Category:Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 04 Chapter 31 Purports - Narada Instructs the Pracetas
Pages in category "Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 04 Chapter 31 Purports - Narada Instructs the Pracetas"
The following 235 pages are in this category, out of 235 total.
A
- A great mystic yogi, Durvasa Muni, offended the great devotee Ambarisa Maharaja. The sage Durvasa was to be chastised by the Sudarsana cakra of the Lord. Even though the great mystic directly approached the Lord, he was never excused
- A king may engage a joker, and in the process of joking, the king is sometimes insulted. The king, however, enjoys these activities
- A learned person sees everyone equally on a spiritual basis, and a learned person, a devotee, wants to see everyone developed in Krsna consciousness
- A living entity is the eternal servitor of the Supreme Lord, and unless he comes to the platform of devotional service, his life-span, good birth, glorious activities and everything else are null and void
- A pure devotee is one who feels He (God) does not possess anything material. A devotee is always happy in possessing the devotional service of the Lord
- According to the advice of Narada Muni, one should directly engage in devotional service. This will include all pious activity
- According to the pancaratrika system, however, even though everyone is a sudra due to the absence of garbhadhana-samskara, if a person has but a little tendency to become KC, he should be given the chance to elevate to the transcendental platform of ds
- According to Vedic calculations, there are three causes of creation - time, the ingredient and the creator
- Activity is successful if it results in serving the Lord. Philosophical speculation or mental speculation is successful when engaged in understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The senses are worth possessing when engaged in the service of God
- Actually, devotional service means engaging the senses in the service of the Lord. At the present moment our senses are not purified; therefore our senses are engaged in the service of society, friendship, love, politics, sociology and so on
- After finishing their family life, which lasted thousands of years according to the calculations of the demigods, the Pracetas decided to leave home, putting their wife in the charge of a son named Daksa. This is the process of Vedic civilization
- After the Pracetas had finished their penances, they were blessed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Lord blessed them by telling them that after finishing their family life they would return home, back to Godhead, in due course of time
- All the planets rest on the sunshine, and because of the heat of the sun, they all revolve in their orbits. On each and every planet, the trees and plants grow and change colors due to the sunshine
- All the planets, resting on the sunshine, are nondifferent from the sun. The entire material world is completely dependent on the sun, being produced by the sun, and the cause, the sun, is inherent in the effects
- Although He is the supreme cause, the cause of all causes, He is still parama, transcendental, and His form is sac-cid-ananda, eternal, spiritual bliss. Krsna is the shelter of everything, and this is the verdict of all scripture
- Although impersonal Brahman, Paramatma Brahman and Brahman as the Supreme Person are all on the same transcendental platform, the personal feature of the Supreme Brahman is the ultimate goal and last word in transcendence
- Although Krsna is not personally present everywhere, His energy is the cause of all creation. The entire cosmic manifestation is nothing but a display of Krsna's energy
- Although the material, or physical, elements are the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they are separate. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is therefore not affected by material conditions
- Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original cause of the total cosmic manifestation, He is unaffected by the material existence
- Among human beings there are different types of men. Of these, those who are advanced in spiritual consciousness, or Krsna consciousness, are called Aryans. Among Aryans, one who engages in the devotional service of the Lord is most successful in life
- As confirmed in Caitanya-caritamrta (CC Madhya 22.62), krsne bhakti kaile sarva-karma krta haya: if one is engaged in the devotional service of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, everything is automatically accomplished
- As described by Srila Rupa Gosvami, anyabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmady-anavrtam: (CC Madhya 19.167) pure devotional service should not be contaminated by the touch of karma and jnana
- As far as our senses are concerned, there are many animals, both beasts and birds, who are very expert in exercising their senses more keenly than human beings
- As long as one is under the control of the material modes, he desires so many things and makes so many plans for material sense enjoyment, but as soon as the Lord is perceived in the heart, all material desires vanish
