Canto 1 Chapter 2
Divinity and Divine Services
BREAKDOWN
SECTION 1 (1.2.1 – 1.2.5) — Çréla Süta Gosvämé’s reply begins with obeisances
SECTION 2 (1.2.6 – 1.2.7) — Çréla Süta Gosvämé’s answers, Çaunaka Åñi’s first and second questions
SECTION 3 (1.2.8 – 1.2.15) — Only Bhakti is to be gained through performance of one’s work
SECTION 4 (1.2.16 – 1.2.21) — Bhakti progresses
SECTION 5 (1.2.22 – 1.2.29) — The conclusion is that Hari, Väsudeva, Lord Kåñëa is the Absolute
Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and only He should be served
(1.2.22) – Çréla Süta Gosvämé concludes 1.2.16 – 1.2.21
(1.2.23 – 1.2.25) – The worship of Brahmä, Viñëu & Çiva
(1.2.26 – 1.2.27) – Worship of the other demigods
(1.2.28 – 1.2.29) – Väsudeva is the actual object of worship
SECTION 6 (1.2.30 – 1.2.34) — Väsudeva, Kåñëa manifests the material worlds in His 3 Viñëu
features (puruña -avatärs )
(1.2.30 – 1.2.33) – Answer to question 4 raised by the sages in SB 1.1.17
(1.2.34) – Answer to question 3 (from SB 1.1.12)
S E C T I O N I (1.2.1 — 1.2.5)
1 Çréla Süta Gosvämé attempts to reply – Srila Vyasadeva reports that Çréla Süta Gosvämé perfectly
satisfied by the questions, thanked and attempted to reply
Qualifications of Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé (text 2 & 3) – Çréla Süta Gosvämé offers obeisances
to his spiritual master, Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé and acknowledges spiritual master’s grace by
enumerating his qualifications
2A Çukadeva Gosvämé can enter the heart of all – Therefore Çréla Süta Gosvämé begs his grace
so that this message can satisfy the hearts of all kinds of audience (Para 3 )
• Power of a Vaiñëava to elevate all kind of people, even a low born to the highest platform
(kiräta-hüëändhra , Ref: SB 2.4.18)
2B Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé is beyond the need of reformatory ceremonies
Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé being a Vaiñëava fulfils the ultimate aim of varëäçrama training
(another example: Srila Haridas Thakur)
o
Study the process of varëäçrama as prescribed for one willing to study Vedas (para 1 &
•
Lesson I : Anyone, therefore, who becomes a Vaiñëava accepted by the first-class Vaiñëava, or
uttama-adhikäré Vaiñëava, is already considered a brähmaëa, regardless of his birth or past deeds
Lesson II : Any lowborn person—be he a Kiräta, Hüëa, Ändhra, Pulinda, Pulkaça, Äbhéra,
Çumbha, Yavana, Khasa or even lower—can be delivered to the highest transcendental position
by the mercy of Vaiñëavas
2)
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.2 & 1.2.3
Srila Çukadeva Gosvämé who is described as having power to deliver all living entities spoke
this most confidential supplement to Vedänta-sütra out of great compassion for struggling
conditioned souls
Bhakti Vaibhava
Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, Chapter 2
1
In Text 3 Çréla Süta Gosvämé practically summarizes the complete introduction of ÇrémadBhägavatam
3A Position of Srila Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé as the spiritual master of all the sages – “spoke
this most confidential supplement to the cream of Vedic knowledge, after having personally
assimilated it by experience”[Translation]
Srila Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé is a thoroughly realize master, both on Vedänta-sütra and its
commentary (para 1)
• To avoid of the misuse of Vedänta-sütra by unscrupulous men, Vyasadev gave a natural
commentary, Çrémad-Bhägavatam (para 2)
Çrémad-Bhägavatam – unrivaled commentery ; Sankracarya did not even touch ÇrémadBhägavatam ; avoid mayavadis misleading opinion (para 3)
Çrémad-Bhägavatam as a literature for Paramahaàsa and transcendental torchlight to see the
Absolute truth as Brahman, Paramätmä, and Bhagavän; in the darkest region of creation
(para 3)
•
•
•
3B Great compassion of Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé in the form of Çrémad-Bhägavatam
•
•
•
•
•
Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé’s mood of reciting – boundless mercy upon bewildered conditioned
souls
Status of conditioned living entities – bewildered in the darkest region of creation.
