Room Conversation Prabhupada: You understand what is the meaning of Bhagavata, this word, Bhagavata? You understand? These are the common questions. If you do not understand this common question then how you can instruct others? Guest (1): (indistinct) Prabhupada: That’s all right but do not take the position of a teacher unless you have assimilated the whole thing. Simply by hearing others you may misunderstand, you may not present the real thing. Therefore I’m asking you… Guest (1): (indistinct) Prabhupada: (Hindi) (indistinct) but you must know. Another thing is that you must know Srimad-Bhagavatam from a bhagavata, whose life is bhagavata. First of all you must know what is bhagavata. What is bhagavata? Can you give me idea what you have understood? Instead of going through the instruction, first of all let me understand what do you understand about this (indistinct) Srimad-Bhagavatam. That is essential. So you cannot explain what is Srimad-Bhagavatam. You have read Bhagavatam from the beginning? Dharma projjhita kaitavo atra. You have read? Guest (1): Yes. Prabhupada: Eh? You have not read even the first verse and you are going to give instruction on Bhagavatam? Your life should be bhagavata. You should understand what is bhagavata. Simply by (indistinct) words from others how can you accept? Guest (1): (indistinct) Prabhupada: Huh? So I bless(?) you that you try to understand. Then you write. That is my request. (end)
with His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
December 15, 1970, Surat