- As soon as one frees himself from material desires and associates with a liberated person, the path back home, back to Godhead, is clear
- As soon as the Lord is seated within the heart of the devotee, the devotee cannot be contaminated by the material modes of nature
- As soon as the time is ripe, or as soon as one has developed perfect Krsna consciousness, he should leave home, even though all his duties may not be fulfilled
- As stated by Prahlada Maharaja: One cannot become a perfect devotee of the Lord without having touched the lotus feet of a great devotee. One who has nothing to do with this material world is called niskincana
- As stated, srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah (SB 1.2.17). By always thinking of Krsna, the pure devotee's heart is freed from all kinds of desires. In the material world, the heart of the living entity is filled with material desires
- At the present moment civilized nations have given up God consciousness for economic development. They are actually no longer interested in advancing in God consciousness. Formerly their forefathers were engaged in executing religious principles
B
- Because of the night's darkness, everyone is afraid of rogues and thieves, especially in great cities. People are often afraid to go out on the streets, and we understand that even in a great city like New York people do not like to go out at night
- Because of their poor fund of knowledge, impersonalist philosophers cannot understand how everything comes out from the Supreme person and then merges into Him again
- Before the birth takes place, or before father and mother unite, there is a ceremony called garbhadhana-samskara, which must be adopted. This garbhadhana-samskara is especially recommended for higher castes, especially the brahmana caste
- Being the rays of the sun, the sunshine is nondifferent from the sun. Similarly, all the planets, resting on the sunshine, are nondifferent from the sun
- Besides this inferior nature, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is a superior energy of Mine (Krsna's), which consists of all living entities who are struggling with material nature and are sustaining the universe
- Bhagavan means "one who possesses all opulences." When a person possesses Bhagavan within his heart, he is also sometimes called bhagavan
- Bhagavan possesses all opulence. If one possesses Bhagavan within his heart always, does he not automatically possess all opulence also? In that sense a great devotee like Narada can be called bhagavan
- Bs says that God is worshiped by 100's and thousands of goddesses of fortune, but God does not require service from any of them because if He so desires He can produce millions of goddesses of fortune through His spiritual energy, the pleasure potency
- By chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra regularly and following the regulative principles, one becomes qualified to be initiated as a brahmana
C
- Caitanya-caritamrta states, krsne bhakti kaile sarva-karma krta haya: when one worships the Supreme Lord, Krsna, in devotional service, one automatically performs all other pious activity
- Certainly their (hawks' and vultures') eyesight is much keener than human beings', but this does not mean that their existence is more important than that of a human being
- Combined, these are called tritayatmaka, the three causes (time, the ingredient and the creator). Everything in this material world is created by these three causes. All of these causes are found in the Personality of Godhead
D
- Darkness, illumination and clouds sometimes appear and sometimes disappear, but even when they have disappeared, the potency is still there, always existing
- Devotees are free from attachment to family, society, friendship, children and so on
- Devotees may sometimes appear materially poor, but because they are spiritually advanced and enriched, they are most dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Dhruva Maharaja was the son of King Uttanapada, and as far as the descendants of Dhruva Maharaja or King Uttanapada are concerned, their activities have been described up to the point of the Pracetas
- Dogs can smell many things from a far distance. Many fish can understand by the power of sound that an enemy is coming. All these examples are described in Srimad-Bhagavatam
- During the rainy season, the rain, by rejuvenating the production of vegetables on earth, enables man and animals to obtain living energy
E
- Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego - all together these eight comprise My (Krsna's) separated material energies
- Even if one is a brahmana and is qualified with all the brahminical qualifications, he is considered degraded if he is averse to worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Even if one is born in the family of a candala, if one engages in the devotional service of the Lord, he becomes the best of brahmanas. But even a brahmana who is devoid of devotional service is on the level of the lowest dog-eater
- Even while preaching in hell, a pure devotee remains a pure devotee by his constant association with the SPG. To attain this state, one has to control his senses. The senses are automatically controlled when one's mind is engaged in the service of God