Material world as darkest region of creation
o
Still one can get out simply by desiring
Why do they not get out?
Analogy of a “foolish camel and thorns”
o
Karmis Vs. intelligent jïänés – Vedänta-sütra is meant for jïänés
4 Setting the way of chanting Puräëas (To be follow by all preachers) – Çréla Süta Gosvämé
continues offering obeisances feeling unqualified and begging for mercy. Thus he sets the way of
chanting Puräëas by offering obeisances to 4 personalities
5 Acknowledging the audience – Çréla Süta Gosvämé offers respects to the sages of Naimiñäraëya
for asking questions which have three characteristics –
• kåñëa-sampraçno – They are about Kåñëa
o
Questions of the sages are perfect – They are the sum and substance of the Vedic
inquiries (Ref Bg 15.15 vedaiç ca sarvair..) in line with the theme of Çrémad-Bhägavatam,
that is, focus on Absolute truth (Ref: SB 1.1.1) (Para 1)
• Loka-maìgalam – for the welfare of the world
Whole world is full of questions - birds, beasts, humans ( Para 2)
o
But no one is satisfied
• Ätmä suprasédati ! completely pleasing to the self
Complete satisfaction of soul only by questions about Kåñëa (Para 3)
o
!
Lesson I : Satisfaction of the soul can only be obtained by questions and answers on the subject
of Kåñëa, which is possible by hearing and reading Çrémad-Bhägavatam
Lesson II : One should learn the Çrémad-Bhägavatam and make an all-around solution to all
problems pertaining to social, political or religious matters. Çrémad-Bhägavatam and Kåñëa are the
sum total of all things
Bhakti Vaibhava
Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, Chapter 2
2
S E C T I O N I I (1.2.6 — 1.2.7)
Text 6 & 7 present the standard of first class, transcendental religion
6A Answers the first question of the sages – The supreme occupation [dharma] for all
humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord
• Two types of occupations prescribed by the Vedas (para 1) – pravåtti-märga, or the path of
sense enjoyment, and the other is called the nivåtti-märga, the path of sacrifice
• Superior quality of occupation – The path of sacrifice for supreme cause (devotional service )
is the superior path out of the two because
o
Material life is the diseased life – Temporary, illusory and full of misery
o
Actual life is the spiritual existence – Eternal blissful and full of happiness
• Devotional service is the eternal occupation (para 2)
Dharma implies “that which sustains one’s existence”
o
o
Living being’s sustenance of existence is to coordinate his activity with the all attractive
Supreme Lord Krsna – in a relationship of servant and the served
o
Realize the intimacy – This relationship of servant and the served is the most congenial
form of intimacy
o
It’s a new experience, have patience – This relationship is transcendental and is
completely distinct from our experience in material existence. One can realize it as
devotional service progresses
Lesson : Everyone should engage himself in that transcendental loving service of the Lord, even
in the present conditional state of material existence. That will gradually give one the clue to
actual life and please him to complete satisfaction
6B Must be pure in quality – Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to
completely satisfy the self (Ahaituki apratihata)
• Any mixture of material enjoyment aggravates the material disease and increases its duration
(para 1)
7 Answer to the second question of the sages about the essence of all scriptures – All scriptures
ultimately point out bhakti as the supreme most occupation
• As a process (para 1)
o
Bhakti is topmost transcendental activity and not material emotional affairs – Fulfills all
purposes and processes of revealed scriptures
Process: Sublime for pure devotee and easy for neophytes
o
o
Qualification: Open for all (top to bottom) – Ref Bg 9.32, 33.
