Anyone who is impersonalist, how he can understand Bhagavad-gītā? Bhagavān means person. Bhagavān is not impersonal.
The Absolute Truth is manifested in three features:
Brahman,
Paramātmā,
Bhagavān.
Brahman is the beginning, impersonal.
Srila Prabhupada - "So the Brahman realization is impersonal realization. Just like the sun, the sun globe, and the sunshine. They are one, but the sunshine, realization of the sunshine, is not realization of the sun globe.
Or realization of the sun globe is not realization of the sun god who is within the sun globe. Vivasvān. His name is Vivasvān. The present predominating Deity in the sun planet, his name is Vivasvān.
And his son Manu is called Vaivasvata Manu. This is the age of Vaivasvata Manu. So at the... This is very nice example, that the sunshine, the sun globe and the sun god.
They are all one, but still, the sun globe is not the person, sun god; neither the sunshine is not the person sun, although they are one. This is called acintya-bhedābheda-tattva, inconceivably one and different simultaneously".
Srila Prabhupada - "So Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is the origin of Brahman. He is the origin of Paramātmā. Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate (SB 1.2.11).
The Absolute Truth is experienced in three ways—Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. So Bhagavān is the last word of the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Person.
Therefore Vyāsadeva has purposefully written here, "śrī bhagavān uvāca." Bhagavān uvāca means you cannot exceed the Supreme Person. Nobody can be equal to the Supreme Person; nobody can be more than the Supreme Person.
Everyone should be under the Supreme Person. That is the meaning of Bhagavān. (Lecture on BG 2.1-11 -- Johannesburg, October 17, 1975)
Srila Prabhupada - "So here, bhagavān uvāca. Vyāsadeva does not say that kṛṣṇa uvāca. If, if he would have said, "Kṛṣṇa," then people would have misunderstood. He's directly speaking, bhagavān uvāca, "the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
Anyone who is impersonalist, how he can understand Bhagavad-gītā? Bhagavān means person. Bhagavān is not impersonal.
The Absolute Truth is manifested in three features: Brahman, Paramātmā, Bhagavān. Brahman is the beginning, impersonal. Sarvaṁ khalv idaṁ brahma.
Just like fire, fire is burning somewhere, but its heat and light is impersonal. Suppose here is big fire. Just like we got fireplace. That is in one corner. But the whole room you are feeling heat.
That heat is impersonal. But the fireplace, where there is blazing fire, that is personal. So impersonal conception is the offshoot of the person. That will be explained in the Thirteenth Chapter: mayā tatam idaṁ sarvam (BG 9.4).
Kṛṣṇa says that "Everyone, everywhere I am spread. I exist everywhere." How does He exist? By His energy. That energy is impersonal. But the Supreme Person, He's not impersonal. He's person. Therefore it is said, śrī-bhagavān uvāca.
Bhagavān means who is full with six kinds of opulence, aiśvarya: the richest, the most famous, the most learned, the most beautiful, the most strong, and the most renouncer. He's Bhagavān. (Lecture on BG 2.2 London, August 3, 1973)
Srila Prabhupada - "So the Supreme Truth, the Supreme Truth isBrahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān, the Supreme Truth.
Now, according to... Because we have already explained that each and every individual being has got his individual minute quantity of independence. God has given us.
Now, by our independence, I may accept as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I may accept Him that the all-pervading Supersoul, and I may accept Him that the all-pervading Brahman, impersonal brahmajyoti effulgence.
So all these are applicable to the Absolute Truth. Now, it depends on my discretion whether I want to merge into the existence of the Lord, whether I want to keep my individuality and associate with Him as friend, as father, mother, as wife.
Just like we have got relation. So that depends on my discretion. But now, comparatively, if we study that if we merge into the existence of God, the, at least, in the opinion of the bhaktas, that is not acceptable. That is not acceptable.
They know that, that "God has created me as an individual being, so He has got some purpose. And because He has created me for some purpose, I must fulfill that purpose. I must fulfill that purpose." (Lecture on BG 2.12 -- New York, March 9, 1966)
Srila Prabhupada - "So we are discussing about the soul and the body for the last four days. Now it is being concluded..., not concluded, further informed that tattva-darśibhiḥ.