- Everyone is afraid of danger at every moment, but when one sees a devotee like Narada, all fear is relieved
- Everyone should be interested in getting out of these material clutches. Everyone should approach a saintly person in order to be enlightened in this connection. One should not bother a saintly person to get blessings for material enjoyment
- Everyone worships the Supreme Lord with great reverence; therefore the Lord sometimes wants to enjoy the chastisement of His devotees. In this way the relationship eternally existing between the Lord and His devotees is fixed, just like the sky overhead
F
- Factually such attachment is natural both for the Supreme Lord and for the devotee, and it cannot be accepted as material
- Following the instructions of Lord Siva, the Pracetas also concentrated their minds on the Syamasundara form of the Supreme Brahman
- For Narada Muni, the door of every house is open. Although there is perpetual animosity between the demons and demigods, Narada Muni is welcomed everywhere
G
- Generally, householders receive saintly persons to get their blessings, but their real aim is to become happy in the material world. Asking such material benedictions is not recommended in the sastras
- Giving up a comfortable home life is absolutely necessary for human beings and is advised by Prahlada Maharaja
H
- Here (SB 4.31.24) it is seen that by hearing the glories of the Lord from a realized devotee the Pracetas easily attained strong attachment for the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Hitvatma-patam grham andha-kupam: to finish the materialistic way of life, one should leave his so-called comfortable home life, which is simply a means for killing the soul - atma-patam
- Human civilization should be based on the Vedic principles. This means that in the beginning of life boys and girls should undergo penances and austerities. When they are grown, they should get married, live for some time at home and beget children
I
- "I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds." Krsna is the root of everything; therefore rendering service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna (krsna-seva), means automatically serving all the demigods
- If a person derides a pure devotee, he is never recognized by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In other words, the Supreme Lord never excuses one who offends a pure devotee. There are many examples of this in history
- If a person is advanced in devotional service, it does not matter whether he was born in a candala family. He becomes purified
- If a person is attached to the service of the Lord, he becomes glorified even if he is born in a candala family. Indeed, such a candala can deliver not only himself but all his family predecessors
- If brahminical qualifications are found in the person of a sudra, he should immediately be accepted as a brahmana. To substantiate this there are many quotations from SB, Mahabharata, Bharadvaja-samhita & the pancaratra, as well as many other scriptures
- If one has actually approached the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he does not need to undergo severe austerities. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is understood through the process of devotional service
- If one is initiated by a proper person, he can be accepted as twice-born immediately. In our Krsna consciousness movement, we therefore offer the student his first initiation and allow him to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra
- If one tries to feed his eyes or ears independently, the result is only havoc. Simply by supplying food to the stomach, we satisfy all of the senses
- If one wishes to enjoy the senses more than required, he becomes attached to family life, which means bondage. All the Pracetas admitted their fault in remaining in household life
- If one's senses cannot help him attain the highest perfection of life, realization of the Supreme, they are all useless
- Impersonalists do not take to devotional service, but take to other practices, such as the analytical study of the material elements, the discrimination between matter and spirit, and the mystic yoga system
- In his prayers, Lord Siva concentrated upon the personal features of Parabrahman, described in personal terms as snigdha-pravrd-ghana-syamam - SB 4.24.45
- In many instances in the sastras it is seen that even a brahmana has become a ksatriya, vaisya, sudra, mleccha or non-brahmana
- In our Krsna consciousness society, unless one is twice initiated - first by chanting Hare Krsna and second by the Gayatri mantra - he is not allowed to enter the kitchen or Deity room to execute duties
- In the beginning of life, as a brahmacari, one has to undergo severe penances and austerities in order to be educated in spiritual values
- In the Caitanya-caritamrta it is said that understanding prakrti, or nature, to be the cause of everything is like understanding the nipples on the neck of a goat to be the cause of milk
- In the Ninth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita devotional service is explained as raja-guhyam, the king of all confidential knowledge