o
Includes all other processes as corollary factors
• In terms of expected results (para 2)
o
Pure devotional service gives all good qualities
o
Gives perfect knowledge and real detachment by the grace of almighty
Bhakti Vaibhava
Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, Chapter 2
3
S E C T I O N I I I (1.2.8 — 1.2.15)
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.7 & 1.2.8
Çréla Süta Gosvämé now adds emphasis to his assertion of the importance of Bhakti, by
speaking the same truth of SB 1.2.6, but in negative terms
Occupational duties and Kåñëa consciousness (Text 8-11)
8 Devotional service as the ultimate need –without which there is no satisfaction of the spirit
soul in any occupational duty
• Three different kind of occupational duties are defined according to man’s different
conceptions of life – bodily level, mental level and spiritual level (para 1)
• No satisfaction without fulfilling the needs of the soul (para 2)
o
Analogy: Cleaning cage of the bird
• Need of spirit soul is to get out of limited sphere of material bondage and fulfill the desire of
complete freedom, only possible in devotional service (para 3)
Failure of even Salvationists to pickup the fountainhead of all liberties
o
Lesson I : Without knowing the need of the dormant soul, one cannot be happy simply with
emolument of the body and mind
Lesson II : There is a dormant affection for God within everyone; spiritual existence is
manifested through the gross body and mind in the form of perverted affection for gross and
subtle matter. Therefore we have to engage ourselves in occupational engagements that will
evoke our divine consciousness
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.8 & 1.2.9
One may ask, “Its wonderful to think that goal of my work is loving Kåñëa, but practically
speaking, isn’t the first objective of my work is to provide an income to ensure to security and
comfort of me and my family?”
9 Material gain is never the goal – Definitely “No”. Main purpose of occupational duty is
liberation from material life and any material gain achieved should not be used for sense gratification
Material gain is the usual motivating factor in any occupational duty including those of
religion, for any ordinary man
Pure devotional service is automatically followed by “perfect knowledge” and “detachment”
from material world – thus material gain is not emphasized
•
•
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.9 & 1.2.10
Then how do we use material gain for?
10 Search for the Absolute Truth must be the ultimate end – Material gain should be used only
for self preservation and healthy life, not for sense gratification; purpose of human life is to inquire
about Absolute truth and one should be overwhelmed with such research work
Misdirected material civilization has sense gratification as ultimate end in all spheres of life
(political field to Salvationists)
Correct direction for real happiness – engage in seeking the Absolute truth
•
•
Lesson : Seekers of the Absolute Truth are never allured by unnecessary engagements in sense
gratification because the serious students seeking the Absolute Truth are always overwhelmed
with the work of researching the Truth
Bhakti Vaibhava
Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, Chapter 2
4
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.10 & 1.2.11
What is the Absolute Truth?
11 Absolute Truth defined – Çréla Süta Gosvämé defines the Absolute truth as one non-dual
substance perceived differently as Brahman, Paramätmä and Bhagavän
Less intelligent arguers Vs. perfect seers of Absolute Truth (Para 1)
In the Absolute, there is no sense of relativity, because knower is non-different from known
o
Cause of relativity in material world – Living entities identifies with inferior energy
•
•
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.11 & 1.2.12
How can we realize Absolute Truth in full?
Importance of hearing SB as a process to achieve perfection (Text 12-22)
12 Devotional service as the means to realize – By rendering devotional service according to
what has been heard from Vedänta-çruti, and thus based on foreground of full knowledge and
detachment form material association
Bhaktas as the best of four classes of humans and the three classes of transcendentalists
Three kinds of devotee (bhaktas) based on degree of knowledge and detachment
Path of realization by proper reception form the right source (Para 2)
o
Avoid nondevotee reciters – Analogy of serpant and milk
Without proper hearing, there is no actual progress. (Ref: çruti småti… )
•
•
•
•
Lesson : A sincere devotee must, therefore, be prepared to hear the Vedic literature like the
Upaniñads, Vedänta and other literatures left by the previous authorities or Gosvämés, for the
benefit of his progress. Without hearing such literatures, one cannot make actual progress. And
without hearing and following the instructions, the show of devotional service becomes worthless
and therefore a sort of disturbance in the path of devotional service
13 Devotional service as the only purpose of Varëäçrama – Everyone’s aim, regardless of
external situation(varëa or äçrama), should be to please the Personality of Godhead
Cause of artificial predominance in Varëäçrama – because aim of life is missed by too much
sense gratification
Actual purpose of divisons of Varëäçrama – Smooth social intercourse and high thinking selfrealization
Highest perfection of Varëäçrama – Cooperate jointly for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord
•
•
•
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.13 & 1.2.14
Accepting the preeminence of Bhakti, how should we act?
