11

Overview of the ProgressionOverview of the Progression

1. Satam krpa-the mercy of devotees1. Satam krpa-the mercy of devotees 2. mahat-seva- service to devotees2. mahat-seva- service to devotees 3. sraddha- faith3. sraddha- faith 4. gurupadasraya- seeking shelter of guru4. gurupadasraya- seeking shelter of guru 5. bhajanesu sprha- eagerness to worship5. bhajanesu sprha- eagerness to worship 6. bhakti- bhakti6. bhakti- bhakti 7. anarthapagamah- disappearance of obstacles7. anarthapagamah- disappearance of obstacles

22

Overview of ProgressionOverview of Progression

8. tatha nistha- then steadiness8. tatha nistha- then steadiness 9. rucih- taste9. rucih- taste 10. atha asakti- then firm attachment10. atha asakti- then firm attachment 11. ratih- fondness11. ratih- fondness 12. prema- devotional love12. prema- devotional love 13. atha darsanam- then vision, audience13. atha darsanam- then vision, audience 14. harer madhuryanubhava- direct experience 14. harer madhuryanubhava- direct experience

of hari’s sweetnessof hari’s sweetness

3

What can we conclude?The Conclusion is that Hari, Vasudeva,

Lord Krishna, is the Absolute Truth, The Supreme Personality of Godhead,

and Only He Should be Served

44

Suta Presents the Conclusion of 16-21Suta Presents the Conclusion of 16-21

““Certainly, therefore, since time immemorial, Certainly, therefore, since time immemorial, all transcendentalists have been rendering all transcendentalists have been rendering devotional service to Lord Krsna, the devotional service to Lord Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, with great delight, Personality of Godhead, with great delight, because such devotional service is enlivening because such devotional service is enlivening to the self.” (SB 1.2.22)to the self.” (SB 1.2.22)

55

12 Mahajan: Greatest Vedic Authorities

66

12 Mahajan: Greatest Vedic Authorities

77

Krishna is svayam-rupa, the orignal Krishna is svayam-rupa, the orignal Personality of Godhead and all other forms are Personality of Godhead and all other forms are His expansions.His expansions.

Atma-paasadanim “purification of heart”Atma-paasadanim “purification of heart” Paramaya-muda “great delight”Paramaya-muda “great delight” Material activities we suffer while performing Material activities we suffer while performing

the acts and after attaining the results.the acts and after attaining the results. Devotional service brings only happiness b/c Devotional service brings only happiness b/c

desire to advance in devotional service and the desire to advance in devotional service and the perfection of practice brings happiness.perfection of practice brings happiness.

88

What about the other Guna-Avatars?What about the other Guna-Avatars?

What about Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva? They are What about Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva? They are the creator, maintainer, and destroyer of the the creator, maintainer, and destroyer of the

universe. Aren’t these powerful deities the natural universe. Aren’t these powerful deities the natural recipients of devotional offerings?recipients of devotional offerings?

99

Relationship of Vishnu with Brahma and SivaRelationship of Vishnu with Brahma and Siva

““The transcendental Personality of Godhead is The transcendental Personality of Godhead is indirectly associated with the three modes of indirectly associated with the three modes of material nature, namely passion, goodness and material nature, namely passion, goodness and ignorance, and just for the material world's ignorance, and just for the material world's creation, maintenance and destruction He creation, maintenance and destruction He accepts the three qualitative forms of Brahmā, accepts the three qualitative forms of Brahmā, Visnu and Śiva. Of these three, all human Visnu and Śiva. Of these three, all human beings can derive ultimate benefit from Visnu, beings can derive ultimate benefit from Visnu, the form of the quality of goodness.” the form of the quality of goodness.”