- In the sky sometimes we see clouds, sometimes rainfall and sometimes snow. Sometimes we see night, sometimes day, sometimes illumination and sometimes darkness. All these exist due to the sun, but the sun is unaffected by all these changes
- In this verse (SB 4.31.16) the word padam indicates the place where the Supreme Personality of Godhead resides. As confirmed in Isopanisad 1, isavasyam idam sarvam
- In this verse (SB 4.31.18) the words sva-tejasa dhvasta-guna-pravaham are very significant. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is never affected by the material qualities, although they all emanate from His spiritual energy
- In this verse (SB 4.31.3) the words pare amale are significant. The realization of Brahman is explained in SB. The Absolute Truth is realized in three phases - impersonal effulgence (Brahman), localized Paramatma and the SP of Godhead, Bhagavan
- In this verse (SB 4.31.8) bhagavan naradah indicates that Narada is always absorbed in thoughts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Bhagavaty uttama-sloka avistatma
- In this verse (SB 4.31.9) the word nrnam is very important. There are many other births besides human birth, but Narada Muni is herein especially speaking of human birth
- Information of that kingdom of light can be attained through the mercy of a self-realized soul. One also has to get rid of all material desires
- It does not matter to the pure devotee if he has to go to hell to preach. The Supreme Lord lives in the heart of a hog, although the Lord is in Vaikuntha
- It is clear from the previous verse (SB 4.31.20) that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Janardana, is very quickly satisfied by the activities of His devotees. The pure devotee is always absorbed in the thought of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- It is neither necessary nor feasible to render separate service to the individual senses. The conclusion is that by serving Krsna (krsna-seva), everything is complete
- It is not a fact that because one is born in a brahmana family he is automatically a brahmana. He has a better chance to become a brahmana, but unless he meets all the brahminical qualifications, he cannot be accepted as such
- It is not necessary for the king to live in every room of that palace for it to be his. He may be physically absent from the rooms, but still the entire palace is understood to be his royal domicile
- It is said in the sastras that if the garbhadhana-samskara is not practiced among the higher castes, the entire family becomes sudra. It is also stated that in this age of Kali, everyone is sudra due to the absence of the garbhadhana-samskara
- It is significant that all the Pracetas were engaged in practicing yoga to concentrate their minds on the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- It is sure and certain that anyone who always hears the glories of the Lord and thinks of His lotus feet will reach that supreme destination
- It was also explained ( in SB 4.31.15) how the Supreme Personality of Godhead is all-pervasive. He is present within everything in this material manifestation
K
- King Pracinabarhisat, the father of the Pracetas, left home before the arrival of his sons, who were engaged in austerity within the water
- Knowing this (that God is the original cause of everything), everyone should directly engage in His devotional service
- Krsna is the cause of all causes, and the effects are permeated by the original cause. The entire cosmic manifestation should be understood as the expanded energy of the Supreme Lord
- Krsna is the remote cause, and material nature is the immediate cause of the cosmic manifestation
- Krsna says in Bhagavad-gita (BG 18.65): "Always think of Me and become My devotee. Worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend."
- Krsna, who is known as Govinda, is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal, blissful, spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin, and He is the prime cause of all causes
M
- Material nature is the immediate cause of the cosmic manifestation, but the original cause is Narayana, Krsna
- Meditating on the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord at the end of their lives, they (the Pracetas) advanced to the ultimate goal, Visnuloka
- Modern society is involved in various types of philanthropic works, humanitarian works and so on, but people do not know that these activities will never be successful unless Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is brought in
- More or less, when it is night everyone is afraid, either in the city or in the village. However, as soon as the sun rises, everyone is relieved. Similarly, this material world is dark by nature
- Most of the children are varna-sankara, meaning "born of undesirable fathers and mothers." Consequently, the whole world is in chaos
- My dear Lord, I am Your eternal servant, but somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of this material world. Kindly pick me up and fix me as a speck of dust at Your lotus feet
N
- Narada has no other business than thinking of Krsna, talking of Krsna and preaching about Krsna; therefore he is sometimes called bhagavan
- Narada is considered one of the demigods, of course, and the word devarsi means "the saintly person among the demigods."