14 By any means, focus on devotional service – With one pointed attention, hear, glorify,
remember, and worship Personality of Godhead, the protector of devotees. Carry out this goal by
any means (Çréla Prabhupäda says)
Four general occupations in any varëa and äçrama, which usually brings no good for anyone
“One pointed attention” - Redirect these 4 tendencies (to glorify etc) to the real object of
glorification, the Supreme being. That is the way to real happiness. (Essence of Purport)
•
•
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.14 & 1.2.15
But how can I remove the karmic reactions that bind me to the world and cause me to value
things other than Kåñëa?
Bhakti Vaibhava
Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, Chapter 2
5
15 Remembering Kåñëa overpowers all karmic conditionings Sharp sword of remembering
Kåñëa slashes through these knots and thus cuts through our material existence, therefore practice
such remembrance
Kåñëa’s activities are beyond the modes, transcendental and thus spiritualizes the condition
soul
Liberation (cutting the knot of fruitive bondage) is the byproduct of devotional service
Pure jïäna without coating of Bhakti cannot give liberation
o
o
Bhakti yoga is independent of karma and jïäna
Text 15 presents “the perfect way, that is, devotional service” to cut through material knots
Role of guidance of Gosvämés literatures, to practice devotional service for all varëa and
o
äçrama
•
•
•
Lesson : Therefore, any sensible man who is above the average man with a poor fund of
knowledge must constantly remember the Personality of Godhead by hearing about Him, by
glorifying Him, by remembering Him and by worshiping Him always, without cessation. That is
the perfect way of devotional service
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.15 & 1.2.16
One may honestly ask, “What can I do? As easy and important as the process may be, I simply
have not acquired the taste either for chanting or hearing Kåñëa katha ?
- Answered in 1.2.16-1.2.21 more thoroughly
SECTION IV (1.2.16 — 1.2.21)
BH AKTI
Pro gr ess es
16A Serve great souls – Perform service to those devotees who are free form all vices
“Mercy of great souls” as the only hope for hopelessly destined demoniac souls who are
discussed here based on Bg 16.19-20
“Punya tirtha nisevänat” – Serve great souls on the platform of God, but they are not God
o
They are called mahätmäs, or térthas – they preach according to particular time and
place, to urge people to become devotees
They never tolerate being called God – e.g Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu
o
•
•
Lesson I : The servants of God come to propagate God consciousness, and intelligent people
should cooperate with them in every respect
Lesson II : The Lord is more pleased when He sees that His servants are properly respected
because such servants risk everything for the service of the Lord and so are very dear to the Lord
16B Such service gives taste for hearing
Gain the quality by serving them, especially the foremost qualification for going back to
Godhead – “EAGERNESS TO HEAR”
•
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.16 & 1.2.17
What next?
17 Lord helps the sincere soul and cleanses the heart – Kåñëa, the Supersoul in the heart is
pleased. And cleanses the desire for material enjoyment. Lord is reciprocally respondent and helps
devotees in all respects, when He sees the sincerity
Transcendental sound is non-different form Kåñëa. (punya – sravana – kirtana ) (para 1)
•
Bhakti Vaibhava
Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, Chapter 2
6
Lord is more anxious and eager to help, responds to even a slight sincerity of a few
interested men (para 2)
Lord’s help has great power to help us cross over any kind of sins (para 3)
Grace of God gives “sufficient strength” and eliminates “all disturbing elements”. (especially
women and wealth) (para 4)
•
•
•
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.17 & 1.2.18
What occurs after we become eager to hear, which begins the clearing of material desires
from the heart?
Text 18 gives two effects of Bhägavata sevä (Text 18A & 18B)
18A Bhägavata sevä destroys all anarthas – All troublesome to the heart is completely destroyed
• Thus, Çréla Prabhupäda establishes Bhägavata sevä as the remedy for eliminating all
inauspiciousness from the heart – “Person and Book Bhägavataas”
Human reason fails to understand the power of Bhägavata-sevä
Potency of Bhägavata sevä – e.g Närada Muni
o
Conclusion: Receive book Bhägavata from person Bhägavata – Their combination will help
one to make on going progress
•
•
18B Gradually loving service is established as an irrevocable fact
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.18 & 1.2.19
What happens after a devotee reaches nishtä as indicated by the word naiñöhiké in Text
1.2.18?
