SB 1.1.11 (1962)
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT No. 11
Bhooreeni bhuri karmni shrotabyani bibhagasah
Atah sadho' tra jat saram samuddhritya manishaya
Bruhi bhadraya bhutanam yenamatma suprasidati
ENGLISH SYNONYMS
Bhooreeni—multifarious, Bhuri—many, Karmani—duties, Shrotabyani—to be learnt, Bibhagasha—by division of subject matter, Atah—therefore, Sadho—Oh the sage, Atra—herein, Yat—whatever, Samuddhritya—by selection, Manishaya—best to your knowledge, Bruhi—please tell us, Bhadraya—for the good of, Bhutanam—for the living beings, Yena—by which, Atma—self, Suprasidati—becomes fully satisfied.
TRANSLATION
There are multifarious varieties of scriptures and in all of them there are many many prescribed duties which are to be learnt for many many years even by division of subject matters. Oh the sage, please, therefore, select out the essence of all such scriptures and explain it for the good of all living beings so that they may become fully satisfied in heart by such instruction.
PURPORT
Atma or Self is distinguished from matter and material elements. It is spiritual in constitution and as such Atma is never satisfied by any number of plannings in the material field. All scriptures and instructions in spiritual values are meant for the satisfaction of the same self or Atma. But the mode of approach are of different varieties. Such multifarious varieties are recommended for different types of living being in different times and at different places. Therefore, the number of revealed scriptures are innumerable. There are different methods of prescribed duties in those multifarious scriptures. Taking into consideration of the fallen condition of the people in general of this age of Kali, the sages of Naimisharanya suggested to Srila Suta Goswami for picking up the essence of all such scriptures because in this age it is not possible for the fallen souls to undergo the lessons of all such scriptures in a systematic division of Varna and Ashram.
The Varna and Ashram society amongst the human being was considered to be the best institution for uplifting human being to the spiritual plane and due to the awkward time it is not possible to execute the rules and regulations of that institutions. Neither it is possible for the people in general to quit completely the connection of family life as it is prescribed by the Varnashram institution. The whole atmosphere is surcharged with opposing elements and considering all these in total, spiritual emancipation of the common man in this age is a difficult job. And why the matter was presented before Sri Suta Goswami is explained as follows.