- Narada Muni advises the Pracetas to worship the direct cause, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As stated before, when the root of a tree is watered, all the parts are energized
- Not even the demons envy Narada Muni; therefore he is equally worshiped both by demons and by demigods. A perfect Vaisnava's position should be just like Narada Muni's, completely independent and unbiased
- Now Sri Sukadeva Gosvami desires to describe the descendants of Maharaja Priyavrata, the second son of Svayambhuva Manu
O
- One desiring perfection or liberation should associate with a person who is already liberated. This is called sadhu-sanga (CC Madhya 22.83), associating with a perfect devotee
- One has to become a gosvami and control his senses. One should not simply use his senses for sense gratification; rather, the senses should be employed just as much as required for maintaining body and soul together
- One has to cultivate knowledge of the Absolute Truth by pursuing studies in the Vedas and undergoing severe austerities and penances
- One has to hear about the Supreme Personality of Godhead from a pure devotee. The Pracetas got this opportunity from the great sage Narada, who told them of the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotees
- One may ask what harm there is in worshiping Krsna and the different parts of His body, the demigods, and the answer is also given in this verse. The point is that by supplying food to the stomach, the indriyas, the senses, are automatically satisfied
- One may be in the sunshine, but he is not on the sun itself. Those who live in this material world are living on the bodily rays of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but they cannot see Him personally in the material condition
- One must understand that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is factually the original source of both matter and spirit
- One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman & becomes fully joyful. He never laments nor desires to have anything; he is equally disposed to every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me
- Our KC movement adopts this pancaratrika-vidhi, as advised by Sanatana Gosvami: "As bell metal, when mixed with mercury, is transformed to gold, a person, even though not golden pure, can be transformed into a brahmana, simply by the initiation process."
- Our relationship with the Supreme Lord is never advanced by simple study of the Vedas - SB 4.31.11
R
- Real religion means becoming God conscious. Birth is successful if an interest in Krsna consciousness is taken
- Remaining in family life is a kind of concession for sense enjoyment. One should know that sense enjoyment is not required, but one has to accept sense enjoyment inasmuch as one has to live
S
- Similarly, this cosmic creation is sometimes manifest and sometimes unmanifest, as stated in Bhagavad-gita (8.19) - bhutva bhutva praliyate
- Since the energy of the Supreme Lord is nondifferent from Him, this material cosmic manifestation is also nondifferent from Him, although it appears different. The sunshine is not different from the sun itself, but it is simultaneously also different
- Sometimes it is actually seen that these Mayavadis also chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, although their motive is to merge into the Brahman effulgence of the Absolute
- Sometimes it is argued that karma and jnana require a mixture of bhakti in order to be successfully executed, and sometimes it is argued that bhakti also requires karma and jnana for its successful termination
- Sometimes people ask why this Krsna consciousness movement simply advocates worship of Krsna to the exclusion of the demigods. The answer is given in this verse (SB 4.31.14). The example of pouring water on the root of a tree is very appropriate
- Sometimes people think that the cause of an earthen pot is the earth. We see on a potter's wheel a sufficient amount of earth to produce many pots, and although unintelligent men will say that the earth on the wheel is the cause of the pot
- Srila Narottama dasa Thakura prays: "My dear Lord, You are now present with the daughter of King Vrsabhanu, Srimati Radharani. Now both of You please be merciful upon me. Don't kick me away, because I have no shelter other than You."
- Srila Rupa Gosvami recommends: anasaktasya visayan yatharham upayunjatah. One should not be attached to sense objects, but should accept sense enjoyment as much as required, no more
- Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura said, saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastraih: in every sastra the spiritual master is accepted directly as the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura says that both the Supreme Lord and His devotee are rasa jna, full of transcendental humor
- Srimad-Bhagavatam describes the glories of the Lord and His devotees. Because the whole subject matter is the glorification of the Lord, naturally the glorification of His devotees automatically follows
T
- The Absolute Truth is realized in three phases - impersonal Brahman, Paramatma and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All these require a touch of devotional service
- The basic flaw in modern civilization is that boys and girls are given freedom during school and college to enjoy sex life
- The best way to show mercy is to spread Krsna consciousness. The entire world is suffering for want of this knowledge. People should know that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original cause of everything
