscendentallyenjoytheprocessofhearingandchanting
ThepuredevoteesoftheLordtakeshelteroftheparaprakrti,theinternal
potencyoftheLordcalledLaksmidevi,Sitadevi,SrimatiRadharanior
SrimatiRukminidevi,andthustheybecomeactualmahatmas,orgreat
souls.
ThedevoteesoftheLordseethewonderfuldexterityineverythingwith
whichtheycomeincontactinallcircumstancesofeating,sleeping,
working,etc.
Asmallbanyanfruitcontainsthousandsofsmallseeds,andeachseedholdsthe
potencyofanothertree,whichagainholdsthepotencyofmanymillionsof
suchfruitsascausesandeffects.Sothetreesandseedsengagethedevoteesin
meditationabouttheactivitiesoftheLord,whilethemundanewranglerswaste
timeindryspeculationandmentalconcoction,whicharefruitlessinboththis
lifeandthenext.Inspiteoftheirprideinspeculation,theycanneverappreciate
thesimplepotentialactivitiesofthebanyantree.
Words,mindandego,withtheirrespectivecontrollingdemigods,havefailed
toachievesuccessinknowingtheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Therefore,
wesimplyhavetoofferourrespectfulobeisancesuntoHimasamatterof
sanity.

ThefroggishcalculatormayraisetheobjectionthatiftheAbsoluteis
unknowableevenbythecontrollingdeitiesofspeech,mindandego,namely
theVedas,Brahma,RudraandallthedemigodsheadedbyBrhaspati,thenwhy
shouldthedevoteesbesointerestedinthisunknownobject?Theansweristhat
thetranscendentalecstasyenjoyedbythedevoteesindelineatingthepastimes
oftheLordiscertainlyunknowntonondevoteesandmentalspeculators.
Unlessonerelishestranscendentaljoy,naturallyonewillcomebackfromhis
speculationsandconcoctedconclusionsbecausehewillseethemasneither
factualnorenjoyable.
BycultureofVedicknowledgeonemustknowLordKrsnaandshouldnot
falselyspeculateonthewordaham,or"I."Theonlymethodforunderstanding
theSupremeTruthisdevotionalservice,asstatedinBhagavadgita(18.55):
bhaktyamamabhijanatiyavanyascasmitattvatah.Onlybydevotionalservice
canoneknowthattheultimatetruthisthePersonalityofGodheadandthat
BrahmanandParamatmaareonlyHispartialfeatures.
Chapter7

SriVidurasaid:Ogreatbrahmana,sincetheSupremePersonalityofGodhead
isthecompletespiritualwholeandisunchangeable,howisHeconnectedwith
thematerialmodesofnatureandtheiractivities?IfthisisHispastime,howdo
theactivitiesoftheunchangeabletakeplaceandexhibitqualitieswithoutthe
modesofnature?
ButthecreationofHisinternalpotency,thespiritualworld,isnotatemporary
manifestationlikethematerialworld,butiseternalandfulloftranscendental
knowledge,opulence,energy,strength,beautiesandglories.Such
manifestationsoftheLord'spotenciesareeternalandarethereforecalled
nirguna,orfreefromalltingesofthemodesofmaterialnature,evenuptothe
modeofmaterialgoodness.Thespiritualworldistranscendentalevento
materialgoodnessandthusisunchangeable.SincetheSupremeLordofsuch
eternalandunchangeablequalitiesisneversubjugatedbyanythinglike
materialinfluence,howcanHisactivitiesandformbeconceivedtobeunder
theinfluenceofillusorymaya,asisthecasewiththelivingentities?
TheLordissagunabyHisowninternalpotency,butatthesametimeHeis
nirguna,sinceHeisnotintouchwiththematerialenergy.
Theinebrietyofthematerialqualitiesisduetothedifferencebetweenthe
materialbodyandthespiritsoul.Theconditionedsoul'sactivitiesaredisplayed
throughthemediumofthemodesofmaterialnatureandarethereforeperverted
inappearance.However,theLord'sbodyandtheLordHimselfareoneandthe
same,andwhentheLord'sactivitiesaredisplayed,theyarecertainly
nondifferentfromtheLordinallrespects.

"Thecompletemanifestationofthecosmicsituationisanexpansionofthe
LordHimselfinHisimpersonalfeature.AllthingsaresituatedinHimonly,yet
Heisnotinthem."ThatistheopulenceoftheLord'sattachmentand
detachment.Heisattachedtoeverything,yetHeisdetachedfromall.
ThiscosmicuniverseiscreatedbytheLordforthoselivingentitieswhoare
carriedawaybytheillusorythoughtofbecomingonewithHimbyimitation.
Thethreemodesofmaterialnatureareforthefurtherbewildermentofthe
conditionedsouls.Theconditionedlivingentity,bewilderedbytheillusory
energy,considershimselfapartofthematerialcreationduetoforgetfulnessof
hisspiritualidentity,andthushebecomesentangledinmaterialactivitieslife
afterlife.ThismaterialworldisnotforthepurposeoftheLordHimself,butis
fortheconditionedsoulswhowantedtobecontrollersduetomisuseoftheir
Godgiftedminuteindependence.Thustheconditionedsoulsaresubjectedto
repeatedbirthanddeath.
Howthencanthelivingentitybecomeforgetfulofhisrealidentityaspure
spiritsoulandidentifywithmatterunlessinfluencedbysomethingbeyond
himself?Theconclusionisthatthelivingentityisinfluencedbytheavidya
potency,asconfirmedinboththeVisnuPuranaandthebeginningofSrimad
Bhagavatam.ThelivingentityismentionedinBhagavadgita(7.5)aspara
prakrti,andintheVisnuPuranaheismentionedastheparasakti.Heispart
andparceloftheSupremeLordaspotencyandnotasthepotent.Thepotent
canexhibitmanypotencies,butthepotencycannotequalthepotentatany
stage.Onepotencymaybeovercomebyanotherpotency,buttothepotent,all
potenciesareundercontrol.Thejivapotency,ortheksetrajnasaktiofthe
Lord,hasthetendencytobeoverpoweredbytheexternalpotency,avidya
karmasamjna,andinthiswayheisplacedintheawkwardcircumstancesof
materialexistence.
ThenextquestionputforwardbyViduratoMaitreyais,"Whyaretheliving
entitiessubjectedtosomanymiseriesandmisfortunesinspiteoftheLord's
presenceintheirheartsastheSupersoul?"
Acitizenofthestatemaybeinmiseriesforwantofsufficientsupervisionby
thestateauthority,buthowcanitbepossiblethatacitizensuffersfromother
citizenswhilethechiefofthestateispersonallypresent?
Althoughadevoteemayapparentlyexpresshimselftobeignorant,heisfullof
knowledgeineveryintricatematter.
TheenergyandtheenergeticPersonalityofGodheadarenotdifferent,and
althoughsuchenergyisonewiththeLord,Heisneveroverpoweredbyit.
AlthoughthelivingentitiesarealsopartsandparcelsoftheLord,theyare

overcomebythematerialenergy.

InordertosupportatheorythatNarayana(theLordHimself)becomesa
daridranarayana,apoorman,theyproposethatthematerialenergy
overcomestheSupremeLord.
Theysaythatalthoughthesunisalllight,theclouds,darknessandsnowfall
areallpartandparcelofthesun.Withoutthesunthereisnopossibilityofthe
sky'sbeingovercastwithcloudsordarkness,norcantherebesnowfallonthe
earth.Althoughlifeissustainedbythesun,lifeisalsodisturbedbydarkness
andsnowfallproducedbythesun.Butitisalsoafactthatthesunitselfis
neverovercomebydarkness,cloudsorsnowfall;thesunisfar,farawayfrom
suchdisturbances.TheclearconclusionisthattheSupremeLord,whoisthe
originalfire,isneveroverpowered,buttheinfinitesimalsparksofthefirecan
becomeoverpoweredbytheillusoryeffectofmaya.
ThusthedemigodsprayedtotheSupremeLordthatalthoughHisactivitiesare
verydifficulttounderstand,theycanstillbeunderstoodtosomeextentby
thosewhosincerelyengageinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.
Similarly,themiseriesofthepuresoulandthedisruptionofhisself
identificationaremanagedbytheexternalenergyoftheLord,whichcontrols
thosemischievouslivingentitieswhowanttogoagainstthewilloftheLord.
Actuallythereisnobondageormiseryforthelivingentity,nordoesheever
losehispureknowledge.Inhispureconsciousness,whenhethinksalittle
seriouslyabouthisposition,hecanunderstandthatheiseternallysubordinate
tothemercyoftheSupreme
Asthemoonreflectedonwaterappearstotheseertotrembleduetobeing
associatedwiththequalityofthewater,sotheselfassociatedwithmatter
appearstobequalifiedasmatter.
Althoughthelightofthemoonisthesameeverywhere,duetobeingdifferently
appreciateditappearsdifferent.Similarly,thelightoftheLordisequally
distributedeverywhere,butduetobeingdifferentlyreceived,itappearstobe
different.
Thequiveringqualityofthemoonisalsovariable.Whenthewaterisstanding
still,thereisnoquivering.Amoresettledconditionedsoulquiversless,but
duetomaterialconnectionthequiveringqualityismoreorlesspresent
everywhere.
Butthatmisconceptionofselfidentitycanbediminishedgraduallybythe
mercyofthePersonalityofGodhead,Vasudeva,throughtheprocessof

devotionalservicetotheLordinthemodeofdetachment.

Onlyknowledgeindevotionalservicecanelevateonetowardsthepathof
liberation.Thedevelopmentofknowledgeforthepurposeofknowing
everything,withoutrenderingdevotionalservice,isconsideredfruitlesslabor,
andonecannotgetthedesiredresultbysuchlaboroflove.LordVasudevais
pleasedbydevotionalserviceonly,andthusHismercyisrealizedby
associationwithpuredevoteesoftheLord.PuredevoteesoftheLordare
transcendentaltoallmaterialdesires,includingthedesirefortheresultsof
fruitiveactivitiesandphilosophicalspeculation.Ifonewantstoacquirethe
mercyoftheLord,hehastoassociatewithpuredevotees.Suchassociation
alonecan,bydegrees,releaseonefromthequiveringelements.
WhenthesensesaresatisfiedintheseerSupersoul,thePersonalityof
Godhead,andmergeinHim,allmiseriesarecompletelyvanquished,as
afterasoundsleep.
Thequiveringofthelivingentityasdescribedaboveisduetothesenses.Since
theentirematerialexistenceismeantforsensegratification,thesensesarethe
mediumofmaterialactivities,andtheycausethequiveringofthesteadysoul.
Therefore,thesesensesaretobedetachedfromallsuchmaterialactivities.
Accordingtotheimpersonaliststhesensesarestoppedfromworkbymerging
thesoulintheSupersoulBrahman.Thedevotees,however,donotstopthe
materialsensesfromacting,buttheyengagetheirtranscendentalsensesinthe
serviceoftheTranscendence,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Ineither
case,theactivitiesofthesensesinthematerialfieldaretobestoppedby
cultivationofknowledge,and,ifpossible,theycanbeengagedintheserviceof
theLord.Thesensesaretranscendentalinnature,buttheiractivitiesbecome
pollutedwhencontaminatedbymatter.Wehavetotreatthesensestocure
themofthematerialdisease,notstopthemfromacting,assuggestedbythe
impersonalist.
InBhagavadgita(2.59)itissaidthatoneceasesallmaterialactivitiesonly
whensatisfiedbycontactwithabetterengagement.Consciousnessisactiveby
natureandcannotbestoppedfromworking.Artificiallystoppinga
mischievouschildisnottherealremedy.Thechildmustbegivensomebetter
engagementsothathewillautomaticallystopcausingmischief.Inthesame
way,themischievousactivitiesofthesensescanbestoppedonlybybetter
engagementinrelationwiththeSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
WhentheeyesareengagedinseeingthebeautifulformoftheLord,thetongue

engagedintastingprasada,orremnantsoffoodstuffofferedtotheLord,the
earsareengagedinhearingHisglories,thehandsengagedincleaningthe
templeoftheLord,thelegsengagedinvisitingHistemplesorwhenallthe
sensesareengagedintranscendentalvariegatednessthenonlycanthe
transcendentalsensesbecomesatiatedandeternallyfreefrommaterial
engagement.
Thereforewhattospeakofthosewhohaveattainedattractionforservingthe
flavorofthedustoftheLord'slotusfeet?
Twodifferentmethodsforcontrollingthematerialsensesarerecommendedin
theVedicscripturalwisdom.Oneofthemistheprocessofjnana,orthepathof
philosophicalunderstandingoftheSupremeBrahma,Paramatmaand
Bhagavan.Theotheristhatofdirectengagementinthetranscendentalloving
devotionalserviceoftheLord
Thetwostagesofexecutingdevotionalserviceare,first,thestageofpracticing
devotionalservicewithourpresentsensesundertheregulationsofthe
recognizedscripturesand,second,attainingsincereattachmentforservingthe
particlesofthedustofthelotusfeetoftheLord.Thefirststageiscalled
sadhanabhakti,ordevotionalservicefortheneophyte,whichisrenderedunder
thedirectionofapuredevotee,andthesecondstageiscalledragabhakti,in
whichthematuredevoteeautomaticallytakestothevariousservicesofthe
Lordoutofsincereattachment.Bypracticingsadhanabhaktionemay
graduallyrisetothepointofragabhakti,andbyperformingragabhaktiin
lovingtranscendentalserviceonecanevencontroltheSupremePowerfulLord.
ThegreatsageMaitreyanowgivesthefinalanswertoallthequestionsof
Vidura:devotionalservicetotheLordistheultimatemeanstomitigateallthe
miserableconditionsofmaterialexistence.Thepathofknowledgeorthatof
mysticgymnasticsmaybeadoptedasameansforthepurpose,butunless
mixedwithbhakti,ordevotionalservice,theyareunabletoawardthedesired
result.
buttheconclusivefactisthattherelationshipofGodandthelivingentityis
oneofthepredominatorandthepredominated.TheLordistheeternal
predominator,andthelivingentitiesareeternallypredominated.Real
knowledgeofthisrelationshipentailsrevivingthelostconsciousnesstothis
standard,andtheprocessforsuchrevivalisdevotionalservicetotheLord.
Disturbancestotheconditionedsoulhavenootherbasisthanthemovementof
theexternalenergyoftheLord.
Alivingentity'sunlawfuldesiretobecomeonewiththeLordineveryrespect
istherootcauseoftheentirematerialmanifestation,forotherwisetheLordhas
noneedtocreatesuchamanifestation,evenforHispastimes.Theconditioned

soul,underthespelloftheexternalenergyoftheLord,falselysuffersmany
unfortunateincidentsinmateriallife.TheLordisthepredominatorofthe
externalenergy,maya,whereasthelivingentityispredominatedbythesame
mayaunderthematerialcondition.

Thelowestoffoolsdonotunderstandmaterialmiseries;theypasstheirlives
merrilyanddonotinquireintothemiseriesoflife.Suchpersonsarealmoston
theleveloftheanimals,who,althoughintheeyesofsuperiorsarealways
miserableinlife,areunawareofmaterialdistresses.Ahog'slifeisdegradedin
itsstandardofhappiness,whichentailslivinginafilthyplace,engaginginsex
enjoymentateveryopportunemoment,andlaboringhardinastrugglefor
existence,butthisisunknowntothehog.Similarly,humanbeingswhoare
unawareofthemiseriesofmaterialexistenceandarehappyinsexlifeandhard
laborarethelowestoffools.Yetbecausetheyhavenosenseofmiseries,they
supposedlyenjoysocalledhappiness.
Butpersonswhoareneitherlikehogsanddogsnoronthelevelofthe
paramahamsasfeelthematerialpangs,andfortheminquiryabouttheSupreme
Truthisnecessary.TheVedantasutrastates,athatobrahmajijnasa:"Nowone
shouldinquireaboutBrahman."
But,mydearsir,IamobligedtoyoubecausenowIcanunderstandthatthis
materialmanifestationiswithoutsubstance,althoughitappearsreal.Iam
confidentthatbyservingyourfeetitwillbepossibleformetogiveupthefalse
idea.
Yetalthoughthisstatementistheoreticallyverytrue,itisverydifficultforthe
commonmanortheneophyteonthetranscendentalpathtorealizepractically.
However,byservingthefeetofgreattranscendentalistslikeMaitreyaMuni
andbyconstantlyassociatingwiththem,oneisenabledtogiveupthefalse
ideathatthesoulsuffersfrommaterialpangs.
Byservingthefeetofthespiritualmaster,oneisenabledtodevelop
transcendentalecstasyintheserviceofthePersonalityofGodhead
ServicetotheLordisrenderedindifferenttranscendentalmellows
(relationships):neutral,active,friendly,parentalandnuptial.Alivingentityin
theliberatedpositionoftranscendentalservicetotheLordbecomesattractedto
oneoftheabovementionedmellows,andwhenoneisengagedin
transcendentallovingservicetotheLord,one'sserviceattachmentinthe
materialworldisautomaticallyvanquished.

Personswhoseausterityismeagercanhardlyobtaintheserviceofthepure
devoteeswhoareprogressingonthepathbacktothekingdomofGodhead,the
Vaikunthas.Puredevoteesengageonehundredpercentinglorifyingthe
SupremeLord,
Thepathofliberation,asrecommendedbyallauthorities,istoservethe
mahatmatranscendentalists.
Evenifonehasnoassetsoffavorableausterity,ifheneverthelesstakesshelter
ofthemahatmas,whoareengagedinchantingandhearingthegloriesofthe
Lord,heissuretomakeprogressonthepathbackhome,backtoGodhead.
Olearnedbrahmana,pleasedescribehowtheleaderofallthedemigods,
namelyPrajapati,Brahma,decidedtoestablishthevariousManus,theheadsof
theages.PleasedescribetheManusalso,andpleasedescribethedescendants
ofthoseManus.
OsonofMitra,kindlydescribehowtheplanetsaresituatedabovetheearthas
wellasunderneathit,andalsopleasementiontheirmeasurementaswellas
thatoftheearthlyplanets.
Yasminvijnatesarvamevamvijnatambhavati.ThisVedichymndeclares
emphaticallythatthedevoteeoftheLordknowseverythingmaterialand
spiritualinrelationshipwiththeLord.Devoteesarenotsimplyemotional,asis
illconceivedbycertainlessintelligentmen.Theirdirectionispractical.They
knoweverythingthatisandallthedetailsoftheLord'sdominationoverthe
differentcreations.
Thefourstatusesandordersofhumansocietybrahmanas,ksatriyas,vaisyas
andsudras,aswallasbrahmacaris,grhasthas,vanaprasthasandsannyasisare
alldivisionsofquality,education,cultureandspiritualadvancementattained
bypracticingcontrolofthemindandthesenses.
Unlessoneachievesatleastthebrahminicalqualifications,onecannot
understandtheVedichymns.
Sankhyaphilosophyisthebasicprincipleofacquiringknowledge,aswillbe
explainedbythesageMaitreya.TheSankhyaphilosophyenunciatedby
Kapiladeva,thesonofDevahuti,istherealsourceofknowledgeaboutthe
SupremeTruth.KnowledgenotbasedontheSankhyaphilosophyismental
speculationandcanyieldnotangibleprofit.
Thediggingofreservoirsofwaterforpublicuseisagreatworkofcharity,and
retiringfromfamilylifeafterfiftyyearsofageisagreatactofpenance
performedbythesoberhumanbeing.

Osinlessone,becausethePersonalityofGodhead,thecontrollerofallliving
entities,isthefatherofallreligionandallthosewhoarecandidatesfor
religiousactivities,kindlydescribehowHecanbecompletelysatisfied.
fourkindsofpiousmentheneedy,thedistressed,theenlightenedandthe
inquisitiveapproachtheLordindevotionalservice,andtheirdevotionis
mixedwithmaterialaffection.Butabovethemarethepuredevotees,whose
devotionisnottaintedbyanymaterialtingesoffruitiveworkor
speculativeknowledge
Thefollowers,disciplesandsonsareallononelevelforthebonafidespiritual
master,andheisalwayskindtothemandalwaysspeakstothemon
transcendentalsubjects,eventhoughheisnotaskedbythem.Thatisthenature
ofthebonafidespiritualmaster.
Pleasedescribehowmanydissolutionstherearefortheelementsofmaterial
natureandwhosurvivesafterthedissolutionstoservetheLordwhileHeis
asleep.
Afterthedissolutionofthematerialmanifestations,theLordandHiskingdom
beyondtheCausalOceandonotdisappear,nordotheinhabitants,theLord's
associates.TheassociatesoftheLordarefarmorenumerousthantheliving
entitieswhohaveforgottentheLordduetomaterialassociation.The
impersonalist'sexplanationofthewordahaminthefourversesoftheoriginal
Bhagavatamahamevasamevagreetc.isrefutedhere.TheLordandHis
eternalassociatesremainafterthedissolution.Vidura'sinquiryaboutsuch
personsisaclearindicationoftheexistenceofalltheparaphernaliaofthe
Lord.
"ThedevoteesoftheLordneverannihilatetheirindividualexistenceseven
afterthedissolutionoftheentirecosmicmanifestation.TheLordandthe
devoteeswhoassociatewithHimarealwayseternal,inboththematerialand
spiritualworlds."
ThelivingentitiesareconstitutionallyservitorsoftheLord,whocanacceptall
kindsofservicefromeveryone.
Todisseminatetranscendentalknowledgeonemustretirefrommundane
activitiesonthestrengthofenlightenmentinknowledgeintermsofVedic
wisdom.
thattheLordisthesupremeenjoyerofthebenefitsofallsacrificesand
penances,theproprietorofallthatismanifestedandthefriendofallliving
entities.ThatisHisrealidentity.Therefore,whenthelivingentityacceptsthis
supremeproprietorshipoftheLordandactsinthatattitude,heresumeshisreal
identity

Theonlystipulationisthatthespiritualmastershouldbebonafide;i.e.,the
spiritualmastermustbeintheproperchainofdisciplicsuccession,calledthe
paramparasystem.
Surisaregreatscholars,buttheymaynotalwaysbeanagha,orspotless.The
anaghasuriisonewhoisapuredevoteeoftheLord.
SrilaRupaGosvamiandhisassistants,undertheinstructionsofLordSri
CaitanyaMahaprabhu,haveallwrittenvariousliteraturesfortheguidanceof
prospectivedevotees,andanyonewhoisveryseriousaboutraisinghimselfto
thestandardofapuredevoteeoftheLordmusttakeadvantageofthose
literatures.

Viduraputforwardmanyvarietiesofquestionswithaviewtounderstanding
theprinciplesoftranscendentallovingservicetotheLord.Asstatedin
Bhagavadgita(2.41),devotionalservicetotheLordisone,andthemindofthe
devoteeisnotdivertedtothemanybranchesofuncertainties.
Ospotlessone,youranswerstoallthesequestionswillgrantimmunityfrom
allmaterialmiseries.SuchcharityisgreaterthanallVediccharities,sacrifices,
penances,etc.
Thehighestperfectionalworkofcharityistogivepeopleingeneralimmunity
fromtheanxietiesofmaterialexistence.Thiscanbedoneonlybyperforming
activitiesindevotionalservicetotheLord.Suchknowledgeisincomparable.
CultivationoftheknowledgeintheVedas,performanceofsacrifice,and
distributionofmunificentcharitiesalltogethercannotformevenapartofthe
immunityfromthepangsofmaterialexistencethatisgainedfromdevotional
service
SriSukadevaGosvamisaid:Thusthechiefofthesages,whowasalways
enthusiasticaboutdescribingtopicsregardingthePersonalityofGodhead,
begantonarratethedescriptiveexplanationofthePuranas,beingsoinfusedby
Vidura.Hewasverymuchenlivenedbyspeakingonthetranscendental
activitiesoftheLord.
Chapter8

itiswonderfulthatbecauseofyourattemptthetranscendentalpastimesofthe
Lordarebecomingnewerandnewerateverymoment.
LetmenowbeginspeakingontheBhagavataPurana,whichwasdirectly
spokentothegreatsagesbythePersonalityofGodheadforthebenefitofthose

whoareentangledinextrememiseriesforthesakeofverylittlepleasure.
IfonecomesincontactwiththebookBhagavatamaswellaswiththedevotee
bhagavata,whoknowswhattheBhagavatamis,thensuchafortunatemangets
outofthematerialentanglement.ThereforeSriMaitreyaMuni,outof
compassionforthesufferingmenintheworld,proposestospeakonthe
SrimadBhagavatamfirstandlast.
WhenanduntowhomtheBhagavatamwasspokenisexplainedherewith.
QuestionssimilartothoseputforwardbyVidurawereaskedbygreatsages
likeSanatkumara,andLordSankarsana,theplenaryexpansionoftheSupreme
LordVasudeva,answeredthem.
AtthattimeLordSankarsanawasmeditatinguponHisSupremeLord,whom
thelearnedesteemasLordVasudeva,butforthesakeoftheadvancementof
thegreatlearnedsagesHeslightlyopenedHislotuslikeeyesandbeganto
speak.
Ifariverflowsthousandsandthousandsofmiles,aperfectyogicanatonce
transporthimselffromoneplacetoanothersimplybydippinginitswater.The
Gangesistheonlycelestialriverwhichflowsthroughouttheuniverse,and
greatsagestravelallovertheuniverseviathissacredriver.
IfaftertakingabathintheGangesorbeingwashedofallsins,amanguards
himselfagainstcommittingfurthersinfulacts,thencertainlyheisdelivered.
Butifheagaintakesupsinfulactivities,hisbathintheGangesisasgoodas
thatoftheelephant,whonicelytakeshisbathinariverbutlaterspoilsthe
wholethingbycoveringhimselfwithdustontheland.
ThefourKumaras,headedbySanatkumara,whoallknewthetranscendental
pastimesoftheLord,glorifiedtheLordinrhythmicaccentswithselected
wordsfullofaffectionandlove.AtthattimeLordSankarsana,withHis
thousandsofraisedhoods,begantoradiateaneffulgencefromtheglowing
stonesonHishead.
TheLordissometimesaddressedasuttamasloka,whichmeans"onewho
isworshipedwithselectedwordsbydevotees."Aprofusionofsuch
selectedwordscomesfromadevoteewhoisfullyabsorbedinaffectionand
loveforthedevotionalserviceoftheLord.
withoutthedevelopmentoffineaffectionandlove,onecannotofferprayersto
theLordverysuitably.
LordSankarsanathusspokethepurportofSrimadBhagavatamtothegreat
sageSanatkumara,whohadalreadytakenthevowofrenunciation.Sanat
kumaraalso,inhisturn,wheninquiredofbySankhyayanaMuni,explained

SrimadBhagavatamashehadhearditfromSankarsana.
Indevotionalservice,therefore,twoitemsoutofthenine,namelyhearingand
chanting,aremostimportant.Withouthearingnicely,onecannotpreachthe
messageofVedicknowledge.
ThegreatsageParasara,asaforementioned,beingsoadvisedbythegreatsage
Pulastya,spokeuntometheforemostofthePuranas[Bhagavatam].Ishallalso
describethisbeforeyou,mydearson,intermsofmyhearing,becauseyouare
alwaysmyfaithfulfollower.

ThegreatsageofthenamePulastyaisthefatherofalldemoniacdescendants.
OnceuponatimeParasarabeganasacrificeinwhichallthedemonsweretobe
burnttodeathbecausehisfatherhadbeenkilledanddevouredbyoneofthem.
ThegreatsageVasisthaMuniarrivedatthesacrificeandrequestedParasarato
stopthedeadlyaction,andbecauseofVasistha'spositionandrespectinthe
communityofsages,Parasaracouldnotdenytherequest.Parasarahaving
stoppedthesacrifice,Pulastya,thefatherofthedemons,appreciatedhis
brahminicaltemperamentandgavetheblessingthatinthefuturehewouldbea
greatspeakerontheVedicliteraturescalledthePuranas,thesupplementsof
theVedas.Parasara'sactionwasappreciatedbyPulastyabecauseParasarahad
forgiventhedemonsoutofhisbrahminicalpowerofforgiveness.
Parasarawasabletodemolishallthedemonsinthesacrifice,buthe
considered,"Demonsaresomadethattheydevourlivingcreatures,men
andanimals,butwhyonthataccountshouldIwithdrawmybrahminical
qualificationofforgiveness?"
MaitreyaMunidesiredtonarratethesameBhagavatambehadheardfrom
Parasara,andVidurawasqualifiedtohearitbecauseofhisfaithfulnessandhis
followingtheinstructionsreceivedfromsuperiors.SoSrimadBhagavatam
wasbeingnarratedfromtimeimmemorialbythedisciplicsuccession,even
beforethetimeofVyasadeva.ThesocalledhistorianscalculatethePuranasto
beonlyafewhundredyearsold,butfactuallythePuranasexistedfromtime
immemorial,beforeallhistoricalcalculationsbythemundanersand
speculativephilosophers.

TheLordiseternallyenjoyingtranscendentalblissbyHisinternalpotency,
whereastheexternalpotencyissuspendedduringthetimeofthedissolutionof
thecosmicmanifestation.
Afterthethreeworldstheupper,lowerandmiddleplanetarysystemsmerged
intothewaterofdissolution,thelivingentitiesofallthethreeworldsremained
intheirsubtlebodiesbydintoftheenergycalledkala.Inthisdissolution,the
grossbodiesbecameunmanifest,butthesubtlebodiesexisted
Thusthematerialenergywasnotcompletelywoundup,asisthecaseinthe
fulldissolutionofthematerialworld.
Onethinkshimselfverycleverthroughouthislifeifheisabletoleavebehind
himagreatassetofwealthforhischildren,andtoachievethistemporary
benefithetakestheriskofallsinfulactivities,withoutknowledgethatsuch
activitieswillkeephimperpetuallyboundbytheshacklesofmaterialbondage.
Duetothispollutedmentalityandduetomaterialsins,theaggregate
combinationoflivingentitiesappearedtobebluish.Suchanimpetusof
activityforfruitiveresultismadepossiblebythedictationoftheexternal
energyoftheLord,kala.
Thesubtlesubjectmatterofcreation,onwhichtheLord'sattentionwasfixed,
wasagitatedbythematerialmodeofpassion,andthusthesubtleformof
creationpiercedthroughHisabdomen.(garbodaksvishnu)
Piercingthrough,thissumtotalformofthefruitiveactivityoftheliving
entitiestooktheshapeofthebudofalotusflowergeneratedfromthe
PersonalityofVisnu,andbyHissupremewillitilluminatedeverything,like
thesun,anddriedupthevastwatersofdevastation.
IntothatuniversallotusflowerLordVisnupersonallyenteredastheSupersoul,
andwhenitwasthusimpregnatedwithallthemodesofmaterialnature,the
personalityofVedicwisdom,whomwecalltheselfborn,wasgenerated.
Fromthisdescriptionwehavetheconceptionofthreethegrossviratform,the
subtleHiranyagarbhaandthematerialcreativeforce,Brahma.
Themostintelligentmanishewhotriestofindthecauseofhispersonal
existenceandthatofthewholecosmiccreationandthustriestofindthe
ultimatecause.Ifhisattemptisproperlyexecutedwithpenancesand
perseverance,itissuretobecrownedwithsuccess.
LordBrahma,thuscontemplating,enteredthewaterthroughthechannelofthe
stemofthelotus.Butinspiteofenteringthestemandgoingnearertothenavel
ofVisnu,hecouldnottraceouttheroot.

Bydintofone'spersonalendeavoronemaygonearertotheLord,butwithout
theLord'smercyonecannotreachtheultimatepoint.Suchunderstandingof
theLordispossibleonlybydevotionalservice,asconfirmedinBhagavadgita
Thereafter,beingunabletoachievethedesireddestination,heretiredfrom
suchsearchingandcamebackagaintothetopofthelotus.Thus,controllingall
objectives,heconcentratedhismindontheSupremeLord.
Samadhiinvolvesconcentratingtheminduponthesupremecauseofall,even
ifoneisunawareofwhetherHisactualnatureispersonal,impersonalor
localized.ConcentrationofthemindontheSupremeiscertainlyaformof
devotionalservice.Toceasefrompersonalsenseendeavorsandtoconcentrate
onthesupremecauseisasignofselfsurrender,andwhenselfsurrenderis
present,thatisasuresignofdevotionalservice.Eachandeverylivingentity
needstoengageindevotionalservicetotheLordifhewishestounderstandthe
ultimatecauseofhisexistence.
AttheendofBrahma'sonehundredyears,whenhismeditationwascomplete,
hedevelopedtherequiredknowledge,andasaresulthecouldseeinhishead
theSupremewithinhimself,whomhecouldnotseebeforewiththegreatest
endeavor.

TheSupremeLordcanbeexperiencedonlythroughtheprocessofdevotional
serviceandnotbyone'spersonalendeavor
TheageofBrahmaiscalculatedintermsofdivyayears,whicharedistinct
fromthesolaryearsofhumanbeings.
Brahma'sonedayisequaltoonethousandtimestheaggregateofthefour
yugas(calculatedtobe4,300,000years).Onthatbasis,Brahmameditatedfor
onehundredyearsbeforehecouldunderstandthesupremecauseofallcauses,
andthenhewrotetheBrahmasamhita,whichisapprovedandrecognizedby
LordCaitanya
OnehastowaitforthemercyoftheLordbeforeonecaneitherrenderservice
untoHimorknowHimasHeis.
Brahmacouldseethatonthewatertherewasagiganticlotuslikewhite
bedstead,thebodyofSesanaga,onwhichthePersonalityofGodheadwas
lyingalone.Thewholeatmospherewasilluminatedbytheraysofthejewels
bedeckingthehoodofSesanaga,andthatilluminationdissipatedallthe
darknessofthoseregions.
Thepanoramicbeautyofnature,whichstrikesonewithwonder,maybetaken

asapervertedreflectionofthetranscendentalbodyoftheLord.Onewhois
thereforeattractedbythebeautyoftheLordisnolongerattractedbythe
beautyofmaterialnature,althoughhedoesnotminimizeitsbeauty.In
Bhagavadgita(2.59)itisdescribedthatonewhoisattractedbyparam,the
Supreme,isnolongerattractedbyanythinginferior.
TheLordfulfillsthedesiresofeveryonejustasonedesires.Puredevoteesare
interestedinachievingthetranscendentalserviceoftheLord,whichis
nondifferentfromHim.Therefore,theLordistheonlydesireofthepure
devotees,anddevotionalserviceistheonlyspotlessprocessforachievingHis
favor.
Afterpenetratingformillionsofyears,LordBrahmacouldunderstandthe
transcendentalformoftheLordasSriKrsna,inthedressofacowherdboy,
andthusherecordedhisexperienceintheBrahmasamhita
Therearemanytranscendentalistsindifferentfieldsofspiritualactivities,but
devotionalservicetotheLordisunique.Devoteesdonotaskanythingfromthe
Lordinexchangefortheirservice.Eventhemostdesirableliberationisrefused
bydevotees,althoughofferedbytheLord.ThustheLordbecomesakindof
debtortothedevotees,andHecanonlytrytorepaythedevotees,servicewith
Hiseverenchantingsmile.Thedevoteesareeversatisfiedbythesmilingface
oftheLord,andtheybecomeenlivened.Andbyseeingthedevoteesso
enlivened,theLordHimselfisfurthersatisfied.Sothereiscontinuous
transcendentalcompetitionbetweentheLordandHisdevoteesbysuch
reciprocationofserviceandacknowledgment.
IntheVedasitissaidthattheLordissvasrayasraya;HeisHisownsupport,
andthereisnoothersupportforHim.
HewasprotectedbytheSudarsanawheelforfighting,andeventhesun,moon,
air,fire,etc.,couldnothaveaccesstoHim.
LordBrahma,thusbeingsurchargedwiththemodeofpassion,became
inclinedtocreate,andafterseeingthefivecausesofcreationindicatedbythe
PersonalityofGodhead,hebegantoofferhisrespectfulprayersonthepathof
thecreativementality.
Evenifoneisinthematerialmodeofpassion,tocreatesomethingintheworld
hehastotakeshelteroftheSupremeforthenecessaryenergy.Thatisthepath
ofthesuccessfulterminationofanyattempt.
Chapter9

Brahmawasextremelysatisfieduponobservingthemagnificentbeautyand
opulenceoftheLord,andheadmittedthatnothingcanbecomparabletoHim.

OnlybypenancecanoneappreciatethebeautyandopulenceoftheLord,and
whenoneisacquaintedwiththatbeautyandopulence,heisnolongerattracted
byanyother.
Foolishhumanbeingswhodonotendeavortoinvestigatethesupremebeauty
andopulenceoftheLordareherecondemnedbyBrahma.Itisimperativethat
everyhumanbeingtryforsuchknowledge,andifanyonedoesnotdoso,his
lifeisspoiled.
Anythingthatisbeautifulandopulentinthematerialsenseisenjoyedbythose
livingentitieswhoarelikecrows.Crowsalwaysengageinpickingatrejected
garbage,whereasthewhiteducksdonotmixwiththecrows.Rather,theytake
pleasureintransparentlakeswithlotusflowers,surroundedbybeautiful
orchards.Bothcrowsandducksareundoubtedlybirdsbybirth,buttheyarenot
ofthesamefeather.
ThethreedeitiesBrahma,VisnuandMahesvara(Siva),theexecutiveheadsof
thethreemodesofmaterialnature(passion,goodnessandignorance),areall
generatedfromGarbhodakasayiVisnu,whoisdescribedhereinbyBrahma.
FromtheKsirodakasayiVisnu,manyVisnuincarnationsexpandatdifferent
agesinthedurationofthecosmicmanifestation.Theyareexpandedonlyfor
thetranscendentalhappinessofthepuredevotees.
ThevisnutattvasarenottobecomparedtodeitieslikeBrahmaandSiva,nor
aretheyonthesamelevel.

InYourimpersonalBrahmaneffulgenceinthespiritualsky,thereisno
occasionalchangeandnodeteriorationofinternalpotency.Isurrenderunto
YoubecausewhereasIamproudofmymaterialbodyandsenses,Your
LordshipisthecauseofthecosmicmanifestationandyetYouareuntouched
bymatter.
TheonlywaytounderstandtheLordasHeis,isbydevotionalservicetothe
Lord,orbyapproachingthedevoteeoftheLordwhoalwayshastheLordin
hisheart.
ThepersonalformoftheLordisalsoworshipedinmeditationasSupersoul,
Paramatma,buttheimpersonalbrahmajyotiisnotworshiped.
TheparticularformoftheLordexhibitedtoadevoteeisnotmundane,even
thoughthedevoteemayretainmaterialdesire,norisitmanifestunderthe
influenceofmaterialenergy,asisfoolishlyconsideredbytheimpersonalists.

OmyLord,personswhosmellthearomaofYourlotusfeet,carriedbytheair
ofVedicsoundthroughtheholesoftheears,acceptYourdevotionalservice.
ForthemYouareneverseparatedfromthelotusoftheirhearts.
ForthepuredevoteeoftheLordthereisnothingbeyondthelotusfeetofthe
Lord,andtheLordknowsthatsuchdevoteesdonotwishanythingmorethan
that.
Suchpuredevoteesarenotmundanesentimentalists,butarefactuallyrealists
becausetheiractivitiesaresupportedbytheVedicauthoritieswhohavegiven
auralreceptiontothefactsmentionedintheVedicliteratures.
Thewordparayaisverysignificant.parabhakti,orspontaneousloveofGod,is
thebasisofanintimaterelationshipwiththeLord.Thishigheststageof
relationshipwiththeLordcanbeattainedsimplybyhearingaboutHim(His
name,form,quality,etc.)fromauthenticsourceslikeBhagavadgitaand
SrimadBhagavatam,recitedbypure,unalloyeddevoteesoftheLord.
OmyLord,thepeopleoftheworldareembarrassedbyallmaterial
anxietiestheyarealwaysafraid.Theyalwaystrytoprotectwealth,body
andfriends,theyarefilledwithlamentationandunlawfuldesiresand
paraphernalia,andtheyavariciouslybasetheirundertakingsonthe
perishableconceptionsof"my"and"mine."Aslongastheydonottake
shelterofYoursafelotusfeet,theyarefullofsuchanxieties.

ApuredevoteeoftheLordneverthinksofhimselfastheproprietorofhis
home.HesurrenderseverythinguntothesupremecontroloftheLord,andthus
hehasnofearformaintaininghisfamilyorprotectingtheinterestsofhis
family.Becauseofthissurrender,henolongerhasanyattractionforwealth.
Evenifthereisattractionforwealth,itisnotforsenseenjoyment,butforthe
serviceoftheLord.Apuredevoteemaybeattractedtoaccumulatingwealth
justlikeanordinaryman,butthedifferenceisthatadevoteeacquiresmoney
fortheserviceoftheLord,whereastheordinarymanacquiresmoneyforhis
senseenjoyment.Thustheacquisitionofwealthbyadevoteeisnotasourceof
anxieties,asisthecaseforaworldlyman.
Andbecauseapuredevoteeacceptseverythinginthesenseofservingthe
Lord,thepoisonousteethofaccumulationofwealthareextracted.Ifasnake
hasitspoisonremovedandbitesaman,thereisnofataleffect.Similarly,

wealthaccumulatedinthecauseoftheLordhasnopoisonousteeth,andthe
effectisnotfatal.Apuredevoteeisneverentangledinmaterialworldlyaffairs
eventhoughhemayremainintheworldlikeanordinaryman.
OmyLord,personswhoarebereftoftheallauspiciousperformanceof
chantingandhearingaboutYourtranscendentalactivitiesarecertainly
unfortunateandarealsobereftofgoodsense.Theyengageininauspicious
activities,enjoyingsensegratificationforaverylittlewhile.
Thenextquestioniswhypeopleareagainstsuchauspiciousactivitiesas
chantingandhearingthegloriesandpastimesoftheLord,whichcanbring
totalfreedomfromthecaresandanxietiesofmaterialexistence.Theonly
answertothisquestionisthattheyareunfortunatebecauseof
supernaturalcontrolduetotheiroffensiveactivitiesperformedsimplyfor
thesakeofsensegratification.TheLord'spuredevotees,however,take
compassionuponsuchunfortunatepersonsand,inamissionaryspirit,tryto
persuadethemintothelineofdevotionalservice.Onlybythegraceofpure
devoteescansuchunfortunatemenbeelevatedtothepositionoftranscendental
service.
Ogreatactor,myLord,allthesepoorcreaturesareconstantlyperplexedby
hunger,thirst,severecold,secretionandbile,attackedbycoughingwinter,
blastingsummer,rainsandmanyotherdisturbingelements,andoverwhelmed
bystrongsexurgesandindefatigableanger.Itakepityonthem,andIamvery
muchaggrievedforthem.
ThedevoteesoftheLordwhovoluntarilytaketheresponsibilityofraisingthe
foolishmaterialisticsenseenjoyersareasconfidentialtotheLordasLord
Brahma.
OmyLord,thematerialmiseriesarewithoutfactualexistenceforthe
soul.
Thewholetroubleofthelivingentityinmaterialexistenceisthathehasan
independentconceptionoflife.Heisalwaysdependentontherulesofthe
SupremeLord,inboththeconditionedandliberatedstates,butbytheinfluence
oftheexternalenergytheconditionedsoulthinkshimselfindependentofthe
supremacyofthePersonalityofGodhead.Hisconstitutionalpositionisto
dovetailhimselfwiththedesireofthesupremewill,butaslongashedoesnot
doso,heissuretodragonintheshacklesofmaterialbondage.
AsstatedinBhagavadgita(2.55),prajahatiyadakamansarvanparthamano
gatan:hehastogiveupallsortsofplansmanufacturedbymentalconcoction.
Thelivingentityhastodovetailhimselfwiththesupremewill.Thatwillhelp
himtogetoutoftheentanglementofmaterialexistence.

Evengreatsages,iftheyareagainstYourtranscendentaltopics,mustrotatein
thismaterialworld.
Asdescribedinthepreviousverse,peoplewhohavenotasteforthedevotional
serviceoftheLordareoccupiedinmaterialengagements.Mostofthemengage
duringthedaytimeinhardphysicallabor;theirsensesareengagedvery
extensivelyintroublesomedutiesinthegiganticplantsofheavyindustrial
enterprise.Theownersofsuchfactoriesareengagedinfindingamarketfor
theirindustrialproducts,andthelaborersareengagedinextensiveproduction
involvinghugemechanicalarrangements."Factory"isanothernameforhell.
Atnight,hellishlyengagedpersonstakeadvantageofwineandwomento
satisfytheirtiredsenses,buttheyarenotevenabletohavesoundsleepbecause
theirvariousmentalspeculativeplansconstantlyinterrupttheirsleep.Because
theysufferfrominsomniasometimestheyfeelsleepyinthemorningforlack
ofsufficientrest.Bythearrangementofsupernaturalpower,eventhegreat
scientistsandthinkersoftheworldsufferfrustrationoftheirvariousplansand
thusrotinthematerialworldbirthafterbirth.Agreatscientistmaymake
discoveriesinatomicenergyforthequickdestructionoftheworldandmaybe
awardedthebestprizeinrecognitionofhisservice(ordisservice),buthealso
hastoundergothereactionsofhisworkbyrotatinginthecycleofrepeated
birthsanddeathsunderthesuperhumanlawofmaterialnature.
Notonlyinthisage,butformerlyalso,thereweremanysageswhotriedto
inventtheirownsystemsofreligionwithoutreferencetodevotionalserviceto
theSupremeLord,buttherecannotbeanyreligiousprinciplewithout
devotionalservicetotheLord.
Theimpersonalists,whotakemuchtroubleinpenanceandausterityforself
liberation,mayapproachtheimpersonalbrahmajyoti,butultimately,because
ofnotbeingsituatedindevotionalservice,theyglidedownagaintothe
materialworldtoundergoanothertermofmaterialexistence.

"Personswhoarefalselyundertheimpressionofbeingliberated,without
devotionalservicetotheLord,mayreachthegoalofthebrahmajyoti,but
becauseoftheirimpureconsciousnessandforwantofshelterinthe
Vaikunthalokas,suchsocalledliberatedpersonsagainfalldownintomaterial
existence."(Bhag.10.2.32)
"TheprinciplesofreligionareinitiatedbytheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,andnooneelse,includingthesagesanddemigods,canmanufacture
anysuchprinciples.Sinceevengreatsagesanddemigodsareunauthorizedto
inauguratesuchprinciplesofreligion,whattospeakofothersthesocalled
mystics,demons,humanbeings,VidyadharasandCaranaslivinginthelower

planets?TwelvepersonalitiesBrahma,Narada,LordSiva,Kumara,Kapila,
Manu,PrahladaMaharaja,JanakaMaharaja,Bhisma,Bali,SukadevaGosvami
andYamarajaareagentsoftheLordauthorizedtospeakandpropagatethe
principlesofreligion."(Bhag.6.3.1921)
Nonviolence,etc.,arenecessaryformisguidedpersonsbecauseunlessoneis
moralandnonviolentonecannotunderstandtheprinciplesofreligion.To
understandwhatisactuallyreligionisverydifficultevenifoneissituatedin
theprinciplesofmoralityandnonviolence.Itisveryconfidentialbecauseas
soonasoneisconversantwiththerealprinciplesofreligion,heisatonce
liberatedtotheeternallifeofblissandknowledge.Therefore,onewhoisnot
situatedintheprinciplesofdevotionalservicetotheLordshouldnotpose
himselfasareligiousleaderoftheinnocentpublic.
ThestatementherethattheLordmanifestsHimselfbeforethedevoteeinthe
forminwhichthedevoteelikestoworshipHimindicatesthattheLord
becomessubordinatetothedesireofthedevoteesomuchsothatHemanifests
Hisparticularformasthedevoteedemands.Thisdemandofthedevoteeis
satisfiedbytheLordbecauseHeispliableintermsofthetranscendentalloving
serviceofthedevotee.
Weshouldnote,however,thattheLordisnevertheordersupplierofthe
devotee.
Thisindicatestheefficiencyachievedthroughexecutionofmatureddevotional
service,orprema,loveofGodhead.Thisstateofpremaisachievedbythe
gradualprocessofdevelopmentfromfaithtolove.
Onfaithoneassociateswithbonafidedevotees,andbysuchassociationone
canbecomeengagedinbonafidedevotionalservice,whichincludesproper
initiationandtheexecutionoftheprimarydevotionaldutiesprescribedinthe
revealedscriptures.

Thisisclearlyindicatedhereinbythewordsruteksita.Thesruteksitapathisto
hearfrombonafidedevoteeswhoareconversantwithVedicwisdom,free
frommundanesentiment.Bythisbonafidehearingprocess,theneophyte

devoteebecomescleansedofallmaterialrubbish,andthushebecomes
attachedtooneofthemanytranscendentalformsoftheLord,asdescribedin
theVedas.
ThisattachmentofthedevoteetoaparticularformoftheLordisduetonatural
inclination.ThisattachmentforaparticularformoftheLordiscalledsvarupa
siddhi.
TheLordsitsonthelotusheartofthedevoteeintheeternalformthepure
devoteedesires,andthustheLorddoesnotpartfromthedevotee,asconfirmed
inthepreviousverse.TheLord,however,doesnotdiscloseHimselftoacasual
orunauthenticworshipertobeexploited.
theLordremainsconcealedtothenondevoteesorcasualdevoteeswhoare
servingtheirsensegratification.TheLordisnevervisibletothe
pseudodevoteeswhoworshipthedemigodsinchargeofuniversalaffairs.The
conclusionisthattheLordcannotbecometheordersupplierofa
pseudodevotee,butHeisalwayspreparedtorespondtothedesiresofapure,
unconditionaldevotee,whoisfreefromalltingesofmaterialinfection.
MyLord,Youarenotverymuchsatisfiedbytheworshipofthedemigods,
whoarrangeforYourworshipverypompously,withvariousparaphernalia,but
whoarefullofmaterialhankerings.Youaresituatedineveryone'sheartasthe
SupersouljusttoshowYourcauselessmercy,andYouaretheeternalwell
wisher,butYouareunavailableforthenondevotee.
Thedemigodsinthecelestialheavenlyplanets,whoareappointed
administratorsofthematerialaffairs,arealsodevoteesoftheLord.But,atthe
sametime,theyhavedesiresformaterialopulenceandsensegratification.The
LordissokindthatHeawardsthemallsortsofmaterialhappiness,morethan
theycandesire,butHeisnotsatisfiedwiththembecausetheyarenotpure
devotees.
TheLorddoesnotwantanyoneofHisinnumerablesons(thelivingentities)to
remaininthematerialworldofthreefoldmiseriestoperpetuallysufferthe
materialpangsofbirth,death,oldageanddisease.
Thedemigodsintheheavenlyplanets,andmanydevoteesonthisplanetalso,
wanttoremaininthematerialworldasdevoteesoftheLordandtake
advantageofmaterialhappiness.Theydosoatariskoffallingdowntothe
lowerstatusofexistence,andthismakestheLorddissatisfiedwiththem.

Puredevoteesarenotdesirousofanymaterialenjoyment,noraretheyaverse
toit.TheycompletelydovetailtheirdesireswiththedesiresoftheLordand
performnothingontheirpersonalaccount.Arjunaisagoodexample.Onhis
ownsentiment,duetofamilyaffection,Arjunadidnotwanttofight,but
finally,afterhearingSrimadBhagavadgita,heagreedtofightintheinterests
oftheLord.Therefore,theLordisverymuchsatisfiedwithpuredevotees
becausetheydonotactforsensegratificationbutonlyintermsoftheLord's
desire.AsParamatma,orSupersoul,Heissituatedineveryone'sheart,always
givingeveryonethechanceofgoodcounsel.
Thenondevotees,however,areneitherlikethedemigodsnorlikethepure
devotees,butareaversetothetranscendentalrelationshipwiththeLord.They
haverevoltedagainsttheLordandmustperpetuallyundergothereactionsof
theirownactivities.
"AlthoughtheLordisequallykindtoeverylivingbeing,thelivingbeings,for
theirownpart,areabletopleasetheLordtoeitheragreaterorlesserextent."
Thedemigodsarecalledsakamadevotees,ordevoteeswithmaterialdesiresin
mind,whilethepuredevoteesarecalledniskamadevoteesbecausetheyhave
nodesiresfortheirpersonalinterests.Thesakamadevoteesareselfinterested
becausetheydonotthinkofothers,andthereforetheyarenotabletosatisfy
theLordperfectly,whereasthepuredevoteestakethemissionary
responsibilityofturningnondevoteesintodevotees,andtheyarethereforeable
tosatisfytheLordmorethanthedemigods.TheLordisunmindfulofthe
nondevotees,althoughHeissittingwithineveryone'sheartaswellwisherand
Supersoul.
SometimestheLordHimselfdescendsformissionaryactivities,asHedidin
theformofLordCaitanya,butmostlyHesendsHisbonafiderepresentatives,
andthusHeshowsHiscauselessmercytowardsthenondevotees.TheLordis
sosatisfiedwithHispuredevoteesthatHewantstogivethemthecreditfor
missionarysuccess,althoughHecoulddotheworkpersonally.Thisisthesign
ofHissatisfactionwithHispure,niskamadevotees,comparedtothesakama
devotees.
Nowaquestionarises:IftheLordissittingintheheartsofnondevotees,why
aretheynotmovedtobecomedevotees?Itmaybeansweredthatthestubborn
nondevoteesarelikethebarrenlandoralkalinefield,wherenoagricultural
activitiescanbesuccessful.AspartandparceloftheLord,everyindividual
livingentityhasaminutequantityofindependence,andbymisuseofthis
minuteindependence,thenondevoteescommitoffenseafteroffense,toboth
theLordandHispuredevoteesengagedinmissionarywork.Asaresultof
suchacts,theybecomeasbarrenasanalkalinefield,wherethereisnostrength
toproduce.

Butthepiousactivitiesofthepeople,suchasperformanceofVedicrituals,
charity,austerepenances,andtranscendentalservice,performedwithaviewto
worshipYouandsatisfyYoubyofferingYouthefruitiveresults,arealso
beneficial.Suchactsofreligionnevergoinvain.
Absolutedevotionalservice,conductedinninedifferentspiritual
activitieshearing,chanting,remembering,worshiping,praying,etc.does
notalwaysappealtopeoplewithapompousnature;theyaremore
attractedbytheVedicsuperficialritualsandothercostlyperformancesof
socialreligiousshows.
TheLorddemandsthatwhateveronemaydoinone'sdailyactivities,suchas
worship,sacrifice,andofferingcharity,alltheresultsshouldbeofferedtoHim
only.ThisofferingoftheresultsofpiousactsuntotheSupremeLordisasign
ofdevotionalservicetotheLordandisofpermanentvalue,whereasenjoying
thesameresultsforoneselfisonlytemporary.Anythingdoneonaccountofthe
Lordisapermanentassetandaccumulatesintheformofunseenpietyfor
gradualpromotiontotheunalloyeddevotionalserviceoftheLord.These
undetectedpiousactivitieswillonedayresultinfullfledgeddevotionalservice
bythegraceoftheSupremeLord.Therefore,anypiousactdoneonaccountof
theSupremeLordisalsorecommendedhereforthosewhoarenotpure
devotees.
LetmeoffermyobeisancesuntotheSupremeTranscendence,whoiseternally
distinguishedbyHisinternalpotency.Hisindistinguishableimpersonal
featureisrealizedbyintelligenceforselfrealization.Ioffermyobeisances
untoHimwhobyHispastimesenjoysthecreation,maintenanceand
dissolutionofthecosmicmanifestation.
TherasadanceisperformedbyLordKrsnainthecompanyofthecowherd
damselsatVrndavana,andthePersonalityofGodheadGarbhodakasayiVisnu
isalsoengagedinrasaenjoymentwithHisexternalpotency,bywhichHe
creates,maintainsanddissolvestheentirematerialmanifestation.Indirectly,
LordBrahmaoffershisrespectfulobeisancesuntoLordSriKrsna,whois
factuallyeverengagedinrasaenjoymentwiththegopis,asconfirmedinthe
GopalatapaniUpanisad
ThedistinctionbetweentheLordandthelivingentityisdefinitelyexperienced
whenthereissufficientintelligencetounderstandHisinternalpotency,as
distinguishedfromtheexternalpotencybywhichHemakespossiblethe
materialmanifestation.
OnewhoinvokesHistranscendentalnames,evenunconsciously,atthetimehe

quitsthislife,iscertainlywashedimmediatelyofthesinsofmany,manybirths
andattainsHimwithoutfail.

Anactorimitatestheactivitiesofakingonstage,althoughactuallyheisnot
theking.Similarly,whentheLordincarnates,HeimitatespartswithwhichHe
hasnothingtodo.
AjamilarememberedtheholynameoftheLord,Narayana,bymerelycalling
thenameofhissonNarayana,andthatgavehimacompleteopportunityto
achievethehighestperfectionoflife.
Theconceptionofmanygodscontrollingthemanydepartmentsofmaterial
natureisillconceivedofbythefoolishpantheist.Godisonewithoutasecond,
andHeistheprimalcauseofallcauses.Astherearemanydepartmentalheads
ofgovernmentalaffairs,sotherearemanyheadsofmanagementofthe
universalaffairs.
ThetreeofthematerialmanifestationisdescribedintheFifteenthChapterof
Bhagavadgitaasanasvatthatreewhoserootisupward.Wehaveactual
experienceofsuchatreewhenweseetheshadowofatreeonthebankofa
reservoirofwater.Thereflectionofthetreeonthewaterappearstohangdown
fromitsupwardroots.Thetreeofcreationdescribedhereisonlyashadowof
therealitywhichisParabrahman,Visnu.
Theimpersonalists,theorythatBrahmanisvoidofallvariegatednessisfalse
becausetheshadowtreedescribedinBhagavadgitacannotexistwithoutbeing
thereflectionofarealtree.Therealtreeissituatedintheeternalexistenceof
spiritualnature,fulloftranscendentalvarieties,andLordVisnuistherootof
thattreealso.TherootisthesametheLordbothfortherealtreeandthe
false,butthefalsetreeisonlythepervertedreflectionoftherealtree.
Peopleingeneralareallengagedinsenselesswork.Theyaresystematically
unmindfuloftherealbeneficialwork,whichisthedevotionalserviceofthe
Lord,technicallycalledthearcanaregulations.Thearcanaregulationsare
directlyinstructedbytheLordintheNaradapancaratraandarestrictly
followedbytheintelligentmen,whoknowwellthatthehighestperfectional
goaloflifeistoreachLordVisnu,whoistherootofthetreecalledthecosmic
manifestation.
Personswhoaredeterminedtototallyrotinfalse,materialhappinesscannot
becomeKrsnamindedeitherbyinstructionsfromteachers,byselfrealization
orbyparliamentarydiscussions.Theyaredraggedbytheunbridledsensesinto
thedarkestregionofignorance,andthustheymadlyengageinwhatiscalled
'chewingthechewed.'

Jnanaandyogaaresometimesacceptedwithinthepurviewofarcanawhenthe
ultimateaimisVisnu,andnototherwise

Brahmaisthegreatestpersonalityintheuniversebecausehehasthelongest
durationoflife.Heisthemostrespectablepersonalitybecauseofhispenance,
influence,prestige,etc.,andstillhehastoofferhisrespectfulobeisancesunto
theLord.Therefore,itisincumbentuponallothers,whoarefar,farbelowthe
standardofBrahma,todoashedidandofferrespectsasamatterofduty.
OmyLord,byYourownwillYouappearinthevariousspeciesofliving
entities,amonganimalslowerthanhumanbeingsaswellasamongthe
demigods,toperformYourtranscendentalpastimes.
ThesameprincipleisapplicablewhenHeappearsasthehogorfish
incarnations.TheyaretranscendentalformsoftheLordandaremanifested
undercertainnecessitiesofHisownpleasureandpastimes.Such
manifestationsofthetranscendentalformsoftheLordareacceptedbyHim
mostlytoenlivenHisdevotees.
MyLord,Youacceptthepleasureofsleepinginthewaterofdevastation,
wherethereareviolentwaves,andYouenjoypleasureonthebedofsnakes,
showingthehappinessofYoursleeptointelligentpersons.Atthattime,allthe
universalplanetsarestationedwithinYourabdomen.
Oobjectofmyworship,IambornfromthehouseofYourlotusnavelforthe
purposeofcreatingtheuniversebyYourmercy.Alltheseplanetsofthe
universewerestationedwithinYourtranscendentalabdomenwhileYouwere
enjoyingsleep.Now,Yoursleephavingended,Youreyesareopenlike
blossominglotusesinthemorning.
Brahmaisteachingusthebeginningofarcanaregulationsfrommorning(four
o'clock)tonight(teno'clock).Earlyinthemorning,thedevoteehastorise
fromhisbedandpraytotheLord,andthereareotherregulativeprinciplesfor
offeringmangalaaratiearlyinthemorning.
Impersonalistsalwaysthinkbackwards.Theythinkthatbecausethereisform
inmatter,spiritshouldbeformless;becauseinmatterthereissleep,inspirit
therecannotbesleep;andbecausethesleepingoftheDeityisacceptedin
arcanaworship,thearcanaismaya.Allthesethoughtsarebasicallymaterial.

HereintheseversesoftheSrimadBhagavatam,wefindthatarcanais
recommended.BeforeBrahmatookupthetaskofcreation,hefoundtheLord
sleepingontheserpentbedinthewavesofthewaterofdevastation.Therefore,
sleepingexistsintheinternalpotencyoftheLord,andthisisnotdeniedby
puredevoteesoftheLordlikeBrahmaandhisdisciplicsuccession.Itisclearly
saidherethattheLordsleptveryhappilywithintheviolentwavesofthewater,
manifestingtherebythatHeisabletodoanythingandeverythingbyHis
transcendentalwillandnotbehamperedbyanycircumstances.TheMayavadi
cannotthinkbeyondthismaterialexperience,andthushedeniestheLord's
abilitytosleepwithinthewater.HismistakeisthathecomparestheLordto
himselfandthatcomparisonisalsoamaterialthought.
ThewholephilosophyoftheMayavadaschool,basedon"notthis,notthat"
(neti,neti),isbasicallymaterial.Suchthoughtcannotgiveonethechanceto
knowtheSupremePersonalityofGodheadasHeis.
LettheSupremeLordbemercifultowardsme.Heistheonefriendandsoulof
alllivingentitiesintheworld,andHemaintainsall,fortheirultimate
happiness,byHissixtranscendentalopulences.MayHebemercifultowards
mesothatI,asbefore,maybeempoweredwiththeintrospectiontocreate,for
IamalsooneofthesurrenderedsoulswhoaredeartotheLord.
Heisthelifeandfriendofallbecausethereiseternallynaturalaffectionand
lovebetweenthelivingentitiesandtheLord.
onlybytheLord'scauselessmercycouldhecreatebothmaterialandspiritual
personalitieslikeMariciandNaradarespectively.BrahmaprayedtotheLord
becauseHeisverymuchdeartothesurrenderedsoul.Thesurrenderedsoul
knowsnothingbuttheLord,andthereforetheLordisveryaffectionatetowards
him.
HisactivitiesarealwaysenactedthroughHisinternalpotency,Rama,orthe
goddessoffortune.IprayonlytoengageinHisserviceinthecreationofthe
materialworld,andIpraythatInotbemateriallyaffectedbymyworks,for
thusImaybeabletogiveupthefalseprestigeofbeingthecreator.
Foolishmenwanttotakecreditforallcreationsmadebythem,butintelligent

personsknowverywellthatnotabladeofgrasscanmovewithoutthewillof
theLord;thusallthecreditforwonderfulcreationsmustgotoHim.By
spiritualconsciousnessonlycanonebefreefromthecontaminationofmaterial
affectionandreceivethebenedictionsofferedbytheLord.
IamnowengagedinmanifestingHisdiverseenergiesintheformofthe
cosmicmanifestation.Ithereforepraythatinthecourseofmymaterial
activitiesImaynotbedeviatedfromthevibrationoftheVedichymns.

EverypersonengagedinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLordinthis
materialworldispronetosomanymaterialactivities,andifoneisnotstrong
enoughtoprotecthimselfagainsttheonslaughtofmaterialaffection,hemay
bedivertedfromthespiritualenergy.
Anordinarybrahmanamayfallfromthebrahmatejas,orthepowerof
brahminicalexcellence,duetohisassociationwithmanyfallen,conditioned
souls.Brahma,asthesupermostbrahmana,isafraidofsuchafalldown,and
thereforehepraystotheLordforprotection.Thisisawarningforoneandall
inthespiritualadvancementoflife.Unlessoneissufficientlyprotectedbythe
Lord,hemayfalldownfromhisspiritualposition;thereforeonehastopray
constantlytotheLordforprotectionandtheblessingtocarryoutone'sduty.
LordCaitanyaalsoentrustedHismissionaryworktoHisdevoteesandassured
themofHisprotectionagainsttheonslaughtofmaterialaffection.Thepathof
spirituallifeisstatedintheVedastobeliketheedgeofasharpenedrazor.A
littleinattentivenessmayatoncecreatehavocandbloodshed,butonewhoisa
completelysurrenderedsoul,alwaysseekingprotectionfromtheLordinthe
dischargeofhisentrustedduties,hasnofearoffallingintomaterial
contamination.
TheLordiseverincreasinglymercifuluponthefallensoulsofthismaterial
world.
TheLordexpandsHimselfintomanypersonalitieswhoareeitherself
expansionsorseparatedexpansions.Thepersonalitiesoftheindividualsouls
areHisseparatedexpansions,whereastheselfexpansionsaretheLord
Himself.Theselfexpansionsarepredominators,andtheseparatedexpansions
arepredominatedforreciprocationoftranscendentalblisswiththesupreme
formofblissandknowledge.
Theliberatedsoulscanjoininthisblissfulreciprocationofpredominatorand
predominatedwithoutmateriallyconcoctedideas.Thetypicalexampleofsuch
atranscendentalexchangebetweenthepredominatorandthepredominatedis
theLord'srasalilawiththegopis.Thegopisarepredominatedexpansionsof

theinternalpotency,andthereforetheLord'sparticipationintherasalila
danceisnevertobeconsideredlikethemundanerelationshipofmanand
woman.Itis,rather,thehighestperfectionalstageoftheexchangeoffeelings
betweentheLordandthelivingentities.

Brahma'senlightenmentinknowledgewasduetotheLordsittingwithinhis
heart.Afterbeingcreated,Brahmacouldnotascertainthesourceofhis
appearance,butafterpenanceandmentalconcentrationhecouldseethesource
ofhisbirth,andthushebecameenlightenedthroughhisheart.Thespiritual
masteroutsideandthespiritualmasterwithinarebothrepresentationsofthe
Lord.Unlessonehascontactwithsuchbonafiderepresentations,onecannot
claimtobeaspiritualmaster.LordBrahmahadnoopportunitytotakethehelp
ofaspiritualmasterfromoutsidebecauseatthattimeBrahmahimselfwasthe
onlycreatureintheuniverse.Therefore,onbecomingsatisfiedbytheprayers
ofBrahma,theLordenlightenedhimabouteverythingfromwithin.
ThedevastatingwaterwassofearfulthatevenBrahmawasperturbedatits
appearanceandbecameveryanxiousabouthowtosituatethedifferent
planetarysystemsinouterspacetoaccommodatethedifferentkindsofliving
entities,suchasthehumanbeings,thoselowerthanthehumanbeings,andthe
superhumanbeings.Alltheplanetsintheuniversearesituatedaccordingtothe
differentgradesoflivingentitiesundertheinfluenceofthemodesofmaterial
nature.
Therearethreemodesofmaterialnature,andwhentheyaremixedwithone
anothertheybecomenine.Whentheninearemixedtheybecomeeightyone,
andtheeightyonealsobecomemixed,andthusweultimatelydonotknow
howthedelusionincreasesandincreases.
LordBrahmahadtoaccommodatedifferentplacesandsituationsforthe
requisitebodiesoftheconditionedsouls.ThetaskwasmeantonlyforBrahma,
andnooneintheuniversecanevenunderstandhowdifficultitwas.
TheSupremePersonalityofGodheadthensaid:OBrahma,OdepthofVedic
wisdom,beneitherdepressednoranxiousabouttheexecutionofcreation.
WhatyouarebeggingfromMehasalreadybeengrantedbefore.
AnypersonauthorizedbyeithertheLordorbyHisbonafiderepresentativeis

alreadyblessed,asistheworkentrustedtohim.Ofcourse,thepersonentrusted
withsucharesponsibilityshouldalwaysbeawareofhisincapabilityandmust
alwayslookforthemercyoftheLordforthesuccessfulexecutionofhisduty.
Oneshouldnotbepuffedupbecauseheisentrustedwithcertainexecutive
work.Fortunateishewhoissoentrusted,andifheisalwaysfixedinthesense
ofbeingsubordinatetothewilloftheSupreme,heissuretocomeout
successfulinthedischargeofhiswork.
ArjunawasentrustedwiththeworkoffightingontheBattlefieldof
Kuruksetra,andbeforehewassoentrusted,theLordhadalreadyarrangedfor
hisvictory.ButArjunawasalwaysconsciousofhispositionassubordinateto
theLord,andthusheacceptedHimasthesupremeguideinhisresponsibility.

Anyonewhotakesprideindoingresponsibleworkbutdoesnotgivecreditto
theSupremeLordiscertainlyfalselyproudandcannotexecuteanything
nicely.Brahmaandpersonsinthelineofhisdisciplicsuccessionwhofollowin
hisfootstepsarealwayssuccessfulinthedischargeoflovingtranscendental
servicetotheSupremeLord.
OBrahma,situateyourselfinpenanceandmeditationandfollowthe
principlesofknowledgetoreceiveMyfavor.Bytheseactionsyouwillbe
abletounderstandeverythingfromwithinyourheart.
ThemercytheLordbestowsuponaparticularpersonengagedinexecutingthe
responsibleworkentrusteduntohimisbeyondimagination.ButHismercyis
receivedduetoourpenanceandperseveranceinexecutingdevotionalservice.
Brahmawasentrustedwiththeworkofcreatingtheplanetarysystems.The
Lordinstructedhimthatwhenhemeditatedhewouldveryeasilyknowwhere
andhowtheplanetarysystemsmustbearranged.Thedirectionsweretocome
fromwithin,andtherewasnonecessityforanxietyinthattask.Such
instructionsofbuddhiyogaaredirectlyimpartedbytheLordfromwithin,as
confirmedinBhagavadgita(10.10).
OBrahma,whenyouareabsorbedindevotionalservice,inthecourseof
yourcreativeactivities,youwillseeMeinyouandthroughoutthe
universe,andyouwillseethatyouyourself,theuniverseandtheliving
entitiesareallinMe.
ItiscitedhereinbytheLordthatduringhisdaytimeBrahmawouldseeHimas
LordSriKrsna.HewouldappreciatehowtheLordexpandedHimselfintoall
thecalvesduringHischildhoodatVrndavana,hewouldknowhow
Yasodamayisawalltheuniversesandplanetarysystemswithinthemouthof
KrsnaduringHisplayfulchildhoodpastimes,andhewouldalsoseethatthere

aremanymillionsofBrahmasduringtheappearanceofLordKrsnain
Brahma'sdaytime.ButallthesemanifestationsoftheLord,appearing
everywhereinHiseternal,transcendentalforms,cannotbeunderstoodby
anyonebutthepuredevotees,whoarealwaysengagedindevotionalserviceto
theLordandarefullyabsorbedintheLord.ThehighqualificationsofBrahma
arealsoindicatedherein.
YouwillseeMeinalllivingentitiesaswellasallovertheuniverse,justasfire
issituatedinwood.Onlyinthatstateoftranscendentalvisionwillyoube
abletobefreefromallkindsofillusion.

BrahmaprayedthathemightnotforgethiseternalrelationshipwiththeLord
duringthecourseofhismaterialactivities.Inanswertothatprayer,theLord
saidthatheshouldnotthinkofexistingwithoutarelationshipwithHis
omnipotency.Theexampleisgivenofthefireinwood.Thefirekindledin
woodisalwaysthesame,althoughthewoodmaybeofdifferenttypes.
Similarly,thebodieswithinthematerialcreationmaybespecificallydifferent
accordingtoshapeandquality,butthespiritsoulswithinthemarenotdifferent
fromoneanother.Thequalityoffire,warmth,isthesameeverywhere,andthe
spiritualspark,orpartandparceloftheSupremeSpirit,isthesameinevery
livingbeing;thusthepotencyoftheLordisdistributedalloverHiscreation.
Thistranscendentalknowledgealonecansaveonefromthecontaminationof
materialillusion.SincetheLord'spotencyisdistributedeverywhere,apure
soul,ordevoteeoftheLord,canseeeverythinginrelationshipwiththeLord,
andthereforehehasnoaffectionfortheoutercoverings.Thatpurespiritual
conceptionmakeshimimmunetoallcontaminationofmaterialassociation.
ThepuredevoteeneverforgetsthetouchoftheLordinallcircumstances.
Whenyouarefreefromtheconceptionofgrossandsubtlebodiesandwhen
yoursensesarefreefromallinfluencesofthemodesofmaterialnature,you
willrealizeyourpureforminMyassociation.Atthattimeyouwillbe
situatedinpureconsciousness.
IntheBhaktirasamrtasindhuitissaidthatapersonwhoseonlydesireisto
rendertranscendentallovingservicetotheLordisafreepersoninany
conditionofmaterialexistence.Thatserviceattitudeisthesvarupa,orreal
form,ofthelivingentity.

TheMayavadaschoolshuddersatthethoughtofaserviceattitudeintheliving
entity,notknowingthatinthetranscendentalworldtheserviceoftheLordis
basedontranscendentallove.
Transcendentallovingserviceisnevertobecomparedtotheforcedserviceof
thematerialworld.Inthematerialworld,evenifoneisundertheconception
thatheisnoone'sservant,heisstilltheservantofhissenses,underthe
dictationofthematerialmodes.Factuallynooneismasterhereinthematerial
world,andthereforetheservantsofthesenseshaveaverybadexperienceof
servitude.Theyshudderatthethoughtofservicebecausetheyhaveno
knowledgeofthetranscendentalposition.
Intranscendentallovingservice,theservitorisasfreeastheLord.TheLordis
svarat,orfullyindependent,andtheservantisalsofullyindependent,orsvarat,
inthespiritualatmospherebecausethereisnoforcedservice.Therethe
transcendentallovingserviceisduetospontaneouslove.

Areflectedglimpseofsuchserviceisexperiencedintheserviceofthemother
untotheson,thefriend'sserviceuntothefriend,orthewife'sserviceuntothe
husband.Thesereflectionsofservicebyfriends,parentsorwivesarenot
forced,butaredueonlytolove.Hereinthismaterialworld,however,the
lovingserviceisonlyareflection.Therealservice,orserviceinsvarupa,is
presentinthetranscendentalworld,inassociationwiththeLord.Thevery
sameserviceintranscendentallovecanbepracticedindevotionhere.
Thejnanisandthedevoteesareactuallyinagreementuptothepointof
liberationfrommaterialcontamination.Butwhereasthejnanisremainpacified
ontheplatformofsimpleunderstanding,thedevoteesdevelopfurtherspiritual
advancementinlovingservice.Thedevoteesdevelopaspiritualindividuality
intheirspontaneousserviceattitude,whichisenhancedonandon,uptothe
pointofmadhuryarasa,ortranscendentallovingservicereciprocatedbetween
theloverandthebeloved.
ApuredevoteeoftheLord,beingcognizantofthefactsoftheparticulartime,
objectandcircumstances,alwaysdesirestoexpandthenumberofdevoteesof
theLordinvariousways.
Suchexpansionsoftranscendentalservicemayappeartobematerialtothe
materialist,butfactuallytheyareexpansionsofthecauselessmercyoftheLord
towardsthedevotee.Plansforsuchactivitiesmayappeartobematerial
activities,buttheyaredifferentinpotency,beingengagedinthesatisfactionof
thetranscendentalsensesoftheSupreme.

Youaretheoriginalrsi,andbecauseyourmindisalwaysfixedonMe,
eventhoughyouwillbeengagedingeneratingvariousprogeny,thevicious
modeofpassionwillneverencroachuponyou.
IfsometimesBrahmaisseentobebewildered,as,intheTenthCanto,heis
bewilderedbyseeingtheactionoftheinternalpotency,thatisalsoforhis
furtheradvancementintranscendentalservice.Arjunaisfoundtobesimilarly
bewildered.AllsuchbewildermentofthepuredevoteesoftheLordis
specificallymeantfortheirfurtheradvancementinknowledgeoftheLord.
AlthoughIamnoteasilyknowablebytheconditionedsoul,youhaveknown
MetodaybecauseyouknowthatMypersonalityisnotconstitutedofanything
material,andspecificallynotofthefivegrossandthreesubtleelements.
KnowledgeoftheSupremeAbsoluteTruthdoesnotnecessitatenegationofthe
materialmanifestationbutunderstandingofspiritualexistenceasitis.
Tothinkthatbecausematerialexistenceisrealizedinformsthereforespiritual
existencemustbeformlessisonlyanegativematerialconceptionofspirit.The
realspiritualconceptionisthatspiritualformisnotmaterialform.

InBhagavadgitatheLordcondemnedthematerialconceptionofKrsna'sbody
whicharisesbecauseHeisapparentlypresentlikeaman.
Whenyouwerecontemplatingwhethertherewasasourcetothestemofthe
lotusofyourbirthandyouevenenteredintothatstem,youcouldnottraceout
anything.ButatthattimeImanifestedMyformfromwithin.
OnlybyloveofGodheadcanoneknowGod,andnototherwise.The
PersonalityofGodheadcannotbeseenwiththematerialeyes,butHecanbe
seenfromwithinbyspiritualeyesopenedbytheointmentofloveofGodhead.
Aslongasone'sspiritualeyesareclosedduetothedirtycoveringofmatter,
onecannotseetheLord.Butwhenthedirtisremovedbytheprocessof
devotionalservice,onecanseetheLord,withoutadoubt.Brahma'spersonal
endeavortoseetherootofthelotuspipefailed,butwhentheLordwas
satisfiedbyhispenanceanddevotion,HerevealedHimselffromwithinwith
noexternalendeavor.
OBrahma,theprayersthatyouhavechantedpraisingthegloriesofMy
transcendentalactivities,thepenancesyouhaveundertakentounderstandMe,
andyourfirmfaithinMeallthesearetobeconsideredMycauselessmercy.
WhenalivingentitydesirestoservetheLordintranscendentallovingservice,
theLordhelpsthedevoteeinsomanywaysasthecaityaguru,orthespiritual

masterwithin,andthusthedevoteecanperformmanywonderfulactivities
beyondmaterialestimation.
Voluntaryendeavoristheonlyqualificationforspiritualperfection.Material
acquisitionsofwealthoreducationarenotconsidered.
IamverymuchpleasedbyyourdescriptionofMeintermsofMy
transcendentalqualities,whichappearmundanetothemundaners
TheimpersonalistsometimespraysforthemercyofthePersonalityof
GodheadNarayanaastheembodimentofmaterialgoodness,butsuch
prayersdonotsatisfytheLordbecauseHeisnottherebyglorifiedinterms
ofHisactualtranscendentalqualities.
TheprayersofferedbyBrahmacannotbechantedbyanyonewhodesiresto
fulfillhisownsensegratification.Suchprayerscanbeselectedonlybya
personwhowantstosatisfytheLordinHisservice.TheLordcertainlyfulfills
alldesiresinregardtotranscendentallovingservice,butHecannotfulfillthe
whimsofnondevotees,evenwhensuchcasualdevoteesofferHimthebestof
prayers.
Itistheopinionofexperttranscendentaliststhattheultimategoalof
performingalltraditionalgoodworks,penances,sacrifices,charities,mystic
activities,trances,etc.,istoinvokeMysatisfaction.
Therearemanytraditionallypiousactivitiesinhumansociety,suchas
altruism,philanthropy,nationalism,internationalism,charity,sacrifice,
penance,andevenmeditationintrance,andallofthemcanbefullybeneficial
onlywhentheyleadtothesatisfactionoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
Theperfectionofanyactivitysocial,political,religiousorphilanthropicisto
satisfytheSupremeLord.Thissecretofsuccessisknowntothedevoteeofthe
Lord
Thatistherightdecisionforallintelligentmen.
One'sonlyconcernshouldbetosatisfytheLordbyone'sactivities.IftheLord
issatisfiedbyanaction,whateveritmaybe,thenitissuccessful.Otherwise,it
issimplyawasteoftime.Thatisthestandardofallsacrifice,penance,
austerity,mystictranceandothergoodandpiouswork.
IamtheSupersoulofeveryindividual.Iamthesupremedirectorandthe
dearest.Peoplearewronglyattachedtothegrossandsubtlebodies,butthey
shouldbeattachedtoMeonly.
WhenapersondoesnotknowthattheLordistheonlydearmostobject,thenhe
isintheconditionedstateoflife,andwhenoneknowsperfectlywellthatthe

Lordistheonlydearmostobject,heisconsideredtobeliberated.
Therearedegreesofknowingone'srelationshipwiththeLord,dependingon
thedegreeofrealizationastowhytheSupremeLordisthedearmostobjectof
everylivingbeing.
Thelivingentityiscalledtheatma,andtheLordiscalledtheParamatma.The
livingentityiscalledBrahman,andtheLordiscalledtheParabrahman,orthe
Paramesvara.
Theattachmentforone'sownbodyanditsextensionslikechildrenand
relativesisactuallydevelopedonthebasisofthereallivingentity.Assoonas
thereallivingentityisoutofthebody,eventhebodyofthemostdearsonis
nolongerattractive.Thereforethelivingspark,oreternalpartoftheSupreme,
istherealbasisofaffection,andnotthebody.
Onewhohasforgottenthebasicprincipleofhisloveforeverythinghasonly
flickeringlovebecauseheisinmaya.Themoreoneisaffectedbytheprinciple
ofmaya,themoreheisdetachedfromthebasicprincipleoflove.Onecannot
factuallyloveanythingunlessheisfullydevelopedinthelovingserviceofthe
Lord.
Inthepresentverse,stressisgiventofocusingloveupontheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.Thewordkuryatissignificanthere.Thismeans"one
musthaveit."Itisjusttostressthatwemusthavemoreandmoreattachment
totheprincipleoflove.
ThisinabilityisduetotheirlackofaffectionfortheParamatma.Arichmiser
doesnotknowhowtoutilizehiswealth,andtherefore,inspiteofhisbeing
veryrich,hismiserlybehaviorkeepshimeverlastinglyapoorman.Onthe
otherhand,apersonwhoknowshowtoutilizewealthcanquicklybecomea
richman,evenwithasmallcreditbalance.
Withoutpossessingaffectionforthesun,theeyescannotbeartheraysofthe
sun;or,inotherwords,sucheyeshavenocapacitytounderstandtheutilityof
thesun'srays.Similarly,theempiricphilosophers,despitetheirtheoretical
knowledgeofBrahman,cannotutilizethemercyoftheSupremeBrahman
becausetheylackaffection.
althoughtheyindulgeintheoreticalknowledgeofBrahman,theydonot
developaffectionforBrahmannordotheyhaveanyscopefordevelopmentof
affectionbecauseoftheirdefectivemethod.Adevoteeofthesungod,even
thoughdevoidofeyesight,canseethesungodasheisevenfromthisplanet,
whereasonewhoisnotadevoteeofthesuncannotevenbeartheglaring
sunlight.Similarly,bydevotionalservice,eventhoughoneisnotonthelevel
ofajnani,onecanseethePersonalityofGodheadwithinhimselfduetohis

developmentofpurelove.Inallcircumstancesoneshouldtrytodeveloplove
ofGodhead,andthatwillsolveallcontendingproblems.
Beforehisactivityincreatingtheuniverse,BrahmasawtheLord.Thatisthe
explanationofthecatuhslokiBhagavatam.Whenthecreationawaited
Brahma'sactivity,BrahmasawtheLord,andthereforetheLordexistedinHis
personalformbeforethecreation.Hiseternalformisnotcreatedbytheattempt
ofBrahma,asimaginedbylessintelligentmen.
Chapter10

WhileSukadevaGosvamiwasspeakingtoMaharajaPariksit,SutaGosvami
wasonlyonememberofalargeaudience.ButSutaGosvamiwasspeakingto
thesagesofNaimisaranya,headedbythesageSaunaka,adescendantof
SukadevaGosvami.This,however,doesnotmakeanysubstantialdifferencein
thetopicsunderdiscussion.
ThegreatlylearnedsageMaitreyasaid:OVidura,Brahmathusengaged
himselfinpenancesforonehundredcelestialyears,asadvisedbythe
PersonalityofGodhead,andappliedhimselfindevotionalservicetothe
Lord.Thereisnoretirementfromsuchservice,whichiseternalandever
encouraging.

Thereisadeclarationofwarbetweenthetwoparties,theillusoryenergyand
thedevotee,andsometimestheweakdevoteesfallvictimtotheonslaughtof
thepowerfulillusoryenergy.LordBrahma,however,wassufficientlystrong,
bythecauselessmercyoftheLord,andhecouldnotbevictimizedbythe
materialenergy,althoughitgavehimcauseforanxietywhenitmanagedto
tottertheexistenceofhisposition.
Longpenanceandtranscendentalknowledgeofselfrealizationhadmatured
Brahmainpracticalknowledge,andthushedrankthewindcompletely,along
withthewater.
LordBrahma'sstruggleforexistenceisapersonalexampleofthecontinued
fightbetweenthelivingentitiesinthematerialworldandtheillusoryenergy
calledmaya.BeginningfromBrahmadowntothisage,thelivingentitiesare
strugglingwiththeforcesofmaterialnature.Byadvancedknowledgein
scienceandtranscendentalrealization,onecantrytocontrolthematerial
energy,whichworksagainstourendeavors,andinthemodernageadvanced

materialscientificknowledgeandpenancehaveplayedverywonderfulrolesin
controllingthepowersofthematerialenergy.Suchcontrolofthematerial
energy,however,canbemostsuccessfullycarriedoutifoneisasoul
surrendereduntotheSupremePersonalityofGodheadandcarriesoutHisorder
inthespiritoflovingtranscendentalservice.
Thereafterhesawthatthelotusonwhichhewassituatedwasspread
throughouttheuniverse,andhecontemplatedhowtocreatealltheplanets,
whichwerepreviouslymergedinthatverysamelotus.
AlltheplanetswerealreadygeneratedbytheLord,andallthelivingentities
werealsoborninBrahma.Thematerialworldandthelivingentitieswereall
alreadygeneratedinseedlingformsbytheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,
andBrahmawastodisseminatethesameseedlingsallovertheuniverse.The
realcreationisthereforecalledsarga,and,lateron,themanifestationby
Brahmaiscalledvisarga.
Hethereforecreatedallthefourteenplanetarydivisionsforinhabitationbythe
differenttypesoflivingentities.
Brahmaisthecreatorofthethreeworlds,namelythelowerplanets,calledthe
Patalalokas,themiddleplanets,calledtheBhurlokas,andtheupperplanets,
calledtheSvarlokas.Stillhigherplanets,suchasMaharloka,Tapoloka,
SatyalokaandBrahmaloka,donotdissolveinthedevastatingwater.Thisis
becauseofthecauselessdevotionalservicerendereduntotheLordbytheir
inhabitants,whoseexistencecontinuesuptotheendofdviparardhatime,
whentheyaregenerallyliberatedfromthechainofbirthanddeathinthe
materialworld.

Thereisatimeforatomicdissolutionandatimefortheuniversaldissolution.
Thereisatimefortheannihilationofthebodyofthehumanbeing,andthereis
atimefortheannihilationoftheuniversalbody.Also,growth,development
andresultantactionsalldependonthetimefactor.
Vidurawantedtoknowindetailthedifferentphysicalmanifestationsandtheir
timesofannihilation.
Maitreyasaid:Eternaltimeistheprimevalsourceoftheinteractionsofthe
threemodesofmaterialnature.Itisunchangeableandlimitless,anditworksas
theinstrumentoftheSupremePersonalityofGodheadforHispastimesinthe
materialcreation.
Nooneknowswheretimebeganandwhereitends,anditistimeonlywhich
cankeeparecordofthecreation,maintenanceanddestructionofthematerial

manifestation.Thistimefactoristhematerialcauseofcreationandistherefore
aselfexpansionofthePersonalityofGodhead.Timeisconsideredthe
impersonalfeatureoftheLord.
Timeisastronomicallyandmathematicallycalculatedinrelationtothespeed,
changeandlifeofaparticularobject.Factually,however,timehasnothingto
dowiththerelativitiesofthings;rather,everythingisshapedandcalculatedin
termsofthefacilityofferedbytime.Timeisthebasicmeasurementofthe
activityofoursenses,bywhichwecalculatepast,presentandfuture;butin
factualcalculation,timehasnobeginningandnoend.
Timeisnotsubjecttoanyformofpsychology,norarethemomentsobjective
realitiesinthemselves,buttheyaredependentonparticularexperiences.
Therefore,SrilaJivaGosvamiconcludesthatthetimefactorisintermixedwith
theactivitiesactionsandreactionsoftheexternalenergyoftheLord.The
externalenergy,ormaterialnature,worksunderthesuperintendenceofthe
timefactorastheLordHimself,andthatiswhymaterialnatureappearstohave
producedsomanywonderfulthingsinthecosmicmanifestation.
ThiscosmicmanifestationisseparatedfromtheSupremeLordasmaterial
energybymeansofkala,whichistheunmanifested,impersonalfeatureofthe
Lord.ItissituatedastheobjectivemanifestationoftheLordunderthe
influenceofthesamematerialenergyofVisnu.
Asthetaperecordingissituatedonthetape,sothewholecosmicmanifestation
issituatedonthematerialenergyandappearsseparatebymeansofkala.The
materialmanifestationisthereforetheobjectivemanifestationoftheSupreme
LordandexhibitsHisimpersonalfeaturesomuchadoredbyimpersonalist
philosophers.

Thereareninedifferentkindsofcreationsbesidestheonewhichnaturally
occursduetotheinteractionsofthemodes.Therearethreekindsof
annihilationsduetoeternaltime,thematerialelementsandthequalityofone's
work.
Thethreekindsofannihilationsare(1)duetothescheduledtimeofthe
annihilationoftheentireuniverse,(2)duetoafirewhichemanatesfromthe
mouthofAnanta,and(3)duetoone'squalitativeactionsandreactions.
Forexample,oneofoursenseorgans,theeye,iscontrolledbylight,lightis
distributedbythesunrays,andtheircontrollingdeityisthesun.Similarly,
mindiscontrolledbythemoon.Allothersenses,bothforworkingandfor
acquiringknowledge,arecontrolledbythedifferentdemigods.

TheenergyoftheLordtransformsfrommahamayatoyogamayaandappears
topuredevoteesinherrealfeature.Thematerialnaturethereforeappearsto
functioninthreephases:asthecreativeprincipleofthematerialworld,as
ignoranceandasknowledge.
Bytheinfluenceofdarkness,theconditionedsoulforgetshisrelationshipwith
theSupremeLordandisoverwhelmedbyattachment,hatred,pride,ignorance
andfalseidentification,thefivekindsofillusionthatcausematerialbondage.
Alltheimmovabletreesandplantsseektheirsubsistenceupwards.Theyare
almostunconsciousbuthavefeelingsofpainwithin.Theyaremanifestedin
variegatedness.
"Loweranimalshaveknowledgeonlyoftheirhungerandthirst.Theyhaveno
acquiredknowledge,novision.Theirbehaviorexhibitsnodependenceon
formalities.Extensivelyignorant,theycanknowtheirdesirablesonlybysmell,
andbysuchintelligenceonlycantheyunderstandwhatisfavorableand
unfavorable.Theirknowledgeisconcernedonlywitheatingandsleeping."
Therefore,eventhemostferociousloweranimals,suchastigers,canbetamed
simplybyregularlysupplyingmealsandaccommodationsforsleeping.Only
snakescannotbetamedbysuchanarrangement.
Inthehumanrace,themodeofpassionisveryprominent.Humansarealways
busyinthemidstofmiserablelife,buttheythinkthemselveshappyinall
respects.
Thehumanbeingismorepassionatethantheanimals,andthusthesexlifeof
thehumanbeingismoreirregular.Theanimalshavetheirduetimeforsexual
intercourse,butthehumanbeinghasnoregulartimeforsuchactivities.

Chapter11
Thematerialmanifestation'sultimateparticle,whichisindivisibleandnot
formedintoabody,iscalledtheatom.Itexistsalwaysasaninvisibleidentity,
evenafterthedissolutionofallforms.Thematerialbodyisbutacombination
ofsuchatoms,butitismisunderstoodbythecommonman.
TheatomicdescriptionoftheSrimadBhagavatamisalmostthesameasthe
modernscienceofatomism,andthisisfurtherdescribedintheParamanuvada
ofKanada.
Onecanestimatetimebymeasuringthemovementoftheatomiccombination
ofbodies.TimeisthepotencyofthealmightyPersonalityofGodhead,Hari,

whocontrolsallphysicalmovementalthoughHeisnotvisibleinthephysical
world.
Atomictimeismeasuredaccordingtoitscoveringaparticularatomicspace.
Thattimewhichcoverstheunmanifestaggregateofatomsiscalledthegreat
time.
Timeandspacearetwocorrelativeterms.Timeismeasuredintermsofits
coveringacertainspaceofatoms.Standardtimeiscalculatedintermsofthe
movementofthesun.Thetimecoveredbythesuninpassingoveranatomis
calculatedasatomictime.
Thedivisionofgrosstimeiscalculatedasfollows:twoatomsmakeonedouble
atom,andthreedoubleatomsmakeonehexatom.Thishexatomisvisibleinthe
sunshinewhichentersthroughtheholesofawindowscreen.Onecanclearly
seethatthehexatomgoesuptowardsthesky.
Theatomisdescribedasaninvisibleparticle,butwhensixsuchatoms
combinetogether,theyarecalledatrasarenu,andthisisvisibleinthesunshine
pouringthroughtheholesofawindowscreen.
Thetimedurationneededfortheintegrationofthreetrasarenusiscalledatruti,
andonehundredtrutismakeonevedha.Threevedhasmakeonelava.
Itiscalculatedthatifasecondisdividedinto1687.5parts,eachpartisthe
durationofatruti,whichisthetimeoccupiedintheintegrationofeighteen
atomicparticles.Suchacombinationofatomsintodifferentbodiescreatesthe
calculationofmaterialtime.Thesunisthecentralpointforcalculatingall
differentdurations.
Bycalculationitisfoundthatonelaghuisequaltotwominutes.Theatomic
calculationoftimeintermsofVedicwisdommaybeconvertedintopresent
timewiththisunderstanding.

Themeasuringpotforonenadika,ordanda,canbepreparedwithasixpala
weight[fourteenounce]potofcopper,inwhichaholeisboredwithagold
probeweighingfourmasaandmeasuringfourfingerslong.Whenthepotis
placedonwater,thetimebeforethewateroverflowsinthepotiscalledone
danda.
Itisadvisedhereinthattheboreinthecoppermeasuringpotmustbemade
withaprobeweighingnotmorethanfourmasaandmeasuringnotlongerthan
fourfingers.Thisregulatesthediameterofthehole.Thepotissubmergedin
water,andtheoverfloodingtimeiscalledadanda.Thisisanotherwayof

measuringthedurationofadanda,justastimeismeasuredbysandinaglass.
ItappearsthatinthedaysofVediccivilizationtherewasnodearthof
knowledgeinphysics,chemistryorhighermathematics.Measurementswere
calculatedindifferentways,assimplyascouldbedone.
IntheBrahmasamhitaitisstatedthatthesunistheeyeoftheSupremeandit
rotatesinitsparticularorbitoftime.Similarly,beginningfromthesundownto
theatom,allbodiesareundertheinfluenceofthekalacakra,ortheorbitof
eternaltime,andeachofthemhasascheduledorbitaltimeofonesamvatsara.