Tattva means the Absolute Truth.
They are called tattva-darśī. The tattva means the Absolute Truth, the spirit whole. The spirit whole is realized in three features. That is described in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvam: (SB 1.2.11)
"Those who are actually realized of the Absolute Truth, they say that the Absolute Truth is realized in three features." The brahmeti, bhagavān iti..., brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate: (SB 1.2.11)
"Absolute Truth is realized in three features:Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān." Brahman is the impersonal feature, Paramātmā is the localized feature, and Bhagavān is the personal feature. (BG 2.16 -- Mexico City, February 16, 1975)
Srila Prabhupada - "In Bhagavad-gītā it is said, bahūnāṁ janmanām ante (BG 7.19). After speculating in the impersonal philosophical way, when one is mature, bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān, when he's actually wise.
So long he cannot understand that the Supreme Absolute Truth is person, sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha... (Bs. 5.1). brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate. Bhagavān. That... vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvaṁ yaj jñānam advayam (SB 1.2.11).
This is statement in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavata: "Those who know the Absolute Truth, they know that Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān, they are one. It is different phases of understanding only."
Just like if you see one hill from a distant place, you will find impersonal, hazy, something cloudy. If you go still forward, then you can see it is something greenish.
And if you go actually within the hill, you'll see there are so many animals, trees, men. Similarly, those who are trying to understand the Absolute from distance place or far away, they are realizing, by speculation, impersonal Brahman.
Those who are still forward, yogis, they can see localized aspect. Dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ (SB 12.13.1). They can see, dhyāna avasthita, localized within himself.
This is Paramātmā feature. And those who are devotees, they see Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of God, eye to eye, one person to another. Nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13). (BG 2.23 Hyderabad, November 27, 1972)
Srila Prabhupada - "Just like generally there are three classes of spiritualists. The jñānīs, the yogis and the bhaktas.
Jñānī means those who are trying to realize spiritual self through speculation of metaphysics and philosophy. They are called jñānīs. And yogis—those who are trying to realize spiritual self by meditation and controlling the senses.
Yoga indriya-saṁyama. This haṭha-yoga meditation means that our senses are engaged in varieties of work, so by that haṭha-yoga gymnastic, the process, the mind is concentrated into the Paramātmā, Supersoul.
That means those who are too much bodily addicted, for them, this haṭha-yoga process is good, recommended. So yogi, the jñānī and the yogi and the bhakta. Bhakta means devotees, devotees, spiritual realization.
The objective of spiritual goal is realized in three different phases: Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān. Brahman is impersonal conception of the Supreme.
So these jñānīs, those who are proceeding through philosophical speculation and metaphysical analysis, they attain up to the impersonal Brahman.
Those who are meditating by yogic process, they attain to the Paramātmā feature, or Supersoul. And those who are devotees, they attain the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (Lecture on BG Lecture Excerpts 2.44-45, 2.58 New York, March 25, 1966)
Srila Prabhupada - "Now, Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. The Absolute Truth is described in different ways by different people according to angle of vision. But the object is the same.
There may be different types of religious systems, but the object is Kṛṣṇa. Somewhere it is openly expressed, and somewhere it is covered. Just like Brahman, Brahman realization, impersonal realization, Brahman realization.
For the jñānīs, those who are seeking out the Absolute Truth by speculative knowledge, they want to make these varieties of material world as void. The Buddha philosophy, śūnyavādi.
Because they are disgusted with these material varieties, therefore they want something opposite. That opposite is voidism, śūnyavāda.
The śūnyavāda or, little more further, that is brahmavāda, without any varieties, simply the light, brahmajyoti. This is also another realization.
Śūnyavāda, to make this material world null and void, they come to the impersonal Brahman effulgence. This is Brahman realization. (Lecture on BG 4.11 Bombay, March 31, 1974)
Srila Prabhupada - "Kṛṣṇa is open to everyone, and you can approach Kṛṣṇa in any capacity—as Brahman, Paramātmā, or Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. But it is up to you to relish which one is relishable for you.