19 Effect of lower modes disappear – Effects of passion and ignorance (like lust, desire and
hankering) disappear from heart. Thus established in goodness, there is complete happiness
Text 1.2.19 indicates, it is difficult to advance in Bhakti under passion (which causes destruction)
and ignorance (which causes sleepiness)
Satisfaction/ happiness – devotees’ satisfaction in transcendental state (brahma-bhüta/
ätmänandé ) Vs. satisfaction of inactive fool in ignorance
Activity – devotional service is unalloyed activity of the soul and not a state of inactivity
o
Frees one from all diseased activity and fixes one in çuddha-sattva / vasudev state – one
sees Kåñëa eye to eye
Qualities – Devotee is qualified with all good qualities of God, and is never harmful, foolish
or passionate
•
•
•
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.19 & 1.2.20
What does a progressive soul experience after Bhakti?
Text 20 gives two effects after being established in pure goodness (Text 20A & 20B)
20A Mind is enlivened by devotional service
20B Gains positive scientific knowledge of the Personality of Godhead
• Thus Çréla Prabhupäda establishes how Text 1.2.20 explains the qualification necessary for
us to know the Supreme Personality of Godhead – one qualifies to attain such knowledge
only after complete freedom from all material association (modes)
• Çréla Prabhupäda establishes the rarity of such knowledge (Ref Bg 7.3 & 18.55)
21 Describes the liberation and reiterates the effects already described – Liberation from
fruitive bondage and perfect enlightenment is thus a byproduct of “Scientific knowledge of
Personality of Godhead”
Bhakti Vaibhava
Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, Chapter 2
7
• Perfect enlightenment – Attaining “scientific knowledge of Personality of Godhead” means
seeing ones own self simultaneously (para 1)
o
Analogy : Kåñëa is like sun; all misgivings about self which are like darkness are
destroyed
o
Ref Bg 10.11, Lord personally enlightens and eradicates all the misgivings in the heart of
sincere devotee
• Perfect way of receiving enlightenment – Submissive aural reception by service and
surrender and non challenging attitude (para 2)
• Result of enlightenment by devotional service (para 3)
o
Knot of ahankara is untied and freedom from chain of karma
Lesson I : One cannot challenge the authority of the Supreme and know Him also at the same
time. He reserves the right of not being exposed to such a challenging spirit of an insignificant
spark of the whole, a spark subjected to the control of illusory energy
S E C T I O N V (1.2.22 — 1.2.29)
22 Conclusion of texts 16 to 21 – Speciality of devotional service is described as providing
great delight to all the transcendentalists because it is enlivening to the self
Speciality of forms of Kåñëa as compared to other forms of personality of Godhead – Original
form and more attractive to the higher transcendentalist
Forms of Kåñëa and Balaräm provides more facility for intimate personal contact
Lord’s pastimes are eternal but are manifested in due course, one’s in a day of Brahma
o
Analogy: Eternal pastimes are compared to rising of sun on the eastern horizon
o
Thus refutes that pastimes of Kåñëa are something newly accepted
•
•
•
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.22 & 1.2.23
What about Brahmä, Viñëu and Çiva? They are creator, maintainer and destroyer of the
universe. Aren’t these powerful deities the natural recipients of devotional offerings? – One may ask.