Thehumanbeingisendowedwithahigher,advancedstageofconsciousness
forgettingrelieffromtheexistenceofmaterialmiseries,butduetohis
ignorancehethinksthathishigherconsciousnessismeantforadvancinginthe
materialcomfortsoflife.Thushisintelligenceismisusedintheanimal
propensitieseating,sleeping,defendingandmatinginsteadofspiritual
realization.Byadvancinginmaterialcomfortsthehumanbeingputshimself
intoamoremiserablecondition,but,illusionedbythematerialenergy,he
alwaysthinkshimselfhappy,evenwhileinthemidstofmisery.Suchmiseryof
humanlifeisdistinctfromthenaturalcomfortablelifeenjoyedevenbythe
animals.
OgoodVidura,theselastthreecreationsandthecreationofdemigods(the
tenthcreation)arevaikrtacreations,whicharedifferentfromthepreviously
describedprakrta(natural)creations.TheappearanceoftheKumarasisboth.
AsexplainedintheSecondCantoofSrimadBhagavatam,theSiddhasare
inhabitantsofSiddhaloka,wheretheresidentstravelinspacewithoutvehicles.
Attheirmerewilltheycanpassfromoneplanettoanotherwithoutdifficulty.
Therefore,intheupperplanetstheinhabitantsarefarsuperiortotheinhabitants
ofthisplanetinallmattersofart,cultureandscience,sincetheypossessbrains
superiortothoseofhumanbeings.Thespiritsandjinnmentionedinthis
connectionarealsocountedamongthedemigodsbecausetheyareableto
performuncommonfunctionsnotpossibleformen.
Vidurasaid:InowunderstandthelifedurationsoftheresidentsofthePita
planetsandheavenlyplanetsaswellasthatofthehumanbeings.Nowkindly
informmeofthedurationsoflifeofthosegreatlylearnedlivingentitieswho
arebeyondtherangeofakalpa.
ThepartialdissolutionoftheuniversethattakesplaceattheendofBrahma's
daydoesnotaffectalltheplanetarysystems.Theplanetsofhighlylearned
livingentitieslikethesagesSanakaandBhrguarenotaffectedbythe

dissolutionsofthemillenniums.Alltheplanetsareofdifferenttypes,andeach
iscontrolledbyadifferentkalacakra,orscheduleofeternaltime.Thetimeof
theearthplanetisnotapplicabletoother,moreelevatedplanets.Therefore,
Vidurahereininquiresaboutthedurationoflifeonotherplanets.
Ospirituallypowerfulone,youcanunderstandthemovementsofeternaltime,
whichisthecontrollingformoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Because
youareaselfrealizedperson,youcanseeeverythingbythepowerofmystic
vision.
Thosewhohavereachedthehighestperfectionalstageofmysticpower
andcanseeeverythinginthepast,presentandfuturearecalledtrikala
jnas.Similarly,thedevoteesoftheLordcanseeeverythingclearlythatis
intherevealedscriptures.
Devoteesdonothavetoendeavorforanyyogasiddhi,orperfectioninmystic
powers.TheyarecompetenttounderstandeverythingbythegraceoftheLord,
whoissittingineveryone'sheart.
Maitreyasaid:OVidura,thefourmillenniumsarecalledtheSatya,Treta,
DvaparaandKaliyugas.Theaggregatenumberofyearsofallofthese
combinedisequaltotwelvethousandyearsofthedemigods.
Asaforementioned,oneyearofthedemigodsisequalto360yearsofthe
humanbeings.ThedurationoftheSatyayugaistherefore4,800x360,or
1,728,000years.ThedurationoftheTretayugais3,600x360,or1,296,000
years.ThedurationoftheDvaparayugais2,400x360,or864,000years.And
thelast,theKaliyuga,is1,200x360,or432,000years.
Thetransitionalperiodsbeforeandaftereverymillennium,whichareafew
hundredyearsasaforementioned,areknownasyugasandhyas,orthe
conjunctionsoftwomillenniums,accordingtotheexpertastronomers.Inthose
periodsallkindsofreligiousactivitiesareperformed.
Outsideofthethreeplanetarysystems[Svarga,MartyaandPatala],thefour
yugasmultipliedbyonethousandcompriseonedayontheplanetofBrahma.A
similarperiodcomprisesanightofBrahma,inwhichthecreatorofthe
universegoestosleep.

WhenBrahmagoestosleepinhisnighttime,thethreeplanetarysystemsbelow
Brahmalokaareallsubmergedinthewaterofdevastation.Inhissleeping
condition,BrahmadreamsabouttheGarbhodakasayiVisnuandtakes
instructionfromtheLordfortherehabilitationofthedevastatedareaofspace.

AftertheendofBrahma'snight,thecreationofthethreeworldsbeginsagainin
thedaytimeofBrahma,andtheycontinuetoexistthroughthelifedurationsof
fourteenconsecutiveManus,orfathersofmankind.
AttheendofthelifeofeachManuthereareshorterdissolutionsalso.
ThedurationoflifeofaManucomprisesseventyonesetsoffourmillenniums,
asdescribedintheVisnuPurana.ThedurationoflifeofoneManuisabout
852,000yearsinthecalculationofthedemigods,or,inthecalculationof
humanbeings,306,720,000years.
AfterthedissolutionofeachandeveryManu,thenextManucomesinorder,
alongwithhisdescendants,whoruleoverthedifferentplanets;buttheseven
famoussages,anddemigodslikeIndraandtheirfollowers,suchasthe
Gandharvas,allappearsimultaneouslywithManu.
TherearefourteenManusinonedayofBrahma,andeachofthemhasdifferent
descendants.
Inthecreation,duringBrahma'sday,thethreeplanetarysystemsSvarga,
MartyaandPatalarevolve,andtheinhabitants,includingtheloweranimals,
humanbeings,demigodsandPitas,appearanddisappearintermsoftheir
fruitiveactivities.
IneachandeverychangeofManu,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead
appearsbymanifestingHisinternalpotencyindifferentincarnations,asManu
andothers.ThusHemaintainstheuniversebydiscoveredpower.
Attheendoftheday,undertheinsignificantportionofthemodeofdarkness,
thepowerfulmanifestationoftheuniversemergesinthedarknessofnight.By
theinfluenceofeternaltime,theinnumerablelivingentitiesremainmergedin
thatdissolution,andeverythingissilent.
Thedissolutionofthethreeworldsiseffectedbytheincarnationofdarkness,
Rudra,representedbythefireofeternaltimewhichblazesoverthethree
worlds.ThesethreeworldsareknownasBhuh,BhuvahandSvah(Patala,
MartyaandSvarga).Theinnumerablelivingentitiesmergeintothat
dissolution,whichappearstobethedroppingofthecurtainofthesceneofthe
SupremeLord'senergy,andsoeverythingbecomessilent.

Thedevastationtakesplaceduetothefireemanatingfromthemouthof
Sankarsana,andthusgreatsageslikeBhrguandotherinhabitantsofMaharloka
transportthemselvestoJanaloka,beingdistressedbythewarmthoftheblazing

firewhichragesthroughthethreeworldsbelow.
ItissaidthattheblazingfirefromthemouthofSankarsanaragesforone
hundredyearsofthedemigods,or36,000humanyears.Thenforanother
36,000yearstherearetorrentsofrain,accompaniedbyviolentwindsand
waves,andtheseasandoceansoverflow.Thesereactionsofworlds.People
forgetallthesedevastationsoftheworldsandthinkthemselveshappyinthe
materialprogressofcivilization.Thisiscalledmaya,or"thatwhichisnot."
TheSupremeLord,thePersonalityofGodhead,liesdowninthewateronthe
seatofAnanta,withHiseyesclosed,andtheinhabitantsoftheJanaloka
planetsoffertheirgloriousprayersuntotheLordwithfoldedhands.
WeshouldnotunderstandthesleepingconditionoftheLordtobethesameas
oursleep.Herethewordyoganidraisspecificallymentioned,whichindicates
thattheLord'ssleepingconditionisalsoamanifestationofHisinternal
potency.
Everylivingbeinglivesforonehundredyearsintermsofthetimesindifferent
planetsfordifferententities.Theseonehundredyearsoflifearenotequalin
everycase.ThelongestdurationofonehundredyearsbelongstoBrahma,but
althoughthelifeofBrahmaisverylong,itexpiresinthecourseoftime.
Brahmaisalsoafraidofhisdeath,andthusheperformsdevotionalserviceto
theLord,justtoreleasehimselffromtheclutchesofillusoryenergy
Similarly,ahumanbeingwhodoesnotdevelopasenseofresponsibilitybefore
hediesisnobetterthanthemadmanwhotriestoenjoymateriallifevery
happilywithoutconcernforthefuture.Itisnecessarythateveryhumanbeing
beresponsibleinpreparinghimselfforthenextlife,evenifhehasadurationof
lifelikethatofBrahma,thegreatestofalllivingcreatureswithintheuniverse.
TheonehundredyearsofBrahma'slifearedividedintotwoparts,thefirsthalf
andthesecondhalf.ThefirsthalfofthedurationofBrahma'slifeisalready
over,andthesecondhalfisnowcurrent.
FiftyyearsofthelifeofBrahmaarealreadyover,andfiftyyearsareyettobe
completed;then,forBrahmaalso,deathisinevitable.

AccordingtoPadmaPurana(Prabhasakhanda),inthirtydaysofBrahmamany
kalpastakeplace,suchastheVarahakalpaandPitrkalpa.Thirtydaysmake
onemonthofBrahma,beginningfromthefullmoontothedisappearanceof

themoon.Twelvesuchmonthscompleteoneyear,andfiftyyearscomplete
oneparardha,oronehalfthedurationofthelifeofBrahma.TheSvetavaraha
appearanceoftheLordisthefirstbirthdayofBrahma.Thebirthdateof
BrahmaisinthemonthofMarch,accordingtoHinduastronomicalcalculation.
ThisstatementisreproducedfromtheexplanationofSrilaVisvanatha
CakravartiThakura.
ThemillenniumwhichfollowedthefirstBrahmamillenniumisknownasthe
Padmakalpabecauseinthatmillenniumtheuniversallotusflowergrewoutof
thenavelreservoirofwaterofthePersonalityofGodhead,Hari.
ThedurationofthetwopartsofBrahma'slife,asabovementioned,is
calculatedtobeequaltoonenimesa[lessthanasecond]fortheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,whoisunchangingandunlimitedandisthecauseof
allcausesoftheuniverse.
"IworshipGovinda,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,thecauseofall
causes,whoseplenaryportionisMahaVisnu.Alltheheadsoftheinnumerable
universes[theBrahmas]liveonlybytakingshelterofthetimeoccupiedbyone
ofHisbreaths."
ItisclearlystatedhereinthattheSupremeLordrestsinyoganidra,as
previouslydiscussed.AndbecauseHesleeps,naturallyHemustbreathe,and
theBrahmasamhitaconfirmsthatwithinHisbreathingperiodinnumerable
Brahmastakebirthanddie.
Timecancontrolonlythosewhoarebodyconscious,evenuptothe
Satyalokaortheotherhigherplanetsoftheuniverse.
Asexplainedbefore,theentirematerialworldisadisplayofsixteendiversities
andeightmaterialelements.Theanalyticalstudiesofthematerialworldarethe
subjectmatterofSankhyaphilosophy.Thefirstsixteendiversitiesarethe
elevensensesandfivesenseobjects,andtheeightelementsarethegrossand
subtlematter,namelyearth,water,fire,air,sky,mind,intelligenceandego.All
thesecombinedtogetheraredistributedthroughouttheentireuniverse,which
extendsdiametricallytofourbillionmiles.Besidesthisuniverseofour
experience,thereareinnumerableotheruniverses.Someofthemarebigger
thanthepresentone,andallofthemareclusteredtogetherundersimilar
materialelementsasdescribedbelow.

Thecoveringsoftheuniversesarealsoconstitutedoftheelementsofearth,
water,fire,airandether,andeachistentimesthickerthantheonebefore.The
firstcoveringoftheuniverseisearth,anditistentimesthickerthanthe
universeitself.Iftheuniverseisfourbillionmilesinsize,thenthesizeofthe
earthlycoveringoftheuniverseisfourbilliontimesten.Thecoveringofwater
istentimesgreaterthantheearthlycovering,thecoveringoffireistentimes
greaterthanthewaterycovering,thecoveringofairistentimesgreaterthan
thatofthefire,thecoveringofetheristentimesgreaterstillthanthatofair,
andsoon.Theuniversewithinthecoveringsofmatterappearstobelikean
atomincomparisontothecoverings,andthenumberofuniversesisunknown
eventothosewhocanestimatethecoveringsoftheuniverses.
LordMahaVisnu,whoisrestinginyoganidraontheCausalOceanand
creatinginnumerableuniversesbyHisbreathingprocess,onlytemporarily
appearsinthemahattattvaforthetemporarymanifestationofthematerial
worlds.HeisaplenaryportionofLordSriKrsna,andthusalthoughHeis
nondifferentfromLordKrsna,Hisformalappearanceinthematerialworldas
anincarnationistemporary.TheoriginalformofthePersonalityofGodheadis
actuallythesvarupa,orrealform,andHeeternallyresidesintheVaikuntha
world(Visnuloka).
Chapter12

Brahmafirstcreatedthenescientengagementslikeselfdeception,thesenseof
death,angerafterfrustration,thesenseoffalseownership,andtheillusory
bodilyconception,orforgetfulnessofone'srealidentity.
Beforethefactualcreationofthelivingentitiesindifferentvarietiesofspecies,
theconditionsunderwhichalivingbeinginthematerialworldhastolivewere
createdbyBrahma.Unlessalivingentityforgetshisrealidentity,itis
impossibleforhimtoliveinthematerialconditionsoflife.
Andbyforgettingone'srealidentity,oneissuretobeafraidofdeath,although
apurelivingsoulisdeathlessandbirthless.Thisfalseidentificationwith
materialnatureisthecauseoffalseownershipofthingswhichareofferedby
thearrangementofsuperiorcontrol.Allmaterialresourcesareofferedtothe
livingentityforhispeacefullivingandforthedischargeofthedutiesofself
realizationinconditionedlife.
ItisevidentfromthisversethatBrahmahimselfisacreationoftheSupreme
Lord,andthefivekindsofnesciencewhichconditionthelivingentitiesin
materialexistencearecreationsofBrahma.Itissimplyludicroustothinkthe
livingentitytobeequalwiththeSupremeBeingwhenonecanunderstandthat
theconditionedsoulsareundertheinfluenceofBrahma'smagicwand.
Patanjalialsoacceptsthattherearefivekindsofnescience,asmentioned

herein.

Althoughhecreatedthedifferentinfluencesofnescience,LordBrahmawas
notsatisfiedinperformingsuchathanklesstask,buthehadtodoitbecause
mostoftheconditionedsoulswantedittobeso.
Almostalltheconditionedsoulswhoarerottinginthematerialworldare
misusingtheirindependence,andthereforefivekindsofnescienceareimposed
uponthem.AsanobedientservitoroftheLord,Brahmacreatesalltheseasa
matterofnecessity,butheisnothappyindoingsobecauseadevoteeofthe
Lordnaturallydoesnotliketoseeanyonefallingdownfromhisrealposition.
Inthebeginning,BrahmacreatedfourgreatsagesnamedSanaka,Sananda,
SanatanaandSanatkumara.Allofthemwereunwillingtoadoptmaterialistic
activitiesbecausetheywerehighlyelevatedduetotheirsemen'sflowing
upwards.
AlthoughBrahmacreatedtheprinciplesofnescienceasamatterofnecessity
forthoselivingentitieswhoweredestinedtoignorancebythewilloftheLord,
hewasnotsatisfiedinperformingsuchathanklesstask.Hethereforecreated
fourprinciplesofknowledge:sankhya,orempiricalphilosophyforthe
analyticalstudyofmaterialconditions;yoga,ormysticismforliberationof
thepuresoulfrommaterialbondage;vairagya,theacceptanceofcomplete
detachmentfrommaterialenjoymentinlifetoelevateoneselftothe
highestspiritualunderstanding;andtapas,orthevariouskindsof
voluntaryausteritiesperformedforspiritualperfection.Brahmacreatedthe
fourgreatsagesSanaka,Sananda,SanatanaandSanattoentrustthemwith
thesefourprinciplesofspiritualadvancement,andtheyinauguratedtheirown
spiritualparty,orsampradaya,knownastheKumarasampradaya,orlateron
astheNimbarkasampradaya,fortheadvancementofbhakti.
Brahmaspoketohissonsaftergeneratingthem."Mydearsons,"hesaid,"now
generateprogeny."ButduetotheirbeingattachedtoVasudeva,theSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,theyaimedatliberation,andthereforetheyexpressed
theirunwillingness.
Thosewhoareseriousaboutgainingreleasefrommaterialbondageshouldnot
beentangledinthefalserelationshipoffamilybondage.Peoplemayaskhow
theKumarascouldrefusetheordersofBrahma,whowastheirfatherand
aboveallthecreatoroftheuniverse.Thereplyisthatonewhoisvasudeva
parayana,orseriouslyengagedinthedevotionalserviceofthePersonalityof
Godhead,Vasudeva,neednotcareforanyotherobligation

"Anyonewhohascompletelygivenupallworldlyrelationshipsandhastaken
absoluteshelterofthelotusfeetoftheLord,whogivesussalvationandwho
aloneisfittobetakenshelterof,isnolongeradebtororservantofanyone,
includingthedemigods,forefathers,sages,otherlivingentities,relatives,and
membersofhumansociety."
Brahmaisthedirectorinchargeofthemodeofpassionofmaterialnature.
Thereforeitwasnaturalforhimtobecomeangryontherefusalofhissonsto
obeyhisorder.AlthoughtheKumaraswererightinsuchactsofrefusal,
Brahma,beingabsorbedinthemodeofpassion,couldnotcheckhispassionate
anger.Hedidnotexpressit,however,becauseheknewthathissonswerefar
enlightenedinspiritualadvancementandthusheshouldnotexpresshisanger
beforethem.
Thefaceofangeristhesamewhetherexhibitedduetoignoranceor
knowledge.AlthoughBrahmatriedtocurbhisanger,hecouldnotdoso,even
thoughheisthesupremebeing.Suchangerinitstruecolorcamefrombetween
theeyebrowsofBrahmaasRudra,inamixedcolorofblue(ignorance)andred
(passion),becauseangeristheproductofpassionandignorance.
Afterhisbirthhebegantocry:Odestinymaker,teacheroftheuniverse,kindly
designatemynameandplace.
ThereafterBrahmasaid:Ochiefofthedemigods,youshallbecalledbythe
nameRudrabyallpeoplebecauseyouhavesoanxiouslycried.
Mydearboy,Ihavealreadyselectedthefollowingplacesforyourresidence:
theheart,thesenses,theairoflife,thesky,theair,thefire,thewater,theearth,
thesun,themoonandausterity.
Krodha(anger)istheproductofkama(lust),whichistheresultofthemodeof
passion.Whenlustandhankeringareunsatisfied,theelementofkrodha
appears,whichistheformidableenemyoftheconditionedsoul.Thismost
sinfulandinimicalpassionisrepresentedasahankara,orthefalseegocentric
attitudeofthinkingoneselftobeallinall.Suchanegocentricattitudeonthe
partoftheconditionedsoul,whoiscompletelyunderthecontrolofmaterial
nature,isdescribedinBhagavadgitaasfoolish.
TheegocentricattitudeisamanifestationoftheRudraprincipleintheheart,
whereinkrodha(anger)isgenerated.Thisangerdevelopsintheheartandis
furthermanifestedthroughvarioussenses,liketheeyes,handsandlegs.When
amanisangryheexpressessuchangerwithredhoteyesandsometimesmakes
adisplayofclenchinghisfistsorkickinghislegs.ThisexhibitionoftheRudra
principleistheproofofRudra'spresenceinsuchplaces.Whenamanisangry
hebreathesveryrapidly,andthusRudraisrepresentedintheairoflife,orin
theactivitiesofbreathing.Whentheskyisovercastwithdensecloudsand

roarsinanger,andwhenthewindblowsveryfiercely,theRudraprincipleis
manifested,andsoalsowhentheseawaterisinfuriatedbythewinditappears
inagloomyfeatureofRudra,whichisveryfearfultothecommonman.When
fireisablazewecanalsoexperiencethepresenceofRudra,andwhenthereis
aninundationovertheearthwecanunderstandthatthisisalsothe
representationofRudra.
TherearemanyearthlycreatureswhoconstantlyrepresenttheRudraelement.
Thesnake,tigerandlionarealwaysrepresentationsofRudra.Sometimes,
becauseoftheextremeheatofthesun,therearecasesofheatstroke,anddueto
theextremecoldnesscreatedbythemoontherearecasesofcollapse.Thereare
manysagesempoweredwiththeinfluenceofausterityandmanyyogis,
philosophersandrenouncerswhosometimesexhibittheiracquiredpower
undertheinfluenceoftheRudraprincipleofangerandpassion.Thegreatyogi
Durvasa,undertheinfluenceofthisRudraprinciple,pickedaquarrelwith
MaharajaAmbarisa,andabrahmanaboyexhibitedtheRudraprincipleby
cursingthegreatKingPariksit.WhentheRudraprincipleisexhibitedby
personswhoarenotengagedinthedevotionalserviceoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,theangrypersonfallsdownfromthepeakofhis
improvedposition.
Themostlamentablefalldownoftheimpersonalistisduetohisfalseand
unreasonableclaimofbeingonewiththeSupreme.
LordBrahmasaid:MydearboyRudra,youhaveelevenothernames:Manyu,
Manu,Mahinasa,Mahan,Siva,Rtadhvaja,Ugrareta,Bhava,Kala,Vamadeva
andDhrtavrata.
ORudra,youalsohaveelevenwives,calledtheRudranis,andtheyareas
follows:Dhi,Dhrti,Rasala,Uma,Niyut,Sarpi,Ila,Ambika,Iravati,Svadha
andDiksa.
Brahma,asthefatherofRudra,selectedthewivesofhisson,hislivingplaces,
andhisnamesaswell.Itisnaturalthatoneshouldacceptthewifeselectedby
one'sfather,justasasonacceptsthenamegivenbythefatherorasheaccepts
thepropertyofferedbythefather.Thatisthegeneralcourseinincreasingthe
populationoftheworld.Ontheotherhand,theKumarasdidnotacceptthe
offeringoftheirfatherbecausetheywereelevatedfarbeyondthebusinessof
generatingagreatnumberofsons.
DescendantsofRudrasometimesmakeplanstokillRudrabythegraceof
Rudra.Thatisthenatureofhisdevotees.
Rudrawasadvisednottodestroywhiletheperiodofcreationandmaintenance
wasgoingon,buttosituatehimselfinpenanceandwaitforthetimeof
dissolution,whenhisserviceswouldbecalledfor.

BypenanceonlycanoneevenapproachthePersonalityofGodhead,whois
withintheheartofeverylivingentityandatthesametimebeyondthereachof
allsenses.

ThusBrahma,disgustedwiththeRudragenerationsandafraidofbeing
devouredbytheincreaseofpopulation,askedRudratostopproducingsuchan
unwantedgenerationandtaketopenanceforattainingthefavoroftheSupreme
Lord.Wefind,therefore,inpictures,thatRudraisalwayssittinginmeditation
fortheattainmentofthefavoroftheLord.Indirectly,thesonsandfollowersof
Rudraareadvisedtostopthebusinessofannihilation,followingtheRudra
principlewhilethepeacefulcreationofBrahmaisgoingon.
Brahma,whowasempoweredbytheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,thought
ofgeneratinglivingentitiesandbegottensonsfortheextensionofthe
generations.Marici,Atri,Angira,Pulastya,Pulaha,Kratu,Bhrgu,Vasistha,
Daksa,andthetenthson,Narada,werethusborn.
Heknewverywell,however,thatwithoutdevotionalservicetotheLordthere
ishardlyanybenefitfortheconditionedsouls,andthereforeheatlastcreated
hisworthysonNarada,whoisthesupremespiritualmasterofall
transcendentalists.WithoutdevotionalservicetotheLordonecannotmake
progressinanydepartmentofactivity,althoughthepathofdevotionalservice
isalwaysindependentofanythingmaterial.Onlythetranscendentalloving
serviceoftheLordcandelivertherealgoaloflife,andthustheservice
renderedbySrimanNaradaMuniisthehighestamongallthesonsofBrahma.
NaradawasbornfromthebestdeliberationofBrahmabecauseNaradawas
abletodelivertheSupremeLordtoanyoneheliked.TheSupremePersonality
ofGodheadcannotberealizedbyanyamountofVedicknowledgeorbyany
numberofpenances.ButapuredevoteeoftheLordlikeNaradacandeliverthe
SupremeLordbyhisgoodwill.TheverynameNaradasuggeststhathecan
delivertheSupremeLord.Narameansthe"SupremeLord,"anddameans"one
whocandeliver."ThathecandelivertheSupremeLorddoesnotmeanthatthe
Lordislikeacommoditythatcanbedeliveredtoanyperson.ButNaradacan
delivertoanyonethetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLordasaservitor,
friend,parentorlover,asonemaydesireoutofone'sowntranscendentallove
fortheLord.Inotherwords,itisNaradaonlywhocandeliverthepathof
bhaktiyoga,thehighestmysticmeansforattainmentoftheSupremeLord.
InBhagavadgitathelastinstructionistogiveupallotherengagementsinthe
nameofreligionandtakeshelterofthePersonalityofGodhead.Srimad
Bhagavatamalsoconfirmsthatthehighestperfectionofreligionisthatwhich

leadstothedevotionalserviceoftheLord,unmotivatedandunhamperedby
materialimpediments.

Theheartisthemostimportantpartofthebody,whereasthebackisthemost
neglectedpart.Whenoneisattackedbyanenemyoneisapttoendureattacks
fromthebackandprotecthimselfcarefullyfromallattacksonthechest.All
typesofirreligionspringfromthebackofBrahma,whereasrealreligion,the
devotionalserviceoftheLord,isgeneratedfromthechest,theseatof
Narayana.AnythingwhichdoesnotleadtothedevotionalserviceoftheLord
isirreligion,andanythingwhichleadstothedevotionalserviceoftheLordis
calledreligion.
Thereforeitisverydifficulttogiveuplustandthedesiresforlowactivities
untiloneisinthelineofdevotionalservicetotheLord.Whenoneisfrustrated
inlustandlowdesires,angerisgeneratedfromthemindandexpressedfrom
betweentheeyebrows.Ordinarymenarethereforeadvisedtoconcentratethe
mindbyfocusingontheplacebetweentheeyebrows,whereasthedevoteesof
theLordarealreadypracticedtoplacetheSupremePersonalityofGodheadon
theseatoftheirminds.
Thetheoryofbecomingdesirelessisuntenablebecausethemindcannotbe
madedesireless.Whenitisrecommendedthatonebedesireless,itis
understoodthatoneshouldnotdesirethingswhicharedestructivetospiritual
values.AdevoteeoftheLordalwayshastheLordinhismind,andthushe
doesnotneedtobedesirelessbecauseallhisdesiresareinrelationshipwiththe
serviceoftheLord.
ThepowerofspeakingiscalledSarasvati,orthegoddessoflearning,andthe
birthplaceofthegoddessoflearningisthemouthofBrahma.Evenifamanis
endowedwiththefavorofthegoddessoflearning,itisquitepossibleforhis
hearttobefulloflustandmaterialdesireandhiseyebrowstodisplay
symptomsofanger.Onemaybeverylearnedinthemundaneestimation,but
thatdoesnotmeanthatheisfreefromalllowactivitiesoflustandanger.
Goodqualificationscanbeexpectedonlyfromapuredevotee,whoisalways
engagedinthethoughtoftheLord,orinsamadhi,withfaith.
ThereforeallthesonsgeneratedfromthebodyorthemindofBrahmawerein

themodesofpassionandignorance,butsomeofthem,likeKardama,were
borninthemodeofgoodness.Naradawasborninthetranscendentalstateof
Brahma.
OVidura,wehaveheardthatBrahmahadadaughternamedVakwhowas
bornfromhisbodyandwhoattractedhismindtowardsex,althoughshewas
notsexuallyinclinedtowardshim.

Balavanindriyagramovidvamsamapikarsati(Bhag.9.19.17).Itissaidthat
thesensesaresomadandstrongthattheycanbewildereventhemostsensible
andlearnedman.Thereforeitisadvisedthatoneshouldnotindulgeinliving
aloneevenwithone'smother,sisterordaughter.Vidvamsamapikarsatimeans
thateventhemostlearnedalsobecomevictimsofthesensuousurge.Maitreya
hesitatedtostatethisanomalyonthepartofBrahma,whowassexually
inclinedtohisowndaughter,butstillhementioneditbecausesometimesitso
happens,andthelivingexampleisBrahmahimself,althoughheistheprimeval
livingbeingandthemostlearnedwithinthewholeuniverse.IfBrahmacould
beavictimofthesexualurge,thenwhatofothers,whoarepronetosomany
mundanefrailties?
Oneshould,however,takeseriousnoteofthisincident.Thehumanbeingisa
socialanimal,andhisunrestrictedmixingwiththefairsexleadstodownfall.
Suchsocialfreedomofmanandwoman,especiallyamongtheyoungersection,
iscertainlyagreatstumblingblockonthepathofspiritualprogress.Material
bondageisdueonlytosexualbondage,andthereforeunrestrictedassociation
ofmanandwomanissurelyagreatimpediment.
ItmightbethatBrahmawantedtowarnhissubordinatesabouthumanfrailties
intheirdealingswithwomen.Thisisalwaysverydangerousforpersonswho
areonthepathofselfrealization.Therefore,greatpersonalitieslikeBrahma,
evenwheninthewrong,shouldnotbeneglected,norcouldthegreatsages
headedbyMaricishowanydisrespectbecauseofhisextraordinarybehavior.
LustforsexualintercourseissostrongthatitappearshereinthatBrahmacould
notbedissuadedfromhisdeterminationinspiteoftheappealbyhisgreatsons
likeMarici.Therefore,thegreatsonsbegantopraytotheSupremeLordforthe
goodsenseofBrahma.ItisonlybythegraceoftheSupremeLordthatonecan
beprotectedfromtheallurementoflustymaterialdesires.TheLordgives
protectiontodevoteeswhoarealwaysengagedinHistranscendentalloving
service,andbyHiscauselessmercyHeforgivestheaccidentalfallofa

devotee.Therefore,sageslikeMariciprayedforthemercyoftheLord,and
theirprayerwasfruitful.
Thisisalessonforthelivingentities,showinghowsinfulanactitistoindulge
inunrestrictedsexlife.Eventothinkofabominablesexlifeissinful,andto
compensateforsuchacts,onehastogiveuphissubtlebodywhichhad
committedthatsinfulact.Inotherwords,one'sdurationoflife,blessings,
opulence,etc.,aredecreasedbysinfulacts,andthemostdangeroustypeof
sinfulactisunrestrictedsex.
"Anypersonwhoisengagedonehundredpercentinthetranscendentalloving
serviceoftheLord,atHislotusfeet,isverydeartothePersonalityofGodhead
Hari,andtheLord,beingsituatedintheheartofthedevotee,excusesallkinds
ofsinscommittedbychance."
Eating,sleeping,defendingandmatingarethefourprinciplesofmaterial
bodilydemandswhicharecommontoboththeanimalsandhumansociety.To
distinguishhumansocietyfromtheanimalsthereistheperformanceof
religiousactivitiesintermsofthesocialstatusesandordersoflife.
Thefourkindsofparaphernaliaforconductingthefiresacrificebecame
manifest:theperformer[thechanter],theofferer,thefire,andtheaction
performedintermsofthesupplementaryVedas.Alsothefourprinciplesof
religiosity[truth,austerity,mercyandcleanliness]andthedutiesinthefour
socialordersallbecamemanifest.
Vidurasaid:Ogreatsagewhoseonlywealthispenance,kindlyexplainto
mehowandwithwhosehelpBrahmaestablishedtheVedicknowledgewhich
emanatedfromhismouth.
Healsocreatedthemedicalscience,militaryart,musicalartandarchitectural
science,allfromtheVedas.Theyallemanatedoneafteranother,beginning
fromthefrontface.
ThenhecreatedthefifthVedathePuranasandthehistoriesfromallhis
mouths,sincehecouldseeallthepast,presentandfuture.
Therearehistoriesofparticularcountriesandnationsandoftheworld,butthe
Puranasarethehistoriesoftheuniverse,notonlyinonemillennium,butin
manykalpas.Brahmahasknowledgeofthosehistoricalfacts,andthereforeall
thepuranasarehistories.AsoriginallycomposedbyBrahma,theyarepartof
theVedasandarecalledthefifthVeda.
Allthedifferentvarietiesoffiresacrifices[sodasi,uktha,purisi,agnistoma,
aptoryama,atiratra,vajapeyaandgosava]becamemanifestedfromtheeastern
mouthofBrahma.

Thenucleusofthefoursocialordersbrahmacarya,orstudentlife,grhastha,or
householderfamilylife,vanaprastha,orretiredlifeforpracticingpenance,and
sannyasa,orrenouncedlifeforpreachingthetruthisthefourlegsofreligion.
Studentlifeismeantforacquiringthebesteducation;householdfamilylifeis
meantforgratifyingthesenses,provideditisperformedwithacharitable
dispositionofmind,retirementfromhouseholdlifeismeantforpenance,for
advancementinspirituallife,andrenouncedlifeismeantforpreachingthe
AbsoluteTruthtothepeopleingeneral
Thebeginningofthissocialinstitutionisbasedoneducationmeantfor
purifyingtheanimalpropensitiesofthehumanbeing.Thehighestpurificatory
processisknowledgeoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,thepurestofthe
pure.

Duringstudentlifethebrahmacarisweregivenfullinstructionsaboutthe
importanceofthehumanformoflife.Thusthebasiceducationwasdesignedto
encouragethestudentinbecomingfreefromfamilyencumbrances.Only
studentsunabletoacceptsuchavowinlifewereallowedtogohomeand
marryasuitablewife.Otherwise,thestudentwouldremainapermanent
brahmacari,observingcompleteabstinencefromsexlifeforhiswholelife.It
alldependedonthequalityofthestudent'straining.Wehadtheopportunityto
meetanavowedbrahmacariinthepersonalityofourspiritualmaster,Om
VisnupadaSriSrimadBhaktisiddhantaGosvamiMaharaja.Suchagreatsoulis
calledanaisthikabrahmacari.
Thenthethreadceremonyforthetwicebornwasinaugurated,asweretherules
tobefollowedforatleastoneyearafteracceptanceoftheVedas,rulesfor
observingcompleteabstinencefromsexlife,vocationsintermsofVedic
injunctions,variousprofessionaldutiesinhouseholdlife,andthemethodof
maintainingalivelihoodwithoutanyone'scooperationbypickingup
rejectedgrains.
Thefourdivisionsofretiredlifearethevaikhanasas,valakhilyas,audumbaras
andphenapas.Thefourdivisionsoftherenouncedorderoflifearethe
kuticakas,bahvodas,hamsasandniskriyas.Alltheseweremanifestedfrom
Brahma.
InSanskrittherearethirteenvowelsandthirtyfiveconsonants.Thevowelsare
a,a,i,i,u,u,r,r,l,e,ai,o,au,andtheconsonantsareka,kha,ga,gha,etc.
Amongsttheconsonants,thefirsttwentyfivelettersarecalledthesparsas.
Therearealsofourantahsthas.Oftheusmastherearethrees's,calledtalavya,
murdhanyaanddantya.Themusicalnotesaresa,r,ga,ma,dha,andni.All

thesesoundvibrationsareoriginallycalledsabdabrahma,orspiritualsound.It
issaid,therefore,thatBrahmawascreatedintheMahakalpaastheincarnation
ofspiritualsound.TheVedasarespiritualsound,andthereforethereisnoneed
ofmaterialinterpretationastheyare,althoughtheyaresymbolically
representedwithletterswhichareknowntousmaterially.Intheultimateissue
thereisnothingmaterialbecauseeverythinghasitsorigininthespiritual
world.
Thematerialmanifestationisthereforecalledillusioninthepropersenseofthe
term.Forthosewhoarerealizedsoulsthereisnothingbutspirit.
ThepostofBrahmaisthehighestresponsiblepostwithintheuniverse,anditis
offeredtothemostperfectpersonalityoftheuniverse.SometimestheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadhastobecomeBrahmawhenthereisnosuitableliving
beingtooccupythepost.

Inthematerialworld,BrahmaisthecompleterepresentationoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,andtranscendentalsound,pranava,comesfromhim.
Heisthereforeinvestedwithmultifariousenergies,fromwhichallthe
demigodslikeIndra,CandraandVarunaaremanifested.Histranscendental
valueisnottobeminimized,eventhoughheexhibitedatendencytoenjoyhis
owndaughter.Thereisapurposefortheexhibitionofsuchatendencyby
Brahma,andheisnottobecondemnedlikeanordinarylivingentity.
Inhisformerbody,whichwastranscendental,affectionforsexlifewas
forbidden,andBrahmathereforehadtoacceptanotherbodytoallowhimselfto
beconnectedwithsex.Hethusengagedhimselfinthematterofcreation.His
formersubtlebodytransformedintofog
Brahmathoughttohimself:Alas,itiswonderfulthatinspiteofmybeing
scatteredallover,thereisstillinsufficientpopulationthroughouttheuniverse.
Thereisnoothercauseforthismisfortunebutdestiny.
TwobodiescameoutfromthebodyofBrahma.Onehadamustache,andthe
otherhadswollenbreasts.Noonecanexplainthesourceoftheirmanifestation,
andthereforeuntiltodaytheyareknownasthekayam,orthebodyofBrahma,
withnoindicationoftheirrelationshipashissonordaughter.
Thetwonewlyseparatedbodiesunitedtogetherinasexualrelationship.Outof
them,theonewhohadthemaleformbecameknownastheManunamed
Svayambhuva,andthewomanbecameknownasSatarupa,thequeenofthe
greatsoulManu.

Thehistoryofthecreationofthepopulationoftheuniverseisgivenherewith.
Brahmaistheoriginallivingcreatureintheuniverse,fromwhomwere
generatedtheManuSvayambhuvaandhiswifeSatarupa.FromManu,two
sonsandthreedaughterswereborn,whomariiedsonsofBrahmaandfrom
themallthepopulationindifferentplanetshassprungupuntilnow.Therefore,
Brahmaisknownasthegrandfatherofeveryone
Chapter13

IntheabsoluteworldthereisnodifferenceinqualitybetweentheSupreme
LordandHispuredevotee.
Personswhohearfromaspiritualmasterwithgreatlaborandforalongtime
musthearfromthemouthsofpuredevoteesaboutthecharacterandactivities
ofpuredevotees.Puredevoteesalwaysthinkwithintheirheartsofthelotus
feetofthePersonalityofGodhead,whoawardsHisdevoteesliberation.
WorshipofthedevoteeismorepotentthanworshipoftheLord.

ThePersonalityofGodheadwaspleasedtodinesometimeswithViduraathis
home,andwhilerestingHeplacedHislotusfeetonthelapofVidura.Maitreya
wasinspiredbythethoughtofVidura'swonderfulfortune.Thehairsofhis
bodystoodonend,andhewaspleasedtonarratethetopicsofthePersonality
ofGodheadwithgreatdelight.
ThesageMaitreyasaidtoVidura:Afterhisappearance,Manu,thefatherof
mankind,alongwithhiswife,thusaddressedthereservoirofVedicwisdom,
Brahma,withobeisancesandfoldedhands.
Youarethefatherofalllivingentitiesandthesourceoftheirsubsistence
becausetheyareallbornofyou.Pleaseorderushowwemaybeabletorender
serviceuntoyou.
ThedisciplicsuccessionfromBrahmaiscalledtheBrahmasampradaya,andit
descendsasfollows:Brahma,Narada,Vyasa,MadhvaMuni(Purnaprajna),
Padmanabha,Nrhari,Madhava,Aksobhya,Jayatirtha,Jnanasindhu,Dayanidhi,
Vidyanidhi,Rajendra,Jayadharma,Purusottama,Brahmanyatirtha,
Vyasatirtha,Laksmipati,MadhavendraPuri,IsvaraPuri,SriCaitanya
Mahaprabhu,SvarupaDamodaraandSriRupaGosvamiandothers,Sri
RaghunathadasaGosvami,KrsnadasaGosvami,NarottamadasaThakura,
VisvanathaCakravarti,JagannathadasaBabaji,BhaktivinodaThakura,
GaurakisoradasaBabaji,SrimadBhaktisiddhantaSarasvati,A.C.
BhaktivedantaSwami.

ThislineofdisciplicsuccessionfromBrahmaisspiritual,whereasthe
genealogicalsuccessionfromManuismaterial,butbothareontheprogressive
marchtowardsthesamegoalofKrsnaconsciousness.
LordBrahmasaid:Mydearson,Olordoftheworld,Iamverypleasedwith
you,andIdesireallblessingsforbothyouandyourwife.Youhavewithout
reservationsurrenderedyourselfuntomewithyourheartformyinstructions.
Butinspiteofthefather'sgoodwill,thesonissometimesmisguidedbecause
ofhismisuseofpersonalindependence.Everylivingentity,howeversmallor
bighemaybe,hasthechoiceofindependence.Ifthesonisunreservedly
willingtobeguidedbythefather,thefatheristentimesmoreeagertoinstruct
andguidehimbyallmeans.
Onewhoisbeyondthelimitofenvyandwhoissaneacceptstheorderofhis
fatherwithgreatdelightandexecutesittohisfullcapacity.
WhenthefourprevioussonsofBrahma,thesagesSanaka,Sanatana,
SanandanaandSanatkumara,refusedtoobeytheirfather,Brahmawas
mortified,andhisangerwasmanifestedintheshapeofRudra.Thatincident
wasnotforgottenbyBrahma,andthereforetheobedienceofManu
Svayambhuvawasveryencouraging.
Sinceyouaremyveryobedientson,Iaskyoutobegetchildrenqualifiedlike
yourselfinthewombofyourwife.Ruletheworldinpursuanceofthe
principlesofdevotionalserviceuntotheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,and
thusworshiptheLordbyperformancesofyajna.
Visnuworshipistheultimateaimofhumanlife.Thosewhotakethelicenseof
marriedlifeforsenseenjoymentmustalsotaketheresponsibilitytosatisfythe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,Visnu,andthefirststeppingstoneisthe
varnasramadharmasystem.Varnasramadharmaisthesystematicinstitution
foradvancinginworshipofVisnu.However,ifonedirectlyengagesinthe
processofdevotionalservicetotheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,itmay
notbenecessarytoundergothedisciplinarysystemofvarnasramadharma.
TheothersonsofBrahma,theKumaras,directlyengagedindevotionalservice,
andthustheyhadnoneedtoexecutetheprinciplesofvarnasramadharma.
OKing,ifyoucangiveproperprotectiontothelivingbeingsinthematerial
world,thatwillbethebestserviceforme.WhentheSupremeLordseesyouto
beagoodprotectoroftheconditionedsouls,certainlythemasterofthesenses
willbeverypleasedwithyou.
ThelawbookfortheentirehumansocietyistheManusamhita,whichdirects
allactivitiestowardsthetranscendentalserviceoftheLord.Everyking,
therefore,mustknowthathisresponsibilityinadministrationisnotmerelyto

exacttaxesfromthecitizensbuttoseepersonallythatthecitizensunderhim
arebeingtrainedinVisnuworship.EveryonemustbeeducatedinVisnu
worshipandengagedinthedevotionalserviceofHrsikesa,theownerofthe
senses.
Brahmaisdeputedasthesupremeheadofuniversalaffairs,andheinhisturn
deputesManuandothersaschargesd'affairesofthematerialmanifestation,but
thewholeshowisforthesatisfactionoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
Everyonewantstosatisfyhissenses,butabovethesensesisthemind,above
themindistheintelligence,abovetheintelligenceistheindividualself,and
abovetheindividualselfistheSuperself.AboveeventheSuperselfisthe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,visnutattva.TheprimevalLordandthe
causeofallcausesisSriKrsna.Thecompleteprocessofperfectionalserviceis
torenderserviceforthesatisfactionofthetranscendentalsensesofLordKrsna,
whoisknownasJanardana.
AccordingtoJivaGosvami,thetopicsdelineatedhereareofdifferent
millenniums.ThepresenttopicsareoftheSvetavarahamillennium,andtopics
regardingtheCaksusamillenniumwillalsobediscussedinthischapter.

ThedevoteesoftheLord,whoareallconfidentialservitors,aresometimes
perplexedinthedischargeoftheirrespectiveduties,buttheyarenever
discouraged.TheyhavefullfaithintheLord,andHepavesthewayforthe
smoothprogressofthedevotee'sduty.
OsinlessVidura,allofasudden,whileBrahmawasengagedinthinking,a
smallformofaboarcameoutofhisnostril.Themeasurementofthecreature
wasnotmorethantheupperportionofathumb.
Firstofallthisboarwasseennobiggerthanthetipofathumb,andwithina
momentHewasaslargeasastone.Mymindisperturbed.IsHetheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,Visnu?
Itappearsthatgreathillsandmountainsalsohavetheirroaringpowerbecause
theyarealsolivingentities.Thevolumeofthesoundvibratedisinproportion
tothesizeofthematerialbody.WhileBrahmawasguessingaboutthe
appearanceoftheLord'sincarnationasaboar,theLordconfirmedBrahma's
contemplationbyroaringwithHisgorgeousvoice.
BrahmaandotherenlightenedbrahmanaswhoknowtheSupremePersonality
ofGodheadareenlivenedbytheappearanceoftheLordinanyofHismulti

incarnations.Theappearanceofthewonderfulandgiganticincarnationof
Visnuasthemountainlikeboardidnotfillthemwithanykindoffear,although
theLord'sresoundingvoicewastumultuousandechoedhorriblyinall
directionsasanopenthreattoalldemonswhomightchallengeHis
omnipotency
Thewordmayamayaisverysignificantinthisverse.Mayameans"mercy,"
"specificknowledge"andalso"illusion."ThereforeLordBoariseverything;
Heismerciful,Heisallknowledge,andHeisillusionalso.
ThemostimportantistheBrhannaradiyaPuranaverseHareKrsna,Hare
Krsna,KrsnaKrsna,HareHare.HareRama,HareRama,RamaRama,Hare
Hare.

AlltheVedasworshipthetranscendentalformoftheLord.IntheVedic
mantrasthedevoteesrequesttheLordtoremovetheglaringeffulgencebecause
itcoversHisrealface.ThatistheversionoftheIsopanisad.TheLordhasno
materialform,butHisformisalwaysunderstoodintermsoftheVedas.The
VedasaresaidtobethebreathoftheLord,andthatbreathwasinhaledby
Brahma,theoriginalstudentoftheVedas.Thebreathingfromthenostrilof
BrahmacausedtheappearanceofLordBoar,andthereforetheboarincarnation
oftheLordisthepersonifiedVedas.Theglorificationoftheincarnationbythe
sagesonthehigherplanetsconsistedoffactualVedichymns.Wheneverthere
isglorificationoftheLord,itistobeunderstoodthatVedicmantrasarebeing
rightlyvibrated.TheLordwasthereforepleasedwhensuchVedicmantras
werechanted,andtoencourageHispuredevotees,Heroaredoncemoreand
enteredthewatertorescuethesubmergedearth.
HewaspersonallytheSupremeLordVisnuandwasthereforetranscendental,
yetbecauseHehadthebodyofahog,Hesearchedaftertheearthbysmell.His
tuskswerefearful,andHeglancedoverthedevoteebrahmanasengagedin
offeringprayers.ThusHeenteredthewater.

Thegiganticfeatureoftheboarwascertainlyveryfearfulforallnondevotees,
buttothepuredevoteesoftheLordHewasnotatallfearful;onthecontrary,
HewassopleasinglyglancinguponHisdevoteesthatallofthemfelt
transcendentalhappiness.
ThereforetheLordfoundtheearthonthebottomoftheGarbhodakaOcean,
wheretheplanetsrestduringthedevastationattheendofBrahma'sday.
LordBoarveryeasilytooktheearthonHistusksandgotitoutofthewater.
ThusHeappearedverysplendid.Then,HisangerglowingliketheSudarsana
wheel,Heimmediatelykilledthedemon[Hiranyaksa],althoughhetriedto
fightwiththeLord.
AccordingtoSrilaJivaGosvami,theVedicliteraturesdescribetheincarnation
ofLordVaraha(Boar)intwodifferentdevastations,namelytheCaksusa
devastationandtheSvayambhuvadevastation.Thisparticularappearanceof
theboarincarnationactuallytookplaceintheSvayambhuvadevastation,when
allplanetsotherthanthehigheronesJana,MaharandSatyamergedinthe
waterofdevastation.Thisparticularincarnationoftheboarwasseenbythe
inhabitantsoftheplanetsmentionedabove.SrilaVisvanathaCakravarti
suggeststhatthesageMaitreyaamalgamatedboththeboarincarnationsin
differentdevastationsandsummarizedtheminhisdescriptiontoVidura.

ThevedavadissaythatthereisnothingmorethantheVedasandthe
performancesofsacrificementionedintheVedas.Theyhaverecentlymadea
ruleintheirgrouptoformallyobservedailysacrifice;theysimplyignitea
smallfireandoffersomethingwhimsically,buttheydonotstrictlyfollowthe
sacrificialrulesandregulationsmentionedintheVedas.Itisunderstoodthat
byregulationtherearedifferentplatesofsacrificerequired,suchassrak,sruva,
barhis,caturhotra,ida,camasa,prasitra,grahaandagnihotra.Onecannot
achievetheresultsofsacrificeunlessoneobservesthestrictregulations.Inthis
agethereispracticallynofacilityforperformingsacrificesinstrictdiscipline.
Therefore,inthisageofKalithereisastrictureregardingsuchsacrifices:itis
explicitlydirectedthatoneshouldperformsankirtanayajnaandnothingmore.
TheincarnationoftheSupremeLordisYajnesvara,andunlessonehasrespect
fortheincarnationoftheLord,hecannotperfectlyperformsacrifice.Inother
words,takingshelteroftheLordandrenderingserviceuntoHimisthefactual
performanceofallsacrifices,asexplainedherein.Differentplatesofsacrifice
correspondtothedifferentpartsofthebodyoftheLord'sincarnation.

TherearesevenkindsofroutineyajnasperformedbyallfollowersoftheVedic
rituals,andtheyarecalledagnistoma,atyagnistoma,uktha,sodasi,vajapeya,
atiratraandaptoryama.Anyoneperformingsuchyajnasregularlyissupposed
tobesituatedwiththeLord.ButanyonewhoisincontactwiththeSupreme
Lordbydischargingdevotionalserviceisunderstoodtohaveperformedall
differentvarietiesofyajnas.
Thequalificationofbhakti,ordevotionalservicetotheLord,isthatthe
devoteeshouldbefreefromallmaterialcontaminationsanddesires.This
freedomiscalledvairagya,orrenouncementofmaterialdesires.Onehasto
conquerthemind,andonemaydoitbyfollowingtheVedicritualsandby
performingdifferenttypesofsacrifice.
Theultimateendofallthoseperformancesistoattainbhakti,orthedevotional
serviceoftheLord.WithoutbhaktionecannotunderstandtheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.
"ToonewhoconstantlyengagesinthedevotionalserviceoftheLordwithfaith
andlove,theLordcertainlygivestheintelligencetoachieveHimatthe
ultimateend."
OnewhoengagesindevotionalservicetotheLordaccordingtoregulative
principlesisautomaticallyfreedfrommaterialdesires,andinthatpurestateof
mindonecanrealizethePersonalityofGodhead.ThePersonalityofGodhead,
beingsituatedineveryone'sheart,instructsthedevoteeregardingpure
devotionalservicesothathemayultimatelyachievetheassociationofthe
Lord.

Thefortuneoftheearthplanetispraisedbecauseofitsbeingspecifically
sustainedbytheLord;itsbeautyisappreciatedandcomparedtothatofalotus
flowersituatedonthetrunkofanelephant.Asalotusflowerwithleavesis
verybeautifullysituated,sotheworld,withitsmanybeautifulmountains,
appearedonthetusksoftheLordBoar.
OLord,fortheresidentialpurposesofallinhabitants,bothmovingand
nonmoving,thisearthisYourwife,andYouarethesupremefather.Weoffer
ourrespectfulobeisancesuntoYou,alongwithmotherearth,inwhomYou
haveinvestedYourownpotency,justasanexpertsacrificerputsfireinthe
araniwood.
Ordinarilythebodyofahogisconsideredimpure,butoneshouldnotconsider
thatthehogincarnationassumedbytheLordisalsoimpure.Thatformofthe
LordisthepersonifiedVedasandistranscendental.Theinhabitantsofthe
Jana,TapasandSatyalokasarethemostpiouspersonsinthematerialworld,

butbecausethoseplanetsaresituatedinthematerialworld,therearesomany
materialimpuritiestherealso.Therefore,whenthedropsofwaterfromthetips
oftheLord'sshoulderhairsweresprinkleduponthebodiesoftheinhabitants
ofthehigherplanets,theyfeltpurified.TheGangeswaterispurebecauseofits
emanatingfromthetoeoftheLord,andthereisnodifferencebetweenthe
wateremanatingfromthetoeandthatfromthetipsofthehairontheshoulder
ofLordBoar.Theyarebothabsoluteandtranscendental.
MentalspeculatorswhowanttounderstandthelimitoftheUnlimitedare
certainlynonsensical.Everyoneofthemiscaptivatedbytheexternalpotencies
oftheLord.ThebestthingforthemistosurrenderuntoHim,knowingHimto
beinconceivable,forthustheycanreceiveHiscauselessmercy.Thisprayer
wasofferedbytheinhabitantsofthehigherplanetarysystems,namelythe
Jana,TapasandSatyalokas,whoarefarmoreintelligentandpowerfulthan
humans.
Therearethematerialworldandthespiritualworld.Thesagespray:"Both
worldsarebewilderedbyYourdifferentenergies.Thosewhoareinthe
spiritualworldareabsorbedinYourlovingservice,forgettingthemselvesand
Youalso,andthoseinthematerialworldareabsorbedinmaterialsense
gratificationandthereforealsoforgetYou.NoonecanknowYou,because
Youareunlimited.ItisbestnottotrytoknowYoubyunnecessarymental
speculation.Rather,kindlyblessussothatwecanworshipYouwithcauseless
devotionalservice."
WhenHedescendsHeiscalledanavatarabecauseavatarameans"onewho
descends."NeithertheLordHimselfnorHisspecificdevoteeswhocometo
thisearthareordinarylivingentitieslikeus.

Everylivingentityisofsuperiorquality,spiritsoul,andnothingmaterialcan
beauspiciousforhim.Intelligentpersonsshouldthereforehearpersonallyand
causeotherstohearthedescriptivenarrationsoftheLord'sactivities,forthat
willdestroythepangsofmaterialexistence.OutofHiscauselessmercyonly,
theLordcomestothisearthandleavesbehindHismercifulactivitiessothat
thedevoteesmayderivetranscendentalbenefit.
ForsuchadevoteethereisnothingvaluabletobeachievedbuttheLord's
service.Ifoneservesfaithfully,thereisnopossibilityoffrustrationbecausethe
LordHimselftakeschargeofthedevotee'sadvancement.TheLordisseatedin
everyone'sheart,andHeknowsthedevotee'smotiveandarrangeseverything
achievable.

Chapter14

InbothmillenniumstherewasaboarincarnationoftheLord,butinthe
SvayambhuvamillenniumHeliftedtheearthfromwithinthewaterofthe
universe,whereasintheCaksusamillenniumHekilledthefirstdemon,
Hiranyaksa.IntheSvayambhuvamillenniumHeassumedthecolorwhite,and
intheCaksusamillenniumHeassumedthecolorred.Vidurahadalreadyheard
aboutoneofthem,andheproposedtohearabouttheother.Thetwodifferent
boarincarnationsdescribedaretheoneSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
Whilequittinghisbody,MaharajaDhruva,thesonofKingUttanapada,was
attendedbypersonalitieslikeSunandaandothers,whoreceivedhiminthe
kingdomofGod.Heleftthisworldatanearlyage,asayoungboy,althoughhe
hadattainedthethroneofhisfatherandhadseveralchildrenofhisown.
Becausehewasduetoquitthisworld,deathwaswaitingforhim.Hedidnot
carefordeath,however,andevenwithhispresentbodyheboardedaspiritual
airplaneandwentdirectlytotheplanetofVisnubecauseofhisassociation
withthegreatsageNarada,whohadspokentohimthenarrationofthe
pastimesoftheLord.
Diti,daughterofDaksa,beingafflictedwithsexdesire,beggedherhusband,
Kasyapa,thesonofMarici,tohaveintercoursewithherintheeveninginorder
tobegetachild.
FireisconsideredtobethetongueofthePersonalityofGodheadVisnu,and
oblationsofgrainsandclarifiedbutterofferedtothefirearethusacceptedby
Him.Thatistheprincipleofallsacrifices,ofwhichLordVisnuisthemaster.
Inotherwords,thesatisfactionofLordVisnuincludesthesatisfactionofall
demigodsandotherlivingbeings.
InDiti'sappealtoherhusbandforsex,itwasnotexactlythatshewasafflicted
bysexdesires,butshedesiredsons.Sinceshehadnosons,shefeltpoorerthan
hercowives.

AccordingtoRsabhadeva,oneshouldnotbecomeafatherormotherunless
oneisconfidentthathecanbegetchildrenwhomhecandeliverfromthe
clutchesofbirthanddeath.Humanlifeistheonlyopportunitytogetoutofthe
materialscene,whichisfullofthemiseriesofbirth,death,oldageand
diseases.
Itappearsfromthisversethatfreeselectionofahusbandwasallowedbythe
father,butnotbyfreeassociation.Thedaughterswereaskedseparatelyto
submittheirselectionofahusbandwhowasfamousforhisactsand
personality.Theultimateselectiondependedonthechoiceofthefather.

Generallythedaughtersweretooshytoexpresstheiropinionsbeforetheir
father,butthefatherwouldacceptthedaughters'intentionsthroughsomeone
else,suchasagrandmothertowhomthegrandchildrenhadfreeaccess.King
Daksacollectedtheopinionsofhisdaughtersandthushandedoverthirteento
Kasyapa.EveryoneofDiti'ssisterswasamotherofchildren.Therefore,since
shewasequallyfaithfultothesamehusband,whyshouldsheremainwithout
children?
Ditiknewwellthatherrequestmightberejectedbecauseoftheuntimely
situation,butshepleadedthatwhenthereisanemergencyoradistressful
condition,thereisnoconsiderationoftimeorsituation.
Ohero[Vidura],Diti,beingthusafflictedbythecontaminationoflust,and
thereforepoorandtalkative,waspacifiedbythesonofMariciinsuitable
words.
Whenamanorwomanisafflictedbythelustofsexdesire,itistobe
understoodassinfulcontamination.Kasyapawasengagedinhisspiritual
activities,buthedidnothavesufficientstrengthtorefusehiswife,whowas
thusafflicted.Hecouldhaverefusedherwithstrongwordsexpressing
impossibility,buthewasnotasspirituallystrongasVidura.Vidurais
addressedhereasaherobecausenooneisstrongerinselfcontrolthana
devoteeoftheLord.ItappearsthatKasyapawasalreadyinclinedtohave
sexualenjoymentwithhiswife,andbecausehewasnotastrongmanhetried
todissuadeheronlywithpacifyingwords.
Thethreeperfectionsofliberationarereligiosity,economicdevelopmentand
sensegratification:Foraconditionedsoul,thewifeisconsideredtobethe
sourceofliberationbecausesheoffersherservicetothehusbandforhis
ultimateliberation.Conditionalmaterialexistenceisbasedonsense
gratification,andifsomeonehasthegoodfortunetogetagoodwife,heis
helpedbythewifeinallrespects.Ifoneisdisturbedinhisconditionallife,he
becomesmoreandmoreentangledinmaterialcontamination.

Afaithfulwifeissupposedtocooperatewithherhusbandinfulfillingall
materialdesiressothathecanthenbecomecomfortableandexecutespiritual
activitiesfortheperfectionoflife.If,however,thehusbandisprogressivein
spiritualadvancement,thewifeundoubtedlysharesinhisactivities,andthus
boththewifeandthehusbandprofitinspiritualperfection.
Itisessential,therefore,thatgirlsaswellasboysbetrainedtodischarge
spiritualdutiessothatatthetimeofcooperationbothwillbebenefited.The

trainingoftheboyisbrahmacarya,andthetrainingofthegirlischastity.A
faithfulwifeandspirituallytrainedbrahmacariareagoodcombinationfor
advancementofthehumanmission.
Asonecancrossovertheoceanwithseagoingvessels,onecancrossthe
dangeroussituationofthematerialoceanbylivingwithawife.
Themanwholiveswithawifehasagreatresponsibilityinmaintainingthe
membersoftheothersocialordersthebrahmacaris,vanaprasthasand
sannyasis.Exceptforthegrhasthas,orthehouseholders,everyoneissupposed
toengageinthespiritualadvancementoflife,andthereforethebrahmacari,the
vanaprasthaandthesannyasihaveverylittletimetoearnalivelihood.They
thereforecollectalmsfromthegrhasthas,andthustheysecurethebare
necessitiesoflifeandcultivatespiritualunderstanding.
Orespectfulone,awifeissohelpfulthatsheiscalledthebetterhalfofaman's
bodybecauseofhersharinginallauspiciousactivities.Amancanmove
withoutanxietyentrustingallresponsibilitiestohiswife.
BytheVedicinjunction,thewifeisacceptedasthebetterhalfofaman'sbody
becausesheissupposedtoberesponsiblefordischarginghalfofthedutiesof
thehusband.Afamilymanhasaresponsibilitytoperformfivekindsof
sacrifices,calledpancayajna,inordertogetrelieffromallkindsof
unavoidablesinfulreactionincurredinthecourseofhisaffairs.Whenaman
becomesqualitativelylikethecatsanddogs,heforgetshisdutiesincultivating
spiritualvalues,andthusheacceptshiswifeasasensegratificatoryagency.
Whenthewifeisacceptedasasensegratificatoryagency,personalbeautyis
themainconsideration,andassoonasthereisabreakinpersonalsense
gratification,thereisdisruptionordivorce.Butwhenhusbandandwifeaimat
spiritualadvancementbymutualcooperation,thereisnoconsiderationof
personalbeautyorthedisruptionofsocalledlove.Inthematerialworldthere
isnoquestionoflove.Marriageisactuallyadutyperformedinmutual
cooperationasdirectedintheauthoritativescripturesforspiritualadvancement.
{
Manu-samhita (3.67-74 and further) describes them:
67. With the sacred fire, kindled at the wedding, a householder shall perform according to the
law the domestic ceremonies and the five (great) sacrifices, and (with that) he shall daily cook
his food.
68. A householder has five slaughter-houses (as it were, viz.) the hearth, the grinding-stone,
the broom, the pestle and mortar, the water-vessel, by using which he is bound (with the
fetters of sin).

69. In order to successively expiate (the offenses committed by means) of all these (five) the
great sages have prescribed for householders the daily (performance of the five) great
sacrifices.
70. Teaching (and studying) is the sacrifice (offered) to Brahman, the (offerings of water and
food called) Tarpana the sacrifice to the manes, the burnt oblation the sacrifice offered to the
gods, the Bali offering that offered to the Bhutas, and the hospitable reception of guests the
offering to men.
71. He who neglects not these five great sacrifices, while he is able (to perform them), is not
tainted by the sins (committed) in the five places of slaughter, though he constantly lives in
the (order of) house (-holders).
72. But he who does not feed these five, the gods, his guests, those whom he is bound to
maintain, the manes, and himself, lives not, though he breathes.
73. They call (these) five sacrifices also, Ahuta, Huta, Prahuta, Brahmya-huta, and Prasita.
74. Ahuta (not offered in the fire) is the muttering (of Vedic texts), Huta the burnt oblation
(offered to the gods), Prahuta (offered by scattering it on the ground) the Bali offering given to
the Bhutas, Brahmya-huta (offered in the digestive fire of Brahmanas), the respectful
reception of Brahmana (guests), and Prasita (eaten) the (daily oblation to the manes, called)
Tarpana.

Asafortcommanderveryeasilyconquersinvadingplunderers,bytaking
shelterofawifeonecanconquerthesenses,whichareunconquerableinthe
othersocialorders.
Ofthefourordersofhumansocietythestudent,orbrahmacariorder,the
householder,orgrhasthaorder,theretired,orvanaprasthaorder,andthe
renounced,orsannyasiorderthehouseholderisonthesafeside.Thebodily
sensesareconsideredplunderersofthefortofthebody.Thewifeissupposed
tobethecommanderofthefort,andthereforewheneverthereisanattackon
thebodybythesenses,itisthewifewhoprotectsthebodyfrombeing
smashed.
Thesexdemandisinevitableforeveryone,butonewhohasafixedwifeis
savedfromtheonslaughtofthesenseenemies.Amanwhopossessesagood
wifedoesnotcreateadisturbanceinsocietybycorruptingvirgingirls.Without
afixedwife,amanbecomesadebaucheeofthefirstorderandisanuisancein
societyunlessheisatrainedbrahmacari,vanaprasthaorsannyasi.

Unlessthereisrigidandsystematictrainingofthebrahmacaribytheexpert
spiritualmaster,andunlessthestudentisobedient,itissurethatthesocalled
brahmacariwillfallpreytotheattackofsex.Therearesomanyinstancesof
falldown,evenforgreatyogislikeVisvamitra.

Agrhasthaissaved,however,becauseofhisfaithfulwife.Sexlifeisthecause
ofmaterialbondage,andthereforeitisprohibitedinthreeasramasandis
allowedonlyinthegrhasthaasrama.Thegrhasthaisresponsibleforproducing
firstqualitybrahmacaris,vanaprasthasandsannyasis.
Somuchglorificationofawomanbyherhusbandindicatesthatheis
henpeckedoristalkinglightlyinjoke
Themanintherenouncedorderoflifehasnowifeandmaybedrivenbysex
desiretoseekanotherwomanoranother'swifeandthusgotohell.Inother
words,thesocalledmanoftherenouncedorder,whohaslefthishouseand
wife,goestohellifheagaindesiressexualpleasure,knowinglyor
unknowingly.Inthatwaythehouseholdersareonthesideofsafety.Therefore
husbandsasaclasscannotrepaytheirdebttowomeneitherinthislifeorinthe
next.Eveniftheyengagethemselvesinrepayingthewomenthroughouttheir
wholelives,itisstillnotpossible.Notallhusbandsareasabletoappreciatethe
goodqualitiesoftheirwives,buteventhoughoneisabletoappreciatethese
qualities,itisstillnotpossibletorepaythedebttothewife.Suchextraordinary
praisesbyahusbandforhiswifearecertainlyinthemodeofjoking.
KasyapahasalreadytoldhiswifeDititowaitforawhile,andnowhewarns
herthatfailuretoconsidertheparticulartimewillresultinpunishmentfrom
theghostsandevilspiritswhomoveduringthistime,alongwiththeirmaster,
LordRudra.
LordSiva,thekingoftheghosts,sittingonthebackofhisbullcarrier,travels
atthistime,accompaniedbyghostswhofollowhimfortheirwelfare.
LordSiva,orRudra,isthekingoftheghosts.GhostlycharactersworshipLord
Sivatobegraduallyguidedtowardapathofselfrealization.Mayavadi
philosophersaremostlyworshipersofLordSiva,andSripadaSankaracaryais
consideredtobetheincarnationofLordSivaforpreachinggodlessnesstothe
Mayavadiphilosophers.
Ghostsarebereftofaphysicalbodybecauseoftheirgrievouslysinfulacts,
suchassuicide.Thelastresortoftheghostlycharactersinhumansocietyisto
takeshelterofsuicide,eithermaterialorspiritual.Materialsuicidecausesloss
ofthephysicalbody,andspiritualsuicidecauseslossoftheindividualidentity.
Mayavadiphilosophersdesiretolosetheirindividualityandmergeintothe
impersonalspiritualbrahmajyotiexistence.

LordSiva,beingverykindtotheghosts,seesthatalthoughtheyare
condemned,theygetphysicalbodies.Heplacesthemintothewombsof
womenwhoindulgeinsexualintercourseregardlessoftherestrictionsontime

andcircumstance.KasyapawantedtoimpressthisfactuponDitisothatshe
mightwaitforawhile.
LordSivaisnotanordinarylivingentity,norisheinthecategoryofVisnu,or
theSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Heisfarmorepowerfulthananyliving
entityuptothestandardofBrahma,yetheisnotonanequallevelwithVisnu.
SinceheisalmostlikeLordVisnu,Sivacanseepast,presentandfuture.One
ofhiseyesislikethesun,anotherislikethemoon,andhisthirdeye,whichis
betweenhiseyebrows,islikefire.Hecangeneratefirefromhismiddleeye,
andheisabletovanquishanypowerfullivingentity,includingBrahma,yethe
doesnotlivepompouslyinanicehouse,etc.,nordoeshepossessanymaterial
properties,althoughheismasterofthematerialworld.Helivesmostlyinthe
crematorium,wheredeadbodiesareburnt,andthewhirlwinddustofthe
crematoriumishisbodilydress.Heisunstainedbymaterialcontamination.
KasyaparemindedherthatLordSivahasthreeeyes,calledthesun,moonand
fire,andonecannotescapehisvigilanceanymorethanonecanescapeVisnu.
KasyapawarnedherthatactuallyLordSivaisnotconnectedwithanyone,nor
isanyonehisenemy.Sinceheisoneofthethreecontrollersoftheuniversal
affairs,heisequaltoeveryone.Hisgreatnessisincomparablebecauseheisa
greatdevoteeoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
ItissaidthatamongallthedevoteesofthePersonalityofGodhead,LordSiva
isthegreatest.
Thustheremnantsoffoodstuffleftbyhimareacceptedbyotherdevoteesas
mahaprasada,orgreatspiritualfoodstuff.Theremnantsoffoodstuffofferedto
LordKrsnaarecalledprasada,butwhenthesameprasadaiseatenbyagreat
devoteelikeLordSiva,itiscalledmahaprasada.
LordSivaissogreatthathedoesnotcareforthematerialprosperityforwhich
everyoneofusissoeager.Parvati,whoisthepowerfulmaterialnature
personified,isunderhisfullcontrolashiswife,yethedoesnotuseherevento
buildaresidentialhouse.Hepreferstoremainwithoutshelter,andhisgreat
wifealsoagreestolivewithhimhumbly.Peopleingeneralworshipgoddess
Durga,thewifeofLordSiva,formaterialprosperity,butLordSivaengages
herinhisservicewithoutmaterialdesire.
Hesimplyadviseshisgreatwifethatofallkindsofworship,theworshipof
Visnuisthehighest,andgreaterthanthatistheworshipofagreatdevoteeor
anythinginrelationwithVisnu.
AlthoughnooneinthematerialworldisequaltoorgreaterthanLordSiva,and

althoughhisunimpeachablecharacterisfollowedbygreatsoulstodismantle
themassofnescience,heneverthelessremainsasifadeviltogivesalvationto
alldevoteesoftheLord.
LordSiva'suncivilized,devilishcharacteristicsareneverabominablebecause
heteachesthesinceredevoteesoftheLordhowtopracticedetachmentfrom
materialenjoyment.HeiscalledMahadeva,orthegreatestofalldemigods,
andnooneisequaltoorgreaterthanhiminthematerialworld.Heisalmost
equalwithLordVisnu.AlthoughhealwaysassociateswithMaya,Durga,heis
abovethereactionarystageofthethreemodesofmaterialnature,andalthough
heisinchargeofdevilishcharactersinthemodeofignorance,heisnot
affectedbysuchassociation.
Unfortunate,foolishpersons,notknowingthatheisengagedinhisownself,
laughathim.Suchfoolishpersonsengageinmaintainingthebodywhichis
eatablebydogswithdresses,ornaments,garlandsandointments.
LordSivaneveracceptsanyluxuriousdress,garland,ornamentorointment.
Butthosewhoareaddictedtothedecorationofthebody,whichisfinally
eatablebydogs,veryluxuriouslymaintainitastheself.Suchpersonsdonot
understandLordSiva,buttheyapproachhimforluxuriousmaterialcomforts.
TherearetwokindsofdevoteesofLordSiva.Oneclassisthegrossmaterialist
seekingonlybodilycomfortsfromLordSiva,andtheotherclassdesiresto
becomeonewithhim.Theyaremostlyimpersonalistsandprefertochant
sivo'ham,"IamSiva,"or"AfterliberationIshallbecomeonewithLordSiva."
Inotherwords,thekarmisandjnanisaregenerallydevoteesofLordSiva,but
theydonotproperlyunderstandhisrealpurposeinlife.
SometimessocalleddevoteesofLordSivaimitatehiminusingpoisonous
intoxicants.LordSivaonceswallowedanoceanofpoison,andthushisthroat
becameblue.TheimitationSivastrytofollowhimbyindulginginpoisons,
andthustheyareruined.
TherealpurposeofLordSivaistoservetheSoulofthesoul,LordKrsna.He
desiresthatallluxuriousarticles,suchasnicegarments,garlands,ornaments
andcosmetics,begiventoLordKrsnaonly,becauseKrsnaistherealenjoyer.
Herefusestoacceptsuchluxuriousitemshimselfbecausetheyareonlymeant
forKrsna.However,sincetheydonotknowthispurposeofLordSiva,foolish
personseitherlaughathimorprofitlesslytrytoimitatehim.
Durgaispersonifiedmaterialenergy,andLordSiva,beingherhusband,isthe
controllerofthematerialenergy.Heisalsotheincarnationofthemodeof
ignoranceandoneofthethreedeitiesrepresentingtheSupremeLord.AsHis
representative,LordSivaisidenticalwiththeSupremepersonalityofGodhead.

Heisverygreat,andhisrenunciationofallmaterialenjoymentisanideal
exampleofhowoneshouldbemateriallyunattached.Oneshouldtherefore
followinhisfootstepsandbeunattachedtomatter,notimitatehisuncommon
actslikedrinkingpoison.
Thedifferencebetweenamarriedwifeandapublicprostituteisthatoneis
restrainedinsexlifebytherulesandregulationsofthescriptures,whereasthe
otherisunrestrictedinsexlifeandisconductedsolelybythestrongsexurge.
Althoughveryenlightened,Kasyapa,thegreatsage,becameavictimofhis
prostitutewife.Suchisthestrongforceofmaterialenergy.
Understandinghiswife'spurpose,hewasobligedtoperformtheforbiddenact,
andthusafterofferinghisobeisancesuntoworshipablefate,helaywithherin
asecludedplace.
ItappearsfromthetalksofKasyapawithhiswifethathewasaworshiperof
LordSiva,andalthoughheknewthatLordSivawouldnotbepleasedwithhim
forsuchaforbiddenact,hewasobligedtoactbyhiswife'sdesire,andthushe
offeredhisobeisancesuntofate.Heknewthatthechildbornofsuchuntimely
sexualintercoursewouldcertainlynotbeagoodchild,butcouldnotprotect
himselfbecausehewastooobligatedtohiswife.
Inasimilarcase,however,whenThakuraHaridasawastemptedbyapublic
prostituteatthedeadofnight,heavoidedtheallurementbecauseofhis
perfectioninKrsnaconsciousness.ThatisthedifferencebetweenaKrsna
consciouspersonandothers.KasyapaMuniwasgreatlylearnedand
enlightened,andheknewalltherulesandregulationsofsystematiclife,yethe
failedtoprotecthimselffromtheattackofsexdesire.ThakuraHaridasawas
notbornofabrahmanafamily,norwashehimselfbrahmana,yethecould
protecthimselffromsuchanattackduetohisbeingKrsnaconscious.
ThakuraHaridasausedtochanttheholynameoftheLordthreehundred
thousandtimesdaily.
Asonehastotakebathafterusingthetoilet,soonehastowashhimselfwith
wateraftersexualintercourse,especiallywhenataforbiddentime.
KasyapaMunimeditatedontheimpersonalbrahmajyotibychantingthe
Gayatrimantrawithinhismouth.WhenaVedicmantraischantedwithinthe
mouthsothatonlythechantercanhear,thechantingiscalledjapa.Butwhen
suchmantrasarechantedloudly,itiscalledkirtana.
KasyapaMuniappearstobeanimpersonalist.Comparinghischaracterwith
thatofThakuraHaridasaasreferredtoabove,itisclearthatthepersonalistis
strongerinsensecontrolthantheimpersonalist.ThisisexplainedinBhagavad
gitaasparamdrstvanivartate;i.e.,oneceasestoacceptlowergradethings

whenoneissituatedinasuperiorcondition.
OneissupposedtobepurifiedaftertakingbathandchantingGayatri,butthe
mahamantraissopowerfulthatonecanchantloudlyorsoftly,inany
condition,andheisprotectedfromalltheevilsofmaterialexistence.
Whenoneisashamedofanabominableaction,onenaturallybecomesdown
faced.Diticametohersensesaftertheabominablesexualintercoursewithher
husband.Suchsexualintercourseiscondemnedasprostitution.Inotherwords,
sexlifewithone'swifeisequaltoprostitutioniftheregulationsarenot
properlyfollowed.
LordSivahastwopopularnames,RudraandAsutosa.Heisveryproneto
angeraswellasquicklypacified.Ditiknewthatbecauseofhisbeingquickly
angeredhemightspoilthepregnancyshehadsounlawfullyachieved.But
becausehewasalsoAsutosa,sheimploredherbrahmanahusbandtohelpher
inpacifyingLordSiva,forherhusbandwasagreatdevoteeofLordSiva.In
otherwords,LordSivamighthavebeenangrywithDitibecausesheobliged
herhusbandtotransgressthelaw,buthewouldnotrefuseherhusband's
prayer.Thereforetheapplicationforexcusewassubmittedthroughher
husband
LetmeoffermyobeisancesuntotheangryLordSiva,whoissimultaneously
theveryferociousgreatdemigodandthefulfillerofallmaterialdesires.Heis
allauspiciousandforgiving,buthisangercanimmediatelymovehimto
chastise.
Heisalsotheworshipablelordofallwomen.Heisthepersonalityofall
opulencesandcanshowmercytowardswomen,whoareexcusedevenbythe
uncivilizedhunters.
SinceLordSivaishimselfassociatedwithwomen,heknowsverywelltheir
defectivenature,andhemightnottakeveryseriouslyDiti'sunavoidable
offense,whichoccurredduetoherfaultynature.Everyvirgingirlissupposed
tobeadevoteeofLordSiva.DitirememberedherchildhoodworshipofLord
Sivaandbeggedhismercy.
ThelearnedKasyapasaid:Becauseofyourmind'sbeingpolluted,becauseof
defilementoftheparticulartime,becauseofyournegligenceofmydirections,
andbecauseofyourbeingapathetictothedemigods,everythingwas
inauspicious.
Beforeengaginginsexualintercourse,boththehusbandandthewifemust
considertheirmentalcondition,theparticulartime,thehusband'sdirection,and
obediencetothedemigods.AccordingtoVedicsociety,thereisasuitable
auspicioustimeforsexlife,whichiscalledthetimeforgarbhadhana.Diti

neglectedalltheprinciplesofscripturalinjunction,andtherefore,althoughshe
wasveryanxiousforauspiciouschildren,shewasinformedthatherchildren
wouldnotbeworthytobethesonsofabrahmana.
PersonalitieslikeRavanaandHiranyakasipuwereactuallybornofbrahmanas,
buttheywerenotacceptedasbrahmanasbecausetheirfathersdidnotfollow
theregulativeprinciplesfortheirbirth.Suchchildrenarecalleddemons,or
Raksasas.TherewereonlyoneortwoRaksasasinthepreviousagesdueto
negligenceofthedisciplinarymethods,butduringtheageofKalithereisno
disciplineinsexlife.
"Whenthereisdeliberatenegligenceoftheregulativeprinciplesofreligious
life,thewomenasaclassbecomepolluted,andasaresultthereareunwanted
children."Thisisespeciallytrueforboys;ifthemotherisnotgood,there
cannotbegoodsons
ThelearnedKasyapacouldforeseethecharacterofthesonswhowouldbe
bornofthecondemnedwombofDiti.Thewombwascondemnedbecauseof
themother'sbeingtoosexuallyinclinedandthustransgressingallthelawsand
injunctionsofthescriptures.Inasocietywheresuchwomenarepredominant,
oneshouldnotexpectgoodchildren.
Theywillkillpoor,faultlesslivingentities,torturewomenandenragethegreat
souls.
Inademoniacsociety,innocentanimalsarekilledtosatisfythetongue,and
womenaretorturedbyunnecessarysexualindulgence.Wheretherearewomen
andmeat,theremustbeliquorandsexindulgence.
TherearemanyagentsoftheLord,suchasIndra,Candra,Varuna,goddess
Durga,andKali,whocanchastiseanyformidablemiscreantsintheworld.The
SupremePersonalityofGodheaddoesnotneedtodescendinordertokillany
stronglybuiltbody;HecomesdownjustforthesakeofHisdevotees.
Everyoneissubjecttothemiseriesofferedbymaterialnature,butbecausethe
activitiesofmiscreants,suchaskillinginnocentpeopleandanimalsor
torturingwomen,areharmfultoeveryoneandarethereforeasourceofpainfor
thedevotees,theLordcomesdown.HedescendsonlytogiverelieftoHis
ardentdevotees.ThekillingofthemiscreantbytheLordisalsothemercyof
theLordtowardsthemiscreant,althoughapparentlytheLordtakesthesideof
thedevotee.SincetheLordisabsolute,thereisnodifferencebetweenHis
activitiesofkillingthemiscreantsandfavoringthedevotees.
Ditisaid:Itisverygoodthatmysonswillbemagnanimouslykilledbythe
armsofthePersonalityofGodheadwithHisSudarsanaweapon.Omy

husband,maytheyneverbekilledbythewrathofthebrahmanadevotees.

WhenDitiheardfromherhusbandthatthegreatsoulswouldbeangeredbythe
activitiesofhersons,shewasveryanxious.Shethoughtthathersonsmightbe
killedbythewrathofthebrahmanas.TheLorddoesnotappearwhenthe
brahmanasbecomeangryatsomeone,becausethewrathofabrahmanais
sufficientinitself.
Hecertainlyappears,however,whenHisdevoteesimplybecomessorry.A
devoteeoftheLordneverpraystotheLordtoappearforthesakeofthe
troublesthemiscreantscauseforhim,andheneverbothersHimbyaskingfor
protection.Rather,theLordisanxioustogiveprotectiontothedevotees.
IfsomeoneiskilledbythewheeloftheLordandisthusfortunateenoughto
seethearmsoftheLord,thatissufficientforhisliberation.Suchgoodfortune
isnotachievedevenbythegreatsages.
Apersonwhoiscondemnedbyabrahmanaorisalwaysfearfultootherliving
entitiesisnotfavoredeitherbythosewhoarealreadyinhellorbythoseinthe
speciesinwhichheisborn.
Apracticalexampleofacondemnedspeciesoflifeisthedog.Dogsareso
condemnedthattheynevershowanysympathytotheircontemporaries.
ThelearnedKasyapasaid:Becauseofyourlamentation,penitenceandproper
deliberation,andalsobecauseofyourunflinchingfaithintheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadandyouradorationforLordSivaandme,oneofthe
sons[Prahlada]ofyourson[Hiranyakasipu]willbeanapproveddevoteeofthe
Lord,andhisfamewillbebroadcastequallywiththatofthePersonalityof
Godhead.
Inordertofollowinhisfootsteps,saintlypersonswilltrytoemulatehis
characterbypracticingfreedomfromanimosity,justasthepurifyingprocesses
rectifygoldofinferiorquality.
Yogapractice,theprocessofpurifyingone'sexistentialidentity,isbased
mainlyonselfcontrol.Withoutselfcontrolonecannotpracticefreedomfrom
animosity.
PrahladaMaharajawastorturedbyhisfatherinsomanyways,yetafterthe
deathofhisfatherheprayedforhisfather'sliberationbytheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.Hedidnotaskanybenedictionthathemighthave
asked,butheprayedthathisatheisticfathermightbeliberated.Henever

cursedanyofthepersonswhoengagedintorturinghimattheinstigationofhis
father.
EveryonewillbepleasedwithhimbecausethePersonalityofGodhead,the
supremecontrolleroftheuniverse,isalwayssatisfiedwithadevoteewho
doesnotwishforanythingbeyondHim.
TheSupremePersonalityofGodheadissituatedeverywhereastheSupersoul,
andHecandictatetoanyoneandeveryoneasHelikes.Thewouldbe
grandsonofDiti,whowaspredictedtobeagreatdevotee,wouldbeliked
byeveryone,evenbytheenemiesofhisfather,becausehewouldhaveno
othervisionbesidestheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Apuredevotee
oftheLordseesthepresenceofhisworshipableLordeverywhere.The
LordreciprocatesinsuchawaythatalllivingentitiesinwhomtheLordis
dwellingastheSupersoulalsolikeapuredevoteebecausetheLordispresent
intheirheartsandcandictatetothemtobefriendlytoHisdevotee.There
aremanyinstancesinhistorywhereineventhemostferociousanimalbecame
friendlytoapuredevoteeoftheLord.
Therearethreestagesoftranscendentaldevelopmentindevotionalservice,
whicharetechnicallycalledsthayibhava,anubhavaandmahabhava.Continual
perfectloveofGodheadiscalledsthayibhava,andwhenitisperformedina
particulartypeoftranscendentalrelationshipitiscalledanubhava.Butthe
stageofmahabhavaisvisibleamongstthepersonalpleasurepotentialenergies
oftheLord.
ItisunderstoodthatthegrandsonofDiti,namelyPrahladaMaharaja,would
constantlymeditateontheLordandreiterateHisactivities.Becausehewould
constantlyremaininmeditation,hewouldeasilytransferhimselftothe
spiritualworldafterquittinghismaterialbody.Suchmeditationisstillmore
convenientlyperformedbychantingandhearingtheholynameoftheLord.
ThisisespeciallyrecommendedinthisageofKali.
Hewillbeavirtuouslyqualifiedreservoirofallgoodqualities;hewillbejolly
andhappyinothers'happiness,distressedinothers'distress,andwillhaveno
enemies.Hewillbeadestroyerofthelamentationofalltheuniverses,likethe
pleasantmoonafterthesummersun.
Themostimportantcharacteristicofapuredevoteeisthatheisnotlampata,or
licentious,andanotherqualityisthatheisalwayseagertomitigatethe
miseriesofsufferinghumanity.Themostobnoxiousmiseryofalivingentityis
hisforgetfulnessofKrsna.Apuredevotee,therefore,alwaystriestoevoke
everyone'sKrsnaconsciousness.Thisisthepanaceaforallmiseries.
Yourgrandsonwillbeabletosee,insideandoutside,theSupremePersonality

ofGodhead,whosewifeisthebeautifulgoddessoffortune.TheLordcan
assumetheformdesiredbythedevotee,andHisfaceisalwaysbeautifully
decoratedwithearrings.
ItispredictedherewiththatthegrandsonofDiti,PrahladaMaharaja,wouldnot
onlyseethePersonalityofGodheadwithinhimselfbymeditationbutwould
alsobeabletoseeHimpersonallywithhiseyes.Thisdirectvisionispossible
onlyforonewhoishighlyelevatedinKrsnaconsciousness,fortheLordisnot
possibletoseewithmaterialeyes.
ApuredevoteebecomesattachedtooneoftheeternalformsoftheLord,and
theLordispleasedtoappearbeforehimintheformdesired.
Chapter15

Nosanemanorwomancantoleratethenondevotees'givingtroubleto
devotees.Diti,therefore,wasreluctanttogivebirthtoherbabies;shewaited
foronehundredyearssothatatleastshecouldsavethedemigodsfromthe
disturbanceforthatperiod.
ItappearsfromthisverseofSrimadBhagavatamthatthesunisthesourceof
lightforalltheplanetsintheuniverse.Themodernscientifictheorywhich
statesthattherearemanysunsineachuniverseisnotsupportedbythisverse.
Itisunderstoodthatineachuniversethereisonlyonesun,whichsupplieslight
toalltheplanets.
Thereisnodefeatinthismaterialworldforpersonswhocontrolthemindand
sensesbycontrollingthebreathingprocessandwhoarethereforeexperienced,
maturemystics.Thisisbecausebysuchperfectioninyogatheyhaveattained
yourmercy.
Itissaidthatanexperiencedmysticattainsfullcontrolofthesensesandthe
mindbycontrollingthebreathingprocess.Therefore,controllingthebreathing
processisnottheultimateaimofyoga.Therealpurposeofyogicperformances
istocontrolthemindandthesenses.
Itisindicatedhereinthatayogiwhohascontroloverthemindandsenseshas
theactualbenedictionoftheLord,andhehasnofear.Inotherwords,one
cannotattainthemercyandbenedictionoftheSupremeLorduntiloneisable
tocontrolthemindandthesenses.Thisisactuallypossiblewhenonefully
engagesinKrsnaconsciousness.Apersonwhosesensesandmindarealways
engagedinthetranscendentalserviceoftheLordhasnopossibilityofengaging
inmaterialactivities.
ThedevoteesoftheLordarenotdefeatedanywhereintheuniverse.Itisstated,

narayanaparahsarve:onewhoisnarayanapara,oradevoteeoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,isnotafraidanywhere,whetherheissenttohellor
promotedtoheaven(Bhag.6.17.28).
Thedarknessthroughouttheuniverseisexplainedherewithasbeingcausedby
theembryocreatedinthewombofDitibythesemenofKasyapa.
LordBrahmasaid:MyfoursonsSanaka,Sanatana,Sanandanaand
Sanatkumara,whowerebornfrommymind,areyourpredecessors.
Sometimestheytravelthroughoutthematerialandspiritualskieswithout
anydefinitedesire.
Whenwespeakofdesirewerefertodesireformaterialsensegratification.
SaintlypersonslikeSanaka,Sanatana,SanandanaandSanatkumarahaveno
materialdesire,butsometimestheytravelallovertheuniverse,outoftheir
ownaccord,topreachdevotionalservice.
IntheVaikunthaplanetsalltheresidentsaresimilarinformtotheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.TheyallengageindevotionalservicetotheLord
withoutdesiresforsensegratification.
IntheVaikunthaplanetsKrsna'splenaryfeatureasfourhandedNarayanais
thepredominatingDeity,andtheresidentsofVaikunthalokaarealsofour
handed,justcontrarytoourconceptionhereinthematerialworld.
InVaikunthalokathereisnooccupationbuttheserviceoftheLord,andthis
serviceisnotrenderedwithapurpose.Althougheveryservicehasaparticular
result,thedevoteesneveraspireforthefulfillmentoftheirowndesires;their
desiresarefulfilledbyrenderingtranscendentallovingservicetotheLord.
ThekingdomoftheSupremePersonalityofGodheadinthespiritualsky
cannotbeunderstoodbyanyprocessotherthanhearingfromthedescriptionof
theVedas.Noonecangoseeit.
Inthematerialworld,evenifapersoniscompletelyingoodness,heis
sometimessubjecttobepollutedbytingesofthemodesofignoranceand
passion.ButintheVaikunthaworld,thespiritualsky,onlythemodeof
goodnessinitspureformexists.
IntheVaikunthaplanetstheland,thetrees,thefruitsandflowersandthe
cowseverythingiscompletelyspiritualandpersonal.Thetreesaredesire
trees.Onthismaterialplanetthetreescanproducefruitsandflowersaccording
totheorderofmaterialenergy,butintheVaikunthaplanetsthetrees,theland,
theresidentsandtheanimalsareallspiritual.Thereisnodifferencebetween
thetreeandtheanimalortheanimalandtheman.Herethewordmurtimat
indicatesthateverythinghasaspiritualform.

Thereisabreezecarryingthefragranceofblossomingflowers,andthisbreeze
issonicethatitalsocarriesthehoneyoftheflowers.Theinhabitantsof
Vaikuntha,however,aresointerestedinglorifyingtheLordthattheydonot
likethedisturbanceofsuchanicebreezewhiletheyarechantingtheLord's
glories.Inotherwords,theyarepuredevotees.Theyconsiderglorificationof
theLordmoreimportantthantheirownsensegratification.IntheVaikuntha
planetsthereisnoquestionofsensegratification.Tosmellthefragranceofa
blossomingfloweriscertainlyverynice,butitissimplyforsensegratification.
TheinhabitantsofVaikunthagivefirstpreferencetotheserviceoftheLord,
nottheirownsensegratification.ServingtheLordintranscendentalloveyields
suchtranscendentalpleasurethat,incomparison,sensegratificationiscounted
asinsignificant.
Spiritualvariegatednessmeansthateverythingisanimate.Thereisnothing
inanimate.Eventhetrees,theground,theplants,theflowers,thebirdsandthe
beastsareallonthelevelofKrsnaconsciousness.Thespecialfeatureof
Vaikunthalokaisthatthereisnoquestionofsensegratification,Inthematerial
worldevenanassenjoyshissoundvibration,butintheVaikunthassuchnice
birdsasthepeacock,thecakravakaandthecuckooprefertohearthevibration
ofthegloriesoftheLordfromthebees.Theprinciplesofdevotionalservice,
beginningwithhearingandchanting,areveryprominentintheVaikuntha
world.
Althoughfloweringplantslikethemandara,kunda,kurabaka,utpala,campaka,
arna,punnaga,nagakesara,bakula,lilyandparijataarefulloftranscendental
fragrance,theyarestillconsciousoftheausteritiesperformedbytulasi,for
tulasiisgivenspecialpreferencebytheLord,whogarlandsHimselfwithtulasi
leaves.
Theimportanceoftulasileavesisveryclearlymentionedhere.Tulasiplants
andtheirleavesareveryimportantindevotionalservice.Devoteesare
recommendedtowaterthetulasitreeeverydayandcollecttheleavesto
worshiptheLord.
Themostimportantthingaboutthespiritualworldisthatthereisnoenvy
amongthedevoteesthere.Thisistrueevenamongtheflowers,whichareall
consciousofthegreatnessoftulasi.IntheVaikunthaworldenteredbythefour
Kumaras,eventhebirdsandflowersareconsciousofservicetotheLord.
TheinhabitantsofVaikunthatravelintheirairplanesmadeoflapislazuli,
emeraldandgold.Althoughcrowdedbytheirconsorts,whohavelargehips
andbeautifulsmilingfaces,theycannotbestimulatedtopassionbytheirmirth
andbeautifulcharms.
Inthematerialworld,opulencesareachievedbymaterialisticpersonsbydint

oftheirlabor.Onecannotenjoymaterialprosperityunlessheworksveryhard
toachieveit.ButthedevoteesoftheLordwhoareresidentsofVaikunthahave
theopportunitytoenjoyatranscendentalsituationofjewelsandemeralds.
Ornamentsmadeofgoldbedeckedwithjewelsareachievednotbyworking
hardbutbythebenedictionoftheLord.Inotherwords,devoteesinthe
Vaikunthaworld,oreveninthismaterialworld,cannotbepovertystricken,as
issometimessupposed.Theyhaveampleopulencesforenjoyment,butthey
neednotlabortoachievethem.