1010

Vishnu is the Key Out of Material WorldVishnu is the Key Out of Material World ““The prison house of the material world is created by Brahmā The prison house of the material world is created by Brahmā

under instruction of the Personality of Godhead, and at the under instruction of the Personality of Godhead, and at the conclusion of a kalpa the whole thing is destroyed by Śiva. But as conclusion of a kalpa the whole thing is destroyed by Śiva. But as far as maintenance of the prison house is concerned, it is done by far as maintenance of the prison house is concerned, it is done by Visnu, as much as the state prison house is maintained by the Visnu, as much as the state prison house is maintained by the state. Anyone, therefore, who wishes to get out of this prison state. Anyone, therefore, who wishes to get out of this prison house of material existence, which is full of miseries like house of material existence, which is full of miseries like repetition of birth, death, disease and old age, must please Lord repetition of birth, death, disease and old age, must please Lord Visnu for such liberation. Lord Visnu is worshiped by devotional Visnu for such liberation. Lord Visnu is worshiped by devotional service only, and if anyone has to continue prison life in the service only, and if anyone has to continue prison life in the material world, he may ask for relative facilities for temporary material world, he may ask for relative facilities for temporary relief from the different demigods like Śiva, Brahmā, Indra and relief from the different demigods like Śiva, Brahmā, Indra and Varuna. No demigod, however, can release the imprisoned living Varuna. No demigod, however, can release the imprisoned living being from the conditioned life of material existence. This can be being from the conditioned life of material existence. This can be done only by Visnu. Therefore, the ultimate benefit may be done only by Visnu. Therefore, the ultimate benefit may be derived from Visnu, the Personality of Godhead.” derived from Visnu, the Personality of Godhead.”

1111

12

The Ultimate Benefit Derived From Vishnu

“Previously all the great sages rendered service to the Personality of Godhead due to hisposition above the three modes of material nature. They worshiped him to become free from material conditions and thus derived the ultimate benefit. Whoever follows such great authorities are eligible for liberation from the material world.” 1.2.25

1313

Worship of other DemigodWorship of other Demigod

How should devotees regard the other How should devotees regard the other demigods?demigods?

““Those who are serious about liberationThose who are serious about liberation are are certainly non-envious, and they respect all. Yet certainly non-envious, and they respect all. Yet they reject the horrible and ghastly forms of they reject the horrible and ghastly forms of the demigods and worship only the all-blissful the demigods and worship only the all-blissful forms of Lord Visnu and His plenary forms of Lord Visnu and His plenary portions.” 1.2.26portions.” 1.2.26

1414

Why worship the demigods when one can fullfill Why worship the demigods when one can fullfill material desires by worship of Krishna?material desires by worship of Krishna?

“Those who are in the modes of passion and ignorance worship the forefathers, other living beings and the demigods who are in charge of cosmic activities, for they are urged by a desire to be materially benefited with women, wealth, power and progeny.” 1.2.27

1515

Who is to Be Worship? Suta is Very ClearWho is to Be Worship? Suta is Very Clear

vāsudeva-parā vedā vāsudeva-parā makhāhvāsudeva-parā vedā vāsudeva-parā makhāh

vāsudeva-parā yogā vāsudeva-parāh kriyāhvāsudeva-parā yogā vāsudeva-parāh kriyāh

vāsudeva-param jñānam vāsudeva-param tapah vāsudeva-param jñānam vāsudeva-param tapah vāsudeva-paro dharmo vāsudeva-parā gatihvāsudeva-paro dharmo vāsudeva-parā gatih

““In the revealed scriptures, the ultimate object of knowledge is Śrī In the revealed scriptures, the ultimate object of knowledge is Śrī Krsna, the Personality of Godhead. The purpose of performing Krsna, the Personality of Godhead. The purpose of performing sacrifice is to please Him. Yoga is for realizing Him. All fruitive sacrifice is to please Him. Yoga is for realizing Him. All fruitive activities are ultimately rewarded by Him only. He is supreme activities are ultimately rewarded by Him only. He is supreme knowledge, and all severe austerities are performed to know Him. knowledge, and all severe austerities are performed to know Him. Religion [dharma] is rendering loving service unto Him. He is the Religion [dharma] is rendering loving service unto Him. He is the supreme goal of life” supreme goal of life”

