ExamDiff Pro Diff Report

Madhya 20: Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Instructs Sanatana Gosvami in

the Science of the Absolute Truth

Chapter 20:

Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Instructs Sanatana Gosvami in the Science

of the Absolute Truth

The following summary of this chapter is given by Bhaktivinoda Thakura

in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya. When Srila Sanatana Gosvami was imprisoned

by Nawab Hussain Shah, he received news from Rupa Gosvami that Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu had gone to Mathura. Sanatana Gosvami thereafter

satisfied the superintendent of the jail by sweet solicitations and

bribery. After giving the jailer seven thousand gold coins, Sanatana

Gosvami was released. He then crossed the Ganges and fled. One of his

servants, Isana, followed him, carrying eight gold coins. Sanatana

Gosvami and his servant then spent the night in a small hotel on the way

to Benares. The hotel owner knew that Sanatana Gosvami and

his servant had eight gold coins, and he decided to kill them and take

the money. Making plans in this way, the hotel owner received them as

honorable guests. Sanatana Gosvami, however, asked his servant how much

money he had, and taking seven of the gold coins, Sanatana offered them

to the hotel owner. Thus the owner helped them cross the hilly tract and

proceed toward Varanasi. On the way, Sanatana Gosvami met his brother-in-

law, Srikanta, at Hajipura, and Srikanta helped him after he had heard

about all Sanatana's troubles. Thus Sanatana Gosvami finally arrived at

Varanasi and stood before the door of Candrasekhara. Caitanya Mahaprabhu

called him in and ordered him to change his dress so that he would look

like a gentleman. For his garment, he used an old cloth of Tapana Misra'

s. Later, he exchanged his valuable blanket for a torn quilt. At this

time Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very pleased with him, and thus Sri

Sanatana Gosvami received knowledge of the Absolute Truth from the Lord

Himself.

First they discussed the constitutional position of the living entities,

and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu explained to Sanatana Gosvami how the living

entity is one of Lord Krsna's energies. After this, the Lord explained

the way of devotional service. While discussing the Absolute Truth, Sri

Krsna, the Lord analyzed Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan, as well as the

expansions of the Lord called svayam-rupa, tad-ekatma and avesa, which

are divided into various branches known as vaibhava and prabhava. Thus

the Lord described the many forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

He also described the incarnations of God within the material world,

incarnations such as the purusa-avataras, manvantara-avataras, guna-

avataras and saktyavesa-avataras. The Lord also discussed the divisions

of Krsna's different ages, such as balya and pauganda, and the different

pastimes of the different ages. He explained how Krsna attained His

permanent form when He reached youth. In this way Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu explained and described everything to Sanatana Gosvami.

Madhya 20.1

TEXT 1

TEXT

vande ‘nantadbhutaisvaryam

sri-caitanya-mahaprabhum

nico ‘pi yat-prasadat syad

bhakti-sastra-pravartakah

SYNONYMS

vande -- I offer my respectful obeisances; ananta -- unlimited; adbhuta -

- wonderful; aisvaryam -- possessing opulences; sri-caitanya-mahaprabhum

-- unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; nicah api -- even a person in the

lowest status of life; yat-prasadat -- by whose mercy; syat -- may

become; bhakti-sastra -- of the science of devotional service;

pravartakah -- an inaugurator.

TRANSLATION

Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who

has unlimited, wonderful opulences. By His mercy, even a person born as

the lowest of men can spread the science of devotional service.

Madhya 20.2

TEXT 2

TEXT

jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityananda

jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda

SYNONYMS

jaya jaya -- all glories; sri-caitanya -- to Lord Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu; jaya -- all glories; nityananda -- to Nityananda; jaya --

all glories; advaita-candra -- to Advaita Acarya; jaya -- all glories;

gaura-bhakta-vrnda -- to all devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TRANSLATION

All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Nityananda Prabhu!

All glories to Advaita Acarya! And all glories to all the devotees of

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!

Madhya 20.3

TEXT 3

TEXT

etha gaude sanatana ache bandi-sale

sri-rupa-gosanira patri aila hena-kale

SYNONYMS

etha -- here; gaude -- in Bengal; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; ache --

was; bandi-sale -- in prison; sri-rupa-gosanira -- of Srila Rupa Gosvami;

patri -- the letter; aila -- came; hena-kale -- at that time.

TRANSLATION

While Sanatana Gosvami was imprisoned in Bengal, a letter arrived from

Srila Rupa Gosvami.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura informs us that this letter from Rupa Gosvami

to Sanatana Gosvami is mentioned by the annotator of the Udbhata-

candrika. Srila Rupa Gosvami wrote a note to Sanatana Gosvami from Bakla.

This note indicated that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was coming to Mathura,

and it stated:

yadu-pateh kva gata mathura-puri

raghu-pateh kva gatottara-kosala

iti vicintya kurusva manah sthiram

na sad idam jagad ity avadharaya

"Where has the Mathura-puri of Yadupati gone? Where has the Northern

Kosala of Raghupati gone? By reflection, make the mind steady, thinking,

‘This universe is not eternal.'"

Madhya 20.4

TEXT 4

TEXT

patri pana sanatana anandita haila

yavana-raksaka-pasa kahite lagila

SYNONYMS

patri pana -- receiving the note; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; anandita

haila -- became very pleased; yavana -- meat-eater; raksaka -- the

superintendent of the jail; pasa -- before; kahite lagila -- began to

say.

TRANSLATION

When Sanatana Gosvami received this note from Rupa Gosvami, he became

very pleased. He immediately went to the jail superintendent, who was a

meat-eater, and spoke as follows.

Madhya 20.5

TEXT 5

TEXT

"tumi eka jinda-pira maha-bhagyavan

ketaba-korana-sastre ache tomara jnana

SYNONYMS

tumi -- you; eka jinda-pira -- a living saint; maha-bhagyavan -- very

fortunate; ketaba -- books; korana -- the Koran; sastre -- in the

scripture; ache -- there is; tomara -- your; jnana -- knowledge.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami told the Muslim jailkeeper, "Dear sir, you are a

saintly person and are very fortunate. You have full knowledge of the

revealed scriptures such as the Koran and similar books.

Madhya 20.6

TEXT 6

TEXT

eka bandi chade yadi nija-dharma dekhiya

samsara ha-ite tare mukta karena gosana

SYNONYMS

eka bandi -- one imprisoned person; chade -- one releases; yadi -- if;

nija-dharma -- one's own religion; dekhiya -- consulting; samsara ha-ite

-- from material bondage; tare -- him; mukta karena -- releases; gosana -

- the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

TRANSLATION

"If one releases a conditioned soul or imprisoned person according to

religious principles, he himself is also released from material bondage

by the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

PURPORT

It appears from this statement that Sanatana Gosvami, who was formerly a

minister of the Nawab, was trying to cheat the Muslim superintendent. A

jail superintendent had only an ordinary education, or practically no

education, and he was certainly not supposed to be very advanced in

spiritual knowledge. But just to satisfy him, Sanatana Gosvami praised

him as a very learned scholar of the scriptures. The jailkeeper could

not deny that he was a learned scholar, because when one is elevated to

an exalted position, one thinks oneself fit for that position. Sanatana

Gosvami was correctly explaining the effects of spiritual activity, and

the jailkeeper connected his statement with his release from jail.

There are innumerable conditioned souls rotting in the material world,

imprisoned by maya under the spell of sense gratification. The living

entity is so entranced by the spell of maya that in conditioned life

even a pig feels satisfied. There are two kinds of covering powers

exhibited by maya. One is called praksepatmika, and the other is called

avaranatmika. When one is determined to get out of material bondage, the

praksepatmika-sakti, the spell of diversion, impels one to remain in

conditioned life fully satisfied by sense gratification. Due to the

other power (avaranatmika), a conditioned soul feels satisfied even if

he is rotting in the body of a pig or a worm in stool. To release a

conditioned soul from material bondage is very difficult because the

spell of maya is so strong. Even when the Supreme Personality of Godhead

Himself descends to deliver conditioned souls, asking them to surrender

unto Him, the conditioned souls do not agree to the Lord's proposal.

Therefore Sri Sanatana Gosvami said, "Somehow or other, if one helps

another gain release from the bondage of maya, he is certainly

recognized immediately by the Supreme Personality of Godhead." As Lord

Krsna states in the Bhagavad-gita (18.69):

na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah

bhavita na ca me tasmad anyah priyataro bhuvi

The greatest service one can render to the Lord is to try to infuse

devotional service into the heart of the conditioned soul so that the

conditioned soul may be released from conditioned life. Srila

Bhaktivinoda Thakura has said that a Vaisnava is recognized by his

preaching work -- that is, by convincing the conditioned soul about his

eternal position, which is explained here as nija-dharma. It is the

living entity's eternal position to serve the Lord; therefore to help

one get release from material bondage is to awaken one to the dormant

understanding that he is the eternal servant of Krsna. Jivera ‘svarupa'

haya -- krsnera ‘nitya-dasa' [Cc. Madhya 20.108]. This will be further

explained by the Lord Himself to Sanatana Gosvami.

Madhya 20.7

TEXT 7

TEXT

purve ami tomara kariyachi upakara

tumi ama chadi' kara pratyupakara

SYNONYMS

purve -- formerly; ami -- I; tomara -- your; kariyachi -- have done;

upakara -- welfare; tumi -- you; ama -- me; chadi' -- releasing; kara --

do; prati-upakara -- return welfare.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami continued, "Previously I have done much for you. Now I

am in difficulty. Please return my goodwill by releasing me.

Madhya 20.8

TEXT 8

TEXT

panca sahasra mudra tumi kara angikara

punya, artha, -- dui labha ha-ibe tomara"

SYNONYMS

panca sahasra -- five thousand; mudra -- golden coins; tumi -- you; kara

angikara -- please accept; punya -- pious activity; artha -- material

gain; dui labha -- two kinds of achievement; ha-ibe -- will be; tomara --

yours.

TRANSLATION

"Here are five thousand gold coins. Please accept them. By releasing me,

you will receive the results of pious activities and gain material

profit as well. Thus you will profit in two ways simultaneously."

Madhya 20.9

TEXT 9

TEXT

tabe sei yavana kahe, -- "suna, mahasaya

tomare chadiba, kintu kari raja-bhaya"

SYNONYMS

tabe -- thereafter; sei -- that; yavana -- meat-eater; kahe -- says;

suna -- just hear; mahasaya -- my dear sir; tomare -- you; chadiba -- I

would release; kintu -- but; kari raja-bhaya -- I am afraid of the

government.

TRANSLATION

In this way Sanatana Gosvami convinced the jailkeeper, who replied, "

Please hear me, my dear sir. I am willing to release you, but I am

afraid of the government."

Madhya 20.10–11

TEXTS 10–11

TEXT

sanatana kahe, -- "tumi na kara raja-bhaya

daksina giyache yadi leuti' aoyaya

tanhare kahio -- sei bahya-krtye gela

gangara nikata ganga dekhi' jhanpa dila

SYNONYMS

sanatana kahe -- Sanatana replied; tumi -- you; na -- not; kara -- do;

raja-bhaya -- fear of the government; daksina -- to the south; giyache --

has gone; yadi -- if; leuti' -- returning; aoyaya -- comes; tanhare --

to him; kahio -- you say; sei -- he; bahya-krtye -- to evacuate; gela --

went; gangara nikata -- near the bank of the Ganges; ganga dekhi' --

seeing the Ganges; jhanpa dila -- jumped.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana replied, "There is no danger. The Nawab has gone to the south.

If he returns, tell him that Sanatana went to pass stool near the bank

of the Ganges and that as soon as he saw the Ganges, he jumped in.

Madhya 20.12

TEXT 12

TEXT

aneka dekhila, tara lag na paila

daduka-sahita dubi kahan vahi' gela

SYNONYMS

aneka -- for a long time; dekhila -- I looked; tara -- of him; lag --

contact; na paila -- could not obtain; daduka-sahita -- with the

shackles; dubi -- drowning; kahan -- somewhere; vahi' gela -- washed

away.

TRANSLATION

"Tell him, ‘I looked for him a long time, but I could not find any trace

of him. He jumped in with his shackles, and therefore he was drowned and

washed away by the waves.'

Madhya 20.13

TEXT 13

TEXT

kichu bhaya nahi, ami e-dese na raba

daravesa hana ami makkake yaiba"

SYNONYMS

kichu -- any; bhaya -- fear; nahi -- there is not; ami -- I; e-dese --

in this country; na raba -- shall not remain; daravesa hana -- becoming

a mendicant; ami -- I; makkake yaiba -- shall go to Mecca.

TRANSLATION

"There is no reason for you to be afraid, for I shall not remain in this

country. I shall become a mendicant and go to the holy city of Mecca."

Madhya 20.14

TEXT 14

TEXT

tathapi yavana-mana prasanna na dekhila

sata-hajara mudra tara age rasi kaila

SYNONYMS

tathapi -- still; yavana-mana -- the mind of the meat-eater; prasanna --

satisfied; na -- not; dekhila -- he saw; sata-hajara -- seven thousand;

mudra -- golden coins; tara -- of him; age -- in front; rasi kaila --

made a stack.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami could see that the mind of the meat-eater was still not

satisfied. He then stacked seven thousand gold coins before him.

Madhya 20.15

TEXT 15

TEXT

lobha ha-ila yavanera mudra dekhiya

ratre ganga-para kaila daduka katiya

SYNONYMS

lobha ha-ila -- there was attraction for the money; yavanera -- of the

meat-eater; mudra dekhiya -- seeing the golden coins; ratre -- at night;

ganga-para kaila -- he got him across the Ganges; daduka -- shackles;

katiya -- breaking.

TRANSLATION

When the meat-eater saw the coins, he was attracted to them. He then

agreed, and that night he cut Sanatana's shackles and let him cross the

Ganges.

Madhya 20.16

TEXT 16

TEXT

gada-dvara-patha chadila, nare tahan yaite

ratri-dina cali' aila patada-parvate

SYNONYMS

gada-dvara-patha -- the path of the fortress; chadila -- gave up; nare --

not able; tahan -- there; yaite -- to go; ratri-dina -- night and day;

cali' -- walking; aila -- arrived; patada-parvate -- in the hilly tract

of land known as Patada.

TRANSLATION

In this way, Sanatana Gosvami was released. However, he was not able to

walk along the path of the fortress. Walking day and night, he finally

arrived at the hilly tract of land known as Patada.

Madhya 20.17

TEXT 17

TEXT

tatha eka bhaumika haya, tara thani gela

‘parvata para kara ama' -- vinati karila

SYNONYMS

tatha -- there; eka bhaumika -- one landowner; haya -- there is; tara

thani -- unto him; gela -- he went; parvata -- the hilly tract; para

kara -- cross over; ama -- me; vinati -- submission; karila -- he made.

TRANSLATION

After reaching Patada, he met a landholder and submissively requested

him to get him across that hilly tract of land.

Madhya 20.18

TEXT 18

TEXT

sei bhunara sange haya hata-ganita

bhunara kane kahe sei jani' ei katha

SYNONYMS

sei bhunara -- the landlord; sange -- with; haya -- there is; hata-

ganita -- an expert in palmistry; bhunara -- of the landlord; kane -- in

the ear; kahe -- says; sei -- that man; jani' -- knowing; ei katha --

this statement.

TRANSLATION

A man who was expert in palmistry was at that time staying with the

landlord. Knowing about Sanatana, he whispered the following in the

landlord's ear.

Madhya 20.19

TEXT 19

TEXT

‘inhara thani suvarnera asta mohara haya'

suni' anandita bhuna sanatane kaya

SYNONYMS

inhara thani -- in the possession of this man; suvarnera -- of gold;

asta -- eight; mohara -- coins; haya -- there are; suni' -- hearing;

anandita -- pleased; bhuna -- the landlord; sanatane -- to Sanatana;

kaya -- says.

TRANSLATION

The palmist said, "This man Sanatana possesses eight gold coins."

Hearing this, the landlord was very pleased and spoke the following to

Sanatana Gosvami.

Madhya 20.20

TEXT 20

TEXT

"ratrye parvata para kariba nija-loka diya

bhojana karaha tumi randhana kariya"

SYNONYMS

ratrye -- at night; parvata -- the hilly tract; para kariba -- I shall

cross; nija-loka diya -- with my own men; bhojana karaha -- just take

your meal; tumi -- you; randhana kariya -- cooking.

TRANSLATION

The landlord said, "I shall get you across that hilly tract at night

with my own men. Now just cook for yourself and take your lunch."

Madhya 20.21

TEXT 21

TEXT

eta bali' anna dila kariya sammana

sanatana asi' tabe kaila nadi-snana

SYNONYMS

eta bali' -- saying this; anna dila -- supplied food grain; kariya

sammana -- showing great respect; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; asi' --

coming; tabe -- then; kaila -- did; nadi-snana -- bathing in the river.

TRANSLATION

Saying this, the landlord offered Sanatana grain to cook. Sanatana then

went to the riverside and took his bath.

Madhya 20.22

TEXT 22

TEXT

dui upavase kaila randhana-bhojane

raja-mantri sanatana vicarila mane

SYNONYMS

dui upavase -- fasting for two days; kaila -- performed; randhana-

bhojane -- cooking and eating; raja-mantri -- the former minister of the

Nawab; sanatana -- Sanatana; vicarila -- considered; mane -- in the mind.

TRANSLATION

Because Sanatana had been fasting for two days, he cooked the food and

ate it. However, having formerly been a minister of the Nawab, he began

to contemplate the situation.

Madhya 20.23

TEXT 23

TEXT

‘ei bhuna kene more sammana karila?'

eta cinti' sanatana isane puchila

SYNONYMS

ei bhuna -- this landlord; kene -- why; more -- unto me; sammana karila -

- offered so much respect; eta cinti' -- thinking this; sanatana --

Sanatana; isane -- from Isana, his servant; puchila -- inquired.

TRANSLATION

As a former minister for the Nawab, Sanatana could certainly understand

diplomacy. He therefore thought, "Why is this landlord offering me such

respect?" Thinking in this way, he questioned his servant, whose name

was Isana.

Madhya 20.24

TEXT 24

TEXT

‘tomara thani jani kichu dravya achaya'

isana kahe, -- ‘mora thani sata mohara haya'

SYNONYMS

tomara thani -- in your possession; jani -- I understand; kichu -- some;

dravya -- valuable thing; achaya -- there is; isana kahe -- Isana

replied; mora thani -- in my possession; sata mohara -- seven gold coins;

haya -- there are.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana asked his servant, "Isana, I think you have some valuable

things with you."

Isana replied, "Yes, I have seven gold coins."

Madhya 20.25

TEXT 25

TEXT

suni' sanatana tare karila bhartsana

‘sange kene aniyacha ei kala-yama?'

SYNONYMS

suni' -- hearing; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; tare -- him; karila

bhartsana -- chastised; sange -- with you; kene -- why; aniyacha -- have

you brought; ei -- this; kala-yama -- death knell.

TRANSLATION

Hearing this, Sanatana Gosvami chastised his servant, saying, "Why have

you brought this death knell with you?"

Madhya 20.26

TEXT 26

TEXT

tabe sei sata mohara hastete kariya

bhunara kache yana kahe mohara dhariya

SYNONYMS

tabe -- thereafter; sei sata mohara -- these seven gold coins; hastete

kariya -- taking in the hands; bhunara kache -- to the landlord; yana --

going; kahe -- says; mohara dhariya -- holding the gold coins.

TRANSLATION

Thereupon, Sanatana Gosvami took the seven gold coins in his hands and

went to the landlord. Holding the gold coins before him, he spoke as

follows.

Madhya 20.27

TEXT 27

TEXT

"ei sata suvarna mohara achila amara

iha lana dharma dekhi' parvata kara para

SYNONYMS

ei sata -- these seven; suvarna mohara -- golden coins; achila -- were;

amara -- mine; iha lana -- accepting them; dharma dekhi' -- observing

religious principles; parvata -- the hilly tract of land; kara para --

kindly get me across.

TRANSLATION

"I have these seven gold coins with me. Please accept them, and from a

religious point of view please get me across that hilly tract of land.

Madhya 20.28

TEXT 28

TEXT

raja-bandi ami, gada-dvara yaite na pari

punya habe, parvata ama deha' para kari"

SYNONYMS

raja-bandi -- a prisoner of the government; ami -- I; gada-dvara yaite --

to go openly on the road by the ramparts; na pari -- I am not able;

punya -- pious activity; habe -- there will be; parvata -- the hilly

tract of land; ama -- to me; deha' -- give help; para kari -- by

crossing over.

TRANSLATION

"I am a prisoner of the government, and I cannot go along the way of the

ramparts. It will be very pious of you to take this money and kindly get

me across this hilly tract of land."

Madhya 20.29

TEXT 29

TEXT

bhuna hasi' kahe, -- "ami janiyachi pahile

asta mohara haya tomara sevaka-ancale

SYNONYMS

bhuna -- the landlord; hasi' -- smiling; kahe -- said; ami -- I;

janiyachi -- knew; pahile -- before this; asta mohara -- eight golden

coins; haya -- there are; tomara -- your; sevaka-ancale -- in the pocket

of the servant.

TRANSLATION

Smiling, the landlord said, "Before you offered them, I already knew

that there were eight gold coins in your servant's possession.

Madhya 20.30

TEXT 30

TEXT

toma mari' mohara la-itama ajikara ratrye

bhala haila, kahila tumi, chutilana papa haite

SYNONYMS

toma mari' -- killing you; mohara -- golden coins; la-itama -- I would

have taken; ajikara ratrye -- on this night; bhala haila -- it was very

good; kahila tumi -- you have spoken; chutilana -- I am relieved; papa

haite -- from such a sin.

TRANSLATION

"On this very night I would have killed you and taken your coins. It is

very good that you have voluntarily offered them to me. I am now

relieved from such a sinful activity.

Madhya 20.31

TEXT 31

TEXT

santusta ha-ilana ami, mohara na la-iba

punya lagi' parvata toma' para kari' diba"

SYNONYMS

santusta -- satisfied; ha-ilana -- have become; ami -- I; mohara -- the

golden coins; na la-iba -- I shall not take; punya lagi' -- simply for

pious activity; parvata -- the hilly tract of land; toma' -- you; para

kari' diba -- I shall get across.

TRANSLATION

"I am very satisfied with your behavior. I shall not accept these gold

coins, but I shall get you across that hilly tract of land simply to

perform a pious activity."

Madhya 20.32

TEXT 32

TEXT

gosani kahe, -- "keha dravya la-ibe ama mari'

amara prana raksa kara dravya angikari'"

SYNONYMS

gosani kahe -- Sanatana Gosvami said; keha -- someone else; dravya --

the valuable coins; la-ibe -- will take; ama mari' -- killing me; amara -

- my; prana -- life; raksa kara -- save; dravya angikari' -- by

accepting these coins.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami replied, "If you do not accept these coins, someone

else will kill me for them. It is better that you save me from the

danger by accepting the coins."

Madhya 20.33

TEXT 33

TEXT

tabe bhuna gosanira sange cari paika dila

ratrye ratrye vana-pathe parvata para kaila

SYNONYMS

tabe -- thereupon; bhuna -- the landlord; gosanira sange -- with

Sanatana Gosvami; cari paika -- four watchmen; dila -- gave; ratrye

ratrye -- during the whole night; vana-pathe -- on the jungle path;

parvata -- the hilly tract of land; para kaila -- took him across.

TRANSLATION

After this settlement was made, the landlord gave Sanatana Gosvami four

watchmen to accompany him. They went through the forest path for the

whole night and thus brought him over the hilly tract of land.

Madhya 20.34

TEXT 34

TEXT

tabe para hana gosani puchila isane

"jani, -- sesa dravya kichu ache toma sthane"

SYNONYMS

tabe -- thereafter; para hana -- after crossing; gosani -- Sanatana

Gosvami; puchila -- asked; isane -- Isana; jani -- I know; sesa dravya --

something valuable left; kichu -- some; ache -- there is; toma sthane --

with you.

TRANSLATION

After crossing the hills, Sanatana Gosvami told his servant, "Isana, I

think you still have some balance left from the gold coins."

Madhya 20.35

TEXT 35

TEXT

isana kahe, -- "eka mohara ache avasesa"

gosani kahe, -- "mohara lana yaha' tumi desa"

SYNONYMS

isana kahe -- Isana replied; eka -- one; mohara -- gold coin; ache -- is;

avasesa -- left; gosani -- Sanatana Gosvami; kahe -- replied; mohara

lana -- taking this gold coin; yaha -- return; tumi -- you; desa -- to

your country.

TRANSLATION

Isana replied, "I still have one gold coin in my possession."

Sanatana Gosvami then said, "Take the coin and return to your home."

Madhya 20.36

TEXT 36

TEXT

tare vidaya diya gosani calila ekala

hate karonya, chinda kantha, nirbhaya ha-ila

SYNONYMS

tare vidaya diya -- bidding him farewell; gosani -- Sanatana Gosvami;

calila ekala -- began to travel alone; hate -- in the hand; karonya -- a

beggar's pot; chinda kantha -- a torn quilt; nirbhaya ha-ila -- he

became free from all anxiety.

TRANSLATION

After departing from Isana, Sanatana Gosvami began traveling alone with

a waterpot in his hand. Simply covered with a torn quilt, he thus lost

all his anxiety.

Madhya 20.37

TEXT 37

TEXT

cali' cali' gosani tabe aila hajipure

sandhya-kale vasila eka udyana-bhitare

SYNONYMS

cali' cali' -- walking and walking; gosani -- Sanatana Gosvami; tabe --

then; aila -- arrived; hajipure -- at Hajipura; sandhya-kale -- in the

evening; vasila -- sat down; eka -- one; udyana-bhitare -- within a

garden.

TRANSLATION

Walking and walking, Sanatana Gosvami finally arrived at a place called

Hajipura. That evening he sat down within a garden.

Madhya 20.38

TEXT 38

TEXT

sei hajipure rahe -- srikanta tara nama

gosanira bhagini-pati, kare raja-kama

SYNONYMS

sei -- that; hajipure -- in Hajipura; rahe -- there is; srikanta --

Srikanta; tara -- his; nama -- name; gosanira -- of Sanatana Gosvami;

bhagini-pati -- sister's husband; kare -- executes; raja-kama --

government service.

TRANSLATION

In Hajipura there was a gentlemen named Srikanta, who happened to be the

husband of Sanatana Gosvami's sister. He was engaged there in government

service.

Madhya 20.39

TEXT 39

TEXT

tina laksa mudra raja diyache tara sthane

ghoda mulya lana pathaya patsara sthane

SYNONYMS

tina laksa -- 300,000; mudra -- golden coins; raja -- the king or nawab;

diyache -- has given; tara sthane -- in his custody; ghoda -- of horses;

mulya lana -- taking the price; pathaya -- sends; patsara sthane -- to

the care of the emperor.

TRANSLATION

Srikanta had 300,000 gold coins with him, which had been given to him by

the emperor for the purchase of horses. Thus Srikanta was buying horses

and dispatching them to the emperor.

Madhya 20.40

TEXT 40

TEXT

tungi upara vasi' sei gosanire dekhila

ratrye eka-jana-sange gosani-pasa aila

SYNONYMS

tungi upara vasi' -- sitting in an elevated place; sei -- that Srikanta;

gosanire -- Sanatana Gosvami; dekhila -- saw; ratrye -- at night; eka-

jana-sange -- with a servant; gosani-pasa -- near Sanatana Gosvami; aila

-- he came.

TRANSLATION

When Srikanta was sitting in an elevated place, he could see Sanatana

Gosvami. That night he took a servant and went to see Sanatana Gosvami.

Madhya 20.41

TEXT 41

TEXT

dui-jana mili' tatha ista-gosthi kaila

bandhana-moksana-katha gosani sakali kahila

SYNONYMS

dui-jana mili' -- meeting together; tatha -- there; ista-gosthi --

various types of conversation; kaila -- did; bandhana-moksana -- of the

arrest and release; katha -- the story; gosani -- Sanatana Gosvami;

sakali -- everything; kahila -- narrated.

TRANSLATION

When they met, they had many conversations. Sanatana Gosvami told him in

detail about his arrest and release.

Madhya 20.42

TEXT 42

TEXT

tenho kahe, -- "dina-dui raha ei-sthane

bhadra hao, chada' ei malina vasane"

SYNONYMS

tenho kahe -- he said; dina-dui -- at least for two days; raha -- stay;

ei-sthane -- in this place; bhadra hao -- become like a gentleman in

appearance; chada' -- give up; ei -- this; malina -- dirty; vasane --

dress.

TRANSLATION

Srikanta then told Sanatana Gosvami, "Stay here for at least two days

and dress up like a gentleman. Abandon these dirty garments."

Madhya 20.43

TEXT 43

TEXT

gosani kahe, -- "eka-ksana iha na rahiba

ganga para kari' deha' e-ksane caliba"

SYNONYMS

gosani kahe -- Sanatana Gosvami said; eka-ksana -- even for one moment;

iha -- here; na rahiba -- I shall not stay; ganga para kari' deha' --

help me cross the river Ganges; e-ksane -- immediately; caliba -- I

shall go.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami replied, "I shall not stay here even for a moment.

Please help me cross the Ganges. I shall leave immediately."

Madhya 20.44

TEXT 44

TEXT

yatna kari' tenho eka bhota-kambala dila

ganga para kari' dila -- gosani calila

SYNONYMS

yatna kari' -- with great care; tenho -- he (Srikanta); eka -- one;

bhota-kambala -- woolen blanket; dila -- gave; ganga para kari' dila --

got him across the river Ganges; gosani calila -- Sanatana Gosvami

departed.

TRANSLATION

With great care, Srikanta gave him a woolen blanket and helped him cross

the Ganges. Thus Sanatana Gosvami departed again.

Madhya 20.45

TEXT 45

TEXT

tabe varanasi gosani aila kata-dine

suni anandita ha-ila prabhura agamane

SYNONYMS

tabe -- in this way; varanasi -- to Varanasi; gosani -- Sanatana Gosvami;

aila -- came; kata-dine -- after a few days; suni -- hearing; anandita -

- very pleased; ha-ila -- he became; prabhura -- of Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu; agamane -- about the arrival.

TRANSLATION

After a few days, Sanatana Gosvami arrived at Varanasi. He was very

pleased to hear about Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's arrival there.

Madhya 20.46

TEXT 46

TEXT

candrasekharera ghare asi' dvarete vasila

mahaprabhu jani' candrasekhare kahila

SYNONYMS

candrasekharera ghare -- to the house of Candrasekhara; asi' -- going;

dvarete -- at the door; vasila -- sat down; mahaprabhu -- Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu; jani' -- knowing; candrasekhare -- to Candrasekhara; kahila -

- said.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami then went to the house of Candrasekhara and sat down by

the door. Understanding what was happening, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

spoke to Candrasekhara.

Madhya 20.47

TEXT 47

TEXT

‘dvare eka ‘vaisnava' haya, bolaha tanhare'

candrasekhara dekhe -- ‘vaisnava' nahika dvare

SYNONYMS

dvare -- at your door; eka vaisnava -- one Vaisnava devotee; haya --

there is; bolaha tanhai-e -- please call him; candrasekhara --

Candrasekhara; dekhe -- sees; vaisnava -- a devotee; nahika -- there is

not; dvare -- at the door.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "There is a devotee at your door. Please

call him in." Going outside, Candrasekhara could not see a Vaisnava at

his door.

Madhya 20.48

TEXT 48

TEXT

‘dvarete vaisnava nahi' -- prabhure kahila

‘keha haya' kari' prabhu tahare puchila

SYNONYMS

dvarete -- at my door; vaisnava nahi -- there is no Vaisnava; prabhure

kahila -- he informed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; keha haya -- is there

anyone; kari' -- in this way; prabhu -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tahare

puchila -- inquired from him.

TRANSLATION

When Candrasekhara informed the Lord that no Vaisnava was at his door,

the Lord asked him, "Is there anyone at all at your door?"

Madhya 20.49

TEXT 49

TEXT

tenho kahe, -- eka ‘daravesa' ache dvare

‘tanre ana' prabhura vakye kahila tanhare

SYNONYMS

tenho kahe -- he replied; eka daravesa -- one Muslim mendicant; ache --

there is; dvare -- at the door; tanre ana -- bring him; prabhura -- of

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vakye -- the order; kahila -- said; tanhare --

unto him.

TRANSLATION

Candrasekhara replied, "There is a Muslim mendicant."

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately said, "Please bring him here."

Candrasekhara then spoke to Sanatana Gosvami, who was still sitting

beside the door.

Madhya 20.50

TEXT 50

TEXT

‘prabhu tomaya bolaya, aisa, daravesa!'

suni' anande sanatana karila pravesa

SYNONYMS

prabhu -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tomaya -- unto you; bolaya -- calls;

aisa -- come here; daravesa -- O Muslim mendicant; suni' -- hearing;

anande -- in great pleasure; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; karila

pravesa -- entered.

TRANSLATION

"O Muslim mendicant, please come in. The Lord is calling you." Sanatana

Gosvami was very pleased to hear this order, and he entered

Candrasekhara's house.

Madhya 20.51

TEXT 51

TEXT

tanhare angane dekhi' prabhu dhana aila

tanre alingana kari' premavista haila

SYNONYMS

tanhare -- him; angane -- in the courtyard; dekhi' -- seeing; prabhu --

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; dhana aila -- came to see him with great haste;

tanre -- him; alingana kari' -- embracing; prema-avista haila -- became

overwhelmed with ecstatic love.

TRANSLATION

As soon as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw Sanatana Gosvami in the courtyard,

He immediately went up to him with great haste. After embracing him,

the Lord was overwhelmed with ecstatic love.

Madhya 20.52

TEXT 52

TEXT

prabhu-sparse premavista ha-ila sanatana

‘more na chuniha' -- kahe gadgada-vacana

SYNONYMS

prabhu-sparse -- by the touch of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prema-avista --

overwhelmed with ecstatic love; ha-ila -- became; sanatana -- Sanatana

Gosvami; more -- me; na -- do not; chuniha -- touch; kahe -- says;

gadgada-vacana -- in a faltering voice.

TRANSLATION

As soon as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu touched Sanatana Gosvami, Sanatana

was also overwhelmed with ecstatic love. In a faltering voice, he said, "

O my Lord, do not touch me."

Madhya 20.53

TEXT 53

TEXT

dui-jane galagali rodana apara

dekhi' candrasekharera ha-ila camatkara

SYNONYMS

dui-jane -- the two persons; galagali -- shoulder to shoulder; rodana --

crying; apara -- unlimited; dekhi' -- seeing; candrasekharera -- of

Candrasekhara; ha-ila -- there was; camatkara -- astonishment.

TRANSLATION

Shoulder to shoulder, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sanatana Gosvami began

to cry unlimitedly. Candrasekhara was very much astonished to see this.

Madhya 20.54

TEXT 54

TEXT

tabe prabhu tanra hata dhari' lana gela

pindara upare apana-pase vasaila

SYNONYMS

tabe -- thereafter; prabhu -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanra -- of

Sanatana Gosvami; hata dhari' -- catching the hand; lana gela -- took

him inside; pindara upare -- on an elevated place; apana-pase -- near

Him; vasaila -- made Sanatana Gosvami sit down.

TRANSLATION

Catching his hand, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took Sanatana Gosvami inside

and made him sit on an elevated place next to Him.

Madhya 20.55

TEXT 55

TEXT

sri-haste karena tanra anga sammarjana

tenho kahe, -- ‘more, prabhu, na kara sparsana'

SYNONYMS

sri-haste -- by the spiritual hand; karena -- does; tanra anga -- of his

body; sammarjana -- cleansing; tenho kahe -- he said; more -- me; prabhu

-- my Lord; na kara sparsana -- do not touch.

TRANSLATION

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu began cleansing Sanatana Gosvami's body

with His own transcendental hand, Sanatana Gosvami said, "O my Lord,

please do not touch me."

Madhya 20.56

TEXT 56

TEXT

prabhu kahe, -- "toma sparsi atma pavitrite

bhakti-bale para tumi brahmanda sodhite

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe -- Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied; toma sparsi -- I touch

you; atma pavitrite -- to purify Myself; bhakti-bale -- the strength of

your devotional service; para -- are able; tumi -- you; brahmanda -- the

whole universe; sodhite -- to purify.

TRANSLATION

The Lord replied, "I am touching you just to purify Myself, because by

the force of your devotional service you can purify the whole universe.

Madhya 20.57

TEXT 57

TEXT

bhavad-vidha bhagavatas

tirtha-bhutah svayam prabho

tirthi-kurvanti tirthani

svantah-sthena gada-bhrta

SYNONYMS

bhavat-vidhah -- like you; bhagavatah -- advanced devotees; tirtha-

bhutah -- personified holy places of pilgrimage; svayam -- personally;

prabho -- my lord; tirthi-kurvanti -- make into holy places; tirthani --

all the holy places of pilgrimage; sva-antah-sthena -- situated within

their hearts; gada-bhrta -- by Lord Visnu, who carries a club.

TRANSLATION

"‘Saints of your caliber are themselves places of pilgrimage. Because of

their purity, they are constant companions of the Lord, and therefore

they can purify even the places of pilgrimage.'

PURPORT

This verse was spoken by Maharaja Yudhisthira to Vidura in Srimad-

Bhagavatam (1.13.10). Vidura was returning home after visiting sacred

places of pilgrimage, and Maharaja Yudhisthira was receiving his saintly

uncle. In essence, Maharaja Yudhisthira was saying, "My dear Lord Vidura,

you yourself are a holy place because you are an advanced devotee.

People like you always carry Lord Visnu in their hearts. You can

revitalize all holy places after they have been polluted by the

pilgrimages of sinners."

A sinful person goes to a holy place of pilgrimage to be purified. In a

holy place, there are many saintly people and temples of Lord Visnu;

however, the holy place becomes infected with the sins of many visitors.

When an advanced devotee goes to a holy place, he counteracts all the

sins of the pilgrims. Therefore Maharaja Yudhisthira addressed Vidura in

this way.

Since an advanced devotee carries Lord Visnu within his heart, he is a

moving temple and a moving Visnu. An advanced devotee does not need to

go to holy places, for wherever he stays is a holy place. In this

connection, Narottama dasa Thakura states, tirtha-yatra parisrama,

kevala manera bhrama: visiting holy places is simply another type of

bewilderment. Since an advanced devotee does not need to go to a holy

place, why does he go? The answer is that he goes simply to purify the

place.

Madhya 20.58

TEXT 58

TEXT

na me 'bhaktas catur-vedi

mad-bhaktah sva-pacah priyah

tasmai deyam tato grahyam

sa ca pujyo yatha hy aham

SYNONYMS

na -- not; me -- My; abhaktah -- devoid of pure devotional service;

catuh-vedi -- a scholar in the four Vedas; mat-bhaktah -- My devotee;

sva-pacah -- even from a family of dog-eaters; priyah -- very dear;

tasmai -- to him (a pure devotee, even though born in a very low family);

deyam -- should be given; tatah -- from him; grahyam -- should be

accepted (remnants of food); sah -- that person; ca -- also; pujyah --

worshipable; yatha -- as much as; hi -- certainly; aham -- I.

TRANSLATION

"[Lord Krsna said:] ‘Even though a person is a very learned scholar of

the Sanskrit Vedic literatures, he is not accepted as My devotee unless

he is pure in devotional service. However, even though a person is born

in a family of dog-eaters, he is very dear to Me if he is a pure devotee

who has no motive to enjoy fruitive activity or mental speculation.

Indeed, all respects should be given to him, and whatever he offers

should be accepted. Such devotees are as worshipable as I am.'

PURPORT

This verse is included in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (10.127), compiled by

Sanatana Gosvami.

Madhya 20.59

TEXT 59

TEXT

viprad dvi-sad-guna-yutad aravinda-nabha-

padaravinda-vimukhat sva-pacam varistham

manye tad-arpita-mano-vacanehitartha-

pranam punati sa kulam na tu bhuri-manah

SYNONYMS

viprat -- than a brahmana; dvi-sat-guna-yutat -- who is qualified with

twelve brahminical qualifications; aravinda-nabha -- of Lord Visnu, who

has a lotuslike navel; pada-aravinda -- unto the lotus feet; vimukhat --

than a person bereft of devotion; sva-pacam -- a candala, or a person

accustomed to eating dogs; varistham -- more glorified; manye -- I think;

tat-arpita -- dedicated unto Him; manah -- mind; vacana -- words; ihita

-- activities; artha -- wealth; pranam -- life; punati -- purifies; sah -

- he; kulam -- his family; na tu -- but not; bhuri-manah -- a brahmana

proud of possessing such qualities.

TRANSLATION

"‘One may be born in a brahmana family and have all twelve brahminical

qualities, but if he is not devoted to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, who

has a navel shaped like a lotus, he is not as good as a candala who has

dedicated his mind, words, activities, wealth and life to the service of

the Lord. Simply to take birth in a brahmana family or to have

brahminical qualities is not sufficient. One must become a pure devotee

of the Lord. If a sva-paca or candala is a devotee, he delivers not only

himself but his whole family, whereas a brahmana who is not a devotee

but simply has brahminical qualifications cannot even purify himself,

what to speak of his family.'"

PURPORT

This verse is spoken by Prahlada Maharaja in Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.9.10).

A brahmana is supposed to be qualified with twelve qualities. As stated

in the Mahabharata:

dharmas ca satyam ca damas tapas ca

amatsaryam hris titiksanasuya

yajnas ca danam ca dhrtih srutam ca

vratani vai dvadasa brahmanasya

"A brahmana must be perfectly religious. He must be truthful, and he

must be able to control his senses. He must execute severe austerities,

and he must be detached, humble and tolerant. He must not envy anyone,

and he must be expert in performing sacrifices and giving whatever he

has in charity. He must be fixed in devotional service and expert in the

knowledge of the Vedas. These are the twelve qualifications for a

brahmana."

The Bhagavad-gita (18.42) describes the brahminical qualities in this

way:

samo damas tapah saucam ksantir arjavam eva ca

jnanam vijnanam astikyam brahma-karma svabhava-jam

"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty,

knowledge, wisdom and religiousness -- these are the natural qualities

by which the brahmanas work."

In the Muktaphala-tika, it is said:

samo damas tapah saucam ksanty-arjava-viraktayah

jnana-vijnana-santosah satyastikye dvi-sad gunah

"Mental equilibrium, sense control, austerity, cleanliness, tolerance,

simplicity, detachment, theoretical and practical knowledge,

satisfaction, truthfulness and firm faith in the Vedas are the twelve

qualities of a brahmana."

Madhya 20.60

TEXT 60

TEXT

toma dekhi, toma sparsi, gai tomara guna

sarvendriya-phala, -- ei sastra-nirupana

SYNONYMS

toma dekhi -- by seeing you; toma sparsi -- by touching you; gai tomara

guna -- by praising your transcendental qualities; sarva-indriya-phala --

the fulfillment of the activities of all the senses; ei -- this; sastra-

nirupana -- the verdict of the revealed scriptures.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "By seeing you, by touching you and

by glorifying your transcendental qualities, one can perfect the purpose

of all sense activity. This is the verdict of the revealed scriptures.

PURPORT

This is confirmed in the following verse from the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (

13.2).

Madhya 20.61

TEXT 61

TEXT

aksnoh phalam tvadrsa-darsanam hi

tanoh phalam tvadrsa-gatra-sangah

jihva-phalam tvadrsa-kirtanam hi

su-durlabha bhagavata hi loke

SYNONYMS

aksnoh -- of the eyes; phalam -- the perfect result of the action;

tvadrsa -- a person like you; darsanam -- to see; hi -- certainly; tanoh

-- of the body; phalam -- the perfection of activities; tvadrsa -- of a

person like you; gatra-sangah -- touching the body; jihva-phalam -- the

perfection of the tongue; tvadrsa -- a person like you; kirtanam --

glorifying; hi -- certainly; su-durlabhah -- very rare; bhagavatah --

pure devotees of the Lord; hi -- certainly; loke -- in this world.

TRANSLATION

"‘My dear Vaisnava, seeing a person like you is the perfection of one's

eyesight, touching your lotus feet is the perfection of the sense of

touch, and glorifying your good qualities is the tongue's real activity,

for in the material world it is very difficult to find a pure devotee of

the Lord.'"

Madhya 20.62

TEXT 62

TEXT

eta kahi kahe prabhu, -- "suna, sanatana

krsna -- bada dayamaya, patita-pavana

SYNONYMS

eta kahi -- saying this; kahe -- continued to speak; prabhu -- Lord Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu; suna -- please hear; sanatana -- My dear Sanatana;

krsna -- Lord Krsna; bada -- very much; daya-maya -- merciful; patita-

pavana -- deliverer of the fallen souls.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "My dear Sanatana, please hear from

Me. Krsna is very merciful, and He is the deliverer of all fallen souls.

Madhya 20.63

TEXT 63

TEXT

maha-raurava haite toma karila uddhara

krpara samudra krsna gambhira apara"

SYNONYMS

maha-raurava haite -- from the deepest hellish condition of life; toma --

you; karila uddhara -- has delivered; krpara samudra -- the ocean of

mercy; krsna -- Krsna; gambhira -- very grave; apara -- unlimitedly.

TRANSLATION

"My dear Sanatana, Krsna has saved you from Maharaurava, life's deepest

hell. He is an ocean of mercy, and His activities are very grave."

PURPORT

As stated in the Bhagavad-gita (18.61), isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese ‘

rjuna tisthati. Staying within everyone's heart, Lord Krsna works very

gravely. No one can understand how He is working, but as soon as the

Lord understands the sincere activity of a person in devotional service,

He helps him in such a way that the devotee cannot understand how things

are happening. If the devotee is determined to serve the Lord, the Lord

is always prepared to help him (dadami buddhi-yogam tam yena mam

upayanti te). Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is telling Sanatana Gosvami how

merciful the Lord is. Sanatana Gosvami was a minister in the service of

Nawab Hussain Shah. He was always mixing with materially inclined people,

particularly with Muslims, meat-eaters. Although he was in intimate

touch with them, by Krsna's mercy he came to find such association

distasteful. Therefore he left them. As stated by Srinivasa Acarya,

tyaktva turnam asesa-mandala-pati-srenim sada tuccha-vat. Krsna

enlightened Sanatana Gosvami in such a way that he was able to give up

his exalted post as minister. Thinking his material position

insignificant, Sanatana was prepared to become a mendicant. Appreciating

the activities of Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu praised his

action and thanked Krsna for His mercy upon him.

Madhya 20.64

TEXT 64

TEXT

sanatana kahe, -- ‘krsna ami nahi jani

amara uddhara-hetu tomara krpa mani'

SYNONYMS

sanatana kahe -- Sanatana Gosvami said; krsna -- Lord Krsna; ami -- I;

nahi jani -- do not know; amara -- my; uddhara-hetu -- the cause of

release; tomara -- Your; krpa -- mercy; mani -- I accept.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana replied, "I do not know who Krsna is. As far as I am concerned,

I have been released from prison only by Your mercy."

Madhya 20.65

TEXT 65

TEXT

‘kemane chutila' bali prabhu prasna kaila

adyopanta saba katha tenho sunaila

SYNONYMS

kemane chutila -- how were you released; bali -- saying; prabhu -- Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prasna kaila -- inquired; adya-upanta -- from

beginning to the end; saba -- all; katha -- the narration; tenho -- he;

sunaila -- described.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then asked Sanatana Gosvami, "How were you

released from prison?" Sanatana then described the story from beginning

to end.

Madhya 20.66

TEXT 66

TEXT

prabhu kahe, -- "tomara dui-bhai prayage milila

rupa, anupama -- dunhe vrndavana gela"

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; tomara -- your; dui-bhai --

two brothers; prayage milila -- met Me at Prayaga; rupa -- Rupa Gosvami;

anupama -- his brother Anupama; dunhe -- both of them; vrndavana gela --

have gone to Vrndavana.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "I met your two brothers, Rupa and Anupama,

at Prayaga. They have now gone to Vrndavana."

Madhya 20.67

TEXT 67

TEXT

tapana-misrere ara candrasekharere

prabhu-ajnaya sanatana milila donhare

SYNONYMS

tapana-misrere -- unto Tapana Misra; ara -- and; candrasekharere -- unto

Candrasekhara; prabhu-ajnaya -- by the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu;

sanatana -- Sanatana; milila -- met; donhare -- both of them.

TRANSLATION

By the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sanatana Gosvami met both

Tapana Misra and Candrasekhara.

Madhya 20.68

TEXT 68

TEXT

tapana-misra tabe tanre kaila nimantrana

prabhu kahe, -- ‘ksaura karaha, yaha, sanatana'

SYNONYMS

tapana-misra -- Tapana Misra; tabe -- then; tanre -- unto him (Sanatana

Gosvami); kaila -- made; nimantrana -- invitation; prabhu kahe --

Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; ksaura karaha -- get shaved; yaha -- go;

sanatana -- My dear Sanatana.

TRANSLATION

Tapana Misra then extended an invitation to Sanatana, and Lord Caitanya

Mahaprabhu asked Sanatana to go get a shave.

Madhya 20.69

TEXT 69

TEXT

candrasekharere prabhu kahe bolana

‘ei vesa dura kara, yaha inhare lana'

SYNONYMS

candrasekharere -- unto Candrasekhara; prabhu kahe -- Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu said; bolana -- calling; ei vesa -- this kind of dress; dura

kara -- take away; yaha -- go; inhare lana -- taking him with you.

TRANSLATION

After this, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu called Candrasekhara and asked him

to take Sanatana Gosvami with him. He also asked him to take away

Sanatana's present dress.

Madhya 20.70

TEXT 70

TEXT

bhadra karana tanre ganga-snana karaila

sekhara aniya tanre nutana vastra dila

SYNONYMS

bhadra karana -- making gentle; tanre -- him; ganga-snana -- bathing in

the Ganges; karaila -- caused to do; sekhara -- Candrasekhara; aniya --

bringing; tanre -- to him; nutana -- new; vastra -- clothing; dila --

delivered.

TRANSLATION

Candrasekhara then made Sanatana Gosvami look like a gentleman. He took

him to bathe in the Ganges, and afterwards he brought him a new set of

clothes.

PURPORT

The words bhadra karana are significant in this verse. Due to his long

hair, mustache and beard, Sanatana Gosvami looked like a daravesa, or

hippie. Since Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not like Sanatana Gosvami's

hippie features, he immediately asked Candrasekhara to get him shaved

clean. If anyone with long hair or a beard wants to join this Krsna

consciousness movement and live with us, he must similarly shave himself

clean. The followers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu consider long hair

objectionable.

Sanatana Gosvami was saved from a hellish condition (Maharaurava) by the

grace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Maharaurava is a hell wherein animal

killers are placed. In this regard, refer to Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.26.10–

12).

Madhya 20.71

TEXT 71

TEXT

sei vastra sanatana na kaila angikara

suniya prabhura mane ananda apara

SYNONYMS

sei vastra -- that new dress; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; na kaila --

did not; angikara -- accept; suniya -- hearing; prabhura -- of Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu; mane -- in the mind; ananda apara -- unlimited

happiness.

TRANSLATION

Candrasekhara offered a new set of garments to Sanatana Gosvami, but

Sanatana did not accept them. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard news of

this, He became unlimitedly happy.

Madhya 20.72

TEXT 72

TEXT

madhyahna kariya prabhu gela bhiksa karibare

sanatane lana gela tapana-misrera ghare

SYNONYMS

madhyahna kariya -- finishing bathing at noon; prabhu -- Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu; gela -- went; bhiksa karibare -- to accept lunch; sanatane --

Sanatana Gosvami; lana -- taking; gela -- went; tapana-misrera ghare --

to the house of Tapana Misra.

TRANSLATION

After bathing at noon, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to the house of

Tapana Misra for lunch. He took Sanatana Gosvami with Him.

Madhya 20.73

TEXT 73

TEXT

pada-praksalana kari' bhiksate vasila

‘sanatane bhiksa deha' -- misrere kahila

SYNONYMS

pada-praksalana -- washing the feet; kari' -- doing; bhiksate -- to

lunch; vasila -- sat down; sanatane bhiksa deha -- give Sanatana lunch

also; misrere kahila -- He asked Tapana Misra.

TRANSLATION

After washing His feet, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu sat down for lunch. He

asked Tapana Misra to supply Sanatana Gosvami lunch also.

Madhya 20.74

TEXT 74

TEXT

misra kahe, -- ‘sanatanera kichu krtya ache

tumi bhiksa kara, prasada tanre diba pache'

SYNONYMS

misra kahe -- Tapana Misra said; sanatanera -- of Sanatana Gosvami;

kichu -- some; krtya -- duty; ache -- there is; tumi bhiksa kara -- You

take Your lunch; prasada -- the remnants of Your food; tanre -- unto him;

diba -- I shall deliver; pache -- at the end.

TRANSLATION

Tapana Misra then said, "Sanatana has some duty to perform; therefore he

cannot accept lunch now. At the conclusion of the meal, I shall supply

Sanatana with some remnants."

Madhya 20.75

TEXT 75

TEXT

bhiksa kari' mahaprabhu visrama karila

misra prabhura sesa-patra sanatane dila

SYNONYMS

bhiksa kari' -- after taking His lunch; mahaprabhu -- Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu; visrama karila -- took rest; misra -- Tapana Misra; prabhura

-- of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sesa-patra -- the plate of remnants;

sanatane dila -- delivered to Sanatana.

TRANSLATION

After eating, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took rest for a while. Tapana

Misra then gave Sanatana Gosvami the remnants of food left by Caitanya

Mahaprabhu.

Madhya 20.76

TEXT 76

TEXT

misra sanatane dila nutana vasana

vastra nahi nila, tenho kaila nivedana

SYNONYMS

misra -- Tapana Misra; sanatane -- unto Sanatana; dila -- delivered;

nutana vasana -- new cloth; vastra -- the cloth; nahi nila -- he did not

accept; tenho -- he; kaila -- made; nivedana -- submission.

TRANSLATION

When Tapana Misra offered Sanatana Gosvami a new cloth, he did not

accept it. Instead, he spoke as follows.

Madhya 20.77

TEXT 77

TEXT

"more vastra dite yadi tomara haya mana

nija paridhana eka deha' puratana"

SYNONYMS

more -- unto me; vastra dite -- to offer cloth; yadi -- if; tomara --

your; haya -- there is; mana -- mind; nija -- own; paridhana -- cloth;

eka -- one; deha' -- give; puratana -- old.

TRANSLATION

"If you want to give me some cloth according to your desire, please give

me an old cloth you have used."

Madhya 20.78

TEXT 78

TEXT

tabe misra puratana eka dhuti dila

tenho dui bahirvasa-kaupina karila

SYNONYMS

tabe -- thereafter; misra -- Tapana Misra; puratana -- old; eka -- one;

dhuti-dhoti; dila -- delivered; tenho -- he (Sanatana Gosvami); dui --

two; bahirvasa -- outer coverings; kaupina -- underwear; karila -- made.

TRANSLATION

When Tapana Misra gave Sanatana Gosvami a used dhoti, Sanatana

immediately tore it into pieces to make two sets of outer cloth and

underwear.

Madhya 20.79

TEXT 79

TEXT

maharastriya dvije prabhu milaila sanatane

sei vipra tanre kaila maha-nimantrane

SYNONYMS

maharastriya -- from Maharashtra; dvije -- the brahmana; prabhu -- Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu; milaila -- introduced; sanatane -- unto Sanatana

Gosvami; sei -- that; vipra-brahmana; tanre -- unto him; kaila -- did;

maha -- full; nimantrane -- invitation.

TRANSLATION

When Caitanya Mahaprabhu introduced the Maharashtrian brahmana to

Sanatana, the brahmana immediately invited Sanatana Gosvami for full

meals.

Madhya 20.80

TEXT 80

TEXT

"sanatana, tumi yavat kasite rahiba

tavat amara ghare bhiksa ye kariba"

SYNONYMS

sanatana -- O Sanatana; tumi -- you; yavat -- as long as; kasite -- in

Benares; rahiba -- will remain; tavat -- so long; amara -- my; ghare --

at the home; bhiksa -- lunch; ye -- that; kariba -- please accept.

TRANSLATION

The brahmana said, "My dear Sanatana, as long as you remain at Kasi,

please accept lunch at my place."

Madhya 20.81

TEXT 81

TEXT

sanatana kahe, -- "ami madhukari kariba

brahmanera ghare kene ekatra bhiksa laba?"

SYNONYMS

sanatana kahe -- Sanatana replied; ami -- I; madhukari kariba -- shall

practice acceptance of food by madhukari means; brahmanera ghare -- in

the house of a brahmana; kene -- why; ekatra -- in one place; bhiksa

laba -- I should accept lunch.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana replied, "I shall practice the process of madhukari. Why should

I accept full meals in the house of a brahmana?"

PURPORT

The word madhukari comes from the word madhukara, which refers to bees

collecting honey from flower to flower. A madhukari is a saintly person

or a mendicant who does not accept a full meal at one house but begs

from door to door, taking a little food from each householder's place.

In this way he does not overeat or give householders unnecessary trouble.

A person in the renounced order may beg but not cook. His begging

should not be a burden for the householders. The madhukari process is

strictly to be followed by a babaji, that is, one who has attained the

paramahamsa stage. This practice is still current in Vrndavana, and

there are many places where alms are offered. Unfortunately, there are

many beggars who have come to Vrndavana to accept alms but not follow

the principles of Sanatana Gosvami. People try to imitate him and lead

an idle life by practicing madhukari. It is almost impossible to

strictly follow Sanatana Gosvami or Rupa Gosvami. It is better to accept

food offered to Krsna in the temple than to try to imitate Sanatana

Gosvami and Rupa Gosvami.

yuktahara-viharasya yukta-cestasya karmasu

yukta-svapnavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkha-ha

"He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and

work can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga system." (Bg.

6.17)

The ideal sannyasi strictly follows the ways practiced by the Gosvamis.

Madhya 20.82

TEXT 82

TEXT

sanatanera vairagye prabhura ananda apara

bhota-kambala pane prabhu cahe bare bara

SYNONYMS

sanatanera -- of Sanatana Gosvami; vairagye -- by the renunciation;

prabhura -- of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ananda -- happiness; apara --

unlimited; bhota-kambala -- the woolen blanket; pane -- towards; prabhu -

- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; cahe -- looks; bare bara -- repeatedly.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu felt unlimited happiness to observe Sanatana

Gosvami's strict following of the principles of sannyasa. However, He

repeatedly glanced at the woolen blanket Sanatana Gosvami was wearing.

Madhya 20.83

TEXT 83

TEXT

sanatana janila ei prabhure na bhaya

bhota tyaga karibare cintila upaya

SYNONYMS

sanatana janila -- Sanatana Gosvami could understand; ei -- this;

prabhure -- by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; na bhaya -- is not approved;

bhota -- the woolen blanket; tyaga -- giving up; karibare -- to do;

cintila -- considered; upaya -- a means.

TRANSLATION

Because Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was repeatedly glancing at this valuable

woolen blanket, Sanatana Gosvami could understand that the Lord did not

approve of it. He then began to consider a way to give it up.

Madhya 20.84

TEXT 84

TEXT

eta cinti' gela gangaya madhyahna karite

eka gaudiya kantha dhuna diyache sukaite

SYNONYMS

eta cinti' -- thinking this; gela -- went; gangaya -- to the bank of the

Ganges; madhyahna -- bathing at noon; karite -- to do; eka -- one;

gaudiya -- Bengali Vaisnava; kantha -- quilt; dhuna -- washing; diyache -

- spread out; sukaite -- to dry.

TRANSLATION

Thinking in this way, Sanatana went to the bank of the Ganges to bathe.

While there, he saw that a mendicant from Bengal had washed his quilt

and spread it out to dry.

Madhya 20.85

TEXT 85

TEXT

tare kahe, -- "ore bhai, kara upakare

ei bhota lana ei kantha deha' more"

SYNONYMS

tare kahe -- he said to him; ore bhai -- O my brother; kara upakare --

kindly do a favor; ei bhota -- this woolen blanket; lana -- taking; ei --

this; kantha -- quilt; deha' -- give; more -- to me.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami then told the Bengali mendicant, "My dear brother,

please do me a favor. Trade me your quilt for this woolen blanket."

Madhya 20.86

TEXT 86

TEXT

sei kahe, -- "rahasya kara pramanika hana?

bahu-mulya bhota diba kena kantha lana?"

SYNONYMS

sei kahe -- he said; rahasya -- joking; kara -- you do; pramanika hana --

although being a man of authority; bahu-mulya -- very valuable; bhota --

woolen blanket; diba -- you would give; kena -- why; kantha lana --

taking this quilt.

TRANSLATION

The mendicant replied, "Sir, you are a respectable gentleman. Why are

you joking with me? Why would you trade your valuable blanket for my

torn quilt?"

Madhya 20.87

TEXT 87

TEXT

tenho kahe, -- "rahasya nahe, kahi satya-vani

bhota laha, tumi deha' more kantha-khani"

SYNONYMS

tenho kahe -- he said; rahasya nahe -- there is no joking; kahi satya-

vani -- I am speaking the truth; bhota laha -- take this blanket; tumi --

you; deha' -- give; more -- to me; kantha-khani -- the quilt.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana said, "I am not joking; I am speaking the truth. Kindly take

this blanket in exchange for your torn quilt."

Madhya 20.88

TEXT 88

TEXT

eta bali' kantha la-ila, bhota tanre diya

gosanira thani aila kantha gale diya

SYNONYMS

eta bali' -- saying this; kantha la-ila -- he took the quilt; bhota --

the blanket; tanre -- unto him; diya -- giving; gosanira thani -- to

Caitanya Mahaprabhu; aila -- returned; kantha -- quilt; gale -- onto the

shoulder; diya -- keeping.

TRANSLATION

Saying this, Sanatana Gosvami exchanged the blanket for the quilt. He

then returned to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu with the quilt on his shoulder.

Madhya 20.89

TEXT 89

TEXT

prabhu kahe, -- ‘tomara bhota-kambala kotha gela?'

prabhu-pade saba katha gosani kahila

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; tomara -- your; bhota-

kambala -- woolen blanket; kotha gela -- where did it go; prabhu-pade --

unto the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya; saba -- all; katha -- narration;

gosani -- Sanatana Gosvami; kahila -- said.

TRANSLATION

When Sanatana Gosvami returned, the Lord asked, "Where is your woolen

blanket?" Sanatana Gosvami then narrated the whole story to the Lord.

Madhya 20.90–91

TEXTS 90–91

TEXT

prabhu kahe, -- "iha ami kariyachi vicara

visaya-roga khandaila krsna ye tomara

se kene rakhibe tomara sesa visaya-bhoga?

roga khandi' sad-vaidya na rakhe sesa roga

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; iha -- this; ami -- I;

kariyachi vicara -- considered deliberately; visaya-roga -- the disease

of material attraction; khandaila -- has now nullified; krsna -- Lord

Krsna; ye -- since; tomara -- your; se -- Lord Krsna; kene -- why;

rakhibe -- should allow you to keep; tomara -- your; sesa -- last;

visaya-bhoga -- attraction for material things; roga khandi' --

vanquishing the disease; sat-vaidya -- a good physician; na rakhe --

does not keep; sesa -- the last part; roga -- disease.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then said, "I have already deliberately

considered this matter. Since Lord Krsna is very merciful, He has

nullified your attachment for material things. Why should Krsna allow

you to maintain a last bit of material attachment? After vanquishing a

disease, a good physician does not allow any of the disease to remain.

Madhya 20.92

TEXT 92

TEXT

tina mudrara bhota gaya, madhukari grasa

dharma-hani haya, loka kare upahasa"

SYNONYMS

tina mudrara bhota -- a woolen blanket costing three gold coins; gaya --

on the body; madhukari grasa -- and practicing the madhukari system;

dharma-hani haya -- that is a religious discrepancy; loka kare upahasa --

people will joke.

TRANSLATION

"It is contradictory to practice madhukari and at the same time wear a

valuable blanket. One loses his spiritual strength by doing this, and

one will also become an object of jokes."

Madhya 20.93

TEXT 93

TEXT

gosani kahe, -- "ye khandila kuvisaya-bhoga

tanra icchaya gela mora sesa visaya-roga"

SYNONYMS

gosani kahe -- Sanatana Gosvami said; ye khandila -- the person who has

vanquished; ku-visaya-bhoga -- enjoyment of sinful material life; tanra

icchaya -- by His desire; gela -- has gone; mora -- my; sesa -- last bit;

visaya-roga -- material disease.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami replied, "The Supreme Personality of Godhead has saved

me from the sinful life of material existence. By His desire, my last

piece of material attraction is now gone."

Madhya 20.94

TEXT 94

TEXT

prasanna hana prabhu tanre krpa kaila

tanra krpaya prasna karite tanra sakti haila

SYNONYMS

prasanna hana -- being very pleased; prabhu -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu;

tanre -- unto him; krpa kaila -- offered His causeless mercy; tanra

krpaya -- by His mercy; prasna karite -- to inquire; tanra -- his; sakti

haila -- there was strength.

TRANSLATION

Being pleased with Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu bestowed

His causeless mercy upon him. By the Lord's mercy, Sanatana Gosvami

received the spiritual strength to inquire from Him.

Madhya 20.95–96

TEXTS 95–96

TEXT

purve yaiche raya-pase prabhu prasna kaila

tanra saktye ramananda tanra uttara dila

ihan prabhura saktye prasna kare sanatana

apane mahaprabhu kare ‘tattva'-nirupana

SYNONYMS

purve -- formerly; yaiche -- as; raya-pase -- unto Ramananda Raya;

prabhu -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prasna kaila -- inquired; tanra

saktye -- only by His mercy; ramananda -- Ramananda Raya; tanra -- his;

uttara -- answers; dila -- gave; ihan -- here; prabhura -- of Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu; saktye -- by the strength; prasna -- questions;

kare -- puts; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; apane -- personally;

mahaprabhu -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kare -- does; tattva -- the truth;

nirupana -- discerning.

TRANSLATION

Formerly, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had asked Ramananda Raya spiritual

questions, and by the Lord's causeless mercy, Ramananda Raya could

properly reply. Now, by the Lord's mercy, Sanatana Gosvami questioned

the Lord, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally supplied the truth.

Madhya 20.97

TEXT 97

TEXT

krsna-svarupa-madhuryais-

varya-bhakti-rasasrayam

tattvam sanatanayesah

krpayopadidesa sah

SYNONYMS

krsna-svarupa -- of the real identity of Sri Krsna; madhurya -- of

conjugal love; aisvarya -- of opulence; bhakti -- of devotional service;

rasa -- of transcendental mellows; asrayam -- the shelter; tattvam --

the truth; sanatanaya -- unto Sri Sanatana; isah -- Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Lord; krpaya -- by His causeless mercy;

upadidesa -- instructed; sah -- He.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, personally

told Sanatana Gosvami about Lord Krsna's real identity. He also told him

about the Lord's conjugal love, His personal opulence and the mellows of

devotional service. All these truths were explained to Sanatana Gosvami

by the Lord Himself out of His causeless mercy.

Madhya 20.98

TEXT 98

TEXT

tabe sanatana prabhura carane dhariya

dainya vinati kare dante trna lana

SYNONYMS

tabe -- thereafter; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; prabhura -- of Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu; carane -- the lotus feet; dhariya -- catching;

dainya -- humility; vinati -- bowing; kare -- does; dante -- in the

teeth; trna -- a straw; lana -- taking.

TRANSLATION

Putting a straw in his mouth and bowing down, Sanatana Gosvami clasped

the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and humbly spoke as follows.

Madhya 20.99

TEXT 99

TEXT

"nica jati, nica-sangi, patita adhama

kuvisaya-kupe padi' gonainu janama!

SYNONYMS

nica jati -- born of a low family; nica-sangi -- associated with low men;

patita -- fallen; adhama -- the lowest; ku-visaya-kupe -- in a well of

material enjoyment; padi' -- having fallen down; gonainu -- I have

passed; janama -- my life.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami said, "I was born in a low family, and my associates

are all low-class men. I myself am fallen and am the lowest of men.

Indeed, I have passed my whole life fallen in the well of sinful

materialism.

PURPORT

Actually Sri Sanatana Gosvami belonged to a brahmana family because he

belonged to the Sarasvata division of the brahmanas and was well

cultured and well educated. Somehow or other he accepted a ministership

in the Muslim government; therefore he had to associate with meat-eaters,

drunkards and gross materialists. Sanatana Gosvami considered himself

fallen, for in the association of such men, he also fell victim to

material enjoyment. Having passed his life in that way, he considered

that he had wasted his valuable time. This statement about how one can

become fallen in this material world is made by the greatest authority

in the Gaudiya Vaisnava-sampradaya. Actually the whole world is

presently fallen into material existence. Everyone is a meat-eater,

drunkard, woman-hunter, gambler and whatnot. People are enjoying

material life by committing the four basic sins. Although they are

fallen, if they simply submit themselves at the lotus feet of Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they will be saved from sinful reactions.

Madhya 20.100

TEXT 100

TEXT

apanara hitahita kichui na jani!

gramya-vyavahare pandita, tai satya mani

SYNONYMS

apanara -- of my personal self; hita -- welfare; ahita --

inauspiciousness; kichui -- anything; na jani -- I do not know; gramya-

vyavahare -- in ordinary dealings; pandita -- a learned man; tai satya

mani -- I accept that as truth.

TRANSLATION

"I do not know what is beneficial for me or what is detrimental.

Nonetheless, in ordinary dealings people consider me a learned scholar,

and I am also thinking of myself as such.

Madhya 20.101

TEXT 101

TEXT

krpa kari' yadi more kariyacha uddhara

apana-krpate kaha ‘kartavya' amara

SYNONYMS

krpa kari' -- by Your causeless mercy; yadi -- if; more -- unto me;

kariyacha -- You have done; uddhara -- deliverance; apana-krpate -- by

Your own mercy; kaha -- please speak; kartavya amara -- my duty.

TRANSLATION

"Out of Your causeless mercy, You have delivered me from the

materialistic path. Now, by the same causeless mercy, please tell me

what my duty is.

Madhya 20.102

TEXT 102

TEXT

‘ke ami', ‘kene amaya jare tapa-traya'

iha nahi jani -- ‘kemane hita haya'

SYNONYMS

ke ami -- who am I; kene -- why; amaya -- unto me; jare -- give trouble;

tapa-traya -- the three kinds of miserable conditions; iha -- this; nahi

jani -- I do not know; kemane -- how; hita -- my welfare; haya -- there

is.

TRANSLATION

"Who am I? Why do the threefold miseries always give me trouble? If I do

not know this, how can I be benefited?

PURPORT

The threefold material miseries are miseries arising from the body and

the mind, miseries arising from dealings with other living entities, and

miseries arising from natural disturbances. Sometimes we suffer bodily

when we are attacked by a fever, and sometimes we suffer mentally when a

close relative dies. Other living entities also cause us misery. There

are living entities born of the human embryo, of eggs, perspiration and

vegetation. Miserable conditions brought about by natural catastrophes

are controlled by the higher demigods. There may be severe cold or

thunderbolts, or a person may be haunted by ghosts. These threefold

miseries are always before us, and they entrap us in a dangerous

situation. Padam padam yad vipadam [SB 10.14.58]. There is danger in

every step of life.

Madhya 20.103

TEXT 103

TEXT

‘sadhya'-‘sadhana'-tattva puchite na jani

krpa kari' saba tattva kaha ta' apani"

SYNONYMS

sadhya -- of the goal of spiritual life; sadhana -- of the process of

obtaining that goal; tattva -- truth; puchite -- to inquire; na jani --

I do not know; krpa kari' -- by Your causeless mercy; saba tattva -- all

such truths; kaha ta' apani -- please personally explain to me.

TRANSLATION

"Actually I do not know how to inquire about the goal of life and the

process for obtaining it. Being merciful upon me, please explain all

these truths."

Madhya 20.104

TEXT 104

TEXT

prabhu kahe, -- "krsna-krpa tomate purna haya

saba tattva jana, tomara nahi tapa-traya

SYNONYMS

prabhu -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kahe -- said; krsna-krpa -- the mercy

of Krsna; tomate -- on you; purna -- full; haya -- there is; saba tattva

-- all truths; jana -- you know; tomara -- of you; nahi -- there is not;

tapa-traya -- the threefold miseries.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Lord Krsna has bestowed His full mercy

upon you so that all these things are known to you. For you, the

threefold miseries certainly do not exist.

Madhya 20.105

TEXT 105

TEXT

krsna-sakti dhara tumi, jana tattva-bhava

jani' dardhya lagi' puche, -- sadhura svabhava

SYNONYMS

krsna-sakti -- the energy of Lord Krsna; dhara -- possess; tumi -- you;

jana -- know; tattva-bhava -- the factual position; jani' -- although

knowing all these things; dardhya lagi' -- for the sake of strictness;

puche -- he inquires; sadhura -- of a saintly person; svabhava -- the

nature.

TRANSLATION

"Since you possess Lord Krsna's potency, you certainly know these things.

However, it is the nature of a sadhu to inquire. Although he knows

these things, the sadhu inquires for the sake of strictness.

Madhya 20.106

TEXT 106

TEXT

acirad eva sarvarthah

sidhyaty esam abhipsitah

sad-dharmasyavabodhaya

yesam nirbandhini matih

SYNONYMS

acirat -- very soon; eva -- certainly; sarva-arthah -- the goal of life;

sidhyati -- becomes fulfilled; esam -- of these persons; abhipsitah --

desired; sat-dharmasya -- of the path of progressive devotional service;

avabodhaya -- for understanding; yesam -- those whose; nirbandhini --

unflinching; matih -- intelligence.

TRANSLATION

"‘Those who are eager to awaken their spiritual consciousness and who

thus have unflinching, undeviated intelligence certainly attain the

desired goal of life very soon.'

PURPORT

This verse, quoted from the Naradiya Purana, is found in the Bhakti-

rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.103).

Madhya 20.107

TEXT 107

TEXT

yogya-patra hao tumi bhakti pravartaite

krame saba tattva suna, kahiye tomate

SYNONYMS

yogya-patra -- fit person; hao -- are; tumi -- you; bhakti -- devotional

service; pravartaite -- to propagate; krame -- one after another; saba --

all; tattva -- truths; suna -- please hear; kahiye -- I shall speak;

tomate -- to you.

TRANSLATION

"You are fit to propagate the cult of devotional service. Therefore

gradually hear all the truths about it from Me. I shall tell you about

them.

Madhya 20.108–109

TEXTS 108–109

TEXT

jivera ‘svarupa' haya -- krsnera ‘nitya-dasa'

krsnera ‘tatastha-sakti' ‘bhedabheda-prakasa'

suryamsa-kirana, yaiche agni-jvala-caya

svabhavika krsnera tina-prakara ‘sakti' haya

SYNONYMS

jivera -- of the living entity; svarupa -- the constitutional position;

haya -- is; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; nitya-dasa -- eternal servant;

krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; tatastha -- marginal; sakti -- potency; bheda-

abheda -- one and different; prakasa -- manifestation; surya-amsa --

part and parcel of the sun; kirana -- a ray of sunshine; yaiche -- as;

agni-jvala-caya -- molecular particle of fire; svabhavika -- naturally;

krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; tina-prakara -- three varieties; sakti --

energies; haya -- there are.

TRANSLATION

"It is the living entity's constitutional position to be an eternal

servant of Krsna because he is the marginal energy of Krsna and a

manifestation simultaneously one with and different from the Lord, like

a molecular particle of sunshine or fire. Krsna has three varieties of

energy.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains these verses as follows: Sri

Sanatana Gosvami asked Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, "Who am I?" In answer,

the Lord replied, "You are a pure living entity. You are neither the

gross material body nor the subtle body composed of mind and

intelligence. Actually you are a spirit soul, eternally part and parcel

of the Supreme Soul, Krsna. Therefore you are His eternal servant. You

belong to Krsna's marginal potency. There are two worlds -- the

spiritual world and the material world -- and you are situated between

the material and spiritual potencies. You have a relationship with both

the material and the spiritual world; therefore you are called the

marginal potency. You are related with Krsna as one and simultaneously

different. Because you are spirit soul, you are one in quality with the

Supreme Personality of Godhead, but because you are a very minute

particle of spirit soul, you are different from the Supreme Soul.

Therefore your position is simultaneously one with and different from

the Supreme Soul. The examples given are those of the sun itself and the

small particles of sunshine and of a blazing fire and the small

particles of fire." Another explanation of these verses can be found in

Adi-lila, Chapter Two, verse 96.

Madhya 20.110

TEXT 110

TEXT

eka-desa-sthitasyagner

jyotsna vistarini yatha

parasya brahmanah saktis

tathedam akhilam jagat

SYNONYMS

eka-desa -- in one place; sthitasya -- being situated; agneh -- of fire;

jyotsna -- the illumination; vistarini -- expanded everywhere; yatha --

just as; parasya -- of the Supreme; brahmanah -- of the Absolute Truth;

saktih -- the energy; tatha -- similarly; idam -- this; akhilam --

entire; jagat -- universe.

TRANSLATION

"‘Just as the illumination of a fire, which is situated in one place, is

spread all over, the energies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead,

Parabrahman, are spread all over this universe.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from the Visnu Purana (1.22.53).

Madhya 20.111

TEXT 111

TEXT

krsnera svabhavika tina-sakti-parinati

cic-chakti, jiva-sakti, ara maya-sakti

SYNONYMS

krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; svabhavika -- natural; tina -- three; sakti --

of energies; parinati -- transformations; cit-sakti -- spiritual potency;

jiva-sakti -- spiritual sparks, living entities; ara -- and; maya-sakti

-- illusory energy.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Krsna naturally has three energetic transformations, and these are

known as the spiritual potency, the living entity potency and the

illusory potency.

Madhya 20.112

TEXT 112

TEXT

visnu-saktih para prokta

ksetrajnakhya tatha para

avidya-karma-samjnanya

trtiya saktir isyate

SYNONYMS

visnu-saktih -- the potency of Lord Visnu; para -- spiritual; prokta --

it is said; ksetra-jna-akhya -- the potency known as ksetrajna; tatha --

as well as; para -- spiritual; avidya -- ignorance; karma -- fruitive

activities; samjna -- known as; anya -- other; trtiya -- third; saktih --

potency; isyate -- known thus.

TRANSLATION

"‘Originally, Krsna's energy is spiritual, and the energy known as the

living entity is also spiritual. However, there is another energy,

called illusion, which consists of fruitive activity. That is the Lord's

third potency.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from the Visnu Purana (6.7.61). For a further

explanation of this verse, refer to Adi-lila, Chapter Seven, verse 119.

Madhya 20.113

TEXT 113

TEXT

saktayah sarva-bhavanam

acintya-jnana-gocarah

yato 'to brahmanas tas tu

sargadya bhava-saktayah

bhavanti tapatam srestha

pavakasya yathosnata

SYNONYMS

saktayah -- energies; sarva-bhavanam -- of all types of creation;

acintya -- inconceivable; jnana-gocarah -- by the range of man's

knowledge; yatah -- from whom; atah -- therefore; brahmanah -- from the

Absolute Truth; tah -- those; tu -- but; sarga-adyah -- bringing about

creation, maintenance and annihilation; bhava-saktayah -- the creative

energies; bhavanti -- are; tapatam -- of all the ascetics; srestha -- O

chief; pavakasya -- of fire; yatha -- as; usnata -- heat.

TRANSLATION

"‘All the creative energies, which are inconceivable to a common man,

exist in the Supreme Absolute Truth. These inconceivable energies act in

the process of creation, maintenance and annihilation. O chief of the

ascetics, just as there are two energies possessed by fire -- namely

heat and light -- these inconceivable creative energies are the natural

characteristics of the Absolute Truth.'

PURPORT

This is also a quotation from the Visnu Purana (1.3.2).

Madhya 20.114

TEXT 114

TEXT

yaya ksetra-jna-saktih sa

vestita nrpa sarva-ga

samsara-tapan akhilan

avapnoty atra santatan

SYNONYMS

yaya -- by which; ksetra-jna-saktih -- the living entities, known as the

ksetra-jna potency; sa -- that potency; vestita -- covered; nrpa -- O

King; sarva-ga -- capable of going anywhere in the spiritual or the

material world; samsara-tapan -- miseries due to the cycle of repeated

birth and death; akhilan -- all kinds of; avapnoti -- obtains; atra --

in this material world; santatan -- arising from suffering or enjoying

various kinds of reactions to fruitive activities.

TRANSLATION

"‘O King, the ksetra-jna-sakti is the living entity. Although he has the

facility to live in either the material or the spiritual world, he

suffers the threefold miseries of material existence because he is

influenced by the avidya [nescience] potency, which covers his

constitutional position.

PURPORT

This and the following verse are also quoted from the Visnu Purana (6.7.

62–63). For an explanation, see Madhya-lila, Chapter 6, verses 155–156.

Madhya 20.115

TEXT 115

TEXT

taya tirohitatvac ca

saktih ksetra-jna-samjnita

sarva-bhutesu bhu-pala

taratamyena vartate

SYNONYMS

taya -- by her; tirohitatvat -- from being under the influence; ca --

also; saktih -- the potency; ksetra-jna-ksetra-jna; samjnita -- known by

the name; sarva-bhutesu -- in different types of bodies; bhu-pala -- O

King; taratamyena -- in different degrees; vartate -- exists.

TRANSLATION

"‘This living entity, covered by the influence of nescience, exists in

different forms in the material condition. O King, he is thus

proportionately freed from the influence of the material energy, to

greater or lesser degrees.'

Madhya 20.116

TEXT 116

TEXT

apareyam itas tv anyam

prakrtim viddhi me param

jiva-bhutam maha-baho

yayedam dharyate jagat

SYNONYMS

apara -- inferior energy; iyam -- this material world; itah -- beyond

this; tu -- but; anyam -- another; prakrtim -- energy; viddhi -- you

must know; me -- of Me; param -- which is superior energy; jiva-bhutam --

they are the living entities; maha-baho -- O mighty-armed one; yaya --

by which; idam -- this material world; dharyate -- is being conducted;

jagat -- the cosmic manifestation.

TRANSLATION

"‘Besides these inferior energies, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is

another, superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities

who are exploiting the resources of this material, inferior nature.'

PURPORT

This is a verse from the Bhagavad-gita (7.5). For an explanation, see

Adi-lila, Chapter Seven, verse 118.

Madhya 20.117

TEXT 117

TEXT

krsna bhuli' sei jiva anadi-bahirmukha

ataeva maya tare deya samsara-duhkha

SYNONYMS

krsna bhuli' -- forgetting Krsna; sei jiva -- that living entity; anadi -

- from time immemorial; bahir-mukha -- attracted by the external feature;

ataeva -- therefore; maya -- illusory energy; tare -- to him; deya --

gives; samsara-duhkha -- miseries of material existence.

TRANSLATION

"Forgetting Krsna, the living entity has been attracted by the external

feature from time immemorial. Therefore the illusory energy [maya] gives

him all kinds of misery in his material existence.

PURPORT

When the living entity forgets his constitutional position as an eternal

servant of Krsna, he is immediately entrapped by the illusory, external

energy. The living entity is originally part and parcel of Krsna and is

therefore the superior energy of Krsna. He is endowed with inconceivable

minute energy that works inconceivably within the body. However, the

living entity, forgetting his position, is situated in material energy.

The living entity is called the marginal energy because by nature he is

spiritual but by forgetfulness he is situated in the material energy.

Thus he has the power to live either in the material energy or in the

spiritual energy, and for this reason he is called marginal energy.

Being in the marginal position, he is sometimes attracted by the

external, illusory energy, and this is the beginning of his material

life. When he enters the material energy, he is subjected to the

threefold time measurement -- past, present and future. Past, present

and future belong only to the material world; they do not exist in the

spiritual world. The living entity is eternal, and he existed before the

creation of this material world. Unfortunately he has forgotten his

relationship with Krsna. The living entity's forgetfulness is described

herein as anadi, which indicates that it has existed since time

immemorial. One should understand that due to his desire to enjoy

himself in competition with Krsna, the living entity comes into material

existence.

Madhya 20.118

TEXT 118

TEXT

kabhu svarge uthaya, kabhu narake dubaya

dandya-jane raja yena nadite cubaya

SYNONYMS

kabhu -- sometimes; svarge -- to higher planetary systems; uthaya -- he

rises; kabhu -- sometimes; narake -- in hellish conditions of life;

dubaya -- he is drowned; dandya-jane -- a criminal; raja -- a king; yena

-- as; nadite -- in the river; cubaya -- dunks.

TRANSLATION

"In the material condition, the living entity is sometimes raised to

higher planetary systems and material prosperity and sometimes drowned

in a hellish situation. His state is exactly like that of a criminal

whom a king punishes by submerging him in water and then raising him

again from the water.

PURPORT

In the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad (4.3.16) it is stated, asango hy ayam

purusah: the living entity is always free from the contamination of the

material world. One who is not materially infected and who does not

forget Krsna as his master is called nitya-mukta. In other words, one

who is eternally liberated from material contamination is called nitya-

mukta. From time immemorial the nitya-mukta living entity has always

been a devotee of Krsna, and his only attempt has been to serve Krsna.

Thus he never forgets his eternal servitorship to Krsna. Any living

entity who forgets his eternal relationship with Krsna is under the sway

of the material condition. Bereft of the Lord's transcendental loving

service, he is subjected to the reactions of fruitive activity. When he

is elevated to the higher planetary systems due to worldly pious

activities, he considers himself well situated, but when he is subjected

to punishment, he thinks himself improperly situated. Thus material

nature awards and punishes the living entity. When the living entity is

materially opulent, material nature is rewarding him. When he is

materially embarrassed, material nature is punishing him.

Madhya 20.119

TEXT 119

TEXT

bhayam dvitiyabhinivesatah syad

isad apetasya viparyayo ‘smrtih

tan-mayayato budha abhajet tam

bhaktyaikayesam guru-devatatma

SYNONYMS

bhayam -- fear; dvitiya-abhinivesatah -- from the misconception of being

a product of material energy; syat -- arises; isat -- from the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, Krsna; apetasya -- of one who has withdrawn (the

conditioned soul); viparyayah -- reversal of the position; asmrtih -- no

conception of his relationship with the Supreme Lord; tat-mayaya --

because of the illusory energy of the Supreme Lord; atah -- therefore;

budhah -- one who is wise; abhajet -- must worship; tam -- Him; bhaktya -

- by devotional service; ekaya -- undiverted to karma and jnana; isam --

the Supreme Personality of Godhead; guru -- as the spiritual master;

devata -- the worshipable Lord; atma -- the Supersoul.

TRANSLATION

"‘When the living entity is attracted by the material energy, which is

separate from Krsna, he is overpowered by fear. Because he is separated

from the Supreme Personality of Godhead by the material energy, his

conception of life is reversed. In other words, instead of being the

eternal servant of Krsna, he becomes Krsna's competitor. This is called

viparyayo ‘smrtih. To nullify this mistake, one who is actually learned

and advanced worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead as his

spiritual master, worshipful Deity and source of life. He thus worships

the Lord by the process of unalloyed devotional service.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.37). It is an

instruction given by Kavi Rsi, one of the nine saintly personalities

called the nine Yogendras. When Vasudeva, Krsna's father, asked Devarsi

Narada in Dvaraka about devotional service, it was mentioned that

previously King Nimi, who was the King of Videha, was instructed by the

nine Yogendras. When Sri Narada Muni discoursed on bhagavata-dharma,

devotional service, he indicated how a conditioned soul can be liberated

by engaging in the loving transcendental service of the Lord. The Lord

is the Supersoul, spiritual master and worshipable Deity of all

conditioned souls. Not only is Krsna the supreme worshipful Deity for

all living entities, but He is also the guru, or caittya-guru, the

Supersoul, who always gives the living entity good counsel.

Unfortunately the living entity neglects the Supreme Person's

instructions. He thus identifies with the material energy and is

consequently overpowered by a kind of fear resulting from accepting

himself as the material body and considering paraphernalia related to

the material body to be his property. All types of fruitive results

actually come from the spirit soul, but because he has forgotten his

real duty, he is embarrassed by many material consequences such as fear

and attachment. The only remedy is to revert to the service of the Lord

and thus be saved from material nature's unwanted harassment.

Madhya 20.120

TEXT 120

TEXT

sadhu-sastra-krpaya yadi krsnonmukha haya

sei jiva nistare, maya tahare chadaya

SYNONYMS

sadhu -- of saintly persons; sastra -- of scriptures; krpaya -- by the

mercy; yadi -- if; krsna-unmukha haya -- one becomes Krsna conscious;

sei -- that; jiva -- living entity; nistare -- becomes liberated; maya --

the illusory energy; tahare -- him; chadaya -- gives up.

TRANSLATION

"If the conditioned soul becomes Krsna conscious by the mercy of saintly

persons who voluntarily preach scriptural injunctions and help him to

become Krsna conscious, the conditioned soul is liberated from the

clutches of maya, who gives him up.

PURPORT

A conditioned soul is one who has forgotten Krsna as his eternal master.

Thinking that he is enjoying the material world, the conditioned soul

suffers the threefold miseries of material existence. Saintly persons (

sadhus), Vaisnava devotees of the Lord, preach Krsna consciousness on

the basis of the Vedic literature. It is only by their mercy that the

conditioned soul is awakened to Krsna consciousness. When awakened, he

is no longer eager to enjoy the materialistic way of life. Instead, he

devotes himself to the loving transcendental service of the Lord. When

one engages in the Lord's devotional service, he becomes detached from

material enjoyment:

bhaktih paresanubhavo viraktir

anyatra caisa trika eka-kalah

(SB 11.2.42)

This is the test by which one can tell whether he is advancing in

devotional service. One must be detached from material enjoyment. Such

detachment means that maya has actually given the conditioned soul

liberation from illusory enjoyment. When one is advanced in Krsna

consciousness, he does not consider himself as good as Krsna. Whenever

he thinks that he is the enjoyer of material advantages, he is

imprisoned in the bodily conception. However, when he is freed from the

bodily conception, he can engage in devotional service, which is his

actual position of freedom from the clutches of maya. This is all

explained in the following verse from the Bhagavad-gita (7.14).

Madhya 20.121

TEXT 121

TEXT

daivi hy esa guna-mayi

mama maya duratyaya

mam eva ye prapadyante

mayam etam taranti te

SYNONYMS

daivi -- belonging to the Supreme Lord; hi -- certainly; esa -- this;

guna-mayi -- made of the three modes; mama -- My; maya -- external

energy; duratyaya -- very difficult to surpass; mam -- unto Me; eva --

certainly; ye -- those who; prapadyante -- surrender fully; mayam --

illusory energy; etam -- this; taranti -- cross over; te -- they.

TRANSLATION

"‘This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material

nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me

can easily cross beyond it.'

Madhya 20.122

TEXT 122

TEXT

maya-mugdha jivera nahi svatah krsna-jnana

jivere krpaya kaila krsna veda-purana

SYNONYMS

maya-mugdha -- enchanted by the illusory energy; jivera -- of the

conditioned soul; nahi -- there is not; svatah -- automatically; krsna-

jnana -- knowledge of Krsna; jivere -- unto the conditioned soul; krpaya

-- out of mercy; kaila -- presented; krsna -- Lord Krsna; veda-purana --

the Vedic literature and the Puranas (supplements to the Vedic

literature).

TRANSLATION

"The conditioned soul cannot revive his Krsna consciousness by his own

effort. But out of causeless mercy, Lord Krsna compiled the Vedic

literature and its supplements, the Puranas.

PURPORT

A conditioned soul is bewildered by the Lord's illusory energy (maya).

Maya's business is to keep the conditioned soul forgetful of his real

relationship with Krsna. Thus the living entity forgets his real

identity as spirit soul, Brahman, and instead of realizing his factual

position thinks himself the product of the material energy. According to

Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.7.5):

yaya sammohito jiva atmanam tri-gunatmakam

paro 'pi manute 'nartham tat-krtam cabhipadyate

"Due to this external energy, the living entity, although transcendental

to the three modes of material nature, thinks of himself as a material

product and thus undergoes the reactions of material miseries."

This is a description of maya's action upon the conditioned soul.

Thinking himself a product of the material energy, the conditioned soul

engages in the service of the material energy in so many ways. He

becomes the servant of lust, anger, greed and envy. In this way one

totally becomes a servant of the illusory energy. Later, the bewildered

soul becomes a servant of mental speculation, but in any case he is

simply covered by the illusory energy. Out of His causeless mercy and

compassion, Krsna has compiled various Vedic literatures in His

incarnation as Vyasadeva. Vyasadeva is a saktyavesa-avatara of Lord

Krsna. He has very kindly presented these literatures to awaken the

conditioned soul to his senses. Unfortunately, at the present moment the

conditioned souls are guided by demons who do not care to read the Vedic

literatures. Although there is an immense treasure-house of knowledge,

people are engaged in reading useless literature that will give them no

information on how to get out of the clutches of maya. The purpose of

the Vedic literatures is explained in the following verses.

Madhya 20.123

TEXT 123

TEXT

‘sastra-guru-atma'-rupe apanare janana

‘krsna mora prabhu, trata' -- jivera haya jnana

SYNONYMS

sastra-guru-atma-rupe -- in the form of the Vedic literature, the

spiritual master and the Supersoul; apanare janana -- informs about

Himself; krsna -- Lord Krsna; mora -- my; prabhu -- Lord; trata --

deliverer; jivera -- of the conditioned soul; haya -- there is; jnana --

knowledge.

TRANSLATION

"The forgetful conditioned soul is educated by Krsna through the Vedic

literatures, the realized spiritual master and the Supersoul. Through

these, he can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead as He is,

and he can understand that Lord Krsna is his eternal master and

deliverer from the clutches of maya. In this way one can acquire real

knowledge of his conditioned life and can come to understand how to

attain liberation.