That is up to you. But Kṛṣṇa is prepared to accept you in any way you like. So Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān, they are the same one truth, but it is difference of realization. (Lecture on BG 4.11 Bombay, March 31, 1974)
Srila Prabhupada - "But practically, Kṛṣṇa, so far those who are transcendentalists, they want to be controlled by three phases of Kṛṣṇa: Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān.
Those who are impersonalists, they want to be merged into the Brahman effulgence. That is also acceptance of being controlled. Just like if you merge into the ocean.
They give this example, generally. So they think that by merging, by dipping into the ocean, they become also ocean. That is not possible. You become controlled by the ocean.
Suppose you dip, you dive into the ocean. Does it mean that you become ocean? You become controlled by the ocean. They are under the impression that "I am now a small drop.
So if I merge into the ocean, the Brahman, then I'll become Brahman." Is that a very reasonable proposal? You are a drop of water. (Lecture on BG 4.11 Vrndavana, August 3, 1974)
Srila Prabhupada - "God realization, there are three aspects: brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate (SB 1.2.11).
The Absolute Truth is realized in three aspects—
Brahman,
Paramātmā,
Bhagavān.
Brahman, the impersonal conception of the absolute truth, that is called Brahman. And Paramātmā is localized aspect of the Absolute Truth.
And Bhagavān is the ultimate realization, Personality of Godhead. (BG 4.11-18 Los Angeles, January 8, 1969)
Srila Prabhupada - "Now, if you have to acquire knowledge, then first of all, you have to find out a person who has already seen the light.
Tattva-darśinaḥ. Tattva... Tattva means... In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, tattva is described, the English translation is "Absolute Truth." That is called tattva. Now,
vadanti tat tattva-vidastattvaṁ yaj jñānam advayambrahmeti paramātmetibhagavān iti śabdyate(SB 1.2.11)
"Now, that Absolute Truth is known in three different phases." What is that? "Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān." So a person, we have to.
If we really seeking knowledge, then we have to find out a person who is tattva-darśī, who has understood the Absolute Truth.
Now, the Absolute Truth is realized in three phases: Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. (BG 4.24-34 New York, August 12, 1966)
Srila Prabhupada - "So anyway, either the Brahmavādī or Paramātmavādī ofr the bhakta, they are all tattva-vit. They are all transcendentalists.
There is no difference. But as there are three classes in every sphere, so there are three classes in the transcendental field also. So here Bhagavad-gītā, the Lord recommends that jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ (BG 4.34).
You have to find out a person who is tattva-darśī, who has realized the Absolute Truth, either in Brahman conception or in Paramātmā conception or in Personality of Godhead conception because we have got different tastes.
So the Paramātmā or the Supreme Absolute Truth is also manifested in three phases: Brahman, Paramātmā, Bhagavān.
So anyway, either you select the impersonal Brahman conception of the Absolute Truth, either you select the localized supreme soul, Supersoul conception of the Absolute Truth, or you accept the highest, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya (BG 7.7). The Lord says that "This is the last phase of Absolute Truth, what I am, Kṛṣṇa." (BG 4.24-34 New York, August 12, 1966)
Srila Prabhupada - "Just like I have given this example already—you did not hear attentively—that the sunshine, the sun disc, and within the sun.
The subject matter is same, but still, the subject matter of studying sunshine and subject matter of studying the sun disc and subject matter of studying what is within the sun, there are differences, although the whole subject matter is the sun.
The Absolute Truth is also, in the same way, manifested in three phases: Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. So either of these three, we have to find out; then gradually we make further promotion. (Lecture on BG 4.24-34 New York, August 12, 1966)
Srila Prabhupada - "Sthira-buddhi. Sthira means steady, and buddhi means intelligence.
Revatīnandana: "He is therefore never bewildered by mistaking the gross body for the soul, nor does he accept the body as permanent and disregard the existence of the soul.
This knowledge elevates him to the station of knowing the complete science of the Absolute Truth, namely Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān."