- The brahmacari, or student, is never allowed to mingle with women and learn from the beginning of life about sex enjoyment
- The conclusion is that nature is not the cause of the material manifestation. The Supreme Lord is the cause of all causes
- The conclusion is that one must come to the platform of bhakti-yoga, even though one may begin with karma-yoga, jnana-yoga or astanga-yoga
- The conclusion is that when the children are grown, the wife should be put in the children's charge. The husband may then leave home to develop Krsna consciousness. Everything depends on the development of mature knowledge
- The duration of one day of Brahma is one thousand times greater than the four yugas, aggregating 4,320,000 years. Similarly, Brahma's one night. Brahma lives for one hundred years of such days and nights
- The duty of the living entity is to understand his real identity. When he does, Krsna gives him all the facilities to come to the platform of devotional service. That is the perfection of life
- The entire cosmic manifestation is but a combination of matter and spirit. The spiritual part is the living entity, and these living entities are described as prakrti, or energy
- The entire world is suffering for want of this knowledge. People should know that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original cause of everything
- The fact is, that although karma and jnana cannot be successful without bhakti, bhakti does not require the help of karma and jnana
- The great sage Narada travels everywhere. He goes to the demons and the demigods and is equally respected. He is consequently described herein (SB 4.31.3) as surasuredya, worshiped both by demons and by demigods
- The home is considered to be a dark well covered by grass, and if one falls within this well, he simply dies without anyone's caring. One should therefore not be too much attached to family life, for it will spoil one's development of Krsna consciousness
- The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and dog-eater - outcaste
- The impersonalists wish to merge into the Supreme Brahman; however, merging into the Supreme Brahman also requires a touch of devotional service
- The living entity is never described as purusa, the Supreme Person; therefore to identify the living entity with the Supreme Lord is simply ignorance
- The living entity is the marginal energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the material world is the external energy
- The living entity is the marginal potency of the Supreme Lord, although there is factually no difference between the energy and the energetic
- The mutual attachment between the Supreme Lord and His devotee is never to be considered material. It always exists as a transcendental fact
- The place where the Pracetas were residing was perfect for executing spiritual activities, for it is indicated that the great sage Jajali attained mukti (liberation) there
- The Pracetas properly executed this function (studying the Vedas and performing severe austerities and penances) and consequently became equal to all other living entities
- The Pracetas requested Narada to enlighten them in transcendental knowledge. Generally when a common man meets a saintly person, he wishes to get some material benediction
- The Pracetas were not interested in material benefit, for they had enjoyed all this sufficiently. Nor did they want the fulfillment of their material desires. They were simply interested in crossing the ocean of nescience
- The process of self-realization and the path home, back to Godhead, means surrendering to the bona fide spiritual master and taking the dust of his lotus feet on one's head. Thus one advances on the path of transcendental realization
- The proprietor of a house may live in one room of the house, but the entire house belongs to him. A king may live in one room in Buckingham Palace, but the entire palace is considered his property
- The sun always shines brilliantly and is not affected by clouds or darkness. Similarly, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is always present in His spiritual energy and is not affected by the material emanations
- The sunshine is light, the sun globe itself is light, and the sun-god is also light. However, the sunshine is not identical with the sun-god, Vivasvan. This is the meaning of simultaneously one and different - acintya-bhedabheda-tattva
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes dependent on His devotee. The Lord is invincible, yet He is conquered by His pure devotee. He enjoys being dependent on His devotee, just as Krsna enjoyed being dependent on the mercy of mother Yasoda
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead is dependent on His pure devotees. He does not even accept the offerings of those who are not devotees
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead, like the root of a tree, is the original cause of everything
- The total material energy is generated from the body of Krsna, and at such a time the entire cosmic manifestation is visible. When Krsna winds up His energy, everything vanishes
- The Vedanta-sutra confirms, janmady asya yatah: (SB 1.1.1) the creation, maintenance and dissolution of this cosmic manifestation are due to the existence of the Supreme Lord. Nonetheless, God is unaffected by all these changes in the material elements
- The word brahma-satra means "cultivation of spiritual knowledge." Actually, both the Vedas and severe austerity are known as brahma. Vedas tattvam tapo brahma. Brahma also means "the Absolute Truth."
