In2-MeC

Christchurch, New Zealand
24 November 2003

Today I am flying back to Auckland, and, as before, I'll be staying in the home of Padmasambhava Prabhu.
 

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Bhagavad-Gita in Essence
(continued from yesterday)

The Second Essence: The Catur-Sloki Gita
(Bg 10.8-10.11)

The Essence of God Realization in Four Verses

Focus on the Purport of Bg 10.8

A learned scholar who has studied the Vedas perfectly and has information from authorities like Lord Caitanya and who knows how to apply these teachings can understand that Krsna is the origin of everything in both the material and spiritual worlds, and because he knows this perfectly he becomes firmly fixed in the devotional service of the Supreme Lord. He can never be deviated by any amount of nonsensical commentaries or by fools. Lord Krsna is the source of all generations, and He is called the most efficient cause of everything. He says, "Because everything is born of Me, I am the original source of all. Everything is under Me; no one is above Me." There is no supreme controller other than Krsna.

Notes:

1. In this verse, Sri Krsna begins His explanation of how a Vedantist should move beyond intellectual theory to practical realization of the Absolute Truth.

Quotation from Srila Prabhupada:

Krsna says that mattah parataram nanyat, "There is no more superior existence than Myself." Aham sarvasya prabhavah. "I am the origin." Janmadyasya yatah. This verse, this code [of the Vedanta-sutra], is explained by Krsna Himself that "I am the origin of everything."

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.4-5 Purport:

In Bhagavad-gita (10.8), the Lord says, aham sarvasya prabhavo: "I am the origin of everything." Mattah sarvam pravartate: "whatever exists in the creation emanates from Me." Iti matva bhajante mam budha bhava-saman-vitah: "When one fully understands that I create everything by My omnipotence, one becomes firmly situated in devotional service and fully surrenders at My lotus feet." Unfortunately, the unintelligent cannot immediately understand Krsna's supremacy. Nonetheless, if they associate with devotees and read authorized books, they may gradually come to the proper understanding, although this may take many, many births.

2. Practical realization of God takes place through loving devotional service. That is indicated here by the words bhajante mam and bhava-samanvitah in this verse.

Quotation from Srila Prabhupada:

Krsna also explains, aham sarvasya prabhavo mattah sarvam pravartate, iti matva bhajante mam budha bhava-sammanvitah.... with ecstatic love, they worship Krsna. Bhajante mam.

3. The stage of transition from jnana to bhakti takes place in the santa-rasa, where there is appreciation for Krsna's greatness.

Quotation from Srila Prabhupada:

Prabhupada: "Yes. This is the actually essence of Bhagavad-gita. Aham sarvasya prabhavo mattah sarvam pravartate: 'I am the origin of everything.' Aham sarvasya prabhavo and mattah sarvam. Sarvam means including Brahma, Visnu, Mahesvara. Sarvam. Mattah sarvam pravartate iti matva. One who understands this. Bhajante. So just... The bhajana is for whom? Iti matva. When one understands that Krsna is the origin of everything, even the original demigods, Brahma, Visnu, Mahesvara, when one understands perfectly this thing, then his bhajana is perfect."

Dr. Patel: "Budha bhava-samanvitah."

Prabhupada: "Bhava, bhava. Bhava means love, feelings, feelings of love, 'Oh, Krsna is so great.'"

Bg 7.18:

All these devotees are undoubtedly magnanimous souls, but he who is situated in knowledge of Me I consider to be just like My own self. Being situated in My transcendental service, he is sure to attain Me, the highest and most perfect goal.

Bg 7.3:

Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.

Bg 4.10:

Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, man, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of Me--and thus they all attained transcendental love for Me.

Bg 18.54:

One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me.

Bg 7.19:

After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.

Only a fool would consider Krsna to be an ordinary man.

Notes:

Bg 9.11:

Fools deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not know My transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord of all that be.

Bg 7.24:

Unintelligent men, who do not know Me perfectly, think that I, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, was impersonal before and have now assumed this personality. Due to their small knowledge, they do not know My higher nature, which is imperishable and supreme.

(To be continued tomorrow, focusing on the Purport of Bg 10.8)

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