Srila Prabhupada - "Yes. The complete knowledge, Absolute Truth, means to understand three features of the Absolute Truth.
One feature is Brahman, impersonal.
The next feature is Paramātmā, localized.
And the next feature is Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
When one understands these three features of the Absolute Truth very perfectly then he is in complete knowledge of the science of God.
Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate. In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is said that human life is meant for inquiring the Absolute Truth.
And the next verse the Absolute Truth is explained. Vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvam (SB 1.2.11).
Those who are in knowledge of the Absolute Truth, they say, "Absolute Truth, that thing which is nondual. Nondual. And that Absolute Truth is known in three phases."
What is that? Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān.
There is no difference between Brahman and Paramātmā or Bhagavān, the same thing. (BG 5.17-25 Los Angeles, February 8, 1969)
Srila Prabhupada - "If you chant om, then you go to impersonal Brahman. But if you chant Kṛṣṇa, then you reach Kṛṣṇa, person. Just now I explained Bhagavān..., Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān.
If you chant om, then you reach Brahman or Paramātmā. But if you chant Kṛṣṇa, then you reach Kṛṣṇa, Bhagavān. (Lecture on BG 5.17-25 Los Angeles, February 8, 1969)
Srila Prabhupada - "So śāstra-cakṣusā. Śāstra... Either you take direct perception or through the śāstra... Through the śāstra the perception is better than direct perception.
Therefore our knowledge, those who are following the Vedic principles, their knowledge is derived from the Vedas. They do not manufacture any knowledge. If one thing is understood by the evidence of the Vedas, that is fact.
So Kṛṣṇa is understood through the Vedas. Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ (BG 15.15). That is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā. You cannot imagine of Kṛṣṇa.
If some rascal says that "I am imagining," that is rascaldom. You have to see Kṛṣṇa through the Vedas. Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ (BG 15.15). That is the purpose of studying Vedas.
Therefore it is called Vedānta. Kṛṣṇa's knowledge is Vedānta. Anta means the end, the last word, last word. So last word... What is the last word of Vedic knowledge? Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate (SB 1.2.11).
First of all knowledge of the Brahman, then Paramātmā, then last knowledge is Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam (SB 1.3.28). Janmādy asya yataḥ (SB 1.1.1).
Kṛṣṇa says, ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ (BG 10.8). Sarvasya, or Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān. The Bhagavān is the origin of Paramātmā and Brahman. Brahmaṇaḥ ahaṁ pratiṣṭhā. (BG 7.1 Hong Kong, January 25, 1975)
Srila Prabhupada - "So here we have to take advantage, bhagavān uvāca. Bhagavān personally speaking. Why speaking? Asaṁśayaṁ samagraṁ māṁ yathā jñāsyasi tac chṛṇu (BG 7.1).
Without any doubts, asaṁśayam. If you speculate on God there are so many doubts. But asaṁśayam, without any doubt, if you want to understand... Asaṁśayaṁ samagram.
And in totality, not partially. Bhagavān is Absolute Truth. The Absolute Truth is understood from three angles of vision, Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. (BG 7.1 Hyderabad, August 22, 1976)
Srila Prabhupada - "This devotional service, or the understanding of Kṛṣṇa, is jñānam. First of all, we have to understand. Kṛṣṇa will explain how Kṛṣṇa is present before you in different features.
Just like originally He is present before us as impersonal Brahman, localized Paramātmā, and personally also, Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are all the same.
There is no difference, Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān. There is no difference. The same thing, but it is realized under different angle of vision.
Those who are trying to approach Kṛṣṇa by philosophical speculation, by theosophical understanding, they go up to the impersonal feature of Kṛṣṇa, brahma-jñāna.
And those who are trying to understand Kṛṣṇa as the localized Supreme Soul within one's heart... Dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ (SB 12.13.1).
The yogis, they are trying to find out Kṛṣṇa within his heart by meditation. (BG 7.1-2 Bombay, March 28, 1971)
Srila Prabhupada - "The Absolute Truth is the ultimate truth, tattva. Tattva means Absolute Truth. So those who are aware of the Absolute Truth, they say that Absolute Truth is one, but He's realized in three angle of vision, namely, Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān.