ItisalsostatedthatintheVaikunthaworldtheconsortsoftheresidentsare
many,manytimesmorebeautifulthanwecanfindinthismaterialworld,even
inthehigherplanets.Itisspecificallymentionedherethatawoman'slargehips
areveryattractiveandtheystimulateman'spassion,butthewonderfulfeature
ofVaikunthaisthatalthoughthewomenhavelargehipsandbeautifulfaces
andaredecoratedwithornamentsofemeraldsandjewels,themenareso
absorbedinKrsnaconsciousnessthatthebeautifulbodiesofthewomencannot
attractthem.Inotherwords,thereisenjoymentoftheassociationofthe
oppositesex,butthereisnosexualrelationship.TheresidentsofVaikuntha
haveabetterstandardofpleasure,sothereisnoneedofsexpleasure.
IntheBrahmasamhitaitisstatedthattheSupremeLord,Govinda,isalways
servedinHisabodebymany,manymillionsofgoddessesoffortune.Laksmi
sahasrasatasambhramasevyamanam.Thesemillionsandtrillionsof
goddessesoffortunewhoresideintheVaikunthaplanetsarenotexactly
consortsoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,butarethewivesofthe
devoteesoftheLordandalsoengageintheserviceoftheSupremePersonality
ofGodhead.
ItisstatedherethatintheVaikunthaplanetsthehousesaremadeofmarble.
Similarly,intheBrahmasamhitaitisstatedthatthegroundontheVaikuntha
planetsismadeoftouchstone.Thusthereisnoneedtosweepthestonein
Vaikuntha,forthereishardlyanydustonit,butstill,inordertosatisfythe
Lord,theladiestherealwaysengageindustingthemarblewalls.Why?The
reasonisthattheyareeagertoachievethegraceoftheLordbydoingso.
ItisalsostatedherethatintheVaikunthaplanetsthegoddessesoffortuneare
faultless.Generallythegoddessoffortunedoesnotremainsteadilyinone
place.HernameisCancala,whichmeans"onewhoisnotsteady."Wefind,

therefore,thatamanwhoisveryrichmaybecomethepoorestofthepoor.
AnotherexampleisRavana.RavanatookawayLaksmi,Sitaji,tohiskingdom,
andinsteadofbeinghappybythegraceofLaksmi,hisfamilyandhiskingdom
werevanquished.ThusLaksmiinthehouseofRavanaisCancala,orunsteady.
MenofRavana'sclasswantLaksmionly,withoutherhusband,Narayana;
thereforetheybecomeunsteadyduetoLaksmiji.Materialisticpersonsfind
faultonthepartofLaksmi,butinVaikunthaLaksmijiisfixedintheserviceof
theLord.Inspiteofherbeingthegoddessoffortune,shecannotbehappy
withoutthegraceoftheLord.EventhegoddessoffortuneneedstheLord's
graceinordertobehappy,yetinthematerialworldevenBrahma,thehighest
createdbeing,seeksthefavorofLaksmiforhappiness.
ThegoddessesoffortuneworshiptheLordintheirowngardensbyoffering
tulasileavesonthecoralpavedbanksoftranscendentalreservoirsofwater.
WhileofferingworshiptotheLord,theycanseeonthewaterthereflectionof
theirbeautifulfaceswithraisednoses,anditappearsthattheyhavebecome
morebeautifulbecauseoftheLord'skissingtheirfaces.
InVaikunthaalso,althoughthegoddessoffortuneisnaturallyasbeautifulas
canbeimagined,sheneverthelessawaitsthekissingoftheLordtomakeher
facemorebeautiful.Thebeautifulfaceofthegoddessoffortuneappearsin
pondsoftranscendentalcrystalwaterwhensheworshipstheLordwithtulasi
leavesinhergarden.
Themostunfortunatepersonsaretheimpersonalists,whocannotunderstand
thetranscendentalvariegatednessofthespiritualworld.Theyareafraidtotalk
aboutthebeautyoftheVaikunthaplanetsbecausetheythinkthat
variegatednessmustbematerial.
Butinsteadoftryingtounderstandthespiritualabodeandthespiritual
activitiesoftheLord,peoplearemoreinterestedinpoliticsandeconomic
developments.Theyholdmanyconventions,meetingsanddiscussionstosolve
theproblemsofthisworldlysituation,wheretheycanremainforonlyafew
years,buttheyarenotinterestedinunderstandingthespiritualsituationofthe
Vaikunthaworld.
LordBrahmasaid:Mydeardemigods,thehumanformoflifeisofsuch
importancethatwealsodesiretohavesuchlife,forinthehumanformone
canattainperfectreligioustruthandknowledge.Ifoneinthishuman
formoflifedoesnotunderstandtheSupremePersonalityofGodheadand
Hisabode,itistobeunderstoodthatheisverymuchaffectedbythe
influenceofexternalnature.
ThehumanformoflifeisdesiredevenbyBrahmaji.Brahmaandother
demigodshavemuchbettermaterialbodiesthanhumanbeings,yetthe

demigods,includingBrahma,neverthelessdesiretoattainthehumanformof
lifebecauseitisspecificallymeantforthelivingentitywhocanattain
transcendentalknowledgeandreligiousperfection.Itisnotpossibletogoback
toGodheadinonelife,butinthehumanformoneshouldatleastunderstand
thegoaloflifeandbeginKrsnaconsciousness.
Itissaidthatthehumanformisagreatboonbecauseitisthemostsuitable
boatforcrossingoverthenescienceocean.Thespiritualmasterisconsidered
tobethemostablecaptaininthatboat,andtheinformationfromthescriptures
isthefavorablewindforfloatingovertheoceanofnescience.Thehuman
beingwhodoesnottakeadvantageofallthesefacilitiesinthislifeis
committingsuicide.ThereforeonewhodoesnotbeginKrsnaconsciousnessin
thehumanformoflifeloseshislifetotheinfluenceoftheillusoryenergy.
Brahmaregretsthesituationofsuchahumanbeing.
Personswhosebodilyfeatureschangeinecstasyandwhobreatheheavily
andperspireduetohearingthegloriesoftheLordarepromotedtothe
kingdomofGod,eventhoughtheydonotcareformeditationandother
austerities.ThekingdomofGodisabovethematerialuniverses,anditis
desiredbyBrahmaandotherdemigods.
Brahmajistateshereinthatthespiritualkingdomisabovethekingdomofthe
demigods.OnecanenterthekingdomoftheSupremeLordonlywhenoneis
highlydevelopedindesirablequalities.Allgoodqualitiesdevelopinthe
personofadevotee.ItisstatedinSrimadBhagavatam,FifthCanto,Eighteenth
Chapter,verse12,thatanyonewhoisKrsnaconsciousisendowedwithallthe
goodqualitiesofthedemigods
Thequalitiesofthedemigodsinthehigherplanetsarefarsuperiortothe
qualitiesoftheinhabitantsofthisearth.
IntheCaitanyacaritamrta,thedevotee'sdesirablequalitiesaredescribedtobe
twentysixinnumber.Theyarestatedasfollows:Heisverykind;hedoesnot
quarrelwithanyone;heacceptsKrsnaconsciousnessasthehighestgoaloflife;
heisequaltoeveryone;noonecanfindfaultinhischaracter;heis
magnanimous,mildandalwaysclean,internallyandexternally;hedoesnot
professtopossessanythinginthismaterialworld;heisabenefactortoall
livingentities;heispeacefulandisasoulcompletelysurrenderedtoKrsna;he
hasnomaterialdesiretofulfill;heismeekandhumble,alwayssteady,andhas
conqueredthesensualactivities;hedoesnoteatmorethanrequiredtomaintain
bodyandsoultogether;heisnevermadaftermaterialidentity;heisrespectful
toallothersanddoesnotdemandrespectforhimself;heisverygrave,very
compassionateandveryfriendly;heispoetic;heisexpertinallactivities,and
heissilentinnonsense.

Similarly,inSrimadBhagavatam,ThirdCanto,TwentyfifthChapter,verse
21,thequalificationsofasaintlypersonarementioned.Itissaidtherethata
saintlypersoneligibletoenterintothekingdomofGodisverytolerantand
verykindtoalllivingentities.Heisnotpartial;heiskindbothtohuman
beingsandtoanimals.HeisnotsuchafoolthathewillkillagoatNarayanato
feedahumanNarayana,ordaridranarayana.Heisverykindtoallliving
entities;thereforehehasnoenemy.Heisverypeaceful.Thesearethequalities
ofpersonswhoareeligibletoenterintothekingdomofGod.
TheSrimadBhagavatam,SecondCanto,ThirdChapter,verse24,also
statesthatifapersondoesnotcryorexhibitbodilychangesafterchanting
theholynameofGodwithoutoffense,itistobeunderstoodthatheis
hardheartedandthatthereforehisheartdoesnotchangeevenafterhe
chantstheholynameofGod,HareKrsna.Thesebodilychangescantake
placeduetoecstasywhenweoffenselesslychanttheholynamesofGod:
HareKrsna,HareKrsna,KrsnaKrsna,HareHare.HareRama,Hare
Rama,RamaRama,HareHare.

Itmaybenotedthattherearetenoffensesweshouldavoid.Thefirstoffenseis
todecrypersonswhotryintheirlivestobroadcastthegloriesoftheLord.
PeoplemustbeeducatedinunderstandingthegloriesoftheSupreme;therefore
thedevoteeswhoengageinpreachingthegloriesoftheLordarenevertobe
decried.Itisthegreatestoffense.Furthermore,theholynameofVisnuisthe
mostauspiciousname,andHispastimesarealsonondifferentfromtheholy
nameoftheLord.Therearemanyfoolishpersonswhosaythatonecanchant
HareKrsnaorchantthenameofKaliorDurgaorSivabecausetheyareallthe
same.IfonethinksthattheholynameoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead
andthenamesandactivitiesofthedemigodsareonthesamelevel,orifone
acceptstheholynameofVisnutobeamaterialsoundvibration,thatisalsoan
offense.Thethirdoffenseistothinkofthespiritualmasterwhospreadsthe
gloriesoftheLordasanordinaryhumanbeing.Thefourthoffenseisto
considertheVedicliteratures,suchasthePuranasorothertranscendentally
revealedscriptures,tobeordinarybooksofknowledge.Thefifthoffenseisto
thinkthatdevoteeshavegivenartificialimportancetotheholynameofGod.
TheactualfactisthattheLordisnondifferentfromHisname.Thehighest
realizationofspiritualvalueistochanttheholynameofGod,asprescribedfor
theageHareKrsna,HareKrsna,KrsnaKrsna,HareHare.HareRama,Hare
Rama,RamaRama,HareHare.Thesixthoffenseistogivesomeinterpretation
ontheholynameofGod.Theseventhoffenseistoactsinfullyonthestrength

ofchantingtheholynameofGod.Itisunderstoodthatonecanbefreedfrom
allsinfulreactionsimplybychantingtheholynameofGod,butifonethinks
thatheisthereforeatlibertytocommitallkindsofsinfulacts,thatisa
symptomofoffense.TheeighthoffenseistoequatethechantingofHareKrsna
withotherspiritualactivities,suchasmeditation,austerity,penanceor
sacrifice.Theycannotbeequatedatanylevel.Theninthoffenseisto
specificallyglorifytheimportanceoftheholynamebeforepersonswhohave
nointerest.Thetenthoffenseistobeattachedtothemisconceptionof
possessingsomething,ortoacceptthebodyasone'sself,whileexecutingthe
processofspiritualcultivation.
Whenoneisfreefromalltenoftheseoffensesinchantingtheholynameof
God,hedevelopstheecstaticbodilyfeaturescalledpulakasru.Pulakameans
"symptomsofhappiness,"andasrumeans"tearsintheeyes."The
symptomsofhappinessandtearsintheeyesmustappearinapersonwhohas
chantedtheholynameoffenselessly.
Hereinthisverseitisstatedthatthosewhohaveactuallydevelopedthe
symptomsofhappinessandtearsintheeyesbychantingthegloriesoftheLord
areeligibletoenterthekingdomofGod.
IntheCaitanyacaritamrtaitissaidthatifonedoesnotdevelopthese
symptomswhilechantingHareKrsna,itistobeunderstoodthatheisstill
offensive.

Caitanyacaritamrtasuggestsaniceremedyinthisconnection.Thereitissaid
inverse31,ChapterEight,ofAdilila,thatifanyonetakesshelterofLord
CaitanyaandjustchantstheholynameoftheLord,HareKrsna,hebecomes
freedfromalloffenses.
Thusthegreatsages,Sanaka,Sanatana,SanandanaandSanatkumara,upon
reachingtheabovementionedVaikunthainthespiritualworldbydintoftheir
mysticyogaperformance,perceivedunprecedentedhappiness.Theyfoundthat
thespiritualskywasilluminatedbyhighlydecoratedairplanespilotedbythe
bestdevoteesofVaikunthaandwaspredominatedbytheSupremePersonality
ofGodhead.
ThesagesfeltanunprecedentedhappinessbecauseVaikunthawasnot
predominatedbyanordinaryman.TheVaikunthaplanetsarepredominatedby
expansionsofKrsna,whoaredifferentlynamedasMadhusudana,Madhava,
Narayana,Pradyumna,etc.Thesetranscendentalplanetsareworshipable
becausethePersonalityofGodheadpersonallyrulesthem
Itissaidherethatthesagesreachedthetranscendentalspiritualskybydintof

theirmysticpower.Thatistheperfectionoftheyogasystem.Thebreathing
exercisesanddisciplinestokeephealthinproperorderarenottheultimate
goalsofyogaperfection.
Theyogasystemasgenerallyunderstoodisastangayoga,orsiddhi,eightfold
perfectioninyoga.Bydintofperfectioninyogaonecanbecomelighterthan
thelightestandheavierthantheheaviest;onecangowhereverhelikesandcan
achieveopulencesashelikes.Thereareeightsuchperfections.Thersis,the
fourKumaras,reachedVaikunthabybecominglighterthanthelightestand
thuspassingoverthespaceofthematerialworld.
ItisunderstoodthatinoneyearDurvasaMunitraveledeverywhereandwent
intothespiritualskytomeettheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,Narayana.
Thetranscendentalhappinessexhibitedinthespiritualworldandallother
spiritualmanifestationstherearemadepossiblebytheinfluenceofyogamaya,
theinternalpotencyoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
AfterpassingthroughthesixentrancesofVaikunthapuri,theLord'sresidence,
withoutfeelingastonishmentatallthedecorations,theysawattheseventhgate
twoshiningbeingsofthesameage,armedwithmacesandadornedwithmost
valuablejewelry,earrings,diamonds,helmets,garments,etc.
ThesagesweresoeagertoseetheLordwithinVaikunthapurithattheydidnot
caretoseethetranscendentaldecorationsofthesixgateswhichtheypassedby
oneafteranother.Butattheseventhdoortheyfoundtwodoormenofthesame
age.Thesignificanceofthedoormen'sbeingofthesameageisthatinthe
Vaikunthaplanetsthereisnooldage,soonecannotdistinguishwhoisolder
thanwhom.
TheinhabitantsofVaikunthaaredecoratedliketheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,Narayana,withsankha,cakra,gadaandpadma(conch,wheel,club
andlotus).
Thegreatsages,headedbySanaka,hadopeneddoorseverywhere.Theyhadno
ideaof"ours"and"theirs."Withopenminds,theyenteredtheseventhdoorout
oftheirownwill,justastheyhadpassedthroughthesixotherdoors,which
weremadeofgoldanddiamonds.
Thegreatsagesnamely,Sanaka,Sanatana,SanandanaandSanatkumara
althoughveryoldinyears,maintainedthemselveseternallyassmallchildren.
Theywerenotatallduplicitous,andtheyenteredthedoorsexactlyaslittle
childrenenterplaceswithoutanyideaofwhatitistotrespass.Thatisachild's
nature.
Achildcanenteranyplace,andnoonecheckshim.Indeed,achildisgenerally

welcomeinhisattemptstogoplaces,butifitsohappensthatachildis
checkedfromenteringadoor,henaturallybecomesverysorryandangry.That
isthenatureofachild.
Anordinarychildwouldcry,butbecausethesewerenotordinarychildren,
theyimmediatelymadepreparationstopunishthedoormen,forthedoormen
hadcommittedagreatoffense.Eventothisdayasaintlypersonisnever
checkedfromenteringanyone'sdoorinIndia.
Thefourboysages,whohadnothingtocovertheirbodiesbuttheatmosphere,
lookedonlyfiveyearsold,eventhoughtheyweretheoldestofallliving
creaturesandhadrealizedthetruthoftheself.Butwhentheporters,who
happenedtopossessadispositionquiteunpalatabletotheLord,sawthesages,
theyblockedtheirwaywiththeirstaffs,despisingtheirglories,althoughthe
sagesdidnotdeservesuchtreatmentattheirhands.
ThefoursageswerethefirstbornsonsofBrahma.Thereforeallother
livingentities,includingLordSiva,arebornlaterandaretherefore
youngerthanthefourKumaras.
WhentheKumaras,althoughbyfarthefittestpersons,werethusforbidden
entrancebythetwochiefdoorkeepersofSriHariwhileotherdivinitieslooked
on,theireyessuddenlyturnedredbecauseofangerduetotheirgreateagerness
toseetheirmostbelovedmaster,SriHari,thePersonalityofGodhead.
AccordingtotheVedicsystem,asannyasi,apersonintherenouncedorderof
life,isdressedinsaffroncoloredgarments.Thissaffrondressispracticallya
passportforthemendicantandsannyasitogoanywhere.Thesannyasi'sdutyis
toenlightenpeopleinKrsnaconsciousness.Thoseintherenouncedorderof
lifehavenootherbusinessbutpreachingthegloriesandsupremacyofthe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead.
ThereforetheVedicsociologicalconceptionisthatasannyasishouldnotbe
restricted;heisallowedtogoanywhereandeverywherehewants,andheisnot
refusedanygifthemightdemandfromahouseholder.
Inthisverseitisfigurativelystatedthattheyoungerbrotherofdesiresuddenly
appearedinpersonwhenthesageswereforbiddentoseetheirmostbeloved
PersonalityofGodhead.Theyoungerbrotherofdesireisanger.Ifone'sdesire
isnotfulfilled,theyoungerbrother,anger,follows.
HerewecanmarkthatevengreatsaintlypersonsliketheKumaraswerealso
angry,buttheywerenotangryfortheirpersonalinterests.Theywereangry
becausetheywereforbiddentoenterthepalacetoseethePersonalityof
Godhead.Thereforethetheorythatintheperfectionalstageoneshouldnot
haveangerisnotsupportedinthisverse.Angerwillcontinueeveninthe

liberatedstage.
Thesefourmendicantbrothers,theKumaras,wereconsideredliberated
persons,butstilltheywereangrybecausetheywererestrictedintheirservice
totheLord.Thedifferencebetweentheangerofanordinarypersonandthatof
aliberatedpersonisthatanordinarypersonbecomesangrybecausehissense
desiresarenotbeingfulfilled,whereasaliberatedpersonliketheKumaras
becomesangrywhenrestrictedinthedischargeofdutiesforservingthe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead.
Onewhodoesnotunderstandthetruthofselfrealizationiscalledignorant,but
onewhounderstandstheself,theSuperself,theirinterrelation,andactivitiesin
selfrealizationiscalledviditatmatattva.
AlthoughtheKumaraswerealreadyliberatedpersons,theynevertheless
becameangry.Thispointisveryimportant.Becomingliberateddoesnot
necessitatelosingone'ssensualactivities.Senseactivitiescontinueeveninthe
liberatedstage.Thedifferenceis,however,thatsenseactivitiesinliberationare
acceptedonlyinconnectionwithKrsnaconsciousness,whereassenseactivities
intheconditionedstageareenactedforpersonalsensegratification.
Ithasbeenanalyzedbygreatpersonalitiesthatwhenaconditionedsoulis
liberatedandbecomesadevotee,aboutseventyninepercentofallthegood
qualitiesoftheLorddevelopinhisperson.ThereforeintheVaikunthaworld
thereisnoquestionofenmitybetweentheLordandtheresidents.
ThebasicprincipleofgoodnessistoacceptsubordinationtotheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.

Justastherearedifferentdepartmentsineachstateinthismaterialworldthe
civildepartmentandthecriminaldepartmentso,inGod'screation,thereare
twodepartmentsofexistence.Asinthematerialworldwefindthatthe
criminaldepartmentisfar,farsmallerthanthecivildepartment,sothis
materialworld,whichisconsideredthecriminaldepartment,isonefourthof
theentirecreationoftheLord.Alllivingentitieswhoareresidentsofthe
materialuniversesareconsideredtobemoreorlesscriminalsbecausetheydo
notwishtoabidebytheorderoftheLordortheyareagainsttheharmonious
activitiesofGod'swill.
TheprincipleofcreationisthattheSupremeLord,thePersonalityofGodhead,

isbynaturejoyful,andHebecomesmanyinordertoenhanceHis
transcendentaljoy.Thelivingentitieslikeourselves,beingpartandparcelof
theSupremeLord,aremeanttosatisfythesensesoftheLord.Thus,whenever
thereisadiscrepancyinthatharmony,immediatelythelivingentityis
entrappedbymaya,orillusion.
Krsnasays,"Giveupallotherreligiousprinciplesandsimplybecomeasoul
surrendereduntoMe."Thisisreligion.WhenoneisfullyconsciousthatKrsna
isthesupremeenjoyerandSupremeLordandoneactsaccordingly,thatisreal
religion.Anythingwhichgoesagainstthisprincipleisnotreligion.Krsna
thereforesays:"Justgiveupallotherreligiousprinciples."Inthespiritual
worldthisreligiousprincipleofKrsnaconsciousnessismaintainedinharmony,
andthereforethatworldiscalledVaikuntha.Ifthesameprinciplescanbe
adoptedhere,whollyorpartially,thenitisalsoVaikuntha.Soitiswithany
society,suchastheInternationalSocietyforKrishnaConsciousness:Ifthe
membersoftheInternationalSocietyforKrishnaConsciousness,puttingfaith
inKrsnaasthecenter,liveinharmonyaccordingtotheorderandprinciplesof
Bhagavadgita,thentheyarelivinginVaikuntha,notinthismaterialworld.
Thereforeletusconsiderhowthesetwocontaminatedpersonsshouldbe
punished.Thepunishmentshouldbeapt,forthusbenefitcaneventuallybe
bestoweduponthem.SincetheyfinddualityintheexistenceofVaikunthalife,
theyarecontaminatedandshouldberemovedfromthisplacetothematerial
world,wherethelivingentitieshavethreekindsofenemies.
Bycontaminationheisforcedtotransfertothismaterialworld,wherethe
livingentitieshavethreeenemies,namelydesire,angerandlust.Thesethree
enemiesforcethelivingentitiestocontinuematerialexistence,andwhenone
isfreefromthemheiseligibletoenterthekingdomofGod.Oneshouldnot,
therefore,beangryintheabsenceofanopportunityforsense
gratification,andoneshouldnotbelustytoacquiremorethannecessary.

Inthisverseitisclearlystatedthatthetwodoormenshouldbesentintothe
materialworld,wherecriminalsareallowedtoreside.Sincethebasic
principlesofcriminalityaresensegratification,angerandunnecessarylust,
personsconductedbythesethreeenemiesofthelivingentityarenever
promotedtoVaikunthaloka
WhenthedoormenofVaikunthaloka,whowerecertainlydevoteesoftheLord,
foundthattheyweregoingtobecursedbythebrahmanas,theyatoncebecame
verymuchafraidandfelldownatthefeetofthebrahmanasingreatanxiety,

forabrahmana'scursecannotbecounteractedbyanykindofweapon.
Therearemanykindsofoffenses,butthegreatestoffenseistooffenda
devoteeoftheLord.
Afterbeingcursedbythesages,thedoormensaid:Itisquiteaptthatyouhave
punishedusforneglectingtorespectsageslikeyou.Butwepraythatdueto
yourcompassionatourrepentance,theillusionofforgettingtheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadwillnotcomeuponusaswegoprogressively
downward.
InBhagavadgitatheLorddeclaresthatHisdevoteescannotbevanquishedat
anytime.TheLordcouldunderstandthatthequarrelbetweenthedoormenand
thesageswastakingadifferentturn,andthereforeHeinstantlycameoutof
HisplaceandwenttothespottostopfurtheraggravationsothatHisdevotees,
thedoormen,mightnotbevanquishedforgood.
Thesages,headedbySanakaRsi,sawthattheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,Visnu,whowasformerlyvisibleonlywithintheirheartsinecstatic
trance,hadnowactuallybecomevisibletotheireyes.AsHecameforward,
accompaniedbyHisownassociatesbearingallparaphernalia,suchasan
umbrellaandacamarafan,thewhitebunchesofhairmovedverygently,like
twoswans,andduetotheirfavorablebreezethepearlsgarlandingtheumbrella
alsomoved,likedropsofnectarfallingfromthewhitefullmoonoricemelting
duetoagustofwind.
MeditatorswhoareveryfortunatecanseetheVisnuformoftheLordwithin
theirheartsbyfollowingtheyogicprocess.ButtoseeHimfacetofaceisa
differentmatter.Thisisonlypossibleforpuredevotees.
ItissaidintheBrahmasamhitathatdevotees,beingelevatedinloveofGod,
alwaysseeSyamasundara,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,withintheir
hearts.Butwhentheyaremature,thesameGodisvisiblebeforethemfaceto
face.

ForordinarypersonstheLordisnotvisible;however,whenonecan
understandthesignificanceofHisholynameandoneengageshimselfinthe
devotionalserviceoftheLord,beginningwiththetongue,bychantingand
tastingprasada,thengraduallytheLordrevealsHimself.Thusthedevotee
constantlyseestheLordwithinhisheart,and,inamorematurestage,onecan
seethesameLorddirectly,asweseeeverythingelse.

TheLord,beingequaltoall,andbeingespeciallyinclinedtoHisdevotee,
lookedasmercifullyattheoffendersasattheoffended.Thisattitudeofthe
LordwasduetoHisunlimitedquantityoftranscendentalqualities.
HeisespeciallyinclinedtoHisdevotee;Hetouchesthecoreoftheheartofthe
devoteesimplybysmilingandglancingoverhim.
Hehasallthetranscendentalqualities.Althoughonlysomeoftheseareaspired
forbypersonswhohankerafterthepleasureofmergingintheimpersonal
Brahman,thereareotheraspirantswhowanttoassociatewiththeLord
personallyasHisservants.TheLordissokindthatHegivesshelterto
everyonebothimpersonalistsanddevotees.Hegivessheltertothe
impersonalistsinHisimpersonalBrahmaneffulgence,whereasHegives
sheltertothedevoteesinHispersonalabodesknownastheVaikunthalokas.

HereisafulldescriptionofthePersonalityofGodheadaspersonally
experiencedbythesages.TheLord'spersonalbodywascoveredwithyellow
robes,andHiswaistwasthin.InVaikuntha,wheneverthereisaflowergarland
onthechestofthePersonalityofGodheadoranyoneofHisassociates,itis
describedthatthehummingbeesarethere.Allthesefeatureswerevery
beautifulandattractiveforthedevotees.OneoftheLord'shandsrestedonHis
carrier,Garuda,andinanotherhandHetwirledalotusflower.Theseare
personalcharacteristicsofthePersonalityofGodhead,Narayana.
Thegoddessoffortuneissupposedtobethemostbeautifulsightwithinthe
spiritualandmaterialcreationsoftheLord;shehasasenseofbeingthemost
beautiful,yetherbeautywasdefeatedwhentheLordappeared.Inotherwords,
thebeautyofthegoddessoffortuneissecondaryinthepresenceoftheLord.
InthewordsofVaisnavapoets,itissaidthattheLord'sbeautyissoenchanting
thatitdefeatshundredsofthousandsofCupids.HeisthereforecalledMadana
mohana.ItisalsodescribedthattheLordsometimesbecomesmadafterthe
beautyofRadharani.Poetsdescribethatunderthosecircumstances,although
LordKrsnaisMadanamohana,HebecomesMadanadaha,orenchantedbythe
beautyofRadharani.
ActuallytheLord'sbeautyissuperexcellent,surpassingeventhebeautyof
LaksmiinVaikuntha.ThedevoteesoftheLordintheVaikunthaplanetswant
toseetheLordasthemostbeautiful,butthedevoteesinGokulaorKrsnaloka
wanttoseeRadharaniasmorebeautifulthanKrsna.Theadjustmentisthatthe
Lord,beingbhaktavatsala,oronewhowantstopleaseHisdevotees,assumes
suchfeaturessothatdevoteeslikeLordBrahma,LordSivaandotherdemigods
maybepleased.

Herealso,forthedevoteesages,theKumaras,theLordappearedinHismost
beautifulfeature,andtheycontinuedtoseeHimwithoutsatiationandwanted
tocontinueseeingHimmoreandmore.
Whenthebreezecarryingthearomaoftulasileavesfromthetoesofthelotus
feetofthePersonalityofGodheadenteredthenostrilsofthosesages,they
experiencedachangebothinbodyandinmind,eventhoughtheywere
attachedtotheimpersonalBrahmanunderstanding.
Inotherwords,theimpersonalistwhofeelstranscendentalpleasureinstriving
tobecomeonewiththeLordisdefeatedwhenheseesthebeautiful
transcendentalfeaturesoftheLord.BecauseofthefragranceofHislotusfeet,
carriedbytheairandmixedwiththearomaoftulasi,theirmindschanged;
insteadofbecomingonewiththeSupremeLord,theythoughtitwisetobe
devotees.BecomingaservitorofthelotusfeetoftheLordisbetterthan
becomingonewiththeLord.

TheLord'sbeautifulfaceappearedtothemliketheinsideofabluelotus,and
theLord'ssmileappearedtobeablossomingjasmineflower.Afterseeingthe
faceoftheLord,thesageswerefullysatisfied,andwhentheywantedtosee
Himfurther,theylookeduponthenailsofHislotusfeet,whichresembled
rubies.ThustheyviewedtheLord'stranscendentalbodyagainandagain,and
sotheyfinallyachievedmeditationontheLord'spersonalfeature.
Itisnotimaginarybutfactual,asprovedbygreatyogis.
Thesuccessoftheyogaprocessisverynicelydescribedhere.Itisspecifically
mentionedthattheformoftheLordasfourhandedNarayanaistheobjectof
meditationforthefollowersofyogamarga.Inthemodernagethereareso
manysocalledyogiswhodonottargettheirmeditationonthefourhanded
Narayanaform.Someofthemtrytomeditateonsomethingimpersonalorvoid,
butthatisnotapprovedbythegreatyogiswhofollowthestandardmethod.
Therealyogamargaprocessistocontrolthesenses,sitinasolitaryand
sanctifiedplaceandmeditateonthefourhandedformofNarayana,decorated
asdescribedinthischapterasHeappearedbeforethefoursages.This
NarayanaformisKrsna'sexpansion;thereforetheKrsnaconsciousness
movementwhichisnowspreadingisthereal,topmostprocessofyoga
practice.
Thehighestyogamargaprocessistoconcentratethemindtwentyfour
hoursadayonKrsna.ThisiscalledKrsnaconsciousness.
Theyogasystem,asdescribedinSrimadBhagavatamandBhagavadgitaoras
recommendedinthePatanjaliyogaprocess,isdifferentfromthenowadays

practicedhathayogaasitisgenerallyunderstoodintheWesterncountries.
Realyogapracticeistocontrolthesensesand,aftersuchcontrolisestablished,
toconcentratethemindontheNarayanaformoftheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,SriKrsna.LordKrsnaistheoriginalPersonalityofGodhead,andall
theotherVisnuformswithfourhandsdecoratedwithconch,lotus,cluband
wheelareplenaryexpansionsofKrsna.
InBhagavadgitaitisrecommendedthatonemeditateupontheformofthe
Lord.Topracticeconcentrationofthemind,onehastositwiththeheadand
thebackinastraightline,andonemustpracticeinasecludedplace,sanctified
byasacredatmosphere.Theyogishouldobservetherulesandregulationsof
brahmacaryatostrictlylivealifeofselfrestraintandcelibacy.
Onecannotpracticeyogainacongestedcity,livingalifeofextravagancy,
includingunrestrictedsexindulgenceandadulteryofthetongue.Yogapractice
necessitatescontrollingthesenses,andthebeginningofsensecontrolisto
controlthetongue.Onewhocancontrolthetonguecanalsohavecontrolover
theothersenses.Onecannotallowthetonguetotakeallkindsofforbidden
foodanddrinkandatthesametimeadvanceinthepracticeofyoga.
Itisaveryregrettablefactthatmanyunauthorizedsocalledyogiscometothe
Westerncountriesandexploitpeople'sinclinationtowardsyogapractice.Such
unauthorizedyogisevendaretosaypubliclythatonecanindulgeinthehabit
ofdrinkingandatthesametimepracticemeditation.
FivethousandyearsagoLordKrsnarecommendedyogapracticetoArjuna,but
Arjunafranklyexpressedhisinabilitytofollowthestringentrulesand
regulationsoftheyogasystem.Oneshouldbeverypracticalineveryfieldof
activitiesandshouldnotwastehisvaluabletimeinpracticinguseless
gymnasticfeatsinthenameofyoga.
RealyogaistosearchoutthefourhandedSupersoulwithinone'sheartandsee
Himperpetuallyinmeditation.Suchcontinuedmeditationiscalledsamadhi,
andtheobjectofthismeditationisthefourhandedNarayana,withbodily
decorationsasdescribedinthischapterofSrimadBhagavatam.
If,however,onewantstomeditateuponsomethingvoidorimpersonal,itwill
takeaverylongtimebeforeheachievessuccessinyogapractice.Wecannot
concentrateourmindonsomethingvoidorimpersonal.
RealyogaistofixthemindontheformoftheLord,thefourhandedNarayana
whoissittingineveryone'sheart.
BymeditationonecanunderstandthatGodisseatedwithinone'sheart.Evenif
onedoesnotknowit,Godisseatedwithintheheartofeveryone.Notonlyis
Heseatedintheheartofthehumanbeing,butHeisalsowithintheheartsof

catsanddogs.BhagavadgitacertifiesthisfactbythedeclarationoftheLord,
isvarahsarvabhutanamhrddese.Theisvara,thesupremecontrollerofthe
world,isseatedintheheartofeveryone.NotonlyisHeineveryone'sheart,but
Heisalsopresentwithintheatom.Noplaceisvacantordevoidofthepresence
oftheLord.ThatisthestatementofIsopanisad.Godispresenteverywhere,
andHisrightofproprietorshipappliestoeverything.
ThefeatureoftheLordbywhichHeispresenteverywhereiscalled
Paramatma.Atmameanstheindividualsoul,andParamatmameansthe
individualSupersoul;bothatmaandParamatmaareindividualpersons.The
differencebetweenatmaandParamatmaisthattheatma,orthesoul,ispresent
onlyinaparticularbody,whereastheParamatmaispresenteverywhere.Inthis
connection,theexampleofthesunisverynice.Anindividualpersonmaybe
situatedinoneplace,butthesun,eventhoughasimilarindividualentity,is
presentontheheadofeveryindividualperson.InBhagavadgitathisis
explained.
Thereforeeventhoughthequalitiesofallentities,includingtheLord,are
equal,theSupersoulisdifferentfromtheindividualsoulbyquantitativepower
ofexpansion.TheLord,ortheSupersoul,canexpandHimselfintomillionsof
differentforms,whereastheindividualsoulcannotdoso.
TheSupersoul,beingseatedineveryone'sheart,canwitnesseveryone's
activitiespast,presentandfuture.IntheUpanisadstheSupersoulisdescribed
asbeingseatedwiththeindividualsoulasfriendandwitness.Asafriend,the
LordisalwaysanxioustogetbackHisfriend,theindividualsoul,andbring
himbackhome,backtoGodhead.AsawitnessHeisthebestowerofall
benedictions,andHeendowseachindividualwiththeresultofhisactions.The
Supersoulgivestheindividualsoulallfacilitiestoachievewhateverhedesires
toenjoyinthismaterialworld.
Sufferingisareactiontothelivingentity'spropensitytotrytolorditoverthe
materialworld.
ButtheLordinstructsHisfriend,theindividualsoul,whoisalsoHisson,to
giveupallotherengagementsandsimplysurrenderuntoHimforperpetual
blissandaneternallifefullofknowledge.Thisisthelastinstructionof
Bhagavadgita,themostauthorizedandwidelyreadbookonallvarietiesof
yoga.ThusthelastwordofBhagavadgitaisthelastwordintheperfectionof
yoga.
ItisstatedinBhagavadgitathatapersonwhoisalwaysabsorbedinKrsna
consciousnessisthetopmostyogi.WhatisKrsnaconsciousness?Asthe
individualsoulispresentbyhisconsciousnessthroughouthisentirebody,so
theSupersoul,orParamatma,ispresentthroughoutthewholecreationby

superconsciousness.Thissuperconsciousenergyisimitatedbytheindividual
soul,whohaslimitedconsciousness.Icanunderstandwhatisgoingonwithin
mylimitedbody,butIcannotfeelwhatisgoingoninanother'sbody.Iam
presentthroughoutmybodybymyconsciousness,butmyconsciousnessisnot
presentinanother'sbody.TheSupersoul,orParamatma,however,being
presenteverywhereandwithineveryone,isalsoconsciousofeveryone's
existence.
ThetheorythatthesoulandtheSupersoulareoneisnotacceptablebecauseit
isnotconfirmedbyauthoritativeVedicliterature.Theindividualsoul's
consciousnesscannotactinsuperconsciousness.Thissuperconsciousnesscan
beachieved,however,bydovetailingindividualconsciousnesswiththe
consciousnessoftheSupreme.Thisdovetailingprocessiscalledsurrender,or
Krsnaconsciousness.FromtheteachingsofBhagavadgitawelearnvery
clearlythatArjuna,inthebeginning,didnotwanttofightwithhisbrothersand
relatives,butafterunderstandingBhagavadgitahedovetailedhis
consciousnesswiththesuperconsciousnessofKrsna.HewastheninKrsna
consciousness.
ApersoninfullKrsnaconsciousnessactsbythedictationofKrsna.Inthe
beginningofKrsnaconsciousness,dictationisreceivedthroughthetransparent
mediumofthespiritualmaster.Whenoneissufficientlytrainedandactsin
submissivefaithandloveforKrsnaunderthedirectionofthebonafide
spiritualmaster,thedovetailingprocessbecomesmorefirmandaccurate.
ThisstageofdevotionalservicebythedevoteeinKrsnaconsciousnessisthe
mostperfectstageoftheyogasystem.Atthisstage,Krsna,ortheSupersoul,
dictatesfromwithin,whilefromwithoutthedevoteeishelpedbythespiritual
master,whoisthebonafiderepresentativeofKrsna.FromwithinHehelpsthe
devoteeascaitya,forHeisseatedwithintheheartofeveryone.Understanding
thatGodisseatedwithineveryone'sheartisnot,however,sufficient.Onehas
tobeacquaintedwithGodfrombothwithinandwithout,andonemusttake
dictationfromwithinandwithouttoactinKrsnaconsciousness.Thisisthe
highestperfectionalstageofthehumanformoflifeandthetopmostperfection
ofallyoga.
Foraperfectyogi,thereareeightkindsofsuperachievements:onecanbecome
lighterthanair,onecanbecomesmallerthantheatom,onecanbecomebigger
thanamountain,onecanachievewhateverhedesires,onecancontrollikethe
Lord,andsoon.Butwhenonerisestotheperfectionalstageofreceiving
dictationfromtheLord,thatisgreaterthananystageofmaterialachievements
abovementioned.Thebreathingexerciseoftheyogasystemwhichisgenerally
practicedisjustthebeginning.MeditationontheSupersoulisjustanotherstep
forward.ButtoobtaindirectcontactwiththeSupersoulandtakedictationfrom
Himisthehighestperfectionalstage.

Theonlywaytorealizetheperfectstageofyogaistofollowtheprinciplesof
BhagavadgitaaspracticedbyLordCaitanya.Thisisthesimplestandhighest
perfectionofyogapractice.LordCaitanyademonstratedthisKrsna
consciousnessyogasysteminapracticalmannersimplybychantingtheholy
nameofKrsna,asprescribedintheVedanta,SrimadBhagavatam,Bhagavad
gita,andmanyimportantPuranas.
Nootherprocessofyogacanbesuccessfulinthisage.Themeditationprocess
waspossibleinthegoldenage,Satyayuga,becausepeopleinthatageusedto
liveforhundredsofthousandsofyears.
Yoganecessitatescontrollingthesenses,andbhaktiyoga,orKrsna
consciousness,istheprocessofpurifyingthesenses.Whenthesensesare
purified,theyareautomaticallycontrolled.Onecannotstoptheactivitiesofthe
sensesbyartificialmeans,butifonepurifiesthesensesbyengaginginthe
serviceoftheLord,thesensesnotonlycanbecontrolledfromrubbish
engagement,butcanbeengagedintheLord'stranscendentalservice,asaspired
tobythefoursagesSanaka,Sanatana,SanandanaandSanatkumara.

ThisverseofSrimadBhagavatamdescribespersonswhoareexpectedtobe
veryexpertyogisengagedinmeditationbutwhodonotfindtheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadseatedwithintheheart.Thesepersonsaredescribed
hereasduratma,whichmeansapersonwhohasaverycrookedheart,oraless
intelligentperson,justoppositetoamahatma,whichmeansonewhohasa
broadheart.Thosesocalledyogiswho,althoughengagedinmeditation,are
notbroadheartedcannotfindthefourhandedNarayanaform,eventhoughHe
isseatedwithintheirheart.AlthoughthefirstrealizationoftheSupreme
AbsoluteTruthisimpersonalBrahman,oneshouldnotremainsatisfiedwith
experiencingtheimpersonaleffulgenceoftheSupremeLord
IntheIsopanisadalso,thedevoteepraysthattheglaringeffulgenceof
Brahmanmayberemovedfromhiseyessothathecanseethereal,personal
featureoftheLordandthussatisfyhimselffully.Similarly,althoughtheLord
isnotvisibleinthebeginningbecauseofHisglaringbodilyeffulgence,ifa
devoteesincerelywantstoseeHim,theLordisrevealedtohim.Itissaidin
BhagavadgitathattheLordcannotbeseenbyourimperfecteyes,Hecannot
beheardbyourimperfectears,andHecannotbeexperiencedbyourimperfect
senses;butifoneengagesindevotionalservicewithfaithanddevotion,then

GodrevealsHimself.
Thistranscendental,eternalformofYourpersonalitycanbeunderstoodonly
byYourmercy,throughunflinchingdevotionalservice,bygreatsageswhose
heartshavebeenpurifiedinthedevotionalway.
Eventhequalityofgoodnesshereinthematerialworldisnotfreefromtinges
ofpassionandignorance.Butinthetranscendentalworld,onlypuregoodness,
withoutanytingeofpassionorignorance,exists;thereforetheformofthe
SupremePersonalityofGodheadandHisvariegatedpastimesand
paraphernaliaareallpuresattvaguna.
Inonesense,absolutetranscendentalvariegatednessismeantonlyforthe
devotees,notforothers,becausethisdistinctfeatureoftranscendental
variegatednesscanbeunderstoodonlybythemercyoftheSupremeLordand
notbymentalspeculationortheascendingprocess.
ItissaidthatonecanunderstandtheSupremePersonalityofGodheadwhen
oneisevenslightlyfavoredbyHim;otherwise,withoutHismercy,amanmay
speculateforthousandsofyearsandnotunderstandwhatisactuallythe
AbsoluteTruth.Thismercycanbeperceivedbythedevoteewhenheis
completelyfreedfromcontamination.
Itisstated,therefore,thatonlywhenallcontaminationisrootedoutandthe
devoteeiscompletelydetachedfrommaterialattractionscanhereceivethis
mercyoftheLord.

Personswhoareveryexpertandmostintelligentinunderstandingthingsas
theyareengageinhearingnarrationsoftheauspiciousactivitiesandpastimes
oftheLord,whichareworthchantingandworthhearing.Suchpersonsdonot
careevenforthehighestmaterialbenediction,namelyliberation,tosay
nothingofotherlessimportantbenedictionslikethematerialhappinessofthe
heavenlykingdom.
Thelessintelligentpersonsinthematerialworldareengagedbythefour
principlesofbenedictioncalleddharma,artha,kamaandmoksa.Generally
theyprefertotaketoreligiouslifetoachievesomematerialbenediction,the
purposeofwhichistosatisfythesenses.When,bythatprocess,theybecome
confusedorfrustratedinfulfillingthemaximumamountofsenseenjoyment,
theytrytobecomeonewiththeSupreme,whichis,accordingtotheir
conception,mukti,orliberation
Therearefivekindsofliberation,theleastimportantofwhichiscalled
sayujya,tobecomeonewiththeSupreme.Devoteesdon'tcareforsuch

liberationbecausetheyareactuallyintelligent.Noraretheyinclinedtoaccept
anyoftheotherfourkindsofliberation,namelytoliveonthesameplanetas
theLord,tolivewithHimsidebysideasanassociate,tohavethesame
opulence,andtoattainthesamebodilyfeatures.Theyareconcernedonlywith
glorifyingtheSupremeLordandHisauspiciousactivities
ThedevoteedoesnotevencareforthepostofIndra.Adevoteeknowsthatany
pleasurablematerialpositionissubjecttobeannihilatedatacertainpoint.
EvenifonereachesthepostofIndra,Candra,oranyotherdemigod,hemust
bedissolvedatacertainstage.Adevoteeisneverinterestedinsuchtemporary
pleasure.FromVedicscripturesitisunderstoodthatsometimesevenBrahma
andIndrafalldown,butadevoteeinthetranscendentalabodeoftheLord
neverfalls.
Thistranscendentalstageoflife,inwhichonefeelstranscendentalpleasurein
hearingtheLord'spastimes,isalsorecommendedbyLordCaitanya.When
LordCaitanyawastalkingwithRamanandaRaya,therewerevarietiesof
suggestionsofferedbyRamanandaregardingspiritualrealization,butLord
CaitanyarejectedallbutonethatoneshouldhearthegloriesoftheLordin
associationwithpuredevotees.Thatisacceptableforeveryone,especiallyin
thisage.Oneshouldengagehimselfinhearingfrompuredevoteesaboutthe
activitiesoftheLord.Thatisconsideredthesupremebenedictionformankind.
OLord,wepraythatYouletusbeborninanyhellishconditionoflife,
justaslongasourheartsandmindsarealwaysengagedintheserviceof
Yourlotusfeet,ourwordsaremadebeautiful[byspeakingofYour
activities]justastulasileavesarebeautifiedwhenoffereduntoYourlotus
feet,andaslongasourearsarealwaysfilledwiththechantingofYour
transcendentalqualities.
ThosewhoaredevoteesoftheLordarenotafraidofanyconditionoflife,
providedthereisconstantengagementintheserviceoftheLord.Itissaidof
thenarayanapara,orthosewhoaredevoteesofNarayana,theSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,nakutascanabibhyati(Bhag.6.17.28).Theyarenot
afraidofenteringahellishcondition,forsincetheyareengagedinthe
transcendentallovingserviceoftheLord,heavenorhellisthesameforthem.
Inmateriallifebothheavenandhellareoneandthesamebecausetheyare
material;ineitherplacethereisnoengagementintheLord'sservice.Therefore
thosewhoareengagedintheserviceoftheLordseenodistinctionbetween
heavenandhell;itisonlythematerialistswhopreferonetotheother.
ThetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLordisperformedinthreewayswith
thebody,withthemindandwithwords.

Theexampleisgivenhereoftulasileaves.Thetulasileafisveryusefuleven
fromthemedicinalorantisepticpointofview.Itisconsideredsacredandis
offeredtothelotusfeetoftheLord.Thetulasileafhasnumerousgood
qualities,butifitwerenotofferedtothelotusfeetoftheLord,tulasicouldnot
beofmuchvalueorimportance.Similarly,onemayspeakverynicelyfromthe
rhetoricalorgrammaticalpointofview,whichmaybeverymuchappreciated
byamaterialisticaudience,butifone'swordsarenotofferedtotheserviceof
theLord,theyareuseless.
Theansweristhattheholesoftheearsarelikethesky.Astheskycanneverbe
filledup,thequalityoftheearissuchthatonemaygoonpouringinvibrations
ofvariouskinds,yetitiscapableofreceivingmoreandmorevibration
Onemaybeputinanycondition,butGodgiveshimtheprerogativetochant
HareKrsna.Inanyconditionoflife,ifonegoesonchantinghewillneverbe
unhappy.
Inotherwords,thetranscendentalistswhoaspiretotheimpersonalBrahmanor
localizedParamatmaarenotfullysatisfiedandstillhankerformore.Evenif
theyaresatisfiedintheirminds,still,transcendentally,theireyesarenot
satisfied.ButassoonassuchpersonscometorealizetheSupremePersonality
ofGodhead,theyaresatisfiedinallrespects.Inotherwords,theybecome
devoteesandwanttoseetheformoftheLordcontinually.
ItisconfirmedintheBrahmasamhitathatonewhohasdeveloped
transcendentalloveofKrsnabysmearinghiseyeswiththeointmentoflove
seesconstantlytheeternalformoftheLord.
Theparticularwordusedinthisconnection,anatmanam,signifiesthosewho
havenocontroloverthemindandsensesandwhothereforespeculateandwant
tobecomeonewiththeLord.Suchpersonscannothavethepleasureofseeing
theeternalformoftheLord.
BhagavadgitasaysthatevenwhenLordKrsnawasseenbyeveryonewhileHe
waspresentonthesurfaceoftheearth,theimpersonalistsandthesocalled
yogiscouldnotseeHimbecausetheyweredevoidofdevotionaleyesight.The
theoryoftheimpersonalistsandsocalledyogisisthattheSupremeLord
assumesaparticularformwhenHecomesintouchwithmaya,although
actuallyHehasnoform.Thisveryconceptionoftheimpersonalistsandso
calledyogischecksthemfromseeingtheSupremePersonalityofGodheadas
Heis.
Chapter16

ThePersonalityofGodheadsaid:TheseattendantsofMine,JayaandVijayaby
name,havecommittedagreatoffenseagainstyoubecauseofignoringMe.

Thewordatikramamusedhereinindicatesthatinoffendingadevoteeone
neglectstheSupremeLordHimself.
WhenCaitanyaMahaprabhuwasresidingatJagannathapuri,Haridasa
Thakura,whohappenedtobeMuhammadanbybirth,waswithHim.InHindu
temples,especiallyinthosedays,noonebutaHinduwasallowedtoenter.
AlthoughHaridasaThakurawasthegreatestofallHindusinhisbehavior,he
consideredhimselfaMuhammadananddidnotenterthetemple.Lord
Caitanyacouldunderstandhishumility,andsincehedidnotgotoseethe
temple,LordCaitanyaHimself,whoisnondifferentfromJagannatha,usedto
comeandsitwithHaridasaThakuradaily.HereinSrimadBhagavatamwealso
findthissamebehavioroftheLord.Hisdevoteeswerepreventedfromseeing
Hislotusfeet,buttheLordHimselfcametoseethemonthesamelotusfeetfor
whichtheyaspired.
ItisalsosignificantthatHewasaccompaniedbythegoddessoffortune.The
goddessoffortuneisnottobeseenbyordinarypersons,buttheLordwasso
kindthatalthoughthedevoteesdidnotaspireforsuchanhonor,Heappeared
beforethemwiththegoddessoffortune.
ToMe,thebrahmanaisthehighestandmostbelovedpersonality.The
disrespectshownbyMyattendantshasactuallybeendisplayedbyMebecause
thedoormenareMyservitors.ItakethistobeanoffensebyMyself;thereforeI
seekyourforgivenessfortheincidentthathasarisen.
IntheVedicliterature,inthergmantrahymnsoftheRgVeda,itisstatedthat
thosewhoareactuallybrahmanasalwayslooktothelotusfeetofVisnu
AbrahmanaisonewhohasunderstoodBrahman,andaVaisnavaisone
whohasunderstoodthepersonalityofGodhead.Brahmanrealizationisthe
beginningofrealizationofthePersonalityofGodhead.Onewhounderstands
thePersonalityofGodheadalsoknowstheimpersonalfeatureoftheSupreme,
whichisBrahman.ThereforeonewhobecomesaVaisnavaisalreadya
brahmana.

Awrongactcommittedbyaservantleadspeopleingeneraltoblamehis
master,justasaspotofwhiteleprosyonanypartofthebodypollutesallofthe
skin.
TherearetwentysixqualificationsmentionedintheCaitanyacaritamrta.A
devoteeshouldalwaysseethathisVaisnavaqualitiesincreasewiththe
advancementofhisKrsnaconsciousness.Adevoteeshouldbeblameless
becauseanyoffensebythedevoteeisascarontheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead.Thedevotee'sdutyistobealwaysconsciousinhisdealingswith

others,especiallywithanotherdevoteeoftheLord.
RealpurificationcantakeplaceinhumansocietyifitsmemberstaketoKrsna
consciousness.ThisisclearlystatedinallVedicliterature.Anyonewhotakes
toKrsnaconsciousnessinallsincerity,evenifheisnotveryadvancedingood
behavior,ispurified.Adevoteecanberecruitedfromanysectionofhuman
society,althoughitisnotexpectedthateveryoneinallsegmentsofsocietyis
wellbehaved.
Aslongasapersonisinthismaterialworldhehastwodifferentrelationships
inhisdealingswithothersonerelationshippertainstothebody,andtheother
pertainstothespirit.Asfarasbodilyaffairsorsocialactivitiesareconcerned,
althoughapersonispurifiedonthespiritualplatform,itissometimesseenthat
heactsintermsofhisbodilyrelationships.Ifadevoteeborninthefamilyofa
candala(thelowestcaste)issometimesfoundengagedinhishabitual
activities,heisnottobeconsideredacandala.Inotherwords,aVaisnava
shouldnotbeevaluatedintermsofhisbody.
ThesastrastatesthatnooneshouldthinktheDeityinthetempletobemadeof
woodorstone,andnooneshouldthinkthatapersoncomingfromalower
castefamilywhohastakentoKrsnaconsciousnessisstillofthesamelow
caste.TheseattitudesareforbiddenbecauseanyonewhotakestoKrsna
consciousnessisunderstoodtobefullypurified.Heisatleastengagedinthe
processofpurification,andifhestickstotheprincipleofKrsnaconsciousness
hewillverysoonbefullypurified.TheconclusionisthatifonetakestoKrsna
consciousnesswithallseriousness,heistobeunderstoodasalreadypurified,
andKrsnaisreadytogivehimprotectionbyallmeans.
TheLordcontinued:BecauseIamtheservitorofMydevotees,Mylotusfeet
havebecomesosacredthattheyimmediatelywipeoutallsin,andIhave
acquiredsuchadispositionthatthegoddessoffortunedoesnotleaveMe,even
thoughIhavenoattachmentforherandotherspraiseherbeautyandobserve
sacredvowstosecurefromherevenaslightfavor.

Inotherwords,asthedevoteeisalwaysanxioustorenderservicetotheLord,
sotheLordiseveranxioustorenderservicetothedevotee.TheLordadmits
hereinthatalthoughHecertainlyhasthequalitythatanyonewhoreceivesa
slightparticleofthedustofHislotusfeetbecomesatonceagreatpersonality,
thisgreatnessisduetoHisaffectionforHisdevotee.Itisbecauseofthis
affectionthatthegoddessoffortunedoesnotleaveHimandthatnotonlyone
butmanythousandsofgoddessesoffortuneengageinHisservice.

TheLordcannottolerateanyinconvenienceonthepartofthedevotee.Heis
thereforefamousasbhaktavatsala.
Idonotenjoytheoblationsofferedbythesacrificersinthesacrificialfire,
whichisoneofMyownmouths,withthesamerelishasIdothedelicacies
overflowingwithgheewhichareofferedtothemouthsofthebrahmanaswho
havededicatedtoMetheresultsoftheiractivitiesandwhoareeversatisfied
withMyprasada.
ThedevoteeoftheLord,ortheVaisnava,doesnottakeanythingwithout
offeringittotheLord.SinceaVaisnavadedicatesalltheresultsofhis
activitiestotheLord,hedoesnottasteanythingeatablewhichisnotfirst
offeredtoHim.TheLordalsorelishesgivingtotheVaisnava'smouthall
eatablesofferedtoHim.ItisclearfromthisversethattheLordeatsthroughthe
sacrificialfireandthebrahmana'smouth.
ThebestexampleofthisisfoundinthelifeofAdvaitaPrabhuinhisdealings
withHaridasaThakura.EventhoughHaridasawasbornofaMuhammadan
family,AdvaitaPrabhuofferedhimthefirstdishofprasadaafterthe
performanceofasacredfireceremony.HaridasaThakurainformedhimthathe
wasbornofaMuhammadanfamilyandaskedwhyAdvaitaPrabhuwas
offeringthefirstdishtoaMuhammadaninsteadofanelevatedbrahmana.Out
ofhishumbleness,HaridasacondemnedhimselfaMuhammadan,butAdvaita
Prabhu,beinganexperienceddevotee,acceptedhimasarealbrahmana.
IamthemasterofMyunobstructedinternalenergy,andthewaterofthe
GangesistheremnantleftafterMyfeetarewashed.Thatwatersanctifiesthe
threeworlds,alongwithLordSiva,whobearsitonhishead.IfIcantakethe
dustofthefeetoftheVaisnavaonMyhead,whowillrefusetodothesame?
Mayareferstothatwhichisnotactuallyfact.Theopulenceofthematerial
worldisareflection
ItisstatedinBhagavadgitathatthismaterialworldisjustlikeatreewhose
rootsareupandbranchesdown.Thismeansthatthematerialworldisthe
shadowofthespiritualworld.Realopulenceisinthespiritualworld.Inthe
spiritualworldthepredominatingDeityistheLordHimself,whereasinthe
materialworldtherearemanylords.

Thedefenselesscreatures,accordingtoBrahmasamhita,arethecows,
brahmanas,women,childrenandoldmen.Ofthesefive,thebrahmanasand
cowsareespeciallymentionedinthisversebecausetheLordisalwaysanxious
aboutthebenefitofthebrahmanasandthecowsandisprayedtointhisway.
TheLordespeciallyinstructs,therefore,thatnooneshouldbeenviousofthese

five,especiallythecowsandbrahmanas.
Justaschildrenaretakencareofbytheparents,womenasaclassshouldbe
takencareofbythefather,husbandorgrownupson.
Theassistants,ormessengers,ofYamarajaarelikenedheretovultures,and
thosewhodonotexecutetheirrespectivedutiesinprotectingtheirwardsare
comparedtoserpents.Vulturesdealveryseriouslywithserpents,andsimilarly
themessengerswilldealveryseriouslywithneglectfulguardians.
Ontheotherhand,theycaptivateMyheartwhoaregladdenedinheartand
who,theirlotusfacesenlightenedbynectareansmiles,respectthebrahmanas,
eventhoughthebrahmanasutterharshwords.Theylookuponthebrahmanas
asMyownSelfandpacifythembypraisingtheminlovingwords,evenasa
sonwouldappeaseanangryfatherorasIampacifyingyou.
IthasbeenobservedinmanyinstancesintheVedicscripturesthatwhenthe
brahmanasorVaisnavascursesomeoneinanangrymood,thepersonwhois
curseddoesnottakeituponhimselftotreatthebrahmanasorVaisnavasinthe
sameway.Therearemanyexamplesofthis.Forinstance,thesonsofKuvera,
whencursedbythegreatsageNarada,didnotseekrevengeinthesameharsh
way,butsubmitted.Herealso,whenJayaandVijayawerecursedbythefour
Kumaras,theydidnotbecomeharshtowardsthem;rather,theysubmitted.
BrahmanasandVaisnavasshouldbeacceptedasearthlyrepresentativesof
Narayana
Itisspecificallysaidthattopacifythebrahmanas,one'sfaceshouldbe
lotuslike.Alotuslikefaceisexhibitedwhenoneisadornedwithloveand
affection.
TheseservantsofMinehavetransgressedagainstyou,notknowingthemindof
theirmaster.
FromthisstatementwecanunderstandhowanxioustheLordistogethis
servitorbackintoVaikuntha.Thisincident,therefore,provesthatthosewho
haveonceenteredaVaikunthaplanetcanneverfalldown.ThecaseofJaya
andVijayaisnotafalldown;itisjustanaccident.TheLordisalwaysanxious
togetsuchdevoteesbackagaintotheVaikunthaplanetsassoonaspossible.

Itistobeassumedthatthereisnopossibilityofamisunderstandingbetween
theLordandthedevotees,butwhentherearediscrepanciesordisruptions
betweenonedevoteeandanother,onehastosuffertheconsequences,although

thatsufferingistemporary.TheLordissokindtoHisdevoteesthatHetookall
theresponsibilityforthedoormen'soffenseandrequestedthesagestogive
themfacilitiestoreturntoVaikunthaassoonaspossible.
Thehighestopulenceinthematerialworldiscalledparamesthya,theopulence
ofBrahma.ButthatmaterialopulenceofBrahma,wholivesonthetopmost
planetwithinthismaterialworld,cannotcomparetotheopulenceofthe
SupremeLordbecausethetranscendentalopulenceinthespiritualworldis
causedbyyogamaya,whereastheopulenceinthematerialworldiscausedby
mahamaya.
ThesageswerealmosttoopuzzledtospeakbeforetheSupremepersonalityof
Godheadforthefirsttime,andthehairsoftheirbodiesstooderectduetotheir
extremejoy.
LordVisnuistheLordofBrahmaandSiva,nottospeakofthebrahmanasin
thismaterialworld.
theSupremeLordisveryfavorabletowardsallactivitiesperformedaccording
tobrahminicalculture,orthequalitiesofcontrolofthesensesandmind,
cleanliness,forbearance,faithinscripture,andpracticalandtheoretical
knowledge.
TheconclusionofLordKrsnainHisadvicetoArjunais:"Giveupallother
religiousengagementandjustsurrenderuntoMe."Thisisthemostconfidential
knowledgeinexecutingreligiousprinciples.IntheBhagavatamalsoitisstated
thatifonedoesnotbecomeKrsnaconsciousafterveryrigidlyexecutingone's
specifiedreligiousduties,allhislaborinfollowingsocalledreligious
principlesissimplyawasteoftime.
TheLordiseternal,theLord'sservitoriseternal,andtheLord'sabodeisalso
eternal.Theyarealldescribedhereassanatana,oreternal.Theresultof
devotionalservice,therefore,isnottemporary,asistheachievementof
heavenlyplanetsbyworshipingthedemigods.
Therearemanykindsofmystics,suchasthekarmayogi,jnanayogi,dhyana
yogiandbhaktiyogi.Thekarmisparticularlysearchafterthefavorofthe
demigods,thejnaniswanttobecomeonewiththeSupremeAbsoluteTruth,
andtheyogisaresatisfiedsimplybypartialvisionoftheSupremePersonality
ofGodhead,Paramatma,andultimatelybyonenesswithHim.Butthebhaktas,
thedevotees,wanttoassociatewiththeSupremePersonalityofGodhead
eternallyandserveHim.

Aspreviouslydescribed,tulasihasattainedallsuperiorqualitiesduetobeing

placedatthelotusfeetoftheLord.Thecomparisonmadehereisverynice.As
thekingofbeeshoversoverthetulasileavesofferedtothelotusfeetofthe
Lord,soLaksmi,thegoddesswhoissoughtbythedemigods,brahmanas,
Vaisnavasandeveryoneelse,alwaysengagesinrenderingservicetothelotus
feetoftheLord.Theconclusionisthatnoonecanbethebenefactorofthe
Lord;everyoneisactuallytheservantoftheservantoftheLord.
OLord,YouareexceedinglyattachedtotheactivitiesofYourpure
devotees,yetYouareneverattachedtothegoddessesoffortunewho
constantlyengageinYourtranscendentallovingservice.
ItissaidintheBrahmasamhitathattheLordisalwaysservedbymany
hundredsofthousandsofgoddessesoffortuneinHisVaikunthaplanet,yet
becauseofHisattitudeofrenunciationofallopulences,Heisnotattachedto
anyoneofthem.TheLordhassixopulencesunlimitedwealth,unlimited
fame,unlimitedstrength,unlimitedbeauty,unlimitedknowledgeandunlimited
renunciation.
Thegoddessoffortune,Laksmi,issometimesenviousofthetulasileaves
whichareplacedatthelotusfeetoftheLord,fortheyremainfixedthereand
donotmove,whereasLaksmiji,althoughstationedbythechestoftheLord,
sometimeshastopleaseotherdevoteeswhoprayforherfavor.Laksmiji
sometimeshastogotosatisfyhernumerousdevotees,buttulasileavesnever
forsaketheirposition,andtheLordthereforeappreciatestheserviceofthe
tulasimorethantheserviceofLaksmi.
TheLordisaddressedinthisverseastriyuga,oronewhoappearsinthree
millenniumsnamelytheSatya,DvaparaandTretayugas.Heisnotmentioned
asappearinginthefourthmillennium,orKaliyuga.ItisdescribedinVedic
literaturethatinKaliyugaHecomesaschannaavatara,oranincarnation,but
Hedoesnotappearasamanifestincarnation.
Inthreemillenniumsreligiousprinciplesareprotectedbythreekindsof
spiritualculture,namelyausterity,cleanlinessandmercy.TheLordiscalled
triyugainthatwayalso.
LordCaitanyaiscalled"covered"becausealthoughHeisKrsnaHimself,He
presentsHimselfasadevoteeofKrsna,notdirectlyKrsna.Thedevoteespray
toLordCaitanya,therefore,toeliminatetheirstockofpassionandignorance,
themostconspicuousassetsofthisyuga.IntheKrsnaconsciousness
movementonecleanseshimselfofthemodesofpassionandignoranceby
chantingtheholynameoftheLord,HareKrsna,HareKrsna,asintroducedby
LordCaitanya.

ThefourKumaraswerecognizantoftheirsituationinthemodesofpassionand
ignorancebecause,althoughinVaikuntha,theywantedtocursedevoteesofthe
Lord.Sincetheywereconsciousoftheirownweakness,theyprayedtothe
Lordtoremovetheirstillexistingpassionandignorance.
Thethreetranscendentalqualificationscleanliness,austerityandmercy
arethequalificationsofthetwicebornandthedemigods.Thosewhoare
notsituatedinthequalityofgoodnesscannotacceptthesethreeprinciplesof
spiritualculture
FortheKrsnaconsciousnessmovement,therefore,therearethreesinful
activitieswhichareprohibitednamelyillicitsex,intoxication,andeating
foodotherthantheprasadaofferedtoKrsna.Thesethreeprohibitionsare
basedontheprinciplesofausterity,cleanlinessandmercy.Devoteesare
mercifulbecausetheysparethepooranimals,andtheyarecleanbecausethey
arefreeofcontaminationfromunwantedfoodstuffandunwantedhabits.
Austerityisrepresentedbyrestrictedsexlife.
OneshouldworshipthebrahmanasandVaisnavasbyofferingthemallkindsof
endowmentsandsweetwords,andifonehasnomeanstoofferanything,he
mustatleastusesweetwordstopacifythem.TheLordpersonallyexhibited
thisbehaviortowardstheKumaras.
Youaretheproprietorofthethreecreationsandthemaintaineroftheentire
universe.ThereforeYourpotencyisnotreducedbyYoursubmissivebehavior.
Rather,bysubmissionYouexhibitYourtranscendentalpastimes.
ThecursingofJayaandVijayaishererepented.NowtheKumarasarethinking
intermsoftheirpositioninthemodesofpassionandignorance,andtheyare
preparedtoacceptanykindofpunishmentfromtheLord.
Ingeneral,whendealingwithdevotees,weshouldnottrytofindfaults.In
Bhagavadgitaalsoitisconfirmedthatthedevoteewhofaithfullyservesthe
SupremeLord,eveniffoundtocommitagrossmistake,shouldbeconsidered
asadhu,orsaintlyperson.Duetoformerhabitshemaycommitsomewrong,
butbecauseheisengagedintheserviceoftheLord,thatwrongshouldnotbe
takenveryseriously.
TheLordreplied:Obrahmanas,knowthatthepunishmentyouinflictedon
themwasoriginallyordainedbyMe,andthereforetheywillfalltoabirthina
demoniacfamily.ButtheywillbefirmlyunitedwithMeinthoughtthrough
mentalconcentrationintensifiedbyanger,andtheywillreturntoMypresence
shortly.

WithouttheLord'ssanction,nothingcanhappen.Itistobeunderstoodthat
therewasaplaninthecursingoftheLord'sdevoteesinVaikuntha,andHis
planisexplainedbymanystalwartauthorities.TheLordsometimesdesiresto
fight.
ThefightingspiritalsoexistsintheSupremeLord,otherwisehowcould
fightingbemanifestedatall?BecausetheLordisthesourceofeverything,
angerandfightingarealsoinherentinHispersonality.WhenHedesiresto
fightwithsomeone,Hehastofindanenemy,butintheVaikunthaworldthere
isnoenemybecauseeveryoneisengagedfullyinHisservice.ThereforeHe
sometimescomestothematerialworldasanincarnationinordertomanifest
Hisfightingspirit.
ButwhowillfightwiththeSupremeLord?NooneisabletofightwithHim!
Therefore,becausetheLord'spastimesinthematerialworldarealways
performedwithHisassociates,notwithothers,Hehastofindsomedevotee
whowillplaythepartofanenemy.
InBhagavadgitatheLordsaystoArjuna,"MydearArjuna,bothyouandI
haveappearedmany,manytimesinthismaterialworld,butyouhave
forgotten,whereasIremember."ThusJayaandVijayawereselectedbythe
LordtofightwithHiminthematerialworld,andthatwasthereasonthesages
cametoseeHimandaccidentallythedoorkeeperswerecursed.Itwasthe
Lord'sdesiretosendthemtothematerialworld,notperpetually,butforsome
time
Thatadevoteeshouldcomeintoanatheisticfamilyissurprising,butitis
simplyashow.Afterfinishingtheirmockfighting,boththedevoteeandthe
Lordareagainassociatedinthespiritualplanets.
LordBuddha,forexample,wasanincarnation,yethepreachedatheism:
"ThereisnoGod."Butactuallytherewasaplanbehindthis,asexplainedin
theBhagavatam.
ItisstillarespectfulpracticetocircumambulatetheLordinHindutemples.
EspeciallyinVaisnavatemplesthereisanarrangementforpeopletooffertheir
respectstotheDeityandcircumambulatethetempleatleastthreetimes.
TheLordthensaidtoHisattendants,JayaandVijaya:Departthisplace,
butfearnot.Allgloriesuntoyou.ThoughIamcapableofnullifyingthe
brahmanas'curse,Iwouldnotdoso.Onthecontrary,ithasMyapproval.
Alltheseincidents,therefore,weredesignedbytheLordHimselfforthesake
ofHispastimesinthematerialworld
TheLordespeciallyblessesthesocalledculprits:"Allgloriesuntoyou."

ThisdeparturefromVaikunthawasforetoldbyLaksmi,thegoddessof
fortune.ShewasveryangrybecausewhensheleftMyabodeandthen
returned,youstoppedheratthegatewhileIwassleeping.

TheLordassuredthetwoVaikunthainhabitants,JayaandVijaya:By
practicingthemysticyogasysteminanger,youwillbecleansedofthesinof
disobeyingthebrahmanasandwithinaveryshorttimereturntoMe.
Evenabrahmasapa,orcursebyabrahmana,whichcannotbeovercomeby
anyothermeans,canbeovercomebybhaktiyoga.
Onecanpracticebhaktiyogainmanyrasas.Therearetwelverasas,five
primaryandsevensecondary.Thefiveprimaryrasasconstitutedirectbhakti
yoga,butalthoughthesevensecondaryrasasareindirect,theyarealsocounted
withinbhaktiyogaiftheyareusedintheserviceoftheLord.
ThegopiswereattractedtoKrsnabybhaktiyogainarelationshipoflusty
desire(kama).Similarly,Kamsawasattachedtobhaktiyogabydintoffearof
hisdeath.Thusbhaktiyogaissopowerfulthatevenbecominganenemyofthe
LordandalwaysthinkingofHimcandeliveroneveryquickly.
"DevoteesofLordVisnuarecalleddemigods,whereasnondevoteesarecalled
asuras."Butbhaktiyogaissopowerfulthatbothdemigodsandasurascan
deriveitsbenefitsiftheyalwaysthinkofthepersonalityofGodhead.Thebasic
principleofbhaktiyogaistothinkoftheSupremeLordalways.
"AlwaysthinkofMe."Itdoesn'tmatterwhichwayonethinks;theverythought
ofthePersonalityofGodheadisthebasicprincipleofbhaktiyoga.
Itisclearfromthisversethatalltheincidentstookplaceattheentranceof
Vaikunthaloka.Inotherwords,thesageswerenotactuallywithin
Vaikunthaloka,butwereatthegate.Itcouldbeasked,"Howcouldtheyreturn
tothematerialworldiftheyenteredVaikunthaloka?"Butfactuallytheydidnot
enter,andthereforetheyreturned.Therearemanysimilarincidentswhere
greatyogisandbrahmanas,bydintoftheiryogapractice,havegonefromthis
materialworldtoVaikunthalokabuttheywerenotmeanttostaythere.They
cameback.
Butthosetwogatekeepers,thebestofthedemigods,theirbeautyandluster
diminishedbythecurseofthebrahmanas,becamemoroseandfellfrom
Vaikuntha,theabodeoftheSupremeLord.
InthisconnectionitistoberememberedthatthemindofKasyapaMuniwas
notinorderwhenheconceivedthetwosons,HiranyaksaandHiranyakasipu.

Thereforethesemenhedischargedwassimultaneouslyextremelypowerfuland
mixedwiththequalityofanger.Itistobeconcludedthatwhileconceivinga
childone'smindmustbeverysoberanddevotional.Forthispurposethe
GarbhadhanasamskaraisrecommendedintheVedicscriptures.Ifthemindof
thefatherisnotsober,thesemendischargedwillnotbeverygood.
Theconditionsofconceptionaretobecarefullystudied.Thisisaverygreat
science.
Itistheprowessofthesetwinasuras[demons]thathasdisturbedyou,forithas
minimizedyourpower.Thereisnoremedywithinmypower,however,foritis
theLordHimselfwhodesirestodoallthis.
Similarly,anyonewhoisorderedbytheLordtoperformsomeactioninthis
materialworld,especiallypreachingHisglories,cannotbecounteractedby
anyone;thewilloftheLordisexecutedunderallcircumstances.
WhensomethingisarrangedbytheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,one
shouldnotbedisturbedbyit,evenifitappearstobeareverseaccordingto
one'scalculations.Forexample,sometimesweseethatapowerfulpreacheris
killed,orsometimesheisputintodifficulty,justasHaridasaThakurawas.He
wasagreatdevoteewhocameintothismaterialworldtoexecutethewillof
theLordbypreachingtheLord'sglories.ButHaridasawaspunishedatthe
handsoftheKazibybeingbeatenintwentytwomarketplaces.Similarly,Lord
JesusChristwascrucified,andPrahladaMaharajawasputthroughsomany
tribulations.ThePandavas,whoweredirectfriendsofKrsna,losttheir
kingdom,theirwifewasinsulted,andtheyhadtoundergomanysevere
tribulations.Seeingallthesereversesaffectdevotees,oneshouldnotbe
disturbed;oneshouldsimplyunderstandthatinthesematterstheremustbe
someplanoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
TheBhagavatam'sconclusionisthatadevoteeisneverdisturbedbysuch
reverses.HeacceptsevenreverseconditionsasthegraceoftheLord.Onewho
continuestoservetheLordeveninreverseconditionsisassuredthathewillgo
backtoGodhead,backtotheVaikunthaplanets.
Chapter17

Thefourprincipalactivitiesofmaterialexistenceareeating,sleeping,fearing
andmating.Thefearelementexistsalsointhedemigods.Oneveryplanet,
eveninthehigherplanetarysystems,includingthemoonandthesun,aswell
asonthisearth,thesameprinciplesofanimallifeexist.Otherwise,whyarethe
demigodsalsoafraidofthedarkness?
Thedifferencebetweenthedemigodsandordinaryhumanbeingsisthatthe
demigodsapproachauthority,whereastheinhabitantsofthisearthdefy

authority.
ArjunawasalsodisturbedontheBattlefieldofKuruksetra,butheapproached
theauthority,Krsna,andhisproblemwassolved.Theconclusiveinstructionof
thisincidentisthatwemaybedisturbedbysomematerialcondition,butifwe
approachtheauthoritywhocanactuallyexplainthematter,thenourproblemis
solved.
Onthebirthofthetwodemonsthereweremanynaturaldisturbances,allvery
fearfulandwonderful,intheheavenlyplanets,theearthlyplanetsandin
betweenthem.
Inthepresentagethenumberofdemoniacpeopleisincreasing;therefore
naturaldisturbancesarealsoincreasing.
Therearemanycountriesontheglobe,evenatthepresentmoment,whereall
thesedisturbancesarecurrent.Thisistrueallovertheworld.Thereis
insufficientsunshine,andtherearealwayscloudsinthesky,snowfalland
severecold.Theseassurethatsuchplacesareinhabitedbydemoniacpeople
whoareaccustomedtoallkindsofforbidden,sinfulactivity.
Assesalsofeelveryrespectableasarace,andwhentheyruninflockshither
andthitherinsocalledjollity,itisunderstoodtobeabadsignforhuman
society.
SaturnandMarsareconsideredimpious.Whenthepiousplanetsshinevery
brightly,itisanauspicioussign,butwhentheinauspiciousplanetsshinevery
brightly,thisisnotaverygoodsign.
Ditiwassolustythatsheforcedherhusbandtocopulateatatimewhichwas
inauspicious,andthereforethedemonswereborntocreatedisturbances.In
havingsexlifetobegetchildren,oneshouldobservetheprocessforbegetting
nicechildren;ifeachandeveryhouseholderineveryfamilyobservestheVedic
system,thentherearenicechildren,notdemons,andautomaticallythereis
peaceintheworld
Therearetwoclassesofmenintheworld;oneiscalledthedemon,andthe
otheriscalledthedemigod.Thedemigodsconcernthemselveswiththe
spiritualupliftmentofhumansociety,whereasthedemonsareconcernedwith
physicalandmaterialupliftment.ThetwodemonsbornofDitibegantomake
theirbodiesasstrongasironframes,andtheyweresotallthattheyseemedto
touchouterspace.Theyweredecoratedwithvaluableornaments,andthey
thoughtthatthiswassuccessinlife
Ifaraceappearsstronginbody,theircountryismateriallyconsideredto
beamongthehighlyadvancednationsoftheworld.

Kasyapa,Prajapati,thecreatorofthelivingentities,gavehistwinsonstheir
names;theonewhowasbornfirsthenamedHiranyaksa,andtheonewhowas
firstconceivedbyDitihenamedHiranyakasipu.
ThereisanauthoritativeVedicliteraturecalledPindasiddhiinwhichthe
scientificunderstandingofpregnancyisverynicelydescribed.Itisstatedthat
whenthemalesecretionentersthemenstrualfluxintheuterusintwo
successivedrops,themotherdevelopstwoembryosinherwomb,andshe
bringsforthtwinsinareverseordertothatinwhichtheywerefirstconceived;
thechildconceivedfirstisbornlater,andtheoneconceivedlaterisbrought
forthfirst.

Thefirstchildconceivedinthewomblivesbehindthesecondchild,sowhen
birthtakesplacethesecondchildappearsfirst,andthefirstchildappears
second.InthiscaseitisunderstoodthatHiranyaksa,thesecondchild
conceived,wasdeliveredfirst,whereasHiranyakasipu,thechildwhowas
behindhim,havingbeenconceivedfirst,wasbornsecond.
Aswillberevealedinlaterchapters,theelderchild,Hiranyakasipuunderwent
severeausterityandpenancetosatisfyBrahmaandthusreceiveabenediction
ofimmortality.Actually,itisimpossibleevenforLordBrahmatogiveanyone
thebenedictionofbecomingimmortal,butindirectlyHiranyakasipureceived
thebenedictionthatnoonewithinthismaterialworldwouldbeabletokill
him.Inotherwords,becauseheoriginallycamefromtheabodeofVaikuntha,
hewasnottobekilledbyanyonewithinthismaterialworld.TheLorddesired
toappearHimselftokillhim.Onemaybeveryproudofhismaterial
advancementinknowledge,buthecannotbeimmunetothefourprinciplesof
materialexistence,namelybirth,death,oldageanddisease.ItwastheLord's
plantoteachpeoplethatevenHiranyakasipu,whowassopowerfuland
stronglybuilt,couldnotlivemorethanhisdestineddurationoflife.Onemay
becomeasstrongandpuffedupasHiranyakasipuandbringunderhiscontrol
allthethreeworlds,butthereisnopossibilityofcontinuinglifeeternallyor
keepingtheconqueredbootyforever.Somanyemperorshaveascendedto
power,andtheyarenowlostinoblivion;thatisthehistoryoftheworld.
Thedemoniacspiritistotrainallfamilymemberstoexploittheresourcesof
thisuniverseforpersonalsensegratification,whereasthegodlyspiritisto
engageeverythingintheserviceoftheLord.Hiranyakasipuwashimselfvery
powerful,andhemadehisyoungerbrother,Hiranyaksa,powerfultoassisthim
infightingwitheveryoneandlordingitovermaterialnatureaslongas
possible.Ifpossible,hewantedtoruletheuniverseeternally.
Theasurasaregenerallystronglybuilt,asdescribedhere,andtherefore

theirmentalconditionisverysound,andtheirprowessisalso
extraordinary.
NotonlywerethedemigodsinspaceafraidofthedemonsHiranyakasipuand
Hiranyaksa,butsoalsoweretheaquaticanimalswithinthesea.
Varunaissupposedtobethepredominatingdeityofthewaters,andhiscapital,
whichisknownasVibhavari,iswithinthewaterykingdom.
VibhavariisthehomeofVaruna,lordoftheaquaticcreaturesandguardianof
thelowerregionsoftheuniverse,wherethedemonsgenerallyreside.There
HiranyaksafellatVaruna'sfeetlikealowbornman,andtomakefunofhimhe
saidwithasmile,"Givemebattle,OSupremeLord!"

Thedemoniacpersonalwayschallengesothersandtriestooccupyothers'
propertybyforce.HerethesesymptomsarefullydisplayedbyHiranyaksa,
whobeggedwarfromapersonwhohadnodesiretofight.
Varunacontinued:OnreachingHimyouwillberidofyourprideatonceand
willliedownonthefieldofbattle,surroundedbydogs,foreternalsleep.Itis
inordertoexterminatewickedfellowslikeyouandtoshowHisgracetothe
virtuousthatHeassumesHisvariousincarnationslikeVaraha.
Chapter18

SridharaSvami,commentingonthisverse,statesthatalthoughthedemon
wantedtoderidethePersonalityofGodheadintheformofaboar,actuallyhe
worshipedHiminseveralwords.Forexample,headdressedHimasvana
gocarah,whichmeans"onewhoisaresidentoftheforest,"butanother
meaningofvanagocarahis"onewholiesonthewater."Visnuliesonthe
water,sotheSupremePersonalityofGodheadcanbeproperlyaddressedin
thisway.ThedemonalsoaddressedHimasmrgah,indicating,unintentionally,
thattheSupremePersonalityissoughtafterbygreatsages,saintlypersonsand
transcendentalists.HealsoaddressedHimasajna.SridharaSvamisaysthatjna
means"knowledge,"andthereisnoknowledgewhichisunknowntothe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead.Indirectly,therefore,thedemonsaidthat
Visnuknowseverything.ThedemonaddressedHimassuradhama.Surameans
"thedemigods,"andadhamameans"Lordofallthereis."HeisLordofallthe
demigods;thereforeHeisthebestofalldemigods,orGod.Whenthedemon
usedthephrase"inmypresence,"theimpliedmeaningwas,"Inspiteofmy
presence,Youarecompletelyabletotakeawaytheearth."Nasvastiyasyasi:
"unlessYoukindlytakethisearthfromourcustody,therecanbenogood

fortuneforus."
Whendemonsareinadversity,theythinkthatGodishidingHimselfandis
workingbyHismysticpotency.TheythinkthatiftheycanfindGodtheycan
killHimjustbyseeingHim.
NotonlyaredemonsalwaysanxioustokillGodwithwordsandphilosophy,
buttheythinkthatifoneismateriallypowerfulhecankillGodwithmaterially
fatalweapons.DemonslikeKamsa,RavanaandHiranyakasiputhought
themselvespowerfulenoughtokillevenGod.Demonscannotunderstandthat
God,byHismultifariouspotencies,canworksowonderfullythatHecanbe
presenteverywhereandstillremaininHiseternalabode,GolokaVrndavana.
DemonsareverymuchdisturbedwhendevoteesworshiptheLordinthe
prescribedwaysrecommendedinthescriptures
Krsnaconsciousness,ordevelopingloveofKrsna,isthesublimemethodfor
satisfyingthesourceofallhappiness.

Demonsarealwaysanxioustohaveagodlesssocietyfortheirsense
gratification.
AlthoughtheLordwaspainedbytheshaftlikeabusivewordsofthedemon,He
borethepain.ButseeingthattheearthontheendsofHistuskswasfrightened,
Heroseoutofthewaterjustasanelephantemergeswithitsfemalecompanion
whenassailedbyanalligator.
TheMayavadiphilosophercannotunderstandthattheLordhasfeelings.The
LordissatisfiedifsomeoneoffersHimaniceprayer,andsimilarly,ifsomeone
decriesHisexistenceorcallsHimbyillnames,Godisdissatisfied.The
SupremePersonalityofGodheadisdecriedbytheMayavadiphilosophers,who
arealmostdemons.
TheconclusionisthatGodisassentientasweare.Heissatisfiedbyour
prayersanddissatisfiedbyourharshwordsagainstHim.Inordertogive
protectiontoHisdevotee,Heisalwaysreadytotolerateinsultingwordsfrom
theatheists.
WhentheLordwascomingoutofthewater,takingtheearthinHisarmsto
deliverit,thedemonderidedHimwithinsultingwords,buttheLorddidnot
carebecauseHewasveryconsciousofHisduty.Foradutifulmanthereis
nothingtofear.Similarly,thosewhoarepowerfulhavenofearofderisionor
unkindwordsfromanenemy.TheLordhadnothingtofearfromanyone,yet
HewasmercifultoHisenemybyneglectinghim.AlthoughapparentlyHefled

fromthechallenge,itwasjusttoprotecttheearthfromcalamitythatHe
toleratedHiranyaksa'sderidingwords.
TheLordplacedtheearthwithinHissightonthesurfaceofthewaterand
transferredtoherHisownenergyintheformoftheabilitytofloatonthe
water.Whiletheenemystoodlookingon,Brahma,thecreatoroftheuniverse,
extolledtheLord,andtheotherdemigodsrainedflowersonHim.
TheLordcouldhavechastisedthedemonimmediatelywhilethedemonwas
deridingtheLordwithillwords,buttheLordtoleratedhimtopleasethe
demigodsandtoshowthattheyshouldnotbeafraidofdemonswhile
dischargingtheirduties.ThereforeHistolerationwasdisplayedmainlytodrive
awaythefearsofthedemigods,whoshouldknowthattheLordisalways
presenttoprotectthem.
ThePersonalityofGodheadsaid:Indeed,Wearecreaturesofthejungle,and
Wearesearchingafterhuntingdogslikeyou.Onewhoisfreedfromthe
entanglementofdeathhasnofearfromtheloosetalkinwhichyouare
indulging,foryouareboundupbythelawsofdeath.
DemonsandatheisticpersonscangooninsultingtheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,buttheyforgetthattheyaresubjectedtothelawsofbirthanddeath.
Youaresupposedtobethecommanderofmanyfootsoldiers,andnowyou
maytakepromptstepstooverthrowUs.Giveupallyourfoolishtalkandwipe
outthecaresofyourkithandkinbyslayingUs.Onemaybeproud,yethedoes
notdeserveaseatinanassemblyifhefailstofulfillhispromisedword.
ThedemonRavanawasafiercefigurebeforethedemigods,butwhenhewas
beforeLordRamacandrahetrembledandprayedtohisdeity,LordSiva,butto
noavail.
TheLord,however,bymovingslightlyaside,dodgedtheviolentmaceblow
aimedatHisbreastbytheenemy,justasanaccomplishedyogiwouldelude
death.
Thosewhoareadvancedtranscendentalistsarefreedfromthelawsofnature,
andevenadeathblowcannotactonthem.Superficiallyitmaybeseenthata
yogiisattackedbyadeathblow,butbythegraceoftheLordhecanovercome
manysuchattacksfortheserviceoftheLord.
Heretheearthplanetiscalledila.ThisearthwasformerlyknownasIlavrta
varsa,andwhenMaharajaPariksitruledtheearthitwascalledBharatavarsa.
Actually,Bharatavarsaisthenamefortheentireplanet,butgraduallyBharata
varsahascometomeanIndia.

Thisboarformisnottobeconsideredtheformofanordinaryhog;Hisbodyis
actuallyfullofyajna,orworshipfulofferings.Yajna(sacrifices)areoffered
toVisnu.YajnameansthebodyofVisnu.
Demonshabituallyfindfaultwiththedemigods,brahmanasandinnocent,to
whomtheyareaconstantsourceoffear.
Thewayofthedemonistotakepowerfromthedemigodsandthenteasethe
demigodsthemselves.ThereisaninstanceofagreatdevoteeofLordSivawho
obtainedaboonfromLordSivathattheheadofwhomeverhetouchedwithhis
handwouldcomeoffitstrunk.Assoonastheboonwasofferedtohim,the
demonwantedtotouchtheveryheadofLordSiva.Thatistheirway.
ThedevoteesoftheSupremePersonalityofGodheaddonot,however,askany
favorforsensegratification.Eveniftheyareofferedliberation,theyrefuseit.
Theyarehappysimplyengaginginthetranscendentallovingserviceofthe
Lord.
Nooneisunhappywhenaserpentiskilled.Itisapracticeamongvillageboys
tocatchaserpentbythetailandplaywithitforsometimeandthenkillit.
Similarly,theLordcouldhavekilledthedemonatonce,butHeplayedwith
himinthesamewayasachildplayswithasnakebeforekillingit.Brahma
requested,however,thatsincethedemonwasmorewickedandundesirable
thanaserpent,therewasnoneedtoplaywithhim.Itwashiswishthathebe
killedatonce,withoutdelay.
Chapter19

SriMaitreyasaid:AfterhearingthewordsofBrahma,thecreator,whichwere
freefromallsinfulpurposesandassweetasnectar,theLordheartilylaughed
andacceptedhisprayerwithaglanceladenwithlove.
Thewordnirvyalikaisverysignificant.Theprayersofthedemigodsor
devoteesoftheLordarefreefromallsinfulpurposes,buttheprayersof
demonsarealwaysfilledwithsinfulpurposes.
Demons,whoareneverinterestedinpraisingtheSupremePersonalityof
GodheadbecausetheyhavenoinformationofHim,gotothedemigods,andin
Bhagavadgitathisiscondemned.Personswhogotothedemigodsandprayfor
advancementinsinfulactivitiesareconsideredtobebereftofallintelligence.
Demonshavelostallintelligencebecausetheydonotknowwhatisactually
theirselfinterest.EveniftheyhaveinformationoftheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,theydeclinetoapproachHim;itisnotpossibleforthemtogettheir
desiredboonsfromtheSupremeLordbecausetheirpurposesarealwayssinful.
ItissaidthatthedacoitsinBengalusedtoworshipthegoddessKalifor

fulfillmentoftheirsinfuldesirestoplunderothers'property,buttheynever
wenttoaVisnutemplebecausetheymighthavebeenunsuccessfulinpraying
toVisnu.ThereforetheprayersofthedemigodsorthedevoteesoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadarealwaysuntingedbysinfulpurposes.
Eventhoughthedemonhadanexcellentopportunitytostrikehisunarmedfoe
withoutobstruction,herespectedthelawofsinglecombat,therebykindlingthe
furyoftheSupremeLord.
AstheLord'smacefelltothegroundandacryofalarmarosefromthe
witnessingcrowdofgodsandrsis,thePersonalityofGodheadacknowledged
thedemon'sloveofrighteousnessandthereforeinvokedHisSudarsanadiscus.
Henowtookatridentwhichwasasrapaciousasaflamingfireandhurledit
againsttheLord,theenjoyerofallsacrifices,evenasonewouldusepenance
foramalevolentpurposeagainstaholybrahmana.
WhentheLordsawthemaceflyingtowardHim,HestoodfirmlywhereHe
wasandcaughtitwiththesameeaseasGaruda,thekingofbirds,wouldseize
aserpent.
Onceuponatime,Garuda,thecarrieroftheLord,snatchedawayanectarpot
fromthehandsofthedemigodsinheaveninordertoliberatehismother,
Vinata,fromtheclutchesofhisstepmother,Kadru,themotheroftheserpents.
Onlearningofthis,Indra,theKingofheaven,hurledhisthunderboltagainst
Garuda.WithaviewtorespecttheinfallibilityofIndra'sweapon,Garuda,
thoughotherwiseinvincible,beingtheLord'sownmount,droppedoneofhis
wings,whichwasshatteredtopiecesbythethunderbolt.Theinhabitantsof
higherplanetsaresosensiblethatevenintheprocessoffightingtheyobserve
thepreliminaryrulesandregulationsofgentleness.Inthiscase,Garudawanted
toshowrespectforIndra;sinceheknewthatIndra'sweaponmustdestroy
something,heofferedhiswing.
SrivatsaisacurlofwhitehaironthechestoftheLordwhichisaspecialsign
ofHisbeingtheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.InVaikunthalokaorin
GolokaVrndavana,theinhabitantsareexactlyofthesameformasthe
PersonalityofGodhead,butbythisSrivatsamarkonthechestoftheLordHe
isdistinguishedfromallothers.
Aspreviouslyexplained,thedemonwasoriginallyaservitoroftheLordin
Vaikuntha,butsomehoworotherhefellasademon.Hisfightwiththe
SupremeLordwasmeantforhisliberation.
TheLordenjoyedthestrikingonHistranscendentalbody,justlikeafully
grownupfatherfightingwithhischild.Sometimesafathertakespleasurein
havingamockfightwithhissmallchild,andsimilarlytheLordfelt

Hiranyaksa'sstrikingonHisbodytobelikeflowersofferedforworship.In
otherwords,theLorddesiredtofightinordertoenjoyHistranscendentalbliss;
thereforeHeenjoyedtheattack.
InthisversetheLordisaddressedasKesavabecauseHekilledthedemonKesi
inthebeginningofcreation.
TherearemanydevoteeswhokeepastatueoftheLordinasmallboxand
carryitwiththemeverywhere;everymorningtheyworshiptheLordinthebox
ItdoesnottakeevenamomentfortheLordtokillanypowerfuldemon,
includingHiranyaksa.TheLordcouldhavekilledhimlongbefore,butHe
allowedthedemontodisplaythefullextentofhismagicalfeats.Onemay
knowthatbymagicalfeats,byscientificadvancementofknowledgeorby
materialpoweronecannotbecometheequaloftheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead.
Althoughthedemonwasdead,hisbodilylusterwasunfaded.Thisisvery
peculiarbecausewhenamanoranimalisdead,thebodyimmediatelybecomes
pale,thelustergraduallyfades,anddecompositiontakesplace.Buthere,
althoughHiranyaksalaydead,hisbodilylusterwasunfadedbecausetheLord,
theSupremeSpirit,wastouchinghisbody.One'sbodilylusterremainsfresh
onlyaslongasthespiritsoulispresent.Althoughthedemon'ssoulhad
departedhisbody,theSupremeSpirittouchedthebody,andthereforehis
bodilylusterdidnotfade.
Aja[Brahma]andothersarrivedonthespottoseethefearfullytuskeddemon
lyingontheground,bitinghislip.Theglowofhisfacewasyetunfaded,and
Brahmaadmiringlysaid:Oh,whocouldmeetsuchblesseddeath?

