Madhya25.102

TEXT 102

bhagavatera sambandha, abhidheya, prayojana

catuh-slokite prakata tara kariyache laksana

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.103

TEXT 103

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

ama paite sadhana-bhakti ’abhidheya’-nama

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

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

Madhya25.104

TEXT 104

sadhanera phala-’prema’ mula-prayojana

sei preme paya jiva amara ’sevana’

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.105

TEXT 105

jnanam parama-guhyam me

yad vijnana-samanvitam

sa-rahasyam tad-angam ca

grhana gaditam maya

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

Madhya25.106

TEXT 106

ei ’tina’ tattva ami kahinu tomare

’jiva’ tumi ei tina naribe janibare

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.107

TEXT 107

yaiche amara ’svarupa’, yaiche amara ’sthiti’

yaiche amara guna, karma, sad-aisvarya-sakti

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.108

TEXT 108

amara krpaya ei saba sphuruka tomare"

eta bali’ tina tattva kahila tanhare

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.109

TEXT 109

yavan aham yatha-bhavo

yad-rupa-guna-karmakah

tathaiva tattva-vijnanam

astu te mad-anugrahat

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

Madhya25.110

TEXT 110

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

’prapanca’, ’prakrti’, ’purusa’ amatei laye

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.111

TEXT 111

srsti kari’ tara madhye ami pravesiye

prapanca ye dekha saba, seha ami ha-iye

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.112

TEXT 112

pralaye avasista ami ’purna’ ha-iye

prakrta prapanca paya amatei laye

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.113

TEXT 113

aham evasam evagre

nanyad yat sad-asat-param

pascad aham yad etac ca

yo ’vasisyeta so ’smy aham

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

Madhya25.114

TEXT 114

“aham eva”-sloke ’aham’-tina-bara

purnaisvarya sri-vigraha-sthitira nirdhara

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.115

TEXT 115

ye ’vigraha’ nahi mane, ’nirakara’ mane

tare tiraskaribare karila nirdharane

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.116

TEXT 116

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

maya-karya, maya haite ami-vyatireka

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.117

TEXT 117

yaiche suryera sthane bhasaye ’abhasa’

surya vina svatantra tara na haya prakasa

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.118

TEXT 118

mayatita haile haya amara ’anubhava’

ei ’sambandha’-tattva kahilun, suna ara saba

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

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

Madhya25.119

TEXT 119

rte ’rtham yat pratiyeta

na pratiyeta catmani

tad vidyad atmano mayam

yathabhaso yatha tamah

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

Madhya25.120

TEXT 120

’abhidheya’ sadhana-bhaktira sunaha vicara

sarva-jana-desa-kala-dasate vyapti yara

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

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

Madhya25.121

TEXT 121

’dharmadi’ visaye yaiche e ’cari, vicara

sadhana-bhakti-ei cari vicarera para

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

Madhya25.122

TEXT 122

sarva-desa-kala-dasaya janera kartavya

guru-pase sei bhakti prastavya, srotavya

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.123

TEXT 123

etavad eva jijnasyam

tattva-jijnasunatmanah

anvaya-vyatirekabhyam

yat syat sarvatra sarvada

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

Madhya25.124

TEXT 124

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

karya-dvare kahi tara ’svarupa’-laksana

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.125

TEXT 125

panca-bhuta yaiche bhutera bhitare-bahire

bhakta-gane sphuri ami bahire-antare

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

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

Madhya25.126

TEXT 126

yatha mahanti bhutani

bhutesuccavacesv anu

pravistany apravistani

tatha tesu na tesv aham

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

Madhya25.127

TEXT 127

bhakta ama preme bandhiyache hrdaya-bhitare

yahan netra pade tahan dekhaye amare

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.128

TEXT 128

visrjati hrdayam na yasya saksad

dharir avasabhihito ’py aghaugha-nasah

pranaya-rasanaya dhrtanghri-padmah

sa bhavati bhagavata-pradhana uktah

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

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

Madhya25.129

TEXT 129

sarva-bhutesu yah pasyed

bhagavad-bhavam atmanah

bhutani bhagavaty atmany

esa bhagavatottamah

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

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

Madhya25.130

TEXT 130

gayanta uccair amum eva samhatah

vicikyur unmattakavad vanad vanam

papracchur akasavad antaram bahir

bhutesu santam purusam vanaspatin

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

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

Madhya25.131

TEXT 131

ataeva bhagavate ei ’tina’ kaya

sambandha-abhidheya-prayojana-maya

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

Madhya25.132

TEXT 132

vadanti tat tattva-vidas

tattvam yaj jnanam advayam

brahmeti paramatmeti

bhagavan iti sabdyate

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT

Madhya25.133

TEXT 133

bhagavan eka asedam

agra atmatmanam vibhuh

atmecchanugatav atma

ananamaty-upalaksanah

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

PURPORT