PURPORT

Being forgetful of his real position, the conditioned soul may take help

from sastra, guru and the Supersoul within his heart. Krsna is situated

within everyone's heart as the Supersoul. As stated in the Bhagavad-gita

(18.61):

isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese ‘rjuna tisthati

bhramayan sarva-bhutani yantrarudhani mayaya

"The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone's heart, O Arjuna, and is

directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a

machine made of the material energy."

As the saktyavesa-avatara Vyasadeva, Krsna teaches the conditioned soul

through the Vedic literatures. Krsna externally appears as the spiritual

master and trains the conditioned soul to come to Krsna consciousness.

When his original Krsna consciousness is revived, the conditioned soul

is delivered from the material clutches. Thus a conditioned soul is

always helped by the Supreme Personality of Godhead in three ways -- by

the scriptures, the spiritual master and the Supersoul within the heart.

The Lord is the deliverer of the conditioned soul and is accepted as the

Supreme Lord of all living entities. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita (18.

66):

sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja

aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah

"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall

deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear." This same

instruction is found throughout all Vedic literatures. Sadhu, sastra and

guru act as the representatives of Krsna, and the Krsna consciousness

movement is also taking place all over the universe. Whoever takes

advantage of this opportunity becomes liberated.

Madhya 20.124

TEXT 124

TEXT

veda-sastra kahe -- ‘sambandha', ‘abhidheya', ‘prayojana'

‘krsna' -- prapya sambandha, ‘bhakti' -- praptyera sadhana

SYNONYMS

veda-sastra kahe -- the Vedic literature instructs; sambandha -- the

conditioned soul's relationship with the Lord; abhidheya -- the

regulated activities of the conditioned soul for reviving that

relationship; prayojana -- and the ultimate goal of life to be attained

by the conditioned soul; krsna -- Lord Krsna; prapya -- to be awakened;

sambandha -- the original relationship; bhakti -- devotional service;

praptyera sadhana -- the means of attaining Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"The Vedic literatures give information about the living entity's

eternal relationship with Krsna, which is called sambandha. The living

entity's understanding of this relationship and his acting accordingly

is called abhidheya. Returning home, back to Godhead, is the ultimate

goal of life and is called prayojana.

Madhya 20.125

TEXT 125

TEXT

abhidheya-nama ‘bhakti', ‘prema' -- prayojana

purusartha-siromani prema maha-dhana

SYNONYMS

abhidheya -- activities to revive one's relationship; nama -- named;

bhakti -- devotional service; prema -- love of Godhead; prayojana -- the

ultimate goal of life; purusa-artha-siromani -- the topmost interest of

the living entity; prema -- love of Godhead; maha-dhana -- the greatest

wealth.

TRANSLATION

"Devotional service, or sense activity for the satisfaction of the Lord,

is called abhidheya because it can develop one's original love of

Godhead, which is the goal of life. This goal is the living entity's

topmost interest and greatest wealth. Thus one attains the platform of

transcendental loving service unto the Lord.

PURPORT

The conditioned soul is bewildered by the external, material energy,

which fully engages him in sense gratification in various ways. Due to

engagement in material activities, one's original Krsna consciousness is

covered. However, as the supreme father of all living entities, Krsna

wants His sons to return home, back to Godhead; therefore He personally

comes to deliver Vedic literatures like the Bhagavad-gita. He engages

His confidential servants who serve as spiritual masters and enlighten

the conditioned living entities. Being present in everyone's heart, the

Lord gives the living entities the conscience whereby they can accept

the Vedas and the spiritual master. In this way the living entity can

understand his constitutional position and his relationship with the

Supreme Lord. As personally enunciated by the Lord Himself in the

Bhagavad-gita (15.15), vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah: through the

study of Vedanta, one may become fully aware of his relationship with

the Supreme Lord and act accordingly. In this way one may ultimately

attain the platform of loving service to the Lord. It is in the living

entity's best interest to understand the Supreme Lord. Unfortunately,

the living entities have forgotten that this is in their best interest,

and therefore Srimad-Bhagavatam says, na te viduh svartha-gatim hi

visnum (SB 7.5.31).

Everyone wants to achieve life's ultimate goal, but due to being

absorbed in the material energy, we waste our time with sense

gratification. Through the study of Vedic literatures -- of which the

essence is the Bhagavad-gita -- one comes to Krsna consciousness. Thus

one engages in devotional service, called abhidheya. When the living

entity actually develops love of Godhead, he has reached the ultimate

goal, prayojana. In other words, one who becomes fully Krsna conscious

has attained the perfection of life.

Madhya 20.126

TEXT 126

TEXT

krsna-madhurya-sevananda-praptira karana

krsna-seva kare, ara krsna-rasa-asvadana

SYNONYMS

krsna-madhurya -- of an intimate relationship with Krsna; seva-ananda --

of pleasure from rendering service unto Him; praptira -- of achievement;

karana -- because; krsna-seva kare -- one renders service to Krsna; ara -

- and; krsna-rasa -- of the mellows of such service; asvadana -- tasting.

TRANSLATION

"When one attains the transcendental bliss of an intimate relationship

with Krsna, he renders service to Him and tastes the mellows of Krsna

consciousness.

Madhya 20.127

TEXT 127

TEXT

ihate drstanta -- yaiche daridrera ghare

‘sarvajna' asi' duhkha dekhi' puchaye tahare

SYNONYMS

ihate -- in this connection; drstanta -- the parable; yaiche -- just as;

daridrera ghare -- in the house of a poor man; sarva-jna -- an

astrologer; asi' -- coming; duhkha -- distressed condition; dekhi' --

seeing; puchaye tahare -- inquires from him.

TRANSLATION

"The following parable may be given. Once a learned astrologer came to

the house of a poor man and, seeing his distressed condition, questioned

him.

PURPORT

Sometimes we go to an astrologer or palmist when we are in a distressed

condition or when we want to know the future. The living entity in

conditioned life is always distressed by the threefold miseries of

material existence. Under the circumstances, he is inquisitive about his

position. For instance, Sanatana Gosvami approached the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, to ask Him why he was

in a distressed condition. This is the position of all conditioned souls.

We are always in a distressed condition, and an intelligent man

naturally becomes inquisitive. This position is called brahma-jijnasa.

Athato brahma jijnasa (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.1). Brahma here refers to the

Vedic literature. One should consult the Vedic literature to know why

the conditioned soul is always in a distressed condition. The Vedic

literatures are meant to free the conditioned soul from the miserable

conditions of material existence. In this chapter, the story of the

astrologer Sarvajna and the poor man is very instructive.

Madhya 20.128

TEXT 128

TEXT

‘tumi kene duhkhi, tomara ache pitr-dhana

tomare na kahila, anyatra chadila jivana"

SYNONYMS

tumi -- you; kene -- why; duhkhi -- distressed; tomara -- your; ache --

there is; pitr-dhana -- the riches of your father; tomare -- unto you;

na kahila -- he did not disclose; anyatra -- somewhere else; chadila --

gave up; jivana -- his life.

TRANSLATION

"The astrologer asked, ‘Why are you unhappy? Your father was very

wealthy, but he did not disclose his wealth to you because he died

elsewhere.'

Madhya 20.129

TEXT 129

TEXT

sarvajnera vakye kare dhanera uddese

aiche veda-purana jive ‘krsna' upadese

SYNONYMS

sarvajnera -- of the astrologer; vakye -- the words; kare -- make;

dhanera -- of the riches; uddese -- news; aiche -- similarly; veda-

purana -- Vedic literatures; jive -- unto the living entity, the

conditioned soul; krsna -- of Lord Krsna; upadese -- instructs.

TRANSLATION

"Just as the words of the astrologer Sarvajna gave news of the poor man'

s treasure, the Vedic literatures advise one about Krsna consciousness

when one is inquisitive to know why he is in a distressed material

condition.

Madhya 20.130

TEXT 130

TEXT

sarvajnera vakye mula-dhana anubandha

sarva-sastre upadese, ‘sri-krsna' -- sambandha

SYNONYMS

sarvajnera -- of the astrologer; vakye -- by the assurance; mula-dhana --

with the treasure; anubandha -- connection; sarva-sastre -- all Vedic

literatures; upadese -- instruct; sri-krsna -- Lord Sri Krsna, the

Supreme Personality of Godhead; sambandha -- the central connection.

TRANSLATION

"By the words of the astrologer, the poor man's connection with the

treasure was established. Similarly, the Vedic literature advises us

that our real connection is with Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of

Godhead.

PURPORT

In the Bhagavad-gita (7.26), Sri Krsna says:

vedaham samatitani vartamanani carjuna

bhavisyani ca bhutani mam tu veda na kascana

"O Arjuna, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I know everything that

has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all

things that are yet to come. I also know all living entities, but Me no

one knows."

Thus Krsna knows the cause of the distressed condition of the

conditioned soul. He therefore descends from His original position to

instruct the conditioned soul and inform him about his forgetfulness of

his relationship with Krsna. Krsna exhibits Himself in His relationships

in Vrndavana and at the Battle of Kuruksetra so that people will be

attracted to Him and will return home, back to Godhead. Krsna also says

in the Bhagavad-gita that He is the proprietor of all universes, the

enjoyer of everything that be and the friend of everyone. Bhoktaram

yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram/ suhrdam sarva-bhutanam (Bg. 5.29).

If we revive our original intimate relationship with Krsna, our

distressed condition in the material world will be mitigated. Everyone

is trying to adjust to the distressed conditions of material existence,

but the basic problems cannot be solved unless one is in an intimate

relationship with Krsna.

Madhya 20.131

TEXT 131

TEXT

‘bapera dhana ache' -- jnane dhana nahi paya

tabe sarvajna kahe tare praptira upaya

SYNONYMS

bapera dhana ache -- the father has some treasure; jnane -- by this

knowledge; dhana -- treasure; nahi paya -- one does not get; tabe --

then; sarva-jna -- the astrologer; kahe -- says; tare -- unto the poor

man; praptira upaya -- the means of getting the treasure.

TRANSLATION

"Although being assured of his father's treasure, the poor man cannot

acquire this treasure by such knowledge alone. Therefore the astrologer

had to inform him of the means whereby he could actually find the

treasure.

Madhya 20.132

TEXT 132

TEXT

‘ei sthane ache dhana' -- yadi daksine khudibe

‘bhimarula-baruli' uthibe, dhana na paibe

SYNONYMS

ei sthane -- at this place; ache -- is; dhana -- treasure; yadi -- if;

daksine -- on the southern side; khudibe -- you will dig; bhimarula-

baruli -- wasps and drones; uthibe -- will rise; dhana -- the riches; na

paibe -- you will not get.

TRANSLATION

"The astrologer said, ‘The treasure is in this place, but if you dig

toward the southern side, the wasps and drones will rise, and you will

not get your treasure.

Madhya 20.133

TEXT 133

TEXT

‘pascime' khudibe, taha ‘yaksa' eka haya

se vighna karibe, -- dhane hata na padaya

SYNONYMS

pascime -- on the western side; khudibe -- if you dig; taha -- there;

yaksa -- ghost; eka -- one; haya -- there is; se -- he; vighna karibe --

will create disturbances; dhane -- on the treasure; hata -- hand; na --

not; padaya -- touches.

TRANSLATION

"‘If you dig on the western side, there is a ghost who will create such

a disturbance that your hands will not even touch the treasure.

Madhya 20.134

TEXT 134

TEXT

‘uttare' khudile ache krsna ‘ajagare'

dhana nahi pabe, khudite gilibe sabare

SYNONYMS

uttare -- on the northern side; khudile -- if you dig; ache -- there is;

krsna -- black; ajagare -- snake; dhana -- treasure; nahi -- not; pabe --

you will get; khudite -- digging; gilibe -- will devour; sabare --

everyone.

TRANSLATION

"‘If you dig on the northern side, there is a big black snake that will

devour you if you attempt to dig up the treasure.

Madhya 20.135

TEXT 135

TEXT

purva-dike tate mati alpa khudite

dhanera jhari padibeka tomara hatete

SYNONYMS

purva-dike -- on the eastern side; tate -- there; mati -- the dirt; alpa

-- small quantity; khudite -- digging; dhanera -- of the treasure; jhari

-- the pot; padibeka -- you will get; tomara -- your; hatete -- in the

hands.

TRANSLATION

"‘However, if you dig up a small quantity of dirt on the eastern side,

your hands will immediately touch the pot of treasure.'

PURPORT

The Vedic literatures, including the Puranas, state that according to

the position of the conditioned soul, there are different processes --

karma-kanda, jnana-kanda, the yogic process and the bhakti-yoga process.

Karma-kanda is compared to wasps and drones that will simply bite if one

takes shelter of them. Jnana-kanda, the speculative process, is simply

like a ghost who creates mental disturbances. Yoga, the mystic process,

is compared to a black snake that devours people by the impersonal

cultivation of kaivalya. However, if one takes to bhakti-yoga, he

becomes quickly successful. In other words, through bhakti-yoga, one's

hands touch the hidden treasure without difficulty.

The goal of all the revealed scriptures and Vedic injunctions is Krsna,

as He Himself says in the Bhagavad-gita (15.15): vedais ca sarvair aham

eva vedyah. Since the Vedas enjoin one to search out Krsna and take

shelter at His lotus feet, and since no Vedic process but devotional

service will enable one to do this, one has to take to devotional

service. According to the Bhagavad-gita (18.55), only the bhakti process

is said to be definitive. Bhaktya mam abhijanati. This is the conclusive

statement of the Vedas, and one has to accept this process if one is

serious in searching for Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In

this connection, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura gives the

following statement. The eastern side represents devotional service to

Lord Krsna. The southern side represents the process of fruitive

activity (karma-kanda), which ends in material gain. The western side

represents jnana-kanda, the process of mental speculation, sometimes

called siddhi-kanda. The northern side

represents the speculative method, sometimes known as the

mystic yoga system. It is only the eastern side, devotional

service, that enables one to attain life's real goal. On the southern

side, there are fruitive activities, by which one is subject to the

punishment of Yamaraja. When one follows the system of fruitive activity,

his material desires remain prominent. Consequently the results of this

process are compared to wasps and drones. The living entity is bitten by

the wasps and drones of fruitive activity and thus suffers in material

existence birth after birth. One cannot become free from material

desires by following this process. The propensity for material enjoyment

never ends. Therefore the cycle of birth and death continues, and the

spirit soul suffers perpetually.

The mystic yoga process is compared to a black snake that devours the

living entity and injects him with poison. The ultimate goal of the yoga

system is to become one with the Absolute. This means finishing one's

personal existence. But the spiritual part and parcel of the Supreme

Personality of Godhead has an eternal individual existence. The Bhagavad-

gita confirms that the individual soul existed in the past, is existing

in the present and will continue to exist as an individual in the future.

Artificially trying to become one with the Absolute is suicidal. One

cannot annihilate his natural condition.

A yaksa, a protector of riches, will not allow anyone to take away

riches for enjoyment. Such a demon will simply create disturbances. In

other words, a devotee will not depend on his material resources but on

the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can give real

protection. This is called raksisyatiti visvasah or (in the Bengali

poetry of Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Saranagati) ‘avasya raksibe krsna' --

visvasa palana. The surrendered soul must accept the fact that his real

protector is Krsna, not his material acquisitions.

Considering all these points, devotional service to Krsna is the real

treasure house for the living entity. When one comes to the platform of

devotional service, he always remains opulent in the association of the

Supreme Personality of Godhead. One who is bereft of devotional service

is swallowed by the black snake of the yoga system and bitten by the

wasps and drones of fruitive activity, and he suffers consequent

material miseries. Sometimes the living entity is misled into trying to

merge into spiritual existence, thinking himself as good as the Supreme

Personality of Godhead. This means that when he comes to the spiritual

platform, he will be disturbed and will again return to the material

platform. According to Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.2.32):

ye 'nye 'ravindaksa vimukta-maninas

tvayy asta-bhavad avisuddha-buddhayah

aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah

patanty adho 'nadrta-yusmad-anghrayah

Such people may become sannyasis, but unless they take shelter of Krsna'

s lotus feet, they will return to the material platform to perform

philanthropic activities. In this way, one's spiritual life is lost.

This is to be understood as being devoured by the black snake.

Madhya 20.136

TEXT 136

TEXT

aiche sastra kahe, -- karma, jnana, yoga tyaji'

‘bhaktye' krsna vasa haya, bhaktye tanre bhaji

SYNONYMS

aiche -- in that way; sastra kahe -- the Vedic literatures confirm;

karma -- fruitive activities; jnana -- speculative knowledge; yoga --

the mystic yoga system; tyaji' -- giving up; bhaktye -- by devotional

service; krsna -- the Supreme Absolute Personality of Godhead; vasa haya

-- becomes satisfied; bhaktye -- by devotional service; tanre -- Him;

bhaji -- we worship.

TRANSLATION

"The revealed scriptures conclude that one should give up fruitive

activity, speculative knowledge and the mystic yoga system and instead

take to devotional service, by which Krsna can be fully satisfied.

Madhya 20.137

TEXT 137

TEXT

na sadhayati mam yogo

na sankhyam dharma uddhava

na svadhyayas tapas tyago

yatha bhaktir mamorjita

SYNONYMS

na -- never; sadhayati -- causes to remain satisfied; mam -- Me; yogah --

the process of control; na -- nor; sankhyam -- the process of gaining

philosophical knowledge about the Absolute Truth; dharmah -- such an

occupation; uddhava -- My dear Uddhava; na -- nor; svadhyayah -- study

of the Vedas; tapah -- austerities; tyagah -- renunciation, acceptance

of sannyasa, or charity; yatha -- as much as; bhaktih -- devotional

service; mama -- unto Me; urjita -- developed.

TRANSLATION

"[The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, said:] ‘My dear Uddhava,

neither through astanga-yoga [the mystic yoga system to control the

senses], nor through impersonal monism or an analytical study of the

Absolute Truth, nor through study of the Vedas, nor through austerities,

charity or acceptance of sannyasa can one satisfy Me as much as by

developing unalloyed devotional service unto Me.

PURPORT

This and the following verse are quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.14.20–

21). The explanation for this verse is given in Adi-lila 17.76.

Madhya 20.138

TEXT 138

TEXT

bhaktyaham ekaya grahyah

sraddhayatma priyah satam

bhaktih punati man-nistha

sva-pakan api sambhavat

SYNONYMS

bhaktya -- by devotional service; aham -- I, the Supreme Personality of

Godhead; ekaya -- unflinching; grahyah -- obtainable; sraddhaya -- by

faith; atma -- the most dear; priyah -- to be served; satam -- by the

devotees; bhaktih -- the devotional service; punati -- purifies; mat-

nistha -- fixed only on Me; sva-pakan -- the lowest of human beings, who

are accustomed to eating dogs; api -- certainly; sambhavat -- from all

faults due to birth and other circumstances.

TRANSLATION

"‘Being very dear to the devotees and sadhus, I am attained through

unflinching faith and devotional service. This bhakti-yoga system, which

gradually increases attachment for Me, purifies even a human being born

among dog-eaters. That is to say, everyone can be elevated to the

spiritual platform by the process of bhakti-yoga.'

Madhya 20.139

TEXT 139

TEXT

ataeva ‘bhakti' -- krsna-praptyera upaya

‘abhidheya' bali' tare sarva-sastre gaya

SYNONYMS

ataeva -- therefore; bhakti -- devotional service; krsna-praptyera -- of

achieving the lotus feet of Krsna; upaya -- the only means; abhidheya-

abhidheya; bali' -- calling; tare -- this system; sarva-sastre -- in all

revealed scriptures; gaya -- is described.

TRANSLATION

"The conclusion is that devotional service is the only means for

approaching the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This system is therefore

called abhidheya. This is the verdict of all revealed scriptures.

PURPORT

As Lord Krsna states in the Bhagavad-gita (18.55).

bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah

tato mam tattvato jnatva visate tad-anantaram

"One can understand Me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead,

only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of Me

by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God."

The aim of life is to get rid of the material conditioning and enter

into spiritual existence. Although the sastras prescribe different

methods for different men, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says that

one ultimately must accept the path of devotional service as the assured

path of spiritual advancement. Devotional service to the Lord is the

only process actually confirmed by the Lord. Sarva-dharman parityajya

mam ekam saranam vraja (Bg. 18.66). One must become a devotee if one

wants to return home, back to Godhead, and become eternally blissful.

Madhya 20.140

TEXT 140

TEXT

dhana paile yaiche sukha-bhoga phala paya

sukha-bhoga haite duhkha apani palaya

SYNONYMS

dhana paile -- when one gets riches; yaiche -- just as; sukha-bhoga --

enjoyment of happiness; phala -- result; paya -- one gets; sukha-bhoga --

real enjoyment of happiness; haite -- from; duhkha -- all distresses;

apani -- themselves; palaya -- run away.

TRANSLATION

"When one actually becomes rich, he naturally enjoys all kinds of

happiness. When one is actually in a happy mood, all distressful

conditions go away by themselves. No extraneous endeavor is needed.

Madhya 20.141

TEXT 141

TEXT

taiche bhakti-phale krsne prema upajaya

preme krsnasvada haile bhava nasa paya

SYNONYMS

taiche -- similarly; bhakti-phale -- by the result of devotional service;

krsne -- unto Lord Krsna; prema -- love; upajaya -- arises; preme -- in

devotional love; krsna-asvada -- tasting the association of Lord Krsna;

haile -- when there is; bhava -- the distress of the repetition of birth

and death; nasa -- annihilation; paya -- obtains.

TRANSLATION

"Similarly, as a result of bhakti, one's dormant love for Krsna awakens.

When one is so situated that he can taste the association of Lord Krsna,

material existence, the repetition of birth and death, comes to an end.

Madhya 20.142

TEXT 142

TEXT

daridrya-nasa, bhava-ksaya, -- premera ‘phala' naya

prema-sukha-bhoga -- mukhya prayojana haya

SYNONYMS

daridrya-nasa -- the end of poverty-stricken life; bhava-ksaya --

annihilation of material existence; premera -- of love of Godhead; phala

-- the result; naya -- certainly is not; prema-sukha-bhoga -- enjoyment

of the happiness of love of God; mukhya -- chief; prayojana -- goal of

life; haya -- is.

TRANSLATION

"The goal of love of Godhead is not to become materially rich or free

from material bondage. The real goal is to be situated in devotional

service to the Lord and to enjoy transcendental bliss.

PURPORT

The results of devotional service are certainly not material benefits or

liberation from material bondage. The goal of devotional service is to

be eternally situated in the loving service of the Lord and to enjoy

spiritual bliss from that service. One is said to be in a poverty-

stricken condition when one forgets the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

One has to end such a life of poverty in order to automatically end the

miserable conditions of material existence. One is automatically

liberated from material enjoyment when one tastes the service of Krsna.

One does not have to endeavor separately for opulence. Opulence

automatically comes to the pure devotee, even though he does not desire

material happiness.

Madhya 20.143

TEXT 143

TEXT

veda-sastre kahe sambandha, abhidheya, prayojana

krsna, krsna-bhakti, prema, -- tina maha-dhana

SYNONYMS

veda-sastre -- in the Vedic literature; kahe -- it is said; sambandha --

relationship; abhidheya -- execution; prayojana -- goal; krsna -- Lord

Krsna; krsna-bhakti -- devotional service to the Lord; prema -- love of

Godhead; tina -- these three; maha-dhana -- the supreme treasure.

TRANSLATION

"In the Vedic literatures, Krsna is the central point of attraction, and

His service is our activity. To attain the platform of love of Krsna is

life's ultimate goal. Therefore Krsna, Krsna's service and love of Krsna

are the three great riches of life.

Madhya 20.144

TEXT 144

TEXT

vedadi sakala sastre krsna -- mukhya sambandha

tanra jnane anusange yaya maya-bandha

SYNONYMS

veda-adi -- beginning with the Vedas; sakala -- all; sastre -- in the

revealed scriptures; krsna -- Lord Krsna; mukhya -- chief; sambandha --

central point or central attraction; tanra jnane -- by knowledge of Him;

anusange -- simultaneously; yaya -- goes away; maya-bandha -- the

bondage of material existence.

TRANSLATION

"In all revealed scriptures, beginning with the Vedas, the central point

of attraction is Krsna. When complete knowledge of Him is realized, the

bondage of maya, the illusory energy, is automatically broken.

Madhya 20.145

TEXT 145

TEXT

vyamohaya caracarasya jagatas te te puranagamas

tam tam eva hi devatam paramikam jalpantu kalpavadhi

siddhante punar eka eva bhagavan visnuh samastagama-

vyaparesu vivecana-vyatikaram nitesu nisciyate

SYNONYMS

vyamohaya -- to increase the illusion and ignorance; cara-acarasya -- of

all living entities, moving and nonmoving; jagatah -- of the world; te

te -- those respective; purana -- the supplementary Vedic literatures

called the Puranas; agamah -- and Vedas; tam tam -- that respective; eva

hi -- certainly; devatam -- demigod; paramikam -- as supreme; jalpantu --

let them speak about; kalpa-avadhi -- until the end of the millennium;

siddhante -- in conclusion; punah -- but; ekah -- one; eva -- only;

bhagavan -- Supreme Personality of Godhead; visnuh -- Lord Visnu;

samasta -- all; agama -- of the Vedas; vyaparesu -- in the dealings;

vivecana-vyatikaram -- to collective consideration; nitesu -- when

forcibly brought; nisciyate -- is established.

TRANSLATION

"‘There are many types of Vedic literatures and supplementary Puranas.

In each of them there are particular demigods who are spoken of as the

chief demigods. This is just to create an illusion for moving and

nonmoving living entities. Let them perpetually engage in such

imaginations. However, when one analytically studies all these Vedic

literatures collectively, he comes to the conclusion that Lord Visnu is

the one and only Supreme Personality of Godhead.'

PURPORT

This is a verse from the Padma Purana.

Madhya 20.146

TEXT 146

TEXT

mukhya-gauna-vrtti, kimva anvaya-vyatireke

vedera pratijna kevala kahaye krsnake

SYNONYMS

mukhya -- chief; gauna -- secondary; vrtti -- meaning; kimva -- or;

anvaya-vyatireke -- directly or indirectly; vedera pratijna -- ultimate

declaration of the Vedas; kevala -- only; kahaye -- speaks; krsnake --

about Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"When one accepts the Vedic literature by interpretation or even by

dictionary meaning, directly or indirectly the ultimate declaration of

Vedic knowledge points to Lord Krsna.

Madhya 20.147–148

TEXTS 147–148

TEXT

kim vidhatte kim acaste

kim anudya vikalpayet

ity asya hrdayam loke

nanyo mad veda kascana

mam vidhatte 'bhidhatte mam

vikalpyapohyate hy aham

etavan sarva-vedarthah

sabda asthaya mam bhidam

maya-matram anudyante

pratisidhya prasidati

SYNONYMS

kim -- what; vidhatte -- direct; kim -- what; acaste -- declare; kim --

what; anudya -- taking as the object; vikalpayet -- may conjecture; iti -

- thus; asyah -- of the Vedic literature; hrdayam -- intention; loke --

in this world; na -- not; anyah -- other; mat -- than Me; veda -- knows;

kascana -- anyone; mam -- Me; vidhatte -- they ordain; abhidhatte -- set

forth; mam -- Me; vikalpya -- speculating; apohyate -- am fixed; hi --

certainly; aham -- I; etavan -- of such measures; sarva-veda-arthah --

the purport of the Vedas; sabdah -- the Vedas; asthaya -- taking shelter

of; mam -- Me; bhidam -- different; maya -- illusory energy; matram --

only; anudya -- saying; ante -- at the end; pratisidhya -- driving away;

prasidati -- gets satisfaction.

TRANSLATION

"[Lord Krsna said:] ‘What is the purpose of all Vedic literatures? On

whom do they focus? Who is the object of all speculation? Outside of Me

no one knows these things. Now you should know that all these activities

are aimed at ordaining and setting forth Me. The purpose of the Vedic

literatures is to know Me by different speculations, either by indirect

understanding or by dictionary understanding. Everyone is speculating

about Me. The essence of all Vedic literatures is to distinguish Me from

maya. By considering the illusory energy, one comes to the platform of

understanding Me. In this way one becomes free from speculation about

the Vedas and comes to Me as the conclusion. Thus one is satisfied.'

PURPORT

These two verses are quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.21.42–43). When

Uddhava asked Krsna about the purpose of Vedic speculation, the Lord

informed him of the process of understanding the Vedic literature. The

Vedas are composed of karma-kanda, jnana-kanda and upasana-kanda. One

who analytically studies the purpose of the Vedas understands that by

karma-kanda, sacrificial activity, one comes to the conclusion of jnana-

kanda, speculative knowledge, and that after speculation one comes to

the conclusion that worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the

ultimate. When one comes to this conclusion, he becomes fully satisfied.

Madhya 20.149

TEXT 149

TEXT

krsnera svarupa -- ananta, vaibhava -- apara

cic-chakti, maya-sakti, jiva-sakti ara

SYNONYMS

krsnera svarupa -- the transcendental form of Krsna; ananta --

unlimitedly expanded; vaibhava -- opulence; apara -- unlimited; cit-

sakti -- internal potency; maya-sakti -- external potency; jiva-sakti --

marginal potency; ara -- and.

TRANSLATION

"The transcendental form of Lord Krsna is unlimited and also has

unlimited opulence. He possesses the internal potency, external potency

and marginal potency.

Madhya 20.150

TEXT 150

TEXT

vaikuntha, brahmanda-gana -- sakti-karya haya

svarupa-sakti sakti-karyera -- krsna samasraya

SYNONYMS

vaikuntha -- the spiritual world; brahmanda-gana -- universes of the

material world; sakti-karya haya -- they are all activities of Krsna's

potencies; svarupa-sakti -- of the internal potency; sakti-karyera -- of

the activities of the external potency; krsna -- Lord Krsna; samasraya --

the original source.

TRANSLATION

"The material and the spiritual world are transformations of Krsna's

external and internal potencies respectively. Therefore Krsna is the

original source of both the material and the spiritual manifestations.

Madhya 20.151

TEXT 151

TEXT

dasame dasamam laksyam

asritasraya-vigraham

sri-krsnakhyam param dhama

jagad-dhama namami tat

SYNONYMS

dasame -- in the Tenth Canto; dasamam -- the tenth subject matter;

laksyam -- to be seen; asrita -- of the sheltered; asraya -- of the

shelter; vigraham -- who is the form; sri-krsna-akhyam -- known as Lord

Sri Krsna; param -- supreme; dhama -- abode; jagat-dhama -- the abode of

the universes; namami -- I offer my obeisances; tat -- to Him.

TRANSLATION

"‘The Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam reveals the tenth object, the

Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the shelter of all surrendered

souls. He is known as Sri Krsna, and He is the ultimate source of all

the universes. Let me offer my obeisances unto Him.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from the Bhavartha-dipika, Sridhara Svami's

commentary on Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.1.1). In the Tenth Canto of Srimad-

Bhagavatam there is a description of the asraya-tattva, Sri Krsna. There

are two tattvas -- asraya-tattva and asrita-tattva. Asraya-tattva is the

objective, and asrita-tattva is the subjective. Since the lotus feet of

Lord Sri Krsna are the shelter of all devotees, Sri Krsna is called

param dhama. In the Bhagavad-gita (10.12) it is stated, param brahma

param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan. Everything is resting under the

lotus feet of Krsna. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.58) it is stated:

samasrita ye pada-pallava-plavam

mahat-padam punya-yaso murareh

Under the lotus feet of Sri Krsna, the entire mahat-tattva is existing.

Since everything is under Sri Krsna's protection, Sri Krsna is called

asraya-tattva. Everything else is called asrita-tattva. The material

creation is also called asrita-tattva. Liberation from material bondage

and the attainment of the spiritual platform are also asrita-tattva.

Krsna is the only asraya-tattva. In the beginning of the creation there

are Maha-Visnu, Garbhodakasayi Visnu and Ksirodakasayi Visnu. They are

also asraya-tattva. Krsna is the cause of all causes (sarva-karana-

karanam [Bs. 5.1]). To understand Krsna perfectly, one has to make an

analytical study of asraya-tattva and asrita-tattva.

Madhya 20.152

TEXT 152

TEXT

krsnera svarupa-vicara suna, sanatana

advaya-jnana-tattva, vraje vrajendra-nandana

SYNONYMS

krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; svarupa-vicara -- consideration of the eternal

form; suna -- please hear; sanatana -- My dear Sanatana; advaya-jnana-

tattva -- the Absolute Truth without duality; vraje -- in Vrndavana;

vrajendra-nandana -- the son of Nanda Maharaja.

TRANSLATION

"O Sanatana, please hear about the eternal form of Lord Krsna. He is the

Absolute Truth, devoid of duality but present in Vrndavana as the son of

Nanda Maharaja.

Madhya 20.153

TEXT 153

TEXT

sarva-adi, sarva-amsi, kisora-sekhara

cid-ananda-deha, sarvasraya, sarvesvara

SYNONYMS

sarva-adi -- origin of everything; sarva-amsi -- sum total of all parts

and parcels; kisora-sekhara -- the supreme youth; cit-ananda-deha -- a

body of spiritual blissfulness; sarva-asraya -- shelter of everyone;

sarva-isvara -- the master of everyone.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna is the original source of everything and the sum total of

everything. He appears as the supreme youth, and His whole body is

composed of spiritual bliss. He is the shelter of everything and master

of everyone.

PURPORT

Krsna is the origin of all visnu-tattvas, including Maha-Visnu,

Garbhodakasayi Visnu and Ksirodakasayi Visnu. He is the ultimate goal of

Vaisnava philosophy. Everything emanates from Him. His body is

completely spiritual and is the source of all spiritual being. Although

He is the source of everything, He Himself has no source. Advaitam

acyutam anadim ananta-rupam/ adyam purana-purusam nava-yauvanam ca [Bs.

5.33]. Although He is the supreme source of everyone, He is still always

a fresh youth.

Madhya 20.154

TEXT 154

TEXT

isvarah paramah krsnah

sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah

anadir adir govindah

sarva-karana-karanam

SYNONYMS

isvarah -- the controller; paramah -- supreme; krsnah -- Lord Krsna; sat

-- eternal existence; cit -- absolute knowledge; ananda -- absolute

bliss; vigrahah -- whose form; anadih -- without beginning; adih -- the

origin; govindah -- Lord Govinda; sarva-karana-karanam -- the cause of

all causes.

TRANSLATION

"‘Krsna, who is known as Govinda, is the supreme controller. He has an

eternal, blissful, spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no

other origin, for He is the prime cause of all causes.'

PURPORT

This is the first verse of the Fifth Chapter of the Brahma-samhita.

Madhya 20.155

TEXT 155

TEXT

svayam bhagavan krsna, ‘govinda' para nama

sarvaisvarya-purna yanra goloka -- nitya-dhama

SYNONYMS

svayam -- personally; bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead;

krsna -- Krsna; govinda -- Govinda; para nama -- another name; sarva-

aisvarya-purna -- full of all opulences; yanra -- whose; goloka --

Goloka Vrndavana; nitya-dhama -- eternal abode.

TRANSLATION

"The original Supreme Personality of Godhead is Krsna. His original name

is Govinda. He is full of all opulences, and His eternal abode is known

as Goloka Vrndavana.

Madhya 20.156

TEXT 156

TEXT

ete camsa-kalah pumsah

krsnas tu bhagavan svayam

indrari-vyakulam lokam

mrdayanti yuge yuge

SYNONYMS

ete -- these; ca -- and; amsa -- plenary portions; kalah -- parts of

plenary portions; pumsah -- of the purusa-avataras; krsnah -- Lord Krsna;

tu -- but; bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; svayam --

Himself; indra-ari -- the enemies of Lord Indra; vyakulam -- full of;

lokam -- the world; mrdayanti -- make happy; yuge yuge -- at the right

time in each age.

TRANSLATION

"‘All these incarnations of Godhead are either plenary portions or parts

of the plenary portions of the purusa-avataras. But Krsna is the Supreme

Personality of Godhead Himself. In every age He protects the world

through His different features when the world is disturbed by the

enemies of Indra.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.3.28). See also Adi-lila,

Chapter Two, verse 67.

Madhya 20.157

TEXT 157

TEXT

jnana, yoga, bhakti, -- tina sadhanera vase

brahma, atma, bhagavan -- trividha prakase

SYNONYMS

jnana -- knowledge; yoga -- mystic power; bhakti -- devotional service;

tina -- three; sadhanera -- of the processes of spiritual life; vase --

under the control; brahma -- impersonal Brahman; atma -- localized

Paramatma; bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tri-vidha

prakase -- three kinds of manifestation.

TRANSLATION

"There are three kinds of spiritual processes for understanding the

Absolute Truth -- the processes of speculative knowledge, mystic yoga

and bhakti-yoga. According to these three processes, the Absolute Truth

is manifested as Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan.

Madhya 20.158

TEXT 158

TEXT

vadanti tat tattva-vidas

tattvam yaj jnanam advayam

brahmeti paramatmeti

bhagavan iti sabdyate

SYNONYMS

vadanti -- they say; tat -- that; tattva-vidah -- learned souls; tattvam

-- the Absolute Truth; yat -- which; jnanam -- knowledge; advayam --

nondual; brahma -- Brahman; iti -- thus; paramatma -- Paramatma; iti --

thus; bhagavan -- Bhagavan; iti -- thus; sabdyate -- is known.

TRANSLATION

"‘Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this

nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.11).

Those who are interested in the impersonal Brahman effulgence, which is

not different from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can attain that

goal by speculative knowledge. Those who are interested in practicing

mystic yoga can attain the localized aspect of Paramatma. As stated in

the Bhagavad-gita (18.61), isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese ‘rjuna

tisthati: the Supreme Personality of Godhead is situated within the

heart as Paramatma. He witnesses the activities of the living entities

and gives them permission to act.

For a further explanation, see Adi-lila, Chapter Two, verse 11.

Madhya 20.159

TEXT 159

TEXT

brahma -- anga-kanti tanra, nirvisesa prakase

surya yena carma-cakse jyotirmaya bhase

SYNONYMS

brahma -- the impersonal Brahman effulgence; anga-kanti -- the bodily

rays; tanra -- of Him; nirvisesa -- without varieties; prakase --

manifestation; surya yena -- exactly like the sun; carma-cakse -- with

our ordinary material eyes; jyotih-maya -- simply effulgent; bhase --

appears.

TRANSLATION

"The manifestation of the impersonal Brahman effulgence, which is

without variety, is the rays of Krsna's bodily effulgence. It is exactly

like the sun. When the sun is seen by our ordinary eyes, it appears to

consist simply of effulgence.

Madhya 20.160

TEXT 160

TEXT

yasya prabha prabhavato jagad-anda-koti-

kotisv asesa-vasudhadi-vibhuti-bhinnam

tad brahma niskalam anantam asesa-bhutam

govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

SYNONYMS

yasya -- of whom; prabha -- the effulgence; prabhavatah -- of one who

excels in power; jagat-anda -- of universes; koti-kotisu -- in millions

and millions; asesa -- unlimited; vasudha-adi -- with planets and other

manifestations; vibhuti -- with opulences; bhinnam -- becoming

variegated; tat -- that; brahma -- Brahman; niskalam -- without parts;

anantam -- unlimited; asesa-bhutam -- being complete; govindam -- Lord

Govinda; adi-purusam -- the original person; tam -- Him; aham -- I;

bhajami -- worship.

TRANSLATION

"‘I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is endowed with great power.

The glowing effulgence of His transcendental form is the impersonal

Brahman, which is absolute, complete and unlimited and which displays

the varieties of countless planets, with their different opulences, in

millions and millions of universes.'

PURPORT

This verse is quoted from the Brahma-samhita (5.40). For an explanation,

refer to Adi-lila, Chapter Two, verse 14.

Madhya 20.161

TEXT 161

TEXT

paramatma yenho, tenho krsnera eka amsa

atmara ‘atma' haya krsna sarva-avatamsa

SYNONYMS

paramatma -- the Supersoul within the heart; yenho -- who; tenho -- He;

krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; eka -- one; amsa -- plenary portion; atmara --

of the soul; atma -- the soul; haya -- is; krsna -- Lord Krsna; sarva --

of everything; avatamsa -- source.

TRANSLATION

"The Paramatma, the Supersoul feature, is a plenary portion of the

Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the original soul of all living

entities. Krsna is the source of the Paramatma.

Madhya 20.162

TEXT 162

TEXT

krsnam enam avehi tvam

atmanam akhilatmanam

jagad-dhitaya so 'py atra

dehivabhati mayaya

SYNONYMS

krsnam -- in the Supreme Personality of Godhead; enam -- this; avehi --

just try to understand; tvam -- you; atmanam -- the soul; akhila-atmanam

-- of all living entities; jagat-hitaya -- the benefit of the whole

universe; sah -- He; api -- certainly; atra -- here; dehi -- a human

being; iva -- like; abhati -- appears; mayaya -- by His internal potency.

TRANSLATION

"‘You should know Krsna to be the original soul of all atmas [living

entities]. For the benefit of the whole universe, He has, out of His

causeless mercy, appeared as an ordinary human being. He has done this

by the strength of His own internal potency.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.55). Pariksit Maharaja

asked Sukadeva Gosvami why Krsna was so beloved by the residents of

Vrndavana, who loved Him even more than their own offspring or life

itself. At that time Sukadeva Gosvami replied that everyone's atma, or

soul, is very, very dear, especially to all living entities who have

accepted material bodies. But that atma, the spirit soul, is part and

parcel of Krsna. For this reason, Krsna is very dear to every living

entity. Everyone's body is very dear to oneself, and one wants to

protect the body by all means because within the body the soul is living.

Due to the intimate relationship between the soul and the body, the

body is important and dear to everyone. Similarly, the soul, being part

and parcel of Krsna, the Supreme Lord, is very, very dear to all living

entities. Unfortunately, the soul forgets his constitutional position

and thinks he is only the body (deha-atma-buddhi). Thus the soul is

subjected to the rules and regulations of material nature. When a living

entity, by his intelligence, reawakens his attraction for Krsna, he can

understand that he is not the body but part and parcel of Krsna. Thus

filled with knowledge, he no longer labors under attachment to the body

and everything related to the body. Janasya moho ‘yam aham mameti [SB 5.

5.8]. Material existence, wherein one thinks, "I am the body, and this

belongs to me," is also illusory. One must redirect his attraction to

Krsna. Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.7) states:

vasudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogah prayojitah

janayaty asu vairagyam jnanam ca yad ahaitukam

"By rendering devotional service unto the Personality of Godhead, Sri

Krsna, one immediately acquires causeless knowledge and detachment from

the world."

Madhya 20.163

TEXT 163

TEXT

atha va bahunaitena

kim jnatena tavarjuna

vistabhyaham idam krtsnam

ekamsena sthito jagat

SYNONYMS

atha va -- or; bahuna -- much; etena -- with this; kim -- what use;

jnatena -- being known; tava -- by you; arjuna -- O Arjuna; vistabhya --

pervading; aham -- I; idam -- this; krtsnam -- entire; eka-amsena --

with one portion; sthitah -- situated; jagat -- universe.

TRANSLATION

"‘But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With

a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from the Bhagavad-gita (10.42).

Madhya 20.164

TEXT 164

TEXT

‘bhaktye' bhagavanera anubhava -- purna-rupa

eka-i vigrahe tanra ananta svarupa

SYNONYMS

bhaktye -- by devotional service; bhagavanera -- of the Supreme

Personality of Godhead; anubhava -- perception; purna-rupa -- perfectly;

eka-i -- one; vigrahe -- in the transcendental form; tanra -- His;

ananta -- unlimited; svarupa -- expansions of plenary portions.

TRANSLATION

"Only by devotional activity can one understand the transcendental form

of the Lord, which is perfect in all respects. Although His form is one,

He can expand His form into unlimited numbers by His supreme will.

Madhya 20.165

TEXT 165

TEXT

svayam-rupa, tad-ekatma-rupa, avesa -- nama

prathamei tina-rupe rahena bhagavan

SYNONYMS

svayam-rupa -- the original form; tat-ekatma-rupa -- the same form,

nondifferent from svayam-rupa; avesa -- especially empowered; nama --

named; prathamei -- in the beginning; tina-rupe -- in three forms;

rahena -- remains; bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

TRANSLATION

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead exists in three principal forms --

svayam-rupa, tad-ekatma-rupa and avesa-rupa.

PURPORT

Srila Rupa Gosvami has described the svayam-rupa in his Laghu-

bhagavatamrta, Purva-khanda, verse 12: ananyapeksi yad rupam svayam-

rupah sa ucyate. "The form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead that

does not depend on other forms is called the svayam-rupa, the original

form." This form is also described in Srimad-Bhagavatam: krsnas tu

bhagavan svayam (1.3.28). "Krsna is the original form of the Supreme

Personality of Godhead." That Krsna's form as a cowherd boy in Vrndavana

is the original form of the Personality of Godhead (svayam-rupa) is

confirmed in the Brahma-samhita (5.1):

isvarah paramah krsnah sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah

anadir adir govindah sarva-karana-karanam

There is nothing superior to Govinda. He is the ultimate source and the

cause of all causes. This is also confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita (7.7),

where the Lord says, mattah parataram nanyat: "There is no truth

superior to Me."

The tad-ekatma-rupa forms are also described in the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (

Purva-khanda, verse 14):

yad rupam tad-abhedena svarupena virajate

akrtyadibhir anyadrk sa tad-ekatma-rupakah

"The tad-ekatma-rupa forms exist simultaneously with the svayam-rupa

form and are nondifferent. At the same time, their bodily features and

specific activities appear to be different." The tad-ekatma-rupa forms

are divided into two categories -- svamsa and vilasa.

Lord Krsna's avesa forms are also explained in the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (

Purva 18):

jnana-sakty-adi-kalaya yatravisto janardanah

ta avesa nigadyante jiva eva mahattamah

"A living entity who is specifically empowered by the Lord with

knowledge or strength is technically called avesa-rupa." As stated in

the Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya 7.11), krsna-sakti vina nahe tara

pravartana: Unless a devotee is specifically empowered by the Lord, he

cannot preach the holy name of the Lord all over the world. This is an

explanation of the word avesa-rupa.

Madhya 20.166

TEXT 166

TEXT

'svayam-rupa' ‘svayam-prakasa' -- dui rupe sphurti

svayam-rupe -- eka ‘krsna' vraje gopa-murti

SYNONYMS

svayam-rupa -- the original form of the Lord; svayam-prakasa -- the

personal manifestation; dui rupe -- in two forms; sphurti -- exhibition;

svayam-rupe -- in the original form; eka -- one; krsna -- Krsna, the

Supreme Personality of Godhead; vraje -- in Vrndavana; gopa-murti -- the

cowherd boy.

TRANSLATION

"The original form of the Lord [svayam-rupa] is exhibited in two forms --

svayam-rupa and svayam-prakasa. In His original form as svayam-rupa,

Krsna is observed as a cowherd boy in Vrndavana.

Madhya 20.167

TEXT 167

TEXT

‘prabhava-vaibhava'-rupe dvividha prakase

eka-vapu bahu rupa yaiche haila rase

SYNONYMS

prabhava-prabhava; vaibhava-vaibhava; rupe -- in forms; dvi-vidha

prakase -- twofold manifestations; eka-vapu -- the same original form;

bahu rupa -- expanded into unlimited numbers; yaiche -- like; haila --

it was; rase -- while dancing in the rasa dance with the gopis.

TRANSLATION

"In His original form, Krsna manifests Himself in two features --

prabhava and vaibhava. He expands His one original form into many, as He

did during the rasa-lila dance.

Madhya 20.168

TEXT 168

TEXT

mahisi-vivahe haila bahu-vidha murti

‘prabhava prakasa' -- ei sastra-parasiddhi

SYNONYMS

mahisi-vivahe -- in the matter of marrying 16,108 wives at Dvaraka;

haila -- there were; bahu-vidha murti -- many forms; prabhava prakasa --

called prabhava-prakasa; ei -- this; sastra-parasiddhi -- determined by

reference to the revealed scriptures.

TRANSLATION

"When the Lord married 16,108 wives at Dvaraka, He expanded Himself into

many forms. These expansions and the expansions at the rasa dance are

called prabhava-prakasa, according to the directions of revealed

scriptures.

Madhya 20.169

TEXT 169

TEXT

saubhary-adi-praya sei kaya-vyuha naya

kaya-vyuha haile naradera vismaya na haya

SYNONYMS

saubhari-adi -- beginning with the sage named Saubhari; praya -- like;

sei -- that; kaya-vyuha -- the expansion of one's body; naya -- is not;

kaya-vyuha -- expansions of the body; haile -- if there are; naradera --

of Narada Muni; vismaya -- the astonishment; na haya -- there cannot be.

TRANSLATION

"The prabhava-prakasa expansions of Lord Krsna are not like the

expansions of the sage Saubhari. Had they been so, Narada would not have

been astonished to see them.

Madhya 20.170

TEXT 170

TEXT

citram bataitad ekena

vapusa yugapat prthak

grhesu dvy-asta-sahasram

striya eka udavahat

SYNONYMS

citram -- wonderful; bata -- oh; etat -- this; ekena -- with one; vapusa

-- form; yugapat -- simultaneously; prthak -- separately; grhesu -- in

the houses; dvi-asta-sahasram -- sixteen thousand; striyah -- all the

queens; ekah -- the one Sri Krsna; udavahat -- married.

TRANSLATION

"‘It is astounding that Lord Sri Krsna, who is one without a second,

expanded Himself in sixteen thousand similar forms to marry sixteen

thousand queens in their respective homes.'

PURPORT

This verse is spoken by Narada Muni in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.69.2).

Madhya 20.171

TEXT 171

TEXT

sei vapu, sei akrti prthak yadi bhase

bhavavesa-bhede nama ‘vaibhava-prakase'

SYNONYMS

sei vapu -- that form; sei akrti -- that feature; prthak -- different;

yadi -- if; bhase -- appears; bhava-avesa -- of the ecstatic emotion;

bhede -- according to varieties; nama -- named; vaibhava-prakase --

vaibhava-prakasa.

TRANSLATION

"If one form or feature is differently manifested according to different

emotional features, it is called vaibhava-prakasa.

Madhya 20.172

TEXT 172

TEXT

ananta prakase krsnera nahi murti-bheda

akara-varna-astra-bhede nama-vibheda

SYNONYMS

ananta prakase -- in innumerable manifestations; krsnera -- of Lord

Krsna; nahi -- there is not; murti-bheda -- difference of form; akara --

of features; varna -- of color; astra -- of weapons; bhede -- according

to differentiation; nama-vibheda -- difference of names.

TRANSLATION

"When the Lord expands Himself in innumerable forms, there is no

difference in the forms, but due to different features, bodily colors

and weapons, the names are different.

Madhya 20.173

TEXT 173

TEXT

anye ca samskrtatmano

vidhinabhihitena te

yajanti tvan-mayas tvam vai

bahu-murty eka-murtikam

SYNONYMS

anye -- different persons; ca -- also; samskrta-atmanah -- persons who

are purified; vidhina -- by the regulative principles; abhihitena --

stated in the revealed scriptures; te -- such persons; yajanti --

worship; tvat-mayah -- being absorbed in You; tvam -- You; vai --

certainly; bahu-murti -- having many forms; eka-murtikam -- although one.

TRANSLATION

"‘In different Vedic scriptures, there are prescribed rules and

regulative principles for worshiping different types of forms. When one

is purified by these rules and regulations, he worships You, the Supreme

Personality of Godhead. Although manifested in many forms, You are one.'

PURPORT

This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.40.7). In the Vedas it

is stated that the one becomes many (eko bahu syam). The Supreme

Personality of Godhead expands Himself in various forms -- visnu-tattva,

jiva-tattva and sakti-tattva.

According to the Vedic literatures, there are different regulative

principles for the worship of each of these forms. If one takes

advantage of the Vedic literatures and purifies himself by following the

rules and regulations, ultimately he worships the Supreme Personality of

Godhead, Krsna. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita (4.11): mama

vartmanuvartante manusyah partha sarvasah. Worship of the demigods is in

a sense worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but such worship

is said to be avidhi-purvakam, improper. Actually demigod worship is

meant for unintelligent men. One who is intelligent considers the words

of the Supreme Personality of Godhead: sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam

saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. One who worships demigods worships the

Supreme Lord indirectly, but according to the revealed scriptures, there

is no need to worship Him indirectly. One can worship Him directly.

Madhya 20.174

TEXT 174

TEXT

vaibhava-prakasa krsnera -- sri-balarama

varna-matra-bheda, saba -- krsnera samana

SYNONYMS

vaibhava-prakasa -- manifestation of the vaibhava feature; krsnera -- of

Lord Krsna; sri-balarama -- Sri Balarama; varna-matra -- color only;

bheda -- difference; saba -- everything; krsnera samana -- equal to

Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"The first manifestation of the vaibhava feature of Krsna is Sri

Balaramaji. Sri Balarama and Krsna have different bodily colors, but

otherwise Sri Balarama is equal to Krsna in all respects.

PURPORT

To understand the difference between svayam-rupa, tad-ekatma-rupa, avesa,

prabhava and vaibhava, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has given the

following description. In the beginning, Krsna has three bodily features:

(1) svayam-rupa, as a cowherd boy in Vrndavana; (2) tad-ekatma-rupa,

which is divided into svamsaka and vilasa; and (3) avesa-rupa. The

svamsaka, or expansions of the personal potency, are (1) Karanodakasayi,

Garbhodakasayi, Ksirodakasayi and (2) incarnations such as the fish,

tortoise, boar and Nrsimha. The vilasa-rupa has a prabhava division,

including Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. There is also a

vaibhava division, in which there are twenty-four forms, including the

second Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. For each of these,

there are three forms; therefore there are twelve forms altogether.

These twelve forms constitute the predominant names for the twelve

months of the year as well as the twelve tilaka marks on the body. Each

of the four Personalities of Godhead expands into two other forms; thus

there are eight forms, such as Purusottama, Acyuta, etc. The four forms (

Vasudeva, etc.), the twelve (Kesava, etc.), and the eight (Purusottama,

etc.) all together constitute twenty-four forms. The forms are

differently named in accordance with the placement of the weapons They

hold in Their four hands.

Madhya 20.175

TEXT 175

TEXT

vaibhava-prakasa yaiche devaki-tanuja

dvibhuja-svarupa kabhu, kabhu haya caturbhuja

SYNONYMS

vaibhava-prakasa -- the feature of vaibhava-prakasa; yaiche -- just as;

devaki-tanuja -- the son of Devaki; dvi-bhuja -- two-handed; svarupa --

form; kabhu -- sometimes; kabhu -- sometimes; haya -- is; catur-bhuja --

four-handed.

TRANSLATION

"An example of vaibhava-prakasa is the son of Devaki. He sometimes has

two hands and sometimes four hands.

PURPORT

When Lord Krsna took His birth, He appeared outside the womb as four-

handed Visnu. Then Devaki and Vasudeva offered their prayers to Him and

asked Him to assume His two-handed form. The Lord immediately assumed

His two-handed form and ordered that He be transferred to Gokula, on the

other side of the river Yamuna.

Madhya 20.176

TEXT 176

TEXT

ye-kale dvibhuja, nama -- vaibhava-prakasa

caturbhuja haile, nama -- prabhava-prakasa

SYNONYMS

ye-kale dvi-bhuja -- when the Lord appears as two-handed; nama -- named;

vaibhava-prakasa -- vaibhava-prakasa; catur-bhuja haile -- when He

becomes four-handed; nama -- named; prabhava-prakasa -- prabhava-prakasa.

TRANSLATION

"When the Lord is two-handed He is called vaibhava-prakasa, and when He

is four-handed He is called prabhava-prakasa.

Madhya 20.177

TEXT 177

TEXT

svayam-rupera gopa-vesa, gopa-abhimana

vasudevera ksatriya-vesa, ‘ami -- ksatriya'-jnana

SYNONYMS

svayam-rupera -- of the original form; gopa-vesa -- the dress of a

cowherd boy; gopa-abhimana -- thinking Himself a cowherd boy; vasudevera

-- of Vasudeva, the son of Vasudeva and Devaki; ksatriya-vesa -- the

dress is like that of a ksatriya; ami -- I; ksatriya -- a ksatriya;

jnana -- knowledge.

TRANSLATION

"In His original form, the Lord dresses like a cowherd boy and thinks

Himself one. When He appears as Vasudeva, the son of Vasudeva and Devaki,

His dress and consciousness are those of a ksatriya, a warrior.

Madhya 20.178

TEXT 178

TEXT

saundarya, aisvarya, madhurya, vaidagdhya-vilasa

vrajendra-nandane iha adhika ullasa

SYNONYMS

saundarya -- the beauty; aisvarya -- the opulence; madhurya -- the

sweetness; vaidagdhya-vilasa -- the intellectual pastimes; vrajendra-

nandane -- of the son of Nanda Maharaja and Yasoda; iha -- all these;

adhika ullasa -- more jubilant.

TRANSLATION

"When one compares the beauty, opulence, sweetness and intellectual

pastimes of Vasudeva, the warrior, to Krsna, the cowherd boy, son of

Nanda Maharaja, one sees that Krsna's attributes are more pleasant.

Madhya 20.179

TEXT 179

TEXT

govindera madhuri dekhi' vasudevera ksobha

se madhuri asvadite upajaya lobha

SYNONYMS

govindera -- of Lord Govinda; madhuri -- the sweetness; dekhi' -- seeing;

vasudevera -- of Vasudeva; ksobha -- agitation; se-that; madhuri --

sweetness; asvadite -- to taste; upajaya -- awakens; lobha -- greed.

TRANSLATION

"Indeed, Vasudeva is agitated just to see the sweetness of Govinda, and

a transcendental greed awakens in Him to enjoy that sweetness.

Madhya 20.180

TEXT 180

TEXT

udgirnadbhuta-madhuri-parimalasyabhira-lilasya me

dvaitam hanta samiksayan muhur asau citriyate caranah

cetah keli-kutuhalottaralitam satyam sakhe mamakam

yasya preksya svarupatam vraja-vadhu-sarupyam anvicchati

SYNONYMS

udgirna -- overflowing; adbhuta -- wonderful; madhuri -- sweetness;

parimalasya -- whose fragrance; abhira -- of a cowherd boy; lilasya --

who has pastimes; me -- My; dvaitam -- second form; hanta -- alas;

samiksayan -- showing; muhuh -- again and again; asau -- that; citriyate

-- is acting like a picture; caranah -- dramatic actor; cetah -- heart;

keli-kutuhala -- by longing for pastimes; uttaralitam -- greatly excited;

satyam -- actually; sakhe -- O dear friend; mamakam -- My; yasya -- of

whom; preksya -- by seeing; svarupatam -- similarity to My form; vraja-

vadhu -- of the damsels of Vrajabhumi; sarupyam -- a form like the forms;

anvicchati -- desires.

TRANSLATION

"‘My dear friend, this dramatic actor appears like a second form of My

own self. Like a picture, He displays My pastimes as a cowherd boy

overflowing with wonderfully attractive sweetness and fragrance, which

are so dear to the damsels of Vraja. When I see such a display, My heart

becomes greatly excited. I long for such pastimes and desire a form

exactly like that of the damsels of Vraja.'

PURPORT

This verse is found in the Lalita-madhava (4.19). It was spoken by

Vasudeva in Dvaraka.

Madhya 20.181

TEXT 181

TEXT

mathuraya yaiche gandharva-nrtya-darasane

punah dvarakate yaiche citra-vilokane

SYNONYMS

mathuraya -- at Mathura; yaiche -- just as; gandharva-nrtya -- the dance

of the Gandharvas; darasane -- by seeing; punah -- again; dvarakate --

at Dvaraka; yaiche -- just as; citra-vilokane -- by seeing a picture of

Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"One instance of Vasudeva's attraction to Krsna occurred when Vasudeva

saw the Gandharva dance at Mathura. Another instance occurred in Dvaraka

when Vasudeva was surprised to see a picture of Krsna.

Madhya 20.182

TEXT 182

TEXT

aparikalita-purvah kas camatkara-kari

sphuratu mama gariyan esa madhurya-purah

ayam aham api hanta preksya yam lubdha-cetah

sarabhasam upabhoktum kamaye radhikeva

SYNONYMS

aparikalita -- not experienced; purvah -- previously; kah -- who;

camatkara-kari -- causing wonder; sphuratu -- manifests; mama -- My;

gariyan -- more great; esah -- this; madhurya-purah -- abundance of

sweetness; ayam -- this; aham -- I; api -- even; hanta -- alas; preksya -

- seeing; yam -- which; lubdha-cetah -- My mind being bewildered;

sarabhasam -- impetuously; upabhoktum -- to enjoy; kamaye -- desire;

radhika iva -- like Srimati Radharani.

TRANSLATION

"‘Who manifests an abundance of sweetness greater than Mine, which has

never been experienced before and which causes wonder to all? Alas, I

Myself, My mind bewildered upon seeing this beauty, impetuously desire

to enjoy it like Srimati Radharani.'

PURPORT

This verse spoken by Vasudeva in Dvaraka is also recorded by Srila Rupa

Gosvami in his Lalita-madhava (8.34).

Madhya 20.183

TEXT 183

TEXT

sei vapu bhinnabhase kichu bhinnakara

bhavavesakrti-bhede ‘tad-ekatma' nama tanra

SYNONYMS

sei vapu -- that body; bhinna-abhase -- manifested differently; kichu --

some; bhinna-akara -- bodily differences; bhava-avesa-akrti -- forms and

transcendental emotions; bhede -- by different; tat-ekatma nama -- the

name is tad-ekatma; tanra -- of Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"When that body is a little differently manifested and its features are

a little different in transcendental emotion and form, it is called tad-

ekatma.

Madhya 20.184

TEXT 184

TEXT

tad-ekatma-rupe ‘vilasa', ‘svamsa' -- dui bheda

vilasa, svamsera bhede vividha vibheda

SYNONYMS

tat-ekatma-rupe -- in the form of tad-ekatma; vilasa -- pastime; svamsa -

- personal expansion; dui bheda -- two divisions; vilasa -- of the

pastime expansion; svamsera -- of the personal expansion; bhede -- by

differences; vividha -- various; vibheda -- distinctions.

TRANSLATION

"In the tad-ekatma-rupa there are pastime expansions [vilasa] and

personal expansions [svamsa]. Consequently there are two divisions.

According to pastime and personal expansion, there are various

differences.

PURPORT

The Lord's vilasa expansions are described in the following verse from

the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (1.15):

svarupam anyakaram yat tasya bhati vilasatah

prayenatma-samam saktya sa vilaso nigadyate

"When the Lord displays numerous forms with different features by His

inconceivable potency, such forms are called vilasa-vigrahas."

The Lord's svamsa expansions are also described in the Laghu-

bhagavatamrta (1.17):

tadrso nyuna-saktim yo vyanakti svamsa iritah

sankarsanadir matsyadir yatha tat-tat-svadhamasu

When a form of Krsna is nondifferent from the original form but is less

important and exhibits less potency, it is called svamsa. Examples of

svamsa expansions can be found in the quadruple forms of the Lord

residing in Their respective places, beginning with Sankarsana, Vasudeva,

Pradyumna and Aniruddha, and also in the purusa-avataras, lila-avataras,

manvantara-avataras and yuga-avataras.

Madhya 20.185

TEXT 185

TEXT

prabhava-vaibhava-bhede vilasa -- dvidhakara

vilasera vilasa-bheda -- ananta prakara

SYNONYMS

prabhava-vaibhava-bhede -- by the differences between prabhava and

vaibhava; vilasa -- pastime expansion; dvidha-akara -- twofold; vilasera

-- of pastime forms; vilasa-bheda -- by the different pastimes; ananta

prakara -- unlimited varieties.

TRANSLATION

"Again the vilasa forms are divided into twofold categories -- prabhava

and vaibhava. Again the pastimes of these forms are of unlimited variety.

Madhya 20.186

TEXT 186

TEXT

prabhava-vilasa -- vasudeva, sankarsana

pradyumna, aniruddha, -- mukhya cari-jana

SYNONYMS

prabhava-vilasa -- the prabhava-vilasa forms; vasudeva -- Vasudeva;

sankarsana -- Sankarsana; pradyumna -- Pradyumna; aniruddha -- Aniruddha;

mukhya cari-jana -- the four chief expansions.

TRANSLATION

"The chief quadruple expansions are named Vasudeva, Sankarsana,

Pradyumna and Aniruddha. These are called prabhava-vilasa.

Madhya 20.187

TEXT 187

TEXT

vraje gopa-bhava ramera, pure ksatriya-bhavana

varna-vesa-bheda, tate ‘vilasa' tanra nama

SYNONYMS

vraje -- in Vrndavana; gopa-bhava -- emotion of a cowherd boy; ramera --

of Balarama; pure -- in Dvaraka; ksatriya-bhavana -- the emotion of a

ksatriya; varna-vesa-bheda -- by differences of dress and color; tate --

therefore; vilasa -- pastime expansion; tanra nama -- His name.

TRANSLATION

"Balarama, who has the same original form as Krsna, is Himself a cowherd

boy in Vrndavana, and He also considers Himself a member of the ksatriya

race in Dvaraka. Thus His color and dress are different, and He is

called a pastime form of Krsna.

Madhya 20.188

TEXT 188

TEXT

vaibhava-prakase ara prabhava-vilase

eka-i murtye baladeva bhava-bhede bhase

SYNONYMS

vaibhava-prakase -- in vaibhava manifestation; ara -- and; prabhava-

vilase -- in the prabhava pastime form; eka-i murtye -- in one form;

baladeva -- Lord Baladeva; bhava-bhede -- according to different

emotions; bhase -- exists.

TRANSLATION

"Sri Balarama is a vaibhava-prakasa manifestation of Krsna. He is also

manifested in the original quadruple expansions of Vasudeva, Sankarsana,

Pradyumna and Aniruddha. These are prabhava-vilasa expansions with

different emotions.

Madhya 20.189

TEXT 189

TEXT

adi-catur-vyuha -- inhara keha nahi sama

ananta catur-vyuha-ganera prakatya-karana

SYNONYMS

adi-catur-vyuha -- the original quadruple group; inhara -- of this; keha

nahi -- no one; sama -- equal; ananta -- unlimited; catur-vyuha-ganera --

of the quadruple expansions; prakatya -- of manifestation; karana --

the cause.

TRANSLATION

"The first expansion of the caturvyuha, quadruple forms, is unique.

There is nothing to compare with Them. These quadruple forms are the

source of unlimited quadruple forms.

Madhya 20.190

TEXT 190

TEXT

krsnera ei cari prabhava-vilasa

dvaraka-mathura-pure nitya inhara vasa

SYNONYMS

krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; ei -- these; cari -- four; prabhava-vilasa --

prabhava pastime forms; dvaraka-mathura-pure -- in the two cities

Dvaraka and Mathura; nitya -- eternal; inhara -- of Them; vasa -- the

residential quarters.

TRANSLATION

"These four prabhava pastime forms of Lord Krsna reside eternally in

Dvaraka and Mathura.

Madhya 20.191

TEXT 191

TEXT

ei cari haite cabbisa murti parakasa

astra-bhede nama-bheda -- vaibhava-vilasa

SYNONYMS

ei cari haite -- from these four; cabbisa -- twenty-four; murti -- forms;

parakasa -- manifestation; astra-bhede -- according to the different

weapons; nama-bheda -- the difference of names; vaibhava-vilasa -- the

vaibhava pastime expansions.

TRANSLATION

"From the original quadruple expansions, twenty-four forms are

manifested. They differ according to the placement of the weapons in

Their four hands. They are called vaibhava-vilasa.

Madhya 20.192

TEXT 192

TEXT

punah krsna catur-vyuha lana purva-rupe

paravyoma-madhye vaise narayana-rupe

SYNONYMS

punah -- again; krsna -- Krsna; catur-vyuha -- the quadruple expansions;

lana -- taking; purva-rupe -- as previously; paravyoma-madhye -- in the

paravyoma area; vaise -- resides; narayana-rupe -- in the form of four-

handed Narayana.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Krsna again expands, and within the paravyoma, the spiritual sky,

He is situated in fullness as the four-handed Narayana, accompanied by

expansions of the original quadruple form.

PURPORT

At the top of the paravyoma, the spiritual sky, there is Goloka

Vrndavana, which is divided into three parts. Two of the parts, called

Mathura and Dvaraka, are the residences of Krsna in His prabhava-vilasa

forms. Balarama, Krsna's vaibhava-prakasa, is eternally situated in

Gokula. From the quadruple prabhava-vilasa, twenty-four forms of the

vaibhava-vilasa are expanded. Each has four hands holding weapons in

different positions. The topmost planet in the spiritual sky is Goloka

Vrndavana, and below that planet is the spiritual sky itself. In that

spiritual sky, Krsna Himself is four-handed and is situated as Narayana.

Madhya 20.193

TEXT 193

TEXT

tanha haite punah catur-vyuha-parakasa

avarana-rupe cari-dike yanra vasa

SYNONYMS

tanha haite -- from that original catur-vyuha; punah -- again; catur-

vyuha-parakasa -- manifestation of quadruple expansions; avarana-rupe --

in the form of a covering; cari-dike -- in four directions; yanra --

whose; vasa -- residence.

TRANSLATION

"Thus the original quadruple forms again manifest Themselves in a second

set of quadruple expansions. The residences of these second quadruple

expansions cover the four directions.

Madhya 20.194

TEXT 194

TEXT

cari-janera punah prthak tina tina murti

kesavadi yaha haite vilasera purti

SYNONYMS

cari-janera -- of the original of the four expansions; punah -- again;

prthak -- separate; tina tina -- three each; murti -- forms; kesava-adi -

- beginning with Lord Kesava; yaha haite -- from which; vilasera purti --

the vilasa expansions are fulfilled.

TRANSLATION

"Again these quadruple forms expand three times, beginning with Kesava.

That is the fulfillment of the pastime forms.

Madhya 20.195

TEXT 195

TEXT

cakradi-dharana-bhede nama-bheda saba

vasudevera murti -- kesava, narayana, madhava

SYNONYMS

cakra-adi -- of the disc and other weapons; dharana -- of holding; bhede

-- by differences; nama -- of names; bheda -- differences; saba -- all;

vasudevera murti -- the expansions of Vasudeva; kesava -- Kesava;

narayana -- Narayana; madhava -- Madhava.

TRANSLATION

"Out of the catur-vyuha, there are three expansions of each and every

form, and They are named differently according to the position of the

weapons. The Vasudeva expansions are Kesava, Narayana and Madhava.

Madhya 20.196

TEXT 196

TEXT

sankarsanera murti -- govinda, visnu, madhusudana

e anya govinda -- nahe vrajendra-nandana

SYNONYMS

sankarsanera murti -- the expansions of Sankarsana; govinda -- Govinda;

visnu -- Visnu; madhusudana -- Madhusudana; e -- this; anya -- another;

govinda -- Govinda; nahe vrajendra-nandana -- not the son of Nanda

Maharaja.

TRANSLATION

"The expansions of Sankarsana are Govinda, Visnu and Madhusudana. This

Govinda is different from the original Govinda, for He is not the son of

Maharaja Nanda.

Madhya 20.197

TEXT 197

TEXT

pradyumnera murti -- trivikrama, vamana, sridhara

aniruddhera murti -- hrsikesa, padmanabha, damodara

SYNONYMS

pradyumnera murti -- expansions of the form of Pradyumna; trivikrama --

Trivikrama; vamana -- Vamana; sridhara -- Sridhara; aniruddhera murti --

expansions of Aniruddha; hrsikesa -- Hrsikesa; padmanabha -- Padmanabha;

damodara -- Damodara.

TRANSLATION

"The expansions of Pradyumna are Trivikrama, Vamana and Sridhara. The

expansions of Aniruddha are Hrsikesa, Padmanabha and Damodara.

Madhya 20.198

TEXT 198

TEXT

dvadasa-masera devata -- ei-bara jana

margasirse -- kesava, pause -- narayana

SYNONYMS

dvadasa-masera -- of the twelve months; devata -- predominating Deities;

ei -- these; bara jana -- twelve Personalities of Godhead; marga-sirse --

the month of Agrahayana (November–December); kesava -- Kesava; pause --

the month of Pausa (December–January); narayana -- Narayana.

TRANSLATION

"These twelve are the predominating Deities of the twelve months. Kesava

is the predominating Deity of Agrahayana, and Narayana is the

predominating Deity of Pausa.

Madhya 20.199

TEXT 199

TEXT

maghera devata -- madhava, govinda -- phalgune

caitre -- visnu, vaisakhe -- sri-madhusudana

SYNONYMS

maghera devata -- the predominating Deity of the month of Magha (January-

February); madhava -- Madhava; govinda -- Govinda; phalgune -- in the

month of Phalguna (February-March); caitre -- in the month of Caitra (

March-April); visnu -- Lord Visnu; vaisakhe -- in the month of Vaisakha (

April-May); sri-madhusudana -- Madhusudana.

TRANSLATION

"The predominating Deity of the month of Magha is Madhava, and the

predominating Deity of the month of Phalguna is Govinda. Visnu is the

predominating Deity of Caitra, and Madhusudana is the predominating

Deity of Vaisakha.

Madhya 20.200

TEXT 200

TEXT

jyaisthe -- trivikrama, asadhe -- vamana devesa

sravane -- sridhara, bhadre -- deva hrsikesa

SYNONYMS

jyaisthe -- in the month of Jyaistha (May–June); trivikrama --

Trivikrama; asadhe -- in the month of Asadha (June–July); vamana deva-

isa -- Lord Vamana; sravane -- in the month of Sravana (July–August);

sridhara -- Sridhara; bhadre -- in the month of Bhadra (August–September)

; deva hrsikesa -- Lord Hrsikesa.

TRANSLATION

"In the month of Jyaistha, the predominating Deity is Trivikrama. In

Asadha the Deity is Vamana, in Sravana the Deity is Sridhara, and in

Bhadra the Deity is Hrsikesa.

Madhya 20.201

TEXT 201

TEXT

asvine -- padmanabha, kartike damodara

‘radha-damodara' anya vrajendra-konara

SYNONYMS

asvine -- in the month of Asvina (September–October); padmanabha --

Padmanabha; kartike -- in the month of Kartika (October–November);

damodara -- Damodara; radha-damodara -- the Damodara of Srimati

Radharani; anya -- another; vrajendra-konara -- the son of Maharaja

Nanda.

TRANSLATION

"In the month of Asvina, the predominating Deity is Padmanabha, and in

Kartika it is Damodara. This Damodara is different from Radha-Damodara,

the son of Nanda Maharaja in Vrndavana.

Madhya 20.202

TEXT 202

TEXT

dvadasa-tilaka-mantra ei dvadasa nama

acamane ei name sparsi tat-tat-sthana

SYNONYMS

dvadasa-tilaka -- for twelve marks of tilaka; mantra -- the mantra; ei --

these; dvadasa nama -- twelve names; acamane -- in washing with water;

ei name -- with these names; sparsi -- we touch; tat-tat-sthana -- the

respective places.

TRANSLATION

"When putting the twelve tilaka marks on the twelve places of the body,

one has to chant the mantra consisting of these twelve Visnu names.

After daily worship, when one anoints the different parts of the body

with water, these names should be chanted as one touches each part of

the body.

PURPORT

While marking the body with tilaka, one should chant the following

mantra, which consists oftwelve names of Lord Visnu:

lalate kesavam dhyayen narayanam athodare

vaksah-sthale madhavam tu govindam kantha-kupake

visnum ca daksine kuksau bahau ca madhusudanam

trivikramam kandhare tu vamanam vama-parsvake

sridharam vama-bahau tu hrsikesam tu kandhare

prsthe ca padmanabham ca katyam damodaram nyaset

"When one marks the forehead with tilaka, he must remember Kesava. When

one marks the lower abdomen, he must remember Narayana. For the chest,

one should remember Madhava, and when marking the hollow of the neck one

should remember Govinda. Lord Visnu should be remembered while marking

the right side of the belly, and Madhusudana should be remembered when

marking the right arm. Trivikrama should be remembered when marking the

right shoulder, and Vamana should be remembered when marking the left

side of the belly. Sridhara should be remembered while marking the left

arm, and Hrsikesa should be remembered when marking the left shoulder.

Padmanabha and Damodara should be remembered when marking the back."

Madhya 20.203

TEXT 203

TEXT

ei cari-janera vilasa-murti ara asta lana

tan sabara nama kahi, suna sanatana

SYNONYMS

ei cari-janera -- of the four personalities; vilasa-murti -- pastime

forms; ara -- more; asta jana -- eight personalities; tan sabara -- of

all of Them; nama -- the holy names; kahi -- I shall mention; suna --

hear; sanatana -- O Sanatana.

TRANSLATION

"From Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha, there are eight

additional pastime expansions. O Sanatana, please hear Me as I mention

Their names.

Madhya 20.204

TEXT 204

TEXT

purusottama, acyuta, nrsimha, janardana

hari, krsna, adhoksaja, upendra, -- asta-jana

SYNONYMS

purusottama -- Purusottama; acyuta -- Acyuta; nrsimha -- Nrsimha;

janardana -- Janardana; hari -- Hari; krsna -- Krsna; adhoksaja --

Adhoksaja; upendra -- Upendra; asta-jana -- eight persons.

TRANSLATION

"The eight pastime expansions are Purusottama, Acyuta, Nrsimha,

Janardana, Hari, Krsna, Adhoksaja and Upendra.

Madhya 20.205

TEXT 205

TEXT

vasudevera vilasa dui -- adhoksaja, purusottama

sankarsanera vilasa -- upendra, acyuta dui-jana

SYNONYMS

vasudevera vilasa -- the pastime expansions of Vasudeva; dui -- two;

adhoksaja -- Adhoksaja; purusottama -- Purusottama; sankarsanera vilasa -

- the pastime expansions of Sankarsana; upendra -- Upendra; acyuta --

Acyuta; dui-jana -- the two persons.

TRANSLATION

"Of these eight expansions, two are pastime forms of Vasudeva. Their

names are Adhoksaja and Purusottama. The two pastime forms of Sankarsana

are Upendra and Acyuta.

Madhya 20.206

TEXT 206

TEXT

pradyumnera vilasa -- nrsimha, janardana

aniruddhera vilasa -- hari, krsna dui-jana

SYNONYMS

pradyumnera vilasa -- the pastime forms of Pradyumna; nrsimha -- Nrsimha;

janardana -- Janardana; aniruddhera vilasa -- the pastime forms of

Aniruddha; hari -- Hari; krsna -- Krsna; dui-jana -- the two persons.

TRANSLATION

"The pastime forms of Pradyumna are Nrsimha and Janardana, and the

pastime forms of Aniruddha are Hari and Krsna.

Madhya 20.207

TEXT 207

TEXT

ei cabbisa murti -- prabhava-vilasa pradhana

astra-dharana-bhede dhare bhinna bhinna nama

SYNONYMS

ei cabbisa murti -- all of these twenty-four forms; prabhava-vilasa --

pastime forms of the prabhava expansions; pradhana -- chief; astra-

dharana -- of holding the weapons; bhede -- in terms of differences;

dhare -- accept; bhinna bhinna -- separate from one another; nama --

names.

TRANSLATION

"All these twenty-four forms constitute the chief prabhava-vilasa

pastime forms of the Lord. They are named differently according to the

position of the weapons in Their hands.

Madhya 20.208

TEXT 208

TEXT

inhara madhye yahara haya akara-vesa-bheda

sei sei haya vilasa-vaibhava-vibheda

SYNONYMS

inhara madhye -- out of Them all; yahara -- of whom; haya -- there is;

akara -- of bodily features; vesa -- of dress; bheda -- difference; sei

sei haya -- They are; vilasa-vaibhava -- of vaibhava-vilasa; vibheda --

the difference.

TRANSLATION

"Of all these, the forms that differ in dress and features are

distinguished as vaibhava-vilasa.

Madhya 20.209

TEXT 209

TEXT

padmanabha, trivikrama, nrsimha, vamana

hari, krsna adi haya ‘akare' vilaksana

SYNONYMS

padmanabha -- Padmanabha; trivikrama -- Trivikrama; nrsimha -- Nrsimha;

vamana -- Vamana; hari -- Hari; krsna -- Krsna; adi -- and so on; haya --

are; akare vilaksana -- different in bodily features.

TRANSLATION

"Of Them, Padmanabha, Trivikrama, Nrsimha, Vamana, Hari, Krsna and so on

all have different bodily features.

Madhya 20.210

TEXT 210

TEXT

krsnera prabhava-vilasa -- vasudevadi cari jana

sei cari-janara vilasa -- vimsati ganana

SYNONYMS

krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; prabhava-vilasa -- prabhava pastime forms;

vasudeva-adi -- Vasudeva and others; cari jana -- quadruple expansions;

sei -- those; cari-janara -- of the four personalities; vilasa --

pastime forms; vimsati ganana -- counted as twenty.

TRANSLATION

"Vasudeva and the three others are direct prabhava pastime forms of Lord

Krsna. Of these quadruple forms, the pastime expansions are twenty in

number.

Madhya 20.211

TEXT 211

TEXT

inha-sabara prthak vaikuntha -- paravyoma-dhame

purvadi asta-dike tina tina krame

SYNONYMS

inha -- of Them; sabara -- of all; prthak -- separate; vaikuntha -- a

Vaikuntha planet; paravyoma-dhame -- in the spiritual world; purva-adi --

beginning from the east; asta-dike -- in the eight directions; tina

tina -- three in each; krame -- in consecutive order.

TRANSLATION

"All these forms preside over different Vaikuntha planets in the

spiritual world, beginning from the east in consecutive order. In

each of the eight directions, there are three different

forms.

Madhya 20.212

TEXT 212

TEXT

yadyapi paravyoma sabakara nitya-dhama

tathapi brahmande karo kanho sannidhana

SYNONYMS

yadyapi -- although; paravyoma -- the spiritual sky; sabakara -- of all

of Them; nitya-dhama -- the eternal abode; tathapi -- still; brahmande --

in the material universes; karo -- of some of Them; kanho -- somewhere;

sannidhana -- the residential places.

TRANSLATION

"Although They all have Their residences eternally in the spiritual sky,

some of Them are situated within the material universes.

Madhya 20.213

TEXT 213

TEXT

paravyoma-madhye narayanera nitya-sthiti

paravyoma-upari krsnalokera vibhuti

SYNONYMS

paravyoma-madhye -- in the spiritual sky; narayanera -- of Narayana;

nitya-sthiti -- eternal residence; paravyoma-upari -- in the upper

portion of the spiritual sky; krsna-lokera vibhuti -- the opulence of

the Krsnaloka planet.

TRANSLATION

"There is an eternal residence of Narayana in the spiritual sky. In the

upper portion of the spiritual sky is a planet known as Krsnaloka, which

is filled with all opulences.

Madhya 20.214

TEXT 214

TEXT

eka ‘krsnaloka' haya trividha-prakara

gokulakhya, mathurakhya, dvarakakhya ara

SYNONYMS

eka -- one; krsna-loka -- the planet known as Krsnaloka; haya -- there

is; tri-vidha-prakara -- in three different divisions; gokula-akhya --

Gokula; mathura-akhya -- Mathura; dvaraka-akhya -- Dvaraka; ara -- and.

TRANSLATION

"The planet of Krsnaloka is divided into three sections -- Gokula,

Mathura and Dvaraka.

Madhya 20.215

TEXT 215

TEXT

mathurate kesavera nitya sannidhana

nilacale purusottama -- ‘jagannatha' nama

SYNONYMS

mathurate -- in Mathura; kesavera -- of Lord Kesava; nitya -- eternal;

sannidhana -- residence; nilacale -- in Nilacala (Jagannatha Puri);

purusottama -- Purusottama; jagannatha nama -- also known as Jagannatha.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Kesava eternally resides at Mathura, and Lord Purusottama, known

by the name Jagannatha, eternally resides at Nilacala.

Madhya 20.216

TEXT 216

TEXT

prayage madhava, mandare sri-madhusudana

anandaranye vasudeva, padmanabha janardana

SYNONYMS

prayage -- at Prayaga; madhava -- Bindu Madhava; mandare -- at Mandara-

parvata; sri-madhusudana -- Sri Madhusudana; ananda-aranye -- at the

place known as Anandaranya; vasudeva -- Lord Vasudeva; padmanabha --

Lord Padmanabha; janardana -- Lord Janardana.

TRANSLATION

"At Prayaga, the Lord is situated as Bindu Madhava, and at Mandara-

parvata, the Lord is known as Madhusudana. Vasudeva, Padmanabha and

Janardana reside at Anandaranya.

Madhya 20.217

TEXT 217

TEXT

visnu-kancite visnu, hari rahe, mayapure

aiche ara nana murti brahmanda-bhitare

SYNONYMS

visnu-kancite -- at Visnu-kanci; visnu -- Lord Visnu; hari -- Lord Hari;

rahe -- remains; mayapure -- at Mayapur; aiche -- similarly; ara -- also;

nana -- various; murti -- forms; brahmanda-bhitare -- throughout the

universe.

TRANSLATION

"At Visnu-kanci there is Lord Visnu, at Mayapur Lord Hari, and

throughout the universe a variety of other forms.

PURPORT

All of these forms are murti forms, and They are worshiped in the

temples. Their names are Kesava at Mathura, Purusottama or Jagannatha at

Nilacala, Sri Bindu Madhava at Prayaga, Madhusudana at Mandara, and

Vasudeva, Padmanabha and Janardana at Anandaranya, which is situated in

Kerala, South India. At Visnu-kanci is Lord Varadaraja, and Hari is

situated at Mayapur, Lord Caitanya's birth site. Thus in different

places throughout the universe there are various Deities in temples

bestowing Their causeless mercy upon the devotees. All these Deity forms

are nondifferent from the murtis in the spiritual world of the

Vaikunthas. Although the arca-murti, the worshipable Deity form of the

Lord, appears to be made of material elements, it is as good as the

spiritual forms found in the spiritual Vaikunthalokas. The Deity in the

temple, however, is visible to the material eyes of the devotee. It is

not possible for one in material, conditioned life to see the spiritual

form of the Lord. To bestow causeless mercy upon us, the Lord appears as

the arca-murti so that we can see Him. It is forbidden to consider the

arca-murti to be made of stone or wood. In the Padma Purana it is said:

arcye visnau sila-dhir gurusu nara-matir vaisnave jati-buddhir

visnor va vaisnsnavanam kali-mala-mathane pada-tirthe 'mbu-buddhih

sri-visnor namni mantre sakala-kalusa-he sabda-samanya-buddhir

visnau sarvesvarese tad-itara-sama-dhir yasya va naraki sah

No one should consider the Deity in the temple to be made of stone or

wood, nor should one consider the spiritual master an ordinary human

being. No one should consider a Vaisnava to belong to a particular caste

or creed, and no one should consider caranamrta or Ganges water to be

like ordinary water. Nor should anyone consider the Hare Krsna maha-

mantra to be a material vibration. All these expansions of Krsna in the

material world are simply demonstrations of the Lord's mercy and

willingness to give facility to His devotees who are engaged in His

devotional service within the material world.

Madhya 20.218

TEXT 218

TEXT

ei-mata brahmanda-madhye sabara ‘parakasa'

sapta-dvipe nava-khande yanhara vilasa

SYNONYMS

ei-mata -- in this way; brahmanda-madhye -- within this universe; sabara

-- of all of Them; parakasa -- manifestations; sapta-dvipe -- on seven

islands; nava-khande -- in different sections, nine in number; yanhara

vilasa -- the pastimes of whom.

TRANSLATION

"Within the universe the Lord is situated in different spiritual

manifestations. These are situated on seven islands in nine sections.

Thus Their pastimes are going on.

PURPORT

The seven islands are mentioned in the Siddhanta-siromani:

bhumer ardham ksara-sindhor udak-stham

jambu-dvipam prahur acarya-varyah

ardhe 'nyasmin dvipa-satkasya yamye

ksara-ksirady-ambudhinam nivesah

sakam tatah salmalam atra kausam

krauncam ca gomedaka-puskare ca

dvayor dvayor antaram ekam ekam

samudrayor dvipam udaharanti

The seven islands (dvipas) are known as (1) Jambu, (2) Saka, (3) Salmali,

(4) Kusa, (5) Kraunca, (6) Gomeda, or Plaksa, and (7) Puskara. The

planets are called dvipas. Outer space is like an ocean of air. Just as

there are islands in the watery ocean, these planets in the ocean of

space are called dvipas, or islands in outer space. There are nine

khandas, known as (1) Bharata, (2) Kinnara, (3) Hari, (4) Kuru, (5)

Hiranmaya, (6) Ramyaka, (7) Ilavrta, (8) Bhadrasva and (9) Ketumala.

These are different parts of Jambudvipa. A valley between two mountains

is called a khanda or varsa.

Madhya 20.219

TEXT 219

TEXT

sarvatra prakasa tanra -- bhakte sukha dite

jagatera adharma nasi' dharma sthapite

SYNONYMS

sarvatra -- everywhere; prakasa -- manifestations; tanra -- His; bhakte -

- to the devotees; sukha dite -- to give happiness; jagatera -- of the

material world; adharma -- irreligious principles; nasi' -- destroying;

dharma -- religious principles; sthapite -- to establish.

TRANSLATION

"The Lord is situated in all the universes in different forms just to

please His devotees. Thus the Lord destroys irreligious principles and

establishes religious principles.

PURPORT

In the material world, the Lord is situated in different arca-murtis (

Deities) in the temples just to decrease the material activities of the

conditioned soul and increase his spiritual activities. Particularly in

India there are many temples throughout the country. Devotees may take

advantage of them and go see the Lord at Jagannatha Puri, Vrndavana,

Prayaga, Mathura, Hardwar and Visnu-kanci. When the devotees travel to

these places and see the Lord, they become very happy in devotional

service.

Madhya 20.220

TEXT 220

TEXT

inhara madhye karo haya ‘avatare' ganana

yaiche visnu, trivikrama, nrsimha, vamana

SYNONYMS

inhara madhye -- of Them; karo -- of some; haya -- there is; avatare --

as incarnations; ganana -- counting; yaiche -- as; visnu -- Lord Visnu;

trivikrama -- Lord Trivikrama; nrsimha -- Lord Nrsimha; vamana -- Lord

Vamana.

TRANSLATION

"Of these forms, some are considered incarnations. Examples are Lord

Visnu, Lord Trivikrama, Lord Nrsimha and Lord Vamana.

Madhya 20.221

TEXT 221

TEXT

astra-dhrti-bheda -- nama-bhedera karana

cakradi-dharana-bheda suna, sanatana

SYNONYMS

astra-dhrti -- of holding the weapons; bheda -- difference; nama-bhedera

-- of differences of names; karana -- the cause; cakra-adi -- of weapons,

beginning with the disc; dharana -- of holding; bheda -- differences;

suna -- please hear; sanatana -- O Sanatana.

TRANSLATION

"My dear Sanatana, just hear from Me as I tell you how the different

visnu-murtis hold Their weapons, beginning with the disc, and how They

are named differently according to the placement of the weapons in Their

hands.

Madhya 20.222

TEXT 222

TEXT

daksinadho hasta haite vamadhah paryanta

cakradi astra-dharana-gananara anta

SYNONYMS

daksina-adhah -- the lower right; hasta -- hand; haite -- from; vama-

adhah -- the lower left hand; paryanta -- up to; cakra-adi -- beginning

with the disc; astra-dharana -- of holding the weapons; gananara -- of

counting; anta -- the end.

TRANSLATION

"The procedure for counting begins with the lower right hand and goes to

the upper right hand, the upper left hand, and the lower left hand. Lord

Visnu is named according to the order of the weapons He holds in His

hands.

Madhya 20.223

TEXT 223

TEXT

siddhartha-samhita kare cabbisa murti ganana

tara mate kahi age cakradi-dharana

SYNONYMS

siddhartha-samhita -- the revealed scripture named the Siddhartha-

samhita; kare -- does; cabbisa -- twenty-four; murti -- forms; ganana --

counting; tara mate -- according to the opinion of Siddhartha-samhita;

kahi -- I shall describe; age -- first; cakra-adi-dharana -- holding of

the weapons, beginning with the disc.

TRANSLATION

"According to the Siddhartha-samhita there are twenty-four forms of Lord

Visnu. First I shall describe, according to the opinion of that book,

the location of the weapons, beginning with the disc.

PURPORT

The twenty-four forms are (1) Vasudeva, (2) Sankarsana, (3) Pradyumna, (

4) Aniruddha, (5) Kesava, (6) Narayana, (7) Madhava, (8) Govinda, (9)

Visnu, (10) Madhusudana, (11) Trivikrama, (12) Vamana, (13) Sridhara, (

14) Hrsikesa, (15) Padmanabha, (16) Damodara, (17) Purusottama, (18)

Acyuta, (19) Nrsimha, (20) Janardana, (21) Hari, (22) Krsna, (23)

Adhoksaja and (24) Upendra.

Madhya 20.224

TEXT 224

TEXT

vasudeva -- gada-sankha-cakra-padma-dhara

sankarsana -- gada-sankha-padma-cakra-kara

SYNONYMS

vasudeva -- Vasudeva; gada -- club; sankha -- conchshell; cakra -- disc;

padma -- lotus flower; dhara -- holding; sankarsana -- Sankarsana; gada -

- club; sankha -- conchshell; padma -- lotus flower; cakra-kara -- the

disc in the hand.

TRANSLATION

"In His lower right hand, Lord Vasudeva holds a club, in the upper right

hand a conchshell, in the upper left hand a disc and in the lower left

hand a lotus flower. In His lower right hand, Sankarsana holds a club,

in His upper right hand a conchshell, in His upper left hand a lotus

flower and in His lower left hand a disc.

Madhya 20.225

TEXT 225

TEXT

pradyumna -- cakra-sankha-gada-padma-dhara

aniruddha -- cakra-gada-sankha-padma-kara

SYNONYMS

pradyumna -- Lord Pradyumna; cakra -- disc; sankha -- conch; gada --

club; padma -- lotus; dhara -- holding; aniruddha -- Lord Aniruddha;

cakra -- disc; gada -- club; sankha -- conch; padma-kara -- lotus flower

in hand.