Those who are trying to speculate and understand the Absolute Truth, they can realize up to impersonal Brahman. So generally, speculators means big, big philosophers.
They can understand that impersonal Brahman. These impersonalists are generally known as jñānīs. Jñānīs means the wise men or persons who are very much aware of everything. So they can understand the impersonal feature of the Absolute Truth.
But there are other class who are called yogis. The yogis can understand the Paramātmā feature of the Absolute Truth. Paramātmā means the Supersoul who is situated within everyone's heart.
And the personal feature of the Lord is real sized by the bhaktas, or the devotees. (BG 7.1-3 Paris, June 13, 1974)
Srila Prabhupada - "So God, Kṛṣṇa, is not imperson at the ultimate end. Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate (SB 1.2.11).
Absolute Truth is realized in three phases: Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. So Paramātmā is subordinate to the Supreme Person, Kṛṣṇa, and Brahman is also subordinate to the Supreme Person, Kṛṣṇa.
Brahmaṇo ahaṁ pratiṣṭhā. Brahman, the impersonal Brahman feature, brahmajyoti, that is resting on Kṛṣṇa. It is very easy to understand. We can see that the sunshine is resting on the sun globe.
Sun globe is localized, but sunshine is very big. It is distributed all over the universe. But that does not mean that sunshine is more important than the sun globe. The sun globe is important, and the still more important is the sun-god.
Within the sun globe there is sun-god, Vivasvān. He is a person. And there is also other living entities, their, all their bodies are made of fire. Here in the material science, they sterilize.
They, they are under the impression that when there is too strong temperature, the microbes die, or when there is too cold, the microbes die. There are two kinds of sterilization: either by increasing the heat or decreasing the heat, below zero.
But Bhagavad-gītā, from Bhagavad-gītā we understand, adāhyo 'yam: soul is never killed in fire, neither it is killed by extreme coldness. (Lecture on BG 9.4 Calcutta, March 9, 1972)
Srila Prabhupada - "The living entities, they are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, God. Therefore qualitatively, what is Kṛṣṇa, the jīva, living entity's also the same thing. There is no difference in quality.
But quantity there is difference. Paramātmā or Bhagavān, brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate (SB 1.2.11).
All these three features of the Absolute Truth, Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān, the ultimate cause is Bhagavān. As it is confirmed by Kṛṣṇa: brahmaṇaḥ ahaṁ pratiṣṭhā.
The Brahman effulgence, that is standing on Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is the source of Brahman effulgence. (BG 13.3 Bombay, December 30, 1972)
Srila Prabhupada - "There is no need of university for teaching how to eat or how to sleep or how to have sex life or how to defend.
These are animal necessities. But actually human being should be still more advanced in knowledge. That knowledge is not comprising only eating, sleeping, mating and defending.
That knowledge is to understand the Absolute Truth, God. That knowledge. Therefore, the Vedānta-sūtra philosophy, that begins with the word athāto brahma jijñāsā.
Now, this life, this human form of life, is meant for inquiring about the Absolute Truth. Athāto brahma jijñāsā. Brahma means the Absolute Truth. So, that should be the subject matter for studying in human form of life.
So Bhagavad-gītā is the right book to understand about that brahma, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, or the Absolute Truth, whatever you call.
The Absolute Truth is known in three phases: Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. (BG 18.41 Stockholm, September 7, 1973)
Srila Prabhupada - "That Absolute Truth, tattva-vastu, those who are in the knowledge of tattva-vastu, they say the Absolute Truth is one, advaya-jñāna.
There is no duality. Vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvam yaj jñānam advayam (SB 1.2.11).Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān.
They are the same tattva-vastu, but according to our angle of vision, somebody is understanding the Absolute Truth as impersonal Brahman, somebody is understanding the Absolute Truth as localized Paramātmā, and somebody.
That is highest realization, Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (Lecture on SB 1.2.8 Bombay, December 26, 1972)
Srila Prabhupada - "So here we find that the Absolute Truth is realized as Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. Bhagavān is the ultimate, the last word in the understanding of the Absolute Truth.