1616

The Motto of LifeThe Motto of Life

““One should work hard and worship the One should work hard and worship the Supreme Lord by the fruits of one’s hard labor Supreme Lord by the fruits of one’s hard labor for existence, and that should be the motto of for existence, and that should be the motto of life.” purport 1.2.27life.” purport 1.2.27

1717

Answer to Question 4Answer to Question 4 In Bhagavatam 1.1.17 In Bhagavatam 1.1.17

Saunaka Rsi asked about the Saunaka Rsi asked about the Lords pastimes in His Lords pastimes in His various incarnationsvarious incarnations

Srila Jiva Gosvami states Srila Jiva Gosvami states that this question specifically that this question specifically refers to the Lord’s creation refers to the Lord’s creation pastimes. And so the answer pastimes. And so the answer is given in Bhagavatam is given in Bhagavatam 1.2.30-331.2.30-33

1818

The Lords Creation PastimesThe Lords Creation Pastimes In the beginning of In the beginning of

the material creation, the material creation, that Absolute that Absolute Personality of Personality of Godhead Godhead [Vāsudeva], in His [Vāsudeva], in His transcendental transcendental position, created the position, created the energies of cause and energies of cause and effect by His own effect by His own internal energy.internal energy.

1919

The Lord Creation PastimesThe Lord Creation Pastimes

After creating the material substance, the Lord [Vāsudeva] After creating the material substance, the Lord [Vāsudeva] expands Himself and enters into it. And although He is within expands Himself and enters into it. And although He is within the material modes of nature and appears to be; one of the the material modes of nature and appears to be; one of the created beings, He is always fully enlightened in His created beings, He is always fully enlightened in His transcendental position.transcendental position.

2020

The Lord’s Creation PastimeThe Lord’s Creation Pastime ““The Lord, as Supersoul, The Lord, as Supersoul,

pervades all things, just as fire pervades all things, just as fire permeates wood, and so He permeates wood, and so He appears to be of many appears to be of many varieties, though He is the varieties, though He is the absolute one without a absolute one without a second. The Supersoul enters second. The Supersoul enters into the bodies of the created into the bodies of the created beings who are influenced by beings who are influenced by the modes of material nature the modes of material nature and causes them to enjoy the and causes them to enjoy the effects of these modes by the effects of these modes by the subtle mind.”subtle mind.”

21

Param Bhavam Ajanato

This statement appears twiceIn the Gita: “They do not understandMy transcendental nature.”

Clearly, Vishnu, although a person, is extraordinary. Desires to enjoy matter neitherAttract nor entangle Him any more than activities in a prison cell attract a king to Become a prisoner. The king may visit the prison at his will, but he become neitherA prisoner nor subject to prison law.

2222

The Transcendental InterfaceThe Transcendental Interface The Lord as Paramātmā helps the living being to get material The Lord as Paramātmā helps the living being to get material

happiness because the living being is helpless in all respects in happiness because the living being is helpless in all respects in obtaining what he desires. He proposes, and the Lord disposes. obtaining what he desires. He proposes, and the Lord disposes. In another sense, the living beings are parts and parcels of the In another sense, the living beings are parts and parcels of the Lord. They are therefore one with the Lord. In the Bhagavad-Lord. They are therefore one with the Lord. In the Bhagavad-gītā the living beings in all varieties of bodies have been gītā the living beings in all varieties of bodies have been claimed by the Lord as His sons. The sufferings and claimed by the Lord as His sons. The sufferings and enjoyments of the sons are indirectly the sufferings and enjoyments of the sons are indirectly the sufferings and enjoyments of the father. Still the father is not in any way enjoyments of the father. Still the father is not in any way affected directly by the suffering and enjoyment of the sons. affected directly by the suffering and enjoyment of the sons. He is so kind that He constantly remains with the living being He is so kind that He constantly remains with the living being as Paramātmā and always tries to convert the living being as Paramātmā and always tries to convert the living being towards the real happiness. towards the real happiness.