TRANSLATION

"Pradyumna holds the disc, conch, club and lotus. Aniruddha holds the

disc, club, conch and lotus.

Madhya 20.226

TEXT 226

TEXT

paravyome vasudevadi -- nija nija astra-dhara

tanra mata kahi, ye-saba astra-kara

SYNONYMS

para-vyome -- in the spiritual sky; vasudeva-adi -- beginning with Lord

Vasudeva; nija nija -- Their own respective; astra-dhara -- holding of

different weapons; tanra mata kahi -- I am speaking the opinion of the

Siddhartha-samhita; ye-saba -- all; astra-kara -- weapons in the

different hands.

TRANSLATION

"Thus in the spiritual sky the expansions, headed by Vasudeva, hold

weapons in Their own respective order. I am repeating the opinion of the

Siddhartha-samhita in describing Them.

Madhya 20.227

TEXT 227

TEXT

sri-kesava -- padma-sankha-cakra-gada-dhara

narayana -- sankha-padma-gada-cakra-dhara

SYNONYMS

sri-kesava -- Lord Kesava; padma -- lotus; sankha -- conch; cakra --

disc; gada -- club; dhara -- holding; narayana -- Lord Narayana; sankha -

- conch; padma -- lotus; gada -- club; cakra -- disc; dhara -- holding.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Kesava holds the lotus, conch, disc and club. Lord Narayana holds

the conch, lotus, club and disc.

Madhya 20.228

TEXT 228

TEXT

sri-madhava -- gada-cakra-sankha-padma-kara

sri-govinda -- cakra-gada-padma-sankha-dhara

SYNONYMS

sri-madhava -- Lord Madhava; gada -- club; cakra -- disc; sankha --

conch; padma -- lotus; kara -- in the hands; sri-govinda -- Lord Govinda;

cakra -- disc; gada -- club; padma -- lotus; sankha -- conch; dhara --

holding.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Madhava holds the club, disc, conch and lotus. Lord Govinda holds

the disc, club, lotus and conch.

Madhya 20.229

TEXT 229

TEXT

visnu-murti -- gada-padma-sankha-cakra-kara

madhusudana -- cakra-sankha-padma-gada-dhara

SYNONYMS

visnu-murti -- Lord Visnu; gada -- club; padma -- lotus; sankha -- conch;

cakra -- disc; kara -- in the hands; madhusudana -- Lord Madhusudana;

cakra -- disc; sankha -- conch; padma -- lotus; gada -- club; dhara --

holding.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Visnu holds the club, lotus, conch and disc. Lord Madhusudana

holds the disc, conch, lotus and club.

Madhya 20.230

TEXT 230

TEXT

trivikrama -- padma-gada-cakra-sankha-kara

sri-vamana -- sankha-cakra-gada-padma-dhara

SYNONYMS

trivikrama -- Lord Trivikrama; padma -- lotus; gada -- club; cakra --

disc; sankha -- conch; kara -- in the hands; sri-vamana -- Lord Vamana;

sankha -- conch; cakra -- disc; gada -- club; padma -- lotus; dhara --

holding.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Trivikrama holds the lotus, club, disc and conch. Lord Vamana

holds the conch, disc, club and lotus.

Madhya 20.231

TEXT 231

TEXT

sridhara -- padma-cakra-gada-sankha-kara

hrsikesa -- gada-cakra-padma-sankha-dhara

SYNONYMS

sridhara -- Lord Sridhara; padma -- lotus; cakra -- disc; gada -- club;

sankha -- conch; kara -- in the hands; hrsikesa -- Lord Hrsikesa; gada --

club; cakra -- disc; padma -- lotus; sankha -- conch; dhara -- holding.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Sridhara holds the lotus, disc, club and conch. Lord Hrsikesa

holds the club, disc, lotus and conch.

Madhya 20.232

TEXT 232

TEXT

padmanabha -- sankha-padma-cakra-gada-kara

damodara -- padma-cakra-gada-sankha-dhara

SYNONYMS

padmanabha -- Lord Padmanabha; sankha -- conch; padma -- lotus; cakra --

disc; gada -- club; kara -- in the hands; damodara -- Lord Damodara;

padma -- lotus; cakra -- disc; gada -- club; sankha -- conch; dhara --

holding.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Padmanabha holds the conch, lotus, disc and club. Lord Damodara

holds the lotus, disc, club and conch.

Madhya 20.233

TEXT 233

TEXT

purusottama -- cakra-padma-sankha-gada-dhara

sri-acyuta -- gada-padma-cakra-sankha-dhara

SYNONYMS

purusottama -- Lord Purusottama; cakra -- disc; padma -- lotus; sankha --

conch; gada -- club; dhara -- holding; sri-acyuta -- Lord Acyuta; gada -

- club; padma -- lotus; cakra -- disc; sankha -- conch; dhara -- holding.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Purusottama holds the disc, lotus, conch and club. Lord Acyuta

holds the club, lotus, disc and conch.

Madhya 20.234

TEXT 234

TEXT

sri-nrsimha -- cakra-padma-gada-sankha-dhara

janardana -- padma-cakra-sankha-gada-kara

SYNONYMS

sri-nrsimha -- Lord Nrsimha; cakra -- disc; padma -- lotus; gada -- club;

sankha -- conch; dhara -- holding; janardana -- Lord Janardana; padma --

lotus; cakra -- disc; sankha -- conch; gada -- club; kara -- in the

hands.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Nrsimha holds the disc, lotus, club and conch. Lord Janardana

holds the lotus, disc, conch and club.

Madhya 20.235

TEXT 235

TEXT

sri-hari -- sankha-cakra-padma-gada-kara

sri-krsna -- sankha-gada-padma-cakra-kara

SYNONYMS

sri-hari -- Lord Hari; sankha -- conch; cakra -- disc; padma -- lotus;

gada -- club; kara -- in the hand; sri-krsna -- Lord Krsna; sankha --

conch; gada -- club; padma -- lotus; cakra -- disc; kara -- in the hands.

TRANSLATION

"Sri Hari holds the conch, disc, lotus and club. Lord Sri Krsna holds

the conch, club, lotus and disc.

Madhya 20.236

TEXT 236

TEXT

adhoksaja -- padma-gada-sankha-cakra-kara

upendra -- sankha-gada-cakra-padma-kara

SYNONYMS

adhoksaja -- Lord Adhoksaja; padma -- lotus; gada -- club; sankha --

conch; cakra -- disc; kara -- in the hands; upendra -- Lord Upendra;

sankha -- conch; gada -- club; cakra -- disc; padma -- lotus; kara -- in

the hands.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Adhoksaja holds the lotus, club, conch and disc. Lord Upendra

holds the conch, club, disc and lotus.

Madhya 20.237

TEXT 237

TEXT

hayasirsa-pancaratre kahe sola-jana

tara mate kahi ebe cakradi-dharana

SYNONYMS

hayasirsa-pancaratre -- the revealed scripture named the Hayasirsa-

pancaratra; kahe -- says; sola-jana -- sixteen personalities; tara mate -

- according to this opinion; kahi -- I shall describe; ebe -- now; cakra-

adi-dharana -- the holding of weapons, beginning with the disc.

TRANSLATION

"According to the Hayasirsa-pancaratra, there are sixteen personalities.

I shall now describe that opinion of how They hold the weapons.

PURPORT

The sixteen personalities are as follows: (1) Vasudeva, (2) Sankarsana, (

3) Pradyumna, (4) Aniruddha, (5) Kesava, (6) Narayana, (7) Madhava, (8)

Govinda, (9) Visnu, (10) Madhusudana, (11) Trivikrama, (12) Vamana, (13)

Sridhara, (14) Hrsikesa, (15) Padmanabha and (16) Damodara.

Madhya 20.238

TEXT 238

TEXT

kesava-bhede padma-sankha-gada-cakra-dhara

madhava-bhede cakra-gada-sankha-padma-kara

SYNONYMS

kesava-bhede -- according to the different opinion about Lord Kesava;

padma -- lotus; sankha -- conch; gada -- club; cakra -- and disc; dhara -

- holding; madhava-bhede -- according to the different opinion about the

bodily features of Lord Madhava; cakra -- disc; gada -- club; sankha --

conch; padma -- lotus; kara -- in the hands.

TRANSLATION

"Kesava is described differently as holding the lotus, conch, club and

disc, and Madhava is described as holding the disc, club, conch and

lotus in His hands.

Madhya 20.239

TEXT 239

TEXT

narayana-bhede nana astra-bheda-dhara

ityadika bheda ei saba astra-kara

SYNONYMS

narayana-bhede -- according to the different opinion about the bodily

features of Lord Narayana; nana -- various; astra -- of weapons; bheda-

dhara -- differences in holding; iti-adika -- in this way; bheda --

differentiated; ei saba -- all these; astra-kara -- weapons in the hands.

TRANSLATION

"According to the Hayasirsa Pancaratra, Narayana and others are also

presented differently as holding the weapons in different hands.

Madhya 20.240

TEXT 240

TEXT

‘svayam bhagavan', ara ‘lila-purusottama'

ei dui nama dhare vrajendra-nandana

SYNONYMS

svayam bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ara -- and; lila-

purusottama -- the Lord Purusottama of pastimes; ei dui -- these two;

nama -- names; dhare -- takes; vrajendra-nandana -- Krsna, the son of

Nanda Maharaja.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, indicated as the

son of Maharaja Nanda, has two names. One is svayam bhagavan, and the

other is lila-purusottama.

Madhya 20.241

TEXT 241

TEXT

purira avarana-rupe purira nava-dese

nava-vyuha-rupe nava-murti parakase

SYNONYMS

purira -- of Dvaraka Puri; avarana-rupe -- as a covering for the four

sides; purira nava-dese -- in nine different parts of the city; nava-

vyuha-rupe -- in nine Deities; nava-murti -- nine forms; parakase --

manifests.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Krsna personally surrounds Dvaraka-puri as its protector. In

different parts of the city, in nine places, He expands in nine

different forms.

Madhya 20.242

TEXT 242

TEXT

catvaro vasudevadya

narayana-nrsimhakau

hayagrivo mahakrodo

brahma ceti navoditah

SYNONYMS

catvarah -- four principal protectors; vasudeva-adyah -- Vasudeva,

Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha; narayana -- including Lord Narayana;

nrsimhakau -- as well as Lord Nrsimha; hayagrivah -- Lord Hayagriva;

mahakrodah -- Lord Varaha; brahma -- Lord Brahma; ca -- also; iti --

thus; nava-uditah -- nine personalities.

TRANSLATION

"‘The nine personalities mentioned are Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna,

Aniruddha, Narayana, Nrsimha, Hayagriva, Varaha and Brahma.'

PURPORT

This verse is found in the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (1.451). The Brahma

mentioned herein is not a living entity. Sometimes, when there is a

scarcity of living entities to take charge of Brahma's post, Maha-Visnu

expands Himself as Lord Brahma. This Brahma is not considered to be a

living entity; He is an expansion of Visnu.

Madhya 20.243

TEXT 243

TEXT

prakasa-vilasera ei kailun vivarana

svamsera bheda ebe suna, sanatana

SYNONYMS

prakasa-vilasera -- of pastime forms and manifestations; ei -- this;

kailun -- I have made; vivarana -- description; svamsera -- of personal

expansions; bheda -- the differences; ebe -- now; suna -- please hear;

sanatana -- O Sanatana Gosvami.

TRANSLATION

"I have already described the pastime and prakasa forms. Now please hear

about the different personal expansions.

Madhya 20.244

TEXT 244

TEXT

sankarsana, matsyadika, -- dui bheda tanra

sankarsana -- purusavatara, lilavatara ara

SYNONYMS

sankarsana -- Sankarsana; matsya-adika -- and incarnations such as the

fish; dui -- two; bheda -- differentiations; tanra -- His; sankarsana --

Sankarsana; purusa-avatara -- incarnations of Visnu; lila-avatara --

pastime incarnations; ara -- and.

TRANSLATION

"The first personal expansion is Sankarsana, and the others are

incarnations like the fish incarnation. Sankarsana is an expansion

of the Purusa, or Visnu. The incarnations such as Matsya, the fish

incarnation, appear in different yugas for specific pastimes.

PURPORT

The purusa-avataras are the Lords of the universal creation. These are

Karanodakasayi Visnu, Garbhodakasayi Visnu and Ksirodakasayi Visnu.

There are also lila-avataras, and these include (1) Catuhsana, or the

four Kumaras, (2) Narada, (3) Varaha, (4) Matsya, (5) Yajna, (6) Nara-

Narayana, (7) Kardami Kapila, (8) Dattatreya, (9) Hayasirsa, (10) Hamsa,

(11) Dhruvapriya, or Prsnigarbha, (12) Rsabha, (13) Prthu, (14) Nrsimha,

(15) Kurma, (16) Dhanvantari, (17) Mohini, (18) Vamana, (19) Bhargava

Parasurama, (20) Raghavendra, (21) Vyasa, (22) Pralambari Balarama, (23)

Krsna, (24) Buddha and (25) Kalki.

These twenty-five Personalities of Godhead are known as lila-avataras.

Because they appear in each day of Brahma, or in each kalpa (millennium),

they are sometimes known as kalpa-avataras. Of these incarnations,

Hamsa and Mohini are neither permanent nor very well known, but They are

listed among the prabhava-avataras. Kapila, Dattatreya, Rsabha,

Dhanvantari and Vyasa are eternally situated and very widely known. They

are also counted among the prabhava incarnations. Kurma, Matsya,

Narayana, Varaha, Hayagriva, Prsnigarbha and Baladeva, the killer of

Pralambasura, are counted among the vaibhava-avataras.

Madhya 20.245

TEXT 245

TEXT

avatara haya krsnera sad-vidha prakara

purusavatara eka, lilavatara ara

SYNONYMS

avatara -- incarnations; haya -- there are; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna;

sat-vidha prakara -- six kinds; purusa-avatara -- incarnations of Visnu;

eka -- one; lila-avatara -- incarnations for the execution of pastimes;

ara -- also.

TRANSLATION

"There are six types of incarnations [avataras] of Krsna. One comprises

the incarnations of Visnu [purusa-avataras], and another comprises the

incarnations meant for the performance of pastimes [lila-avataras].

Madhya 20.246

TEXT 246

TEXT

gunavatara, ara manvantaravatara

yugavatara, ara saktyavesavatara

SYNONYMS

guna-avatara -- the incarnations who control the material qualities; ara

-- also; manu-antara-avatara -- the incarnations associated with the

reign of each Manu; yuga-avatara -- the incarnations according to

different yugas; ara -- and; sakti-avesa-avatara -- empowered

incarnations.

TRANSLATION

"There are incarnations that control the material qualities [guna-

avataras], incarnations associated with the reign of each Manu [

manvantara-avataras], incarnations in different millenniums [yuga-

avataras] and incarnations of empowered living entities [saktyavesa-

avataras].

PURPORT

The guna-avataras are three -- Lord Brahma, Lord Siva and Lord Visnu (SB

10.88.3). The avataras associated with the reign of each Manu, known as

manvantara-avataras, are listed as follows in Srimad-Bhagavatam (Eighth

Canto, chapters 1, 5 and 13): (1) Yajna, (2) Vibhu, (3) Satyasena, (4)

Hari, (5) Vaikuntha, (6) Ajita, (7) Vamana, (8) Sarvabhauma, (9) Rsabha,

(10) Visvaksena, (11) Dharmasetu, (12) Sudhama, (13) Yogesvara and (14)

Brhadbhanu. All together these are fourteen in number, and of these,

Yajna and Vamana are also counted among the lila-avataras. All these

manvantara incarnations are sometimes called vaibhava-avataras.

The four yuga-avataras are (1) sukla (white) in Satya-yuga (SB 11.5.21),

(2) rakta (red) in Treta-yuga (SB 11.5.24), (3) syama (dark blue) in

Dvapara-yuga (SB 11.5.27) and (4) generally krsna (black) but in special

cases pita (yellow) as Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Kali-yuga (SB 11.5.32 and

10.8.13).

The saktyavesa-avataras are categorized into (1) forms of divine

absorption (bhagavad-avesa), such as Kapiladeva or Rsabhadeva, and (2)

divinely empowered forms (saktyavesa), of whom seven are foremost: (1)

Sesa Naga in the Vaikuntha world, empowered for the personal service of

the Supreme Lord (sva-sevana-sakti), (2) Anantadeva, empowered to bear

all the planets within the universe (bhu-dharana-sakti), (3) Lord Brahma,

empowered with the energy to create the cosmic manifestation (srsti-

sakti), (4) Catuhsana, or the Kumaras, specifically empowered to

distribute transcendental knowledge (jnana-sakti), (5) Narada Muni,

empowered to distribute devotional service (bhakti-sakti), (6) Maharaja

Prthu, specifically empowered to rule and maintain the living entities (

palana-sakti) and (7) Parasurama, specifically empowered to cut down

rogues and demons (dusta-damana-sakti).

Madhya 20.247

TEXT 247

TEXT

balya, pauganda haya vigrahera dharma

eta-rupe lila karena vrajendra-nandana

SYNONYMS

balya -- childhood; pauganda -- boyhood; haya -- there are; vigrahera --

of the Deity; dharma -- characteristics; eta-rupe -- in so many forms;

lila -- pastimes; karena -- executes; vrajendra-nandana -- Krsna, the

son of Nanda Maharaja.

TRANSLATION

"Childhood and boyhood are the typical ages of the Deity. Krsna, the son

of Maharaja Nanda, performed His pastimes as a child and as a boy.

Madhya 20.248

TEXT 248

TEXT

ananta avatara krsnera, nahika ganana

sakha-candra-nyaya kari dig-darasana

SYNONYMS

ananta -- unlimited; avatara -- incarnations; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna;

nahika ganana -- there is no possibility of counting; sakha-candra-nyaya

-- by the example of the moon and the branches of a tree; kari -- I make;

dik-darasana -- a slight indication.

TRANSLATION

"There are innumerable incarnations of Krsna, and there is no

possibility of counting them. We can simply indicate them by giving the

example of the moon and the branches of a tree.

PURPORT

Although the moon appears to be located in the branches of a tree, it is

actually situated very far away. Similarly, none of the avataras, or

incarnations, of Lord Krsna are within this material world, but they are

visible by the causeless mercy of the Lord. We should not consider them

to belong to this material world. As stated by Lord Krsna in the

Bhagavad-gita (Bg. 9.11):

avajananti mam mudha manusim tanum asritam

param bhavam ajananto mama bhuta-mahesvaram

"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."

Avataras descend of their own free will, and although they may act like

ordinary human beings, they do not belong to this material world. Lord

Krsna and His avataras can be understood only by the grace of the Lord.

nayam atma pravacanena labhyo

na medhaya na bahuna srutena

yam evaisa vrnute tena labhyas

tasyaisa atma vivrnute tanum svam

(Katha Upanisad 1.2.23)

"The Supreme Lord is not obtained by means of expert explanations, vast

intelligence or even much hearing. He is obtained only by one whom He

Himself chooses. To such a person, He manifests His own form."

athapi te deva padambuja-dvaya-

prasada-lesanugrhita eva hi

janati tattvam bhagavan-mahimno

na canya eko 'pi ciram vicinvan

(SB 10.14.29)

"My Lord, if one is favored by even a slight trace of the mercy of Your

lotus feet, he can understand the greatness of Your personality. But

those who speculate to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are

unable to know You, even though they continue studying the Vedas for

many years."

Madhya 20.249

TEXT 249

TEXT

avatara hy asankhyeya

hareh sattva-nidher dvijah

yatha 'vidasinah kulyah

sarasah syuh sahasrasah

SYNONYMS

avatarah -- all the incarnations; hi -- certainly; asankhyeyah -- beyond

counting; hareh -- from the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sattva-

nidheh -- who is the reservoir of spiritual energy; dvijah -- O

brahmanas; yatha -- as; avidasinah -- containing a great reservoir of

water; kulyah -- small rivulets; sarasah -- from a lake; syuh -- must be;

sahasrasah -- by hundreds and thousands of times.

TRANSLATION

"‘O learned brahmanas, just as hundreds and thousands of small rivulets

issue from great reservoirs of water, innumerable incarnations flow from

Sri Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the reservoir of all

power.'

PURPORT

This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.3.26).

Madhya 20.250

TEXT 250

TEXT

prathamei kare krsna ‘purusavatara'

seita purusa haya trividha prakara

SYNONYMS

prathamei -- in the beginning; kare -- does; krsna -- Lord Krsna; purusa-

avatara -- the incarnation of the three Visnus (Maha-Visnu,

Garbhodakasayi Visnu and Ksirodakasayi Visnu); seita -- that; purusa --

Visnu; haya -- becomes; tri-vidha prakara -- three different

manifestations.

TRANSLATION

"In the beginning, Krsna incarnates Himself as the purusa-avataras, or

Visnu incarnations. These are of three types.

PURPORT

Up to this verse, the many types of expansions have been described. Now

the manifestations of the Lord's different potencies will be described.

Madhya 20.251

TEXT 251

TEXT

visnos tu trini rupani

purusakhyany atho viduh

ekam tu mahatah srastr

dvitiyam tv anda-samsthitam

trtiyam sarva-bhuta-stham

tani jnatva vimucyate

SYNONYMS

visnoh -- of Lord Visnu; tu -- certainly; trini -- three; rupani --

forms; purusa-akhyani -- celebrated as the purusas; atho -- how; viduh --

they know; ekam -- one of them; tu -- but; mahatah srastr -- the

creator of the total material energy; dvitiyam -- the second; tu -- but;

anda-samsthitam -- situated within the universe; trtiyam -- the third;

sarva-bhuta-stham -- within the hearts of all living entities; tani --

these three; jnatva -- knowing; vimucyate -- one becomes liberated.

TRANSLATION

"‘Visnu has three forms called purusas. The first, Maha-Visnu, is the

creator of the total material energy [mahat], the second is Garbhodasayi,

who is situated within each universe, and the third is Ksirodasayi, who

lives in the heart of every living being. He who knows these three

becomes liberated from the clutches of maya.'

PURPORT

This verse appears in the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (Purva-khanda 2.9), where

it has been quoted from the Satvata-tantra.

Madhya 20.252

TEXT 252

TEXT

ananta-sakti-madhye krsnera tina sakti pradhana

‘iccha-sakti', ‘jnana-sakti', ‘kriya-sakti' nama

SYNONYMS

ananta-sakti -- of unlimited potencies; madhye -- in the midst; krsnera -

- of Lord Krsna; tina -- three; sakti -- potencies; pradhana -- are

chief; iccha-sakti -- willpower; jnana-sakti -- the power of knowledge;

kriya-sakti -- the creative energy; nama -- named.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna has unlimited potencies, out of which three are chief --

willpower, the power of knowledge and the creative energy.

Madhya 20.253

TEXT 253

TEXT

iccha-sakti-pradhana krsna -- icchaya sarva-karta

jnana-sakti-pradhana vasudeva adhisthata

SYNONYMS

iccha-sakti -- of willpower; pradhana -- predominator; krsna -- Lord

Krsna; icchaya -- simply by willing; sarva-karta -- the creator of

everything; jnana-sakti-pradhana -- the predominator of the power of

knowledge; vasudeva -- Lord Vasudeva; adhisthata -- reservoir.

TRANSLATION

"The predominator of the willing potency is Lord Krsna, for by His

supreme will everything comes into existence. In willing, there is a

need for knowledge, and that knowledge is expressed through Vasudeva.

Madhya 20.254

TEXT 254

TEXT

iccha-jnana-kriya vina na haya srjana

tinera tina-sakti meli' prapanca-racana

SYNONYMS

iccha-jnana-kriya -- thinking, feeling, willing, knowledge and activity;

vina -- without; na -- not; haya -- there is; srjana -- creation; tinera

-- of the three; tina-sakti -- three potencies; meli' -- being

amalgamated; prapanca-racana -- there is the cosmic manifestation.

TRANSLATION

"There is no possibility of creation without thinking, feeling, willing,

knowledge and activity. The combination of the supreme will, knowledge

and action brings about the cosmic manifestation.

Madhya 20.255

TEXT 255

TEXT

kriya-sakti-pradhana sankarsana balarama

prakrtaprakrta-srsti karena nirmana

SYNONYMS

kriya-sakti-pradhana -- the predominator of the creative energy;

sankarsana -- Lord Sankarsana; balarama -- Lord Balarama; prakrta --

material; aprakrta -- spiritual; srsti -- worlds; karena -- does;

nirmana -- creation.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Sankarsana is Lord Balarama. Being the predominator of the

creative energy, He creates both the material and the spiritual world.

Madhya 20.256

TEXT 256

TEXT

ahankarera adhisthata krsnera icchaya

goloka, vaikuntha srje cic-chakti-dvaraya

SYNONYMS

ahankarera -- of egotism; adhisthata -- the source, or predominating

Deity; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; icchaya -- by the will; goloka -- the

supreme spiritual planet, known as Goloka; vaikuntha -- other, lower

planets, known as Vaikunthas; srje -- creates; cit-sakti-dvaraya -- by

the spiritual energy.

TRANSLATION

"That original Sankarsana [Lord Balarama] is the cause of both the

material and the spiritual creation. He is the predominating Deity of

egotism, and by the will of Krsna and the power of the spiritual energy,

He creates the spiritual world, which consists of the planet Goloka

Vrndavana and the Vaikuntha planets.

Madhya 20.257

TEXT 257

TEXT

yadyapi asrjya nitya cic-chakti-vilasa

tathapi sankarsana-icchaya tahara prakasa

SYNONYMS

yadyapi -- although; asrjya -- there is no question of creation; nitya --

eternal; cit-sakti-vilasa -- pastimes of the eternal spiritual energy;

tathapi -- still; sankarsana-icchaya -- by the will of Sankarsana;

tahara -- of the spiritual world; prakasa -- manifestation.

TRANSLATION

"Although there is no question of creation as far as the spiritual world

is concerned, the spiritual world is nonetheless manifested by the

supreme will of Sankarsana. The spiritual world is the abode of the

pastimes of the eternal spiritual energy.

Madhya 20.258

TEXT 258

TEXT

sahasra-patram kamalam

gokulakhyam mahat padam

tat-karnikaram tad-dhama

tad anantamsa-sambhavam

SYNONYMS

sahasra-patram -- with thousands of petals; kamalam -- resembling a

lotus flower; gokula-akhyam -- named Gokula; mahat padam -- the supreme

abode; tat-karnikaram -- the whorl of that lotus flower; tat-dhama --

the abode of the Lord; tat -- that; ananta-amsa -- from the expansion of

the energy of Ananta; sambhavam -- creation.

TRANSLATION

"‘Gokula, the supreme abode and planet, appears like a lotus flower that

has a thousand petals. The whorl of that lotus is the abode of the

Supreme Lord, Krsna. This lotus-shaped supreme abode is created by the

will of Lord Ananta.'

PURPORT

This verse is quoted from the Brahma-samhita (5.2).

Madhya 20.259

TEXT 259

TEXT

maya-dvare srje tenho brahmandera gana

jada-rupa prakrti nahe brahmanda-karana

SYNONYMS

maya-dvare -- by the agency of the external energy; srje -- creates;

tenho -- Lord Sankarsana; brahmandera gana -- all the groups of

universes; jada-rupa -- appearing dull; prakrti -- the material energy;

nahe -- is not; brahmanda-karana -- the cause of the cosmic

manifestation.

TRANSLATION

"By the agency of the material energy, this same Lord Sankarsana creates

all the universes. The dull material energy -- known in modern language

as nature -- is not the cause of the material universe.

Madhya 20.260

TEXT 260

TEXT

jada haite srsti nahe isvara-sakti vine

tahatei sankarsana kare saktira adhane

SYNONYMS

jada haite -- from the dull material energy; srsti nahe -- the cosmic

manifestation is not possible; isvara-sakti vine -- without the help of

the energy of the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead; tahatei --

in the material energy; sankarsana -- Lord Sankarsana; kare -- does;

saktira -- of the spiritual energy; adhane -- empowering.

TRANSLATION

"Without the Supreme Personality of Godhead's energy, dull matter cannot

create the cosmic manifestation. Its power does not arise from the

material energy itself but is endowed by Sankarsana.

Madhya 20.261

TEXT 261

TEXT

isvarera saktye srsti karaye prakrti

lauha yena agni-saktye paya daha-sakti

SYNONYMS

isvarera saktye -- by the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead;

srsti -- creation; karaye -- does; prakrti -- material energy; lauha --

iron; yena -- as; agni-saktye -- by the power of fire; paya -- gets;

daha-sakti -- the power to burn.

TRANSLATION

"Dull matter alone cannot create anything. The material energy produces

the creation by the power of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Iron

itself has no power to burn, but when iron is placed in fire, it is

empowered to burn.

Madhya 20.262

TEXT 262

TEXT

etau hi visvasya ca bija-yoni

ramo mukundah purusah pradhanam

anviya bhutesu vilaksanasya

jnanasya cesata imau puranau

SYNONYMS

etau -- these two, namely Rama and Krsna; hi -- certainly; visvasya --

of the universe; ca -- and; bija-yoni -- both the cause and ingredient;

ramah -- Balarama; mukundah -- Krsna; purusah -- the original Maha-Visnu;

pradhanam -- material energy; anviya -- after entering; bhutesu -- into

the material elements; vilaksanasya -- of varieties of manifestation;

jnanasya -- of knowledge; ca -- also; isate -- are the controlling power;

imau -- both of Them; puranau -- are the original cause.

TRANSLATION

"‘Balarama and Krsna are the original efficient and material causes of

the material world. As Maha-Visnu and the material energy, They enter

into the material elements and create the diversities by multi-energies.

Thus They are the cause of all causes.'

PURPORT

This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.46.31).

Madhya 20.263

TEXT 263

TEXT

srsti-hetu yei murti prapance avatare

sei isvara-murti ‘avatara' nama dhare

SYNONYMS

srsti-hetu -- for the purpose of creation; yei murti -- which form of

the Lord; prapance -- in the material world; avatare -- descends; sei --

that; isvara-murti -- form of the Lord; avatara -- incarnation; nama

dhare -- takes the name.

TRANSLATION

"The form of the Lord that descends into the material world to create is

called an avatara, or incarnation.

Madhya 20.264

TEXT 264

TEXT

mayatita paravyome sabara avasthana

visve avatari' dhare ‘avatara' nama

SYNONYMS

maya-atita -- beyond the material nature; para-vyome -- in the spiritual

sky; sabara -- all of them; avasthana -- residence; visve -- within the

material universe; avatari' -- coming down; dhare -- take; avatara nama -

- the name avatara.

TRANSLATION

"All the expansions of Lord Krsna are actually residents of the

spiritual world. But when they descend into the material world, they are

called incarnations [avataras].

Madhya 20.265

TEXT 265

TEXT

sei maya avalokite sri-sankarsana

purusa-rupe avatirna ha-ila prathama

SYNONYMS

sei maya -- that material energy; avalokite -- just to glance over; sri-

sankarsana -- Sankarsana; purusa-rupe -- in the original form of Maha-

Visnu; avatirna -- incarnated; ha-ila -- became; prathama -- at first.

TRANSLATION

"To glance over that material energy and empower her, Lord Sankarsana

first incarnates as Lord Maha-Visnu.

Madhya 20.266

TEXT 266

TEXT

jagrhe paurusam rupam

bhagavan mahad-adibhih

sambhutam sodasa-kalam

adau loka-sisrksaya

SYNONYMS

jagrhe -- accepted; paurusam rupam -- the form of the purusa incarnation;

bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; mahat-adibhih -- with

the material energy, etc.; sambhutam -- created; sodasa -- sixteen;

kalam -- elements; adau -- in the beginning; loka -- of the material

worlds; sisrksaya -- with a desire for the creation.

TRANSLATION

"‘In the beginning of the creation, the Lord expanded Himself in the

form of the purusa incarnation, accompanied by all the ingredients of

material creation. First He created the sixteen principal energies

suitable for creation. This was for the purpose of manifesting the

material universes.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.3.1). For an explanation,

refer to Adi-lila, Chapter Five, verse 84.

Madhya 20.267

TEXT 267

TEXT

adyo 'vatarah purusah parasya

kalah svabhavah sad-asan manas ca

dravyam vikaro guna indriyani

virat svarat sthasnu carisnu bhumnah

SYNONYMS

adyah avatarah -- the original incarnation; purusah -- Karanabdhisayi

Visnu; parasya -- of the Supreme Lord; kalah -- time; svabhavah -- space;

sat-asat -- cause and effect; manah ca -- as well as the mind; dravyam -

- the five elements; vikarah -- transformation or the false ego; gunah --

modes of nature; indriyani -- senses; virat -- the universal form;

svarat -- Garbhodakasayi Visnu; sthasnu -- immovable; carisnu -- movable;

bhumnah -- of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

TRANSLATION

"‘Karanabdhisayi Visnu [Maha-Visnu] is the first incarnation of the

Supreme Lord, and He is the master of eternal time, space, cause and

effects, the mind, the elements, the material ego, the modes of nature,

the senses, the universal form of the Lord, Garbhodakasayi Visnu and the

sum total of all living beings, both moving and nonmoving.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.6.42). For an explanation,

refer to Adi-lila, Chapter Five, verse 83.

Madhya 20.268

TEXT 268

TEXT

sei purusa virajate karena sayana

‘karanabdhisayi' nama jagat-karana

SYNONYMS

sei purusa -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; virajate -- on the

border known as Viraja; karena sayana -- lies down; karana-abdhi-sayi --

Karanabdhisayi; nama -- named; jagat-karana -- is the original cause of

material creation.

TRANSLATION

"That original Personality of Godhead, named Sankarsana, first lies down

in the river Viraja, which serves as a border between the material and

the spiritual world. As Karanabdhisayi Visnu, He is the original cause

of the material creation.

Madhya 20.269

TEXT 269

TEXT

karanabdhi-pare mayara nitya avasthiti

virajara pare paravyome nahi gati

SYNONYMS

karana-abdhi-pare -- on one bank of the Causal Ocean; mayara -- of the

material energy; nitya -- eternal; avasthiti -- position; virajara pare -

- on the other bank of the Viraja, or the Causal Ocean; para-vyome -- in

the spiritual world or sky; nahi -- there is not; gati -- admission.

TRANSLATION

"The Viraja, or Causal Ocean, is the border between the spiritual and

the material world. The material energy is situated on one shore of that

ocean, and it cannot enter onto the other shore, which is the spiritual

sky.

Madhya 20.270

TEXT 270

TEXT

pravartate yatra rajas tamas tayoh

sattvam ca misram na ca kala-vikramah

na yatra maya kim utapare harer

anuvrata yatra surasurarcitah

SYNONYMS

pravartate -- exists; yatra -- where; rajah -- the mode of passion;

tamah -- the mode of ignorance; tayoh -- of both of them; sattvam ca --

and the mode of goodness; misram -- mixture; na -- not; ca -- also; kala-

vikramah -- the influence of time or annihilation; na -- not; yatra --

where; maya -- external energy; kim -- what; uta -- to speak; apare --

others; hareh -- of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; anuvratah --

strict followers; yatra -- where; sura -- by demigods; asura -- and by

demons; arcitah -- being worshiped.

TRANSLATION

"‘In the spiritual world, there is neither the mode of passion, the mode

of ignorance nor a mixture of both, nor is there adulterated goodness,

the influence of time or maya herself. Only the pure devotees of the

Lord, who are worshiped both by demigods and by demons, reside in the

spiritual world as the Lord's associates.'

PURPORT

This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.9.10) was spoken by Srila Sukadeva

Gosvami. He was answering the questions of Pariksit Maharaja, who asked

how the living entity falls down into the material world. Sukadeva

Gosvami explained the cream of Srimad-Bhagavatam in four verses, which

had been explained to Lord Brahma at the end of the severe austerities

he performed for one thousand celestial years. At that time, Brahma was

shown the spiritual world and its transcendental nature.

Madhya 20.271

TEXT 271

TEXT

mayara ye dui vrtti -- ‘maya' ara ‘pradhana'

‘maya' nimitta-hetu, visvera upadana ‘pradhana'

SYNONYMS

mayara -- of the material nature; ye -- which; dui -- two; vrtti --

functions; maya -- called maya; ara -- and; pradhana -- ingredients;

maya -- the word maya; nimitta-hetu -- the efficient cause; visvera --

of the material universe; upadana -- ingredients; pradhana -- is called

pradhana.

TRANSLATION

"Maya has two functions. One is called maya, and the other is called

pradhana. Maya refers to the efficient cause, and pradhana refers to the

ingredients that create the cosmic manifestation.

PURPORT

For a further explanation, see Adi-lila, Chapter Five, verse 58.

Madhya 20.272

TEXT 272

TEXT

sei purusa maya-pane kare avadhana

prakrti ksobhita kari' kare viryera adhana

SYNONYMS

sei purusa -- that Supreme Personality of Godhead; maya-pane -- toward

maya; kare avadhana -- glances; prakrti -- the material nature; ksobhita

kari' -- making agitated; kare -- impregnates; viryera -- of the semen;

adhana -- injection.

TRANSLATION

"When the Supreme Personality of Godhead glances over the material

energy, she becomes agitated. At that time, the Lord injects the

original semen of the living entities.

PURPORT

In the Bhagavad-gita (7.10), Krsna says, bijam mam sarva-bhutanam: "I am

the original seed of all existences." This is also confirmed in another

verse in the Bhagavad-gita (14.4):

sarva-yonisu kaunteya murtayah sambhavanti yah

tasam brahma mahad yonir aham bija-pradah pita

"It should be understood that all species of life, O son of Kunti, are

made possible by birth in this material nature, and that I am the seed-

giving father."

For a further explanation, one may refer to the Brahma-samhita (Bs. 5.10–

13). The Brahma-samhita also states (5.51):

agnir mahi gaganam ambu marud disas ca

kalas tathatma-manasiti jagat-trayani

yasmad bhavanti vibhavanti visanti yam ca

govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

All material elements, as well as the spiritual sparks (individual souls)

, are emanating from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is

confirmed by the Vedanta-sutra (1.1): janmady asya yatah [SB 1.1.1]. "

The Absolute Truth is He from whom everything emanates." He is the

Supreme Truth: satyam param dhimahi. The absolute ultimate truth is

Krsna. Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya/ janmady asya yato 'nvayad itaratas

carthesv abhijnah sva-rat: "The Absolute Truth is a person who is

directly and indirectly cognizant of the entire cosmic manifestation."

The Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, educated Lord

Brahma from the heart (SB 1.1.1): tene brahma hrda ya adi-kavaye.

Therefore the Absolute Truth cannot be dull matter; the Absolute Truth

must be the Supreme Person Himself. Sei purusa maya-pane kare avadhana.

Simply by His glance, material nature is impregnated with all living

entities. According to their karma and fruitive activity, they emerge in

different bodies. That is the explanation given by the Bhagavad-gita (2.

13):

dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara

tatha dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati

"As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to

youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death.

A sober person is not bewildered by such a change."

Madhya 20.273

TEXT 273

TEXT

svanga-visesabhasa-rupe prakrti-sparsana

jiva-rupa ‘bija' tate kaila samarpana

SYNONYMS

sva-anga-visesa-abhasa-rupe -- in the form of a specific shadow from His

personal body; prakrti-sparsana -- the Lord glances over the material

nature; jiva-rupa -- having the form of the sparklike living entities,

who are parts and parcels; bija -- semen; tate -- in that material

nature; kaila samarpana -- impregnated.

TRANSLATION

"To impregnate with the seeds of the living entities, the Lord Himself

does not directly touch the material energy, but by His specific

functional expansion He touches the material energy, and thus the living

entities, who are His parts and parcels, are impregnated into material

nature.

PURPORT

According to Lord Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita (15.7):

mamaivamso jiva-loke jiva-bhutah sanatanah

manah-sasthanindriyani prakrti-sthani karsati

"The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental

parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the

six senses, which include the mind."

The word prakrti-sparsana is explained in the Caitanya-caritamrta

in reference to the way

the living entities come in contact with

dull matter. The glancing is performed by Maha-Visnu: sa aiksata lokan

nu srja iti. (Aitareya Upanisad 1.1.1) In the conditioned stage we

impregnate according to the bodily conception -- that is, by sexual

intercourse -- but the Supreme Lord does not need sexual intercourse to

impregnate. The impregnation is performed simply by His glance. This is

also explained in the Brahma-samhita (5.32):

angani yasya sakalendriya-vrttimanti

pasyanti panti kalayanti ciram jaganti

ananda-cinmaya-sad-ujjvala-vigrahasya

govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

Govinda can impregnate simply by glancing. In other words, His eyes can

work as His genitals. He does not need genitals to beget a child. Indeed,

Krsna can beget any one of the living entities with any part of His

body.

The word svanga-visesabhasa-rupe, indicating the form by which the Lord

begets living entities in the material world, is explained herein. He is

Lord Siva. In the Brahma-samhita it is stated that Lord Siva, who is

another form of Maha-Visnu, is like yogurt. Yogurt is nothing but milk,

yet it is not milk. Similarly, Lord Siva is considered the father of

this universe, and material nature is considered the mother. The father

and mother are known as Lord Siva and goddess Durga. Together, Lord Siva'

s genitals and the vagina of goddess Durga are worshiped as the siva-

linga. This is the origin of the material creation. Thus Lord Siva's

position is between that of the living entity and that of the Supreme

Lord. In other words, Lord Siva is neither the Supreme Personality of

Godhead nor a living entity. He is the form through which the Supreme

Lord works to beget living entities within this material world. As

yogurt is prepared when milk is mixed with a culture, the form of Lord

Siva expands when the Supreme Personality of Godhead is in touch with

material nature. The impregnation of material nature by the father, Lord

Siva, is wonderful because at one time innumerable living entities are

conceived. Bhago jivah sa vijneyah sa canantyaya kalpate (Svetasvatara

Upanisad 5.9). These living entities are very, very small:

kesagra-sata-bhagasya satamsa-sadrsatmakah

jivah suksma-svarupo 'yam sankhyatito hi cit-kanah

[Cc. Madhya 19.140]

"If we divide the tip of a hair into a hundred parts and then take one

of these parts and divide it again into a hundred parts, that very fine

division is the size of but one of the numberless living entities. They

are all cit-kana, particles of spirit, not matter."

The innumerable brahmandas, or universes, come from the pores of the

Lord's body, and innumerable living entities also come from the pores of

the transcendental body of the Lord. This is the process of material

creation. Without the living entities, this material nature has no value.

Both emanate from the pores of the transcendental body of Lord Maha-

Visnu. They are different energies. The material nature is explained as

follows by Lord Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita (7.4):

bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva ca

ahankara itiyam me bhinna prakrtir astadha

"Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego -- all

together these eight constitute My separated material energies." Thus

the material elements also come from the body of the Supreme Personality

of Godhead, but they are a different type of energy from the living

entities. Although the living entities also come from the Lord's body,

they are categorized as a superior energy:

apareyam itas tv anyam prakrtim viddhi me param

jiva-bhutam maha-baho yayedam dharyate jagat

"Besides this inferior nature, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is another,

superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities who are

exploiting the resources of this material, inferior nature." (Bg. 7.5)

The inferior energy, matter, cannot act without the superior energy. All

these things are very clearly explained in the Vedas. The materialistic

theory that life develops from matter is incorrect. Life and matter come

from the supreme living entity; therefore, being the source of both,

that supreme living entity, Krsna, is described in the Vedanta-sutra

as janmady asya yatah [SB 1.1.1] (1.1), or the original source

of everything, sarva-karana-karanam [Bs. 5.1]. This is further explained

in the following verse.

Madhya 20.274

TEXT 274

TEXT

daivat ksubhita-dharminyam

svasyam yonau parah puman

adhatta viryam sasuta

mahat-tattvam hiranmayam

SYNONYMS

daivat -- at a time beyond memory; ksubhita-dharminyam -- the material

nature, which is subjected to agitation; svasyam -- which belongs to the

Supreme as one of His energies; yonau -- in the womb from which the

living entity takes his birth; parah puman -- the Supreme Brahman, the

Personality of Godhead; adhatta -- impregnated; viryam -- semen; sa --

that material nature; asuta -- produced; mahat-tattvam -- the total

material energy; hiranmayam -- the original source for the emanation of

varieties of material things.

TRANSLATION

"‘At a time beyond memory, after agitating the material nature into

three qualities, the Supreme Personality of Godhead placed the semen of

innumerable living entities within the womb of that material nature.

Thus material nature gave birth to the total material energy, known as

the hiranmaya-mahat-tattva, the original symbolic representation of the

cosmic manifestation.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.26.19). Lord Kapila is

explaining to His mother the relationship between the Supreme

Personality of Godhead and material nature. He is informing her how the

Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original cause of the living

entities who are conditioned by material nature. Over and above the

twenty-eight elements of the material creation is the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes. Life comes not from

matter but from life itself. As explained in the Vedas: nityo nityanam

cetanas cetananam (Katha Upanisad 2.2.13). The Supreme Lord is the

original source of life.

Madhya 20.275

TEXT 275

TEXT

kala-vrttya tu mayayam

guna-mayyam adhoksajah

purusenatma-bhutena

viryam adhatta viryavan

SYNONYMS

kala-vrttya -- in due course of time, as the immediate cause of creation;

tu -- but; mayayam -- within the material nature; guna-mayyam -- full

of the three material modes of nature (sattva-guna, rajo-guna and tamo-

guna); adhoksajah -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is beyond

material conceptions; purusena -- by the enjoyer of material nature;

atma-bhutena -- who is an expansion of His personal self; viryam --

semen; adhatta -- placed; viryavan -- the omnipotent.

TRANSLATION

"‘In due course of time, the Supreme Personality of Godhead [Maha-

Vaikunthanatha], by the agency of an expansion of His personal self [

Maha-Visnu], placed the seed of the living entities within the womb of

material nature.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.5.26). This verse tells

how the living entities come in contact with material nature. Just as a

woman cannot beget children without uniting with a man, material nature

cannot beget living entities without being in union with the Supreme

Personality of Godhead. There is a history of how the Absolute Lord

becomes the father of all living entities. In every system of religion,

it is accepted that God is the supreme father of all living entities.

According to Christianity, the supreme father, God, provides the living

entities with all of life's necessities. Therefore they pray, "Give us

this day our daily bread." Any religion that does not accept the Supreme

Lord as the absolute father is called kaitava-dharma, or a cheating

religion. Such religious systems are rejected in Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.1.

2): dharmah projjhita-kaitavo ‘tra. Only an atheist does not accept the

omnipotent supreme father. If one accepts the omnipotent supreme father,

he abides by His orders and becomes a religious person.

Madhya 20.276

TEXT 276

TEXT

tabe mahat-tattva haite trividha ahankara

yaha haite devatendriya-bhutera pracara

SYNONYMS

tabe -- thereafter; mahat-tattva haite -- from the total material energy;

tri-vidha -- three kinds of; ahankara -- egotism; yaha haite -- from

which; devata -- of predominating deities; indriya -- of the senses;

bhutera -- and of material elements; pracara -- expansion.

TRANSLATION

"First the total material energy is manifested, and from this arise the

three types of egotism, which are the original sources from which all

demigods [controlling deities], senses and material elements expand.

PURPORT

The three types of egotism (ahankara) are technically known as vaikarika,

taijasa and tamasa. The mahat-tattva is situated within the heart, or

citta, and the predominating Deity of the mahat-tattva is Lord Vasudeva (

SB 3.26.21). The mahat-tattva is transformed into three divisions: (1)

vaikarika, egotism in goodness (sattvika-ahankara), from which is

manifested the eleventh sense organ, the mind, whose predominating Deity

is Aniruddha (SB 3.26.27–28); (2) taijasa, or egotism in passion (rajasa-

ahankara), from which are manifested the active and knowledge-acquiring

senses, along with the intelligence, whose predominating Deity is Lord

Pradyumna (SB 3.26.29–31); and (3) tamasa, or egotism in ignorance, from

which sound vibration (sabda-tanmatra) expands. From sound vibration,

the sky (akasa) is manifested, and then the senses, beginning with the

sense of hearing, are also manifested (SB 3.26.32). Of these three types

of egotism, Lord Sankarsana is the predominating Deity. In the

philosophical discourse known as the Sankhya-karika, it is stated,

sattvika ekadasakah pravartate vaikrtad ahankarat -- bhutades tan-matram

tamasa-taijasady-ubhayam.

Madhya 20.277

TEXT 277

TEXT

sarva tattva mili' srjila brahmandera gana

ananta brahmanda, tara nahika ganana

SYNONYMS

sarva tattva -- all different elements; mili' -- combining; srjila --

created; brahmandera gana -- all the universes; ananta brahmanda --

those universes are unlimited in number; tara nahika ganana -- there is

no possibility of counting them.

TRANSLATION

"Combining all the different elements, the Supreme Lord created all the

universes. Those universes are unlimited in number; there is no

possibility of counting them.

Madhya 20.278

TEXT 278

TEXT

inho mahat-srasta purusa -- ‘maha-visnu' nama

ananta brahmanda tanra loma-kupe dhama

SYNONYMS

inho -- He; mahat-srasta -- the creator of the mahat-tattva, or total

material energy; purusa -- the person; maha-visnu nama -- called Lord

Maha-Visnu; ananta -- unlimited; brahmanda -- universes; tanra -- of His

body; loma-kupe -- within the hair holes; dhama -- are situated.

TRANSLATION

"The first form of Lord Visnu is called Maha-Visnu. He is the original

creator of the total material energy. The innumerable universes emanate

from the pores of His body.

Madhya 20.279–280

TEXTS 279–280

TEXT

gavakse udiya yaiche renu ase yaya

purusa-nisvasa-saha brahmanda bahiraya

punarapi nisvasa-saha yaya abhyantara

ananta aisvarya tanra, saba -- maya-para

SYNONYMS

gavakse -- from a hole at the top of a wall; udiya -- floating; yaiche --

as; renu -- atomic particles; ase yaya -- come and go; purusa-nisvasa-

saha -- with the exhaling of Maha-Visnu; brahmanda -- the universes;

bahiraya -- come outside; punarapi -- again; nisvasa-saha -- by His

inhalation; yaya -- go; abhyantara -- within; ananta -- unlimited;

aisvarya -- opulences; tanra -- of Him; saba -- everything; maya-para --

beyond the material conception.

TRANSLATION

"These universes are understood to be floating in the air that Maha-

Visnu exhales. They are like atomic particles that float in sunshine and

pass through the holes of a screen. All these universes are thus created

by the exhalation of Maha-Visnu, and when Maha-Visnu inhales, they re-

enter His body. The unlimited opulences of Maha-Visnu are completely

beyond material conception.

Madhya 20.281

TEXT 281

TEXT

yasyaika-nisvasita-kalam athavalambya

jivanti loma-vila-ja jagad-anda-nathah

visnur mahan sa iha yasya kala-viseso

govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

SYNONYMS

yasya -- whose; eka -- one; nisvasita -- of breath; kalam -- time; atha -

- thus; avalambya -- taking shelter of; jivanti -- live; loma-vila-jah --

grown from the hair holes; jagat-anda-nathah -- the masters of the

universes (the Brahmas); visnuh mahan -- the Supreme Lord Maha-Visnu;

sah -- that; iha -- here; yasya -- whose; kala-visesah -- particular

plenary portion or expansion; govindam -- Lord Govinda; adi-purusam --

the original person; tam -- Him; aham -- I; bhajami -- worship.

TRANSLATION

"‘The Brahmas and other lords of the mundane worlds appear from the

pores of Maha-Visnu and remain alive for the duration of His one

exhalation. I adore the primeval Lord, Govinda, of whom Maha-Visnu is a

portion of a plenary portion.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from the Brahma-samhita (5.48). For an explanation,

refer to Adi-lila, Chapter Five, verse 71.

Madhya 20.282

TEXT 282

TEXT

samasta brahmanda-ganera inho antaryami

karanabdhisayi -- saba jagatera svami

SYNONYMS

samasta brahmanda-ganera -- of the aggregate of the brahmandas, or

universes; inho -- that Lord Maha-Visnu; antaryami -- the Supersoul;

karana-abdhi-sayi -- Lord Maha-Visnu, lying on the Causal Ocean; saba

jagatera -- of all the universes; svami -- the Supreme Lord.

TRANSLATION

"Maha-Visnu is the Supersoul of all the universes. Lying on the Causal

Ocean, He is the master of all material worlds.

Madhya 20.283

TEXT 283

TEXT

eita kahilun prathama purusera tattva

dvitiya purusera ebe sunaha mahattva

SYNONYMS

eita -- thus; kahilun -- I have explained; prathama purusera -- of the

first incarnation of the Personality of Godhead; tattva -- the truth;

dvitiya purusera -- of the second incarnation of the Personality of

Godhead; ebe -- now; sunaha -- please hear; mahattva -- glories.

TRANSLATION

"I have thus explained the truth of the first Personality of Godhead,

Maha-Visnu. I shall now explain the glories of the second Personality of

Godhead.

Madhya 20.284

TEXT 284

TEXT

sei purusa ananta-koti brahmanda srjiya

ekaika-murtye pravesila bahu murti hana

SYNONYMS

sei purusa -- that Personality of Godhead, Maha-Visnu; ananta-koti

brahmanda -- millions and trillions of brahmandas, or universes; srjiya -

- after creating; eka-eka -- in each one of them; murtye -- in a form;

pravesila -- entered; bahu murti hana -- becoming many forms.

TRANSLATION

"After creating the total number of universes, which are unlimited, Maha-

Visnu expanded Himself into unlimited forms and entered into each of

them.

Madhya 20.285

TEXT 285

TEXT

pravesa kariya dekhe, saba -- andhakara

rahite nahika sthana, karila vicara

SYNONYMS

pravesa kariya -- after entering; dekhe -- He sees; saba -- everywhere;

andhakara -- complete darkness; rahite -- to remain there; nahika sthana

-- there was no place; karila vicara -- then He considered.

TRANSLATION

"When Maha-Visnu entered each of the limitless universes, He saw that

there was darkness all around and that there was no place to stay. He

therefore began to consider the situation.

Madhya 20.286

TEXT 286

TEXT

nijanga-sveda-jale brahmandardha bharila

sei jale sesa-sayyaya sayana karila

SYNONYMS

nija-anga -- from His own personal body; sveda-jale -- by emitting the

water of perspiration; brahmanda-ardha -- half of the universe; bharila -

- filled; sei jale -- on that water; sesa-sayyaya -- on the bed of Lord

Sesa; sayana karila -- lay down.

TRANSLATION

"With the perspiration produced from His own body, the Lord filled half

the universe with water. He then lay down on that water, on the bed of

Lord Sesa.

Madhya 20.287

TEXT 287

TEXT

tanra nabhi-padma haite uthila eka padma

sei padme ha-ila brahmara janma-sadma

SYNONYMS

tanra nabhi-padma haite -- from His lotus navel; uthila -- grew; eka --

one; padma -- lotus flower; sei padme -- on that lotus flower; ha-ila --

there was; brahmara -- of Lord Brahma; janma-sadma -- the place of

generation.

TRANSLATION

"A lotus flower then sprouted from the lotus navel of that

Garbhodakasayi Visnu. That lotus flower became Lord Brahma's birthplace.

Madhya 20.288

TEXT 288

TEXT

sei padma-nale ha-ila caudda bhuvana

tenho ‘brahma' hana srsti karila srjana

SYNONYMS

sei padma-nale -- within the stem of that lotus; ha-ila -- was

manifested; caudda -- fourteen; bhuvana -- planetary systems; tenho --

He; brahma -- Lord Brahma; hana -- having become; srsti -- the material

creation; karila srjana -- created.

TRANSLATION

"In the stem of that lotus flower, the fourteen worlds were generated.

Then He became Lord Brahma and manifested the entire universe.

Madhya 20.289

TEXT 289

TEXT

‘visnu'-rupa hana kare jagat palane

gunatita visnu -- sparsa nahi maya-sane

SYNONYMS

visnu-rupa -- Lord Krsna in His form as Visnu; hana -- becoming; kare --

does; jagat palane -- maintenance of the material world; guna-atita --

beyond the material qualities, transcendental; visnu -- Lord Visnu;

sparsa -- touching; nahi -- there is not; maya-sane -- with maya, the

material energy.

TRANSLATION

"In this way, the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form of Visnu

maintains the entire material world. Since He is always beyond the

material qualities, the material nature cannot touch Him.

PURPORT

The influence of the material energy cannot touch Lord Visnu as she

touches Lord Brahma and Lord Siva. Therefore it is said that Lord Visnu

is transcendental to the material qualities. The incarnations of the

material qualities -- Lord Siva and Lord Brahma -- are under the

jurisdiction of the external energy. Lord Visnu, however, is different.

In the mantras of the Rg Veda it is said, om tad visnoh paramam padam (

Rg Veda-samhita 1.22.20). The words paramam padam indicate that He is

transcendental to the material qualities. Because Lord Visnu is not

within the jurisdiction of the material qualities, He is always superior

to the living entities who are controlled by the material energy. This

is one of the differences between the Supreme Lord and the living

entities. Lord Brahma is a very powerful living entity, and Lord Siva is

even more powerful. Therefore Lord Siva is not accepted as a living

entity, but at the same time he is not considered to be on the level of

Lord Visnu.

Madhya 20.290

TEXT 290

TEXT

‘rudra'-rupa dhari kare jagat samhara

srsti, sthiti, pralaya haya icchaya yanhara

SYNONYMS

rudra-rupa dhari -- accepting the form of Lord Siva; kare -- performs;

jagat samhara -- dissolution of the universal creation; srsti --

creation; sthiti -- maintenance; pralaya -- and dissolution; haya --

take place; icchaya -- by the will; yanhara -- of whom.

TRANSLATION

"The Supreme Lord in His form of Rudra [Lord Siva] brings about the

dissolution of this material creation. In other words, only by His will

are there creation, maintenance and dissolution of the whole cosmic

manifestation.

Madhya 20.291

TEXT 291

TEXT

brahma, visnu, siva -- tanra guna-avatara

srsti-sthiti-pralayera tinera adhikara

SYNONYMS

brahma -- Lord Brahma; visnu -- Lord Visnu; siva -- Lord Siva; tanra --

of Garbhodakasayi Visnu; guna-avatara -- incarnations of the material

qualities; srsti-sthiti-pralayera -- of the three functions, namely

creation, maintenance and dissolution; tinera adhikara -- there is

control by the three deities (Lord Brahma, Lord Visnu and Lord Siva).

TRANSLATION

"Brahma, Visnu and Siva are His three incarnations of the material

qualities. Creation, maintenance and destruction respectively are under

the charge of these three personalities.

Madhya 20.292

TEXT 292

TEXT

hiranyagarbha-antaryami -- garbhodakasayi

‘sahasra-sirsadi' kari' vede yanre gai

SYNONYMS

hiranyagarbha -- named Hiranyagarbha; antaryami -- the Supersoul; garbha-

udaka-sayi -- Lord Garbhodakasayi Visnu; sahasra-sirsa-adi kari' -- by

the Vedic hymns beginning with sahasra-sirsa (Rg Veda-samhita 10.90.1);

vede yanre gai -- unto whom the Vedas pray.

TRANSLATION

"Garbhodakasayi Visnu, known within the universe as Hiranyagarbha and

the antaryami, or Supersoul, is glorified in the Vedic hymns, beginning

with the hymn that starts with the word ‘sahasra-sirsa.'

Madhya 20.293

TEXT 293

TEXT

ei ta' dvitiya-purusa -- brahmandera isvara

mayara ‘asraya' haya, tabu maya-para

SYNONYMS

ei ta' -- in this way; dvitiya-purusa -- the second Personality of

Godhead; brahmandera isvara -- the master of the universe; mayara -- of

the external, material energy; asraya haya -- becomes the shelter; tabu -

- still; maya-para -- is beyond the touch of the material energy.

TRANSLATION

"This second Personality of Godhead, known as Garbhodakasayi Visnu, is

the master of each and every universe and the shelter of the external

energy. Nonetheless, He remains beyond the touch of the external energy.

Madhya 20.294

TEXT 294

TEXT

trtiya-purusa visnu -- ‘guna-avatara'

dui avatara-bhitara ganana tanhara

SYNONYMS

trtiya-purusa -- the third Personality; visnu -- Lord Visnu; guna-

avatara -- the incarnation of the material quality of goodness; dui

avatara-bhitara -- within the two incarnations; ganana tanhara -- He is

designated.

TRANSLATION

"The third expansion of Visnu is Ksirodakasayi Visnu, who is the

incarnation of the quality of goodness. He is to be counted within both

types of incarnations [purusa-avataras and guna-avataras].

Madhya 20.295

TEXT 295

TEXT

virat vyasti-jivera tenho antaryami

ksirodakasayi tenho -- palana-karta, svami

SYNONYMS

virat -- the universal form; vyasti-jivera -- of all other living

entities; tenho -- He; antaryami -- the Supersoul; ksira-udaka-sayi --

Lord Visnu who lies down on the ocean of milk; tenho -- He; palana-karta

-- the maintainer; svami -- the master.

TRANSLATION

"Ksirodakasayi Visnu is the universal form of the Lord and is the

Supersoul within every living entity. He is known as Ksirodakasayi

because He is the Lord who lies on the ocean of milk. He is the

maintainer and master of the universe.

Madhya 20.296

TEXT 296

TEXT

purusavatarera ei kailun nirupana

lilavatara ebe suna, sanatana

SYNONYMS

purusa-avatarera -- of all the purusa-avataras; ei -- this; kailun

nirupana -- I have described; lila-avatara -- incarnations for pastimes;

ebe -- now; suna -- please hear; sanatana -- O Sanatana.

TRANSLATION

"O Sanatana, I have definitively described the three purusa-avataras of

Visnu. Now please hear from Me about the pastime incarnations.

Madhya 20.297

TEXT 297

TEXT

lilavatara krsnera na yaya ganana

pradhana kariya kahi dig-darasana

SYNONYMS

lila-avatara -- incarnations for pastimes; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; na

yaya ganana -- are not countable; pradhana kariya -- chiefly; kahi --

let Me describe; dik-darasana -- by a sample indication.

TRANSLATION

"No one can count the innumerable pastime incarnations of Lord Krsna,

but I shall describe the principal ones.

Madhya 20.298

TEXT 298

TEXT

matsya, kurma, raghunatha, nrsimha, vamana

varahadi -- lekha yanra na yaya ganana

SYNONYMS

matsya -- the fish incarnation; kurma -- the tortoise incarnation;

raghunatha -- Lord Ramacandra; nrsimha -- the man-lion incarnation;

vamana -- the dwarf incarnation; varaha-adi -- the hog incarnation and

others; lekha -- describing; yanra -- of which incarnations; na yaya

ganana -- cannot be counted.

TRANSLATION

"Some of the pastime incarnations are the fish incarnation, the tortoise

incarnation, Lord Ramacandra, Lord Nrsimha, Lord Vamana and Lord Varaha.

There is no end to them.

Madhya 20.299

TEXT 299

TEXT

matsyasva-kacchapa-nrsimha-varaha-hamsa-

rajanya-vipra-vibudhesu krtavatarah

tvam pasi nas tri-bhuvanam ca tathadhunesa

bharam bhuvo hara yaduttama vandanam te

SYNONYMS

matsya -- in the form of a fish; asva -- in the form of a horse;

kacchapa -- in the form of a tortoise; nrsimha -- in the form of Lord

Nrsimhadeva; varaha -- in the form of a boar; hamsa -- in the form

of a swan; rajanya -- in the form of Lord Ramacandra; vipra -- in the

form of Lord Parasurama; vibudhesu -- and in the form of Vamanadeva;

krta-avatarah -- who have accepted incarnation; tvam -- You; pasi --

please protect; nah -- us demigods; tri-bhuvanam ca -- and the three

worlds; tatha -- as well; adhuna -- now; isa -- O Lord; bharam -- the

burden; bhuvah -- of the universe; hara -- kindly take away; yadu-uttama

-- O best of the Yadu dynasty; vandanam te -- to You we offer our

prayers.

TRANSLATION

"‘O Lord of the universe, best of the Yadu dynasty, we are offering our

prayers unto You mainly to diminish the heavy burden of the universe.

Indeed, You diminished this burden formerly by incarnating in the form

of a fish, a horse [Hayagriva], a tortoise, a lion [Lord Nrsimha], a

boar [Lord Varaha] and a swan. You also incarnated as Lord Ramacandra,

Parasurama and Vamana, the dwarf. You have always protected us demigods

and the universe in this way. Now please continue.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.2.40).

Madhya 20.300

TEXT 300

TEXT

lilavatarera kailun dig-darasana

gunavatarera ebe suna vivarana

SYNONYMS

lila-avatarera -- of the incarnations of pastimes; kailun -- I have done;

dik-darasana -- indicating the direction only; guna-avatarera -- of

incarnations of the material qualities; ebe -- now; suna vivarana --

hear the description.

TRANSLATION

"I have given a few examples of pastime incarnations. Now I will

describe the guna-avataras, the incarnations of the material qualities.

Please listen.

Madhya 20.301

TEXT 301

TEXT

brahma, visnu, siva, -- tina guna avatara

tri-guna angikari' kare srsty-adi-vyavahara

SYNONYMS

brahma, visnu, siva -- Lord Brahma, Lord Visnu and Lord Siva; tina --

three; guna avatara -- the incarnations of the material qualities; tri-

guna -- the three qualities of material nature; angikari' -- accepting;

kare -- does; srsti-adi-vyavahara -- transactions in reference to the

creation, maintenance and dissolution.

TRANSLATION

"There are three functions within this material world. Everything here

is created, everything is maintained for some time, and everything is

finally dissolved. The Lord therefore incarnates Himself as the

controllers of the three qualities -- sattva-guna, rajo-guna and tamo-

guna [goodness, passion and ignorance]. Thus the transactions of the

material world take place.

Madhya 20.302

TEXT 302

TEXT

bhakti-misra-krta-punye kona jivottama

rajo-gune vibhavita kari' tanra mana

SYNONYMS

bhakti-misra-krta-punye -- because of pious activities mixed with

devotional service; kona -- someone; jiva-uttama -- the best of the

living entities; rajah-gune -- by the mode of passion; vibhavita --

influenced; kari' -- making; tanra -- his; mana -- mind.

TRANSLATION

"Because of his past pious activities mixed with devotional service, the

first-class living entity is influenced by the mode of passion within

his mind.

Madhya 20.303

TEXT 303

TEXT

garbhodakasayi-dvara sakti sancari'

vyasti srsti kare krsna brahma-rupa dhari'

SYNONYMS

garbha-udaka-sayi-dvara -- by Lord Garbhodakasayi Visnu; sakti sancari' -

- giving him special powers; vyasti -- total; srsti -- creation; kare --

does; krsna -- Lord Krsna; brahma-rupa dhari' -- accepting the form of

Lord Brahma.

TRANSLATION

"Such a devotee is empowered by Garbhodakasayi Visnu. In this way, an

incarnation of Krsna in the form of Brahma engineers the total creation

of the universe.

PURPORT

The Garbhodakasayi Visnu purusa-avatara expansion of Lord Visnu accepts

the material modes -- sattva-guna, rajo-guna and tamo-guna -- and thus

incarnates as Lord Visnu, Brahma and Siva. These are incarnations of the

material qualities. Among the many superior living entities qualified

with pious activities and devotional service, one, called Lord Brahma,

is infused with the quality of passion by the supreme will of

Garbhodakasayi Visnu. Thus Lord Brahma becomes the incarnation of the

creative energy of the Lord.

Madhya 20.304

TEXT 304

TEXT

bhasvan yathasma-sakalesu nijesu tejah

sviyam kiyat prakatayaty api tadvad atra

brahma ya esa jagad-anda-vidhana-karta

govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

SYNONYMS

bhasvan -- the illuminating sun; yatha -- as; asma-sakalesu -- in

various types of precious stones; nijesu -- his own; tejah -- brilliance;

sviyam -- his own; kiyat -- to some extent; prakatayati -- manifests;

api -- also; tadvat -- similarly; atra -- here; brahma -- Lord Brahma;

yah -- who is; esah -- the Lord; jagat-anda-vidhana-karta -- becomes the

chief of the universe; govindam adi-purusam -- Lord Govinda, the

original Supreme Personality of Godhead; tam -- Him; aham -- I; bhajami -

- worship.

TRANSLATION

"‘The sun manifests his brilliance in a gem, although it is stone.

Similarly, the original Personality of Godhead, Govinda, manifests His

special power in a pious living entity. Thus the living entity becomes

Brahma and manages the affairs of the universe. Let me worship Govinda,

the original Personality of Godhead.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from the Brahma-samhita (5.49).

Madhya 20.305

TEXT 305

TEXT

kona kalpe yadi yogya jiva nahi paya

apane isvara tabe amse ‘brahma' haya

SYNONYMS

kona kalpe -- in some lifetime of Brahma; yadi -- if; yogya -- suitable;

jiva -- living entity; nahi -- not; paya -- is available; apane --

personally; isvara -- the Supreme Lord; tabe -- then; amse -- by His

plenary expansion; brahma haya -- becomes Lord Brahma.

TRANSLATION

"If in a kalpa a suitable living entity is not available to take charge

of Brahma's post, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself personally

expands and becomes Lord Brahma.

PURPORT

One day of Brahma consists of the four yugas multiplied a thousand times

-- or, according to solar calculations, 4,320,000,000 years -- and such

also is the duration of his night. One year of Brahma's life consists of

360 such days and nights, and Brahma lives for one hundred such years.

Such is the life of a Brahma.

Madhya 20.306

TEXT 306

TEXT

yasyanghri-pankaja-rajo 'khila-loka-palair

mauly-uttamair dhrtam upasita-tirtha-tirtham

brahma bhavo 'ham api yasya kalah kalayah

sris codvahema ciram asya nrpasanam kva

SYNONYMS

yasya -- whose; anghri-pankaja -- lotuslike feet; rajah -- the dust;

akhila-loka -- of the universal planetary systems; palaih -- by the

masters; mauli-uttamaih -- with valuable turbans on their heads; dhrtam -

- accepted; upasita -- worshiped; tirtha-tirtham -- the sanctifier of

the holy places; brahma -- Lord Brahma; bhavah -- Lord Siva; aham api --

even I; yasya -- of whom; kalah -- portions; kalayah -- of a plenary

portion; srih -- the goddess of fortune; ca -- and; udvahema -- we carry;

ciram -- eternally; asya -- of Him; nrpa-asanam -- the throne of a king;

kva -- where.

TRANSLATION

"‘What is the value of a throne to Lord Krsna? The masters of the

various planetary systems accept the dust of His lotus feet on their

crowned heads. That dust makes the holy places sacred, and even Lord

Brahma, Lord Siva, Laksmi and I Myself, who are all portions of His

plenary portion, eternally carry that dust on our heads.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.68.37). When the Kauravas

flattered Baladeva so that He would become their ally and spoke ill of

Sri Krsna, Lord Baladeva became angry and spoke this verse.

Madhya 20.307

TEXT 307

TEXT

nijamsa-kalaya krsna tamo-guna angikari'

samhararthe maya-sange rudra-rupa dhari

SYNONYMS

nija-amsa -- of His personal plenary expansion; kalaya -- by an

expansion known as kala; krsna -- Lord Krsna; tamah-guna -- the material

mode of darkness; angikari' -- accepting; samhara-arthe -- for the

purpose of dissolution; maya-sange -- in association with the external

energy; rudra-rupa -- the form of Rudra; dhari -- assumes.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, expands a portion of

His plenary portion and, accepting the association of the material mode

of ignorance, assumes the form of Rudra to dissolve the cosmic

manifestation.

PURPORT

This is a description of the Rudra form, which is another expansion of

Krsna. Only visnu-murtis are expansions of Krsna's personal and plenary

portions. Maha-Visnu, who lies on the Causal Ocean, is an expansion of

Sankarsana. When Garbhodakasayi Visnu accepts the material modes of

nature for the purpose of dissolving the cosmic manifestation, His form

is called Rudra. As already explained, Lord Visnu is the controller of

maya. How, then, can He associate with maya? The conclusion is that the

incarnation of Lord Siva or Lord Brahma indicates the absence of the

supreme power of Visnu. When the supreme power is not there, it is

possible to associate with maya, the external energy. Lord Brahma and

Lord Siva are to be considered creations of maya.

Madhya 20.308

TEXT 308

TEXT

maya-sanga-vikari rudra -- bhinnabhinna rupa

jiva-tattva nahe, nahe krsnera ‘svarupa'

SYNONYMS

maya-sanga -- by association with maya; vikari -- transformed; rudra --

the form of Rudra; bhinna-abhinna rupa -- having different types of

forms; jiva-tattva nahe -- still he is not called jiva-tattva; nahe --

nor; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; svarupa -- personal form.

TRANSLATION

"Rudra, Lord Siva, has various forms, which are transformations brought

about by association with maya. Although Rudra is not on a level with

the jiva-tattvas, he still cannot be considered a personal expansion of

Lord Krsna.

PURPORT

Rudra is simultaneously one with and different from the visnu-tattva.

Due to his association with maya, he is different from the visnu-tattva,

but at the same time he is an expansion of Krsna's personal form. This

situation is called bhedabheda-tattva or acintya-bhedabheda-tattva,

simultaneously one and different.

Madhya 20.309

TEXT 309

TEXT

dugdha yena amla-yoge dadhi-rupa dhare

dugdhantara vastu nahe, dugdha haite nare

SYNONYMS

dugdha -- milk; yena -- as; amla-yoge -- in association with a sour

substance; dadhi-rupa -- the form of yogurt; dhare -- takes; dugdha-

antara -- something other than milk; vastu -- substance; nahe -- is not;

dugdha -- milk; haite -- to be; nare -- is not able.

TRANSLATION

"Milk is transformed into yogurt when it associates with a yogurt

culture. Thus yogurt is nothing but milk, but still it is not milk.

PURPORT

Of the three deities supervising the creation, maintenance and

dissolution of the universe, Lord Visnu is never separate from the

original Visnu. However, Lord Siva and Brahma, due to their association

with maya, are different from Visnu. Visnu cannot be transformed into

any form of material energy. Whenever there is association with maya,

the personality involved must be different from Lord Visnu. Therefore

Lord Siva and Lord Brahma are called guna-avataras, for they associate

with the material qualities. The conclusion is that Rudra is not exactly

Lord Visnu but rather a transformation of Visnu. Therefore, he does not

come within the category of the visnu-tattvas. Thus he is inconceivably

one with Visnu and different from Him. The example given in this verse

is very clear. Milk is compared to Visnu. As soon as milk touches a sour

substance, it becomes yogurt, or Lord Siva. Although yogurt is

constitutionally milk, it cannot be used in place of milk.

Madhya 20.310

TEXT 310

TEXT

ksiram yatha dadhi vikara-visesa-yogat

sanjayate na tu tatah prthag asti hetoh

yah sambhutam api tatha samupaiti karyad

govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

SYNONYMS

ksiram -- milk; yatha -- as; dadhi -- yogurt; vikara-visesa -- with a

special transforming agent; yogat -- by mixing; sanjayate -- is

transformed into; na -- not; tu -- but; tatah -- from the milk; prthak --

separated; asti -- is; hetoh -- which is the cause; yah -- who;

sambhutam -- the nature of Lord Siva; api -- even though; tatha -- as;

samupaiti -- accepts; karyat -- for the matter of some particular

business; govindam -- unto Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead;

adi-purusam -- the original person; tam -- unto Him; aham -- I; bhajami -

- offer my respectful obeisances.

TRANSLATION

"‘Milk changes into yogurt when mixed with a yogurt culture, but

actually it is constitutionally nothing but milk. Similarly, Govinda,

the Supreme Personality of Godhead, assumes the form of Lord Siva [

Sambhu] for the special purpose of material transactions. I offer my

obeisances at His lotus feet.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from the Brahma-samhita (5.45).

Madhya 20.311

TEXT 311

TEXT

‘siva' -- maya-sakti-sangi, tamo-gunavesa

mayatita, gunatita ‘visnu' -- paramesa

SYNONYMS

siva -- Lord Siva; maya-sakti-sangi -- an associate of the external

energy; tamah-guna-avesa -- absorbed by the quality of ignorance; maya-

atita -- transcendental to the external energy; guna-atita --

transcendental to the qualities of matter; visnu -- Visnu; parama-isa --

the Supreme Lord.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Siva is an associate of the external energy; therefore he is

absorbed in the material quality of darkness. Lord Visnu is

transcendental to maya and the qualities of maya. Therefore He is the

Supreme Personality of Godhead.

PURPORT

Visnu is beyond the range of the material manifestation, and He is not

within the control of the material energy. He is the supreme independent

Personality of Godhead. This is admitted even by Sankaracarya: narayanah

paro 'vyaktat (Gita-bhasya). In his constitutional form, Siva is a maha-

bhagavata, a supreme devotee of the Lord, but because he accepts maya's

association -- especially the quality of ignorance -- he is not free

from maya's influence. Such an intimate association is completely absent

in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu. Lord Siva accepts maya,

but in the presence of Lord Visnu, maya does not exist. Consequently

Lord Siva has to be considered a product of maya. When Lord Siva is free

from maya's influence, he is in the position of a maha-bhagavata, a

supreme devotee of Lord Visnu. Vaisnavanam yatha sambhuh.

Madhya 20.312

TEXT 312

TEXT

sivah sakti-yuktah sasvat

tri-lingo guna-samvrtah

vaikarikas taijasas ca

tamasas cety aham tridha

SYNONYMS

sivah -- Lord Siva; sakti-yuktah -- associated with material nature;

sasvat -- eternally; tri-lingah -- in three features; guna-samvrtah --

covered by the modes of nature; vaikarikah -- one is called vaikarika;

taijasah ca -- another is called taijasa; tamasah ca -- as well as

tamasa; iti -- thus; aham -- egotism; tri-dha -- three kinds.

TRANSLATION

"‘The truth about Lord Siva is that he is always covered with three

material coverings -- vaikarika, taijasa and tamasa. Because of these

three modes of material nature, he always associates with the external

energy and egotism itself.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.88.3).

Madhya 20.313

TEXT 313

TEXT

harir hi nirgunah saksat

purusah prakrteh parah

sa sarva-drg upadrasta

tam bhajan nirguno bhavet

SYNONYMS

harih -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu; hi -- certainly;

nirgunah -- transcendental to all material qualities; saksat -- directly;

purusah -- the supreme enjoyer; prakrteh -- material nature; parah --

beyond; sah -- He; sarva-drk -- the seer of everything; upadrasta -- the

overseer of everything; tam -- Him; bhajan -- by worshiping; nirgunah --

transcendental to material qualities; bhavet -- one becomes.

TRANSLATION

"‘Sri Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is situated beyond the

range of material nature; therefore He is the supreme transcendental

person. He can see everything inside and outside; therefore He is the

supreme overseer of all living entities. If someone takes shelter at His

lotus feet and worships Him, he also attains a transcendental position.'

PURPORT

This is also a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.88.5).

Madhya 20.314

TEXT 314

TEXT

palanartha svamsa visnu-rupe avatara

sattva-guna drasta, tate guna-maya-para

SYNONYMS

palana-artha -- for maintenance; svamsa -- personal plenary expansion;

visnu-rupe -- in the form of Lord Visnu; avatara -- incarnation; sattva-

guna -- of the mode of goodness; drasta -- director; tate -- therefore;

guna-maya-para -- transcendental to the material modes of nature.

TRANSLATION

"For the maintenance of the universe, Lord Krsna descends as His

personal plenary expansion in the form of Visnu. He is the director of

the mode of goodness; therefore He is transcendental to the material

energy.

Madhya 20.315

TEXT 315

TEXT

svarupa -- aisvarya-purna, krsna-sama praya

krsna amsi, tenho amsa, vede hena gaya

SYNONYMS

svarupa -- personal expansion; aisvarya-purna -- full of all opulences;

krsna-sama -- equal to Krsna; praya -- almost; krsna amsi -- Krsna is

the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tenho -- Lord Visnu; amsa --

personal expansion; vede -- the Vedas; hena -- thus; gaya -- sing.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Visnu is in the category of svamsa because He has opulences almost

equal to Krsna's. Krsna is the original person, and Lord Visnu is His

personal expansion. This is the verdict of all Vedic literatures.

PURPORT

Although an incarnation of the material energy, Lord Brahma is

nonetheless the director of the material mode of passion. Similarly,

Lord Siva, although simultaneously one with and different from Lord

Krsna, is still the incarnation of the mode of darkness. However, Lord

Visnu is Krsna's personal expansion; therefore He is the director of the

mode of goodness and is always transcendentally situated, beyond the

jurisdiction of the modes of material nature. Lord Visnu is the original

personal expansion of Krsna, and Krsna is the original source of all

incarnations. As far as power is concerned, Lord Visnu is as powerful as

Lord Krsna because He possesses all the opulences.

Madhya 20.316

TEXT 316

TEXT

diparcir eva hi dasantaram abhyupetya

dipayate vivrta-hetu-samana-dharma

yas tadrg eva hi ca visnutaya vibhati

govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

SYNONYMS

dipa-arcih -- the flame of a lamp; eva -- as; hi -- certainly; dasa-

antaram -- another lamp; abhyupetya -- expanding; dipayate --

illuminates; vivrta-hetu -- with its expanded cause; samana-dharma --

equally powerful; yah -- who; tadrk -- similarly; eva -- certainly; hi --

certainly; ca -- also; visnutaya -- by His expansion as Lord Visnu;

vibhati -- illuminates; govindam -- to Lord Krsna; adi-purusam -- the

supreme original person; tam -- to Him; aham -- I; bhajami -- offer my

worshipful respect.

TRANSLATION

"‘When the flame of one candle is expanded to another candle and placed

in a different position, it burns separately, and its illumination is as

powerful as the original candle's. Similarly, the Supreme Personality of

Godhead, Govinda, expands Himself in different forms as Visnu, who is

equally luminous, powerful and opulent. Let me worship that Supreme

Personality of Godhead, Govinda.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from the Brahma-samhita (5.46).

Madhya 20.317

TEXT 317

TEXT

brahma, siva -- ajna-kari bhakta-avatara

palanarthe visnu -- krsnera svarupa-akara

SYNONYMS

brahma -- Lord Brahma; siva -- Lord Siva; ajna-kari -- order-carriers;

bhakta-avatara -- incarnations of devotees; palana-arthe -- for

maintenance; visnu -- Lord Visnu; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; svarupa-

akara -- in the form of a personal feature.

TRANSLATION

"The conclusion is that Lord Brahma and Lord Siva are simply devotee

incarnations who carry out orders. However, Lord Visnu, the maintainer,

is the personal feature of Lord Krsna.

Madhya 20.318

TEXT 318

TEXT

srjami tan-niyukto 'ham

haro harati tad-vasah

visvam purusa-rupena

paripati tri-sakti-dhrk

SYNONYMS

srjami -- create; tat-niyuktah -- engaged by Him; aham -- I; harah --

Lord Siva; harati -- annihilates; tat-vasah -- under His control; visvam

-- the whole universe; purusa-rupena -- in the form of Lord Visnu;

paripati -- maintains; tri-sakti-dhrk -- the controller of the three

modes of material nature.

TRANSLATION

"[Lord Brahma said:] ‘I am engaged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead

to create. Following His orders, Lord Siva dissolves everything. The

Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form of Ksirodakasayi Visnu

maintains all the affairs of material nature. Thus the supreme

controller of the three modes of material nature is Lord Visnu.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.6.32). Lord Brahma gave

this information to Devarsi Narada when he was receiving instructions

from Lord Brahma to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead,

Paramatma. After describing the universal form of the Lord, Lord Brahma

explained that his position and Lord Siva's position are controlled by

Lord Visnu.

Madhya 20.319

TEXT 319

TEXT

manvantaravatara ebe suna, sanatana

asankhya ganana tanra, sunaha karana

SYNONYMS

manu-antara-avatara -- the incarnations who appear during the

reign of each Manu; ebe -- now; suna -- hear; sanatana -- O Sanatana

Gosvami; asankhya -- unlimited; ganana -- counting; tanra -- of them;

sunaha -- just hear; karana -- the cause.

TRANSLATION

"O Sanatana, now just hear about the incarnations who appear

during the reign of each Manu [manvantara-avataras]. They are unlimited,

and no one can count them. Just hear of their source.

Madhya 20.320

TEXT 320

TEXT

brahmara eka-dine haya caudda manvantara

caudda avatara tahan karena isvara

SYNONYMS

brahmara eka-dine -- in one day of Brahma; haya -- there are; caudda --

fourteen; manu-antara -- changes of Manu; caudda -- fourteen; avatara --

incarnations; tahan -- in that time; karena -- manifests; isvara -- the

Supreme Personality of Godhead.

TRANSLATION

"In one day of Brahma, there are fourteen changes of the Manus, and

during the reign of each of those fourteen Manus, an incarnation is

manifested by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

PURPORT

From this verse it can be calculated that in one month (30 days) of

Brahma's life there are 420 manvantara-avataras and that in one year (

360 days) of his life there are 5,040 manvantara incarnations. Thus for

the one hundred years of Brahma's life, there is a total of 504,000

manvantara-avataras. In addition, the Manus themselves are considered

partial incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Madhya 20.321

TEXT 321

TEXT

caudda eka dine, mase cari-sata bisa

brahmara vatsare panca-sahasra callisa

SYNONYMS

caudda -- 14; eka dine -- in one day; mase -- in one month; cari-sata

bisa -- 420; brahmara vatsare -- in one year of Brahma; panca-sahasra

callisa -- 5,040 avataras.

TRANSLATION

"There are 14 manvantara-avataras in one day of Brahma, 420 in one month,

and 5,040 in one year.

Madhya 20.322

TEXT 322

TEXT

sateka vatsara haya ‘jivana' brahmara

panca-laksa cari-sahasra manvantaravatara

SYNONYMS

sateka vatsara haya -- there are one hundred years; jivana -- the

duration of life; brahmara -- of Brahma; panca-laksa -- 500,000; cari-

sahasra -- 4,000; manu-antara-avatara -- incarnations who appear

during the reign of each Manu.

TRANSLATION

"During the hundred years of Brahma's life, there are 504,000 manvantara-

avataras.

Madhya 20.323

TEXT 323

TEXT

ananta brahmande aiche karaha ganana

maha-visnu eka-svase brahmara jivana

SYNONYMS

ananta brahmande -- in innumerable universes; aiche -- in that way;

karaha ganana -- just try to count; maha-visnu -- Lord Maha-Visnu; eka-

svase -- by one exhalation; brahmara jivana -- the duration of life of

one Brahma.

TRANSLATION

"The number of manvantara-avataras for only one universe has been given.

One can only imagine how many manvantara-avataras exist in the

innumerable universes. And all these universes and Brahmas exist only

during one exhalation of Maha-Visnu.

Madhya 20.324

TEXT 324

TEXT

maha-visnura nisvasera nahika paryanta

eka manvantaravatarera dekha lekhara anta

SYNONYMS

maha-visnura -- of Lord Maha-Visnu; nisvasera -- of the exhalations;

nahika paryanta -- there is no limit; eka manvantara-avatarera -- of

only one feature of the Lord, namely the manvantara-avataras; dekha --

just see; lekhara anta -- it is beyond the power of writing.

TRANSLATION

"There is no limit to the exhalations of Maha-Visnu. Just see how

impossible it is to speak or write of only the manvantara-avataras!

Madhya 20.325

TEXT 325

TEXT

svayambhuve ‘yajna', svarocise ‘vibhu' nama

auttame ‘satyasena', tamase ‘hari' abhidhana

SYNONYMS

svayambhuve -- in the Svayambhuva-manvantara; yajna -- the avatara named

Yajna; svarocise -- in the Svarocisa-manvantara; vibhu -- the avatara

Vibhu; nama -- named; auttame -- in the Auttama-manvantara; satyasena --

the avatara named Satyasena; tamase -- in the Tamasa-manvantara; hari --

Hari; abhidhana -- named.

TRANSLATION

"In the Svayambhuva-manvantara, the avatara is named Yajna. In the

Svarocisa-manvantara, he is named Vibhu. In the Auttama-manvantara, He

is named Satyasena, and in the Tamasa-manvantara, He is named Hari.

Madhya 20.326

TEXT 326

TEXT

raivate ‘vaikuntha', caksuse ‘ajita', vaivasvate ‘vamana'

savarnye ‘sarvabhauma', daksa-savarnye ‘rsabha' ganana

SYNONYMS

raivate -- in the Raivata-manvantara; vaikuntha -- the avatara named

Vaikuntha; caksuse -- in the Caksusa-manvantara; ajita -- the avatara

named Ajita; vaivasvate -- in the Vaivasvata-manvantara; vamana -- the

avatara named Vamana; savarnye -- in the Savarnya-manvantara;

sarvabhauma -- the avatara named Sarvabhauma; daksa-savarnye -- in the

Daksa-savarnya-manvantara; rsabha -- the avatara named Rsabha; ganana --

named.

TRANSLATION

"In the Raivata-manvantara, the avatara is named Vaikuntha, and in the

Caksusa-manvantara, He is named Ajita. In the Vaivasvata-manvantara, He

is named Vamana, and in the Savarnya-manvantara, He is named Sarvabhauma.

In the Daksa-savarnya-manvantara, he is named Rsabha.

Madhya 20.327

TEXT 327

TEXT

brahma-savarnye ‘visvaksena', ‘dharmasetu' dharma-savarnye

rudra-savarnye ‘sudhama', ‘yogesvara' deva-savarnye

SYNONYMS

brahma-savarnye -- in the Brahma-savarnya-manvantara; visvaksena -- the

avatara named Visvaksena; dharmasetu -- the avatara named Dharmasetu;

dharma-savarnye -- in the Dharma-savarnya-manvantara; rudra-savarnye --

in the Rudra-savarnya-manvantara; sudhama -- the avatara named Sudhama;

yogesvara -- the avatara named Yogesvara; deva-savarnye -- in the Deva-

savarnya-manvantara.

TRANSLATION

"In the Brahma-savarnya-manvantara, the avatara is named Visvaksena, and

in the Dharma-savarnya, he is named Dharmasetu. In the Rudra-savarnya he

is named Sudhama, and in the Deva-savarnya, he is named Yogesvara.

Madhya 20.328

TEXT 328

TEXT

indra-savarnye ‘brhadbhanu' abhidhana

ei caudda manvantare caudda ‘avatara' nama

SYNONYMS

indra-savarnye -- in the Indra-savarnya-manvantara; brhadbhanu -- the

avatara named Brhadbhanu; abhidhana -- named; ei caudda manvantare -- in

the fourteen manvantaras; caudda -- fourteen; avatara -- of the

incarnations; nama -- different names.

TRANSLATION

"In the Indra-savarnya-manvantara, the avatara is named Brhadbhanu.

These are the names of the fourteen avataras in the fourteen manvantaras.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, in his Anubhasya, gives a list

of Manus and their fathers' names: (1) Svayambhuva Manu, the son of Lord

Brahma; (2) Svarocisa, the son of Svarocis, or Agni, the predominating

deity of fire; (3) Uttama, the son of King Priyavrata; (4) Tamasa, the

brother of Uttama; (5) Raivata, the twin brother of Tamasa; (6) Caksusa,

the son of the demigod Caksus; (7) Vaivasvata, the son of Vivasvan, the

sun-god (whose name is mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita [4.1]); (8)

Savarni, a son born to the sun-god and his wife Chaya; (9) Daksa-savarni,

the son of the demigod Varuna; (10) Brahma-savarni, the son of Upasloka;

(11–14) Rudra-savarni, Dharma-savarni, Deva-savarni and Indra-savarni,

the sons of Rudra, Ruci, Satyasaha and Bhuti respectively.

Madhya 20.329

TEXT 329

TEXT

yugavatara ebe suna, sanatana

satya-treta-dvapara-kali-yugera ganana

SYNONYMS

yuga-avatara -- incarnation of millenniums; ebe -- now; suna -- hear;

sanatana -- O Sanatana Gosvami; satya-treta-dvapara-kali-yugera -- of

Satya-yuga, Treta-yuga, Dvapara-yuga and Kali-yuga; ganana -- the

chronological order.

TRANSLATION

"O Sanatana, now hear from Me about the yuga-avataras, the incarnations

for the millenniums. First of all, there are four yugas -- Satya-yuga,

Treta-yuga, Dvapara-yuga and Kali-yuga.

Madhya 20.330

TEXT 330

TEXT

sukla-rakta-krsna-pita -- krame cari varna

cari varna dhari' krsna karena yuga-dharma

SYNONYMS

sukla -- white; rakta -- red; krsna -- black; pita -- yellow; krame --

one after another; cari varna -- four colors; cari varna dhari' --

accepting these four colors; krsna -- Lord Krsna; karena yuga-dharma --

manifests His pastimes in different millenniums.

TRANSLATION

"In the four yugas -- Satya, Treta, Dvapara and Kali -- the Lord

incarnates in four colors: white, red, black and yellow respectively.

These are the colors of the incarnations in different millenniums.

Madhya 20.331

TEXT 331

TEXT

asan varnas trayo hy asya

grhnato 'nu-yugam tanuh

suklo raktas tatha pita

idanim krsnatam gatah

SYNONYMS

asan -- there were; varnah -- colors; trayah -- three; hi -- certainly;

asya -- of your son; grhnatah -- accepting; anu-yugam -- according to

the millennium; tanuh -- body; suklah -- white; raktah -- red; tatha --

as well as; pitah -- yellow; idanim -- just now; krsnatam gatah -- He

has assumed a blackish hue.

TRANSLATION

"‘This child formerly had three colors according to the prescribed color

for different millenniums. Formerly He was white, red and yellow, and

now He has assumed a blackish color.'

PURPORT

This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.8.13) was spoken by Garga Muni

when performing the name-giving ceremony for Krsna at the house of Nanda

Maharaja. The following two verses are also from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.

21, 24).