Thereforetheymeditateinsecludedplacestoattainyogictrance.Yogahasto
beperformedinasecludedplace,notinpublicorinademonstrationonstage,
asnowadayspracticedbymanysocalledyogis.Realyogaaimsatridding
oneofthematerialbody.Yogapracticeisnotintendedtokeepthebodyfit
andyoung.
Suchadvertisementsofsocalledyogaarenotapprovedbyanystandard
method.Particularlymentionedinthisverseisthewordyam,or"untowhom,"
indicatingthatmeditationshouldbetargetedonthePersonalityofGodhead.
EvenifoneconcentrateshismindontheboarformoftheLord,thatisalso
yoga.AsconfirmedinBhagavadgita,onewhoconcentrateshismind
constantlyinmeditationuponthePersonalityofGodheadinoneofHismany
varietiesofformsisthefirstclassyogi,andhecanveryeasilyattaintrance
simplybymeditatingupontheformoftheLord.Ifoneisabletocontinuesuch

meditationontheLord'sformatthetimeofone'sdeath,oneisliberatedfrom
thismortalbodyandistransferredtothekingdomofGod.
ThesetwopersonalassistantsoftheSupremeLord,havingbeencursed,have
beendestinedtotakebirthindemoniacfamilies.Afterafewsuchbirths,they
willreturntotheirownpositions.
PurifiedlifeismeanttopleasetheLord,andallsacrificesperformedinpurified
lifearecalledKrsnaconsciousness.
Thereforeitistobeunderstoodthatall8,400,000speciesofbodilyforms
originatefromtheLord,whoisalwaysadi,orthebeginning.
SriSutaGosvamicontinued:Mydearbrahmana,Ksatta[Vidura]thegreat
devoteeoftheLordachievedtranscendentalblissbyhearingthenarrationof
thepastimesoftheSupremePersonalityofGodheadfromtheauthoritative
sourceofthesageKausarava[Maitreya],andhewasverypleased.
SanatanaGosvami,therefore,hasespeciallywarnedthatoneshouldnothear
anythingaboutthepersonalityoftheLordfromthelipsofanondevotee.
Nondevoteesareconsideredtobelikeserpents;asmilkispoisonedbya
serpent'stouch,so,althoughthenarrationofthepastimesoftheLordisaspure
asmilk,whenadministeredbyserpentlikenondevoteesitbecomespoisonous.
Notonlydoesithavenoeffectintranscendentalpleasure,butitisdangerous
also.LordCaitanyaMahaprabhuhaswarnedthatnodescriptionofthepastimes
oftheLordshouldbeheardfromtheMayavada,orimpersonalist,school.He
hasclearlysaid,mayavadibhasyasunilehayasarvanasa:ifanyonehearsthe
Mayavadis'interpretationofthepastimesoftheLord,ortheirinterpretationof
Bhagavadgita,

SrimadBhagavatamoranyotherVedicliterature,thenheisdoomed.Onceone
isassociatedwithimpersonalists,hecanneverunderstandthepersonalfeature
oftheLordandHistranscendentalpastimes.
Ungratefulpersonsarethosewhodonotunderstandhowmuchbenefittheyare
derivingbythearrangementoftheLord.Theyenjoythesunshineand
moonshine,andtheygetwaterfreeofcharge,yettheydonotfeelgrateful,but
simplygoonenjoyingthesegiftsoftheLord.Therefore,theymustbecalled
thievesandrogues.
DevoteesaregenerallyattractedbythenarrativesofthepastimesoftheLord,
andeventhoughtheydonotprosecuteausteritiesormeditation,thisvery
processofhearingattentivelyaboutthepastimesoftheLordwillendowthem
withinnumerablebenefits,suchaswealth,fame,longevityandotherdesirable

aimsoflife.
IfonecontinuestohearSrimadBhagavatam,whichisfullofnarrativesofthe
pastimesoftheLord,attheendofthislife,oneissuretobetransferredtothe
eternal,transcendentalabodeoftheLord.
LordCaitanyaMahaprabhualsorecommendedfiveitemsofdevotionalservice,
namelytoservethedevoteesoftheLord,tochantHareKrsna,tohearSrimad
Bhagavatam,toworshiptheDeityoftheLordandtoliveinaplaceof
pilgrimage.Justperformingthesefiveactivitiescandeliveronefromthe
miserableconditionofmateriallife.
Chapter20

ItisunderstoodherethatManucreatesscripturalregulationsforthesalvation
oftheconditionedsouls,whocometothematerialworldformaterial
enjoyment.TheLordissokindthatanysoulwhowantstoenjoyinthis
materialworldisgivenfullfacilityforenjoyment,andatthesametimeheis
shownthepathofsalvation.
SaunakaRsiinquiredaboutVidura,whowasagreatdevoteeandfriendof
LordKrsnaandwhogaveupthecompanyofhiselderbrotherbecausethe
latter,alongwithhissons,playedtricksagainstthedesiresoftheLord.
Asadevotee,VidurashowedbyexamplethatanywherethatKrsnaisnot
honoredisaplaceunfitforhumanhabitation.Adevoteemaybetolerant
regardinghisowninterests,butheshouldnotbetolerantwhenthereis
misbehaviortowardtheLordortheLord'sdevotee.
ThehistoryofViduraisthathewasbornofasudramother,buthisseminal
fatherwasVyasadeva;thushewasnotlessthanVyasadevainanyrespect.
Sincehewasbornofagreatfather,whowassupposedtobeanincarnationof
NarayanaandwhocomposedalltheVedicliteratures,Vidurawasalsoagreat
personality.
HeacceptedKrsnaashisworshipableLordandfollowedHisinstructions
wholeheartedly.
Vidurawaspurifiedofallpassionbywanderinginsacredplaces,
InIndiatherearehundredsofsacredplacesofpilgrimage,ofwhichPrayaga,
Hardwar,VrndavanaandRamesvaramareconsideredprincipal.
InVrndavana;anypersonmaygothere,andevenifheissinfulhewillatonce
contactanatmosphereofspirituallifeandwillautomaticallychantthenames
ofKrsnaandRadha.Thatwehaveactuallyseenandexperienced.Itis
recommendedinthesastrasthatafterretiringfromactivelifeandacceptingthe

vanaprastha(retired)order,oneshouldtraveleverywheretoplacesof
pilgrimageinordertopurifyhimself.
Anothersignificantpointisthatonemustgotosacredplacesnotonlytotake
baththerebuttosearchoutgreatsageslikeMaitreyaandtakeinstructionsfrom
them.Ifonedoesnotdoso,histravelingtoplacesofpilgrimageissimplya
wasteoftime.NarottamadasaThakura,agreatacaryaoftheVaisnavasect,
has,forthepresent,forbiddenustogotosuchplacesofpilgrimagebecausein
thisage,thetimeshavingsochanged,asincerepersonmayhaveadifferent
impressiononseeingthebehaviorofthepresentresidentsofthepilgrimage
sites.Hehasrecommendedthatinsteadoftakingthetroubletotraveltosuch
places,oneshouldconcentratehismindonGovinda,andthatwillhelphim.Of
course,toconcentrateone'smindonGovindainanyplaceisapathmeantfor
thosewhoarethemostspirituallyadvanced;itisnotforordinarypersons.
Ordinarypersonsmaystillderivebenefitfromtravelingtoholyplaceslike
Prayaga,Mathura,VrndavanaandHardwar.
Itisrecommendedinthisversethatonefindapersonwhoknowsthescience
ofGod,oratattvavit.Tattvavitmeans"onewhoknowstheAbsoluteTruth."
Therearemanypseudotranscendentalists,evenatplacesofpilgrimage.Such
menarealwayspresent,andonehastobeintelligentenoughtofindtheactual
persontobeconsulted;thenone'sattempttoprogressbytravelingtodifferent
holyplaceswillbesuccessful.Onehastobefreedfromallcontamination,and
atthesametimehehastofindapersonwhoknowsthescienceofKrsna.Krsna
helpsasincereperson
Ifonesincerelysearchesforspiritualsalvation,thenKrsna,beingsituatedin
everyone'sheart,giveshimtheintelligencetofindasuitablespiritualmaster.
BythegraceofaspiritualmasterlikeMaitreya,onegetstheproperinstruction
andadvancesinhisspirituallife.
IfwecandovetailallouractivitiesinrelationshipwithKrsna,thenwedonot
standonthematerialplatform,butalwaysonthespiritualplatform.

ThenarrationsofBhagavadgitaandSrimadBhagavatammayberead
thousandsandthousandsoftimes,andstill,withoutfail,newaspectsofthe
subjectmatterwillberelishedbythedevotee.
Significanthereisthewordavyaktamargavit,"onewhoknowsthatwhichis
beyondourperception."Toknowmattersbeyondone'sperception,onehasto
learnfromasuperiorauthorityinthelineofdisciplicsuccession.Justtoknow
whoisourfatherisbeyondourperception.Forthat,themotheristheauthority.
Similarly,wehavetounderstandeverythingbeyondourperceptionfromthe

authoritywhoactuallyknows.Thefirstavyaktamargavit,orauthority,is
Brahma,andthenextauthorityindisciplicsuccessionisNarada.MaitreyaRsi
belongstothatdisciplicsuccession,sohealsoisavyaktamargavit.Anyonein
thebonafidelineofdisciplicsuccessionisavyaktamargavit,apersonality
whoknowsthatwhichisbeyondordinaryperception.
Vidurainquired:HowdidthePrajapatis[suchprogenitorsoflivingentitiesas
MariciandSvayambhuvaManu]createaccordingtotheinstructionofBrahma,
andhowdidtheyevolvethismanifesteduniverse?
Thematerialcreationexistsfortheconditionedsoulwhowantedtobecomea
falselordforsenseenjoyment.Onecannottraceoutthehistoryofwhenthe
conditionedsoulfirstdesiredtolorditovermaterialnature,butinVedic
literaturewealwaysfindthatthematerialcreationismeantforthesense
enjoymentoftheconditionedsoul.
Thereisaniceversewhichsaysthatthesumandsubstanceoftheconditioned
soul'ssenseenjoymentisthatassoonasheforgetshisprimaryduty,torender
servicetotheLord,hecreatesanatmosphereofsenseenjoyment,whichis
calledmaya;thatisthecauseofmaterialcreation.
Anotherwordusedhereisdurvitarkyena.Noonecanargueaboutwhenand
howtheconditionedsoulbecamedesirousofsenseenjoyment,butthecauseis
there.Materialnatureisanatmospheremeantonlyforthesenseenjoymentof
theconditionedsoul,anditiscreatedbythePersonalityofGodhead.
Theworkingsofthatenergyaredifficulttocomprehend,butitisunderstood
fromVedicliteraturethattheconditionedsoulcreateshisowndestinyandis
offeredaparticularbodybythelawsofnatureunderthesuperintendenceofthe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,whoalwaysaccompanieshimasParamatma.

Theprimordialmatter,orprakrti,materialnature,consistingofthreemodes,
generatesfourgroupsoffive.Thefirstgroupiscalledelementaryandconsists
ofearth,water,fire,airandether.Thesecondgroupoffiveiscalledtanmatra,
referringtothesubtleelements(senseobjects):sound,touch,form,tasteand
smell.Thethirdgroupisthefivesenseorgansforacquiringknowledge:eyes,
ears,nose,tongueandskin.Thefourthgroupisthefiveworkingsenses:

speech,hands,feet,anusandgenitals.Somesaythattherearefivegroupsof
five.Onegroupisthesenseobjects,oneisthefiveelements,oneisthefive
senseorgansforacquiringknowledge,anotheristhesensesforworking,and
thefifthgroupisthefivedeitieswhocontrolthesedivisions.
FromthenavelofthePersonalityofGodheadGarbhodakasayiVisnusprouted
alotusflowereffulgentlikeathousandblazingsuns.Thislotusfloweristhe
reservoirofallconditionedsouls,andthefirstlivingentitywhocameoutof
thelotusflowerwastheomnipotentBrahma
Atacertaintime,thePersonalityofGodhead,KaranodakasayiVisnu,liesin
theKaranaOceanandproducesmanythousandsofuniversesfromHis
breathing;thenHeentersagainintoeachandeveryuniverseas
GarbhodakasayiVisnuandfillsuphalfofeachuniversewithHisown
perspiration.Theotherhalfoftheuniverseremainsvacant,andthatvacant
regioniscalledouterspace.ThenthelotusflowersproutsfromHisabdomen
andproducesthefirstlivingcreature,Brahma.Thenagain,asKsirodakasayi
Visnu,theLordentersintotheheartofeverylivingentity,includingBrahma.
TheLordsays,"Iamseatedineveryone'sheart,andbyMeareremembrance
andforgetfulnessmadepossible."Asthewitnessoftheactivitiesofthe
individualentities,theLordgiveseachoneremembranceandintelligenceto
actaccordingtohisdesireatthetimehewasannihilatedinhislastbirthinthe
lastmillennium.Thisintelligenceisinvokedaccordingtoone'sowncapacity,
orbythelawofkarma.
Firstofall,Brahmacreatedfromhisshadowthecoveringsofignoranceofthe
conditionedsouls.Theyarefiveinnumberandarecalledtamisra,andha
tamisra,tamas,mohaandmahamoha.
Theconditionedsouls,orlivingentitieswhocometothematerialworldto
enjoysensegratification,arecoveredinthebeginningbyfivedifferent
conditions.Thefirstconditionisacoveringoftamisra,oranger.
Constitutionally,eachandeverylivingentityhasminuteindependence;itis
misuseofthatminuteindependencefortheconditionedsoultothinkthathe
canalsoenjoyliketheSupremeLordortothink,"WhyshallInotbeafree
enjoyerliketheSupremeLord?"Thisforgetfulnessofhisconstitutional
positionisduetoangerorenvy.

Thelivingentity,beingeternallyapartandparcelservitoroftheSupreme
Lord,cannever,byconstitution,beanequalenjoyerwiththeLord.Whenhe
forgetsthis,however,andtriestobeonewithHim,hisconditioniscalled
tamisra.Eveninthefieldofspiritualrealization,thistamisramentalityofthe

livingentityishardtoovercome.Intryingtogetoutoftheentanglementof
materiallife,therearemanywhowanttobeonewiththeSupreme.Evenin
theirtranscendentalactivities,thislowergradementalityoftamisracontinues.
Andhatamisrainvolvesconsideringdeathtobetheultimateend.Theatheists
generallythinkthatthebodyistheselfandthateverythingisthereforeended
withtheendofthebody.Thustheywanttoenjoymateriallifeasfaras
possibleduringtheexistenceofthebody.Theirtheoryis:"Aslongasyoulive,
youshouldliveprosperously.Nevermindwhetheryoucommitallkindsofso
calledsins.Youmusteatsumptuously.Beg,borrowandsteal,andifyouthink
thatbystealingandborrowingyouarebeingentangledinsinfulactivitiesfor
whichyouwillhavetopay,thenjustforgetthatmisconceptionbecauseafter
deatheverythingisfinished.Nooneisresponsibleforanythinghedoesduring
hislife."Thisatheisticconceptionoflifeiskillinghumancivilization,foritis
withoutknowledgeofthecontinuationofeternallife.
Thisandhatamisraignoranceisduetotamas.Theconditionofnotknowing
anythingaboutthespiritsouliscalledtamas.Thismaterialworldisalso
generallycalledtamasbecauseninetyninepercentofitslivingentitiesare
ignorantoftheiridentityassoul.Almosteveryoneisthinkingthatheisthis
body;hehasnoinformationofthespiritsoul.Guidedbythismisconception,
onealwaysthinks,"Thisismybody,andanythinginrelationshipwiththis
bodyismine."Forsuchmisguidedlivingentities,sexlifeisthebackgroundof
materialexistence.Actually,theconditionedsouls,inignoranceinthismaterial
world,aresimplyguidedbysexlife,andassoonastheygettheopportunityfor
sexlife,theybecomeattachedtosocalledhome,motherland,children,wealth
andopulence.
Astheseattachmentsincrease,moha,ortheillusionofthebodilyconceptof
life,alsoincreases.Thustheideathat"Iamthisbody,andeverything
belongingtothisbodyismine"alsoincreases,andasthewholeworldisput
intomoha,sectariansocieties,familiesandnationalitiesarecreated,andthey
fightwithoneanother
Mahamohameanstobemadaftermaterialenjoyment.Especiallyinthisage
ofKali,everyoneisoverwhelmedbythemadnesstoaccumulateparaphernalia
formaterialenjoyment
TherepresentativesoftheYaksasandRaksasasstillexistinsomecountriesof
theworld.Itisunderstoodthatsuchuncivilizedmentakepleasureinkilling
theirowngrandfathersandholdinga"lovefeast"byroastingthebodies.

ThedemonswhowerebornfromthebodyofBrahmawerecalledYaksasand
RaksasasbecausesomeofthemcriedthatBrahmashouldbeeatenandthe

otherscriedthatheshouldnotbeprotected.Theoneswhosaidthatheshould
beeatenwerecalledYaksas,andtheoneswhosaidthatheshouldnotbe
protectedbecameRaksasas,maneaters.
Demonswerebornfromthecreationofnight,andthedemigodswereborn
fromthecreationofday.Inotherwords,demonsliketheYaksasandRaksasas
arebornofthequalityofignorance,anddemigodsarebornofthequalityof
goodness.
Themoreoneisfreefromthedesiresforsex,themoreheispromotedto
thelevelofthedemigods;themoreoneisinclinedtoenjoysex,themore
heisdegradedtothelevelofdemoniaclife.
Sexuallyinclineddemonshavenorespectevenfortheirfather,andthebest
policyforasaintlyfatherlikeBrahmaistoleavesuchdemoniacsons.
HerethewordsbhaktanamanurupatmadarsanammeanthatthePersonalityof
GodheadmanifestsHismultiformsaccordingtothedesiresofthedevotees.For
example,Hanumanji(Vajrangaji)wantedtoseetheformoftheLordasthe
PersonalityofGodheadRamacandra,whereasotherVaisnavaswanttoseethe
formofRadhaKrsna,andstillotherdevoteeswanttoseetheLordintheform
ofLaksmiNarayana.
ItissaidintheBrahmasamhita,advaitamacyutam.TheLorddoesnotappear
beforethedevoteebecauseofthedevotee'simagination.Brahmasamhita
furtherexplainsthattheLordhasinnumerableforms:ramadimurtisukala
niyamenatisthan.Heexistsinmillionsandmillionsofforms.ThereareLord
areinnumerable.IntheBhagavatamitisstatedthatasthewavesinthesea
cannotbecountedbutappearanddisappearcontinually,theincarnationsand
formsoftheLordareinnumerable.Adevoteeisattachedtoaparticularform,
anditisthatformwhichheworships.Wehavejustdescribedthefirst
appearanceoftheboarwithinthisuniverse.Thereareinnumerableuniverses,
andsomewhereorothertheboarformisnowexisting.Alltheformsofthe
Lordareeternal.Itisthedevotee'sinclinationtoworshipaparticularform,and
heengagesindevotionalservicetothatform
InaverseintheRamayana,Hanuman,thegreatdevoteeofRama,said,"I
knowthatthereisnodifferencebetweentheSitaRamaandLaksmiNarayana
formsoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,butnevertheless,theformof
RamaandSitahasabsorbedmyaffectionandlove.ThereforeIwanttoseethe
LordintheformsofRamaandSita."Similarly,theGaudiyaVaisnavaloves
theformsofRadhaandKrsna,andKrsnaandRukminiatDvaraka.

InthisverseitisstatedthatBrahmaapproachedHari,theSupremePersonality
ofGodhead.ThisformoftheLordisKsirodakasayiVisnu.Wheneverthereis
sometroubleandBrahmahastoapproachtheLord,hecanapproach
KsirodakasayiVisnu,anditisthegraceoftheLordthatwheneverBrahma
approachesaboutdisturbancesintheuniverse,theLordgiveshimreliefinso
manyways.
Itappearsherethatthehomosexualappetiteofmalesforeachotheriscreated
inthisepisodeofthecreationofthedemonsbyBrahma.Inotherwords,the
homosexualappetiteofamanforanothermanisdemoniacandisnotforany
sanemaleintheordinarycourseoflife.
MyLord,Youaretheonlyonecapableofendingtheafflictionofthe
distressedandinflictingagonyonthosewhoneverresorttoYourfeet.
Maya'sfunctionistogiveafflictionstothenondevotees.HereBrahmasaid,
"Youaretheprotectorofthesurrenderedsouls;thereforeIsurrenderuntoYour
lotusfeet.Pleasegivemeprotectionfromthesedemons."
sometimesitsohappensthathisfrienddoesnotappreciatethevolumeof
distressheissuffering.ButfortheSupremeLorditisnotdifficult.The
SupremeLord,asParamatma,issittingwithintheheartofeverylivingentity,
andHedirectlyperceivestheexactcausesofdistress.
"Iamsittingineveryone'sheart,andbecauseofMeone'sremembranceand
forgetfulnessoccur."ThuswheneveronefullysurrendersuntotheSupreme
Lord,onefindsthatHeissittingwithinone'sheart.Hecangiveusdirection
howtogetoutofdangersorhowtoapproachHimindevotionalservice.
AccordingtoSridharaSvami,Brahma'sconstantdroppingofhisbodydoesnot
refertohisactuallygivinguphisbody.Rather,hesuggeststhatBrahmagave
upaparticularmentality.Mindisthesubtlebodyofthelivingentity.Wemay
sometimesbeabsorbedinsomethoughtwhichissinful,butifwegiveupthe
sinfulthought,itmaybesaidthatwegiveupthebody.Brahma'smindwasnot
incorrectorderwhenhecreatedthedemons.Itmusthavebeenfullofpassion
becausetheentirecreationwaspassionate;thereforesuchpassionatesonswere
born.
Itfollowsthatanyfatherandmothershouldalsobecarefulwhilebegetting
children.Thementalconditionofachilddependsuponthementalstatusofhis
parentsatthetimeheisconceived.AccordingtotheVedicsystem,therefore,
thegarbhadhanasamskara,ortheceremonyforgivingbirthtoachild,is
observed.Beforebegettingachild,onehastosanctifyhisperplexedmind.
WhentheparentsengagetheirmindsinthelotusfeetoftheLordandinsucha
statethechildisborn,naturallygooddevoteechildrencome;whenthesociety

isfullofsuchgoodpopulation,thereisnotroublefromdemoniacmentalities.
Asearlymorningistheperiodforspiritualcultivation,thebeginningof
eveningistheperiodforpassion.Demoniacmenaregenerallyveryfondofsex
enjoyment;thereforetheyverymuchappreciatetheapproachofevening.The
demonstooktheapproachoftheeveningtwilighttobeabeautifulwoman,and
theybegantoadoreherinvariousways
Thedifferencebetweendemonsanddemigodsisthatabeautifulwomanvery
easilyattractsthemindsofdemons,butshecannotattractthemindofagodly
person.Agodlypersonisfullofknowledge,andademoniacpersonisfullof
ignorance.Justasachildisattractedbyabeautifuldoll,similarlyademon,
whoislessintelligentandfullofignorance,isattractedbymaterialbeautyand
anappetiteforsex.Thegodlypersonknowsthatthisnicelydressedand
ornamentedattractionofhighbreasts,highhips,beautifulnoseandfair
complexionismaya.Allthebeautyawomancandisplayisonlyacombination
offleshandblood.SriSankaracaryahasadvisedallpersonsnottobeattracted
bytheinteractionoffleshandblood;theyshouldbeattractedbytherealbeauty
Inspirituallife.
TherealbeautyisKrsnaandRadha.Onewhoisattractedbythebeautyof
RadhaandKrsnacannotbeattractedbythefalsebeautyofthismaterialworld.
Thatisthedifferencebetweenademonandagodlypersonordevotee.
Thedemoniaccanpayanypricefortheskinbeautyofthismaterialworld.
Theyworkveryhardalldayandnight,butthepurposeoftheirhardworkisto
enjoysexlife.Sometimestheymisrepresentthemselvesaskarmayogis,not
knowingthemeaningofthewordyoga.Yogameanstolinkupwiththe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,ortoactinKrsnaconsciousness.Aperson
whoworksveryhard,nomatterinwhatoccupation,andwhoofferstheresult
oftheworktotheserviceoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,Krsna,is
calledakarmayogi.
Demonsarrangemanykindsofperformancestoseetheglaringbeautyofa
beautifulwoman.Hereitisstatedthattheysawthegirlplayingwithaball.
Sometimesthedemoniacarrangeforsocalledsports,liketennis,withthe
oppositesex.Thepurposeofsuchsportingistoseethebodilyconstructionof
thebeautifulgirlandenjoyasubtlesexmentality.
Thisdemoniacsexmentalityofmaterialenjoymentissometimesencouraged
bysocalledyogiswhoencouragethepublictoenjoysexlifeindifferent
varietiesandatthesametimeadvertisethatifonemeditatesonacertain
manufacturedmantraonecanbecomeGodwithinsixmonths.
Thepublicwantstobecheated,andKrsnathereforecreatessuchcheatersto
misrepresentanddelude.Thesesocalledyogisareactuallyenjoyersofthe

worldgarbedasyogis.

Bhagavadgita,however,recommendsthatifonewantstoenjoylife,thenit
cannotbewiththesegrosssenses.Apatientisadvisedbytheexperienced
physiciantorefrainfromordinaryenjoymentwhileinthediseasedcondition.A
diseasedpersoncannotenjoyanything;hehastorestrainhisenjoymentin
ordertogetridofthedisease.Similarly,ourmaterialconditionisadiseased
condition.Ifonewantstoenjoyrealsenseenjoyment,thenonemustgetfreeof
theentanglementofmaterialexistence.
Inspirituallifewecanenjoysenseenjoymentwhichhasnoend.Thedifference
betweenmaterialandspiritualenjoymentisthatmaterialenjoymentislimited.
Evenifamanengagesinmaterialsexenjoyment,hecannotenjoyitforlong.
Butwhenthesexenjoymentisgivenup,thenonecanenterspirituallife,which
isunending.
IntheBhagavatam(5.5.1)itisstatedthatbrahmasaukhya,spiritualhappiness,
isananta,unending.Foolishcreaturesareenamoredbythebeautyofmatter
andthinkthattheenjoymentitoffersisreal,butactuallythatisnotreal
enjoyment.
Thedemonsobservedbeautifulgesturesinthewoman'severystep.Herethey
praiseherfullgrownbreasts,herscatteredhairandhermovementsinstepping
forwardandbackwardwhileplayingwiththeball.Ineverysteptheyenjoyher
womanlybeauty,andwhiletheyenjoyherbeautytheirmindsbecomeagitated
bysexdesire.Asmothsatnightsurroundafireandarekilled,sothedemons
becomevictimsofthemovementsoftheballlikebreastsofabeautifulwoman.
Thescatteredhairofabeautifulwomanalsoafflictstheheartofalustydemon.
Theasuras,cloudedintheirunderstanding,tooktheeveningtwilighttobea
beautifulwomanshowingherselfinheralluringform,andtheyseizedher.
Theasurasaredescribedhereasmudhadhiyah,meaningthattheyare
captivatedbyignorance,justliketheass.Thedemonswerecaptivatedbythe
false,glaringbeautyofthismaterialform,andthustheyembracedher.
ThemusiciansintheupperplanetarysystemsarecalledGandharvas,andthe
dancinggirlsarecalledApsaras.Afterbeingattackedbythedemonsand
evolvingaformofabeautifulwomaninthetwilight,Brahmanextcreated
GandharvasandApsaras.Musicanddancingemployedinsensegratification
aretobeacceptedasdemoniac,butthesamemusicanddancing,when
employedinglorifyingtheSupremeLordaskirtana,aretranscendental,and
theybringaboutalifecompletelyfitforspiritualenjoyment.

GhostsandmischievoushobgoblinsarealsothecreationofBrahma;theyare
notfalse.Allofthemaremeantforputtingtheconditionedsoulintovarious
miseries.TheyareunderstoodtobethecreationofBrahmaunderthedirection
oftheSupremeLord.

Theghostsandhobgoblinstookpossessionofthebodythrownoffintheform
ofyawningbyBrahma,thecreatorofthelivingentities.Thisisalsoknownas
thesleepwhichcausesdrooling.Thehobgoblinsandghostsattackmenwho
areimpure,andtheirattackisspokenofasinsanity.
Thediseaseofinsanityorbeinghauntedbyghoststakesplaceinanunclean
stateofexistence.Hereitisclearlystatedthatwhenamanisfastasleepand
salivaflowsfromhismouthandheremainsunclean,ghoststhentake
advantageofhisuncleanstateandhaunthisbody.Inotherwords,thosewho
droolwhilesleepingareconsidereduncleanandaresubjecttobehauntedby
ghostsorto,goinsane.
TheSadhyasandPitasareinvisibleformsofdepartedsouls,andtheyarealso
createdbyBrahma.
ThePitasthemselvestookpossessionoftheinvisiblebody,thesourceoftheir
existence.Itisthroughthemediumofthisinvisiblebodythatthosewellversed
intheritualsofferoblationstotheSadhyasandPitas[intheformoftheir
departedancestors]ontheoccasionofsraddha.
SraddhaisaritualisticperformanceobservedbythefollowersoftheVedas.
Thereisayearlyoccasionoffifteendayswhenritualisticreligionistsfollowthe
principleofofferingoblationstodepartedsouls.Thusthosefathersand
ancestorswho,byfreaksofnature,mightnothaveagrossbodyformaterial
enjoymentcanagaingainsuchbodiesduetotheofferingofsraddhaoblations
bytheirdescendants.Theperformanceofsraddha,orofferingoblationswith
prasada,isstillcurrentinIndia,especiallyatGaya,whereoblationsareoffered
atthelotusfeetofVisnuinacelebratedtemple.BecausetheLordisthus
pleasedwiththedevotionalserviceofthedescendants,byHisgraceHe
liberatesthecondemnedsoulsofforefatherswhodonothavegrossbodies,and
Hefavorsthemtoagainreceiveagrossbodyfordevelopmentofspiritual
advancement.
Unfortunately,bytheinfluenceofmaya,theconditionedsoulemploysthe
bodyhegetsforsensegratification,forgettingthatsuchanoccupationmay
leadhimtoreturntoaninvisiblebody.ThedevoteeoftheLord,oronewhois
inKrsnaconsciousness,however,doesnotneedtoperformsuchritualistic
ceremoniesassraddhabecauseheisalwayspleasingtheSupremeLord;
thereforehisfathersandancestorswhomighthavebeenindifficultyare

automaticallyrelieved.ThevividexampleisPrahladaMaharaja.Prahlada
MaharajarequestedLordNrsimhadevatodeliverhissinfulfather,whohadso
manytimesoffendedthelotusfeetoftheLord.TheLordrepliedthatina
familywhereaVaisnavalikePrahladaisborn,notonlyhisfatherbuthis
father'sfatherandtheirfathersuptothefourteenthfatherbackareall
automaticallydelivered.Theconclusion,therefore,isthatKrsnaconsciousness
isthesumtotalofallgoodworkforthefamily,forsocietyandforallliving
entities.
IntheCaitanyacaritamrtatheauthorsaysthatapersonfullyconversantwith
Krsnaconsciousnessdoesnotperformanyritualsbecauseheknowsthat
simplybyservingKrsnainfullKrsnaconsciousness,allritualsare
automaticallyperformed.
Antardhanameansthattheselivingcreaturescanbeperceivedtobepresent,
buttheycannotbeseenbyvision.
TheKimpurusasandKinnarastookpossessionofthatshadowyformleftby
Brahma.Thatiswhytheyandtheirspousessinghispraisesbyrecountinghis
exploitsateverydaybreak.
Thetimeearlyinthemorning,oneandahalfhoursbeforesunrise,iscalled
brahmamuhurta.Duringthisbrahmamuhurta,spiritualactivitiesare
recommended.Spiritualactivitiesperformedearlyinthemorninghavea
greatereffectthaninanyotherpartoftheday.
TheimportanceofsacrificeisalsomentionedinBhagavadgita,ThirdChapter,
verse10.TheLordconfirmstherethatinthebeginningofcreationBrahma
createdtheManus,alongwiththeritualisticsacrificialmethod,andblessed
them:"Continuethesesacrificialrites,andyouwillbegraduallyelevatedto
yourproperpositionofselfrealizationandwillalsoenjoymaterialhappiness."
AllthelivingentitiescreatedbyBrahmaareconditionedsoulsandareinclined
tolorditovermaterialnature.Thepurposeofsacrificialritualsistorevive,
gradually,thespiritualrealizationofthelivingentities.Thatisthebeginningof
lifewithinthisuniverse.Thesesacrificialrituals,however,areintendedto
pleasetheSupremeLord.UnlessonepleasestheSupremeLord,orunlessone
isKrsnaconscious,onecannotbehappyeitherinmaterialenjoymentorin
spiritualrealization.
Havingequippedhimselfwithausterepenance,adoration,mentalconcentration
andabsorptionindevotion,accompaniedbydispassion,andhavingcontrolled
hissenses,Brahma,theselfbornlivingcreature,evolvedgreatsagesashis
belovedsons.
Theritualisticperformancesofsacrificearemeantformaterialeconomic
development;inotherwords,theyaremeanttokeepthebodyingood

conditionforcultivationofspiritualknowledge.Butforactualattainmentof
spiritualknowledge,otherqualificationsareneeded.Whatisessentialisvidya,
orworshipoftheSupremeLord.
Sometimesthewordyogaisusedtorefertothegymnasticperformancesof
differentbodilypostureswhichhelpmentalconcentration.Generally,the
differentbodilyposturesintheyogasystemareacceptedbylessintelligent
mentobetheendofyoga,butactuallytheyaremeanttoconcentratethemind
upontheSupersoul.

Aftercreatingpersonsforeconomicdevelopment,Brahmacreatedsageswho
wouldsettheexampleforspiritualrealization.
InBhagavadgitaitisstatedthatthosewhoaretooattachedtoseekingmaterial
possessionsandmaterialenjoymentcannotreachyogasamadhi,absorptionin
Krsnaconsciousness.Propagandathatonecanenjoythislifemateriallyandat
thesametimespirituallyadvanceissimplybogus.Theprinciplesof
renunciationarefour:(1)toavoidillicitsexlife,(2)toavoidmeateating,(3)
toavoidintoxicationand(4)toavoidgambling.Thesefourprinciplesare
calledtapasya,orausterity.ToabsorbthemindintheSupremeinKrsna
consciousnessistheprocessofspiritualrealization.
Chapter21

Actually,Vidurawasnotinterestedinhearingthehistoryofpersonswho
merelyengagedinsexlife,buthewasinterestedintheprogenyof
SvayambhuvaManubecauseinthatdynasty,gooddevoteekingsappearedwho
protectedtheirsubjectsverycarefullywithspiritualknowledge.Byhearingthe
historyoftheiractivities,therefore,onebecomesmoreenlightened.An
importantwordusedinthisconnectionisparamasammatah,whichindicates
thattheprogenycreatedbySvayambhuvaManuandhissonswasapprovedof
bygreatauthorities.
ThereisnochronologicalhistoryofalltheIndiankingsinSrimad
Bhagavatam,butthedeedsofthemostimportantkings,suchasPriyavrataand
Uttanapada,andmanyothers,likeLordRamacandraandMaharaja
Yudhisthira,arerecordedbecausetheactivitiesofsuchpiouskingsareworth
hearing;peoplemaybenefitbystudyingtheirhistories.
HerewearespeakingofSvayambhuvaManu,butinBhagavadgitawehear
aboutVaivasvataManu.ThepresentagebelongstotheVaivasvataManu.
SvayambhuvaManuwaspreviouslyruling,andhishistorybeginsfromthe
Varahaage,orthemillenniumwhentheLordappearedastheboar.Thereare
fourteenManusinonedayofthelifeofBrahma,

Theeightdivisionsofyogaperformancearedescribedas(1)controlofthe
senses,(2)strictfollowingoftherulesandregulations,(3)practiceofthe
differentsittingpostures,(4)controlofthebreath,(5)withdrawingthesenses
fromsenseobjects,(6)concentrationofthemind,(7)meditationand(8)self
realization.Afterselfrealizationthereareeightfurtherperfectionalstages,
whicharecalledyogasiddhis.

Formerly,aftermakingtheirlivesperfect,greatsagesandsaintlypersonsused
tobegetchildren,otherwisetheystrictlyobservedtherulesandregulationsof
celibacy.Brahmacarya(followingtherulesandregulationsofcelibacy)is
requiredforperfectionofselfrealizationandmysticpower.Thereisno
recommendationintheVedicscripturesthatonecangoonenjoyingmaterial
sensegratificationatone'swhims,asonelikes,andatthesametimebecomea
greatmeditatorbypayingarascalsomemoney.
Allthegreatpersonalitieswhoincreasedthepopulationinthebeginningofthe
creationarecalledPrajapatis.BrahmaisalsoknownasPrajapati,asweresome
ofhislatersons.SvayambhuvaManuisalsoknownasPrajapati,asisDaksa,
anothersonofBrahma.
Vidura'sinquirywas,"Howdidtheybegetthepopulationinthebeginning?"
ThegreatsageMaitreyareplied:CommandedbyLordBrahmatobeget
childrenintheworlds,theworshipfulKardamaMunipracticedpenanceonthe
bankoftheRiverSarasvatiforaperiodoftenthousandyears.
Followingtheregulations,controllingthesensesandpracticingthedifferent
sittingposturesaremerelythepreliminarypractices.Wedonotknowhow
peoplecanbecaptivatedbythebogusyogasysteminwhichitisstatedthat
simplybymeditatingfifteenminutesdailyonecanattaintheperfectionof
becomingonewithGod.Thisage(Kaliyuga)istheageofbluffingand
quarrel.
TheVedicliterature,foremphasis,clearlystatesthreetimesthatinthisageof
Kalikalaunastyevanastyevanastyevathereisnootheralternative,no
otheralternative,nootheralternativethanharernama,chantingtheholyname
oftheLord.
Thesignificanceofmeditationisdescribedhere.KardamaMunipracticed
mysticyogameditationfortenthousandyearsjusttopleasetheSupreme

PersonalityofGodhead,Hari.Therefore,whetheronepracticesyogaor
speculatesanddoesresearchtofindGod,one'seffortsmustbemixedwiththe
processofdevotion.Withoutdevotion,nothingcanbeperfect.Thetargetof
perfectionandrealizationistheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.IntheSixth
ChapterofBhagavadgitaitisclearlysaidthatonewhoconstantlyengagesin
Krsnaconsciousnessisthetopmostyogi.ThePersonalityofGodhead,Hari,
alsofulfillsthedesiresofHissurrendereddevotee.Onehastosurrenderunto
thelotusfeetofthePersonalityofGodhead,Hari,orKrsna,inordertoachieve
realsuccess.

Devotionalservice,orengagementinKrsnaconsciousness,isthedirect
method,andallothermethods,althoughrecommended,areindirect.Inthisage
ofKalithedirectmethodisespeciallymorefeasiblethantheindirectbecause
peopleareshortliving,theirintelligenceispoor,andtheyarepovertystricken
andembarrassedbysomanymiserabledisturbances.LordCaitanya,therefore,
hasgiventhegreatestboon:inthisageonesimplyhastochanttheholyname
ofGodtoattainperfectioninspirituallife.
Moreover,perfectionisattainedonlybythosewhoaresurrenderedsouls.
WherethereisnomentionofthePersonalityofGodhead,whereisthere
surrender?AndwherethereisnomeditationuponthePersonalityofGodhead,
whereistheyogapractice?
Theperfectionofyoga,therefore,doesnotterminateinvoidnessor
impersonalism;onthecontrary,theperfectionofyogaisattainedwhenone
actuallyseesthePersonalityofGodheadinHiseternalform.Theprocessof
KrsnaconsciousnessistodelivertheformofKrsnadirectly.TheformofKrsna
isdescribedintheauthoritativeVedicliteratureBrahmasamhita:Hisabodeis
madeofcintamanistone,andtheLordplaysthereasacowherdboyandis
servedbymanythousandsofgopis.Thesedescriptionsareauthoritative,anda
Krsnaconsciouspersontakesthemdirectly,actsonthem,preachesthemand
practicesdevotionalserviceasenjoinedintheauthoritativescriptures.
TherealizationofthepersonalformoftheLordisthehighestperfectional
stageofyoga.IntheSixthChapterofBhagavadgita,whereyogapracticeis
described,thisrealizationofthepersonalformoftheLordiscalledthe
perfectionofyoga.Afterpracticingthesittingposturesandotherregulative
principlesofthesystem,onefinallyreachesthestageofsamadhiabsorptionin
theSupreme.InthesamadhistageonecanseetheSupremepersonalityof
GodheadinHispartialformasParamatma,orasHeis.Samadhiisdescribedin
authoritativeyogascriptures,suchasthePatanjalisutras,tobeatranscendental

pleasure.TheyogasystemdescribedinthebooksofPatanjaliisauthoritative,
andthemodernsocalledyogiswhohavemanufacturedtheirownways,not
consultingtheauthorities,aresimplyludicrous.ThePatanjaliyogasystemis
calledastangayoga.SometimesimpersonalistspollutethePatanjaliyoga
systembecausetheyaremonists.
Patanjalidescribesthatthesoulistranscendentallypleasedwhenhemeets
theSupersoulandseesHim.
Hisproposalisthatwhenoneisfreedfrommaterialdesiresandfixedin
spiritualrealizationoftheselfandtheSuperself,thatiscalledcitsakti.
Tranceisdescribedtobeoftwokinds,samprajnataandasamprajnata,or
mentalspeculationandselfrealization.Insamadhiorasamprajnataonecan
realize,byhisspiritualsenses,thespiritualformoftheLord.Thatisthe
ultimategoalofspiritualrealization.
Devotionalservicebeginswiththerelationshipoftheindividualsoulandthe
SupremeSoul,orKrsnaandKrsna'sdevotees,andwhenoneattainsitthereis
noquestionoffallingdown.If,throughtheyogasystem,onewantstoattain
thestageofseeingtheSupremePersonalityofGodheadfacetoface,butis
attractedinsteadtoattainmentofsomematerialpower,thenheisdetoured
fromproceedingfurther.Materialenjoyment,asencouragedbybogusyogis,
hasnothingtodowiththetranscendentalrealizationofspiritualhappiness.
Realdevoteesofbhaktiyogaacceptonlythematerialnecessitiesoflife
absolutelyneededtomaintainthebodyandsoultogether;theyrefrain
completelyfromallexaggeratedmaterialsensegratification.Theyareprepared
toundergoallkindsoftribulation,providedtheycanmakeprogressinthe
realizationofthePersonalityofGodhead.
TheSupremePersonalityofGodheadisdescribedhereasthereservoirofall
goodnessandallpleasure.Unlessoneissituatedinthemodeofgoodness,
thereisnorealpleasure.When,therefore,one'sbody,mindandactivitiesare
situatedintheserviceoftheLord,oneisonthehighestperfectionalstageof
goodness.
TheperfectionofthesensesistoengageintheserviceoftheLord.Thesense
ofsight,whenengagedinseeingthebeautyoftheLord,isperfected;thepower
tohear,whenengagedinhearingthegloriesoftheLord,isperfected;the
powertotaste,whenoneenjoysbyeatingprasada,isperfected.Whenallthe
sensesengageinrelationshipwiththePersonalityofGodhead,one'sperfection
istechnicallycalledbhaktiyoga,whichentailsdetachingthesensesfrom
materialindulgenceandattachingthemtotheserviceoftheLord.Whenoneis
freedfromalldesignatedconditionallifeandfullyengagesintheserviceofthe

Lord,one'sserviceiscalledbhaktiyoga
Thosewhoareactuallyontheadvancedpathaspireonlytoseetheeternal
formoftheLord.
AsstatedinBhagavadgita,SeventhChapter,therearetwokindsofdevotees
thosewhodesirematerialpleasuresandthosewhodesirenothingbutserviceto
theLord.Materialpleasurescanbeattainedevenbyhogsanddogs,whose
conditionoflifeishellish.Thehogalsoeats,sleepsandenjoyssexlifetothe
fullextent,anditisalsoverysatisfiedwithsuchhellishenjoymentofmaterial
existence.Modernyogisadvisethatbecauseonehassenses,onemustenjoyto
thefullestextentlikecatsanddogs,yetonecangoonandpracticeyoga.This
iscondemnedherebyKardamaMuni;hesaysthatsuchmaterialpleasuresare
availableforcatsanddogsinahellishcondition.TheLordissokindthatifso
calledyogisaresatisfiedbyhellishpleasures,Hecangivethemfacilitiesto
attainallthematerialpleasurestheydesire,buttheycannotattainthe
perfectionalstageattainedbyKardamaMuni.

Suchpersonsaredescribedhereashatamedhasah,whichmeans"thosewhose
brainsarespoiled."Theyaspireformaterialenjoymentbyperfectionofyoga
ormeditation.
Actually,theintelligentpractitionerofyogashouldaspirefornothingelsebut
tocrossovertheoceanofnesciencebyworshipingthePersonalityofGodhead
andtoseethelotusfeetoftheLord.
TheLordissokind,however,thateventodaypersonswhosebrainsubstanceis
spoiledaregiventhebenedictiontobecomecats,dogsorhogsandenjoy
materialhappinessfromsexlifeandsensegratification.TheLordconfirmsthis
benedictioninBhagavadgita:"WhateverapersonaspirestoreceivefromMe,
Iofferhimashedesires."
Therefore,desiringtomarryagirloflikedispositionwhomayprovetobea
veritablecowofplentyinmymarriedlife,tosatisfymylustfuldesireItoo
havesoughttheshelterofYourlotusfeet,whicharethesourceofeverything,
forYouarelikeadesiretree.
"AlthoughIknowthatnothingmaterialshouldbeaskedfromYou,I
neverthelessdesiretomarryagirloflikedisposition."Thephrase"like
disposition"isverysignificant.Formerly,boysandgirlsofsimilardispositions
weremarried;thesimilarnaturesoftheboyandgirlwereunitedinorderto
makethemhappy.Notmorethantwentyfiveyearsago,andperhapsitisstill
current,parentsinIndiausedtoconsultthehoroscopeoftheboyandgirltosee
whethertherewouldbefactualunionintheirpsychologicalconditions.These

considerationsareveryimportant.Nowadaysmarriagetakesplacewithout
suchconsultation,andtherefore,soonafterthemarriage,thereisdivorceand
separation.Formerlyhusbandandwifeusedtolivetogetherpeacefully
throughouttheirwholelives,butnowadaysitisaverydifficulttask.
Itissaidthatawifeyieldsthefulfillmentofalldesiresinreligion,economic
developmentandsensegratification.
Inastrology,amanisconsideredfortunatewhohasgreatwealth,verygood
sonsoraverygoodwife.Ofthesethree,onewhohasaverygoodwifeis
consideredthemostfortunate.
IntheBhagavatam,TwelfthCanto,itissaidthatintheKaliyugamarriagewill
bebasedontheconsiderationofsexlife;assoonasthereisdeficiencyinsex
life,thequestionofdivorcewillarise.
KardamaMunicouldhaveaskedhisbenedictionfromUma,foritis
recommendedinthescripturesthatifanyonewantsagoodwife,heshould
worshipUma.ButhepreferredtoworshiptheSupremePersonalityofGodhead
becauseitisrecommendedintheBhagavatamthateveryone,whetherheisfull
ofdesires,hasnodesireordesiresliberation,shouldworshiptheSupreme
Lord.
Ofthesethreeclassesofmen,onetriestobehappybyfulfillmentofmaterial
desires,anotherwantstobehappybybecomingonewiththeSupreme,and
another,theperfectman,isadevotee.Hedoesnotwantanythinginreturn
fromthepersonalityofGodhead;heonlywantstorendertranscendental
lovingservice.
TheadvantageofworshipingtheSupremePersonisthatevenifonehasdesires
formaterialenjoyment,ifheworshipsKrsnahewillgraduallybecomeapure
devoteeandhavenomorematerialhankering.
VedicliteratureslikeIsopanisaddirectthatsinceeverythingbelongstothe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,oneshouldnotencroachuponanother's
property,butshouldenjoyone'sindividualallotment.Thebestprogramfor
everylivingentityistotakedirectionfromtheSupremeLordandenjoy
materialorspirituallife.
Aquestionmayberaised:SinceKardamaMuniwasadvancedinspirituallife,
whythendidhenotasktheLordforliberation?Whydidhewanttoenjoy
materiallifeinspiteofhispersonallyseeingandexperiencingtheSupreme
Lord?Theansweristhatnoteveryoneiscompetenttobeliberatedfrom
materialbondage.Itiseveryone'sduty,therefore,toenjoyaccordingtohis
presentposition,butunderthedirectionoftheLordortheVedas.TheVedas
areconsideredtobethedirectwordsoftheLord.TheLordgivesusthe

opportunitytoenjoymateriallifeaswewant,andatthesametimeHegives
directionsforthemodesandprocessesofabidingbytheVedassothat
graduallyonemaybeelevatedtoliberationfrommaterialbondage.The
conditionedsoulswhohavecometothematerialworldtofulfilltheirdesiresto
lorditovermaterialnatureareboundbythelawsofnature.Thebestcourseis
toabidebytheVedicrules;thatwillhelponetobegraduallyelevatedto
liberation.
InBhagavadgitatheLordsaysthatreligionmeanstosurrenderuntoHim.
ThereforeoneshouldfollowtheVedicregulationsandsurrenderuntothe
SupremeLordbecausethatistheultimategoalofperfectioninhumanlife.
However,personswhohavegivenupstereotypedworldlyaffairsandthe
beastlyfollowersoftheseaffairs,andwhohavetakenshelteroftheumbrellaof
YourlotusfeetbydrinkingtheintoxicatingnectarofYourqualitiesand
activitiesindiscussionswithoneanother,canbefreedfromtheprimary
necessitiesofthematerialbody.
Afterdescribingthenecessityofmarriedlife,KardamaMuniassertsthat
marriageandothersocialaffairsarestereotypedregulationsforpersonswho
areaddictedtomaterialsenseenjoyment.Theprinciplesofanimallifeeating,
sleeping,matinganddefendingareactuallynecessitiesofthebody,butthose
whoengageintranscendentalKrsnaconsciousness,givingupallthe
stereotypedactivitiesofthismaterialworld,arefreedfromsocialconventions.
Conditionedsoulsareunderthespellofmaterialenergy,oreternaltimepast,
presentandfuturebutassoonasoneengagesinKrsnaconsciousness,he
transcendsthelimitsofpastandpresentandbecomessituatedintheeternal
activitiesofthesoul.OnehastoactintermsoftheVedicinjunctionsinorder
toenjoymateriallife,butthosewhohavetakentothedevotionalserviceofthe
Lordarenotafraidoftheregulationsofthismaterialworld.Suchdevoteesdo
notcarefortheconventionsofmaterialactivities;theyboldlytaketothat
shelterwhichislikeanumbrellaagainstthesunofrepeatedbirthanddeath.
Constanttransmigrationofthesoulfromonebodytoanotheristhecauseof
sufferinginmaterialexistence.Thisconditionallifeinmaterialexistenceis
calledsamsara.Onemayperformgoodworkandtakehisbirthinaverynice
materialcondition,buttheprocessunderwhichbirthanddeathtakeplaceis
likeaterriblefire.SriVisvanathaCakravartiThakura,inhisprayertothe
spiritualmaster,hasdescribedthis.Samsara,ortherepetitionofbirthand
death,iscomparedtoaforestfire.Aforestfiretakesplaceautomatically,
withoutanyone'sendeavor,bythefrictionofdriedwood,andnofire
departmentorsympatheticpersoncanextinguishit.Theragingforestfirecan
beextinguishedonlywhenthereisaconstantdownpourofwaterfromacloud.
Thecloudiscomparedtothemercyofthespiritualmaster.Bythegraceofthe

spiritualmasterthecloudofthemercyofthePersonalityofGodheadis
broughtin,andthenonly,whentherainsofKrsnaconsciousnessfall,canthe
fireofmaterialexistencebeextinguished.
Inordertofindfreedomfromthestereotypedconditionallifeofmaterial
existence,onehastotakeshelterofthelotusfeetoftheLord,notinthemanner
inwhichtheimpersonalistsindulge,butindevotionalservice,chantingand
hearingoftheactivitiesoftheLord.Onlythencanonebefreedfromthe
actionsandreactionsofmaterialexistence.Itisrecommendedherethatone
shouldgiveuptheconditionallifeofthismaterialworldandtheassociationof
socalledcivilizedhumanbeingswhoaresimplyfollowing,inapolishedway,
thesamestereotypedprinciplesofeating,sleeping,defendingandmating.
ChantingandhearingofthegloriesoftheLordisdescribedhereastvadguna
vadasidhu.Onlybydrinkingthenectarofchantingandhearingthepastimes
oftheLordcanoneforgettheintoxicationofmaterialexistence.
Thetimefactorcannotaffectthespanoflifeofthedevotees.InBhagavadgita
itisstatedthatalittleexecutionofdevotionalservicesavesonefromthe
greatestdanger.Thegreatestdangeristransmigrationofthesoulfromone
bodytoanother,andonlydevotionalservicetotheLordcanstopthisprocess.
ItisstatedintheVedicliteratures,harimvinanasrtimtaranti:withoutthe
mercyoftheLord,onecannotstopthecycleofbirthanddeath.InBhagavad
gitaitisstatedthatonlybyunderstandingthetranscendentalnatureoftheLord
andHisactivities,Hisappearanceanddisappearance,canonestopthecycleof
deathandgobacktoHim

Allthedivisionsinthisversearedeterminedaccordingtotheastronomical
calculationsofVedicliterature.Therearesixseasons,calledrtus,andthereis
theperiodoffourmonthscalledcaturmasya.Threeperiodsoffourmonths
completeoneyear.AccordingtoVedicastronomicalcalculations,thereare
thirteenmonths.Thethirteenthmonthiscalledadhimasaormalamasaandis
addedeverythirdyear
Theexampleofthespiderisverysignificantalso.Thespiderisanindividual
livingentity,andbyitsenergyitcreatesacobwebandplaysonit,and
wheneveritlikesitwindsupthecobweb,thusendingtheplay.Whenthe
cobwebismanufacturedbythesalivaofthespider,thespiderdoesnotbecome
impersonal.Similarly,thecreationandmanifestationofthematerialor
spiritualenergydoesnotrenderthecreatorimpersonal.Heretheveryprayer
suggeststhatGodissentientandcanheartheprayersandfulfillthedesiresof
thedevotee.Therefore,Heissaccidanandavigraha,theformofbliss,
knowledgeandeternity.

MydearLord,althoughitisnotYourdesire,Youmanifestthiscreationof
grossandsubtleelementsjustforoursensualsatisfaction.
Itisclearlystatedherethatthematerialworldisnotcreatedbythepersonal
willoftheSupremeLord;itiscreatedbyHisexternalenergybecausethe
livingentitieswanttoenjoyit
Thismaterialworldisnotcreatedforthosewhodonotwanttoenjoysense
gratification,whoconstantlyremainintranscendentallovingserviceandwho
areeternallyKrsnaconscious.Forthem,thespiritualworldiseternally
existing,andtheyenjoythere.
ElsewhereintheSrimadBhagavatamitisstatedthatforthosewhohavetaken
shelterofthelotusfeetoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,thismaterial
worldisuseless;becausethismaterialworldisfullofdangerateverystep,itis
notmeantforthedevoteesbutforlivingentitieswhowanttolorditoverthe
materialenergyattheirownrisk.
TheLordunwillinglycreatesthismaterialworld,butHedescendsinHis
personalformorsendsoneofHisreliablesonsoraservantorareliableauthor
likeVyasadevatogiveinstruction.HeHimselfalsoinstructsinHisspeechesof
Bhagavadgita.Thispropagandaworkgoesonsidebysidewiththecreationto
convincethemisguidedlivingentitieswhoarerottinginthismaterialworldto
comebacktoHimandsurrenderuntoHim.Thereforethelastinstructionof
Bhagavadgitaisthis:"Giveupallyourmanufacturedengagementsinthe
materialworldandjustsurrenderuntoMe.Ishallprotectyoufromallsinful
reactions."

anyonewhodesirestobeasuccessfulenjoyerinthismaterialworldisawarded
thatbenedictionbytheLord,anyonewhowantstobeliberatedfromthe
entanglementofthismaterialworldisgivenliberationbytheLord,andanyone
whodesirestoconstantlyengageinHisserviceinfullKrsnaconsciousnessis
awardedthatbenedictionbytheLord.FormaterialenjoymentHehas
prescribedsomanyritualisticsacrificialperformancesintheVedas,andthus
peoplemaytakeadvantageofthoseinstructionsandenjoymateriallifein
higherplanetsorinanoblearistocraticfamily.Theseprocessesarementioned
intheVedas,andonecantakeadvantageofthem.
Unlessoneisdisgustedwiththeenjoymentofthismaterialworld,hecannot
aspireforliberation.Liberationisforonewhoisdisgustedwithmaterial
enjoyment.Vedantasutrasays,therefore,athatobrahmajijnasa:thosewho
havegivenuptheattempttobehappyinthismaterialworldcaninquireabout

theAbsoluteTruth.ForthosewhowanttoknowtheAbsoluteTruth,the
Vedantasutraisavailable,asisSrimadBhagavatam,theactualexplanationof
Vedantasutra.SinceBhagavadgitaisalsoVedantasutra,byunderstanding
SrimadBhagavatam,VedantasutraorBhagavadgitaonecanobtainreal
knowledge.
Whenoneobtainsrealknowledge,hebecomestheoreticallyonewiththe
Supreme,andwhenheactuallybeginstheserviceofBrahman,orKrsna
consciousness,heisnotonlyliberatedbutsituatedinhisspirituallife.
TheconclusionisthatoneshouldworshiptheSupremePersonalityofGodhead
foranybenediction.
ButonewhosincerelylovesKrsnaandyetwantsmaterialenjoymentisin
perplexity.Krsna,beingverykindtowardhim,giveshimanopportunityto
engageinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord,andsohegradually
forgetsthehallucination.
Thesoundofthespiritualworldisnectareanandeternal,whereasthesoundof
thematerialworldishackneyedandsubjecttoend.Thesoundoftheholy
nameHareKrsna,HareKrsna,KrsnaKrsna,HareHareeverlastingly
increasestheenthusiasmofthechanter.Ifonerepeatsmonotonousmaterial
words,hewillfeelexhausted,butifhechantsHareKrsnatwentyfourhoursa
day,hewillneverfeelexhausted;rather,hewillfeelencouragedtocontinue
chantingmoreandmore.
TheSupremeLordsaid:Havingcometoknowwhatwasinyourmind,Ihave
alreadyarrangedforthatforwhichyouhaveworshipedMewellthroughyour
mentalandsensorydiscipline.
Heneverdisappointsasinceredevotee,regardlessofwhathewants,butHe
neverallowsanythingwhichwillbedetrimentaltotheindividual'sdevotional
service.
TheLordcontinued:Mydearrsi,Oleaderofthelivingentities,forthosewho
serveMeindevotionbyworshipingMe,especiallypersonslikeyouwhohave
givenupeverythinguntoMe,thereisneveranyquestionoffrustration.
ThosewhoapproachtheSupremePersonalityofGodheadwithdesiresfor
materialenjoymentarecalledsakama,andthosedevoteeswhohaveno
materialdesiresforsensegratificationbutservetheSupremeLordoutof
spontaneousloveforHimarecalledakama.Sakamadevoteesaredividedinto
fourclassesthoseindistress,thoseinneedofmoney,theinquisitiveandthe
wise.
SomeoneworshipstheSupremeLordbecauseofbodilyormentaldistress,

someoneelseworshipstheSupremeLordbecauseheisinneedofmoney,
someoneelseworshipstheLordoutofinquisitivenesstoknowHimasHeis,
andsomeonewantstoknowtheLordasaphilosophercanknowHim,bythe
researchworkofhiswisdom.Thereisnofrustrationforanyofthesefour
classesofmen;eachisendowedwiththedesiredresultofhisworship.
SometimesitisstatedthatBrahmavartaisapartofKuruksetraorthat
KuruksetraitselfissituatedinBrahmavarta,becausethedemigodsare
recommendedtoperformspiritualritualisticperformancesinKuruksetra.But
inothers'opinion,BrahmavartaisaplaceinBrahmaloka,whereSvayambhuva
ruled.Therearemanyplacesonthesurfaceofthisearthwhicharealsoknown
inthehigherplanetarysystems;wehaveplacesonthisplanetlikeVrndavana,
DvarakaandMathura,buttheyarealsoeternallysituatedinKrsnaloka.
Thedayaftertomorrow,Obrahmana,thatcelebratedemperor,whoisexpertin
religiousactivities,willcomeherewithhisqueen,Satarupa,wishingtosee
you.
Girlsareneverthrownintothepublicstreettosearchouttheirhusband,for
whengirlsaregrownupandaresearchingafteraboy,theyforgettoconsider
whethertheboytheyselectisactuallysuitableforthem.Outoftheurgeofsex
desire,agirlmayacceptanyone,butifthehusbandischosenbytheparents,
theycanconsiderwhoistobeselectedandwhoisnot.AccordingtotheVedic
system,therefore,thegirlisgivenovertoasuitableboybytheparents;sheis
neverallowedtoselectherownhusbandindependently.
Thatprincess,Oholysage,willbejustthetypeyouhavebeenthinkingofin
yourheartforalltheselongyears.Shewillsoonbeyoursandwillserveyouto
yourheart'scontent.
KardamaMunidesiredonlyawife,butbecausehewasadevoteeoftheLord,
theLordselectedawifeforhimwhowastheEmperor'sdaughter,aprincess.
ThusKardamaMunigotawifebeyondhisexpectation.Ifwedependonthe
choiceoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,wewillreceivebenedictionsin
greateropulencethanwedesire.
ItisalsosignificantlynotedherethatKardamaMuniwasabrahmana,whereas
EmperorSvayambhuvawasaksatriya.Therefore,intercastemarriagewas
currenteveninthosedays.Thesystemwasthatabrahmanacouldmarrythe
daughterofaksatriya,butaksatriyacouldnotmarrythedaughterofa
brahmana.WehaveevidencesfromthehistoryoftheVedicagethat
SukracaryaofferedhisdaughtertoMaharajaYayati,buttheKinghadtorefuse
tomarrythedaughterofabrahmana;onlywiththespecialpermissionofthe
brahmanacouldtheymarry.
WithyourheartcleansedbyproperlycarryingoutMycommand,

resigningtoMethefruitsofallyouracts,youwillfinallyattaintoMe.
Showingcompassiontoalllivingentities,youwillattainselfrealization.
Givingassuranceofsafetytoall,youwillperceiveyourownselfaswellas
alltheuniversesinMe,andMyselfinyou.
Thesimpleprocessofselfrealizationforeverylivingentityisdescribedhere.
Thefirstprincipletobeunderstoodisthatthisworldisaproductofthe
supremewill.ThereisanidentityofthisworldwiththeSupremeLord.
Thatispantheism,whereineverythingisconsideredtobetheLord.Thisisthe
viewoftheimpersonalist.ButthosewhoarepersonaldevoteesoftheLordtake
everythingtobethepropertyoftheSupremeLord.Everything,whateverwe
see,isthemanifestationoftheSupremeLord;therefore,everythingshouldbe
engagedintheserviceoftheLord.Thisisoneness.
Similarly,theimpersonalorpantheisticviewthateverythingisGodisnota
veryintelligentproposal.Therealposition,asexplainedbytheLordHimself,
isthatalthoughnothingcanexistwithoutHim,itisnotafactthateverythingis
Him.Heisdifferentfromeverything.SoherealsotheLordsays:"Youwillsee
everythingintheworldtobenondifferentfromMe."Thismeansthat
everythingshouldbeconsideredaproductoftheLord'senergy,andtherefore
everythingshouldbeemployedintheserviceoftheLord.One'senergyshould
beutilizedforone'sselfinterest.Thatistheperfectionoftheenergy.
ApersoninKrsnaconsciousness,adevoteeoftheLord,isalways
compassionate.Heisnotsatisfiedthatonlyhehimselfisadevotee,buthetries
todistributetheknowledgeofdevotionalservicetoeveryone.Therearemany
devoteesoftheLordwhofacedmanyrisksindistributingthedevotional
serviceoftheLordtopeopleingeneral.Thatshouldbedone.
ItisalsosaidthatapersonwhogoestothetempleoftheLordandworships
withgreatdevotion,butwhodoesnotshowsympathytopeopleingeneralor
showrespecttootherdevotees,isconsideredtobeathirdclassdevotee.The
secondclassdevoteeishewhoismercifulandcompassionatetothefallen
soul.

Thesecondclassdevoteeisalwayscognizantofhispositionasaneternal
servantoftheLord;hethereforemakesfriendshipswithdevoteesoftheLord,
actscompassionatelytowardthegeneralpublicinteachingthemdevotional
service,andrefusestocooperateorassociatewithnondevotees.Aslongasone
isnotcompassionatetopeopleingeneralinhisdevotionalservicetotheLord,
heisathirdclassdevotee.Thefirstclassdevoteegivesassurancetoevery
livingbeingthatthereisnofearofthismaterialexistence:"LetusliveinKrsna

consciousnessandconquerthenescienceofmaterialexistence."
ItisindicatedherethatKardamaMuniwasdirectedbytheLordtobevery
compassionateandliberalinhishouseholderlifeandtogiveassurancetothe
peopleinhisrenouncedlife.Asannyasi,oneintherenouncedorderoflife,is
meanttogiveenlightenmenttothepeople.Heshouldtravel,goingfromhome
tohometoenlighten.Thehouseholder,bythespellofmaya,becomesabsorbed
infamilyaffairsandforgetshisrelationshipwithKrsna.Ifhediesin
forgetfulness,likethecatsanddogs,thenhislifeisspoiled.Itisthedutyofa
sannyasi,therefore,togoandawakentheforgetfulsoulswithenlightenmentof
theireternalrelationshipwiththeLordandtoengagethemindevotional
service.Thedevoteeshouldshowmercytothefallensoulsandalsogivethem
theassuranceoffearlessness.AssoonasonebecomesadevoteeoftheLord,
heisconvincedthatheisprotectedbytheLord.Fearitselfisafraidofthe
Lord;therefore,whathashetodowithfearfulness?
Toawardfearlessnesstothecommonmanisthegreatestactofcharity.A
sannyasi,oronewhoisintherenouncedorderoflife,shouldwanderfromdoor
todoor,fromvillagetovillage,fromtowntotownandfromcountryto
country,allovertheworldasfarasheisabletotravel,andenlightenthe
householdersaboutKrsnaconsciousness.Apersonwhoisahouseholderbutis
initiatedbyasannyasihasthedutytospreadKrsnaconsciousnessathome;as
faraspossible,heshouldcallhisfriendsandneighborstohishouseandhold
classesinKrsnaconsciousness.Holdingaclassmeanschantingtheholyname
ofKrsnaandspeakingfromBhagavadgitaorSrimadBhagavatam.Thereare
immenseliteraturesforspreadingKrsnaconsciousness,anditisthedutyof
eachandeveryhouseholdertolearnaboutKrsnafromhissannyasispiritual
master.ThereisadivisionoflaborintheLord'sservice.Thehouseholder's
dutyistoearnmoneybecauseasannyasiisnotsupposedtoearnmoneybutis
completelydependentonthehouseholder.Thehouseholdershouldearnmoney
bybusinessorbyprofessionandspendatleastfiftypercentofhisincometo
spreadKrsnaconsciousness;twentyfivepercenthecanspendforhisfamily,
andtwentyfivepercentheshouldsavetomeetemergencies.Thisexamplewas
shownbyRupaGosvami,sodevoteesshouldfollowit.
Actually,tobeonewiththeSupremeLordmeanstobeonewiththeinterestof
theLord.BecomingonewiththeSupremeLorddoesnotimplybecomingas
greatastheSupremeLord.Itisimpossible.Thepartisneverequaltothe
whole.Thelivingentityisalwaysaminutepart.Thereforehisonenesswiththe
LordisthatheisinterestedintheoneinterestoftheLord.
TheLordwantseverylivingentitytoalwaysthinkaboutHim,tobeHis
devoteeandalwaysworshipHim.ThisisclearlystatedinBhagavadgita:man
manabhavamadbhaktah.KrsnawantseveryonealwaystothinkofHim.
EveryoneshouldalwaysofferobeisancestoKrsna.Thisisthewillofthe

SupremeLord,anddevoteesshouldtrytofulfillHisdesire.SincetheLordis
unlimited,Hisdesireisalsounlimited.Thereisnostoppage,andthereforethe
serviceofthedevoteeisalsounlimited.Inthetranscendentalworldthereis
unlimitedcompetitionbetweentheLordandtheservitor.TheLordwantsto
fulfillHisdesiresunlimitedly,andthedevoteealsoservesHimtofulfillHis
unlimiteddesires.ThereisanunlimitedonenessofinterestbetweentheLord
andHisdevotee.
HereinthewordsvamsakalayaindicatesthattheLordwouldappearastheson
ofDevahutiandKardamaMuniasKapiladeva,thefirstpropounderofthe
Sankhyaphilosophy,whichismentionedhereastattvasamhita.
BaladevaisanexpansionofKrsna,andfromBaladevathenextexpansionis
Sankarsana;thusSankarsanaiskala,butBaladevaissvamsa.Thereisno
difference,however,amongThem.Thisisverynicelyexplainedinthe
Brahmasamhita(5.46):diparcirevahidasantaramabhyupetya.Withone
candleonemaylightasecondcandle,withthesecondathirdandthenafourth,
andinthiswayonecanlightupthousandsofcandles,andnocandleisinferior
toanotherindistributinglight.Everycandlehasthefullpotentialcandlepower,
butthereisstillthedistinctionthatonecandleisthefirst,anotherthesecond,
anotherthethirdandanotherthefourth.Similarly,thereisnodifference
betweentheimmediateexpansionoftheLordandHissecondaryexpansion.
OneshouldnotthinkthatoneisworshipingadollorstatueoftheLord,evenif
othersconsiderittobeastatue.Becausethereisnotpotentialdifference,one
getsthesameresultbyworshipingthestatueoftheLordortheLordHimself.
ThisisthescienceofKrsnaconsciousness.
Maitreyawenton:ThushavingspokentoKardamaMuni,theLord,who
revealsHimselfonlywhenthesensesareinKrsnaconsciousness,departed
fromthatlakecalledBindusarovara,whichwasencircledbytheRiver
Sarasvati.
ThenhowisitpossiblethatHecanbeseenandunderstood?Whenoneis
trainedindevotionalserviceandrendersserviceuntoHim,graduallyone's
sensesarepurifiedofmaterialcontamination.Whenone'ssensesarethus
purified,thenonecansee,onecanunderstand,onecanhearandsoon.The
purificationofthematerialsensesandperceptionofthetranscendentalform,
nameandqualityofKrsnaarecombinedtogetherinoneword,pratyagaksaja,
whichisusedhere.

Whilethesagestoodlookingon,theLordleftbythepathwayleadingto
Vaikuntha,apathextolledbyallgreatliberatedsouls.Thesagestoodlistening
asthehymnsformingthebasisoftheSamaVedawerevibratedbytheflapping

wingsoftheLord'scarrier,Garuda.
IntheVedicliteratureitisstatedthatthetwowingsofthetranscendentalbird
Garuda,whocarriestheLordeverywhere,aretwodivisionsoftheSamaVeda
knownasbrhatandrathantara.
TheLordisworshipedbyBrahma,byLordSiva,byGarudaandother
demigodswithselectedpoems,andgreatsagesworshipHimwiththehymnsof
Vedicliteratures,suchastheUpanisadsandSamaVeda.TheseSamaVeda
utterancesareautomaticallyheardbythedevoteewhenanothergreatdevotee
oftheLord,Garuda,flapshiswings.
ItisclearlystatedherethatthesageKardamabegantolooktothepathby
whichtheLordwasbeingcarriedtoVaikuntha.Itisthusconfirmedthatthe
LorddescendsfromHisabode,Vaikuntha,inthespiritualsky,andiscarried
byGaruda.ThepathwhichleadstoVaikunthaisnotworshipedbytheordinary
classoftranscendentalists.Onlythosewhoarealreadyliberatedfrommaterial
bondagecanbecomedevoteesoftheLord.
Therearemanypersonswhoaretryingtoattainperfectionbystrivingfor
liberationfrommaterialbondage,andthosewhoareactuallyliberatedare
calledbrahmabhutaorsiddha.Onlythesiddhas,orpersonsliberatedfrom
materialbondage,canbecomedevotees.
ThisisalsoconfirmedinBhagavadgita:anyonewhoisengagedinKrsna
consciousness,ordevotionalservice,isalreadyliberatedfromtheinfluenceof
themodesofmaterialnature.
KardamaMuniwasaliberatedsoulwhosawtheSupremeLordinperson,face
toface.Therewasnodoubtthathewasliberated,andthushecouldseeGaruda
carryingtheLordonthewaytoVaikunthaandheartheflappingofhiswings
vibratingthesoundofHareKrsna,theessenceoftheSamaVeda.
TheholyLakeBindusarovara,floodedbythewatersoftheRiverSarasvati,
wasresortedtobyhostsofeminentsages.Itsholywaterwasnotonly
auspiciousbutassweetasnectar.ItwascalledBindusarovarabecausedrops
oftearshadfallentherefromtheeyesoftheLord,whowasoverwhelmedby
extremecompassionforthesagewhohadsoughtHisprotection.
JustasdropsofperspirationwhichfellfromthetoeoftheLordbecamethe
sacredGanges,soteardropsfromthetranscendentaleyesoftheLordbecame
Bindusarovara.

Sivameans"curing."AnyonewhodrinksthewaterofBindusarovaraiscured
ofallmaterialdiseases;similarly,anyonewhotakeshisbathintheGangesalso
isrelievedofallmaterialdiseases.Theseclaimsareacceptedbygreatscholars
andauthoritiesandarestillbeingacteduponeveninthisfallenageofKali.
ItisstatedherethatBindusarovarawassurroundedbypioustreesandbirds.
Astherearedifferentclassesofmeninhumansociety,somepiousandvirtuous
andsomeimpiousandsinful,soalsoamongtreesandbirdstherearethepious
andtheimpious.Treeswhichdonotbearnicefruitorflowersareconsidered
impious,andbirdswhichareverynasty,suchascrows,areconsidered
impious.InthelandsurroundingBindusarovaratherewasnotasingleimpious
birdortree.Everytreeborefruitsandflowers,andeverybirdsangtheglories
oftheLordHareKrsna,HareKrsna,KrsnaKrsna,HareHare.HareRama,
HareRama,RamaRama,HareHare.
ThebeautyofthepleasantsoundsheardintheareasurroundingLakeBindu
sarovaraisdescribedhere.Afterdrinkinghoney,theblackbeesbecame
maddened,andtheyhummedinintoxication.Merrypeacocksdancedjustlike
actorsandactresses,andmerrycuckooscalledtheirmatesverynicely.
Allthetreesmentionedareverypiousinthattheyproduceanicearomatic
flower,suchasthecampaka,kadambaandbakula.Thesweetsoundsof
waterfowlandcranesmadethesurroundingareaaspleasantaspossibleand
createdaverysuitablespiritualatmosphere.
Muskdeerarenotfoundineveryforest,butonlyinplaceslikeBindusarovara.
Theyarealwaysintoxicatedbythearomaofmusksecretedfromtheirnavels.
Gavayas,thespeciesofcowmentionedherein,bearabunchofhairattheend
oftheirtails.ThisbunchofhairisusedintempleworshiptofantheDeities.
Gavayasaresometimescalledcamaris,andtheyareconsideredverysacred.In
Indiatherearestillgypsiesorforestmercantilepeoplewhoflourishbytrading
kasturi,ormusk,andthebunchesofhairfromthecamaris.Thesearealwaysin
greatdemandforthehigherclassesofHindupopulation,andsuchbusinessstill
goesoninlargecitiesandvillagesinIndia.
Herearesomedescriptionsofabrahmacariyogi.Inthemorning,thefirstduty
ofabrahmacariseekingspiritualelevationishutahutasana,tooffersacrificial
oblationstotheSupremeLord.Thoseengagedinbrahmacaryacannotsleep
untilsevenornineo'clockinthemorning.Theymustriseearlyinthemorning,
atleastoneandahalfhoursbeforethesunrises,andofferoblations,orinthis
age,theymustchanttheholynameoftheLord,HareKrsna.
Fromtheveryfeaturesofthesage,itappearedthathehadundergonegreat
austerities;thatisthesignofoneobservingbrahmacarya,thevowofcelibacy.
Ifonelivesotherwise,itwillbemanifestinthelustvisibleinhisfaceand

body.
Generallyyogislookveryskinnybecauseoftheirnotbeingcomfortably
situated,butKardamaMuniwasnotemaciated,forhehadseentheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadfacetoface.
Similarly,onewhohearsthetranscendentalsoundvibrationoftheholyname
oftheLord,HareKrsna,alsoimprovesinhealth.Wehaveactuallyseenthat
manybrahmacarisandgrhasthasconnectedwiththeInternationalSocietyfor
KrishnaConsciousnesshaveimprovedinhealth,andalusterhascometotheir
faces.Itisessentialthatabrahmacariengagedinspiritualadvancementlook
veryhealthyandlustrous.
Thecomparisonofthesagetoanunpolishedgemisveryappropriate.Evenifa
gemjusttakenfromaminelooksunpolished,thelusterofthegemcannotbe
stopped.Similarly,althoughKardamawasnotproperlydressedandhisbody
wasnotproperlycleansed,hisoverallappearancewasgemlike.
EmperorSvayambhuvaManunotonlyapproachedthecottageofdriedleaves
possessedbythehermitKardamabutalsoofferedrespectfulobeisancesunto
him.Similarly,itwasthedutyofthehermittoofferblessingstokingswho
usedtoapproachhishermitageinthejungle.
ItappearsfrommanyVedicliteratures,especiallyhistorieslikeSrimad
Bhagavatamandthepuranas,thatthepiouskingsofoldusedtotourtheir
kingdomsinordertogiveprotectiontothepiouscitizensandtochastiseorkill
theimpious.Sometimestheyusedtokillanimalsintheforeststopracticethe
killingartbecausewithoutsuchpracticetheywouldnotbeabletokillthe
undesirableelements.Ksatriyasareallowedtocommitviolenceinthatway
becauseviolenceforagoodpurposeisapartoftheirduty.
Inthisageitisverydifficulttofindsuchaheadofstatewhoisexpertinkilling
theundesirables.Modernheadsofstatesitverynicelyintheirpalacesandtry
withoutreasontokillinnocentpersons.
SincethesageKardamawasabrahmanaandSvayambhuvawasaksatriya,the
sagewasnotsupposedtoofferobeisancestotheKingbecausesociallyhis
positionwasgreaterthantheKing's.Butheofferedhisobeisancesto
SvayambhuvaManubecauseasManu,kingandemperor,hewasthe
representativeoftheSupremeLord.TheSupremeLordisalwaysworshipable,
regardlessofwhetheroneisabrahmana,aksatriyaorasudra.Asthe
representativeoftheSupremeLord,theKingdeservedrespectfulobeisances
fromeveryone.
Humansocietymeansthatsocietywhichismakingprogresstowardspiritual
realization.Themostadvancedhumansocietywasknownasarya;aryarefers

tothosewhoareadvancing.Sothequestionis,"Whichsocietyisadvancing?"
Advancementdoesnotmeancreatingmaterial"necessities"unnecessarilyand
thuswastinghumanenergyinaggravationoversocalledmaterialcomforts.
Realadvancementisadvancementtowardspiritualrealization,andthe
communitywhichactedtowardthisendwasknownastheAryancivilization.
AnythingcreatedbytheLordcannotbeclosedorcovered.Thedivisionsof
varnasandasramaswillcontinuetoexist,eitherintheiroriginalformorin
degradedform,butbecausetheyarecreatedbytheLord,theSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,theycannotbeextinguished.
Formerlyitwascustomarythatthesagesusedtogotothekingsandthekings
usedtovisitthesagesintheirhermitages;eachwasgladtofulfilltheother's
purpose.Thisreciprocalrelationshipiscalledbhaktikarya.Thereisanice
versedescribingtherelationshipofmutualbeneficialinterestbetweenthe
brahmanaandtheksatriya(ksatramdvijatvam).Ksatrammeans"theroyal
order,"anddvijatvammeans"thebrahminicalorder."Thetwoweremeantfor
mutualinterest.Theroyalorderwouldgiveprotectiontothebrahmanasforthe
cultivationofspiritualadvancementinsociety,andthebrahmanaswouldgive
theirvaluableinstructiontotheroyalorderonhowthestateandthecitizens
cangraduallybeelevatedinspiritualperfection.
Chapter22
Manureplied:ToexpandhimselfinVedicknowledge,LordBrahma,the
personifiedVeda,fromhisfacecreatedyou,thebrahmanas,whoarefullof
austerity,knowledgeandmysticpowerandareaversetosensegratification.
Actuallytherearetwokindsofoccupations.Oneoccupation,inthematerial
world,issensegratification,andtheotheroccupationisspiritualactivityto
satisfytheLordbyHisglorification.Thosewhoengageinsensegratification
arecalleddemons,andthosewhospreadtheglorificationoftheLordorsatisfy
thetranscendentalsensesoftheLordarecalleddemigods.
Itisspecificallymentionedherethatthebrahmanasarecreatedfromthefaceof
thecosmicpersonality,orviratpurusa;similarlytheksatriyasaresaidtobe
createdfromHisarms,thevaisyasarecreatedfromHiswaist,andthesudras
arecreatedfromHislegs.Brahmanasareespeciallymeantforausterity,
learningandknowledgeandareaversetoallkindsofsensegratification.
Thatiswhythebrahmanasandksatriyasprotecteachother,aswellas
themselves;andtheLordHimself,whoisboththecauseandeffectandisyet
immutable,protectsthemthrougheachother.
TheLordistherealprotector,butHeisunattachedtotheaffairsofprotection.
Hecreatesbrahmanasfortheprotectionoftheksatriyas,andksatriyasforthe

protectionofthebrahmanas.Heremainsalooffromallactivities;therefore,He
iscallednirvikara,"withoutactivity."Hehasnothingtodo.Heissogreatthat
Hedoesnotperformactionpersonally,butHisenergiesact.Thebrahmanas
andksatriyas,andanythingthatwesee,aredifferentenergiesactinguponone
another.
Onemanthinksthatthesunisonhisheadonly,whereasfivethousandmiles
awayanothermanisthinkingthatthesunisonlyonhishead.Similarly,the
Supersoul,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,isone,butHeappearsto
individuallyoverseeeachindividualsoul.Thisdoesnotmeanthatthe
individualsoulandtheSupersoulareone.Theyareoneinquality,asspirit
soul,buttheindividualsoulandSupersoularedifferent.
LordCaitanyasaysthatoneshouldalwaystrytoassociatewithsaintly
personsbecauseifoneestablishesaproperassociationwithasaintly
person,evenforamoment,oneattainsallperfection.
Whatisnotpossibletoachieveinthousandsoflivescanbeachievedinone
momentifthereisanopportunitytomeetasaintlyperson.Itistherefore
enjoinedinVedicliteraturethatoneshouldalwaystrytoassociatewithsaintly
personsandtrytodisassociateoneselffromthecommonman,becausebyone
wordofasaintlypersononecanbeliberatedfrommaterialentanglement.A
saintlypersonhasthepower,becauseofhisspiritualadvancement,togive
immediateliberationtotheconditionedsoul.
Thosewhoaregreatsoulsareunderthespellofspiritualenergy,andtheir
symptomisthattheyfullyengageinKrsnaconsciousnessfortheserviceofthe
Lord.Thereforetheyarecalledmahat.Unlessoneisfortunateenoughtohave
thedustofthelotusfeetofamahatmaonone'shead,thereisnopossibilityof
perfectioninspirituallife.
WhenMaharajaRahuganaaskedJadaBharataabouthiswonderful
achievementofspiritualsuccess,herepliedtotheKingthatspiritualsuccessis
notpossiblesimplybyfollowingtheritualsofreligionorsimplybyconverting
oneselfintoasannyasiorofferingsacrificesasrecommendedinthescriptures.
Thesemethodsareundoubtedlyhelpfulforspiritualrealization,butthereal
effectisbroughtaboutbythegraceofamahatma.
Thecommonman,whocannotcontrolthesensesorthemind.Becausethe
commonmanisunabletocontrolthesensesandthemind,itishisdutytoseek
theshelterofagreatsouloragreatdevoteeoftheLordandjusttrytoplease
him.Thatwillmakehislifeperfect.Acommonmancannotrisetothetopmost
stageofspiritualperfectionsimplybyfollowingtheritualsandreligious
principles.Hehastotakeshelterofabonafidespiritualmasterandworkunder
hisdirectionfaithfullyandsincerely;thenhebecomesperfect,withoutadoubt.

SrilaRupaGosvamihasgivendirections,inhisBhaktirasamrtasindhu,on
howtoacceptabonafidespiritualmasterandhowtodealwithhim.First,the
desiringcandidatemustfindabonafidespiritualmaster,andthenhemustvery
eagerlyreceiveinstructionsfromhimandexecutethem.Thisisreciprocal
service.

asaintlypersonalwaysdesiresthateveryonebecomeasaintlyperson.Itisthe
functionofasaintlypersontoinvokeKrsnaconsciousnessineveryforgetful
commonman.
Therealfactisthatabonafidespiritualmasterknowsthenatureofaparticular
manandwhatsortofdutieshecanperforminKrsnaconsciousness,andhe
instructshiminthatway.Heinstructshimthroughtheear,notprivately,but
publicly."YouarefitforsuchandsuchworkinKrsnaconsciousness.Youcan
actinthisway."OnepersonisadvisedtoactinKrsnaconsciousnessby
workingintheDeities'room,anotherisadvisedtoactinKrsnaconsciousness
byperformingeditorialwork,anotherisadvisedtodopreachingwork,and
anotherisadvisedtocarryoutKrsnaconsciousnessinthecookingdepartment.
Bhagavadgitamakesitclearthatonecanattainthehighestperfectionof
spirituallifesimplybyofferingserviceaccordingtohisability,justasArjuna
servedKrsnabyhisabilityinthemilitaryart.Arjunaofferedhisservicefully
asamilitaryman,andhebecameperfect.Similarly,anartistcanattain
perfectionsimplybyperformingartisticworkunderthedirectionofthe
spiritualmaster.Ifoneisaliteraryman,hecanwritearticlesandpoetryforthe
serviceoftheLordunderthedirectionofthespiritualmaster.
Heshouldfaithfullytrytoexecutethatparticularinstructionandshould
considerthathislifeandsoul.Thefaithfulexecutionoftheinstructionwhich
hereceivesfromthespiritualmasteristheonlydutyofadisciple,andthatwill
bringhimperfection.Oneshouldbeverycarefultoreceivethemessagefrom
thespiritualmasterthroughtheearsandexecuteitfaithfully.Thatwillmake
one'slifesuccessful.
Ogreatsage,graciouslybepleasedtolistentotheprayerofmyhumbleself,
formymindistroubledbyaffectionformydaughter.
Whenadiscipleisperfectlyinconsonancewiththespiritualmaster,having
receivedhismessageandexecuteditperfectlyandsincerely,hehasarightto
askaparticularfavorfromthespiritualmaster.Generallyapuredevoteeofthe
Lordorapurediscipleofabonafidespiritualmasterdoesnotaskanyfavor
eitherfromtheLordorthespiritualmaster,butevenifthereisaneedtoaska
favorfromthespiritualmaster,onecannotaskthatfavorwithoutsatisfying
himfully.SvayambhuvaManuwantedtodisclosehismindregardingthe

functionhewantedtoexecuteduetoaffectionforhisdaughter.
ThemomentsheheardfromthesageNaradaofyournoblecharacter,learning,
beautifulappearance,youthandothervirtues,shefixedherminduponyou.
ThegirlDevahutididnotpersonallyseeKardamaMuni,nordidshepersonally
experiencehischaracterorqualities,sincetherewasnosocialintercourseby
whichshecouldgainsuchunderstanding.ButsheheardaboutKardamaMuni
fromtheauthorityofNaradaMuni.
Hearingfromanauthorityisabetterexperiencethangainingpersonal
understanding.
SheheardfromNaradaMunithatKardamaMuniwasjustfittobeher
husband;thereforeshebecamefixedinherheartthatshewouldmarryhim,and
sheexpressedherdesiretoherfather,whothereforebroughtherbeforehim.
Thepurportisthatawifeshouldnotonlybeequaltoherhusbandinage,
characterandqualities,butmustbehelpfultohiminhishouseholdduties.The
householddutyofamanisnottosatisfyhissensegratification,buttoremain
withawifeandchildrenandatthesametimeattainadvancementinspiritual
life.
Thedifferencebetweengrhamedhiandgrhasthaisthatgrhasthaisalsoan
asrama,orspiritualorder,butifonesimplysatisfieshissensesasa
householder,thenheisagrhamedhi.Foragrhamedhi,toacceptawifemeans
tosatisfythesenses,butforagrhasthaaqualifiedwifeisanassistantinevery
respectforadvancementinspiritualactivities.Itisthedutyofthewifetotake
chargeofhouseholdaffairsandnottocompetewiththehusband.Awifeis
meanttohelp,butshecannothelpherhusbandunlessheiscompletelyequalto
herinage,characterandquality.
Todenyanofferingthathascomeofitselfisnotcommendableevenforone
absolutelyfreefromallattachment,muchlessoneaddictedtosensualpleasure.
Inmateriallifeeveryoneisdesirousofsensegratification;therefore,aperson
whogetsanobjectofsensegratificationwithoutendeavorshouldnotrefuseto
acceptit.KardamaMuniwasnotmeantforsensegratification,yetheaspired
tomarryandprayedtotheLordforasuitablewife.Thiswasknownto
SvayambhuvaManu.HeindirectlyconvincedKardamaMuni:"Youdesirea
suitablewifelikemydaughter,andsheisnowpresentbeforeyou.Youshould
notrejectthefulfillmentofyourprayer;youshouldacceptmydaughter."
Onewhorejectsanofferingthatcomesofitsownaccordbutlaterbegsa
boonfromamiserthusloseshiswidespreadreputation,andhisprideis
humbledbytheneglectfulbehaviorofothers.

"Iamofferingjustsuchasuitablewife.Donotrejecttheoffer,orelse,because
youareinneedofawife,youwillhavetoaskforsuchawifefromsomeone
else,whomaynotbehavewithyousowell.Inthatcaseyourpositionwillbe
humbled."
KardamaMunihadnoworldlypossessionshewasahermitlivinginthe
forestbuthewasadvancedinculture.Therefore,inofferingone'sdaughterto
aperson,thecultureandqualityarecountedasprominent,notwealthorany
othermaterialconsideration.
SvayambhuvaManucontinued:Owiseman,Iheardthatyouwerepreparedto
marry.Pleaseacceptherhand,whichisbeingofferedtoyoubyme,sinceyou
havenottakenavowofperpetualcelibacy.
Theprincipleofbrahmacaryaiscelibacy.Therearetwokindsofbrahmacaris.
Oneiscallednaisthikabrahmacari,whichmeansonewhotakesavowof
celibacyforhiswholelife,whereastheother,theupakurvanabrahmacari,isa
brahmacariwhotakesthevowofcelibacyuptoacertainage.
Thegreatsagereplied:CertainlyIhaveadesiretomarry,andyourdaughter
hasnotyetmarriedorgivenherwordtoanyone.Thereforeourmarriage
accordingtotheVedicsystemcantakeplace.
MostimportantisthatDevahutihadfirstofallfixedhermindonmarrying
him.Shedidnotchoosetohaveanyothermanasherhusband.Thatisagreat
considerationbecausefemalepsychologydictatesthatwhenawomanoffers
herhearttoamanforthefirsttime,itisverydifficultforhertotakeitback.
thefirstclassmarriageisheldbyinvitingasuitablebridegroomforthe
daughterandgivingherincharity,welldressedandwelldecoratedwith
ornaments,alongwithadowryaccordingtothemeansofthefather.Thereare
otherkindsofmarriage,suchasgandharvamarriageandmarriagebylove,
whicharealsoacceptedasmarriage.Evenifoneisforciblykidnappedand
lateronacceptedasawife,thatisalsoaccepted.
ButKardamaMuniacceptedthefirstclasswayofmarriagebecausethefather
waswillingandthedaughterwasqualified.Shehadneverofferedherheartto
anyoneelse.AlltheseconsiderationsmadeKardamaMuniagreetoacceptthe
daughterofSvayambhuvaManu.
Sheissobeautifulthatbyherbodilylusteralonesheexcelsthebeautyofher
ornaments.
AsstatedintheVedicscriptures,thefirstclassprocessistocallthe
bridegroomtothehomeofthebrideandhandhertohimincharitywitha
dowryofnecessaryornaments,gold,furnitureandotherhousehold

paraphernalia.ThisformofmarriageisprevalentamonghigherclassHindus
eventodayandisdeclaredinthesastrastoconfergreatreligiousmeritonthe
bride'sfather.Togiveadaughterincharitytoasuitablesoninlawis
consideredtobeoneofthepiousactivitiesofahouseholder.
ThereareeightformsofmarriagementionedinthescriptureManusmrti,but
onlyoneprocessofmarriage,brahmaorrajasikamarriage,isnowcurrent.
Otherkindsofmarriagebylove,byexchangeofgarlandsorbykidnapping
thebridearenowforbiddeninthisKaliage.Formerly,ksatriyaswould,at
theirpleasure,kidnapaprincessfromanotherroyalhouse,andtherewouldhe
afightbetweentheksatriyaandthegirl'sfamily;then,ifthekidnapperwasthe
winner,thegirlwouldbeofferedtohimformarriage.
EvenKrsnamarriedRukminibythatprocess,andsomeofHissonsand
grandsonsalsomarriedbykidnapping.Krsna'sgrandsonskidnapped
Duryodhana'sdaughter,whichcausedafightbetweentheKuruandYadu
families.Afterward,anadjustmentwasmadebytheelderlymembersofthe
Kurufamily.Suchmarriageswerecurrentinbygoneages,butatthepresent
momenttheyareimpossiblebecausethestrictprinciplesofksatriyalifehave
practicallybeenabolished.
SinceIndiahasbecomedependentonforeigncountries,theparticular
influencesofhersocialordershavebeenlost;now,accordingtothescriptures,
everyoneisasudra.Thesocalledbrahmanas,ksatriyasandvaisyashave
forgottentheirtraditionalactivities,andintheabsenceoftheseactivitiesthey
arecalledsudras.Itissaidinthescriptures,kalausudrasambhavah.Intheage
ofKalieveryonewillbelikesudras.Thetraditionalsocialcustomsarenot
followedinthisage,althoughformerlytheywerefollowedstrictly.
IhaveheardthatVisvavasu,thegreatGandharva,hismindstupefiedwith
infatuation,fellfromhisairplaneafterseeingyourdaughterplayingwithaball
ontheroofofthepalace,forshewasindeedbeautifulwithhertinklingankle
bellsandhereyesmovingtoandfro.
Ballplayingwasalsocurrent,butaristocraticgirlswouldnotplayinapublic
place.Ballplayingandothersuchpleasureswerenotmeantforordinary
womenandgirls;onlyprincesseslikeDevahuticouldindulgeinsuchsports
Thosewhohavenotworshipedthegraciousfeetofthegoddessoffortune
cannotevenperceiveher,yetshehascomeofherownaccordtoseekmyhand.
Agirlbecomesbeautifulbyputtingornamentsonherbody,butDevahutiwas
morebeautifulthantheornaments;shewasconsideredtheornamentofthe
ornamentedbeautifulgirls.DemigodsandGandharvaswereattractedbyher
beauty.

ThereforeIshallacceptthischastegirlasmywife,ontheconditionthatafter
shebearssemenfrommybody,Ishallacceptthelifeofdevotionalservice
acceptedbythemostperfecthumanbeings.Thatprocesswasdescribedby
LordVisnu.Itisfreefromenvy.
KardamaMuniwasinthehermitagepracticingcompletecelibacyasa
brahmacari,andalthoughhehadthedesiretomarry,hedidnotwanttobea
householderforthewholespanofhislifebecausehewasconversantwiththe
Vedicprinciplesofhumanlife.AccordingtoVedicprinciples,thefirstpartof
lifeshouldbeutilizedinbrahmacaryaforthedevelopmentofcharacterand
spiritualqualities.

Inthenextpartoflife,onemayacceptawifeandbegetchildren,butone
shouldnotbegetchildrenlikecatsanddogs.KardamaMunidesiredtobegeta
childwhowouldbearayoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Oneshould
begetachildwhocanperformthedutiesofVisnu,otherwisethereisnoneed
toproducechildren.Therearetwokindsofchildrenbornofgoodfathers:one
iseducatedinKrsnaconsciousnesssothathecanbedeliveredfromthe
clutchesofmayainthatverylife,andtheotherisarayoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadandteachestheworldtheultimategoaloflife.
Aswillbedescribedinlaterchapters,KardamaMunibegotsuchachild
Kapila,theincarnationofthePersonalityofGodheadwhoenunciatedthe
philosophyofSankhya.GreathouseholderspraytoGodtosendHis
representativesothattheremaybeanauspiciousmovementinhumansociety.
Thisisonereasontobegetachild.Anotherreasonisthatahighlyenlightened
parentcantrainachildinKrsnaconsciousnesssothatthechildwillnothaveto
comebackagaintothismiserableworld.Parentsshouldseetoitthatthechild
bornofthemdoesnotenterthewombofamotheragain.Unlessonecantraina
childforliberationinthatlife,thereisnoneedtomarryorproducechildren.
Ifhumansocietyproduceschildrenlikecatsanddogsforthedisturbanceof
socialorder,thentheworldbecomeshellish,asithasinthisageofKali.Inthis
age,neitherparentsnortheirchildrenaretrained;bothareanimalisticand
simplyeat,sleep,mate,defend,andgratifytheirsenses.Thisdisorderinsocial
lifecannotbringpeacetohumansociety.
KardamaMuniexplainsbeforehandthathewouldnotassociatewiththegirl
Devahutiforthewholedurationofhislife.Hewouldsimplyassociatewithher
untilshehadachild.
Inotherwords,sexlifeshouldbeutilizedonlytoproduceanicechild,notfor

anyotherpurpose.Humanlifeisespeciallymeantforcompletedevotionto
theserviceoftheLord.ThatisthephilosophyofLordCaitanya.
Afterfulfillinghisresponsibilitytoproduceanicechild,oneshouldtake
sannyasaandengageintheperfectionalparamahamsastage.paramahamsa
referstothemosthighlyelevatedperfectionalstageoflife.Therearefour
stageswithinsannyasalife,andparamahamsaisthehighestorder.TheSrimad
Bhagavatamiscalledtheparamahamsasamhita,thetreatiseforthehighest
classofhumanbeings.Theparamahamsaisfreefromenvy.Inotherstages,
eveninthehouseholderstageoflife,thereiscompetitionandenvy,butsince
theactivitiesofthehumanbeingintheparamahamsastagearecompletely
engagedinKrsnaconsciousness,ordevotionalservice,thereisnoscopefor
envy.

ThehighestauthorityformeistheunlimitedSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,fromwhomthiswonderfulcreationemanatesandinwhomits
sustenanceanddissolutionrest.HeistheoriginofallPrajapatis,the
personalitiesmeanttoproducelivingentitiesinthisworld.
ButKardamaMunisaidthatalthoughhisfatherwasPrajapati,whodesiredhim
toproducechildren,actuallyhisoriginwastheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,Visnu,becauseVisnuistheoriginofeverything;Heistheactual
creatorofthisuniverse,Heistheactualmaintainer,andwheneverythingis
annihilated,itrestsinHimonly.ThatistheconclusionofSrimadBhagavatam.
Forcreation,maintenanceandannihilationtherearethethreedeitiesBrahma,
VisnuandMahesvara(Siva),butBrahmaandMahesvaraarequalitative
expansionsofVisnu.Visnuisthecentralfigure.Visnu,therefore,takescharge
ofmaintenance.NoonecanmaintainthewholecreationbutHe.Thereare
innumerableentities,andtheyhaveinnumerabledemands;noonebutVisnu
canfulfilltheinnumerabledemandsofalltheinnumerablelivingentities.
Brahmaisorderedtocreate,andSivaisorderedtoannihilate.Themiddle
function,maintenance,istakenchargeofbyVisnu.KardamaMuniknewvery
well,byhispowerinprogressivespirituallife,thatVisnu,thePersonalityof
Godhead,washisworshipableDeity.WhateverVisnudesiredwashisduty,
andnothingelse.Hewasnotpreparedtobegetanumberofchildren.Hewould
begetonlyonechild,whowouldhelpthemissionofVisnu.
Marryingandbegettingachildisconsideredtoliquidateone'sdebtstothe
familyinwhichoneisborn.Therearemanydebtswhichareimposedupona
childjustafterhisbirth.Therearedebtstothefamilyinwhichoneisborn,
debtstothedemigods,debtstothePitas,debtstothersis,etc.Butifsomeone

engagesonlyintheserviceoftheSupremeLord,thePersonalityofGodhead,
whoisactuallyworshipable,thenevenwithouttryingtoliquidateotherdebts,
onebecomesfreefromallobligations.
Ashesilentlysmiled,hisfacecapturedthemindofDevahuti,whobeganto
meditateuponthegreatsage.
ItappearsthatKardamaMuniwasfullyabsorbedinKrsnaconsciousness
becauseassoonashebecamesilent,heatoncebegantothinkofLordVisnu.
ThatisthewayofKrsnaconsciousness.Puredevoteesaresoabsorbedin
thoughtofKrsnathattheyhavenootherengagement;althoughtheymayseem
tothinkoractotherwise,theyarealwaysthinkingofKrsna.Thesmileofsuch
aKrsnaconsciouspersonissoattractivethatsimplybysmilinghewinsso
manyadmirers,disciplesandfollowers.

Thecustomofgivingone'sdaughterincharitywithadowryisstillcurrentin
India.Thegiftsaregivenaccordingtothepositionofthefatherofthebride.
Allthingsbefittingthemarriageceremonyofanemperor'sdaughterwere
awardedtoKardamaMuni,whowasuntilnowobservingcelibacyasa
brahmacari.Thebride,Devahuti,wasveryrichlydressedwithornamentsand
clothing.
eveninpovertystrickenIndiatherearemarriageswherehundredsand
thousandsofrupeesarespentforadowry.Thedowrysystemisnotillegal,as
somehavetriedtoprove.Thedowryisagiftgiventothedaughterbythe
fathertoshowgoodwill,anditiscompulsory.Inrarecaseswherethefatheris
completelyunabletogiveadowry,itisenjoinedthathemustatleastgivea
fruitandaflower.
Afatheralwaysremainsinanxietyuntilhecanhandoverhisgrownup
daughtertoasuitableboy.Afatherandmother'sresponsibilityforchildren
continuesuntiltheymarrythemtosuitablespouses;whenthefatherisableto
performthatduty,heisrelievedofhisresponsibility.
Thewordambaissignificant.Afathersometimesaddresseshisdaughterin
affectionas"mother"andsometimesas"mydarling."Thefeelingofseparation
occursbecauseuntilthedaughterismarriedsheremainsthedaughterofthe
father,butafterhermarriagesheisnolongerclaimedasadaughterinthe
family;shemustgotothehusband'shouse,foraftermarriageshebecomesthe
propertyofthehusband.

Awomanisalwaysdependent,eitheruponthefather,husbandorelderlysons.
ThatwillbeexhibitedinthelifeofDevahuti.Devahuti'sfatherhandedover
responsibilityforhertothehusband,KardamaMuni,andinthesameway,
KardamaMunialsolefthome,givingtheresponsibilitytohisson,Kapiladeva.
Itisthecustomofthecitizensofakingdom'scapitaltoreceivethekingwhen
hereturnsfromatour.ThereisasimilardescriptionwhenKrsnareturnedto
DvarakaaftertheBattleofKuruksetra.AtthattimeHewasreceivedbyall
classesofcitizensatthegateofthecity.Formerly,capitalcitieswere
surroundedbywalls,andthereweredifferentgatesforregularentrance.Even
inDelhitodaythereareoldgates,andsomeotheroldcitieshavesuchgates
wherecitizenswouldgathertoreceivetheking.Herealsothecitizensof
Barhismati,thecapitalofBrahmavarta,thekingdomofSvayambhuva,came
nicelydressedtoreceivetheEmperorwithdecorationsandmusical
instruments.

ThecityofBarhismati,richinallkindsofwealth,wassocalledbecauseLord
Visnu'shairdroppedtherefromHisbodywhenHemanifestedHimselfasLord
Boar.AsHeshookHisbody,thisveryhairfellandturnedintobladesof
evergreenkusagrassandkasa[anotherkindofgrassusedformats],bymeans
ofwhichthesagesworshipedLordVisnuafterdefeatingthedemonswhohad
interferedwiththeperformanceoftheirsacrifices.
AnyplacedirectlyconnectedwiththeSupremeLordiscalledpithasthana.
Barhismati,thecapitalofSvayambhuvaManu,wasexaltednotbecausethe
citywasveryrichinwealthandopulence,butbecausethehairsofLordVaraha
fellatthisveryspot.ThesehairsoftheLordlatergrewasgreengrass,andthe
sagesusedtoworshiptheLordwiththatgrassafterthetimewhentheLord
killedthedemonHiranyaksa.
YajnameansVisnu,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead.InBhagavadgita,
karmaisdescribedasyajnartha.Yajnarthakarmameans"workdoneonlyfor
thesatisfactionofVisnu."Ifsomethingisdoneforsensegratificationorany
otherpurpose,itwillbebindingupontheworker.Ifonewantstobefreedfrom
thereactionofhiswork,hemustperformeverythingforthesatisfactionof
Visnu,orYajna.
Thosewhoareinabetterpositionintheworld,havingsufficientwealth,
shouldespeciallytakelessonsfromManu,whoacknowledgedhiskingdomand
opulencetobegiftsfromtheSupremePersonalityofGodheadandthusalways

engagedindevotionalservice.
ThoserichesshouldbeutilizedfortheserviceoftheLordinsacrifices
performedtopleaseHim.Thatisthewayofutilizingwealthandopulence.No
onecanachievewealth,opulence,goodbirth,abeautifulbodyornice
educationwithoutthemercyoftheSupremeLord.
Thematerialworld,ormaterialexistentiallife,isfilledwiththreefoldmiseries:
miseriespertainingtothebodyandmind,miseriespertainingtonatural
disturbancesandmiseriesinflictedbyotherlivingentities.Humansocietyis
meanttocreateaspiritualatmospherebyspreadingthespiritofKrsna
consciousness.
Wecannotstopthemiseriesofthematerialatmosphere,butKrsna
consciousnessistheantisepticmethodtoprotectusfrombeingaffectedbythe
miseriesofmaterialexistence.ForaKrsnaconsciousperson,bothlivingin
heavenandlivinginhellareequal.HowSvayambhuvaManucreatedan
atmospherewhereinhewasnotaffectedbymaterialmiseriesisexplainedin
thefollowingverses.
Celestialmusiciansandtheirwivessanginchorusaboutthepurereputationof
theEmperor,andearlyinthemorning,everyday,heusedtolistentothe
pastimesoftheSupremePersonalityofGodheadwithalovingheart.
ThiscustomisstillprevalentinIndiainsomeoftheroyalfamiliesandtemples.
Professionalmusicianssingwithsahnais,andthesleepingmembersofthe
housegraduallygetupfromtheirbedsinapleasingatmosphere.During
bedtimealsothesingerssingsongsinrelationshipwiththepastimesofthe
Lord,withsahnaiaccompaniment,andthehouseholdersgraduallyfallasleep
rememberingthegloriesoftheLord.Ineveryhouse,inadditiontothesinging
program,thereisanarrangementforBhagavatamlecturesintheevening;
familymemberssitdown,holdHareKrsnakirtana,hearnarrationsfrom
SrimadBhagavatamandBhagavadgitaandenjoymusicbeforegoingtobed.
Theatmospherecreatedbythissankirtanamovementlivesintheirhearts,and
whilesleepingtheyalsodreamofthesingingandglorificationoftheLord.In
suchaway,perfectionofKrsnaconsciousnesscanbeattained.
Thereisnorestrictionagainstlivingwithawifeandchildren,butlifeshouldbe
soconductedthatonemaynotgoagainsttheprinciplesofreligion,economic
development,regulatedsenseenjoymentand,ultimately,liberationfrom
materialexistence.
Asfarastemplesareconcerned,ineachandeveryroyalpalaceorrichman's
house,inevitablythereisanicetemple,andthemembersofthehouseholdrise
earlyinthemorningandgotothetempletoseethemangalaratrikaceremony.
Themangalaratrikaceremonyisthefirstworshipofthemorning.Inthe

aratrikaceremonyalightisofferedincirclesbeforetheDeities,asarea
conchshellandflowersandafan.TheLordissupposedtoriseearlyinthe
morningandtakesomelightrefreshmentandgiveaudiencetothedevotees.
ThedevoteesthengobacktothehouseorsingthegloriesoftheLordinthe
temple.TheearlymorningceremonystilltakesplaceinIndiantemplesand
palaces.Templesaremeantfortheassemblyofthegeneralpublic.Temples
withinpalacesareespeciallyfortheroyalfamilies,butinmanyofthesepalace
templesthepublicisalsoallowedtovisit.ThetempleoftheKingofJaipuris
situatedwithinthepalace,butthepublicisallowedtoassemble;ifonegoes
there,hewillseethatthetempleisalwayscrowdedwithatleastfivehundred
devotees.Afterthemangalaratrikaceremonytheysitdowntogetherandsing
thegloriesoftheLordwithmusicalinstrumentsandthusenjoylife.
ThusSvayambhuvaManuwasasaintlyking.Althoughabsorbedinmaterial
happiness,hewasnotdraggedtothelowestgradeoflife,forhealways
enjoyedhismaterialhappinessinaKrsnaconsciousatmosphere.
Consequently,althoughhisdurationoflifegraduallycametoanend,hislong
life,consistingofaManvantaraera,wasnotspentinvain,sinceheever
engagedinhearing,contemplating,writingdownandchantingthepastimesof
theLord.

Asfreshlypreparedfoodisverytastefulbutifkeptforthreeorfourhours
becomesstaleandtasteless,sotheexistenceofmaterialenjoymentcanendure
aslongaslifeisfresh,butatthefagendoflifeeverythingbecomestasteless,
andeverythingappearstobevainandpainful.ThelifeofEmperor
SvayambhuvaManu,however,wasnottasteless;ashegrewolder,hislife
remainedasfreshasinthebeginningbecauseofhiscontinuedKrsna
consciousness.ThelifeofamaninKrsnaconsciousnessisalwaysfresh
Hewasthegreatestyogibecauseheneverwastedhistime.Itisespecially
mentionedhere,visnohkurvatobruvatahkathah.Whenhetalked,hetalked
onlyofKrsnaandVisnu,thePersonalityofGodhead;whenheheard
something,itwasaboutKrsna;whenhemeditated,itwasuponKrsnaandHis
activities.
Hepassedhistime,whichlastedseventyonecyclesofthefourages[71x
4,320,000years],alwaysthinkingofVasudevaandalwaysengagedinmatters
regardingVasudeva.Thushetranscendedthethreedestinations.
Thethreedestinationsaremeantforpersonswhoareunderthecontrolofthe
threemodesofmaterialnature.Thesedestinationsaresometimesdescribedas

theawakened,dreamingandunconsciousstages.InBhagavadgitathethree
destinationsaredescribedasthedestinationsofpersonsinthemodesof
goodness,passionandignorance.
ButonewhoisKrsnaconsciousisabovethesethreemodesofmaterialnature.
ItisstatedinBhagavadgitathatanyonewhoengagesindevotionalserviceto
theLordautomaticallybecomestranscendentaltothethreedestinationsof
materialnatureandissituatedinthebrahmabhuta,orselfrealized,stage.
Therefore,onewhofullyengagesindevotionalserviceisalwaysliberated.
BilvamangalaThakura,agreatdevoteeoftheLord,stated:"IfIhave
unflinchingdevotiontothelotusfeetofKrsna,thenMotherLiberationis
alwaysengagedinmyservice.Thecompleteperfectionofmaterialenjoyment,
religionandeconomicdevelopmentisatmycommand."Peopleareafter
dharma,artha,kamaandmoksa.Generallytheyperformreligiousactivitiesto
achievesomematerialgain,andtheyengageinmaterialactivityforsense
gratification.Afterbeingfrustratedinmaterialsensegratification,onewantsto
beliberatedandbecomeonewiththeAbsoluteTruth.Thesefourprinciples
formthetranscendentalpathforthelessintelligent.Thosewhoareactually
intelligentengageinKrsnaconsciousness,notcaringforthesefourprinciples
ofthetranscendentalmethod.Theyatonceelevatethemselvestothe
transcendentalplatformwhichisaboveliberation.Liberationisnotaverygreat
achievementforadevotee,tosaynothingoftheresultsofritualistic
performancesinreligion,economicdevelopmentorthematerialisticlifeof
sensegratification.Devoteesdonotcareforthese.Theyaresituatedalwayson
thetranscendentalplatformofthebrahmabhutastageofselfrealization.
Therefore,OVidura,howcanpersonscompletelyundertheshelterofLord
Krsnaindevotionalservicebeputintomiseriespertainingtothebody,the
mind,nature,andothermenandlivingcreatures?
Distressesduetocoldinwinterandsevereheatinsummeralwaysinflict
miseriesonthelivingentitiesinthismaterialworld,butonewhohas
completelytakenshelterofthelotusfeetoftheLordinKrsnaconsciousnessis
inthetranscendentalstage;heisnotdisturbedbyanymiseries,eitherdueto
thebody,themind,ornaturaldisturbancesofsummerandwinter.Heis
transcendentaltoallthesemiseries.
Chapter23

Maitreyacontinued:Afterthedepartureofherparents,thechastewoman
Devahuti,whocouldunderstandthedesiresofherhusband,servedhim
constantlywithgreatlove,asBhavani,thewifeofLordSiva,servesher
husband.
ThespecificexampleofBhavaniisverysignificant.Bhavanimeansthewifeof

Bhava,orLordSiva.Bhavani,orParvati,thedaughteroftheKingofthe
Himalayas,selectedLordSiva,whoappearstobejustlikeabeggar,asher
husband.Inspiteofherbeingaprincess,sheundertookallkindsoftribulations
toassociatewithLordSiva,whodidnotevenhaveahouse,butwassitting
underneaththetreesandpassinghistimeinmeditation.AlthoughBhavaniwas
thedaughterofaverygreatking,sheusedtoserveLordSivajustlikeapoor
woman.Similarly,Devahutiwasthedaughterofanemperor,Svayambhuva
Manu,yetshepreferredtoacceptKardamaMuniasherhusband.Sheserved
himwithgreatloveandaffection,andsheknewhowtopleasehim.Therefore,
sheisdesignatedhereassadhvi,whichmeans"achaste,faithfulwife."
TodayinHindusociety,unmarriedgirlsarestilltaughttoworshipLordSiva
withtheideathattheymaygethusbandslikehim.LordSivaistheideal
husband,notinthesenseofrichesorsensegratification,butbecauseheisthe
greatestofalldevotees.
LordSiva,istheidealVaisnava.HeconstantlymeditatesuponLordRamaand
chantsHareRama,HareRama,RamaRama,HareHare.LordSivahasa
Vaisnavasampradaya,whichiscalledtheVisnusvamisampradaya.Unmarried
girlsworshipLordSivasothattheycanexpectahusbandwhoisasgooda
Vaisnavaashe.Thegirlsarenottaughttoselectahusbandwhoisveryrichor
veryopulentformaterialsensegratification;rather,ifagirlisfortunateenough
togetahusbandasgoodasLordSivaindevotionalservice,thenherlife
becomesperfect.Thewifeisdependentonthehusband,andifthehusbandisa
Vaisnava,thennaturallyshesharesthedevotionalserviceofthehusband
becausesherendershimservice.

Thisreciprocationofserviceandlovebetweenhusbandandwifeistheidealof
ahouseholder'slife.
OVidura,Devahutiservedherhusbandwithintimacyandgreatrespect,with
controlofthesenses,withloveandwithsweetwords.
ThesearetwoimportantprocessesinservingthehusbandortheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.Visrambhenameans"withintimacy,"andgauravena
means"withgreatreverence."
Thehusbandisaveryintimatefriend;therefore,thewifemustrenderservice
justlikeanintimatefriend,andatthesametimeshemustunderstandthatthe
husbandissuperiorinposition,andthusshemustofferhimallrespect.A
man'spsychologyandwoman'spsychologyaredifferent.Asconstitutedby
bodilyframe,amanalwayswantstobesuperiortohiswife,andawoman,as
bodilyconstituted,isnaturallyinferiortoherhusband.Thusthenaturalinstinct
isthatthehusbandwantstoposthimselfassuperiortothewife,andthismust

beobserved.Evenifthereissomewrongonthepartofthehusband,thewife
musttolerateit,andthustherewillbenomisunderstandingbetweenhusband
andwife.
Visrambhenameans"withintimacy,"butitmustnotbefamiliaritythatbreeds
contempt.AccordingtotheVediccivilization,awifecannotcallherhusband
byname.Inthepresentcivilizationthewifecallsherhusbandbyname,butin
Hinducivilizationshedoesnot.Thustheinferiorityandsuperioritycomplexes
arerecognized.Damenaca:awifehastolearntocontrolherselfevenifthereis
amisunderstanding.Sauhrdenavacamadhurayameansalwaysdesiringgood
forthehusbandandspeakingtohimwithsweetwords.Apersonbecomes
agitatedbysomanymaterialcontactsintheoutsideworld;therefore,inhis
homelifehemustbetreatedbyhiswifewithsweetwords.
Workingsanelyanddiligently,shepleasedherverypowerfulhusband,giving
upalllust,pride,envy,greed,sinfulactivitiesandvanity.
Sometimesithappensthatthewifecomesfromaveryrichfamily,asdid
Devahuti,thedaughterofEmperorSvayambhuvaManu.Shecouldhavebeen
veryproudofherparentage,butthatisforbidden.Thewifeshouldnotbe
proudofherparentalposition.Shemustalwaysbesubmissivetothehusband
andmustgiveupallvanity.Assoonasthewifebecomesproudofher
parentage,herpridecreatesgreatmisunderstandingbetweenthehusbandand
wife,andtheirnuptiallifeisruined.
Themostsinfulactivityforawifeistoacceptanotherhusbandoranother
lover.

CanakyaPanditahasdescribedfourkindsofenemiesathome.Ifthefatheris
indebtheisconsideredtobeanenemy;ifthemotherhasselectedanother
husbandinthepresenceofhergrownupchildren,sheisconsideredtobean
enemy;ifawifedoesnotlivewellwithherhusbandbutdealsveryroughly,
thensheisanenemy;andifasonisafool,heisalsoanenemy.
Havingservedhimforalongtime,shegrewweakandemaciatedduetoher
religiousobservances.Seeinghercondition,Kardama,theforemostofcelestial
sages,wasovercomewithcompassionandspoketoherinavoicechokedwith
greatlove.
Thewifeisexpectedtobeofthesamecategoryasthehusband.Shemustbe
preparedtofollowtheprinciplesofthehusband,andthentherewillbehappy
life.Ifthehusbandisadevoteeandthewifeismaterialistic,therecannotbe

anypeaceinthehome.Thewifemustseethetendenciesofthehusbandand
mustbepreparedtofollowhim.FromMahabharatawelearnthatwhen
Gandhariunderstoodthatherwouldbehusband,Dhrtarastra,wasblind,she
immediatelybegantopracticeblindnessherself.Thusshecoveredhereyesand
playedthepartofablindwoman.Shedecidedthatsinceherhusbandwas
blind,shemustalsoactlikeablindwoman,otherwiseshewouldbeproudof
hereyes,andherhusbandwouldbeseenasinferior.Thewordsamanuvrata
indicatesthatitisthedutyofawifetoadoptthespecialcircumstancesin
whichthehusbandissituated.
Heknewthatshewasthedaughterofagreatkingandyetwasservinghimjust
likeanordinarywoman.Shewasreducedinhealthbysuchactivities,andhe
becamecompassionateandaddressedherasfollows.
Sincethebodyissodeartoembodiedbeings,Iamastonishedthatyouhave
neglectedyourownbodytouseitonmybehalf.
Itisindicatedherethatone'sbodyisverydear,yetDevahutiwassofaithfulto
herhusbandthatnotonlydidsheservehimwithgreatdevotion,serviceand
respect,butshedidnotevencareforherownhealth.Thatiscalledselfless
service.ItappearsthatDevahutihadnosensepleasure,evenwithherhusband,
otherwiseshewouldnothavedeterioratedinhealth.Actingtofacilitate
KardamaMuni'sengagementinspiritualelevation,shecontinuallyassisted
him,notcaringforbodilycomfort.Itisthedutyofafaithfulandchastewifeto
helpherhusbandineveryrespect,especiallywhenthehusbandisengagedin
Krsnaconsciousness.
Thisisnottobeexpectedbyawomanwhoisthewifeofanordinaryperson.
KardamaMunicontinued:IhaveachievedtheblessingsoftheLordin
dischargingmyownreligiouslifeofausterity,meditationandKrsna
consciousness.
Althoughyouhavenotyetexperiencedtheseachievements,whicharefree
fromfearandlamentation,Ishallofferthemalltoyoubecauseyouare
engagedinmyservice.Nowjustlookatthem.Iamgivingyouthe
transcendentalvisiontoseehownicetheyare.
DevahutiengagedonlyintheserviceofKardamaMuni.Shewasnotsupposed
tobesoadvancedinausterity,ecstasy,meditationorKrsnaconsciousness,but,
imperceptibly,shewassharingherhusband'sachievements,whichshecould
neitherseenorexperience.Automaticallysheachievedthesegracesofthe
Lord.
WhatarethegracesoftheLord?ItisstatedherethatthegracesoftheLordare

abhaya,freefromfearfulness.Inthematerialworld,ifsomeoneaccumulatesa
milliondollars,heisalwaysfulloffearbecauseheisalwaysthinking,"Whatif
themoneyislost?"ButthebenedictionoftheLord,bhagavatprasada,isnever
tobelost.Itissimplytobeenjoyed.Thereisnoquestionofloss.Onesimply
gainsandenjoysgaining.Bhagavadgitaalsoconfirmsthis:whenoneachieves
thegraceoftheLord,theresultisthatsarvaduhkhani,alldistresses,are
destroyed.Whensituatedinthetranscendentalposition,oneisfreedfromthe
twokindsofmaterialdiseaseshankeringandlamentation.
Afterdevotionallifebegins,wecanachievethefullresultofloveofGodhead.
LoveofKrsnaisthehighestperfectionofbhagavatprasada,ordivinemercy.
Thistranscendentalachievementissogreatlyvaluablethatnomaterial
happinesscancomparetoit.PrabodhanandaSarasvatisaidthatifoneachieves
thegraceofLordCaitanyahebecomessogreatthathedoesnotcareafigeven
forthedemigods,hethinksofmonismashellish,andforhimtheperfectionof
controllingthesensesisaseasyasanything.Heavenlypleasuresbecometo
himnomorethanstories.Actually,thereisnocomparisonbetweenmaterial
happinessandtranscendentalhappiness.
BythegraceofKardamaMuni,Devahutiexperiencedactualrealizationsimply
byserving.WegetasimilarexampleinthelifeofNaradaMuni.
Forspiritualachievementtheeasiestpathistotakeshelterofabonafide
spiritualmasterandtoservehimwithheartandsoul.Thatisthesecretof
success.
byservingorreceivingthegraceofthespiritualmaster,onereceivesthegrace
oftheSupremeLord.Byservingherdevoteehusband,KardamaMuni,
Devahutisharedinhisachievements.
KardamaMunicontinued:WhatistheuseofenjoymentsotherthantheLord's
grace?Allmaterialachievementsaresubjecttobeannihilatedsimplybya
movementoftheeyebrowsofLordVisnu,theSupremePersonalityof
Godhead.

Byyourprinciplesofdevotiontoyourhusband,youhaveachievedandcan
enjoytranscendentalgiftsveryrarelyobtainedbypersonsproudofaristocracy
andmaterialpossessions.
LordCaitanyarecommendedthatthegreatestachievementofhumanlife
istoachievethegraceoftheLord,loveofGod.Hesaid,premapumartho
mahan:toachieveloveofGodheadisthehighestperfectionoflife.
Generally,thosewhoareverymaterialisticorwhopossessmaterialwealthand

prosperityareunabletoappreciatethevalueoftranscendentalloveofGod.
AlthoughDevahutiwasaprincesscomingfromaverygreatroyalfamily,
fortunatelyshewasunderthesupervisionofhergreathusband,KardamaMuni,
whoofferedherthebestgiftwhichcanbebestowedinhumanlifethegraceof
theLord,orloveofGod.ThisgraceoftheLordwasachievedbyDevahutiby
thegoodwillandsatisfactionofherhusband.
Sheservedherhusband,whowasagreatdevoteeandsaintlyperson,withgreat
sincerity,love,affectionandservice,andKardamaMuniwassatisfied.He
willinglygaveloveofGod,andherecommendedthatsheacceptitandenjoyit
becausehehadalreadyachievedit.
LoveofGodisnotanordinarycommodity.CaitanyaMahaprabhuwas
worshipedbyRupaGosvamibecauseHedistributedloveofGod,krsnaprema,
toeveryone.RupaGosvamipraisedHimasmahavadanya,agreatly
munificentpersonality,becauseHewasfreelydistributingtoeveryoneloveof
Godhead,whichisachievedbywisemenonlyaftermany,manybirths.Krsna
prema,Krsnaconsciousness,isthehighestgiftwhichcanbebestowedon
anyonewhomwepresumetolove.
Uponhearingthespeakingofherhusband,whoexcelledinknowledgeofall
kindsoftranscendentalscience,innocentDevahutiwasverysatisfied.Her
smilingfaceshiningwithaslightlybashfulglance,shespokeinachokedvoice
becauseofgreathumilityandlove.
ItissaidthatifoneisalreadyengagedinKrsnaconsciousnessandisrendering
transcendentallovingservicetotheLord,thenitcanbesupposedthathehas
finishedalltherecommendedcoursesofausterity,penance,religion,sacrifice,
mysticyogaandmeditation.
SriDevahutisaid:Mydearhusband,Obestofbrahmanas,Iknowthatyou
haveachievedperfectionandarethemasterofalltheinfalliblemysticpowers
becauseyouareundertheprotectionofyogamaya,thetranscendentalnature.
Butyouoncemadeapromisethatourbodilyunionshouldnowfulfill,since
childrenareagreatqualityforachastewomanwhohasaglorioushusband.

Devahutiexpressedherhappinessbyutteringthewordbata,forsheknewthat
herhusbandwasinahighlyelevated,transcendentalpositionandwasunder
theshelterofyogamaya.AsstatedinBhagavadgita,thosewhoaregreat
souls,mahatmas,arenotunderthecontrolofthematerialenergy.TheSupreme
Lordhastwoenergies,materialandspiritual.Thelivingentitiesaremarginal
energy.Asmarginalenergy,apersonmaybeunderthecontrolofthematerial

energyorthespiritualenergy(yogamaya).KardamaMuniwasagreatsoul,
andthereforehewasunderthespiritualenergy,whichmeansthathewas
directlyconnectedwiththeSupremeLord.
Devahuticontinued:Mydearlord,Iamstruckbyexcitedemotionforyou.
Thereforekindlymakewhatarrangementsmustbemadeaccordingtothe
scripturessothatmyskinnybody,emaciatedthroughunsatisfiedpassion,may
berenderedfitforyou.Also,mylord,pleasethinkofasuitablehouseforthis
purpose.
Thecircumstancesforcreatinggoodchildrenarementionedinkamasastra,the
scriptureinwhichsuitablearrangementsareprescribedforfactuallyglorious
sexlife.Everythingneededismentionedinthescriptureswhatsortofhouse
anddecorationsthereshouldbe,whatsortofdressthewifeshouldhave,how
sheshouldbedecoratedwithointments,scentsandotherattractivefeatures,
etc.Withtheserequisitesfulfilled,thehusbandwillbeattractedbyherbeauty,
andafavorablementalsituationwillbecreated.Thementalsituationatthe
timeofsexlifemaythenbetransferredintothewombofthewife,andgood
childrencancomeoutofthatpregnancy.
Sexualintercourseinwhichthehusbandisattractedtothewifeissureto
produceamalechild,butsexualintercoursebasedonattractionofthewifefor
thehusbandmayproduceagirl.ThatismentionedintheAyurveda.Whenthe
passionofthewomanisgreater,thereisachanceofagirl'sbeingborn.When
thepassionofthemanisgreater,thenthereisthepossibilityofason.
shealsorequestedthathearrangeforasuitablehousebecausethehermitagein
whichKardamaMuniwaslivingwasverysimpleandcompletelyinthemode
ofgoodness,andtherewaslesspossibilityofpassion'sbeingarousedinhis
heart.
Herethewordsyogamasthitaharesignificant.ThesageKardamawas
completelyperfectinyoga.Astheresultofrealyogapracticethereareeight
kindsofperfection:theyogicanbecomesmallerthanthesmallest,greaterthan
thegreatestorlighterthanthelightest,hecanachieveanythinghelikes,hecan
createevenaplanet,hecanestablishinfluenceoveranyone,etc.Inthisway
yogicperfectionisachieved,andafterthisonecanachievetheperfectionof
spirituallife.ThusitwasnotverywonderfulforKardamaMunitocreatea
mansionintheair,accordingtohisowndesire,tofulfillthedesireofhis
belovedwife.Heatoncecreatedthepalace,whichisdescribedinthe
followingverses.
ThecastlecreatedintheskybyKardamaMunimaybecalled"acastleinthe
air,"butbyhismysticpowerofyogaKardamaMuniactuallyconstructeda
hugecastleintheair.Toourfeebleimagination,acastleintheskyisan

impossibility,butifwescrutinizinglyconsiderthematterwecanunderstand
thatitisnotimpossibleatall.IftheSupremePersonalityofGodheadcan
createsomanyplanets,carryingmillionsofcastlesintheair,aperfectyogi
likeKardamaMunicaneasilyconstructonecastleintheair.Thecastleis
describedassarvakamadugham,"yieldingwhateveronedesired."Itwasfull
ofjewels.Eventhepillarsweremadeofpearlsandvaluablestones.These
valuablejewelsandstoneswerenotsubjecttodeterioration,butwere
everlastinglyandincreasinglyopulent.Wesometimeshearofcastlesthus
bedeckedonthesurfaceofthisearthalso.
Atthepresentmomentpeopleareveryproudoftheirarchitecturalart,yet
floorsaregenerallydecoratedwithcoloredcement.Itappears,however,that
thecastleconstructedbytheyogicpowersofKardamaMunihadfloorsof
emeraldwithcoraldaises.
Theroyalpalaceswerebuiltwithjewelsandrarestonesresemblingeyes,and
thusatnighttheywouldgiveoffreflectivelightwithoutneedoflamps.
KardamaMuni,beingasaintlyperson,waslivinginahumblehermitage,but
whenhesawthepalaceconstructedbyhisyogicpowers,whichwasfullof
restingrooms,roomsforsexenjoyment,andinnerandouteryards,hehimself
wasastonished.ThatisthewayofaGodgiftedperson.Adevoteelike
KardamaMuniexhibitedsuchopulencebyhisyogicpowerattherequestof
hiswife,butwhentheopulencewasproduced,hehimselfcouldnotunderstand
howsuchmanifestationscouldbepossible.Whenayogi'spowerisexhibited,
theyogihimselfissometimesastonished.
Devahutihadspentalongtimeinthehermitage,nottakingmuchcareofher
body.Shewascoveredwithdirt,andherclothingwasnotverynice.Kardama
Muniwassurprisedthathecouldproducesuchapalace,andsimilarlyhiswife,
Devahuti,wasalsoastonished.Howcouldsheliveinthatopulentpalace?
KardamaMunicouldunderstandherastonishment,andthushespokeas
follows.
Thewordstirthamasisamyapakamrefertothefulfillmentofdesiresby
bathinginaplaceofpilgrimage.KardamaMuniadvisedhisgoodwifetobathe
inLakeBindusarovarasothatshecouldrevivetheformerbeautyandlusterof
herbody.
Herbodywascoatedwithathicklayerofdirt,andherbreastswerediscolored.
Shedove,however,intothelake,whichcontainedthesacredwatersofthe
Sarasvati.

Inahouseinsidethelakeshesawonethousandgirls,allintheprimeofyouth

andfragrantlikelotuses.
WhileDevahutiwasthinkingofwhattodointhatgreatpalaceinherdirty
clothes,therewereatonce,bytheyogicpowersofKardamaMuni,one
thousandmaidservantspreparedtoserveher.TheyappearedbeforeDevahuti
withinthewaterandpresentedthemselvesashermaidservants,simply
awaitingherorders.
Thegirls,beingveryrespectfultoDevahuti,broughtherforth,andafter
bathingherwithvaluableoilsandointments,theygaveherfine,new,spotless
clothtocoverherbody.
AsavamisanAyurvedicmedicalpreparation;itisnotaliquor.Itisespecially
madefromdrugsandismeanttoimprovemetabolismforthehealthycondition
ofthebody.
Thewordkrtasirahsnanamappearshere.Accordingtothesmrtisastra's
directionsfordailyduties,ladiesareallowedtobathedailyuptotheneck.The
hairontheheaddoesnotnecessarilyhavetobewasheddailybecausethemass
ofwethairmaycauseacold.Forladies,therefore,takingabathuptotheneck
isordinarilyprescribed,andtheytakeafullbathonlyoncertainoccasions.On
thisoccasionDevahutitookafullbathandwashedherhairverynicely.When
aladytakesanordinarybathitiscalledmalasnana,andwhenshetakesafull
bath,includingthehead,itiscalledsirahsnana.Atthistimesheneeds
sufficientoiltosmearonherhead.Thatisthedirectionofthecommentatorsof
smrtisastra.
Auspicioussubstancesincludesaffron,kunkumaandsandalwoodpulp.Before
takingabaththereareotherauspicioussubstances,suchasturmericmixed
withmustardseedoil,whicharesmearedalloverthebody.Allkindsof
auspicioussubstanceswereusedtobatheDevahutifromtoptotoe.
AccordingtoVedicculture,whiteteethareverymuchappreciated.Devahuti's
whiteteethincreasedthebeautyofherfaceandmadeitlooklikealotus
flower.Whenafacelooksveryattractive,theeyesaregenerallycomparedto
lotuspetalsandthefacetoalotusflower.
Everythingwasdonewithinthewater,andassoonasshethoughtofher
belovedhusband,Kardama,shewasbroughtbeforehimwithoutdelay.These
aresomeofthepowersattainedbyperfectyogis;theycanimmediatelyexecute
anythingtheydesire.
Devahutisaweverythingmiraculouslydone,yetwhenbroughtbeforeher
husbandshecouldunderstandthatitwasallduetohisgreatyogicmystic
power.SheunderstoodthatnothingwasimpossibleforayogilikeKardama
Muni.

Therealbeautyofayoungwomanisherbreasts.WhenKardamaMunisawthe
breastsofhiswifesonicelydecorated,increasingherbeautymanytimes,he
wasattracted,eventhoughhewasagreatsage.SripadaSankaracaryahas
thereforewarnedthetranscendentaliststhatonewhoisaftertranscendental
realizationshouldnotbeattractedbytheraisedbreastsofawomanbecause
theyarenothingbutaninteractionoffatandbloodwithinthebody.
Thoughseeminglyattachedtohisbelovedconsortwhileservedbythe
Gandharvagirls,thesagedidnotlosehisglory,whichwasmasteryoverhis
self.IntheaerialmansionKardamaMuniwithhisconsortshoneascharmingly
asthemooninthemidstofthestarsinthesky,whichcausesrowsofliliesto
openinpondsatnight.
KardamaMunilookedlikethefullmoon,andthegirlswhosurroundedhis
wife,Devahuti,seemedjustlikethestars.Onafullmoonnightthestarsand
themoontogetherformabeautifulconstellation;similarly,inthataerial
mansioninthesky,KardamaMuniwithhisbeautifulwifeandthedamsels
surroundingthemappearedlikethemoonandstarsonafullmoonnight.
Kuveraisoneoftheeightdemigodswhoareinchargeofdifferentdirectionsof
theuniverse.ItissaidthatIndraisinchargeoftheeasternsideoftheuniverse,
wheretheheavenlyplanet,orparadise,issituated.Similarly,Agniisincharge
ofthesoutheasternportionoftheuniverse;Yama,thedemigodwhopunishes
sinners,isinchargeofthesouthernportion;Nirrtiisinchargeofthe
southwesternpartoftheuniverse;Varuna,thedemigodinchargeofthewaters,
isinchargeofthewesternportion;Vayu,whocontrolstheairandwhohas
wingstotravelintheair,isinchargeofthenorthwesternpartoftheuniverse;
andKuvera,thetreasurerofthedemigods,isinchargeofthenorthernpartof
theuniverse.AllthesedemigodstakepleasureinthevalleysofMountMeru,
whichissituatedsomewherebetweenthesunandtheearth.Intheaerial
mansion,KardamaMunitraveledthroughouttheeightdirectionscontrolledby
thedifferentdemigodsdescribedabove,andasthedemigodsgotoMount
Meru,healsowenttheretoenjoylife.Whenoneissurroundedbyyoung,
beautifulgirls,sexstimulationnaturallybecomesprominent.KardamaMuni
wassexuallystimulated,andheenjoyedhiswifeformany,manyyearsinthat
partofMountMeru.Buthissexindulgencewaspraisedbymany,many
Siddhas,beingswhohaveattainedperfection,becauseitwasintendedto
producegoodprogenyforthegoodofuniversalaffairs.
Hetraveledinthatwaythroughthevariousplanets,astheairpasses
uncontrolledineverydirection.Coursingthroughtheairinthatgreatand
splendidaerialmansion,whichcouldflyathiswill,hesurpassedeventhe
demigods.
Theplanetsoccupiedbythedemigodsarerestrictedtotheirownorbits,but

KardamaMuni,byhisyogicpower,couldtravelalloverthedifferent
directionsoftheuniversewithoutrestriction.
Whatisdifficulttoachievefordeterminedmenwhohavetakenrefugeofthe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead'slotusfeet?
KardamaMuniisspecialnotbecausehewasagreatmystic,butbecausehe
wasagreatdevotee.Thereforeitissaidherethatforagreatdevoteelike
KardamaMuni,nothingisimpossible.Althoughyogiscanperformwonderful
feats,asKardamahasalreadydisplayed,Kardamawasmorethanayogi
becausehewasagreatdevoteeoftheLord;thereforehewasmoreglorious
thananordinaryyogi.
ForapersonlikeKardamaMunithereisnoquestionofbeingconditioned;he
wasalreadyaliberatedsoulandbetterthanthedemigods,whoarealso
conditioned.Althoughhewasenjoyingwithhiswifeandmanyotherwomen,
hewasabovematerial,conditionallife
Aftershowinghiswifetheglobeoftheuniverseanditsdifferentarrangements,
fullofmanywonders,thegreatyogiKardamaMunireturnedtohisown
hermitage.
oneachandeveryplanettherearedifferentopulences.Itcannotbeexpected
thatoneplanetisexactlylikeanother.ByGod'sgrace,bynature'slaw,each
andeveryplanetismadedifferentlyandhasdifferentwonderfulfeatures.All
suchwonderswerepersonallyexperiencedbyKardamaMuniwhilehetraveled
withhiswife,yethecouldreturnagaintohishumblehermitage.Heshowed
hisprincesswifethatalthoughhewaslivinginthehermitage,hehadthe
powertogoeverywhereanddoanythingbymysticyoga.Thatistheperfection
ofyoga
BytheactionsofKardamaMuniwecanunderstandthatinspiteofhis
immensemysticpower,heremainedadevoteeoftheLord.Thatisthereal
positionofeverylivingentity.
Aftercomingbacktohishermitage,hedividedhimselfintoninepersonalities
justtogivepleasuretoDevahuti,thedaughterofManu,whowaseagerforsex
life.Inthatwayheenjoyedwithherformany,manyyears,whichpassedjust
likeamoment.
Insteadofone,hebecamenine,andninepersonshadsexualintercoursewith
Devahutiformany,manyyears.Itisunderstoodthatthesexualappetiteofa
womanisninetimesgreaterthanthatofaman.
AstheSupremePersonalityofGodheadcanexpandHimselfinmillionsof
forms,ayogicanalsoexpanduptonineforms,butnotmorethanthat.Another

exampleisthatofSaubhariMuni;healsoexpandedhimselfintoeightforms.
Buthoweverpowerfulayogimaybe,hecannotexpandhimselfintomorethan
eightornineforms.

Sexindulgenceissoenjoyableformaterialisticpeoplethatwhentheyengage
insuchactivitiestheyforgethowtimeispassing.SaintKardamaandDevahuti,
intheirsexindulgence,alsoforgothowtimewaspassingby.
Dividinghimselfintonineforms,heimpregnatedDevahutiwithnine
dischargesofsemen.
Byhisyogicpowerhecouldatonceproduceninedaughtersinthewombof
Devahuti.
ItappearsfromthecircumstancesthatDevahutiwasmoresexuallyexcited,and
thereforeshehadninedaughtersatonce.
TheexampleofKardamaMunishouldbeunderstoodveryclearly;aperson
whosemainconcernisKrsnaconsciousness,evenifheisentrappedin
householdlife,shouldalwaysbereadytoleavehouseholdenticementassoon
aspossible.
Whenawomanscratchesthegroundwithherfoot,itisasignthathermindis
verydisturbed.Thesesignsweresometimesexhibitedbythegopisbefore
Krsna.WhenthegopiscameinthedeadofnightandKrsnaaskedthemto
returntotheirhomes,thegopisalsoscratchedthegroundlikethisbecausetheir
mindswereverydisturbed.
SriDevahutisaid:Mylord,youhavefulfilledallthepromisesyougaveme,
yetbecauseIamyoursurrenderedsoul,youshouldgivemefearlessnesstoo.
HowoneawardsfearlessnesstohissubordinateismentionedintheFifthCanto
ofSrimadBhagavatam.Onewhocannotgetfreefromtheclutchesofdeathis
dependent,andheshouldnotbecomeaspiritualmaster,norahusband,nora
kinsman,norafather,noramother,etc.Itisthedutyofthesuperiortogive
fearlessnesstothesubordinate.Totakechargeofsomeone,therefore,eitheras
father,mother,spiritualmaster,relativeorhusband,onemustacceptthe
responsibilitytogivehiswardfreedomfromthefearfulsituationofmaterial
existence.Materialexistenceisalwaysfearfulandfullofanxiety.Devahutiis
saying,"Youhavegivenmeallsortsofmaterialcomfortsbyyouryogicpower,
andsinceyouarenowpreparedtogoaway,youmustgivemeyourlastaward
sothatImaygetfreefromthismaterial,conditionallife."
Itissaidthatthefatherhimselfbecomesthesoninanotherform.Thefather

andsonarethereforeconsideredtobenondifferent.Awidowwhohasherson
isactuallynotawidow,becauseshehastherepresentativeofherhusband.
Similarly,DevahutiisindirectlyaskingKardamaMunitoleavea
representativesothatinhisabsenceshemightberelievedofheranxietiesbya
suitableson
Devahutiisindirectlyaskingthatinhisabsencefromhometherebeatleast
onemalechildtogiveherrelieffromheranxieties.
Thewifegiveshersincereservicetothehusband,andhebecomesindebtedto
herbecauseonecannotacceptservicefromhissubordinatewithoutgivinghim
somethinginexchange.Thespiritualmastercannotacceptservicefroma
disciplewithoutawardinghimspiritualinstruction.Thatisthereciprocationof
loveandduty.Thus
Devahutiremindsherhusband,KardamaMuni,thatshehasrenderedhim
faithfulservice.Evenconsideringthesituationonthebasisofliquidatinghis
debttowardhiswife,hemustgiveamalechildbeforeheleaves.
Untilnowwehavesimplywastedsomuchofourtimeinsensegratification,
neglectingtocultivateknowledgeoftheSupremeLord.
Devahutiislamentingherposition.Asawoman,shehadtolovesomeone.
Somehoworother,shecametoloveKardamaMuni,butwithoutknowingof
hisspiritualadvancement.KardamaMunicouldunderstandDevahuti'sheart;
generallyallwomendesirematerialenjoyment.Theyarecalledlessintelligent
becausetheyaremostlypronetomaterialenjoyment.
Associationwithagreatpersonalityismostimportant.InCaitanyacaritamrta
LordCaitanyasaysthatsadhusanga,theassociationofagreatsaintlyperson,
isveryimportant,becauseevenifoneisnotadvancedinknowledge,simplyby
associationwithagreatsaintlypersononecanimmediatelymakeconsiderable
advancementinspirituallife
Associationforsensegratificationiscertainlythepathofbondage.Butthe
sametypeofassociation,performedwithasaintlyperson,leadstothepathof
liberation,evenifperformedwithoutknowledge.
Theassociationofasaintlypersoninanywaybearsthesameresult.For
example,LordKrsnametmanykindsoflivingentities,andsometreatedHim
asanenemy,andsometreatedHimasanagentforsensegratification.Itis
generallysaidthatthegopiswereattachedtoKrsnaforsenseattractions,and
yettheybecamefirstclassdevoteesoftheLord.Kamsa,Sisupala,Dantavakra
andotherdemons,however,wererelatedtoKrsnaasenemies.Butwhether
theyassociatedwithKrsnaasenemiesorforsensegratification,outoffearor
aspuredevotees,theyallgotliberation.Thatistheresultofassociationwith

theLord.
Associationwithagreatsaintlypersonalsoresultsinliberation,justaswhether
onegoestowardfireknowinglyorunknowingly,thefirewillmakeonewarm.
Anyonewhoseworkisnotmeanttoelevatehimtoreligiouslife,anyonewhose
religiousritualisticperformancesdonotraisehimtorenunciation,andanyone
situatedinrenunciationthatdoesnotleadhimtodevotionalservicetothe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,mustbeconsidereddead,althoughheis
breathing.
WorkwhichdoesnotleadonetotheunderstandingofKrsnaconsciousnessis
considereduseless.
Mylord,surelyIhavebeensolidlycheatedbytheinsurmountableillusory
energyoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,forinspiteofhavingobtained
yourassociation,whichgivesliberationfrommaterialbondage,Ididnotseek
suchliberation.
Anintelligentmanshouldutilizegoodopportunities.Thefirstopportunityis
thehumanformoflife,andthesecondopportunityistotakebirthinasuitable
familywherethereiscultivationofspiritualknowledge;thisisrarelyobtained.
Thegreatestopportunityistohavetheassociationofasaintlyperson.
Peopledonotknowwhattheyaredoingwhentheyworshipthematerial
energyintheformofgoddessKaliorDurgaformaterialboons.Theyask,
"Mother,givemegreatriches,givemeagoodwife,givemefame,giveme
victory."ButsuchdevoteesofthegoddessMaya,orDurga,donotknowthat
theyarebeingcheatedbythatgoddess.Materialachievementisactuallyno
achievementbecauseassoonasoneisillusionedbythematerialgifts,he
becomesmoreandmoreentangled,andthereisnoquestionofliberation.One
shouldbeintelligentenoughtoknowhowtoutilizematerialassetsforthe
purposeofspiritualrealization.Thatiscalledkarmayogaorjnanayoga.
WhateverwehaveweshoulduseasservicetotheSupremePerson.
Chapter24

Thesagesaid:Donotbedisappointedwithyourself,Oprincess.Youare
actuallypraiseworthy.TheinfallibleSupremePersonalityofGodheadwill
shortlyenteryourwombasyourson.
Youhaveundertakensacredvows.Godwillblessyou.Henceyoushould
worshiptheLordwithgreatfaith,throughsensorycontrol,religious
observances,austeritiesandgiftsofyourmoneyincharity.
InordertospirituallyadvanceortoachievethemercyoftheLord,onemustbe

selfcontrolledinthefollowingmanner:hemustberestrainedinsense
gratificationandmustfollowtherulesandregulationsofreligiousprinciples.
Withoutausterityandpenanceandwithoutsacrificingone'sriches,onecannot
achievethemercyoftheSupremeLord.
ThePersonalityofGodhead,beingworshipedbyyou,willspreadmynameand
fame.Hewillvanquishtheknotofyourheartbybecomingyoursonand
teachingknowledgeofBrahman.
WhentheSupremePersonalityofGodheadcomestodisseminatespiritual
knowledgeforthebenefitofallpeople,Hegenerallydescendsasthesonofa
devotee,beingpleasedbythedevotee'sdevotionalservice.
Matterandspiritareknottedbyfalseego.Thisidentificationofoneselfwith
matter,whichiscalledhrdayagranthi,existsforallconditionedsouls,andit
becomesmoreandmoretightenedwhenthereistoomuchaffectionforsex
life.
TheexplanationwasgivenbyLordRsabhatoHissonsthatthismaterialworld
isanatmosphereofattractionbetweenmaleandfemale.Thatattractiontakes
theshapeofaknotintheheart,andbymaterialaffectionitbecomesstillmore
tight.Forpeoplewhohankeraftermaterialpossessions,society,friendshipand
love,thisknotofaffectionbecomesverystrong.Itisonlybybrahma
bhavanatheinstructionbywhichspiritualknowledgeisenhancedthatthe
knotintheheartiscuttopieces.Nomaterialweaponisneededtocutthisknot,
butitrequiresbonafidespiritualinstruction.
Therearemanyinstanceswhereinthehusbandbecomesthespiritualmaster.
LordSivaalsoisthespiritualmasterofhisconsort,Parvati
Whetheroneisliberatedornotliberated,oneshouldexecutetheinstructionof
thespiritualmasterwithgreatfaith.ItisalsostatedthattheLordissituatedin
everyone'sheart.OnedoesnothavetoseektheLordoutside;Heisalready
there.Onesimplyhastoconcentrateonone'sworshipingoodfaith,as
instructedbythebonafidespiritualmaster,andone'seffortswillcomeout
successfully.
AsstatedinBhagavadgita,HeappearsbyHisowninternalpotency,atma
maya.AndhowdoesHeappear?Heappearswhenpleasedbytheworshipofa
devotee.AdevoteemayasktheLordtoappearasherson.TheLordisalready
sittingwithintheheart,andifHecomesoutfromthebodyofadevoteeitdoes
notmeanthattheparticularwomanbecomesHismotherinthematerialsense.
Heisalwaysthere,butinordertopleaseHisdevotee,Heappearsasherson.
LordNrsimhaappearedfromthepillarofHiranyakasipu'spalace,LordVaraha
appearedfromthenostrilofBrahma,andLordKapilaappearedfromthe

semenofKardama,butthisdoesnotmeanthatthenostrilofBrahmaorthe
pillarofHiranyakasipu'spalaceorthesemenofKardamaMuniisthesourceof
theappearanceoftheLord.
Thewordkardamamissignificant,foritindicatesthattheLordhadsome
devotionalaffectionorrelationshipindevotionalservicewithKardamaand
Devahuti.
WelearnfromthepagesofSrimadBhagavatamthattheinhabitantsofthe
planetcalledSiddhalokacantravelinspacefromoneplanettoanotherwithout
impediment.TheyshoweredflowersontheearthwhenLordKapila,thesonof
Kardama,appeared.

Maitreyacontinued:Okilleroftheenemy,theunbornLordBrahma,whois
almostindependentinacquiringknowledge,couldunderstandthataportionof
theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,inHisqualityofpureexistence,had
appearedinthewombofDevahutijusttoexplainthecompletestateof
knowledgeknownassankhyayoga.
ThereisanimitationKapilawhohasaSankhyaphilosophicalsystem,but
KapilatheincarnationofGodisdifferentfromthatKapila.Kapilathesonof
KardamaMuni,inHissystemofSankhyaphilosophy,veryexplicitly
explainednotonlythematerialworldbutalsothespiritualworld.
Anotherimportantpointisstatedhere.Sattvenamsena:whentheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadappears,HebringswithHimallHisparaphernaliaof
Vaikuntha;thereforeHisname,Hisform,Hisquality,Hisparaphernaliaand
Hisentourageallbelongtothetranscendentalworld.
Anothermeaningisthatwhenoneispurelysituatedinthequalitiesof
goodness,hecanunderstandtheform,name,quality,paraphernaliaand
entourageoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
ThewordamsenaalsoindicatesthattheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,
Krsna,appearedasKapiladevainaportionofHisportion.Godexpandseither
askalaorasamsa.Amsameans"directexpansion,"andkalameans"expansion
oftheexpansion."Thereisnodifferencebetweentheexpansion,theexpansion
oftheexpansion,andtheSupremePersonalityofGodheaddirectly,asthereis
nodifferencebetweenonecandleandanotherbutstillthecandlefromwhich
theothersarelitiscalledtheoriginal.Krsna,therefore,iscalledthe
Parabrahman,ortheultimateGodheadandcauseofallcauses.
Thereisaversespokenbyabrahmanainwhichhesaysthathedoesnotknow
whattheVedasandwhatthepuranasare,butwhileothersmightbeinterested

intheVedasorpuranas,heisinterestedinNandaMaharaja,whoappearedas
thefatherofKrsna.ThebrahmanawantedtoworshipNandaMaharajabecause
theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,asachild,crawledintheyardofhis
house.Thesearesomeofthegoodsentimentsofdevotees.
LordBrahmasaid:MydearsonKardama,sinceyouhavecompletelyaccepted
myinstructionswithoutduplicity,showingthemproperrespect,youhave
worshipedmeproperly.Whateverinstructionsyoutookfrommeyouhave
carriedout,andtherebyyouhavehonoredme.
Aconditionedsoulinthematerialworldhasthedisqualificationofcheating.
Hehasfourdisqualifications:heissuretocommitmistakes,heissuretobe
illusioned,heispronetocheatothers,andhissensesareimperfect
Tohonorthespiritualmastermeanstocarryouthisinstructionswordforword.

Whateverthefatherandthespiritualmasterordershouldbetakenwithout
argument:"Yes."Thereshouldbenoinstanceinwhichthediscipleortheson
says,"Thisisnotcorrect.Icannotcarryitout."Whenhesaysthat,heisfallen.
Inanycase,theorderofthefatherortheorderofthespiritualmastermustbe
carriedoutwithouthesitation,withanimmediateyes.Thereshouldbeno
argument.Thatisrealservicetothefatherandtothespiritualmaster.
VisvanathaCakravartiThakurahasstatedthattheorderofthespiritualmaster
isthelifeandsoulofthedisciples.Asamancannotseparatehislifefromhis
body,adisciplecannotseparatetheorderofthespiritualmasterfromhislife.If
adisciplefollowstheinstructionofthespiritualmasterinthatway,heissure
tobecomeperfect.
ThisisconfirmedintheUpanisads:theimportofVedicinstructionisrevealed
automaticallyonlytoonewhohasimplicitfaithintheSupremePersonalityof
Godheadandinhisspiritualmaster.Onemaybemateriallyconsideredan
illiterateman,butifhehasfaithinthespiritualmasteraswellasinthe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,thenthemeaningofscripturalrevelationis
immediatelymanifestedbeforehim.
Inthebeginningofcreation,Brahmawasconcernedmoreorlesswith
increasingthepopulation,andwhenhesawthatKardamaMunihadalready
begottenninenicedaughters,hewashopefulthatthroughthedaughtersmany
childrenwouldcomewhowouldtakechargeofthecreativeprincipleofthe
materialworld.Hewasthereforehappytoseethem.
Thenineprincipalrsis,orsages,areMarici,Atri,Angira,Pulastya,Pulaha,
Kratu,Bhrgu,VasisthaandAtharva.Allthesersisaremostimportant,and

BrahmadesiredthattheninedaughtersalreadybornofKardamaMunibe
handedovertothem.
Manandwomanshouldnotbeunitedsimplyontheconsiderationofsexlife.
Therearemanyotherconsiderations,especiallycharacterandtaste.Ifthetaste
andcharacterdifferbetweenthemanandwoman,theircombinationwillbe
unhappy.
Accordingtoastrologicalcalculation,apersonisclassifiedaccordingto
whetherhebelongstothegodlyordemoniacquality.Inthatwaythespouse
wasselected.Agirlofgodlyqualityshouldbehandedovertoaboyofgodly
quality.Agirlofdemoniacqualityshouldbehandedovertoaboyofdemoniac
quality.Thentheywillbehappy.Butifthegirlisdemoniacandtheboyis
godly,thenthecombinationisincompatible;theycannotbehappyinsucha
marriage.Atthepresentmoment,becauseboysandgirlsarenotmarried
accordingtoqualityandcharacter,mostmarriagesareunhappy,andthereis
divorce.

ItisforetoldintheTwelfthCantooftheBhagavatamthatinthisageofKali
marriedlifewillbeacceptedontheconsiderationofsexonly;whentheboy
andgirlarepleasedinsex,theygetmarried,andwhenthereisdeficiencyin
sex,theyseparate.Thatisnotactualmarriage,butacombinationofmenand
womenlikecatsanddogs.
Humanbeingsmustbetwiceborn.Achildisfirstbornofagoodfatherand
mother,andthenheisbornagainofthespiritualmasterandtheVedas.The
firstmotherandfatherbringabouthisbirthintotheworld;thenthespiritual
masterandtheVedasbecomehissecondfatherandmother.
Bymysticyogaandthepracticalapplicationofknowledgefromthescriptures,
KapilaMuni,whoischaracterizedbyHisgoldenhair,Hiseyesjustlikelotus
petalsandHislotusfeet,whichbearthemarksoflotusflowers,willuproot
thedeeprooteddesireforworkinthismaterialworld.
ifonehastakentothedevotionalserviceoftheLordinKrsnaconsciousness,
hecanveryeasilyuprootthedeeprooteddesireforfruitiveactivities.Sankhya
philosophywillbebroadcastbyKapilaMuniforthatpurpose.Hisbodily
featuresarealsodescribedherein.Jnanadoesnotrefertoordinaryresearch
work.Jnanaentailsreceivingknowledgefromthescripturesthroughthe
spiritualmasterbydisciplicsuccession.
vijnanameanspracticalapplicationofsuchknowledge.KapilaMuni'sSankhya
systemofphilosophyisbasedonjnanaandvijnana.

Herethewordavidyaisverysignificant.Avidyameansforgetfulnessofone's
identity.Everyoneofusisaspiritsoul,butwehaveforgotten.Wethink,"Iam
thisbody."Thisiscalledavidya.Samsayagranthimeans"doubtfulness."The
knotofdoubtfulnessistiedwhenthesoulidentifieswiththematerialworld.
Thatknotisalsocalledahankara,thejunctionofmatterandspirit.Byproper
knowledgereceivedfromthescripturesindisciplicsuccessionandbyproper
applicationofthatknowledge,onecanfreehimselffromthisbinding
combinationofmatterandspirit.
Thewordsamsayameans"doubtfulknowledge."Speculativeandpseudoyogic
knowledgeisalldoubtful.Atthepresentmomentthesocalledyogasystemis
prosecutedontheunderstandingthatbyagitationofthedifferentstationsofthe
bodilyconstructiononecanfindthatheisGod.Thementalspeculatorsthink
similarly,buttheyarealldoubtful.RealknowledgeisexpoundedinBhagavad
gita:"JustbecomeKrsnaconscious.JustworshipKrsnaandbecomeadevotee
ofKrsna."Thatisrealknowledge,andanyonewhofollowsthatsystem
becomesperfectwithoutadoubt.

SankhyaphilosophyisthephilosophicalsystemenunciatedbyKapila,theson
ofDevahuti.TheotherKapila,whoisnotthesonofDevahuti,isanimitation.
ThisisthestatementofBrahma,andbecausewebelongtoBrahma'sdisciplic
successionweshouldaccepthisstatementthattherealKapilaisthesonof
DevahutiandthatrealSankhyaphilosophyisthesystemofphilosophywhich
Heintroducedandwhichwillbeacceptedbytheacaryas,thedirectorsof
spiritualdiscipline.
Hamsayana,theairplanebywhichBrahmatravelsalloverouterspace,
resemblesaswan.BrahmaisalsoknownasHamsabecausehecangraspthe
essenceofeverything.Hisabodeiscalledtridhamaparamam.Therearethree
divisionsoftheuniversetheupperplanetarysystem,themiddleplanetary
systemandthelowerplanetarysystembuthisabodeisaboveeven
Siddhaloka,theupperplanetarysystem.Hereturnedtohisownplanetwiththe
fourKumarasandNaradabecausetheywerenotgoingtobemarried.Theother
rsiswhocamewithhim,suchasMariciandAtri,remainedtherebecausethey
weretobemarriedtothedaughtersofKardama,buthisothersonsSanat,
Sanaka,Sanandana,SanatanaandNaradawentbackwithhiminhisswan
shapedairplane.ThefourKumarasandNaradaarenaisthikabrahmacaris.
Naisthikabrahmacarireferstoonewhoneverwasteshissemenatanytime.
LordVisnuiscalledtriyuga.HeappearsinthreeyugasSatya,Tretaand
DvaparabutinKaliyugaHedoesnotappear.FromtheprayersofPrahlada

Maharaja,however,weunderstandthatHeappearsgarbedasadevoteeinKali
yuga.LordCaitanyaisthatdevotee.Krsnaappearedintheformofadevotee,
butalthoughHeneverdisclosedHimself,RupaGosvamicouldunderstandHis
identity,fortheLordcannothideHimselffromapuredevotee.
AccordingtoSridharaSvami,Histhreepairsofopulencesarecompleteriches
andcompletestrength,completefameandcompletebeauty,andcomplete
wisdomandcompleterenunciation.Therearedifferentinterpretationsoftri
yuga,butitisacceptedbyalllearnedscholarsthattriyugameansVisnu.
KardamaMunisaid:Oh,afteralongtimethedemigodsofthisuniversehave
becomepleasedwiththesufferingsoulswhoareinmaterialentanglement
becauseoftheirownmisdeeds.
Thismaterialworldisaplaceforsuffering,whichisduetothemisdeedsofthe
inhabitants,theconditionedsoulsthemselves.Thesufferingsarenot
extraneouslyimposeduponthem;rather,theconditionedsoulscreatetheirown
sufferingbytheirownacts.Intheforest,firetakesplaceautomatically.Itisnot
thatsomeonehastogothereandsetafire;becauseoffrictionamongvarious
trees,fireoccursautomatically.
Aftermanybirths,matureyogis,bycompletetranceinyoga,endeavorin
secludedplacestoseethelotusfeetoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
Someimportantthingsarementionedhereaboutyoga.Thewordbahujanma
vipakvenameans"aftermany,manybirthsofmatureyogapractice."And
anotherword,samyagyogasamadhina,means"bycompletepracticeofthe
yogasystem."Completepracticeofyogameansbhaktiyoga;unlessonecomes
tothepointofbhaktiyoga,orsurrenderuntotheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,one'syogapracticeisnotcomplete.Thissamepointiscorroborated
intheSrimadBhagavadgita.Bahunamjanmanamante:aftermany,many
births,thejnaniwhohasmaturedintranscendentalknowledgesurrendersunto
theSupremePersonalityofGodhead.KardamaMunirepeatsthesame
statement.
Aftermany,manyyearsandmany,manybirthsofcompletepracticeofyoga,
onecanseethelotusfeetoftheSupremeLordinasecludedplace.Itisnotthat
afteronepracticessomesittingposturesheimmediatelybecomesperfect.One
hastoperformyogaalongtime"many,manybirths"tobecomemature,and
ayogihastopracticeinasecludedplace.Onecannotpracticeyogainacityor
inapublicparkanddeclarethathehasbecomeGodsimplybysomeexchange
ofdollars.Thisisallboguspropaganda.Thosewhoareactuallyyogispractice
inasecludedplace,andaftermany,manybirthstheybecomesuccessful,
providedtheysurrenderuntotheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Thisisthe
completionofyoga.

DevoteesaresoaffectionatetowardthePersonalityofGodheadthatalthough
Hedoesnotappearbeforethosewhopracticeyogainasecludedplaceevenfor
many,manybirths,Heagreestoappearinahouseholder'shomewhere
devoteesengageindevotionalservicewithoutmaterialyogapractice.Inother
words,devotionalservicetotheLordissoeasythatevenahouseholdercansee
theSupremePersonalityofGodheadasoneofthemembersofhishousehold,
ashisson,asKardamaMuniexperienced.Hewasahouseholder,althougha
yogi,buthehadtheincarnationoftheSupremePersonalityofGodheadKapila
Muniashisson.
Devotionalserviceissuchapowerfultranscendentalmethodthatitsurpasses
allothermethodsoftranscendentalrealization.TheLordsays,therefore,that
HelivesneitherinVaikunthanorintheheartofayogi,butHeliveswhereHis
puredevoteesarealwayschantingandglorifyingHim.TheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadisknownasbhaktavatsala.Heisneverdescribedas
jnanivatsalaoryogivatsala.Heisalwaysdescribedasbhaktavatsalabecause
HeismoreinclinedtowardHisdevoteesthantowardothertranscendentalists.
"OnecanunderstandMeonlybydevotionalservice,nototherwise."That
understandingaloneisrealbecausealthoughjnanis,mentalspeculators,can
realizeonlytheeffulgence,orthebodilyluster,oftheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,andyogiscanrealizeonlythepartialrepresentationoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,abhaktanotonlyrealizesHimasHeisbutalso
associateswiththePersonalityofGodheadfacetoface.
Therefore,Heiscalledbhaktanammanavardhanah,"Hewhoincreasesthe
honorofHisdevotees."BydistributingSankhyaHewouldincreasethehonor
ofthedevotees;therefore,Sankhyaphilosophyisnotdrymentalspeculation.
Sankhyaphilosophymeansdevotionalservice.
RealknowledgeandrealliberationistosurrenderuntotheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadandengageindevotionalservice.
Thevarietiesoftranscendentalformsexistsimultaneously.Thatisalsostated
intheBrahmasamhita:ramadimurtisu...nanavataram.Healreadyexistsin
multiforms,butnoneoftheformsarematerial.SridharaSvamihascommented
thatarupinah,"withoutform,"meanswithoutmaterialform.TheLordhas
form,otherwisehowcanitbestatedhere,tanyevate'bhirupanirupani
bhagavamstava:"YouhaveYourforms,buttheyarenotmaterial.Materially
Youhavenoform,butspiritually,transcendentally,Youhavemultiforms"?
InBhagavadgitaLordKrsnaadvisedArjunamanytimestosurrenderunto
Him,especiallyattheendoftheNinthChaptermanmanabhavamad
bhaktah:"Ifyouwanttobeperfect,justalwaysthinkofMe,becomeMy
devotee,worshipMeandofferyourobeisancestoMe.Inthiswayyouwill

understandMe,thePersonalityofGodhead,andultimatelyyouwillcomeback
toMe,backtoGodhead,backhome."Whyisitso?TheLordisalwaysfullin
sixopulences,asmentionedherein:wealth,renunciation,fame,knowledge,
strengthandbeauty.Thewordpurtammeans"infull."Noonecanclaimthat
allwealthbelongstohim,butKrsnacanclaimit,sinceHehasfullwealth.
Similarly,Heisfullinknowledge,renunciation,strengthandbeauty.
IsurrenderuntotheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,descendedintheformof
Kapila,whoisindependentlypowerfulandtranscendental,whoistheSupreme
PersonandtheLordofthesumtotalofmatterandtheelementoftime,whois
thefullycognizantmaintainerofalltheuniversesunderthethreemodesof
materialnature,andwhoabsorbsthematerialmanifestationsaftertheir
dissolution.
Wecanunderstandthatwhateverweseeisaninteractionofthethreemodesof
materialnature,butactuallyitisallaninteractionoftheLord'senergy.
TodayIhavesomethingtoaskfromYou,whoaretheLordofallliving
entities.SinceIhavenowbeenliberatedbyYoufrommydebtstomyfather,
andsinceallmydesiresarefulfilled,Iwishtoaccepttheorderofanitinerant
mendicant.Renouncingthisfamilylife,Iwishtowanderabout,freefrom
lamentation,thinkingalwaysofYouinmyheart.
Actually,sannyasa,orrenunciationofmaterialhouseholdlife,necessitates
completeabsorptioninKrsnaconsciousnessandimmersionintheself.

Onedoesnottakesannyasa,freedomfromfamilyresponsibilityinthe
renouncedorderoflife,tomakeanotherfamilyortocreateanembarrassing
transcendentalfraudinthenameofsannyasa.Thesannyasi'sbusinessisnotto
becomeproprietorofsomanythingsandamassmoneyfromtheinnocent
public.AsannyasiisproudthatheisalwaysthinkingofKrsnawithinhimself.
Ofcourse,therearetwokindsofdevoteesoftheLord.Oneiscalledgosthy
anandi,whichmeansthosewhoarepreachersandhavemanyfollowersfor
preachingthegloriesoftheLordandwholiveamongthosemany,many
followersjusttoorganizemissionaryactivities.
Otherdevoteesareatmanandi,orselfsatisfied,anddonottaketheriskof
preachingwork.Theyremain,therefore,alonewithGod.Inthisclassification
wasKardamaMuni.Hewantedtobefreefromallanxietiesandremainalone
withinhisheartwiththeSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
Parivrajameans"anitinerantmendicant."Amendicantsannyasishouldnot
liveanywhereformorethanthreedays.Hemustbealwaysmovingbecausehis

dutyistomovefromdoortodoorandenlightenpeopleaboutKrsna
consciousness.
ButsinceheknewthattheLordHimself,asKapila,hadtakenbirthinhishome
ashisownson,whywashepreparingtoleavehometosearchoutself
realizationorGodrealization?GodHimselfwaspresentinhishomewhy
shouldheleavehome?Suchaquestionmaycertainlyarise.Buthereitissaid
thatwhateverisspokenintheVedasandwhateverispracticedinaccordance
withtheinjunctionsoftheVedasistobeacceptedasauthoritativeinsociety.
Vedicauthoritysaysthatahouseholdermustleavehomeafterhisfiftiethyear.
KardamaMunipracticedyogaveryrigidlyasabrahmacaribeforehismarriage,
andhebecamesopowerfulandattainedsomuchmysticpowerthathisfather,
Brahma,orderedhimtomarryandbegetchildrenasahouseholder.Kardama
didthatalso;hebegotninegooddaughtersandoneson,KapilaMuni,andthus
hishouseholderdutywasalsoperformednicely,andnowhisdutywastoleave.
EventhoughhehadtheSupremePersonalityofGodheadashisson,hehadto
respecttheauthorityoftheVedas.Thisisaveryimportantlesson.Evenifone
hasGodinhishomeashisson,oneshouldstillfollowtheVedicinjunctions.
KardamaMunistatesherethemainpurposeofhisleavinghome:while
travelingallovertheworldasamendicant,hewouldalwaysrememberthe
SupremePersonalityofGodheadwithinhisheartandtherebybefreedfromall
theanxietiesofmaterialexistence.

InthisageofKaliyugasannyasaisprohibitedbecausepersonsinthisageare
allsudrasandcannotfollowtherulesandregulationsofsannyasalife.Itisvery
commonlyfoundthatsocalledsannyasisareaddictedtononsenseevento
havingprivaterelationshipswithwomen.Thisistheabominablesituationin
thisage.Althoughtheydressthemselvesassannyasis,theystillcannotfree
themselvesfromthefourprinciplesofsinfullife,namelyillicitsexlife,meat
eating,intoxicationandgambling.Sincetheyarenotfreedfromthesefour
principles,theyarecheatingthepublicbyposingassvamis.
InKaliyugatheinjunctionisthatnooneshouldacceptsannyasa.Ofcourse,
thosewhoactuallyfollowtherulesandregulationsmusttakesannyasa.
Generally,however,peopleareunabletoacceptsannyasalife,andtherefore
CaitanyaMahaprabhustressed,kalaunastyevanastyevanastyevagatir
anyatha.Inthisagethereisnootheralternative,nootheralternative,noother
alternativethantochanttheholynameoftheLord:HareKrsna,HareKrsna,
KrsnaKrsna,HareHare.

Themainpurposeofsannyasalifeistobeinconstantcompanionshipwiththe
SupremeLord,eitherbythinkingofHimwithintheheartorhearingofHim
throughauralreception.Inthisage,hearingismoreimportantthanthinking
becauseone'sthinkingmaybedisturbedbymentalagitation,butifone
concentratesonhearing,hewillbeforcedtoassociatewiththesoundvibration
ofKrsna.Krsnaandthesoundvibration"Krsna"arenondifferent,soifone
loudlyvibratesHareKrsna,hewillbeabletothinkofKrsnaimmediately.This
processofchantingisthebestprocessofselfrealizationinthisage;therefore
LordCaitanyapreacheditsonicelyforthebenefitofallhumanity.
Myappearanceinthisworldisespeciallytoexplainthephilosophyof
Sankhya,whichishighlyesteemedforselfrealizationbythosedesiring
freedomfromtheentanglementofunnecessarymaterialdesires.
Weconditionedsoulshavetakenshelterofthematerialbody,whichisfullof
troublesandmiseries.Foolishpeoplecannotunderstandthesituation,andthis
iscalledignorance,illusion,orthespellofmaya.Humansocietyshouldvery
seriouslyunderstandthatthebodyitselfisthesourceofallmiserablelife.
Moderncivilizationissupposedtobemakingadvancementinscientific
knowledge,butwhatisthisscientificknowledge?Itisbasedonbodily
comfortsonly,withoutknowledgethathowevercomfortablyonemaintainshis
body,thebodyisdestructible.
Forouractivitywemusthaveabody;withoutabody,withoutsenseorgans,
thereisnoactivity.
TheSankhyaphilosophysystemisdesignedtoaffordunderstandingofthereal
truth.Whatisthatrealtruth?Therealtruthisknowledgeofhowtogetoutof
thematerialbody,whichisthesourceofalltrouble
Now,beingsanctionedbyMe,goasyoudesire,surrenderingallyouractivities
toMe.Conqueringinsurmountabledeath,worshipMeforeternallife.
"JustbecomeMydevotee.JustworshipMe."
WithoutKrsna'smercy,therefore,noonecanunderstandtheSankhya
philosophyoranyphilosophywhichisespeciallymeantforliberation.Vedic
knowledgeconfirmsthatonebecomesentangledinthismateriallifebecauseof
ignoranceandthatonecanbecomefreefrommaterialembarrassmentby
becomingsituatedinfactualknowledge.Sankhyameansthatfactual
knowledgebywhichonecangetoutofthematerialentanglement.
Inyourownheart,throughyourintellect,youwillalwaysseeMe,thesupreme
selfeffulgentsouldwellingwithintheheartsofalllivingentities.Thusyou
willachievethestateofeternallife,freefromalllamentationandfear.

SimplybyseeingtheformoftheLordasHepresentsHimselfbyHisown
internalpotencyasKrsnaorRamaorKapila,onecandirectlyseethe
brahmajyoti,becausethebrahmajyotiisnomorethantheeffulgenceofHis
bodilyluster.Sincethesunshineisthelusterofthesunplanet,byseeingthe
sunoneautomaticallyseesthesunshine;similarly,byseeingtheSupreme
personalityofGodheadonesimultaneouslyseesandexperiencesthe
ParamatmafeatureaswellastheimpersonalBrahmanfeatureoftheSupreme.
Averygoodexampleissethere:thehusbandgoesaway,takingthesannyasa
orderforselfrealization,buthisrepresentative,theson,whoisequally
educated,remainsathometodeliverthemother.Asannyasiisnotsupposedto
takehiswifewithhim.Atthevanaprasthastageofretiredlife,orthestage
midwaybetweenhouseholderlifeandrenouncedlife,onemaykeephiswifeas
anassistantwithoutsexrelations,butinthesannyasaorderoflifeonecannot
keephiswifewithhim
Awomanisnotsupposedtotakesannyasa.Socalledspiritualsocieties
concoctedinmoderntimesgivesannyasaeventowomen,althoughthereisno
sanctionintheVedicliteratureforawoman'sacceptingsannyasa.Otherwise,if
itweresanctioned,KardamaMunicouldhavetakenhiswifeandgivenher
sannyasa.Thewomanmustremainathome.Shehasonlythreestagesoflife:
dependencyonthefatherinchildhood,dependencyonthehusbandinyouth
and,inoldage,dependencyonthegrownupson,suchasKapila.
Goingtotheforestiscompulsoryforeveryone.Itisnotamentalexcursion
uponwhichonepersongoesandanotherdoesnot.Everyoneshouldgotothe
forestatleastasavanaprastha.Forestgoingmeanstotakeonehundred
percentshelteroftheSupremeLord

Peoplewhohaveacceptedatemporary,materialbodyarealwaysfullof
anxieties.Oneshouldnot,therefore,beverymuchaffectedbythismaterial
body,butshouldtrytobefreed.Thepreliminaryprocesstobecomefreedisto
gototheforestorgiveupfamilyrelationshipsandexclusivelyengageinKrsna
consciousness.
Otherwise,theforestisonlyaplaceofmonkeysandwildanimals.Togotothe
forestdoesnotmeantobecomeamonkeyoraferociousanimal.Itmeansto
acceptexclusivelytheshelteroftheSupremePersonalityofGodheadand
engageoneselfinfullservice.
Onedoesnotactuallyhavetogototheforest.Atthepresentmomentthisisnot
atalladvisableforamanwhohasspenthislifeallalonginbigcities.

ThesageKardamaacceptedsilenceasavowinordertothinkoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadandtakeshelterofHimexclusively.Without
association,hetraveledoverthesurfaceoftheglobeasasannyasi,devoidof
anyrelationshipwithfireorshelter.
Asannyasishouldbecompletelydetachedfromfireandanyresidential
quarters.Agrhasthahasarelationshipwithfire,eitherforofferingsacrificesor
forcooking,butasannyasiisfreedfromthesetworesponsibilities.Hedoesnot
havetocookorofferfireforsacrificebecauseheisalwaysengagedinKrsna
consciousness;thereforehehasalreadyaccomplishedallritualistic
performancesofreligion.
Aniketanahmeans"withoutlodging."Heshouldnothavehisownhouse,but
shoulddependcompletelyontheSupremeLordforhisfoodandlodging.He
shouldtravel.
Rather,onebecomessilentsothatpeoplewillnotdisturbhim
Butspeakingisthetest.Thesocalledsilenceofasilentimpersonalistsvami
indicatesthathehasnothingtosay;hesimplywantstobeg.Butthesilence
adoptedbyKardamaMuniwasnotlikethat.Hebecamesilentforrelieffrom
nonsensicaltalk.Oneiscalledamuniwhenheremainsgraveanddoesnottalk
nonsense.MaharajaAmbarisasetaverygoodexample;wheneverhespoke,he
spokeaboutthepastimesoftheLord.Maunanecessitatesrefrainingfrom
nonsensicaltalking,andengagingthetalkingfacilityinthepastimesofthe
Lord.InthatwayonecanchantandhearabouttheLordinordertoperfecthis
life.
VratammeansthatoneshouldtakeavowasexplainedinBhagavadgita,
amanitvamadambhitvam,withouthankeringforpersonalrespectandwithout
beingproudofone'smaterialposition.

Thereareeighteenprocessesforattainingknowledgeandperfection,andbyhis
vow,KardamaMuniadoptedalltheprinciplesofselfrealization.
Wheneverthereisbhakti,theremustbethreethingspresentthedevotee,the
devotionandtheLord.Withoutthesethreebhakta,bhaktiandBhagavan
thereisnomeaningtothewordbhakti.
ThisindicatesthathefixedhismindonthepersonalfeatureoftheLord
becausebhakticannotbeexecutedunlessonehasrealizationofthepersonal
featureoftheAbsoluteTruth.

ApersonengagedinKrsnaconsciousnessisatonceliberatedfromthe
influenceofthethreemodesofmaterialnature.Inotherwords,oncethe
conditionedsoulengageshimselfindevotionalservice,healsobecomes
liberatedliketheLord.
Whenone'smindisinfullKrsnaconsciousnessandonefullyengagesin
renderingdevotionalservicetotheLord,hebecomesjustlikeanocean
unagitatedbywaves.ThisveryexampleisalsocitedinBhagavadgita:one
shouldbecomeliketheocean.Theoceanisfilledbymanythousandsofrivers,
andmillionsoftonsofitswaterevaporatesintoclouds,yettheoceanisthe
sameunagitatedocean.Thelawsofnaturemaywork,butifoneisfixedin
devotionalserviceatthelotusfeetoftheLord,heisnotagitated,forheis
introspective.
Hedoesnotlookoutsidetomaterialnature,buthelooksintothespiritual
natureofhisexistence;withasobermind,hesimplyengagesintheserviceof
theLord.Thusherealizeshisownselfwithoutfalseidentificationwithmatter
andwithoutaffectionformaterialpossessions.Suchagreatdevoteeisneverin
troublewithothersbecauseheseeseveryonefromtheplatformofspiritual
understanding;heseeshimselfandothersintherightperspective.
Theindividualsoulispronetobeconditioned,andtheSupremeSoulisnever
conditioned.
FullconsciousnessthatoneisaneternalservantoftheLordiscalledpara
bhakti.Ifonehasanyidentificationwithmaterialthingsandexecutes
devotionalserviceforattainmentofsomematerialgain,thatisviddhabhakti,
contaminatedbhakti.Onecanactuallybecomeliberatedbyexecutionofpara
bhakti.
TheSupersoulsittingwithintheheartisallcognizant.Heknows.Imayforget
mypastactivitiesduetothechangeofbody,butbecausetheSupremeLordas
Paramatmaissittingwithinme,Heknowseverything;thereforetheresultof
mypastkarma,orpastactivities,isawardedtome.Imayforget,butHe
awardsmesufferingorenjoymentforthemisdeedsorgooddeedsofmypast
life.
Oneshouldnotthinkthatheisfreedfromreactionbecausehehasforgottenthe
actionsofhispastlife.Reactionswilltakeplace,andwhatkindofreactions
therewillbeisjudgedbytheSupersoul,thewitness.
everythingisrestingonHim,theSupremeLord,butthatdoesnotmeanthat
theSupremeLordisalsoeverywhere.Thismysteriouspositionhastobe
understoodbyhighlyadvanceddevotees.
Therearethreekindsofdevoteestheneophytedevotee,theintermediate

devoteeandtheadvanceddevotee.Theneophytedevoteedoesnotunderstand
thetechniquesofdevotionalscience,butsimplyoffersdevotionalservicetothe
Deityinthetemple;theintermediatedevoteeunderstandswhoGodis,whoisa
devotee,whoisanondevoteeandwhoisinnocent,andhedealswithsuch
personsdifferently.ButapersonwhoseesthattheLordissittingasParamatma
ineveryone'sheartandthateverythingisdependingorexistingonthe
transcendentalenergyoftheSupremeLordisinthehighestdevotional
position.
Freedfromallhatredanddesire,KardamaMuni,beingequaltoeveryone
becauseofdischarginguncontaminateddevotionalservice,ultimatelyattained
thepathbacktoGodhead.
Chapter25
Inthemodeofgoodnessone'sknowledgeexpands.Ontheplatformofpassion
thereisnoknowledge,forpassionissimplyanimpetustoenjoymaterial
benefits.Ontheplatformofignorancethereisnoknowledgeandno
enjoyment,butsimplylifealmostlikethatofanimals.
Simplytounderstandthatoneisnotmatterbutspiritsoul(ahambrahmasmi:"I
ambynatureBrahman")isnotsufficientknowledgeforunderstandingtheself
andhisactivities.OnemustbesituatedintheactivitiesofBrahman.
KnowledgeofthoseactivitiesisexplainedbytheSupremepersonalityof
GodheadHimself
Humanlifeisregulatedlife,notanimallife.Inregulatedlifeonlycanone
understandtranscendentalknowledge.
AnyonewhoisassociatedwiththeSupremeLordisacceptedasafirstclass
yogi.DevoteesmaynotbeaspowerfulastheSupremeLord,butbyconstant
associationwiththeLordtheybecomeasgoodastheLordHimself.
SometimesthedevoteesactmorepowerfullythantheLord.Ofcourse,thatis
theLord'sconcession.
ThemoreonereadsBhagavadgitathemorehegetstheappetitetoreadand
understandit,andeachtimehegetsnewenlightenment.

ThemorewehearandchantthegloriesoftheLord,themorewebecome
happy.
Anukirtayameanstofollowthedescriptionnottocreateaconcoctedmental
description,buttofollow.
anditisthedutyofthehusbandtoleavehomeassoonasthereisagrownson

totakechargeofhiswifeandfamilyaffairs.ThatistheVedicsystemof
householdlife.Oneshouldnotremaincontinuallyimplicatedinhousehold
affairsuptothetimeofdeath.Hemustleave.Familyaffairsandthewifemay
betakenchargeofbyagrownson.
Weshouldknowthatbeyondthesetemporarysensesareourpermanentsenses,
whicharenowcoveredbythematerialbody.Thepermanentsenses,being
contaminatedbymatter,arenotactingproperly.Devotionalservice,therefore,
involvesfreeingthesensesfromthiscontamination.Whenthecontaminationis
completelyremovedandthesensesactinthepurityofunalloyedKrsna
consciousness,wehavereachedsadindriya,oreternalsensoryactivities.
Eternalsensoryactivitiesarecalleddevotionalservice,whereastemporary
sensoryactivitiesarecalledsensegratification.
Thewordparagamisverysignificant.paragamreferstoonewhocantakethe
discipletotheotherside.Thissideisconditionedlife;theothersideisthelife
offreedom.Thespiritualmastertakesthediscipletotheothersidebyopening
hiseyeswithknowledge.
ItisstatedinBhagavadgitathataftermany,manybirthsonesurrenderstothe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead.Similarly,if,aftermany,manybirths,oneis
abletofindabonafidespiritualmasterandsurrendertosuchabonafide
representativeofKrsna,onecanbetakentothesideoflight.
Thefalseegoofidentifyingone'sbodyasone'sselfandofclaimingthings
possessedinrelationshipwiththisbodyiscalledmaya.
Assoonasthelivingentityforgetshisreal,constitutionalpositionofeternal
servitorshiptotheLordandwantsinsteadtoenjoyhimselfbysense
gratification,heiscapturedbymaya.Thiscapturebymayaisthe
consciousnessoffalseidentificationwiththebodyandattachmentforthe
possessionsofthebody.Thesearetheactivitiesofmaya,andsincemayais
alsoanagentoftheLord,itisindirectlytheactionoftheLord.TheLordis
merciful;ifanyonewantstoforgetHimandenjoythismaterialworld,Hegives
himfullfacility,notdirectlybutthroughtheagencyofHismaterialpotency.
"Firstofallsurrender,andthenIwilltakechargeofyouandfreeyoufromall
reactionsofsinfulactivities."

Forexample,onesometimesgivessomethingincharitytoaneedypersonwith
aviewtogettingbackthemoneyfourtimesincreased.Givingwiththepurpose
ofgainingsomethingiscalledcharityinthemodeofpassion.Everythingdone
hereisdoneinthemodesofmaterialnature,andthereforeallactivitiesbut
servicetotheLordaresinful.

Sankhyaphilosophy,asiswellknown,dealswithprakrtiandpurusa.Purusais
theSupremepersonalityofGodheadoranyonewhoimitatestheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadasanenjoyer,andprakrtimeans"nature."Inthis
materialworld,materialnatureisbeingexploitedbythepurusas,ortheliving
entities.Theintricaciesinthematerialworldoftherelationshipoftheprakrti
andpurusa,ortheenjoyedandtheenjoyer,iscalledsamsara,ormaterial
entanglement.Devahutiwantedtocutthetreeofmaterialentanglement,and
shefoundthesuitableweaponinKapilaMuni.
ThetreeofmaterialexistenceisexplainedintheFifteenthChapterof
Bhagavadgitaasanasvatthatreewhoserootisupwardsandwhosebranches
aredownwards.Itisrecommendedtherethatonehastocuttherootofthis
materialexistentialtreewiththeaxofdetachment.Whatistheattachment?
Theattachmentinvolvesprakrtiandpurusa.Thelivingentitiesaretryingto
lorditovermaterialnature.Sincetheconditionedsoultakesmaterialnatureto
betheobjectofhisenjoymentandhetakesthepositionoftheenjoyer,heis
thereforecalledpurusa.
Thelivingentities,intheguisesofmenandwomen,aretryingtoenjoythe
materialenergy;thereforeinonesenseeveryoneispurusabecausepurusa
means"enjoyer"andprakrtimeans"enjoyed."Inthismaterialworldboththe
socalledmanandsocalledwomanareimitatingtherealpurusa;theSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadisactuallytheenjoyerinthetranscendentalsense,
whereasallothersareprakrti.Thelivingentitiesareconsideredprakrti.
InBhagavadgita,matterisanalyzedasapara,orinferiornature,whereas
beyondthisinferiornaturethereisanother,superiornaturethelivingentities.
Livingentitiesarealsoprakrti,orenjoyed,butunderthespellofmaya,the
livingentitiesarefalselytryingtotakethepositionofenjoyers.Thatisthe
causeofsamsarabandha,orconditionallife.Devahutiwantedtogetoutof
conditionallifeandplaceherselfinfullsurrender.TheLordissaranya,which
means"theonlyworthypersonalitytowhomonecanfullysurrender,"because
Heisfullofallopulences.
Thisindicatesthatofalltranscendentaloccupationsthebestoccupationis
eternallovingserviceuntotheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Dharmais
sometimestranslatedas"religion,"butthatisnotexactlythemeaning.Dharma
actuallymeans"thatwhichonecannotgiveup,""thatwhichisinseparable
fromoneself."Thewarmthoffireisinseparablefromfire;thereforewarmthis
calledthedharma,ornature,offire.
Similarly,saddharmameans"eternaloccupation."Thateternaloccupationis
engagementinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.

Maitreyasaid:AfterhearingofHismother'suncontaminateddesirefor
transcendentalrealization,theLordthankedherwithinHimselfforher
questions,andthus,Hisfacesmiling,Heexplainedthepathofthe
transcendentalists,whoareinterestedinselfrealization.
Unlessoneissituatedonthespiritualplatform,heisnotsat;heisasat.The
asatstandsonaplatformwhichwillnotexist,butanyonewhostandsonthe
spiritualplatformwillexisteternally.
Asspiritsoul,everyoneexistseternally,buttheasathasacceptedthematerial
worldashisshelter,andthereforeheisfullofanxiety.
ThePersonalityofGodheadanswered:Theyogasystemwhichrelatesto
theLordandtheindividualsoul,whichismeantfortheultimatebenefitof
thelivingentity,andwhichcausesdetachmentfromallhappinessand
distressinthematerialworld,isthehighestyogasystem.
Anykindofhappinessonehasiscontaminatedbydistressalso.Forexample,if
wewanttodrinkmilkthenwehavetobothertomaintainacowandkeepher
fittosupplymilk.Drinkingmilkisverynice;itisalsopleasure.Butforthe
sakeofdrinkingmilkonehastoacceptsomuchtrouble.Theyogasystem,as
herestatedbytheLord,ismeanttoendallmaterialhappinessandmaterial
distress.
Ofcourse,onemaysaythatheisnotdisturbedbymaterialhappiness,buthe
doesnotknowthatjustafteroneenjoyssocalledmaterialhappiness,material
distresswillfollow.Thisisthelawofthematerialworld.LordKapilastates
thattheyogasystemisthescienceofthespirit.Onepracticesyogainorderto
attainperfectiononthespiritualplatform.Thereisnoquestionofmaterial
happinessordistress.Itistranscendental.LordKapilawilleventuallyexplain
howitistranscendental,butthepreliminaryintroductionisgivenhere.
Atpresentithasbecomeafashiontorejectthestandardsystemandpresent
somethingbogusinthenameofanewlyinventedprocessofyoga.
Thestageinwhichtheconsciousnessofthelivingentityisattractedbythe
threemodesofmaterialnatureiscalledconditionallife.Butwhenthatsame
consciousnessisattachedtotheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,oneis
situatedintheconsciousnessofliberation.
ThereisadistinctionherebetweenKrsnaconsciousnessandmaya
consciousness.

Whenoneiscompletelycleansedoftheimpuritiesoflustandgreedproduced

fromthefalseidentificationofthebodyas"I"andbodilypossessionsas
"mine,"one'smindbecomespurified.Inthatpurestatehetranscendsthestage
ofsocalledmaterialhappinessanddistress.
Kamaandlobhaarethesymptomsofmaterialexistence.Everyonealways
desirestopossesssomething.Itissaidherethatdesireandgreedarethe
productsoffalseidentificationofoneselfwiththebody.Whenonebecomes
freefromthiscontamination,thenhismindandconsciousnessalsobecome
freedandattaintheiroriginalstate.Mind,consciousnessandthelivingentity
exist.Wheneverwespeakofthelivingentity,thisincludesthemindand
consciousness.Thedifferencebetweenconditionallifeandliberatedlifeoccurs
whenwepurifythemindandtheconsciousness.Whentheyarepurified,one
becomestranscendentaltomaterialhappinessanddistress.
InthebeginningLordKapilahassaidthatperfectyogaenablesoneto
transcendtheplatformofmaterialdistressandhappiness.Howthiscanbedone
isexplainedhere:onehastopurifyhismindandconsciousness.Thiscanbe
donebythebhaktiyogasystem.AsexplainedintheNaradapancaratra,one's
mindandsensesshouldbepurified(tatparatvenanirmalam).One'ssenses
mustbeengagedindevotionalservicetotheLord.Thatistheprocess.The
mindmusthavesomeengagement.Onecannotmakethemindvacant.Of
coursetherearesomefoolishattemptstotrytomakethemindvacantorvoid,
butthatisnotpossible.Theonlyprocessthatwillpurifythemindistoengage
itinKrsna.Themindmustbeengaged.IfweengageourmindinKrsna,
naturallytheconsciousnessbecomesfullypurified,andthereisnochanceof
theentranceofmaterialdesireandgreed.
Atthattimethesoulcanseehimselftobetranscendentaltomaterialexistence
andalwaysselfeffulgent,neverfragmented,althoughveryminuteinsize.
Inthestateofpureconsciousness,orKrsnaconsciousness,onecanseehimself
asaminuteparticlenondifferentfromtheSupremeLord.Asstatedin
Bhagavadgita,thejiva,ortheindividualsoul,iseternallypartandparcelof
theSupremeLord.Justasthesun'sraysareminuteparticlesofthebrilliant
constitutionofthesun,soalivingentityisaminuteparticleoftheSupreme
Spirit.
ThejivaparticleisestimatedintheVedicliteraturetobeonetenthousandth
thesizeoftheupperportionofahair.Itisthereforeinfinitesimal.TheSupreme
Spiritisinfinite,butthelivingentity,ortheindividualsoul,isinfinitesimal,
althoughitisnotdifferentinqualityfromtheSupremeSpirit.
Inthatpositionofselfrealization,bypracticeofknowledgeandrenunciation
indevotionalservice,oneseeseverythingintherightperspective;hebecomes
indifferenttomaterialexistence,andthematerialinfluenceactslesspowerfully

uponhim.
Selfrealizationisthepositionoftheliberatedstate.Oneunderstandshis
constitutionalpositionbyknowledgeandvairagya,renunciation.
TherealizationthatoneistheinfinitesimalpartandparceloftheSupreme
Spiritmakeshimunattachedtomaterial,conditionallife.Thatisthebeginning
ofdevotionalservice.Unlessoneisliberatedfrommaterialcontamination,one
cannotengagehimselfinthedevotionalserviceoftheLord.
whenoneisinfullknowledgeofone'sconstitutionalpositionandisinthe
renouncedorderoflife,detachedfrommaterialattraction,then,bypure
devotionalservice,bhaktiyuktena,hecanengagehimselfasalovingservant
oftheLord.paripasyatimeansthathecanseeeverythinginitsright
perspective.Thentheinfluenceofmaterialnaturebecomesalmostnil.
whenoneisselfrealizedhebecomeshappyandfreefromtheinfluenceof
materialnature,andatthattimeheisfreedfromlamentationandhankering.
TheLordstatesthatpositionasmadbhaktimlabhateparam,therealstateof
beginningdevotionalservice.Similarly,itisconfirmedintheNarada
pancaratrathatwhenthesensesarepurifiedtheycanthenbeengagedinthe
devotionalserviceoftheLord.Onewhoisattachedtomaterialcontamination
cannotbeadevotee.
Perfectioninselfrealizationcannotbeattainedbyanykindofyogiunlesshe
engagesindevotionalservicetotheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,forthat
istheonlyauspiciouspath.
Thatknowledgeandrenunciationareneverperfectunlessjoinedbydevotional
serviceisexplicitlyexplainedhere.Nayujyamanayameans"withoutbeing
dovetailed."Whenthereisdevotionalservice,thenthequestioniswhereto
offerthatservice.DevotionalserviceistobeofferedtotheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,whoistheSupersoulofeverything,forthatistheonly
reliablepathofselfrealization,orBrahmanrealization.Thewordbrahma
siddhayemeanstounderstandoneselftobedifferentfrommatter,to
understandoneselftobeBrahman.TheVedicwordsareahambrahmasmi.
Brahmasiddhimeansthatoneshouldknowthatheisnotmatter;heispure
soul.Therearedifferentkindsofyogis,buteveryyogiissupposedtoengagein
selfrealization,orBrahmanrealization.Itisclearlystatedherethatunlessone
isfullyengagedinthedevotionalserviceoftheSupremePersonalityof
Godheadonecannothaveeasyapproachtothepathofbrahmasiddhi.
Everylearnedmanknowsverywellthatattachmentforthematerialisthe
greatestentanglementofthespiritsoul.Butthatsameattachment,when
appliedtotheselfrealizeddevotees,opensthedoorofliberation.