2323

How to See the SupersoulHow to See the Supersoul ““Lord Vāsudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by one of Lord Vāsudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by one of

His plenary parts expands Himself all over the material world, His plenary parts expands Himself all over the material world, and His existence can be perceived even within the atomic and His existence can be perceived even within the atomic energy. Matter, antimatter, proton, neutron, etc., are all different energy. Matter, antimatter, proton, neutron, etc., are all different effects of the Paramātmā feature of the Lord. As from wood, fire effects of the Paramātmā feature of the Lord. As from wood, fire can be manifested, or as butter can be churned out of milk, so also can be manifested, or as butter can be churned out of milk, so also the presence of the Lord as Paramātmā can be felt by the process the presence of the Lord as Paramātmā can be felt by the process of legitimate hearing and chanting of the transcendental subjects of legitimate hearing and chanting of the transcendental subjects which are especially treated in the Vedic literatures like the which are especially treated in the Vedic literatures like the Upanisads and Vedānta. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the bona fide Upanisads and Vedānta. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the bona fide explanation of these Vedic literatures.” explanation of these Vedic literatures.”

2424

The Necessity of GuruThe Necessity of Guru

““The Lord can be realized through The Lord can be realized through the aural reception of the the aural reception of the transcendental message, and that is transcendental message, and that is the only way to experience the the only way to experience the transcendental subject. As fire is transcendental subject. As fire is kindled from wood by another fire, kindled from wood by another fire, the divine consciousness of man the divine consciousness of man can similarly be kindled by another can similarly be kindled by another divine grace. His Divine Grace the divine grace. His Divine Grace the spiritual master can kindle the spiritual master can kindle the spiritual fire from the woodlike spiritual fire from the woodlike living entity by imparting proper living entity by imparting proper spiritual messages injected through spiritual messages injected through the receptive ear.” the receptive ear.”

2525

Necessity of ReceptivityNecessity of Receptivity

““Therefore one is required to Therefore one is required to approach the proper spiritual approach the proper spiritual master with receptive ears master with receptive ears only, and thus divine only, and thus divine existence is gradually existence is gradually realized. The difference realized. The difference between animality and between animality and humanity lies in this process humanity lies in this process only. A human being can hear only. A human being can hear properly, whereas an animal properly, whereas an animal cannot.” cannot.”

2626

Answer to Question ThreeAnswer to Question Three

The final text answers Saunaka Rsi’s third The final text answers Saunaka Rsi’s third question, although in brief: Why does Krishna question, although in brief: Why does Krishna descend? (1.1.12)descend? (1.1.12)

““Assuming the roles of incarnations, He Assuming the roles of incarnations, He performs pastimes to reclaim those in the performs pastimes to reclaim those in the mode of pure goodness.” 1.2.34mode of pure goodness.” 1.2.34

Krishna comes to attract souls to his eternal Krishna comes to attract souls to his eternal abode. abode.

2727

““Sometimes He incarnates Himself or empowers a suitable Sometimes He incarnates Himself or empowers a suitable living being to act for Him, but in either case the purpose is the living being to act for Him, but in either case the purpose is the same: the Lord wants the suffering living being to go back same: the Lord wants the suffering living being to go back home, back to Godhead. The happiness which the living beings home, back to Godhead. The happiness which the living beings are hankering for is not to be found within any corner of the are hankering for is not to be found within any corner of the innumerable universes and material planets. The eternal innumerable universes and material planets. The eternal happiness which the living being wants is obtainable in the happiness which the living being wants is obtainable in the kingdom of God, but the forgetful living beings under the kingdom of God, but the forgetful living beings under the influence of the material modes have no information of the influence of the material modes have no information of the kingdom of God. The Lord, therefore, comes to propagate the kingdom of God. The Lord, therefore, comes to propagate the message of the kingdom of God, either personally as an message of the kingdom of God, either personally as an incarnation or through His bona fide representative as the good incarnation or through His bona fide representative as the good son of God. Such incarnations or sons of God are not making son of God. Such incarnations or sons of God are not making propaganda for going back to Godhead only within the human propaganda for going back to Godhead only within the human society. Their work is also going on in all types of societies, society. Their work is also going on in all types of societies, amongst demigods and those other than human beings.”amongst demigods and those other than human beings.”