Unless you come to the point of Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa... Bhagavān means original Bhagavān is Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam (SB 1.3.28).
All other Bhagavāns, They are expansions, plenary or part of the plenary expansion of Bhagavān, Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam.
So in the spiritual world also one has to go farther and farther until he reaches to the point of Kṛṣṇa. That is ultimate progress. (Lecture on SB 1.2.11 Vrndavana, October 22, 1972)
Srila Prabhupada - "So at the present moment, the predominating deity of the sun globe is called Vivasvān. So this Vivasvān or the sun-god and the sun globe and the sunshine, they are not different.
All of them are light. Without light in the sun globe, how so much light is emanating? So therefore the inhabitants of the sun globe, their body is made of fire. Therefore everything is glowing.
And we, from distant place, we see the sun globe also glowing. And the sunshine is also glowing. Similarly, Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān, they are one, the glowing or the light, but still, there is difference.
What is that difference? If you remain in the sunshine... Every one of us, we remain in the sunshine. That does not mean that I am in the sun globe or I have seen the predominating deity, Vivasvān.
Similarly, brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate (SB 1.2.11), you can realize the Absolute Truth in three features: Brahman, Paramātmā... (break)... brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate.
The same Absolute Truth is realized from three angles of vision. Those who are trying to understand the Absolute Truth by their own scholarship, eruditely... There are many philosophers.
They are trying to find out what is the original source of everything. (Lecture on SB 1.2.11 Tirupati, April 26, 1974)
Srila Prabhupada - "Now this verse is describing how one can become interested in the values of life. The values of life is to inquire the Absolute Truth, how this inclination can be developed or how Kṛṣṇa consciousness can be developed.
Tattva-jijñāsā means Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān, Kṛṣṇa. Now how this inclination... There is inclination in everyone, but by artificial means, they have been checked.
Otherwise, normally, this inclination is there in everyone's heart. Nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-bhakti sādhya kabhu naya. It is not an artificial imposition. Naturally there is tendency to know, if he's a sane man, "What I am? What is God?
What is my relationship with Him? Why I am suffering?" There are so many questions. So here it is suggested that if you are actually serious about tattva-jijñāsā, to understand the Absolute Truth, this is the process. What is that? Tat śraddadhānāḥ. Śraddhā. (SB 1.2.12 Vrndavana, October 23, 1972)
Srila Prabhupada - "So simply Brahman realization is not perfect. Simply Paramātmā realization is also not perfect.
When you realize Bhagavān, then you realize Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān simultaneously. That is ānanda. That is ānanda.
That is available as it is. Paśyanty ātmani cātmānaṁ bhaktyā śruta-gṛhītayā. Śruta-gṛhītayā, hearing. Therefore Rūpa Gosvāmī says,
śruti-smṛti-purāṇādi-pañcarātra-vidhiṁ vināaikāntikī harer bhaktirutpātāyaiva kalpate(Brs. 1.2.101)
One who does not understand the bhakti philosophy through śruti, through Veda, smṛti... Just like Bhagavad-gītā is smṛti. Śruti-smṛti-purāṇādi (Brs. 1.2.101), and Nārada-pañcarātra.
Without reference to these books of knowledge, if one becomes a so-called devotee, that is not accepted by Rūpa Gosvāmī. Here also it is said, bhaktyā śruta-gṛhītayā.
Śruta-gṛhītayā, knowledge, full knowledge, through Vedas, bhaktyā, with devotion. Dry Vedic knowledge makes you impersonalist, only a partial realization. Therefore bhakti must be there. Bhakti means without any result or karma and jñāna. (SB 1.2.12 Delhi, November 18, 1973)
Srila Prabhupada - "Without becoming a brāhmaṇa, nobody can become a Vaiṣṇava. Or, when one is Vaiṣṇava, it is to be understood that he is also brāhmaṇa.
