SB 1.5.9 (1962)

SB (1962) Fifth Chapter - Sri Narada's instructions on Srimad Bhagwatam for Vyasdeva

SB 1.5.8 (1962) - SB 1.5.10 (1962)

Compare Versions: SB 1962 with SB 1972-77

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

TEXT No. 9

Yatha dharmadayas cha artha munibarya anukirtitah na talha Vasudevasya mahima hi anuvarnitah.

ENGLISH SYNONYMS

Yatha-as as, Dharmadayas-all the four principles of religious principles, Cha-and, Artha-purposes, Munibarya-by your self the great sage, Anukirtitah-repeatedly described, Na-not, Tatha-in that way, Vasadevasya-of the Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna, Mahima-glories, Hi-certainly, Anuvarnitah-so constantly described.

TRANSLATION

As you the great sage have very broadly described the four principles beginning with religious performances, so you have not described glories of the Supreme Personality Vasudeva.

PURPORT

The prompt diagnosis of Sri Narada is at once declared. The root cause of despondency of Vyasdeva was due to His delibrate avoidance of glorifying the Lord, in his various editions of the Puranas. He has certainly as a matter of course, given descriptions of the glories of the Lord (Sri Krishna) but not so widely as He had done it in the matter of religiosity, economic development, sense-gratification and salvation. These four items are by far the inferior engagements of the living being than being engaged in the devotional service of the Lord. Sri Vasudeva as the authorised scholar knew very well this difference of the above mentioned two classes of engagements. And still instead of giving more importance to the better type of engagements namely in the devotional service of the Lord, He had more or less improperly used the valuable time of His life and thus He was despondent. From this it is clearly indicated that no body can be pleased substantially without being engaged in the devotional service of the Lord. In the Bhagwat Geeta this fact is clearly mentioned.

After liberation which is the last item in the line of perfoming religiosity etc., one is engaged in the pure devotional service. This is called the stage of self realisation or Brahmabhuta stage. After attainment of this Brahmabhuta stage, one is symptomised with the signs of satisfaction. But satisfaction is the beginning of transcendental bliss. One should push further on progress of the Brahmabhuta status by neutrality and equality of the relative world. And passing this stage of equanimity one is fixed up in the transcendental loving devotional service of the Lord. This is the instruction of the Personality of Godhead in the Bhagwat Geeta. The conclusion is that in order to maintain the status-quo of Brahmabhuta stage as also to increase the degree of such transcendental realisation, it is recommended by Narada to Vyasdeva that He (Vyasdeva) should now impatiently and repeatedly describe the path of devotional service. This would cure Him from gross despondency of life.

(Compare SB 1.5.9 Current Edition)

SB 1.5.8 (1962) - SB 1.5.10 (1962)