2828

Kunti’s Prayers tells why Krishna ComesKunti’s Prayers tells why Krishna Comes

“…“…You appeared to rejuvenate the devotional You appeared to rejuvenate the devotional service of hearing, remembering, worshiping service of hearing, remembering, worshiping and so on in order that the conditioned souls and so on in order that the conditioned souls suffering from material pangs might take suffering from material pangs might take advantage and gain liberation.”advantage and gain liberation.”

2929

Prabhupada explains on that VersePrabhupada explains on that Verse ““The Lord, however, out of His causeless mercy, The Lord, however, out of His causeless mercy,

because He is more merciful to the suffering living because He is more merciful to the suffering living beings than they can expect, appears before them and beings than they can expect, appears before them and renovates the principles of devotional service renovates the principles of devotional service comprised of hearing, chanting, remembering, comprised of hearing, chanting, remembering, serving, worshiping, praying, cooperating and serving, worshiping, praying, cooperating and surrendering unto Him. Adoption of all the above-surrendering unto Him. Adoption of all the above-mentioned items, or any one of them, can help a mentioned items, or any one of them, can help a conditioned soul get out of the tangle of nescience conditioned soul get out of the tangle of nescience and thus become liberated from all material and thus become liberated from all material sufferings created by the living being illusioned by sufferings created by the living being illusioned by the external energy. This particular type of mercy is the external energy. This particular type of mercy is bestowed upon the living being by the Lord in the bestowed upon the living being by the Lord in the form of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”form of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”

3030

Another reference why Krishna comes?Another reference why Krishna comes?

““Drona and Dharā said: Please permit us to be Drona and Dharā said: Please permit us to be born on the planet earth so that after our born on the planet earth so that after our appearance, the Supreme Lord, the Personality appearance, the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller and master of Godhead, the supreme controller and master of all planets, will also appear and spread of all planets, will also appear and spread devotional service, the ultimate goal of life, so devotional service, the ultimate goal of life, so that those born in this material world may very that those born in this material world may very easily be delivered from the miserable easily be delivered from the miserable condition of materialistic life by accepting this condition of materialistic life by accepting this devotional service.” 10.8.49 devotional service.” 10.8.49

3131

Prabhupada explains on that VersePrabhupada explains on that Verse ““Foolish persons do not know how risky life is here if one does Foolish persons do not know how risky life is here if one does

not follow the instructions of Krsna. The Krsna consciousness not follow the instructions of Krsna. The Krsna consciousness movement, therefore, has been started so that by practicing movement, therefore, has been started so that by practicing Krsna consciousness one can avoid the risky life of this material Krsna consciousness one can avoid the risky life of this material existence. There is no question of accepting or not accepting existence. There is no question of accepting or not accepting Krsna consciousness. It is not optional; it is compulsory. If we Krsna consciousness. It is not optional; it is compulsory. If we do not take to Krsna consciousness, our life is very risky. do not take to Krsna consciousness, our life is very risky. Everything is explained in Bhagavad-gītā. Therefore, to learn Everything is explained in Bhagavad-gītā. Therefore, to learn how to become free from the miserable condition of material how to become free from the miserable condition of material existence, Bhagavad-gītā As It Is is the preliminary study. existence, Bhagavad-gītā As It Is is the preliminary study. Then, if one understands Bhagavad-gītā, one can proceed to Then, if one understands Bhagavad-gītā, one can proceed to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and if one advances further, one may Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and if one advances further, one may study Caitanya-caritāmrta. We are therefore presenting these study Caitanya-caritāmrta. We are therefore presenting these invaluable books to the whole world so that people may study invaluable books to the whole world so that people may study them and be happy, being delivered from miserable conditional them and be happy, being delivered from miserable conditional life.”life.”