Weseethatifsomeonehasnoobjectofattachment,ifhehasnochildren,then
hetransfershisattachmenttocatsanddogs.Thisindicatesthatthepropensity
forattachmentcannotbestopped;itmustbeutilizedforthebestpurpose.Our
attachmentformaterialthingsperpetuatesourconditionalstate,butthesame
attachment,whentransferredtotheSupremePersonalityofGodheadorHis
devotee,isthesourceofliberation.
Hereitisrecommendedthatattachmentshouldbetransferredtotheself
realizeddevotees,thesadhus.Andwhoisasadhu?Asadhuisnotjustan
ordinarymanwithasaffronrobeorlongbeard.Asadhuisdescribedin
Bhagavadgitaasonewhounflinchinglyengagesindevotionalservice.Even
thoughoneisfoundnottobefollowingthestrictrulesandregulationsof
devotionalservice,ifonesimplyhasunflinchingfaithinKrsna,theSupreme
Person,heisunderstoodtobeasadhu.
AttachmenttoadevoteeisattachmenttotheserviceoftheLordbecauseifone
associateswithasadhu,theresultwillbethatthesadhuwillteachhimhowto
becomeadevotee,aworshiperandasincereservitoroftheLord.Thesearethe
giftsofasadhu.Ifwewanttoassociatewithasadhu,wecannotexpecthimto
giveusinstructionsonhowtoimproveourmaterialcondition,buthewillgive
usinstructionsonhowtocuttheknotofthecontaminationofmaterial
attractionandhowtoelevateourselvesindevotionalservice.Thatistheresult
ofassociatingwithasadhu.
Thesymptomsofasadhuarethatheistolerant,mercifulandfriendlytoall
livingentities.Hehasnoenemies,heispeaceful,heabidesbythescriptures,
andallhischaracteristicsaresublime.
Oneofhisqualifications,therefore,iskarunika,greatmercytothefallensouls.
Whileengagedinpreachingwork,hehastomeetwithsomanyopposing
elements,andthereforethesadhu,ordevoteeoftheLord,hastobevery
tolerant.Someonemayilltreathimbecausetheconditionedsoulsarenot
preparedtoreceivethetranscendentalknowledgeofdevotionalservice.They
donotlikeit;thatistheirdisease.Thesadhuhasthethanklesstaskof
impressinguponthemtheimportanceofdevotionalservice.Sometimes
devoteesarepersonallyattackedwithviolence.LordJesusChristwas
crucified,HaridasaThakurawascanedintwentytwomarketplaces,andLord
Caitanya'sprincipalassistant,Nityananda,wasviolentlyattackedbyJagaiand
Madhai.Butstilltheyweretolerantbecausetheirmissionwastodeliverthe
fallensouls.Oneofthequalificationsofasadhuisthatheisverytolerantand
ismercifultoallfallensouls.Heismercifulbecauseheisthewellwisherofall

livingentities.Heisnotonlyawellwisherofhumansociety,butawellwisher
ofanimalsocietyaswell.

Itissaidhere,sarvadehinam,whichindicatesalllivingentitieswhohave
acceptedmaterialbodies.Notonlydoesthehumanbeinghaveamaterialbody,
butotherlivingentities,suchascatsanddogs,alsohavematerialbodies.The
devoteeoftheLordismercifultoeveryonethecats,dogs,trees,etc.Hetreats
alllivingentitiesinsuchawaythattheycanultimatelygetsalvationfromthis
materialentanglement.SivanandaSena,oneofthedisciplesofLordCaitanya,
gaveliberationtoadogbytreatingthedogtranscendentally.Therearemany
instanceswhereadoggotsalvationbyassociationwithasadhu,becausea
sadhuengagesinthehighestphilanthropicactivitiesforthebenedictionofall
livingentities.Yetalthoughasadhuisnotinimicaltowardsanyone,theworld
issoungratefulthatevenasadhuhasmanyenemies.
SuchasadhuengagesinstaunchdevotionalservicetotheLordwithout
deviation.ForthesakeoftheLordherenouncesallotherconnections,suchas
familyrelationshipsandfriendlyacquaintanceswithintheworld.
Apersonintherenouncedorderoflife,asannyasi,isalsocalledasadhu
becauseherenounceseverythinghishome,hiscomfort,hisfriends,his
relatives,andhisdutiestofriendsandtofamily.Herenounceseverythingfor
thesakeoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Asannyasiisgenerallyinthe
renouncedorderoflife,buthisrenunciationwillbesuccessfulonlywhenhis
energyisemployedintheserviceoftheLordwithgreatausterity.Itissaid
here,therefore,bhaktimkurvantiyedrdham.Apersonwhoseriouslyengages
intheserviceoftheLordandisintherenouncedorderoflifeisasadhu.A
sadhuisonewhohasgivenupallresponsibilitytosociety,family,andworldly
humanitarianism,simplyfortheserviceoftheLord.
Whenhegivesupallsuchobligationsforthesakeoftheserviceofthe
SupremeLord,heisnotpunishedforsuchrenunciationofobligation.Butiffor
sensegratificationapersonrenouncesallsuchobligations,heispunishedby
thelawofnature.
EngagedconstantlyinchantingandhearingaboutMe,theSupremePersonality
ofGodhead,thesadhusdonotsufferfrommaterialmiseriesbecausetheyare
alwaysfilledwiththoughtsofMypastimesandactivities.
SincetheyarefilledwithKrsnaconsciousness,theyareforgetfulofthe
materialmiseries.Ordinaryconditionedsouls,beingforgetfuloftheactivities

oftheLord,arealwaysfullofanxietiesandmaterialtribulations.Ontheother
hand,sincethedevoteesalwaysengageinthetopicsoftheLord,theyare
forgetfulofthemiseriesofmaterialexistence.
Apersonmaybemateriallyveryrich,opulentorrespectable,butifheatall
wantstotransferhimselftothespiritualkingdom,backhome,backto
Godhead,thenhehastobefreedfromthepuffedupconditionofmaterial
possessiveness,becausethatisafalseposition.
Thewordmohausedheremeansthefalseunderstandingthatoneisrichor
poor.Inthismaterialworld,theconceptionthatoneisveryrichorverypoor
oranysuchconsciousnessinconnectionwithmaterialexistenceisfalse,
becausethisbodyitselfisfalse,ortemporary.Apuresoulwhoispreparedto
befreedfromthismaterialentanglementmustfirstofallbefreefromthe
associationofthethreemodesofnature.Ourconsciousnessatthepresent
momentispollutedbecauseofassociationwiththethreemodesofnature;
thereforeinBhagavadgitathesameprincipleisstated.Itisadvised,jitasanga
dosah:oneshouldbefreedfromthecontaminatedassociationofthethree
modesofmaterialnature.Herealso,intheSrimadBhagavatam,thisis
confirmed:apuredevotee,whoispreparingtotransferhimselftothespiritual
kingdom,isalsofreedfromtheassociationofthethreemodesofmaterial
nature.Wehavetoseektheassociationofsuchdevotees.Forthisreasonwe
havebeguntheInternationalSocietyforKrishnaConsciousness.Thereare
manymercantile,scientificandotherassociationsinhumansocietytodevelop
aparticulartypeofeducationorconsciousness,butthereisnoassociation
whichhelpsonetogetfreefromallmaterialassociation.Ifanyonehasreached
thestagewherehemustbecomefreefromthismaterialcontamination,thenhe
hastoseektheassociationofdevotees,whereinKrsnaconsciousnessis
exclusivelycultured.Onecantherebybecomefreedfromallmaterial
association.
Becauseadevoteeisfreedfromallcontaminatedmaterialassociation,heisnot
affectedbythemiseriesofmaterialexistence.Eventhoughheappearstobein
thematerialworld,heisnotaffectedbythemiseriesofthematerialworld.
Howisitpossible?Thereisaverygoodexampleintheactivitiesofthecat.
Thecatcarriesherkittensinhermouth,andwhenshekillsaratshealso
carriesthebootyinhermouth.Thusbotharecarriedinthemouthofthecat,
buttheyareindifferentconditions.Thekittenfeelscomfortinthemouthofthe
mother,whereaswhentheratiscarriedinthemouthofthecat,theratfeelsthe
blowsofdeath.Similarly,thosewhoaresadhavah,ordevoteesengagedin
KrsnaconsciousnessinthetranscendentalserviceoftheLord,donotfeelthe
contaminationofmaterialmiseries,whereasthosewhoarenotdevoteesin
Krsnaconsciousnessactuallyfeelthemiseriesofmaterialexistence.One
shouldthereforegiveuptheassociationofmaterialisticpersonsandseekthe
associationofpersonsengagedinKrsnaconsciousness,andbysuch

associationhewillbenefitinspiritualadvancement.Bytheirwordsand
instructions,hewillbeabletocutoffhisattachmenttomaterialexistence.
TheprocessofadvancinginKrsnaconsciousnessanddevotionalserviceis
describedhere.Thefirstpointisthatonemustseektheassociationofpersons
whoareKrsnaconsciousandwhoengageindevotionalservice.Withoutsuch
associationonecannotmakeadvancement.Simplybytheoreticalknowledgeor
studyonecannotmakeanyappreciableadvancement.

Onemustgiveuptheassociationofmaterialisticpersonsandseekthe
associationofdevoteesbecausewithouttheassociationofdevoteesonecannot
understandtheactivitiesoftheLord.
andbysuchassociation,whenonecontemplatesandtriestounderstandthe
transcendentalactivitiesoftheLord,thepathtoliberationisopen,andheis
freed.OnewhohasfirmfaithintheSupremePersonalityofGodheadbecomes
fixed,andhisattractionforassociationwiththeLordandthedevotees
increases.AssociationwithdevoteesmeansassociationwiththeLord.The
devoteewhomakesthisassociationdevelopstheconsciousnessforrendering
servicetotheLord,andthen,beingsituatedinthetranscendentalpositionof
devotionalservice,hegraduallybecomesperfect.
Thusconsciouslyengagedindevotionalserviceintheassociationofdevotees,
apersongainsdistasteforsensegratification,bothinthisworldandinthenext,
byconstantlythinkingabouttheactivitiesoftheLord.ThisprocessofKrsna
consciousnessistheeasiestprocessofmysticpower;whenoneisactually
situatedonthatpathofdevotionalservice,heisabletocontrolthemind.
Forexample,oneispromisedpromotiontotheheavenlykingdomofhigher
planetsbypiousfruitiveactivities.Butadevoteeintheassociationofdevotees
preferstocontemplatetheactivitiesoftheLordhowHehascreatedthis
universe,howHeismaintainingit,howthecreationdissolves,andhowinthe
spiritualkingdomtheLord'spastimesaregoingon.Therearefullliteratures
describingtheseactivitiesoftheLord,especiallyBhagavadgita,Brahma
samhitaandSrimadBhagavatam.
Thesinceredevoteewhoassociateswithdevoteesgetstheopportunitytohear
andcontemplatethissubjectofthepastimesoftheLord,andtheresultisthat
hefeelsdistasteforsocalledhappinessinthisorthatworld,inheavenoron
otherplanets.Thedevoteesaresimplyinterestedinbeingtransferredtothe
personalassociationoftheLord;theyhavenomoreattractionfortemporary
socalledhappiness.Thatisthepositionofonewhoisyogayukta.Onewhois
fixedinmysticpowerisnotdisturbedbytheallurementofthisworldorthat
world;heisinterestedinthemattersofspiritualunderstandingorthespiritual

situation.Thissublimesituationisveryeasilyattainedbytheeasiestprocess,
bhaktiyoga.Rjubhiryogamargaih.Averysuitablewordusedhereisrjubhih,
or"veryeasy."Therearedifferentprocessesofyogamarga,attainingyoga
perfection,butthisprocess,devotionalservicetotheLord,istheeasiest.Not
onlyisittheeasiestprocess,buttheresultissublime.
Thusbynotengagingintheserviceofthemodesofmaterialnaturebutby
developingKrsnaconsciousness,knowledgeinrenunciation,andbypracticing
yoga,inwhichthemindisalwaysfixedindevotionalserviceuntotheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,oneachievesMyassociationinthisverylife,forIam
theSupremePersonality,theAbsoluteTruth.
WhenoneengagesindevotionalservicetotheLordintheninedifferentkinds
ofbhaktiyoga,asenunciatedinauthoritativescriptures,suchashearing
(sravanam),chanting(kirtanam),remembering,offeringworship,prayingand
offeringpersonalserviceeitherinoneofthem,ortwoorthreeorallofthem
henaturallyhasnoopportunitytoengageintheserviceofthethreemodesof
materialnature.
Thosewhoarenotdevotees,therefore,areinterestedinsocalledhumanitarian
orphilanthropicwork,suchasopeningahospitalorcharitableinstitution.
Theseareundoubtedlygoodworksinthesensethattheyarepiousactivities,
andtheirresultisthattheperformermaygetsomeopportunitiesforsense
gratification,eitherinthislifeorinthenext.Devotionalservice,however,is
beyondtheboundaryofsensegratification.Itiscompletelyspiritualactivity.
Whenoneengagesinthespiritualactivitiesofdevotionalservice,naturallyhe
doesnotgetanyopportunitytoengageinsensegratificatoryactivities.
Krsnaconsciousactivitiesareperformednotblindlybutwithperfect
understandingofknowledgeandrenunciation.Thiskindofyogapractice,in
whichthemindisalwaysfixedupontheSupremePersonalityofGodheadin
devotion,resultsinliberationinthisverylife.Thepersonwhoperformssuch
actsgetsintouchwiththeSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
LordCaitanya,therefore,approvedtheprocessofhearingfromrealized
devoteesaboutthepastimesoftheLord.Itdoesnotmattertowhatcategoryof
thisworldtheaudiencebelongs.Ifonemeeklyandsubmissivelyhearsabout
theactivitiesoftheLordfromarealizedsoul,hewillbeabletoconquerthe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,whoisunconquerablebyanyotherprocess.
Hearingorassociatingwithdevoteesisthemostimportantfunctionforself
realization.
OnhearingthisstatementoftheLord,Devahutiinquired:Whatkindof
devotionalserviceisworthdevelopingandpracticingtohelpmeeasilyand
immediatelyattaintheserviceofYourlotusfeet?

Thedevotionalservicemostsuitablefordifferenttypesofdevoteesis
determinedandfixedbythemercyofthespiritualmaster.
Themysticyogasystem,asYouhaveexplained,aimsattheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadandismeantforcompletelyendingmaterialexistence.
Pleaseletmeknowthenatureofthatyogasystem.Howmanywaysarethere
bywhichonecanunderstandintruththatsublimeyoga?

Therearedifferentkindsofmysticyogasystemsaimingfordifferentphasesof
theAbsoluteTruth.ThejnanayogasystemaimsattheimpersonalBrahman
effulgence,andthehathayogasystemaimsatthelocalizedpersonalaspect,the
ParamatmafeatureoftheAbsoluteTruth,whereasbhaktiyoga,ordevotional
service,whichisexecutedinninedifferentways,headedbyhearingand
chanting,aimsatcompleterealizationoftheSupremeLord.Therearedifferent
methodsofselfrealization.ButhereDevahutiespeciallyreferstothebhakti
yogasystem,whichhasalreadybeenprimarilyexplainedbytheLord.The
differentpartsofthebhaktiyogasystemarehearing,chanting,remembering,
offeringprayers,worshipingtheLordinthetemple,acceptingservicetoHim,
carryingoutHisorders,makingfriendshipwithHimandultimately
surrenderingeverythingfortheserviceoftheLord.
Asfarasjnanisareconcerned,theyareinterestedinjnanayoga,butevenif
oneelevatesoneself,afteragreatperformanceofausterity,totheBrahman
effulgence,thereisachanceoffallingdownagaintothematerialworld.
Therefore,jnanayogadoesnotactuallyendmaterialexistence.Similarly,
regardingthehathayogasystem,whichaimsatthelocalizedaspectofthe
Lord,Paramatma,ithasbeenexperiencedthatmanyyogis,suchasVisvamitra,
falldown.Butbhaktiyogis,onceapproachingtheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,nevercomebacktothismaterialworld,asitisconfirmedinthe
Bhagavadgita.Yadgatvananivartante:upongoing,onenevercomesback.
Tyaktvadehampunarjanmanaiti:aftergivingupthisbody,henevercomes
backagaintoacceptamaterialbody.Nirvanadoesnotfinishtheexistenceof
thesoul.Thesouliseverexisting.Thereforenirvanameanstoendone's
materialexistence,andtoendmaterialexistencemeanstogobackhome,back
toGodhead.
Sometimesitisaskedhowthelivingentityfallsdownfromthespiritualworld
tothematerialworld.Hereistheanswer.Unlessoneiselevatedtothe
Vaikunthaplanets,directlyintouchwiththeSupremePersonalityofGodhead,
heispronetofalldown,eitherfromtheimpersonalBrahmanrealizationor

fromanecstatictranceofmeditation.Anotherwordinthisverse,bhagavad
banah,isverysignificant.Banahmeans"arrow."Thebhaktiyogasystemis
justlikeanarrowaiminguptotheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.The
bhaktiyogasystemneverurgesonetowardstheimpersonalBrahman
effulgenceortothepointofParamatmarealization.Thisbanah,orarrow,isso
sharpandswiftthatitgoesdirectlytotheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,
penetratingtheregionsofimpersonalBrahmanandlocalizedParamatma.
SriMaitreyasaid:AfterhearingthestatementofHismother,Kapilacould
understandherpurpose,andHebecamecompassionatetowardsherbecauseof
beingbornofherbody.HedescribedtheSankhyasystemofphilosophy,
whichisacombinationofdevotionalserviceandmysticrealization,as
receivedbydisciplicsuccession.

LordKapilasaid:Thesensesaresymbolicrepresentationsofthedemigods,and
theirnaturalinclinationistoworkunderthedirectionoftheVedicinjunctions.
Asthesensesarerepresentativesofthedemigods,sothemindisthe
representativeoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Themind'snaturalduty
istoserve.Whenthatservicespiritisengagedindevotionalservicetothe
PersonalityofGodhead,withoutanymotive,thatisfarbettereventhan
salvation.
WhentheserviceisultimatelyaimedattheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,
thesensesareintheirnaturalposition.TheLordiscalledHrsikesa,forHeis
actuallytheproprietorandultimatemasterofthesenses.Thesensesandthe
mindarenaturallyinclinedtowork,butwhentheyaremateriallycontaminated
theyworkforsomematerialbenefitorfortheserviceofthedemigods,
althoughactuallytheyaremeanttoservetheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
Thesensesarecalledhrsika,andtheSupremePersonalityofGodheadiscalled
Hrsikesa.Indirectly,allthesensesarenaturallyinclinedtoservetheSupreme
Lord.Thatiscalledbhakti.
Thatspiritofserviceisfarbetterthansiddhi,salvation.Bhakti,theinclination
toservetheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,isinatranscendentalpositionfar
betterthanmukti,orliberation.Thusbhaktiisthestageafterliberation.Unless
oneisliberatedonecannotengagethesensesintheserviceoftheLord.When
thesensesareengagedeitherinmaterialactivitiesofsensegratificationorin
theactivitiesoftheVedicinjunctions,thereissomemotive,butwhenthesame
sensesareengagedintheserviceoftheLordandthereisnomotive,thatis
calledanimittaandisthenaturalinclinationofthemind.
Bhakti,devotionalservice,dissolvesthesubtlebodyofthelivingentity
withoutseparateeffort,justasfireinthestomachdigestsallthatweeat.

Similarly,adevoteedoesnothavetotryseparatelytoattainliberation.That
veryservicetotheSupremePersonalityofGodheadistheprocessofhis
liberationbecausetoengageoneselfintheserviceoftheLordistoliberate
oneselffrommaterialentanglement.
Theimpersonalistsundergoseverepenancesandausteritiestoattainmukti,but
thebhakta,simplybyengaginghimselfinthebhaktiprocess,especiallyin
chantingHareKrsna,HareKrsna,KrsnaKrsna,HareHare.HareRama,Hare
Rama,RamaRama,HareHare,immediatelydevelopscontroloverthetongue
byengagingitinchanting,andacceptingtheremnantsoffoodstuffofferedto
thePersonalityofGodhead.Assoonasthetongueiscontrolled,naturallyall
othersensesarecontrolledautomatically.Sensecontrolistheperfectionofthe
yogaprinciple,andone'sliberationbeginsimmediatelyassoonasheengages
himselfintheserviceoftheLord.ItisconfirmedbyKapiladevathatbhakti,or
devotionalservice,isgariyasi,moregloriousthansiddhi,liberation.

Therearefivekindsofliberationstatedinthescriptures.Oneistobecomeone
withtheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,ortoforsakeone'sindividualityand
mergeintotheSupremeSpirit.Thisiscalledekatmatam.Adevoteenever
acceptsthiskindofliberation.Theotherfourliberationsare:tobepromotedto
thesameplanetasGod(Vaikuntha),toassociatepersonallywiththeSupreme
Lord,toachievethesameopulenceastheLordandtoattainthesamebodily
featuresastheSupremeLord.Apuredevotee,aswillbeexplainedbyKapila
Muni,doesnotaspireforanyofthefiveliberations.Heespeciallydespisesas
hellishtheideaofbecomingonewiththeSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
ActuallytheimpersonalistsdonotmergeintotheexistenceoftheSupreme
PersonbutintoHispersonalbodilyluster,whichiscalledthebrahmajyoti.
AlthoughthatbrahmajyotiisnotdifferentfromHispersonalbody,thatsortof
oneness(mergingintothebodilylusterofthePersonalityofGodhead)isnot
acceptedbyapuredevoteebecausethedevoteesengageingreaterpleasure
thanthesocalledpleasureofmergingintoHisexistence.Thegreatest
pleasureistoservetheLord.Devoteesarealwaysthinkingabouthowtoserve
Him;theyarealwaysdesigningwaysandmeanstoservetheSupremeLord,
eveninthemidstofthegreatestobstaclesofmaterialexistence.
ItisclearlystatedbyKapilaMunithatbhaktiactivities,oractivitiesin
devotionalservice,aretranscendentaltomukti.Thisiscalledpancama
purusartha.Generally,peopleengageintheactivitiesofreligion,economic
developmentandsensegratification,andultimatelytheyworkwithanideathat
theyaregoingtobecomeonewiththeSupremeLord(mukti).Butbhaktiis
transcendentaltoalltheseactivities.

Ritualisticactivitiesforeconomicdevelopmentandsensegratificationand,
afterfrustrationinsensegratification,thedesiretobecomeonewiththe
SupremeLord,areallcompletelyrejectedintheBhagavatam.TheBhagavatam
isespeciallymeantforthepuredevotees,whoalwaysengageinKrsna
consciousness,intheactivitiesoftheLord,andalwaysglorifythese
transcendentalactivities.
PuredevoteesworshipthetranscendentalactivitiesoftheLordinVrndavana,
DvarakaandMathuraastheyarenarratedintheSrimadBhagavatamandother
puranas.TheMayavadiphilosopherscompletelyrejectthemasstories,but
actuallytheyaregreatandworshipablesubjectmattersandthusarerelishable
onlyfordevotees.ThatisthedifferencebetweenaMayavadiandapure
devotee.
MayavadisandatheistsaccepttheformsoftheDeitiesinthetempleofthe
Lordasidols,butdevoteesdonotworshipidols.Theydirectlyworshipthe
PersonalityofGodheadinHisarcaincarnation.Arcareferstotheformwhich
wecanworshipinourpresentcondition.

Accordingtotheirowntheory,everythingisGod.ThenwhyistheDeitynot
God?Actually,theyhavenoconceptionofGod.
Thedevotees'vision,however,isdifferent;theirvisionissmearedwithloveof
God.AssoonastheyseetheLordinHisdifferentforms,thedevoteesbecome
saturatedwithlove,fortheydonotfindanydifferencebetweentheLordand
Hisforminthetemple,asdotheatheists.ThesmilingfaceoftheDeityinthe
templeisbeheldbythedevoteesastranscendentalandspiritual,andthe
decorationofthebodyoftheLordisverymuchappreciatedbythedevotees.It
isthedutyofthespiritualmastertoteachhowtodecoratetheDeityinthe
temple,howtocleansethetempleandhowtoworshiptheDeity.Thereare
differentproceduresandrulesandregulationswhicharefollowedintemplesof
Visnu,anddevoteesgothereandseetheDeity,thevigraha,andspiritually
enjoytheformbecausealloftheDeitiesarebenevolent.Thedevoteesexpress
theirmindsbeforetheDeity,andinmanyinstancestheDeityalsogives
answers.Butonemustbeaveryelevateddevoteeinordertobeabletospeak
withtheSupremeLord.SometimestheLordinformsthedevoteethrough
dreams.TheseexchangesoffeelingsbetweentheDeityandthedevoteearenot
understandablebyatheists,butactuallythedevoteeenjoysthem.
KapilaMuniisexplaininghowthedevoteesseethedecoratedbodyandfaceof
theDeityandhowtheyspeakwithHimindevotionalservice.
UponseeingthecharmingformsoftheLord,smilingandattractive,and
hearingHisverypleasingwords,thepuredevoteealmostlosesallother

consciousness.Hissensesarefreedfromallotherengagements,andhe
becomesabsorbedindevotionalservice.Thusinspiteofhisunwillingness,he
attainsliberationwithoutseparateendeavor.
Therearethreedivisionsofdevoteesfirstclass,secondclassandthirdclass.
Eventhethirdclassdevoteesareliberatedsouls.Itisexplainedinthisverse
thatalthoughtheydonothaveknowledge,simplybyseeingthebeautiful
decorationoftheDeityinthetemple,thedevoteeisabsorbedinthoughtof
Himandlosesallotherconsciousness.SimplybyfixingoneselfinKrsna
consciousness,engagingthesensesintheserviceoftheLord,oneis
imperceptiblyliberated.
Sraddhayanvitah:withgreatdevotionthedevoteesofferworshipfulrespects
andparaphernaliatotheDeity.TheDeitiesofRadhaandKrsna,Laksmiand
Narayana,andRamaandSitaareveryattractivetodevotees,somuchsothat
whentheyseethestatuedecoratedinthetempleoftheLordtheybecomefully
absorbedinthoughtoftheLord.Thatisthestateofliberation.Inotherwords,
itisconfirmedherewiththatevenathirdclassdevoteeisinthetranscendental
position,abovethosewhoaretryingforliberationbyspeculationorbyother
methods.

EvengreatimpersonalistslikeSukadevaGosvamiandthefourKumaraswere
attractedbythebeautyoftheDeitiesinthetemple,bythedecorationsandby
thearomaoftulasiofferedtotheLord,andtheybecamedevotees.Eventhough
theywereintheliberatedstate,insteadofremainingimpersonaliststheywere
attractedbythebeautyoftheLordandbecamedevotees.
Herethewordvilasaisveryimportant.Vilasareferstotheactivitiesor
pastimesoftheLord.Itisaprescribeddutyintempleworshipthatnotonly
shouldonevisitthetempletoseetheDeitynicelydecorated,butatthesame
timeheshouldheartherecitationofSrimadBhagavatam,Bhagavadgitaor
somesimilarliterature,whichisregularlyrecitedinthetemple.Itisthesystem
inVrndavanathatineverytemplethereisrecitationofthesastras.Eventhird
classdevoteeswhohavenoliteraryknowledgeornotimetoreadSrimad
BhagavatamorBhagavadgitagettheopportunitytohearaboutthepastimesof
theLord.Inthiswaytheirmindsmayremainalwaysabsorbedinthethoughtof
theLordHisform,HisactivitiesandHistranscendentalnature.Thisstateof
Krsnaconsciousnessisaliberatedstage.
LordCaitanyaMahaprabhuhastaughtthatoneshouldnotdesirematerial
opulenceormaterialreputation,norshouldonetrytoenjoymaterialbeauty;
oneshouldsimplyaspiretobeabsorbedinthedevotionalserviceoftheLord,
evenifonedoesnotgetliberationbuthastocontinuetheprocessofbirthand

deathunlimitedly
IntheVaikunthaplanetseverythingiseternallypeaceful,yetapuredevotee
doesnotevenaspiretobepromotedthere.Butstillhegetsthatadvantage;he
enjoysallthefacilitiesofthematerialandspiritualworlds,evenduringthe
presentlifespan.
InthisverseKapiladevaaddressesHismotherassantarupa,indicatingthatthe
opulencesofdevoteesarefixedbecausedevoteesareeternallyfixedinthe
Vaikunthaatmosphere,whichiscalledsantarupabecauseitisinthemodeof
puregoodness,undisturbedbythemodesofpassionandignorance.
Hereouractivitiesarecontrolledbydifferentdemigods;evenifwemoveour
handandleg,theactioniscontrolledbythedemigods.ButintheVaikuntha
atmospherethereisnoinfluenceofthedemigodsoroftime;thereforethereis
noquestionofdestruction.Whenthetimeelementispresent,thereisthe
certaintyofdestruction,butwhenthereisnotimeelementpast,presentor
futuretheneverythingiseternal.Thereforethisverseusesthewordsna
nanksyanti,indicatingthatthetranscendentalopulenceswillneverbe
destroyed.

Thereasonforfreedomfromdestructionisalsodescribed.Thedevoteesaccept
theSupremeLordasthemostdearpersonalityandreciprocatewithHimin
differentrelationships.TheyaccepttheSupremePersonalityofGodheadasthe
dearmostfriend,thedearmostrelative,thedearmostson,thedearmost
preceptor,thedearmostwellwisherorthedearmostDeity.TheLordiseternal;
thereforeanyrelationshipinwhichweacceptHimisalsoeternal.Itisclearly
confirmedhereinthattherelationshipscannotbedestroyed,andthereforethe
opulencesofthoserelationshipsareneverdestroyed.
FromthisversewecanlearnthatwecanlovetheSupremePersonalityof
Godheadasourdearmostobjectasafriend,asason,asapreceptororasa
wellwisherandtherewillbenocheatingandnoendtosuchlove.Weshall
eternallyenjoytherelationshipwiththeSupremeLordindifferentaspects.A
specialfeatureofthisverseistheacceptanceoftheSupremeLordasthe
supremepreceptor.BhagavadgitawasspokendirectlybytheSupremeLord,
andArjunaacceptedKrsnaasguru,orspiritualmaster.Similarly,weshould
acceptonlyKrsnaasthesupremespiritualmaster.
Krsna,ofcourse,meansKrsnaandHisconfidentialdevotees;Krsnaisnot
alone.WhenwespeakofKrsna,"Krsna"meansKrsnainHisname,inHis

form,inHisqualities,inHisabodeandinHisassociates.Krsnaisneveralone,
forthedevoteesofKrsnaarenotimpersonalists.
ThereisnouseinterpretingBhagavadgita;itiseternal.
Krsna,theSupremeLord,shouldbeacceptedasone'sbestfriend.Hewill
nevercheat.HewillalwaysgiveHisfriendlyadviceandfriendlyprotectionto
thedevotee.IfKrsnaisacceptedasason,Hewillneverdie.Herewehavea
verylovingsonorchild,butthefatherandmother,orthosewhoare
affectionatetowardshim,alwayshope,"Maymysonnotdie."ButKrsna
actuallyneverwilldie.ThereforethosewhoacceptKrsna,ortheSupreme
Lord,astheirsonwillneverbebereftoftheirson.Inmanyinstancesdevotees
haveacceptedtheDeityasason.InBengaltherearemanysuchinstances,and
evenafterthedeathofthedevotee,theDeityperformsthesraddhaceremony
forthefather.Therelationshipisneverdestroyed.
ThusthedevoteewhoworshipsMe,theallpervadingLordoftheuniverse,in
unflinchingdevotionalservice,givesupallaspirationstobepromotedto
heavenlyplanetsortobecomehappyinthisworldwithwealth,children,cattle,
homeoranythinginrelationshipwiththebody.Itakehimtotheothersideof
birthanddeath.
Unflinchingdevotionalservice,asdescribedinthesetwoverses,means
engagingoneselfinfullKrsnaconsciousness,ordevotionalservice,accepting
theSupremeLordasallinall.SincetheSupremeLordisallinclusive,if
anyoneworshipsHimwithunflinchingfaith,hehasautomaticallyachievedall
otheropulencesandperformedallotherduties.
LordCaitanya,therefore,recommendedthatonewhoaspirestogobeyond
birthanddeathshouldhavenomaterialpossessions.Thismeansthatone
shouldnottrytobehappyinthisworldortobepromotedtotheheavenly
world,norshouldhetryformaterialwealth,children,housesorcattle.
IfIaminthemodeofgoodnessthenImaybepreparingforpromotiontothe
higherplanets,ifIaminthemodeofpassionthenIshallremainhereina
societywhereactivityisveryprominent,andifIaminthemodeofignoranceI
maybedegradedtoanimallifeoralowergradeofhumanlife.Butfora
devoteethereisnoconcernforthislifeorthenextlifebecauseinanylifehe
doesnotdesireelevationinmaterialprosperityorahighgradeorlowgrade
life.HepraystotheLord,"MydearLord,itdoesnotmatterwhereIamborn,
butletmebeborn,evenasanant,inthehouseofadevotee."Apuredevotee
doesnotpraytotheLordforliberationfromthismaterialbondage.
Actually,thepuredevoteeneverthinksthatheisfitforliberation.Considering
hispastlifeandhismischievousactivities,hethinksthatheisfittobesentto
thelowestregionofhell.IfinthislifeIamtryingtobecomeadevotee,this

doesnotmeanthatinmymanypastlivesIwasonehundredpercentpious.
Thatisnotpossible.Adevotee,therefore,isalwaysconsciousofhisreal
position.OnlybyhisfullsurrendertotheLord,bytheLord'sgrace,arehis
sufferingsmadeshorter.AsstatedinBhagavadgita,"SurrenderuntoMe,andI
willgiveyouprotectionfromallkindsofsinfulreaction."ThatisHismercy.
Butthisdoesnotmeanthatonewhohassurrenderedtothelotusfeetofthe
Lordhascommittednomisdeedsinhispastlife.Adevoteealwaysprays,"For
mymisdeeds,mayIbebornagainandagain,butmyonlyprayeristhatImay
notforgetYourservice."Thedevoteehasthatmuchmentalstrength,andhe
praystotheLord:"MayIbebornagainandagain,butletmebeborninthe
homeofYourpuredevoteesothatImayagaingetachancetodevelop
myself."
Apuredevoteeisnotanxioustoelevatehimselfinhisnextbirth.Hehas
alreadygivenupthatsortofhope.Inanylifeinwhichoneisborn,asa
householder,orevenasananimal,onemusthavesomechildren,some
resourcesorsomepossessions,butadevoteeisnotanxioustopossess
anything.HeissatisfiedwithwhateverisobtainablebyGod'sgrace.Heisnot
atallattachedtoimprovinghissocialstatusorimprovingthestatusof
educationofhischildren.Heisnotneglectfulheisdutifulbuthedoesnot
spendtoomuchtimeontheupliftmentoftemporaryhouseholdorsociallife.
HefullyengagesintheserviceoftheLord,andforotheraffairshesimply
sparesasmuchtimeasabsolutelynecessary(yatharhamupayunjatah).Sucha
puredevoteedoesnotcareforwhatisgoingtohappeninthenextlifeorinthis
life;hedoesnotcareevenforfamily,childrenorsociety.Hefullyengagesin
theserviceoftheLordinKrsnaconsciousness.ItisstatedinBhagavadgita
thatwithouttheknowledgeofthedevotee,theLordarrangesforHisdevoteeto
beimmediatelytransferredtoHistranscendentalabodejustafterleavinghis
body.
Afterquittinghisbodyhedoesnotgointothewombofanothermother.The
ordinarycommonlivingentity,afterdeath,istransferredtothewombof
anothermother,accordingtohiskarma,oractivities,totakeanothertypeof
body.Butasfarasthedevoteeisconcerned,heisatoncetransferredtothe
spiritualworldintheassociationoftheLord.ThatistheLord'sspecialmercy.
Howitispossibleisexplainedinthefollowingverses.BecauseHeisall
powerful,theLordcandoanythingandeverything.
Hecanexcuseallsinfulreactions.Hecanimmediatelytransferapersonto
Vaikunthaloka.ThatistheinconceivablepoweroftheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,whoisfavorablydisposedtothepuredevotees.
Inpurifiedintelligencealivingentitycannotthinkotherwisethantosurrender.
Withoutthesurrenderingprocess,onecannotachieveliberation.

OneshouldnotbesatisfiedsimplywithknowingthatoneisBrahman.Hemust
engagehimselfintheserviceoftheSupremeBrahman;thatisbhakti.The
engagementofBrahmanshouldbetheserviceofParabrahman.Itissaidthat
unlessonebecomesBrahmanonecannotserveBrahman.TheSupreme
BrahmanistheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,andthelivingentityisalso
Brahman.WithoutrealizationthatheisBrahman,spiritsoul,aneternalservitor
oftheLord,ifonesimplythinksthatheisBrahman,hisrealizationisonly
theoretical.Hehastorealizeandatthesametimeengagehimselfinthe
devotionalserviceoftheLord;thenhecanexistintheBrahmanstatus.
Otherwisehefallsdown.
Heisequaltoeveryone,buttoonewhosurrenderstoHimHeisespecially
favorable.ItisalsoconfirmedinBhagavadgitathattheLordisequalto
everyone;nooneisHisenemyandnooneisHisfriend.Buttoonewho
surrendersuntoHim,Heisespeciallyinclined.BythegraceoftheLord,
simplybysurrenderinguntoHimonecangetoutofthiscycleofbirthand
death.
TheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,Krsna,saysinBhagavadgitathatthe
naturallawsbeingenactedarecorrectinallactivitiesbecauseofHis
superintendence.Nooneshouldthinkthatnatureisworkingautomatically,
withoutsuperintendence.TheVedicliteraturesaysthatthecloudsare
controlledbythedemigodIndra,heatisdistributedbythesungod,the
soothingmoonlightisdistributedbyCandra,andtheairisblowingunderthe
arrangementofthedemigodVayu.Butaboveallthesedemigods,theSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadisthechieflivingentity.
BecauseHeisinthebackground,everythingisbeingperformedpunctuallyand
regularly.

OnewhohastakenshelteroftheSupremePersonalityofGodheadis
completelyprotectedfromallotherinfluences.Henolongerservesoris
obligedtoanyoneelse.Ofcourseheisnotdisobedienttoanyone,buthisfull
powerofthoughtisabsorbedintheserviceoftheLord.Thestatementsbythe
SupremepersonalityofGodheadKapilathatunderHisdirectiontheairis
blowing,thefireisburningandthesunisgivingheatarenotsentimental.
Thoseyogis,ormystics,whoengageindevotionalservicearethefirstclass
yogis.Thefirstclassyogis,asdescribedinBhagavadgita,arethosewhoare
constantlythinkingoftheLord,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,Krsna.
Theseyogisarenotwithoutknowledgeandrenunciation.Tobecomeabhakti
yogimeanstoautomaticallyattainknowledgeandrenunciation.Thatisthe
consequentresultofbhaktiyoga.

IntheBhagavatam,FirstCanto,SecondChapter,itisalsoconfirmedthatone
whoengagesinthedevotionalserviceofVasudeva,Krsna,hascomplete
transcendentalknowledgeandrenunciation,andthereisnoexplanationfor
theseattainments.
Evenifapersoniscompletelyilliterate,thetranscendentalknowledgeofthe
scripturesisrevealeduntohimsimplybecauseofhisengagementindevotional
service.ThatisalsostatedintheVedicliterature.
Ifthereisalackofknowledgeandrenunciation,itistobeunderstoodthatone
isnotinfulldevotionalservice.
Theyaredoubtlessandfearless,andtheirentranceintothespiritualkingdomis
guaranteed.
OneshouldfixhismindonthelotusfeetofKrsnaorHisincarnation.Tobe
fixedsteadilyinthatfreedomisthewayofliberation.AmbarisaMaharajaisan
example.HefixedhismindonthelotusfeetoftheLord,hespokeonlyonthe
pastimesoftheLord,hesmelledonlytheflowersandtulasiofferedtothe
Lord,hewalkedonlytothetempleoftheLord,heengagedhishandsin
cleansingthetemple,heengagedhistongueintastingthefoodstuffofferedto
theLord,andheengagedhisearsforhearingthegreatpastimesoftheLord.In
thatwayallhissenseswereengaged.Firstofall,themindshouldbeengaged
atthelotusfeetoftheLord,verysteadilyandnaturally.Becausethemindis
themasterofthesenses,whenthemindisengaged,allthesensesbecome
engaged.Thatisbhaktiyoga.
Thisistruealsowithachildhowlongcanhebeforcedtositdownsilently?It
isnotpossible.EvenArjunasaid,cancalamhimanahkrsna:"Themindis
alwaysagitated."Thebestcourseistofixthemindonthelotusfeetofthe
Lord.Manomayyarpitamsthiram.IfoneseriouslyengagesinKrsna
consciousness,thatisthehighestperfectionalstage.AllKrsnaconscious
activitiesareonthehighestperfectionallevelofhumanlife.
Chapter26

ThePersonalityofGodhead,Kapila,continued:Mydearmother,nowIshall
describeuntoyouthedifferentcategoriesoftheAbsoluteTruth,knowing
whichanypersoncanbereleasedfromtheinfluenceofthemodesofmaterial
nature.
Sankhyaphilosophyisespeciallymeantforpersonswhoareconditionedby
thismaterialworld.Itisgenerallyunderstoodbytheparamparasystem,orby
disciplicsuccession,tobethescienceofdevotionalservice.Preliminary
studiesofdevotionalservicehavealreadybeenexplained.Nowtheanalytical
studyofdevotionalservicewillbeexplainedbytheLord,whosaysthatby

suchananalyticalstudy,onebecomesfreedfromthemodesofmaterialnature.
Knowledgeistheultimateperfectionofselfrealization.Ishallexplainthat
knowledgeuntoyoubywhichtheknotsofattachmenttothematerialworldare
cut.
Itissaidthatbyproperunderstandingofthepureself,orbyselfrealization,
onecanbefreedfrommaterialattachment.Knowledgeleadsonetoattainthe
ultimateperfectionoflifeandtoseeoneselfasheis.TheSvetasvatara
Upanisad(3.8)alsoconfirmsthis.Tamevaviditvatimrtyumeti:simplyby
understandingone'sspiritualposition,orbyseeingoneselfasheis,onecanbe
freedfrommaterialentanglement.Invariousways,theseeingofoneselfis
describedintheVedicliteratures,anditisconfirmedintheBhagavatam
(purusasyaatmadarsanam)thatonehastoseeoneselfandknowwhatheis.As
KapiladevaexplainstoHismother,this"seeing"canbedonebyhearingfrom
theproperauthoritativesource.KapiladevaisthegreatestauthoritybecauseHe
isthePersonalityofGodhead,andifsomeoneacceptswhateverisexplainedas
itis,withoutinterpretation,thenhecanseehimself.
Duetofalseego,orfalseidentificationofoneselfwiththebodyandthe
materialworld,oneisentrappedbymaya,butassoonasoneunderstandsthat
heisqualitativelythesamesubstanceastheSupremeLordbecausehebelongs
tothesamecategoryofspiritsoul,andthathisperpetualpositionistoserve,
oneattainsatmadarsanamandhrdayagranthibhedanam,selfrealization.
Whenonecancuttheknotofattachmenttothematerialworld,his
understandingiscalledknowledge.Atmadarsanammeanstoseeoneselfby
knowledge;therefore,whenoneisfreedfromthefalseegobythecultivationof
realknowledge,heseeshimself,andthatistheultimatenecessityofhuman
life.Thesoulisthusisolatedfromtheentanglementofthetwentyfour
categoriesofmaterialnature.Pursuitofthesystematicphilosophicprocess
calledSankhyaiscalledknowledgeandselfrevelation.
TheLordisdescribedasthesoul,orspirit.Whatisthedefinitionofspirit?
Spiritisperceivableeverywhere.Brahmanmeans"great."Hisgreatnessis
perceivedeverywhere.Andwhatisthatgreatness?Consciousness.
ItisstatedintheVisnuPuranathatwhateverwefind,anywhereand
everywhere,isthedistributionoftheenergyoftheSupremeLord.
Heisnotsubjectedtothethreefoldmiseriescreatedbythematerialenergy
becauseHeisbeyondit.ThemodesofmaterialnaturedonottouchHim
TheUpanisadsalsoconfirmthis;becausethebodilylusteroftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadissufficienttoilluminatethespiritualworld,thereis
noneedofsunlight,moonlightoranyotherlightorelectricity.

Buttheconditionedsouliscovered;hecannotunderstandthatbeyondthis
materialenergythereistheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,whoisthecause
ofallcauses,justasalessintelligentpersoncannotunderstandthatbeyondthe
coveringofthecloudsthereisbrightsunshine.
ItisstatedinBhagavadgitathatnooneistheenjoyerbuttheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.Thismaterialenergyiscreated,therefore,foranyone
whopretendstoenjoy.Anexamplecanbecitedherethatthereisnonecessity
forthegovernment'screationofaseparatepolicedepartment,butbecauseitis
afactthatsomeofthecitizenswillnotacceptthestatelaws,adepartmentto
dealwithcriminalsisnecessary.Thereisnonecessity,butatthesametime
thereisanecessity.Similarly,therewasnonecessitytocreatethismaterial
worldforthesufferingsoftheconditionedsouls,butatthesametimethereare
certainlivingentities,knownasnityabaddha,whoareeternallyconditioned.
Wesaythattheyhavebeenconditionedfromtimeimmemorialbecausenoone
cantraceoutwhenthelivingentity,thepartandparceloftheSupremeLord,
becamerebelliousagainstthesupremacyoftheLord.
Withouttracingoutthebeginningoftheexistenceofthesetwoclasses,wecan
takeitforgrantedthatsomeofthelivingentitiesrevoltedagainstthelawsof
theLord.Suchentitiesarecalledconditionedsouls,fortheyareconditionedby
thethreemodesofmaterialnature.Thereforethewordsgunairvicitrahare
usedhere.
Inthismaterialworldthereare8,400,000speciesoflife.Asspiritsouls,they
arealltranscendentaltothismaterialworld.Why,then,dotheyexhibit
themselvesindifferentstagesoflife?Theanswerisgivenhere:theyareunder
thespellofthethreemodesofmaterialnature.Becausetheywerecreatedby
thematerialenergy,theirbodiesaremadeofthematerialelements.
IntheVedasalsoitisstatedthattheeternallivingentitiesarecoveredby
differentmodesandthattheyarecalledtricoloredred,whiteandblueliving
entities.Redistherepresentationofthemodeofpassion,whiteisthe
representationofthemodeofgoodness,andblueistherepresentationofthe
modeofignorance.

Totheconditionedsoul,"me"meansthematerialbody.Thisiscalledmoha,or
bewilderment.
Undertheinfluenceofmaterialnature,theconditionedsoulbecomesabsorbed
inmaterialconsciousness.Inthisconsciousness,whateverisdoneunderthe
influenceofthematerialenergyisacceptedbytheconditionedsoulasself
actuated.Actually,thesoulinhispurestateofexistenceshouldbeinKrsna

consciousness.WhenapersonisnotactinginKrsnaconsciousness,heis
understoodtobeactinginmaterialconsciousness.Consciousnesscannotbe
killed,forthesymptomofthelivingentityisconsciousness.Thematerial
consciousnesssimplyhastobepurified.Onebecomesliberatedbyaccepting
Krsna,ortheSupremeLord,asmasterandbychangingthemodeof
consciousnessfrommaterialconsciousnesstoKrsnaconsciousness.
TheMayavadiphilosopher,whodoesnotdifferentiatebetweentheSupreme
Spiritandtheindividualspirit,saysthattheconditionalexistenceoftheliving
entityishislila,orpastime.Buttheword"pastime"impliesemploymentinthe
activitiesoftheLord.TheMayavadismisusethewordandsaythatevenifthe
livingentityhasbecomeastooleatinghog,heisalsoenjoyinghispastimes.
Thisisamostdangerousinterpretation.ActuallytheSupremeLordisthe
leaderandmaintainerofalllivingentities.Hispastimesaretranscendentalto
anymaterialactivity.SuchpastimesoftheLordcannotbedraggedtothelevel
oftheconditionalactivitiesofthelivingentities.
Whateverthematerialenergydictates,theconditionedsouldoes.Hehasno
responsibility;heissimplythewitnessoftheaction,butheisforcedtoactin
thatwayduetohisoffenseinhiseternalrelationshipwithKrsna.LordKrsna
thereforesaysinBhagavadgitathatmaya,Hismaterialenergy,issoforceful
thatitisinsurmountable.Butifalivingentitysimplyunderstandsthathis
constitutionalpositionistoserveKrsnaandhetriestoactonthisprinciple,
thenhoweverconditionedhemaybe,theinfluenceofmayaimmediately
vanishes.ThisisclearlystatedinBhagavadgita,SeventhChapter:Krsnatakes
chargeofanyonewhosurrenderstoHiminhelplessness,andthustheinfluence
ofmaya,orconditionallife,isremoved.
Onehastobeserioustocurethisconditionofmaterialexistenceandtransfer
himselftoKrsnaconsciousness,forthushislongsufferingmaybemitigated
withoutdifficulty.Insummary,thesufferingoftheconditionedsoulisdueto
hisattachmenttomaterialnature.Thisattachmentshouldthusbetransferred
frommattertoKrsna.
Heisnotforcedbyanysuperiorenergy.HecomesbyHisownwill,andthis
canbecalledHispastime,orlila.Buthereitisclearlystatedthatthe
conditionedsoulisforcedtotakeacertaintypeofbodyandsensesunderthe
threemodesofmaterialnature.Thatbodyisnotreceivedaccordingtohisown
choice.Inotherwords,aconditionedsoulhasnofreechoice;hehastoaccepta
certaintypeofbodyaccordingtohiskarma.
Thelivingentityisthecauseofhisownsuffering,buthecanalsobethecause
ofhiseternalhappiness.WhenhewantstoengageinKrsnaconsciousness,a
suitablebodyisofferedtohimbytheinternalpotency,thespiritualenergyof
theLord,andwhenhewantstosatisfyhissenses,amaterialbodyisoffered.

Thusitishisfreechoicetoacceptaspiritualbodyoramaterialbody,butonce
thebodyisacceptedhehastoenjoyorsuffertheconsequences.
TheMayavadiphilosopher'spresentationisthatthelivingentityenjoyshis
pastimesbyacceptingthebodyofahog.Thistheoryisnotacceptable,
however,becausetheword"pastime"impliesvoluntaryacceptancefor
enjoyment.Thereforethisinterpretationismostmisleading.Whenthereis
enforcedacceptanceforsuffering,itisnotapastime.TheLord'spastimesand
theconditionedlivingentity'sacceptanceofkarmicreactionarenotonthe
samelevel.
Nowanunderstandingoftherelationshipbetweenmaterialnatureandthe
SupremeLordissoughtbyDevahuti.Theproductofthatrelationshipisstated
tobethemanifestandunmanifestmaterialworld.Theunmanifestmaterial
worldisthesubtlemahattattva,andfromthatmahattattvathematerial
manifestationhasemerged.
Inotherwords,shewantedtolearnthecharacteristicsoftheSupremeLordin
relationtothematerialnature.
Thecosmicmanifestationisasatitdoesnotexistbutthematerialenergyof
theSupremeLordissat,oreverexisting.Materialnatureiseverexistinginits
subtleformastheenergyoftheLord,butitsometimesmanifeststhis
nonexistentortemporarilyexistentnature,thecosmos.Ananalogymaybe
madewiththefatherandmother:themotherandthefatherexist,but
sometimesthemotherbegetschildren.Similarly,thiscosmicmanifestation,
whichcomesfromtheunmanifestmaterialnatureoftheSupremeLord,
sometimesappearsandagaindisappears.Butthematerialnatureisever
existing,andtheLordisthesupremecauseforboththesubtleandgross
manifestationsofthismaterialworld.
TheLordpointsoutmaterialnatureinitssubtlestage,whichiscalled
pradhana,andHeanalyzesthispradhana.Theexplanationofpradhanaand
prakrtiisthatpradhanaisthesubtle,undifferentiatedsumtotalofallmaterial
elements.Althoughtheyareundifferentiated,onecanunderstandthatthetotal
materialelementsarecontainedtherein.Whenthetotalmaterialelementsare
manifestedbytheinteractionofthethreemodesofmaterialnature,the
manifestationiscalledprakrti.
pradhanaisdistinctfromBrahmanbecauseinBrahmanthereisnoexistenceof
thematerialmodesofnature.Onemayarguethatthemahattattvaisalso
differentfrompradhanabecauseinthemahattattvatherearemanifestations.
Theactualexplanationofpradhana,however,isgivenhere:whenthecause
andeffectarenotclearlymanifested(avyakta),thereactionofthetotal
elementsdoesnottakeplace,andthatstageofmaterialnatureiscalled

pradhana.pradhanaisnotthetimeelementbecauseinthetimeelementthere
areactionsandreactions,creationandannihilation.Norisitthejiva,or
marginalpotencyoflivingentities,ordesignated,conditionedlivingentities,
becausethedesignationsofthelivingentitiesarenoteternal.Oneadjective
usedinthisconnectionisnitya,whichindicateseternality.Thereforethe
conditionofmaterialnatureimmediatelyprevioustoitsmanifestationiscalled
pradhana.
AccordingtoBhagavadgita,thesumtotalofthetwentyfourelements
describedhereiniscalledtheyonirmahadbrahma.Thesumtotaloftheliving
entitiesisimpregnatedintothisyonirmahadbrahma,andtheyarebornin
differentforms,beginningfromBrahmadowntotheinsignificantant.Inthe
SrimadBhagavatamandotherVedicliteratures,thesumtotalofthetwenty
fourelements,pradhana,isalsodescribedasyonirmahadbrahma;itisthe
sourceofthebirthandsubsistenceofalllivingentities.
Thefourinternalsenses,orsubtlesenses,describedhereinaredefinedby
differentcharacteristics.Whenpureconsciousnessispollutedbymaterial
contaminationandwhenidentificationwiththebodybecomesprominent,one
issaidtobesituatedunderfalseego.Consciousnessisthefunctionofthesoul,
andthereforebehindconsciousnessthereissoul.Consciousnesspollutedby
materialcontaminationiscalledahankara.
ItisstatedalsointheVisnuPuranathatwhateverweseeisparasyabrahmanah
saktih;everythingisanexpansionoftheenergyoftheSupremeAbsolute
Truth,Brahman.WhenBrahmanismixedwiththethreequalitiesgoodness,
passionandignorance,thereresultsthematerialexpansion,whichis
sometimescalledsagunaBrahmanandwhichconsistsofthesetwentyfive
elements.InthenirgunaBrahman,wherethereisnomaterialcontamination,or
inthespiritualworld,thethreemodesgoodness,passionandignoranceare
notpresent.WherenirgunaBrahmanisfound,simpleunalloyedgoodness
prevails.SagunaBrahmanisdescribedbytheSankhyasystemofphilosophyas
consistingoftwentyfiveelements,includingthetimefactor(past,presentand
future).
Thelivingentity'sfearofdeathisduetohisfalseegoofidentifyingwiththe
body.Everyoneisafraidofdeath.Actuallythereisnodeathforthespiritsoul,
butduetoourabsorptionintheidentificationofbodyasself,thefearofdeath
develops.ItisalsostatedintheSrimadBhagavatam(11.2.37),bhayam
dvitiyabhinivesatahsyat.Dvitiyareferstomatter,whichisbeyondspirit.
Matteristhesecondarymanifestationofspirit,formatterisproducedfrom
spirit.

Whenoneisfullyconvincedthatheisnothisbody,thereisnoquestionof
fearingdeath,sincethespiritsouldoesnotdie.
TimeisarepresentationoftheLord,anditremindsusalsothatwemust
surrenderuntotheLord.TheLordspeakstoeveryconditionedsoulastime.
Asawomancannotproducechildrenunlessimpregnatedbyaman,material
naturecannotproduceormanifestanythingunlessitisimpregnatedbythe
SupremePersonalityofGodheadintheformofthetimefactor.
theSupersoulrestsbesidetheindividualsoulandactsasawitness.Thisisalso
confirmedelsewhereintheVedicliterature:twobirdsaresittingonthesame
treeofthebody;oneiswitnessing,andtheotheriseatingthefruitsofthetree.
ParamatmameanstheSupersoul,whoissittingbythesideoftheconditioned
souljusttosanctionhisactivities.Theconditionedsoulcomestothismaterial
worldinordertolorditovermaterialnature.Sinceonecannotdoanything
withoutthesanctionoftheSupremeLord,Heliveswiththejivasoulas
witnessandsanctiongiver.Heisalsobhokta;Hegivesmaintenanceand
sustenancetotheconditionedsoul.
Theminuteindependenceoftheconditionedsoulisexhibitedbyhismarginal
position.Ifhelikes,hecanforgettheSupremePersonalityofGodheadand
comeintothematerialexistencewithafalseegotolorditovermaterialnature,
butifhelikeshecanturnhisfacetotheserviceoftheLord.
TheconcernoftheLordisneithertoenjoynortosufferfromthematerial
body.Heremainswiththejivasimplyassanctiongiverandwitnesssothatthe
livingentitycanreceivetheresultsofhisactivities,goodorbad.
AccordingtotheSankhyasystemofphilosophy,therearetwentyfive
elements.Thetwentyfourelementsalreadydescribedplusthetimefactor
maketwentyfive.Accordingtosomelearnedphilosophers,theSupersoulis
includedtomakeatotaloftwentysixelements.
MaterialnatureinthisconnectioniscalledBrahmanbecauseitisaperverted
reflectionofthespiritualnature.
Generallyitisexperiencedthatthefathergiveslifetothechildbutthemother
givesitsbody;althoughtheseedoflifeisgivenbythefather,thebody
developswithinthewombofthemother.Similarly,thespirituallivingentities
areimpregnatedintothewombofmaterialnature,butthebody,beingsupplied
bymaterialnature,takesonmanydifferentspeciesandformsoflife.The
theorythatthesymptomsoflifearemanifestbytheinteractionofthetwenty
fourmaterialelementsisnotsupportedhere.Thelivingforcecomesdirectly
fromtheSupremePersonalityofGodheadandiscompletelyspiritual.

Therefore,nomaterialscientificadvancementcanproducelife.Theliving
forcecomesfromthespiritualworldandhasnothingtodowiththeinteraction
ofthematerialelements.
Thisideacanbefurtherexplained.Apersonatnightremainsinactive,covered
bythedarknessofnight,butwhenheisawakenedinthemorning,thecovering
ofnight,ortheforgetfulnessofthesleepingstate,disappears.Similarly,when
themahattattvaappearsafterthenightofdissolution,theeffulgenceis
manifestedtoexhibitthevariegatednessofthismaterialworld.
IntheVedicliteraturethereismentionoftheLord'sexpansionasthefour
PersonalitiesofGodheadVasudeva,Sankarsana,PradyumnaandAniruddha.
HereinthereappearanceofthemahattattvathefourexpansionsofGodhead
occur.HewhoisseatedwithinasSupersoulexpandsfirstasVasudeva.
Thevasudevastageisfreefrominfringementbymaterialdesiresandisthe
statusinwhichonecanunderstandtheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,orthe
objectivewhichisdescribedintheBhagavadgitaasadbhuta.Thisisanother
featureofthemahattattva.ThevasudevaexpansionisalsocalledKrsna
consciousness,foritisfreefromalltingesofmaterialpassionandignorance.
ThisclearstateofunderstandinghelpsonetoknowtheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead.
ThevasudevastatusisalsoexplainedinBhagavadgitaasksetrajna,which
referstotheknowerofthefieldofactivitiesaswellastheSuperknower.The
livingbeingwhohasoccupiedaparticulartypeofbodyknowsthatbody,but
theSuperknower,Vasudeva,knowsnotonlyaparticulartypeofbodybutalso
thefieldofactivitiesinallthedifferentvarietiesofbodies.Inordertobe
situatedinclearconsciousness,orKrsnaconsciousness,onemustworship
Vasudeva.
WhenHeisaccompaniedbyHisinternalpotency,HeiscalledDvarakadhisa.
Tohaveclearconsciousness,orKrsnaconsciousness,onehastoworship
Vasudeva.ItisalsoexplainedinBhagavadgitathataftermany,manybirths
onesurrenderstoVasudeva.Suchagreatsoulisveryrare.
Inordertogetreleasefromthefalseego,onehastoworshipSankarsana.
SankarsanaisalsoworshipedthroughLordSiva;thesnakeswhichcoverthe
bodyofLordSivaarerepresentationsofSankarsana,andLordSivaisalways
absorbedinmeditationuponSankarsana.Onewhoisactuallyaworshiperof
LordSivaasadevoteeofSankarsanacanbereleasedfromfalse,materialego.
Ifonewantstogetfreefrommentaldisturbances,onehastoworship
Aniruddha.Forthispurpose,worshipofthemoonplanetisalsorecommended
intheVedicliterature.Similarly,tobefixedinone'sintelligenceonehasto

worshipPradyumna,whoisreachedthroughtheworshipofBrahma.These
mattersareexplainedinVedicliterature.
InpureconsciousnessonecanperceiveaslightreflectionoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.Asinclear,unagitatedwater,freefromimpurities,one
canseeeverythingclearly,soinpureconsciousness,orKrsnaconsciousness,
onecanseethingsastheyare.OnecanseethereflectionoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,andonecanseehisownexistenceaswell.Thisstate
ofconsciousnessisverypleasing,transparentandsober.Inthebeginning,
consciousnessispure.
Inthebeginning,fromclearconsciousness,orthepurestateofKrsna
consciousness,thefirstcontaminationsprangup.Thisiscalledfalseego,or
identificationofthebodyasself.
Originally,pureKrsnaconsciousnessexists,butbecauseofmisuseofmarginal
independencethereisachanceofforgettingKrsna.Thisisexhibitedinactual
life;therearemanyinstancesinwhichsomeoneactinginKrsnaconsciousness
suddenlychanges.IntheUpanisadsitisstated,therefore,thatthepathof
spiritualrealizationisjustlikethesharpedgeofarazor.
NotonlymustonecometothestageofpureKrsnaconsciousness,butone
mustalsobeverycareful.Anyinattentivenessorcarelessnessmaycause
falldown.Thisfalldownisduetofalseego.Fromthestatusofpure
consciousness,thefalseegoisbornbecauseofmisuseofindependence.We
cannotargueaboutwhyfalseegoarisesfrompureconsciousness.Factually,
thereisalwaysthechancethatthiswillhappen,andthereforeonehastobe
verycareful.Falseegoisthebasicprincipleforallmaterialactivities,which
areexecutedinthemodesofmaterialnature.
Ahankara,orfalseego,istransformedintothedemigods,thecontrolling
directorsofmaterialaffairs.Asaninstrument,thefalseegoisrepresentedas
differentsensesandsenseorgans,andastheresultofthecombinationofthe
demigodsandthesenses,materialobjectsareproduced.Inthematerialworld
weareproducingsomanythings,andthisiscalledadvancementof
civilization,butfactuallytheadvancementofcivilizationisamanifestationof
thefalseego.Byfalseegoallmaterialthingsareproducedasobjectsof
enjoyment.Onehastoceaseincreasingartificialnecessitiesintheformof
materialobjects.
Onegreatacarya,NarottamadasaThakura,haslamentedthatwhenone
deviatesfrompureconsciousnessofVasudeva,orKrsnaconsciousness,he
becomesentangledinmaterialactivities.Theexactwordsheusesare,sat
sangachadi'kainuasatevilasa.tekaranelagilayekarmabandhaphansa:"I
havegivenupthepurestatusofconsciousnessbecauseIwantedtoenjoyinthe

temporary,materialmanifestation;thereforeIhavebeenentangledinthe
networkofactionsandreactions."

Thesymptomsofthemindaredeterminationandrejection,whicharedueto
differentkindsofdesires.Wedesirethatwhichisfavorabletooursense
gratification,andwerejectthatwhichisnotfavorabletosensegratification.
Thematerialmindisnotfixed,buttheverysamemindcanbefixedwhen
engagedintheactivitiesofKrsnaconsciousness.Otherwise,aslongasthe
mindisonthematerialplatform,itishovering,andallthisrejectionand
acceptanceisasat,temporary.Itisstatedthathewhosemindisnotfixedin
Krsnaconsciousnessmusthoverbetweenacceptanceandrejection.
Howeveradvancedamanisinacademicqualifications,aslongasheisnot
fixedinKrsnaconsciousnesshewillsimplyacceptandrejectandwillneverbe
abletofixhismindonaparticularsubjectmatter.
Thesystemofyogaentailscontrollingthemind,andtheLordofthemindis
Aniruddha.ItisstatedthatAniruddhaisfourhanded,withSudarsanacakra,
conchshell,clubandlotusflower.TherearetwentyfourformsofVisnu,each
differentlynamed.Amongthesetwentyfourforms,Sankarsana,Aniruddha,
PradyumnaandVasudevaaredepictedverynicelyintheCaitanyacaritamrta,
whereitisstatedthatAniruddhaisworshipedbytheyogis.Meditationupon
voidnessisamoderninventionofthefertilebrainofsomespeculator.Actually
theprocessofyogameditation,asprescribedinthisverse,shouldbefixed
upontheformofAniruddha.BymeditatingonAniruddhaonecanbecomefree
fromtheagitationofacceptanceandrejection.Whenone'smindisfixedupon
Aniruddha,onegraduallybecomesGodrealized;heapproachesthepure
statusofKrsnaconsciousness,whichistheultimategoalofyoga.
Intelligenceisthediscriminatingpowertounderstandanobject,andithelps
thesensesmakechoices.Thereforeintelligenceissupposedtobethemasterof
thesenses.Theperfectionofintelligenceisattainedwhenonebecomesfixedin
theactivitiesofKrsnaconsciousness.Bytheproperuseofintelligenceone's
consciousnessisexpanded,andtheultimateexpansionofconsciousnessis
Krsnaconsciousness.
Doubtisoneoftheimportantfunctionsofintelligence;blindacceptanceof
somethingdoesnotgiveevidenceofintelligence.Thereforethewordsamsaya
isveryimportant;inordertocultivateintelligence,oneshouldbedoubtfulin
thebeginning.Butdoubtingisnotveryfavorablewheninformationisreceived
fromthepropersource.InBhagavadgitatheLordsaysthatdoubtingthe
wordsoftheauthorityisthecauseofdestruction.
Byintelligenceonlyonecanunderstandthingsastheyare.Byintelligenceonly

canoneunderstandwhetherornotheisthebody.Thestudytodetermine
whetherone'sidentityisspiritualormaterialbeginsindoubt.Whenoneisable
toanalyzehisactualposition,thefalseidentificationwiththebodyisdetected.
Thisisviparyasa.Whenfalseidentificationisdetected,thenrealidentification
canbeunderstood.

Realunderstandingisdescribedhereasniscayah,orprovedexperimental
knowledge.Thisexperimentalknowledgecanbeachievedwhenonehas
understoodthefalseknowledge.Byexperimentalorprovedknowledge,one
canunderstandthatheisnotthebodybutspiritsoul.
Sleepisalsonecessarytokeeptheintelligenceinworkingorder.Ifthereisno
sleep,thebraincannotworknicely.InBhagavadgitaitisespeciallymentioned
thatpersonswhoregulateeating,sleepingandothernecessitiesofthebodyin
theproperproportionbecomeverysuccessfulintheyogaprocess.Theseare
someoftheaspectsoftheanalyticalstudyofintelligenceasdescribedinboth
thePatanjaliyogasystemandtheSankhyaphilosophysystemofKapiladevain
SrimadBhagavatam.
Ithasbeenexplainedinthepreviousversesthatmindistheproductofegoin
goodnessandthatthefunctionofthemindisacceptanceandrejection
accordingtodesire.Buthereintelligenceissaidtobetheproductofegoin
passion.Thatisthedistinctionbetweenmindandintelligence;mindisa
productofegoismingoodness,andintelligenceisaproductofegoismin
passion.Thedesiretoacceptsomethingandrejectsomethingisavery
importantfactorofthemind.Sincemindisaproductofthemodeofgoodness,
ifitisfixedupontheLordofthemind,Aniruddha,thenthemindcanbe
changedtoKrsnaconsciousness.
ItisstatedbyNarottamadasaThakurathatwealwayshavedesires.Desire
cannotbestopped.ButifwetransferourdesirestopleasetheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,thatistheperfectionoflife.Assoonasthedesireis
transferredtolordingitovermaterialnature,itbecomescontaminatedby
matter.Desirehastobepurified.Inthebeginning,thispurificationprocesshas
tobecarriedoutbytheorderofthespiritualmaster,sincethespiritualmaster
knowshowthedisciple'sdesirescanbetransformedintoKrsnaconsciousness.
Asfarasintelligenceisconcerned,itisclearlystatedherethatitisaproductof
egoisminpassion.Bypracticeonecomestothepointofthemodeofgoodness,
andbysurrenderingorfixingthemindupontheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,onebecomesaverygreatpersonality,ormahatma.
Inthisverseitisclearthatbothkindsofsenses,thesensesforacquiring
knowledgeandthesensesforaction,areproductsofegoisminthemodeof

passion.Andbecausethesenseorgansforactivityandforacquiringknowledge
requireenergy,thevitalenergy,orlifeenergy,isalsoproducedbyegoismin
themodeofpassion.
Wecanactuallysee,therefore,thatthosewhoareverypassionatecanimprove
inmaterialacquisitionveryquickly.ItisrecommendedintheVedicscriptures
thatifonewantstoencourageapersoninacquiringmaterialpossessions,one
shouldalsoencouragehiminsexlife.Wenaturallyfindthatthosewhoare
addictedtosexlifearealsomateriallyadvancedbecausesexlifeorpassionate
lifeistheimpetusforthematerialadvancementofcivilization.
Forthosewhowanttomakespiritualadvancement,thereisalmostno
existenceofthemodeofpassion.Onlythemodeofgoodnessisprominent.We
findthatthosewhoengageinKrsnaconsciousnessaremateriallypoor,butone
whohaseyescanseewhoisthegreater.
Althoughheappearstobemateriallypoor,apersoninKrsnaconsciousnessis
notactuallyapoorman,butthepersonwhohasnotastetorKrsna
consciousnessandappearstobeveryhappywithmaterialpossessionsis
actuallypoor.Personsinfatuatedbymaterialconsciousnessareveryintelligent
indiscoveringthingsformaterialcomforts,buttheyhavenoaccessto
understandingthespiritsoulandspirituallife.Therefore,ifanyonewantsto
advanceinspirituallife,hehastocomebacktotheplatformofpurifieddesire,
thepurifieddesirefordevotionalservice.AsstatedintheNaradapancaratra,
engagementintheserviceoftheLordwhenthesensesarepurifiedinKrsna
consciousnessiscalledpuredevotion.
Itappearsfromthisversethatalltheobjectsofoursensegratificationarethe
productsofegoisminignorance.Itisunderstoodfromthisversethatby
agitationoftheelementofegoisminignorance,thefirstthingproducedwas
sound,whichisthesubtleformofether.ItisstatedalsointheVedantasutra
thatsoundistheoriginofallobjectsofmaterialpossessionandthatbysound
onecanalsodissolvethismaterialexistence.
Anavrttihsabdatmeans"liberationbysound."Theentirematerial
manifestationbeganfromsound,andsoundcanalsoendmaterial
entanglement,ifithasaparticularpotency.Theparticularsoundcapableof
doingthisisthetranscendentalvibrationHareKrsna.Ourentanglementin
materialaffairshasbegunfrommaterialsound.Nowwemustpurifythatsound
inspiritualunderstanding.Thereissoundinthespiritualworldalso.Ifwe
approachthatsound,thenourspirituallifebegins,andtheotherrequirements
forspiritualadvancementcanbesupplied.Wehavetounderstandveryclearly
thatsoundisthebeginningofthecreationofallmaterialobjectsforoursense
gratification.

Hereitissaidthatfromsoundtheetherbecamemanifestedandthattheair
becamemanifestedfromether.Howtheetherealskycomesfromsound,how
theaircomesfromskyandhowfirecomesfromairwillbeexplainedlateron.
Soundisthecauseofthesky,andskyisthecauseofsrotram,theear.Theear
isthefirstsenseforreceivingknowledge.Onemustgiveauralreceptiontoany
knowledgeonewantstoreceive,eithermaterialorspiritual.Thereforesrotram
isveryimportant.TheVedicknowledgeiscalledsruti;knowledgehastobe
receivedbyhearing.Byhearingonlycanwehaveaccesstoeithermaterialor
spiritualenjoyment.

Itisveryclearhereinthatassoonaswespeakofhearing,theremustbea
speaker;withoutaspeakerthereisnoquestionofhearing.ThereforetheVedic
knowledge,whichisknownassruti,orthatwhichisreceivedbyhearing,is
alsocalledapaurusa.Apaurusameans"notspokenbyanypersonmaterially
created."ItisstatedinthebeginningofSrimadBhagavatam,tenebrahmahrda.
ThesoundofBrahman,orVeda,wasfirstimpregnatedintotheheartof
Brahma,theoriginallearnedman(adikavaye).
Skyisthebeginningofform.Andfromthesky,otherformsemanate.The
objectsofknowledgeandsenseperceptionbegin,therefore,fromthesky.
Themind,thesensesandthevitalforce,orlivingentity,haveforms,although
theyarenotvisibletothenakedeye.Formrestsinsubtleexistenceinthesky,
andinternallyitisperceivedastheveinswithinthebodyandthecirculationof
thevitalair.Externallythereareinvisibleformsofsenseobjects.The
productionoftheinvisiblesenseobjectsistheexternalactivityoftheethereal
element,andthecirculationofvitalairandbloodisitsinternalactivity.That
subtleformsexistintheetherhasbeenprovenbymodernscienceby
transmissionoftelevision,bywhichformsorphotographsofoneplaceare
transmittedtoanotherplacebytheactionoftheetherealelement
Mentalactivities,orpsychologicalactionsofthinking,feelingandwilling,are
alsoactivitiesontheplatformofetherealexistence.Thestatementin
Bhagavadgitathatthementalsituationatthetimeofdeathisthebasisofthe
nextbirthisalsocorroboratedinthisverse.Mentalexistencetransformsinto
tangibleformassoonasthereisanopportunityduetocontaminationor
developmentofthegrosselementsfromsubtleform.
Inthecourseoftime,whenthesubtleformsaretransformedintogrossforms,
theybecometheobjectsoftouch.Theobjectsoftouchandthetactilesense
alsodevelopafterthisevolutionintime.Soundisthefirstsenseobjectto
exhibitmaterialexistence,andfromtheperceptionofsound,touchperception

evolvesandfromtouchperceptiontheperceptionofsight.Thatisthewayof
thegradualevolutionofourperceptiveobjects.
Thistangibleactionofthetactilesenseistheresultoftheevolutionofair,
whichisproducedfromthesky.
Similarly,itisonlybytheactionoftheairthatabodymoves,andwhentheair
circulationisimpeded,manydiseasesresult.Paralysis,nervousbreakdowns,
madnessandmanyotherdiseasesareactuallyduetoaninsufficientcirculation
ofair.IntheAyurvedicsystemthesediseasesaretreatedonthebasisofair
circulation.Iffromthebeginningonetakescareoftheprocessofair
circulation,suchdiseasescannottakeplace.
Theabilitytodetectodorsisalsoduetotheactionoftheair.

Becauseofdestiny,thetouchsensation,theinteractionsofair,andthesituation
ofthemind,whichisproducedoftheetherealelement,onereceivesabody
accordingtohispreviousactivities.
Formisthecombinationofdifferenttypesofsenseperception.Predestined
activitiesaretheplansofthementalsituationandtheinteractionofair.
Everyformthatweappreciatehasitsparticulardimensionsandcharacteristics.
Thequalityofaparticularobjectisappreciatedbyitsutility.Buttheformof
soundisindependent.Formswhichareinvisiblecanbeunderstoodonlyby
touch;thatistheindependentappreciationofinvisibleform.Visibleformsare
understoodbyanalyticalstudyoftheirconstitution.Theconstitutionofa
certainobjectisappreciatedbyitsinternalaction.Forexample,theformofsalt
isappreciatedbytheinteractionofsaltytastes,andtheformofsugaris
appreciatedbytheinteractionofsweettastes.Tastesandqualitative
constitutionarethebasicprinciplesinunderstandingtheformofanobject.
Thefirstsymptomsoffirearedistributionoflightandheat,andtheexistence
offireisalsoperceivedinthestomach.Withoutfirewecannotdigestwhatwe
eat.Withoutdigestionthereisnohungerandthirstorpowertoeatanddrink.
Whenthereisinsufficienthungerandthirst,itisunderstoodthatthereisa
shortageoffirewithinthestomach,andtheAyurvedictreatmentisperformed
inconnectionwiththefireelement,agnimandyam.Sincefireisincreasedby
thesecretionofbile,thetreatmentistoincreasebilesecretion.TheAyurvedic
treatmentthuscorroboratesthestatementsinSrimadBhagavatam.The
characteristicoffireinsubduingtheinfluenceofcoldisknowntoeveryone.
Severecoldcanalwaysbecounteractedbyfire.
Thetongueisdescribedhereastheinstrumentforacquiringknowledgeof

taste.Becausetasteisaproductofwater,thereisalwayssalivaonthetongue.
Starvationcanbemitigatedbydrinkingwater.Itissometimesfoundthatifa
personwhohastakenavowtofasttakesalittlewateratintervals,the
exhaustionoffastingisatoncemitigated.IntheVedasitisalsostated,
apomayahpranah:"Lifedependsonwater."Withwater,anythingcanbe
moistenedordampened.Flourdoughcanbepreparedwithamixtureofwater.
Mudismadebymixingearthwithwater.AsstatedinthebeginningofSrimad
Bhagavatam,wateristhecementingingredientofdifferentmaterialelements.
Ifwebuildahouse,waterisactuallytheconstituentinmakingthebricks.Fire,
waterandairaretheexchangingelementsfortheentirematerialmanifestation,
butwaterismostprominent.Also,excessiveheatcanbereducedsimplyby
pouringwaterontheheatedfield.

Mixedsmellissometimesperceivedinfoodstuffspreparedfromvarious
ingredients,suchasvegetablesmixedwithdifferentkindsofspicesand
asafetida.Badodorsareperceivedinfilthyplaces,goodsmellsareperceived
fromcamphor,mentholandsimilarotherproducts,pungentsmellsare
perceivedfromgarlicandonions,andacidicsmellsareperceivedfrom
turmericandsimilarsoursubstances.Theoriginalaromaistheodoremanating
fromtheearth,andwhenitismixedwithdifferentsubstances,thisodor
appearsindifferentways.
Bymanipulationofearthanditsproducts,suchasstone,woodandjewels,
theseformsoftheSupremeLordcanbepresentbeforeoureyes.Whenaform
ofLordKrsnaorLordVisnuismanifestedbypresentationofastatuemadeof
earth,itisnotimaginary.TheearthgivesshapetotheLord'sformsas
describedinthescriptures.
Sometimesthewordbhavanaismisinterpretedas"imagination."Butbhavana
doesnotmean"imagination;"itmeansgivingactualshapetothedescriptionof
Vedicliterature.
Soundisoneofthequalificationsoftheskyandisthesubjectmatterfor
hearing.Similarly,touchisthequalificationoftheairandisthesubjectofthe
touchsensation.
Soundisthecauseofthesky,skyisthecauseoftheair,airisthecauseoffire,
fireisthecauseofwater,andwateristhecauseofearth.Intheskythereis
onlysound;intheairtherearesoundandtouch;inthefiretherearesound,

touchandform;inwatertherearesound,touch,formandtaste;andintheearth
therearesound,touch,form,tasteandsmell.Thereforeearthisthereservoirof
allthequalitiesoftheotherelements.Earthisthesumtotalofallother
elements.Theearthhasallfivequalitiesoftheelements,waterhasfour
qualities,firehasthree,airhastwo,andtheskyhasonlyonequality,sound.
Afterstatingthegenerationofthecauses,Kapiladevaspeaksaboutthe
generationoftheeffects.Atthattimewhenthecauseswereunmixed,the
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,inHisfeatureofGarbhodakasayiVisnu,
enteredwithineachuniverse.AccompanyingHimwerealloftheseven
primaryelementsthefivematerialelements,thetotalenergy(mahattattva)
andthefalseego.
Insexlife,thecombinationofmatterfromtheparents,whichinvolves
emulsificationandsecretion,createsthesituationwherebyasoulisreceived
withinmatter,andthecombinationofmattergraduallydevelopsintoa
completebody.Thesameprincipleexistsintheuniversalcreation:the
ingredientswerepresent,butonlywhentheLordenteredintothematerial
elementswasmatteractuallyagitated.Thatisthecauseofcreation.Wecansee
thisinourordinaryexperience.Althoughwemayhaveclay,waterandfire,the
elementstaketheshapeofabrickonlywhenwelabortocombinethem.
Withoutthelivingenergy,thereisnopossibilitythatmattercantakeshape.
Similarly,thismaterialworlddoesnotdevelopunlessagitatedbytheSupreme
Lordastheviratpurusa.Yasmadudatisthadasauvirat:byHisagitation,space
wascreated,andtheuniversalformoftheLordalsomanifestedtherein.
Thisuniverse,ortheuniversalskywhichwecanvisualizewithitsinnumerable
planets,isshapedjustlikeanegg.Asaneggiscoveredbyashell,theuniverse
isalsocoveredbyvariouslayers.Thefirstlayeriswater,thenextisfire,then
air,thensky,andtheultimateholdingcrustispradhana.Withinthisegglike
universeistheuniversalformoftheLordastheviratpurusa.Allthedifferent
planetarysituationsarepartsofHisbody.Thisisalreadyexplainedinthe
beginningofSrimadBhagavatam,SecondCanto.Theplanetarysystemsare
consideredtoformdifferentbodilypartsofthatuniversalformoftheLord.
Personswhocannotdirectlyengageintheworshipofthetranscendentalform
oftheLordareadvisedtothinkofandworshipthisuniversalform.Thelowest
planetarysystem,Patala,isconsideredtobethesoleoftheSupremeLord,and
theearthisconsideredtobethebellyoftheLord.Brahmaloka,orthehighest
planetarysystem,whereBrahmalives,isconsideredtobetheheadoftheLord.
ThisviratpurusaisconsideredanincarnationoftheLord.Theoriginalformof
theLordisKrsna,asconfirmedinBrahmasamhita:adipurusa.Thevirat
purusaisalsopurusa,butHeisnotadipurusa.TheadipurusaisKrsna.
Thedimensionsoftheuniverseareestimatedhere.Theoutercoveringismade

oflayersofwater,air,fire,sky,egoandmahattattva,andeachlayeristen
timesgreaterthantheoneprevious.Thespacewithinthehollowofthe
universecannotbemeasuredbyanyhumanscientistoranyoneelse,and
beyondthehollowtherearesevencoverings,eachonetentimesgreaterthan
theoneprecedingit.Thelayerofwateristentimesgreaterthanthediameterof
theuniverse,andthelayeroffireistentimesgreaterthanthatofwater.
Similarly,thelayerofairistentimesgreaterthanthatoffire.These
dimensionsareallinconceivabletothetinybrainofahumanbeing.
Itisalsostatedthatthisdescriptionisofonlyoneegglikeuniverse.Thereare
innumerableuniversesbesidesthisone,andsomeofthemaremany,many
timesgreater.Itisconsidered,infact,thatthisuniverseisthesmallest;
thereforethepredominatingsuperintendent,orBrahma,hasonlyfourheadsfor
management.Inotheruniverses,whicharefargreaterthanthisone,Brahma
hasmoreheads.Inthe
CaitanyacaritamrtaitisstatedthatalltheseBrahmaswerecalledonedayby
LordKrsnaontheinquiryofthesmallBrahma,who,afterseeingallthelarger
Brahmas,wasthunderstruck.ThatistheinconceivablepotencyoftheLord.No
onecanmeasurethelengthandbreadthofGodbyspeculationorbyfalse
identificationwithGod.

Theskinisthesiteofthetouchsensation.Thedemigodswhocontrolthe
productionofherbsandmedicinaldrugsarethedeitiespresidingoverthe
tactilesense.
Itisunderstoodherewiththatthefacultytodischargesemenisthecauseof
death.Therefore,yogisandtranscendentalistswhowanttoliveforgreater
spansoflifevoluntarilyrestrainthemselvesfromdischargingsemen.Themore
onecanrestrainthedischargeofsemen,themoreonecanbealooffromthe
problemofdeath.Therearemanyyogislivinguptothreehundredorseven
hundredyearsbythisprocess,andintheBhagavatamitisclearlystatedthat
dischargingsemenisthecauseofhorribledeath.Themoreoneisaddictedto
sexualenjoyment,themoresusceptibleheistoaquickdeath.
Bloodveinsarecomparedtorivers;whentheveinsweremanifestedinthe
universalform,theriversinthevariousplanetswerealsomanifested.The
controllingdeityoftheriversisalsothecontrollingdeityofthenervous
system.InAyurvedictreatment,thosewhoaresufferingfromthediseaseof
nervousinstabilityarerecommendedtotakeabathbydippingintoaflowing
river.
Theoceanisconsideredtobethepresidingdeityoftheabdomen,wherethe
feelingsofhungerandthirstoriginate.Whenthereisanirregularityinhunger

andthirst,oneisadvised,accordingtoAyurvedictreatment,totakeabathin
theocean.
Themoonappearedaftertheappearanceofmind,andthisindicatesthatthe
moonisthepresidingdeityofmind.Similarly,LordBrahma,appearingafter
intelligence,isthepresidingdeityofintelligence,andLordSiva,whoappears
afterfalseego,isthepresidingdeityoffalseego.Inotherwords,itisindicated
thatthemoongodisinthemodeofgoodness,whereasLordBrahmaisinthe
modeofpassionandLordSivaisinthemodeofignorance.Theappearanceof
consciousnessaftertheappearanceoffalseegoindicatesthat,fromthe
beginning,materialconsciousnessisunderthemodeofignoranceandthatone
thereforehastopurifyhimselfbypurifyinghisconsciousness.This
purificatoryprocessiscalledKrsnaconsciousness.Assoonasthe
consciousnessispurified,thefalseegodisappears.Identificationofthebody
withtheselfiscalledfalseidentification,orfalseego.
LordCaitanyaconfirmsthisinHisSiksastaka.Hestatesthatthefirstresultof
chantingthemahamantra,HareKrsna,isthatdirtisclearedfromthe
consciousness,orthemirrorofthemind,andthenatoncetheblazingfireof
materialexistenceisover.Theblazingfireofmaterialexistenceisduetofalse
ego,butassoonasthefalseegoisremoved,onecanunderstandhisreal
identity.Atthatpointheisactuallyliberatedfromtheclutchesofmaya.As
soonasoneisfreedfromtheclutchesoffalseego,hisintelligencealso
becomespurified,andthenhismindisalwaysengageduponthelotusfeetof
theSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
TheSupremePersonalityofGodheadappearedonthefullmoondayas
Gauracandra,orthespotlesstranscendentalmoon.Thematerialmoonhasspots
onit,butonthetranscendentalmoon,Gauracandra,therearenospots.Inorder
tofixthepurifiedmindintheserviceoftheSupremeLord,onehastoworship
thespotlessmoon,Gauracandra.Thosewhoaremateriallypassionateorthose
whowanttoexhibittheirintelligenceformaterialadvancementinlifeare
generallyworshipersofLordBrahma,andpersonswhoareinthegross
ignoranceofidentifyingwiththebodyworshipLordSiva.Materialistslike
HiranyakasipuandRavanaareworshipersofLordBrahmaorLordSiva,but
PrahladaandotherdevoteesintheserviceofKrsnaconsciousnessworshipthe
SupremeLord,thePersonalityofGodhead.
InordertowakethesleepingDeitycontrollerwithin,onehastorechannelthe
senseactivitiesfromconcentrationontheoutsidetoconcentrationinside.In
thefollowingverses,thesenseactivitieswhicharerequiredtowakethevirat
purusawillbeexplainedverynicely.
Therelationshipbetweentheviratpurusaandthepresidingdeitiesortheliving
entitiesissointricatethatsimplybyexercisingthesenseorgans,whichare

relatedtotheirpresidingdeities,theviratpurusacannotbearoused.Itisnot
possibletoarousetheviratpurusaortolinkwiththeSupremeAbsolute
PersonalityofGodheadbymaterialactivities.Onlybydevotionalserviceand
detachmentcanoneperformtheprocessoflinkingwiththeAbsolute.
Althoughsittinginthesamebodyastheindividualsoul,theSupersoulhasno
affectionforthebody,whereastheindividualsouldoes.Onehastodetach
himself,therefore,fromthismaterialbody,bydischargingdevotionalservice.
WhenVasudeva,theallpervadingVisnu,theSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,isservedincompletelypuredevotion,detachmentfromthematerial
worldimmediatelybegins.ThepurposeofSankhyaistodetachoneselffrom
materialcontamination.Thiscanbeachievedsimplybydevotionalserviceto
theSupremepersonalityofGodhead.
Whenoneisdetachedfromtheattractionofmaterialprosperity,onecan
actuallyconcentratehismindupontheSupersoul.Aslongasthemindis
distractedtowardsthematerial,thereisnopossibilityofconcentratingone's
mindandintelligenceupontheSupremePersonalityofGodheadorHispartial
representation,Supersoul.Inotherwords,onecannotconcentrateone'smind
andenergyupontheSupremeunlessoneisdetachedfromthematerialworld.
Followingdetachmentfromthematerialworld,onecanactuallyattain
transcendentalknowledgeoftheAbsoluteTruth.Aslongasoneisentangledin
senseenjoyment,ormaterialenjoyment,itisnotpossibletounderstandthe
AbsoluteTruth.ThisisalsoconfirmedinBhagavadgita(18.54).Onewhois
freedfrommaterialcontaminationisjoyfulandcanenterintodevotional
service,andbydevotionalservicehecanbeliberated.
IntheSrimadBhagavatam,FirstCanto,itisstatedthatonebecomesjoyfulby
dischargingdevotionalservice.Inthatjoyfulattitude,onecanunderstandthe
scienceofGod,orKrsnaconsciousness;otherwiseitisnotpossible.
Theanalyticalstudyoftheelementsofmaterialnatureandtheconcentrationof
themindupontheSupersoularethesumandsubstanceoftheSankhya
philosophicalsystem.Theperfectionofthissankhyayogaculminatesin
devotionalserviceuntotheAbsoluteTruth.
Chapter27

Personwhoisdetachedfromthemodesofmaterialnatureremainsjustlikethe
sunreflectedonwater.Whenthesunisreflectedonwater,themovementof
thewaterorthecoolnessorunsteadinessofthewatercannotaffectthesun.
Similarly,vasudevebhagavatibhaktiyogahprayojitah(Bhag.1.2.7):whenone
engagesfullyintheactivitiesofdevotionalservice,bhaktiyoga,hebecomes
justlikethesunreflectedonwater.Althoughadevoteeappearstobeinthe
materialworld,actuallyheisinthetranscendentalworld.Asthereflectionof

thesunappearstobeonthewaterbutismanymillionsofmilesawayfromthe
water,sooneengagedinthebhaktiyogaprocessisnirguna,orunaffectedby
thequalitiesofmaterialnature.
Avikarameans"withoutchange."ItisconfirmedinBhagavadgitathateach
andeverylivingentityispartandparceloftheSupremeLord,andthushis
eternalpositionistocooperateortodovetailhisenergywiththeSupreme
Lord.Thatishisunchangingposition.Assoonasheemployshisenergyand
activitiesforsensegratification,thischangeofpositioniscalledvikara.
Similarly,eveninthismaterialbody,whenhepracticesdevotionalservice
underthedirectionofthespiritualmaster,hecomestothepositionwhichis
withoutchangebecausethatishisnaturalduty.AsstatedintheSrimad
Bhagavatam,liberationmeansreinstatementinone'soriginalposition.
TheoriginalpositionisoneofrenderingservicetotheLord(bhaktiyogena,
bhaktya).Whenonebecomesdetachedfrommaterialattractionandengages
fullyindevotionalservice,thatischanglessness.Akartrtvatmeansnotdoing
anythingforsensegratification.Whenonedoessomethingathisownrisk,
thereisasenseofproprietorshipandthereforeareaction,butwhenonedoes
everythingforKrsna,thereisnoproprietorshipovertheactivities.By
changlessnessandbynotclaimingtheproprietorshipofactivities,onecan
immediatelysituatehimselfinthetranscendentalpositioninwhichoneisnot
touchedbythemodesofmaterialnature,justasthereflectionofthesunis
unaffectedbythewater.
InBhagavadgitaitissaid,prakrtehkriyamanani:oneactsaccordingtothe
particularmodesofnaturehehasacquired.Gunareferstothequalitiesof
nature.Heisunderthequalitiesofnature,buthefalselythinksthatheisthe
proprietor.
Thisfalsesenseofproprietorshipcanbeavoidedsimplybyengagingoneselfin
devotionalserviceunderthedirectionoftheSupremeLordorHisbonafide
representative.Arjuna,inBhagavadgita,wastryingtoacceptforhimselfthe
responsibilityforkillinghisgrandfatherandteacherinthefight,buthebecame
freedfromthatproprietorshipofactionwhenheactedunderthedirectionof
Krsna.Hefought,buthewasactuallyfreedfromthereactionsoffighting,
althoughinthebeginning,whenhewasnonviolent,unwillingtofight,the
entireresponsibilitywasuponhim.Thatisthedifferencebetweenliberation
andconditioning.
Aconditionedsoulmaybeverygoodandactinthemodeofgoodness,butstill
heisconditionedunderthespellofmaterialnature.Adevotee,however,acts
completelyunderthedirectionoftheSupremeLord.Thushisactionsmaynot
appeartobeofaveryhighqualitytothecommonman,butthedevoteehasno
responsibility.