Madhya 20.332

TEXT 332

TEXT

krte suklas catur-bahur

jatilo valkalambarah

krsnajinopavitaksan

bibhrad danda-kamandalu

SYNONYMS

krte -- in Satya-yuga; suklah -- having a white color and bearing the

name Sukla; catuh-bahuh -- having four arms; jatilah -- with a bunch of

hair; valkala-ambarah -- wearing a garment made of tree bark; krsna-

ajina -- black-colored antelope skin; upavita -- sacred thread; aksan --

a garland of beads for chanting; bibhrat -- carried; danda-kamandalu --

a rod and waterpot.

TRANSLATION

"‘In Satya-yuga the Lord appeared in a body colored white, with four

arms and matted hair. He wore tree bark and bore a black antelope skin.

He wore a sacred thread and a garland of rudraksa beads. He carried a

rod and a waterpot, and He was a brahmacari.'

Madhya 20.333

TEXT 333

TEXT

tretayam rakta-varno 'sau

catur-bahus tri-mekhalah

hiranya-kesas trayy-atma

sruk-sruvady-upalaksanah

SYNONYMS

tretayam -- in Treta-yuga; rakta-varnah -- of a reddish color; asau --

He; catuh-bahuh -- with four arms; tri-mekhalah -- having three circles

on the abdomen; hiranya-kesah -- hair colored like gold; trayi-atma --

whose form manifests the Vedas; sruk-sruva-adi-upalaksanah -- decorated

with the sacrificial spoon, ladle and so on.

TRANSLATION

"‘In Treta-yuga, the Lord appeared in a body that had a reddish hue and

four arms. There were three distinctive lines on His abdomen, and His

hair was golden. His form manifested the Vedic knowledge, and He bore

the symbols of a sacrificial spoon, ladle and so on.'

Madhya 20.334

TEXT 334

TEXT

satya-yuge dharma-dhyana karaya ‘sukla'-murti dhari'

kardamake vara dila yenho krpa kari'

SYNONYMS

satya-yuge -- in the millennium of Satya-yuga; dharma-dhyana --

religious principles and meditation; karaya -- induces; sukla -- whitish;

murti -- form; dhari' -- accepting; kardamake -- to Kardama Muni; vara

dila -- gave benedictions; yenho -- who; krpa kari' -- out of causeless

mercy.

TRANSLATION

"As the white incarnation, the Lord taught religion and meditation. He

offered benedictions to Kardama Muni, and in this way He showed His

causeless mercy.

PURPORT

Kardama Muni was one of the prajapatis. He married Devahuti, the

daughter of Manu, and their son was Kapiladeva. The Supreme Lord was

very pleased with Kardama Muni's austerities, and He appeared before

Kardama Muni in a whitish body. This happened in the Satya-yuga

millennium, when people were accustomed to practicing meditation.

Madhya 20.335

TEXT 335

TEXT

krsna-‘dhyana' kare loka jnana-adhikari

tretara dharma ‘yajna' karaya ‘rakta'-varna dhari'

SYNONYMS

krsna-dhyana -- meditation upon Krsna; kare -- perform; loka -- the

people; jnana-adhikari -- who are advanced in spiritual knowledge;

tretara -- of Treta-yuga; dharma -- the occupational duty; yajna --

performance of sacrifices; karaya -- induces; rakta-varna dhari' --

assuming a reddish color.

TRANSLATION

"In Satya-yuga the people were generally advanced in spiritual knowledge

and could meditate upon Krsna very easily. The people's occupational

duty in Treta-yuga was to perform great sacrifices. This was induced by

the Personality of Godhead in His reddish incarnation.

Madhya 20.336

TEXT 336

TEXT

‘krsna-padarcana' haya dvaparera dharma

‘krsna'-varne karaya loke krsnarcana-karma

SYNONYMS

krsna-pada-arcana -- worshiping the lotus feet of Krsna; haya -- is;

dvaparera -- of Dvapara millennium; dharma -- the occupational duty;

krsna-varne -- in a blackish color; karaya -- induces; loke -- to the

people; krsna-arcana-karma -- the activities of worshiping Lord Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"In Dvapara-yuga the people's occupational duty was to worship the lotus

feet of Krsna. Therefore Lord Krsna, appearing in a blackish body,

personally induced people to worship Him.

Madhya 20.337

TEXT 337

TEXT

dvapare bhagavan syamah

pita-vasa nijayudhah

sri-vatsadibhir ankais ca

laksanair upalaksitah

SYNONYMS

dvapare -- in Dvapara-yuga; bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of

Godhead; syamah -- blackish; pita-vasah -- having yellow clothes; nija --

own; ayudhah -- having weapons; sri-vatsa-adibhih -- such as Srivatsa;

ankaih -- by bodily markings; ca -- and; laksanaih -- by external

characteristics such as the Kaustubha jewel; upalaksitah --

characterized.

TRANSLATION

"‘In Dvapara-yuga the Personality of Godhead appears in a blackish hue.

He is dressed in yellow, He holds His own weapons, and He is decorated

with the Kaustubha jewel and the mark of Srivatsa. That is how His

symptoms are described.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.27). The syama color is

not exactly blackish. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura compares

it to the color of the atasi flower. It is not that Lord Krsna Himself

appears in a blackish color in all the Dvapara-yugas. In other Dvapara-

yugas, previous to Lord Krsna's appearance, the Supreme Lord appeared in

a greenish body by His own personal expansion. This is mentioned in the

Visnu Purana, Hari-vamsa and Mahabharata.

Madhya 20.338

TEXT 338

TEXT

namas te vasudevaya

namah sankarsanaya ca

pradyumnayaniruddhaya

tubhyam bhagavate namah

SYNONYMS

namah -- let me offer my respectful obeisances; te -- unto You;

vasudevaya -- Lord Vasudeva; namah -- respectful obeisances;

sankarsanaya ca -- also to Lord Sankarsana; pradyumnaya -- to Lord

Pradyumna; aniruddhaya -- unto Aniruddha; tubhyam -- unto You; bhagavate

-- unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; namah -- my respectful

obeisances.

TRANSLATION

"‘I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of

Godhead, expanded as Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha.'

PURPORT

This is a prayer from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.29) spoken by Karabhajana

Muni when he was questioned by Maharaja Nimi, the King of Videha, about

the incarnations in specific yugas and their method of worship.

Karabhajana Muni was one of the nine Yogendras, and he met the King to

inform him about future incarnations.

Madhya 20.339

TEXT 339

TEXT

ei mantre dvapare kare krsnarcana

‘krsna-nama-sankirtana' -- kali-yugera dharma

SYNONYMS

ei mantre -- by this mantra; dvapare -- in the Age of Dvapara; kare --

perform; krsna-arcana -- the worship of Lord Krsna; krsna-nama-

sankirtana -- chanting of the holy name of Lord Krsna; kali-yugera

dharma -- the occupational duty in the Age of Kali.

TRANSLATION

"By this mantra, the people worship Lord Krsna in Dvapara-yuga. In Kali-

yuga the occupational duty of the people is to chant congregationally

the holy name of Krsna.

PURPORT

As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.3.51):

kaler dosa-nidhe rajann asti hy eko mahan gunah

kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-bandhah param vrajet

"My dear King, although Kali-yuga is full of faults, there is still one

good quality about this age. It is that simply by chanting the Hare

Krsna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be

promoted to the transcendental kingdom." Thus in Kali-yuga one worships

Lord Krsna by chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. To propagate this movement,

Lord Krsna personally appeared as Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. That is

described in the following verse.

Madhya 20.340

TEXT 340

TEXT

‘pita'-varna dhari' tabe kaila pravartana

prema-bhakti dila loke lana bhakta-gana

SYNONYMS

pita-varna dhari' -- assuming the color yellow; tabe -- thereafter;

kaila pravartana -- introduced the sankirtana movement; prema-bhakti

dila -- He distributed love of Krsna; loke -- to the people in general;

lana bhakta-gana -- accompanied by His devotees.

TRANSLATION

"In the Age of Kali, Lord Krsna assumes a golden color and, accompanied

by His personal devotees, introduces hari-nama-sankirtana, the chanting

of the Hare Krsna mantra. By this process He delivers love for Krsna to

the general populace.

Madhya 20.341

TEXT 341

TEXT

dharma pravartana kare vrajendra-nandana

preme gaya nace loka kare sankirtana

SYNONYMS

dharma pravartana kare -- introduces a particular type of religious

activity; vrajendra-nandana -- Krsna Himself; preme -- in love; gaya --

chants; nace -- dances; loka -- all people; kare -- perform; sankirtana -

- congregational chanting.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Krsna, the son of Nanda Maharaja, personally introduces the

occupational duty of the Age of Kali. He personally chants and dances in

ecstatic love, and thus the entire world chants congregationally.

Madhya 20.342

TEXT 342

TEXT

krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam

sangopangastra-parsadam

yajnaih sankirtana-prayair

yajanti hi su-medhasah

SYNONYMS

krsna-varnam -- repeating the syllables krs-na; tvisa -- with a luster;

akrsnam -- not black (golden); sa-anga -- with associates; upa-anga --

servitors; astra -- weapons; parsadam -- confidential companions;

yajnaih -- by sacrifice; sankirtana-prayaih -- consisting chiefly of

congregational chanting; yajanti -- they worship; hi -- certainly; su-

medhasah -- intelligent persons.

TRANSLATION

"‘In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational

chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the

name of Krsna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krsna

Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and

confidential companions.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.32). See also Adi-lila,

Chapter Three, text 52.

Madhya 20.343

TEXT 343

TEXT

ara tina-yuge dhyanadite yei phala haya

kali-yuge krsna-name sei phala paya

SYNONYMS

ara tina-yuge -- in the three other yugas; dhyana-adite -- by processes

beginning with meditation; yei -- whatever; phala -- result; haya --

there is; kali-yuge -- in this Age of Kali; krsna-name -- by chanting

the Hare Krsna maha-mantra; sei phala paya -- one gets the same

achievement.

TRANSLATION

"In the other three yugas -- Satya, Treta and Dvapara -- people perform

different types of spiritual activities. Whatever results they achieve

in that way, they can achieve in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare

Krsna maha-mantra.

Madhya 20.344

TEXT 344

TEXT

kaler dosa-nidhe rajann

asti hy eko mahan gunah

kirtanad eva krsnasya

mukta-bandhah param vrajet

SYNONYMS

kaleh -- of the Age of Kali; dosa-nidhe -- in the ocean of faults; rajan

-- O King; asti -- there is; hi -- certainly; ekah -- one; mahan -- very

great; gunah -- good quality; kirtanat -- by chanting; eva -- certainly;

krsnasya -- of the holy name of Krsna; mukta-bandhah -- liberated from

material bondage; param -- to the transcendental, spiritual kingdom;

vrajet -- one can go.

TRANSLATION

"‘My dear King, although Kali-yuga is full of faults, there is still one

good quality about this age. It is that simply by chanting the Hare

Krsna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be

promoted to the transcendental kingdom.'

PURPORT

As mentioned above, this verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.3.51.

Madhya 20.345

TEXT 345

TEXT

krte yad dhyayato visnum

tretayam yajato makhaih

dvapare paricaryayam

kalau tad dhari-kirtanat

SYNONYMS

krte -- in Satya-yuga; yat -- which; dhyayatah -- from meditation;

visnum -- on Lord Visnu; tretayam -- in Treta-yuga; yajatah -- from

worshiping; makhaih -- by performing sacrifices; dvapare -- in the Age

of Dvapara; paricaryayam -- by worshiping the lotus feet of Krsna; kalau

-- in the Age of Kali; tat -- that same result (can be achieved); hari-

kirtanat -- simply by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.

TRANSLATION

"‘Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Visnu, in

Treta-yuga by performing sacrifices and in Dvapara-yuga by serving the

Lord's lotus feet can also be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting

the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.'

PURPORT

This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.3.52). At the present

moment in Kali-yuga there are many false meditators who concoct some

imaginary form and try to meditate upon it. It has become fashionable to

meditate, but people know nothing about the object of meditation. That

is explained here. Yad dhyayato visnum. One has to meditate upon Lord

Visnu or Lord Krsna. Without referring to the sastras, so-called

meditators aim at impersonal objects. Lord Krsna has condemned them in

the Bhagavad-gita (12.5):

kleso 'dhikataras tesam avyaktasakta-cetasam

avyakta hi gatir duhkham dehavadbhir avapyate

"For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifested, impersonal

feature of the Supreme, advancement is very troublesome. To make

progress in that discipline is always difficult for those who are

embodied." Not knowing how to meditate, foolish people simply suffer,

and there is no benefit derived from their spiritual activities.

The same idea expressed in this verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam can be

found in the following verse from the Visnu Purana (6.2.17), Padma

Purana (Uttara-khanda 72.25) and Brhan-naradiya Purana (38.97).

Madhya 20.346

TEXT 346

TEXT

dhyayan krte yajan yajnais

tretayam dvapare 'rcayan

yad apnoti tad apnoti

kalau sankirtya kesavam

SYNONYMS

dhyayan -- meditating; krte -- in Satya-yuga; yajan -- worshiping;

yajnaih -- by the performance of great sacrifices; tretayam -- in Treta-

yuga; dvapare -- in Dvapara-yuga; arcayan -- worshiping the lotus feet;

yat -- whatever; apnoti -- is achieved; tat -- that; apnoti -- is

obtained; kalau -- in the Age of Kali; sankirtya -- simply by chanting;

kesavam -- the pastimes and qualities of Lord Kesava.

TRANSLATION

"‘Whatever is achieved by meditation in Satya-yuga, by the performance

of yajna in Treta-yuga or by the worship of Krsna's lotus feet in

Dvapara-yuga is also obtained in the Age of Kali simply by chanting the

glories of Lord Kesava.'

Madhya 20.347

TEXT 347

TEXT

kalim sabhajayanty arya

guna-jnah sara-bhaginah

yatra sankirtanenaiva

sarva-svartho 'bhilabhyate

SYNONYMS

kalim -- Kali-yuga; sabhajayanti -- worship; aryah -- advanced people;

guna-jnah -- appreciating this good quality of Kali-yuga; sara-bhaginah -

- persons who accept the essence of life; yatra -- in which age;

sankirtanena -- simply by performing the sankirtana-yajna, the chanting

of the Hare Krsna mantra; eva -- certainly; sarva-sva-arthah -- all

interests of life; abhilabhyate -- are achieved.

TRANSLATION

"‘Those who are advanced and highly qualified and are interested in the

essence of life know the good qualities of Kali-yuga. Such people

worship the Age of Kali because in this age one can advance in spiritual

knowledge and attain life's goal simply by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-

mantra.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.36) spoken by the great

sage Karabhajana Rsi, one of the nine Yogendras. The sage was informing

Maharaja Nimi about the people's duty to worship the Supreme Personality

of Godhead according to different processes in different yugas.

Madhya 20.348

TEXT 348

TEXT

purvavat likhi yabe gunavatara-gana

asankhya sankhya tanra, na haya ganana

SYNONYMS

purva-vat -- as previously; likhi -- I write; yabe -- when; guna-avatara-

gana -- incarnations of the material modes of nature; asankhya --

innumerable; sankhya -- counting; tanra -- of them; na haya ganana --

not actually countable.

TRANSLATION

"As stated before when I described the incarnations of the material

modes [guna-avataras], one should consider that these incarnations also

are unlimited and that no one can count them.

Madhya 20.349

TEXT 349

TEXT

cari-yugavatare ei ta' ganana

suni' bhangi kari' tanre puche sanatana

SYNONYMS

cari-yuga-avatare -- of the incarnations in the four different yugas; ei

ta' ganana -- such enumeration; suni' -- hearing; bhangi kari' -- giving

a hint; tanre -- unto Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; puche -- inquired;

sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami.

TRANSLATION

"Thus I have given a description of the incarnations of the four

different yugas." After hearing all this, Sanatana Gosvami gave an

indirect hint to the Lord.

Madhya 20.350

TEXT 350

TEXT

raja-mantri sanatana -- buddhye brhaspati

prabhura krpate puche asankoca-mati

SYNONYMS

raja-mantri sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami was formerly an intelligent

minister for Nawab Hussain Shah; buddhye -- in intelligence; brhaspati --

exactly like Brhaspati, the priest in the heavenly kingdom; prabhura

krpate -- because of the unlimited mercy of the Lord; puche -- inquires;

asankoca-mati -- without hesitation.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami had been a minister under Nawab Hussain Shah, and he

was undoubtedly as intelligent as Brhaspati, the chief priest of the

heavenly kingdom. Due to the Lord's unlimited mercy, Sanatana Gosvami

questioned Him without hesitation.

Madhya 20.351

TEXT 351

TEXT

‘ati ksudra jiva muni nica, nicacara

kemane janiba kalite kon avatara?'

SYNONYMS

ati -- very; ksudra -- unimportant, insignificant; jiva -- living entity;

muni -- I; nica -- low; nica-acara -- having very abominable behavior;

kemane -- how; janiba -- shall I know; kalite -- in this age; kon

avatara -- who is the incarnation.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami said, "I am a very insignificant living entity. I am

low and poorly behaved. How can I understand who is the incarnation for

this Age of Kali?"

PURPORT

This verse is very important in reference to the incarnations of God. At

present there are especially many rascals prevalent in India who

proclaim themselves incarnations of God or goddesses. Thus they are

fooling and bluffing foolish people. On behalf of the general populace,

Sanatana Gosvami presented himself as a foolish, lowborn, poorly behaved

person, although he was a most exalted personality. Inferior people

cannot accept the real God, yet they are very eager to accept an

imitation God who can simply bluff foolish people. All this is going on

in this Age of Kali. To guide these foolish people, Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu answers the question as follows.

Madhya 20.352

TEXT 352

TEXT

prabhu kahe, -- "anyavatara sastra-dvare jani

kalite avatara taiche sastra-vakye mani

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe -- Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; anya-avatara -- the

incarnations in other yugas; sastra-dvare jani -- one has to accept by

reference to the sastras; kalite -- in this Age of Kali; avatara --

incarnation; taiche -- similarly; sastra-vakye mani -- one has to accept

according to the description of revealed scriptures.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "As in other ages an incarnation is

accepted according to the directions of the sastras, in this Age of Kali

an incarnation of God should be accepted in that way.

PURPORT

According to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, this is the way an incarnation

should be accepted. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says, sadhu-sastra-guru-

vakya, cittete kariya aikya. One should accept a thing as genuine by

studying the words of saintly people, the spiritual master and the

sastra. The actual center is the sastra, the revealed scripture. If a

spiritual master does not speak according to the revealed scripture, he

is not to be accepted. Similarly, if a saintly person does not speak

according to the sastra, he is not a saintly person. The sastra is the

center for all. Unfortunately, at the present moment, people do not

refer to the sastras; therefore they accept rascals as incarnations, and

consequently they have made incarnations into a very cheap thing.

Intelligent people who follow Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instructions and

the instructions of the acarya, the bona fide spiritual master, will not

accept a pretender as an incarnation of God. In Kali-yuga, the only

incarnation is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Imitation incarnations take

advantage of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The Lord appeared within the past

five hundred years, played as the son of a brahmana from Nadia and

introduced the sankirtana movement. Imitating Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

and ignoring the sastra, rascals present themselves as incarnations and

introduce their rascaldom as a religious process. As we have repeatedly

said, religion can be given only by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

From the discussions in the Caitanya-caritamrta, we can understand that

in different ages the Supreme Lord introduces different systems and

different religious duties. In this Age of Kali, the only incarnation of

Krsna is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and He introduced the religious duty

of Kali-yuga, the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra: Hare Krsna,

Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama,

Hare Hare.

Madhya 20.353

TEXT 353

TEXT

sarvajna munira vakya -- sastra-‘paramana'

ama-saba jivera haya sastra-dvara ‘jnana'

SYNONYMS

sarva-jna munira vakya -- the words of the omniscient muni (Vyasadeva);

sastra-paramana -- evidence of revealed scriptures; ama-saba -- all of

us; jivera -- of the conditioned souls; haya -- there is; sastra-dvara --

through the medium of revealed scriptures; jnana -- knowledge.

TRANSLATION

"The Vedic literatures composed by the omniscient Mahamuni Vyasadeva are

evidence of all spiritual existence. Only through these revealed

scriptures can all conditioned souls attain knowledge.

PURPORT

Foolish people try to concoct knowledge by manufacturing something in

their brains. That is not the real way of knowledge. Knowledge is sabda-

pramana, evidence from the Vedic literature. Srila Vyasadeva is called

Mahamuni. He is also known as Vedavyasa because he has compiled so many

sastras. He has divided the Vedas into four divisions -- Sama, Rg, Yajur

and Atharva. He has expanded the Vedas into eighteen Puranas and has

summarized Vedic knowledge in the Vedanta-sutra. He also compiled the

Mahabharata, which is accepted as the fifth Veda. The Bhagavad-gita is

contained within the Mahabharata. Therefore the Bhagavad-gita is also

Vedic literature (smrti). Some of the Vedic literatures are called

srutis, and some are called smrtis. Srila Rupa Gosvami recommends in the

Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.101):

sruti-smrti-puranadi-pancaratra-vidhim vina

aikantiki harer bhaktir utpatayaiva kalpate

[Brs. sruti-smrti-puranadi-

pancaratra-vidhim vina

aikantiki harer bhaktir

utpatayaiva kalpate

"Devotional service of the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic

literatures like the Upanisads, Puranas and Narada-pancaratra is simply

an unnecessary disturbance in society." Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.1011.

2.101]

Unless one refers to sastra (sruti, smrti and puranadi), one'

s spiritual activity simply disturbs society. There is no king or

government to check people, and therefore society has fallen into a

chaotic condition as far as spiritual understanding is concerned. Taking

advantage of this chaotic condition, many rascals have appeared and

proclaimed themselves incarnations of God. As a result, the entire

population is indulging in sinful activities such as illicit sex,

intoxication, gambling and meat-eating. Out of many sinful people, many

so-called incarnations of God are emerging. This is a very regrettable

situation, especially in India.

Madhya 20.354

TEXT 354

TEXT

avatara nahi kahe -- ‘ami avatara'

muni saba lani' kare laksana-vicara

SYNONYMS

avatara -- the actual incarnation of Godhead; nahi -- never; kahe --

says; ami avatara -- I am an incarnation; muni -- the great sage

Mahamuni Vyasadeva; saba jani' -- knowing all (past, present and future);

kare laksana-vicara -- describes the symptoms of the avataras.

TRANSLATION

"An actual incarnation of God never says ‘I am God' or ‘I am an

incarnation of God.' The great sage Vyasadeva, knowing all, has already

recorded the characteristics of the avataras in the sastras.

PURPORT

In this verse it is clearly stated that a real incarnation of God never

claims to be a real incarnation. According to the symptoms described in

the sastra, one can understand who is an avatara and who is not.

Madhya 20.355

TEXT 355

TEXT

yasyavatara jnayante

sariresv asaririnah

tais tair atulyatisayair

viryair dehisv asangataih

SYNONYMS

yasya -- whose; avatarah -- incarnations; jnayante -- can be known;

saririsu -- among the living entities; asaririnah -- of the Lord, who

has no material body; taih taih -- all those; atulya -- incomparable;

atisayaih -- extraordinary; viryaih -- by prowess; dehisu -- among the

living entities; asangataih -- impossible.

TRANSLATION

"‘The Lord does not have a material body, yet He descends among human

beings in His transcendental body as an incarnation. Therefore it is

very difficult for us to understand who is an incarnation. Only by His

extraordinary prowess and uncommon activities, which are impossible for

embodied living entities, can one partially understand the incarnation

of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.10.34).

Madhya 20.356

TEXT 356

TEXT

‘svarupa'-laksana, ara ‘tatastha-laksana'

ei dui laksane ‘vastu' jane muni-gana

SYNONYMS

svarupa-laksana -- the personal characteristics; ara -- and; tatastha-

laksana -- the marginal characteristics; ei dui laksane -- by these two

symptoms; vastu -- an object; jane -- know; muni-gana -- the great sages.

TRANSLATION

"By two symptoms -- personal characteristics and marginal

characteristics -- the great sages can understand an object.

Madhya 20.357

TEXT 357

TEXT

akrti, prakrti, svarupa, -- svarupa-laksana

karya-dvara jnana, -- ei tatastha-laksana

SYNONYMS

akrti -- bodily features; prakrti -- nature; svarupa -- form; svarupa-

laksana -- personal symptoms; karya-dvara -- by activities; jnana --

knowledge; ei -- this; tatastha-laksana -- the marginal symptoms.

TRANSLATION

"Bodily features, nature and form are the personal characteristics.

Knowledge of His activities provides the marginal characteristics.

Madhya 20.358

TEXT 358

TEXT

bhagavatarambhe vyasa mangalacarane

‘paramesvara' nirupila ei dui laksane

SYNONYMS

bhagavata-arambhe -- in the beginning of Srimad-Bhagavatam; vyasa -- the

great author Vyasadeva; mangala-acarane -- in the auspicious invocation;

parama-isvara -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; nirupila -- has

described; ei dui laksane -- by these two characteristics, namely

svarupa (personal) and tatastha (marginal) symptoms.

TRANSLATION

"In the auspicious invocation at the beginning of Srimad-Bhagavatam,

Srila Vyasadeva has described the Supreme Personality of Godhead by

these symptoms.

Madhya 20.359

TEXT 359

TEXT

janmady asya yato 'nvayad itaratas carthesv abhijnah svarat

tene brahma hrda ya adi-kavaye muhyanti yat surayah

tejo-vari-mrdam yatha vinimayo yatra tri-sargo 'mrsa

dhamna svena sada nirasta-kuhakam satyam param dhimahi

SYNONYMS

janma-adi -- creation, maintenance and dissolution; asya -- of this (the

universe); yatah -- from whom; anvayat -- directly from the spiritual

connection; itaratah -- indirectly from the lack of material contact; ca

-- also; arthesu -- in all affairs; abhijnah -- perfectly cognizant; sva-

rat -- independent; tene -- imparted; brahma -- the Absolute Truth; hrda

-- through the heart; yah -- who; adi-kavaye -- unto Lord Brahma;

muhyanti -- are bewildered; yat -- in whom; surayah -- great

personalities like Lord Brahma and other demigods or great brahmanas;

tejah-vari-mrdam -- of fire, water and earth; yatha -- as; vinimayah --

the exchange; yatra -- in whom; tri-sargah -- the material creation of

three modes; amrsa -- factual; dhamna -- with the abode; svena -- His

own personal; sada -- always; nirasta-kuhakam -- devoid of all illusion;

satyam -- the truth; param -- absolute; dhimahi -- let us meditate upon.

TRANSLATION

"‘O my Lord, Sri Krsna, son of Vasudeva, O all-pervading Personality of

Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. I meditate upon Lord

Sri Krsna because He is the Absolute Truth and the primeval cause of all

causes of the creation, sustenance and destruction of the manifested

universes. He is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations,

and He is independent because there is no other cause beyond Him. It is

He only who first imparted the Vedic knowledge unto the heart of

Brahmaji, the original living being. By Him even the great sages and

demigods are placed into illusion, as one is bewildered by the illusory

representations of water seen in fire, or land seen on water. Only

because of Him do the material universes, temporarily manifested by the

reactions of the three modes of nature, appear factual, although they

are unreal. I therefore meditate upon Him, Lord Sri Krsna, who is

eternally existent in the transcendental abode, which is forever free

from the illusory representations of the material world. I meditate upon

Him, for He is the Absolute Truth.'

PURPORT

This verse, quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.1.1), links the Srimad-

Bhagavatam with the Vedanta-sutra with the words janmady asya yatah. It

is stated that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva, is the

Absolute Truth beyond the material creation. This has been accepted by

all acaryas. Even Sankaracarya, the most elevated impersonalist, says in

the beginning of his commentary on the Bhagavad-gita: narayanah paro '

vyaktat. When this material creation is not yet manifested from the

mahat-tattva, it is called avyakta, and when it is demonstrated from

that total energy, it is called vyakta. Narayana, the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, is beyond this vyakta-avyakta, manifested and

unmanifested material nature. This is the chief qualification of the

Supreme Personality of Godhead when He assumes a particular incarnation.

Krsna tells Arjuna that although they both took birth many, many times

before, Krsna remembers everything about His previous appearances but

Arjuna does not remember. Since Krsna is beyond the cosmic creation, He

is in the exalted position of being able to remember everything in the

past. Everything within the cosmic creation has a material body, but

Krsna, being beyond the material cosmic creation, always has a spiritual

body. He imparted Vedic knowledge into the heart of Brahma. Although

Brahma is the most important and exalted personality within this

universe, he could not remember what he did in his past life. Krsna had

to remind him through the heart. When Lord Brahma was thus inspired, he

was able to create the entire universe. Remembering everything about the

past and inspiring Lord Brahma to create are vivid examples of the

characteristics called svarupa-laksana and tatastha-laksana.

Madhya 20.360

TEXT 360

TEXT

ei sloke ‘param'-sabde ‘krsna'-nirupana

‘satyam' sabde kahe tanra svarupa-laksana

SYNONYMS

ei sloke -- in this verse; param-sabde -- by the word param, or supreme;

krsna -- of Lord Krsna; nirupana -- there is an indication; satyam sabde

-- by the word satyam, or Absolute Truth; kahe -- indicates; tanra --

His; svarupa-laksana -- personal characteristics.

TRANSLATION

"In this invocation from Srimad-Bhagavatam, the word ‘param' indicates

Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the word ‘satyam'

indicates His personal characteristics.

Madhya 20.361

TEXT 361

TEXT

visva-srsty-adi kaila, veda brahmake padaila

arthabhijnata, svarupa-saktye maya dura kaila

SYNONYMS

visva-srsti-adi -- creation, maintenance and dissolution of the cosmic

manifestation; kaila -- performed; veda -- the Vedic knowledge; brahmake

-- unto Lord Brahma; padaila -- instructed; artha-abhijnata -- having

full knowledge of past, present and future; svarupa-saktye -- by His

personal energy; maya -- the illusory energy; dura kaila -- separated.

TRANSLATION

"In that same verse it is stated that the Lord is the creator,

maintainer and annihilator of the cosmic manifestation and that He

enabled Lord Brahma to create the universe by infusing him with the

knowledge of the Vedas. It is also stated that the Lord has full

knowledge, directly and indirectly, that He knows past, present and

future, and that His personal energy is separate from maya, the illusory

energy.

Madhya 20.362

TEXT 362

TEXT

ei saba karya -- tanra tatastha-laksana

anya avatara aiche jane muni-gana

SYNONYMS

ei saba karya -- all these activities; tanra -- His; tatastha-laksana --

marginal characteristics; anya avatara -- another incarnation; aiche --

in that same way; jane -- know; muni-gana -- the great saintly persons

like Vyasadeva.

TRANSLATION

"All these activities are His marginal characteristics. Great saintly

persons understand the incarnations of the Supreme Personality of

Godhead by the indications of the two characteristics known as svarupa

and tatastha. All the incarnations of Krsna should be understood in this

way.

Madhya 20.363

TEXT 363

TEXT

avatara-kale haya jagate gocara

ei dui laksane keha janaye isvara"

SYNONYMS

avatara-kale -- at the time of incarnation; haya -- there is; jagate --

in the world; gocara -- information; ei dui laksane -- by these two

characteristics, namely svarupa and tatastha; keha -- some persons;

janaye -- know; isvara -- the incarnation of the Supreme Lord.

TRANSLATION

"At the time of Their appearance, the incarnations of the Lord are known

in the world because people can consult the sastras to understand an

incarnation's chief characteristics, known as svarupa and tatastha. In

this way the incarnations become known to great saintly persons."

Madhya 20.364

TEXT 364

TEXT

sanatana kahe, -- "yate isvara-laksana

pita-varna, karya -- prema-dana-sankirtana

SYNONYMS

sanatana kahe -- Sanatana said; yate -- in whom; isvara-laksana -- the

characteristics of the Lord are found; pita-varna -- yellowish color;

karya -- activities; prema-dana -- distributing love of Godhead;

sankirtana -- and chanting the holy name of the Lord congregationally.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami said, "The color of the personality in whom the

characteristics of the Lord are found is yellowish. His activities

include the distribution of love of Godhead and the chanting of the holy

names of the Lord.

Madhya 20.365

TEXT 365

TEXT

kali-kale sei ‘krsnavatara' niscaya

sudrdha kariya kaha, yauka samsaya"

SYNONYMS

kali-kale -- in the Age of Kali; sei -- that personality; krsna-avatara -

- the incarnation of Krsna; niscaya -- certainly; su-drdha kariya --

firmly; kaha -- kindly inform me; yauka samsaya -- so that all doubts

may go away.

TRANSLATION

"The incarnation of Krsna for this age is indicated by these symptoms.

Please confirm this definitely so that all my doubts will go away."

PURPORT

Sanatana Gosvami wanted to confirm the fact that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

is the incarnation of Krsna for this age. According to the sastra, in

Kali-yuga the Lord would assume a golden or yellow color and would

distribute love of Krsna and the sankirtana movement. In accordance with

the sastra and saintly persons, these characteristics were vividly

displayed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and it was therefore clear that

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was an incarnation of Krsna. He was confirmed by

the sastras, and His characteristics were accepted by saintly people.

Since Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu could not escape Sanatana Gosvami's

argument, He remained silent on this point and thereby indirectly

accepted Sanatana's statement. By this we can clearly understand that

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was the direct incarnation of Lord Krsna.

Madhya 20.366

TEXT 366

TEXT

prabhu kahe, -- caturali chada, sanatana

saktyavesavatarera suna vivarana

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied; caturali -- very

intelligent argument; chada -- give up; sanatana -- O Sanatana; sakti-

avesa-avatarera -- of the especially empowered incarnations; suna --

hear; vivarana -- the description.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "O Sanatana, you must give up your

intelligent tricks. Now just try to understand the description of the

saktyavesa-avataras.

Madhya 20.367

TEXT 367

TEXT

saktyavesavatara krsnera asankhya ganana

dig-darasana kari mukhya mukhya jana

SYNONYMS

sakti-avesa-avatara -- incarnations especially empowered by the Lord;

krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; asankhya ganana -- unlimited and innumerable;

dik-darasana kari -- let Me describe some of them; mukhya mukhya jana --

who are counted as the chief.

TRANSLATION

"There are unlimited saktyavesa-avataras of Lord Krsna. Let Me describe

the chief among them.

Madhya 20.368

TEXT 368

TEXT

saktyavesa dui-rupa -- ‘mukhya', ‘gauna' dekhi

saksat-saktye ‘avatara', abhase ‘vibhuti' likhi

SYNONYMS

sakti-avesa -- empowered incarnations; dui-rupa -- two categories;

mukhya -- primary; gauna -- secondary; dekhi -- I see; saksat-saktye --

when there is direct power; avatara -- they are called incarnations;

abhase -- when there is indication; vibhuti likhi -- they are called

vibhuti, or possessing special favor.

TRANSLATION

"Empowered incarnations are of two types -- primary and secondary. The

primary ones are directly empowered by the Supreme Personality of

Godhead and are called incarnations. The secondary ones are indirectly

empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and are called vibhuti.

Madhya 20.369

TEXT 369

TEXT

‘sanakadi', ‘narada', ‘prthu' ‘parasurama'

jiva-rupa ‘brahmara' avesavatara-nama

SYNONYMS

sanaka-adi -- the four Kumaras; narada -- Narada; prthu -- Maharaja

Prthu; parasurama -- Parasurama; jiva-rupa -- as the living entity;

brahmara -- of Lord Brahma; avesa-avatara-nama -- all of them are called

empowered incarnations.

TRANSLATION

"Some saktyavesa-avataras are the four Kumaras, Narada, Maharaja Prthu

and Parasurama. When a living being is empowered to act as Lord Brahma,

he is also considered a saktyavesa-avatara.

Madhya 20.370

TEXT 370

TEXT

vaikunthe ‘sesa' -- dhara dharaye ‘ananta'

ei mukhyavesavatara -- vistare nahi anta

SYNONYMS

vaikunthe -- in the spiritual world; sesa -- Lord Sesa; dhara dharaye --

carries innumerable planets; ananta -- Ananta; ei -- these; mukhya-avesa-

avatara -- primary directly empowered incarnations; vistare -- in

expanding them; nahi -- there is not; anta -- limit.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Sesa in the spiritual world of Vaikuntha and, in the material

world, Lord Ananta, who carries innumerable planets on His hoods, are

two primary empowered incarnations. There is no need to count the others,

for they are unlimited.

Madhya 20.371

TEXT 371

TEXT

sanakadye ‘jnana'-sakti, narade sakti ‘bhakti'

brahmaya ‘srsti'-sakti, anante ‘bhu-dharana'-sakti

SYNONYMS

sanaka-adye -- in the four Kumaras; jnana-sakti -- the power of

knowledge; narade -- in Narada Muni; sakti -- the power; bhakti -- of

devotional service; brahmaya -- in Lord Brahma; srsti-sakti -- the power

of creation; anante -- in Lord Ananta; bhu-dharana-sakti -- the power to

carry the planets.

TRANSLATION

"The power of knowledge was invested in the four Kumaras, and the power

of devotional service was invested in Narada. The power of creation was

invested in Lord Brahma, and the power to carry innumerable planets was

invested in Lord Ananta.

Madhya 20.372

TEXT 372

TEXT

sese ‘sva-sevana'-sakti, prthute ‘palana'

parasurame ‘dusta-nasaka-virya-sancarana'

SYNONYMS

sese -- in Lord Sesa; sva-sevana sakti -- the power to serve the Lord

personally; prthute -- in King Prthu; palana -- the power to rule;

parasurame -- in Parasurama; dusta-nasaka-virya -- the extraordinary

power to kill rogues and miscreants; sancarana -- empowering.

TRANSLATION

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead invested the power of personal

service in Lord Sesa, and He invested the power to rule the earth in

King Prthu. Lord Parasurama received the power to kill rogues and

miscreants.

PURPORT

Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita (4.8), paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca

duskrtam. Sometimes the Lord invests His power to rule in a king like

Prthu and enables such a king to kill rogues and miscreants. He also

invests His power in incarnations like Parasurama.

Madhya 20.373

TEXT 373

TEXT

jnana-sakty-adi-kalaya

yatravisto janardanah

ta avesa nigadyante

jiva eva mahattamah

SYNONYMS

jnana-sakti-adi-kalaya -- by portions of the potencies of knowledge,

devotional service, creation, personal service, ruling over the material

world, carrying the different planets, and killing the rogues and

miscreants; yatra -- wherever; avistah -- is entered; janardanah -- the

Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu; te -- they; avesah -- empowered;

nigadyante -- are called; jivah -- living entities; eva -- although;

mahat-tamah -- most exalted devotees.

TRANSLATION

"‘Whenever the Lord is present in someone by portions of His various

potencies, the living entity representing the Lord is called a

saktyavesa-avatara -- that is, an incarnation invested with special

power.'

PURPORT

This verse is found in the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (1.18).

Madhya 20.374

TEXT 374

TEXT

‘vibhuti' kahiye yaiche gita-ekadase

jagat vyapila krsna-sakty-abhasavese

SYNONYMS

vibhuti -- specific power; kahiye -- we say; yaiche -- just like; gita --

of the Bhagavad-gita; ekadase -- in the Eleventh Chapter; jagat --

throughout the whole universe; vyapila -- He expanded; krsna-sakti-

abhasa-avese -- by the reflection of His power.

TRANSLATION

"As explained in the Eleventh Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita, Krsna has

spread Himself all over the universe in many personalities through

specific powers, known as vibhuti.

PURPORT

The expansion of specific maya powers is explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam (

2.7.39).

Madhya 20.375

TEXT 375

TEXT

yad yad vibhutimat sattvam

srimad urjitam eva va

tat tad evavagaccha tvam

mama tejo-‘msa-sambhavam

SYNONYMS

yat yat -- whatever and wherever; vibhuti-mat -- extraordinarily opulent;

sattvam -- living entity; sri-mat -- full of wealth; urjitam -- full of

power; eva -- certainly; va -- or; tat tat -- there; eva -- certainly;

avagaccha -- should know; tvam -- you; mama -- of Me; tejah -- of power;

amsa -- of a part; sambhavam -- exhibition.

TRANSLATION

"‘Know that all opulent, beautiful and glorious creations spring from

but a spark of My splendor.'

PURPORT

This is a statement made by Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita (10.41).

Madhya 20.376

TEXT 376

TEXT

atha va bahunaitena

kim jnatena tavarjuna

vistabhyaham idam krtsnam

ekamsena sthito jagat

SYNONYMS

atha va -- or; bahuna -- much; etena -- with this; kim -- what use;

jnatena -- being known; tava -- by you; arjuna -- O Arjuna; vistabhya --

pervading; aham -- I; idam -- this; krtsnam -- entire; eka-amsena --

with one portion; sthitah -- situated; jagat -- universe.

TRANSLATION

"‘But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With

a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe.'

PURPORT

This is also a statement made by Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita (10.42).

Madhya 20.377

TEXT 377

TEXT

eita kahilun sakty-avesa-avatara

balya-pauganda-dharmera sunaha vicara

SYNONYMS

eita -- thus; kahilun -- I have explained; sakti-avesa-avatara -- the

incarnations specifically empowered; balya -- in childhood; pauganda --

in boyhood; dharmera -- of the characteristics; sunaha -- now hear;

vicara -- the consideration.

TRANSLATION

"Thus I have explained specifically empowered incarnations. Now please

hear about the characteristics of Lord Krsna's childhood, boyhood and

youth.

Madhya 20.378

TEXT 378

TEXT

kisora-sekhara-dharmi vrajendra-nandana

prakata-lila karibare yabe kare mana

SYNONYMS

kisora-sekhara -- topmost of youth; dharmi -- whose natural position;

vrajendra-nandana -- the son of Maharaja Nanda; prakata-lila --

manifested pastimes; karibare -- to perform; yabe -- when; kare -- makes;

mana -- mind.

TRANSLATION

"As the son of Maharaja Nanda, Lord Krsna is by nature the paragon of

kisora [youth]. He chooses to exhibit His pastimes at that age.

Madhya 20.379

TEXT 379

TEXT

adau prakata karaya mata-pita -- bhakta-gane

pache prakata haya janmadika-lila-krame

SYNONYMS

adau -- first; prakata -- manifest; karaya -- He makes; mata-pita -- His

mother and father; bhakta-gane -- similar devotees; pache -- after that;

prakata haya -- are manifested; janma-adika-lila-krame -- such pastimes

as birth, in order.

TRANSLATION

"Before His personal appearance, the Lord causes some of His devotees to

appear as His mother, father and intimate associates. He then appears

later as if He were taking birth and growing from a baby to a child and

gradually into a youth.

Madhya 20.380

TEXT 380

TEXT

vayaso vividhatve 'pi

sarva-bhakti-rasasrayah

dharmi kisora evatra

nitya-lila-vilasavan

SYNONYMS

vayasah -- of age; vividhatve -- in varieties; api -- although; sarva --

of all kinds; bhakti-rasa-asrayah -- the shelter of devotional service;

dharmi -- whose constitutional nature; kisorah -- in the age before

youth; eva -- certainly; atra -- in this; nitya-lila -- of eternal

pastimes; vilasa-van -- the supreme enjoyer.

TRANSLATION

"‘The Supreme Personality of Godhead is eternally enjoying Himself, and

He is the shelter of all kinds of devotional service. Although His ages

are various, His age known as kisora [pre-youth] is best of all.'

PURPORT

This verse is found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (2.1.63).

Madhya 20.381

TEXT 381

TEXT

putana-vadhadi yata lila ksane ksane

saba lila nitya prakata kare anukrame

SYNONYMS

putana-vadha-adi -- killing of the demons like Putana;

yata -- all; lila -- pastimes; ksane ksane -- one moment after another;

saba lila -- all these pastimes; nitya -- eternally; prakata --

manifesting; kare -- does; anukrame -- one after another.

TRANSLATION

"When Lord Krsna appears, from moment to moment He exhibits His

different pastimes, beginning with the killing of Putana. All these

pastimes are eternally being demonstrated one after another.

Madhya 20.382

TEXT 382

TEXT

ananta brahmanda, tara nahika ganana

kona lila kona brahmande haya prakatana

SYNONYMS

ananta brahmanda -- innumerable universes; tara -- of which; nahika

ganana -- there is no counting; kona lila -- some pastimes; kona

brahmande -- in some universe; haya -- there is; prakatana --

manifestation.

TRANSLATION

"The consecutive pastimes of Krsna are being manifested in one of the

innumerable universes moment after moment. There is no possibility of

counting the universes, but in any case some pastime of the Lord is

being manifested at every moment in one universe or another.

Madhya 20.383

TEXT 383

TEXT

ei-mata saba lila -- yena ganga-dhara

se-se lila prakata kare vrajendra-kumara

SYNONYMS

ei-mata -- in this way; saba lila -- all pastimes; yena -- like; ganga-

dhara -- the flowing of the water of the Ganges; se-se -- those; lila --

pastimes; prakata kare -- demonstrates; vrajendra-kumara -- the son of

Maharaja Nanda.

TRANSLATION

"Thus the Lord's pastimes are like the flowing Ganges water. In this way

all the pastimes are manifested by the son of Nanda Maharaja.

Madhya 20.384

TEXT 384

TEXT

krame balya-pauganda-kaisorata-prapti

rasa-adi lila kare, kaisore nitya-sthiti

SYNONYMS

krame -- gradually; balya -- childhood; pauganda -- boyhood; kaisorata --

youth; prapti -- development; rasa -- dancing with the gopis; adi --

and others; lila -- pastimes; kare -- performs; kaisore -- in His age of

pre-youth; nitya-sthiti -- eternally existing.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Krsna exhibits His pastimes of childhood, boyhood and pre-youth.

When He reaches pre-youth, He continues to exist eternally to perform

His rasa dance and other pastimes.

PURPORT

The comparison made here is very interesting. Krsna does not grow like

an ordinary human being, even though He exhibits His pastimes of

childhood, boyhood and pre-youth. When He reaches the age of pre-youth,

kaisora, He does not grow any older. He simply remains in His kaisora

age. He is therefore described in the Brahma-samhita (5.33) as nava-

yauvana:

advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam

adyam purana-purusam nava-yauvanam ca

vedesu durlabham adurlabham atma-bhaktau

govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

This nava-yauvana, or pre-youth, is the eternal transcendental form of

Krsna. Krsna never grows older than nava-yauvana.

Madhya 20.385

TEXT 385

TEXT

‘nitya-lila' krsnera sarva-sastre kaya

bujhite na pare lila kemane ‘nitya' haya

SYNONYMS

nitya-lila -- eternal pastimes; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; sarva-sastre

kaya -- described in every sastra; bujhite na pare -- not able to

understand; lila -- pastimes; kemane -- how; nitya haya -- are eternal.

TRANSLATION

"Descriptions of Krsna's eternal pastimes are in all the revealed

scriptures. But one cannot understand how they are continuing eternally.

Madhya 20.386

TEXT 386

TEXT

drstanta diya kahi tabe loka yadi jane

krsna-lila -- nitya, jyotiscakra-pramane

SYNONYMS

drstanta diya -- giving an example; kahi -- let Me say; tabe -- then;

loka -- people; yadi -- if; jane -- can understand; krsna-lila --

pastimes of Lord Krsna; nitya -- eternal; jyotih-cakra -- of the zodiac;

pramane -- by evidence.

TRANSLATION

"Let me give an example by which people may understand Lord Krsna's

eternal pastimes. An example can be found in the zodiac.

Madhya 20.387

TEXT 387

TEXT

jyotiscakre surya yena phire ratri-dine

sapta-dvipambudhi langhi' phire krame krame

SYNONYMS

jyotih-cakre -- in the zodiac; surya -- of the sun; yena -- as; phire --

moves; ratri-dine -- the day and night; sapta-dvipa-ambudhi -- the

oceans of the islands; langhi' -- crossing; phire -- rotates; krame

krame -- one after another.

TRANSLATION

"The sun moves across the zodiac day and night and crosses the oceans

between the seven islands one after the other.

Madhya 20.388

TEXT 388

TEXT

ratri-dine haya sasti-danda-parimana

tina-sahasra chaya-sata ‘pala' tara mana

SYNONYMS

ratri-dine -- during the whole day and night; haya -- there is; sasti-

danda -- of sixty dandas (a measure of time); parimana -- duration; tina-

sahasra -- three thousand; chaya-sata -- six hundred; pala -- palas;

tara -- of that; mana -- measurement.

TRANSLATION

"According to Vedic astronomical calculations, the rotation of the sun

consists of sixty dandas, and it is divided into thirty-six hundred

palas.

Madhya 20.389

TEXT 389

TEXT

suryodaya haite sasti-pala-kramodaya

sei eka danda, asta dande ‘prahara' haya

SYNONYMS

surya-udaya haite -- beginning from the sunrise; sasti-pala -- sixty

palas; krama-udaya -- gradually rising higher and higher; sei -- that;

eka danda -- one danda; asta dande -- in eight dandas; prahara haya --

there is a prahara.

TRANSLATION

"The sun rises in steps consisting of sixty palas. Sixty palas equal one

danda, and eight dandas comprise one prahara.

Madhya 20.390

TEXT 390

TEXT

eka-dui-tina-cari prahare asta haya

cari-prahara ratri gele punah suryodaya

SYNONYMS

eka-dui-tina-cari -- one, two, three, four; prahare -- in praharas; asta

haya -- the sun sets in the evening; cari-prahara -- generally after

four praharas; ratri -- the night; gele -- when it passes; punah --

again; suryodaya -- the sun rises.

TRANSLATION

"The day and the night are divided into eight praharas -- four belonging

to the day and four belonging to the night. After eight praharas, the

sun rises again.

Madhya 20.391

TEXT 391

TEXT

aiche krsnera lila-mandala caudda-manvantare

brahmanda-mandala vyapi' krame krame phire

SYNONYMS

aiche -- in the same way; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; lila-mandala --

groups of different pastimes; caudda-manvantare -- in the duration of

fourteen Manus; brahmanda-mandala -- all of the universes; vyapi' --

spreading through; krame krame -- gradually; phire -- return.

TRANSLATION

"Just as there is an orbit of the sun, there is an orbit of Krsna's

pastimes, which are manifested one after the other. During the lifetime

of fourteen Manus, this orbit expands through all the universes, and

gradually it returns. Thus Krsna moves with His pastimes through all the

universes, one after another.

Madhya 20.392

TEXT 392

TEXT

saoyasata vatsara krsnera prakata-prakasa

taha yaiche vraja-pure karila vilasa

SYNONYMS

saoyasata -- 125; vatsara -- years; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; prakata-

prakasa -- manifestation of the appearance; taha -- that; yaiche -- like;

vraja-pure -- in Vrndavana and Dvaraka; karila vilasa -- enjoys the

pastimes.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna remains within a universe for 125 years, and He enjoys His

pastimes both in Vrndavana and Dvaraka.

Madhya 20.393

TEXT 393

TEXT

alata-cakra-praya sei lila-cakra phire

saba lila saba brahmande krame udaya kare

SYNONYMS

alata-cakra-praya -- exactly like a wheel of fire; sei -- that; lila-

cakra -- the cycle of Krsna's pastimes; phire -- turns; saba lila -- all

these pastimes; saba brahmande -- in all the universes; krame -- one

after another; udaya kare -- are manifested.

TRANSLATION

"The cycle of His pastimes turns like a wheel of fire. Thus Krsna

exhibits His pastimes one after the other in every universe.

Madhya 20.394

TEXT 394

TEXT

janma, balya, pauganda, kaisora prakasa

putana-vadhadi kari' mausalanta vilasa

SYNONYMS

janma -- birth; balya -- childhood; pauganda -- boyhood; kaisora -- pre-

youth; prakasa -- manifestation; putana-vadha-adi -- killing the demons,

beginning from Putana; kari' -- manifesting; mausala-anta -- until the

end of the mausala pastimes; vilasa -- pastimes.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna's pastimes -- appearance, childhood, boyhood and youth -- are all

manifested, beginning with the killing of Putana and extending to the

end of the mausala-lila, the annihilation of the Yadu dynasty. All of

these pastimes are rotating in every universe.

Madhya 20.395

TEXT 395

TEXT

kona brahmande kona lilara haya avasthana

tate lila ‘nitya' kahe agama-purana

SYNONYMS

kona brahmande -- in some universe; kona lilara -- some pastimes; haya --

there is; avasthana -- the presence; tate -- therefore; lila --

pastimes; nitya -- eternal; kahe -- explains; agama-purana -- the Vedas

and Puranas.

TRANSLATION

"Since all Krsna's pastimes are taking place continuously, at every

moment some pastime is existing in one universe or another. Consequently

these pastimes are called eternal by the Vedas and Puranas.

Madhya 20.396

TEXT 396

TEXT

goloka, gokula-dhama -- ‘vibhu' krsna-sama

krsnecchaya brahmanda-gane tahara sankrama

SYNONYMS

goloka -- the planet known as Goloka; gokula-dhama -- the spiritual land,

the pasturing fields for the surabhi cows; vibhu -- opulent and

powerful; krsna-sama -- as much as Krsna; krsna-icchaya -- by the

supreme will of Krsna; brahmanda-gane -- in each of the universes;

tahara -- of the Goloka and Gokula dhamas; sankrama -- appearance.

TRANSLATION

"The spiritual abode known as Goloka, which is a pasturing land for

surabhi cows, is as powerful and opulent as Krsna. By the will of Krsna,

the original Goloka and Gokula dhamas are manifested with Him in all the

universes.

Madhya 20.397

TEXT 397

TEXT

ataeva goloka-sthane nitya vihara

brahmanda-gane krame prakatya tahara

SYNONYMS

ataeva -- therefore; goloka-sthane -- in the original Goloka Vrndavana

planet; nitya vihara -- eternal pastimes; brahmanda-gane -- within the

material universes; krame -- gradually; prakatya -- manifestation;

tahara -- of them.

TRANSLATION

"The eternal pastimes of Krsna are continuously taking place in the

original Goloka Vrndavana planet. These same pastimes are gradually

manifested within the material world, in each and every brahmanda.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura elucidates this complicated

explanation of Krsna's pastimes. Krsna's pastimes are always present in

the material world in one of the many universes. These pastimes appear

in the universes one after the other, just as the sun moves across the

sky and measures the time. Krsna's appearance may be manifested in this

universe at one moment, and immediately after His birth, this pastime is

manifested in the next universe. After His killing of Putana is

manifested in this universe, it is next manifested in another universe.

Thus all the pastimes of Krsna are eternally existing both in the

original Goloka Vrndavana planet and in the material universes. The 125

years calculated in our solar system to be Krsna's lifetime equal one

moment for Krsna. One moment these pastimes are manifested in one

universe, and the next moment they are manifested in the next universe.

There are unlimited universes, and Krsna's pastimes are manifested one

moment after the other in all of them. This rotation is explained

through the example of the sun's moving across the sky. Krsna appears

and disappears in innumerable universes, just as the sun appears and

disappears during the day. Although the sun appears to rise and set, it

is continuously shining somewhere on the earth. Similarly, although

Krsna's pastimes seem to appear and disappear, they are continuously

existing in one brahmanda (universe) or another. Thus all of Krsna's

lilas are present simultaneously throughout the innumerable universes.

By our limited senses we cannot appreciate this; therefore Krsna's

eternal pastimes are very difficult for us to understand. One should try

to understand how they are taking place by understanding the example of

the sun. Although the Lord is appearing constantly in the material

universes, His pastimes are eternally present in the original Goloka

Vrndavana. Therefore these pastimes are called nitya-lila (eternally

present pastimes). Because we cannot see what is going on in other

universes, it is a little difficult for us to understand how Krsna is

eternally manifesting His pastimes. There are fourteen Manus in one day

of Brahma, and this time calculation is also taking place in other

universes. Krsna's pastimes are manifested before fourteen Manus expire.

Although it is a little difficult to understand the eternal pastimes of

Krsna in this way, we must accept the verdict of the Vedic literatures.

There are two types of devotees -- the sadhaka, who is preparing for

perfection, and the siddha, who is already perfect. As far as those who

are already perfect are concerned, Lord Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita (

4.9), tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti so 'rjuna: "After giving

up this material body, such a devotee comes to Me." After leaving the

material body, the perfect devotee takes birth from the womb of a gopi

on a planet where Krsna's pastimes are going on. This may be in this

universe or another universe. This statement is found in the Ujjvala-

nilamani, which is commented upon by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. When

a devotee becomes perfect, he is transferred to the universe where Krsna'

s pastimes are taking place. Krsna's eternal associates go wherever

Krsna manifests His pastimes. As stated before, first the father and

mother of Krsna appear, then the other associates. Quitting his material

body, the perfect devotee also goes to associate with Krsna and His

other associates.

Madhya 20.398

TEXT 398

TEXT

vraje krsna -- sarvaisvarya-prakase ‘purnatama'

puri-dvaye, paravyome -- ‘purnatara', ‘purna'

SYNONYMS

vraje -- in Vrndavana; krsna -- Lord Krsna; sarva-aisvarya-prakase --

manifestation of His full opulence; purna-tama -- most complete; puri-

dvaye -- in Dvaraka and Mathura; para-vyome -- and in the spiritual

world; purna-tara -- more complete; purna -- complete.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna is complete in the spiritual sky [Vaikuntha], He is more complete

in Mathura and Dvaraka, and He is most complete in Vrndavana, Vraja, due

to His manifesting all His opulences.

PURPORT

This is confirmed in the following three verses from the Bhakti-rasamrta-

sindhu (2.1.221–223).

Madhya 20.399

TEXT 399

TEXT

harih purnatamah purna-

tarah purna iti tridha

srestha-madhyadibhih sabdair

natye yah paripathyate

SYNONYMS

harih -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; purna-tamah -- most

complete; purna-tarah -- more complete; purnah -- complete; iti -- thus;

tridha -- three stages; srestha -- best; madhya-adibhih -- middle, etc.;

sabdaih -- by the words; natye -- in books on dramatics; yah -- who;

paripathyate -- is proclaimed.

TRANSLATION

"‘This is stated in the dramatic literatures as "perfect," "more perfect"

and "most perfect." Thus Lord Krsna manifests Himself in three ways --

perfect, more perfect and most perfect.

Madhya 20.400

TEXT 400

TEXT

prakasitakhila-gunah

smrtah purnatamo budhaih

asarva-vyanjakah purna-

tarah purno 'lpa-darsakah

SYNONYMS

prakasita-akhila-gunah -- having all transcendental qualities manifested;

smrtah -- is understood; purna-tamah -- most perfect; budhaih -- by

learned scholars; asarva-vyanjakah -- having qualities not fully

manifested; purna-tarah -- more perfect; purnah -- perfect; alpa-

darsakah -- still less fully manifested.

TRANSLATION

"‘When the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not manifest all His

transcendental qualities, He is called complete. When all the qualities

are manifested, but not fully, He is called more complete. When He

manifests all His qualities in fullness, He is called most complete.

This is the version of all learned scholars in the devotional science.

Madhya 20.401

TEXT 401

TEXT

krsnasya purnatamata

vyaktabhud gokulantare

purnata purnatarata

dvaraka-mathuradisu

SYNONYMS

krsnasya -- of Lord Krsna; purna-tamata -- being most perfect; vyakta --

manifested; abhut -- became; gokula-antare -- in the domain of Gokula

Vrndavana; purnata -- completeness; purna-tarata -- more completeness;

dvaraka -- in Dvaraka; mathura-adisu -- and Mathura, and so on.

TRANSLATION

"‘The most complete qualities of Krsna are manifested within Vrndavana,

and His complete and more complete qualities are manifested in Dvaraka

and Mathura.'

Madhya 20.402

TEXT 402

TEXT

ei krsna -- vraje ‘purnatama' bhagavan

ara saba svarupa -- ‘purnatara' ‘purna' nama

SYNONYMS

ei krsna -- the same Krsna; vraje -- Vrndavana; purna-tama bhagavan --

the most complete manifestation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead;

ara -- other; saba -- all; svarupa -- forms; purna-tara -- more complete;

purna -- complete; nama -- named.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Krsna is the most complete Supreme Personality of Godhead in

Vrndavana. Elsewhere all His expansions are either complete or more

complete.

Madhya 20.403

TEXT 403

TEXT

sanksepe kahilun krsnera svarupa-vicara

‘ananta' kahite nare ihara vistara

SYNONYMS

sanksepe -- in brief; kahilun -- I have described; krsnera -- of Lord

Krsna; svarupa-vicara -- consideration of His different forms and

features; ananta -- Lord Ananta; kahite nare -- not able to describe;

ihara -- of this; vistara -- the expanse.

TRANSLATION

"Thus I have briefly described Krsna's manifestation of transcendental

forms. This subject matter is so large that even Lord Ananta cannot

describe it fully.

Madhya 20.404

TEXT 404

TEXT

ananta svarupa krsnera nahika ganana

sakha-candra-nyaye kari dig-darasana

SYNONYMS

ananta -- unlimited; svarupa -- forms; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; nahika

ganana -- there is no counting; sakha-candra-nyaye -- by the logic of

showing the moon through the branches of a tree; kari -- I do; dik-

darasana -- only partial showing.

TRANSLATION

"In this way Krsna's transcendental forms are expanded unlimitedly. No

one can count them. Whatever I have explained is simply a little glimpse.

It is like showing the moon through the branches of a tree."

Madhya 20.405

TEXT 405

TEXT

iha yei sune, pade, sei bhagyavan

krsnera svarupa-tattvera haya kichu jnana

SYNONYMS

iha -- this narration; yei sune -- anyone who hears; pade -- or reads;

sei -- such a person; bhagyavan -- is most fortunate; krsnera -- of Lord

Krsna; svarupa-tattvera -- of personal bodily features; haya -- there is;

kichu -- something; jnana -- knowledge.

TRANSLATION

Whoever hears or recites these descriptions of the expansions of Krsna's

body is certainly a very fortunate man. Although this is very difficult

to understand, one can nonetheless acquire some knowledge about the

different features of Krsna's body.

Madhya 20.406

TEXT 406

TEXT

sri-rupa-raghunatha-pade yara asa

caitanya-caritamrta kahe krsnadasa

SYNONYMS

sri-rupa -- Srila Rupa Gosvami; raghunatha -- Srila Raghunatha dasa

Gosvami; pade -- at the lotus feet; yara -- whose; asa -- expectation;

Caitanya-caritamrta -- the book named Caitanya-caritamrta; kahe --

describes; krsnadasa -- Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami.

TRANSLATION

Praying at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha, always

desiring their mercy, I, Krsnadasa, narrate Sri Caitanya-caritamrta,

following in their footsteps.

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-

lila, Twentieth Chapter, describing how Sanatana Gosvami met the Lord at

Varanasi and received knowledge of the Absolute Truth.