The common word... In India it is said, brāhmaṇa-vaiṣṇava. Brāhmaṇa should become Vaiṣṇava. Or one who is Vaiṣṇava is already a brāhmaṇa. Brahma jānātīti brāhmaṇaḥ.
So a Vaiṣṇava not only knows brāhmaṇa, er, Brahman, but he knows Paramātmā and he knows Bhagavān. So Brahma jānātīti brāhmaṇa. Simply by knowing Brahman, one can become a brāhmaṇa.
But a Vaiṣṇava, not only he knows what is Brahman, but he knows further, what is Paramātmā and what is Bhagavān. Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate (SB 1.2.11).
The Absolute Truth is present in three features: Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. So Brahman realization is the first. Ahaṁ brahmāsmi. That is the self-realization:
"I am not this body." Ahaṁ brahmāsmi. That is called brahma-bhūta (SB 4.30.20) stage. Brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā (BG 18.54). That is the statement in the Bhagavad-gītā. (SB 1.2.19 Calcutta, September 27, 1974)
Srila Prabhupada - "The Absolute Truth is one. One who knows the Absolute Truth, he knows that Brahman, Paramātmā, Bhagavān, the same objective, but they are realized by different devotees or different knower in different features.
The example is given in this connection: Just like if you see from a very distant place one hill, you'll find just like a cloud, hazy cloud. If you push forward further you'll find something green.
But when you actually approach the hill, you'll find there are many houses, many animals, many trees, varieties. So the Absolute Truth, when it is realized by our limited understanding, the Absolute Truth appears as nirviśeṣa, impersonal Brahman.
Similarly, when we try to meditate upon the Absolute Truth within our heart, He appears as Paramātmā. Yogis... Dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ (SB 12.13.1).
But at the ultimate issue, He's Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa, origin. Advaitam acyutam anādim. Anādi: Kṛṣṇa has no source. He's the original source of everything. Janmādy asya yataḥ (SB 1.1.1).
Ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ (BG 10.8). These things are there. (Lecture on SB 1.2.28-29 -- Vrndavana, November 8, 1972)
Srila Prabhupada - "So here the point is that just direct people to Kṛṣṇa, or the Suprehme Lord. Don't misguide them that "Here is another god, here is another god, here is another..."
The Bhagavad-gītā also, in the last instruction, Bhagavān says, mām ekam. Ekam means one. "Only surrender to Me." So this is the verdict of all Vedic literatures.
But if somebody thinks that "I can worship Brahmā, I can worship Kālī, I can worship Śiva, or many other demigods, and still the same thing," this is impersonalist view. It is not a fact.
Because according to them, "The Absolute Truth is impersonal. There is no question of personality. But because we cannot concentrate our devotional energy or attention in the impersonal feature, therefore let us imagine some form of God."
This is the, I mean to say, principle of the impersonalists. They imagine some form of God, and they get perfection.
And ultimately they become impersonal, merge into the effulgence, brahmajyoti. That is their philosophy. The Māyāvāda philosophy and Vaiṣṇava philosophy differs here.
Our Bhāgavata says that ultimate truth, Absolute Truth, is a person. Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān. Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti (SB 1.2.11).
Vyāsadeva says that "You direct people, attention, to the Supreme Personality of Godhead." (SB 1.5.15 New Vrindaban, June 19, 1969)
Srila Prabhupada - "So here Nārada Muni says that "During the four months." In India there are six seasons.
There is summer season, and there is spring. There is autumn. Then there is winter, there is fall. In this way, there are six seasons.
So the saintly persons, in the, during the autumn and rainy season, they keep together; they do not move. Because saintly persons, sannyāsīs, their business is to move... Gṛhiṇāṁ dīna-cetasām, mahad-vicalanam. Mahad-vicalanam.
Mahat means mahātmā, great souls. Great soul means not crippled souls, those who are anxious to meet the great, or the Supreme Brahman, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Those who are crippled souls, they are entangled with the limited circle of material enjoyment. But mahātmā... Mahātmā is described in the Bhagavad-gītā, mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ (BG 9.13).
Mahātmās are not interested within this material world. They are not under the influence of the external energy. Of course, nowadays it is.