Thus Çréla Süta Gosvämé explains the relationship between the deities and Kåñëa in ÇrémadBhägavatam 1.2.23 – 25
Kåñëa in relation to His various expansions (Text 23-29)
23 Ultimate benefit comes from Viñëu worship – Transcendental personality of Godhead is
indirectly associated with modes and accept 3 qualitative forms – Brahmä, Viñëu and Çiva, but
ultimate benefit is from Viñëu, the form of quality of goodness
Thus this confirms that Kåñëa, by His plenary parts should be rendered devotional service, as
explained in previous verses. Focus on following points in the purport –
Various Viñëu-tattvas and Kñérodakaçäyé Viñëu as the deity of quality of goodness
Manifestations of Viñëu as integrated forms (Godhead) and separated forms (jévas)
o
Viñëu forms are always beyond material energy, unlike the jévas
To continue prison life worship demigods/ to be released, worship Viñëu
•
•
•
24 Come to the mode of goodness to worship Viñëu – One has to rise to the platform of
goodness (sattva) to be eligible to perform devotional service and to realize the Absolute Truth
Analogy of fire wood : for how Goodness is better than Passion, which is better than
Ignorance (see translation)
Bonafide spiritual master can expertly elevate anyone from tamas to sattva and further
irrespective of any impediments
•
•
Bhakti Vaibhava
Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, Chapter 2
8
•
•
Forms of material energy (E.g: demigods) cannot help any one to raise to sattva guëä and
get out of material existence; only Viñëu-tattva can help
Mode of passion can only give a slight clue of realization of Absolute Truth
Lesson : Sincere candidates must, therefore, approach an expert spiritual master for such a
progressive march, and the bona fide, expert spiritual master is competent to direct a disciple
from any stage of life: tamas, rajas or sattva
25 Mahäjanas reveal the goal of religion – Thus great sages in the past have set the purpose of
all religion and whom to worship to achieve that ultimate aim
Purpose of religion - release oneself from material bondage and regain the life of freedom in
the transcendental world
Conclusion: Follow 12 Mahäjanas and know the purpose of religion to attain supreme benefit
•
•
26 Respect demigods but reject demigod worship – One may respect demigods but never
equalize Viñëu-tattva and jiva-tattva ; thus this verse rejects demigod worship
Difference between Viñëu-tattva and jiva-tattva by power (para 2)
o
One who puts them in same category is called päñaëòé
Choice of worship is based on different modes (para 3 )
Serious seekers of liberation worship only Viñëu-tattva (only Viñëu is mukti-päda , not even
Brahmä etc)
•
•
•
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.26 & 1.2.27
Why people still worship demigods if Viñëu can provide all – because of the effect of lower
modes
27 Worship of demigods (and any jiva-tattvas ) is motivated by material desires under effect
of lower modes
Less intelligent men worship demigod (Ref: Bg 7.20-23)
Ultimate provider of all material gain is Viñëu Himself and not the demigods
Material gain is entangling – Aim of life is to end miseries and not to increase material gain
(Para 1)
Demigod worship condemned – examples
Demigod worship rejected by Kåñëa in Vrindavana
o
o
SB 1.1.2 (kaitava dharma ) condemns demigod worship for material gain as cheating
religion
•
•
•
•
Lesson : One should work hard and worship the Supreme Lord by the fruits of one's hard labor
for existence, and that should be the motto of life
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.27 & 1.2.28
There is only one religion in the world to be followed by one and all, and that is the
Bhägavata-dharma, or the religion which teaches one to worship the Supreme Personality of
Godhead and no one else. This is explained in next verse
28 In Conclusion Väsudev /Sri Kåñëa is the only object of worship and the goal of all religion
References from BG used in purport to support these points
o
Väsudev as goal of Vedas – Established in para 1 based on Bg 15.15 & 7.19
o
Väsudev as goal of Sacrifices – Established in para 2 based on Bg 3.9
Väsudev as goal of Yoga – Established in para 2 based on Bg 6.15 & 6.40
o
o
Väsudev as goal of Knowledge – Established in para 3 based on Bg 13.11 (18 point of
knowledge)
Väsudev as goal of Austerities – Established in para 4 based on Bg 16.17 (austerity in
o
mode of goodness)
Para 5 – Aim of all sacrifices/yoga/ knowledge/ austerities and aim of everything life is
•
•
Bhakti Vaibhava
Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, Chapter 2
9
To change the quality of energy influencing us – material or spiritual
o
Constantly engage in devotional service to remain under the shelter of divine energy
(Ref: BG 9.13)
• Lord is always transcendental to material energy
o
Analogy – King Vs. managers & prisoners with respect to law (Lord is transcendental to
prisoners and managers, that is jévas and demigods)
o
Lesson : No one should bother himself with fruitive activities or dry speculation about
transcendental knowledge. Everyone should at once engage himself in the transcendental loving