- The word nrnam indicates that lower animals are not expected to engage in the devotional service of the Lord. But in perfect human society everyone should engage in the ds of the Lord. It does not matter whether one is born poor or rich, black or white
- The word sarva-bhutesu is significant because it applies not only to species of life. The devotee can do good not only to humanity but to all living entities as well. Everyone can benefit spiritually by the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra
- The word saukra janma means "taking birth by seminal discharge." Animals can take their birth in this way too. However, a human being can be reformed from the saukra janma, as recommended in the Vedic civilization
- The word vibudhayusa indicates that even if one gets a long life-span, his life-span is useless if he is not a devotee
- The yogis also at times take to chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, but their purpose is different from that of the bhaktas. In all processes - karma, jnana or yoga - bhakti is required. That is the purport of this verse - SB 4.31.12
- There are also many thoughtful writers and creative philosophers, but despite all their learning, if they cannot approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they are simply useless mental speculators
- There are eight types of transcendental ecstasy (known as bhava, anubhava, sthayi-bhava and so on), and these are discussed in The Nectar of Devotion
- There are many good reciters of Vedic literatures, and they recite works such as the Ramayana, Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita. Sometimes these professional readers manifest very good scholarship and exhibit word jugglery
- There are many instances of one's being born a ksatriya or vaisya or even lower and, in the eighteenth year, attaining elevation to the brahminical platform by the process of initiation
- There are many Mayavadi sannyasis fully engaged in studying the Vedas, Vedanta-sutra and Upanisads, but unfortunately they cannot grasp the real essence of knowledge
- There are many religious systems wherein penances and austerities are greatly stressed, but at the end no one understands Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is therefore no point in such penance (tapasya)
- There are many sharply intelligent people in this material world, and they discover so many things for sense gratification
- There may be so many material distinctions for one who takes birth in human society, but everyone should engage in the Lord's devotional service
- These are beneficial only insofar as they are complementary to devotional service. Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore told Sanatana Gosvami that without a touch of devotional service, jnana, yoga and Sankhya philosophy cannot give one the desired results
- These are some of the ways in which the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be satisfied by the devotee. The first item mentioned is dayaya sarva-bhutesu, showing mercy to all conditioned souls
- They (devotees of god) abandon affection for all these material possessions and are always happy in possessing the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. The Supreme Personality of Godhead understands the position of His devotee
- They (intelligent people) also analytically study all the material elements, but despite their expert knowledge and expert scientific analysis of the whole cosmic manifestation, their endeavors are useless because they cannot understand the SP of G
- They do not know the Supreme Personality of Godhead. What, then, is the use in studying all the Vedas if one cannot grasp the essence of them, Krsna? The Lord confirms in BG(15.15), vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah: "By all the Vedas, I am to be known."
- Thinking Himself dependent on the devotee gives the Supreme Lord great enjoyment
- This (SB 4.31.16) confirms the philosophy of acintya-bhedabheda-tattva ("simultaneously one and different") propounded by Lord Sri Caitanya. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is simultaneously different and nondifferent from this cosmic manifestation
- This cosmic manifestation has expanded downward, and the root is the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- This does not mean that the spiritual master or a saintly person like Narada has actually become the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but he is accepted in this way because he possesses the Supreme Personality of Godhead within his heart constantly
- This entire material creation comes from the body of the SP of G and at the time of annihilation again enters into Him. This process of creation and dissolution is made possible by the breathing of the Maha-Visnu, who is only a plenary portion of Krsna
- This is a sign of associating with great devotees. A devotee takes instructions from a liberated soul and is thus overwhelmed by ecstasy from transcendental pleasure
- This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (BG 7.4): "Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego - all together these eight comprise My separated material energies."