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

110

111

112

113

114

115

116

117

118

119

120

121

122

123

124

125

126

127

128

129

130

131

132

133

134

135

136

137

138

139

140

141

142

143

144

145

146

147

148

149

150

151

152

153

154

155

156

157

158

159

160

161

162

163

164

165

166

167

168

169

170

171

172

173

174

175

176

177

178

179

180

181

182

183

184

185

186

187

188

189

190

191

192

193

194

195

196

197

198

199

200

201

202

203

204

205

206

207

208

209

210

211

212

213

214

215

216

217

218

219

220

221

222

223

224

225

226

227

228

229

230

231

232

233

234

235

236

237

238

239

240

241

242

243

244

245

246

247

248

249

250

251

252

253

254

255

256

257

258

259

260

261

262

263

264

265

266

267

268

269

270

271

272

273

274

275

276

277

278

279

280

281

282

283

284

285

286

287

288

289

290

291

292

293

294

295

296

297

298

299

300

301

302

303

304

305

306

307

308

309

310

311

312

313

314

315

316

317

318

319

320

321

322

323

324

325

326

327

328

329

330

331

332

333

334

335

336

337

338

339

340

341

342

343

344

345

346

347

348

349

350

351

352

353

354

355

356

357

358

359

360

361

362

363

364

365

366

367

368

369

370

371

372

373

374

375

376

377

378

379

380

381

382

383

384

385

386

387

388

389

390

391

392

393

394

395

396

397

398

399

400

401

402

403

404

405

406

407

408

409

410

411

412

413

414

415

416

417

418

419

420

421

422

423

424

425

426

427

428

429

430

431

432

433

434

435

436

437

438

439

440

441

442

443

444

445

446

447

448

449

450

451

452

453

454

455

456

457

458

459

460

461

462

463

464

465

466

467

468

469

470

471

472

473

474

475

476

477

478

479

480

481

482

483

484

485

486

487

488

489

490

491

492

493

494

495

496

497

498

499

500

501

502

503

504

505

506

507

508

509

510

511

512

513

514

515

516

517

518

519

520

521

522

523

524

525

526

527

528

529

530

531

532

533

534

535

536

537

538

539

540

541

542

543

544

545

546

547

548

549

550

551

552

553

554

555

556

557

558

559

560

561

562

563

564

565

566

567

568

569

570

571

572

573

574

575

576

577

578

579

580

581

582

583

584

585

586

587

588

589

590

591

592

593

594

595

596

597

598

599

600

601

602

603

604

605

606

607

608

609

610

611

612

613

614

615

616

617

618

619

620

621

622

623

624

625

626

627

628

629

630

631

632

633

634

635

636

637

638

639

640

641

642

643

644

645

646

647

648

649

650

651

652

653

654

655

656

657

658

659

660

661

662

663

664

665

666

667

668

669

670

671

672

673

674

675

676

677

678

679

680

681

682

683

684

685

686

687

688

689

690

691

692

693

694

695

696

697

698

699

700

701

702

703

704

705

706

707

708

709

710

711

712

713

714

715

716

717

718

719

720

721

722

723

724

725

726

727

728

729

730

731

732

733

734

735

736

737

738

739

740

741

742

743

744

745

746

747

748

749

750

751

752

753

754

755

756

757

758

759

760

761

762

763

764

765

766

767

768

769

770

771

772

773

774

775

776

777

778

779

780

781

782

783

784

785

786

787

788

789

790

791

792

793

794

795

796

797

798

799

800

801

802

803

804

805

806

807

808

809

810

811

812

813

814

815

816

817

818

819

820

821

822

823

824

825

826

827

828

829

830

831

832

833

834

835

836

837

838

839

840

841

842

843

844

845

846

847

848

849

850

851

852

853

854

855

856

857

858

859

860

861

862

863

864

865

866

867

868

869

870

871

872

873

874

875

876

877

878

879

880

881

882

883

884

885

886

887

888

889

890

891

892

893

894

895

896

897

898

899

900

901

902

903

904

905

906

907

908

909

910

911

912

913

914

915

916

917

918

919

920

921

922

923

924

925

926

927

928

929

930

931

932

933

934

935

936

937

938

939

940

941

942

943

944

945

946

947

948

949

950

951

952

953

954

955

956

957

958

959

960

961

962

963

964

965

966

967

968

969

970

971

972

973

974

975

976

977

978

979

980

981

982

983

984

985

986

987

988

989

990

991

992

993

994

995

996

997

998

999

1000

1001

1002

1003

1004

1005

1006

1007

1008

1009

1010

1011

1012

1013

1014

1015

1016

1017

1018

1019

1020

1021

1022

1023

1024

1025

1026

1027

1028

1029

1030

1031

1032

1033

1034

1035

1036

1037

1038

1039

1040

1041

1042

1043

1044

1045

1046

1047

1048

1049

1050

1051

1052

1053

1054

1055

1056

1057

1058

1059

1060

1061

1062

1063

1064

1065

1066

1067

1068

1069

1070

1071

1072

1073

1074

1075

1076

1077

1078

1079

1080

1081

1082

1083

1084

1085

1086

1087

1088

1089

1090

1091

1092

1093

1094

1095

1096

1097

1098

1099

1100

1101

1102

1103

1104

1105

1106

1107

1108

1109

1110

1111

1112

1113

1114

1115

1116

1117

1118

1119

1120

1121

1122

1123

1124

1125

1126

1127

1128

1129

1130

1131

1132

1133

1134

1135

1136

1137

1138

1139

1140

1141

1142

1143

1144

1145

1146

1147

1148

1149

1150

1151

1152

1153

1154

1155

1156

1157

1158

1159

1160

1161

1162

1163

1164

1165

1166

1167

1168

1169

1170

1171

1172

1173

1174

1175

1176

1177

1178

1179

1180

1181

1182

1183

1184

1185

1186

1187

1188

1189

1190

1191

1192

1193

1194

1195

1196

1197

1198

1199

1200

1201

1202

1203

1204

1205

1206

1207

1208

1209

1210

1211

1212

1213

1214

1215

1216

1217

1218

1219

1220

1221

1222

1223

1224

1225

1226

1227

1228

1229

1230

1231

1232

1233

1234

1235

1236

1237

1238

1239

1240

1241

1242

1243

1244

1245

1246

1247

1248

1249

1250

1251

1252

1253

1254

1255

1256

1257

1258

1259

1260

1261

1262

1263

1264

1265

1266

1267

1268

1269

1270

1271

1272

1273

1274

1275

1276

1277

1278

1279

1280

1281

1282

1283

1284

1285

1286

1287

1288

1289

1290

1291

1292

1293

1294

1295

1296

1297

1298

1299

1300

1301

1302

1303

1304

1305

1306

1307

1308

1309

1310

1311

1312

1313

1314

1315

1316

1317

1318

1319

1320

1321

1322

1323

1324

1325

1326

1327

1328

1329

1330

1331

1332

1333

1334

1335

1336

1337

1338

1339

1340

1341

1342

1343

1344

1345

1346

1347

1348

1349

1350

1351

1352

1353

1354

1355

1356

1357

1358

1359

1360

1361

1362

1363

1364

1365

1366

1367

1368

1369

1370

1371

1372

1373

1374

1375

1376

1377

1378

1379

1380

1381

1382

1383

1384

1385

1386

1387

1388

1389

1390

1391

1392

1393

1394

1395

1396

1397

1398

1399

1400

1401

1402

1403

1404

1405

1406

1407

1408

1409

1410

1411

1412

1413

1414

1415

1416

1417

1418

1419

1420

1421

1422

1423

1424

1425

1426

1427

1428

1429

1430

1431

1432

1433

1434

1435

1436

1437

1438

1439

1440

1441

1442

1443

1444

1445

1446

1447

1448

1449

1450

1451

1452

1453

1454

1455

1456

1457

1458

1459

1460

1461

1462

1463

1464

1465

1466

1467

1468

1469

1470

1471

1472

1473

1474

1475

1476

1477

1478

1479

1480

1481

1482

1483

1484

1485

1486

1487

1488

1489

1490

1491

1492

1493

1494

1495

1496

1497

1498

1499

1500

1501

1502

1503

1504

1505

1506

1507

1508

1509

1510

1511

1512

1513

1514

1515

1516

1517

1518

1519

1520

1521

1522

1523

1524

1525

1526

1527

1528

1529

1530

1531

1532

1533

1534

1535

1536

1537

1538

1539

1540

1541

1542

1543

1544

1545

1546

1547

1548

1549

1550

1551

1552

1553

1554

1555

1556

1557

1558

1559

1560

1561

1562

1563

1564

1565

1566

1567

1568

1569

1570

1571

1572

1573

1574

1575

1576

1577

1578

1579

1580

1581

1582

1583

1584

1585

1586

1587

1588

1589

1590

1591

1592

1593

1594

1595

1596

1597

1598

1599

1600

1601

1602

1603

1604

1605

1606

1607

1608

1609

1610

1611

1612

1613

1614

1615

1616

1617

1618

1619

1620

1621

1622

1623

1624

1625

1626

1627

1628

1629

1630

1631

1632

1633

1634

1635

1636

1637

1638

1639

1640

1641

1642

1643

1644

1645

1646

1647

1648

1649

1650

1651

1652

1653

1654

1655

1656

1657

1658

1659

1660

1661

1662

1663

1664

1665

1666

1667

1668

1669

1670

1671

1672

1673

1674

1675

1676

1677

1678

1679

1680

1681

1682

1683

1684

1685

1686

1687

1688

1689

1690

1691

1692

1693

1694

1695

1696

1697

1698

1699

1700

1701

1702

1703

1704

1705

1706

1707

1708

1709

1710

1711

1712

1713

1714

1715

1716

1717

1718

1719

1720

1721

1722

1723

1724

1725

1726

1727

1728

1729

1730

1731

1732

1733

1734

1735

1736

1737

1738

1739

1740

1741

1742

1743

1744

1745

1746

1747

1748

1749

1750

1751

1752

1753

1754

1755

1756

1757

1758

1759

1760

1761

1762

1763

1764

1765

1766

1767

1768

1769

1770

1771

1772

1773

1774

1775

1776

1777

1778

1779

1780

1781

1782

1783

1784

1785

1786

1787

1788

1789

1790

1791

1792

1793

1794

1795

1796

1797

1798

1799

1800

1801

1802

1803

1804

1805

1806

1807

1808

1809

1810

1811

1812

1813

1814

1815

1816

1817

1818

1819

1820

1821

1822

1823

1824

1825

1826

1827

1828

1829

1830

1831

1832

1833

1834

1835

1836

1837

1838

1839

1840

1841

1842

1843

1844

1845

1846

1847

1848

1849

1850

1851

1852

1853

1854

1855

1856

1857

1858

1859

1860

1861

1862

1863

1864

1865

1866

1867

1868

1869

1870

1871

1872

1873

1874

1875

1876

1877

1878

1879

1880

1881

1882

1883

1884

1885

1886

1887

1888

1889

1890

1891

1892

1893

1894

1895

1896

1897

1898

1899

1900

1901

1902

1903

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

1947

1948

1949

1950

1951

1952

1953

1954

1955

1956

1957

1958

1959

1960

1961

1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2033

2034

2035

2036

2037

2038

2039

2040

2041

2042

2043

2044

2045

2046

2047

2048

2049

2050

2051

2052

2053

2054

2055

2056

2057

2058

2059

2060

2061

2062

2063

2064

2065

2066

2067

2068

2069

2070

2071

2072

2073

2074

2075

2076

2077

2078

2079

2080

2081

2082

2083

2084

2085

2086

2087

2088

2089

2090

2091

2092

2093

2094

2095

2096

2097

2098

2099

2100

2101

2102

2103

2104

2105

2106

2107

2108

2109

2110

2111

2112

2113

2114

2115

2116

2117

2118

2119

2120

2121

2122

2123

2124

2125

2126

2127

2128

2129

2130

2131

2132

2133

2134

2135

2136

2137

2138

2139

2140

2141

2142

2143

2144

2145

2146

2147

2148

2149

2150

2151

2152

2153

2154

2155

2156

2157

2158

2159

2160

2161

2162

2163

2164

2165

2166

2167

2168

2169

2170

2171

2172

2173

2174

2175

2176

2177

2178

2179

2180

2181

2182

2183

2184

2185

2186

2187

2188

2189

2190

2191

2192

2193

2194

2195

2196

2197

2198

2199

2200

2201

2202

2203

2204

2205

2206

2207

2208

2209

2210

2211

2212

2213

2214

2215

2216

2217

2218

2219

2220

2221

2222

2223

2224

2225

2226

2227

2228

2229

2230

2231

2232

2233

2234

2235

2236

2237

2238

2239

2240

2241

2242

2243

2244

2245

2246

2247

2248

2249

2250

2251

2252

2253

2254

2255

2256

2257

2258

2259

2260

2261

2262

2263

2264

2265

2266

2267

2268

2269

2270

2271

2272

2273

2274

2275

2276

2277

2278

2279

2280

2281

2282

2283

2284

2285

2286

2287

2288

2289

2290

2291

2292

2293

2294

2295

2296

2297

2298

2299

2300

2301

2302

2303

2304

2305

2306

2307

2308

2309

2310

2311

2312

2313

2314

2315

2316

2317

2318

2319

2320

2321

2322

2323

2324

2325

2326

2327

2328

2329

2330

2331

2332

2333

2334

2335

2336

2337

2338

2339

2340

2341

2342

2343

2344

2345

2346

2347

2348

2349

2350

2351

2352

2353

2354

2355

2356

2357

2358

2359

2360

2361

2362

2363

2364

2365

2366

2367

2368

2369

2370

2371

2372

2373

2374

2375

2376

2377

2378

2379

2380

2381

2382

2383

2384

2385

2386

2387

2388

2389

2390

2391

2392

2393

2394

2395

2396

2397

2398

2399

2400

2401

2402

2403

2404

2405

2406

2407

2408

2409

2410

2411

2412

2413

2414

2415

2416

2417

2418

2419

2420

2421

2422

2423

2424

2425

2426

2427

2428

2429

2430

2431

2432

2433

2434

2435

2436

2437

2438

2439

2440

2441

2442

2443

2444

2445

2446

2447

2448

2449

2450

2451

2452

2453

2454

2455

2456

2457

2458

2459

2460

2461

2462

2463

2464

2465

2466

2467

2468

2469

2470

2471

2472

2473

2474

2475

2476

2477

2478

2479

2480

2481

2482

2483

2484

2485

2486

2487

2488

2489

2490

2491

2492

2493

2494

2495

2496

2497

2498

2499

2500

2501

2502

2503

2504

2505

2506

2507

2508

2509

2510

2511

2512

2513

2514

2515

2516

2517

2518

2519

2520

2521

2522

2523

2524

2525

2526

2527

2528

2529

2530

2531

2532

2533

2534

2535

2536

2537

2538

2539

2540

2541

2542

2543

2544

2545

2546

2547

2548

2549

2550

2551

2552

2553

2554

2555

2556

2557

2558

2559

2560

2561

2562

2563

2564

2565

2566

2567

2568

2569

2570

2571

2572

2573

2574

2575

2576

2577

2578

2579

2580

2581

2582

2583

2584

2585

2586

2587

2588

2589

2590

2591

2592

2593

2594

2595

2596

2597

2598

2599

2600

2601

2602

2603

2604

2605

2606

2607

2608

2609

2610

2611

2612

2613

2614

2615

2616

2617

2618

2619

2620

2621

2622

2623

2624

2625

2626

2627

2628

2629

2630

2631

2632

2633

2634

2635

2636

2637

2638

2639

2640

2641

2642

2643

2644

2645

2646

2647

2648

2649

2650

2651

2652

2653

2654

2655

2656

2657

2658

2659

2660

2661

2662

2663

2664

2665

2666

2667

2668

2669

2670

2671

2672

2673

2674

2675

2676

2677

2678

2679

2680

2681

2682

2683

2684

2685

2686

2687

2688

2689

2690

2691

2692

2693

2694

2695

2696

2697

2698

2699

2700

2701

2702

2703

2704

2705

2706

2707

2708

2709

2710

2711

2712

2713

2714

2715

2716

2717

2718

2719

2720

2721

2722

2723

2724

2725

2726

2727

2728

2729

2730

2731

2732

2733

2734

2735

2736

2737

2738

2739

2740

2741

2742

2743

2744

2745

2746

2747

2748

2749

2750

2751

2752

2753

2754

2755

2756

2757

2758

2759

2760

2761

2762

2763

2764

2765

2766

2767

2768

2769

2770

2771

2772

2773

2774

2775

2776

2777

2778

2779

2780

2781

2782

2783

2784

2785

2786

2787

2788

2789

2790

2791

2792

2793

2794

2795

2796

2797

2798

2799

2800

2801

2802

2803

2804

2805

2806

2807

2808

2809

2810

2811

2812

2813

2814

2815

2816

2817

2818

2819

2820

2821

2822

2823

2824

2825

2826

2827

2828

2829

2830

2831

2832

2833

2834

2835

2836

2837

2838

2839

2840

2841

2842

2843

2844

2845

2846

2847

2848

2849

2850

2851

2852

2853

2854

2855

2856

2857

2858

2859

2860

2861

2862

2863

2864

2865

2866

2867

2868

2869

2870

2871

2872

2873

2874

2875

2876

2877

2878

2879

2880

2881

2882

2883

2884

2885

2886

2887

2888

2889

2890

2891

2892

2893

2894

2895

2896

2897

2898

2899

2900

2901

2902

2903

2904

2905

2906

2907

2908

2909

2910

2911

2912

2913

2914

2915

2916

2917

2918

2919

2920

2921

2922

2923

2924

2925

2926

2927

2928

2929

2930

2931

2932

2933

2934

2935

2936

2937

2938

2939

2940

2941

2942

2943

2944

2945

2946

2947

2948

2949

2950

2951

2952

2953

2954

2955

2956

2957

2958

2959

2960

2961

2962

2963

2964

2965

2966

2967

2968

2969

2970

2971

2972

2973

2974

2975

2976

2977

2978

2979

2980

2981

2982

2983

2984

2985

2986

2987

2988

2989

2990

2991

2992

2993

2994

2995

2996

2997

2998

2999

3000

3001

3002

3003

3004

3005

3006

3007

3008

3009

3010

3011

3012

3013

3014

3015

3016

3017

3018

3019

3020

3021

3022

3023

3024

3025

3026

3027

3028

3029

3030

3031

3032

3033

3034

3035

3036

3037

3038

3039

3040

3041

3042

3043

3044

3045

3046

3047

3048

3049

3050

3051

3052

3053

3054

3055

3056

3057

3058

3059

3060

3061

3062

3063

3064

3065

3066

3067

3068

3069

3070

3071

3072

3073

3074

3075

3076

3077

3078

3079

3080

3081

3082

3083

3084

3085

3086

3087

3088

3089

3090

3091

3092

3093

3094

3095

3096

3097

3098

3099

3100

3101

3102

3103

3104

3105

3106

3107

3108

3109

3110

3111

3112

3113

3114

3115

3116

3117

3118

3119

3120

3121

3122

3123

3124

3125

3126

3127

3128

3129

3130

3131

3132

3133

3134

3135

3136

3137

3138

3139

3140

3141

3142

3143

3144

3145

3146

3147

3148

3149

3150

3151

3152

3153

3154

3155

3156

3157

3158

3159

3160

3161

3162

3163

3164

3165

3166

3167

3168

3169

3170

3171

3172

3173

3174

3175

3176

3177

3178

3179

3180

3181

3182

3183

3184

3185

3186

3187

3188

3189

3190

3191

3192

3193

3194

3195

3196

3197

3198

3199

3200

3201

3202

3203

3204

3205

3206

3207

3208

3209

3210

3211

3212

3213

3214

3215

3216

3217

3218

3219

3220

3221

3222

3223

3224

3225

3226

3227

3228

3229

3230

3231

3232

3233

3234

3235

3236

3237

3238

3239

3240

3241

3242

3243

3244

3245

3246

3247

3248

3249

3250

3251

3252

3253

3254

3255

3256

3257

3258

3259

3260

3261

3262

3263

3264

3265

3266

3267

3268

3269

3270

3271

3272

3273

3274

3275

3276

3277

3278

3279

3280

3281

3282

3283

3284

3285

3286

3287

3288

3289

3290

3291

3292

3293

3294

3295

3296

3297

3298

3299

3300

3301

3302

3303

3304

3305

3306

3307

3308

3309

3310

3311

3312

3313

3314

3315

3316

3317

3318

3319

3320

3321

3322

3323

3324

3325

3326

3327

3328

3329

3330

3331

3332

3333

3334

3335

3336

3337

3338

3339

3340

3341

3342

3343

3344

3345

3346

3347

3348

3349

3350

3351

3352

3353

3354

3355

3356

3357

3358

3359

3360

3361

3362

3363

3364

3365

3366

3367

3368

3369

3370

3371

3372

3373

3374

3375

3376

3377

3378

3379

3380

3381

3382

3383

3384

3385

3386

3387

3388

3389

3390

3391

3392

3393

3394

3395

3396

3397

3398

3399

3400

3401

3402

3403

3404

3405

3406

3407

3408

3409

3410

3411

3412

3413

3414

3415

3416

3417

3418

3419

3420

3421

3422

3423

3424

3425

3426

3427

3428

3429

3430

3431

3432

3433

3434

3435

3436

3437

3438

3439

3440

3441

3442

3443

3444

3445

3446

3447

3448

3449

3450

3451

3452

3453

3454

3455

3456

3457

3458

3459

3460

3461

3462

3463

3464

3465

3466

3467

3468

3469

3470

3471

3472

3473

3474

3475

3476

3477

3478

3479

3480

3481

3482

3483

3484

3485

3486

3487

3488

3489

3490

3491

3492

3493

3494

3495

3496

3497

3498

3499

3500

3501

3502

3503

3504

3505

3506

3507

3508

3509

3510

3511

3512

3513

3514

3515

3516

3517

3518

3519

3520

3521

3522

3523

3524

3525

3526

3527

3528

3529

3530

3531

3532

3533

3534

3535

3536

3537

3538

3539

3540

3541

3542

3543

3544

3545

3546

3547

3548

3549

3550

3551

3552

3553

3554

3555

3556

3557

3558

3559

3560

3561

3562

3563

3564

3565

3566

3567

3568

3569

3570

3571

3572

3573

3574

3575

3576

3577

3578

3579

3580

3581

3582

3583

3584

3585

3586

3587

3588

3589

3590

3591

3592

3593

3594

3595

3596

3597

3598

3599

3600

3601

3602

3603

3604

3605

3606

3607

3608

3609

3610

3611

3612

3613

3614

3615

3616

3617

3618

3619

3620

3621

3622

3623

3624

3625

3626

3627

3628

3629

3630

3631

3632

3633

3634

3635

3636

3637

3638

3639

3640

3641

3642

3643

3644

3645

3646

3647

3648

3649

3650

3651

3652

3653

3654

3655

3656

3657

3658

3659

3660

3661

3662

3663

3664

3665

3666

3667

3668

3669

3670

3671

3672

3673

3674

3675

3676

3677

3678

3679

3680

3681

3682

3683

3684

3685

3686

3687

3688

3689

3690

3691

3692

3693

3694

3695

3696

3697

3698

3699

3700

3701

3702

3703

3704

3705

3706

3707

3708

3709

3710

3711

3712

3713

3714

3715

3716

3717

3718

3719

3720

3721

3722

3723

3724

3725

3726

3727

3728

3729

3730

3731

3732

3733

3734

3735

3736

3737

3738

3739

3740

3741

3742

3743

3744

3745

3746

3747

3748

3749

3750

3751

3752

3753

3754

3755

3756

3757

3758

3759

3760

3761

3762

3763

3764

3765

3766

3767

3768

3769

3770

3771

3772

3773

3774

3775

3776

3777

3778

3779

3780

3781

3782

3783

3784

3785

3786

3787

3788

3789

3790

3791

3792

3793

3794

3795

3796

3797

3798

3799

3800

3801

3802

3803

3804

3805

3806

3807

3808

3809

3810

3811

3812

3813

3814

3815

3816

3817

3818

3819

3820

3821

3822

3823

3824

3825

3826

3827

3828

3829

3830

3831

3832

3833

3834

3835

3836

3837

3838

3839

3840

3841

3842

3843

3844

3845

3846

3847

3848

3849

3850

3851

3852

3853

3854

3855

3856

3857

3858

3859

3860

3861

3862

3863

3864

3865

3866

3867

3868

3869

3870

3871

3872

3873

3874

3875

3876

3877

3878

3879

3880

3881

3882

3883

3884

3885

3886

3887

3888

3889

3890

3891

3892

3893

3894

3895

3896

3897

3898

3899

3900

3901

3902

3903

3904

3905

3906

3907

3908

3909

3910

3911

3912

3913

3914

3915

3916

3917

3918

3919

3920

3921

3922

3923

3924

3925

3926

3927

3928

3929

3930

3931

3932

3933

3934

3935

3936

3937

3938

3939

3940

3941

3942

3943

3944

3945

3946

3947

3948

3949

3950

3951

3952

3953

3954

3955

3956

3957

3958

3959

3960

3961

3962

3963

3964

3965

3966

3967

3968

3969

3970

3971

3972

3973

3974

3975

3976

3977

3978

3979

3980

3981

3982

3983

3984

3985

3986

3987

3988

3989

3990

3991

3992

3993

3994

3995

3996

3997

3998

3999

4000

4001

4002

4003

4004

4005

4006

4007

4008

4009

4010

4011

4012

4013

4014

4015

4016

4017

4018

4019

4020

4021

4022

4023

4024

4025

4026

4027

4028

4029

4030

4031

4032

4033

4034

4035

4036

4037

4038

4039

4040

4041

4042

4043

4044

4045

4046

4047

4048

4049

4050

4051

4052

4053

4054

4055

4056

4057

4058

4059

4060

4061

4062

4063

4064

4065

4066

4067

4068

4069

4070

4071

4072

4073

4074

4075

4076

4077

4078

4079

4080

4081

4082

4083

4084

4085

4086

4087

4088

4089

4090

4091

4092

4093

4094

4095

4096

4097

4098

4099

4100

4101

4102

4103

4104

4105

4106

4107

4108

4109

4110

4111

4112

4113

4114

4115

4116

4117

4118

4119

4120

4121

4122

4123

4124

4125

4126

4127

4128

4129

4130

4131

4132

4133

4134

4135

4136

4137

4138

4139

4140

4141

4142

4143

4144

4145

4146

4147

4148

4149

4150

4151

4152

4153

4154

4155

4156

4157

4158

4159

4160

4161

4162

4163

4164

4165

4166

4167

4168

4169

4170

4171

4172

4173

4174

4175

4176

4177

4178

4179

4180

4181

4182

4183

4184

4185

4186

4187

4188

4189

4190

4191

4192

4193

4194

4195

4196

4197

4198

4199

4200

4201

4202

4203

4204

4205

4206

4207

4208

4209

4210

4211

4212

4213

4214

4215

4216

4217

4218

4219

4220

4221

4222

4223

4224

4225

4226

4227

4228

4229

4230

4231

4232

4233

4234

4235

4236

4237

4238

4239

4240

4241

4242

4243

4244

4245

4246

4247

4248

4249

4250

4251

4252

4253

4254

4255

4256

4257

4258

4259

4260

4261

4262

4263

4264

4265

4266

4267

4268

4269

4270

4271

4272

4273

4274

4275

4276

4277

4278

4279

4280

4281

4282

4283

4284

4285

4286

4287

4288

4289

4290

4291

4292

4293

4294

4295

4296

4297

4298

4299

4300

4301

4302

4303

4304

4305

4306

4307

4308

4309

4310

4311

4312

4313

4314

4315

4316

4317

4318

4319

4320

4321

4322

4323

4324

4325

4326

4327

4328

4329

4330

4331

4332

4333

4334

4335

4336

4337

4338

4339

4340

4341

4342

4343

4344

4345

4346

4347

4348

4349

4350

4351

4352

4353

4354

4355

4356

4357

4358

4359

4360

4361

4362

4363

4364

4365

4366

4367

4368

4369

4370

4371

4372

4373

4374

4375

4376

4377

4378

4379

4380

4381

4382

4383

4384

4385

4386

4387

4388

4389

4390

4391

4392

4393

4394

4395

4396

4397

4398

4399

4400

4401

4402

4403

4404

4405

4406

4407

4408

4409

4410

4411

4412

4413

4414

4415

4416

4417

4418

4419

4420

4421

4422

4423

4424

4425

4426

4427

4428

4429

4430

4431

4432

4433

4434

4435

4436

4437

4438

4439

4440

4441

4442

4443

4444

4445

4446

4447

4448

4449

4450

4451

4452

4453

4454

4455

4456

4457

4458

4459

4460

4461

4462

4463

4464

4465

4466

4467

4468

4469

4470

4471

4472

4473

4474

4475

4476

4477

4478

4479

4480

4481

4482

4483

4484

4485

4486

4487

4488

4489

4490

4491

4492

4493

4494

4495

4496

4497

4498

4499

4500

4501

4502

4503

4504

4505

4506

4507

4508

4509

4510

4511

4512

4513

4514

4515

4516

4517

4518

4519

4520

4521

4522

4523

4524

4525

4526

4527

4528

4529

4530

4531

4532

4533

4534

4535

4536

4537

4538

4539

4540

4541

4542

4543

4544

4545

4546

4547

4548

4549

4550

4551

4552

4553

4554

4555

4556

4557

4558

4559

4560

4561

4562

4563

4564

4565

4566

4567

4568

4569

4570

4571

4572

4573

4574

4575

4576

4577

4578

4579

4580

4581

4582

4583

4584

4585

4586

4587

4588

4589

4590

4591

4592

4593

4594

4595

4596

4597

4598

4599

4600

4601

4602

4603

4604

4605

4606

4607

4608

4609

4610

4611

4612

4613

4614

4615

4616

4617

4618

4619

4620

4621

4622

4623

4624

4625

4626

4627

4628

4629

4630

4631

4632

4633

4634

4635

4636

4637

4638

4639

4640

4641

4642

4643

4644

4645

4646

4647

4648

4649

4650

4651

4652

4653

4654

4655

4656

4657

4658

4659

4660

4661

4662

4663

4664

4665

4666

4667

4668

4669

4670

4671

4672

4673

4674

4675

4676

4677

4678

4679

4680

4681

4682

4683

4684

4685

4686

4687

4688

4689

4690

4691

4692

4693

4694

4695

4696

4697

4698

4699

4700

4701

4702

4703

4704

4705

4706

4707

4708

4709

4710

4711

4712

4713

4714

4715

4716

4717

4718

4719

4720

4721

4722

4723

4724

4725

4726

4727

4728

4729

4730

4731

4732

4733

4734

4735

4736

4737

4738

4739

4740

4741

4742

4743

4744

4745

4746

4747

4748

4749

4750

4751

4752

4753

4754

4755

4756

4757

4758

4759

4760

4761

4762

4763

4764

4765

4766

4767

4768

4769

4770

4771

4772

4773

4774

4775

4776

4777

4778

4779

4780

4781

4782

4783

4784

4785

4786

4787

4788

4789

4790

4791

4792

4793

4794

4795

4796

4797

4798

4799

4800

4801

4802

4803

4804

4805

4806

4807

4808

4809

4810

4811

4812

4813

4814

4815

4816

4817

4818

4819

4820

4821

4822

4823

4824

4825

4826

4827

4828

4829

4830

4831

4832

4833

4834

4835

4836

4837

4838

4839

4840

4841

4842

4843

4844

4845

4846

4847

4848

4849

4850

4851

4852

4853

4854

4855

4856

4857

4858

4859

4860

4861

4862

4863

4864

4865

4866

4867

4868

4869

4870

4871

4872

4873

4874

4875

4876

4877

4878

4879

4880

4881

4882

4883

4884

4885

4886

4887

4888

4889

4890

4891

4892

4893

4894

4895

4896

4897

4898

4899

4900

4901

4902

4903

4904

4905

4906

4907

4908

4909

4910

4911

4912

4913

4914

4915

4916

4917

4918

4919

4920

4921

4922

4923

4924

4925

4926

4927

4928

4929

4930

4931

4932

4933

4934

4935

4936

4937

4938

4939

4940

4941

4942

4943

4944

4945

4946

4947

4948

4949

4950

4951

4952

4953

4954

4955

4956

4957

4958

4959

4960

4961

4962

4963

4964

4965

4966

4967

4968

4969

4970

4971

4972

4973

4974

4975

4976

4977

4978

4979

4980

4981

4982

4983

4984

4985

4986

4987

4988

4989

4990

4991

4992

4993

4994

4995

4996

4997

4998

4999

5000

5001

5002

5003

5004

5005

5006

5007

5008

5009

5010

5011

5012

5013

5014

5015

5016

5017

5018

5019

5020

5021

5022

5023

5024

5025

5026

5027

5028

5029

5030

5031

5032

5033

5034

5035

5036

5037

5038

5039

5040

5041

5042

5043

5044

5045

5046

5047

5048

5049

5050

5051

5052

5053

5054

5055

5056

5057

5058

5059

5060

5061

5062

5063

5064

5065

5066

5067

5068

5069

5070

5071

5072

5073

5074

5075

5076

5077

5078

5079

5080

5081

5082

5083

5084

5085

5086

5087

5088

5089

5090

5091

5092

5093

5094

5095

5096

5097

5098

5099

5100

5101

5102

5103

5104

5105

5106

5107

5108

5109

5110

5111

5112

5113

5114

5115

5116

5117

5118

5119

5120

5121

5122

5123

5124

5125

5126

5127

5128

5129

5130

5131

5132

5133

5134

5135

5136

5137

5138

5139

5140

5141

5142

5143

5144

5145

5146

5147

5148

5149

5150

5151

5152

5153

5154

5155

5156

5157

5158

5159

5160

5161

5162

5163

5164

5165

5166

5167

5168

5169

5170

5171

5172

5173

5174

5175

5176

5177

5178

5179

5180

5181

5182

5183

5184

5185

5186

5187

5188

5189

5190

5191

5192

5193

5194

5195

5196

5197

5198

5199

5200

5201

5202

5203

5204

5205

5206

5207

5208

5209

5210

5211

5212

5213

5214

5215

5216

5217

5218

5219

5220

5221

5222

5223

5224

5225

5226

5227

5228

5229

5230

5231

5232

5233

5234

5235

5236

5237

5238

5239

5240

5241

5242

5243

5244

5245

5246

5247

5248

5249

5250

5251

5252

5253

5254

5255

5256

5257

5258

5259

5260

5261

5262

5263

5264

5265

5266

5267

5268

5269

5270

5271

5272

5273

5274

5275

5276

5277

5278

5279

5280

5281

5282

5283

5284

5285

5286

5287

5288

5289

5290

5291

5292

5293

5294

5295

5296

5297

5298

5299

5300

5301

5302

5303

5304

5305

5306

5307

5308

5309

5310

5311

5312

5313

5314

5315

5316

5317

5318

5319

5320

5321

5322

5323

5324

5325

5326

5327

5328

5329

5330

5331

5332

5333

5334

5335

5336

5337

5338

5339

5340

5341

5342

5343

5344

5345

5346

5347

5348

5349

5350

5351

5352

5353

5354

5355

5356

5357

5358

5359

5360

5361

5362

5363

5364

5365

5366

5367

5368

5369

5370

5371

5372

5373

5374

5375

5376

5377

5378

5379

5380

5381

5382

5383

5384

5385

5386

5387

5388

5389

5390

5391

5392

5393

5394

5395

5396

5397

5398

5399

5400

5401

5402

5403

5404

5405

5406

5407

5408

5409

5410

5411

5412

5413

5414

5415

5416

5417

5418

5419

5420

5421

5422

5423

5424

5425

5426

5427

5428

5429

5430

5431

5432

5433

5434

5435

5436

5437

5438

5439

5440

5441

5442

5443

5444

5445

5446

5447

5448

5449

5450

5451

5452

5453

5454

5455

5456

5457

5458

5459

5460

5461

5462

5463

5464

5465

5466

5467

5468

5469

5470

5471

5472

5473

5474

5475

5476

5477

5478

5479

5480

5481

5482

5483

5484

5485

5486

5487

5488

5489

5490

5491

5492

5493

5494

5495

5496

5497

5498

5499

5500

5501

5502

5503

5504

5505

5506

5507

5508

5509

5510

5511

5512

5513

5514

5515

5516

5517

5518

5519

5520

5521

5522

5523

5524

5525

5526

5527

5528

5529

5530

5531

5532

5533

5534

5535

5536

5537

5538

5539

5540

5541

5542

5543

5544

5545

5546

5547

5548

5549

5550

5551

5552

5553

5554

5555

5556

5557

5558

5559

5560

5561

5562

5563

5564

5565

5566

5567

5568

5569

5570

5571

5572

5573

5574

5575

5576

5577

5578

5579

5580

5581

5582

5583

5584

5585

5586

5587

5588

5589

5590

5591

5592

5593

5594

5595

5596

5597

5598

5599

5600

5601

5602

5603

5604

5605

5606

5607

5608

5609

5610

5611

5612

5613

5614

5615

5616

5617

5618

5619

5620

5621

5622

5623

5624

5625

5626

5627

5628

5629

5630

5631

5632

5633

5634

5635

5636

5637

5638

5639

5640

5641

5642

5643

5644

5645

5646

5647

5648

5649

5650

5651

5652

5653

5654

5655

5656

5657

5658

5659

5660

5661

5662

5663

5664

5665

5666

5667

5668

5669

5670

5671

5672

5673

5674

5675

5676

5677

5678

5679

5680

5681

5682

5683

5684

5685

5686

5687

5688

5689

5690

5691

5692

5693

5694

5695

5696

5697

5698

5699

5700

5701

5702

5703

5704

5705

5706

5707

5708

5709

5710

5711

5712

5713

5714

5715

5716

5717

5718

5719

5720

5721

5722

5723

5724

5725

5726

5727

5728

5729

5730

5731

5732

5733

5734

5735

5736

5737

5738

5739

5740

5741

5742

5743

5744

5745

5746

5747

5748

5749

5750

5751

5752

5753

5754

5755

5756

5757

5758

5759

5760

5761

5762

5763

5764

5765

5766

5767

5768

5769

5770

5771

5772

5773

5774

5775

5776

5777

5778

5779

5780

5781

5782

5783

5784

5785

5786

5787

5788

5789

5790

5791

5792

5793

5794

5795

5796

5797

5798

5799

5800

5801

5802

5803

5804

5805

5806

5807

5808

5809

5810

5811

5812

5813

5814

5815

5816

5817

5818

5819

5820

5821

5822

5823

5824

5825

5826

5827

5828

5829

5830

5831

5832

5833

5834

5835

5836

5837

5838

5839

5840

5841

5842

5843

5844

5845

5846

5847

5848

5849

5850

5851

5852

5853

5854

5855

5856

5857

5858

5859

5860

5861

5862

5863

5864

5865

5866

5867

5868

5869

5870

5871

5872

5873

5874

5875

5876

5877

5878

5879

5880

5881

5882

5883

5884

5885

5886

5887

5888

5889

5890

5891

5892

5893

5894

5895

5896

5897

5898

5899

5900

5901

5902

5903

5904

5905

5906

5907

5908

5909

5910

5911

5912

5913

5914

5915

5916

5917

5918

5919

5920

5921

5922

5923

5924

5925

5926

5927

5928

5929

5930

5931

5932

5933

5934

5935

5936

5937

5938

5939

5940

5941

5942

5943

5944

5945

5946

5947

5948

5949

5950

5951

5952

5953

5954

5955

5956

5957

5958

5959

5960

5961

5962

5963

5964

5965

5966

5967

5968

5969

5970

5971

5972

5973

5974

5975

5976

5977

5978

5979

5980

5981

5982

5983

5984

5985

5986

5987

5988

5989

5990

5991

5992

5993

5994

5995

5996

5997

5998

5999

6000

6001

6002

6003

6004

6005

6006

6007

6008

6009

6010

6011

6012

6013

6014

6015

6016

6017

6018

6019

6020

6021

6022

6023

6024

6025

6026

6027

6028

6029

6030

6031

6032

6033

6034

6035

6036

6037

6038

6039

6040

6041

6042

6043

6044

6045

6046

6047

6048

6049

6050

6051

6052

6053

6054

6055

6056

6057

6058

6059

6060

6061

6062

6063

6064

6065

6066

6067

6068

6069

6070

6071

6072

6073

6074

6075

6076

6077

6078

6079

6080

6081

6082

6083

6084

6085

6086

6087

6088

6089

6090

6091

6092

6093

6094

6095

6096

6097

6098

6099

6100

6101

6102

6103

6104

6105

6106

6107

6108

6109

6110

6111

6112

6113

6114

6115

6116

6117

6118

6119

6120

6121

6122

6123

6124

6125

6126

6127

6128

6129

6130

6131

6132

6133

6134

6135

6136

6137

6138

6139

6140

6141

6142

6143

6144

6145

6146

6147

6148

6149

6150

6151

6152

6153

6154

6155

6156

6157

6158

6159

6160

6161

6162

6163

6164

6165

6166

6167

6168

6169

6170

6171

6172

6173

6174

6175

6176

6177

6178

6179

6180

6181

6182

6183

6184

6185

6186

6187

6188

6189

6190

6191

6192

6193

6194

6195

6196

6197

6198

6199

6200

6201

6202

6203

6204

6205

6206

6207

6208

6209

6210

6211

6212

6213

6214

6215

6216

6217

6218

6219

6220

6221

6222

6223

6224

6225

6226

6227

6228

6229

6230

6231

6232

6233

6234

6235

6236

6237

6238

6239

6240

6241

6242

6243

6244

6245

6246

6247

6248

6249

6250

6251

6252

6253

6254

6255

6256

6257

6258

6259

6260

6261

6262

6263

6264

6265

6266

6267

6268

6269

6270

6271

6272

6273

6274

6275

6276

6277

6278

6279

6280

6281

6282

6283

6284

6285

6286

6287

6288

6289

6290

6291

6292

6293

6294

6295

6296

6297

6298

6299

6300

6301

6302

6303

6304

6305

6306

6307

6308

6309

6310

6311

6312

6313

6314

6315

6316

6317

6318

6319

6320

6321

6322

6323

6324

6325

6326

6327

6328

6329

6330

6331

6332

6333

6334

6335

6336

6337

6338

6339

6340

6341

6342

6343

6344

6345

6346

6347

6348

6349

6350

6351

6352

6353

6354

6355

6356

6357

6358

6359

6360

6361

6362

6363

6364

6365

6366

6367

6368

6369

6370

6371

6372

6373

6374

6375

6376

6377

6378

6379

6380

6381

6382

6383

6384

6385

6386

6387

6388

6389

6390

6391

6392

6393

6394

6395

6396

6397

6398

6399

6400

6401

6402

6403

6404

6405

6406

6407

6408

6409

6410

6411

6412

6413

6414

6415

6416

6417

6418

6419

6420

6421

6422

6423

6424

6425

6426

6427

6428

6429

6430

6431

6432

6433

6434

6435

6436

6437

6438

6439

6440

6441

6442

6443

6444

6445

6446

6447

6448

6449

6450

6451

6452

6453

6454

6455

6456

6457

6458

6459

6460

6461

6462

6463

6464

6465

6466

6467

6468

6469

6470

6471

6472

6473

6474

6475

6476

6477

6478

6479

6480

6481

6482

6483

6484

6485

6486

6487

6488

6489

6490

6491

6492

6493

6494

6495

6496

6497

6498

6499

6500

6501

6502

6503

6504

6505

6506

6507

6508

6509

6510

6511

6512

6513

6514

6515

6516

6517

6518

6519

6520

6521

6522

6523

6524

6525

6526

6527

6528

6529

6530

6531

6532

6533

6534

6535

6536

6537

6538

6539

6540

6541

6542

6543

6544

6545

6546

6547

6548

6549

6550

6551

6552

6553

6554

6555

6556

6557

6558

6559

6560

6561

6562

6563

6564

6565

6566

6567

6568

6569

6570

6571

6572

6573

6574

6575

6576

6577

6578

6579

6580

6581

6582

6583

6584

6585

6586

6587

6588

6589

6590

6591

6592

6593

6594

6595

6596

6597

6598

6599

6600

6601

6602

6603

6604

6605

6606

6607

6608

6609

6610

6611

6612

6613

6614

6615

6616

6617

6618

6619

6620

6621

6622

6623

6624

6625

6626

6627

6628

6629

6630

6631

6632

6633

6634

6635

6636

6637

6638

6639

6640

6641

6642

6643

6644

6645

6646

6647

6648

6649

6650

6651

6652

6653

6654

6655

6656

6657

6658

6659

6660

6661

6662

6663

6664

6665

6666

6667

6668

6669

6670

6671

6672

6673

6674

6675

6676

6677

6678

6679

6680

6681

6682

6683

6684

6685

6686

6687

6688

6689

6690

6691

6692

6693

6694

6695

6696

6697

6698

6699

6700

6701

6702

6703

6704

6705

6706

6707

6708

6709

6710

6711

6712

6713

6714

6715

6716

6717

6718

6719

6720

6721

6722

6723

6724

6725

6726

6727

6728

6729

6730

6731

6732

6733

6734

6735

6736

6737

6738

6739

6740

6741

6742

6743

6744

6745

6746

6747

6748

6749

6750

6751

6752

6753

6754

6755

6756

6757

6758

6759

6760

6761

6762

6763

6764

6765

6766

6767

6768

6769

6770

6771

6772

6773

6774

6775

6776

6777

6778

6779

6780

6781

6782

6783

6784

6785

6786

6787

6788

6789

6790

6791

6792

6793

6794

6795

6796

6797

6798

6799

6800

6801

6802

6803

6804

6805

6806

6807

6808

6809

6810

6811

6812

6813

6814

6815

6816

6817

6818

6819

6820

6821

6822

6823

6824

6825

6826

6827

6828

6829

6830

6831

6832

6833

6834

6835

6836

6837

6838

6839

6840

6841

6842

6843

6844

6845

6846

6847

6848

6849

6850

6851

6852

6853

6854

6855

6856

6857

6858

6859

6860

6861

6862

6863

6864

6865

6866

6867

6868

6869

6870

6871

6872

6873

6874

6875

6876

6877

6878

6879

6880

6881

6882

6883

6884

6885

6886

6887

6888

6889

6890

6891

6892

6893

6894

6895

6896

6897

6898

6899

6900

6901

6902

6903

6904

6905

6906

6907

6908

6909

6910

6911

6912

6913

6914

6915

6916

6917

6918

6919

6920

6921

6922

6923

6924

6925

6926

6927

6928

6929

6930

6931

6932

6933

6934

6935

6936

6937

6938

6939

6940

6941

6942

6943

6944

6945

6946

6947

6948

6949

6950

6951

6952

6953

6954

6955

6956

6957

6958

6959

6960

6961

6962

6963

6964

6965

6966

6967

6968

6969

6970

6971

6972

6973

6974

6975

6976

6977

6978

6979

6980

6981

6982

6983

6984

6985

6986

6987

6988

6989

6990

6991

6992

6993

6994

6995

6996

6997

6998

6999

7000

7001

7002

7003

7004

7005

7006

7007

7008

7009

7010

7011

7012

7013

7014

7015

7016

7017

7018

7019

7020

7021

7022

7023

7024

7025

7026

7027

7028

7029

7030

7031

7032

7033

7034

7035

7036

7037

7038

7039

7040

7041

7042

7043

7044

7045

7046

7047

7048

7049

7050

7051

7052

7053

7054

7055

7056

7057

7058

7059

7060

7061

7062

7063

7064

7065

7066

7067

7068

7069

7070

7071

7072

7073

7074

7075

7076

7077

7078

7079

7080

7081

7082

7083

7084

7085

7086

7087

7088

7089

7090

7091

7092

7093

7094

7095

7096

7097

7098

7099

7100

7101

7102

7103

7104

7105

7106

7107

7108

7109

7110

7111

7112

7113

7114

7115

7116

7117

7118

7119

7120

7121

7122

7123

7124

7125

7126

7127

7128

7129

7130

7131

7132

7133

7134

7135

7136

7137

7138

7139

7140

7141

7142

7143

7144

7145

7146

7147

7148

7149

7150

7151

7152

7153

7154

7155

7156

7157

7158

7159

7160

7161

7162

7163

7164

7165

7166

7167

7168

7169

7170

7171

7172

7173

7174

7175

7176

7177

7178

7179

7180

7181

7182

7183

7184

7185

7186

7187

7188

7189

7190

7191

7192

7193

7194

7195

7196

7197

7198

7199

7200

7201

7202

7203

7204

7205

7206

7207

7208

7209

7210

7211

7212

7213

7214

7215

7216

7217

7218

7219

7220

7221

7222

7223

7224

7225

7226

7227

7228

7229

7230

7231

7232

7233

7234

7235

7236

7237

7238

7239

7240

7241

7242

7243

7244

7245

7246

7247

7248

7249

7250

7251

7252

7253

7254

7255

7256

7257

7258

7259

7260

7261

7262

7263

7264

7265

7266

7267

7268

7269

7270

7271

7272

7273

7274

7275

7276

7277

7278

7279

7280

7281

7282

7283

7284

7285

7286

7287

7288

7289

7290

7291

7292

7293

7294

7295

7296

7297

7298

7299

7300

7301

7302

7303

7304

7305

7306

7307

7308

7309

7310

7311

7312

7313

7314

7315

7316

7317

7318

7319

7320

7321

7322

7323

7324

7325

7326

7327

7328

7329

7330

7331

7332

7333

7334

7335

7336

7337

7338

7339

7340

7341

7342

7343

7344

7345

 
 
Madhya 20: Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Instructs Sanatana Gosvami in 
the Science of the Absolute Truth
 
Chapter 20: 
Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Instructs Sanatana Gosvami in the Science 
of the Absolute Truth
 
The following summary of this chapter is given by Bhaktivinoda Thakura 
in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya. When Srila Sanatana Gosvami was imprisoned 
by Nawab Hussain Shah, he received news from Rupa Gosvami that Sri 
Caitanya Mahaprabhu had gone to Mathura. Sanatana Gosvami thereafter 
satisfied the superintendent of the jail by sweet solicitations and 
bribery. After giving the jailer seven thousand gold coins, Sanatana 
Gosvami was released. He then crossed the Ganges and fled. One of his 
servants, Isana, followed him, carrying eight gold coins. Sanatana 
Gosvami and his servant then spent the night in a small hotel on the way 
to Varanasi (Benares). The hotel owner knew that Sanatana Gosvami and 
his servant had eight gold coins, and he decided to kill them and take 
the money. Making plans in this way, the hotel owner received them as 
honorable guests. Sanatana Gosvami, however, asked his servant how much 
money he had, and taking seven of the gold coins, Sanatana offered them 
to the hotel owner. Thus the owner helped them cross the hilly tract and 
proceed toward Varanasi. On the way, Sanatana Gosvami met his brother-in-
law, Srikanta, at Hajipura, and Srikanta helped him after he had heard 
about all Sanatana's troubles. Thus Sanatana Gosvami finally arrived at 
Varanasi and stood before the door of Candrasekhara. Caitanya Mahaprabhu 
called him in and ordered him to change his dress so that he would look 
like a gentleman. For his garment, he used an old cloth of Tapana Misra'
s. Later, he exchanged his valuable blanket for a torn quilt. At this 
time Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very pleased with him, and thus Sri 
Sanatana Gosvami received knowledge of the Absolute Truth from the Lord 
Himself.
 
First they discussed the constitutional position of the living entities, 
and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu explained to Sanatana Gosvami how the living 
entity is one of Lord Krsna's energies. After this, the Lord explained 
the way of devotional service. While discussing the Absolute Truth, Sri 
Krsna, the Lord analyzed Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan, as well as the 
expansions of the Lord called svayam-rupa, tad-ekatma and avesa, which 
are divided into various branches known as vaibhava and prabhava. Thus 
the Lord described the many forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 
He also described the incarnations of God within the material world, 
incarnations such as the purusa-avataras, manvantara-avataras, guna-
avataras and saktyavesa-avataras. The Lord also discussed the divisions 
of Krsna's different ages, such as balya and pauganda, and the different 
pastimes of the different ages. He explained how Krsna attained His 
permanent form when He reached youth. In this way Sri Caitanya 
Mahaprabhu explained and described everything to Sanatana Gosvami.
 
Madhya 20.1
 
TEXT 1
 
TEXT
 
vande ‘nantadbhutaisvaryam
 sri-caitanya-mahaprabhum
nico ‘pi yat-prasadat syad
 bhakti-sastra-pravartakah
SYNONYMS
 
vande -- I offer my respectful obeisances; ananta -- unlimited; adbhuta -
- wonderful; aisvaryam -- possessing opulences; sri-caitanya-mahaprabhum 
-- unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; nicah api -- even a person in the 
lowest status of life; yat-prasadat -- by whose mercy; syat -- may 
become; bhakti-sastra -- of the science of devotional service; 
pravartakah -- an inaugurator.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who 
has unlimited, wonderful opulences. By His mercy, even a person born as 
the lowest of men can spread the science of devotional service.
 
Madhya 20.2
 
TEXT 2
 
TEXT
 
jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityananda
jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda
SYNONYMS
 
jaya jaya -- all glories; sri-caitanya -- to Lord Sri Caitanya 
Mahaprabhu; jaya -- all glories; nityananda -- to Nityananda; jaya -- 
all glories; advaita-candra -- to Advaita Acarya; jaya -- all glories; 
gaura-bhakta-vrnda -- to all devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
 
TRANSLATION
 
All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Nityananda Prabhu!
 All glories to Advaita Acarya! And all glories to all the devotees of 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!
 
Madhya 20.3
 
TEXT 3
 
TEXT
 
etha gaude sanatana ache bandi-sale
sri-rupa-gosanira patri aila hena-kale
SYNONYMS
 
etha -- here; gaude -- in Bengal; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; ache -- 
was; bandi-sale -- in prison; sri-rupa-gosanira -- of Srila Rupa Gosvami;
 patri -- the letter; aila -- came; hena-kale -- at that time.
 
TRANSLATION
 
While Sanatana Gosvami was imprisoned in Bengal, a letter arrived from 
Srila Rupa Gosvami.
 
PURPORT
 
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura informs us that this letter from Rupa Gosvami 
to Sanatana Gosvami is mentioned by the annotator of the Udbhata-
candrika. Srila Rupa Gosvami wrote a note to Sanatana Gosvami from Bakla.
 This note indicated that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was coming to Mathura, 
and it stated:
 
yadu-pateh kva gata mathura-puri
 raghu-pateh kva gatottara-kosala
iti vicintya kurusva manah sthiram
 na sad idam jagad ity avadharaya
 
"Where has the Mathura-puri of Yadupati gone? Where has the Northern 
Kosala of Raghupati gone? By reflection, make the mind steady, thinking, 
‘This universe is not eternal.'"
 
Madhya 20.4
 
TEXT 4
 
TEXT
 
patri pana sanatana anandita haila
yavana-raksaka-pasa kahite lagila
SYNONYMS
 
patri pana -- receiving the note; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; anandita 
haila -- became very pleased; yavana -- meat-eater; raksaka -- the 
superintendent of the jail; pasa -- before; kahite lagila -- began to 
say.
 
TRANSLATION
 
When Sanatana Gosvami received this note from Rupa Gosvami, he became 
very pleased. He immediately went to the jail superintendent, who was a 
meat-eater, and spoke as follows.
 
Madhya 20.5
 
TEXT 5
 
TEXT
 
"tumi eka jinda-pira maha-bhagyavan
ketaba-korana-sastre ache tomara jnana
SYNONYMS
 
tumi -- you; eka jinda-pira -- a living saint; maha-bhagyavan -- very 
fortunate; ketaba -- books; korana -- the Koran; sastre -- in the 
scripture; ache -- there is; tomara -- your; jnana -- knowledge.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana Gosvami told the Muslim jailkeeper, "Dear sir, you are a 
saintly person and are very fortunate. You have full knowledge of the 
revealed scriptures such as the Koran and similar books.
 
Madhya 20.6
 
TEXT 6
 
TEXT
 
eka bandi chade yadi nija-dharma dekhiya
samsara ha-ite tare mukta karena gosana
SYNONYMS
 
eka bandi -- one imprisoned person; chade -- one releases; yadi -- if; 
nija-dharma -- one's own religion; dekhiya -- consulting; samsara ha-ite 
-- from material bondage; tare -- him; mukta karena -- releases; gosana -
- the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"If one releases a conditioned soul or imprisoned person according to 
religious principles, he himself is also released from material bondage 
by the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
 
PURPORT
 
It appears from this statement that Sanatana Gosvami, who was formerly a 
minister of the Nawab, was trying to cheat the Muslim superintendent. A 
jail superintendent had only an ordinary education, or practically no 
education, and he was certainly not supposed to be very advanced in 
spiritual knowledge. But just to satisfy him, Sanatana Gosvami praised 
him as a very learned scholar of the scriptures. The jailkeeper could 
not deny that he was a learned scholar, because when one is elevated to 
an exalted position, one thinks oneself fit for that position. Sanatana 
Gosvami was correctly explaining the effects of spiritual activity, and 
the jailkeeper connected his statement with his release from jail.
 
There are innumerable conditioned souls rotting in the material world, 
imprisoned by maya under the spell of sense gratification. The living 
entity is so entranced by the spell of maya that in conditioned life 
even a pig feels satisfied. There are two kinds of covering powers 
exhibited by maya. One is called praksepatmika, and the other is called 
avaranatmika. When one is determined to get out of material bondage, the 
praksepatmika-sakti, the spell of diversion, impels one to remain in 
conditioned life fully satisfied by sense gratification. Due to the 
other power (avaranatmika), a conditioned soul feels satisfied even if 
he is rotting in the body of a pig or a worm in stool. To release a 
conditioned soul from material bondage is very difficult because the 
spell of maya is so strong. Even when the Supreme Personality of Godhead 
Himself descends to deliver conditioned souls, asking them to surrender 
unto Him, the conditioned souls do not agree to the Lord's proposal. 
Therefore Sri Sanatana Gosvami said, "Somehow or other, if one helps 
another gain release from the bondage of maya, he is certainly 
recognized immediately by the Supreme Personality of Godhead." As Lord 
Krsna states in the Bhagavad-gita (18.69):
 
na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah
bhavita na ca me tasmad anyah priyataro bhuvi
 
The greatest service one can render to the Lord is to try to infuse 
devotional service into the heart of the conditioned soul so that the 
conditioned soul may be released from conditioned life. Srila 
Bhaktivinoda Thakura has said that a Vaisnava is recognized by his 
preaching work -- that is, by convincing the conditioned soul about his 
eternal position, which is explained here as nija-dharma. It is the 
living entity's eternal position to serve the Lord; therefore to help 
one get release from material bondage is to awaken one to the dormant 
understanding that he is the eternal servant of Krsna. Jivera ‘svarupa' 
haya -- krsnera ‘nitya-dasa' [Cc. Madhya 20.108]. This will be further 
explained by the Lord Himself to Sanatana Gosvami.
 
Madhya 20.7
 
TEXT 7
 
TEXT
 
purve ami tomara kariyachi upakara
tumi ama chadi' kara pratyupakara
SYNONYMS
 
purve -- formerly; ami -- I; tomara -- your; kariyachi -- have done; 
upakara -- welfare; tumi -- you; ama -- me; chadi' -- releasing; kara -- 
do; prati-upakara -- return welfare.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana Gosvami continued, "Previously I have done much for you. Now I 
am in difficulty. Please return my goodwill by releasing me.
 
Madhya 20.8
 
TEXT 8
 
TEXT
 
panca sahasra mudra tumi kara angikara
punya, artha, -- dui labha ha-ibe tomara"
SYNONYMS
 
panca sahasra -- five thousand; mudra -- golden coins; tumi -- you; kara 
angikara -- please accept; punya -- pious activity; artha -- material 
gain; dui labha -- two kinds of achievement; ha-ibe -- will be; tomara --
 yours.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Here are five thousand gold coins. Please accept them. By releasing me, 
you will receive the results of pious activities and gain material 
profit as well. Thus you will profit in two ways simultaneously."
 
Madhya 20.9
 
TEXT 9
 
TEXT
 
tabe sei yavana kahe, -- "suna, mahasaya
tomare chadiba, kintu kari raja-bhaya"
SYNONYMS
 
tabe -- thereafter; sei -- that; yavana -- meat-eater; kahe -- says; 
suna -- just hear; mahasaya -- my dear sir; tomare -- you; chadiba -- I 
would release; kintu -- but; kari raja-bhaya -- I am afraid of the 
government.
 
TRANSLATION
 
In this way Sanatana Gosvami convinced the jailkeeper, who replied, "
Please hear me, my dear sir. I am willing to release you, but I am 
afraid of the government."
 
Madhya 20.10–11
 
TEXTS 10–11
 
TEXT
 
sanatana kahe, -- "tumi na kara raja-bhaya
daksina giyache yadi leuti' aoyaya
tanhare kahio -- sei bahya-krtye gela
gangara nikata ganga dekhi' jhanpa dila
SYNONYMS
 
sanatana kahe -- Sanatana replied; tumi -- you; na -- not; kara -- do; 
raja-bhaya -- fear of the government; daksina -- to the south; giyache --
 has gone; yadi -- if; leuti' -- returning; aoyaya -- comes; tanhare -- 
to him; kahio -- you say; sei -- he; bahya-krtye -- to evacuate; gela -- 
went; gangara nikata -- near the bank of the Ganges; ganga dekhi' -- 
seeing the Ganges; jhanpa dila -- jumped.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana replied, "There is no danger. The Nawab has gone to the south. 
If he returns, tell him that Sanatana went to pass stool near the bank 
of the Ganges and that as soon as he saw the Ganges, he jumped in.
 
Madhya 20.12
 
TEXT 12
 
TEXT
 
aneka dekhila, tara lag na paila
daduka-sahita dubi kahan vahi' gela
SYNONYMS
 
aneka -- for a long time; dekhila -- I looked; tara -- of him; lag -- 
contact; na paila -- could not obtain; daduka-sahita -- with the 
shackles; dubi -- drowning; kahan -- somewhere; vahi' gela -- washed 
away.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Tell him, ‘I looked for him a long time, but I could not find any trace 
of him. He jumped in with his shackles, and therefore he was drowned and 
washed away by the waves.'
 
Madhya 20.13
 
TEXT 13
 
TEXT
 
kichu bhaya nahi, ami e-dese na raba
daravesa hana ami makkake yaiba"
SYNONYMS
 
kichu -- any; bhaya -- fear; nahi -- there is not; ami -- I; e-dese -- 
in this country; na raba -- shall not remain; daravesa hana -- becoming 
a mendicant; ami -- I; makkake yaiba -- shall go to Mecca.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There is no reason for you to be afraid, for I shall not remain in this 
country. I shall become a mendicant and go to the holy city of Mecca."
 
Madhya 20.14
 
TEXT 14
 
TEXT
 
tathapi yavana-mana prasanna na dekhila
sata-hajara mudra tara age rasi kaila
SYNONYMS
 
tathapi -- still; yavana-mana -- the mind of the meat-eater; prasanna -- 
satisfied; na -- not; dekhila -- he saw; sata-hajara -- seven thousand; 
mudra -- golden coins; tara -- of him; age -- in front; rasi kaila -- 
made a stack.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana Gosvami could see that the mind of the meat-eater was still not 
satisfied. He then stacked seven thousand gold coins before him.
 
Madhya 20.15
 
TEXT 15
 
TEXT
 
lobha ha-ila yavanera mudra dekhiya
ratre ganga-para kaila daduka katiya
SYNONYMS
 
lobha ha-ila -- there was attraction for the money; yavanera -- of the 
meat-eater; mudra dekhiya -- seeing the golden coins; ratre -- at night; 
ganga-para kaila -- he got him across the Ganges; daduka -- shackles; 
katiya -- breaking.
 
TRANSLATION
 
When the meat-eater saw the coins, he was attracted to them. He then 
agreed, and that night he cut Sanatana's shackles and let him cross the 
Ganges.
 
Madhya 20.16
 
TEXT 16
 
TEXT
 
gada-dvara-patha chadila, nare tahan yaite
ratri-dina cali' aila patada-parvate
SYNONYMS
 
gada-dvara-patha -- the path of the fortress; chadila -- gave up; nare --
 not able; tahan -- there; yaite -- to go; ratri-dina -- night and day; 
cali' -- walking; aila -- arrived; patada-parvate -- in the hilly tract 
of land known as Patada.
 
TRANSLATION
 
In this way, Sanatana Gosvami was released. However, he was not able to 
walk along the path of the fortress. Walking day and night, he finally 
arrived at the hilly tract of land known as Patada.
 
Madhya 20.17
 
TEXT 17
 
TEXT
 
tatha eka bhaumika haya, tara thani gela
‘parvata para kara ama' -- vinati karila
SYNONYMS
 
tatha -- there; eka bhaumika -- one landowner; haya -- there is; tara 
thani -- unto him; gela -- he went; parvata -- the hilly tract; para 
kara -- cross over; ama -- me; vinati -- submission; karila -- he made.
 
TRANSLATION
 
After reaching Patada, he met a landholder and submissively requested 
him to get him across that hilly tract of land.
 
Madhya 20.18
 
TEXT 18
 
TEXT
 
sei bhunara sange haya hata-ganita
bhunara kane kahe sei jani' ei katha
SYNONYMS
 
sei bhunara -- the landlord; sange -- with; haya -- there is; hata-
ganita -- an expert in palmistry; bhunara -- of the landlord; kane -- in 
the ear; kahe -- says; sei -- that man; jani' -- knowing; ei katha -- 
this statement.
 
TRANSLATION
 
A man who was expert in palmistry was at that time staying with the 
landlord. Knowing about Sanatana, he whispered the following in the 
landlord's ear.
 
Madhya 20.19
 
TEXT 19
 
TEXT
 
‘inhara thani suvarnera asta mohara haya'
suni' anandita bhuna sanatane kaya
SYNONYMS
 
inhara thani -- in the possession of this man; suvarnera -- of gold; 
asta -- eight; mohara -- coins; haya -- there are; suni' -- hearing; 
anandita -- pleased; bhuna -- the landlord; sanatane -- to Sanatana; 
kaya -- says.
 
TRANSLATION
 
The palmist said, "This man Sanatana possesses eight gold coins." 
Hearing this, the landlord was very pleased and spoke the following to 
Sanatana Gosvami.
 
Madhya 20.20
 
TEXT 20
 
TEXT
 
"ratrye parvata para kariba nija-loka diya
bhojana karaha tumi randhana kariya"
SYNONYMS
 
ratrye -- at night; parvata -- the hilly tract; para kariba -- I shall 
cross; nija-loka diya -- with my own men; bhojana karaha -- just take 
your meal; tumi -- you; randhana kariya -- cooking.
 
TRANSLATION
 
The landlord said, "I shall get you across that hilly tract at night 
with my own men. Now just cook for yourself and take your lunch."
 
Madhya 20.21
 
TEXT 21
 
TEXT
 
eta bali' anna dila kariya sammana
sanatana asi' tabe kaila nadi-snana
SYNONYMS
 
eta bali' -- saying this; anna dila -- supplied food grain; kariya 
sammana -- showing great respect; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; asi' -- 
coming; tabe -- then; kaila -- did; nadi-snana -- bathing in the river.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Saying this, the landlord offered Sanatana grain to cook. Sanatana then 
went to the riverside and took his bath.
 
Madhya 20.22
 
TEXT 22
 
TEXT
 
dui upavase kaila randhana-bhojane
raja-mantri sanatana vicarila mane
SYNONYMS
 
dui upavase -- fasting for two days; kaila -- performed; randhana-
bhojane -- cooking and eating; raja-mantri -- the former minister of the 
Nawab; sanatana -- Sanatana; vicarila -- considered; mane -- in the mind.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Because Sanatana had been fasting for two days, he cooked the food and 
ate it. However, having formerly been a minister of the Nawab, he began 
to contemplate the situation.
 
Madhya 20.23
 
TEXT 23
 
TEXT
 
‘ei bhuna kene more sammana karila?'
eta cinti' sanatana isane puchila
SYNONYMS
 
ei bhuna -- this landlord; kene -- why; more -- unto me; sammana karila -
- offered so much respect; eta cinti' -- thinking this; sanatana -- 
Sanatana; isane -- from Isana, his servant; puchila -- inquired.
 
TRANSLATION
 
As a former minister for the Nawab, Sanatana could certainly understand 
diplomacy. He therefore thought, "Why is this landlord offering me such 
respect?" Thinking in this way, he questioned his servant, whose name 
was Isana.
 
Madhya 20.24
 
TEXT 24
 
TEXT
 
‘tomara thani jani kichu dravya achaya'
isana kahe, -- ‘mora thani sata mohara haya'
SYNONYMS
 
tomara thani -- in your possession; jani -- I understand; kichu -- some; 
dravya -- valuable thing; achaya -- there is; isana kahe -- Isana 
replied; mora thani -- in my possession; sata mohara -- seven gold coins;
 haya -- there are.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana asked his servant, "Isana, I think you have some valuable 
things with you."
 
Isana replied, "Yes, I have seven gold coins."
 
Madhya 20.25
 
TEXT 25
 
TEXT
 
suni' sanatana tare karila bhartsana
‘sange kene aniyacha ei kala-yama?'
SYNONYMS
 
suni' -- hearing; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; tare -- him; karila 
bhartsana -- chastised; sange -- with you; kene -- why; aniyacha -- have 
you brought; ei -- this; kala-yama -- death knell.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Hearing this, Sanatana Gosvami chastised his servant, saying, "Why have 
you brought this death knell with you?"
 
Madhya 20.26
 
TEXT 26
 
TEXT
 
tabe sei sata mohara hastete kariya
bhunara kache yana kahe mohara dhariya
SYNONYMS
 
tabe -- thereafter; sei sata mohara -- these seven gold coins; hastete 
kariya -- taking in the hands; bhunara kache -- to the landlord; yana -- 
going; kahe -- says; mohara dhariya -- holding the gold coins.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Thereupon, Sanatana Gosvami took the seven gold coins in his hands and 
went to the landlord. Holding the gold coins before him, he spoke as 
follows.
 
Madhya 20.27
 
TEXT 27
 
TEXT
 
"ei sata suvarna mohara achila amara
iha lana dharma dekhi' parvata kara para
SYNONYMS
 
ei sata -- these seven; suvarna mohara -- golden coins; achila -- were; 
amara -- mine; iha lana -- accepting them; dharma dekhi' -- observing 
religious principles; parvata -- the hilly tract of land; kara para -- 
kindly get me across.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"I have these seven gold coins with me. Please accept them, and from a 
religious point of view please get me across that hilly tract of land.
 
Madhya 20.28
 
TEXT 28
 
TEXT
 
raja-bandi ami, gada-dvara yaite na pari
punya habe, parvata ama deha' para kari"
SYNONYMS
 
raja-bandi -- a prisoner of the government; ami -- I; gada-dvara yaite --
 to go openly on the road by the ramparts; na pari -- I am not able; 
punya -- pious activity; habe -- there will be; parvata -- the hilly 
tract of land; ama -- to me; deha' -- give help; para kari -- by 
crossing over.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"I am a prisoner of the government, and I cannot go along the way of the 
ramparts. It will be very pious of you to take this money and kindly get 
me across this hilly tract of land."
 
Madhya 20.29
 
TEXT 29
 
TEXT
 
bhuna hasi' kahe, -- "ami janiyachi pahile
asta mohara haya tomara sevaka-ancale
SYNONYMS
 
bhuna -- the landlord; hasi' -- smiling; kahe -- said; ami -- I; 
janiyachi -- knew; pahile -- before this; asta mohara -- eight golden 
coins; haya -- there are; tomara -- your; sevaka-ancale -- in the pocket 
of the servant.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Smiling, the landlord said, "Before you offered them, I already knew 
that there were eight gold coins in your servant's possession.
 
Madhya 20.30
 
TEXT 30
 
TEXT
 
toma mari' mohara la-itama ajikara ratrye
bhala haila, kahila tumi, chutilana papa haite
SYNONYMS
 
toma mari' -- killing you; mohara -- golden coins; la-itama -- I would 
have taken; ajikara ratrye -- on this night; bhala haila -- it was very 
good; kahila tumi -- you have spoken; chutilana -- I am relieved; papa 
haite -- from such a sin.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"On this very night I would have killed you and taken your coins. It is 
very good that you have voluntarily offered them to me. I am now 
relieved from such a sinful activity.
 
Madhya 20.31
 
TEXT 31
 
TEXT
 
santusta ha-ilana ami, mohara na la-iba
punya lagi' parvata toma' para kari' diba"
SYNONYMS
 
santusta -- satisfied; ha-ilana -- have become; ami -- I; mohara -- the 
golden coins; na la-iba -- I shall not take; punya lagi' -- simply for 
pious activity; parvata -- the hilly tract of land; toma' -- you; para 
kari' diba -- I shall get across.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"I am very satisfied with your behavior. I shall not accept these gold 
coins, but I shall get you across that hilly tract of land simply to 
perform a pious activity."
 
Madhya 20.32
 
TEXT 32
 
TEXT
 
gosani kahe, -- "keha dravya la-ibe ama mari'
amara prana raksa kara dravya angikari'"
SYNONYMS
 
gosani kahe -- Sanatana Gosvami said; keha -- someone else; dravya -- 
the valuable coins; la-ibe -- will take; ama mari' -- killing me; amara -
- my; prana -- life; raksa kara -- save; dravya angikari' -- by 
accepting these coins.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana Gosvami replied, "If you do not accept these coins, someone 
else will kill me for them. It is better that you save me from the 
danger by accepting the coins."
 
Madhya 20.33
 
TEXT 33
 
TEXT
 
tabe bhuna gosanira sange cari paika dila
ratrye ratrye vana-pathe parvata para kaila
SYNONYMS
 
tabe -- thereupon; bhuna -- the landlord; gosanira sange -- with 
Sanatana Gosvami; cari paika -- four watchmen; dila -- gave; ratrye 
ratrye -- during the whole night; vana-pathe -- on the jungle path; 
parvata -- the hilly tract of land; para kaila -- took him across.
 
TRANSLATION
 
After this settlement was made, the landlord gave Sanatana Gosvami four 
watchmen to accompany him. They went through the forest path for the 
whole night and thus brought him over the hilly tract of land.
 
Madhya 20.34
 
TEXT 34
 
TEXT
 
tabe para hana gosani puchila isane
"jani, -- sesa dravya kichu ache toma sthane"
SYNONYMS
 
tabe -- thereafter; para hana -- after crossing; gosani -- Sanatana 
Gosvami; puchila -- asked; isane -- Isana; jani -- I know; sesa dravya --
 something valuable left; kichu -- some; ache -- there is; toma sthane --
 with you.
 
TRANSLATION
 
After crossing the hills, Sanatana Gosvami told his servant, "Isana, I 
think you still have some balance left from the gold coins."
 
Madhya 20.35
 
TEXT 35
 
TEXT
 
isana kahe, -- "eka mohara ache avasesa"
gosani kahe, -- "mohara lana yaha' tumi desa"
SYNONYMS
 
isana kahe -- Isana replied; eka -- one; mohara -- gold coin; ache -- is;
 avasesa -- left; gosani -- Sanatana Gosvami; kahe -- replied; mohara 
lana -- taking this gold coin; yaha -- return; tumi -- you; desa -- to 
your country.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Isana replied, "I still have one gold coin in my possession."
 
Sanatana Gosvami then said, "Take the coin and return to your home."
 
Madhya 20.36
 
TEXT 36
 
TEXT
 
tare vidaya diya gosani calila ekala
hate karonya, chinda kantha, nirbhaya ha-ila
SYNONYMS
 
tare vidaya diya -- bidding him farewell; gosani -- Sanatana Gosvami; 
calila ekala -- began to travel alone; hate -- in the hand; karonya -- a 
beggar's pot; chinda kantha -- a torn quilt; nirbhaya ha-ila -- he 
became free from all anxiety.
 
TRANSLATION
 
After departing from Isana, Sanatana Gosvami began traveling alone with 
a waterpot in his hand. Simply covered with a torn quilt, he thus lost 
all his anxiety.
 
Madhya 20.37
 
TEXT 37
 
TEXT
 
cali' cali' gosani tabe aila hajipure
sandhya-kale vasila eka udyana-bhitare
SYNONYMS
 
cali' cali' -- walking and walking; gosani -- Sanatana Gosvami; tabe -- 
then; aila -- arrived; hajipure -- at Hajipura; sandhya-kale -- in the 
evening; vasila -- sat down; eka -- one; udyana-bhitare -- within a 
garden.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Walking and walking, Sanatana Gosvami finally arrived at a place called 
Hajipura. That evening he sat down within a garden.
 
Madhya 20.38
 
TEXT 38
 
TEXT
 
sei hajipure rahe -- srikanta tara nama
gosanira bhagini-pati, kare raja-kama
SYNONYMS
 
sei -- that; hajipure -- in Hajipura; rahe -- there is; srikanta -- 
Srikanta; tara -- his; nama -- name; gosanira -- of Sanatana Gosvami; 
bhagini-pati -- sister's husband; kare -- executes; raja-kama -- 
government service.
 
TRANSLATION
 
In Hajipura there was a gentlemen named Srikanta, who happened to be the 
husband of Sanatana Gosvami's sister. He was engaged there in government 
service.
 
Madhya 20.39
 
TEXT 39
 
TEXT
 
tina laksa mudra raja diyache tara sthane
ghoda mulya lana pathaya patsara sthane
SYNONYMS
 
tina laksa -- 300,000; mudra -- golden coins; raja -- the king or nawab; 
diyache -- has given; tara sthane -- in his custody; ghoda -- of horses; 
mulya lana -- taking the price; pathaya -- sends; patsara sthane -- to 
the care of the emperor.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Srikanta had 300,000 gold coins with him, which had been given to him by 
the emperor for the purchase of horses. Thus Srikanta was buying horses 
and dispatching them to the emperor.
 
Madhya 20.40
 
TEXT 40
 
TEXT
 
tungi upara vasi' sei gosanire dekhila
ratrye eka-jana-sange gosani-pasa aila
SYNONYMS
 
tungi upara vasi' -- sitting in an elevated place; sei -- that Srikanta; 
gosanire -- Sanatana Gosvami; dekhila -- saw; ratrye -- at night; eka-
jana-sange -- with a servant; gosani-pasa -- near Sanatana Gosvami; aila 
-- he came.
 
TRANSLATION
 
When Srikanta was sitting in an elevated place, he could see Sanatana 
Gosvami. That night he took a servant and went to see Sanatana Gosvami.
 
Madhya 20.41
 
TEXT 41
 
TEXT
 
dui-jana mili' tatha ista-gosthi kaila
bandhana-moksana-katha gosani sakali kahila
SYNONYMS
 
dui-jana mili' -- meeting together; tatha -- there; ista-gosthi -- 
various types of conversation; kaila -- did; bandhana-moksana -- of the 
arrest and release; katha -- the story; gosani -- Sanatana Gosvami; 
sakali -- everything; kahila -- narrated.
 
TRANSLATION
 
When they met, they had many conversations. Sanatana Gosvami told him in 
detail about his arrest and release.
 
Madhya 20.42
 
TEXT 42
 
TEXT
 
tenho kahe, -- "dina-dui raha ei-sthane
bhadra hao, chada' ei malina vasane"
SYNONYMS
 
tenho kahe -- he said; dina-dui -- at least for two days; raha -- stay; 
ei-sthane -- in this place; bhadra hao -- become like a gentleman in 
appearance; chada' -- give up; ei -- this; malina -- dirty; vasane -- 
dress.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Srikanta then told Sanatana Gosvami, "Stay here for at least two days 
and dress up like a gentleman. Abandon these dirty garments."
 
Madhya 20.43
 
TEXT 43
 
TEXT
 
gosani kahe, -- "eka-ksana iha na rahiba
ganga para kari' deha' e-ksane caliba"
SYNONYMS
 
gosani kahe -- Sanatana Gosvami said; eka-ksana -- even for one moment; 
iha -- here; na rahiba -- I shall not stay; ganga para kari' deha' -- 
help me cross the river Ganges; e-ksane -- immediately; caliba -- I 
shall go.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana Gosvami replied, "I shall not stay here even for a moment. 
Please help me cross the Ganges. I shall leave immediately."
 
Madhya 20.44
 
TEXT 44
 
TEXT
 
yatna kari' tenho eka bhota-kambala dila
ganga para kari' dila -- gosani calila
SYNONYMS
 
yatna kari' -- with great care; tenho -- he (Srikanta); eka -- one; 
bhota-kambala -- woolen blanket; dila -- gave; ganga para kari' dila -- 
got him across the river Ganges; gosani calila -- Sanatana Gosvami 
departed.
 
TRANSLATION
 
With great care, Srikanta gave him a woolen blanket and helped him cross 
the Ganges. Thus Sanatana Gosvami departed again.
 
Madhya 20.45
 
TEXT 45
 
TEXT
 
tabe varanasi gosani aila kata-dine
suni anandita ha-ila prabhura agamane
SYNONYMS
 
tabe -- in this way; varanasi -- to Varanasi; gosani -- Sanatana Gosvami;
 aila -- came; kata-dine -- after a few days; suni -- hearing; anandita -
- very pleased; ha-ila -- he became; prabhura -- of Sri Caitanya 
Mahaprabhu; agamane -- about the arrival.
 
TRANSLATION
 
After a few days, Sanatana Gosvami arrived at Varanasi. He was very 
pleased to hear about Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's arrival there.
 
Madhya 20.46
 
TEXT 46
 
TEXT
 
candrasekharera ghare asi' dvarete vasila
mahaprabhu jani' candrasekhare kahila
SYNONYMS
 
candrasekharera ghare -- to the house of Candrasekhara; asi' -- going; 
dvarete -- at the door; vasila -- sat down; mahaprabhu -- Sri Caitanya 
Mahaprabhu; jani' -- knowing; candrasekhare -- to Candrasekhara; kahila -
- said.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana Gosvami then went to the house of Candrasekhara and sat down by 
the door. Understanding what was happening, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu 
spoke to Candrasekhara.
 
Madhya 20.47
 
TEXT 47
 
TEXT
 
‘dvare eka ‘vaisnava' haya, bolaha tanhare'
candrasekhara dekhe -- ‘vaisnava' nahika dvare
SYNONYMS
 
dvare -- at your door; eka vaisnava -- one Vaisnava devotee; haya -- 
there is; bolaha tanhare -- please call him; candrasekhara -- 
Candrasekhara; dekhe -- sees; vaisnava -- a devotee; nahika -- there is 
not; dvare -- at the door.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "There is a devotee at your door. Please 
call him in." Going outside, Candrasekhara could not see a Vaisnava at 
his door.
 
Madhya 20.48
 
TEXT 48
 
TEXT
 
‘dvarete vaisnava nahi' -- prabhure kahila
‘keha haya' kari' prabhu tahare puchila
SYNONYMS
 
dvarete -- at my door; vaisnava nahi -- there is no Vaisnava; prabhure 
kahila -- he informed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; keha haya -- is there 
anyone; kari' -- in this way; prabhu -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tahare 
puchila -- inquired from him.
 
TRANSLATION
 
When Candrasekhara informed the Lord that no Vaisnava was at his door, 
the Lord asked him, "Is there anyone at all at your door?"
 
Madhya 20.49
 
TEXT 49
 
TEXT
 
tenho kahe, -- eka ‘daravesa' ache dvare
‘tanre ana' prabhura vakye kahila tanhare
SYNONYMS
 
tenho kahe -- he replied; eka daravesa -- one Muslim mendicant; ache -- 
there is; dvare -- at the door; tanre ana -- bring him; prabhura -- of 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vakye -- the order; kahila -- said; tanhare -- 
unto him.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Candrasekhara replied, "There is a Muslim mendicant."
 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately said, "Please bring him here." 
Candrasekhara then spoke to Sanatana Gosvami, who was still sitting 
beside the door.
 
Madhya 20.50
 
TEXT 50
 
TEXT
 
‘prabhu tomaya bolaya, aisa, daravesa!'
suni' anande sanatana karila pravesa
SYNONYMS
 
prabhu -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tomaya -- unto you; bolaya -- calls; 
aisa -- come here; daravesa -- O Muslim mendicant; suni' -- hearing; 
anande -- in great pleasure; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; karila 
pravesa -- entered.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"O Muslim mendicant, please come in. The Lord is calling you." Sanatana 
Gosvami was very pleased to hear this order, and he entered 
Candrasekhara's house.
 
Madhya 20.51
 
TEXT 51
 
TEXT
 
tanhare angane dekhi' prabhu dhana aila
tanre alingana kari' premavista haila
SYNONYMS
 
tanhare -- him; angane -- in the courtyard; dekhi' -- seeing; prabhu -- 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; dhana aila -- came to see him with great haste; 
tanre -- him; alingana kari' -- embracing; prema-avista haila -- became 
overwhelmed with ecstatic love.
 
TRANSLATION
 
As soon as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw Sanatana Gosvami in the courtyard,
 He immediately went up to him with great haste. After embracing him, 
the Lord was overwhelmed with ecstatic love.
 
Madhya 20.52
 
TEXT 52
 
TEXT
 
prabhu-sparse premavista ha-ila sanatana
‘more na chuniha' -- kahe gadgada-vacana
SYNONYMS
 
prabhu-sparse -- by the touch of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prema-avista --
 overwhelmed with ecstatic love; ha-ila -- became; sanatana -- Sanatana 
Gosvami; more -- me; na -- do not; chuniha -- touch; kahe -- says; 
gadgada-vacana -- in a faltering voice.
 
TRANSLATION
 
As soon as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu touched Sanatana Gosvami, Sanatana 
was also overwhelmed with ecstatic love. In a faltering voice, he said, "
O my Lord, do not touch me."
 
Madhya 20.53
 
TEXT 53
 
TEXT
 
dui-jane galagali rodana apara
dekhi' candrasekharera ha-ila camatkara
SYNONYMS
 
dui-jane -- the two persons; galagali -- shoulder to shoulder; rodana -- 
crying; apara -- unlimited; dekhi' -- seeing; candrasekharera -- of 
Candrasekhara; ha-ila -- there was; camatkara -- astonishment.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Shoulder to shoulder, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sanatana Gosvami began 
to cry unlimitedly. Candrasekhara was very much astonished to see this.
 
Madhya 20.54
 
TEXT 54
 
TEXT
 
tabe prabhu tanra hata dhari' lana gela
pindara upare apana-pase vasaila
SYNONYMS
 
tabe -- thereafter; prabhu -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanra -- of 
Sanatana Gosvami; hata dhari' -- catching the hand; lana gela -- took 
him inside; pindara upare -- on an elevated place; apana-pase -- near 
Him; vasaila -- made Sanatana Gosvami sit down.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Catching his hand, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took Sanatana Gosvami inside 
and made him sit on an elevated place next to Him.
 
Madhya 20.55
 
TEXT 55
 
TEXT
 
sri-haste karena tanra anga sammarjana
tenho kahe, -- ‘more, prabhu, na kara sparsana'
SYNONYMS
 
sri-haste -- by the spiritual hand; karena -- does; tanra anga -- of his 
body; sammarjana -- cleansing; tenho kahe -- he said; more -- me; prabhu 
-- my Lord; na kara sparsana -- do not touch.
 
TRANSLATION
 
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu began cleansing Sanatana Gosvami's body 
with His own transcendental hand, Sanatana Gosvami said, "O my Lord, 
please do not touch me."
 
Madhya 20.56
 
TEXT 56
 
TEXT
 
prabhu kahe, -- "toma sparsi atma pavitrite
bhakti-bale para tumi brahmanda sodhite
SYNONYMS
 
prabhu kahe -- Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied; toma sparsi -- I touch 
you; atma pavitrite -- to purify Myself; bhakti-bale -- the strength of 
your devotional service; para -- are able; tumi -- you; brahmanda -- the 
whole universe; sodhite -- to purify.
 
TRANSLATION
 
The Lord replied, "I am touching you just to purify Myself, because by 
the force of your devotional service you can purify the whole universe.
 
Madhya 20.57
 
TEXT 57
 
TEXT
 
bhavad-vidha bhagavatas
 tirtha-bhutah svayam prabho
tirthi-kurvanti tirthani
 svantah-sthena gada-bhrta
SYNONYMS
 
bhavat-vidhah -- like you; bhagavatah -- advanced devotees; tirtha-
bhutah -- personified holy places of pilgrimage; svayam -- personally; 
prabho -- my lord; tirthi-kurvanti -- make into holy places; tirthani -- 
all the holy places of pilgrimage; sva-antah-sthena -- situated within 
their hearts; gada-bhrta -- by Lord Visnu, who carries a club.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Saints of your caliber are themselves places of pilgrimage. Because of 
their purity, they are constant companions of the Lord, and therefore 
they can purify even the places of pilgrimage.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse was spoken by Maharaja Yudhisthira to Vidura in Srimad-
Bhagavatam (1.13.10). Vidura was returning home after visiting sacred 
places of pilgrimage, and Maharaja Yudhisthira was receiving his saintly 
uncle. In essence, Maharaja Yudhisthira was saying, "My dear Lord Vidura,
 you yourself are a holy place because you are an advanced devotee. 
People like you always carry Lord Visnu in their hearts. You can 
revitalize all holy places after they have been polluted by the 
pilgrimages of sinners."
 
A sinful person goes to a holy place of pilgrimage to be purified. In a 
holy place, there are many saintly people and temples of Lord Visnu; 
however, the holy place becomes infected with the sins of many visitors. 
When an advanced devotee goes to a holy place, he counteracts all the 
sins of the pilgrims. Therefore Maharaja Yudhisthira addressed Vidura in 
this way.
 
Since an advanced devotee carries Lord Visnu within his heart, he is a 
moving temple and a moving Visnu. An advanced devotee does not need to 
go to holy places, for wherever he stays is a holy place. In this 
connection, Narottama dasa Thakura states, tirtha-yatra parisrama, 
kevala manera bhrama: visiting holy places is simply another type of 
bewilderment. Since an advanced devotee does not need to go to a holy 
place, why does he go? The answer is that he goes simply to purify the 
place.
 
Madhya 20.58
 
TEXT 58
 
TEXT
 
na me 'bhaktas catur-vedi
 mad-bhaktah sva-pacah priyah
tasmai deyam tato grahyam
 sa ca pujyo yatha hy aham
SYNONYMS
 
na -- not; me -- My; abhaktah -- devoid of pure devotional service; 
catuh-vedi -- a scholar in the four Vedas; mat-bhaktah -- My devotee; 
sva-pacah -- even from a family of dog-eaters; priyah -- very dear; 
tasmai -- to him (a pure devotee, even though born in a very low family);
 deyam -- should be given; tatah -- from him; grahyam -- should be 
accepted (remnants of food); sah -- that person; ca -- also; pujyah -- 
worshipable; yatha -- as much as; hi -- certainly; aham -- I.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"[Lord Krsna said:] ‘Even though a person is a very learned scholar of 
the Sanskrit Vedic literatures, he is not accepted as My devotee unless 
he is pure in devotional service. However, even though a person is born 
in a family of dog-eaters, he is very dear to Me if he is a pure devotee 
who has no motive to enjoy fruitive activity or mental speculation. 
Indeed, all respects should be given to him, and whatever he offers 
should be accepted. Such devotees are as worshipable as I am.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is included in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (10.127), compiled by 
Sanatana Gosvami.
 
Madhya 20.59
 
TEXT 59
 
TEXT
 
viprad dvi-sad-guna-yutad aravinda-nabha-
 padaravinda-vimukhat sva-pacam varistham
manye tad-arpita-mano-vacanehitartha-
 pranam punati sa kulam na tu bhuri-manah
SYNONYMS
 
viprat -- than a brahmana; dvi-sat-guna-yutat -- who is qualified with 
twelve brahminical qualifications; aravinda-nabha -- of Lord Visnu, who 
has a lotuslike navel; pada-aravinda -- unto the lotus feet; vimukhat -- 
than a person bereft of devotion; sva-pacam -- a candala, or a person 
accustomed to eating dogs; varistham -- more glorified; manye -- I think;
 tat-arpita -- dedicated unto Him; manah -- mind; vacana -- words; ihita 
-- activities; artha -- wealth; pranam -- life; punati -- purifies; sah -
- he; kulam -- his family; na tu -- but not; bhuri-manah -- a brahmana 
proud of possessing such qualities.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘One may be born in a brahmana family and have all twelve brahminical 
qualities, but if he is not devoted to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, who 
has a navel shaped like a lotus, he is not as good as a candala who has 
dedicated his mind, words, activities, wealth and life to the service of 
the Lord. Simply to take birth in a brahmana family or to have 
brahminical qualities is not sufficient. One must become a pure devotee 
of the Lord. If a sva-paca or candala is a devotee, he delivers not only 
himself but his whole family, whereas a brahmana who is not a devotee 
but simply has brahminical qualifications cannot even purify himself, 
what to speak of his family.'"
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is spoken by Prahlada Maharaja in Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.9.10). 
A brahmana is supposed to be qualified with twelve qualities. As stated 
in the Mahabharata:
 
dharmas ca satyam ca damas tapas ca
 amatsaryam hris titiksanasuya
yajnas ca danam ca dhrtih srutam ca
 vratani vai dvadasa brahmanasya
 
"A brahmana must be perfectly religious. He must be truthful, and he 
must be able to control his senses. He must execute severe austerities, 
and he must be detached, humble and tolerant. He must not envy anyone, 
and he must be expert in performing sacrifices and giving whatever he 
has in charity. He must be fixed in devotional service and expert in the 
knowledge of the Vedas. These are the twelve qualifications for a 
brahmana."
 
The Bhagavad-gita (18.42) describes the brahminical qualities in this 
way:
 
samo damas tapah saucam ksantir arjavam eva ca
jnanam vijnanam astikyam brahma-karma svabhava-jam
 
"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, 
knowledge, wisdom and religiousness -- these are the natural qualities 
by which the brahmanas work."
 
In the Muktaphala-tika, it is said:
 
samo damas tapah saucam ksanty-arjava-viraktayah
jnana-vijnana-santosah satyastikye dvi-sad gunah
 
"Mental equilibrium, sense control, austerity, cleanliness, tolerance, 
simplicity, detachment, theoretical and practical knowledge, 
satisfaction, truthfulness and firm faith in the Vedas are the twelve 
qualities of a brahmana."
 
Madhya 20.60
 
TEXT 60
 
TEXT
 
toma dekhi, toma sparsi, gai tomara guna
sarvendriya-phala, -- ei sastra-nirupana
SYNONYMS
 
toma dekhi -- by seeing you; toma sparsi -- by touching you; gai tomara 
guna -- by praising your transcendental qualities; sarva-indriya-phala --
 the fulfillment of the activities of all the senses; ei -- this; sastra-
nirupana -- the verdict of the revealed scriptures.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "By seeing you, by touching you and 
by glorifying your transcendental qualities, one can perfect the purpose 
of all sense activity. This is the verdict of the revealed scriptures.
 
PURPORT
 
This is confirmed in the following verse from the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (
13.2).
 
Madhya 20.61
 
TEXT 61
 
TEXT
 
aksnoh phalam tvadrsa-darsanam hi
 tanoh phalam tvadrsa-gatra-sangah
jihva-phalam tvadrsa-kirtanam hi
 su-durlabha bhagavata hi loke
SYNONYMS
 
aksnoh -- of the eyes; phalam -- the perfect result of the action; 
tvadrsa -- a person like you; darsanam -- to see; hi -- certainly; tanoh 
-- of the body; phalam -- the perfection of activities; tvadrsa -- of a 
person like you; gatra-sangah -- touching the body; jihva-phalam -- the 
perfection of the tongue; tvadrsa -- a person like you; kirtanam -- 
glorifying; hi -- certainly; su-durlabhah -- very rare; bhagavatah -- 
pure devotees of the Lord; hi -- certainly; loke -- in this world.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘My dear Vaisnava, seeing a person like you is the perfection of one's 
eyesight, touching your lotus feet is the perfection of the sense of 
touch, and glorifying your good qualities is the tongue's real activity, 
for in the material world it is very difficult to find a pure devotee of 
the Lord.'"
 
Madhya 20.62
 
TEXT 62
 
TEXT
 
eta kahi kahe prabhu, -- "suna, sanatana
krsna -- bada dayamaya, patita-pavana
SYNONYMS
 
eta kahi -- saying this; kahe -- continued to speak; prabhu -- Lord Sri 
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; suna -- please hear; sanatana -- My dear Sanatana; 
krsna -- Lord Krsna; bada -- very much; daya-maya -- merciful; patita-
pavana -- deliverer of the fallen souls.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "My dear Sanatana, please hear from 
Me. Krsna is very merciful, and He is the deliverer of all fallen souls.
 
Madhya 20.63
 
TEXT 63
 
TEXT
 
maha-raurava haite toma karila uddhara
krpara samudra krsna gambhira apara"
SYNONYMS
 
maha-raurava haite -- from the deepest hellish condition of life; toma --
 you; karila uddhara -- has delivered; krpara samudra -- the ocean of 
mercy; krsna -- Krsna; gambhira -- very grave; apara -- unlimitedly.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"My dear Sanatana, Krsna has saved you from Maharaurava, life's deepest 
hell. He is an ocean of mercy, and His activities are very grave."
 
PURPORT
 
As stated in the Bhagavad-gita (18.61), isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese ‘
rjuna tisthati. Staying within everyone's heart, Lord Krsna works very 
gravely. No one can understand how He is working, but as soon as the 
Lord understands the sincere activity of a person in devotional service, 
He helps him in such a way that the devotee cannot understand how things 
are happening. If the devotee is determined to serve the Lord, the Lord 
is always prepared to help him (dadami buddhi-yogam tam yena mam 
upayanti te). Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is telling Sanatana Gosvami how 
merciful the Lord is. Sanatana Gosvami was a minister in the service of 
Nawab Hussain Shah. He was always mixing with materially inclined people,
 particularly with Muslims, meat-eaters. Although he was in intimate 
touch with them, by Krsna's mercy he came to find such association 
distasteful. Therefore he left them. As stated by Srinivasa Acarya, 
tyaktva turnam asesa-mandala-pati-srenim sada tuccha-vat. Krsna 
enlightened Sanatana Gosvami in such a way that he was able to give up 
his exalted post as minister. Thinking his material position 
insignificant, Sanatana was prepared to become a mendicant. Appreciating 
the activities of Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu praised his 
action and thanked Krsna for His mercy upon him.
 
Madhya 20.64
 
TEXT 64
 
TEXT
 
sanatana kahe, -- ‘krsna ami nahi jani
amara uddhara-hetu tomara krpa mani'
SYNONYMS
 
sanatana kahe -- Sanatana Gosvami said; krsna -- Lord Krsna; ami -- I; 
nahi jani -- do not know; amara -- my; uddhara-hetu -- the cause of 
release; tomara -- Your; krpa -- mercy; mani -- I accept.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana replied, "I do not know who Krsna is. As far as I am concerned, 
I have been released from prison only by Your mercy."
 
Madhya 20.65
 
TEXT 65
 
TEXT
 
‘kemane chutila' bali prabhu prasna kaila
adyopanta saba katha tenho sunaila
SYNONYMS
 
kemane chutila -- how were you released; bali -- saying; prabhu -- Sri 
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prasna kaila -- inquired; adya-upanta -- from 
beginning to the end; saba -- all; katha -- the narration; tenho -- he; 
sunaila -- described.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then asked Sanatana Gosvami, "How were you 
released from prison?" Sanatana then described the story from beginning 
to end.
 
Madhya 20.66
 
TEXT 66
 
TEXT
 
prabhu kahe, -- "tomara dui-bhai prayage milila
rupa, anupama -- dunhe vrndavana gela"
SYNONYMS
 
prabhu kahe -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; tomara -- your; dui-bhai -- 
two brothers; prayage milila -- met Me at Prayaga; rupa -- Rupa Gosvami; 
anupama -- his brother Anupama; dunhe -- both of them; vrndavana gela -- 
have gone to Vrndavana.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "I met your two brothers, Rupa and Anupama,
 at Prayaga. They have now gone to Vrndavana."
 
Madhya 20.67
 
TEXT 67
 
TEXT
 
tapana-misrere ara candrasekharere
prabhu-ajnaya sanatana milila donhare
SYNONYMS
 
tapana-misrere -- unto Tapana Misra; ara -- and; candrasekharere -- unto 
Candrasekhara; prabhu-ajnaya -- by the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; 
sanatana -- Sanatana; milila -- met; donhare -- both of them.
 
TRANSLATION
 
By the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sanatana Gosvami met both 
Tapana Misra and Candrasekhara.
 
Madhya 20.68
 
TEXT 68
 
TEXT
 
tapana-misra tabe tanre kaila nimantrana
prabhu kahe, -- ‘ksaura karaha, yaha, sanatana'
SYNONYMS
 
tapana-misra -- Tapana Misra; tabe -- then; tanre -- unto him (Sanatana 
Gosvami); kaila -- made; nimantrana -- invitation; prabhu kahe -- 
Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; ksaura karaha -- get shaved; yaha -- go; 
sanatana -- My dear Sanatana.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Tapana Misra then extended an invitation to Sanatana, and Lord Caitanya 
Mahaprabhu asked Sanatana to go get a shave.
 
Madhya 20.69
 
TEXT 69
 
TEXT
 
candrasekharere prabhu kahe bolana
‘ei vesa dura kara, yaha inhare lana'
SYNONYMS
 
candrasekharere -- unto Candrasekhara; prabhu kahe -- Sri Caitanya 
Mahaprabhu said; bolana -- calling; ei vesa -- this kind of dress; dura 
kara -- take away; yaha -- go; inhare lana -- taking him with you.
 
TRANSLATION
 
After this, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu called Candrasekhara and asked him 
to take Sanatana Gosvami with him. He also asked him to take away 
Sanatana's present dress.
 
Madhya 20.70
 
TEXT 70
 
TEXT
 
bhadra karana tanre ganga-snana karaila
sekhara aniya tanre nutana vastra dila
SYNONYMS
 
bhadra karana -- making gentle; tanre -- him; ganga-snana -- bathing in 
the Ganges; karaila -- caused to do; sekhara -- Candrasekhara; aniya -- 
bringing; tanre -- to him; nutana -- new; vastra -- clothing; dila -- 
delivered.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Candrasekhara then made Sanatana Gosvami look like a gentleman. He took 
him to bathe in the Ganges, and afterwards he brought him a new set of 
clothes.
 
PURPORT
 
The words bhadra karana are significant in this verse. Due to his long 
hair, mustache and beard, Sanatana Gosvami looked like a daravesa, or 
hippie. Since Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not like Sanatana Gosvami's 
hippie features, he immediately asked Candrasekhara to get him shaved 
clean. If anyone with long hair or a beard wants to join this Krsna 
consciousness movement and live with us, he must similarly shave himself 
clean. The followers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu consider long hair 
objectionable.
 
Sanatana Gosvami was saved from a hellish condition (Maharaurava) by the 
grace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Maharaurava is a hell wherein animal 
killers are placed. In this regard, refer to Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.26.10–
12).
 
Madhya 20.71
 
TEXT 71
 
TEXT
 
sei vastra sanatana na kaila angikara
suniya prabhura mane ananda apara
SYNONYMS
 
sei vastra -- that new dress; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; na kaila -- 
did not; angikara -- accept; suniya -- hearing; prabhura -- of Sri 
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; mane -- in the mind; ananda apara -- unlimited 
happiness.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Candrasekhara offered a new set of garments to Sanatana Gosvami, but 
Sanatana did not accept them. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard news of 
this, He became unlimitedly happy.
 
Madhya 20.72
 
TEXT 72
 
TEXT
 
madhyahna kariya prabhu gela bhiksa karibare
sanatane lana gela tapana-misrera ghare
SYNONYMS
 
madhyahna kariya -- finishing bathing at noon; prabhu -- Sri Caitanya 
Mahaprabhu; gela -- went; bhiksa karibare -- to accept lunch; sanatane --
 Sanatana Gosvami; lana -- taking; gela -- went; tapana-misrera ghare -- 
to the house of Tapana Misra.
 
TRANSLATION
 
After bathing at noon, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to the house of 
Tapana Misra for lunch. He took Sanatana Gosvami with Him.
 
Madhya 20.73
 
TEXT 73
 
TEXT
 
pada-praksalana kari' bhiksate vasila
‘sanatane bhiksa deha' -- misrere kahila
SYNONYMS
 
pada-praksalana -- washing the feet; kari' -- doing; bhiksate -- to 
lunch; vasila -- sat down; sanatane bhiksa deha -- give Sanatana lunch 
also; misrere kahila -- He asked Tapana Misra.
 
TRANSLATION
 
After washing His feet, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu sat down for lunch. He 
asked Tapana Misra to supply Sanatana Gosvami lunch also.
 
Madhya 20.74
 
TEXT 74
 
TEXT
 
misra kahe, -- ‘sanatanera kichu krtya ache
tumi bhiksa kara, prasada tanre diba pache'
SYNONYMS
 
misra kahe -- Tapana Misra said; sanatanera -- of Sanatana Gosvami; 
kichu -- some; krtya -- duty; ache -- there is; tumi bhiksa kara -- You 
take Your lunch; prasada -- the remnants of Your food; tanre -- unto him;
 diba -- I shall deliver; pache -- at the end.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Tapana Misra then said, "Sanatana has some duty to perform; therefore he 
cannot accept lunch now. At the conclusion of the meal, I shall supply 
Sanatana with some remnants."
 
Madhya 20.75
 
TEXT 75
 
TEXT
 
bhiksa kari' mahaprabhu visrama karila
misra prabhura sesa-patra sanatane dila
SYNONYMS
 
bhiksa kari' -- after taking His lunch; mahaprabhu -- Sri Caitanya 
Mahaprabhu; visrama karila -- took rest; misra -- Tapana Misra; prabhura 
-- of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sesa-patra -- the plate of remnants; 
sanatane dila -- delivered to Sanatana.
 
TRANSLATION
 
After eating, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took rest for a while. Tapana 
Misra then gave Sanatana Gosvami the remnants of food left by Caitanya 
Mahaprabhu.
 
Madhya 20.76
 
TEXT 76
 
TEXT
 
misra sanatane dila nutana vasana
vastra nahi nila, tenho kaila nivedana
SYNONYMS
 
misra -- Tapana Misra; sanatane -- unto Sanatana; dila -- delivered; 
nutana vasana -- new cloth; vastra -- the cloth; nahi nila -- he did not 
accept; tenho -- he; kaila -- made; nivedana -- submission.
 
TRANSLATION
 
When Tapana Misra offered Sanatana Gosvami a new cloth, he did not 
accept it. Instead, he spoke as follows.
 
Madhya 20.77
 
TEXT 77
 
TEXT
 
"more vastra dite yadi tomara haya mana
nija paridhana eka deha' puratana"
SYNONYMS
 
more -- unto me; vastra dite -- to offer cloth; yadi -- if; tomara -- 
your; haya -- there is; mana -- mind; nija -- own; paridhana -- cloth; 
eka -- one; deha' -- give; puratana -- old.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"If you want to give me some cloth according to your desire, please give 
me an old cloth you have used."
 
Madhya 20.78
 
TEXT 78
 
TEXT
 
tabe misra puratana eka dhuti dila
tenho dui bahirvasa-kaupina karila
SYNONYMS
 
tabe -- thereafter; misra -- Tapana Misra; puratana -- old; eka -- one; 
dhuti-dhoti; dila -- delivered; tenho -- he (Sanatana Gosvami); dui -- 
two; bahirvasa -- outer coverings; kaupina -- underwear; karila -- made.
 
TRANSLATION
 
When Tapana Misra gave Sanatana Gosvami a used dhoti, Sanatana 
immediately tore it into pieces to make two sets of outer cloth and 
underwear.
 
Madhya 20.79
 
TEXT 79
 
TEXT
 
maharastriya dvije prabhu milaila sanatane
sei vipra tanre kaila maha-nimantrane
SYNONYMS
 
maharastriya -- from Maharashtra; dvije -- the brahmana; prabhu -- Sri 
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; milaila -- introduced; sanatane -- unto Sanatana 
Gosvami; sei -- that; vipra-brahmana; tanre -- unto him; kaila -- did; 
maha -- full; nimantrane -- invitation.
 
TRANSLATION
 
When Caitanya Mahaprabhu introduced the Maharashtrian brahmana to 
Sanatana, the brahmana immediately invited Sanatana Gosvami for full 
meals.
 
Madhya 20.80
 
TEXT 80
 
TEXT
 
"sanatana, tumi yavat kasite rahiba
tavat amara ghare bhiksa ye kariba"
SYNONYMS
 
sanatana -- O Sanatana; tumi -- you; yavat -- as long as; kasite -- in 
Benares; rahiba -- will remain; tavat -- so long; amara -- my; ghare -- 
at the home; bhiksa -- lunch; ye -- that; kariba -- please accept.
 
TRANSLATION
 
The brahmana said, "My dear Sanatana, as long as you remain at Kasi, 
please accept lunch at my place."
 
Madhya 20.81
 
TEXT 81
 
TEXT
 
sanatana kahe, -- "ami madhukari kariba
brahmanera ghare kene ekatra bhiksa laba?"
SYNONYMS
 
sanatana kahe -- Sanatana replied; ami -- I; madhukari kariba -- shall 
practice acceptance of food by madhukari means; brahmanera ghare -- in 
the house of a brahmana; kene -- why; ekatra -- in one place; bhiksa 
laba -- I should accept lunch.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana replied, "I shall practice the process of madhukari. Why should 
I accept full meals in the house of a brahmana?"
 
PURPORT
 
The word madhukari comes from the word madhukara, which refers to bees 
collecting pollen from flower to flower. A madhukari is a saintly person 
or a mendicant who does not accept a full meal at one house but begs 
from door to door, taking a little food from each householder's place. 
In this way he does not overeat or give householders unnecessary trouble.
 A person in the renounced order may beg but not cook. His begging 
should not be a burden for the householders. The madhukari process is 
strictly to be followed by a babaji, that is, one who has attained the 
paramahamsa stage. This practice is still current in Vrndavana, and 
there are many places where alms are offered. Unfortunately, there are 
many beggars who have come to Vrndavana to accept alms but not follow 
the principles of Sanatana Gosvami. People try to imitate him and lead 
an idle life by practicing madhukari. It is almost impossible to 
strictly follow Sanatana Gosvami or Rupa Gosvami. It is better to accept 
food offered to Krsna in the temple than to try to imitate Sanatana 
Gosvami and Rupa Gosvami.
 
yuktahara-viharasya yukta-cestasya karmasu
yukta-svapnavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkha-ha
 
"He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and 
work can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga system." (Bg.
 6.17)
 
The ideal sannyasi strictly follows the ways practiced by the Gosvamis.
 
Madhya 20.82
 
TEXT 82
 
TEXT
 
sanatanera vairagye prabhura ananda apara
bhota-kambala pane prabhu cahe bare bara
SYNONYMS
 
sanatanera -- of Sanatana Gosvami; vairagye -- by the renunciation; 
prabhura -- of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ananda -- happiness; apara -- 
unlimited; bhota-kambala -- the woolen blanket; pane -- towards; prabhu -
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; cahe -- looks; bare bara -- repeatedly.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu felt unlimited happiness to observe Sanatana 
Gosvami's strict following of the principles of sannyasa. However, He 
repeatedly glanced at the woolen blanket Sanatana Gosvami was wearing.
 
Madhya 20.83
 
TEXT 83
 
TEXT
 
sanatana janila ei prabhure na bhaya
bhota tyaga karibare cintila upaya
SYNONYMS
 
sanatana janila -- Sanatana Gosvami could understand; ei -- this; 
prabhure -- by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; na bhaya -- is not approved; 
bhota -- the woolen blanket; tyaga -- giving up; karibare -- to do; 
cintila -- considered; upaya -- a means.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Because Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was repeatedly glancing at this valuable 
woolen blanket, Sanatana Gosvami could understand that the Lord did not 
approve of it. He then began to consider a way to give it up.
 
Madhya 20.84
 
TEXT 84
 
TEXT
 
eta cinti' gela gangaya madhyahna karite
eka gaudiya kantha dhuna diyache sukaite
SYNONYMS
 
eta cinti' -- thinking this; gela -- went; gangaya -- to the bank of the 
Ganges; madhyahna -- bathing at noon; karite -- to do; eka -- one; 
gaudiya -- Bengali Vaisnava; kantha -- quilt; dhuna -- washing; diyache -
- spread out; sukaite -- to dry.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Thinking in this way, Sanatana went to the bank of the Ganges to bathe. 
While there, he saw that a mendicant from Bengal had washed his quilt 
and spread it out to dry.
 
Madhya 20.85
 
TEXT 85
 
TEXT
 
tare kahe, -- "ore bhai, kara upakare
ei bhota lana ei kantha deha' more"
SYNONYMS
 
tare kahe -- he said to him; ore bhai -- O my brother; kara upakare -- 
kindly do a favor; ei bhota -- this woolen blanket; lana -- taking; ei --
 this; kantha -- quilt; deha' -- give; more -- to me.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana Gosvami then told the Bengali mendicant, "My dear brother, 
please do me a favor. Trade me your quilt for this woolen blanket."
 
Madhya 20.86
 
TEXT 86
 
TEXT
 
sei kahe, -- "rahasya kara pramanika hana?
bahu-mulya bhota diba kena kantha lana?"
SYNONYMS
 
sei kahe -- he said; rahasya -- joking; kara -- you do; pramanika hana --
 although being a man of authority; bahu-mulya -- very valuable; bhota --
 woolen blanket; diba -- you would give; kena -- why; kantha lana -- 
taking this quilt.
 
TRANSLATION
 
The mendicant replied, "Sir, you are a respectable gentleman. Why are 
you joking with me? Why would you trade your valuable blanket for my 
torn quilt?"
 
Madhya 20.87
 
TEXT 87
 
TEXT
 
tenho kahe, -- "rahasya nahe, kahi satya-vani
bhota laha, tumi deha' more kantha-khani"
SYNONYMS
 
tenho kahe -- he said; rahasya nahe -- there is no joking; kahi satya-
vani -- I am speaking the truth; bhota laha -- take this blanket; tumi --
 you; deha' -- give; more -- to me; kantha-khani -- the quilt.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana said, "I am not joking; I am speaking the truth. Kindly take 
this blanket in exchange for your torn quilt."
 
Madhya 20.88
 
TEXT 88
 
TEXT
 
eta bali' kantha la-ila, bhota tanre diya
gosanira thani aila kantha gale diya
SYNONYMS
 
eta bali' -- saying this; kantha la-ila -- he took the quilt; bhota -- 
the blanket; tanre -- unto him; diya -- giving; gosanira thani -- to 
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; aila -- returned; kantha -- quilt; gale -- onto the 
shoulder; diya -- keeping.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Saying this, Sanatana Gosvami exchanged the blanket for the quilt. He 
then returned to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu with the quilt on his shoulder.
 
Madhya 20.89
 
TEXT 89
 
TEXT
 
prabhu kahe, -- ‘tomara bhota-kambala kotha gela?'
prabhu-pade saba katha gosani kahila
SYNONYMS
 
prabhu kahe -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; tomara -- your; bhota-
kambala -- woolen blanket; kotha gela -- where did it go; prabhu-pade -- 
unto the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya; saba -- all; katha -- narration; 
gosani -- Sanatana Gosvami; kahila -- said.
 
TRANSLATION
 
When Sanatana Gosvami returned, the Lord asked, "Where is your woolen 
blanket?" Sanatana Gosvami then narrated the whole story to the Lord.
 
Madhya 20.90–91
 
TEXTS 90–91
 
TEXT
 
prabhu kahe, -- "iha ami kariyachi vicara
visaya-roga khandaila krsna ye tomara
se kene rakhibe tomara sesa visaya-bhoga?
roga khandi' sad-vaidya na rakhe sesa roga
SYNONYMS
 
prabhu kahe -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; iha -- this; ami -- I; 
kariyachi vicara -- considered deliberately; visaya-roga -- the disease 
of material attraction; khandaila -- has now nullified; krsna -- Lord 
Krsna; ye -- since; tomara -- your; se -- Lord Krsna; kene -- why; 
rakhibe -- should allow you to keep; tomara -- your; sesa -- last; 
visaya-bhoga -- attraction for material things; roga khandi' -- 
vanquishing the disease; sat-vaidya -- a good physician; na rakhe -- 
does not keep; sesa -- the last part; roga -- disease.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then said, "I have already deliberately 
considered this matter. Since Lord Krsna is very merciful, He has 
nullified your attachment for material things. Why should Krsna allow 
you to maintain a last bit of material attachment? After vanquishing a 
disease, a good physician does not allow any of the disease to remain.
 
Madhya 20.92
 
TEXT 92
 
TEXT
 
tina mudrara bhota gaya, madhukari grasa
dharma-hani haya, loka kare upahasa"
SYNONYMS
 
tina mudrara bhota -- a woolen blanket costing three gold coins; gaya -- 
on the body; madhukari grasa -- and practicing the madhukari system; 
dharma-hani haya -- that is a religious discrepancy; loka kare upahasa --
 people will joke.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"It is contradictory to practice madhukari and at the same time wear a 
valuable blanket. One loses his spiritual strength by doing this, and 
one will also become an object of jokes."
 
Madhya 20.93
 
TEXT 93
 
TEXT
 
gosani kahe, -- "ye khandila kuvisaya-bhoga
tanra icchaya gela mora sesa visaya-roga"
SYNONYMS
 
gosani kahe -- Sanatana Gosvami said; ye khandila -- the person who has 
vanquished; ku-visaya-bhoga -- enjoyment of sinful material life; tanra 
icchaya -- by His desire; gela -- has gone; mora -- my; sesa -- last bit;
 visaya-roga -- material disease.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana Gosvami replied, "The Supreme Personality of Godhead has saved 
me from the sinful life of material existence. By His desire, my last 
piece of material attraction is now gone."
 
Madhya 20.94
 
TEXT 94
 
TEXT
 
prasanna hana prabhu tanre krpa kaila
tanra krpaya prasna karite tanra sakti haila
SYNONYMS
 
prasanna hana -- being very pleased; prabhu -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; 
tanre -- unto him; krpa kaila -- offered His causeless mercy; tanra 
krpaya -- by His mercy; prasna karite -- to inquire; tanra -- his; sakti 
haila -- there was strength.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Being pleased with Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu bestowed 
His causeless mercy upon him. By the Lord's mercy, Sanatana Gosvami 
received the spiritual strength to inquire from Him.
 
Madhya 20.95–96
 
TEXTS 95–96
 
TEXT
 
purve yaiche raya-pase prabhu prasna kaila
tanra saktye ramananda tanra uttara dila
ihan prabhura saktye prasna kare sanatana
apane mahaprabhu kare ‘tattva'-nirupana
SYNONYMS
 
purve -- formerly; yaiche -- as; raya-pase -- unto Ramananda Raya; 
prabhu -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prasna kaila -- inquired; tanra 
saktye -- only by His mercy; ramananda -- Ramananda Raya; tanra -- his; 
uttara -- answers; dila -- gave; ihan -- here; prabhura -- of Sri 
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; saktye -- by the strength; prasna -- questions; 
kare -- puts; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; apane -- personally; 
mahaprabhu -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kare -- does; tattva -- the truth;
 nirupana -- discerning.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Formerly, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had asked Ramananda Raya spiritual 
questions, and by the Lord's causeless mercy, Ramananda Raya could 
properly reply. Now, by the Lord's mercy, Sanatana Gosvami questioned 
the Lord, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally supplied the truth.
 
Madhya 20.97
 
TEXT 97
 
TEXT
 
krsna-svarupa-madhuryais-
 varya-bhakti-rasasrayam
tattvam sanatanayesah
 krpayopadidesa sah
SYNONYMS
 
krsna-svarupa -- of the real identity of Sri Krsna; madhurya -- of 
conjugal love; aisvarya -- of opulence; bhakti -- of devotional service; 
rasa -- of transcendental mellows; asrayam -- the shelter; tattvam -- 
the truth; sanatanaya -- unto Sri Sanatana; isah -- Sri Caitanya 
Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Lord; krpaya -- by His causeless mercy; 
upadidesa -- instructed; sah -- He.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, personally 
told Sanatana Gosvami about Lord Krsna's real identity. He also told him 
about the Lord's conjugal love, His personal opulence and the mellows of 
devotional service. All these truths were explained to Sanatana Gosvami 
by the Lord Himself out of His causeless mercy.
 
Madhya 20.98
 
TEXT 98
 
TEXT
 
tabe sanatana prabhura carane dhariya
dainya vinati kare dante trna lana
SYNONYMS
 
tabe -- thereafter; sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami; prabhura -- of Sri 
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; carane -- the lotus feet; dhariya -- catching; 
dainya -- humility; vinati -- bowing; kare -- does; dante -- in the 
teeth; trna -- a straw; lana -- taking.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Putting a straw in his mouth and bowing down, Sanatana Gosvami clasped 
the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and humbly spoke as follows.
 
Madhya 20.99
 
TEXT 99
 
TEXT
 
"nica jati, nica-sangi, patita adhama
kuvisaya-kupe padi' gonainu janama!
SYNONYMS
 
nica jati -- born of a low family; nica-sangi -- associated with low men;
 patita -- fallen; adhama -- the lowest; ku-visaya-kupe -- in a well of 
material enjoyment; padi' -- having fallen down; gonainu -- I have 
passed; janama -- my life.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana Gosvami said, "I was born in a low family, and my associates 
are all low-class men. I myself am fallen and am the lowest of men. 
Indeed, I have passed my whole life fallen in the well of sinful 
materialism.
 
PURPORT
 
Actually Sri Sanatana Gosvami belonged to a brahmana family because he 
belonged to the Sarasvata division of the brahmanas and was well 
cultured and well educated. Somehow or other he accepted a ministership 
in the Muslim government; therefore he had to associate with meat-eaters,
 drunkards and gross materialists. Sanatana Gosvami considered himself 
fallen, for in the association of such men, he also fell victim to 
material enjoyment. Having passed his life in that way, he considered 
that he had wasted his valuable time. This statement about how one can 
become fallen in this material world is made by the greatest authority 
in the Gaudiya Vaisnava-sampradaya. Actually the whole world is 
presently fallen into material existence. Everyone is a meat-eater, 
drunkard, woman-hunter, gambler and whatnot. People are enjoying 
material life by committing the four basic sins. Although they are 
fallen, if they simply submit themselves at the lotus feet of Sri 
Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they will be saved from sinful reactions.
 
Madhya 20.100
 
TEXT 100
 
TEXT
 
apanara hitahita kichui na jani!
gramya-vyavahare pandita, tai satya mani
SYNONYMS
 
apanara -- of my personal self; hita -- welfare; ahita -- 
inauspiciousness; kichui -- anything; na jani -- I do not know; gramya-
vyavahare -- in ordinary dealings; pandita -- a learned man; tai satya 
mani -- I accept that as truth.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"I do not know what is beneficial for me or what is detrimental. 
Nonetheless, in ordinary dealings people consider me a learned scholar, 
and I am also thinking of myself as such.
 
Madhya 20.101
 
TEXT 101
 
TEXT
 
krpa kari' yadi more kariyacha uddhara
apana-krpate kaha ‘kartavya' amara
SYNONYMS
 
krpa kari' -- by Your causeless mercy; yadi -- if; more -- unto me; 
kariyacha -- You have done; uddhara -- deliverance; apana-krpate -- by 
Your own mercy; kaha -- please speak; kartavya amara -- my duty.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Out of Your causeless mercy, You have delivered me from the 
materialistic path. Now, by the same causeless mercy, please tell me 
what my duty is.
 
Madhya 20.102
 
TEXT 102
 
TEXT
 
‘ke ami', ‘kene amaya jare tapa-traya'
iha nahi jani -- ‘kemane hita haya'
SYNONYMS
 
ke ami -- who am I; kene -- why; amaya -- unto me; jare -- give trouble; 
tapa-traya -- the three kinds of miserable conditions; iha -- this; nahi 
jani -- I do not know; kemane -- how; hita -- my welfare; haya -- there 
is.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Who am I? Why do the threefold miseries always give me trouble? If I do 
not know this, how can I be benefited?
 
PURPORT
 
The threefold material miseries are miseries arising from the body and 
the mind, miseries arising from dealings with other living entities, and 
miseries arising from natural disturbances. Sometimes we suffer bodily 
when we are attacked by a fever, and sometimes we suffer mentally when a 
close relative dies. Other living entities also cause us misery. There 
are living entities born of the human embryo, of eggs, perspiration and 
vegetation. Miserable conditions brought about by natural catastrophes 
are controlled by the higher demigods. There may be severe cold or 
thunderbolts, or a person may be haunted by ghosts. These threefold 
miseries are always before us, and they entrap us in a dangerous 
situation. Padam padam yad vipadam [SB 10.14.58]. There is danger in 
every step of life.
 