service of the Lord. Nor should one worship different demigods who work as different hands of
the Lord for creation, maintenance or destruction of the material world
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 1.2.29 & 1.2.30
In Texts 30-34, Çukadeva Gosvämé answers fourth question of Çréla Süta Gosvämé. Now Çréla
Süta Gosvämé described that the same Vasudeva, who is the goal of all worship, acts as Viñëu
feature to create the material world
30 Lord begins as Käraëodakaçäyé Viñëu – Lord creates all causal and effectual energies for
material world, but remains transcendental and spiritual (this is accepted by Çaìkaräcärya)
31 Then Lord expands as Garbhodakaçäyé Viñëu and then Kñérodakaçäyé Viñëu – Lord enters
the material substance to help the living entities, but remains transcendental (Ref. sruti – Analogy of
two birds)
32 Analogy: Lord as supersoul pervades all, like fire permeates wood, but remains absolute one
without a second
Appear to be of many varieties – Matter, anti matter, proton etc., are all different effects of
Paramätmä’s features of the Lord
How to perceive that Absolute one without a second? – By the process of legitimate hearing
and chanting of transcendental subject matters
Analogy: Fire in wood can be kindled by fire – need of divine grace of spiritual master by
receptive ear to kindle the spiritual consciousness
Humanity Vs. Animality – A human being can hear properly, whereas an animal cannot
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33 Supersoul helps the living entity to fulfill their desires of material happiness and He also tries
to convert them to real happiness
Analogy: father is not directly but indirectly affected by suffering and enjoyment of the sons
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34 Answers to the third question of Çaunaka Åñi, “Lord descends as incarnations to reclaim those
in the mode of pure goodness”
deva-tiryaì-narädiñu – Lord incarnates in every living society (demigods and other species)
to create a desire for back to Godhead
lokän vai loka-bhävanaù – Lord appears differently in time place and circumstances but not
change His transcendental position
Lélävatäränurato – Lord may appear Himself as incarnation or through representative
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1.2 DIVINITY AND DIVINE SERVICE
Important questions for memorization
Bhakti Vaibhava
Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, Chapter 2
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Define dvija, vipra & Vaiñëava. (2)
Explain the terms pravåtti-märga & nivåtti-märga (6)
Identify 3 levels of occupational duties (8)
What is the first qualification of a devotee eligible for entering the kingdom of God? (16)
List some of the results of serving the servant of God. (16)
List the two very difficult problems for the devotee on the path back to Godhead. (17)
What is the remedy for eliminating all inauspicious things within the heart? (18)
Explain how a devotee Bhägavata is as good as the book Bhägavata. (18)
Describe the specialty of devotional service unto Lord Çré Kåñëa (22)
Describe the development of consciousness resulting from hearing about Krsna. (17-22)
Explain the term Bhägavata-dharma (27)
Briefly analyze the role of the Paramätmä. (31-34)
List of essay questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Qualifications of Srila Çukadeva Gosvämé (2-3)
Supreme occupational duty (6-7)
Occupational duty and Kåñëa consciousness (8-11)
Three feature of Absolute Truth (11)
Importance of hearing SB as the process to achieve perfection (12-22)
Kåñëa in relation to various expansions (23-29)
Analogies:
1.2.8: Without knowing the need of the dormant soul, one cannot be happy simply with
emolument of the body and mind. The body and the mind are but superfluous outer
coverings of the spirit soul. The spirit soul's needs must be fulfilled. Simply by cleansing
the cage of the bird, one does not satisfy the bird. One must actually know the needs of
the bird himself.
1.2.23: as maintenance of the prison house is concerned, it is done by Viñëu, as much
as the state prison house is maintained by the state. Anyone, therefore, who wishes to
get out of this prison house of material existence, which is full of miseries like repetition
of birth, death, disease and old age, must please Lord Viñëu for such liberation.
1.2.28-29: In the prison house there are the prisoners and the managers of the prison
house. Both the managers and the prisoners are bound by the laws of the king. But
even though the king sometimes comes in the prison, he is not bound by the laws of
the prison house. The king is therefore always transcendental to the laws of the prison
house, as the Lord is always transcendental to the laws of the material world.
1.2.33:The sufferings and enjoyments of the sons are indirectly the sufferings and
enjoyments of the father. Still the father is not in any way affected directly by the
suffering and enjoyment of the sons.
Bhakti Vaibhava
Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, Chapter 2
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