Thefoolishconditionedsoulmaythinkthatheisofferingcharitybyopening
hospitalsformaterialbenefitorbyopeninganeducationalinstitutionfor
materialeducation,buthedoesnotknowthatallsuchworkisalsofaulty
becauseitwillnotgivehimrelieffromtheprocessoftransmigrationfromone
bodytoanother.Itisclearlystatedhere,sadasanmisrayonisu.Thismeans
thatonemaytakebirthinaveryhighfamilyorhemaytakehisbirthinhigher
planets,amongthedemigods,forhissocalledpiousactivitiesinthematerial
world.Butthisworkisalsofaultybecauseitdoesnotgiveliberation.Totake
birthinaniceplaceorahighfamilydoesnotmeanthatoneavoidsundergoing
thematerialtribulations,thepangsofbirth,death,oldageanddisease.A
conditionedsoulunderthespellofmaterialnaturecannotunderstandthatany
actionheperformsforsensegratificationisfaultyandthatonlyhisactivitiesin
devotionalservicetotheLordcangivehimreleasefromthereactionoffaulty
activities.Becausehedoesnotceasesuchfaultyactivities,hehastochangeto
differentbodies,somehighandsomelow.Thatiscalledsamsarapadavim,
whichmeansthismaterialworld,fromwhichthereisnorelease.Onewho
desiresmaterialliberationhastoturnhisactivitiestodevotionalservice.There
isnoalternative.
Theexampleofadreamisveryappropriate.Duetodifferentmental
conditions,indreamsweareputintoadvantageousanddisadvantageous
positions.Similarly,thespiritsoulhasnothingtodowiththismaterialnature,
butbecauseofhismentalityoflordingitover,heisputintothepositionof
conditionalexistence.
Conditionalexistenceisdescribedhereasdhyayatovisayanasya.Visaya
means"anobjectofenjoyment."Aslongasonecontinuestothinkthathecan
enjoymaterialadvantages,heisinconditionedlife,butassoonashecomesto
hissenses,hedevelopstheknowledgethatheisnottheenjoyer,fortheonly
enjoyeristheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
AsconfirmedinBhagavadgita(5.29),Heisthebeneficiaryforalltheresults
ofsacrificesandpenances(bhoktaramyajnatapasam),andHeistheproprietor
ofallthethreeworlds(sarvalokamahesvaram).Heistheactualfriendofall
livingentities.Butinsteadofleavingproprietorship,enjoymentandtheactual
positionasthefriendofalllivingentitiestotheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,weclaimthatwearetheproprietors,theenjoyersandthefriends.We
performphilanthropicwork,thinkingthatwearethefriendsofhumansociety.
Someonemayproclaimhimselftobeaverygoodnationalworker,thebest
friendofthepeopleandofthecountry,butactuallyhecannotbethegreatest
friendofeveryone.
TheonlyfriendisKrsna.Oneshouldtrytoraisetheconsciousnessofthe
conditionedsoultotheplatformofunderstandingthatKrsnaishisactual
friend.IfonemakesfriendshipwithKrsna,onewillneverbecheated,andhe

willgetallhelpneeded.Arousingthisconsciousnessoftheconditionedsoulis
thegreatestservice,notposingoneselfasagreatfriendofanotherlivingentity.
Thepoweroffriendshipislimited.Althoughoneclaimstobeafriend,he
cannotbeafriendunlimitedly.Thereareanunlimitednumberofliving
entities,andourresourcesarelimited;thereforewecannotbeofanyreal
benefittothepeopleingeneral.Thebestservicetothepeopleingeneralisto
awakenthemtoKrsnaconsciousnesssothattheymayknowthatthesupreme
enjoyer,thesupremeproprietorandthesupremefriendisKrsna.Thenthis
illusorydreamoflordingitovermaterialnaturewillvanish.
Theprocessofliberationisverynicelyexplainedinthisverse.Thecauseof
one'sbecomingconditionedbymaterialnatureishisthinkinghimselfthe
enjoyer,theproprietororthefriendofalllivingentities.Thisfalsethinkingisa
resultofcontemplationonsenseenjoyment.Whenonethinksthatheisthebest
friendtohiscountrymen,tosocietyortohumanityandheengagesinvarious
nationalistic,philanthropicandaltruisticactivities,allthatisjustsomuch
concentrationonsensegratification.Thesocallednationalleaderorhumanist
doesnotserveeveryone;heserveshissensesonly.Thatisafact.Butthe
conditionedsoulcannotunderstandthisbecauseheisbewilderedbythespell
ofmaterialnature.Itisthereforerecommendedinthisversethatoneengage
veryseriouslyinthedevotionalserviceoftheLord.Thismeansthatoneshould
notthinkthatheistheproprietor,benefactor,friendorenjoyer.Heshould
alwaysbecognizantthattherealenjoyerisKrsna,theSupremePersonalityof
Godhead;thatisthebasicprincipleofbhaktiyoga.Onemustbefirmly
convincedofthesethreeprinciples:oneshouldalwaysthinkthatKrsnaisthe
proprietor,KrsnaistheenjoyerandKrsnaisthefriend.Notonlyshouldhe
understandtheseprincipleshimself,butheshouldtrytoconvinceothersand
propagateKrsnaconsciousness.

AssoonasoneengagesinsuchseriousdevotionalserviceoftheLord,
naturallythepropensitytofalselyclaimlordshipovermaterialnature
disappears.Thatdetachmentiscalledvairagya.Insteadofbeingabsorbedin
socalledmateriallordship,oneengagesinKrsnaconsciousness;thatiscontrol
ofconsciousness.Theyogaprocessnecessitatescontrollingthesenses.Yoga
indriyasamyamah.Sincethesensesarealwaysactive,theiractivitiesshouldbe
engagedindevotionalserviceonecannotstoptheiractivities.Ifonewantsto
artificiallystoptheactivitiesofthesenses,hisattemptwillbeafailure.Even
thegreatyogiVisvamitra,whowastryingtocontrolhissensesbytheyoga
process,fellvictimtothebeautyofMenaka.Therearemanysuchinstances.
Unlessone'smindandconsciousnessarefullyengagedindevotionalservice,
thereisalwaystheopportunityforthemindtobecomeoccupiedwithdesires

forsensegratification.
Oneparticularpointmentionedinthisverseisverysignificant.Itissaidhere,
prasaktamasatampathi:themindisalwaysattractedbyasat,thetemporary,
materialexistence.Becausewehavebeenassociatedwithmaterialnaturesince
timeimmemorial,wehavebecomeaccustomedtoourattachmenttothis
temporarymaterialnature.Themindhastobefixedattheeternallotusfeetof
theSupremeLord.Savaimanahkrsnapadaravindayoh.Onehastofixthe
mindatthelotusfeetofKrsna;theneverythingwillbeverynice.Thusthe
seriousnessofbhaktiyogaisstressedinthisverse.
Yogaispracticedineightdifferentstages:yama,niyama,asana,pranayama,
pratyahara,dharana,dhyanaandsamadhi.Yamaandniyamameanpracticing
thecontrollingprocessbyfollowingstrictregulations,andasanareferstothe
sittingpostures.Thesehelpraiseonetothestandardoffaithfulnessin
devotionalservice.Thepracticeofyogabyphysicalexerciseisnottheultimate
goal;therealendistoconcentrateandtocontrolthemindandtrainoneselfto
besituatedinfaithfuldevotionalservice.
Bhavena,orbhava,isaveryimportantfactorinthepracticeofyogaorinany
spiritualprocess.BhavaisexplainedinBhagavadgita(10.8).Budhabhava
samanvitah:oneshouldbeabsorbedinthethoughtofloveofKrsna.Whenone
knowsthatKrsna,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,isthesourceof
everythingandthateverythingemanatesfromHim(ahamsarvasyaprabhavah),
thenoneunderstandstheVedantaaphorismjanmadyasyayatah("theoriginal
sourceofeverything"),andthenhecanbecomeabsorbedinbhava,orthe
preliminarystageofloveofGodhead.
RupaGosvamiexplainsverynicelyinBhaktirasamrtasindhuhowthisbhava,
orpreliminarystageofloveofGod,isachieved.Hestatesthatonefirstofall
hastobecomefaithful(sraddhayanvitah).Faithisattainedbycontrollingthe
senses,eitherbyyogapractice,followingtherulesandregulationsand
practicingthesittingpostures,orbyengagingdirectlyinbhaktiyoga,as
recommendedinthepreviousverse.
Oftheninedifferentitemsofbhaktiyoga,thefirstandforemostistochantand
hearabouttheLord.Thatisalsomentionedhere.Matkathasravanenaca.One
maycometothestandardoffaithfulnessbyfollowingtherulesandregulations
oftheyogasystem,andthesamegoalcanbeachievedsimplybychantingand
hearingaboutthetranscendentalactivitiesoftheLord.Thewordcais
significant.Bhaktiyogaisdirect,andtheotherprocessisindirect.Butevenif
theindirectprocessistaken,thereisnosuccessunlessonecomesfullytothe
directprocessofhearingandchantingthegloriesoftheLord.Thereforethe
wordsatyenaisusedhere.InthisconnectionSvamiSridharacommentsthat
satyenameansniskapatena,"withoutduplicity."

Theimpersonalistsarefullofduplicity.Sometimestheypretendtoexecute
devotionalservice,buttheirultimateideaistobecomeonewiththeSupreme.
Thisisduplicity,kapata.TheBhagavatamdoesnotallowthisduplicity.Inthe
beginningofSrimadBhagavatamitisclearlystated,paramonirmatsaranam:
"ThistreatiseSrimadBhagavatamismeantforthosewhoarecompletelyfree
fromenvy."Thesamepointisagainstressedhere.Unlessoneiscompletely
faithfultotheSupremePersonalityofGodheadandengageshimselfinthe
processofhearingandchantingthegloriesoftheLord,thereisnopossibility
forliberation.
AdevoteeoftheSupremePersonalityofGodheadwhoseriouslyengagesin
devotionalserviceisequaltoalllivingentities.Therearevariousspeciesof
livingentities,butadevoteedoesnotseetheoutwardcovering;heseesthe
innersoulinhabitingthebody.Becauseeachandeverysoulispartandparcel
oftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,hedoesnotseeanydifference.Thatis
thevisionofalearneddevotee.AsexplainedinBhagavadgita,adevoteeora
learnedsagedoesnotseeanydifferencebetweenalearnedbrahmana,adog,an
elephantoracowbecauseheknowsthatthebodyistheoutercoveringonly
andthatthesoulisactuallypartandparceloftheSupremeLord.Adevoteehas
noenmitytowardsanylivingentity,butthatdoesnotmeanthathemixeswith
everyone.Thatisprohibited.Aprasangatahmeans"nottobeinintimatetouch
witheveryone."Adevoteeisconcernedwithhisexecutionofdevotional
service,andheshouldthereforemixwithdevoteesonly,inordertoadvance
hisobjective.Hehasnobusinessmixingwithothers,foralthoughhedoesnot
seeanyoneashisenemy,hisdealingsareonlywithpersonswhoengagein
devotionalservice.
Adevoteeshouldobservethevowofcelibacy.Celibacydoesnotnecessitate
thatonebeabsolutelyfreefromsexlife;satisfactionwithone'swifeis
permittedalsounderthevowofcelibacy.Thebestpolicyistoavoidsexlife
altogether.Thatispreferable.Otherwise,adevoteecangetmarriedunder
religiousprinciplesandlivepeacefullywithawife.

Adevoteeshouldnotspeakneedlessly.Aseriousdevoteehasnotimetospeak
ofnonsense.HeisalwaysbusyinKrsnaconsciousness.Wheneverhespeaks,
hespeaksaboutKrsna.Maunameans"silence."Silencedoesnotmeanthatone
shouldnotspeakatall,butthatheshouldnotspeakofnonsense.Heshouldbe
veryenthusiasticinspeakingaboutKrsna.Anotherimportantitemdescribed
hereissvadharmena,orbeingexclusivelyoccupiedinone'seternal
occupation,whichistoactastheeternalservitoroftheLord,ortoactinKrsna
consciousness.Thenextword,baliyasa,means"offeringtheresultsofall

activitiestotheSupremePersonalityofGodhead."Adevoteedoesnotacton
hispersonalaccountforsensegratification.Whateverheearns,whateverhe
eatsandwhateverhedoes,heoffersforthesatisfactionoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.
Everyonewhohasacceptedamaterialbodymustmaintainthenecessitiesof
thebodybyactingorearningsomelivelihood.Adevoteeshouldonlyworkfor
suchincomeasisabsolutelynecessary.Heshouldbesatisfiedalwayswith
suchincomeandshouldnotendeavortoearnmoreandmoresimplyto
accumulatetheunnecessary.Apersonintheconditionedstatewhohasno
moneyisalwaysfoundworkingveryhardtoearnsomewiththeobjectof
lordingitovermaterialnature.Kapiladevainstructsthatweshouldnot
endeavorhardforthingswhichmaycomeautomatically,withoutextraneous
labor.Theexactwordusedinthisconnection,yadrcchaya,meansthatevery
livingentityhasapredestinedhappinessanddistressinhispresentbody;thisis
calledthelawofkarma.Itisnotpossiblethatsimplybyendeavorsto
accumulatemoremoneyapersonwillbeabletodoso,otherwisealmost
everyonewouldbeonthesamelevelofwealth.Inrealityeveryoneisearning
andacquiringaccordingtohispredestinedkarma.Accordingtothe
Bhagavatamconclusion,wearesometimesfacedwithdangerousormiserable
conditionswithoutendeavoringforthem,andsimilarlywemayhave
prosperousconditionswithoutendeavoringforthem.Weareadvisedtolet
thesethingscomeaspredestined.Weshouldengageourvaluabletimein
prosecutingKrsnaconsciousness.Inotherwords,oneshouldbesatisfiedbyhis
naturalcondition.Ifbypredestinationoneisputintoacertainconditionoflife
whichisnotveryprosperousincomparisontoanother'sposition,oneshould
notbedisturbed.Heshouldsimplytrytoutilizehisvaluabletimetoadvancein
Krsnaconsciousness.AdvancementinKrsnaconsciousnessdoesnotdependon
anymateriallyprosperousordistressedcondition;itisfreefromtheconditions
imposedbymateriallife.AverypoormancanexecuteKrsnaconsciousnessas
effectivelyasaveryrichman.Oneshouldthereforebeverysatisfiedwithhis
positionasofferedbytheLord.
Anotherwordhereismitabhuk.Thismeansthatoneshouldeatonlyasmuch
asnecessarytomaintainthebodyandsoultogether.Oneshouldnotbe
gluttonoustosatisfythetongue.Grains,fruits,milkandsimilarfoodsare
allottedforhumanconsumption.Oneshouldnotbeexcessivelyeagertosatisfy
thetongueandeatthatwhichisnotmeantforhumanity.Particularly,adevotee
shouldeatonlyprasada,orfoodwhichisofferedtothePersonalityof
Godhead.Hispositionistoaccepttheremnantsofthosefoodstuffs.Innocent
foodslikegrains,vegetables,fruits,flowersandmilkpreparationsareoffered
totheLord,andthereforethereisnoscopeforofferingfoodswhichareinthe
modesofpassionandignorance.Adevoteeshouldnotbegreedy.Itisalso
recommendedthatthedevoteeshouldbemuni,orthoughtful;heshouldalways

thinkofKrsnaandhowtorenderbetterservicetotheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead.Thatshouldbehisonlyanxiety.Asamaterialistisalwaysthoughtful
aboutimprovinghismaterialcondition,adevotee'sthoughtsshouldalwaysbe
engagedinimprovinghisconditioninKrsnaconsciousness;thereforehe
shouldbeamuni.
Thenextitemrecommendedisthatadevoteeshouldliveinasecludedplace.
Generallyacommonmanisinterestedinpounds,shillingsandpence,or
materialisticadvancementinlife,whichisunnecessaryforadevotee.A
devoteeshouldselectaplaceofresidencewhereeveryoneisinterestedin
devotionalservice.Generally,therefore,adevoteegoestoasacredplaceof
pilgrimagewheredevoteeslive.Itisrecommendedthatheliveinaplacewhere
thereisnolargenumberofordinarymen.Itisveryimportanttoliveina
secludedplace(viviktasarana).Thenextitemissanta,orpeacefulness.The
devoteeshouldnotbeagitated.Heshouldbesatisfiedwithhisnaturalincome,
eatonlyasmuchasheneedstokeephishealth,liveinasecludedplaceand
alwaysremainpeaceful.PeaceofmindisnecessaryforprosecutingKrsna
consciousness.
Thenextitemismaitra,friendliness.Adevoteeshouldbefriendlytoeveryone,
buthisintimatefriendshipshouldbewithdevoteesonly.Withothersheshould
beofficial.Hemaysay,"Yes,sir,whatyousayisallright,"butheisnot
intimatewiththem.Adevoteeshould,however,havecompassionforpersons
whoareinnocent,whoareneitheratheisticnorverymuchadvancedinspiritual
realization.Adevoteeshouldbecompassionatetowardsthemandinstructthem
asfaraspossibleinmakingadvancementinKrsnaconsciousness.Adevotee
shouldalwaysremainatmavan,orsituatedinhisspiritualposition.Heshould
notforgetthathismainconcernistomakeadvancementinspiritual
consciousness,orKrsnaconsciousness,andheshouldnotignorantlyidentify
himselfwiththebodyorthemind.Atmameansthebodyorthemind,buthere
thewordatmavanespeciallymeansthatoneshouldbeselfpossessed.He
shouldalwaysremaininthepureconsciousnessthatheisspiritsoulandnot
thematerialbodyorthemind.Thatwillmakehimprogressconfidentlyin
Krsnaconsciousness.
Theconditionedsoulsareeagertoidentifywiththebodyandconsiderthatthe
bodyis"myself"andthatanythinginrelationshipwiththebodyorpossessions
ofthebodyis"mine."InSanskritthisiscalledahammamata,anditistheroot
causeofallconditionallife.Apersonshouldseethingsasthecombinationof
matterandspirit.Heshoulddistinguishbetweenthenatureofmatterandthe
natureofspirit,andhisrealidentificationshouldbewithspirit,notwithmatter.
Bythisknowledge,oneshouldavoidthefalse,bodilyconceptoflife.
Consciousnessactsinthreestagesunderthematerialconceptionoflife.When
weareawake,consciousnessactsinaparticularway,whenweareasleepit

actsinadifferentway,andwhenwearein
deepsleep,consciousnessactsinstillanotherway.TobecomeKrsna
conscious,onehastobecometranscendentaltothesethreestagesof
consciousness.Ourpresentconsciousnessshouldbefreedfromallperceptions
oflifeotherthanconsciousnessofKrsna,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
Thisiscalledduribhutanyadarsanah,whichmeansthatwhenoneattains
perfectKrsnaconsciousnesshedoesnotseeanythingbutKrsna.
IntheCaitanyacaritamrtaitissaidthattheperfectdevoteemayseemany
movableandimmovableobjects,butineverythingheseesthattheenergyof
Krsnaisacting.AssoonasherememberstheenergyofKrsna,heimmediately
remembersKrsnainHispersonalform.Thereforeinallhisobservationshe
seesKrsnaonly.IntheBrahmasamhita(5.38)itisstatedthatwhenone'seyes
aresmearedwithloveofKrsna(premanjanacchurita),healwaysseesKrsna,
outsideandinside.Thisisconfirmedhere;oneshouldbefreedfromallother
vision,andinthatwayheisfreedfromthefalseegoisticidentificationandsees
himselfastheeternalservitoroftheLord.
Caksusevarkam:aswecanseethesunwithoutadoubt,onewhoisfully
developedinKrsnaconsciousnessseesKrsnaandHisenergy.Bythisvision
onebecomesatmadrk,orselfrealized.Whenthefalseegoofidentifyingthe
bodywiththeselfisremoved,actualvisionoflifeisperceivable.Thesenses,
therefore,alsobecomepurified.RealserviceoftheLordbeginswhenthe
sensesarepurified.Onedoesnothavetostoptheactivitiesofthesenses,but
thefalseegoofidentifyingwiththebodyhastoberemoved.Thenthesenses
automaticallybecomepurified,andwithpurifiedsensesonecanactually
dischargedevotionalservice.
ApuredevoteecanseethepresenceoftheSupremePersonalityofGodheadin
everythingmateriallymanifested.Heispresentthereonlyasareflection,buta
puredevoteecanrealizethatinthedarknessofmaterialillusiontheonlylight
istheSupremeLord,whoisitssupport.ItisconfirmedinBhagavadgitathat
thebackgroundofthematerialmanifestationisLordKrsna.And,asconfirmed
intheBrahmasamhita,Krsnaisthecauseofallcauses.IntheBrahma
samhitaitisstatedthattheSupremeLord,byHispartialorplenaryexpansion,
ispresentnotonlywithinthisuniverseandeachandeveryuniverse,butin
everyatom,althoughHeisonewithoutasecond.Thewordadvayam,"without
asecond,"whichisusedinthisverse,indicatesthatalthoughtheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadisrepresentedineverything,includingtheatoms,Heis
notdivided.Hispresenceineverythingisexplainedinthenextverse.

ApuredevoteecanrealizethepresenceoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead

ineverythingbythereflectionofHisenergy.IntheVisnupuranaitisstated
thatasthepresenceoffireisunderstoodbyheatandlight,sotheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,althoughonewithoutasecond,isperceived
everywherebythediffusionofHisdifferentenergies.Itisconfirmedinthe
IsopanisadthatthepresenceoftheLordisperceivedeverywherebythe
liberatedsoul,justasthesunshineandthereflectioncanbeperceived
everywherealthoughthesunissituatedfarawayfromthesurfaceoftheglobe.
Theconditionedsoulthinks,"Iamthisbody,"butaliberatedsoulthinks,"Iam
notthisbody.Iamspiritsoul."This"Iam"iscalledego,oridentificationof
theself."Iamthisbody"or"Everythinginrelationshiptothebodyismine"is
calledfalseego,butwhenoneisselfrealizedandthinksthatheisaneternal
servitoroftheSupremeLord,thatidentificationisrealego.Oneconceptionis
inthedarknessofthethreefoldqualitiesofmaterialnaturegoodness,passion
andignoranceandtheotherisinthepurestateofgoodness,calledsuddha
sattvaorvasudeva.
Whenwesaythatwegiveupourego,thismeansthatwegiveupourfalseego,
butrealegoisalwayspresent.Whenoneisreflectedthroughthematerial
contaminationofthebodyandmindinfalseidentification,heisinthe
conditionalstate,butwhenheisreflectedinthepurestageheiscalled
liberated.Theidentificationofoneselfwithone'smaterialpossessionsinthe
conditionalstagemustbepurified,andonemustidentifyhimselfin
relationshipwiththeSupremeLord.Intheconditionedstateoneaccepts
everythingasanobjectofsensegratification,andintheliberatedstateone
acceptseverythingfortheserviceoftheSupremeLord.Krsnaconsciousness,
devotionalservice,istheactualliberatedstageofalivingentity.Otherwise,
bothacceptingandrejectingonthematerialplatformorinvoidnessor
impersonalismareimperfectconditionsforthepuresoul.
Bytheunderstandingofthepuresoul,calledsatyadrk,onecanseeeverything
asareflectionoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Aconcreteexamplecan
begiveninthisconnection.Aconditionedsoulseesaverybeautifulrose,and
hethinksthatthenicearomaticflowershouldbeusedforhisownsense
gratification.Thisisonekindofvision.Aliberatedsoul,however,seesthe
sameflowerasareflectionoftheSupremeLord.Hethinks,"Thisbeautiful
flowerismadepossiblebythesuperiorenergyoftheSupremeLord;therefore
itbelongstotheSupremeLordandshouldbeutilizedinHisservice."These
aretwokindsofvision.Theconditionedsoulseestheflowerforhisown
enjoyment,andthedevoteeseestheflowerasanobjecttobeusedinthe
serviceoftheLord.Inthesameway,onecanseethereflectionoftheSupreme
Lordinone'sownsenses,mindandbodyineverything.

Withthatcorrectvision,onecanengageeverythingintheserviceoftheLord.
ItisstatedintheBhaktirasamrtasindhuthatonewhohasengaged
everythinghisvitalenergy,hiswealth,hisintelligenceandhiswordsinthe
serviceoftheLord,orwhodesirestoengagealltheseintheserviceofthe
Lord,nomatterhowheissituated,istobeconsideredaliberatedsoul,or
satyadrk.Suchamanhasunderstoodthingsastheyare.
TheexplanationbyRupaGosvamiintheBhaktirasamrtasindhuofhowa
personcanbeliberatedeveninthisbodyismoreelaboratelyexplainedinthis
verse.Thelivingentitywhohasbecomesatyadrk,whorealizeshispositionin
relationshipwiththeSupremepersonalityofGodhead,mayremainapparently
mergedinthefiveelementsofmatter,thefivematerialsenseobjects,theten
sensesandthemindandintelligence,butstillheisconsideredtobeawakeand
tobefreedfromthereactionoffalseego.Herethewordlinaisvery
significant.TheMayavadiphilosophersrecommendmergingintheimpersonal
effulgenceofBrahman;thatistheirultimategoal,ordestination.Thatmerging
isalsomentionedhere.
Butinspiteofmerging,onecankeephisindividuality.Theexamplegivenby
JivaGosvamiisthatagreenbirdthatentersagreentreeappearstomergein
thecolorofgreenness,butactuallythebirddoesnotloseitsindividuality.
Similarly,alivingentitymergedeitherinthematerialnatureorinthespiritual
naturedoesnotgiveuphisindividuality.Realindividualityistounderstand
oneselftobetheeternalservitoroftheSupremeLord.Thisinformationis
receivedfromthemouthofLordCaitanya.Hesaidclearly,upontheinquiryof
SanatanaGosvami,thatalivingentityistheservitorofKrsnaeternally.Krsna
alsoconfirmsinBhagavadgitathatthelivingentityiseternallyHispartand
parcel.Thepartandparcelismeanttoservethewhole.Thisisindividuality.It
issoeveninthismaterialexistence,whenthelivingentityapparentlymerges
inmatter.Hisgrossbodyismadeupoffiveelements,hissubtlebodyismade
ofmind,intelligence,falseegoandcontaminatedconsciousness,andhehas
fiveactivesensesandfiveknowledgeacquiringsenses.Inthiswayhemerges
inmatter.Butevenwhilemergedinthetwentyfourelementsofmatter,hecan
keephisindividualityastheeternalservitoroftheLord.Eitherinthespiritual
natureorinthematerialnature,suchaservitoristobeconsideredaliberated
soul.Thatistheexplanationoftheauthorities,anditisconfirmedinthisverse.
Onlyinignorancedoesalivingentitythinkthatheislost.Ifbyattainmentof
knowledgehecomestotherealpositionofhiseternalexistence,heknowsthat
heisnotlost.Anappropriateexampleismentionedherein:nastavittaivaturah.
Apersonwhohaslostagreatsumofmoneymaythinkthatheislost,but
actuallyheisnotlostonlyhismoneyislost.Butduetohisabsorptioninthe
moneyoridentificationwiththemoney,hethinksthatheislost.Similarly,

whenwefalselyidentifywithmatterasourfieldofactivities,wethinkthatwe
arelost,althoughactuallywearenot.Assoonasapersonisawakenedtothe
pureknowledgeofunderstandingthatheisaneternalservitoroftheLord,his
ownrealpositionisrevived.
Alivingentitycanneverbelost.Whenoneforgetshisidentityindeepsleep,
hebecomesabsorbedindreams,andhemaythinkhimselfadifferentpersonor
maythinkhimselflost.Butactuallyhisidentityisintact.Thisconceptofbeing
lostisduetofalseego,anditcontinuesaslongasoneisnotawakenedtothe
senseofhisexistenceasaneternalservitoroftheLord.TheMayavadi
philosophers'conceptofbecomingonewiththeSupremeLordisanother
symptomofbeinglostinfalseego.Onemayfalselyclaimthatheisthe
SupremeLord,butactuallyheisnot.Thisisthelastsnareofmaya'sinfluence
uponthelivingentity.TothinkoneselfequalwiththeSupremeLordorto
thinkoneselftobetheSupremeLordHimselfisalsoduetofalseego.
TheMayavadiphilosophers'positionisthatattheultimateissuetheindividual
islost,everythingbecomesone,andthereisnodistinctionbetweenthe
knower,theknowableandknowledge.Butbyminuteanalysiswecanseethat
thisisnotcorrect.Individualityisneverlost,evenwhenonethinksthatthe
threedifferentprinciples,namelytheknower,theknowableandknowledge,
areamalgamatedormergedintoone.Theveryconceptthatthethreemerge
intooneisanotherformofknowledge,andsincetheperceiverofthe
knowledgestillexists,howcanonesaythattheknower,knowledgeand
knowablehavebecomeone?Theindividualsoulwhoisperceivingthis
knowledgestillremainsanindividual.Bothinmaterialexistenceandin
spiritualexistencetheindividualitycontinues;theonlydifferenceisinthe
qualityoftheidentity.Inthematerialidentity,thefalseegoacts,andbecause
offalseidentification,onetakesthingstobedifferentfromwhattheyactually
are.Thatisthebasicprincipleofconditionallife.Similarly,whenthefalseego
ispurified,onetakeseverythingintherightperspective.Thatisthestateof
liberation.
BecauseeverythingisproducedofHisenergyandexistsonHisenergy,the
energyisnotdifferentfromHimbutstilltheLorddeclares,"Iamnotthere."
Falseegoisticacceptanceofthingsconditionsone,whereasacceptanceof
thingsastheyaremakesoneliberated.Theexamplegiveninthepreviousverse
isapplicablehere:duetoabsorptionofone'sidentityinhismoney,whenthe
moneyislosthethinksthatheisalsolost.Butactuallyheisnotidenticalwith
themoney,nordoesthemoneybelongtohim.Whentheactualsituationis
revealed,weunderstandthatthemoneydoesnotbelongtoanyindividual
personorlivingentity,norisitproducedbyman.Ultimatelythemoneyisthe
propertyoftheSupremeLord,andthereisnoquestionofitsbeinglost.Butas
longasonefalselythinks,"Iamtheenjoyer,"or"IamtheLord,"thisconcept

oflifecontinues,andoneremainsconditioned.Assoonasthisfalseegois
eliminated,oneisliberated.AsconfirmedintheBhagavatam,situationinone's
realconstitutionalpositioniscalledmukti,orliberation.
Devahuti,themotherofKapiladeva,heremakesherfirstinquiry.Althoughone
mayunderstandthatspiritsoulandmatteraredifferent,theiractualseparation
isnotpossible,eitherbyphilosophicalspeculationorbyproperunderstanding.
ThespiritsoulisthemarginalpotencyoftheSupremeLord,andmatteristhe
externalpotencyoftheLord.Thetwoeternalpotencieshavesomehoworother
beencombined,andsinceitissodifficulttoseparateonefromtheother,how
isitpossiblefortheindividualsoultobecomeliberated?Bypractical
experienceonecanseethatwhenthesoulisseparatedfromthebody,thebody
hasnorealexistence,andwhenthebodyisseparatedfromthesoulonecannot
perceivetheexistenceofthesoul.Aslongasthesoulandthebodyare
combined,wecanunderstandthatthereislife.Butwhentheyareseparated,
thereisnomanifestedexistenceofthebodyorthesoul.Thisquestionaskedby
DevahutiofKapiladevaismoreorlessimpelledbythephilosophyofvoidism.
Thevoidistssaythatconsciousnessisaproductofacombinationofmatterand
thatassoonastheconsciousnessisgone,thematerialcombinationdissolves,
andthereforethereisultimatelynothingbutvoidness.Thisabsenceof
consciousnessiscallednirvanainMayavadaphilosophy.
Theexampleisgivenherethatanythingmaterialhasanaroma.Theflower,the
eartheverythinghasanaroma.Ifthearomaisseparatedfromthematter,the
mattercannotbeidentified.Ifthereisnotastetowater,thewaterhasno
meaning;ifthereisnoheatinthefire,thefirehasnomeaning.Similarly,when
thereiswantofintelligence,spirithasnomeaning.
Althoughthelivingentitydesiresfreedomfromthecontaminationofmatter,he
isnotgivenrelease.Actually,assoonasalivingentityputshimselfunderthe
controlofthemodesofmaterialnature,hisactsareinfluencedbythequalities
ofmaterialnature,andhebecomespassive.ItisconfirmedinBhagavadgita,
prakrtehkriyamananigunaih:thelivingentityactsaccordingtothequalitiesor
modesofmaterialnature.Hefalselythinksthatheisacting,butunfortunately
heispassive.Inotherwords,hehasnoopportunitytogetoutofthecontrolof
materialnaturebecauseithasalreadyconditionedhim.InBhagavadgitaitis
alsostatedthatitisverydifficulttogetoutoftheclutchesofmaterialnature.
Onemaytryindifferentwaystothinkthateverythingisvoidintheultimate
issue,thatthereisnoGodandthatevenifthebackgroundofeverythingis
spirit,itisimpersonal.Thisspeculationmaygoon,butactuallyitisvery
difficulttogetoutoftheclutchesofmaterialnature.Devahutiposesthe
questionthatalthoughonemayspeculateinmanyways,whereisliberationas
longasoneisunderthespellofmaterialnature?Theanswerisalsofoundin
Bhagavadgita(7.14):onlyonewhohassurrenderedhimselfuntothelotusfeet
oftheSupremeLordKrsna(mamevayeprapadyante)canbefreedfromthe

clutchesofmaya.
SinceDevahutiisgraduallycomingtothepointofsurrender,herquestionsare
veryintelligent.Howcanonebeliberated?Howcanonebeinapurestateof
spiritualexistenceaslongasheisstronglyheldbythemodesofmaterial
nature?Thisisalsoanindicationtothefalsemeditator.Therearemanyso
calledmeditatorswhothink,"IamtheSupremeSpiritSoul.Iamconducting
theactivitiesofmaterialnature.Undermydirectionthesunismovingandthe
moonisrising."
Theythinkthatbysuchcontemplationormeditationtheycanbecomefree,but
itisseenthatjustthreeminutesafterfinishingsuchnonsensicalmeditation,
theyareimmediatelycapturedbythemodesofmaterialnature.Immediately
afterhishighsoundingmeditation,a"meditator"becomesthirstyandwantsto
smokeordrink.Heisunderthestronggripofmaterialnature,yethethinks
thatheisalreadyfreefromtheclutchesofmaya.ThisquestionofDevahuti'sis
forsuchapersonwhofalselyclaimsthatheiseverything,thatultimately
everythingisvoid,andthattherearenosinfulorpiousactivities.Theseareall
atheisticinventions.Actually,unlessalivingentitysurrendersuntothe
SupremePersonalityofGodheadasinstructedinBhagavadgita,thereisno
liberationorfreedomfromtheclutchesofmaya.
Thesetwoitems,desiretobetheLordandenvyoftheLord,arethebeginning
causeofmaterialbondage.Aslongasaphilosopher,salvationistorvoidisthas
somedesiretobesupreme,tobeeverything,ortodenytheexistenceofGod,
thecauseremains,andthereisnoquestionofhisliberation.
Thereisagulfofdifferencebetweentheoreticalfreedomandactualfreedom
frommaterialbondage.
Theresultofsuchalaborofloveissimplylabor;thereisnootherresult.The
laborofspeculationisendedonlybyexhaustion.Theexampleisgiventhat
thereisnobenefitinhuskingtheskinofanemptypaddy;thericeisalready
gone.Similarly,simplybythespeculativeprocessonecannotbefreedfrom
materialbondage,forthecausestillexists.Onehastonullifythecause,and
thentheeffectwillbenullified.ThisisexplainedbytheSupremePersonality
ofGodheadinthefollowingverses.
SridharaSvamicommentsinthisconnectionthatbyassociationwithmaterial
naturealoneonedoesnotbecomeconditioned.Conditionallifebeginsonly
afteroneisinfectedbythemodesofmaterialnature.Ifsomeoneisincontact
withthepolicedepartment,thatdoesnotmeanthatheisacriminal.Aslongas
onedoesnotcommitcriminalacts,eventhoughthereisapolicedepartment,he
isnotpunished.Similarly,theliberatedsoulisnotaffected,althoughheisin
thematerialnature.EventheSupremePersonalityofGodheadissupposedto

beinassociationwithmaterialnaturewhenHedescends,butHeisnot
affected.Onehastoactinsuchawaythatinspiteofbeinginthematerial
natureheisnotaffectedbycontamination.Althoughthelotusflowerisin
associationwithwater,itdoesnotmixwiththewater.Thatishowonehasto
live,asdescribedherebythePersonalityofGodheadKapiladeva(animitta
nimittenasvadharmenamalatmana).
Onecanbeliberatedfromalladversecircumstancessimplybyseriously
engagingindevotionalservice.Howthisdevotionalservicedevelopsand
becomesmatureisexplainedhere.Inthebeginningonehastoperformhis
prescribeddutieswithacleanmind.CleanconsciousnessmeansKrsna
consciousness.
OnehastoperformhisprescribeddutiesinKrsnaconsciousness.Thereisno
necessityofchangingone'sprescribedduties;onesimplyhastoactinKrsna
consciousness.IndischargingKrsnaconsciousduties,oneshoulddetermine
whether,byhisprofessionaloroccupationalduties,Krsna,theSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,issatisfied.InanotherplaceintheBhagavatamitis
said,svanusthitasyadharmasyasamsiddhirharitosanam:everyonehassome
prescribeddutiestoperform,buttheperfectionofsuchdutieswillbereached
onlyiftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,Hari,issatisfiedbysuchactions.
Forexample,Arjuna'sprescribeddutywastofight,andtheperfectionofhis
fightingwastestedbythesatisfactionofKrsna.Krsnawantedhimtofight,and
whenhefoughtforthesatisfactionoftheLord,thatwastheperfectionofhis
professionaldevotionalduty.Ontheotherhand,when,contrarytothewishof
Krsna,hewasnotwillingtofight,thatwasimperfect.
Anythingdoneotherwise,withoutthesatisfactionofVisnu,orYajna,produces
bondage,sohereitisalsoprescribedbyKapilaMunithatonecantranscend
materialentanglementbyactinginKrsnaconsciousness,whichmeans
seriouslyengagingindevotionalservice.Thisseriousdevotionalservicecan
developbyhearingforlongperiodsoftime.Chantingandhearingisthe
beginningoftheprocessofdevotionalservice.Oneshouldassociatewith
devoteesandhearfromthemabouttheLord'stranscendentalappearance,
activities,disappearance,instructions,etc.
Bycontinuous,regularhearing,theeffectsofthecontaminationoflustand
greedtoenjoyorlorditovermaterialnaturediminish,andwhenlustandgreed
diminish,onethenbecomessituatedinthemodeofgoodness.Thisisthestage
ofBrahmanrealization,orspiritualrealization.Inthiswayonebecomesfixed
onthetranscendentalplatform.Remainingfixedonthetranscendentalplatform
isliberationfrommaterialentanglement.
DevotionalserviceinKrsnaconsciousnesscannotbeperformedblindlydueto
materialemotionormentalconcoction.Itisspecificallymentionedherethat

onehastoperformdevotionalserviceinfullknowledgebyvisualizingthe
AbsoluteTruth.WecanunderstandabouttheAbsoluteTruthbyevolving
transcendentalknowledge,andtheresultofsuchtranscendentalknowledgewill
bemanifestedbyrenunciation.Thatrenunciationisnottemporaryorartificial,
butisverystrong.ItissaidthatdevelopmentofKrsnaconsciousnessis
exhibitedbyproportionatematerialdetachment,orvairagya.Ifonedoesnot
separatehimselffrommaterialenjoyment,itistobeunderstoodthatheisnot
advancinginKrsnaconsciousness.RenunciationinKrsnaconsciousnessisso
strongthatitcannotbedeviatedbyanyattractiveillusion.Onehastoperform
devotionalserviceinfulltapasya,austerity.

OneshouldfastonthetwoEkadasidays,whichfallontheeleventhdayofthe
waxingandwaningmoon,andonthebirthdaysofLordKrsna,LordRamaand
CaitanyaMahaprabhu.Therearemanysuchfastingdays.Yogenameans"by
controllingthesensesandmind."Yogaindriyasamyamah.Yogenaimplies
thatoneisseriouslyabsorbedintheselfandisable,bydevelopmentof
knowledge,tounderstandhisconstitutionalpositioninrelationshipwiththe
Superself.Inthiswayonebecomesfixedindevotionalservice,andhisfaith
cannotbeshakenbyanymaterialallurement.
ThushismaindiseasesarethathewantstobeonewiththeSupremeLordorhe
wantstobecomethelordofmaterialnature.Thekarmistrytoutilizethe
resourcesofmaterialnatureandthusbecomeitslordandenjoysense
gratification,andthejnanis,thesalvationists,whohavebecomefrustratedin
enjoyingthematerialresources,wanttobecomeonewiththeSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadormergeintotheimpersonaleffulgence.Thesetwo
diseasesareduetomaterialcontamination.Materialcontaminationcanbe
consumedbydevotionalservicebecauseindevotionalservicethesetwo
diseases,namelythedesiretolorditovermaterialnatureandthedesireto
becomeonewiththeSupremeLord,areabsent.
AdevoteeinfullKrsnaconsciousnessappearssuperficiallytobeagreatkarmi,
alwaysworking,buttheinnersignificanceofthedevotee'sactivitiesisthat
theyaremeantforthesatisfactionoftheSupremeLord.Thisiscalledbhakti,
ordevotionalservice.Arjunawasapparentlyafighterbutwhenbyhisfighting
hesatisfiedthesensesofLordKrsna,hebecameadevotee.Sinceadevotee
alsoengagesinphilosophicalresearchtounderstandtheSupremePersonasHe
is,hisactivitiesmaythusappeartobelikethoseofamentalspeculator,but
actuallyheistryingtounderstandthespiritualnatureandtranscendental
activities.

Whenoneisactuallysituatedindevotionalservice,thatishisindependent
position.Lessintelligentmencannotunderstandthepositionoftheeternal
servantoftheLord.Becausetheword"servant"isused,theybecomeconfused;
theycannotunderstandthatthisservitudeisnottheservitudeofthismaterial
world.TobetheservantoftheLordisthegreatestposition.Ifonecan
understandthisandcanthusreviveone'soriginalnatureofeternalservitorship
oftheLord,onestandsfullyindependent.Alivingentity'sindependenceislost
bymaterialcontact.Inthespiritualfieldhehasfullindependence,and
thereforethereisnoquestionofbecomingdependentuponthethreemodesof
materialnature.Thispositionisattainedbyadevotee,andthereforehegives
upthetendencyformaterialenjoymentafterseeingitsfaultiness.
Inotherwords,transcendentalpleasurederivedfromlovingservicetotheLord
isactualindependence.

Intheconditionofdreaming,whenone'sconsciousnessisalmostcovered,one
mayseemanyunfavorablethingswhichcausedisturbanceoranxiety,butupon
awakening,althoughherememberswhathappenedinthedream,heisnot
disturbed.Similarlythepositionofselfrealization,orunderstandingofone's
realrelationshipwiththeSupremeLord,makesonecompletelysatisfied,and
thethreemodesofmaterialnature,whicharethecauseofalldisturbances,
cannotaffecthim.Incontaminatedconsciousnessoneseeseverythingtobefor
hisownenjoyment,butinpureconsciousness,orKrsnaconsciousness,hesees
thateverythingexistsfortheenjoymentofthesupremeenjoyer.Thatisthe
differencebetweenthedreamstateandwakefulness.
Thestateofcontaminatedconsciousnessiscomparedtodreamconsciousness,
andKrsnaconsciousnessiscomparedtotheawakenedstageoflife.Actually,
asstatedinBhagavadgita,theonlyabsoluteenjoyerisKrsna.Onewhocan
understandthatKrsnaistheproprietorofallthethreeworldsandthatHeisthe
friendofeveryoneispeacefulandindependent.Aslongasaconditionedsoul
doesnothavethisknowledge,hewantstobetheenjoyerofeverything;he
wantstobecomeahumanitarianorphilanthropistandopenhospitalsand
schoolsforhisfellowhumanbeings.Thisisallillusion,foronecannotbenefit
anyonebysuchmaterialactivities.Ifonewishestobenefithisfellowbrother,
hemustawakenhisdormantKrsnaconsciousness.TheKrsnaconscious
positionisthatofpratibuddha,whichmeans"pureconsciousness."
Atmaramameans"onewhorejoicesintheself,"or"onewhoenjoysinthe
spiritualatmosphere."
TheSupremeSoulisthePersonalityofGodhead,andtheindividualsoulisthe
livingentity.Whentheyengageinreciprocationofserviceandbenediction,the

livingentityissaidtobeintheatmaramaposition.Thisatmaramapositioncan
beattainedbyonewhoknowsthetruthasitis.ThetruthisthattheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadistheenjoyerandthatthelivingentitiesaremeantfor
Hisserviceandenjoyment.Onewhoknowsthistruth,andwhotriestoengage
allresourcesintheserviceoftheLord,escapesallmaterialreactionsand
influencesofthemodesofmaterialnature.
Anexamplemaybecitedinthisconnection.Justasamaterialistengagesin
constructingabigskyscraper,adevoteeengagesinconstructingabigtemple
forVisnu.Superficially,theskyscraperconstructorandtempleconstructorare
onthesamelevel,forbotharecollectingwood,stone,ironandotherbuilding
materials.Butthepersonwhoconstructsaskyscraperisamaterialist,andthe
personwhoconstructsatempleofVisnuisatmarama.Thematerialisttriesto
satisfyhimselfinrelationtohisbodybyconstructingaskyscraper,butthe
devoteetriestosatisfytheSuperself,theSupremePersonalityofGodhead,by
constructingthetemple.

If,whileperforminganyactivity,eveninmaterialexistence,one'smindis
fixeduponthelotusfeetofthePersonalityofGodhead,onewillnotbe
entangledorconditioned.Theworkerindevotionalservice,infullKrsna
consciousness,isalwaysindependentoftheinfluenceofmaterialnature.
AnyoneengagedindevotionalservicetotheSupremePersonalityofGodhead
isknownasadevotee,butthereisadistinctionbetweenpuredevoteesand
mixeddevotees.Amixeddevoteeengagesindevotionalserviceforthe
spiritualbenefitofbeingeternallyengagedinthetranscendentalabodeofthe
Lordinfullblissandknowledge.Inmaterialexistence,whenadevoteeisnot
completelypurified,heexpectsmaterialbenefitfromtheLordintheformof
relieffrommaterialmiseries,orhewantsmaterialgain,advancementin
knowledgeoftherelationshipbetweentheSupremePersonalityofGodhead
andthelivingentity,orknowledgeastotherealnatureoftheSupremeLord.
Whenapersonistranscendentaltotheseconditions,heiscalledapure
devotee.HedoesnotengagehimselfintheserviceoftheLordforanymaterial
benefitorforunderstandingoftheSupremeLord.Hisoneinterestisthathe
lovestheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,andhespontaneouslyengagesin
satisfyingHim.
Thehighestexampleofpuredevotionalserviceisthatofthegopisin
Vrndavana.TheyarenotinterestedinunderstandingKrsna,butonlyin
lovingHim.Thatplatformofloveisthepurestateofdevotionalservice.
Unlessoneisadvancedtothispurestateofdevotionalservice,thereisa
tendencytodesireelevationtoahighermaterialposition.Amixeddevotee
maydesiretoenjoyacomfortablelifeonanotherplanetwithagreaterspanof

life,suchasonBrahmaloka.Thesearematerialdesires,butbecauseamixed
devoteeengagesintheserviceoftheLord,ultimately,aftermany,manylives
ofmaterialenjoyment,heundoubtedlydevelopsKrsnaconsciousness,andthe
symptomofthisKrsnaconsciousnessisthatheisnolongerinterestedinany
sortofmateriallyelevatedlife.Hedoesnotevenaspiretobecomeapersonality
likeLordBrahma.
ActualselfrealizationmeansbecomingapuredevoteeoftheLord.The
existenceofadevoteeimpliesthefunctionofdevotionandtheobjectof
devotion.SelfrealizationultimatelymeanstounderstandthePersonalityof
Godheadandthelivingentities;toknowtheindividualselfandthereciprocal
exchangesoflovingservicebetweentheSupremePersonalityofGodheadand
thelivingentityisrealselfrealization.Thiscannotbeattainedbythe
impersonalistsorothertranscendentalists;theycannotunderstandthescience
ofdevotionalservice.Devotionalserviceisrevealedtothepuredevoteebythe
unlimitedcauselessmercyoftheLord.Thisisespeciallyspokenofherebythe
Lordmatprasadena,"byMyspecialgrace."

Nihsreyasameans"theultimatedestination."Svasamsthanaindicatesthatthe
impersonalistshavenoparticularplacetostay.Theimpersonalistssacrifice
theirindividualitysothatthelivingsparkcanmergeintotheimpersonal
effulgenceemanatingfromthetranscendentalbodyoftheLord,butthedevotee
hasaspecificabode.Theplanetsrestinthesunshine,butthesunshineitself
hasnoparticularrestingplace.Whenonereachesaparticularplanet,thenhe
hasarestingplace.Thespiritualsky,whichisknownaskaivalya,issimply
blissfullightonallsides,anditisundertheprotectionoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.
Inthatimpersonaleffulgencetherearespiritualplanets,whichareknownas
Vaikunthas,chiefofwhichisKrsnaloka.Somedevoteesareelevatedtothe
Vaikunthaplanets,andsomeareelevatedtotheplanetKrsnaloka.Accordingto
thedesireoftheparticulardevotee,heisofferedaparticularabode,whichis
knownassvasamsthana,hisdesireddestination.BythegraceoftheLord,the
selfrealizeddevoteeengagedindevotionalserviceunderstandshisdestination
evenwhileinthematerialbody.Hethereforeperformshisdevotionalactivities
steadily,withoutdoubting,andafterquittinghismaterialbodyheatonce
reachesthedestinationforwhichhehaspreparedhimself.Afterreachingthat
abode,henevercomesbacktothismaterialworld.
Thewordslingadvinirgame,whichareusedhere,mean"afterbeingfreedfrom
thetwokindsofmaterialbodies,subtleandgross."Thesubtlebodyismadeof

mind,intelligence,falseegoandcontaminatedconsciousness,andthegross
bodyismadeoffiveelementsearth,water,fire,airandether.Whenoneis
transferredtothespiritualworld,hegivesupboththesubtleandgrossbodies
ofthismaterialworld.Heentersthespiritualskyinhispure,spiritualbodyand
isstationedinoneofthespiritualplanets.
Yogisaregenerallyattractedtothebyproductsofmysticyogicpower,forthey
canbecomesmallerthanthesmallestorgreaterthanthegreatest,achieve
anythingtheydesire,havepowereventocreateaplanet,orbringanyonethey
likeundertheirsubjection.Yogiswhohaveincompleteinformationofthe
resultofdevotionalserviceareattractedbythesepowers,butthesepowersare
material;theyhavenothingtodowithspiritualprogress.Asothermaterial
powersarecreatedbythematerialenergy,mysticyogicpowersarealso
material.Aperfectyogismindisnotattractedbyanymaterialpower,butis
simplyattractedbyunalloyedservicetotheSupremeLord.Foradevotee,the
processofmergingintotheBrahmaneffulgenceisconsideredtobehellish,and
yogicpowerorthepreliminaryperfectionofyogicpower,tobeabletocontrol
thesenses,isautomaticallyachieved.Asforelevationtohigherplanets,a
devoteeconsidersthistobesimplyhallucinatory.Adevotee'sattentionis
concentratedonlyupontheeternallovingserviceoftheLord,andthereforethe
powerofdeathhasnoinfluenceoverhim.Insuchadevotionalstate,aperfect
yogicanattainthestatusofimmortalknowledgeandbliss.

Chapter28

ThisisalsoconfirmedinBhagavadgita,whichstatesinthelastverseofthe
SixthChapterthatthegreatestyogiishewhoconstantlythinksofKrsnawithin
himself,orhewhoisKrsnaconscious.
EvenPatanjaliexplainsthatthetargetofallyogaisVisnu.Astangayogais
thereforepartofVaisnavapracticebecauseitsultimategoalisrealizationof
Visnu.Theachievementofsuccessinyogaisnotacquisitionofmysticpower,
whichiscondemnedinthepreviouschapter,but,rather,freedomfromall
materialdesignationsandsituationinone'sconstitutionalposition.Thatisthe
ultimateachievementinyogapractice.
Oneshouldnotacceptanother'sduty.Ifoneisborninaparticularsocietyor
community,heshouldperformtheprescribeddutiesforthatparticulardivision.
If,however,oneisfortunateenoughtotranscendthedesignationofbirthina
particularsocietyorcommunitybybeingelevatedtothestandardofspiritual
identity,thenhissvadharma,orduty,issolelythatofservingtheSupreme
personalityofGodhead.TheactualdutyofonewhoisadvancedinKrsna
consciousnessistoservetheLord.Aslongasoneremainsinthebodily
conceptoflife,hemayactaccordingtothedutiesofsocialconvention,butif

oneiselevatedtothespiritualplatform,hemustsimplyservetheSupreme
Lord;thatistherealexecutionofsvadharma.
Itisrecommendedhereinthatreligiouspracticeforeconomicdevelopmentor
thesatisfactionofsensedesiresshouldbeavoided.Religiouspracticesshould
beexecutedonlytogainfreedomfromtheclutchesofmaterialnature.Itis
statedinthebeginningofSrimadBhagavatamthatthetopmostreligious
practiceisthatbywhichonecanattaintothetranscendentaldevotionalservice
oftheLord,withoutreasonorcause.Suchreligiouspracticeisneverhampered
byanyimpediments,andbyitsperformanceoneactuallybecomessatisfied.
Herethisisrecommendedasmoksadharma,religiouspracticeforsalvation,or
transcendenceoftheclutchesofmaterialcontamination.Generallypeople
executereligiouspracticesforeconomicdevelopmentorsensegratification,
butthatisnotrecommendedforonewhowantstoadvanceinyoga.
ItisrecommendedintheVedicliteraturesthatayogieatonlyhalfwhathe
desiresaccordingtohishunger.Ifoneissohungrythathecoulddevourone
poundoffoodstuffs,theninsteadofeatingonepound,heshouldconsumeonly
halfapoundandsupplementthiswithfourouncesofwater;onefourthofthe
stomachshouldbeleftemptyforpassageofairinthestomach.Ifoneeatsin
thismanner,hewillavoidindigestionanddisease.
Thereforeinyogapracticeonenotonlymustconcentratehismindonthe
personofKrsna,butmustalsoworshiptheformorDeityofKrsnadaily.

Abrahmacaripracticescelibacy,controllinghissexlife.Onecannotenjoy
unrestrictedsexlifeandpracticeyoga;thisisrascaldom.Socalledyogis
advertisethatonecangoonenjoyingasonelikesandsimultaneouslybecomea
yogi,butthisistotallyunauthorized.Itisveryclearlyexplainedherethatone
mustobservecelibacy.Brahmacaryammeansthatoneleadshislifesimplyin
relationshipwithBrahman,orinfullKrsnaconsciousness.Thosewhoaretoo
addictedtosexlifecannotobservetheregulationswhichwillleadthemto
Krsnaconsciousness.Sexlifeshouldberestrictedtopersonswhoaremarried.
Apersonwhosesexlifeisrestrictedinmarriageisalsocalledabrahmacari.
Thewordasteyamisalsoveryimportantforayogi.Asteyammeans"torefrain
fromtheft."Inthebroadersense,everyonewhoaccumulatesmorethanhe
needsisathief.Accordingtospiritualcommunism,onecannotpossessmore
thanheneedsforhispersonalmaintenance.Thatisthelawofnature.Anyone
whoaccumulatesmoremoneyormorepossessionsthanheneedsiscalleda
thief,andonewhosimplyaccumulateswealthwithoutspendingforsacrificeor
forworshipofthePersonalityofGodheadisagreatthief.
EvenifoneisnotKrsnaconsciousandispracticingtheyogasystem,hemust

readstandardVedicliteraturesinordertounderstand.Performanceofyoga
aloneisnotsufficient.NarottamadasaThakura,agreatdevoteeandacaryain
theGaudiyaVaisnavasampradaya,saysthatallspiritualactivitiesshouldbe
understoodfromthreesources,namelysaintlypersons,standardscripturesand
thespiritualmaster.
Thespiritualmasterprescribesstandardliteraturefortheprosecutionofthe
yogaofdevotionalservice,andhehimselfspeaksonlyfromscriptural
reference.Thereforereadingstandardscripturesisnecessaryforexecuting
yoga.Practicingyogawithoutreadingthestandardliteraturesissimplyawaste
oftime.
Theyogicpracticesingeneralandhathayogainparticulararenotendsin
themselves;theyaremeanstotheendofattainingsteadiness.Firstonemustbe
abletositproperly,andthenthemindandattentionwillbecomesteadyenough
forpracticingyoga.Gradually,onemustcontrolthecirculationofvitalair,and
withsuchcontrolhewillbeabletowithdrawthesensesfromsenseobjects.In
thepreviousverseitisstatedthatonemustobservecelibacy.Themost
importantaspectofsensecontroliscontrollingsexlife.Thatiscalled
brahmacarya.Bypracticingthedifferentsittingposturesandcontrollingthe
vitalair,onecancontrolandrestrainthesensesfromunrestrictedsense
enjoyment.

Therearesixcirclesofvitalaircirculationwithinthebody.Thefirstcircleis
withinthebelly,thesecondcircleisintheareaoftheheart,thethirdisinthe
areaofthelungs,thefourthisonthepalate,thefifthisbetweentheeyebrows,
andthehighest,thesixthcircle,isabovethebrain.Onehastofixhismindand
thecirculationofthevitalairandthusthinkofthetranscendentalpastimesof
theSupremeLord.Itisnevermentionedthatoneshouldconcentrateonthe
impersonalorvoid.
Itisclearlystated,vaikunthalila.Lilameans"pastimes."UnlesstheAbsolute
Truth,thepersonalityofGodhead,hastranscendentalactivities,whereisthe
scopeforthinkingofthesepastimes?Itisthroughtheprocessesofdevotional
service,chantingandhearingofthepastimesoftheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,thatonecanachievethisconcentration.AsdescribedintheSrimad
Bhagavatam,theLordappearsanddisappearsaccordingtoHisrelationships
withdifferentdevotees.TheVedicliteraturescontainmanynarrationsofthe
Lord'spastimes,includingtheBattleofKuruksetraandhistoricalfactsrelating
tothelifeandpreceptsofdevoteeslikePrahladaMaharaja,DhruvaMaharaja

andAmbarisaMaharaja.Oneneedonlyconcentratehismindononesuch
narrationandbecomealwaysabsorbedinitsthought.Thenhewillbein
samadhi.
Therealyogiisthedevoteebecausehismindisalwaysconcentratedonthe
pastimesofLordKrsna.ThereforeKrsnaconsciousnessisthetopmostyoga
system.
Sittinginaneasypostureiscalledsvastisamasinah.Itisrecommendedinthe
yogascripturethatoneshouldputthesolesofthefeetbetweenthetwothighs
andanklesandsitstraight;thatposturewillhelponetoconcentratehismind
ontheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Thisveryprocessisalso
recommendedinBhagavadgita,SixthChapter.Itisfurthersuggestedthatone
sitinasecluded,sanctifiedspot.Theseatshouldconsistofdeerskinandkusa
grass,toppedwithcotton.
Therealpurposeofcontrollingthemindbytheprescribedmethodofclearing
thepassageofthelifeairisachievedimmediatelyifonefixeshisminddirectly
onthelotusfeetofKrsna.Thehathayogasystem,orbreathingsystem,is
especiallyrecommendedforthosewhoareveryabsorbedintheconceptof
bodilyexistence,butonewhocanperformthesimpleprocessofchantingHare
Krsnacanfixthemindmoreeasily.
Threedifferentactivitiesarerecommendedforclearingthepassageofbreath:
puraka,kumbhakaandrecaka.Inhalingthebreathiscalledpuraka,sustainingit
withiniscalledkumbhaka,andfinallyexhalingitiscalledrecaka.These
recommendedprocessescanalsobeperformedinthereverseorder.After
exhaling,onecankeeptheairoutsideforsometimeandtheninhale.The
nervesthroughwhichinhalationandexhalationareconductedaretechnically
calledidaandpingala.
Theultimatepurposeofclearingtheidaandpingalapassagesistodivertthe
mindfrommaterialenjoyment.AsstatedinBhagavadgita,one'smindishis
enemy,andone'smindisalsohisfriend;itspositionvariesaccordingtothe
differentdealingsofthelivingentity.Ifwedivertourmindtothoughtsof
materialenjoyment,thenourmindbecomesanenemy,andifweconcentrate
ourmindonthelotusfeetofKrsna,thenourmindisafriend.Bytheyoga
systemofpuraka,kumbhakaandrecakaorbydirectlyfixingthemindonthe
soundvibrationofKrsnaorontheformofKrsna,thesamepurposeis
achieved.
AccordingtoAyurvedicmedicalsciencethethreeitemskapha,pittaandvayu
(phlegm,bileandair)maintainthephysiologicalconditionofthebody.
Modernmedicalsciencedoesnotacceptthisphysiologicalanalysisasvalid,
buttheancientAyurvedicprocessoftreatmentisbasedupontheseitems.

Foreveryitemintheyogasystemthereisaparallelactivityinbhakti
yoga,butthepracticeofbhaktiyogaiseasierforthisage.Whatwas
introducedbyLordCaitanyaisnotanewinterpretation.Bhaktiyogaisa
feasibleprocessthatbeginswithchantingandhearing.
BhaktiyogaandotheryogashaveastheirultimategoalthesamePersonalityof
Godhead,butoneispractical,andtheothersaredifficult.Onehastopurifyhis
physiologicalconditionbyconcentrationandbyrestraintofthesenses;thenhe
canfixhismindupontheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Thatiscalled
samadhi.
Itisdefinitelyrecommendedhereinthatoneconcentratehisminduponthe
formofVisnu.TherearetwelvedifferentformsofVisnu,whicharedescribed
inTeachingsofLordCaitanya.
ThecolorofthePersonalityofGodhead,Krsna,isdescribedhereasnilotpala
dala,meaningthatitislikethatofalotusflowerwithpetalstintedblueand
white.PeoplealwaysaskwhyKrsnaisblue.ThecoloroftheLordhasnotbeen
imaginedbyanartist.Itisdescribedinauthoritativescripture.IntheBrahma
samhitaalso,thecolorofKrsna'sbodyiscomparedtothatofabluishcloud.
inthespiritualworldoneminusoneequalsone,andoneplusoneequalsone.
Theworddarsaniyatamam,whichisusedinthisverse,meansthattheLordis
sobeautifulthatthedevoteeyogidoesnotwishtoseeanythingelse.Hisdesire
toseebeautifulobjectsiscompletelysatisfiedbythesightoftheLord.Inthe
materialworldwewanttoseebeauty,butthedesireisneversatisfied.Because
ofmaterialcontamination,allthepropensitieswefeelinthematerialworldare
everunsatisfied.Butwhenourdesirestosee,hear,touch,etc.,aredovetailed
forthesatisfactionoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,theyareonthe
levelofthetopmostperfection.

Theoriginalpersonisonewithoutasecond,yetHeneverappearsold;He
alwaysappearsaseverfreshasabloomingyouth.
TheLord'sfacialexpressionalwaysindicatesthatHeisreadytoshowfavor
andbenedictiontothedevotees;forthenondevotees,however,Heissilent.As
statedinBhagavadgita,althoughHeactsequallytoeveryonebecauseHeis
theSupremePersonalityofGodheadandbecausealllivingentitiesareHis
sons,Heisespeciallyinclinedtothoseengagedindevotionalservice.The
samefactisconfirmedhere:Heisalwaysanxioustoshowfavortothe
devotees.Justasthedevoteesarealwayseagertorenderserviceuntothe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,theLordisalsoveryeagertobestow
benedictionuponthepuredevotees.

ThisisconfirmedintheBrahmasamhita:apersonwhohasdevelopedpure
lovefortheLord,andwhoseeyesaresmearedwiththeointmentof
transcendentallovingexchange,alwaysseeswithinhishearttheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.ThedevoteesespeciallyseetheLordinthebeautiful
blackishformofSyamasundara.Thatistheperfectionofyoga.Thisyoga
systemshouldbecontinueduntiltheminddoesnotvacillateforamoment.
ThesamepurposeisservedwhenadevoteeworshipstheformoftheLordin
thetemple.Thereisnodifferencebetweendevotionalserviceinthetempleand
meditationontheformoftheLord,sincetheformoftheLordisthesame
whetherHeappearswithinthemindorinsomeconcreteelement.Thereare
eightkindsofformsrecommendedforthedevoteestosee.Theformsmaybe
madeoutofsand,clay,woodorstone,theymaybecontemplatedwithinthe
mindormadeofjewels,metalorpaintedcolors,butalltheformsareofthe
samevalue.Itisnotthatonewhomeditatesontheformwithinthemindsees
differentlyfromonewhoworshipstheforminthetemple.TheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadisabsolute,andthereisthereforenodifference
betweenthetwo.Theimpersonalists,whodesiretodisregardtheeternalform
oftheLord,imaginesomeroundfigure.Theyespeciallyprefertheomkara,
whichalsohasform.InBhagavadgitaitisstatedthatomkaraistheletterform
oftheLord.Similarly,therearestatueformsandpaintingformsoftheLord.
Itissometimesfeasibletochantthenameofaholydevotee.Thisisavery
sanctifiedprocess.LordCaitanyawasoncechantingtheholynamesofthe
gopiswhenHisstudentscriticizedHim:"WhyareYouchantingthenamesof
thegopis?Whynot'Krsna'?"LordCaitanyawasirritatedbythecriticism,and
sotherewassomemisunderstandingbetweenHimandHisstudents.Hewanted
tochastisethemfordesiringtoinstructHimonthetranscendentalprocessof
chanting.

ThebeautyoftheLordisthatthedevoteeswhoareconnectedwithHis
activitiesarealsoglorified.Arjuna,Prahlada,JanakaMaharaja,BaliMaharaja
andmanyotherdevoteeswerenotevenintherenouncedorderoflife,butwere
householders.Someofthem,suchasPrahladaMaharajaandBaliMaharaja,
werebornofdemoniacfamilies.PrahladaMaharaja'sfatherwasademon,and
BaliMaharajawasthegrandsonofPrahladaMaharaja,butstilltheyhave
becomefamousbecauseoftheirassociationwiththeLord.Anyonewhois
eternallyassociatedwiththeLordisglorifiedwiththeLord.Theconclusionis
thataperfectyogishouldalwaysbeaccustomedtoseeingtheformoftheLord,
andunlessthemindisfixedinthatway,heshouldcontinuepracticingyoga.

Theonlydifferenceisthathearingandfixingthemindonthepastimesofthe
LordiseasierthanvisualizingtheformoftheLordwithinone'sheartbecause
assoonasonebeginstothinkoftheLord,especiallyinthisage,themind
becomesdisturbed,andduetosomuchagitation,theprocessofseeingthe
Lordwithinthemindisinterrupted.Whenthereissoundvibratedpraisingthe
transcendentalpastimesoftheLord,however,oneisforcedtohear.That
hearingprocessentersintothemind,andthepracticeofyogaisautomatically
performed.Forexample,evenachildcanhearandderivethebenefitof
meditatingonthepastimesoftheLordsimplybylisteningtoareadingfrom
theBhagavatamthatdescribestheLordasHeisgoingtothepasturingground
withHiscowsandfriends.Hearingincludesapplyingthemind.
Thewordmuniisverysignificant.Munimeansonewhoisveryexpertin
mentalspeculationorinthinking,feelingandwilling.Heisnotmentionedhere
asadevoteeoryogi.ThosewhotrytomeditateontheformoftheLordare
calledmunis,orlessintelligent,whereasthosewhorenderactualservicetothe
Lordarecalledbhaktiyogis.Thethoughtprocessdescribedbelowisforthe
educationofthemuni.InordertoconvincetheyogithattheAbsoluteTruth,or
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,isneverimpersonalatanytime,the
followingversesprescribeobservingtheLordinHispersonalform,limbafter
limb.TothinkoftheLordasawholemaysometimesbeimpersonal;therefore,
itisrecommendedherethatonefirstthinkofHislotusfeet,thenHisankles,
thenthethighs,thenthewaist,thenthechest,thentheneck,thenthefaceand
soon.Oneshouldbeginfromthelotusfeetandgraduallyrisetotheupper
limbsofthetranscendentalbodyoftheLord.
TheMayavadisaysthatbecauseoneisunabletofixhismindonthe
impersonalexistenceoftheAbsoluteTruth,onecanimagineanyformhelikes
andfixhismindonthatimaginaryform;butsuchaprocessisnot
recommendedhere.Imaginationisalwaysimaginationandresultsonlyin
furtherimagination.
AconcretedescriptionoftheeternalformoftheLordisgivenhere.TheLord's
soleisdepictedwithdistinctivelinesresemblingathunderbolt,aflag,alotus
flowerandagoad.ThelusterofHistoenails,whicharebrilliantlyprominent,
resemblesthelightofthemoon.
IfayogilooksuponthemarksoftheLord'ssoleandontheblazingbrilliance
ofHisnails,thenhecanbefreedfromthedarknessofignoranceinmaterial
existence.Thisliberationisnotachievedbymentalspeculation,butbyseeing
thelightemanatingfromthelustroustoenailsoftheLord.Inotherwords,one
hastofixhismindfirstonthelotusfeetoftheLordifhewantstobefreed
fromthedarknessofignoranceinmaterialexistence.
Anothersignificantpointofthisverseisthatthemindoftheconditionedsoul,

onaccountofitsassociationwiththematerialenergyfromtimeimmemorial,
containsheapsofdirtintheformofdesirestolorditovermaterialnature.This
dirtislikeamountain,butamountaincanbeshatteredwhenhitbya
thunderbolt.MeditatingonthelotusfeetoftheLordactslikeathunderbolton
themountainofdirtinthemindoftheyogi.Ifayogiwantstoshatterthe
mountainofdirtinhismind,heshouldconcentrateonthelotusfeetoftheLord
andnotimaginesomethingvoidorimpersonal.Becausethedirthas
accumulatedlikeasolidmountain,onemustmeditateonthelotusfeetofthe
Lordforquitealongtime.
LordSivaisalwaysgreatandauspicious,butsincehehasacceptedonhishead
theGangeswater,whichemanatedfromthelotusfeetoftheLord,hehas
becomeevenmoreauspiciousandimportant.Thestressisonthelotusfeetof
theLord
Brahmaistheappointedlordoftheuniverse.Becausehisfatheris
GarbhodakasayiVisnu,Laksmi,thegoddessoffortune,isautomaticallyhis
mother.
ThedescriptionofthetranscendentalformoftheLordisexactlyrepresentedin
thearcavigraha,thestatueinthetemples.Generally,thelowerpartofthebody
ofthestatueoftheLordiscoveredwithyellowsilk.ThatistheVaikuntha
dress,orthedresstheLordwearsinthespiritualsky.Thisclothextendsdown
totheLord'sankles.
TheyogiisadvisednexttomeditateuponthenaveloftheLord,whichisthe
foundationofallmaterialcreation.Justasachildisconnectedtohismotherby
theumbilicalcord,sothefirstbornlivingcreature,Brahma,bythesupreme
willoftheLord,isconnectedtotheLordbyalotusstem.
ItisexplainedintheBrahmasamhitathateachlimboftheLordhasthe
potencyofeveryotherlimb;becauseeverythingisspiritual,Hispartsarenot
conditioned.TheLordcanseewithHisears.Thematerialearcanhearbut
cannotsee,butweunderstandfromtheBrahmasamhitathattheLordcanalso
seewithHisearsandhearwithHiseyes.AnyorganofHistranscendentalbody
canfunctionasanyotherorgan.Hisabdomenisthefoundationofallthe
planetarysystems.

Brahmaholdsthepostofthecreatorofallplanetarysystems,buthis
engineeringenergyisgeneratedfromtheabdomenoftheLord.Anycreative
functionintheuniversealwayshasadirectconnectinglinkwiththeLord.The
necklaceofpearlswhichdecoratestheupperportionoftheLord'sbodyisalso
spiritual,andthereforetheyogiisadvisedtogazeatthewhitishlusterofthe
pearlsdecoratingHischest.

IntheUpanisadsitissaidthatthevariousenergiesoftheLordareworkingto
create,destroyandmaintain.Theseinconceivablevarietiesofenergyarestored
inthebosomoftheLord.Aspeoplegenerallysay,Godisallpowerful.That
prowessisrepresentedbyMahaLaksmi,thereservoirofallenergies,whois
situatedonthebosomofthetranscendentalformoftheLord.Theyogiwho
canmeditateperfectlyonthatspotonthetranscendentalformoftheLordcan
derivemanymaterialpowers,whichcomprisetheeightperfectionsoftheyoga
system.
ItisstatedhereinthatthebeautyoftheneckoftheLordenhancesthebeautyof
theKaustubhagemratherthanviceversa.Thegemitselfbecomesmore
beautifulbecauseitissituatedontheneckoftheLord.Ayogiistherefore
recommendedtomeditateupontheLord'sneck.TheLord'stranscendental
formcaneitherbemeditateduponinthemindorplacedinatempleintheform
ofastatueanddecoratedinsuchawaythateveryonecancontemplateit.
Templeworship,therefore,ismeantforpersonswhoarenotsoadvancedthat
theycanmeditateupontheformoftheLord.Thereisnodifferencebetween
constantlyvisitingthetempleanddirectlyseeingthetranscendentalformofthe
Lord;theyareofequalvalue.Theadvantageouspositionoftheyogiisthathe
cansitanywhereinasolitaryplaceandmeditateupontheformoftheLord.A
lessadvancedperson,however,hastogotothetemple,andaslongashedoes
notgotothetempleheisunabletoseetheformoftheLord.
Yogistakeadvantageoftheprocessofsmaranam,whereasbhaktiyogistake
specialadvantageoftheprocessofhearingandchanting.
{
http://www.avgsatsang.org/hhsprs/pdf/Navadha%20Bhakti.pdf
}

AlldepartmentsoflawandorderemanatefromthearmsoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.Thelawandorderoftheuniverseisdirectedby
differentdemigods,anditisheresaidtoemanatefromtheLord'sarms.
MandaraHillismentionedherebecausewhentheoceanwaschurnedbythe
demonsononesideandthedemigodsontheother,MandaraHillwastakenas
thechurningrod.

TheLordinHistortoiseincarnationbecamethepivotforthechurningrod,and
thusHisornamentswerepolishedbytheturningofMandaraHill.Inother
words,theornamentsonthearmsoftheLordareasbrilliantandlustrousasif
theyhadbeenpolishedveryrecently.ThewheelinthehandoftheLord,called
theSudarsanacakra,hasonethousandspokes.Theyogiisadvisedtomeditate

uponeachofthespokes.Heshouldmeditateuponeachandeveryoneofthe
componentpartsofthetranscendentalformoftheLord.
TheyogishouldmeditateuponHisclub,whichisnamedKaumodakiandis
verydeartoHim.Thisclubsmashesthedemons,whoarealwaysinimical
soldiers,andissmearedwiththeirblood.Oneshouldalsoconcentrateonthe
nicegarlandontheneckoftheLord,whichisalwayssurroundedby
bumblebees,withtheirnicebuzzingsound,andoneshouldmeditateuponthe
pearlnecklaceontheLord'sneck,whichisconsideredtorepresentthepure
livingentitieswhoarealwaysengagedinHisservice.
ManomayamisacarvingoftheformoftheLordwithinthemind.Thisis
includedasoneoftheeightdifferentcarvingsoftheformoftheLord.Itisnot
imagination.MeditationontheactualformoftheLordmaybemanifestedin
differentmanners,butoneshouldnotconcludethatonehastoimagineaform.
Thereisagreatoceanofwatermadefromsuchtears,butforonewho
surrendersuntotheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,theoceanoftearsisat
oncedriedup.OneneedonlyseethecharmingsmileoftheSupremeLord.In
otherwords,thebereavementofmaterialexistenceimmediatelysubsideswhen
oneseesthecharmingsmileoftheLord.
ThesexgodiscalledMakaradhvaja.ThecharmingbrowsoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadprotectthesagesanddevoteesfrombeingcharmedby
materiallustandsexattraction.Yamunacarya,agreatacarya,saidthatever
sincehehadseenthecharmingpastimesoftheLord,thecharmsofsexlifehad
becomeabominableforhim,andthemerethoughtofsexenjoymentwould
causehimtospitandturnhisface.Thusifanyonewantstobealooffromsex
attraction,hemustseethecharmingsmileandfascinatingeyebrowsofthe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead.
ItisrecommendedthattheyogivisualizethelaughteroftheLordafter
studyingHissmileverycarefully.Theseparticulardescriptionsofmeditation
onthesmile,laughter,face,lipsandteethallindicateconclusivelythatGodis
notimpersonal.Itisdescribedhereinthatoneshouldmeditateonthelaughter
orsmilingofVisnu.Thereisnootheractivitythatcancompletelycleansethe
heartofthedevotee.TheexceptionalbeautyofthelaughterofLordVisnuis
thatwhenHesmilesHissmallteeth,whichresemblethebudsofjasmine
flowers,atoncebecomereddish,reflectingHisrosylips.Iftheyogiisableto
placethebeautifulfaceoftheLordinthecoreofhisheart,hewillbe
completelysatisfied.Inotherwords,whenoneisabsorbedinseeingthebeauty
oftheLordwithinhimself,thematerialattractioncannolongerdisturbhim.
Hereitisclearlymentionedthatmeditation,whichisanactionofthemind,is
nottheperfectstageofsamadhi,orabsorption.Inthebeginningthemindis

employedinattractingtheformoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,butin
thehigherstagesthereisnoquestionofusingthemind.Adevoteebecomes
accustomedtoservingtheSupremeLordbypurificationofhissenses.Inother
words,theyogaprinciplesofmeditationarerequiredaslongasoneisnot
situatedinpuredevotionalservice.Themindisusedtopurifythesenses,but
whenthesensesarepurifiedbymeditation,thereisnoneedtositinaparticular
placeandtrytomeditateupontheformoftheLord.Onebecomesso
habituatedthatheautomaticallyengagesinthepersonalserviceoftheLord.
WhenthemindforciblyisengagedupontheformoftheLord,thisiscalled
nirbijayoga,orlifelessyoga,fortheyogidoesnotautomaticallyengageinthe
personalserviceoftheLord.ButwhenheisconstantlythinkingoftheLord,
thatiscalledsabijayoga,orlivingyoga.Onehastobepromotedtothe
platformoflivingyoga.
OneshouldengageintheserviceoftheLordtwentyfourhoursaday,as
confirmedintheBrahmasamhita.Thestageofpremanjanacchuritacanbe
attainedbydevelopingcompletelove.Whenone'slovefortheSupreme
PersonalityofGodheadindevotionalserviceisfullydeveloped,onealways
seestheLord,evenwithoutartificiallymeditatingonHisform.Hisvisionis
divinebecausehehasnootherengagement.Atthisstageofspiritualrealization
itisnotnecessarytoengagethemindartificially.Sincethemeditation
recommendedinthelowerstagesisameanstocometotheplatformof
devotionalservice,thosealreadyengagedinthetranscendentallovingservice
oftheLordareabovesuchmeditation.ThisstageofperfectioniscalledKrsna
consciousness.
Aslongasthemindisinmaterialconsciousness,itmustbeforciblytrainedto
acceptmeditationontheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,butwhenoneis
actuallyelevatedtolovingtheSupremeLord,themindisautomatically
absorbedinthoughtoftheLord.Insuchapositionayogihasnootherthought
thantoservetheLord.Thisdovetailingofthemindwiththedesiresofthe
SupremePersonalityofGodheadiscallednirvana,ormakingthemindone
withtheSupremeLord.
WhenthemindiscompletelypurifiedinloveofGodhead,themindbecomes
themindoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Themindatthattimedoes
notactseparately,nordoesitactwithoutinspirationtofulfillthedesireofthe
Lord.Theindividualliberatedsoulhasnootheractivity.pratinivrttaguna
pravahah.Intheconditionedstatethemindisalwaysengagedinactivity
impelledbythethreemodesofthematerialworld,butinthetranscendental
stage,thematerialmodescannotdisturbthemindofthedevotee.Thedevotee
hasnootherconcernthantosatisfythedesiresoftheLord.Thatisthehighest
stageofperfection,callednirvanaornirvanamukti.Atthisstagethemind
becomescompletelyfreefrommaterialdesire.

One'sactualrelationshipiseternallythatoflove.Thelivingentityismeantto
rendertranscendentallovingservicetotheLord.Forgetfulnessofthatsweet
relationshipiscalledignorance,andinignoranceoneisimpelledbythethree
materialmodesofnaturetothinkhimselftheenjoyer.Whenthedevotee'smind
ispurifiedandheunderstandsthathismindhastobedovetailedwiththe
desiresoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,hehasattainedtheperfectional,transcendentalstage,
whichisbeyondtheperceptionofmaterialdistressandhappiness.
Aslongasoneactsonhisownaccount,heissubjecttoallthematerial
perceptionsofsocalledhappinessanddistress.Actuallythereisnohappiness.
Justasthereisnohappinessinanyoftheactivitiesofamadman,soinmaterial
activitiesthementalconcoctionsofhappinessanddistressarefalse.Actually
everythingisdistress.
WhenthemindisdovetailedtoactaccordingtothedesireoftheLord,onehas
attainedthetranscendentalstage.Thedesiretolorditovermaterialnatureis
thecauseofignorance,andwhenthatdesireiscompletelyextinguishedandthe
desiresaredovetailedwiththoseoftheSupremeLord,onehasreachedthe
perfectionalstage.Upalabdhaparatmakasthah.Upalabdhameans
"realization."Realizationnecessarilyindicatesindividuality.Inthe
perfectional,liberatedstage,thereisactualrealization.Nivrttyameansthatthe
livingentitykeepshisindividuality;onenessmeansthatherealizeshappiness
inthehappinessoftheSupremeLord.IntheSupremeLordthereisnothingbut
happiness.Anandamayo'bhyasat:theLordisbynaturefulloftranscendental
happiness.Intheliberatedstage,onenesswiththeSupremeLordmeansthat
onehasnorealizationotherthanhappiness.Buttheindividualstillexists,
otherwisethiswordupalabdha,indicatingindividualrealizationof
transcendentalhappiness,wouldnothavebeenused.
ThisstageoflifeisexplainedbyRupaGosvamiinhisBhaktirasamrtasindhu.
ApersonwhosemindiscompletelydovetailedwiththedesireoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,andwhoengagesonehundredpercentintheserviceof
theLord,forgetshismaterialbodilydemands.
Thefollowingquestionsmaybeposed.Aslongastheliberatedsoulisin
contactwiththebody,whydon'tthebodilyactivitiesaffecthim?Doesn'the
actuallybecomecontaminatedbytheactionandreactionofmaterialactivities?
Inanswertosuchquestions,thisverseexplainsthatthematerialbodyofa
liberatedsoulistakenchargeofbytheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Itis
notactingduetothelivingforceofthelivingentity;itissimplyactingasa
reactiontopastactivities.Evenafterbeingswitchedoff,anelectricfanmoves
forsometime.

Thatmovementisnotduetotheelectriccurrent,butisacontinuationofthe
lastmovement;similarly,althoughaliberatedsoulappearstobeactingjust
likeanordinaryman,hisactionsaretobeacceptedasthecontinuationofpast
activities.Inadreamonemayseehimselfexpandedthroughmanybodies,but
whenawakehecanunderstandthatthosebodieswereallfalse.Similarly,
althoughaliberatedsoulhasthebyproductsofthebodychildren,wife,
house,etc.hedoesnotidentifyhimselfwiththosebodilyexpansions.He
knowsthattheyareallproductsofthematerialdream.
Thegrossbodyismadeofthegrosselementsofmatter,andthesubtlebodyis
madeofmind,intelligence,egoandcontaminatedconsciousness.Ifonecan
acceptthesubtlebodyofadreamasfalseandnotidentifyoneselfwiththat
body,thencertainlyanawakepersonneednotidentifywiththegrossbody.As
onewhoisawakehasnoconnectionwiththeactivitiesofthebodyinadream,
anawakened,liberatedsoulhasnoconnectionwiththeactivitiesofthepresent
body.Inotherwords,becauseheisacquaintedwithhisconstitutionalposition,
heneveracceptsthebodilyconceptoflife.
ButactuallyIknowthatthesonandthemoneyareseparatefromme.Itisthe
samewiththebody;Iamseparatefrommybody.Itisaquestionof
understanding,andtheproperunderstandingiscalledpratibuddha
Althoughtheblazingfirewood,thesparks,thesmokeandtheflamecannotstay
apartbecauseeachofthemispartandparcelofthefire,stilltheyaredifferent
fromoneanother.Alessintelligentpersonacceptsthesmokeasfire,although
fireandsmokearecompletelydifferent.Theheatandlightofthefireare
separate,althoughonecannotdifferentiatefirefromheatandlight.
ThefourprinciplesoftheVaisnavaphilosophicdoctrinearesuddhaadvaita
(purifiedoneness),dvaitaadvaita(simultaneousonenessanddifference),
visistaadvaitaanddvaita.AllfourprinciplesofVaisnavaphilosophyarebased
onthethesisofSrimadBhagavatamexplainedinthesetwoverses.
Therearefourdifferentdivisionsofspecieslivingentitieswhichsproutfrom
theearth,livingentitiesbornoffermentationorgermination,livingentities
whichcomefromeggsandlivingentitieswhichcomefromtheembryo.These
fourdivisionsoflivingentitiesareexpandedin8,400,000speciesoflife.A
personwhoisfreedfrommaterialdesignationscanseethesamequalityof
spiritpresenteverywhereorineverymanifestedlivingentity.Lessintelligent
menthinkthatplantsandgrassgrowoutoftheearthautomatically,butone
whoisactuallyintelligentandhasrealizedtheselfcanseethatthisgrowthis
notautomatic;thecauseisthesoul,andtheformscomeoutinmaterialbodies
underdifferentconditions.Byfermentationinthelaboratorymanygermsare

born,butthisisduetothepresenceofthesoul.

Thematerialscientistthinksthateggsarelifeless,butthatisnotafact.From
Vedicscripturewecanunderstandthatlivingentitiesindifferentformsare
generatedunderdifferentconditions.Birdsevolvefromeggs,andbeastsand
humanbeingsarebornfromtheembryo.Theperfectvisionoftheyogior
devoteeisthatheseesthepresenceofthelivingentityeverywhere.
AfterBrahmanrealization,onecanengageintheactivitiesofBrahman.As
longasoneisnotselfrealized,heengagesinactivitiesbasedonfalse
identificationwiththebody.Whenoneissituatedinhisrealself,thenthe
activitiesofBrahmanrealizationbegin.TheMayavadiphilosopherssaythat
afterBrahmanrealization,allactivitiesstop,butthatisnotactuallyso.
afterBrahmanrealization,onecanengageinthedevotionalserviceoftheLord.
ThereforedevotionalserviceoftheLordisactivityinBrahmanrealization.
Forthosewhoengageindevotionalservicethereisnospellofmaya,and
theirsituationisallperfect.Thedutyofthelivingentity,asapartandparcelof
thewhole,istorenderdevotionalservicetothewhole.Thatistheultimate
perfectionoflife.
Chapter29

Butofcoursebhaktiyogawithnophilosophicalbasisismoreorless
sentiment.Therearetwoclassesofmen.Someconsiderthemselves
intellectuallyadvancedandsimplyspeculateandmeditate,andothersare
sentimentalandhavenophilosophicalbasisfortheirpropositions.Neitherof
thesecanachievethehighestgoaloflifeor,iftheydo,itwilltakethemmany,
manyyears.Vedicliteraturethereforesuggeststhattherearethreeelements
namelytheSupremeLord,thelivingentityandtheireternalrelationshipand
thegoaloflifeistofollowtheprinciplesofbhakti,ordevotionalservice,and
ultimatelyattaintotheplanetoftheSupremeLordinfulldevotionandloveas
aneternalservitoroftheLord.
Sankhyaphilosophyistheanalyticalstudyofallexistence.Onehasto
understandeverythingbyexaminingitsnatureandcharacteristics.Thisis
calledacquirementofknowledge.Butoneshouldnotsimplyacquire
knowledgewithoutreachingthegoaloflifeorthebasicprincipleforacquiring
knowledgebhaktiyoga.Ifwegiveupbhaktiyogaandsimplybusyourselves
intheanalyticalstudyofthenatureofthingsastheyare,thentheresultwillbe
practicallynil.ItisstatedintheBhagavatamthatsuchengagementis
somethinglikehuskingapaddy.Thereisnousebeatingthehuskifthegrain
hasalreadybeenremoved.Bythescientificstudyofmaterialnature,theliving

entityandtheSupersoul,onehastounderstandthebasicprincipleof
devotionalservicetotheLord.

Thiscontinualchangeofbodiesinbirthanddeathiscalledsamsara.Devahuti
requestshergloriousson,KapilaMuni,toexplainaboutthiscontinuedjourney
toimpressupontheconditionedsoulsthattheyareundergoingapathof
degradationbynotunderstandingthepathofbhaktiyoga,devotionalservice.
ItappearsthatSrimatiDevahuti,thegloriousmotherofLordKapiladeva,is
verycompassionatefortheregrettableconditionofpeopleingeneral,who,not
knowingthegoaloflife,aresleepinginthedarknessofillusion.Itisthe
generalfeelingoftheVaisnava,ordevoteeoftheLord,thatheshouldawaken
them.
AsstatedinBhagavadgita,peoplewhoarenotpurifiedtaketodevotional
servicewithfourpurposes.Apersonwhoisdistressedbecauseofmaterial
conditionsbecomesadevoteeoftheLordandapproachestheLordfor
mitigationofhisdistress.ApersoninneedofmoneyapproachestheLordto
askforsomeimprovementinhismonetarycondition.Others,whoarenotin
distressorinneedofmonetaryassistancebutareseekingknowledgeinorder
tounderstandtheAbsoluteTruth,alsotaketodevotionalservice,andthey
inquireintothenatureoftheSupremeLord.Thisisverynicelydescribedin
Bhagavadgita(7.16).Actuallythepathofdevotionalserviceisonewithouta
second,butaccordingtothedevotees'condition,devotionalserviceappearsin
multifariousvarieties,aswillbenicelyexplainedinthefollowingverses.
Inpuredevotionalservice,theonlymotiveshouldbetopleasetheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.Thatisnotactuallyamotive;thatisthepurecondition
ofthelivingentity.Intheconditionedstage,whenoneengagesindevotional
service,heshouldfollowtheinstructionofthebonafidespiritualmasterinfull
surrender.ThespiritualmasteristhemanifestedrepresentationoftheSupreme
LordbecausehereceivesandpresentstheinstructionsoftheLord,astheyare,
bydisciplicsuccession.ItisdescribedinBhagavadgitathattheteachings
thereinshouldbereceivedbydisciplicsuccession,otherwisethereis
adulteration.Toactunderthedirectionofabonafidespiritualmasterwitha
motivetosatisfytheSupremePersonalityofGodheadispuredevotional
service.Butifonehasamotiveforpersonalsensegratification,hisdevotional
serviceismanifesteddifferently.Suchamanmaybeviolent,proud,envious
andangry,andhisinterestsareseparatefromtheLord's.
OnewhoapproachestheSupremeLordtorenderdevotionalservice,butwhois
proudofhispersonality,enviousofothersorvengeful,isinthemodeofanger.
Hethinksthatheisthebestdevotee.Devotionalserviceexecutedinthiswayis

notpure;itismixedandisofthelowestgrade,tamasah.SrilaVisvanatha
CakravartiThakuraadvisesthataVaisnavawhoisnotofgoodcharacter
shouldbeavoided.

AVaisnavaisonewhohastakentheSupremePersonalityofGodheadasthe
ultimategoaloflife,butifoneisnotpureandstillhasmotives,thenheisnota
Vaisnavaofthefirstorderofgoodcharacter.Onemayofferhisrespectsto
suchaVaisnavabecausehehasacceptedtheSupremeLordastheultimate
goaloflife,butoneshouldnotkeepcompanywithaVaisnavawhoisinthe
modeofignorance.
AseparatistisonewhoseeshisinterestasseparatefromthatoftheSupreme
Lord.Mixeddevotees,ordevoteesinthemodesofpassionandignorance,
thinkthattheinterestoftheSupremeLordissupplyingtheordersofthe
devotee;theinterestofsuchdevoteesistodrawfromtheLordasmuchas
possiblefortheirsensegratification.Thisistheseparatistmentality.Actually,
puredevotionisexplainedinthepreviouschapter:themindoftheSupreme
Lordandthemindofthedevoteeshouldbedovetailed.Adevoteeshouldnot
wishanythingbuttoexecutethedesireoftheSupreme.Thatisoneness.When
thedevoteehasaninterestorwilldifferentfromtheinterestoftheSupreme
Lord,hismentalityisthatofaseparatist.Whenthesocalleddevoteedesires
materialenjoyment,withoutreferencetotheinterestoftheSupremeLord,or
hewantstobecomefamousoropulentbyutilizingthemercyorgraceofthe
SupremeLord,heisinthemodeofpassion.
Mayavadis,however,interpretthisword"separatist"inadifferentway.They
saythatwhileworshipingtheLord,oneshouldthinkhimselfonewiththe
SupremeLord.Thisisanotheradulteratedformofdevotionwithinthemodes
ofmaterialnature.Theconceptionthatthelivingentityisonewiththe
Supremeisinthemodeofignorance.Onenessisactuallybasedononenessof
interest.ApuredevoteehasnointerestbuttoactonbehalfoftheSupreme
Lord.Whenonehasevenatingeofpersonalinterest,hisdevotionismixed
withthethreemodesofmaterialnature.
Thebrahmanas,ksatriyas,vaisyasandsudras,alongwiththebrahmacaris,
grhasthas,vanaprasthasandsannyasis,arethemembersoftheeightdivisions
ofvarnasandasramas,andtheyhavetheirrespectivedutiestoperformforthe
satisfactionoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Whensuchactivitiesare
performedandtheresultsareofferedtotheSupremeLord,theyarecalled
karmarpanam,dutiesperformedforthesatisfactionoftheLord.Ifthereisany
inebrietyorfault,itisatonedforbythisofferingprocess.Butifthisoffering

processisinthemodeofgoodnessratherthaninpuredevotion,thenthe
interestisdifferent.Thefourasramasandthefourvarnasactforsomebenefit
inaccordancewiththeirpersonalinterests.Thereforesuchactivitiesareinthe
modeofgoodness;theycannotbecountedinthecategoryofpuredevotion.
PuredevotionalserviceasdescribedbyRupaGosvamiisfreefromallmaterial
desires.Anyabhilasitasunyam.Therecanbenoexcuseforpersonalormaterial
interest.Devotionalactivitiesshouldbetranscendentaltofruitiveactivitiesand
empiricphilosophicalspeculation.Puredevotionalserviceistranscendentalto
allmaterialqualities.
Devotionalserviceinthemodesofignorance,passionandgoodnesscanbe
dividedintoeightyonecategories.Therearedifferentdevotionalactivities,
suchashearing,chanting,remembering,worshiping,offeringprayer,rendering
serviceandsurrenderingeverything,andeachofthemcanbedividedintothree
qualitativecategories.Thereishearinginthemodeofpassion,inthemodeof
ignoranceandinthemodeofgoodness.Similarly,thereischantinginthe
modeofignorance,passionandgoodness,etc.Threemultipliedbynineequals
twentyseven,andwhenagainmultipliedbythreeitbecomeseightyone.One
hastotranscendallsuchmixedmaterialisticdevotionalserviceinorderto
reachthestandardofpuredevotionalservice,asexplainedinthenextverses.
Thebasicprincipleofthisunadulterated,puredevotionalserviceisloveof
Godhead.Madgunasrutimatrenameans"justafterhearingaboutthe
transcendentalqualitiesoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead."These
qualitiesarecallednirguna.TheSupremeLordisuncontaminatedbythe
modesofmaterialnature;thereforeHeisattractivetothepuredevotee.There
isnoneedtopracticemeditationtoattainsuchattraction;thepuredevoteeis
alreadyinthetranscendentalstage,andtheaffinitybetweenhimandthe
SupremePersonalityofGodheadisnaturalandiscomparedtotheGanges
waterflowingtowardsthesea.TheflowoftheGangeswatercannotbestopped
byanycondition;similarly,apuredevotee'sattractionforthetranscendental
name,formandpastimesoftheSupremeGodheadcannotbestoppedbyany
materialcondition.Thewordavicchinna,"withoutinterruptions,"isvery
importantinthisconnection.Nomaterialconditioncanstoptheflowofthe
devotionalserviceofapuredevotee.
Thewordahaitukimeans"withoutreason."Apuredevoteedoesnotrender
lovingservicetothePersonalityofGodheadforanycauseorforanybenefit,
materialorspiritual.Thisisthefirstsymptomofunalloyeddevotion.
Anyabhilasitasunyam:hehasnodesiretofulfillbyrenderingdevotional
service.Suchdevotionalserviceismeantforthepurusottama,theSupreme
Personality,andnotforanyoneelse.Sometimespseudodevoteesshow
devotiontomanydemigods,thinkingtheformsofthedemigodstobethesame
astheSupremePersonalityofGodhead'sform.Itisspecificallymentioned
herein,however,thatbhakti,devotionalservice,ismeantonlyfortheSupreme

PersonalityofGodhead,Narayana,Visnu,orKrsna,notforanyoneelse.
Avyavahitameans"withoutcessation."Apuredevoteemustengageinthe
serviceoftheLordtwentyfourhoursaday,withoutcessation;hislifeisso
moldedthatateveryminuteandeverysecondheengagesinsomesortof
devotionalservicetotheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Anothermeaningof
thewordavyavahitaisthattheinterestofthedevoteeandtheinterestofthe
SupremeLordareonthesamelevel.Thedevoteehasnointerestbuttofulfill
thetranscendentaldesireoftheSupremeLord.Suchspontaneousserviceunto
theSupremeLordistranscendentalandisnevercontaminatedbythematerial
modesofnature.Thesearethesymptomsofpuredevotionalservice,whichis
freefromallcontaminationofmaterialnature.
LordCaitanyateachesushowtoexecutepuredevotionalserviceoutof
spontaneouslovefortheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.IntheSiksastaka,
HepraystotheLord:"OLord,IdonotwishtogainfromYouanywealth,nor
doIwishtohaveabeautifulwife,nordoIwishtohavemanyfollowers.AllI
wantfromYouisthatinlifeafterlifeImayremainapuredevoteeatYour
lotusfeet."ThereisasimilaritybetweentheprayersofLordCaitanyaandthe
statementsofSrimadBhagavatam.LordCaitanyaprays,"inlifeafterlife,"
indicatingthatadevoteedoesnotevendesirethecessationofbirthanddeath.
Theyogisandempiricphilosophersdesirecessationoftheprocessofbirthand
death,butadevoteeissatisfiedtoremaineveninthismaterialworldand
executedevotionalservice.
IfoneisengagedinpuretranscendentallovingservicetotheLord,itis
understoodthathehasalreadyachievedthefivekindsofliberation.
WhenPrahladaMaharajawasofferedsomematerialbenefit,hestated:"My
Lord,Ihaveseenthatmyfatherachievedallkindsofmaterialbenefits,and
eventhedemigodswereafraidofhisopulence,butstill,inasecond,Youhave
finishedhislifeandallhismaterialprosperity."Foradevoteethereisno
questionofdesiringanymaterialorspiritualprosperity.Hesimplyaspiresto
servetheLord.Thatishishighesthappiness.
Thematerialqualitiesofgoodness,passionandignorancecannotaffectthe
positionoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead;thereforeHeiscallednirguna
(freefromalltingesofmaterialqualities).Herethesamefactisconfirmedby
LordKapila:onewhoissituatedinpuredevotionalserviceistranscendentally
situated,asistheLord.JustastheLordisunaffectedbytheinfluenceofthe
materialmodes,sotooareHispuredevotees.Onewhoisnotaffectedbythe
threemodesofmaterialnatureiscalledaliberatedsoul,orbrahmabhutasoul.
Brahmabhutahprasannatmaisthestageofliberation.Ahambrahmasmi:"Iam
notthisbody."Thisisapplicableonlytothepersonwhoconstantlyengagesin
thedevotionalserviceofKrsnaandisthusinthetranscendentalstage;heis

abovetheinfluenceofthethreemodesofmaterialnature.
Nooneshouldthinkthathisprescribeddutiesareinferior.Abrahmanacan
servetheLordbyusinghisintelligence,andtheksatriyacanservetheSupreme
Lordbyusinghismilitaryarts,justasArjunaservedKrsna.Arjunawasa
warrior;hehadnotimetostudyVedantaorotherhighlyintellectualbooks.
ThedamselsinVrajadhamaweregirlsbornofthevaisyaclass,andthey
engagedinprotectingcowsandproducingagriculture.Krsna'sfosterfather,
NandaMaharaja,andhisassociateswereallvaisyas.Theywerenotatall
educated,buttheycouldserveKrsnabylovingHimandbyofferingeverything
toHim.Similarly,therearemanyinstancesinwhichcandalas,orthoselower
thansudras,haveservedKrsna.Also,thesageVidurawasconsideredasudra
becausehismotherhappenedtobesudra.