Madhya 20.103
 
TEXT 103
 
TEXT
 
‘sadhya'-‘sadhana'-tattva puchite na jani
krpa kari' saba tattva kaha ta' apani"
SYNONYMS
 
sadhya -- of the goal of spiritual life; sadhana -- of the process of 
obtaining that goal; tattva -- truth; puchite -- to inquire; na jani -- 
I do not know; krpa kari' -- by Your causeless mercy; saba tattva -- all 
such truths; kaha ta' apani -- please personally explain to me.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Actually I do not know how to inquire about the goal of life and the 
process for obtaining it. Being merciful upon me, please explain all 
these truths."
 
Madhya 20.104
 
TEXT 104
 
TEXT
 
prabhu kahe, -- "krsna-krpa tomate purna haya
saba tattva jana, tomara nahi tapa-traya
SYNONYMS
 
prabhu -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kahe -- said; krsna-krpa -- the mercy 
of Krsna; tomate -- on you; purna -- full; haya -- there is; saba tattva 
-- all truths; jana -- you know; tomara -- of you; nahi -- there is not; 
tapa-traya -- the threefold miseries.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Lord Krsna has bestowed His full mercy 
upon you so that all these things are known to you. For you, the 
threefold miseries certainly do not exist.
 
Madhya 20.105
 
TEXT 105
 
TEXT
 
krsna-sakti dhara tumi, jana tattva-bhava
jani' dardhya lagi' puche, -- sadhura svabhava
SYNONYMS
 
krsna-sakti -- the energy of Lord Krsna; dhara -- possess; tumi -- you; 
jana -- know; tattva-bhava -- the factual position; jani' -- although 
knowing all these things; dardhya lagi' -- for the sake of strictness; 
puche -- he inquires; sadhura -- of a saintly person; svabhava -- the 
nature.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Since you possess Lord Krsna's potency, you certainly know these things.
 However, it is the nature of a sadhu to inquire. Although he knows 
these things, the sadhu inquires for the sake of strictness.
 
Madhya 20.106
 
TEXT 106
 
TEXT
 
acirad eva sarvarthah
 sidhyaty esam abhipsitah
sad-dharmasyavabodhaya
 yesam nirbandhini matih
SYNONYMS
 
acirat -- very soon; eva -- certainly; sarva-arthah -- the goal of life; 
sidhyati -- becomes fulfilled; esam -- of these persons; abhipsitah -- 
desired; sat-dharmasya -- of the path of progressive devotional service; 
avabodhaya -- for understanding; yesam -- those whose; nirbandhini -- 
unflinching; matih -- intelligence.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Those who are eager to awaken their spiritual consciousness and who 
thus have unflinching, undeviated intelligence certainly attain the 
desired goal of life very soon.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse, quoted from the Naradiya Purana, is found in the Bhakti-
rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.103).
 
Madhya 20.107
 
TEXT 107
 
TEXT
 
yogya-patra hao tumi bhakti pravartaite
krame saba tattva suna, kahiye tomate
SYNONYMS
 
yogya-patra -- fit person; hao -- are; tumi -- you; bhakti -- devotional 
service; pravartaite -- to propagate; krame -- one after another; saba --
 all; tattva -- truths; suna -- please hear; kahiye -- I shall speak; 
tomate -- to you.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"You are fit to propagate the cult of devotional service. Therefore 
gradually hear all the truths about it from Me. I shall tell you about 
them.
 
Madhya 20.108–109
 
TEXTS 108–109
 
TEXT
 
jivera ‘svarupa' haya -- krsnera ‘nitya-dasa'
krsnera ‘tatastha-sakti' ‘bhedabheda-prakasa'
suryamsa-kirana, yaiche agni-jvala-caya
svabhavika krsnera tina-prakara ‘sakti' haya
SYNONYMS
 
jivera -- of the living entity; svarupa -- the constitutional position; 
haya -- is; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; nitya-dasa -- eternal servant; 
krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; tatastha -- marginal; sakti -- potency; bheda-
abheda -- one and different; prakasa -- manifestation; surya-amsa -- 
part and parcel of the sun; kirana -- a ray of sunshine; yaiche -- as; 
agni-jvala-caya -- molecular particle of fire; svabhavika -- naturally; 
krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; tina-prakara -- three varieties; sakti -- 
energies; haya -- there are.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"It is the living entity's constitutional position to be an eternal 
servant of Krsna because he is the marginal energy of Krsna and a 
manifestation simultaneously one with and different from the Lord, like 
a molecular particle of sunshine or fire. Krsna has three varieties of 
energy.
 
PURPORT
 
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains these verses as follows: Sri 
Sanatana Gosvami asked Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, "Who am I?" In answer, 
the Lord replied, "You are a pure living entity. You are neither the 
gross material body nor the subtle body composed of mind and 
intelligence. Actually you are a spirit soul, eternally part and parcel 
of the Supreme Soul, Krsna. Therefore you are His eternal servant. You 
belong to Krsna's marginal potency. There are two worlds -- the 
spiritual world and the material world -- and you are situated between 
the material and spiritual potencies. You have a relationship with both 
the material and the spiritual world; therefore you are called the 
marginal potency. You are related with Krsna as one and simultaneously 
different. Because you are spirit soul, you are one in quality with the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead, but because you are a very minute 
particle of spirit soul, you are different from the Supreme Soul. 
Therefore your position is simultaneously one with and different from 
the Supreme Soul. The examples given are those of the sun itself and the 
small particles of sunshine and of a blazing fire and the small 
particles of fire." Another explanation of these verses can be found in 
Adi-lila, Chapter Two, verse 96.
 
Madhya 20.110
 
TEXT 110
 
TEXT
 
eka-desa-sthitasyagner
 jyotsna vistarini yatha
parasya brahmanah saktis
 tathedam akhilam jagat
SYNONYMS
 
eka-desa -- in one place; sthitasya -- being situated; agneh -- of fire; 
jyotsna -- the illumination; vistarini -- expanded everywhere; yatha -- 
just as; parasya -- of the Supreme; brahmanah -- of the Absolute Truth; 
saktih -- the energy; tatha -- similarly; idam -- this; akhilam -- 
entire; jagat -- universe.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Just as the illumination of a fire, which is situated in one place, is 
spread all over, the energies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, 
Para-brahman, are spread all over this universe.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from the Visnu Purana (1.22.56).
 
Madhya 20.111
 
TEXT 111
 
TEXT
 
krsnera svabhavika tina-sakti-parinati
cic-chakti, jiva-sakti, ara maya-sakti
SYNONYMS
 
krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; svabhavika -- natural; tina -- three; sakti -- 
of energies; parinati -- transformations; cit-sakti -- spiritual potency;
 jiva-sakti -- spiritual sparks, living entities; ara -- and; maya-sakti 
-- illusory energy.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Krsna naturally has three energetic transformations, and these are 
known as the spiritual potency, the living entity potency and the 
illusory potency.
 
Madhya 20.112
 
TEXT 112
 
TEXT
 
visnu-saktih para prokta
 ksetrajnakhya tatha para
avidya-karma-samjnanya
 trtiya saktir isyate
SYNONYMS
 
visnu-saktih -- the potency of Lord Visnu; para -- spiritual; prokta -- 
it is said; ksetra-jna-akhya -- the potency known as ksetrajna; tatha -- 
as well as; para -- spiritual; avidya -- ignorance; karma -- fruitive 
activities; samjna -- known as; anya -- other; trtiya -- third; saktih --
 potency; isyate -- known thus.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Originally, Krsna's energy is spiritual, and the energy known as the 
living entity is also spiritual. However, there is another energy, 
called illusion, which consists of fruitive activity. That is the Lord's 
third potency.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from the Visnu Purana (6.7.61). For a further 
explanation of this verse, refer to Adi-lila, Chapter Seven, verse 119.
 
Madhya 20.113
 
TEXT 113
 
TEXT
 
saktayah sarva-bhavanam
 acintya-jnana-gocarah
yato 'to brahmanas tas tu
 sargadya bhava-saktayah
bhavanti tapatam srestha
 pavakasya yathosnata
SYNONYMS
 
saktayah -- energies; sarva-bhavanam -- of all types of creation; 
acintya -- inconceivable; jnana-gocarah -- by the range of man's 
knowledge; yatah -- from whom; atah -- therefore; brahmanah -- from the 
Absolute Truth; tah -- those; tu -- but; sarga-adyah -- bringing about 
creation, maintenance and annihilation; bhava-saktayah -- the creative 
energies; bhavanti -- are; tapatam -- of all the ascetics; srestha -- O 
chief; pavakasya -- of fire; yatha -- as; usnata -- heat.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘All the creative energies, which are inconceivable to a common man, 
exist in the Supreme Absolute Truth. These inconceivable energies act in 
the process of creation, maintenance and annihilation. O chief of the 
ascetics, just as there are two energies possessed by fire -- namely 
heat and light -- these inconceivable creative energies are the natural 
characteristics of the Absolute Truth.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is also a quotation from the Visnu Purana (1.3.2).
 
Madhya 20.114
 
TEXT 114
 
TEXT
 
yaya ksetra-jna-saktih sa
 vestita nrpa sarva-ga
samsara-tapan akhilan
 avapnoty atra santatan
SYNONYMS
 
yaya -- by which; ksetra-jna-saktih -- the living entities, known as the 
ksetra-jna potency; sa -- that potency; vestita -- covered; nrpa -- O 
King; sarva-ga -- capable of going anywhere in the spiritual or the 
material world; samsara-tapan -- miseries due to the cycle of repeated 
birth and death; akhilan -- all kinds of; avapnoti -- obtains; atra -- 
in this material world; santatan -- arising from suffering or enjoying 
various kinds of reactions to fruitive activities.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘O King, the ksetra-jna-sakti is the living entity. Although he has the 
facility to live in either the material or the spiritual world, he 
suffers the threefold miseries of material existence because he is 
influenced by the avidya [nescience] potency, which covers his 
constitutional position.
 
PURPORT
 
This and the following verse are also quoted from the Visnu Purana (6.7.
62–63). For an explanation, see Madhya-lila, Chapter 6, verses 155–156.
 
Madhya 20.115
 
TEXT 115
 
TEXT
 
taya tirohitatvac ca
 saktih ksetra-jna-samjnita
sarva-bhutesu bhu-pala
 taratamyena vartate
SYNONYMS
 
taya -- by her; tirohitatvat -- from being under the influence; ca -- 
also; saktih -- the potency; ksetra-jna-ksetra-jna; samjnita -- known by 
the name; sarva-bhutesu -- in different types of bodies; bhu-pala -- O 
King; taratamyena -- in different degrees; vartate -- exists.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘This living entity, covered by the influence of nescience, exists in 
different forms in the material condition. O King, he is thus 
proportionately freed from the influence of the material energy, to 
greater or lesser degrees.'
 
Madhya 20.116
 
TEXT 116
 
TEXT
 
apareyam itas tv anyam
 prakrtim viddhi me param
jiva-bhutam maha-baho
 yayedam dharyate jagat
SYNONYMS
 
apara -- inferior energy; iyam -- this material world; itah -- beyond 
this; tu -- but; anyam -- another; prakrtim -- energy; viddhi -- you 
must know; me -- of Me; param -- which is superior energy; jiva-bhutam --
 they are the living entities; maha-baho -- O mighty-armed one; yaya -- 
by which; idam -- this material world; dharyate -- is being conducted; 
jagat -- the cosmic manifestation.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Besides these inferior energies, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is 
another, superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities 
who are exploiting the resources of this material, inferior nature.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a verse from the Bhagavad-gita (7.5). For an explanation, see 
Adi-lila, Chapter Seven, verse 118.
 
Madhya 20.117
 
TEXT 117
 
TEXT
 
krsna bhuli' sei jiva anadi-bahirmukha
ataeva maya tare deya samsara-duhkha
SYNONYMS
 
krsna bhuli' -- forgetting Krsna; sei jiva -- that living entity; anadi -
- from time immemorial; bahir-mukha -- attracted by the external feature;
 ataeva -- therefore; maya -- illusory energy; tare -- to him; deya -- 
gives; samsara-duhkha -- miseries of material existence.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Forgetting Krsna, the living entity has been attracted by the external 
feature from time immemorial. Therefore the illusory energy [maya] gives 
him all kinds of misery in his material existence.
 
PURPORT
 
When the living entity forgets his constitutional position as an eternal 
servant of Krsna, he is immediately entrapped by the illusory, external 
energy. The living entity is originally part and parcel of Krsna and is 
therefore the superior energy of Krsna. He is endowed with inconceivable 
minute energy that works inconceivably within the body. However, the 
living entity, forgetting his position, is situated in material energy. 
The living entity is called the marginal energy because by nature he is 
spiritual but by forgetfulness he is situated in the material energy. 
Thus he has the power to live either in the material energy or in the 
spiritual energy, and for this reason he is called marginal energy. 
Being in the marginal position, he is sometimes attracted by the 
external, illusory energy, and this is the beginning of his material 
life. When he enters the material energy, he is subjected to the 
threefold time measurement -- past, present and future. Past, present 
and future belong only to the material world; they do not exist in the 
spiritual world. The living entity is eternal, and he existed before the 
creation of this material world. Unfortunately he has forgotten his 
relationship with Krsna. The living entity's forgetfulness is described 
herein as anadi, which indicates that it has existed since time 
immemorial. One should understand that due to his desire to enjoy 
himself in competition with Krsna, the living entity comes into material 
existence.
 
Madhya 20.118
 
TEXT 118
 
TEXT
 
kabhu svarge uthaya, kabhu narake dubaya
dandya-jane raja yena nadite cubaya
SYNONYMS
 
kabhu -- sometimes; svarge -- to higher planetary systems; uthaya -- he 
rises; kabhu -- sometimes; narake -- in hellish conditions of life; 
dubaya -- he is drowned; dandya-jane -- a criminal; raja -- a king; yena 
-- as; nadite -- in the river; cubaya -- dunks.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the material condition, the living entity is sometimes raised to 
higher planetary systems and material prosperity and sometimes drowned 
in a hellish situation. His state is exactly like that of a criminal 
whom a king punishes by submerging him in water and then raising him 
again from the water.
 
PURPORT
 
In the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad (4.3.16) it is stated, asango hy ayam 
purusah: the living entity is always free from the contamination of the 
material world. One who is not materially infected and who does not 
forget Krsna as his master is called nitya-mukta. In other words, one 
who is eternally liberated from material contamination is called nitya-
mukta. From time immemorial the nitya-mukta living entity has always 
been a devotee of Krsna, and his only attempt has been to serve Krsna. 
Thus he never forgets his eternal servitorship to Krsna. Any living 
entity who forgets his eternal relationship with Krsna is under the sway 
of the material condition. Bereft of the Lord's transcendental loving 
service, he is subjected to the reactions of fruitive activity. When he 
is elevated to the higher planetary systems due to worldly pious 
activities, he considers himself well situated, but when he is subjected 
to punishment, he thinks himself improperly situated. Thus material 
nature awards and punishes the living entity. When the living entity is 
materially opulent, material nature is rewarding him. When he is 
materially embarrassed, material nature is punishing him.
 
Madhya 20.119
 
TEXT 119
 
TEXT
 
bhayam dvitiyabhinivesatah syad
 isad apetasya viparyayo ‘smrtih
tan-mayayato budha abhajet tam
 bhaktyaikayesam guru-devatatma
SYNONYMS
 
bhayam -- fear; dvitiya-abhinivesatah -- from the misconception of being 
a product of material energy; syat -- arises; isat -- from the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead, Krsna; apetasya -- of one who has withdrawn (the 
conditioned soul); viparyayah -- reversal of the position; asmrtih -- no 
conception of his relationship with the Supreme Lord; tat-mayaya -- 
because of the illusory energy of the Supreme Lord; atah -- therefore; 
budhah -- one who is wise; abhajet -- must worship; tam -- Him; bhaktya -
- by devotional service; ekaya -- undiverted to karma and jnana; isam -- 
the Supreme Personality of Godhead; guru -- as the spiritual master; 
devata -- the worshipable Lord; atma -- the Supersoul.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘When the living entity is attracted by the material energy, which is 
separate from Krsna, he is overpowered by fear. Because he is separated 
from the Supreme Personality of Godhead by the material energy, his 
conception of life is reversed. In other words, instead of being the 
eternal servant of Krsna, he becomes Krsna's competitor. This is called 
viparyayo ‘smrtih. To nullify this mistake, one who is actually learned 
and advanced worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead as his 
spiritual master, worshipful Deity and source of life. He thus worships 
the Lord by the process of unalloyed devotional service.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.37). It is an 
instruction given by Kavi Rsi, one of the nine saintly personalities 
called the nine Yogendras. When Vasudeva, Krsna's father, asked Devarsi 
Narada in Dvaraka about devotional service, it was mentioned that 
previously King Nimi, who was the King of Videha, was instructed by the 
nine Yogendras. When Sri Narada Muni discoursed on bhagavata-dharma, 
devotional service, he indicated how a conditioned soul can be liberated 
by engaging in the loving transcendental service of the Lord. The Lord 
is the Supersoul, spiritual master and worshipable Deity of all 
conditioned souls. Not only is Krsna the supreme worshipful Deity for 
all living entities, but He is also the guru, or caittya-guru, the 
Supersoul, who always gives the living entity good counsel. 
Unfortunately the living entity neglects the Supreme Person's 
instructions. He thus identifies with the material energy and is 
consequently overpowered by a kind of fear resulting from accepting 
himself as the material body and considering paraphernalia related to 
the material body to be his property. All types of fruitive results 
actually come from the spirit soul, but because he has forgotten his 
real duty, he is embarrassed by many material consequences such as fear 
and attachment. The only remedy is to revert to the service of the Lord 
and thus be saved from material nature's unwanted harassment.
 
Madhya 20.120
 
TEXT 120
 
TEXT
 
sadhu-sastra-krpaya yadi krsnonmukha haya
sei jiva nistare, maya tahare chadaya
SYNONYMS
 
sadhu -- of saintly persons; sastra -- of scriptures; krpaya -- by the 
mercy; yadi -- if; krsna-unmukha haya -- one becomes Krsna conscious; 
sei -- that; jiva -- living entity; nistare -- becomes liberated; maya --
 the illusory energy; tahare -- him; chadaya -- gives up.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"If the conditioned soul becomes Krsna conscious by the mercy of saintly 
persons who voluntarily preach scriptural injunctions and help him to 
become Krsna conscious, the conditioned soul is liberated from the 
clutches of maya, who gives him up.
 
PURPORT
 
A conditioned soul is one who has forgotten Krsna as his eternal master. 
Thinking that he is enjoying the material world, the conditioned soul 
suffers the threefold miseries of material existence. Saintly persons (
sadhus), Vaisnava devotees of the Lord, preach Krsna consciousness on 
the basis of the Vedic literature. It is only by their mercy that the 
conditioned soul is awakened to Krsna consciousness. When awakened, he 
is no longer eager to enjoy the materialistic way of life. Instead, he 
devotes himself to the loving transcendental service of the Lord. When 
one engages in the Lord's devotional service, he becomes detached from 
material enjoyment:
 
bhaktih paresanubhavo viraktir
 anyatra caisa trika eka-kalah
 
  (SB 11.2.42)
This is the test by which one can tell whether he is advancing in 
devotional service. One must be detached from material enjoyment. Such 
detachment means that maya has actually given the conditioned soul 
liberation from illusory enjoyment. When one is advanced in Krsna 
consciousness, he does not consider himself as good as Krsna. Whenever 
he thinks that he is the enjoyer of material advantages, he is 
imprisoned in the bodily conception. However, when he is freed from the 
bodily conception, he can engage in devotional service, which is his 
actual position of freedom from the clutches of maya. This is all 
explained in the following verse from the Bhagavad-gita (7.14).
 
Madhya 20.121
 
TEXT 121
 
TEXT
 
daivi hy esa guna-mayi
 mama maya duratyaya
mam eva ye prapadyante
 mayam etam taranti te
SYNONYMS
 
daivi -- belonging to the Supreme Lord; hi -- certainly; esa -- this; 
guna-mayi -- made of the three modes; mama -- My; maya -- external 
energy; duratyaya -- very difficult to surpass; mam -- unto Me; eva -- 
certainly; ye -- those who; prapadyante -- surrender fully; mayam -- 
illusory energy; etam -- this; taranti -- cross over; te -- they.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material 
nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me 
can easily cross beyond it.'
 
Madhya 20.122
 
TEXT 122
 
TEXT
 
maya-mugdha jivera nahi svatah krsna-jnana
jivere krpaya kaila krsna veda-purana
SYNONYMS
 
maya-mugdha -- enchanted by the illusory energy; jivera -- of the 
conditioned soul; nahi -- there is not; svatah -- automatically; krsna-
jnana -- knowledge of Krsna; jivere -- unto the conditioned soul; krpaya 
-- out of mercy; kaila -- presented; krsna -- Lord Krsna; veda-purana -- 
the Vedic literature and the Puranas (supplements to the Vedic 
literature).
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The conditioned soul cannot revive his Krsna consciousness by his own 
effort. But out of causeless mercy, Lord Krsna compiled the Vedic 
literature and its supplements, the Puranas.
 
PURPORT
 
A conditioned soul is bewildered by the Lord's illusory energy (maya). 
Maya's business is to keep the conditioned soul forgetful of his real 
relationship with Krsna. Thus the living entity forgets his real 
identity as spirit soul, Brahman, and instead of realizing his factual 
position thinks himself the product of the material energy. According to 
Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.7.5):
 
yaya sammohito jiva atmanam tri-gunatmakam
paro 'pi manute 'nartham tat-krtam cabhipadyate
 
"Due to this external energy, the living entity, although transcendental 
to the three modes of material nature, thinks of himself as a material 
product and thus undergoes the reactions of material miseries."
 
This is a description of maya's action upon the conditioned soul. 
Thinking himself a product of the material energy, the conditioned soul 
engages in the service of the material energy in so many ways. He 
becomes the servant of lust, anger, greed and envy. In this way one 
totally becomes a servant of the illusory energy. Later, the bewildered 
soul becomes a servant of mental speculation, but in any case he is 
simply covered by the illusory energy. Out of His causeless mercy and 
compassion, Krsna has compiled various Vedic literatures in His 
incarnation as Vyasadeva. Vyasadeva is a saktyavesa-avatara of Lord 
Krsna. He has very kindly presented these literatures to awaken the 
conditioned soul to his senses. Unfortunately, at the present moment the 
conditioned souls are guided by demons who do not care to read the Vedic 
literatures. Although there is an immense treasure-house of knowledge, 
people are engaged in reading useless literature that will give them no 
information on how to get out of the clutches of maya. The purpose of 
the Vedic literatures is explained in the following verses.
 
Madhya 20.123
 
TEXT 123
 
TEXT
 
‘sastra-guru-atma'-rupe apanare janana
‘krsna mora prabhu, trata' -- jivera haya jnana
SYNONYMS
 
sastra-guru-atma-rupe -- in the form of the Vedic literature, the 
spiritual master and the Supersoul; apanare janana -- informs about 
Himself; krsna -- Lord Krsna; mora -- my; prabhu -- Lord; trata -- 
deliverer; jivera -- of the conditioned soul; haya -- there is; jnana -- 
knowledge.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The forgetful conditioned soul is educated by Krsna through the Vedic 
literatures, the realized spiritual master and the Supersoul. Through 
these, he can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead as He is, 
and he can understand that Lord Krsna is his eternal master and 
deliverer from the clutches of maya. In this way one can acquire real 
knowledge of his conditioned life and can come to understand how to 
attain liberation.
 
PURPORT
 
Being forgetful of his real position, the conditioned soul may take help 
from sastra, guru and the Supersoul within his heart. Krsna is situated 
within everyone's heart as the Supersoul. As stated in the Bhagavad-gita 
(18.61):
 
isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese ‘rjuna tisthati
bhramayan sarva-bhutani yantrarudhani mayaya
 
"The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone's heart, O Arjuna, and is 
directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a 
machine made of the material energy."
 
As the saktyavesa-avatara Vyasadeva, Krsna teaches the conditioned soul 
through the Vedic literatures. Krsna externally appears as the spiritual 
master and trains the conditioned soul to come to Krsna consciousness. 
When his original Krsna consciousness is revived, the conditioned soul 
is delivered from the material clutches. Thus a conditioned soul is 
always helped by the Supreme Personality of Godhead in three ways -- by 
the scriptures, the spiritual master and the Supersoul within the heart. 
The Lord is the deliverer of the conditioned soul and is accepted as the 
Supreme Lord of all living entities. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita (18.
66):
 
sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah
 
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall 
deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear." This same 
instruction is found throughout all Vedic literatures. Sadhu, sastra and 
guru act as the representatives of Krsna, and the Krsna consciousness 
movement is also taking place all over the universe. Whoever takes 
advantage of this opportunity becomes liberated.
 
Madhya 20.124
 
TEXT 124
 
TEXT
 
veda-sastra kahe -- ‘sambandha', ‘abhidheya', ‘prayojana'
‘krsna' -- prapya sambandha, ‘bhakti' -- praptyera sadhana
SYNONYMS
 
veda-sastra kahe -- the Vedic literature instructs; sambandha -- the 
conditioned soul's relationship with the Lord; abhidheya -- the 
regulated activities of the conditioned soul for reviving that 
relationship; prayojana -- and the ultimate goal of life to be attained 
by the conditioned soul; krsna -- Lord Krsna; prapya -- to be awakened; 
sambandha -- the original relationship; bhakti -- devotional service; 
praptyera sadhana -- the means of attaining Krsna.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The Vedic literatures give information about the living entity's 
eternal relationship with Krsna, which is called sambandha. The living 
entity's understanding of this relationship and his acting accordingly 
is called abhidheya. Returning home, back to Godhead, is the ultimate 
goal of life and is called prayojana.
 
Madhya 20.125
 
TEXT 125
 
TEXT
 
abhidheya-nama ‘bhakti', ‘prema' -- prayojana
purusartha-siromani prema maha-dhana
SYNONYMS
 
abhidheya -- activities to revive one's relationship; nama -- named; 
bhakti -- devotional service; prema -- love of Godhead; prayojana -- the 
ultimate goal of life; purusa-artha-siromani -- the topmost interest of 
the living entity; prema -- love of Godhead; maha-dhana -- the greatest 
wealth.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Devotional service, or sense activity for the satisfaction of the Lord, 
is called abhidheya because it can develop one's original love of 
Godhead, which is the goal of life. This goal is the living entity's 
topmost interest and greatest wealth. Thus one attains the platform of 
transcendental loving service unto the Lord.
 
PURPORT
 
The conditioned soul is bewildered by the external, material energy, 
which fully engages him in sense gratification in various ways. Due to 
engagement in material activities, one's original Krsna consciousness is 
covered. However, as the supreme father of all living entities, Krsna 
wants His sons to return home, back to Godhead; therefore He personally 
comes to deliver Vedic literatures like the Bhagavad-gita. He engages 
His confidential servants who serve as spiritual masters and enlighten 
the conditioned living entities. Being present in everyone's heart, the 
Lord gives the living entities the conscience whereby they can accept 
the Vedas and the spiritual master. In this way the living entity can 
understand his constitutional position and his relationship with the 
Supreme Lord. As personally enunciated by the Lord Himself in the 
Bhagavad-gita (15.15), vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah: through the 
study of Vedanta, one may become fully aware of his relationship with 
the Supreme Lord and act accordingly. In this way one may ultimately 
attain the platform of loving service to the Lord. It is in the living 
entity's best interest to understand the Supreme Lord. Unfortunately, 
the living entities have forgotten that this is in their best interest, 
and therefore Srimad-Bhagavatam says, na te viduh svartha-gatim hi 
visnum (SB 7.5.31).
 
Everyone wants to achieve life's ultimate goal, but due to being 
absorbed in the material energy, we waste our time with sense 
gratification. Through the study of Vedic literatures -- of which the 
essence is the Bhagavad-gita -- one comes to Krsna consciousness. Thus 
one engages in devotional service, called abhidheya. When the living 
entity actually develops love of Godhead, he has reached the ultimate 
goal, prayojana. In other words, one who becomes fully Krsna conscious 
has attained the perfection of life.
 
Madhya 20.126
 
TEXT 126
 
TEXT
 
krsna-madhurya-sevananda-praptira karana
krsna-seva kare, ara krsna-rasa-asvadana
SYNONYMS
 
krsna-madhurya -- of an intimate relationship with Krsna; seva-ananda -- 
of pleasure from rendering service unto Him; praptira -- of achievement; 
karana -- because; krsna-seva kare -- one renders service to Krsna; ara -
- and; krsna-rasa -- of the mellows of such service; asvadana -- tasting.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When one attains the transcendental bliss of an intimate relationship 
with Krsna, he renders service to Him and tastes the mellows of Krsna 
consciousness.
 
Madhya 20.127
 
TEXT 127
 
TEXT
 
ihate drstanta -- yaiche daridrera ghare
‘sarvajna' asi' duhkha dekhi' puchaye tahare
SYNONYMS
 
ihate -- in this connection; drstanta -- the parable; yaiche -- just as; 
daridrera ghare -- in the house of a poor man; sarva-jna -- an 
astrologer; asi' -- coming; duhkha -- distressed condition; dekhi' -- 
seeing; puchaye tahare -- inquires from him.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The following parable may be given. Once a learned astrologer came to 
the house of a poor man and, seeing his distressed condition, questioned 
him.
 
PURPORT
 
Sometimes we go to an astrologer or palmist when we are in a distressed 
condition or when we want to know the future. The living entity in 
conditioned life is always distressed by the threefold miseries of 
material existence. Under the circumstances, he is inquisitive about his 
position. For instance, Sanatana Gosvami approached the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, to ask Him why he was 
in a distressed condition. This is the position of all conditioned souls.
 We are always in a distressed condition, and an intelligent man 
naturally becomes inquisitive. This position is called brahma-jijnasa. 
Athato brahma jijnasa (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.1). Brahma here refers to the 
Vedic literature. One should consult the Vedic literature to know why 
the conditioned soul is always in a distressed condition. The Vedic 
literatures are meant to free the conditioned soul from the miserable 
conditions of material existence. In this chapter, the story of the 
astrologer (sarva-jna) and the poor man is very instructive.
 
Madhya 20.128
 
TEXT 128
 
TEXT
 
‘tumi kene duhkhi, tomara ache pitr-dhana
tomare na kahila, anyatra chadila jivana"
SYNONYMS
 
tumi -- you; kene -- why; duhkhi -- distressed; tomara -- your; ache -- 
there is; pitr-dhana -- the riches of your father; tomare -- unto you; 
na kahila -- he did not disclose; anyatra -- somewhere else; chadila -- 
gave up; jivana -- his life.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The astrologer asked, ‘Why are you unhappy? Your father was very 
wealthy, but he did not disclose his wealth to you because he died 
elsewhere.'
 
Madhya 20.129
 
TEXT 129
 
TEXT
 
sarvajnera vakye kare dhanera uddese
aiche veda-purana jive ‘krsna' upadese
SYNONYMS
 
sarvajnera -- of the astrologer; vakye -- the words; kare -- make; 
dhanera -- of the riches; uddese -- news; aiche -- similarly; veda-
purana -- Vedic literatures; jive -- unto the living entity, the 
conditioned soul; krsna -- of Lord Krsna; upadese -- instructs.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Just as the words of the astrologer gave news of the poor man'
s treasure, the Vedic literatures advise one about Krsna consciousness 
when one is inquisitive to know why he is in a distressed material 
condition.
 
Madhya 20.130
 
TEXT 130
 
TEXT
 
sarvajnera vakye mula-dhana anubandha
sarva-sastre upadese, ‘sri-krsna' -- sambandha
SYNONYMS
 
sarvajnera -- of the astrologer; vakye -- by the assurance; mula-dhana --
 with the treasure; anubandha -- connection; sarva-sastre -- all Vedic 
literatures; upadese -- instruct; sri-krsna -- Lord Sri Krsna, the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead; sambandha -- the central connection.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"By the words of the astrologer, the poor man's connection with the 
treasure was established. Similarly, the Vedic literature advises us 
that our real connection is with Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead.
 
PURPORT
 
In the Bhagavad-gita (7.26), Sri Krsna says:
 
vedaham samatitani vartamanani carjuna
bhavisyani ca bhutani mam tu veda na kascana
 
"O Arjuna, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I know everything that 
has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all 
things that are yet to come. I also know all living entities, but Me no 
one knows."
 
Thus Krsna knows the cause of the distressed condition of the 
conditioned soul. He therefore descends from His original position to 
instruct the conditioned soul and inform him about his forgetfulness of 
his relationship with Krsna. Krsna exhibits Himself in His relationships 
in Vrndavana and at the Battle of Kuruksetra so that people will be 
attracted to Him and will return home, back to Godhead. Krsna also says 
in the Bhagavad-gita that He is the proprietor of all universes, the 
enjoyer of everything that be and the friend of everyone. Bhoktaram 
yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram/ suhrdam sarva-bhutanam (Bg. 5.29). 
If we revive our original intimate relationship with Krsna, our 
distressed condition in the material world will be mitigated. Everyone 
is trying to adjust to the distressed conditions of material existence, 
but the basic problems cannot be solved unless one is in an intimate 
relationship with Krsna.
 
Madhya 20.131
 
TEXT 131
 
TEXT
 
‘bapera dhana ache' -- jnane dhana nahi paya
tabe sarvajna kahe tare praptira upaya
SYNONYMS
 
bapera dhana ache -- the father has some treasure; jnane -- by this 
knowledge; dhana -- treasure; nahi paya -- one does not get; tabe -- 
then; sarva-jna -- the astrologer; kahe -- says; tare -- unto the poor 
man; praptira upaya -- the means of getting the treasure.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Although being assured of his father's treasure, the poor man cannot 
acquire this treasure by such knowledge alone. Therefore the astrologer 
had to inform him of the means whereby he could actually find the 
treasure.
 
Madhya 20.132
 
TEXT 132
 
TEXT
 
‘ei sthane ache dhana' -- yadi daksine khudibe
‘bhimarula-baruli' uthibe, dhana na paibe
SYNONYMS
 
ei sthane -- at this place; ache -- is; dhana -- treasure; yadi -- if; 
daksine -- on the southern side; khudibe -- you will dig; bhimarula-
baruli -- wasps and drones; uthibe -- will rise; dhana -- the riches; na 
paibe -- you will not get.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The astrologer said, ‘The treasure is in this place, but if you dig 
toward the southern side, the wasps and drones will rise, and you will 
not get your treasure.
 
Madhya 20.133
 
TEXT 133
 
TEXT
 
‘pascime' khudibe, taha ‘yaksa' eka haya
se vighna karibe, -- dhane hata na padaya
SYNONYMS
 
pascime -- on the western side; khudibe -- if you dig; taha -- there; 
yaksa -- ghost; eka -- one; haya -- there is; se -- he; vighna karibe -- 
will create disturbances; dhane -- on the treasure; hata -- hand; na -- 
not; padaya -- touches.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘If you dig on the western side, there is a ghost who will create such 
a disturbance that your hands will not even touch the treasure.
 
Madhya 20.134
 
TEXT 134
 
TEXT
 
‘uttare' khudile ache krsna ‘ajagare'
dhana nahi pabe, khudite gilibe sabare
SYNONYMS
 
uttare -- on the northern side; khudile -- if you dig; ache -- there is; 
krsna -- black; ajagare -- snake; dhana -- treasure; nahi -- not; pabe --
 you will get; khudite -- digging; gilibe -- will devour; sabare -- 
everyone.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘If you dig on the northern side, there is a big black snake that will 
devour you if you attempt to dig up the treasure.
 
Madhya 20.135
 
TEXT 135
 
TEXT
 
purva-dike tate mati alpa khudite
dhanera jhari padibeka tomara hatete
SYNONYMS
 
purva-dike -- on the eastern side; tate -- there; mati -- the dirt; alpa 
-- small quantity; khudite -- digging; dhanera -- of the treasure; jhari 
-- the pot; padibeka -- you will get; tomara -- your; hatete -- in the 
hands.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘However, if you dig up a small quantity of dirt on the eastern side, 
your hands will immediately touch the pot of treasure.'
 
PURPORT
 
The Vedic literatures, including the Puranas, state that according to 
the position of the conditioned soul, there are different processes -- 
karma-kanda, jnana-kanda, the yogic process and the bhakti-yoga process. 
Karma-kanda is compared to wasps and drones that will simply bite if one 
takes shelter of them. Jnana-kanda, the speculative process, is simply 
like a ghost who creates mental disturbances. Yoga, the mystic process, 
is compared to a black snake that devours people by the impersonal 
cultivation of kaivalya. However, if one takes to bhakti-yoga, he 
becomes quickly successful. In other words, through bhakti-yoga, one's 
hands touch the hidden treasure without difficulty.
 
The goal of all the revealed scriptures and Vedic injunctions is Krsna, 
as He Himself says in the Bhagavad-gita (15.15): vedais ca sarvair aham 
eva vedyah. Since the Vedas enjoin one to search out Krsna and take 
shelter at His lotus feet, and since no Vedic process but devotional 
service will enable one to do this, one has to take to devotional 
service. According to the Bhagavad-gita (18.55), only the bhakti process 
is said to be definitive. Bhaktya mam abhijanati. This is the conclusive 
statement of the Vedas, and one has to accept this process if one is 
serious in searching for Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In 
this connection, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura gives the 
following statement "The eastern side represents devotional service to 
Lord Krsna. The southern side represents the process of fruitive 
activity (karma-kanda), which ends in material gain. The western side 
represents jnana-kanda, the process of mental speculation, or 
sometimes siddhi-kanda, the mystic yoga system. The northern side 
represents mystic yoga, or sometimes  the 
speculative method." It is only the eastern side, devotional 
service, that enables one to attain life's real goal. On the southern 
side, there are fruitive activities, by which one is subject to the 
punishment of Yamaraja. When one follows the system of fruitive activity,
 his material desires remain prominent. Consequently the results of this 
process are compared to wasps and drones. The living entity is bitten by 
the wasps and drones of fruitive activity and thus suffers in material 
existence birth after birth. One cannot become free from material 
desires by following this process. The propensity for material enjoyment 
never ends. Therefore the cycle of birth and death continues, and the 
spirit soul suffers perpetually.
 
The mystic yoga process is compared to a black snake that devours the 
living entity and injects him with poison. The ultimate goal of the yoga 
system is to become one with the Absolute. This means finishing one's 
personal existence. But the spiritual part and parcel of the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead has an eternal individual existence. The Bhagavad-
gita confirms that the individual soul existed in the past, is existing 
in the present and will continue to exist as an individual in the future.
 Artificially trying to become one with the Absolute is suicidal. One 
cannot annihilate his natural condition.
 
A yaksa, a protector of riches, will not allow anyone to take away 
riches for enjoyment. Such a demon will simply create disturbances. In 
other words, a devotee will not depend on his material resources but on 
the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can give real 
protection. This is called raksisyatiti visvasah or (in the Bengali 
poetry of Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Saranagati) ‘avasya raksibe krsna' -- 
visvasa palana. The surrendered soul must accept the fact that his real 
protector is Krsna, not his material acquisitions.
 
Considering all these points, devotional service to Krsna is the real 
treasure house for the living entity. When one comes to the platform of 
devotional service, he always remains opulent in the association of the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead. One who is bereft of devotional service 
is swallowed by the black snake of the yoga system and bitten by the 
wasps and drones of fruitive activity, and he suffers consequent 
material miseries. Sometimes the living entity is misled into trying to 
merge into spiritual existence, thinking himself as good as the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead. This means that when he comes to the spiritual 
platform, he will be disturbed and will again return to the material 
platform. According to Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.2.32):
 
ye 'nye 'ravindaksa vimukta-maninas
 tvayy asta-bhavad avisuddha-buddhayah
aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah
 patanty adho 'nadrta-yusmad-anghrayah
 
Such people may become sannyasis, but unless they take shelter of Krsna'
s lotus feet, they will return to the material platform to perform 
philanthropic activities. In this way, one's spiritual life is lost. 
This is to be understood as being devoured by the black snake.
 
Madhya 20.136
 
TEXT 136
 
TEXT
 
aiche sastra kahe, -- karma, jnana, yoga tyaji'
‘bhaktye' krsna vasa haya, bhaktye tanre bhaji
SYNONYMS
 
aiche -- in that way; sastra kahe -- the Vedic literatures confirm; 
karma -- fruitive activities; jnana -- speculative knowledge; yoga -- 
the mystic yoga system; tyaji' -- giving up; bhaktye -- by devotional 
service; krsna -- the Supreme Absolute Personality of Godhead; vasa haya 
-- becomes satisfied; bhaktye -- by devotional service; tanre -- Him; 
bhaji -- we worship.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The revealed scriptures conclude that one should give up fruitive 
activity, speculative knowledge and the mystic yoga system and instead 
take to devotional service, by which Krsna can be fully satisfied.
 
Madhya 20.137
 
TEXT 137
 
TEXT
 
na sadhayati mam yogo
 na sankhyam dharma uddhava
na svadhyayas tapas tyago
 yatha bhaktir mamorjita
SYNONYMS
 
na -- never; sadhayati -- causes to remain satisfied; mam -- Me; yogah --
 the process of control; na -- nor; sankhyam -- the process of gaining 
philosophical knowledge about the Absolute Truth; dharmah -- such an 
occupation; uddhava -- My dear Uddhava; na -- nor; svadhyayah -- study 
of the Vedas; tapah -- austerities; tyagah -- renunciation, acceptance 
of sannyasa, or charity; yatha -- as much as; bhaktih -- devotional 
service; mama -- unto Me; urjita -- developed.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"[The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, said:] ‘My dear Uddhava, 
neither through astanga-yoga [the mystic yoga system to control the 
senses], nor through impersonal monism or an analytical study of the 
Absolute Truth, nor through study of the Vedas, nor through austerities, 
charity or acceptance of sannyasa can one satisfy Me as much as by 
developing unalloyed devotional service unto Me.
 
PURPORT
 
This and the following verse are quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.14.20–
21). The explanation for this verse is given in Adi-lila 17.76.
 
Madhya 20.138
 
TEXT 138
 
TEXT
 
bhaktyaham ekaya grahyah
 sraddhayatma priyah satam
bhaktih punati man-nistha
 sva-pakan api sambhavat
SYNONYMS
 
bhaktya -- by devotional service; aham -- I, the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead; ekaya -- unflinching; grahyah -- obtainable; sraddhaya -- by 
faith; atma -- the most dear; priyah -- to be served; satam -- by the 
devotees; bhaktih -- the devotional service; punati -- purifies; mat-
nistha -- fixed only on Me; sva-pakan -- the lowest of human beings, who 
are accustomed to eating dogs; api -- certainly; sambhavat -- from all 
faults due to birth and other circumstances.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Being very dear to the devotees and sadhus, I am attained through 
unflinching faith and devotional service. This bhakti-yoga system, which 
gradually increases attachment for Me, purifies even a human being born 
among dog-eaters. That is to say, everyone can be elevated to the 
spiritual platform by the process of bhakti-yoga.'
 
Madhya 20.139
 
TEXT 139
 
TEXT
 
ataeva ‘bhakti' -- krsna-praptyera upaya
‘abhidheya' bali' tare sarva-sastre gaya
SYNONYMS
 
ataeva -- therefore; bhakti -- devotional service; krsna-praptyera -- of 
achieving the lotus feet of Krsna; upaya -- the only means; abhidheya-
abhidheya; bali' -- calling; tare -- this system; sarva-sastre -- in all 
revealed scriptures; gaya -- is described.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The conclusion is that devotional service is the only means for 
approaching the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This system is therefore 
called abhidheya. This is the verdict of all revealed scriptures.
 
PURPORT
 
As Lord Krsna states in the Bhagavad-gita (18.55).
 
bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah
tato mam tattvato jnatva visate tad-anantaram
 
"One can understand Me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, 
only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of Me 
by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God."
 
The aim of life is to get rid of the material conditioning and enter 
into spiritual existence. Although the sastras prescribe different 
methods for different men, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says that 
one ultimately must accept the path of devotional service as the assured 
path of spiritual advancement. Devotional service to the Lord is the 
only process actually confirmed by the Lord. Sarva-dharman parityajya 
mam ekam saranam vraja (Bg. 18.66). One must become a devotee if one 
wants to return home, back to Godhead, and become eternally blissful.
 
Madhya 20.140
 
TEXT 140
 
TEXT
 
dhana paile yaiche sukha-bhoga phala paya
sukha-bhoga haite duhkha apani palaya
SYNONYMS
 
dhana paile -- when one gets riches; yaiche -- just as; sukha-bhoga -- 
enjoyment of happiness; phala -- result; paya -- one gets; sukha-bhoga --
 real enjoyment of happiness; haite -- from; duhkha -- all distresses; 
apani -- themselves; palaya -- run away.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When one actually becomes rich, he naturally enjoys all kinds of 
happiness. When one is actually in a happy mood, all distressful 
conditions go away by themselves. No extraneous endeavor is needed.
 
Madhya 20.141
 
TEXT 141
 
TEXT
 
taiche bhakti-phale krsne prema upajaya
preme krsnasvada haile bhava nasa paya
SYNONYMS
 
taiche -- similarly; bhakti-phale -- by the result of devotional service;
 krsne -- unto Lord Krsna; prema -- love; upajaya -- arises; preme -- in 
devotional love; krsna-asvada -- tasting the association of Lord Krsna; 
haile -- when there is; bhava -- the distress of the repetition of birth 
and death; nasa -- annihilation; paya -- obtains.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Similarly, as a result of bhakti, one's dormant love for Krsna awakens. 
When one is so situated that he can taste the association of Lord Krsna, 
material existence, the repetition of birth and death, comes to an end.
 
Madhya 20.142
 
TEXT 142
 
TEXT
 
daridrya-nasa, bhava-ksaya, -- premera ‘phala' naya
prema-sukha-bhoga -- mukhya prayojana haya
SYNONYMS
 
daridrya-nasa -- the end of poverty-stricken life; bhava-ksaya -- 
annihilation of material existence; premera -- of love of Godhead; phala 
-- the result; naya -- certainly is not; prema-sukha-bhoga -- enjoyment 
of the happiness of love of God; mukhya -- chief; prayojana -- goal of 
life; haya -- is.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The goal of love of Godhead is not to become materially rich or free 
from material bondage. The real goal is to be situated in devotional 
service to the Lord and to enjoy transcendental bliss.
 
PURPORT
 
The results of devotional service are certainly not material benefits or 
liberation from material bondage. The goal of devotional service is to 
be eternally situated in the loving service of the Lord and to enjoy 
spiritual bliss from that service. One is said to be in a poverty-
stricken condition when one forgets the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 
One has to end such a life of poverty in order to automatically end the 
miserable conditions of material existence. One is automatically 
liberated from material enjoyment when one tastes the service of Krsna. 
One does not have to endeavor separately for opulence. Opulence 
automatically comes to the pure devotee, even though he does not desire 
material happiness.
 
Madhya 20.143
 
TEXT 143
 
TEXT
 
veda-sastre kahe sambandha, abhidheya, prayojana
krsna, krsna-bhakti, prema, -- tina maha-dhana
SYNONYMS
 
veda-sastre -- in the Vedic literature; kahe -- it is said; sambandha -- 
relationship; abhidheya -- execution; prayojana -- goal; krsna -- Lord 
Krsna; krsna-bhakti -- devotional service to the Lord; prema -- love of 
Godhead; tina -- these three; maha-dhana -- the supreme treasure.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the Vedic literatures, Krsna is the central point of attraction, and 
His service is our activity. To attain the platform of love of Krsna is 
life's ultimate goal. Therefore Krsna, Krsna's service and love of Krsna 
are the three great riches of life.
 
Madhya 20.144
 
TEXT 144
 
TEXT
 
vedadi sakala sastre krsna -- mukhya sambandha
tanra jnane anusange yaya maya-bandha
SYNONYMS
 
veda-adi -- beginning with the Vedas; sakala -- all; sastre -- in the 
revealed scriptures; krsna -- Lord Krsna; mukhya -- chief; sambandha -- 
central point or central attraction; tanra jnane -- by knowledge of Him; 
anusange -- simultaneously; yaya -- goes away; maya-bandha -- the 
bondage of material existence.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In all revealed scriptures, beginning with the Vedas, the central point 
of attraction is Krsna. When complete knowledge of Him is realized, the 
bondage of maya, the illusory energy, is automatically broken.
 
Madhya 20.145
 
TEXT 145
 
TEXT
 
vyamohaya caracarasya jagatas te te puranagamas
 tam tam eva hi devatam paramikam jalpantu kalpavadhi
siddhante punar eka eva bhagavan visnuh samastagama-
 vyaparesu vivecana-vyatikaram nitesu nisciyate
SYNONYMS
 
vyamohaya -- to increase the illusion and ignorance; cara-acarasya -- of 
all living entities, moving and nonmoving; jagatah -- of the world; te 
te -- those respective; purana -- the supplementary Vedic literatures 
called the Puranas; agamah -- and Vedas; tam tam -- that respective; eva 
hi -- certainly; devatam -- demigod; paramikam -- as supreme; jalpantu --
 let them speak about; kalpa-avadhi -- until the end of the millennium; 
siddhante -- in conclusion; punah -- but; ekah -- one; eva -- only; 
bhagavan -- Supreme Personality of Godhead; visnuh -- Lord Visnu; 
samasta -- all; agama -- of the Vedas; vyaparesu -- in the dealings; 
vivecana-vyatikaram -- to collective consideration; nitesu -- when 
forcibly brought; nisciyate -- is established.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘There are many types of Vedic literatures and supplementary Puranas. 
In each of them there are particular demigods who are spoken of as the 
chief demigods. This is just to create an illusion for moving and 
nonmoving living entities. Let them perpetually engage in such 
imaginations. However, when one analytically studies all these Vedic 
literatures collectively, he comes to the conclusion that Lord Visnu is 
the one and only Supreme Personality of Godhead.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a verse from the Padma Purana.
 
Madhya 20.146
 
TEXT 146
 
TEXT
 
mukhya-gauna-vrtti, kimva anvaya-vyatireke
vedera pratijna kevala kahaye krsnake
SYNONYMS
 
mukhya -- chief; gauna -- secondary; vrtti -- meaning; kimva -- or; 
anvaya-vyatireke -- directly or indirectly; vedera pratijna -- ultimate 
declaration of the Vedas; kevala -- only; kahaye -- speaks; krsnake -- 
about Krsna.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When one accepts the Vedic literature by interpretation or even by 
dictionary meaning, directly or indirectly the ultimate declaration of 
Vedic knowledge points to Lord Krsna.
 
Madhya 20.147–148
 
TEXTS 147–148
 
TEXT
 
kim vidhatte kim acaste
 kim anudya vikalpayet
ity asya hrdayam loke
 nanyo mad veda kascana
mam vidhatte 'bhidhatte mam
 vikalpyapohyate hy aham
etavan sarva-vedarthah
 sabda asthaya mam bhidam
maya-matram anudyante
 pratisidhya prasidati
SYNONYMS
 
kim -- what; vidhatte -- direct; kim -- what; acaste -- declare; kim -- 
what; anudya -- taking as the object; vikalpayet -- may conjecture; iti -
- thus; asyah -- of the Vedic literature; hrdayam -- intention; loke -- 
in this world; na -- not; anyah -- other; mat -- than Me; veda -- knows; 
kascana -- anyone; mam -- Me; vidhatte -- they ordain; abhidhatte -- set 
forth; mam -- Me; vikalpya -- speculating; apohyate -- am fixed; hi -- 
certainly; aham -- I; etavan -- of such measures; sarva-veda-arthah -- 
the purport of the Vedas; sabdah -- the Vedas; asthaya -- taking shelter 
of; mam -- Me; bhidam -- different; maya -- illusory energy; matram -- 
only; anudya -- saying; ante -- at the end; pratisidhya -- driving away; 
prasidati -- gets satisfaction.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"[Lord Krsna said:] ‘What is the purpose of all Vedic literatures? On 
whom do they focus? Who is the object of all speculation? Outside of Me 
no one knows these things. Now you should know that all these activities 
are aimed at ordaining and setting forth Me. The purpose of the Vedic 
literatures is to know Me by different speculations, either by indirect 
understanding or by dictionary understanding. Everyone is speculating 
about Me. The essence of all Vedic literatures is to distinguish Me from 
maya. By considering the illusory energy, one comes to the platform of 
understanding Me. In this way one becomes free from speculation about 
the Vedas and comes to Me as the conclusion. Thus one is satisfied.'
 
PURPORT
 
These two verses are quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.21.42–43). When 
Uddhava asked Krsna about the purpose of Vedic speculation, the Lord 
informed him of the process of understanding the Vedic literature. The 
Vedas are composed of karma-kanda, jnana-kanda and upasana-kanda. One 
who analytically studies the purpose of the Vedas understands that by 
karma-kanda, sacrificial activity, one comes to the conclusion of jnana-
kanda, speculative knowledge, and that after speculation one comes to 
the conclusion that worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the 
ultimate. When one comes to this conclusion, he becomes fully satisfied.
 
Madhya 20.149
 
TEXT 149
 
TEXT
 
krsnera svarupa -- ananta, vaibhava -- apara
cic-chakti, maya-sakti, jiva-sakti ara
SYNONYMS
 
krsnera svarupa -- the transcendental form of Krsna; ananta -- 
unlimitedly expanded; vaibhava -- opulence; apara -- unlimited; cit-
sakti -- internal potency; maya-sakti -- external potency; jiva-sakti -- 
marginal potency; ara -- and.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The transcendental form of Lord Krsna is unlimited and also has 
unlimited opulence. He possesses the internal potency, external potency 
and marginal potency.
 
Madhya 20.150
 
TEXT 150
 
TEXT
 
vaikuntha, brahmanda-gana -- sakti-karya haya
svarupa-sakti sakti-karyera -- krsna samasraya
SYNONYMS
 
vaikuntha -- the spiritual world; brahmanda-gana -- universes of the 
material world; sakti-karya haya -- they are all activities of Krsna's 
potencies; svarupa-sakti -- of the internal potency; sakti-karyera -- of 
the activities of the external potency; krsna -- Lord Krsna; samasraya --
 the original source.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The material and the spiritual world are transformations of Krsna's 
external and internal potencies respectively. Therefore Krsna is the 
original source of both the material and the spiritual manifestations.
 
Madhya 20.151
 
TEXT 151
 
TEXT
 
dasame dasamam laksyam
 asritasraya-vigraham
sri-krsnakhyam param dhama
 jagad-dhama namami tat
SYNONYMS
 
dasame -- in the Tenth Canto; dasamam -- the tenth subject matter; 
laksyam -- to be seen; asrita -- of the sheltered; asraya -- of the 
shelter; vigraham -- who is the form; sri-krsna-akhyam -- known as Lord 
Sri Krsna; param -- supreme; dhama -- abode; jagat-dhama -- the abode of 
the universes; namami -- I offer my obeisances; tat -- to Him.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam reveals the tenth object, the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the shelter of all surrendered 
souls. He is known as Sri Krsna, and He is the ultimate source of all 
the universes. Let me offer my obeisances unto Him.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from the Bhavartha-dipika, Sridhara Svami's 
commentary on Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.1.1). In the Tenth Canto of Srimad-
Bhagavatam there is a description of the asraya-tattva, Sri Krsna. There 
are two tattvas -- asraya-tattva and asrita-tattva. Asraya-tattva is the 
objective, and asrita-tattva is the subjective. Since the lotus feet of 
Lord Sri Krsna are the shelter of all devotees, Sri Krsna is called 
param dhama. In the Bhagavad-gita (10.12) it is stated, param brahma 
param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan. Everything is resting under the 
lotus feet of Krsna. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.58) it is stated:
 
samasrita ye pada-pallava-plavam
 mahat-padam punya-yaso murareh
 
Under the lotus feet of Sri Krsna, the entire mahat-tattva is existing. 
Since everything is under Sri Krsna's protection, Sri Krsna is called 
asraya-tattva. Everything else is called asrita-tattva. The material 
creation is also called asrita-tattva. Liberation from material bondage 
and the attainment of the spiritual platform are also asrita-tattva. 
Krsna is the only asraya-tattva. In the beginning of the creation there 
are Maha-Visnu, Garbhodakasayi Visnu and Ksirodakasayi Visnu. They are 
also asraya-tattva. Krsna is the cause of all causes (sarva-karana-
karanam [Bs. 5.1]). To understand Krsna perfectly, one has to make an 
analytical study of asraya-tattva and asrita-tattva.
 
Madhya 20.152
 
TEXT 152
 
TEXT
 
krsnera svarupa-vicara suna, sanatana
advaya-jnana-tattva, vraje vrajendra-nandana
SYNONYMS
 
krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; svarupa-vicara -- consideration of the eternal 
form; suna -- please hear; sanatana -- My dear Sanatana; advaya-jnana-
tattva -- the Absolute Truth without duality; vraje -- in Vrndavana; 
vrajendra-nandana -- the son of Nanda Maharaja.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"O Sanatana, please hear about the eternal form of Lord Krsna. He is the 
Absolute Truth, devoid of duality but present in Vrndavana as the son of 
Nanda Maharaja.
 
Madhya 20.153
 
TEXT 153
 
TEXT
 
sarva-adi, sarva-amsi, kisora-sekhara
cid-ananda-deha, sarvasraya, sarvesvara
SYNONYMS
 
sarva-adi -- origin of everything; sarva-amsi -- sum total of all parts 
and parcels; kisora-sekhara -- the supreme youth; cit-ananda-deha -- a 
body of spiritual blissfulness; sarva-asraya -- shelter of everyone; 
sarva-isvara -- the master of everyone.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Krsna is the original source of everything and the sum total of 
everything. He appears as the supreme youth, and His whole body is 
composed of spiritual bliss. He is the shelter of everything and master 
of everyone.
 
PURPORT
 
Krsna is the origin of all visnu-tattvas, including Maha-Visnu, 
Garbhodakasayi Visnu and Ksirodakasayi Visnu. He is the ultimate goal of 
Vaisnava philosophy. Everything emanates from Him. His body is 
completely spiritual and is the source of all spiritual being. Although 
He is the source of everything, He Himself has no source. Advaitam 
acyutam anadim ananta-rupam/ adyam purana-purusam nava-yauvanam ca [Bs. 
5.33]. Although He is the supreme source of everyone, He is still always 
a fresh youth.
 
Madhya 20.154
 
TEXT 154
 
TEXT
 
isvarah paramah krsnah
 sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah
anadir adir govindah
 sarva-karana-karanam
SYNONYMS
 
isvarah -- the controller; paramah -- supreme; krsnah -- Lord Krsna; sat 
-- eternal existence; cit -- absolute knowledge; ananda -- absolute 
bliss; vigrahah -- whose form; anadih -- without beginning; adih -- the 
origin; govindah -- Lord Govinda; sarva-karana-karanam -- the cause of 
all causes.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Krsna, who is known as Govinda, is the supreme controller. He has an 
eternal, blissful, spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no 
other origin, for He is the prime cause of all causes.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is the first verse of the Fifth Chapter of the Brahma-samhita.
 
Madhya 20.155
 
TEXT 155
 
TEXT
 
svayam bhagavan krsna, ‘govinda' para nama
sarvaisvarya-purna yanra goloka -- nitya-dhama
SYNONYMS
 
svayam -- personally; bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; 
krsna -- Krsna; govinda -- Govinda; para nama -- another name; sarva-
aisvarya-purna -- full of all opulences; yanra -- whose; goloka -- 
Goloka Vrndavana; nitya-dhama -- eternal abode.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The original Supreme Personality of Godhead is Krsna. His original name 
is Govinda. He is full of all opulences, and His eternal abode is known 
as Goloka Vrndavana.
 
Madhya 20.156
 
TEXT 156
 
TEXT
 
ete camsa-kalah pumsah
 krsnas tu bhagavan svayam
indrari-vyakulam lokam
 mrdayanti yuge yuge
SYNONYMS
 
ete -- these; ca -- and; amsa -- plenary portions; kalah -- parts of 
plenary portions; pumsah -- of the purusa-avataras; krsnah -- Lord Krsna;
 tu -- but; bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; svayam -- 
Himself; indra-ari -- the enemies of Lord Indra; vyakulam -- full of; 
lokam -- the world; mrdayanti -- make happy; yuge yuge -- at the right 
time in each age.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘All these incarnations of Godhead are either plenary portions or parts 
of the plenary portions of the purusa-avataras. But Krsna is the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead Himself. In every age He protects the world 
through His different features when the world is disturbed by the 
enemies of Indra.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.3.28). See also Adi-lila, 
Chapter Two, verse 67.
 
Madhya 20.157
 
TEXT 157
 
TEXT
 
jnana, yoga, bhakti, -- tina sadhanera vase
brahma, atma, bhagavan -- trividha prakase
SYNONYMS
 
jnana -- knowledge; yoga -- mystic power; bhakti -- devotional service; 
tina -- three; sadhanera -- of the processes of spiritual life; vase -- 
under the control; brahma -- impersonal Brahman; atma -- localized 
Paramatma; bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tri-vidha 
prakase -- three kinds of manifestation.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There are three kinds of spiritual processes for understanding the 
Absolute Truth -- the processes of speculative knowledge, mystic yoga 
and bhakti-yoga. According to these three processes, the Absolute Truth 
is manifested as Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan.
 
Madhya 20.158
 
TEXT 158
 
TEXT
 
vadanti tat tattva-vidas
 tattvam yaj jnanam advayam
brahmeti paramatmeti
 bhagavan iti sabdyate
SYNONYMS
 
vadanti -- they say; tat -- that; tattva-vidah -- learned souls; tattvam 
-- the Absolute Truth; yat -- which; jnanam -- knowledge; advayam -- 
nondual; brahma -- Brahman; iti -- thus; paramatma -- Paramatma; iti -- 
thus; bhagavan -- Bhagavan; iti -- thus; sabdyate -- is known.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this 
nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.11).
 
Those who are interested in the impersonal Brahman effulgence, which is 
not different from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can attain that 
goal by speculative knowledge. Those who are interested in practicing 
mystic yoga can attain the localized aspect of Paramatma. As stated in 
the Bhagavad-gita (18.61), isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese ‘rjuna 
tisthati: the Supreme Personality of Godhead is situated within the 
heart as Paramatma. He witnesses the activities of the living entities 
and gives them permission to act.
 
For a further explanation, see Adi-lila, Chapter Two, verse 11.
 
Madhya 20.159
 
TEXT 159
 
TEXT
 
brahma -- anga-kanti tanra, nirvisesa prakase
surya yena carma-cakse jyotirmaya bhase
SYNONYMS
 
brahma -- the impersonal Brahman effulgence; anga-kanti -- the bodily 
rays; tanra -- of Him; nirvisesa -- without varieties; prakase -- 
manifestation; surya yena -- exactly like the sun; carma-cakse -- with 
our ordinary material eyes; jyotih-maya -- simply effulgent; bhase -- 
appears.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The manifestation of the impersonal Brahman effulgence, which is 
without variety, is the rays of Krsna's bodily effulgence. It is exactly 
like the sun. When the sun is seen by our ordinary eyes, it appears to 
consist simply of effulgence.
 
Madhya 20.160
 
TEXT 160
 
TEXT
 
yasya prabha prabhavato jagad-anda-koti-
 kotisv asesa-vasudhadi-vibhuti-bhinnam
tad brahma niskalam anantam asesa-bhutam
 govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
SYNONYMS
 
yasya -- of whom; prabha -- the effulgence; prabhavatah -- of one who 
excels in power; jagat-anda -- of universes; koti-kotisu -- in millions 
and millions; asesa -- unlimited; vasudha-adi -- with planets and other 
manifestations; vibhuti -- with opulences; bhinnam -- becoming 
variegated; tat -- that; brahma -- Brahman; niskalam -- without parts; 
anantam -- unlimited; asesa-bhutam -- being complete; govindam -- Lord 
Govinda; adi-purusam -- the original person; tam -- Him; aham -- I; 
bhajami -- worship.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is endowed with great power. 
The glowing effulgence of His transcendental form is the impersonal 
Brahman, which is absolute, complete and unlimited and which displays 
the varieties of countless planets, with their different opulences, in 
millions and millions of universes.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is quoted from the Brahma-samhita (5.40). For an explanation, 
refer to Adi-lila, Chapter Two, verse 14.
 
Madhya 20.161
 
TEXT 161
 
TEXT
 
paramatma yenho, tenho krsnera eka amsa
atmara ‘atma' haya krsna sarva-avatamsa
SYNONYMS
 
paramatma -- the Supersoul within the heart; yenho -- who; tenho -- He; 
krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; eka -- one; amsa -- plenary portion; atmara -- 
of the soul; atma -- the soul; haya -- is; krsna -- Lord Krsna; sarva -- 
of everything; avatamsa -- source.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The Paramatma, the Supersoul feature, is a plenary portion of the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the original soul of all living 
entities. Krsna is the source of the Paramatma.
 
Madhya 20.162
 
TEXT 162
 
TEXT
 
krsnam enam avehi tvam
 atmanam akhilatmanam
jagad-dhitaya so 'py atra
 dehivabhati mayaya
SYNONYMS
 
krsnam -- in the Supreme Personality of Godhead; enam -- this; avehi -- 
just try to understand; tvam -- you; atmanam -- the soul; akhila-atmanam 
-- of all living entities; jagat-hitaya -- the benefit of the whole 
universe; sah -- He; api -- certainly; atra -- here; dehi -- a human 
being; iva -- like; abhati -- appears; mayaya -- by His internal potency.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘You should know Krsna to be the original soul of all atmas [living 
entities]. For the benefit of the whole universe, He has, out of His 
causeless mercy, appeared as an ordinary human being. He has done this 
by the strength of His own internal potency.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.55). Pariksit Maharaja 
asked Sukadeva Gosvami why Krsna was so beloved by the residents of 
Vrndavana, who loved Him even more than their own offspring or life 
itself. At that time Sukadeva Gosvami replied that everyone's atma, or 
soul, is very, very dear, especially to all living entities who have 
accepted material bodies. But that atma, the spirit soul, is part and 
parcel of Krsna. For this reason, Krsna is very dear to every living 
entity. Everyone's body is very dear to oneself, and one wants to 
protect the body by all means because within the body the soul is living.
 Due to the intimate relationship between the soul and the body, the 
body is important and dear to everyone. Similarly, the soul, being part 
and parcel of Krsna, the Supreme Lord, is very, very dear to all living 
entities. Unfortunately, the soul forgets his constitutional position 
and thinks he is only the body (deha-atma-buddhi). Thus the soul is 
subjected to the rules and regulations of material nature. When a living 
entity, by his intelligence, reawakens his attraction for Krsna, he can 
understand that he is not the body but part and parcel of Krsna. Thus 
filled with knowledge, he no longer labors under attachment to the body 
and everything related to the body. Janasya moho ‘yam aham mameti [SB 5.
5.8]. Material existence, wherein one thinks, "I am the body, and this 
belongs to me," is also illusory. One must redirect his attraction to 
Krsna. Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.7) states:
 
vasudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogah prayojitah
janayaty asu vairagyam jnanam ca yad ahaitukam
 
"By rendering devotional service unto the Personality of Godhead, Sri 
Krsna, one immediately acquires causeless knowledge and detachment from 
the world."
 
Madhya 20.163
 
TEXT 163
 
TEXT
 
atha va bahunaitena
 kim jnatena tavarjuna
vistabhyaham idam krtsnam
 ekamsena sthito jagat
SYNONYMS
 
atha va -- or; bahuna -- much; etena -- with this; kim -- what use; 
jnatena -- being known; tava -- by you; arjuna -- O Arjuna; vistabhya -- 
pervading; aham -- I; idam -- this; krtsnam -- entire; eka-amsena -- 
with one portion; sthitah -- situated; jagat -- universe.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With 
a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from the Bhagavad-gita (10.42).
 
Madhya 20.164
 
TEXT 164
 
TEXT
 
‘bhaktye' bhagavanera anubhava -- purna-rupa
eka-i vigrahe tanra ananta svarupa
SYNONYMS
 
bhaktye -- by devotional service; bhagavanera -- of the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead; anubhava -- perception; purna-rupa -- perfectly; 
eka-i -- one; vigrahe -- in the transcendental form; tanra -- His; 
ananta -- unlimited; svarupa -- expansions of plenary portions.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Only by devotional activity can one understand the transcendental form 
of the Lord, which is perfect in all respects. Although His form is one, 
He can expand His form into unlimited numbers by His supreme will.
 
Madhya 20.165
 
TEXT 165
 
TEXT
 
svayam-rupa, tad-ekatma-rupa, avesa -- nama
prathamei tina-rupe rahena bhagavan
SYNONYMS
 
svayam-rupa -- the original form; tat-ekatma-rupa -- the same form, 
nondifferent from svayam-rupa; avesa -- especially empowered; nama -- 
named; prathamei -- in the beginning; tina-rupe -- in three forms; 
rahena -- remains; bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead exists in three principal forms -- 
svayam-rupa, tad-ekatma-rupa and avesa-rupa.
 
PURPORT
 
Srila Rupa Gosvami has described the svayam-rupa in his Laghu-
bhagavatamrta, Purva-khanda, verse 12: ananyapeksi yad rupam svayam-
rupah sa ucyate. "The form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead that 
does not depend on other forms is called the svayam-rupa, the original 
form." This form is also described in Srimad-Bhagavatam: krsnas tu 
bhagavan svayam (1.3.28). "Krsna is the original form of the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead." That Krsna's form as a cowherd boy in Vrndavana 
is the original form of the Personality of Godhead (svayam-rupa) is 
confirmed in the Brahma-samhita (5.1):
 
isvarah paramah krsnah sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah
anadir adir govindah sarva-karana-karanam
 
There is nothing superior to Govinda. He is the ultimate source and the 
cause of all causes. This is also confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita (7.7), 
where the Lord says, mattah parataram nanyat: "There is no truth 
superior to Me."
 
The tad-ekatma-rupa forms are also described in the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (
Purva-khanda, verse 14):
 
yad rupam tad-abhedena svarupena virajate
akrtyadibhir anyadrk sa tad-ekatma-rupakah
 
"The tad-ekatma-rupa forms exist simultaneously with the svayam-rupa 
form and are nondifferent. At the same time, their bodily features and 
specific activities appear to be different." The tad-ekatma-rupa forms 
are divided into two categories -- svamsa and vilasa.
 
Lord Krsna's avesa forms are also explained in the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (
Purva 18):
 
jnana-sakty-adi-kalaya yatravisto janardanah
ta avesa nigadyante jiva eva mahattamah
 
"A living entity who is specifically empowered by the Lord with 
knowledge or strength is technically called avesa-rupa." As stated in 
the Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya 7.11), krsna-sakti vina nahe tara 
pravartana: Unless a devotee is specifically empowered by the Lord, he 
cannot preach the holy name of the Lord all over the world. This is an 
explanation of the word avesa-rupa.
 
Madhya 20.166
 
TEXT 166
 
TEXT
 
'svayam-rupa' ‘svayam-prakasa' -- dui rupe sphurti
svayam-rupe -- eka ‘krsna' vraje gopa-murti
SYNONYMS
 
svayam-rupa -- the original form of the Lord; svayam-prakasa -- the 
personal manifestation; dui rupe -- in two forms; sphurti -- exhibition; 
svayam-rupe -- in the original form; eka -- one; krsna -- Krsna, the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead; vraje -- in Vrndavana; gopa-murti -- the 
cowherd boy.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The original form of the Lord [svayam-rupa] is exhibited in two forms --
 svayam-rupa and svayam-prakasa. In His original form as svayam-rupa, 
Krsna is observed as a cowherd boy in Vrndavana.
 
Madhya 20.167
 
TEXT 167
 
TEXT
 
‘prabhava-vaibhava'-rupe dvividha prakase
eka-vapu bahu rupa yaiche haila rase
SYNONYMS
 
prabhava-prabhava; vaibhava-vaibhava; rupe -- in forms; dvi-vidha 
prakase -- twofold manifestations; eka-vapu -- the same original form; 
bahu rupa -- expanded into unlimited numbers; yaiche -- like; haila -- 
it was; rase -- while dancing in the rasa dance with the gopis.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In His original form, Krsna manifests Himself in two features -- 
prabhava and vaibhava. He expands His one original form into many, as He 
did during the rasa-lila dance.
 
Madhya 20.168
 
TEXT 168
 
TEXT
 
mahisi-vivahe haila bahu-vidha murti
‘prabhava prakasa' -- ei sastra-parasiddhi
SYNONYMS
 
mahisi-vivahe -- in the matter of marrying 16,108 wives at Dvaraka; 
haila -- there were; bahu-vidha murti -- many forms; prabhava prakasa -- 
called prabhava-prakasa; ei -- this; sastra-parasiddhi -- determined by 
reference to the revealed scriptures.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When the Lord married 16,108 wives at Dvaraka, He expanded Himself into 
many forms. These expansions and the expansions at the rasa dance are 
called prabhava-prakasa, according to the directions of revealed 
scriptures.
 
Madhya 20.169
 
TEXT 169
 
TEXT
 
saubhary-adi-praya sei kaya-vyuha naya
kaya-vyuha haile naradera vismaya na haya
SYNONYMS
 
saubhari-adi -- beginning with the sage named Saubhari; praya -- like; 
sei -- that; kaya-vyuha -- the expansion of one's body; naya -- is not; 
kaya-vyuha -- expansions of the body; haile -- if there are; naradera -- 
of Narada Muni; vismaya -- the astonishment; na haya -- there cannot be.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The prabhava-prakasa expansions of Lord Krsna are not like the 
expansions of the sage Saubhari. Had they been so, Narada would not have 
been astonished to see them.
 
Madhya 20.170
 
TEXT 170
 
TEXT
 
citram bataitad ekena
 vapusa yugapat prthak
grhesu dvy-asta-sahasram
 striya eka udavahat
SYNONYMS
 
citram -- wonderful; bata -- oh; etat -- this; ekena -- with one; vapusa 
-- form; yugapat -- simultaneously; prthak -- separately; grhesu -- in 
the houses; dvi-asta-sahasram -- sixteen thousand; striyah -- all the 
queens; ekah -- the one Sri Krsna; udavahat -- married.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘It is astounding that Lord Sri Krsna, who is one without a second, 
expanded Himself in sixteen thousand similar forms to marry sixteen 
thousand queens in their respective homes.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is spoken by Narada Muni in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.69.2).
 
Madhya 20.171
 
TEXT 171
 
TEXT
 
sei vapu, sei akrti prthak yadi bhase
bhavavesa-bhede nama ‘vaibhava-prakase'
SYNONYMS
 
sei vapu -- that form; sei akrti -- that feature; prthak -- different; 
yadi -- if; bhase -- appears; bhava-avesa -- of the ecstatic emotion; 
bhede -- according to varieties; nama -- named; vaibhava-prakase -- 
vaibhava-prakasa.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"If one form or feature is differently manifested according to different 
emotional features, it is called vaibhava-prakasa.
 
Madhya 20.172
 
TEXT 172
 
TEXT
 
ananta prakase krsnera nahi murti-bheda
akara-varna-astra-bhede nama-vibheda
SYNONYMS
 
ananta prakase -- in innumerable manifestations; krsnera -- of Lord 
Krsna; nahi -- there is not; murti-bheda -- difference of form; akara -- 
of features; varna -- of color; astra -- of weapons; bhede -- according 
to differentiation; nama-vibheda -- difference of names.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When the Lord expands Himself in innumerable forms, there is no 
difference in the forms, but due to different features, bodily colors 
and weapons, the names are different.
 
Madhya 20.173
 
TEXT 173
 
TEXT
 
anye ca samskrtatmano
 vidhinabhihitena te
yajanti tvan-mayas tvam vai
 bahu-murty eka-murtikam
SYNONYMS
 
anye -- different persons; ca -- also; samskrta-atmanah -- persons who 
are purified; vidhina -- by the regulative principles; abhihitena -- 
stated in the revealed scriptures; te -- such persons; yajanti -- 
worship; tvat-mayah -- being absorbed in You; tvam -- You; vai -- 
certainly; bahu-murti -- having many forms; eka-murtikam -- although one.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘In different Vedic scriptures, there are prescribed rules and 
regulative principles for worshiping different types of forms. When one 
is purified by these rules and regulations, he worships You, the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead. Although manifested in many forms, You are one.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.40.7). In the Vedas it 
is stated that the one becomes many (eko bahu syam). The Supreme 
Personality of Godhead expands Himself in various forms -- visnu-tattva, 
jiva-tattva and sakti-tattva.
 
According to the Vedic literatures, there are different regulative 
principles for the worship of each of these forms. If one takes 
advantage of the Vedic literatures and purifies himself by following the 
rules and regulations, ultimately he worships the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead, Krsna. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita (4.11): mama 
vartmanuvartante manusyah partha sarvasah. Worship of the demigods is in 
a sense worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but such worship 
is said to be avidhi-purvakam, improper. Actually demigod worship is 
meant for unintelligent men. One who is intelligent considers the words 
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead: sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam 
saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. One who worships demigods worships the 
Supreme Lord indirectly, but according to the revealed scriptures, there 
is no need to worship Him indirectly. One can worship Him directly.
 
Madhya 20.174
 
TEXT 174
 
TEXT
 
vaibhava-prakasa krsnera -- sri-balarama
varna-matra-bheda, saba -- krsnera samana
SYNONYMS
 
vaibhava-prakasa -- manifestation of the vaibhava feature; krsnera -- of 
Lord Krsna; sri-balarama -- Sri Balarama; varna-matra -- color only; 
bheda -- difference; saba -- everything; krsnera samana -- equal to 
Krsna.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The first manifestation of the vaibhava feature of Krsna is Sri 
Balaramaji. Sri Balarama and Krsna have different bodily colors, but 
otherwise Sri Balarama is equal to Krsna in all respects.
 
PURPORT
 
To explain the difference between svayam-rupa, tad-ekatma-rupa, avesa,
 prabhava and vaibhava, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has given the 
following description. In the beginning, Krsna has three bodily features:
 (1) svayam-rupa, as a cowherd boy in Vrndavana; (2) tad-ekatma-rupa, 
which is divided into svamsaka and vilasa; and (3) avesa-rupa. The 
svamsaka, or expansions of the personal potency, are (1) Karanodakasayi, 
Garbhodakasayi, Ksirodakasayi and (2) incarnations such as the fish, 
tortoise, boar and Nrsimha. The vilasa-rupa has a prabhava division, 
including Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. There is also a 
vaibhava division, in which there are twenty-four forms, including the 
second Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. For each of these, 
there are three forms; therefore there are twelve forms altogether. 
These twelve forms constitute the predominant names for the twelve 
months of the year as well as the twelve tilaka marks on the body. Each 
of the four Personalities of Godhead expands into two other forms; thus 
there are eight forms, such as Purusottama, Acyuta, etc. The four forms (
Vasudeva, etc.), the twelve (Kesava, etc.), and the eight (Purusottama, 
etc.) all together constitute twenty-four forms. The forms are 
differently named in accordance with the placement of the weapons They 
hold in Their four hands.
 
Madhya 20.175
 
TEXT 175
 
TEXT
 
vaibhava-prakasa yaiche devaki-tanuja
dvibhuja-svarupa kabhu, kabhu haya caturbhuja
SYNONYMS
 
vaibhava-prakasa -- the feature of vaibhava-prakasa; yaiche -- just as; 
devaki-tanuja -- the son of Devaki; dvi-bhuja -- two-handed; svarupa -- 
form; kabhu -- sometimes; kabhu -- sometimes; haya -- is; catur-bhuja -- 
four-handed.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"An example of vaibhava-prakasa is the son of Devaki. He sometimes has 
two hands and sometimes four hands.
 
PURPORT
 
When Lord Krsna took His birth, He appeared outside the womb as four-
handed Visnu. Then Devaki and Vasudeva offered their prayers to Him and 
asked Him to assume His two-handed form. The Lord immediately assumed 
His two-handed form and ordered that He be transferred to Gokula, on the 
other side of the river Yamuna.
 
Madhya 20.176
 
TEXT 176
 
TEXT
 
ye-kale dvibhuja, nama -- vaibhava-prakasa
caturbhuja haile, nama -- prabhava-prakasa
SYNONYMS
 
ye-kale dvi-bhuja -- when the Lord appears as two-handed; nama -- named; 
vaibhava-prakasa -- vaibhava-prakasa; catur-bhuja haile -- when He 
becomes four-handed; nama -- named; prabhava-prakasa -- prabhava-prakasa.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When the Lord is two-handed He is called vaibhava-prakasa, and when He 
is four-handed He is called prabhava-prakasa.
 
Madhya 20.177
 
TEXT 177
 
TEXT
 
svayam-rupera gopa-vesa, gopa-abhimana
vasudevera ksatriya-vesa, ‘ami -- ksatriya'-jnana
SYNONYMS
 
svayam-rupera -- of the original form; gopa-vesa -- the dress of a 
cowherd boy; gopa-abhimana -- thinking Himself a cowherd boy; vasudevera 
-- of Vasudeva, the son of Vasudeva and Devaki; ksatriya-vesa -- the 
dress is like that of a ksatriya; ami -- I; ksatriya -- a ksatriya; 
jnana -- knowledge.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In His original form, the Lord dresses like a cowherd boy and thinks 
Himself one. When He appears as Vasudeva, the son of Vasudeva and Devaki,
 His dress and consciousness are those of a ksatriya, a warrior.
 
Madhya 20.178
 
TEXT 178
 
TEXT
 
saundarya, aisvarya, madhurya, vaidagdhya-vilasa
vrajendra-nandane iha adhika ullasa
SYNONYMS
 
saundarya -- the beauty; aisvarya -- the opulence; madhurya -- the 
sweetness; vaidagdhya-vilasa -- the intellectual pastimes; vrajendra-
nandane -- of the son of Nanda Maharaja and Yasoda; iha -- all these; 
adhika ullasa -- more jubilant.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When one compares the beauty, opulence, sweetness and intellectual 
pastimes of Vasudeva, the warrior, to Krsna, the cowherd boy, son of 
Nanda Maharaja, one sees that Krsna's attributes are more pleasant.
 
Madhya 20.179
 
TEXT 179
 
TEXT
 
govindera madhuri dekhi' vasudevera ksobha
se madhuri asvadite upajaya lobha
SYNONYMS
 
govindera -- of Lord Govinda; madhuri -- the sweetness; dekhi' -- seeing;
 vasudevera -- of Vasudeva; ksobha -- agitation; se-that; madhuri -- 
sweetness; asvadite -- to taste; upajaya -- awakens; lobha -- greed.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Indeed, Vasudeva is agitated just to see the sweetness of Govinda, and 
a transcendental greed awakens in Him to enjoy that sweetness.
 
Madhya 20.180
 
TEXT 180
 
TEXT
 
udgirnadbhuta-madhuri-parimalasyabhira-lilasya me
 dvaitam hanta samiksayan muhur asau citriyate caranah
cetah keli-kutuhalottaralitam satyam sakhe mamakam
 yasya preksya svarupatam vraja-vadhu-sarupyam anvicchati
SYNONYMS
 
udgirna -- overflowing; adbhuta -- wonderful; madhuri -- sweetness; 
parimalasya -- whose fragrance; abhira -- of a cowherd boy; lilasya -- 
who has pastimes; me -- My; dvaitam -- second form; hanta -- alas; 
samiksayan -- showing; muhuh -- again and again; asau -- that; citriyate 
-- is acting like a picture; caranah -- dramatic actor; cetah -- heart; 
keli-kutuhala -- by longing for pastimes; uttaralitam -- greatly excited;
 satyam -- actually; sakhe -- O dear friend; mamakam -- My; yasya -- of 
whom; preksya -- by seeing; svarupatam -- similarity to My form; vraja-
vadhu -- of the damsels of Vrajabhumi; sarupyam -- a form like the forms;
 anvicchati -- desires.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘My dear friend, this dramatic actor appears like a second form of My 
own self. Like a picture, He displays My pastimes as a cowherd boy 
overflowing with wonderfully attractive sweetness and fragrance, which 
are so dear to the damsels of Vraja. When I see such a display, My heart 
becomes greatly excited. I long for such pastimes and desire a form 
exactly like that of the damsels of Vraja.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is found in the Lalita-madhava (4.19). It was spoken by 
Vasudeva in Dvaraka.
 
Madhya 20.181
 
TEXT 181
 
TEXT
 
mathuraya yaiche gandharva-nrtya-darasane
punah dvarakate yaiche citra-vilokane
SYNONYMS
 
mathuraya -- at Mathura; yaiche -- just as; gandharva-nrtya -- the dance 
of the Gandharvas; darasane -- by seeing; punah -- again; dvarakate -- 
at Dvaraka; yaiche -- just as; citra-vilokane -- by seeing a picture of 
Krsna.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"One instance of Vasudeva's attraction to Krsna occurred when Vasudeva 
saw the Gandharva dance at Mathura. Another instance occurred in Dvaraka 
when Vasudeva was surprised to see a picture of Krsna.
 
Madhya 20.182
 
TEXT 182
 
TEXT
 
aparikalita-purvah kas camatkara-kari
 sphuratu mama gariyan esa madhurya-purah
ayam aham api hanta preksya yam lubdha-cetah
 sarabhasam upabhoktum kamaye radhikeva
SYNONYMS
 
aparikalita -- not experienced; purvah -- previously; kah -- who; 
camatkara-kari -- causing wonder; sphuratu -- manifests; mama -- My; 
gariyan -- more great; esah -- this; madhurya-purah -- abundance of 
sweetness; ayam -- this; aham -- I; api -- even; hanta -- alas; preksya -
- seeing; yam -- which; lubdha-cetah -- My mind being bewildered; 
sarabhasam -- impetuously; upabhoktum -- to enjoy; kamaye -- desire; 
radhika iva -- like Srimati Radharani.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Who manifests an abundance of sweetness greater than Mine, which has 
never been experienced before and which causes wonder to all? Alas, I 
Myself, My mind bewildered upon seeing this beauty, impetuously desire 
to enjoy it like Srimati Radharani.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse spoken by Vasudeva in Dvaraka is also recorded by Srila Rupa 
Gosvami in his Lalita-madhava (8.34).
 
Madhya 20.183
 
TEXT 183
 
TEXT
 
sei vapu bhinnabhase kichu bhinnakara
bhavavesakrti-bhede ‘tad-ekatma' nama tanra
SYNONYMS
 
sei vapu -- that body; bhinna-abhase -- manifested differently; kichu -- 
some; bhinna-akara -- bodily differences; bhava-avesa-akrti -- forms and 
transcendental emotions; bhede -- by different; tat-ekatma nama -- the 
name is tad-ekatma; tanra -- of Krsna.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When that body is a little differently manifested and its features are 
a little different in transcendental emotion and form, it is called tad-
ekatma.
 
Madhya 20.184
 
TEXT 184
 
TEXT
 
tad-ekatma-rupe ‘vilasa', ‘svamsa' -- dui bheda
vilasa, svamsera bhede vividha vibheda
SYNONYMS
 
tat-ekatma-rupe -- in the form of tad-ekatma; vilasa -- pastime; svamsa -
- personal expansion; dui bheda -- two divisions; vilasa -- of the 
pastime expansion; svamsera -- of the personal expansion; bhede -- by 
differences; vividha -- various; vibheda -- distinctions.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the tad-ekatma-rupa there are pastime expansions [vilasa] and 
personal expansions [svamsa]. Consequently there are two divisions. 
According to pastime and personal expansion, there are various 
differences.
 
PURPORT
 
The Lord's vilasa expansions are described in the following verse from 
the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (1.15):
 
svarupam anyakaram yat tasya bhati vilasatah
prayenatma-samam saktya sa vilaso nigadyate
 
"When the Lord displays numerous forms with different features by His 
inconceivable potency, such forms are called vilasa-vigrahas."
 
The Lord's svamsa expansions are also described in the Laghu-
bhagavatamrta (1.17):
 
tadrso nyuna-saktim yo vyanakti svamsa iritah
sankarsanadir matsyadir yatha tat-tat-svadhamasu
 
When a form of Krsna is nondifferent from the original form but is less 
important and exhibits less potency, it is called svamsa. Examples of 
svamsa expansions can be found in the quadruple forms of the Lord 
residing in Their respective places, beginning with Sankarsana, Vasudeva,
 Pradyumna and Aniruddha, and also in the purusa-avataras, lila-avataras,
 manvantara-avataras and yuga-avataras.
 
Madhya 20.185
 
TEXT 185
 
TEXT
 
prabhava-vaibhava-bhede vilasa -- dvidhakara
vilasera vilasa-bheda -- ananta prakara
SYNONYMS
 
prabhava-vaibhava-bhede -- by the differences between prabhava and 
vaibhava; vilasa -- pastime expansion; dvidha-akara -- twofold; vilasera 
-- of pastime forms; vilasa-bheda -- by the different pastimes; ananta 
prakara -- unlimited varieties.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Again the vilasa forms are divided into twofold categories -- prabhava 
and vaibhava. Again the pastimes of these forms are of unlimited variety.
 
Madhya 20.186
 
TEXT 186
 
TEXT
 
prabhava-vilasa -- vasudeva, sankarsana
pradyumna, aniruddha, -- mukhya cari-jana
SYNONYMS
 
prabhava-vilasa -- the prabhava-vilasa forms; vasudeva -- Vasudeva; 
sankarsana -- Sankarsana; pradyumna -- Pradyumna; aniruddha -- Aniruddha;
 mukhya cari-jana -- the four chief expansions.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The chief quadruple expansions are named Vasudeva, Sankarsana, 
Pradyumna and Aniruddha. These are called prabhava-vilasa.
 
Madhya 20.187
 
TEXT 187
 
TEXT
 
vraje gopa-bhava ramera, pure ksatriya-bhavana
varna-vesa-bheda, tate ‘vilasa' tanra nama
SYNONYMS
 
vraje -- in Vrndavana; gopa-bhava -- emotion of a cowherd boy; ramera -- 
of Balarama; pure -- in Dvaraka; ksatriya-bhavana -- the emotion of a 
ksatriya; varna-vesa-bheda -- by differences of dress and color; tate -- 
therefore; vilasa -- pastime expansion; tanra nama -- His name.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Balarama, who has the same original form as Krsna, is Himself a cowherd 
boy in Vrndavana, and He also considers Himself a member of the ksatriya 
race in Dvaraka. Thus His color and dress are different, and He is 
called a pastime form of Krsna.
 
Madhya 20.188
 
TEXT 188
 
TEXT
 
vaibhava-prakase ara prabhava-vilase
eka-i murtye baladeva bhava-bhede bhase
SYNONYMS
 
vaibhava-prakase -- in vaibhava manifestation; ara -- and; prabhava-
vilase -- in the prabhava pastime form; eka-i murtye -- in one form; 
baladeva -- Lord Baladeva; bhava-bhede -- according to different 
emotions; bhase -- exists.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Sri Balarama is a vaibhava-prakasa manifestation of Krsna. He is also 
manifested in the original quadruple expansions of Vasudeva, Sankarsana, 
Pradyumna and Aniruddha. These are prabhava-vilasa expansions with 
different emotions.
 
Madhya 20.189
 
TEXT 189
 
TEXT
 
adi-catur-vyuha -- inhara keha nahi sama
ananta catur-vyuha-ganera prakatya-karana
SYNONYMS
 
adi-catur-vyuha -- the original quadruple group; inhara -- of this; keha 
nahi -- no one; sama -- equal; ananta -- unlimited; catur-vyuha-ganera --
 of the quadruple expansions; prakatya -- of manifestation; karana -- 
the cause.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The first expansion of the caturvyuha, quadruple forms, is unique. 
There is nothing to compare with Them. These quadruple forms are the 
source of unlimited quadruple forms.
 
Madhya 20.190
 
TEXT 190
 
TEXT
 
krsnera ei cari prabhava-vilasa
dvaraka-mathura-pure nitya inhara vasa
SYNONYMS
 
krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; ei -- these; cari -- four; prabhava-vilasa -- 
prabhava pastime forms; dvaraka-mathura-pure -- in the two cities 
Dvaraka and Mathura; nitya -- eternal; inhara -- of Them; vasa -- the 
residential quarters.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"These four prabhava pastime forms of Lord Krsna reside eternally in 
Dvaraka and Mathura.
 
Madhya 20.191
 
TEXT 191
 
TEXT
 
ei cari haite cabbisa murti parakasa
astra-bhede nama-bheda -- vaibhava-vilasa
SYNONYMS
 
ei cari haite -- from these four; cabbisa -- twenty-four; murti -- forms;
 parakasa -- manifestation; astra-bhede -- according to the different 
weapons; nama-bheda -- the difference of names; vaibhava-vilasa -- the 
vaibhava pastime expansions.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"From the original quadruple expansions, twenty-four forms are 
manifested. They differ according to the placement of the weapons in 
Their four hands. They are called vaibhava-vilasa.
 
Madhya 20.192
 
TEXT 192
 
TEXT
 
punah krsna catur-vyuha lana purva-rupe
paravyoma-madhye vaise narayana-rupe
SYNONYMS
 
punah -- again; krsna -- Krsna; catur-vyuha -- the quadruple expansions; 
lana -- taking; purva-rupe -- as previously; paravyoma-madhye -- in the 
paravyoma area; vaise -- resides; narayana-rupe -- in the form of four-
handed Narayana.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Krsna again expands, and within the paravyoma, the spiritual sky, 
He is situated in fullness as the four-handed Narayana, accompanied by 
expansions of the original quadruple form.
 
PURPORT
 
At the top of the paravyoma, the spiritual sky, there is Goloka 
Vrndavana, which is divided into three parts. Two of the parts, called 
Mathura and Dvaraka, are the residences of Krsna in His prabhava-vilasa 
forms. Balarama, Krsna's vaibhava-prakasa, is eternally situated in 
Gokula. From the quadruple prabhava-vilasa, twenty-four forms of the 
vaibhava-vilasa are expanded. Each has four hands holding weapons in 
different positions. The topmost planet in the spiritual sky is Goloka 
Vrndavana, and below that planet is the spiritual sky itself. In that 
spiritual sky, Krsna Himself is four-handed and is situated as Narayana.
 