- This material nature is working under My (Krsna's) direction, O son of Kunti, and producing all moving & unmoving beings. The Supreme Lord casts His glance over material energy, and His glance agitates the three modes of nature. Creation then takes place
- This material world is called tamah, dark, and the spiritual world is called light. The Vedas enjoin that everyone should try to get out of the darkness and go to the kingdom of light
- This very Personality of Godhead, out of His causeless mercy, becomes dependent on the devotees. How fortunate, then, is a devotee who is thus favored by the Personality of Godhead
- Those on the path of liberation should be very careful not to offend a pure devotee
- Those who are actually advanced will find that the original cause is the potter, who supplies the earth and moves the wheel. Material nature may be a helping factor in the creation of this cosmic manifestation, but it is not the ultimate cause
- Those who are actually learned, advanced in spiritual understanding, should preach Krsna consciousness all over the world so that people may take to it and make their lives successful
- Those who are really conversant with this knowledge can utilize everything for the service of the Lord because nothing in this material world is unconnected with the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Those who are unaware of the position of the living entity and the Supreme Person, Krsna, think that the mutual attachment between the Lord and His devotees is a creation of the material energy
- To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me (Krsna) with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me
- Today my senses, from my eyes down to my toes, are fortunate. Today my life is successful because I have been able to see the lotus feet (of Caitnaya) that are worshiped by the goddess of fortune
- Transcendental rays emanate from the body of Krsna, and within those rays, which are the Brahman effulgence, everything is existing. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (9.4). Mat-sthani sarva-bhutani
U
- Unfortunately they (professional reciters) are never devotees of the Supreme Lord. Consequently, they cannot impress upon the audience the real essence of knowledge, Krsna
- Unless one comes to the platform of bhakti-yoga, self-realization or realization of the Absolute Truth cannot be achieved
- Unless one is a qualified brahmana he cannot be allowed to worship Lord Visnu. This is called yajnika janma
- Unless one practices penances and austerities in his student life, he cannot understand the existence of God. Without realizing Krsna, one cannot make his life perfect
V
- Vidura belonged to the royal family of the Kauravas, and although he knew that all the family members were destroyed at the Battle of Kuruksetra, he nonetheless wanted to see his elder brother, Dhrtarastra, to see if he could deliver him from maya
- Vidura had this relationship with Maitreya (of surrendering to the spiritual master and taking the dust of his lotus feet on his head ), and he attained the results
- Vultures or hawks can go very high in the sky, but can see a small body on the ground very clearly. This means that their eyesight is so keen that they can find an eatable corpse from a great distance
W
- We cannot tolerate when a rascal or imposter is called bhagavan. One must possess either all opulences or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan, who possesses all opulences
- What ungrateful devotee will not worship the Lord and enter into His devotional service? Actually, a devotee cannot forget his obligation to the Supreme Personality of Godhead even for a single moment
- When a great saintly person like Vidura sees his relatives, he desires only to deliver them from the clutches of maya. Vidura thus offered his respectful obeisances to his spiritual master & departed for the city of Hastinapura, kingdom of the Kauravas
- When a saintly person wants to see his kinsmen, he has no material desire to see them. He simply wants to give them some instructions so that they can benefit
- When one actually becomes spiritually advanced, he does not see the difference between one living entity and another. This platform is attained by determination
- When one chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra loudly, he actually shows mercy to all living entities. To spread the Krsna consciousness movement throughout the world, the devotees should be satisfied in all conditions
- When one great devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw the Lord, he said that all his desires were fulfilled. He said, "Today everything is auspicious. Today my birthplace and neighborhood are completely glorified"
- When one is simply absorbed in the thought of Krsna, one is also called bhagavan
- When one sleeps, the senses are inactive, but this does not mean that the senses are absent. When one is awakened, the senses become active again
- When perfect knowledge is expanded, one ceases to see the outward covering of the living entity. He sees, rather, the spirit soul within the body. Thus he does not make distinctions between a human being and an animal, a learned brahmana and a candala
- When the children are grown up, the man should leave home and search for Krsna consciousness. In this way one can make one's life perfect by going home to the kingdom of God
- When the cosmic manifestation is dissolved, it is in a kind of sleeping condition, an inactive state. Whether the cosmic manifestation is active or inactive, the energy of the Supreme Lord is always existing
- When the living entity is cleansed, he does not think of anything material. As the mind is completely cleansed, one attains the perfectional stage of mystic yoga, for then the yogi always sees the Supreme Personality of Godhead within his heart
- When the mind is completely free from material desire, the devotee can think of the Lord constantly. In this way he becomes completely dependent upon the lotus feet of the Lord
- When the senses are engaged in the service of the Lord, one attains bhakti, or devotional service. In the next verse (SB 4.31.9) these matters will be more clearly explained
- When the transcendental vibration of Hare Krsna is sounded, even the trees, animals and insects benefit
- When there is no rain, food is scarce, and man and animal simply die. All vegetables, as well as moving living entities, are originally products of the earth. They come from the earth, and again they merge into the earth
- Whether one is Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish or whatever, everyone has some religious institution
- Without devotional service, even a proud brahmana cannot deliver himself, and what to speak of his family