Everyone'sprescribeddutyisgloriousifitisperformedindevotionalservice
oftheLord,withoutdesireforprofit.Suchlovingservicemustbeperformed
withoutreason,withoutimpediment,andspontaneously.Krsnaislovable,and
onehastoserveHiminwhatevercapacityonecan.Thatispuredevotional
service.
"Youaskusnottoeatmeat,butyouareeatingvegetables.Doyouthinkthatis
notviolence?"Theansweristhateatingvegetablesisviolence,andvegetarians
arealsocommittingviolenceagainstotherlivingentitiesbecausevegetables
alsohavelife.Nondevoteesarekillingcows,goatsandsomanyotheranimals
foreatingpurposes,andadevotee,whoisvegetarian,isalsokilling.Buthere,
significantly,itisstatedthateverylivingentityhastolivebykillinganother
entity;thatisthelawofnature.Jivojivasyajivanam:onelivingentityisthe
lifeforanotherlivingentity.Butforahumanbeing,thatviolenceshouldbe
committedonlyasmuchasnecessary.
AhumanbeingisnottoeatanythingwhichisnotofferedtotheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.Yajnasistasinahsantah:onebecomesfreedfromall
sinfulreactionsbyeatingfoodstuffswhichareofferedtoYajna,theSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead.Adevoteethereforeeatsonlyprasada,orfoodstuffs
offeredtotheSupremeLord,andKrsnasaysthatwhenadevoteeoffersHim
foodstuffsfromthevegetablekingdom,withdevotion,Heeatsthat.Adevotee
istooffertoKrsnafoodstuffspreparedfromvegetables.IftheSupremeLord
wantedfoodstuffspreparedfromanimalfood,thedevoteecouldofferthis,but
Hedoesnotordertodothat.
Templeworshipisoneofthedutiesofadevotee.Itisespeciallyrecommended
forneophytes,butthosewhoareadvancedshouldnotrefrainfromtemple
worship.Thereisadistinctioninthemanneraneophyteandanadvanced

devoteeappreciatetheLord'spresenceinthetemple.Aneophyteconsidersthe
arcavigraha(thestatueoftheLord)tobedifferentfromtheoriginal
PersonalityofGodhead;heconsidersitarepresentationoftheSupremeLordin
theformofaDeity.ButanadvanceddevoteeacceptstheDeityinthetempleas
theSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Hedoesnotseeanydifferencebetween
theoriginalformoftheLordandthestatue,orarcaformoftheLord,inthe
temple.Thisisthevisionofadevoteewhosedevotionalserviceisinthe
higheststageofbhava,orloveofGodhead,whereasaneophyte'sworshipin
thetempleisamatterofroutineduty.
TempleDeityworshipisoneofthefunctionsofadevotee.Hegoesregularlyto
seetheDeitynicelydecorated,andwithvenerationandrespecthetouchesthe
lotusfeetoftheLordandpresentsofferingsofworship,suchasfruits,flowers
andprayers.Atthesametime,toadvanceindevotionalservice,adevotee
shouldseeotherlivingentitiesasspiritualsparks,partsandparcelsofthe
SupremeLord.

Adevoteeistoofferrespecttoeveryentitythathasarelationshipwiththe
Lord.BecauseeverylivingentityoriginallyhasarelationshipwiththeLordas
partandparcel,adevoteeshouldtrytoseealllivingentitiesonthesameequal
levelofspiritualexistence.AsstatedinBhagavadgita,apandita,onewhois
learned,seesequallyaverylearnedbrahmana,asudra,ahog,adogandacow.
Hedoesnotseethebody,whichisonlyanoutwarddress.Hedoesnotseethe
dressofabrahmana,orthatofacoworofahog.Heseesthespiritualspark,
partandparceloftheSupremeLord.Ifadevoteedoesnotseeeveryliving
entityaspartandparceloftheSupremeLord,heisconsideredprakrtabhakta,
amaterialisticdevotee.Heisnotcompletelysituatedonthespiritualplatform;
rather,heisintheloweststageofdevotion.Hedoes,however,showallrespect
totheDeity.
Althoughadevoteeseesalllivingentitiesonthelevelofspiritualexistence,he
isnotinterestedinassociatingwitheveryone.Simplybecauseatigerispart
andparceloftheSupremeLorddoesnotmeanthatweembracehimbecauseof
hisspiritualrelationshipwiththeSupremeLord.Wemustassociateonlywith
personswhohavedevelopedKrsnaconsciousness.
Weshouldbefriendandofferspecialrespecttopersonswhoaredevelopedin
Krsnaconsciousness.Otherlivingentitiesareundoubtedlypartandparcelof
theSupremeLord,butbecausetheirconsciousnessisstillcoveredandnot
developedinKrsnaconsciousness,weshouldrenouncetheirassociation.Itis
saidbyVisvanathaCakravartiThakurathatevenifoneisaVaisnava,ifheis
notofgoodcharacterhiscompanyshouldbeavoided,althoughhemaybe
offeredtherespectofaVaisnava.AnyonewhoacceptsVisnuastheSupreme

PersonalityofGodheadisacceptedasaVaisnava,butaVaisnavaisexpected
todevelopallthegoodqualitiesofthedemigods.
TheexactmeaningofthewordsattvenaisgivenbySridharaSvamiasbeing
synonymouswithdhairyena,orpatience.Onemustperformdevotionalservice
withgreatpatience.Oneshouldnotgiveuptheexecutionofdevotionalservice
becauseoneortwoattemptshavenotbeensuccessful.Onemustcontinue.Sri
RupaGosvamialsoconfirmsthatoneshouldbeveryenthusiasticandexecute
devotionalservicewithpatienceandconfidence.Patienceisnecessaryfor
developingtheconfidencethat"KrsnawillcertainlyacceptmebecauseIam
engagingindevotionalservice."Onehasonlytoexecuteserviceaccordingto
therulesandregulationstoinsuresuccess.
Adevoteeshouldalsobecompassionatetothepoor.Thisdoesnotreferto
thosewhoarepovertystrickenmaterially.Accordingtodevotionalvision,a
manispoorifheisnotinKrsnaconsciousness.Amanmaybeveryrich
materially,butifheisnotKrsnaconscious,heisconsideredpoor.Ontheother
hand,manyacaryas,suchasRupaGosvamiandSanatanaGosvami,usedto
livebeneathtreeseverynight.Superficiallyitappearedthattheywerepoverty
stricken,butfromtheirwritingswecanunderstandthatinspirituallifethey
weretherichestpersonalities.
Adevoteeshowscompassiontothosepoorsoulswhoarewantinginspiritual
knowledgebyenlighteningtheminordertoelevatethemtoKrsna
consciousness.Thatisoneofthedutiesofadevotee.Heshouldalsomake
friendshipwithpersonswhoareonanequallevelwithhimselforwhohavethe
sameunderstandingthathedoes.Foradevotee,thereisnopointinmaking
friendshipswithordinarypersons;heshouldmakefriendshipwithother
devoteessothatbydiscussingamongthemselves,theymayelevateone
anotheronthepathofspiritualunderstanding.Thisiscalledistagosthi.
Generallypuredevoteesutilizetheirvaluabletimeinchantinganddiscussing
variousactivitiesofLordKrsnaorLordCaitanyaamongstthemselves.There
areinnumerablebooks,suchasthepuranas,Mahabharata,Bhagavatam,
BhagavadgitaandUpanisads,whichcontaincountlesssubjectsfordiscussion
amongtwodevoteesormore.Friendshipshouldbecementedbetweenpersons
withmutualinterestsandunderstanding.Suchpersonsaresaidtobesvajati,
"ofthesamecaste."Thedevoteeshouldavoidapersonwhosecharacterisnot
fixedinthestandardunderstanding;eventhoughhemaybeaVaisnava,ora
devoteeofKrsna,ifhischaracterisnotcorrectlyrepresentative,thenheshould
beavoided.Oneshouldsteadilycontrolthesensesandthemindandstrictly
followtherulesandregulations,andheshouldmakefriendshipwithpersonsof
thesamestandard.
Inordertoadvanceinspiritualunderstanding,onehastohearfromauthentic

sourcesaboutspiritualknowledge.Onecanunderstandtherealityofspiritual
lifebyfollowingstrictregulativeprinciplesandbycontrollingthesenses.To
havecontrolitisnecessarythatonebenonviolentandtruthful,refrainfrom
stealing,abstainfromsexlifeandpossessonlythatwhichisabsolutely
necessaryforkeepingthebodyandsoultogether.Oneshouldnoteatmorethan
necessary,heshouldnotcollectmoreparaphernaliathannecessary,heshould
nottalkunnecessarilywithcommonmen,andheshouldnotfollowtherules
andregulationswithoutpurpose.Heshouldfollowtherulesandregulationsso
thathemayactuallymakeadvancement.
ThereareeighteenqualificationsmentionedinBhagavadgita,amongwhichis
simplicity.Oneshouldbewithoutpride;oneshouldnotdemandunnecessary
respectfromothers,andoneshouldbenonviolent.Amanitvamadambhitvam
ahimsa.Oneshouldbeverytolerantandsimple,oneshouldacceptthespiritual
master,andoneshouldcontrolthesenses.Thesearementionedhereandin
Bhagavadgitaaswell.Oneshouldhearfromauthenticsourceshowtoadvance
inspirituallife;suchinstructionsshouldbetakenfromtheacaryaandshould
beassimilated.
Itisespeciallymentionedhere,namasankirtanacca:oneshouldchanttheholy
namesoftheLordHareKrsna,HareKrsna,KrsnaKrsna,HareHare.Hare
Rama,HareRama,RamaRama,HareHareeitherindividuallyorwithothers.
LordCaitanyahasgivenspecialstresstochantingoftheseholynamesofthe
Lordasthebasicprincipleofspiritualadvancement.
Anotherwordusedhereisarjavena,meaning"withoutdiplomacy."Adevotee
shouldnotmakeplansoutofselfinterest.Ofcourse,preacherssometimes
havetomakesomeplantoexecutethemissionoftheLordunderproper
guidance,butregardingpersonalselfinterest,adevoteeshouldalwaysbe
withoutdiplomacy,andheshouldavoidthecompanyofpersonswhoarenot
advancinginspirituallife.Anotherwordisarya.Aryansarepersonswhoare
advancinginknowledgeofKrsnaconsciousnessaswellasinmaterial
prosperity.ThedifferencebetweentheAryanandnonAryan,thesuraand
asura,isintheirstandardsofspiritualadvancement.Associationwithpersons
whoarenotspirituallyadvancedisforbidden.LordCaitanyaadvised,asat
sangatyaga:oneshouldavoidpersonswhoareattachedtothetemporary.Asat
isonewhoistoomateriallyattached,whoisnotadevoteeoftheLordandwho
istooattachedtowomenorenjoyablematerialthings.Suchaperson,
accordingtoVaisnavaphilosophy,isapersonanongrata.
Adevoteeshouldnotbeproudofhisacquisitions.Thesymptomsofadevotee
aremeeknessandhumility.Althoughspirituallyveryadvanced,hewillalways
remainmeekandhumble,asKavirajaGosvamiandalltheotherVaisnavas
havetaughtusbypersonalexample.CaitanyaMahaprabhutaughtthatone
shouldbehumblerthanthegrassonthestreetandmoretolerantthanthetree.

Oneshouldnotbeproudorfalselypuffedup.Inthiswayonewillsurely
advanceinspirituallife.
Theindividualsoul,whenfullysaturatedwithKrsnaconsciousness,can
understandthepresenceoftheSupersoul.ItisconfirmedinBhagavadgitathat
(bhaktyamamabhijanati)apersonsaturatedwithdevotionalserviceinfull
KrsnaconsciousnesscanunderstandtheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,
eitherasSupersoulorastheSupremePerson.
OnewhoworshipstheDeityinthetempleanddoesnotshowrespecttoothers
isadevoteeonthematerialplatform,intheloweststageofdevotionalservice.
AdevoteeshouldtrytounderstandeverythinginrelationshipwithKrsnaand
trytoserveeverythinginthatspirit.Toserveeverythingmeanstoengage
everythingintheserviceofKrsna.Ifapersonisinnocentanddoesnotknow
hisrelationshipwithKrsna,anadvanceddevoteeshouldtrytoengagehimin
theserviceofKrsna.OnewhoisadvancedinKrsnaconsciousnesscanengage
notonlythelivingbeingbuteverythingintheserviceofKrsna.
Inthisverse,twophrases,bhutesubaddhavairasya("inimicaltowardsothers")
anddvisatahparakaye("enviousofanother'sbody"),aresignificant.Onewho
isenviousoforinimicaltowardsothersneverexperiencesanyhappiness.A
devotee'svision,therefore,mustbeperfect.Heshouldignorebodily
distinctionsandshouldseeonlythepresenceofthepartandparcelofthe
SupremeLord,andtheLordHimselfinHisplenaryexpansionasSupersoul.
Thatisthevisionofapuredevotee.Thebodilyexpressionofaparticulartype
oflivingentityisalwaysignoredbythedevotee.
ItisexpressedhereinthattheLordisalwayseagertodelivertheconditioned
souls,whohavebeenencagedwithinmaterialbodies.Devoteesareexpectedto
carrythemessageordesireoftheLordtosuchconditionedsoulsandenlighten
themwithKrsnaconsciousness.Thustheymaybeelevatedtotranscendental,
spirituallife,andthemissionoftheirliveswillbesuccessful.Ofcoursethisis
notpossibleforlivingentitieswhoarelowerthanhumanbeings,butinhuman
societyitisfeasiblethatalllivingentitiescanbeenlightenedwithKrsna
consciousness.Evenlivingentitieswhoarelowerthanhumancanberaisedto
Krsnaconsciousnessbyothermethods.Forexample,SivanandaSena,agreat
devoteeofLordCaitanya,deliveredadogbyfeedinghimprasada.Distribution
ofprasada,orremnantsoffoodstuffsofferedtotheLord,eventotheignorant
massesofpeopleandtoanimals,givessuchlivingentitiesthechancefor
elevationtoKrsnaconsciousness.Factuallyithappenedthatthesamedog,
whenmetbyLordCaitanyaatPuri,wasliberatedfromthematerialcondition.
Itisespeciallymentionedherethatadevoteemustbefreefromallviolence
(jivahimsa).LordCaitanyahasrecommendedthatadevoteenotcommit
violencetoanylivingentity.Sometimesthequestionisraisedthatsince

vegetablesalsohavelifeanddevoteestakevegetablefoodstuffs,isn'tthat
violence?Firstly,however,takingsomeleaves,twigsorfruitfromatreeor
plantdoesnotkilltheplant.Besidesthat,jivahimsameansthatsinceevery
livingentityhastopassthroughaparticulartypeofbodyaccordingtohispast
karma,althougheverylivingentityiseternal,heshouldnotbedisturbedinhis
gradualevolution.Adevoteehastoexecutetheprinciplesofdevotionalservice
exactlyastheyare,andhemustknowthathoweverinsignificantalivingentity
maybe,theLordispresentwithinhim.Adevoteemustrealizethisuniversal
presenceoftheLord.
TherearesixtyfourdifferentprescriptionsforworshipoftheDeityinthe
temple.TherearemanyitemsofferedtotheDeity,somevaluableandsome
lessvaluable.ItisprescribedinBhagavadgita:"IfadevoteeoffersMeasmall
flower,aleaf,somewateroralittlefruit,Iwillacceptit."Therealpurposeis
toexhibitone'slovingdevotiontotheLord;theofferingsthemselvesare
secondary.IfonehasnotdevelopedlovingdevotiontotheLordandsimply
offersmanykindsoffoodstuffs,fruitsandflowerswithoutrealdevotion,the
offeringwillnotbeacceptedbytheLord.
WesimplyoffertoshowourloveandgratitudetotheLord.
ThisgratitudeandloveforGodisexhibitedbyapuredevotee,whoknowsthat
theLordlivesineverylivingentity.Assuch,templeworshipnecessarily
includesdistributionofprasada.Itisnotthatoneshouldcreateatempleinhis
privateapartmentorprivateroom,offersomethingtotheLord,andtheneat.Of
course,thatisbetterthansimplycookingfoodstuffsandeatingwithout
understandingone'srelationshipwiththeSupremeLord;peoplewhoactinthis
mannerarejustlikeanimals.
Butthedevoteewhowantstoelevatehimselftothehigherlevelof
understandingmustknowthattheLordispresentineverylivingentity,and,as
statedinthepreviousverse,oneshouldbecompassionatetootherliving
entities.AdevoteeshouldworshiptheSupremeLord,befriendlytopersons
whoareonthesamelevelandbecompassionatetotheignorant.Oneshould
exhibithiscompassionforignorantlivingentitiesbydistributingprasada.
Distributionofprasadatotheignorantmassesofpeopleisessentialforpersons
whomakeofferingstothePersonalityofGodhead.
RealloveanddevotionisacceptedbytheLord.Manyvaluablefoodstuffsmay
bepresentedtoaperson,butifthepersonisnothungry,allsuchofferingsare
uselessforhim.Similarly,wemayoffermanyvaluableitemstotheDeity,but
ifwehavenorealsenseofdevotionandnorealsenseoftheLord'spresence
everywhere,thenwearelackingindevotionalservice;insuchastateof
ignorance,wecannotofferanythingacceptabletotheLord.

OneshouldworshiptheDeityoftheLorduntiloneappreciatesthepresenceof
theLordineverylivingentity.Inotherwords,oneshouldnotbesatisfied
simplybydischarginghisdutiesproperly;hemustrealizehisrelationshipand
therelationshipofallotherlivingentitieswiththeSupremePersonalityof
Godhead.Ifhedoesnotunderstandthis,theneventhoughhedischargeshis
prescribeddutiesproperly,itistobeunderstoodthatheissimplylaboring
withoutprofit.
Nooneshouldbelazyunderthepleaofdevotionalservice.Onehastoexecute
devotionalserviceaccordingtohisprescribedduties.
TheSupremePersonalityofGodheadisfullinallopulences.Hecanagreeto
livewithapoorsoulorevenwithananimal,butthisdoesnotmakeHimpoor.
Themanysaintlypersonsinthejunglesdonottreatthetigersinafriendlyway,
buttheysupplyprasadafoodstuffstothem.Thetigerscome,takethefoodand
goaway,justasadogdoes.AccordingtotheVedicsystem,adogisnot
allowedtoenterthehouse.Becauseoftheiruncleanliness,catsanddogsare
notallowedwithintheapartmentofagentleman,butaresotrainedthatthey
standoutside.Thecompassionatehouseholderwillsupplyprasadatothedogs
andcats,whoeatoutsideandthengoaway.Wemusttreatthelowerliving
entitiescompassionately,butthisdoesnotmeanthatwehavetotreat themin
thesamewaywetreatotherhumanbeings.Thefeelingofequalitymustbe
there,butthetreatmentshouldbediscriminating.Justhowdiscrimination
shouldbemaintainedisgiveninthefollowingsixversesconcerningthe
differentgradesoflivingconditions.

Thefirstdivisionismadebetweendead,stonelikematterandtheliving
organism.Alivingorganismissometimesmanifestedeveninstone.
Experienceshowsthatsomehillsandmountainsgrow.Thisisduetothe
presenceofthesoulwithinthatstone.Abovethat,thenextmanifestationofthe
livingconditionisdevelopmentofconsciousness,andthenextmanifestationis
thedevelopmentofsenseperception.IntheMoksadharmasectionofthe
Mahabharataitisstatedthattreeshavedevelopedsenseperception;theycan
seeandsmell.Weknowbyexperiencethattreescansee.Sometimesinits
growthalargetreechangesitscourseofdevelopmenttoavoidsome
hindrances.Thismeansthatatreecansee,andaccordingtoMahabharata,a
treecanalsosmell.Thisindicatesthedevelopmentofsenseperception.
Itissaidthatbetterthanthetreesarethefishbecausefishhavedevelopedthe

senseoftaste.Betterthanthefisharethebees,whohavedevelopedthesense
ofsmell,andbetterthanthemaretheserpentsbecauseserpentshavedeveloped
thesenseofhearing.Inthedarknessofnightasnakecanfinditseatables
simplybyhearingthefrog'sverypleasantcry.Thesnakecanunderstand,
"Thereisthefrog,"andhecapturesthefrogsimplybecauseofitssound
vibration.Thisexampleissometimesgivenforpersonswhovibratesounds
simplyfordeath.Onemayhaveaverynicetonguethatcanvibratesoundlike
thefrogs,butthatkindofvibrationissimplycallingdeath.Thebestuseofthe
tongueandofsoundvibrationistochantHareKrsna,HareKrsna,Krsna
Krsna,HareHare.HareRama,HareRama,RamaRama,HareHare.Thatwill
protectonefromthehandsofcrueldeath.
ThehighestperfectionalbrahmanaistheVaisnava.AVaisnavawhoknowsthe
scienceoftheAbsoluteTruthbutisnotabletopreachsuchknowledgeto
othersisdescribedasbeinginthelowerstage,onewhonotonlyunderstands
theprinciplesofthescienceofGodbutcanalsopreachisinthesecondstage,
andonewhonotonlycanpreachbutwhoalsoseeseverythingintheAbsolute
TruthandtheAbsoluteTruthineverythingisinthehighestclassofVaisnavas.
Adevotee,however,hasnosuchdesire;heactsbecausethePersonalityof
Godheadwantshimtoactinaparticularway.Hehasnopersonalmotive.
WhenLordCaitanyapreachedKrsnaconsciousness,itwasnotwiththe
purposethatpeoplewouldcallHimKrsna,theSupremePersonalityof
Godhead;rather,HepreachedthatKrsnaistheSupremePersonalityof
Godheadandshouldbeworshipedassuch.Adevoteewhoisamost
confidentialservantoftheLordneverdoesanythingforhispersonalaccount,
butdoeseverythingforthesatisfactionoftheSupremeLord.Itisclearly
stated,therefore,mayisannyastakarmanah:thedevoteeworks,butheworks
fortheSupreme.Itisalsostated,mayyarpitatmanah:"Hegiveshismindunto
Me."Thesearethequalificationsofadevotee,who,accordingtothisverse,is
acceptedasthehighestofallhumanbeings.

Bymeditationonemustattainthestageofdevotionalservice.Aspreviously
described,ayogiisadvisedtomeditateontheformofLordVisnufrompoint
topoint,fromtheanklestothelegstothekneestothethighstothechesttothe
neck,andinthiswaygraduallyuptothefaceandthentotheornaments.There
isnoquestionofimpersonalmeditation.
When,bymeditationontheSupremePersonalityofGodheadinalldetail,one
comestothepointofloveofGod,thatisthepointofbhaktiyoga,andatthat
pointhemustactuallyrenderservicetotheLordoutoftranscendentallove.
Thelivingentitycannotexperiencethesamequantityofenjoymentasthe

SupremePersonalityofGodhead.Ananalogymaybemadewitharichman
andapoorman:thepropensityforenjoymentispresentinboth,butthepoor
mancannotenjoyinthesamequantityastherichman.Whenthepoorman
dovetailshisdesireswiththoseoftherichman,however,andwhenthereis
cooperationbetweenthepoormanandtherichman,orbetweenthebigandthe
smallman,thentheenjoymentissharedequally.Thatislikebhaktiyoga.
purusahpurusamvrajet:whenthelivingentityentersintothekingdomofGod
andcooperateswiththeSupremeLordbygivingHimenjoyment,heenjoysthe
samefacilityorthesameamountofpleasureastheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead.
Everyplanetisaresidenceforinnumerablelivingentities,andthenecessary
spaceisprovidedintheskybythesupremeorderoftheLord.Itisalsostated
herethatthetotaluniversalbodyisincreasing.Itiscoveredbysevenlayers,
andastherearefiveelementswithintheuniverse,sothetotalelements,in
layers,covertheoutsideoftheuniversalbody.Thefirstlayerisofearth,andit
istentimesgreaterinsizethanthespacewithintheuniverse;thesecondlayer
iswater,andthatistentimesgreaterthantheearthlylayer;thethirdcoveringis
fire,whichistentimesgreaterthanthewatercovering.Inthiswayeachlayer
istentimesgreaterthanthepreviousone.
Chapter30

Themainfunctionofthetimefactor,whichisarepresentativeoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,istodestroyeverything.
AKrsnaconsciouspersonknowsthatthiseconomicdevelopmentofhuman
societyisbuttemporaryillusion.
Mayahastwophasesofactivities.Oneiscalledpraksepatmika,andtheotheris
calledavaranatmika.Avaranatmikameans"covering,"andpraksepatmika
means"pullingdown."Inanyconditionoflife,thematerialisticpersonor
animalwillbesatisfiedbecausehisknowledgeiscoveredbytheinfluenceof
maya.Inthelowergradeorlowerspeciesoflife,thedevelopmentof
consciousnessissopoorthatonecannotunderstandwhetherheishappyor
distressed.
Thisiscalledavaranatmika.Evenahog,wholivesbyeatingstool,finds
himselfhappy,althoughapersoninahighermodeoflifeseesthatthehogis
eatingstool.Howabominablethatlifeis!
ItissaidthatonceIndra,theKingofheaven,wascursedbyhisspiritual
master,Brhaspati,onaccountofhismisbehavior,andhebecameahogonthis
planet.Aftermanydays,whenBrahmawantedtorecallhimtohisheavenly
kingdom,Indra,intheformofahog,forgoteverythingofhisroyalpositionin
theheavenlykingdom,andherefusedtogoback.Thisisthespellofmaya.

EvenIndraforgetshisheavenlystandardoflifeandissatisfiedwiththe
standardofahog'slife.Bytheinfluenceofmayatheconditionedsoulbecomes
soaffectionatetowardshisparticulartypeofbodythatifheisoffered,"Give
upthisbody,andimmediatelyyouwillhaveaking'sbody,"hewillnotagree.
Thisattachmentstronglyaffectsallconditionedlivingentities.LordKrsnais
personallycanvassing,"Giveupeverythinginthismaterialworld.Cometo
Me,andIshallgiveyouallprotection,"butwearenotagreeable.Wethink,
"Wearequiteallright.WhyshouldwesurrenderuntoKrsnaandgobackto
Hiskingdom?"Thisiscalledillusion,ormaya.Everyoneissatisfiedwithhis
standardofliving,howeverabominableitmaybe.
Itissaidthatitiseasiertomaintainagreatempirethantomaintainasmall
family,especiallyinthesedays,whentheinfluenceofKaliyugaissostrong
thateveryoneisharassedandfullofanxietiesbecauseofacceptingthefalse
presentationofmaya'sfamily.
Sometimesweareinafamilyofhumanbeings,sometimesinafamilyof
demigods,sometimesafamilyofcats,orsometimesafamilyofdogs.Family,
societyandfriendshipareflickering,andsotheyarecalledasat.Itissaidthat
aslongasweareattachedtothisasat,temporary,nonexistingsocietyand
family,wearealwaysfullofanxieties.Thematerialistsdonotknowthatthe
family,societyandfriendshiphereinthismaterialworldareonlyshadows,and
thustheybecomeattached.Naturallytheirheartsarealwaysburning,butin
spiteofallinconvenience,theystillworktomaintainsuchfalsefamilies
becausetheyhavenoinformationoftherealfamilyassociationwithKrsna.
Inprisonaprisonerisshackledbyironchainsandironbars.Similarly,a
conditionedsoulisshackledbythecharmingbeautyofawoman,byher
solitaryembracesandtalksofsocalledlove,andbythesweetwordsofhis
smallchildren.Thusheforgetshisrealidentity.
Inthisversethewordsstrinamasatinamindicatethatwomanlyloveisjustto
agitatethemindofman.Actually,inthematerialworldthereisnolove.Both
thewomanandthemanareinterestedintheirsensegratification.Forsense
gratificationawomancreatesanillusorylove,andthemanbecomesenchanted
bysuchfalseloveandforgetshisrealduty.

Whentherearechildrenastheresultofsuchacombination,thenextattraction
istothesweetwordsofthechildren.Theloveofthewomanathomeandthe
talkofthechildrenmakeoneasecureprisoner,andthushecannotleavehis
home.Suchapersonistermed,inVediclanguage,agrhamedhi,whichmeans
"onewhosecenterofattractionishome."Grhasthareferstoonewholiveswith
family,wifeandchildren,butwhoserealpurposeoflivingistodevelopKrsna

consciousness.Oneisthereforeadvisedtobecomeagrhasthaandnota
grhamedhi.Thegrhastha'sconcernistogetoutofthefamilylifecreatedby
illusionandenterintorealfamilylifewithKrsna,whereasthegrhamedhis
businessistorepeatedlychainhimselftosocalledfamilylife,inonelifeafter
another,andperpetuallyremaininthedarknessofmaya.
ThereisaBengaliproverb,"ThepersonforwhomIhavestolenaccusesmeof
beingathief."Thefamilymembers,forwhomanattachedpersonactsinso
manycriminalways,areneversatisfied.Inillusionanattachedpersonserves
suchfamilymembers,andbyservingthemheisdestinedtoenterintoahellish
conditionoflife.Forexample,athiefstealssomethingtomaintainhisfamily,
andheiscaughtandimprisoned.Thisisthesumandsubstanceofmaterial
existenceandattachmenttomaterialsociety,friendshipandlove.Althoughan
attachedfamilymanisalwaysengagedingettingmoneybyhookorbycrook
forthemaintenanceofhisfamily,hecannotenjoymorethanwhathecould
consumeevenwithoutsuchcriminalactivities.Amanwhoeatseightouncesof
foodstuffsmayhavetomaintainabigfamilyandearnmoneybyanymeansto
supportthatfamily,buthehimselfisnotofferedmorethanwhathecaneat,
andsometimesheeatstheremnantsthatareleftafterhisfamilymembersare
fed.Evenbyearningmoneybyunfairmeans,hecannotenjoylifeforhimself.
Thatiscalledthecoveringillusionofmaya.
Theprocessofillusoryservicetosociety,countryandcommunityisexactly
thesameeverywhere;thesameprincipleisapplicableeventobignational
leaders.Anationalleaderwhoisverygreatinservinghiscountryissometimes
killedbyhiscountrymenbecauseofirregularservice.Inotherwords,one
cannotsatisfyhisdependentsbythisillusoryservice,althoughonecannotget
outoftheservicebecauseservantishisconstitutionalposition.Alivingentity
isconstitutionallypartandparceloftheSupremeBeing,butheforgetsthathe
hastorenderservicetotheSupremeBeinganddivertshisattentiontoserving
others;thisiscalledmaya.Byservingothershefalselythinksthatheismaster.
Theheadofafamilythinksofhimselfasthemasterofthefamily,ortheleader
ofanationthinksofhimselfasthemasterofthenation,whereasactuallyheis
serving,andbyservingmayaheisgraduallygoingtohell.Therefore,asane
manshouldcometothepointofKrsnaconsciousnessandengageintheservice
oftheSupremeLord,applyinghiswholelife,allofhiswealth,hisentire
intelligenceandhisfullpowerofspeaking.

Notonlyinthepresentagebutfromtimeimmemorial,noonehaslikedanold
manwhoisunabletoearninthefamily.Eveninthemodernage,insome
communitiesorstates,theoldmenaregivenpoisonsothattheywilldieas

soonaspossible.Insomecannibalisticcommunities,theoldgrandfatheris
sportinglykilled,andafeastisheldinwhichhisbodyiseaten.
Familyattractionissostrongthatevenifoneisneglectedbyfamilymembers
inhisoldage,hecannotgiveupfamilyaffection,andheremainsathomejust
likeadog.IntheVedicwayoflifeonehastogiveupfamilylifewhenheis
strongenough.Itisadvisedthatbeforegettingtooweakandbeingbaffledin
materialactivities,andbeforebecomingdiseased,oneshouldgiveupfamily
lifeandengageoneselfcompletelyintheserviceoftheLordfortheremaining
daysofhislife.Itisenjoined,therefore,intheVedicscriptures,thatassoonas
onepassesfiftyyearsofage,hemustgiveupfamilylifeandlivealoneinthe
forest.Afterpreparinghimselffully,heshouldbecomeasannyasitodistribute
theknowledgeofspirituallifetoeachandeveryhome.
Ifamanleaveshomeanddieswithouthisfamily'sknowing,thatisconsidered
tobeagloriousdeath.Butanattachedfamilymanwantshisfamilymembers
tocarryhiminagreatprocessionevenafterhisdeath,andalthoughhewillnot
beabletoseehowtheprocessiongoes,hestilldesiresthathisbodybetaken
gorgeouslyinprocession.Thusheishappywithoutevenknowingwherehe
hastogowhenheleaveshisbodyforthenextlife.
Forformality'ssake,whenamanislyingonhisdeathbed,hisrelativescometo
him,andsometimestheycryveryloudly,addressingthedyingman:"Oh,my
father!""Oh,myfriend!"or"Oh,myhusband!"Inthatpitiableconditionthe
dyingmanwantstospeakwiththemandinstructthemofhisdesires,but
becauseheisfullyunderthecontrolofthetimefactor,death,hecannotexpress
himself,andthatcauseshiminconceivablepain.Heisalreadyinapainful
conditionbecauseofdisease,andhisglandsandthroatarechokedupwith
mucus.Heisalreadyinaverydifficultposition,andwhenheisaddressedby
hisrelativesinthatway,hisgriefincreases.
InBhagavadgitaitissaidthatatthetimeofdeathonewillbeabsorbedinthe
thoughtswhichhecultivatedduringhislifetime.Apersonwhohadnoother
ideathantoproperlymaintainhisfamilymembersmusthavefamilyaffairsin
hislastthoughts.Thatisthenaturalsequenceforacommonman.
Becauseofhisdeepfamilyaffection,heforgetshismaindutyofcontrolling
thesensesandimprovinghisspiritualconsciousness.Sometimesadyingman
entruststhefamilyaffairstoeitherhissonorsomerelative,saying,"Iam
going.Pleaselookafterthefamily."Hedoesnotknowwhereheisgoing,but
evenatthetimeofdeathheisanxiousabouthowhisfamilywillbe
maintained.Sometimesitisseenthatadyingmanrequeststhephysicianto
increasehislifeatleastforafewyearssothatthefamilymaintenanceplan
whichhehasbeguncanbecompleted.

Thesearethematerialdiseasesoftheconditionedsoul.Hecompletelyforgets
hisrealengagementtobecomeKrsnaconsciousandisalwaysseriousabout
planningtomaintainhisfamily,althoughhechangesfamiliesoneafter
another.
HereLordKapiladescribeshowpersonsengagedinactivitiesofsense
gratificationtomaintainafamilyaretreatedbythemessengersofYamaraja,
calledYamadutas.AtthetimeofdeaththeYamadutasbecomethecustodians
ofthosepersonswhohavestronglygratifiedtheirsenses.Theytakechargeof
thedyingmanandtakehimtotheplanetwhereYamarajaresides.The
conditionstherearedescribedinthefollowingverses.
Everylivingentityiscoveredbyasubtleandgrossbody.Thesubtlebodyis
thecoveringofmind,ego,intelligenceandconsciousness.Itissaidinthe
scripturesthattheconstablesofYamarajacoverthesubtlebodyoftheculprit
andtakehimtotheabodeofYamarajatobepunishedinawaythatheisable
totolerate.Hedoesnotdiefromthispunishmentbecauseifhedied,thenwho
wouldsufferthepunishment?
Oneisbereftofallintelligencewhenheistooattractedbysensegratification,
andheforgetsthathehastosuffertheconsequencesalso
Ineverystateallovertheworld,suchactivitiesareencouragedbythe
governmentintheformofbirthcontrol.Womenaresuppliedpills,andtheyare
allowedtogotoaclinicallaboratorytogetassistanceforabortions.Thisis
goingonasaresultofsensegratification.Actuallysexlifeismeantfor
begettingagoodchild,butbecausepeoplehavenocontroloverthesensesand
thereisnoinstitutiontotrainthemtocontrolthesenses,thepoorfellowsfall
victimtothecriminaloffensesofsensegratification,andtheyarepunished
afterdeathasdescribedinthesepagesofSrimadBhagavatam.
Oneyojanaiscalculatedtobeeightmiles,andhehastopassalongaroad
whichisthereforeasmuchas792,000miles.Suchalongdistanceispassed
overwithinafewmomentsonly.Thesubtlebodyiscoveredbytheconstables
sothatthelivingentitycanpasssuchalongdistancequicklyandatthesame
timetoleratethesuffering.Thiscovering,althoughmaterial,isofsuchfine
elementsthatmaterialscientistscannotdiscoverwhatthecoveringsaremade
of.
Fromthisversethroughthenextthreeversesthedescriptionofpunishment
willbenarrated.Thefirstdescriptionisthatthecriminalhastoeathisown
flesh,burningwithfire,orallowotherslikehimselfwhoarepresentthereto
eat.Inthelastgreatwar,peopleinconcentrationcampssometimesatetheir
ownstool,sothereisnowonderthatintheYamasadana,theabodeof
Yamaraja,onewhohadaveryenjoyablelifeeatingothers'fleshhastoeathis

ownflesh.
Forexample,ifamanistobepunishedtoremaininhellandeatstooland
urine,thenfirstofallhepracticessuchhabitsontheplanetofYamaraja,and
thenheisgivenaparticulartypeofbody,thatofahog,sothathecaneatstool
andthinkthatheisenjoyinglife.Itisstatedpreviouslythatinanyhellish
condition,theconditionedsoulthinksheishappy.Otherwise,itwouldnotbe
possibleforhimtosufferhellishlife.
Whenamanearnsmoneybyunfairmeansandmaintainshisfamilyand
himselfwiththatmoney,themoneyisenjoyedbymanymembersofthe
family,buthealonegoestohell.
Forexample,ifamansecuressomemoneybykillingsomeoneandwiththat
moneymaintainshisfamily,thosewhoenjoytheblackmoneyearnedbyhim
arealsopartiallyresponsibleandarealsosenttohell,buthewhoistheleader
isespeciallypunished.
ThegreatlearnedscholarCanakyaPanditasays,therefore,thatwhateverone
hasinhispossessionhadbetterbespentforthecauseofsat,ortheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,becauseonecannottakehispossessionswithhim.
Theyremainhere,andtheywillbelost.Eitherweleavethemoneyorthe
moneyleavesus,butwewillbeseparated.Thebestuseofmoneyaslongasit
iswithinourpossessionistospendittoacquireKrsnaconsciousness.
Itisespeciallymentionedthatthemeansoflivelihoodofthosewhoaretrying
toadvanceinKrsnaconsciousnessmustbeveryfairanduncomplicated.Here
itismentionedthathewhoearnshislivelihoodbyunfairmeans(kevalena)is
senttothedarkesthellishregion.Otherwise,ifonemaintainshisfamilyby
prescribedmethodsandhonestmeans,thereisnoobjectiontoone'sbeinga
familyman.
Chapter31

Hereoneword,retahkanasrayah,isverysignificantbecauseitindicatesthatit
isnotthesemenofthemanthatcreateslifewithinthewombofawoman;
rather,thelivingentity,thesoul,takesshelterinaparticleofsemenandisthen
pushedintothewombofawoman.Thenthebodydevelops.
Onekindofbody,thatofthetreesandplants,sproutsfromtheearth;the
secondkindofbodygrowsfromperspiration,aswithflies,germsandbugs;the
thirdkindofbodydevelopsfromeggs;andthefourthdevelopsfroman
embryo.Thisverseindicatesthatafteremulsificationoftheovumandsperm,
thebodygraduallydevelopseitherintoalumpoffleshorintoanegg,asthe
casemaybe.Inthecaseofbirdsitdevelopsintoanegg,andinthecaseof
animalsandhumanbeingsitdevelopsintoalumpofflesh.

Whenthebodyofthechildiscompletelyformedattheendofsixmonths,the
child,ifheismale,beginstomoveontherightside,andiffemale,shetriesto
moveontheleftside.
Sincethechilddependscompletelyontheassimilatedfoodstuffofthemother,
duringpregnancytherearerestrictionsonthefoodtakenbythemother.Too
muchsalt,chili,onionandsimilarfoodisforbiddenforthepregnantmother
becausethechild'sbodyistoodelicateandnewforhimtotoleratesuch
pungentfood.Restrictionsandprecautionstobetakenbythepregnantmother,
asenunciatedinthesmrtiscripturesofVedicliterature,areveryuseful.Wecan
understandfromtheVedicliteraturehowmuchcareistakentobegetanice
childinsociety.Thegarbhadhanaceremonybeforesexualintercoursewas
compulsoryforpersonsinthehighergradesofsociety,anditisveryscientific.
duetothespellofmayaweforgeteverythingandbecomeenamoredbythe
presentsocalledhappiness,whichisdescribedasactuallynomorethana
counteractiontodistress.
Alldescriptionsofthechild'sbodilysituationinthewombofthemotherare
beyondourconception.Itisverydifficulttoremaininsuchaposition,butstill
thechildhastoremain.Becausehisconsciousnessisnotverydeveloped,the
childcantolerateit,otherwisehewoulddie.Thatisthebenedictionofmaya,
whoendowsthesufferingbodywiththequalificationsfortoleratingsuch
terribletortures.
Ifagrownmanwereputintosuchaconditionasthechildwithintheabdomen,
completelyentangledinallrespects,itwouldbeimpossibleforhimtolive
evenforafewseconds.Unfortunately,weforgetallthesesufferingsandtryto
behappyinthislife,notcaringfortheliberationofthesoulfromthe
entanglementofbirthanddeath.Itisanunfortunatecivilizationinwhichthese
mattersarenotplainlydiscussedtomakepeopleunderstandtheprecarious
conditionofmaterialexistence.
Ifwedonotcrossovertheoceanofthenescienceofmaterialexistenceinspite
ofallthesefacilities,thencertainlyweareallintentionallycommittingsuicide.
Thusendowedwiththedevelopmentofconsciousnessfromtheseventhmonth
afterhisconception,thechildistosseddownwardbytheairsthatpressthe
embryoduringtheweeksprecedingdelivery.Likethewormsbornofthesame
filthyabdominalcavity,hecannotremaininoneplace.
Thewormshavebeendescribedhereassodara.Sodarameans"bornofthe
samemother."Sincethechildisbornfromthewombofthemotherandthe
wormsarealsobornoffermentationwithinthewombofthesamemother,
underthecircumstancesthechildandthewormsareactuallybrothers.Weare
veryanxioustoestablishuniversalbrotherhoodamonghumanbeings,butwe

shouldtakeintoconsiderationthateventhewormsareourbrothers,whatto
speakofotherlivingentities.Therefore,weshouldbeconcernedaboutall
livingentities.

Itissaidthatwhenawomanishavinglaborpainsshepromisesthatshewill
neveragainbecomepregnantandsufferfromsuchaseverelypainfulcondition.
Similarly,whenoneisundergoingsomesurgicaloperationhepromisesthathe
willneveragainactinsuchawayastobecomediseasedandhavetoundergo
medicalsurgery,orwhenonefallsintodanger,hepromisesthathewillnever
againmakethesamemistake.
Krsnademands,"GiveupeverythingandsurrenderuntoMe."Anditisalso
saidinBhagavadgitathatanyonewhoapproachesHimdoesnotcomeback
againtoacceptaforminmaterialexistence,butgoesbacktoGodhead,back
home,nevertoreturn.
Ononesideofwherethechildisfloatingistheheatofgastricfire,andonthe
othersideareurine,stool,bloodanddischarges.Aftersevenmonthsthechild,
whohasregainedhisconsciousness,feelsthehorrible conditionofhis
existenceandpraystotheLord.Countingthemonthsuntilhisrelease,he
becomesgreatlyanxioustogetoutoftheconfinement.Thesocalledcivilized
mandoesnottakeaccountofthishorribleconditionoflife,andsometimes,for
thepurposeofsensegratification,hetriestokillthechildbymethodsof
contraceptionorabortion.Unseriousaboutthehorribleconditioninthewomb,
suchpersonscontinueinmaterialism,grosslymisusingthechanceofthe
humanformoflife.
ItissaidthatSukadevaGosvami,onthisconsideration,remainedforsixteen
yearswithinthewombofhismother;hedidnotwanttobeentangledinfalse
bodilyidentification.Aftercultivatingsuchknowledgewithinthewombofhis
mother,hecameoutattheendofsixteenyearsandimmediatelylefthomeso
thathemightnotbecapturedbytheinfluenceofmaya.
Onecanchantwhilesleeping,whileworking,whileimprisonedinthewombor
whileoutside.ThisKrsnaconsciousnesscannotbecheckedinany
circumstance.Theconclusionofthechild'sprayeris:"Letmeremaininthis
condition;althoughitisverymiserable,itisbetternottofallavictimtomaya
againbygoingoutside."
Thewordkrcchrenameans"withgreatdifficulty."Whenthechildcomesout
oftheabdomenthroughthenarrowpassage,duetopressuretherethebreathing
systemcompletelystops,andduetoagonythechildloseshismemory.
SometimesthetroubleissoseverethatthechildcomesOutdeadoralmost
dead.Onecanimaginewhatthepangsofbirtharelike.Thechildremainsfor

tenmonthsinthathorribleconditionwithintheabdomen,andattheendoften
monthsheisforciblypushedout.

Hewantstoeatonething,butsomethingelseisgiventohimbecausenoone
knowshisactualdemand,andhecannotrefusetheundesirablesgiventohim.
Sometimesthechildcriesforthemother'sbreast,butbecausethenursethinks
thatitisduetopainwithinhisstomachthatheiscrying,shesupplieshimsome
bittermedicine.Thechilddoesnotwantit,buthecannotrefuseit.Heisputin
veryawkwardcircumstances,andthesufferingcontinues.
Itshouldbenotedthatthechildisborncryingandsuffering.Afterbirththe
samesufferingcontinues,andhecries.Becauseheisdisturbedbythegermsin
hisfoulbed,whichiscontaminatedbyhisurineandstool,thepoorchild
continuestocry.Heisunabletotakeanyremedialmeasureforhisrelief.
Lustisactuallytheproductofthemodeofpassion,andintheabsenceof
satisfactionoflust,thesamedesiretransformsintoangerontheplatformof
ignorance.Whenignorancecoversthesoul,itisthesourceofhisdegradation
tothemostabominableconditionofhellishlife.
Toraiseoneselffromhellishlifetothehighestpositionofspiritual
understandingistotransformthislustintoloveofKrsna.SriNarottamadasa
Thakura,agreatacaryaoftheVaisnavasampradaya,said,kamakrsna
karmarpane:duetoourlust,wewantmanythingsforoursensegratification,
butthesamelustcanbetransformedinapurifiedwaysothatwewant
everythingforthesatisfactionoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Anger
alsocanbeutilizedtowardsapersonwhoisatheisticorwhoisenviousofthe
PersonalityofGodhead.Aswehavefallenintothismaterialexistencebecause
ofourlustandanger,thesametwoqualitiescanbeutilizedforthepurposeof
advancinginKrsnaconsciousness,andonecanelevatehimselfagaintohis
formerpure,spiritualposition.SrilaRupaGosvamihastherefore
recommendedthatbecauseinmaterialexistencewehavesomanyobjectsof
sensegratification,whichweneedforthemaintenanceofthebody,weshould
useallofthemwithoutattachment,forthepurposeofsatisfyingthesensesof
Krsna;thatisactualrenunciation.
Theexpansionofignoranceisexplainedinthisverse.Thefirstignoranceisto
identifyone'smaterialbody,whichismadeoffiveelements,astheself,and
thesecondistoacceptsomethingasone'sownduetoabodilyconnection.In
thisway,ignoranceexpands.Thelivingentityiseternal,butbecauseofhis

acceptingnonpermanentthings,misidentifyinghisinterest,heisputinto
ignorance,andthereforehesuffersmaterialpangs.
whenablindmanleadsseveralotherblindmen,theresultisthatallofthem
falldowninaditch.Thisisactuallyhappening.Therearemanyleaderstolead
theignorantpublic,butbecauseeveryoneofthemisbewilderedbythebodily
conceptionoflife,thereisnopeaceandprosperityinhumansociety.

Socalledyogiswhoperformvariousbodilyfeatsarealsointhesamecategory
assuchignorantpeoplebecausethehathayogasystemisespecially
recommendedforpersonswhoaregrosslyimplicatedinthebodilyconception.
Theconclusionisthataslongasoneisfixedinthebodilyconception,hehasto
sufferbirthanddeath.
Generally,peopleareconcernedwiththesatisfactionofthetongueandthe
satisfactionofthegenitals.Thatismateriallife.Materiallifemeanseat,drink,
bemerryandenjoy,withnoconcernforunderstandingone'sspiritualidentity
andtheprocessofspiritualadvancement.Sincematerialisticpeopleare
concernedwiththetongue,bellyandgenitals,ifanyonewantstoadvancein
spirituallifehemustbeverycarefulaboutassociatingwithsuchpeople.To
associatewithsuchmaterialisticmenistocommitpurposefulsuicideinthe
humanformoflife.Itissaid,therefore,thatanintelligentmanshouldgiveup
suchundesirableassociationandshouldalwaysmixwithsaintlypersons.
Whenheisinassociationwithsaintlypersons,allhisdoubtsaboutthespiritual
expansionoflifeareeradicated,andhemakestangibleprogressonthepathof
spiritualunderstanding.Itisalsosometimesfoundthatpeopleareverymuch
addictedtoaparticulartypeofreligiousfaith.Hindus,MuslimsandChristians
arefaithfulintheirparticulartypeofreligion,andtheygotothechurch,temple
ormosque,butunfortunatelytheycannotgiveuptheassociationofpersons
whoaretoomuchaddictedtosexlifeandsatisfactionofthepalate.Hereitis
clearlysaidthatonemayofficiallybeaveryreligiousman,butifheassociates
withsuchpersons,thenheissuretoslidedowntothedarkestregionofhell.
Thosewhoaretooaddictedtosexlifecannotunderstandthepurposeofthe
AbsoluteTruth,norcantheybecleanintheirhabits,nottomentionshowing
mercytoothers.Theycannotremaingrave,andtheyhavenointerestinthe
ultimategoaloflife.TheultimategoaloflifeisKrsna,orVisnu,butthosewho
areaddictedtosexlifecannotunderstandthattheirultimateinterestisKrsna
consciousness.Suchpeoplehavenosenseofdecency,andeveninpublic
streetsorpublicparkstheyembraceeachotherjustlikecatsanddogsandpass
itoffinthenameoflovemaking.Suchunfortunatecreaturescannever
becomemateriallyprosperous.Behaviorlikethatofcatsanddogskeepsthem

inthepositionofcatsanddogs.Theycannotimproveanymaterialcondition,
nottospeakofbecomingfamous.Suchfoolishpersonsmayevenmakeashow
ofsocalledyoga,buttheyareunabletocontrolthesensesandmind,whichis
therealpurposeofyogapractice.Suchpeoplecanhavenoopulenceintheir
lives.Inaword,theyareveryunfortunate.
AdvancementinKrsnaconsciousnessinvolvesdevelopingthequalitiesof
truthfulness,cleanliness,mercy,gravity,intelligenceinspiritualknowledge,
simplicity,materialopulence,fame,forgiveness,andcontrolofthemindand
thesenses.AllthesequalitiesaretobemanifestedwiththeprogressofKrsna
consciousness,butifoneassociateswithasudra,afoolishpersonwhoislikea
dancingdoginthehandsofawoman,thenhecannotmakeanyprogress.
Attachmenttowomenissocontaminatingthatonebecomesattachedtothe
conditionofmateriallifenotonlybytheassociationofwomenbutbythe
contaminatedassociationofpersonswhoaretooattachedtothem.Thereare
manyreasonsforourconditionallifeinthematerialworld,butthetopmostof
allsuchcausesistheassociationofwomen,aswillbeconfirmedinthe
followingstanzas.
InKaliyuga,associationwithwomenisverystrong.Ineverystepoflife,there
isassociationwithwomen.Ifapersongoestopurchasesomething,the
advertisementsarefullofpicturesofwomen.Thephysiologicalattractionfor
womenisverygreat,andthereforepeopleareveryslackinspiritual
understanding.TheVediccivilization,beingbasedonspiritualunderstanding,
arrangesassociationwithwomenverycautiously.Outofthefoursocial
divisions,themembersofthefirstorder(namelybrahmacarya),thethirdorder
(vanaprastha)andthefourthorder(sannyasa)arestrictlyprohibitedfrom
femaleassociation.Onlyinoneorder,thehouseholder,istherelicensetomix
withwomenunderrestrictedconditions.Inotherwords,attractionfor
woman'sassociationisthecauseofthematerialconditionallife,and
anyoneinterestedinbeingfreedfromthisconditionallifemustdetach
himselffromtheassociationofwomen.
LordBrahma'sbeingcaptivatedbythecharmsofhisdaughterandLordSiva's
beingcaptivatedbytheMohiniformoftheLordarespecificinstanceswhich
instructusthatevengreatdemigodslikeBrahmaandLordSiva,whattospeak
oftheordinaryconditionedsoul,arecaptivatedbythebeautyofwoman.
Therefore,everyoneisadvisedthatoneshouldnotfreelymixevenwithone's
daughterorwithone'smotherorwithone'ssister,becausethesensesareso
strongthatwhenonebecomesinfatuated,thesensesdonotconsiderthe
relationshipofdaughter,motherorsister.
Itisbest,therefore,topracticecontrollingthesensesbyperformingbhakti
yoga,engagingintheserviceofMadanamohana.LordKrsna'snameis

Madanamohana,forHecansubduethegodCupid,orlust.Onlybyengaging
intheserviceofMadanamohanacanonecurbthedictatesofMadana,Cupid.
Otherwise,attemptstocontrolthesenseswillfail.
Thecaptivatingpowerofwoman,andman'ssusceptibilitytosuchattraction,
mustalsoexistintheSupremePersonalityofGodheadinthespiritualworld
andmustberepresentedinthetranscendentalpastimesoftheLord.
Nowthequestionis,ifHewantstobecaptivatedbysuchwomanlyattraction,
wouldHebeattractedbyanymaterialwoman?Itisnotpossible.Evenpersons
whoareinthismaterialexistencecangiveupwomanlyattractioniftheyare
attractedbytheSupremeBrahman.SuchwasthecasewithHaridasaThakura.
Abeautifulprostitutetriedtoattracthiminthedeadofnight,butsincehewas
situatedindevotionalservice,intranscendentalloveofGodhead,Haridasa
Thakurawasnotcaptivated.
Rather,heturnedtheprostituteintoagreatdevoteebyhistranscendental
association.Thismaterialattraction,therefore,certainlycannotattractthe
SupremeLord.WhenHewantstobeattractedbyawoman,Hehastocreate
suchawomanfromHisownenergy.ThatwomanisRadharani.Itisexplained
bytheGosvamisthatRadharaniisthemanifestationofthepleasurepotencyof
theSupremePersonalityofGodhead.WhentheSupremeLordwantstoderive
transcendentalpleasure,HehastocreateawomanfromHisinternalpotency.
Thusthetendencytobeattractedbywomanlybeautyisnaturalbecauseit
existsinthespiritualworld.Inthematerialworlditisreflectedpervertedly,
andthereforetherearesomanyinebrieties.
Insteadofbeingattractedbymaterialbeauty,ifoneisaccustomedtobe
attractedbythebeautyofRadharaniandKrsna,thenthestatementof
Bhagavadgita,paramdrstvanivartate,holdstrue.Whenoneisattractedbythe
transcendentalbeautyofRadhaandKrsna,heisnolongerattractedbymaterial
femininebeauty.ThatisthespecialsignificanceofRadhaKrsnaworship.That
istestifiedtobyYamunacarya.Hesays,"SinceIhavebecomeattractedbythe
beautyofRadhaandKrsna,whenthereisattractionforawomanoramemory
ofsexlifewithawoman,Iatoncespitonit,andmyfaceturnsindisgust."
WhenweareattractedbyMadanamohanaandthebeautyofKrsnaandHis
consorts,thentheshacklesofconditionedlife,namelythebeautyofamaterial
woman,cannotattractus.
Innostandardyogasystemistheassociationofwomenaccepted.Itisclearly
statedherethattheassociationofwomenisthegatewaytohellishlife.The
associationofwomanisverymuchrestrictedintheVediccivilization.
If,however,onewantstosticktocontinuedexistenceinthematerialworld,he
mayindulgeinfemaleassociationunrestrictedly.

Sometimesithappensthatarejectedwelliscoveredbygrass,andanunwary
travelerwhodoesnotknowoftheexistenceofthewellfallsdown,andhis
deathisassured.Similarly,associationwithawomanbeginswhenoneaccepts
servicefromher,becausewomanisespeciallycreatedbytheLordtogive
servicetoman.Byacceptingherservice,amanisentrapped.Ifheisnot
intelligentenoughtoknowthatsheisthegatewaytohellishlife,hemay
indulgeinherassociationveryliberally.Thisisrestrictedforthosewhoaspire
toascendtothetranscendentalplatform.EvenfiftyyearsagoinHindusociety,
suchassociationwasrestricted.Awifecouldnotseeherhusbandduringthe
daytime.Householdersevenhaddifferentresidentialquarters.Theinternal
quartersofaresidentialhousewereforthewoman,andtheexternalquarters
werefortheman.Acceptanceofservicerenderedbyawomanmayappearvery
pleasing,butoneshouldbeverycautiousinacceptingsuchservicebecauseitis
clearlysaidthatwomanisthegatewaytodeath,orforgetfulnessofone'sself.
Sheblocksthepathofspiritualrealization.

Fromthisverseitappearsthatawomanisalsosupposedtohavebeenamanin
his(her)previouslife,andduetohisattachmenttohiswife,henowhasthe
bodyofawoman.Bhagavadgitaconfirmsthis;amangetshisnextlife'sbirth
accordingtowhathethinksofatthetimeofdeath.Ifsomeoneistooattached
tohiswife,naturallyhethinksofhiswifeatthetimeofdeath,andinhisnext
lifehetakesthebodyofawoman.Similarly,ifawomanthinksofherhusband
atthetimeofdeath,naturallyshegetsthebodyofamaninthenextlife.Inthe
Hinduscriptures,therefore,woman'schastityanddevotiontomanisgreatly
emphasized.Awoman'sattachmenttoherhusbandmayelevatehertothebody
ofamaninhernextlife,butaman'sattachmenttoawomanwilldegradehim,
andinhisnextlifehewillgetthebodyofawoman.Weshouldalways
remember,asitisstatedinBhagavadgita,thatboththegrossandsubtle
materialbodiesaredresses;theyaretheshirtandcoatofthelivingentity.To
beeitherawomanoramanonlyinvolvesone'sbodilydress.Thesoulinnature
isactuallythemarginalenergyoftheSupremeLord.Everylivingentity,being
classifiedasenergy,issupposedtobeoriginallyawoman,oronewhois
enjoyed.Inthebodyofamanthereisagreateropportunitytogetoutofthe
materialclutches;thereislessopportunityinthebodyofawoman.Inthis
verseitisindicatedthatthebodyofamanshouldnotbemisusedthrough
forminganattachmenttowomenandthusbecomingtooentangledinmaterial
enjoyment,whichwillresultingettingthebodyofawomaninthenextlife.A
womanisgenerallyfondofhouseholdprosperity,ornaments,furnitureand
dresses.Sheissatisfiedwhenthehusbandsuppliesallthesethingssufficiently.
Therelationshipbetweenmanandwomanisverycomplicated,butthe
substanceisthatonewhoaspirestoascendtothetranscendentalstageof
spiritualrealizationshouldbeverycarefulinacceptingtheassociationofa

woman.InthestageofKrsnaconsciousness,however,suchrestrictionof
associationmaybeslackenedbecauseifaman'sandwoman'sattachmentisnot
toeachotherbuttoKrsna,thenbothofthemareequallyeligibletogetoutof
thematerialentanglementandreachtheabodeofKrsna.Asitisconfirmedin
Bhagavadgita,anyonewhoseriouslytakestoKrsnaconsciousnesswhether
inthelowestspeciesoflifeorawomanorofthelessintelligentclasses,such
asthemercantileorlaborerclasswillgobackhome,backtoGodhead,and
reachtheabodeofKrsna.Amanshouldnotbeattachedtoawoman,nor
shouldawomanbeattachedtoaman.Bothmanandwomanshouldbe
attachedtotheserviceoftheLord.Thenthereisthepossibilityofliberation
frommaterialentanglementforbothofthem.
IntheseinstructionsofLordKapiladevaitisexplainedthatnotonlyiswoman
thegatewaytohellforman,butmanisalsothegatewaytohellforwoman.It
isaquestionofattachment.Amanbecomesattachedtoawomanbecauseof
herservice,herbeautyandmanyotherassets,andsimilarlyawomanbecomes
attachedtoamanforhisgivingheraniceplacetolive,ornaments,dressand
children.Itisaquestionofattachmentforoneanother.

Aslongaseitherisattachedtotheotherforsuchmaterialenjoyment,the
womanisdangerousfortheman,andthemanisalsodangerousforthewoman.
ButiftheattachmentistransferredtoKrsna,
Manandwomanshouldlivetogetherashouseholdersinrelationshipwith
Krsna,onlyforthepurposeofdischargingdutiesintheserviceofKrsna.
Engagethechildren,engagethewifeandengagethehusband,allinKrsna
consciousduties,andthenallthesebodilyormaterialattachmentswill
disappear.SincetheviamediumisKrsna,theconsciousnessispure,andthere
isnopossibilityofdegradationatanytime.
WhiledischargingdevotionalserviceinfullKrsnaconsciousness,oneshould
notbemiserly.Heshouldnotunnecessarilyshowthathehasrenouncedthis
world.Actually,renunciationisnotpossible.Ifonerenounceshispalatial
buildingandgoestoaforest,thereisactuallynorenunciation,forthepalatial
buildingisthepropertyoftheSupremePersonalityofGodheadandtheforest
isalsothepropertyoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead.Ifhechangesfrom
onepropertytoanother,thatdoesnotmeanthatherenounces;hewasneverthe
proprietorofeitherthepalaceortheforest.Renunciationnecessitates
renouncingthefalseunderstandingthatonecanlorditovermaterialnature.
Whenonerenouncesthisfalseattitudeandrenouncesthepuffedupposition
thatheisalsoGod,thatisrealrenunciation.Otherwise,thereisnomeaningof
renunciation.RupaGosvamiadvisesthatifonerenouncesanythingwhich
couldbeappliedintheserviceoftheLordanddoesnotuseitforthatpurpose,

thatiscalledphalguvairagya,insufficientorfalserenunciation.Everything
belongstotheSupremepersonalityofGodhead;thereforeeverythingcanbe
engagedintheserviceoftheLord;nothingshouldbeusedforone'ssense
gratification.Thatisrealrenunciation.Norshouldoneunnecessarilyincrease
thenecessitiesofthebody.Weshouldbesatisfiedwithwhateverisofferedand
suppliedbyKrsnawithoutmuchpersonalendeavor.Weshouldspendourtime
executingdevotionalserviceinKrsnaconsciousness.Thatisthesolutiontothe
problemoflifeanddeath.
Chapter32

Agrhasthaisapersonwholiveswithfamily,wife,childrenandrelativesbut
hasnoattachmentforthem.Hepreferstoliveinfamilyliferatherthanasa
mendicantorsannyasi,buthischiefaimistoachieveselfrealization,orto
cometothestandardofKrsnaconsciousness.
Here,however,LordKapiladevaisspeakingaboutthegrhamedhis,whohave
madetheiraimthematerialisticallyprosperouslife,whichtheyachieveby
sacrificialceremonies,bycharitiesandbygoodwork.Theyarepostedingood
positions,andsincetheyknowthattheyareusinguptheirassetsofpious
activities,theyagainandagainperformactivitiesofsensegratification.Itis
saidbyPrahladaMaharaja,punahpunascarvitacarvananam:theypreferto
chewthealreadychewed.
Againandagaintheyexperiencethematerialpangs,eveniftheyarerichand
prosperous,buttheydonotwanttogiveupthiskindoflife.
EspeciallyamongsttheHindus,thosewhoaremeateatersprefertoworship
goddessKalibecauseitisprescribedthatonecansacrificeagoatbeforethat
goddess.TheymaintainthatwhetheroneworshipsthegoddessKaliorthe
SupremePersonalityofGodheadVisnuoranydemigod,thedestinationisthe
same.Thisisfirstclassrascaldom,andsuchpeoplearemisled.Buttheyprefer
thisphilosophy.Bhagavadgitadoesnotacceptsuchrascaldom,anditis
clearlystatedthatsuchmethodsaremeantforpersonswhohavelosttheir
intelligence.
Therearetwokindsofdissolutions.Onedissolutiontakesplaceattheendof
thelifeofBrahma.Atthattimealltheplanetarysystems,includingthe
heavenlysystems,aredissolvedinwaterandenterintothebodyof
GarbhodakasayiVisnu,wholiesontheGarbhodakaOceanonthebedof
serpents,calledSesa.Intheotherdissolution,whichoccursattheendof
Brahma'sday,allthelowerplanetarysystemsaredestroyed.WhenLord
Brahmarisesafterhisnight,theselowerplanetarysystemsareagaincreated.
PuttingoneselfinthatpositionofeternalservitorshiptotheSupremeLordand
workingforHimperpetually,oneactuallybecomescompletelysatisfied.As

longasoneworksforhispersonalsensegratification,hewillalwaysbefullof
anxiety.ThatisthedifferencebetweenordinaryconsciousnessandKrsna
consciousness.
Everyoneofuswhohascometothismaterialworldhasthesenseof
overlordship.Thisiscalledpravrtti.Buttheoppositetypeofreligious
performance,whichiscallednivrtti,istoactfortheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead.EngagedindevotionalserviceinKrsnaconsciousness,onehasno
proprietorshipclaim,norisonesituatedinthefalseegoismofthinkingthathe
isGodorthemaster.Healwaysthinkshimselftheservant.Thatistheprocess
ofpurifyingconsciousness.Withpureconsciousnessonlycanoneenterinto
thekingdomofGod.
SuchpersonsenterdirectlyintothekingdomofGod,theVaikunthaplanets,or,
iftheyareworshipersoftheplenaryportionGarbhodakasayiVisnu,they
remainwithinthisuniverseuntilitsdissolution,andafterthattheyenter.
BecausetheyarenotdirectlydevoteesoftheLord,theycannotgetliberation
directly.TheyhavetowaituntilBrahmaisliberated,andonlythen,alongwith
Brahma,aretheyalsoliberated.Itisclearthataslongasalivingentityisa
worshiperofaparticulardemigod,hisconsciousnessisabsorbedinthoughtsof
thatdemigod,andthereforehecannotgetdirectliberation,orentranceintothe
kingdomofGod,norcanhemergeintotheimpersonaleffulgenceofthe
SupremepersonalityofGodhead.Suchyogisordemigodworshipersare
subjectedtothechanceoftakingbirthagainwhenthereisagaincreation.
ThatBrahmabecomesliberatedisknowntoeveryone,buthecannotliberate
hisdevotees.DemigodslikeBrahmaandLordSivacannotgiveliberationto
anylivingentity
ButstilltheyhaveaninclinationtotrytobecomeonewiththeSupreme,and
thereforetheyhavetocomeback.
SuchdevotionalservicedevelopsinthedegreesofthinkingoftheSupreme
Lordasmaster,asfriend,assonand,atlast,aslover.Thesedistinctionsin
transcendentalvariegatednessmustalwaysbepresent.
Ifthehogisofferedsomenicepreparationmadeofcondensedmilkorghee,he
won'tlikeit;hewouldpreferobnoxious,badsmellingstool,whichhefinds
veryrelishable.Materialisticpersonsareconsideredcondemnedbecausethey
areinterestedinhellishactivitiesandnotintranscendentalactivities.
DevotionalserviceinfullKrsnaconsciousnessistheonlymeansforattaining
thehighestperfectionoflifeforthehumanbeing.Thisisrecommendedherein
byLordKapilatoHismother.Bhaktiisthereforenirguna,freefromalltinges
ofmaterialqualities.Althoughthedischargeofdevotionalserviceappearsto

belikematerialactivities,itisneversaguna,orcontaminatedbymaterial
qualities.TadgunasrayayameansthatLordKrsna'stranscendentalqualitiesare
sosublimethatthereisnoneedtodivertone'sattentiontoanyotheractivities.
Hisbehaviorwiththedevoteesissoexaltedthatadevoteeneednottryto
diverthisattentiontoanyotherworship.
ButthefactisthatifoneengagesinthedevotionalserviceoftheLordinfull
Krsnaconsciousness,hedoesnothavetoattemptseparatelytopractice
detachmentortowaitforanawakeningoftranscendentalknowledge.Itissaid
thatonewhoengagesunflinchinglyinthedevotionalserviceoftheLord
actuallyhasallthegoodqualitiesofthedemigodsdevelopinhim
automatically.Onecannotdiscoverhowsuchgoodqualitiesdevelopinthe
bodyofadevotee,butactuallyithappens.Thereisoneinstancewhereahunter
wastakingpleasureinkillinganimals,butafterbecomingadevoteehewasnot
preparedtokillevenanant.Suchisthequalityofadevotee.
Thesignificanceofadvancementintranscendentalknowledgeanddetachment
frommaterialattractionisexhibitedinthepersonalityofahighlyadvanced
devotee.Forhimthereisnothingagreeableordisagreeablebecausehedoesnot
actinanywayforhispersonalsensegratification.Whateverhedoes,whatever
hethinks,isforthesatisfactionofthePersonalityofGodhead.Eitherinthe
materialworldorinthespiritualworld,hisequipoisedmindiscompletely
manifested.Hecanunderstandthatinthematerialworldthereisnothinggood;
everythingisbadduetoitsbeingcontaminatedbymaterialnature.The
materialists,conclusionsofgoodandbad,moralandimmoral,etc.,aresimply
mentalconcoctionorsentiment.Actuallythereisnothinggoodinthematerial
world.Inthespiritualfieldeverythingisabsolutelygood.
Thereisnoinebrietyinthespiritualvarieties.Becauseadevoteeaccepts
everythinginspiritualvision,heisequipoised;thatisthesymptomofhisbeing
elevatedtothetranscendentalposition.Heautomaticallyattainsdetachment,
vairagya,thenjnana,knowledge,andthenactualtranscendentalknowledge.
Theconclusionisthatanadvanceddevoteedovetailshimselfinthe
transcendentalqualitiesoftheLord,andinthatsensehebecomesqualitatively
onewiththeSupremePersonalityofGodhead.
Perceptionofthedisagreeablearisesfromattachment.Adevoteehasno
personalattachmenttoanything;thereforeforhimthereisnoquestionof
agreeableordisagreeable.FortheserviceoftheLordhecanacceptanything,
eventhoughitmaybedisagreeabletohispersonalinterest.Infact,heis
completelyfreefrompersonalinterest,andthusanythingagreeabletotheLord
isagreeabletohim.Forexample,forArjunaatfirstfightingwasnotagreeable,
butwhenheunderstoodthatthefightingwasagreeabletotheLord,he
acceptedthefightingasagreeable.Thatisthepositionofapuredevotee.For
hispersonalinterestthereisnothingwhichisagreeableordisagreeable;

everythingisdonefortheLord,andthereforeheisfreefromattachmentand
detachment.Thatisthetranscendentalstageofneutrality.Apuredevotee
enjoyslifeinthepleasureoftheSupremeLord.
Buttheeasiestandmostdirectprocessistoengagethesensesintheserviceof
theLord.
Thatlovingserviceistheperfectstageofsensecontrol.
TheformlessBrahmanconception,however,canbereceivedonlybyaural
receptionandnotbypersonalexperience.Knowledgeisthereforeacquiredby
auralreception.ItisconfirmedintheVedantasutra,sastrayonitvat:onehasto
acquirepureknowledgefromtheauthorizedscriptures.Socalledspeculative
argumentsabouttheAbsoluteTrutharethereforeuseless.Theactualidentityof
thelivingentityishisconsciousness,whichisalwayspresentwhiletheliving
entityisawake,dreamingorindeepsleep.Evenindeepsleep,hecanperceive
byconsciousnesswhetherheishappyordistressed.Thuswhenconsciousness
isdisplayedthroughthemediumofthesubtleandgrossmaterialbodies,itis
covered,butwhentheconsciousnessispurified,inKrsnaconsciousness,one
becomesfreefromtheentanglementofrepeatedbirthanddeath.
Whenweseemilk,weseethatitiswhite;whenwetasteit,itappearsthatmilk
isverypalatable.Whenwetouchmilk,itappearsverycold;whenwesmell
milk,itappearstohaveaverygoodflavor;andwhenwehear,weunderstand
thatitiscalledmilk.Perceivingmilkwithdifferentsenses,wesaythatitis
somethingwhite,somethingverydelicious,somethingveryaromatic,andso
on.Actually,itismilk.

Similarly,thosewhoaretryingtofindtheSupremeGodheadbymental
speculationmayapproachthebodilyeffulgence,ortheimpersonalBrahman,
andthosewhoaretryingtofindtheSupremeGodheadbyyogapracticemay
findHimasthelocalizedSupersoul,butthosewhoaredirectlytryingto
approachtheSupremeTruthbypracticeofbhaktiyogacanseeHimfaceto
faceastheSupremePerson.
brahmanandaisunlimited.Butthatunlimitedpleasurecanalsobesurpassed.
ThatisthenatureoftheTranscendence.Theunlimitedcanbesurpassedalso,
andthathigherplatformisKrsna.WhenonedealsdirectlywithKrsna,the
mellowandthehumorrelishedbyreciprocationofdevotionalserviceis
incomparable,evenwiththepleasurederivedfromtranscendentalBrahman.
buttoadevotee,whohasunderstoodhowtoderivepleasurefromexchanging
devotionalservicewiththeLord,thisunlimitedBrahmanappearstobehellish.
Oneshouldtry,therefore,totranscendeventheBrahmanpleasureinorderto

approachthepositionofdealingwithKrsnafacetoface.Asthemindisthe
centerofalltheactivitiesofthesenses,Krsnaiscalledthemasterofthesenses,
Hrsikesa.TheprocessistofixthemindonHrsikesa,orKrsna,asMaharaja
Ambarisadid(savaimanahkrsnapadaravindayoh).Bhaktiisthebasic
principleofallprocesses.Withoutbhakti,neitherjnanayoganorastangayoga
canbesuccessful,andunlessoneapproachesKrsna,theprinciplesofself
realizationhavenoultimatedestination.
Hereitisstatedthatperformanceoffruitiveactivitiesandsacrificesand
distributionofcharityareactivitiesmeantforpersonswhoareinthe
householderorderofsociety.Therearefourordersofthesocialsystem:
brahmacarya,grhastha,vanaprasthaandsannyasa.Forthegrhasthas,or
householders,performanceofsacrifices,distributionofcharity,andaction
accordingtoprescribeddutiesareespeciallyrecommended.Similarly,
austerity,studyofVedicliterature,andphilosophicalresearcharemeantforthe
vanaprasthas,orretiredpersons.StudyoftheVedicliteraturefromthebona
fidespiritualmasterismeantforthebrahmacari,orstudent.Atmendriyajaya,
controlofthemindandtamingofthesenses,ismeantforpersonsinthe
renouncedorderoflife.Allthesedifferentactivitiesareprescribedfordifferent
personssothattheymaybeelevatedtotheplatformofselfrealizationand
fromtheretoKrsnaconsciousness,devotionalservice.
Thewordsdharmenobhayacihnenameanthatthebhaktiyogaprocesscontains
twosymptoms,namelyattachmentfortheSupremeLordanddetachmentfrom
allmaterialaffinities.Therearetwosymptomsofadvancementintheprocess
ofdevotionalservice,justastherearetwoprocessestakingplacewhileeating.
Ahungrymanfeelsstrengthandsatisfactionfromeating,andatthesametime
hegraduallybecomesdetachedfromeatinganymore.Similarly,withthe
executionofdevotionalservice,realknowledgedevelops,andonebecomes
detachedfromallmaterialactivities.Innootheractivitybutdevotionalservice
istheresuchdetachmentfrommatterandattachmentfortheSupreme.
ThereareninedifferentprocessestoincreasethisattachmenttotheSupreme
Lord:hearing,chanting,remembering,worshiping,servingtheLord,making
friendship,praying,offeringeverythingandservingthelotusfeetoftheLord.
Theprocessesforincreasingdetachmentfrommaterialaffinitiesareexplained
inverse36.
Onecanachieveelevationtothehigherplanetarysystemsliketheheavenly
kingdombyexecutingone'sprescribeddutiesandbyperformingsacrifices.
Whenoneistranscendentaltosuchdesiresbecauseofacceptingtherenounced
orderoflife,hecanunderstandtheBrahmanfeatureoftheSupreme,andwhen
oneisabletoseehisrealconstitutionalposition,heseesallotherprocessesand
becomessituatedinthestageofpuredevotionalservice.Atthattimehecan
understandtheSupremepersonalityofGodhead,Bhagavan.

Personswhoarealwaysplanningtodoharmtootherlivingentitiesarenot
eligibletounderstandKrsnaconsciousnessandcannotenterintotherealmof
transcendentallovingservicetotheLord.Also,therearesocalleddisciples
whobecomesubmissivetoaspiritualmastermostartificially,withanulterior
motive.TheyalsocannotunderstandwhatKrsnaconsciousnessordevotional
serviceis.Personswho,duetobeinginitiatedbyanothersectofreligiousfaith,
donotfinddevotionalserviceasthecommonplatformforapproachingthe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,alsocannotunderstandKrsnaconsciousness.
Wehaveexperiencethatsomestudentscometojoinus,butbecauseofbeing
biasedinsomeparticulartypeoffaith,theyleaveourcampandbecomelostin
thewilderness.Actually,Krsnaconsciousnessisnotasectarianreligiousfaith;
itisateachingprocessforunderstandingtheSupremeLordandour
relationshipwithHim.Anyonecanjointhismovementwithoutprejudice,but
unfortunatelytherearepersonswhofeeldifferently.Itisbetter,therefore,not
toinstructthescienceofKrsnaconsciousnesstosuchpersons.
Generally,materialisticpersonsareaftersomename,fameandmaterialgain,
soifsomeonetakestoKrsnaconsciousnessforthesereasons,hewillneverbe
abletounderstandthisphilosophy.Suchpersonstaketoreligiousprinciplesas
asocialdecoration.Theyadmitthemselvesintosomeculturalinstitutionforthe
sakeofnameonly,especiallyinthisage.Suchpersonsalsocannotunderstand
thephilosophyofKrsnaconsciousness.Evenifoneisnotgreedyformaterial
possessionsbutistooattachedtofamilylife,healsocannotunderstandKrsna
consciousness.Superficially,suchpersonsarenotverygreedyformaterial
possessions,buttheyaretooattachedtowife,childrenandfamily
improvement.Whenapersonisnotcontaminatedbytheabovementioned
faultsyetattheultimateissueisnotinterestedintheserviceoftheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,orifheisanondevotee,healsocannotunderstandthe
philosophyofKrsnaconsciousness.

Toserveadevotee,tochanttheholynameaccordingtoacertaincounting
method,toworshiptheDeity,tohearSrimadBhagavatamorBhagavadgita
fromarealizedpersonandtoliveinasacredplacewheredevotionalserviceis
notdisturbedarethefirstoutofsixtyfourdevotionalactivitiesformaking
progressindevotionalservice.Onewhohasacceptedthesefivechiefactivities
iscalledadevotee.
AdevoteeshouldalwaysbeverykindtothegeneralpublicininstructingKrsna
consciousnessbecausethatistheonlysolutionforgettingoutoftheclutchesof
maya.Thatisreallyhumanitarianwork,foritisthewaytoshowmercyto
otherpeoplewhoneeditverybadly.

Peoplewhoaresufferinginthismaterialworldbecausetheyareconditionedby
thematerialenergycaneasilygetfreedomfromtheclutchesofmatterby
understandingtheSankhyaphilosophyenunciatedbyLordKapila.Bythis
systemofphilosophy,onecanimmediatelybecomefree,eventhoughoneis
situatedinthismaterialworld.Thatstageiscalledjivanmukti.Thismeans
thatoneisliberatedeventhoughonestayswithhismaterialbody.
AstheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,Youhavetakenbirthfrommy
abdomen.OmyLord,howisthatpossibleforthesupremeone,whohasinHis
bellyallthecosmicmanifestation?Theansweristhatitispossible,foratthe
endofthemillenniumYouliedownonaleafofabanyantree,andjustlikea
smallbaby,YoulickthetoeofYourlotusfoot.
Sinceallthegreatsagesanddevoteesapplyallenergyandallactivitiesinthe
serviceofthelotusfeetoftheLord,theremustbesometranscendentalpleasure
inthetoesofHislotusfeet.TheLordlicksHistoetotastethenectarforwhich
thedevoteesalwaysaspire.SometimestheSupremePersonalityofGodhead
HimselfwondershowmuchtranscendentalpleasureiswithinHimself,andin
ordertotasteHisownpotency,Hesometimestakesthepositionoftasting
Himself.LordCaitanyaisKrsnaHimself,butHeappearsasadevoteetotaste
thesweetnessofthetranscendentalmellowinHimselfwhichistastedby
SrimatiRadharani,thegreatestofalldevotees.
Oh,howgloriousaretheywhosetonguesarechantingYourholyname!Even
ifborninthefamiliesofdogeaters,suchpersonsareworshipable.Persons
whochanttheholynameofYourLordshipmusthaveexecutedallkindsof
austeritiesandfiresacrificesandachievedallthegoodmannersoftheAryans.
TobechantingtheholynameofYourLordship,theymusthavebathedatholy
placesofpilgrimage,studiedtheVedasandfulfilledeverythingrequired.

thestageofchantingoftheholynameoftheLordisnotsudden,butthatthe
chantershavealreadyperformedallkindsofVedicritualsandsacrifices.Itis
notveryastounding,fornooneinthislifecanchanttheholynameoftheLord
unlesshehaspassedalllowerstages,suchasperformingtheVedicritualistic
sacrifices,studyingtheVedasandpracticinggoodbehaviorlikethatofthe
Aryans.Allthismustfirsthavebeendone.Justasastudentinalawclassisto
beunderstoodtohavealreadygraduatedfromgeneraleducation,anyonewho
isengagedinthechantingoftheholynameoftheLordHareKrsna,Hare
Krsna,KrsnaKrsna,HareHare.HareRama,HareRama,RamaRama,Hare
Haremusthavealreadypassedalllowerstages.

Onedoesnotevenhavetochanttheholynameandunderstandthewhole
procedure,namelytheoffensivestage,offenselessstageandpurestage;ifthe
holynameissoundedonthetipofthetongue,thatisalsosufficient.Itissaid
hereinthatnama,asingularnumber,onename,KrsnaorRama,issufficient.It
isnotthatonehastochantalltheholynamesoftheLord.Theholynamesof
theLordareinnumerable,andonedoesnothavetochantallthenamesto
provethathehasalreadyundergonealltheprocessesofVedicritualistic
ceremonies.Ifonechantsonceonly,itistobeunderstoodthathehasalready
passedalltheexaminations,nottospeakofthosewhoarechantingalways,
twentyfourhoursaday.Itisspecificallysaidhere,tubhyam:"untoYouonly."
pratyaharameanstowinduptheactivitiesofthesenses.Thelevelof
realizationoftheSupremeLordevidencedbyDevahutiispossiblewhenoneis
abletowithdrawthesensesfrommaterialactivities.Whenoneisengagedin
devotionalservice,thereisnoscopeforhissensestobeengagedotherwise.
Thepointofliberation,however,isnottoseethebodilysymptomsofthe
spiritualmaster.Onehastoseethespiritualsymptomsofthespiritualmaster.
therealidentityofthelivingentityisthatheiseternallyaservitorofthe
SupremeLord.Ifsomeoneisonehundredpercentengagedintheserviceofthe
Lord,heistobeunderstoodasliberated.Onemustunderstandwhetherornot
heisliberatedbyhisactivitiesindevotionalservice,notbyothersymptoms.
Materialexistenceisfullofanxiety,andthereforeitisfearful.Onewhogets
outofthismaterialexistenceautomaticallybecomesfreefromallanxietiesand
fear.
Hecould,ofcourse,havestayedwithHismother,butHeindicatedthatthere
wasnoneedtostaywiththefamily.Itisbesttoremainaloneasabrahmacari,
sannyasiorvanaprasthaandcultivateKrsnaconsciousnessthroughoutone's
wholelife.Thosewhoareunabletoremainalonearegivenlicensetolivein
householdlifewithwifeandchildren,notforsensegratificationbutfor
cultivationofKrsnaconsciousness.
Shebegantobathethreetimesdaily,andthushercurlingblackhairgradually
becamegray.Duetoausterity,herbodygraduallybecamethin,andshewore
oldgarments.
Itisthepracticeoftheyogi,brahmacari,vanaprasthaandsannyasitobatheat
leastthreetimesdailyearlyinthemorning,duringnoontimeandinthe
evening.Theseprinciplesarestrictlyfollowedevenbysomegrhasthas,
especiallybrahmanas,whoareelevatedinspiritualconsciousness.
Tobetoofatisnotverygoodforspirituallyadvancedlife.Rather,oneshould
reducebecauseifonebecomesfatitisanimpedimenttoprogressinspiritual

understanding.Oneshouldbecarefulnottoeattoomuch,sleeptoomuchor
remaininacomfortableposition.Voluntarilyacceptingsomepenancesand
difficulties,oneshouldtakelessfoodandlesssleep.Thesearetheprocedures
forpracticinganykindofyoga,whetherbhaktiyoga,jnanayogaorhatha
yoga.
Theidealhusbandandwiferelationshipisverynicelydescribedinthis
statement.KardamaMunigaveDevahutiallsortsofcomfortsinhisdutyasa
husband,buthewasnotatallattachedtohiswife.Assoonashisson,
Kapiladeva,wasgrownup,Kardamaatonceleftallfamilyconnection.
Similarly,Devahutiwasthedaughterofagreatking,SvayambhuvaManu,and
wasqualifiedandbeautiful,butshewascompletelydependentonthe
protectionofherhusband.
Althoughherpositionwasuniquefromallpointsofview,saintlyDevahuti,in
spiteofallherpossessions,whichwereenviedevenbytheladiesofthe
heavenlyplanets,gaveupallsuchcomforts.Shewasonlysorrythathergreat
sonwasseparatedfromher.
Whywasshesoattachedtoherson?Theanswerisexplainedinthenextverse.
Hewasnotanordinaryson.HersonwastheSupremepersonalityofGodhead.
UnlessweareabletotransferourattachmenttotheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,thereisnopossibilityofbecomingfreedfrommaterialattachment.
Shedidsowithseriousengagementindevotionalservice.Becauseshewas
stronginrenunciation,sheacceptedonlythenecessitiesofthebody.She
becamesituatedinknowledgeduetorealizationoftheAbsoluteTruth,her
heartbecamepurified,shebecamefullyabsorbedinmeditationuponthe
SupremePersonalityofGodhead,andallmisgivingsduetothemodesof
materialnaturedisappeared.

ThepreviousversestatesthatDevahutiwasalreadyconversantwiththe
AbsoluteTruth.Itmaybequestionedwhyshewasmeditating.Theexplanation
isthatwhenonetheoreticallydiscussestheAbsoluteTruth,hebecomes
situatedintheimpersonalconceptoftheAbsoluteTruth.Similarly,whenone
seriouslydiscussesthesubjectmatteroftheform,qualities,pastimesand
entourageoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,hebecomessituatedin
meditationonHim.IfonehascompleteknowledgeoftheSupremeLord,then
knowledgeoftheimpersonalBrahmanisautomaticallyrealized.

WhenoneengagesindevotionalserviceinKrsnaconsciousness,hestillhasto
eat,sleep,defendandmatebecausethesearenecessitiesofthebody.Buthe
performssuchactivitiesinaregulatedway.Hehastoeatkrsnaprasada.Hehas
tosleepaccordingtoregulatedprinciples.Theprincipleistoreducethe
durationofsleepandtoreduceeating,takingonlywhatisneededtokeepthe
bodyfit.Inshort,thegoalisspiritualadvancement,notsensegratification.
Similarly,sexlifemustbereduced.SexlifeismeantonlyforbegettingKrsna
consciouschildren.Otherwise,thereisnonecessityforsexlife.Nothingis
prohibited,buteverythingismadeyukta,regulated,withthehigherpurpose
alwaysinmind.Byfollowingalltheserulesandregulationsofliving,one
becomespurified,andallmisconceptionsduetoignorancebecomenil.Itis
specificallymentionedherethatthecausesofmaterialentanglementare
completelyvanquished.
TheSanskritstatementanarthanivrttiindicatesthatthisbodyisunwanted.As
soonaswearereestablishedinouroriginalpositionofservitorshiptothe
SupremeLord,webegintoforgetthenecessitiesofthebody,andatlastwe
forgetthebody.
Thebodilynecessitiesbecomesecondary,fortheprimarynecessityisthe
engagementofthesoulinreal,spirituallife.Theactivitiesofdevotional
serviceinfullKrsnaconsciousnessarethecauseofourbeingsituatedin
transcendence.
Intheastangayogasystem,theseventhstageofperfectionisdhyana.This
dhyanaisthethirdstageindevotionalservice.Thereareninestagesof
devotionalservice.Thefirstishearing,andthencomeschantingandthen
contemplating.Byexecutingdevotionalservice,therefore,oneautomatically
becomesanexpertjnaniandanexpertyogi.Inotherwords,jnanaandyogaare
differentpreliminarystagesofdevotionalservice.
AgreatVaisnavasaidthathewhohasnoremembranceofhisbodyisnot
boundtomaterialexistence.Aslongasweareconsciousofourbodily
existence,itistobeunderstoodthatwearelivingconditionally,underthethree
modesofmaterialnature.Whenoneforgetshisbodilyexistence,his
conditional,materiallifeisover.Thisforgetfulnessisactuallypossiblewhen
weengageoursensesinthetranscendentallovingserviceoftheLord.
Intheconditionalstate,oneengageshissensesasamemberofafamilyorasa
memberofasocietyorcountry.Butwhenoneforgetsallsuchmembershipin
materialcircumstancesandrealizesthatheisaneternalservantoftheSupreme
Lord,thatisactualforgetfulnessofmaterialexistence.
ThisforgetfulnessactuallyoccurswhenonerendersserviceuntotheLord.A
devoteenolongerworkswiththebodyforsensegratificationwithfamily,

society,country,humanityandsoon.HesimplyworksfortheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,Krsna.ThatisperfectKrsnaconsciousness.
Adevoteealwaysmergesintranscendentalhappiness,andthereforehehasno
experienceofmaterialdistresses.Thistranscendentalhappinessiscalled
eternalbliss.Accordingtotheopinionofdevotees,constantremembranceof
theSupremeLordiscalledsamadhi,ortrance.Ifoneisconstantlyintrance,
thereisnopossibilityofhisbeingattackedoreventouchedbythemodesof
materialnature.Assoonasoneisfreedfromthecontaminationofthethree
materialmodes,henolongerhastotakebirthtotransmigratefromoneformto
anotherinthismaterialworld.
Itissaid,accordingtotheAyurvedicmedicalscience,thatifoneisfreefrom
anxietieshegenerallybecomesfat.Devahuti,beingsituatedinKrsna
consciousness,hadnomentalanxieties,andthereforeherbodydidnotbecome
thin.Itiscustomaryintherenouncedorderoflifethatoneshouldnottakeany
servicefromaservantormaid,butDevahutiwasbeingservedbythecelestial
maidservants.Thismayappeartobeagainstthespiritualconceptoflife,but
justasfireisstillbeautifulevenwhensurroundedbysmoke,shelooked
completelypurealthoughitseemedthatshewaslivinginaluxuriousway.
OnceonesurrendersuntotheserviceoftheSupremeLord,theLordtakes
chargeofthemaintenanceofthedevotee'sbody,andthereisnoneedof
anxietyforitsprotection.ItissaidintheSecondChapter,SecondCanto,of
SrimadBhagavatamthatafullysurrenderedsoulhasnoanxietyaboutthe
maintenanceofhisbody.TheSupremeLordtakescareofthemaintenanceof
innumerablespeciesofbodies;therefore,onewhofullyengagesinHisservice
willnotgounprotectedbytheSupremeLord.Devahutiwasnaturally
unmindfuloftheprotectionofherbody,whichwasbeingtakencareofbythe
SupremePerson.
MydearVidura,byfollowingtheprinciplesinstructedbyKapila,Devahuti
soonbecameliberatedfrommaterialbondage,andsheachievedtheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,asSupersoul,withoutdifficulty.

TheSupremepersonalityofGodheadresidesinvariousVaikunthaplanets.
Nirvanameanstoextinguishthepangsofmaterialexistence.Whenoneisable
toenterintothespiritualkingdomorintospiritualrealization,oneis
automaticallyfreedfrommaterialpangs.Thatiscalledbrahmanirvana.
AccordingtoVedicscripture,nirvanameanscessationofthematerialisticway

oflife.
DearVidura,thematerialelementsofherbodyhavemeltedintowaterandare
nowaflowingriver,whichisthemostsacredofallrivers.Anyonewhobathes
inthatriveralsoattainsperfection,andthereforeallpersonswhodesire
perfectiongobathethere.
ItisunderstoodthatKapilaMunifirstwenttowardstheHimalayasandtraced
thecourseoftheRiverGanges,andHeagaincametothedeltaoftheGanges
attheseanowknownastheBayofBengal.TheoceangaveHimresidenceata
placestillknownasGangasagara,wheretheRiverGangesmeetsthesea.That
placeiscalledGangasagaratirtha,andeventodaypeoplegathertheretooffer
respectstoKapiladeva,theoriginalauthoroftheSankhyasystemof
philosophy.Unfortunately,thisSankhyasystemhasbeenmisrepresentedbyan
imposterwhoisalsonamedKapila,butthatothersystemofphilosophydoes
nottallywithanythingdescribedintheSankhyaofKapilaintheSrimad
Bhagavatam.
EvennowKapilaMuniisstayingthereintranceforthedeliveranceofthe
conditionedsoulsinthethreeworlds,andalltheacaryas,orgreatteachers,of
thesystemofSankhyaphilosophyareworshipingHim.