Madhya 20.193
 
TEXT 193
 
TEXT
 
tanha haite punah catur-vyuha-parakasa
avarana-rupe cari-dike yanra vasa
SYNONYMS
 
tanha haite -- from that original catur-vyuha; punah -- again; catur-
vyuha-parakasa -- manifestation of quadruple expansions; avarana-rupe -- 
in the form of a covering; cari-dike -- in four directions; yanra -- 
whose; vasa -- residence.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Thus the original quadruple forms again manifest Themselves in a second 
set of quadruple expansions. The residences of these second quadruple 
expansions cover the four directions.
 
Madhya 20.194
 
TEXT 194
 
TEXT
 
cari-janera punah prthak tina tina murti
kesavadi yaha haite vilasera purti
SYNONYMS
 
cari-janera -- of the original of the four expansions; punah -- again; 
prthak -- separate; tina tina -- three each; murti -- forms; kesava-adi -
- beginning with Lord Kesava; yaha haite -- from which; vilasera purti --
 the vilasa expansions are fulfilled.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Again these quadruple forms expand three times, beginning with Kesava. 
That is the fulfillment of the pastime forms.
 
Madhya 20.195
 
TEXT 195
 
TEXT
 
cakradi-dharana-bhede nama-bheda saba
vasudevera murti -- kesava, narayana, madhava
SYNONYMS
 
cakra-adi -- of the disc and other weapons; dharana -- of holding; bhede 
-- by differences; nama -- of names; bheda -- differences; saba -- all; 
vasudevera murti -- the expansions of Vasudeva; kesava -- Kesava; 
narayana -- Narayana; madhava -- Madhava.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Out of the catur-vyuha, there are three expansions of each and every 
form, and They are named differently according to the position of the 
weapons. The Vasudeva expansions are Kesava, Narayana and Madhava.
 
Madhya 20.196
 
TEXT 196
 
TEXT
 
sankarsanera murti -- govinda, visnu, madhusudana
e anya govinda -- nahe vrajendra-nandana
SYNONYMS
 
sankarsanera murti -- the expansions of Sankarsana; govinda -- Govinda; 
visnu -- Visnu; madhusudana -- Madhusudana; e -- this; anya -- another; 
govinda -- Govinda; nahe vrajendra-nandana -- not the son of Nanda 
Maharaja.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The expansions of Sankarsana are Govinda, Visnu and Madhusudana. This 
Govinda is different from the original Govinda, for He is not the son of 
Maharaja Nanda.
 
Madhya 20.197
 
TEXT 197
 
TEXT
 
pradyumnera murti -- trivikrama, vamana, sridhara
aniruddhera murti -- hrsikesa, padmanabha, damodara
SYNONYMS
 
pradyumnera murti -- expansions of the form of Pradyumna; trivikrama -- 
Trivikrama; vamana -- Vamana; sridhara -- Sridhara; aniruddhera murti -- 
expansions of Aniruddha; hrsikesa -- Hrsikesa; padmanabha -- Padmanabha; 
damodara -- Damodara.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The expansions of Pradyumna are Trivikrama, Vamana and Sridhara. The 
expansions of Aniruddha are Hrsikesa, Padmanabha and Damodara.
 
Madhya 20.198
 
TEXT 198
 
TEXT
 
dvadasa-masera devata -- ei-bara jana
margasirse -- kesava, pause -- narayana
SYNONYMS
 
dvadasa-masera -- of the twelve months; devata -- predominating Deities; 
ei -- these; bara jana -- twelve Personalities of Godhead; marga-sirse --
 the month of Agrahayana (November–December); kesava -- Kesava; pause -- 
the month of Pausa (December–January); narayana -- Narayana.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"These twelve are the predominating Deities of the twelve months. Kesava 
is the predominating Deity of Agrahayana, and Narayana is the 
predominating Deity of Pausa.
 
Madhya 20.199
 
TEXT 199
 
TEXT
 
maghera devata -- madhava, govinda -- phalgune
caitre -- visnu, vaisakhe -- sri-madhusudana
SYNONYMS
 
maghera devata -- the predominating Deity of the month of Magha (January-
February); madhava -- Madhava; govinda -- Govinda; phalgune -- in the 
month of Phalguna (February-March); caitre -- in the month of Caitra (
March-April); visnu -- Lord Visnu; vaisakhe -- in the month of Vaisakha (
April-May); sri-madhusudana -- Madhusudana.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The predominating Deity of the month of Magha is Madhava, and the 
predominating Deity of the month of Phalguna is Govinda. Visnu is the 
predominating Deity of Caitra, and Madhusudana is the predominating 
Deity of Vaisakha.
 
Madhya 20.200
 
TEXT 200
 
TEXT
 
jyaisthe -- trivikrama, asadhe -- vamana devesa
sravane -- sridhara, bhadre -- deva hrsikesa
SYNONYMS
 
jyaisthe -- in the month of Jyaistha (May–June); trivikrama -- 
Trivikrama; asadhe -- in the month of Asadha (June–July); vamana deva-
isa -- Lord Vamana; sravane -- in the month of Sravana (July–August); 
sridhara -- Sridhara; bhadre -- in the month of Bhadra (August–September)
; deva hrsikesa -- Lord Hrsikesa.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the month of Jyaistha, the predominating Deity is Trivikrama. In 
Asadha the Deity is Vamana, in Sravana the Deity is Sridhara, and in 
Bhadra the Deity is Hrsikesa.
 
Madhya 20.201
 
TEXT 201
 
TEXT
 
asvine -- padmanabha, kartike damodara
‘radha-damodara' anya vrajendra-konara
SYNONYMS
 
asvine -- in the month of Asvina (September–October); padmanabha -- 
Padmanabha; kartike -- in the month of Karttika (October–November); 
damodara -- Damodara; radha-damodara -- the Damodara of Srimati 
Radharani; anya -- another; vrajendra-konara -- the son of Maharaja 
Nanda.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the month of Asvina, the predominating Deity is Padmanabha, and in 
Karttika it is Damodara. This Damodara is different from Radha-Damodara, 
the son of Nanda Maharaja in Vrndavana.
 
Madhya 20.202
 
TEXT 202
 
TEXT
 
dvadasa-tilaka-mantra ei dvadasa nama
acamane ei name sparsi tat-tat-sthana
SYNONYMS
 
dvadasa-tilaka -- for twelve marks of tilaka; mantra -- the mantra; ei --
 these; dvadasa nama -- twelve names; acamane -- in washing with water; 
ei name -- with these names; sparsi -- we touch; tat-tat-sthana -- the 
respective places.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When putting the twelve tilaka marks on the twelve places of the body, 
one has to chant the mantra consisting of these twelve Visnu names. 
Also, when one anoints the different parts of the body 
with water, these names should be chanted as one touches each part of 
the body.
 
PURPORT
 
While marking the body with tilaka, one should chant the following 
mantra, which consists of twelve names of Lord Visnu:
 
lalate kesavam dhyayen narayanam athodare
vaksah-sthale madhavam tu govindam kantha-kupake
 
visnum ca daksine kuksau bahau ca madhusudanam
trivikramam kandhare tu vamanam vama-parsvake
 
sridharam vama-bahau tu hrsikesam tu kandhare
prsthe ca padmanabham ca katyam damodaram nyaset
 
"When one marks the forehead with tilaka, he must remember Kesava. When 
one marks the lower abdomen, he must remember Narayana. For the chest, 
one should remember Madhava, and when marking the hollow of the neck one 
should remember Govinda. Lord Visnu should be remembered while marking 
the right side of the belly, and Madhusudana should be remembered when 
marking the right arm. Trivikrama should be remembered when marking the 
right shoulder, and Vamana should be remembered when marking the left 
side of the belly. Sridhara should be remembered while marking the left 
arm, and Hrsikesa should be remembered when marking the left shoulder. 
Padmanabha and Damodara should be remembered when marking the back."
 
Madhya 20.203
 
TEXT 203
 
TEXT
 
ei cari-janera vilasa-murti ara asta jana
tan sabara nama kahi, suna sanatana
SYNONYMS
 
ei cari-janera -- of the four personalities; vilasa-murti -- pastime 
forms; ara -- more; asta jana -- eight personalities; tan sabara -- of 
all of Them; nama -- the holy names; kahi -- I shall mention; suna -- 
hear; sanatana -- O Sanatana.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"From Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha, there are eight 
additional pastime expansions. O Sanatana, please hear Me as I mention 
Their names.
 
Madhya 20.204
 
TEXT 204
 
TEXT
 
purusottama, acyuta, nrsimha, janardana
hari, krsna, adhoksaja, upendra, -- asta-jana
SYNONYMS
 
purusottama -- Purusottama; acyuta -- Acyuta; nrsimha -- Nrsimha; 
janardana -- Janardana; hari -- Hari; krsna -- Krsna; adhoksaja -- 
Adhoksaja; upendra -- Upendra; asta-jana -- eight persons.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The eight pastime expansions are Purusottama, Acyuta, Nrsimha, 
Janardana, Hari, Krsna, Adhoksaja and Upendra.
 
Madhya 20.205
 
TEXT 205
 
TEXT
 
vasudevera vilasa dui -- adhoksaja, purusottama
sankarsanera vilasa -- upendra, acyuta dui-jana
SYNONYMS
 
vasudevera vilasa -- the pastime expansions of Vasudeva; dui -- two; 
adhoksaja -- Adhoksaja; purusottama -- Purusottama; sankarsanera vilasa -
- the pastime expansions of Sankarsana; upendra -- Upendra; acyuta -- 
Acyuta; dui-jana -- the two persons.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Of these eight expansions, two are pastime forms of Vasudeva. Their 
names are Adhoksaja and Purusottama. The two pastime forms of Sankarsana 
are Upendra and Acyuta.
 
Madhya 20.206
 
TEXT 206
 
TEXT
 
pradyumnera vilasa -- nrsimha, janardana
aniruddhera vilasa -- hari, krsna dui-jana
SYNONYMS
 
pradyumnera vilasa -- the pastime forms of Pradyumna; nrsimha -- Nrsimha;
 janardana -- Janardana; aniruddhera vilasa -- the pastime forms of 
Aniruddha; hari -- Hari; krsna -- Krsna; dui-jana -- the two persons.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The pastime forms of Pradyumna are Nrsimha and Janardana, and the 
pastime forms of Aniruddha are Hari and Krsna.
 
Madhya 20.207
 
TEXT 207
 
TEXT
 
ei cabbisa murti -- prabhava-vilasa pradhana
astra-dharana-bhede dhare bhinna bhinna nama
SYNONYMS
 
ei cabbisa murti -- all of these twenty-four forms; prabhava-vilasa -- 
pastime forms of the prabhava expansions; pradhana -- chief; astra-
dharana -- of holding the weapons; bhede -- in terms of differences; 
dhare -- accept; bhinna bhinna -- separate from one another; nama -- 
names.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"All these twenty-four forms constitute the chief prabhava-vilasa 
pastime forms of the Lord. They are named differently according to the 
position of the weapons in Their hands.
 
Madhya 20.208
 
TEXT 208
 
TEXT
 
inhara madhye yahara haya akara-vesa-bheda
sei sei haya vilasa-vaibhava-vibheda
SYNONYMS
 
inhara madhye -- out of Them all; yahara -- of whom; haya -- there is; 
akara -- of bodily features; vesa -- of dress; bheda -- difference; sei 
sei haya -- They are; vilasa-vaibhava -- of vaibhava-vilasa; vibheda -- 
the difference.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Of all these, the forms that differ in dress and features are 
distinguished as vaibhava-vilasa.
 
Madhya 20.209
 
TEXT 209
 
TEXT
 
padmanabha, trivikrama, nrsimha, vamana
hari, krsna adi haya ‘akare' vilaksana
SYNONYMS
 
padmanabha -- Padmanabha; trivikrama -- Trivikrama; nrsimha -- Nrsimha; 
vamana -- Vamana; hari -- Hari; krsna -- Krsna; adi -- and so on; haya --
 are; akare vilaksana -- different in bodily features.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Of Them, Padmanabha, Trivikrama, Nrsimha, Vamana, Hari, Krsna and so on 
all have different bodily features.
 
Madhya 20.210
 
TEXT 210
 
TEXT
 
krsnera prabhava-vilasa -- vasudevadi cari jana
sei cari-janara vilasa -- vimsati ganana
SYNONYMS
 
krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; prabhava-vilasa -- prabhava pastime forms; 
vasudeva-adi -- Vasudeva and others; cari jana -- quadruple expansions; 
sei -- those; cari-janara -- of the four personalities; vilasa -- 
pastime forms; vimsati ganana -- counted as twenty.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Vasudeva and the three others are direct prabhava pastime forms of Lord 
Krsna. Of these quadruple forms, the pastime expansions are twenty in 
number.
 
Madhya 20.211
 
TEXT 211
 
TEXT
 
inha-sabara prthak vaikuntha -- paravyoma-dhame
purvadi asta-dike tina tina krame
SYNONYMS
 
inha -- of Them; sabara -- of all; prthak -- separate; vaikuntha -- a 
Vaikuntha planet; paravyoma-dhame -- in the spiritual world; purva-adi --
 beginning from the east; asta-dike -- in the eight directions; tina 
tina -- three in each; krame -- in consecutive order.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"All these forms preside over different Vaikuntha planets in the 
spiritual world. Beginning from the east, in consecutive order there 
are three different forms in each of the eight 
directions.
 
Madhya 20.212
 
TEXT 212
 
TEXT
 
yadyapi paravyoma sabakara nitya-dhama
tathapi brahmande karo kanho sannidhana
SYNONYMS
 
yadyapi -- although; paravyoma -- the spiritual sky; sabakara -- of all 
of Them; nitya-dhama -- the eternal abode; tathapi -- still; brahmande --
 in the material universes; karo -- of some of Them; kanho -- somewhere; 
sannidhana -- the residential places.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Although They all have Their residences eternally in the spiritual sky, 
some of Them are situated within the material universes.
 
Madhya 20.213
 
TEXT 213
 
TEXT
 
paravyoma-madhye narayanera nitya-sthiti
paravyoma-upari krsnalokera vibhuti
SYNONYMS
 
paravyoma-madhye -- in the spiritual sky; narayanera -- of Narayana; 
nitya-sthiti -- eternal residence; paravyoma-upari -- in the upper 
portion of the spiritual sky; krsna-lokera vibhuti -- the opulence of 
the Krsnaloka planet.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There is an eternal residence of Narayana in the spiritual sky. In the 
upper portion of the spiritual sky is a planet known as Krsnaloka, which 
is filled with all opulences.
 
Madhya 20.214
 
TEXT 214
 
TEXT
 
eka ‘krsnaloka' haya trividha-prakara
gokulakhya, mathurakhya, dvarakakhya ara
SYNONYMS
 
eka -- one; krsna-loka -- the planet known as Krsnaloka; haya -- there 
is; tri-vidha-prakara -- in three different divisions; gokula-akhya -- 
Gokula; mathura-akhya -- Mathura; dvaraka-akhya -- Dvaraka; ara -- and.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The planet of Krsnaloka is divided into three sections -- Gokula, 
Mathura and Dvaraka.
 
Madhya 20.215
 
TEXT 215
 
TEXT
 
mathurate kesavera nitya sannidhana
nilacale purusottama -- ‘jagannatha' nama
SYNONYMS
 
mathurate -- in Mathura; kesavera -- of Lord Kesava; nitya -- eternal; 
sannidhana -- residence; nilacale -- in Nilacala (Jagannatha Puri); 
purusottama -- Purusottama; jagannatha nama -- also known as Jagannatha.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Kesava eternally resides at Mathura, and Lord Purusottama, known 
by the name Jagannatha, eternally resides at Nilacala.
 
Madhya 20.216
 
TEXT 216
 
TEXT
 
prayage madhava, mandare sri-madhusudana
anandaranye vasudeva, padmanabha janardana
SYNONYMS
 
prayage -- at Prayaga; madhava -- Bindu Madhava; mandare -- at Mandara-
parvata; sri-madhusudana -- Sri Madhusudana; ananda-aranye -- at the 
place known as Anandaranya; vasudeva -- Lord Vasudeva; padmanabha -- 
Lord Padmanabha; janardana -- Lord Janardana.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"At Prayaga, the Lord is situated as Bindu Madhava, and at Mandara-
parvata, the Lord is known as Madhusudana. Vasudeva, Padmanabha and 
Janardana reside at Anandaranya.
 
Madhya 20.217
 
TEXT 217
 
TEXT
 
visnu-kancite visnu, hari rahe, mayapure
aiche ara nana murti brahmanda-bhitare
SYNONYMS
 
visnu-kancite -- at Visnu-kanci; visnu -- Lord Visnu; hari -- Lord Hari; 
rahe -- remains; mayapure -- at Mayapur; aiche -- similarly; ara -- also;
 nana -- various; murti -- forms; brahmanda-bhitare -- throughout the 
universe.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"At Visnu-kanci there is Lord Visnu, at Mayapur Lord Hari, and 
throughout the universe a variety of other forms.
 
PURPORT
 
All of these forms are murti forms, and They are worshiped in the 
temples. Their names are Kesava at Mathura, Purusottama or Jagannatha at 
Nilacala, Sri Bindu Madhava at Prayaga, Madhusudana at Mandara, and 
Vasudeva, Padmanabha and Janardana at Anandaranya, which is situated in 
Kerala, South India. At Visnu-kanci is Lord Varadaraja, and Hari is 
situated at Mayapur, Lord Caitanya's birth site. Thus in different 
places throughout the universe there are various Deities in temples 
bestowing Their causeless mercy upon the devotees. All these Deity forms 
are nondifferent from the murtis in the spiritual world of the 
Vaikunthas. Although the arca-murti, the worshipable Deity form of the 
Lord, appears to be made of material elements, it is as good as the 
spiritual forms found in the spiritual Vaikunthalokas. The Deity in the 
temple, however, is visible to the material eyes of the devotee. It is 
not possible for one in material, conditioned life to see the spiritual 
form of the Lord. To bestow causeless mercy upon us, the Lord appears as 
the arca-murti so that we can see Him. It is forbidden to consider the 
arca-murti to be made of stone or wood. In the Padma Purana it is said:
 
arcye visnau sila-dhir gurusu nara-matir vaisnave jati-buddhir
 visnor va vaisnavanam kali-mala-mathane pada-tirthe 'mbu-buddhih
sri-visnor namni mantre sakala-kalusa-he sabda-samanya-buddhir
 visnau sarvesvarese tad-itara-sama-dhir yasya va naraki sah
 
No one should consider the Deity in the temple to be made of stone or 
wood, nor should one consider the spiritual master an ordinary human 
being. No one should consider a Vaisnava to belong to a particular caste 
or creed, and no one should consider caranamrta or Ganges water to be 
like ordinary water. Nor should anyone consider the Hare Krsna maha-
mantra to be a material vibration. All these expansions of Krsna in the 
material world are simply demonstrations of the Lord's mercy and 
willingness to give facility to His devotees who are engaged in His 
devotional service within the material world.
 
Madhya 20.218
 
TEXT 218
 
TEXT
 
ei-mata brahmanda-madhye sabara ‘parakasa'
sapta-dvipe nava-khande yanhara vilasa
SYNONYMS
 
ei-mata -- in this way; brahmanda-madhye -- within this universe; sabara 
-- of all of Them; parakasa -- manifestations; sapta-dvipe -- on seven 
islands; nava-khande -- in different sections, nine in number; yanhara 
vilasa -- the pastimes of whom.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Within the universe the Lord is situated in different spiritual 
manifestations. These are situated on seven islands in nine sections. 
Thus Their pastimes are going on.
 
PURPORT
 
The seven islands are mentioned in the Siddhanta-siromani:
 
bhumer ardham ksara-sindhor udak-stham
 jambu-dvipam prahur acarya-varyah
 
ardhe 'nyasmin dvipa-satkasya yamye
 ksara-ksirady-ambudhinam nivesah
 
sakam tatah salmalam atra kausam
 krauncam ca gomedaka-puskare ca
 
dvayor dvayor antaram ekam ekam
 samudrayor dvipam udaharanti
 
The seven islands (dvipas) are known as (1) Jambu, (2) Saka, (3) Salmali,
 (4) Kusa, (5) Kraunca, (6) Gomeda, or Plaksa, and (7) Puskara. The 
planets are called dvipas. Outer space is like an ocean of air. Just as 
there are islands in the watery ocean, these planets in the ocean of 
space are called dvipas, or islands in outer space. There are nine 
khandas, known as (1) Bharata, (2) Kinnara, (3) Hari, (4) Kuru, (5) 
Hiranmaya, (6) Ramyaka, (7) Ilavrta, (8) Bhadrasva and (9) Ketumala. 
These are different parts of Jambudvipa. A valley between two mountains 
is called a khanda or varsa.
 
Madhya 20.219
 
TEXT 219
 
TEXT
 
sarvatra prakasa tanra -- bhakte sukha dite
jagatera adharma nasi' dharma sthapite
SYNONYMS
 
sarvatra -- everywhere; prakasa -- manifestations; tanra -- His; bhakte -
- to the devotees; sukha dite -- to give happiness; jagatera -- of the 
material world; adharma -- irreligious principles; nasi' -- destroying; 
dharma -- religious principles; sthapite -- to establish.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The Lord is situated in all the universes in different forms just to 
please His devotees. Thus the Lord destroys irreligious principles and 
establishes religious principles.
 
PURPORT
 
In the material world, the Lord is situated in different arca-murtis (
Deities) in the temples just to decrease the material activities of the 
conditioned soul and increase his spiritual activities. Particularly in 
India there are many temples throughout the country. Devotees may take 
advantage of them and go see the Lord at Jagannatha Puri, Vrndavana, 
Prayaga, Mathura, Hardwar and Visnu-kanci. When the devotees travel to 
these places and see the Lord, they become very happy in devotional 
service.
 
Madhya 20.220
 
TEXT 220
 
TEXT
 
inhara madhye karo haya ‘avatare' ganana
yaiche visnu, trivikrama, nrsimha, vamana
SYNONYMS
 
inhara madhye -- of Them; karo -- of some; haya -- there is; avatare -- 
as incarnations; ganana -- counting; yaiche -- as; visnu -- Lord Visnu; 
trivikrama -- Lord Trivikrama; nrsimha -- Lord Nrsimha; vamana -- Lord 
Vamana.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Of these forms, some are considered incarnations. Examples are Lord 
Visnu, Lord Trivikrama, Lord Nrsimha and Lord Vamana.
 
Madhya 20.221
 
TEXT 221
 
TEXT
 
astra-dhrti-bheda -- nama-bhedera karana
cakradi-dharana-bheda suna, sanatana
SYNONYMS
 
astra-dhrti -- of holding the weapons; bheda -- difference; nama-bhedera 
-- of differences of names; karana -- the cause; cakra-adi -- of weapons,
 beginning with the disc; dharana -- of holding; bheda -- differences; 
suna -- please hear; sanatana -- O Sanatana.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"My dear Sanatana, just hear from Me as I tell you how the different 
visnu-murtis hold Their weapons, beginning with the disc, and how They 
are named differently according to the placement of the weapons in Their 
hands.
 
Madhya 20.222
 
TEXT 222
 
TEXT
 
daksinadho hasta haite vamadhah paryanta
cakradi astra-dharana-gananara anta
SYNONYMS
 
daksina-adhah -- the lower right; hasta -- hand; haite -- from; vama-
adhah -- the lower left hand; paryanta -- up to; cakra-adi -- beginning 
with the disc; astra-dharana -- of holding the weapons; gananara -- of 
counting; anta -- the end.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The procedure for counting begins with the lower right hand and goes to 
the upper right hand, the upper left hand, and the lower left hand. Lord 
Visnu is named according to the order of the weapons He holds in His 
hands.
 
Madhya 20.223
 
TEXT 223
 
TEXT
 
siddhartha-samhita kare cabbisa murti ganana
tara mate kahi age cakradi-dharana
SYNONYMS
 
siddhartha-samhita -- the revealed scripture named the Siddhartha-
samhita; kare -- does; cabbisa -- twenty-four; murti -- forms; ganana -- 
counting; tara mate -- according to the opinion of Siddhartha-samhita; 
kahi -- I shall describe; age -- first; cakra-adi-dharana -- holding of 
the weapons, beginning with the disc.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"According to the Siddhartha-samhita there are twenty-four forms of Lord 
Visnu. First I shall describe, according to the opinion of that book, 
the location of the weapons, beginning with the disc.
 
PURPORT
 
The twenty-four forms are (1) Vasudeva, (2) Sankarsana, (3) Pradyumna, (
4) Aniruddha, (5) Kesava, (6) Narayana, (7) Madhava, (8) Govinda, (9) 
Visnu, (10) Madhusudana, (11) Trivikrama, (12) Vamana, (13) Sridhara, (
14) Hrsikesa, (15) Padmanabha, (16) Damodara, (17) Purusottama, (18) 
Acyuta, (19) Nrsimha, (20) Janardana, (21) Hari, (22) Krsna, (23) 
Adhoksaja and (24) Upendra.
 
Madhya 20.224
 
TEXT 224
 
TEXT
 
vasudeva -- gada-sankha-cakra-padma-dhara
sankarsana -- gada-sankha-padma-cakra-kara
SYNONYMS
 
vasudeva -- Vasudeva; gada -- club; sankha -- conchshell; cakra -- disc; 
padma -- lotus flower; dhara -- holding; sankarsana -- Sankarsana; gada -
- club; sankha -- conchshell; padma -- lotus flower; cakra-kara -- the 
disc in the hand.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In His lower right hand, Lord Vasudeva holds a club, in the upper right 
hand a conchshell, in the upper left hand a disc and in the lower left 
hand a lotus flower. In His lower right hand, Sankarsana holds a club, 
in His upper right hand a conchshell, in His upper left hand a lotus 
flower and in His lower left hand a disc.
 
Madhya 20.225
 
TEXT 225
 
TEXT
 
pradyumna -- cakra-sankha-gada-padma-dhara
aniruddha -- cakra-gada-sankha-padma-kara
SYNONYMS
 
pradyumna -- Lord Pradyumna; cakra -- disc; sankha -- conch; gada -- 
club; padma -- lotus; dhara -- holding; aniruddha -- Lord Aniruddha; 
cakra -- disc; gada -- club; sankha -- conch; padma-kara -- lotus flower 
in hand.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Pradyumna holds the disc, conch, club and lotus. Aniruddha holds the 
disc, club, conch and lotus.
 
Madhya 20.226
 
TEXT 226
 
TEXT
 
paravyome vasudevadi -- nija nija astra-dhara
tanra mata kahi, ye-saba astra-kara
SYNONYMS
 
para-vyome -- in the spiritual sky; vasudeva-adi -- beginning with Lord 
Vasudeva; nija nija -- Their own respective; astra-dhara -- holding of 
different weapons; tanra mata kahi -- I am speaking the opinion of the 
Siddhartha-samhita; ye-saba -- all; astra-kara -- weapons in the 
different hands.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Thus in the spiritual sky the expansions, headed by Vasudeva, hold 
weapons in Their own respective order. I am repeating the opinion of the 
Siddhartha-samhita in describing Them.
 
Madhya 20.227
 
TEXT 227
 
TEXT
 
sri-kesava -- padma-sankha-cakra-gada-dhara
narayana -- sankha-padma-gada-cakra-dhara
SYNONYMS
 
sri-kesava -- Lord Kesava; padma -- lotus; sankha -- conch; cakra -- 
disc; gada -- club; dhara -- holding; narayana -- Lord Narayana; sankha -
- conch; padma -- lotus; gada -- club; cakra -- disc; dhara -- holding.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Kesava holds the lotus, conch, disc and club. Lord Narayana holds 
the conch, lotus, club and disc.
 
Madhya 20.228
 
TEXT 228
 
TEXT
 
sri-madhava -- gada-cakra-sankha-padma-kara
sri-govinda -- cakra-gada-padma-sankha-dhara
SYNONYMS
 
sri-madhava -- Lord Madhava; gada -- club; cakra -- disc; sankha -- 
conch; padma -- lotus; kara -- in the hands; sri-govinda -- Lord Govinda;
 cakra -- disc; gada -- club; padma -- lotus; sankha -- conch; dhara -- 
holding.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Madhava holds the club, disc, conch and lotus. Lord Govinda holds 
the disc, club, lotus and conch.
 
Madhya 20.229
 
TEXT 229
 
TEXT
 
visnu-murti -- gada-padma-sankha-cakra-kara
madhusudana -- cakra-sankha-padma-gada-dhara
SYNONYMS
 
visnu-murti -- Lord Visnu; gada -- club; padma -- lotus; sankha -- conch;
 cakra -- disc; kara -- in the hands; madhusudana -- Lord Madhusudana; 
cakra -- disc; sankha -- conch; padma -- lotus; gada -- club; dhara -- 
holding.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Visnu holds the club, lotus, conch and disc. Lord Madhusudana 
holds the disc, conch, lotus and club.
 
Madhya 20.230
 
TEXT 230
 
TEXT
 
trivikrama -- padma-gada-cakra-sankha-kara
sri-vamana -- sankha-cakra-gada-padma-dhara
SYNONYMS
 
trivikrama -- Lord Trivikrama; padma -- lotus; gada -- club; cakra -- 
disc; sankha -- conch; kara -- in the hands; sri-vamana -- Lord Vamana; 
sankha -- conch; cakra -- disc; gada -- club; padma -- lotus; dhara -- 
holding.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Trivikrama holds the lotus, club, disc and conch. Lord Vamana 
holds the conch, disc, club and lotus.
 
Madhya 20.231
 
TEXT 231
 
TEXT
 
sridhara -- padma-cakra-gada-sankha-kara
hrsikesa -- gada-cakra-padma-sankha-dhara
SYNONYMS
 
sridhara -- Lord Sridhara; padma -- lotus; cakra -- disc; gada -- club; 
sankha -- conch; kara -- in the hands; hrsikesa -- Lord Hrsikesa; gada --
 club; cakra -- disc; padma -- lotus; sankha -- conch; dhara -- holding.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Sridhara holds the lotus, disc, club and conch. Lord Hrsikesa 
holds the club, disc, lotus and conch.
 
Madhya 20.232
 
TEXT 232
 
TEXT
 
padmanabha -- sankha-padma-cakra-gada-kara
damodara -- padma-cakra-gada-sankha-dhara
SYNONYMS
 
padmanabha -- Lord Padmanabha; sankha -- conch; padma -- lotus; cakra -- 
disc; gada -- club; kara -- in the hands; damodara -- Lord Damodara; 
padma -- lotus; cakra -- disc; gada -- club; sankha -- conch; dhara -- 
holding.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Padmanabha holds the conch, lotus, disc and club. Lord Damodara 
holds the lotus, disc, club and conch.
 
Madhya 20.233
 
TEXT 233
 
TEXT
 
purusottama -- cakra-padma-sankha-gada-dhara
sri-acyuta -- gada-padma-cakra-sankha-dhara
SYNONYMS
 
purusottama -- Lord Purusottama; cakra -- disc; padma -- lotus; sankha --
 conch; gada -- club; dhara -- holding; sri-acyuta -- Lord Acyuta; gada -
- club; padma -- lotus; cakra -- disc; sankha -- conch; dhara -- holding.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Purusottama holds the disc, lotus, conch and club. Lord Acyuta 
holds the club, lotus, disc and conch.
 
Madhya 20.234
 
TEXT 234
 
TEXT
 
sri-nrsimha -- cakra-padma-gada-sankha-dhara
janardana -- padma-cakra-sankha-gada-kara
SYNONYMS
 
sri-nrsimha -- Lord Nrsimha; cakra -- disc; padma -- lotus; gada -- club;
 sankha -- conch; dhara -- holding; janardana -- Lord Janardana; padma --
 lotus; cakra -- disc; sankha -- conch; gada -- club; kara -- in the 
hands.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Nrsimha holds the disc, lotus, club and conch. Lord Janardana 
holds the lotus, disc, conch and club.
 
Madhya 20.235
 
TEXT 235
 
TEXT
 
sri-hari -- sankha-cakra-padma-gada-kara
sri-krsna -- sankha-gada-padma-cakra-kara
SYNONYMS
 
sri-hari -- Lord Hari; sankha -- conch; cakra -- disc; padma -- lotus; 
gada -- club; kara -- in the hand; sri-krsna -- Lord Krsna; sankha -- 
conch; gada -- club; padma -- lotus; cakra -- disc; kara -- in the hands.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Sri Hari holds the conch, disc, lotus and club. Lord Sri Krsna holds 
the conch, club, lotus and disc.
 
Madhya 20.236
 
TEXT 236
 
TEXT
 
adhoksaja -- padma-gada-sankha-cakra-kara
upendra -- sankha-gada-cakra-padma-kara
SYNONYMS
 
adhoksaja -- Lord Adhoksaja; padma -- lotus; gada -- club; sankha -- 
conch; cakra -- disc; kara -- in the hands; upendra -- Lord Upendra; 
sankha -- conch; gada -- club; cakra -- disc; padma -- lotus; kara -- in 
the hands.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Adhoksaja holds the lotus, club, conch and disc. Lord Upendra 
holds the conch, club, disc and lotus.
 
Madhya 20.237
 
TEXT 237
 
TEXT
 
hayasirsa-pancaratre kahe sola-jana
tara mate kahi ebe cakradi-dharana
SYNONYMS
 
hayasirsa-pancaratre -- the revealed scripture named the Hayasirsa 
Pancaratra; kahe -- says; sola-jana -- sixteen personalities; tara mate -
- according to this opinion; kahi -- I shall describe; ebe -- now; cakra-
adi-dharana -- the holding of weapons, beginning with the disc.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"According to the Hayasirsa Pancaratra, there are sixteen personalities. 
I shall now describe that opinion of how They hold the weapons.
 
PURPORT
 
The sixteen personalities are as follows: (1) Vasudeva, (2) Sankarsana, (
3) Pradyumna, (4) Aniruddha, (5) Kesava, (6) Narayana, (7) Madhava, (8) 
Govinda, (9) Visnu, (10) Madhusudana, (11) Trivikrama, (12) Vamana, (13) 
Sridhara, (14) Hrsikesa, (15) Padmanabha and (16) Damodara.
 
Madhya 20.238
 
TEXT 238
 
TEXT
 
kesava-bhede padma-sankha-gada-cakra-dhara
madhava-bhede cakra-gada-sankha-padma-kara
SYNONYMS
 
kesava-bhede -- according to the different opinion about Lord Kesava; 
padma -- lotus; sankha -- conch; gada -- club; cakra -- and disc; dhara -
- holding; madhava-bhede -- according to the different opinion about the 
bodily features of Lord Madhava; cakra -- disc; gada -- club; sankha -- 
conch; padma -- lotus; kara -- in the hands.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Kesava is described differently as holding the lotus, conch, club and 
disc, and Madhava is described as holding the disc, club, conch and 
lotus in His hands.
 
Madhya 20.239
 
TEXT 239
 
TEXT
 
narayana-bhede nana astra-bheda-dhara
ityadika bheda ei saba astra-kara
SYNONYMS
 
narayana-bhede -- according to the different opinion about the bodily 
features of Lord Narayana; nana -- various; astra -- of weapons; bheda-
dhara -- differences in holding; iti-adika -- in this way; bheda -- 
differentiated; ei saba -- all these; astra-kara -- weapons in the hands.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"According to the Hayasirsa Pancaratra, Narayana and others are also 
presented differently as holding the weapons in different hands.
 
Madhya 20.240
 
TEXT 240
 
TEXT
 
‘svayam bhagavan', ara ‘lila-purusottama'
ei dui nama dhare vrajendra-nandana
SYNONYMS
 
svayam bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ara -- and; lila-
purusottama -- the Lord Purusottama of pastimes; ei dui -- these two; 
nama -- names; dhare -- takes; vrajendra-nandana -- Krsna, the son of 
Nanda Maharaja.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Krsna, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, indicated as the 
son of Maharaja Nanda, has two names. One is svayam bhagavan, and the 
other is lila-purusottama.
 
Madhya 20.241
 
TEXT 241
 
TEXT
 
purira avarana-rupe purira nava-dese
nava-vyuha-rupe nava-murti parakase
SYNONYMS
 
purira -- of Dvaraka Puri; avarana-rupe -- as a covering for the four 
sides; purira nava-dese -- in nine different parts of the city; nava-
vyuha-rupe -- in nine Deities; nava-murti -- nine forms; parakase -- 
manifests.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Krsna personally surrounds Dvaraka-puri as its protector. In 
different parts of the city, in nine places, He expands in nine 
different forms.
 
Madhya 20.242
 
TEXT 242
 
TEXT
 
catvaro vasudevadya
 narayana-nrsimhakau
hayagrivo mahakrodo
 brahma ceti navoditah
SYNONYMS
 
catvarah -- four principal protectors; vasudeva-adyah -- Vasudeva, 
Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha; narayana -- including Lord Narayana;
 nrsimhakau -- as well as Lord Nrsimha; hayagrivah -- Lord Hayagriva; 
mahakrodah -- Lord Varaha; brahma -- Lord Brahma; ca -- also; iti -- 
thus; nava-uditah -- nine personalities.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The nine personalities mentioned are Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna, 
Aniruddha, Narayana, Nrsimha, Hayagriva, Varaha and Brahma.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is found in the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (1.451). The Brahma 
mentioned herein is not a living entity. Sometimes, when there is a 
scarcity of living entities to take charge of Brahma's post, Maha-Visnu 
expands Himself as Lord Brahma. This Brahma is not considered to be a 
living entity; He is an expansion of Visnu.
 
Madhya 20.243
 
TEXT 243
 
TEXT
 
prakasa-vilasera ei kailun vivarana
svamsera bheda ebe suna, sanatana
SYNONYMS
 
prakasa-vilasera -- of pastime forms and manifestations; ei -- this; 
kailun -- I have made; vivarana -- description; svamsera -- of personal 
expansions; bheda -- the differences; ebe -- now; suna -- please hear; 
sanatana -- O Sanatana Gosvami.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"I have already described the pastime and prakasa forms. Now please hear 
about the different personal expansions.
 
Madhya 20.244
 
TEXT 244
 
TEXT
 
sankarsana, matsyadika, -- dui bheda tanra
sankarsana -- purusavatara, lilavatara ara
SYNONYMS
 
sankarsana -- Sankarsana; matsya-adika -- and incarnations such as the 
fish; dui -- two; bheda -- differentiations; tanra -- His; sankarsana -- 
Sankarsana; purusa-avatara -- incarnations of Visnu; lila-avatara -- 
pastime incarnations; ara -- and.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The first personal expansion is Sankarsana, and the others are 
incarnations like the fish incarnation. Sankarsana expands as
 the Purusa, or Visnu. The incarnations such as Matsya, the fish 
incarnation, appear in different yugas for specific pastimes.
 
PURPORT
 
The purusa-avataras are the Lords of the universal creation. These are 
Karanodakasayi Visnu, Garbhodakasayi Visnu and Ksirodakasayi Visnu. 
There are also lila-avataras, and these include (1) Catuhsana, or the 
four Kumaras, (2) Narada, (3) Varaha, (4) Matsya, (5) Yajna, (6) Nara-
Narayana, (7) Kardami Kapila, (8) Dattatreya, (9) Hayasirsa, (10) Hamsa, 
(11) Dhruvapriya, or Prsnigarbha, (12) Rsabha, (13) Prthu, (14) Nrsimha, 
(15) Kurma, (16) Dhanvantari, (17) Mohini, (18) Vamana, (19) Bhargava 
Parasurama, (20) Raghavendra, (21) Vyasa, (22) Pralambari Balarama, (23) 
Krsna, (24) Buddha and (25) Kalki.
 
These twenty-five Personalities of Godhead are known as lila-avataras. 
Because they appear in each day of Brahma, or in each kalpa (millennium),
 they are sometimes known as kalpa-avataras. Of these incarnations, 
Hamsa and Mohini are neither permanent nor very well known, but They are 
listed among the prabhava-avataras. Kapila, Dattatreya, Rsabha, 
Dhanvantari and Vyasa are eternally situated and very widely known. They 
are also counted among the prabhava incarnations. Kurma, Matsya, 
Narayana, Varaha, Hayagriva, Prsnigarbha and Baladeva, the killer of 
Pralambasura, are counted among the vaibhava-avataras.
 
Madhya 20.245
 
TEXT 245
 
TEXT
 
avatara haya krsnera sad-vidha prakara
purusavatara eka, lilavatara ara
SYNONYMS
 
avatara -- incarnations; haya -- there are; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; 
sat-vidha prakara -- six kinds; purusa-avatara -- incarnations of Visnu; 
eka -- one; lila-avatara -- incarnations for the execution of pastimes; 
ara -- also.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There are six types of incarnations [avataras] of Krsna. One comprises 
the incarnations of Visnu [purusa-avataras], and another comprises the 
incarnations meant for the performance of pastimes [lila-avataras].
 
Madhya 20.246
 
TEXT 246
 
TEXT
 
gunavatara, ara manvantaravatara
yugavatara, ara saktyavesavatara
SYNONYMS
 
guna-avatara -- the incarnations who control the material qualities; ara 
-- also; manu-antara-avatara -- the incarnations associated with the 
reign of each Manu; yuga-avatara -- the incarnations according to 
different yugas; ara -- and; sakti-avesa-avatara -- empowered 
incarnations.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There are incarnations that control the material qualities [guna-
avataras], incarnations associated with the reign of each Manu [
manvantara-avataras], incarnations in different millenniums [yuga-
avataras] and incarnations of empowered living entities [saktyavesa-
avataras].
 
PURPORT
 
The guna-avataras are three -- Lord Brahma, Lord Siva and Lord Visnu (SB 
10.88.3). The avataras associated with the reign of each Manu, known as 
manvantara-avataras, are listed as follows in Srimad-Bhagavatam (Eighth 
Canto, chapters 1, 5 and 13): (1) Yajna, (2) Vibhu, (3) Satyasena, (4) 
Hari, (5) Vaikuntha, (6) Ajita, (7) Vamana, (8) Sarvabhauma, (9) Rsabha, 
(10) Visvaksena, (11) Dharmasetu, (12) Sudhama, (13) Yogesvara and (14) 
Brhadbhanu. All together these are fourteen in number, and of these, 
Yajna and Vamana are also counted among the lila-avataras. All these 
manvantara incarnations are sometimes called vaibhava-avataras.
 
The four yuga-avataras are (1) sukla (white) in Satya-yuga (SB 11.5.21), 
(2) rakta (red) in Treta-yuga (SB 11.5.24), (3) syama (dark blue) in 
Dvapara-yuga (SB 11.5.27) and (4) generally krsna (black) but in special 
cases pita (yellow) as Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Kali-yuga (SB 11.5.32 and 
10.8.13).
 
The saktyavesa-avataras are categorized into (1) forms of divine 
absorption (bhagavad-avesa), such as Kapiladeva or Rsabhadeva, and (2) 
divinely empowered forms (saktyavesa), of whom seven are foremost: (1) 
Sesa Naga in the Vaikuntha world, empowered for the personal service of 
the Supreme Lord (sva-sevana-sakti), (2) Anantadeva, empowered to bear 
all the planets within the universe (bhu-dharana-sakti), (3) Lord Brahma,
 empowered with the energy to create the cosmic manifestation (srsti-
sakti), (4) Catuhsana, or the Kumaras, specifically empowered to 
distribute transcendental knowledge (jnana-sakti), (5) Narada Muni, 
empowered to distribute devotional service (bhakti-sakti), (6) Maharaja 
Prthu, specifically empowered to rule and maintain the living entities (
palana-sakti) and (7) Parasurama, specifically empowered to cut down 
rogues and demons (dusta-damana-sakti).
 
Madhya 20.247
 
TEXT 247
 
TEXT
 
balya, pauganda haya vigrahera dharma
eta-rupe lila karena vrajendra-nandana
SYNONYMS
 
balya -- childhood; pauganda -- boyhood; haya -- there are; vigrahera -- 
of the Deity; dharma -- characteristics; eta-rupe -- in so many forms; 
lila -- pastimes; karena -- executes; vrajendra-nandana -- Krsna, the 
son of Nanda Maharaja.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Childhood and boyhood are the typical ages of the Deity. Krsna, the son 
of Maharaja Nanda, performed His pastimes as a child and as a boy.
 
Madhya 20.248
 
TEXT 248
 
TEXT
 
ananta avatara krsnera, nahika ganana
sakha-candra-nyaya kari dig-darasana
SYNONYMS
 
ananta -- unlimited; avatara -- incarnations; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; 
nahika ganana -- there is no possibility of counting; sakha-candra-nyaya 
-- by the example of the moon and the branches of a tree; kari -- I make;
 dik-darasana -- a slight indication.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There are innumerable incarnations of Krsna, and there is no 
possibility of counting them. We can simply indicate them by giving the 
example of the moon and the branches of a tree.
 
PURPORT
 
Although the moon appears to be located in the branches of a tree, it is 
actually situated very far away. Similarly, none of the avataras, or 
incarnations, of Lord Krsna are within this material world, but they are 
visible by the causeless mercy of the Lord. We should not consider them 
to belong to this material world. As stated by Lord Krsna in the 
Bhagavad-gita (Bg. 9.11):
 
avajananti mam mudha manusim tanum asritam
param bhavam ajananto mama bhuta-mahesvaram
 
"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."
 
Avataras descend of their own free will, and although they may act like 
ordinary human beings, they do not belong to this material world. Lord 
Krsna and His avataras can be understood only by the grace of the Lord.
 
nayam atma pravacanena labhyo
 na medhaya na bahuna srutena
yam evaisa vrnute tena labhyas
 tasyaisa atma vivrnute tanum svam
 
(Katha Upanisad 1.2.23)
"The Supreme Lord is not obtained by means of expert explanations, vast 
intelligence or even much hearing. He is obtained only by one whom He 
Himself chooses. To such a person, He manifests His own form."
 
athapi te deva padambuja-dvaya-
 prasada-lesanugrhita eva hi
janati tattvam bhagavan-mahimno
 na canya eko 'pi ciram vicinvan
 
(SB 10.14.29)
"My Lord, if one is favored by even a slight trace of the mercy of Your 
lotus feet, he can understand the greatness of Your personality. But 
those who speculate to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are 
unable to know You, even though they continue studying the Vedas for 
many years."
Madhya 20.249
 
TEXT 249
 
TEXT
 
avatara hy asankhyeya
 hareh sattva-nidher dvijah
yatha 'vidasinah kulyah
 sarasah syuh sahasrasah
SYNONYMS
 
avatarah -- all the incarnations; hi -- certainly; asankhyeyah -- beyond 
counting; hareh -- from the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sattva-
nidheh -- who is the reservoir of spiritual energy; dvijah -- O 
brahmanas; yatha -- as; avidasinah -- containing a great reservoir of 
water; kulyah -- small rivulets; sarasah -- from a lake; syuh -- must be;
 sahasrasah -- by hundreds and thousands of times.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘O learned brahmanas, just as hundreds and thousands of small rivulets 
issue from great reservoirs of water, innumerable incarnations flow from 
Sri Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the reservoir of all 
power.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.3.26).
 
Madhya 20.250
 
TEXT 250
 
TEXT
 
prathamei kare krsna ‘purusavatara'
seita purusa haya trividha prakara
SYNONYMS
 
prathamei -- in the beginning; kare -- does; krsna -- Lord Krsna; purusa-
avatara -- the incarnation of the three Visnus (Maha-Visnu, 
Garbhodakasayi Visnu and Ksirodakasayi Visnu); seita -- that; purusa -- 
Visnu; haya -- becomes; tri-vidha prakara -- three different 
manifestations.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the beginning, Krsna incarnates Himself as the purusa-avataras, or 
Visnu incarnations. These are of three types.
 
PURPORT
 
Up to this verse, the many types of expansions have been described. Now 
the manifestations of the Lord's different potencies will be described.
 
Madhya 20.251
 
TEXT 251
 
TEXT
 
visnos tu trini rupani
 purusakhyany atho viduh
ekam tu mahatah srastr
 dvitiyam tv anda-samsthitam
trtiyam sarva-bhuta-stham
 tani jnatva vimucyate
SYNONYMS
 
visnoh -- of Lord Visnu; tu -- certainly; trini -- three; rupani -- 
forms; purusa-akhyani -- celebrated as the purusas; atho -- how; viduh --
 they know; ekam -- one of Them; tu -- but; mahatah srastr -- the 
creator of the total material energy; dvitiyam -- the second; tu -- but; 
anda-samsthitam -- situated within the universe; trtiyam -- the third; 
sarva-bhuta-stham -- within the hearts of all living entities; tani -- 
these three; jnatva -- knowing; vimucyate -- one becomes liberated.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Visnu has three forms called purusas. The first, Maha-Visnu, is the 
creator of the total material energy [mahat], the second is Garbhodasayi,
 who is situated within each universe, and the third is Ksirodasayi, who 
lives in the heart of every living being. He who knows these three 
becomes liberated from the clutches of maya.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse appears in the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (Purva-khanda 2.9), where 
it has been quoted from the Satvata-tantra.
 
Madhya 20.252
 
TEXT 252
 
TEXT
 
ananta-sakti-madhye krsnera tina sakti pradhana
‘iccha-sakti', ‘jnana-sakti', ‘kriya-sakti' nama
SYNONYMS
 
ananta-sakti -- of unlimited potencies; madhye -- in the midst; krsnera -
- of Lord Krsna; tina -- three; sakti -- potencies; pradhana -- are 
chief; iccha-sakti -- willpower; jnana-sakti -- the power of knowledge; 
kriya-sakti -- the creative energy; nama -- named.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Krsna has unlimited potencies, out of which three are chief -- 
willpower, the power of knowledge and the creative energy.
 
Madhya 20.253
 
TEXT 253
 
TEXT
 
iccha-sakti-pradhana krsna -- icchaya sarva-karta
jnana-sakti-pradhana vasudeva adhisthata
SYNONYMS
 
iccha-sakti -- of willpower; pradhana -- predominator; krsna -- Lord 
Krsna; icchaya -- simply by willing; sarva-karta -- the creator of 
everything; jnana-sakti-pradhana -- the predominator of the power of 
knowledge; vasudeva -- Lord Vasudeva; adhisthata -- reservoir.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The predominator of the willing potency is Lord Krsna, for by His 
supreme will everything comes into existence. In willing, there is a 
need for knowledge, and that knowledge is expressed through Vasudeva.
 
Madhya 20.254
 
TEXT 254
 
TEXT
 
iccha-jnana-kriya vina na haya srjana
tinera tina-sakti meli' prapanca-racana
SYNONYMS
 
iccha-jnana-kriya -- thinking, feeling, willing, knowledge and activity; 
vina -- without; na -- not; haya -- there is; srjana -- creation; tinera 
-- of the three; tina-sakti -- three potencies; meli' -- being 
amalgamated; prapanca-racana -- there is the cosmic manifestation.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There is no possibility of creation without thinking, feeling, willing, 
knowledge and activity. The combination of the supreme will, knowledge 
and action brings about the cosmic manifestation.
 
Madhya 20.255
 
TEXT 255
 
TEXT
 
kriya-sakti-pradhana sankarsana balarama
prakrtaprakrta-srsti karena nirmana
SYNONYMS
 
kriya-sakti-pradhana -- the predominator of the creative energy; 
sankarsana -- Lord Sankarsana; balarama -- Lord Balarama; prakrta -- 
material; aprakrta -- spiritual; srsti -- worlds; karena -- does; 
nirmana -- creation.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Sankarsana is Lord Balarama. Being the predominator of the 
creative energy, He creates both the material and the spiritual world.
 
Madhya 20.256
 
TEXT 256
 
TEXT
 
ahankarera adhisthata krsnera icchaya
goloka, vaikuntha srje cic-chakti-dvaraya
SYNONYMS
 
ahankarera -- of egotism; adhisthata -- the source, or predominating 
Deity; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; icchaya -- by the will; goloka -- the 
supreme spiritual planet, known as Goloka; vaikuntha -- other, lower 
planets, known as Vaikunthas; srje -- creates; cit-sakti-dvaraya -- by 
the spiritual energy.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"That original Sankarsana [Lord Balarama] is the cause of both the 
material and the spiritual creation. He is the predominating Deity of 
egotism, and by the will of Krsna and the power of the spiritual energy, 
He creates the spiritual world, which consists of the planet Goloka 
Vrndavana and the Vaikuntha planets.
 
Madhya 20.257
 
TEXT 257
 
TEXT
 
yadyapi asrjya nitya cic-chakti-vilasa
tathapi sankarsana-icchaya tahara prakasa
SYNONYMS
 
yadyapi -- although; asrjya -- there is no question of creation; nitya --
 eternal; cit-sakti-vilasa -- pastimes of the eternal spiritual energy; 
tathapi -- still; sankarsana-icchaya -- by the will of Sankarsana; 
tahara -- of the spiritual world; prakasa -- manifestation.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Although there is no question of creation as far as the spiritual world 
is concerned, the spiritual world is nonetheless manifested by the 
supreme will of Sankarsana. The spiritual world is the abode of the 
pastimes of the eternal spiritual energy.
 
Madhya 20.258
 
TEXT 258
 
TEXT
 
sahasra-patram kamalam
 gokulakhyam mahat padam
tat-karnikaram tad-dhama
 tad anantamsa-sambhavam
SYNONYMS
 
sahasra-patram -- with thousands of petals; kamalam -- resembling a 
lotus flower; gokula-akhyam -- named Gokula; mahat padam -- the supreme 
abode; tat-karnikaram -- the whorl of that lotus flower; tat-dhama -- 
the abode of the Lord; tat -- that; ananta-amsa -- from the expansion of 
the energy of Ananta; sambhavam -- creation.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Gokula, the supreme abode and planet, appears like a lotus flower that 
has a thousand petals. The whorl of that lotus is the abode of the 
Supreme Lord, Krsna. This lotus-shaped supreme abode is created by the 
will of Lord Ananta.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is quoted from the Brahma-samhita (5.2).
 
Madhya 20.259
 
TEXT 259
 
TEXT
 
maya-dvare srje tenho brahmandera gana
jada-rupa prakrti nahe brahmanda-karana
SYNONYMS
 
maya-dvare -- by the agency of the external energy; srje -- creates; 
tenho -- Lord Sankarsana; brahmandera gana -- all the groups of 
universes; jada-rupa -- appearing dull; prakrti -- the material energy; 
nahe -- is not; brahmanda-karana -- the cause of the cosmic 
manifestation.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"By the agency of the material energy, this same Lord Sankarsana creates 
all the universes. The dull material energy -- known in modern language 
as nature -- is not the cause of the material universe.
 
Madhya 20.260
 
TEXT 260
 
TEXT
 
jada haite srsti nahe isvara-sakti vine
tahatei sankarsana kare saktira adhane
SYNONYMS
 
jada haite -- from the dull material energy; srsti nahe -- the cosmic 
manifestation is not possible; isvara-sakti vine -- without the help of 
the energy of the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead; tahatei -- 
in the material energy; sankarsana -- Lord Sankarsana; kare -- does; 
saktira -- of the spiritual energy; adhane -- empowering.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Without the Supreme Personality of Godhead's energy, dull matter cannot 
create the cosmic manifestation. Its power does not arise from the 
material energy itself but is endowed by Sankarsana.
 
Madhya 20.261
 
TEXT 261
 
TEXT
 
isvarera saktye srsti karaye prakrti
lauha yena agni-saktye paya daha-sakti
SYNONYMS
 
isvarera saktye -- by the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; 
srsti -- creation; karaye -- does; prakrti -- material energy; lauha -- 
iron; yena -- as; agni-saktye -- by the power of fire; paya -- gets; 
daha-sakti -- the power to burn.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Dull matter alone cannot create anything. The material energy produces 
the creation by the power of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Iron 
itself has no power to burn, but when iron is placed in fire, it is 
empowered to burn.
 
Madhya 20.262
 
TEXT 262
 
TEXT
 
etau hi visvasya ca bija-yoni
 ramo mukundah purusah pradhanam
anviya bhutesu vilaksanasya
 jnanasya cesata imau puranau
SYNONYMS
 
etau -- these two, namely Rama and Krsna; hi -- certainly; visvasya -- 
of the universe; ca -- and; bija-yoni -- both the cause and ingredient; 
ramah -- Balarama; mukundah -- Krsna; purusah -- the original Maha-Visnu;
 pradhanam -- material energy; anviya -- after entering; bhutesu -- into 
the material elements; vilaksanasya -- of varieties of manifestation; 
jnanasya -- of knowledge; ca -- also; isate -- are the controlling power;
 imau -- both of Them; puranau -- are the original cause.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Balarama and Krsna are the original efficient and material causes of 
the material world. As Maha-Visnu and the material energy, They enter 
into the material elements and create the diversities by multi-energies. 
Thus They are the cause of all causes.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.46.31).
 
Madhya 20.263
 
TEXT 263
 
TEXT
 
srsti-hetu yei murti prapance avatare
sei isvara-murti ‘avatara' nama dhare
SYNONYMS
 
srsti-hetu -- for the purpose of creation; yei murti -- which form of 
the Lord; prapance -- in the material world; avatare -- descends; sei -- 
that; isvara-murti -- form of the Lord; avatara -- incarnation; nama 
dhare -- takes the name.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The form of the Lord that descends into the material world to create is 
called an avatara, or incarnation.
 
Madhya 20.264
 
TEXT 264
 
TEXT
 
mayatita paravyome sabara avasthana
visve avatari' dhare ‘avatara' nama
SYNONYMS
 
maya-atita -- beyond the material nature; para-vyome -- in the spiritual 
sky; sabara -- all of them; avasthana -- residence; visve -- within the 
material universe; avatari' -- coming down; dhare -- take; avatara nama -
- the name avatara.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"All the expansions of Lord Krsna are actually residents of the 
spiritual world. But when they descend into the material world, they are 
called incarnations [avataras].
 
Madhya 20.265
 
TEXT 265
 
TEXT
 
sei maya avalokite sri-sankarsana
purusa-rupe avatirna ha-ila prathama
SYNONYMS
 
sei maya -- that material energy; avalokite -- just to glance over; sri-
sankarsana -- Sankarsana; purusa-rupe -- in the original form of Maha-
Visnu; avatirna -- incarnated; ha-ila -- became; prathama -- at first.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"To glance over that material energy and empower her, Lord Sankarsana 
first incarnates as Lord Maha-Visnu.
 
Madhya 20.266
 
TEXT 266
 
TEXT
 
jagrhe paurusam rupam
 bhagavan mahad-adibhih
sambhutam sodasa-kalam
 adau loka-sisrksaya
SYNONYMS
 
jagrhe -- accepted; paurusam rupam -- the form of the purusa incarnation;
 bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; mahat-adibhih -- with 
the material energy, etc.; sambhutam -- created; sodasa -- sixteen; 
kalam -- elements; adau -- in the beginning; loka -- of the material 
worlds; sisrksaya -- with a desire for the creation.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘In the beginning of the creation, the Lord expanded Himself in the 
form of the purusa incarnation, accompanied by all the ingredients of 
material creation. First He created the sixteen principal energies 
suitable for creation. This was for the purpose of manifesting the 
material universes.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.3.1). For an explanation, 
refer to Adi-lila, Chapter Five, verse 84.
 
Madhya 20.267
 
TEXT 267
 
TEXT
 
adyo 'vatarah purusah parasya
 kalah svabhavah sad-asan manas ca
dravyam vikaro guna indriyani
 virat svarat sthasnu carisnu bhumnah
SYNONYMS
 
adyah avatarah -- the original incarnation; purusah -- Karanodakasayi 
Visnu; parasya -- of the Supreme Lord; kalah -- time; svabhavah -- space;
 sat-asat -- cause and effect; manah ca -- as well as the mind; dravyam -
- the five elements; vikarah -- transformation or the false ego; gunah --
 modes of nature; indriyani -- senses; virat -- the universal form; 
svarat -- Garbhodakasayi Visnu; sthasnu -- immovable; carisnu -- movable;
 bhumnah -- of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Karanodakasayi Visnu [Maha-Visnu] is the first incarnation of the 
Supreme Lord, and He is the master of eternal time, space, cause and 
effects, the mind, the elements, the material ego, the modes of nature, 
the senses, the universal form of the Lord, Garbhodakasayi Visnu and the 
sum total of all living beings, both moving and nonmoving.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.6.42). For an explanation, 
refer to Adi-lila, Chapter Five, verse 83.
 
Madhya 20.268
 
TEXT 268
 
TEXT
 
sei purusa virajate karena sayana
‘karanodakasayi' nama jagat-karana
SYNONYMS
 
sei purusa -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; virajate -- on the 
border known as Viraja; karena sayana -- lies down; karana-abdhi-sayi -- 
Karanabdhisayi; nama -- named; jagat-karana -- is the original cause of 
material creation.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"That original Personality of Godhead, named Sankarsana, first lies down 
in the river Viraja, which serves as a border between the material and 
the spiritual world. As Karanodakasayi Visnu, He is the original cause 
of the material creation.
 
Madhya 20.269
 
TEXT 269
 
TEXT
 
karanabdhi-pare mayara nitya avasthiti
virajara pare paravyome nahi gati
SYNONYMS
 
karana-abdhi-pare -- on one bank of the Causal Ocean; mayara -- of the 
material energy; nitya -- eternal; avasthiti -- position; virajara pare -
- on the other bank of the Viraja, or the Causal Ocean; para-vyome -- in 
the spiritual world or sky; nahi -- there is not; gati -- admission.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The Viraja, or Causal Ocean, is the border between the spiritual and 
the material world. The material energy is situated on one shore of that 
ocean, and it cannot enter onto the other shore, which is the spiritual 
sky.
 
Madhya 20.270
 
TEXT 270
 
TEXT
 
pravartate yatra rajas tamas tayoh
 sattvam ca misram na ca kala-vikramah
na yatra maya kim utapare harer
 anuvrata yatra surasurarcitah
SYNONYMS
 
pravartate -- exists; yatra -- where; rajah -- the mode of passion; 
tamah -- the mode of ignorance; tayoh -- of both of them; sattvam ca -- 
and the mode of goodness; misram -- mixture; na -- not; ca -- also; kala-
vikramah -- the influence of time or annihilation; na -- not; yatra -- 
where; maya -- external energy; kim -- what; uta -- to speak; apare -- 
others; hareh -- of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; anuvratah -- 
strict followers; yatra -- where; sura -- by demigods; asura -- and by 
demons; arcitah -- being worshiped.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘In the spiritual world, there is neither the mode of passion, the mode 
of ignorance nor a mixture of both, nor is there adulterated goodness, 
the influence of time or maya herself. Only the pure devotees of the 
Lord, who are worshiped both by demigods and by demons, reside in the 
spiritual world as the Lord's associates.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.9.10) was spoken by Srila Sukadeva 
Gosvami. He was answering the questions of Pariksit Maharaja, who asked 
how the living entity falls down into the material world. Sukadeva 
Gosvami explained the cream of Srimad-Bhagavatam in four verses, which 
had been explained to Lord Brahma at the end of the severe austerities 
he performed for one thousand celestial years. At that time, Brahma was 
shown the spiritual world and its transcendental nature.
 
Madhya 20.271
 
TEXT 271
 
TEXT
 
mayara ye dui vrtti -- ‘maya' ara ‘pradhana'
‘maya' nimitta-hetu, visvera upadana ‘pradhana'
SYNONYMS
 
mayara -- of the material nature; ye -- which; dui -- two; vrtti -- 
functions; maya -- called maya; ara -- and; pradhana -- ingredients; 
maya -- the word maya; nimitta-hetu -- the efficient cause; visvera -- 
of the material universe; upadana -- ingredients; pradhana -- is called 
pradhana.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Maya has two functions. One is called maya, and the other is called 
pradhana. Maya refers to the efficient cause, and pradhana refers to the 
ingredients that create the cosmic manifestation.
 
PURPORT
 
For a further explanation, see Adi-lila, Chapter Five, verse 58.
 
Madhya 20.272
 
TEXT 272
 
TEXT
 
sei purusa maya-pane kare avadhana
prakrti ksobhita kari' kare viryera adhana
SYNONYMS
 
sei purusa -- that Supreme Personality of Godhead; maya-pane -- toward 
maya; kare avadhana -- glances; prakrti -- the material nature; ksobhita 
kari' -- making agitated; kare -- impregnates; viryera -- of the semen; 
adhana -- injection.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When the Supreme Personality of Godhead glances over the material 
energy, she becomes agitated. At that time, the Lord injects the 
original semen of the living entities.
 
PURPORT
 
In the Bhagavad-gita (7.10), Krsna says, bijam mam sarva-bhutanam: "I am 
the original seed of all existences." This is also confirmed in another 
verse in the Bhagavad-gita (14.4):
 
sarva-yonisu kaunteya murtayah sambhavanti yah
tasam brahma mahad yonir aham bija-pradah pita
 
"It should be understood that all species of life, O son of Kunti, are 
made possible by birth in this material nature, and that I am the seed-
giving father."
 
For a further explanation, one may refer to the Brahma-samhita (Bs. 5.10–
13). The Brahma-samhita also states (5.51):
 
agnir mahi gaganam ambu marud disas ca
 kalas tathatma-manasiti jagat-trayani
yasmad bhavanti vibhavanti visanti yam ca
 govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
 
All material elements, as well as the spiritual sparks (individual souls)
, are emanating from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is 
confirmed by the Vedanta-sutra (1.1.2): janmady asya yatah [SB 1.1.1]. "
The Absolute Truth is He from whom everything emanates." He is the 
Supreme Truth: satyam param dhimahi. The absolute ultimate truth is 
Krsna. Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya/ janmady asya yato 'nvayad itaratas 
carthesv abhijnah sva-rat: "The Absolute Truth is a person who is 
directly and indirectly cognizant of the entire cosmic manifestation."
 
The Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, educated Lord 
Brahma from the heart (SB 1.1.1): tene brahma hrda ya adi-kavaye. 
Therefore the Absolute Truth cannot be dull matter; the Absolute Truth 
must be the Supreme Person Himself. Sei purusa maya-pane kare avadhana. 
Simply by His glance, material nature is impregnated with all living 
entities. According to their karma and fruitive activity, they emerge in 
different bodies. That is the explanation given by the Bhagavad-gita (2.
13):
 
dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara
tatha dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati
 
"As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to 
youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. 
A sober person is not bewildered by such a change."
 
Madhya 20.273
 
TEXT 273
 
TEXT
 
svanga-visesabhasa-rupe prakrti-sparsana
jiva-rupa ‘bija' tate kaila samarpana
SYNONYMS
 
sva-anga-visesa-abhasa-rupe -- in the form of a specific shadow from His 
personal body; prakrti-sparsana -- the Lord glances over the material 
nature; jiva-rupa -- having the form of the sparklike living entities, 
who are parts and parcels; bija -- semen; tate -- in that material 
nature; kaila samarpana -- impregnated.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"To impregnate with the seeds of the living entities, the Lord Himself 
does not directly touch the material energy, but by His specific 
functional expansion He touches the material energy, and thus the living 
entities, who are His parts and parcels, are impregnated into material 
nature.
 
PURPORT
 
According to Lord Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita (15.7):
 
mamaivamso jiva-loke jiva-bhutah sanatanah
manah-sasthanindriyani prakrti-sthani karsati
 
"The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental 
parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the 
six senses, which include the mind."
 
In the present verse of the Caitanya-caritamrta, 
the word prakrti-sparsana refers to the Lord's glancing over 
material nature and placing the living entities in contact with 
dull matter.  The glancing is performed by Maha-Visnu: sa aiksata lokan 
nu srja iti. (Aitareya Upanisad 1.1.1) In the conditioned stage we 
impregnate according to the bodily conception -- that is, by sexual 
intercourse -- but the Supreme Lord does not need sexual intercourse to 
impregnate. The impregnation is performed simply by His glance. This is 
also explained in the Brahma-samhita (5.32):
 
angani yasya sakalendriya-vrttimanti
 pasyanti panti kalayanti ciram jaganti
ananda-cinmaya-sad-ujjvala-vigrahasya
 govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
 
Govinda can impregnate simply by glancing. In other words, His eyes can 
work as His genitals. He does not need genitals to beget a child. Indeed,
 Krsna can beget any one of the living entities with any part of His 
body.
 
The word svanga-visesabhasa-rupe, indicating the form by which the Lord 
begets living entities in the material world, is explained herein. He is 
Lord Siva. In the Brahma-samhita it is stated that Lord Siva, who is 
another form of Maha-Visnu, is like yogurt. Yogurt is nothing but milk, 
yet it is not milk. Similarly, Lord Siva is considered the father of 
this universe, and material nature is considered the mother. The father 
and mother are known as Lord Siva and goddess Durga. Together, Lord Siva'
s genitals and the vagina of goddess Durga are worshiped as the siva-
linga. This is the origin of the material creation. Thus Lord Siva's 
position is between that of the living entity and that of the Supreme 
Lord. In other words, Lord Siva is neither the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead nor a living entity. He is the form through which the Supreme 
Lord works to beget living entities within this material world. As 
yogurt is prepared when milk is mixed with a culture, the form of Lord 
Siva expands when the Supreme Personality of Godhead is in touch with 
material nature. The impregnation of material nature by the father, Lord 
Siva, is wonderful because at one time innumerable living entities are 
conceived. Bhago jivah sa vijneyah sa canantyaya kalpate (Svetasvatara 
Upanisad 5.9). These living entities are very, very small:
 
kesagra-sata-bhagasya satamsa-sadrsatmakah
jivah suksma-svarupo 'yam sankhyatito hi cit-kanah
 [Cc. Madhya 19.140]
 
"If we divide the tip of a hair into a hundred parts and then take one 
of these parts and divide it again into a hundred parts, that very fine 
division is the size of but one of the numberless living entities. They 
are all cit-kana, particles of spirit, not matter."
 
The innumerable brahmandas, or universes, come from the pores of the 
Lord's body, and innumerable living entities also come from the pores of 
the transcendental body of the Lord. This is the process of material 
creation. Without the living entities, this material nature has no value.
 Both emanate from the pores of the transcendental body of Lord Maha-
Visnu. They are different energies. The material nature is explained as 
follows by Lord Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita (7.4):
 
bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva ca
ahankara itiyam me bhinna prakrtir astadha
 
"Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego -- all 
together these eight constitute My separated material energies." Thus 
the material elements also come from the body of the Supreme Personality 
of Godhead, but they are a different type of energy from the living 
entities. Although the living entities also come from the Lord's body, 
they are categorized as a superior energy:
 
apareyam itas tv anyam prakrtim viddhi me param
jiva-bhutam maha-baho yayedam dharyate jagat
 
"Besides this inferior nature, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is another, 
superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities who are 
exploiting the resources of this material, inferior nature." (Bg. 7.5) 
The inferior energy, matter, cannot act without the superior energy. All 
these things are very clearly explained in the Vedas. The materialistic 
theory that life develops from matter is incorrect. Life and matter come 
from the supreme living entity; therefore, being the source of both, 
that supreme living entity, Krsna, is described in the Vedanta-sutra (1.
1.2) as janmady asya yatah, [SB 1.1.1] or the original source of 
everything, sarva-karana-karanam [Bs. 5.1]. This is further explained in 
the following verse.
 
Madhya 20.274
 
TEXT 274
 
TEXT
 
daivat ksubhita-dharminyam
 svasyam yonau parah puman
adhatta viryam sasuta
 mahat-tattvam hiranmayam
SYNONYMS
 
daivat -- at a time beyond memory; ksubhita-dharminyam -- the material 
nature, which is subjected to agitation; svasyam -- which belongs to the 
Supreme as one of His energies; yonau -- in the womb from which the 
living entity takes his birth; parah puman -- the Supreme Brahman, the 
Personality of Godhead; adhatta -- impregnated; viryam -- semen; sa -- 
that material nature; asuta -- produced; mahat-tattvam -- the total 
material energy; hiranmayam -- the original source for the emanation of 
varieties of material things.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘At a time beyond memory, after agitating the material nature into 
three qualities, the Supreme Personality of Godhead placed the semen of 
innumerable living entities within the womb of that material nature. 
Thus material nature gave birth to the total material energy, known as 
the hiranmaya-mahat-tattva, the original symbolic representation of the 
cosmic manifestation.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.26.19). Lord Kapila is 
explaining to His mother the relationship between the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead and material nature. He is informing her how the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original cause of the living 
entities who are conditioned by material nature. Over and above the 
twenty-eight elements of the material creation is the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes. Life comes not from 
matter but from life itself. As explained in the Vedas: nityo nityanam 
cetanas cetananam (Katha Upanisad 2.2.13). The Supreme Lord is the 
original source of life.
 
Madhya 20.275
 
TEXT 275
 
TEXT
 
kala-vrttya tu mayayam
 guna-mayyam adhoksajah
purusenatma-bhutena
 viryam adhatta viryavan
SYNONYMS
 
kala-vrttya -- in due course of time, as the immediate cause of creation;
 tu -- but; mayayam -- within the material nature; guna-mayyam -- full 
of the three material modes of nature (sattva-guna, rajo-guna and tamo-
guna); adhoksajah -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is beyond 
material conceptions; purusena -- by the enjoyer of material nature; 
atma-bhutena -- who is an expansion of His personal self; viryam -- 
semen; adhatta -- placed; viryavan -- the omnipotent.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘In due course of time, the Supreme Personality of Godhead [Maha-
Vaikunthanatha], by the agency of an expansion of His personal self [
Maha-Visnu], placed the seed of the living entities within the womb of 
material nature.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.5.26). This verse tells 
how the living entities come in contact with material nature. Just as a 
woman cannot beget children without uniting with a man, material nature 
cannot beget living entities without being in union with the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead. There is a history of how the Absolute Lord 
becomes the father of all living entities. In every system of religion, 
it is accepted that God is the supreme father of all living entities. 
According to Christianity, the supreme father, God, provides the living 
entities with all of life's necessities. Therefore they pray, "Give us 
this day our daily bread." Any religion that does not accept the Supreme 
Lord as the absolute father is called kaitava-dharma, or a cheating 
religion. Such religious systems are rejected in Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.1.
2): dharmah projjhita-kaitavo ‘tra. Only an atheist does not accept the 
omnipotent supreme father. If one accepts the omnipotent supreme father, 
he abides by His orders and becomes a religious person.
 
Madhya 20.276
 
TEXT 276
 
TEXT
 
tabe mahat-tattva haite trividha ahankara
yaha haite devatendriya-bhutera pracara
SYNONYMS
 
tabe -- thereafter; mahat-tattva haite -- from the total material energy;
 tri-vidha -- three kinds of; ahankara -- egotism; yaha haite -- from 
which; devata -- of predominating deities; indriya -- of the senses; 
bhutera -- and of material elements; pracara -- expansion.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"First the total material energy is manifested, and from this arise the 
three types of egotism, which are the original sources from which all 
demigods [controlling deities], senses and material elements expand.
 
PURPORT
 
The three types of egotism (ahankara) are technically known as vaikarika,
 taijasa and tamasa. The mahat-tattva is situated within the heart, or 
citta, and the predominating Deity of the mahat-tattva is Lord Vasudeva (
SB 3.26.21). The mahat-tattva is transformed into three divisions: (1) 
vaikarika, egotism in goodness (sattvika-ahankara), from which is 
manifested the eleventh sense organ, the mind, whose predominating Deity 
is Aniruddha (SB 3.26.27–28); (2) taijasa, or egotism in passion (rajasa-
ahankara), from which are manifested the active and knowledge-acquiring 
senses, along with the intelligence, whose predominating Deity is Lord 
Pradyumna (SB 3.26.29–31); and (3) tamasa, or egotism in ignorance, from 
which sound vibration (sabda-tanmatra) expands. From sound vibration, 
the sky (akasa) is manifested, and then the senses, beginning with the 
sense of hearing, are also manifested (SB 3.26.32). Of these three types 
of egotism, Lord Sankarsana is the predominating Deity. In the 
philosophical discourse known as the Sankhya-karika, it is stated, 
sattvika ekadasakah pravartate vaikrtad ahankarat -- bhutades tan-matram 
tamasa-taijasady-ubhayam.
 
Madhya 20.277
 
TEXT 277
 
TEXT
 
sarva tattva mili' srjila brahmandera gana
ananta brahmanda, tara nahika ganana
SYNONYMS
 
sarva tattva -- all different elements; mili' -- combining; srjila -- 
created; brahmandera gana -- all the universes; ananta brahmanda -- 
those universes are unlimited in number; tara nahika ganana -- there is 
no possibility of counting them.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Combining all the different elements, the Supreme Lord created all the 
universes. Those universes are unlimited in number; there is no 
possibility of counting them.
 
Madhya 20.278
 
TEXT 278
 
TEXT
 
inho mahat-srasta purusa -- ‘maha-visnu' nama
ananta brahmanda tanra loma-kupe dhama
SYNONYMS
 
inho -- He; mahat-srasta -- the creator of the mahat-tattva, or total 
material energy; purusa -- the person; maha-visnu nama -- called Lord 
Maha-Visnu; ananta -- unlimited; brahmanda -- universes; tanra -- of His 
body; loma-kupe -- within the hair holes; dhama -- are situated.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The first form of Lord Visnu is called Maha-Visnu. He is the original 
creator of the total material energy. The innumerable universes emanate 
from the pores of His body.
 
Madhya 20.279–280
 
TEXTS 279–280
 
TEXT
 
gavakse udiya yaiche renu ase yaya
purusa-nisvasa-saha brahmanda bahiraya
punarapi nisvasa-saha yaya abhyantara
ananta aisvarya tanra, saba -- maya-para
SYNONYMS
 
gavakse -- from a hole at the top of a wall; udiya -- floating; yaiche --
 as; renu -- atomic particles; ase yaya -- come and go; purusa-nisvasa-
saha -- with the exhaling of Maha-Visnu; brahmanda -- the universes; 
bahiraya -- come outside; punarapi -- again; nisvasa-saha -- by His 
inhalation; yaya -- go; abhyantara -- within; ananta -- unlimited; 
aisvarya -- opulences; tanra -- of Him; saba -- everything; maya-para -- 
beyond the material conception.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"These universes are understood to be floating in the air that Maha-
Visnu exhales. They are like atomic particles that float in sunshine and 
pass through the holes of a screen. All these universes are thus created 
by the exhalation of Maha-Visnu, and when Maha-Visnu inhales, they re-
enter His body. The unlimited opulences of Maha-Visnu are completely 
beyond material conception.
 
Madhya 20.281
 
TEXT 281
 
TEXT
 
yasyaika-nisvasita-kalam athavalambya
 jivanti loma-vila-ja jagad-anda-nathah
visnur mahan sa iha yasya kala-viseso
 govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
SYNONYMS
 
yasya -- whose; eka -- one; nisvasita -- of breath; kalam -- time; atha -
- thus; avalambya -- taking shelter of; jivanti -- live; loma-vila-jah --
 grown from the hair holes; jagat-anda-nathah -- the masters of the 
universes (the Brahmas); visnuh mahan -- the Supreme Lord Maha-Visnu; 
sah -- that; iha -- here; yasya -- whose; kala-visesah -- particular 
plenary portion or expansion; govindam -- Lord Govinda; adi-purusam -- 
the original person; tam -- Him; aham -- I; bhajami -- worship.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The Brahmas and other lords of the mundane worlds appear from the 
pores of Maha-Visnu and remain alive for the duration of His one 
exhalation. I adore the primeval Lord, Govinda, of whom Maha-Visnu is a 
portion of a plenary portion.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from the Brahma-samhita (5.48). For an explanation, 
refer to Adi-lila, Chapter Five, verse 71.
 
Madhya 20.282
 
TEXT 282
 
TEXT
 
samasta brahmanda-ganera inho antaryami
Karanodakasayi -- saba jagatera svami
SYNONYMS
 
samasta brahmanda-ganera -- of the aggregate of the brahmandas, or 
universes; inho -- that Lord Maha-Visnu; antaryami -- the Supersoul; 
karana-abdhi-sayi -- Lord Maha-Visnu, lying on the Causal Ocean; saba 
jagatera -- of all the universes; svami -- the Supreme Lord.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Maha-Visnu is the Supersoul of all the universes. Lying on the Causal 
Ocean, He is the master of all material worlds.
 
Madhya 20.283
 
TEXT 283
 
TEXT
 
eita kahilun prathama purusera tattva
dvitiya purusera ebe sunaha mahattva
SYNONYMS
 
eita -- thus; kahilun -- I have explained; prathama purusera -- of the 
first incarnation of the Personality of Godhead; tattva -- the truth; 
dvitiya purusera -- of the second incarnation of the Personality of 
Godhead; ebe -- now; sunaha -- please hear; mahattva -- glories.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"I have thus explained the truth of the first Personality of Godhead, 
Maha-Visnu. I shall now explain the glories of the second Personality of 
Godhead.
 
Madhya 20.284
 
TEXT 284
 
TEXT
 
sei purusa ananta-koti brahmanda srjiya
ekaika-murtye pravesila bahu murti hana
SYNONYMS
 
sei purusa -- that Personality of Godhead, Maha-Visnu; ananta-koti 
brahmanda -- millions and trillions of brahmandas, or universes; srjiya -
- after creating; eka-eka -- in each one of them; murtye -- in a form; 
pravesila -- entered; bahu murti hana -- becoming many forms.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"After creating the total number of universes, which are unlimited, Maha-
Visnu expanded Himself into unlimited forms and entered into each of 
them.
 
Madhya 20.285
 
TEXT 285
 
TEXT
 
pravesa kariya dekhe, saba -- andhakara
rahite nahika sthana, karila vicara
SYNONYMS
 
pravesa kariya -- after entering; dekhe -- He sees; saba -- everywhere; 
andhakara -- complete darkness; rahite -- to remain there; nahika sthana 
-- there was no place; karila vicara -- then He considered.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When Maha-Visnu entered each of the limitless universes, He saw that 
there was darkness all around and that there was no place to stay. He 
therefore began to consider the situation.
 
Madhya 20.286
 
TEXT 286
 
TEXT
 
nijanga-sveda-jale brahmandardha bharila
sei jale sesa-sayyaya sayana karila
SYNONYMS
 
nija-anga -- from His own personal body; sveda-jale -- by emitting the 
water of perspiration; brahmanda-ardha -- half of the universe; bharila -
- filled; sei jale -- on that water; sesa-sayyaya -- on the bed of Lord 
Sesa; sayana karila -- lay down.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"With the perspiration produced from His own body, the Lord filled half 
the universe with water. He then lay down on that water, on the bed of 
Lord Sesa.
 
Madhya 20.287
 
TEXT 287
 
TEXT
 
tanra nabhi-padma haite uthila eka padma
sei padme ha-ila brahmara janma-sadma
SYNONYMS
 
tanra nabhi-padma haite -- from His lotus navel; uthila -- grew; eka -- 
one; padma -- lotus flower; sei padme -- on that lotus flower; ha-ila -- 
there was; brahmara -- of Lord Brahma; janma-sadma -- the place of 
generation.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"A lotus flower then sprouted from the lotus navel of that 
Garbhodakasayi Visnu. That lotus flower became Lord Brahma's birthplace.
 
Madhya 20.288
 
TEXT 288
 
TEXT
 
sei padma-nale ha-ila caudda bhuvana
tenho ‘brahma' hana srsti karila srjana
SYNONYMS
 
sei padma-nale -- within the stem of that lotus; ha-ila -- was 
manifested; caudda -- fourteen; bhuvana -- planetary systems; tenho -- 
He; brahma -- Lord Brahma; hana -- having become; srsti -- the material 
creation; karila srjana -- created.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the stem of that lotus flower, the fourteen worlds were generated. 
Then He became Lord Brahma and manifested the entire universe.
 
Madhya 20.289
 
TEXT 289
 
TEXT
 
‘visnu'-rupa hana kare jagat palane
gunatita visnu -- sparsa nahi maya-sane
SYNONYMS
 
visnu-rupa -- Lord Krsna in His form as Visnu; hana -- becoming; kare -- 
does; jagat palane -- maintenance of the material world; guna-atita -- 
beyond the material qualities, transcendental; visnu -- Lord Visnu; 
sparsa -- touching; nahi -- there is not; maya-sane -- with maya, the 
material energy.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In this way, the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form of Visnu 
maintains the entire material world. Since He is always beyond the 
material qualities, the material nature cannot touch Him.
 
PURPORT
 
The influence of the material energy cannot touch Lord Visnu as she 
touches Lord Brahma and Lord Siva. Therefore it is said that Lord Visnu 
is transcendental to the material qualities. The incarnations of the 
material qualities -- Lord Siva and Lord Brahma -- are under the 
jurisdiction of the external energy. Lord Visnu, however, is different. 
In the mantras of the Rg Veda it is said, om tad visnoh paramam padam (
Rg Veda-samhita 1.22.20). The words paramam padam indicate that He is 
transcendental to the material qualities. Because Lord Visnu is not 
within the jurisdiction of the material qualities, He is always superior 
to the living entities who are controlled by the material energy. This 
is one of the differences between the Supreme Lord and the living 
entities. Lord Brahma is a very powerful living entity, and Lord Siva is 
even more powerful. Therefore Lord Siva is not accepted as a living 
entity, but at the same time he is not considered to be on the level of 
Lord Visnu.
 
Madhya 20.290
 
TEXT 290
 
TEXT
 
‘rudra'-rupa dhari kare jagat samhara
srsti, sthiti, pralaya haya icchaya yanhara
SYNONYMS
 
rudra-rupa dhari -- accepting the form of Lord Siva; kare -- performs; 
jagat samhara -- dissolution of the universal creation; srsti -- 
creation; sthiti -- maintenance; pralaya -- and dissolution; haya -- 
take place; icchaya -- by the will; yanhara -- of whom.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The Supreme Lord in His form of Rudra [Lord Siva] brings about the 
dissolution of this material creation. In other words, only by His will 
are there creation, maintenance and dissolution of the whole cosmic 
manifestation.
 
Madhya 20.291
 
TEXT 291
 
TEXT
 
brahma, visnu, siva -- tanra guna-avatara
srsti-sthiti-pralayera tinera adhikara
SYNONYMS
 
brahma -- Lord Brahma; visnu -- Lord Visnu; siva -- Lord Siva; tanra -- 
of Garbhodakasayi Visnu; guna-avatara -- incarnations of the material 
qualities; srsti-sthiti-pralayera -- of the three functions, namely 
creation, maintenance and dissolution; tinera adhikara -- there is 
control by the three deities (Lord Brahma, Lord Visnu and Lord Siva).
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Brahma, Visnu and Siva are His three incarnations of the material 
qualities. Creation, maintenance and destruction respectively are under 
the charge of these three personalities.
 
Madhya 20.292
 
TEXT 292
 
TEXT
 
hiranyagarbha-antaryami -- garbhodakasayi
‘sahasra-sirsadi' kari' vede yanre gai
SYNONYMS
 
hiranyagarbha -- named Hiranyagarbha; antaryami -- the Supersoul; garbha-
udaka-sayi -- Lord Garbhodakasayi Visnu; sahasra-sirsa-adi kari' -- by 
the Vedic hymns beginning with sahasra-sirsa (Rg Veda-samhita 10.90.1); 
vede yanre gai -- unto whom the Vedas pray.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Garbhodakasayi Visnu, known within the universe as Hiranyagarbha and 
the antaryami, or Supersoul, is glorified in the Vedic hymns, beginning 
with the hymn that starts with the word ‘sahasra-sirsa.'
 
Madhya 20.293
 
TEXT 293
 
TEXT
 
ei ta' dvitiya-purusa -- brahmandera isvara
mayara ‘asraya' haya, tabu maya-para
SYNONYMS
 
ei ta' -- in this way; dvitiya-purusa -- the second Personality of 
Godhead; brahmandera isvara -- the master of the universe; mayara -- of 
the external, material energy; asraya haya -- becomes the shelter; tabu -
- still; maya-para -- is beyond the touch of the material energy.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"This second Personality of Godhead, known as Garbhodakasayi Visnu, is 
the master of each and every universe and the shelter of the external 
energy. Nonetheless, He remains beyond the touch of the external energy.
 
Madhya 20.294
 
TEXT 294
 
TEXT
 
trtiya-purusa visnu -- ‘guna-avatara'
dui avatara-bhitara ganana tanhara
SYNONYMS
 
trtiya-purusa -- the third Personality; visnu -- Lord Visnu; guna-
avatara -- the incarnation of the material quality of goodness; dui 
avatara-bhitara -- within the two incarnations; ganana tanhara -- He is 
designated.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The third expansion of Visnu is Ksirodakasayi Visnu, who is the 
incarnation of the quality of goodness. He is to be counted within both 
types of incarnations [purusa-avataras and guna-avataras].
 
Madhya 20.295
 
TEXT 295
 
TEXT
 
virat vyasti-jivera tenho antaryami
ksirodakasayi tenho -- palana-karta, svami
SYNONYMS
 
virat -- the universal form; vyasti-jivera -- of all other living 
entities; tenho -- He; antaryami -- the Supersoul; ksira-udaka-sayi -- 
Lord Visnu who lies down on the ocean of milk; tenho -- He; palana-karta 
-- the maintainer; svami -- the master.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Ksirodakasayi Visnu is the universal form of the Lord and is the 
Supersoul within every living entity. He is known as Ksirodakasayi 
because He is the Lord who lies on the ocean of milk. He is the 
maintainer and master of the universe.
 
Madhya 20.296
 
TEXT 296
 
TEXT
 
purusavatarera ei kailun nirupana
lilavatara ebe suna, sanatana
SYNONYMS
 
purusa-avatarera -- of all the purusa-avataras; ei -- this; kailun 
nirupana -- I have described; lila-avatara -- incarnations for pastimes; 
ebe -- now; suna -- please hear; sanatana -- O Sanatana.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"O Sanatana, I have definitively described the three purusa-avataras of 
Visnu. Now please hear from Me about the pastime incarnations.
 
Madhya 20.297
 
TEXT 297
 
TEXT
 
lilavatara krsnera na yaya ganana
pradhana kariya kahi dig-darasana
SYNONYMS
 
lila-avatara -- incarnations for pastimes; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; na 
yaya ganana -- are not countable; pradhana kariya -- chiefly; kahi -- 
let Me describe; dik-darasana -- by a sample indication.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"No one can count the innumerable pastime incarnations of Lord Krsna, 
but I shall describe the principal ones.
 
Madhya 20.298
 
TEXT 298
 
TEXT
 
matsya, kurma, raghunatha, nrsimha, vamana
varahadi -- lekha yanra na yaya ganana
SYNONYMS
 
matsya -- the fish incarnation; kurma -- the tortoise incarnation; 
raghunatha -- Lord Ramacandra; nrsimha -- the man-lion incarnation; 
vamana -- the dwarf incarnation; varaha-adi -- the hog incarnation and 
others; lekha -- describing; yanra -- of which incarnations; na yaya 
ganana -- cannot be counted.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Some of the pastime incarnations are the fish incarnation, the tortoise 
incarnation, Lord Ramacandra, Lord Nrsimha, Lord Vamana and Lord Varaha. 
There is no end to them.
 
Madhya 20.299
 
TEXT 299
 
TEXT
 
matsyasva-kacchapa-nrsimha-varaha-hamsa-
 rajanya-vipra-vibudhesu krtavatarah
tvam pasi nas tri-bhuvanam ca tathadhunesa
 bharam bhuvo hara yaduttama vandanam te
SYNONYMS
 
matsya -- in the form of a fish; asva -- in the form of a horse; 
kacchapa -- in the form of a tortoise; nrsimha -- in the form of Lord 
Nrsimha-deva; varaha -- in the form of a boar; hamsa -- in the form 
of a swan; rajanya -- in the form of Lord Ramacandra; vipra -- in the 
form of Lord Parasurama; vibudhesu -- and in the form of Vamanadeva; 
krta-avatarah -- who have accepted incarnation; tvam -- You; pasi -- 
please protect; nah -- us demigods; tri-bhuvanam ca -- and the three 
worlds; tatha -- as well; adhuna -- now; isa -- O Lord; bharam -- the 
burden; bhuvah -- of the universe; hara -- kindly take away; yadu-uttama 
-- O best of the Yadu dynasty; vandanam te -- to You we offer our 
prayers.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘O Lord of the universe, best of the Yadu dynasty, we are offering our 
prayers unto You mainly to diminish the heavy burden of the universe. 
Indeed, You diminished this burden formerly by incarnating in the form 
of a fish, a horse [Hayagriva], a tortoise, a lion [Lord Nrsimha], a 
boar [Lord Varaha] and a swan. You also incarnated as Lord Ramacandra, 
Parasurama and Vamana, the dwarf. You have always protected us demigods 
and the universe in this way. Now please continue.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.2.40).
 
Madhya 20.300
 
TEXT 300
 
TEXT
 
lilavatarera kailun dig-darasana
gunavatarera ebe suna vivarana
SYNONYMS
 
lila-avatarera -- of the incarnations of pastimes; kailun -- I have done;
 dik-darasana -- indicating the direction only; guna-avatarera -- of 
incarnations of the material qualities; ebe -- now; suna vivarana -- 
hear the description.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"I have given a few examples of pastime incarnations. Now I will 
describe the guna-avataras, the incarnations of the material qualities. 
Please listen.
 
Madhya 20.301
 
TEXT 301
 
TEXT
 
brahma, visnu, siva, -- tina guna avatara
tri-guna angikari' kare srsty-adi-vyavahara
SYNONYMS
 
brahma, visnu, siva -- Lord Brahma, Lord Visnu and Lord Siva; tina -- 
three; guna avatara -- the incarnations of the material qualities; tri-
guna -- the three qualities of material nature; angikari' -- accepting; 
kare -- does; srsti-adi-vyavahara -- transactions in reference to the 
creation, maintenance and dissolution.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There are three functions within this material world. Everything here 
is created, everything is maintained for some time, and everything is 
finally dissolved. The Lord therefore incarnates Himself as the 
controllers of the three qualities -- sattva-guna, rajo-guna and tamo-
guna [goodness, passion and ignorance]. Thus the transactions of the 
material world take place.
 
Madhya 20.302
 
TEXT 302
 
TEXT
 
bhakti-misra-krta-punye kona jivottama
rajo-gune vibhavita kari' tanra mana
SYNONYMS
 
bhakti-misra-krta-punye -- because of pious activities mixed with 
devotional service; kona -- someone; jiva-uttama -- the best of the 
living entities; rajah-gune -- by the mode of passion; vibhavita -- 
influenced; kari' -- making; tanra -- his; mana -- mind.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Because of his past pious activities mixed with devotional service, the 
first-class living entity is influenced by the mode of passion within 
his mind.
 
Madhya 20.303
 
TEXT 303
 
TEXT
 
garbhodakasayi-dvara sakti sancari'
vyasti srsti kare krsna brahma-rupa dhari'
SYNONYMS
 
garbha-udaka-sayi-dvara -- by Lord Garbhodakasayi Visnu; sakti sancari' -
- giving him special powers; vyasti -- total; srsti -- creation; kare -- 
does; krsna -- Lord Krsna; brahma-rupa dhari' -- accepting the form of 
Lord Brahma.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Such a devotee is empowered by Garbhodakasayi Visnu. In this way, an 
incarnation of Krsna in the form of Brahma engineers the total creation 
of the universe.
 
PURPORT
 
The Garbhodakasayi Visnu purusa-avatara expansion of Lord Visnu accepts 
the material modes -- sattva-guna, rajo-guna and tamo-guna -- and thus 
incarnates as Lord Visnu, Brahma and Siva. These are incarnations of the 
material qualities. Among the many superior living entities qualified 
with pious activities and devotional service, one, called Lord Brahma, 
is infused with the quality of passion by the supreme will of 
Garbhodakasayi Visnu. Thus Lord Brahma becomes the incarnation of the 
creative energy of the Lord.
 
Madhya 20.304
 
TEXT 304
 
TEXT
 
bhasvan yathasma-sakalesu nijesu tejah
 sviyam kiyat prakatayaty api tadvad atra
brahma ya esa jagad-anda-vidhana-karta
 govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
SYNONYMS
 
bhasvan -- the illuminating sun; yatha -- as; asma-sakalesu -- in 
various types of precious stones; nijesu -- his own; tejah -- brilliance;
 sviyam -- his own; kiyat -- to some extent; prakatayati -- manifests; 
api -- also; tadvat -- similarly; atra -- here; brahma -- Lord Brahma; 
yah -- who is; esah -- the Lord; jagat-anda-vidhana-karta -- becomes the 
chief of the universe; govindam adi-purusam -- Lord Govinda, the 
original Supreme Personality of Godhead; tam -- Him; aham -- I; bhajami -
- worship.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The sun manifests his brilliance in a gem, although it is stone. 
Similarly, the original Personality of Godhead, Govinda, manifests His 
special power in a pious living entity. Thus the living entity becomes 
Brahma and manages the affairs of the universe. Let me worship Govinda, 
the original Personality of Godhead.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from the Brahma-samhita (5.49).
 
Madhya 20.305
 
TEXT 305
 
TEXT
 
kona kalpe yadi yogya jiva nahi paya
apane isvara tabe amse ‘brahma' haya
SYNONYMS
 
kona kalpe -- in some lifetime of Brahma; yadi -- if; yogya -- suitable; 
jiva -- living entity; nahi -- not; paya -- is available; apane -- 
personally; isvara -- the Supreme Lord; tabe -- then; amse -- by His 
plenary expansion; brahma haya -- becomes Lord Brahma.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"If in a kalpa a suitable living entity is not available to take charge 
of Brahma's post, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself personally 
expands and becomes Lord Brahma.
 
PURPORT
 
One day of Brahma consists of the four yugas multiplied a thousand times 
-- or, according to solar calculations, 4,320,000,000 years -- and such 
also is the duration of his night. One year of Brahma's life consists of 
360 such days and nights, and Brahma lives for one hundred such years. 
Such is the life of a Brahma.
 
Madhya 20.306
 
TEXT 306
 
TEXT
 
yasyanghri-pankaja-rajo 'khila-loka-palair
 mauly-uttamair dhrtam upasita-tirtha-tirtham
brahma bhavo 'ham api yasya kalah kalayah
 sris codvahema ciram asya nrpasanam kva
SYNONYMS
 
yasya -- whose; anghri-pankaja -- lotuslike feet; rajah -- the dust; 
akhila-loka -- of the universal planetary systems; palaih -- by the 
masters; mauli-uttamaih -- with valuable turbans on their heads; dhrtam -
- accepted; upasita -- worshiped; tirtha-tirtham -- the sanctifier of 
the holy places; brahma -- Lord Brahma; bhavah -- Lord Siva; aham api -- 
even I; yasya -- of whom; kalah -- portions; kalayah -- of a plenary 
portion; srih -- the goddess of fortune; ca -- and; udvahema -- we carry;
 ciram -- eternally; asya -- of Him; nrpa-asanam -- the throne of a king;
 kva -- where.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘What is the value of a throne to Lord Krsna? The masters of the 
various planetary systems accept the dust of His lotus feet on their 
crowned heads. That dust makes the holy places sacred, and even Lord 
Brahma, Lord Siva, Laksmi and I Myself, who are all portions of His 
plenary portion, eternally carry that dust on our heads.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.68.37). When the Kauravas 
flattered Baladeva so that He would become their ally and spoke ill of 
Sri Krsna, Lord Baladeva became angry and spoke this verse.
 
Madhya 20.307
 
TEXT 307
 
TEXT
 
nijamsa-kalaya krsna tamo-guna angikari'
samhararthe maya-sange rudra-rupa dhari
SYNONYMS
 
nija-amsa -- of His personal plenary expansion; kalaya -- by an 
expansion known as kala; krsna -- Lord Krsna; tamah-guna -- the material 
mode of darkness; angikari' -- accepting; samhara-arthe -- for the 
purpose of dissolution; maya-sange -- in association with the external 
energy; rudra-rupa -- the form of Rudra; dhari -- assumes.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, expands a portion of 
His plenary portion and, accepting the association of the material mode 
of ignorance, assumes the form of Rudra to dissolve the cosmic 
manifestation.
 
PURPORT
 
This is a description of the Rudra form, which is another expansion of 
Krsna. Only visnu-murtis are expansions of Krsna's personal and plenary 
portions. Maha-Visnu, who lies on the Causal Ocean, is an expansion of 
Sankarsana. When Garbhodakasayi Visnu accepts the material modes of 
nature for the purpose of dissolving the cosmic manifestation, His form 
is called Rudra. As already explained, Lord Visnu is the controller of 
maya. How, then, can He associate with maya? The conclusion is that the 
incarnation of Lord Siva or Lord Brahma indicates the absence of the 
supreme power of Visnu. When the supreme power is not there, it is 
possible to associate with maya, the external energy. Lord Brahma and 
Lord Siva are to be considered creations of maya.
 
Madhya 20.308
 
TEXT 308
 
TEXT
 
maya-sanga-vikari rudra -- bhinnabhinna rupa
jiva-tattva nahe, nahe krsnera ‘svarupa'
SYNONYMS
 
maya-sanga -- by association with maya; vikari -- transformed; rudra -- 
the form of Rudra; bhinna-abhinna rupa -- having different types of 
forms; jiva-tattva nahe -- still he is not called jiva-tattva; nahe -- 
nor; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; svarupa -- personal form.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Rudra, Lord Siva, has various forms, which are transformations brought 
about by association with maya. Although Rudra is not on a level with 
the jiva-tattvas, he still cannot be considered a personal expansion of 
Lord Krsna.
 
PURPORT
 
Rudra is simultaneously one with and different from the visnu-tattva. 
Due to his association with maya, he is different from the visnu-tattva, 
but at the same time he is an expansion of Krsna's personal form. This 
situation is called bhedabheda-tattva or acintya-bhedabheda-tattva, 
simultaneously one and different.
 
Madhya 20.309
 
TEXT 309
 
TEXT
 
dugdha yena amla-yoge dadhi-rupa dhare
dugdhantara vastu nahe, dugdha haite nare
SYNONYMS
 
dugdha -- milk; yena -- as; amla-yoge -- in association with a sour 
substance; dadhi-rupa -- the form of yogurt; dhare -- takes; dugdha-
antara -- something other than milk; vastu -- substance; nahe -- is not; 
dugdha -- milk; haite -- to be; nare -- is not able.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Milk is transformed into yogurt when it associates with a yogurt 
culture. Thus yogurt is nothing but milk, but still it is not milk.
 
PURPORT
 
Of the three deities supervising the creation, maintenance and 
dissolution of the universe, Lord Visnu is never separate from the 
original Visnu. However, Lord Siva and Brahma, due to their association 
with maya, are different from Visnu. Visnu cannot be transformed into 
any form of material energy. Whenever there is association with maya, 
the personality involved must be different from Lord Visnu. Therefore 
Lord Siva and Lord Brahma are called guna-avataras, for they associate 
with the material qualities. The conclusion is that Rudra is not exactly 
Lord Visnu but rather a transformation of Visnu. Therefore, he does not 
come within the category of the visnu-tattvas. Thus he is inconceivably 
one with Visnu and different from Him. The example given in this verse 
is very clear. Milk is compared to Visnu. As soon as milk touches a sour 
substance, it becomes yogurt, or Lord Siva. Although yogurt is 
constitutionally milk, it cannot be used in place of milk.
 
Madhya 20.310
 
TEXT 310
 
TEXT
 
ksiram yatha dadhi vikara-visesa-yogat
 sanjayate na tu tatah prthag asti hetoh
yah sambhutam api tatha samupaiti karyad
 govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
SYNONYMS
 
ksiram -- milk; yatha -- as; dadhi -- yogurt; vikara-visesa -- with a 
special transforming agent; yogat -- by mixing; sanjayate -- is 
transformed into; na -- not; tu -- but; tatah -- from the milk; prthak --
 separated; asti -- is; hetoh -- which is the cause; yah -- who; 
sambhutam -- the nature of Lord Siva; api -- even though; tatha -- as; 
samupaiti -- accepts; karyat -- for the matter of some particular 
business; govindam -- unto Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; 
adi-purusam -- the original person; tam -- unto Him; aham -- I; bhajami -
- offer my respectful obeisances.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Milk changes into yogurt when mixed with a yogurt culture, but 
actually it is constitutionally nothing but milk. Similarly, Govinda, 
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, assumes the form of Lord Siva [
Sambhu] for the special purpose of material transactions. I offer my 
obeisances at His lotus feet.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from the Brahma-samhita (5.45).
 
Madhya 20.311
 
TEXT 311
 
TEXT
 
‘siva' -- maya-sakti-sangi, tamo-gunavesa
mayatita, gunatita ‘visnu' -- paramesa
SYNONYMS
 
siva -- Lord Siva; maya-sakti-sangi -- an associate of the external 
energy; tamah-guna-avesa -- absorbed by the quality of ignorance; maya-
atita -- transcendental to the external energy; guna-atita -- 
transcendental to the qualities of matter; visnu -- Visnu; parama-isa -- 
the Supreme Lord.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Siva is an associate of the external energy; therefore he is 
absorbed in the material quality of darkness. Lord Visnu is 
transcendental to maya and the qualities of maya. Therefore He is the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead.
 
PURPORT
 
Visnu is beyond the range of the material manifestation, and He is not 
within the control of the material energy. He is the supreme independent 
Personality of Godhead. This is admitted even by Sankaracarya: narayanah 
paro 'vyaktat (Gita-bhasya). In his constitutional form, Siva is a maha-
bhagavata, a supreme devotee of the Lord, but because he accepts maya's 
association -- especially the quality of ignorance -- he is not free 
from maya's influence. Such an intimate association is completely absent 
in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu. Lord Siva accepts maya, 
but in the presence of Lord Visnu, maya does not exist. Consequently 
Lord Siva has to be considered a product of maya. When Lord Siva is free 
from maya's influence, he is in the position of a maha-bhagavata, a 
supreme devotee of Lord Visnu. Vaisnavanam yatha sambhuh.
 
Madhya 20.312
 
TEXT 312
 
TEXT
 
sivah sakti-yuktah sasvat
 tri-lingo guna-samvrtah
vaikarikas taijasas ca
 tamasas cety aham tridha
SYNONYMS
 
sivah -- Lord Siva; sakti-yuktah -- associated with material nature; 
sasvat -- eternally; tri-lingah -- in three features; guna-samvrtah -- 
covered by the modes of nature; vaikarikah -- one is called vaikarika; 
taijasah ca -- another is called taijasa; tamasah ca -- as well as 
tamasa; iti -- thus; aham -- egotism; tri-dha -- three kinds.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The truth about Lord Siva is that he is always covered with three 
material coverings -- vaikarika, taijasa and tamasa. Because of these 
three modes of material nature, he always associates with the external 
energy and egotism itself.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.88.3).
 
Madhya 20.313
 
TEXT 313
 
TEXT
 
harir hi nirgunah saksat
 purusah prakrteh parah
sa sarva-drg upadrasta
 tam bhajan nirguno bhavet
SYNONYMS
 
harih -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu; hi -- certainly; 
nirgunah -- transcendental to all material qualities; saksat -- directly;
 purusah -- the supreme enjoyer; prakrteh -- material nature; parah -- 
beyond; sah -- He; sarva-drk -- the seer of everything; upadrasta -- the 
overseer of everything; tam -- Him; bhajan -- by worshiping; nirgunah -- 
transcendental to material qualities; bhavet -- one becomes.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Sri Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is situated beyond the 
range of material nature; therefore He is the supreme transcendental 
person. He can see everything inside and outside; therefore He is the 
supreme overseer of all living entities. If someone takes shelter at His 
lotus feet and worships Him, he also attains a transcendental position.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is also a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.88.5).
 
Madhya 20.314
 
TEXT 314
 
TEXT
 
palanartha svamsa visnu-rupe avatara
sattva-guna drasta, tate guna-maya-para
SYNONYMS
 
palana-artha -- for maintenance; svamsa -- personal plenary expansion; 
visnu-rupe -- in the form of Lord Visnu; avatara -- incarnation; sattva-
guna -- of the mode of goodness; drasta -- director; tate -- therefore; 
guna-maya-para -- transcendental to the material modes of nature.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"For the maintenance of the universe, Lord Krsna descends as His 
personal plenary expansion in the form of Visnu. He is the director of 
the mode of goodness; therefore He is transcendental to the material 
energy.
 
Madhya 20.315
 
TEXT 315
 
TEXT
 
svarupa -- aisvarya-purna, krsna-sama praya
krsna amsi, tenho amsa, vede hena gaya
SYNONYMS
 
svarupa -- personal expansion; aisvarya-purna -- full of all opulences; 
krsna-sama -- equal to Krsna; praya -- almost; krsna amsi -- Krsna is 
the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tenho -- Lord Visnu; amsa -- 
personal expansion; vede -- the Vedas; hena -- thus; gaya -- sing.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Visnu is in the category of svamsa because He has opulences almost 
equal to Krsna's. Krsna is the original person, and Lord Visnu is His 
personal expansion. This is the verdict of all Vedic literatures.
 
PURPORT
 
Although an incarnation of the material energy, Lord Brahma is 
nonetheless the director of the material mode of passion. Similarly, 
Lord Siva, although simultaneously one with and different from Lord 
Krsna, is still the incarnation of the mode of darkness. However, Lord 
Visnu is Krsna's personal expansion; therefore He is the director of the 
mode of goodness and is always transcendentally situated, beyond the 
jurisdiction of the modes of material nature. Lord Visnu is the original 
personal expansion of Krsna, and Krsna is the original source of all 
incarnations. As far as power is concerned, Lord Visnu is as powerful as 
Lord Krsna because He possesses all the opulences.
 
Madhya 20.316
 
TEXT 316
 
TEXT
 
diparcir eva hi dasantaram abhyupetya
 dipayate vivrta-hetu-samana-dharma
yas tadrg eva hi ca visnutaya vibhati
 govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
SYNONYMS
 
dipa-arcih -- the flame of a lamp; eva -- as; hi -- certainly; dasa-
antaram -- another lamp; abhyupetya -- expanding; dipayate -- 
illuminates; vivrta-hetu -- with its expanded cause; samana-dharma -- 
equally powerful; yah -- who; tadrk -- similarly; eva -- certainly; hi --
 certainly; ca -- also; visnutaya -- by His expansion as Lord Visnu; 
vibhati -- illuminates; govindam -- to Lord Krsna; adi-purusam -- the 
supreme original person; tam -- to Him; aham -- I; bhajami -- offer my 
worshipful respect.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘When the flame of one candle is expanded to another candle and placed 
in a different position, it burns separately, and its illumination is as 
powerful as the original candle's. Similarly, the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead, Govinda, expands Himself in different forms as Visnu, who is 
equally luminous, powerful and opulent. Let me worship that Supreme 
Personality of Godhead, Govinda.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from the Brahma-samhita (5.46).
 
Madhya 20.317
 
TEXT 317
 
TEXT
 
brahma, siva -- ajna-kari bhakta-avatara
palanarthe visnu -- krsnera svarupa-akara
SYNONYMS
 
brahma -- Lord Brahma; siva -- Lord Siva; ajna-kari -- order-carriers; 
bhakta-avatara -- incarnations of devotees; palana-arthe -- for 
maintenance; visnu -- Lord Visnu; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; svarupa-
akara -- in the form of a personal feature.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The conclusion is that Lord Brahma and Lord Siva are simply devotee 
incarnations who carry out orders. However, Lord Visnu, the maintainer, 
is the personal feature of Lord Krsna.
 
Madhya 20.318
 
TEXT 318
 
TEXT
 
srjami tan-niyukto 'ham
 haro harati tad-vasah
visvam purusa-rupena
 paripati tri-sakti-dhrk
SYNONYMS
 
srjami -- create; tat-niyuktah -- engaged by Him; aham -- I; harah -- 
Lord Siva; harati -- annihilates; tat-vasah -- under His control; visvam 
-- the whole universe; purusa-rupena -- in the form of Lord Visnu; 
paripati -- maintains; tri-sakti-dhrk -- the controller of the three 
modes of material nature.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"[Lord Brahma said:] ‘I am engaged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead 
to create. Following His orders, Lord Siva dissolves everything. The 
Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form of Ksirodakasayi Visnu 
maintains all the affairs of material nature. Thus the supreme 
controller of the three modes of material nature is Lord Visnu.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.6.32). Lord Brahma gave 
this information to Devarsi Narada when he was receiving instructions 
from Lord Brahma to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, 
Paramatma. After describing the universal form of the Lord, Lord Brahma 
explained that his position and Lord Siva's position are controlled by 
Lord Visnu.
 
Madhya 20.319
 
TEXT 319
 
TEXT
 
manvantaravatara ebe suna, sanatana
asankhya ganana tanra, sunaha karana
SYNONYMS
 
manu-antara-avatara -- the incarnations associated with the 
reign of each Manu; ebe -- now; suna -- hear; sanatana -- O Sanatana 
Gosvami; asankhya -- unlimited; ganana -- counting; tanra -- of them; 
sunaha -- just hear; karana -- the cause.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"O Sanatana, now just hear about the incarnations associated with
 the reign of each Manu [manvantara-avataras]. They are unlimited, 
and no one can count them. Just hear of their source.
 
Madhya 20.320
 
TEXT 320
 
TEXT
 
brahmara eka-dine haya caudda manvantara
caudda avatara tahan karena isvara
SYNONYMS
 
brahmara eka-dine -- in one day of Brahma; haya -- there are; caudda -- 
fourteen; manu-antara -- changes of Manu; caudda -- fourteen; avatara -- 
incarnations; tahan -- in that time; karena -- manifests; isvara -- the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In one day of Brahma, there are fourteen changes of the Manus, and 
during the reign of each of those fourteen Manus, an incarnation is 
manifested by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
 
PURPORT
 
From this verse it can be calculated that in one month (30 days) of 
Brahma's life there are 420 manvantara-avataras and that in one year (
360 days) of his life there are 5,040 manvantara incarnations. Thus for 
the one hundred years of Brahma's life, there is a total of 504,000 
manvantara-avataras. In addition, the Manus themselves are considered 
partial incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
 
Madhya 20.321
 
TEXT 321
 
TEXT
 
caudda eka dine, mase cari-sata bisa
brahmara vatsare panca-sahasra callisa
SYNONYMS
 
caudda -- 14; eka dine -- in one day; mase -- in one month; cari-sata 
bisa -- 420; brahmara vatsare -- in one year of Brahma; panca-sahasra 
callisa -- 5,040 avataras.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There are 14 manvantara-avataras in one day of Brahma, 420 in one month,
 and 5,040 in one year.
 
Madhya 20.322
 
TEXT 322
 
TEXT
 
sateka vatsara haya ‘jivana' brahmara
panca-laksa cari-sahasra manvantaravatara
SYNONYMS
 
sateka vatsara haya -- there are one hundred years; jivana -- the 
duration of life; brahmara -- of Brahma; panca-laksa -- 500,000; cari-
sahasra -- 4,000; manu-antara-avatara -- incarnations associated with
 the reign of each Manu.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"During the hundred years of Brahma's life, there are 504,000 manvantara-
avataras.
 
Madhya 20.323
 
TEXT 323
 
TEXT
 
ananta brahmande aiche karaha ganana
maha-visnu eka-svase brahmara jivana
SYNONYMS
 
ananta brahmande -- in innumerable universes; aiche -- in that way; 
karaha ganana -- just try to count; maha-visnu -- Lord Maha-Visnu; eka-
svase -- by one exhalation; brahmara jivana -- the duration of life of 
one Brahma.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The number of manvantara-avataras for only one universe has been given. 
One can only imagine how many manvantara-avataras exist in the 
innumerable universes. And all these universes and Brahmas exist only 
during one exhalation of Maha-Visnu.
 
Madhya 20.324
 
TEXT 324
 
TEXT
 
maha-visnura nisvasera nahika paryanta
eka manvantaravatarera dekha lekhara anta
SYNONYMS
 
maha-visnura -- of Lord Maha-Visnu; nisvasera -- of the exhalations; 
nahika paryanta -- there is no limit; eka manvantara-avatarera -- of 
only one feature of the Lord, namely the manvantara-avataras; dekha -- 
just see; lekhara anta -- it is beyond the power of writing.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There is no limit to the exhalations of Maha-Visnu. Just see how 
impossible it is to speak or write of only the manvantara-avataras!
 
Madhya 20.325
 
TEXT 325
 
TEXT
 
svayambhuve ‘yajna', svarocise ‘vibhu' nama
auttame ‘satyasena', tamase ‘hari' abhidhana
SYNONYMS
 
svayambhuve -- in the Svayambhuva-manvantara; yajna -- the avatara named 
Yajna; svarocise -- in the Svarocisa-manvantara; vibhu -- the avatara 
Vibhu; nama -- named; auttame -- in the Auttama-manvantara; satyasena -- 
the avatara named Satyasena; tamase -- in the Tamasa-manvantara; hari -- 
Hari; abhidhana -- named.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the Svayambhuva-manvantara, the avatara is named Yajna. In the 
Svarocisa-manvantara, he is named Vibhu. In the Auttama-manvantara, He 
is named Satyasena, and in the Tamasa-manvantara, He is named Hari.
 
Madhya 20.326
 
TEXT 326
 
TEXT
 
raivate ‘vaikuntha', caksuse ‘ajita', vaivasvate ‘vamana'
savarnye ‘sarvabhauma', daksa-savarnye ‘rsabha' ganana
SYNONYMS
 
raivate -- in the Raivata-manvantara; vaikuntha -- the avatara named 
Vaikuntha; caksuse -- in the Caksusa-manvantara; ajita -- the avatara 
named Ajita; vaivasvate -- in the Vaivasvata-manvantara; vamana -- the 
avatara named Vamana; savarnye -- in the Savarnya-manvantara; 
sarvabhauma -- the avatara named Sarvabhauma; daksa-savarnye -- in the 
Daksa-savarnya-manvantara; rsabha -- the avatara named Rsabha; ganana -- 
named.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the Raivata-manvantara, the avatara is named Vaikuntha, and in the 
Caksusa-manvantara, He is named Ajita. In the Vaivasvata-manvantara, He 
is named Vamana, and in the Savarnya-manvantara, He is named Sarvabhauma.
 In the Daksa-savarnya-manvantara, he is named Rsabha.
 
Madhya 20.327
 
TEXT 327
 
TEXT
 
brahma-savarnye ‘visvaksena', ‘dharmasetu' dharma-savarnye
rudra-savarnye ‘sudhama', ‘yogesvara' deva-savarnye
SYNONYMS
 
brahma-savarnye -- in the Brahma-savarnya-manvantara; visvaksena -- the 
avatara named Visvaksena; dharmasetu -- the avatara named Dharmasetu; 
dharma-savarnye -- in the Dharma-savarnya-manvantara; rudra-savarnye -- 
in the Rudra-savarnya-manvantara; sudhama -- the avatara named Sudhama; 
yogesvara -- the avatara named Yogesvara; deva-savarnye -- in the Deva-
savarnya-manvantara.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the Brahma-savarnya-manvantara, the avatara is named Visvaksena, and 
in the Dharma-savarnya, he is named Dharmasetu. In the Rudra-savarnya he 
is named Sudhama, and in the Deva-savarnya, he is named Yogesvara.
 
Madhya 20.328
 
TEXT 328
 
TEXT
 
indra-savarnye ‘brhadbhanu' abhidhana
ei caudda manvantare caudda ‘avatara' nama
SYNONYMS
 
indra-savarnye -- in the Indra-savarnya-manvantara; brhadbhanu -- the 
avatara named Brhadbhanu; abhidhana -- named; ei caudda manvantare -- in 
the fourteen manvantaras; caudda -- fourteen; avatara -- of the 
incarnations; nama -- different names.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the Indra-savarnya-manvantara, the avatara is named Brhadbhanu. 
These are the names of the fourteen avataras in the fourteen manvantaras.
 
PURPORT
 
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, in his Anubhasya, gives a list 
of Manus and their fathers' names: (1) Svayambhuva Manu, the son of Lord 
Brahma; (2) Svarocisa, the son of Svarocis, or Agni, the predominating 
deity of fire; (3) Uttama, the son of King Priyavrata; (4) Tamasa, the 
brother of Uttama; (5) Raivata, the twin brother of Tamasa; (6) Caksusa, 
the son of the demigod Caksus; (7) Vaivasvata, the son of Vivasvan, the 
sun-god (whose name is mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita [4.1]); (8) 
Savarni, a son born to the sun-god and his wife Chaya; (9) Daksa-savarni,
 the son of the demigod Varuna; (10) Brahma-savarni, the son of Upasloka;
 (11–14) Rudra-savarni, Dharma-savarni, Deva-savarni and Indra-savarni, 
the sons of Rudra, Ruci, Satyasaha and Bhuti respectively.
 
Madhya 20.329
 
TEXT 329
 
TEXT
 
yugavatara ebe suna, sanatana
satya-treta-dvapara-kali-yugera ganana
SYNONYMS
 
yuga-avatara -- incarnation of millenniums; ebe -- now; suna -- hear; 
sanatana -- O Sanatana Gosvami; satya-treta-dvapara-kali-yugera -- of 
Satya-yuga, Treta-yuga, Dvapara-yuga and Kali-yuga; ganana -- the 
chronological order.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"O Sanatana, now hear from Me about the yuga-avataras, the incarnations 
for the millenniums. First of all, there are four yugas -- Satya-yuga, 
Treta-yuga, Dvapara-yuga and Kali-yuga.
 
Madhya 20.330
 
TEXT 330
 
TEXT
 
sukla-rakta-krsna-pita -- krame cari varna
cari varna dhari' krsna karena yuga-dharma
SYNONYMS
 
sukla -- white; rakta -- red; krsna -- black; pita -- yellow; krame -- 
one after another; cari varna -- four colors; cari varna dhari' -- 
accepting these four colors; krsna -- Lord Krsna; karena yuga-dharma -- 
manifests His pastimes in different millenniums.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the four yugas -- Satya, Treta, Dvapara and Kali -- the Lord 
incarnates in four colors: white, red, black and yellow respectively. 
These are the colors of the incarnations in different millenniums.
 
Madhya 20.331
 
TEXT 331
 
TEXT
 
asan varnas trayo hy asya
 grhnato 'nu-yugam tanuh
suklo raktas tatha pita
 idanim krsnatam gatah
SYNONYMS
 
asan -- there were; varnah -- colors; trayah -- three; hi -- certainly; 
asya -- of your son; grhnatah -- accepting; anu-yugam -- according to 
the millennium; tanuh -- body; suklah -- white; raktah -- red; tatha -- 
as well as; pitah -- yellow; idanim -- just now; krsnatam gatah -- He 
has assumed a blackish hue.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘This child formerly had three colors according to the prescribed color 
for different millenniums. Formerly He was white, red and yellow, and 
now He has assumed a blackish color.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.8.13) was spoken by Garga Muni 
when performing the name-giving ceremony for Krsna at the house of Nanda 
Maharaja. The following two verses are also from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.
21, 24).
 
Madhya 20.332
 
TEXT 332
 
TEXT
 
krte suklas catur-bahur
 jatilo valkalambarah
krsnajinopavitaksan
 bibhrad danda-kamandalu
SYNONYMS
 
krte -- in Satya-yuga; suklah -- having a white color and bearing the 
name Sukla; catuh-bahuh -- having four arms; jatilah -- with a bunch of 
hair; valkala-ambarah -- wearing a garment made of tree bark; krsna-
ajina -- black-colored antelope skin; upavita -- sacred thread; aksan -- 
a garland of beads for chanting; bibhrat -- carried; danda-kamandalu -- 
a rod and waterpot.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘In Satya-yuga the Lord appeared in a body colored white, with four 
arms and matted hair. He wore tree bark and bore a black antelope skin. 
He wore a sacred thread and a garland of rudraksa beads. He carried a 
rod and a waterpot, and He was a brahmacari.'
 
Madhya 20.333
 
TEXT 333
 
TEXT
 
tretayam rakta-varno 'sau
 catur-bahus tri-mekhalah
hiranya-kesas trayy-atma
 sruk-sruvady-upalaksanah
SYNONYMS
 
tretayam -- in Treta-yuga; rakta-varnah -- of a reddish color; asau -- 
He; catuh-bahuh -- with four arms; tri-mekhalah -- having three circles 
on the abdomen; hiranya-kesah -- hair colored like gold; trayi-atma -- 
whose form manifests the Vedas; sruk-sruva-adi-upalaksanah -- decorated 
with the sacrificial spoon, ladle and so on.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘In Treta-yuga, the Lord appeared in a body that had a reddish hue and 
four arms. There were three distinctive lines on His abdomen, and His 
hair was golden. His form manifested the Vedic knowledge, and He bore 
the symbols of a sacrificial spoon, ladle and so on.'
 
Madhya 20.334
 
TEXT 334
 
TEXT
 
satya-yuge dharma-dhyana karaya ‘sukla'-murti dhari'
kardamake vara dila yenho krpa kari'
SYNONYMS
 
satya-yuge -- in the millennium of Satya-yuga; dharma-dhyana -- 
religious principles and meditation; karaya -- induces; sukla -- whitish;
 murti -- form; dhari' -- accepting; kardamake -- to Kardama Muni; vara 
dila -- gave benedictions; yenho -- who; krpa kari' -- out of causeless 
mercy.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"As the white incarnation, the Lord taught religion and meditation. He 
offered benedictions to Kardama Muni, and in this way He showed His 
causeless mercy.
 
PURPORT
 
Kardama Muni was one of the prajapatis. He married Devahuti, the 
daughter of Manu, and their son was Kapiladeva. The Supreme Lord was 
very pleased with Kardama Muni's austerities, and He appeared before 
Kardama Muni in a whitish body. This happened in the Satya-yuga 
millennium, when people were accustomed to practicing meditation.
 
Madhya 20.335
 
TEXT 335
 
TEXT
 
krsna-‘dhyana' kare loka jnana-adhikari
tretara dharma ‘yajna' karaya ‘rakta'-varna dhari'
SYNONYMS
 
krsna-dhyana -- meditation upon Krsna; kare -- perform; loka -- the 
people; jnana-adhikari -- who are advanced in spiritual knowledge; 
tretara -- of Treta-yuga; dharma -- the occupational duty; yajna -- 
performance of sacrifices; karaya -- induces; rakta-varna dhari' -- 
assuming a reddish color.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In Satya-yuga the people were generally advanced in spiritual knowledge 
and could meditate upon Krsna very easily. The people's occupational 
duty in Treta-yuga was to perform great sacrifices. This was induced by 
the Personality of Godhead in His reddish incarnation.
 
Madhya 20.336
 
TEXT 336
 
TEXT
 
‘krsna-padarcana' haya dvaparera dharma
‘krsna'-varne karaya loke krsnarcana-karma
SYNONYMS
 
krsna-pada-arcana -- worshiping the lotus feet of Krsna; haya -- is; 
dvaparera -- of Dvapara millennium; dharma -- the occupational duty; 
krsna-varne -- in a blackish color; karaya -- induces; loke -- to the 
people; krsna-arcana-karma -- the activities of worshiping Lord Krsna.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In Dvapara-yuga the people's occupational duty was to worship the lotus 
feet of Krsna. Therefore Lord Krsna, appearing in a blackish body, 
personally induced people to worship Him.
 
Madhya 20.337
 
TEXT 337
 
TEXT
 
dvapare bhagavan syamah
 pita-vasa nijayudhah
sri-vatsadibhir ankais ca
 laksanair upalaksitah
SYNONYMS
 
dvapare -- in Dvapara-yuga; bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead; syamah -- blackish; pita-vasah -- having yellow clothes; nija --
 own; ayudhah -- having weapons; sri-vatsa-adibhih -- such as Srivatsa; 
ankaih -- by bodily markings; ca -- and; laksanaih -- by external 
characteristics such as the Kaustubha jewel; upalaksitah -- 
characterized.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘In Dvapara-yuga the Personality of Godhead appears in a blackish hue. 
He is dressed in yellow, He holds His own weapons, and He is decorated 
with the Kaustubha jewel and the mark of Srivatsa. That is how His 
symptoms are described.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.27). The syama color is 
not exactly blackish. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura compares 
it to the color of the atasi flower. It is not that Lord Krsna Himself 
appears in a blackish color in all the Dvapara-yugas. In other Dvapara-
yugas, previous to Lord Krsna's appearance, the Supreme Lord appeared in 
a greenish body by His own personal expansion. This is mentioned in the 
Visnu Purana, Hari-vamsa and Mahabharata.
 
Madhya 20.338
 
TEXT 338
 
TEXT
 
namas te vasudevaya
 namah sankarsanaya ca
pradyumnayaniruddhaya
 tubhyam bhagavate namah
SYNONYMS
 
namah -- let me offer my respectful obeisances; te -- unto You; 
vasudevaya -- Lord Vasudeva; namah -- respectful obeisances; 
sankarsanaya ca -- also to Lord Sankarsana; pradyumnaya -- to Lord 
Pradyumna; aniruddhaya -- unto Aniruddha; tubhyam -- unto You; bhagavate 
-- unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; namah -- my respectful 
obeisances.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead, expanded as Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a prayer from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.29) spoken by Karabhajana 
Muni when he was questioned by Maharaja Nimi, the King of Videha, about 
the incarnations in specific yugas and their method of worship. 
Karabhajana Muni was one of the nine Yogendras, and he met the King to 
inform him about future incarnations.
 
Madhya 20.339
 
TEXT 339
 
TEXT
 
ei mantre dvapare kare krsnarcana
‘krsna-nama-sankirtana' -- kali-yugera dharma
SYNONYMS
 
ei mantre -- by this mantra; dvapare -- in the Age of Dvapara; kare -- 
perform; krsna-arcana -- the worship of Lord Krsna; krsna-nama-
sankirtana -- chanting of the holy name of Lord Krsna; kali-yugera 
dharma -- the occupational duty in the Age of Kali.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"By this mantra, the people worship Lord Krsna in Dvapara-yuga. In Kali-
yuga the occupational duty of the people is to chant congregationally 
the holy name of Krsna.
 
PURPORT
 
As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.3.51):
 
kaler dosa-nidhe rajann asti hy eko mahan gunah
kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-bandhah param vrajet
 
"My dear King, although Kali-yuga is full of faults, there is still one 
good quality about this age. It is that simply by chanting the Hare 
Krsna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be 
promoted to the transcendental kingdom." Thus in Kali-yuga one worships 
Lord Krsna by chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ 
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. To propagate this movement, 
Lord Krsna personally appeared as Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. That is 
described in the following verse.
 
Madhya 20.340
 
TEXT 340
 
TEXT
 
‘pita'-varna dhari' tabe kaila pravartana
prema-bhakti dila loke lana bhakta-gana
SYNONYMS
 
pita-varna dhari' -- assuming the color yellow; tabe -- thereafter; 
kaila pravartana -- introduced the sankirtana movement; prema-bhakti 
dila -- He distributed love of Krsna; loke -- to the people in general; 
lana bhakta-gana -- accompanied by His devotees.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the Age of Kali, Lord Krsna assumes a golden color and, accompanied 
by His personal devotees, introduces hari-nama-sankirtana, the chanting 
of the Hare Krsna mantra. By this process He delivers love for Krsna to 
the general populace.
 
Madhya 20.341
 
TEXT 341
 
TEXT
 
dharma pravartana kare vrajendra-nandana
preme gaya nace loka kare sankirtana
SYNONYMS
 
dharma pravartana kare -- introduces a particular type of religious 
activity; vrajendra-nandana -- Krsna Himself; preme -- in love; gaya -- 
chants; nace -- dances; loka -- all people; kare -- perform; sankirtana -
- congregational chanting.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Krsna, the son of Nanda Maharaja, personally introduces the 
occupational duty of the Age of Kali. He personally chants and dances in 
ecstatic love, and thus the entire world chants congregationally.
 
Madhya 20.342
 
TEXT 342
 
TEXT
 
krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam
 sangopangastra-parsadam
yajnaih sankirtana-prayair
 yajanti hi su-medhasah
SYNONYMS
 
krsna-varnam -- repeating the syllables krs-na; tvisa -- with a luster; 
akrsnam -- not black (golden); sa-anga -- with associates; upa-anga -- 
servitors; astra -- weapons; parsadam -- confidential companions; 
yajnaih -- by sacrifice; sankirtana-prayaih -- consisting chiefly of 
congregational chanting; yajanti -- they worship; hi -- certainly; su-
medhasah -- intelligent persons.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational 
chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the 
name of Krsna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krsna 
Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and 
confidential companions.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.32). See also Adi-lila, 
Chapter Three, text 52.
 
Madhya 20.343
 
TEXT 343
 
TEXT
 
ara tina-yuge dhyanadite yei phala haya
kali-yuge krsna-name sei phala paya
SYNONYMS
 
ara tina-yuge -- in the three other yugas; dhyana-adite -- by processes 
beginning with meditation; yei -- whatever; phala -- result; haya -- 
there is; kali-yuge -- in this Age of Kali; krsna-name -- by chanting 
the Hare Krsna maha-mantra; sei phala paya -- one gets the same 
achievement.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the other three yugas -- Satya, Treta and Dvapara -- people perform 
different types of spiritual activities. Whatever results they achieve 
in that way, they can achieve in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare 
Krsna maha-mantra.
 
Madhya 20.344
 
TEXT 344
 
TEXT
 
kaler dosa-nidhe rajann
 asti hy eko mahan gunah
kirtanad eva krsnasya
 mukta-bandhah param vrajet
SYNONYMS
 
kaleh -- of the Age of Kali; dosa-nidhe -- in the ocean of faults; rajan 
-- O King; asti -- there is; hi -- certainly; ekah -- one; mahan -- very 
great; gunah -- good quality; kirtanat -- by chanting; eva -- certainly; 
krsnasya -- of the holy name of Krsna; mukta-bandhah -- liberated from 
material bondage; param -- to the transcendental, spiritual kingdom; 
vrajet -- one can go.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘My dear King, although Kali-yuga is full of faults, there is still one 
good quality about this age. It is that simply by chanting the Hare 
Krsna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be 
promoted to the transcendental kingdom.'
 
PURPORT
 
As mentioned above, this verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.3.51.
 
Madhya 20.345
 
TEXT 345
 
TEXT
 
krte yad dhyayato visnum
 tretayam yajato makhaih
dvapare paricaryayam
 kalau tad dhari-kirtanat
SYNONYMS
 
krte -- in Satya-yuga; yat -- which; dhyayatah -- from meditation; 
visnum -- on Lord Visnu; tretayam -- in Treta-yuga; yajatah -- from 
worshiping; makhaih -- by performing sacrifices; dvapare -- in the Age 
of Dvapara; paricaryayam -- by worshiping the lotus feet of Krsna; kalau 
-- in the Age of Kali; tat -- that same result (can be achieved); hari-
kirtanat -- simply by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Visnu, in 
Treta-yuga by performing sacrifices and in Dvapara-yuga by serving the 
Lord's lotus feet can also be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting 
the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.3.52). At the present 
moment in Kali-yuga there are many false meditators who concoct some 
imaginary form and try to meditate upon it. It has become fashionable to 
meditate, but people know nothing about the object of meditation. That 
is explained here. Yad dhyayato visnum. One has to meditate upon Lord 
Visnu or Lord Krsna. Without referring to the sastras, so-called 
meditators aim at impersonal objects. Lord Krsna has condemned them in 
the Bhagavad-gita (12.5):
 
kleso 'dhikataras tesam avyaktasakta-cetasam
avyakta hi gatir duhkham dehavadbhir avapyate
 
"For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifested, impersonal 
feature of the Supreme, advancement is very troublesome. To make 
progress in that discipline is always difficult for those who are 
embodied." Not knowing how to meditate, foolish people simply suffer, 
and there is no benefit derived from their spiritual activities.
 
The same idea expressed in this verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam can be 
found in the following verse from the Visnu Purana (6.2.17), Padma 
Purana (Uttara-khanda 72.25) and Brhan-naradiya Purana (38.97).
 
Madhya 20.346
 
TEXT 346
 
TEXT
 
dhyayan krte yajan yajnais
 tretayam dvapare 'rcayan
yad apnoti tad apnoti
 kalau sankirtya kesavam
SYNONYMS
 
dhyayan -- meditating; krte -- in Satya-yuga; yajan -- worshiping; 
yajnaih -- by the performance of great sacrifices; tretayam -- in Treta-
yuga; dvapare -- in Dvapara-yuga; arcayan -- worshiping the lotus feet; 
yat -- whatever; apnoti -- is achieved; tat -- that; apnoti -- is 
obtained; kalau -- in the Age of Kali; sankirtya -- simply by chanting; 
kesavam -- the pastimes and qualities of Lord Kesava.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Whatever is achieved by meditation in Satya-yuga, by the performance 
of yajna in Treta-yuga or by the worship of Krsna's lotus feet in 
Dvapara-yuga is also obtained in the Age of Kali simply by chanting the 
glories of Lord Kesava.'
 
Madhya 20.347
 
TEXT 347
 
TEXT
 
kalim sabhajayanty arya
 guna-jnah sara-bhaginah
yatra sankirtanenaiva
 sarva-svartho 'bhilabhyate
SYNONYMS
 
kalim -- Kali-yuga; sabhajayanti -- worship; aryah -- advanced people; 
guna-jnah -- appreciating this good quality of Kali-yuga; sara-bhaginah -
- persons who accept the essence of life; yatra -- in which age; 
sankirtanena -- simply by performing the sankirtana-yajna, the chanting 
of the Hare Krsna mantra; eva -- certainly; sarva-sva-arthah -- all 
interests of life; abhilabhyate -- are achieved.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Those who are advanced and highly qualified and are interested in the 
essence of life know the good qualities of Kali-yuga. Such people 
worship the Age of Kali because in this age one can advance in spiritual 
knowledge and attain life's goal simply by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-
mantra.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.36) spoken by the great 
sage Karabhajana Rsi, one of the nine Yogendras. The sage was informing 
Maharaja Nimi about the people's duty to worship the Supreme Personality 
of Godhead according to different processes in different yugas.
 
Madhya 20.348
 
TEXT 348
 
TEXT
 
purvavat likhi yabe gunavatara-gana
asankhya sankhya tanra, na haya ganana
SYNONYMS
 
purva-vat -- as previously; likhi -- I write; yabe -- when; guna-avatara-
gana -- incarnations of the material modes of nature; asankhya -- 
innumerable; sankhya -- counting; tanra -- of them; na haya ganana -- 
not actually countable.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"As stated before when I described the incarnations of the material 
modes [guna-avataras], one should consider that these incarnations also 
are unlimited and that no one can count them.
 
Madhya 20.349
 
TEXT 349
 
TEXT
 
cari-yugavatare ei ta' ganana
suni' bhangi kari' tanre puche sanatana
SYNONYMS
 
cari-yuga-avatare -- of the incarnations in the four different yugas; ei 
ta' ganana -- such enumeration; suni' -- hearing; bhangi kari' -- giving 
a hint; tanre -- unto Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; puche -- inquired; 
sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Thus I have given a description of the incarnations of the four 
different yugas." After hearing all this, Sanatana Gosvami gave an 
indirect hint to the Lord.
 
Madhya 20.350
 
TEXT 350
 
TEXT
 
raja-mantri sanatana -- buddhye brhaspati
prabhura krpate puche asankoca-mati
SYNONYMS
 
raja-mantri sanatana -- Sanatana Gosvami was formerly an intelligent 
minister for Nawab Hussain Shah; buddhye -- in intelligence; brhaspati --
 exactly like Brhaspati, the priest in the heavenly kingdom; prabhura 
krpate -- because of the unlimited mercy of the Lord; puche -- inquires; 
asankoca-mati -- without hesitation.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana Gosvami had been a minister under Nawab Hussain Shah, and he 
was undoubtedly as intelligent as Brhaspati, the chief priest of the 
heavenly kingdom. Due to the Lord's unlimited mercy, Sanatana Gosvami 
questioned Him without hesitation.
 
Madhya 20.351
 
TEXT 351
 
TEXT
 
‘ati ksudra jiva muni nica, nicacara
kemane janiba kalite kon avatara?'
SYNONYMS
 
ati -- very; ksudra -- unimportant, insignificant; jiva -- living entity;
 muni -- I; nica -- low; nica-acara -- having very abominable behavior; 
kemane -- how; janiba -- shall I know; kalite -- in this age; kon 
avatara -- who is the incarnation.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana Gosvami said, "I am a very insignificant living entity. I am 
low and poorly behaved. How can I understand who is the incarnation for 
this Age of Kali?"
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is very important in reference to the incarnations of God. At 
present there are especially many rascals prevalent in India who 
proclaim themselves incarnations of God or goddesses. Thus they are 
fooling and bluffing foolish people. On behalf of the general populace, 
Sanatana Gosvami presented himself as a foolish, lowborn, poorly behaved 
person, although he was a most exalted personality. Inferior people 
cannot accept the real God, yet they are very eager to accept an 
imitation God who can simply bluff foolish people. All this is going on 
in this Age of Kali. To guide these foolish people, Sri Caitanya 
Mahaprabhu answers the question as follows.
 
Madhya 20.352
 
TEXT 352
 
TEXT
 
prabhu kahe, -- "anyavatara sastra-dvare jani
kalite avatara taiche sastra-vakye mani
SYNONYMS
 
prabhu kahe -- Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; anya-avatara -- the 
incarnations in other yugas; sastra-dvare jani -- one has to accept by 
reference to the sastras; kalite -- in this Age of Kali; avatara -- 
incarnation; taiche -- similarly; sastra-vakye mani -- one has to accept 
according to the description of revealed scriptures.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "As in other ages an incarnation is 
accepted according to the directions of the sastras, in this Age of Kali 
an incarnation of God should be accepted in that way.
 
PURPORT
 
According to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, this is the way an incarnation 
should be accepted. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says, sadhu-sastra-guru-
vakya, cittete kariya aikya. One should accept a thing as genuine by 
studying the words of saintly people, the spiritual master and the 
sastra. The actual center is the sastra, the revealed scripture. If a 
spiritual master does not speak according to the revealed scripture, he 
is not to be accepted. Similarly, if a saintly person does not speak 
according to the sastra, he is not a saintly person. The sastra is the 
center for all. Unfortunately, at the present moment, people do not 
refer to the sastras; therefore they accept rascals as incarnations, and 
consequently they have made incarnations into a very cheap thing. 
Intelligent people who follow Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instructions and 
the instructions of the acarya, the bona fide spiritual master, will not 
accept a pretender as an incarnation of God. In Kali-yuga, the only 
incarnation is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Imitation incarnations take 
advantage of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The Lord appeared within the past 
five hundred years, played as the son of a brahmana from Nadia and 
introduced the sankirtana movement. Imitating Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu 
and ignoring the sastra, rascals present themselves as incarnations and 
introduce their rascaldom as a religious process. As we have repeatedly 
said, religion can be given only by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 
From the discussions in the Caitanya-caritamrta, we can understand that 
in different ages the Supreme Lord introduces different systems and 
different religious duties. In this Age of Kali, the only incarnation of 
Krsna is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and He introduced the religious duty 
of Kali-yuga, the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra: Hare Krsna, 
Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, 
Hare Hare.
 
Madhya 20.353
 
TEXT 353
 
TEXT
 
sarvajna munira vakya -- sastra-‘paramana'
ama-saba jivera haya sastra-dvara ‘jnana'
SYNONYMS
 
sarva-jna munira vakya -- the words of the omniscient muni (Vyasadeva); 
sastra-paramana -- evidence of revealed scriptures; ama-saba -- all of 
us; jivera -- of the conditioned souls; haya -- there is; sastra-dvara --
 through the medium of revealed scriptures; jnana -- knowledge.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The Vedic literatures composed by the omniscient Mahamuni Vyasadeva are 
evidence of all spiritual existence. Only through these revealed 
scriptures can all conditioned souls attain knowledge.
 
PURPORT
 
Foolish people try to concoct knowledge by manufacturing something in 
their brains. That is not the real way of knowledge. Knowledge is sabda-
pramana, evidence from the Vedic literature. Srila Vyasadeva is called 
Mahamuni. He is also known as Vedavyasa because he has compiled so many 
sastras. He has divided the Vedas into four divisions -- Sama, Rg, Yajur 
and Atharva. He has expanded the Vedas into eighteen Puranas and has 
summarized Vedic knowledge in the Vedanta-sutra. He also compiled the 
Mahabharata, which is accepted as the fifth Veda. The Bhagavad-gita is 
contained within the Mahabharata. Therefore the Bhagavad-gita is also 
Vedic literature (smrti). Some of the Vedic literatures are called 
srutis, and some are called smrtis. Srila Rupa Gosvami recommends in the 
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.101):
 
sruti-smrti-puranadi-pancaratra-vidhim vina
aikantiki harer bhaktir utpatayaiva kalpate
 [Brs. sruti-smrti-puranadi-
pancaratra-vidhim vina
aikantiki harer bhaktir
utpatayaiva kalpate
 
"Devotional service of the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic 
literatures like the Upanisads, Puranas and Narada-pancaratra is simply 
an unnecessary disturbance in society."  Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.1011.
2.101]
 
Unless one refers to sastra (sruti, smrti, purana and so on), one'
s spiritual activity simply disturbs society. There is no king or 
government to check people, and therefore society has fallen into a 
chaotic condition as far as spiritual understanding is concerned. Taking 
advantage of this chaotic condition, many rascals have appeared and 
proclaimed themselves incarnations of God. As a result, the entire 
population is indulging in sinful activities such as illicit sex, 
intoxication, gambling and meat-eating. Out of many sinful people, many 
so-called incarnations of God are emerging. This is a very regrettable 
situation, especially in India.
 
Madhya 20.354
 
TEXT 354
 
TEXT
 
avatara nahi kahe -- ‘ami avatara'
muni saba jani' kare laksana-vicara
SYNONYMS
 
avatara -- the actual incarnation of Godhead; nahi -- never; kahe -- 
says; ami avatara -- I am an incarnation; muni -- the great sage 
Mahamuni Vyasadeva; saba jani' -- knowing all (past, present and future);
 kare laksana-vicara -- describes the symptoms of the avataras.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"An actual incarnation of God never says ‘I am God' or ‘I am an 
incarnation of God.' The great sage Vyasadeva, knowing all, has already 
recorded the characteristics of the avataras in the sastras.
 
PURPORT
 
In this verse it is clearly stated that a real incarnation of God never 
claims to be a real incarnation. According to the symptoms described in 
the sastra, one can understand who is an avatara and who is not.
 
Madhya 20.355
 
TEXT 355
 
TEXT
 
yasyavatara jnayante
 sariresv asaririnah
tais tair atulyatisayair
 viryair dehisv asangataih
SYNONYMS
 
yasya -- whose; avatarah -- incarnations; jnayante -- can be known; 
saririsu -- among the living entities; asaririnah -- of the Lord, who 
has no material body; taih taih -- all those; atulya -- incomparable; 
atisayaih -- extraordinary; viryaih -- by prowess; dehisu -- among the 
living entities; asangataih -- impossible.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The Lord does not have a material body, yet He descends among human 
beings in His transcendental body as an incarnation. Therefore it is 
very difficult for us to understand who is an incarnation. Only by His 
extraordinary prowess and uncommon activities, which are impossible for 
embodied living entities, can one partially understand the incarnation 
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.10.34).
 
Madhya 20.356
 
TEXT 356
 
TEXT
 
‘svarupa'-laksana, ara ‘tatastha-laksana'
ei dui laksane ‘vastu' jane muni-gana
SYNONYMS
 
svarupa-laksana -- the personal characteristics; ara -- and; tatastha-
laksana -- the marginal characteristics; ei dui laksane -- by these two 
symptoms; vastu -- an object; jane -- know; muni-gana -- the great sages.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"By two symptoms -- personal characteristics and marginal 
characteristics -- the great sages can understand an object.
 
Madhya 20.357
 
TEXT 357
 
TEXT
 
akrti, prakrti, svarupa, -- svarupa-laksana
karya-dvara jnana, -- ei tatastha-laksana
SYNONYMS
 
akrti -- bodily features; prakrti -- nature; svarupa -- form; svarupa-
laksana -- personal symptoms; karya-dvara -- by activities; jnana -- 
knowledge; ei -- this; tatastha-laksana -- the marginal symptoms.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Bodily features, nature and form are the personal characteristics. 
Knowledge of His activities provides the marginal characteristics.
 
Madhya 20.358
 
TEXT 358
 
TEXT
 
bhagavatarambhe vyasa mangalacarane
‘paramesvara' nirupila ei dui laksane
SYNONYMS
 
bhagavata-arambhe -- in the beginning of Srimad-Bhagavatam; vyasa -- the 
great author Vyasadeva; mangala-acarane -- in the auspicious invocation; 
parama-isvara -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; nirupila -- has 
described; ei dui laksane -- by these two characteristics, namely 
svarupa (personal) and tatastha (marginal) symptoms.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the auspicious invocation at the beginning of Srimad-Bhagavatam, 
Srila Vyasadeva has described the Supreme Personality of Godhead by 
these symptoms.
 
Madhya 20.359
 
TEXT 359
 
TEXT
 
janmady asya yato 'nvayad itaratas carthesv abhijnah svarat
 tene brahma hrda ya adi-kavaye muhyanti yat surayah
tejo-vari-mrdam yatha vinimayo yatra tri-sargo 'mrsa
 dhamna svena sada nirasta-kuhakam satyam param dhimahi
SYNONYMS
 
janma-adi -- creation, maintenance and dissolution; asya -- of this (the 
universe); yatah -- from whom; anvayat -- directly from the spiritual 
connection; itaratah -- indirectly from the lack of material contact; ca 
-- also; arthesu -- in all affairs; abhijnah -- perfectly cognizant; sva-
rat -- independent; tene -- imparted; brahma -- the Absolute Truth; hrda 
-- through the heart; yah -- who; adi-kavaye -- unto Lord Brahma; 
muhyanti -- are bewildered; yat -- in whom; surayah -- great 
personalities like Lord Brahma and other demigods or great brahmanas; 
tejah-vari-mrdam -- of fire, water and earth; yatha -- as; vinimayah -- 
the exchange; yatra -- in whom; tri-sargah -- the material creation of 
three modes; amrsa -- factual; dhamna -- with the abode; svena -- His 
own personal; sada -- always; nirasta-kuhakam -- devoid of all illusion; 
satyam -- the truth; param -- absolute; dhimahi -- let us meditate upon.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘O my Lord, Sri Krsna, son of Vasudeva, O all-pervading Personality of 
Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. I meditate upon Lord 
Sri Krsna because He is the Absolute Truth and the primeval cause of all 
causes of the creation, sustenance and destruction of the manifested 
universes. He is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations,
 and He is independent because there is no other cause beyond Him. It is 
He only who first imparted the Vedic knowledge unto the heart of 
Brahmaji, the original living being. By Him even the great sages and 
demigods are placed into illusion, as one is bewildered by the illusory 
representations of water seen in fire, or land seen on water. Only 
because of Him do the material universes, temporarily manifested by the 
reactions of the three modes of nature, appear factual, although they 
are unreal. I therefore meditate upon Him, Lord Sri Krsna, who is 
eternally existent in the transcendental abode, which is forever free 
from the illusory representations of the material world. I meditate upon 
Him, for He is the Absolute Truth.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse, quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.1.1), links the Srimad-
Bhagavatam with the Vedanta-sutra with the words janmady asya yatah. It 
is stated that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva, is the 
Absolute Truth beyond the material creation. This has been accepted by 
all acaryas. Even Sankaracarya, the most elevated impersonalist, says in 
the beginning of his commentary on the Bhagavad-gita: narayanah paro '
vyaktat. When this material creation is not yet manifested from the 
mahat-tattva, it is called avyakta, and when it is demonstrated from 
that total energy, it is called vyakta. Narayana, the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead, is beyond this vyakta-avyakta, manifested and 
unmanifested material nature. This is the chief qualification of the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead when He assumes a particular incarnation. 
Krsna tells Arjuna that although they both took birth many, many times 
before, Krsna remembers everything about His previous appearances but 
Arjuna does not remember. Since Krsna is beyond the cosmic creation, He 
is in the exalted position of being able to remember everything in the 
past. Everything within the cosmic creation has a material body, but 
Krsna, being beyond the material cosmic creation, always has a spiritual 
body. He imparted Vedic knowledge into the heart of Brahma. Although 
Brahma is the most important and exalted personality within this 
universe, he could not remember what he did in his past life. Krsna had 
to remind him through the heart. When Lord Brahma was thus inspired, he 
was able to create the entire universe. Remembering everything about the 
past and inspiring Lord Brahma to create are vivid examples of the 
characteristics called svarupa-laksana and tatastha-laksana.
 
Madhya 20.360
 
TEXT 360
 
TEXT
 
ei sloke ‘param'-sabde ‘krsna'-nirupana
‘satyam' sabde kahe tanra svarupa-laksana
SYNONYMS
 
ei sloke -- in this verse; param-sabde -- by the word param, or supreme; 
krsna -- of Lord Krsna; nirupana -- there is an indication; satyam sabde 
-- by the word satyam, or Absolute Truth; kahe -- indicates; tanra -- 
His; svarupa-laksana -- personal characteristics.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In this invocation from Srimad-Bhagavatam, the word ‘param' indicates 
Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the word ‘satyam' 
indicates His personal characteristics.
 
Madhya 20.361
 
TEXT 361
 
TEXT
 
visva-srsty-adi kaila, veda brahmake padaila
arthabhijnata, svarupa-saktye maya dura kaila
SYNONYMS
 
visva-srsti-adi -- creation, maintenance and dissolution of the cosmic 
manifestation; kaila -- performed; veda -- the Vedic knowledge; brahmake 
-- unto Lord Brahma; padaila -- instructed; artha-abhijnata -- having 
full knowledge of past, present and future; svarupa-saktye -- by His 
personal energy; maya -- the illusory energy; dura kaila -- separated.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In that same verse it is stated that the Lord is the creator, 
maintainer and annihilator of the cosmic manifestation and that He 
enabled Lord Brahma to create the universe by infusing him with the 
knowledge of the Vedas. It is also stated that the Lord has full 
knowledge, directly and indirectly, that He knows past, present and 
future, and that His personal energy is separate from maya, the illusory 
energy.
 
Madhya 20.362
 
TEXT 362
 
TEXT
 
ei saba karya -- tanra tatastha-laksana
anya avatara aiche jane muni-gana
SYNONYMS
 
ei saba karya -- all these activities; tanra -- His; tatastha-laksana -- 
marginal characteristics; anya avatara -- another incarnation; aiche -- 
in that same way; jane -- know; muni-gana -- the great saintly persons 
like Vyasadeva.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"All these activities are His marginal characteristics. Great saintly 
persons understand the incarnations of the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead by the indications of the two characteristics known as svarupa 
and tatastha. All the incarnations of Krsna should be understood in this 
way.
 
Madhya 20.363
 
TEXT 363
 
TEXT
 
avatara-kale haya jagate gocara
ei dui laksane keha janaye isvara"
SYNONYMS
 
avatara-kale -- at the time of incarnation; haya -- there is; jagate -- 
in the world; gocara -- information; ei dui laksane -- by these two 
characteristics, namely svarupa and tatastha; keha -- some persons; 
janaye -- know; isvara -- the incarnation of the Supreme Lord.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"At the time of Their appearance, the incarnations of the Lord are known 
in the world because people can consult the sastras to understand an 
incarnation's chief characteristics, known as svarupa and tatastha. In 
this way the incarnations become known to great saintly persons."
 
Madhya 20.364
 
TEXT 364
 
TEXT
 
sanatana kahe, -- "yate isvara-laksana
pita-varna, karya -- prema-dana-sankirtana
SYNONYMS
 
sanatana kahe -- Sanatana said; yate -- in whom; isvara-laksana -- the 
characteristics of the Lord are found; pita-varna -- yellowish color; 
karya -- activities; prema-dana -- distributing love of Godhead; 
sankirtana -- and chanting the holy name of the Lord congregationally.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sanatana Gosvami said, "The color of the personality in whom the 
characteristics of the Lord are found is yellowish. His activities 
include the distribution of love of Godhead and the chanting of the holy 
names of the Lord.
 
Madhya 20.365
 
TEXT 365
 
TEXT
 
kali-kale sei ‘krsnavatara' niscaya
sudrdha kariya kaha, yauka samsaya"
SYNONYMS
 
kali-kale -- in the Age of Kali; sei -- that personality; krsna-avatara -
- the incarnation of Krsna; niscaya -- certainly; su-drdha kariya -- 
firmly; kaha -- kindly inform me; yauka samsaya -- so that all doubts 
may go away.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The incarnation of Krsna for this age is indicated by these symptoms. 
Please confirm this definitely so that all my doubts will go away."
 
PURPORT
 
Sanatana Gosvami wanted to confirm the fact that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu 
is the incarnation of Krsna for this age. According to the sastra, in 
Kali-yuga the Lord would assume a golden or yellow color and would 
distribute love of Krsna and the sankirtana movement. In accordance with 
the sastra and saintly persons, these characteristics were vividly 
displayed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and it was therefore clear that 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was an incarnation of Krsna. He was confirmed by 
the sastras, and His characteristics were accepted by saintly people. 
Since Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu could not escape Sanatana Gosvami's 
argument, He remained silent on this point and thereby indirectly 
accepted Sanatana's statement. By this we can clearly understand that 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was the direct incarnation of Lord Krsna.
 
Madhya 20.366
 
TEXT 366
 
TEXT
 
prabhu kahe, -- caturali chada, sanatana
saktyavesavatarera suna vivarana
SYNONYMS
 
prabhu kahe -- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied; caturali -- very 
intelligent argument; chada -- give up; sanatana -- O Sanatana; sakti-
avesa-avatarera -- of the especially empowered incarnations; suna -- 
hear; vivarana -- the description.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "O Sanatana, you must give up your 
intelligent tricks. Now just try to understand the description of the 
saktyavesa-avataras.
 
Madhya 20.367
 
TEXT 367
 
TEXT
 
saktyavesavatara krsnera asankhya ganana
dig-darasana kari mukhya mukhya jana
SYNONYMS
 
sakti-avesa-avatara -- incarnations especially empowered by the Lord; 
krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; asankhya ganana -- unlimited and innumerable; 
dik-darasana kari -- let Me describe some of them; mukhya mukhya jana -- 
who are counted as the chief.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There are unlimited saktyavesa-avataras of Lord Krsna. Let Me describe 
the chief among them.
 
Madhya 20.368
 
TEXT 368
 
TEXT
 
saktyavesa dui-rupa -- ‘mukhya', ‘gauna' dekhi
saksat-saktye ‘avatara', abhase ‘vibhuti' likhi
SYNONYMS
 
sakti-avesa -- empowered incarnations; dui-rupa -- two categories; 
mukhya -- primary; gauna -- secondary; dekhi -- I see; saksat-saktye -- 
when there is direct power; avatara -- they are called incarnations; 
abhase -- when there is indication; vibhuti likhi -- they are called 
vibhuti, or possessing special favor.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Empowered incarnations are of two types -- primary and secondary. The 
primary ones are directly empowered by the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead and are called incarnations. The secondary ones are indirectly 
empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and are called vibhuti.
 
Madhya 20.369
 
TEXT 369
 
TEXT
 
‘sanakadi', ‘narada', ‘prthu' ‘parasurama'
jiva-rupa ‘brahmara' avesavatara-nama
SYNONYMS
 
sanaka-adi -- the four Kumaras; narada -- Narada; prthu -- Maharaja 
Prthu; parasurama -- Parasurama; jiva-rupa -- as the living entity; 
brahmara -- of Lord Brahma; avesa-avatara-nama -- all of them are called 
empowered incarnations.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Some saktyavesa-avataras are the four Kumaras, Narada, Maharaja Prthu 
and Parasurama. When a living being is empowered to act as Lord Brahma, 
he is also considered a saktyavesa-avatara.
 
Madhya 20.370
 
TEXT 370
 
TEXT
 
vaikunthe ‘sesa' -- dhara dharaye ‘ananta'
ei mukhyavesavatara -- vistare nahi anta
SYNONYMS
 
vaikunthe -- in the spiritual world; sesa -- Lord Sesa; dhara dharaye -- 
carries innumerable planets; ananta -- Ananta; ei -- these; mukhya-avesa-
avatara -- primary directly empowered incarnations; vistare -- in 
expanding them; nahi -- there is not; anta -- limit.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Sesa in the spiritual world of Vaikuntha and, in the material 
world, Lord Ananta, who carries innumerable planets on His hoods, are 
two primary empowered incarnations. There is no need to count the others,
 for they are unlimited.
 
Madhya 20.371
 
TEXT 371
 
TEXT
 
sanakadye ‘jnana'-sakti, narade sakti ‘bhakti'
brahmaya ‘srsti'-sakti, anante ‘bhu-dharana'-sakti
SYNONYMS
 
sanaka-adye -- in the four Kumaras; jnana-sakti -- the power of 
knowledge; narade -- in Narada Muni; sakti -- the power; bhakti -- of 
devotional service; brahmaya -- in Lord Brahma; srsti-sakti -- the power 
of creation; anante -- in Lord Ananta; bhu-dharana-sakti -- the power to 
carry the planets.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The power of knowledge was invested in the four Kumaras, and the power 
of devotional service was invested in Narada. The power of creation was 
invested in Lord Brahma, and the power to carry innumerable planets was 
invested in Lord Ananta.
 
Madhya 20.372
 
TEXT 372
 
TEXT
 
sese ‘sva-sevana'-sakti, prthute ‘palana'
parasurame ‘dusta-nasaka-virya-sancarana'
SYNONYMS
 
sese -- in Lord Sesa; sva-sevana sakti -- the power to serve the Lord 
personally; prthute -- in King Prthu; palana -- the power to rule; 
parasurame -- in Parasurama; dusta-nasaka-virya -- the extraordinary 
power to kill rogues and miscreants; sancarana -- investing.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead invested the power of personal 
service in Lord Sesa, and He invested the power to rule the earth in 
King Prthu. Lord Parasurama received the power to kill rogues and 
miscreants.
 
PURPORT
 
Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita (4.8), paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca 
duskrtam. Sometimes the Lord invests His power to rule in a king like 
Prthu and enables such a king to kill rogues and miscreants. He also 
invests His power in incarnations like Parasurama.
 
Madhya 20.373
 
TEXT 373
 
TEXT
 
jnana-sakty-adi-kalaya
 yatravisto janardanah
ta avesa nigadyante
 jiva eva mahattamah
SYNONYMS
 
jnana-sakti-adi-kalaya -- by portions of the potencies of knowledge, 
devotional service, creation, personal service, ruling over the material 
world, carrying the different planets, and killing the rogues and 
miscreants; yatra -- wherever; avistah -- is entered; janardanah -- the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu; te -- they; avesah -- empowered; 
nigadyante -- are called; jivah -- living entities; eva -- although; 
mahat-tamah -- most exalted devotees.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Whenever the Lord is present in someone by portions of His various 
potencies, the living entity representing the Lord is called a 
saktyavesa-avatara -- that is, an incarnation invested with special 
power.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is found in the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (1.18).
 
Madhya 20.374
 
TEXT 374
 
TEXT
 
‘vibhuti' kahiye yaiche gita-ekadase
jagat vyapila krsna-sakty-abhasavese
SYNONYMS
 
vibhuti -- specific power; kahiye -- we say; yaiche -- just like; gita --
 of the Bhagavad-gita; ekadase -- in the Eleventh Chapter; jagat -- 
throughout the whole universe; vyapila -- He expanded; krsna-sakti-
abhasa-avese -- by the reflection of His power.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"As explained in the Eleventh Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita, Krsna has 
spread Himself all over the universe in many personalities through 
specific powers, known as vibhuti.
 
PURPORT
 
The expansion of specific maya powers is explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam (
2.7.39).
 
Madhya 20.375
 
TEXT 375
 
TEXT
 
yad yad vibhutimat sattvam
 srimad urjitam eva va
tat tad evavagaccha tvam
 mama tejo-‘msa-sambhavam
SYNONYMS
 
yat yat -- whatever and wherever; vibhuti-mat -- extraordinarily opulent;
 sattvam -- living entity; sri-mat -- full of wealth; urjitam -- full of 
power; eva -- certainly; va -- or; tat tat -- there; eva -- certainly; 
avagaccha -- should know; tvam -- you; mama -- of Me; tejah -- of power; 
amsa -- of a part; sambhavam -- exhibition.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Know that all opulent, beautiful and glorious creations spring from 
but a spark of My splendor.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a statement made by Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita (10.41).
 
Madhya 20.376
 
TEXT 376
 
TEXT
 
atha va bahunaitena
 kim jnatena tavarjuna
vistabhyaham idam krtsnam
 ekamsena sthito jagat
SYNONYMS
 
atha va -- or; bahuna -- much; etena -- with this; kim -- what use; 
jnatena -- being known; tava -- by you; arjuna -- O Arjuna; vistabhya -- 
pervading; aham -- I; idam -- this; krtsnam -- entire; eka-amsena -- 
with one portion; sthitah -- situated; jagat -- universe.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With 
a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is also a statement made by Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita (10.42).
 
Madhya 20.377
 
TEXT 377
 
TEXT
 
eita kahilun sakty-avesa-avatara
balya-pauganda-dharmera sunaha vicara
SYNONYMS
 
eita -- thus; kahilun -- I have explained; sakti-avesa-avatara -- the 
incarnations specifically empowered; balya -- in childhood; pauganda -- 
in boyhood; dharmera -- of the characteristics; sunaha -- now hear; 
vicara -- the consideration.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Thus I have explained specifically empowered incarnations. Now please 
hear about the characteristics of Lord Krsna's childhood, boyhood and 
youth.
 
Madhya 20.378
 
TEXT 378
 
TEXT
 
kisora-sekhara-dharmi vrajendra-nandana
prakata-lila karibare yabe kare mana
SYNONYMS
 
kisora-sekhara -- topmost of youth; dharmi -- whose natural position; 
vrajendra-nandana -- the son of Maharaja Nanda; prakata-lila -- 
manifested pastimes; karibare -- to perform; yabe -- when; kare -- makes;
 mana -- mind.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"As the son of Maharaja Nanda, Lord Krsna is by nature the paragon of 
kisora [youth]. He chooses to exhibit His pastimes at that age.
 
Madhya 20.379
 
TEXT 379
 
TEXT
 
adau prakata karaya mata-pita -- bhakta-gane
pache prakata haya janmadika-lila-krame
SYNONYMS
 
adau -- first; prakata -- manifest; karaya -- He makes; mata-pita -- His 
mother and father; bhakta-gane -- similar devotees; pache -- after that; 
prakata haya -- are manifested; janma-adika-lila-krame -- such pastimes 
as birth, in order.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Before His personal appearance, the Lord causes some of His devotees to 
appear as His mother, father and intimate associates. He then appears 
later as if He were taking birth and growing from a baby to a child and 
gradually into a youth.
 
Madhya 20.380
 
TEXT 380
 
TEXT
 
vayaso vividhatve 'pi
 sarva-bhakti-rasasrayah
dharmi kisora evatra
 nitya-lila-vilasavan
SYNONYMS
 
vayasah -- of age; vividhatve -- in varieties; api -- although; sarva -- 
of all kinds; bhakti-rasa-asrayah -- the shelter of devotional service; 
dharmi -- whose constitutional nature; kisorah -- in the age before 
youth; eva -- certainly; atra -- in this; nitya-lila -- of eternal 
pastimes; vilasa-van -- the supreme enjoyer.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The Supreme Personality of Godhead is eternally enjoying Himself, and 
He is the shelter of all kinds of devotional service. Although His ages 
are various, His age known as kisora [pre-youth] is best of all.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (2.1.63).
 
Madhya 20.381
 
TEXT 381
 
TEXT
 
putana-vadhadi yata lila ksane ksane
saba lila nitya prakata kare anukrame
SYNONYMS
 
putana-vadha-adi -- beginning with the killing of the demon Putana;
 yata -- all; lila -- pastimes; ksane ksane -- one moment after another; 
saba lila -- all these pastimes; nitya -- eternally; prakata -- 
manifesting; kare -- does; anukrame -- one after another.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When Lord Krsna appears, from moment to moment He exhibits His 
different pastimes, beginning with the killing of Putana. All these 
pastimes are eternally being demonstrated one after another.
 
Madhya 20.382
 
TEXT 382
 
TEXT
 
ananta brahmanda, tara nahika ganana
kona lila kona brahmande haya prakatana
SYNONYMS
 
ananta brahmanda -- innumerable universes; tara -- of which; nahika 
ganana -- there is no counting; kona lila -- some pastimes; kona 
brahmande -- in some universe; haya -- there is; prakatana -- 
manifestation.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The consecutive pastimes of Krsna are being manifested in one of the 
innumerable universes moment after moment. There is no possibility of 
counting the universes, but in any case some pastime of the Lord is 
being manifested at every moment in one universe or another.
 
Madhya 20.383
 
TEXT 383
 
TEXT
 
ei-mata saba lila -- yena ganga-dhara
se-se lila prakata kare vrajendra-kumara
SYNONYMS
 
ei-mata -- in this way; saba lila -- all pastimes; yena -- like; ganga-
dhara -- the flowing of the water of the Ganges; se-se -- those; lila -- 
pastimes; prakata kare -- demonstrates; vrajendra-kumara -- the son of 
Maharaja Nanda.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Thus the Lord's pastimes are like the flowing Ganges water. In this way 
all the pastimes are manifested by the son of Nanda Maharaja.
 
Madhya 20.384
 
TEXT 384
 
TEXT
 
krame balya-pauganda-kaisorata-prapti
rasa-adi lila kare, kaisore nitya-sthiti
SYNONYMS
 
krame -- gradually; balya -- childhood; pauganda -- boyhood; kaisorata --
 youth; prapti -- development; rasa -- dancing with the gopis; adi -- 
and others; lila -- pastimes; kare -- performs; kaisore -- in His age of 
pre-youth; nitya-sthiti -- eternally existing.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Krsna exhibits His pastimes of childhood, boyhood and pre-youth. 
When He reaches pre-youth, He continues to exist eternally to perform 
His rasa dance and other pastimes.
 
PURPORT
 
The comparison made here is very interesting. Krsna does not grow like 
an ordinary human being, even though He exhibits His pastimes of 
childhood, boyhood and pre-youth. When He reaches the age of pre-youth, 
kaisora, He does not grow any older. He simply remains in His kaisora 
age. He is therefore described in the Brahma-samhita (5.33) as nava-
yauvana:
 
advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam
 adyam purana-purusam nava-yauvanam ca
vedesu durlabham adurlabham atma-bhaktau
 govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
 
This nava-yauvana, or pre-youth, is the eternal transcendental form of 
Krsna. Krsna never grows older than nava-yauvana.
 
Madhya 20.385
 
TEXT 385
 
TEXT
 
‘nitya-lila' krsnera sarva-sastre kaya
bujhite na pare lila kemane ‘nitya' haya
SYNONYMS
 
nitya-lila -- eternal pastimes; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; sarva-sastre 
kaya -- described in every sastra; bujhite na pare -- not able to 
understand; lila -- pastimes; kemane -- how; nitya haya -- are eternal.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Descriptions of Krsna's eternal pastimes are in all the revealed 
scriptures. But one cannot understand how they are continuing eternally.
 
Madhya 20.386
 
TEXT 386
 
TEXT
 
drstanta diya kahi tabe loka yadi jane
krsna-lila -- nitya, jyotiscakra-pramane
SYNONYMS
 
drstanta diya -- giving an example; kahi -- let Me say; tabe -- then; 
loka -- people; yadi -- if; jane -- can understand; krsna-lila -- 
pastimes of Lord Krsna; nitya -- eternal; jyotih-cakra -- of the zodiac; 
pramane -- by evidence.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Let me give an example by which people may understand Lord Krsna's 
eternal pastimes. An example can be found in the zodiac.
 
Madhya 20.387
 
TEXT 387
 
TEXT
 
jyotiscakre surya yena phire ratri-dine
sapta-dvipambudhi langhi' phire krame krame
SYNONYMS
 
jyotih-cakre -- in the zodiac; surya -- of the sun; yena -- as; phire -- 
moves; ratri-dine -- the day and night; sapta-dvipa-ambudhi -- the 
oceans of the islands; langhi' -- crossing; phire -- rotates; krame 
krame -- one after another.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The sun moves across the zodiac day and night and crosses the oceans 
between the seven islands one after the other.
 
Madhya 20.388
 
TEXT 388
 
TEXT
 
ratri-dine haya sasti-danda-parimana
tina-sahasra chaya-sata ‘pala' tara mana
SYNONYMS
 
ratri-dine -- during the whole day and night; haya -- there is; sasti-
danda -- of sixty dandas (a measure of time); parimana -- duration; tina-
sahasra -- three thousand; chaya-sata -- six hundred; pala -- palas; 
tara -- of that; mana -- measurement.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"According to Vedic astronomical calculations, the rotation of the sun 
consists of sixty dandas, and it is divided into thirty-six hundred 
palas.
 
Madhya 20.389
 
TEXT 389
 
TEXT
 
suryodaya haite sasti-pala-kramodaya
sei eka danda, asta dande ‘prahara' haya
SYNONYMS
 
surya-udaya haite -- beginning from the sunrise; sasti-pala -- sixty 
palas; krama-udaya -- gradually rising higher and higher; sei -- that; 
eka danda -- one danda; asta dande -- in eight dandas; prahara haya -- 
there is a prahara.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The sun rises in steps consisting of sixty palas. Sixty palas equal one 
danda, and eight dandas comprise one prahara.
 
Madhya 20.390
 
TEXT 390
 
TEXT
 
eka-dui-tina-cari prahare asta haya
cari-prahara ratri gele punah suryodaya
SYNONYMS
 
eka-dui-tina-cari -- one, two, three, four; prahare -- in praharas; asta 
haya -- the sun sets in the evening; cari-prahara -- generally after 
four praharas; ratri -- the night; gele -- when it passes; punah -- 
again; surya-udaya -- the sun rises.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The day and the night are divided into eight praharas -- four belonging 
to the day and four belonging to the night. After eight praharas, the 
sun rises again.
 
Madhya 20.391
 
TEXT 391
 
TEXT
 
aiche krsnera lila-mandala caudda-manvantare
brahmanda-mandala vyapi' krame krame phire
SYNONYMS
 
aiche -- in the same way; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; lila-mandala -- 
groups of different pastimes; caudda-manvantare -- in the duration of 
fourteen Manus; brahmanda-mandala -- all of the universes; vyapi' -- 
spreading through; krame krame -- gradually; phire -- return.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Just as there is an orbit of the sun, there is an orbit of Krsna's 
pastimes, which are manifested one after the other. During the lifetime 
of fourteen Manus, this orbit expands through all the universes, and 
gradually it returns. Thus Krsna moves with His pastimes through all the 
universes, one after another.
 
Madhya 20.392
 
TEXT 392
 
TEXT
 
saoyasata vatsara krsnera prakata-prakasa
taha yaiche vraja-pure karila vilasa
SYNONYMS
 
saoyasata -- 125; vatsara -- years; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; prakata-
prakasa -- manifestation of the appearance; taha -- that; yaiche -- like;
 vraja-pure -- in Vrndavana and Dvaraka; karila vilasa -- enjoys the 
pastimes.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Krsna remains within a universe for 125 years, and He enjoys His 
pastimes both in Vrndavana and Dvaraka.
 
Madhya 20.393
 
TEXT 393
 
TEXT
 
alata-cakra-praya sei lila-cakra phire
saba lila saba brahmande krame udaya kare
SYNONYMS
 
alata-cakra-praya -- exactly like a wheel of fire; sei -- that; lila-
cakra -- the cycle of Krsna's pastimes; phire -- turns; saba lila -- all 
these pastimes; saba brahmande -- in all the universes; krame -- one 
after another; udaya kare -- are manifested.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The cycle of His pastimes turns like a wheel of fire. Thus Krsna 
exhibits His pastimes one after the other in every universe.
 
Madhya 20.394
 
TEXT 394
 
TEXT
 
janma, balya, pauganda, kaisora prakasa
putana-vadhadi kari' mausalanta vilasa
SYNONYMS
 
janma -- birth; balya -- childhood; pauganda -- boyhood; kaisora -- pre-
youth; prakasa -- manifestation; putana-vadha-adi -- killing the demons, 
beginning from Putana; kari' -- manifesting; mausala-anta -- until the 
end of the mausala pastimes; vilasa -- pastimes.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Krsna's pastimes -- appearance, childhood, boyhood and youth -- are all 
manifested, beginning with the killing of Putana and extending to the 
end of the mausala-lila, the annihilation of the Yadu dynasty. All of 
these pastimes are rotating in every universe.
 
Madhya 20.395
 
TEXT 395
 
TEXT
 
kona brahmande kona lilara haya avasthana
tate lila ‘nitya' kahe agama-purana
SYNONYMS
 
kona brahmande -- in some universe; kona lilara -- some pastimes; haya --
 there is; avasthana -- the presence; tate -- therefore; lila -- 
pastimes; nitya -- eternal; kahe -- explains; agama-purana -- the Vedas 
and Puranas.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Since all Krsna's pastimes are taking place continuously, at every 
moment some pastime is existing in one universe or another. Consequently 
these pastimes are called eternal by the Vedas and Puranas.
 
Madhya 20.396
 
TEXT 396
 
TEXT
 
goloka, gokula-dhama -- ‘vibhu' krsna-sama
krsnecchaya brahmanda-gane tahara sankrama
SYNONYMS
 
goloka -- the planet known as Goloka; gokula-dhama -- the spiritual land,
 the pasturing fields for the surabhi cows; vibhu -- opulent and 
powerful; krsna-sama -- as much as Krsna; krsna-icchaya -- by the 
supreme will of Krsna; brahmanda-gane -- in each of the universes; 
tahara -- of the Goloka and Gokula dhamas; sankrama -- appearance.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The spiritual abode known as Goloka, which is a pasturing land for 
surabhi cows, is as powerful and opulent as Krsna. By the will of Krsna, 
the original Goloka and Gokula dhamas are manifested with Him in all the 
universes.
 
Madhya 20.397
 
TEXT 397
 
TEXT
 
ataeva goloka-sthane nitya vihara
brahmanda-gane krame prakatya tahara
SYNONYMS
 
ataeva -- therefore; goloka-sthane -- in the original Goloka Vrndavana 
planet; nitya vihara -- eternal pastimes; brahmanda-gane -- within the 
material universes; krame -- gradually; prakatya -- manifestation; 
tahara -- of them.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The eternal pastimes of Krsna are continuously taking place in the 
original Goloka Vrndavana planet. These same pastimes are gradually 
manifested within the material world, in each and every brahmanda.
 
PURPORT
 
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura elucidates this complicated 
explanation of Krsna's pastimes. Krsna's pastimes are always present in 
the material world in one of the many universes. These pastimes appear 
in the universes one after the other, just as the sun moves across the 
sky and measures the time. Krsna's appearance may be manifested in this 
universe at one moment, and immediately after His birth, this pastime is 
manifested in the next universe. After His killing of Putana is 
manifested in this universe, it is next manifested in another universe. 
Thus all the pastimes of Krsna are eternally existing both in the 
original Goloka Vrndavana planet and in the material universes. The 125 
years calculated in our solar system to be Krsna's lifetime equal one 
moment for Krsna. One moment these pastimes are manifested in one 
universe, and the next moment they are manifested in the next universe. 
There are unlimited universes, and Krsna's pastimes are manifested one 
moment after the other in all of them. This rotation is explained 
through the example of the sun's moving across the sky. Krsna appears 
and disappears in innumerable universes, just as the sun appears and 
disappears during the day. Although the sun appears to rise and set, it 
is continuously shining somewhere on the earth. Similarly, although 
Krsna's pastimes seem to appear and disappear, they are continuously 
existing in one brahmanda (universe) or another. Thus all of Krsna's 
lilas are present simultaneously throughout the innumerable universes. 
By our limited senses we cannot appreciate this; therefore Krsna's 
eternal pastimes are very difficult for us to understand. One should try 
to understand how they are taking place by understanding the example of 
the sun. Although the Lord is appearing constantly in the material 
universes, His pastimes are eternally present in the original Goloka 
Vrndavana. Therefore these pastimes are called nitya-lila (eternally 
present pastimes). Because we cannot see what is going on in other 
universes, it is a little difficult for us to understand how Krsna is 
eternally manifesting His pastimes. There are fourteen Manus in one day 
of Brahma, and this time calculation is also taking place in other 
universes. Krsna's pastimes are manifested before fourteen Manus expire. 
Although it is a little difficult to understand the eternal pastimes of 
Krsna in this way, we must accept the verdict of the Vedic literatures.
 
There are two types of devotees -- the sadhaka, who is preparing for 
perfection, and the siddha, who is already perfect. As far as those who 
are already perfect are concerned, Lord Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita (
4.9), tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti so 'rjuna: "After giving 
up this material body, such a devotee comes to Me." After leaving the 
material body, the perfect devotee takes birth from the womb of a gopi 
on a planet where Krsna's pastimes are going on. This may be in this 
universe or another universe. This statement is found in the Ujjvala-
nilamani, which is commented upon by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. When 
a devotee becomes perfect, he is transferred to a universe where Krsna'
s pastimes are taking place. Krsna's eternal associates go wherever 
Krsna manifests His pastimes. As stated before, first the father and 
mother of Krsna appear, then the other associates. Quitting his material 
body, the perfect devotee also goes to associate with Krsna and His 
other associates.
 
Madhya 20.398
 
TEXT 398
 
TEXT
 
vraje krsna -- sarvaisvarya-prakase ‘purnatama'
puri-dvaye, paravyome -- ‘purnatara', ‘purna'
SYNONYMS
 
vraje -- in Vrndavana; krsna -- Lord Krsna; sarva-aisvarya-prakase -- 
manifestation of His full opulence; purna-tama -- most complete; puri-
dvaye -- in Dvaraka and Mathura; para-vyome -- and in the spiritual 
world; purna-tara -- more complete; purna -- complete.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Krsna is complete in the spiritual sky [Vaikuntha], He is more complete 
in Mathura and Dvaraka, and He is most complete in Vrndavana, Vraja, due 
to His manifesting all His opulences.
 
PURPORT
 
This is confirmed in the following three verses from the Bhakti-rasamrta-
sindhu (2.1.221–223).
 
Madhya 20.399
 
TEXT 399
 
TEXT
 
harih purnatamah purna-
 tarah purna iti tridha
srestha-madhyadibhih sabdair
 natye yah paripathyate
SYNONYMS
 
harih -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; purna-tamah -- most 
complete; purna-tarah -- more complete; purnah -- complete; iti -- thus; 
tridha -- three stages; srestha -- best; madhya-adibhih -- middle, etc.; 
sabdaih -- by the words; natye -- in books on dramatics; yah -- who; 
paripathyate -- is proclaimed.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘This is stated in the dramatic literatures as "perfect," "more perfect"
 and "most perfect." Thus Lord Krsna manifests Himself in three ways -- 
perfect, more perfect and most perfect.
 
Madhya 20.400
 
TEXT 400
 
TEXT
 
prakasitakhila-gunah
 smrtah purnatamo budhaih
asarva-vyanjakah purna-
 tarah purno 'lpa-darsakah
SYNONYMS
 
prakasita-akhila-gunah -- having all transcendental qualities manifested;
 smrtah -- is understood; purna-tamah -- most perfect; budhaih -- by 
learned scholars; asarva-vyanjakah -- having qualities not fully 
manifested; purna-tarah -- more perfect; purnah -- perfect; alpa-
darsakah -- still less fully manifested.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘When the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not manifest all His 
transcendental qualities, He is called complete. When all the qualities 
are manifested, but not fully, He is called more complete. When He 
manifests all His qualities in fullness, He is called most complete. 
This is the version of all learned scholars in the devotional science.
 
Madhya 20.401
 
TEXT 401
 
TEXT
 
krsnasya purnatamata
 vyaktabhud gokulantare
purnata purnatarata
 dvaraka-mathuradisu
SYNONYMS
 
krsnasya -- of Lord Krsna; purna-tamata -- being most perfect; vyakta -- 
manifested; abhut -- became; gokula-antare -- in the domain of Gokula 
Vrndavana; purnata -- completeness; purna-tarata -- more completeness; 
dvaraka -- in Dvaraka; mathura-adisu -- and Mathura, and so on.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The most complete qualities of Krsna are manifested within Vrndavana, 
and His complete and more complete qualities are manifested in Dvaraka 
and Mathura.'
 
Madhya 20.402
 
TEXT 402
 
TEXT
 
ei krsna -- vraje ‘purnatama' bhagavan
ara saba svarupa -- ‘purnatara' ‘purna' nama
SYNONYMS
 
ei krsna -- the same Krsna; vraje -- in Vrndavana; purna-tama bhagavan --
 the most complete manifestation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; 
ara -- other; saba -- all; svarupa -- forms; purna-tara -- more complete;
 purna -- complete; nama -- named.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Krsna is the most complete Supreme Personality of Godhead in 
Vrndavana. Elsewhere all His expansions are either complete or more 
complete.
 
Madhya 20.403
 
TEXT 403
 
TEXT
 
sanksepe kahilun krsnera svarupa-vicara
‘ananta' kahite nare ihara vistara
SYNONYMS
 
sanksepe -- in brief; kahilun -- I have described; krsnera -- of Lord 
Krsna; svarupa-vicara -- consideration of His different forms and 
features; ananta -- Lord Ananta; kahite nare -- not able to describe; 
ihara -- of this; vistara -- the expanse.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Thus I have briefly described Krsna's manifestation of transcendental 
forms. This subject matter is so large that even Lord Ananta cannot 
describe it fully.
 
Madhya 20.404
 
TEXT 404
 
TEXT
 
ananta svarupa krsnera nahika ganana
sakha-candra-nyaye kari dig-darasana
SYNONYMS
 
ananta -- unlimited; svarupa -- forms; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; nahika 
ganana -- there is no counting; sakha-candra-nyaye -- by the logic of 
showing the moon through the branches of a tree; kari -- I do; dik-
darasana -- only partial showing.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In this way Krsna's transcendental forms are expanded unlimitedly. No 
one can count them. Whatever I have explained is simply a little glimpse.
 It is like showing the moon through the branches of a tree."
 
Madhya 20.405
 
TEXT 405
 
TEXT
 
iha yei sune, pade, sei bhagyavan
krsnera svarupa-tattvera haya kichu jnana
SYNONYMS
 
iha -- this narration; yei sune -- anyone who hears; pade -- or reads; 
sei -- such a person; bhagyavan -- is most fortunate; krsnera -- of Lord 
Krsna; svarupa-tattvera -- of personal bodily features; haya -- there is;
 kichu -- something; jnana -- knowledge.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Whoever hears or recites these descriptions of the expansions of Krsna's 
body is certainly a very fortunate man. Although this is very difficult 
to understand, one can nonetheless acquire some knowledge about the 
different features of Krsna's body.
 
Madhya 20.406
 
TEXT 406
 
TEXT
 
sri-rupa-raghunatha-pade yara asa
caitanya-caritamrta kahe krsnadasa
SYNONYMS
 
sri-rupa -- Srila Rupa Gosvami; raghunatha -- Srila Raghunatha dasa 
Gosvami; pade -- at the lotus feet; yara -- whose; asa -- expectation; 
Caitanya-caritamrta -- the book named Caitanya-caritamrta; kahe -- 
describes; krsnadasa -- Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Praying at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha, always 
desiring their mercy, I, Krsnadasa, narrate Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, 
following in their footsteps.
 
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-
lila, Twentieth Chapter, describing how Sanatana Gosvami met the Lord at 
Varanasi and received knowledge of the Absolute Truth.
 