Sometimes politicians are called "mahātmā." But that is not the purpose of mahātmā. Mahātmā is not interested with politics or sociology or... They are all material things.
Or philanthropy. They are interested with the Supreme: Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate (SB 1.2.11). They're interested.
Especially mahātmā is he who is interested with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa". (SB 1.5.28 Vrndavana, August 9, 1974)
Srila Prabhupada - "Before creation. Long, long period. So anādi-bahirmukha jīva kṛṣṇa bhuli' gela ataeva kṛṣṇa veda-purāṇa.
What is the meaning of these Vedas and Purāṇas? To remind us about Kṛṣṇa. So how we'll understand Vedas and Purāṇas? Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta (SB 11.3.21).
You have to go to the guru. Why? Jijñāsuḥ śreya.
If you want to know the real life, then you have to go to guru. Jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. Then what is the sign, what is the symptom of such guru where I shall get real information?
That is also stated. Jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam, śābde pare ca niṣṇātam. One who is fully aware of the transcendental science or words, śabda, śabda-brahma.
Śabda-brahma means Vedic literature. One is completely in awareness of Vedic knowledge. Śābde pare ca niṣṇātam. Niṣṇātam means one has taken a dip in the ocean of this Vedic literature. Niṣṇātam.
And what is the result? Śābde pare ca niṣṇātaṁ brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam. The Supreme Brahman... Brahman, Paramātmā, Bhagavān. Brahmaṇi, either of them.
But Bhagavān is the best. Or, if you cannot approach Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Brahman is also.
Because if one is in Brahman, he has a chance to make further progress". (SB 1.7.18 Vrndavana, September 15, 1976)
Srila Prabhupada - "In the Bhagavad-gītā it is said, paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān puruṣaṁ śāśvataṁ divyam (BG 10.12).
So to realize Brahman realization... That is also spiritual. That is not material. Ahaṁ brahmāsmi. That is spiritual.
But that is the first appreciation of the Absolute Truth. That is not complete appreciation or complete knowledge. Complete knowledge is when one understands the paraṁ brahma.
That is complete understanding. Not simply Brahman:Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān. Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate. The Absolute Truth, vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvam (SB 1.2.11).
Tattvam means Absolute Truth. What is that Absolute? Advaya-jñānam. One. Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. They are not different. Advayam, the same Absolute.
But it is due to my position, angle of vision, He's realized in three different features—Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. That one tattva-vastu, Absolute Truth.
So to understand even Brahman, one requires to become brāhmaṇa. Brahma jānāti iti brāhmaṇaḥ. Brahman, understands Brahman, that is the first step. Then you have to make further progress.
The example we have given many times, that we are in the sunshine. Now there is sunshine, that is also Brahman, or heat and light. But the heat and light here, ninety-three millions miles away from the sun, and the heat and light in the sun—a difference.
That temperature is different. So when you go to the sun-god, that position, and to enjoy heat and light from ninety-three millions miles away, that is also difference". (SB 1.7.34-35 Vrndavana, September 28, 1976)
Srila Prabhupada - "All these demons who were killed by Kṛṣṇa, they immediately merge into the brahmajyoti-nirviśeṣa.
The only difference is, of course, the brahmajyoti, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. They are one. Vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvam (SB 1.2.11). That is one truth, Absolute Truth, in different features only. Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate.
Originally Bhagavān, His plenary representation is Paramātmā who is situated in everyone's heart. Īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe 'rjuna tiṣṭhati (BG 18.61).
The plenary portion Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, He is in everyone's heart. That is Paramātmā. And Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān. The ultimate issue is Bhagavān.
So ye yathā māṁ prapadyante (BG 4.11). Now He's equal to everyone. It is up to the devotees or persons who are trying to understand the Supreme Absolute Truth.
According to their capacity of understanding, the Absolute Truth, God, is revealed, either as impersonal Brahman or localized Paramātmā or Bhagavān. It is up to me". (SB 1.8.28 Los Angeles, April 20, 1973)
Srila Prabhupada - "Brāhmaṇa means one who has already known God, or brahma-vastu. Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate (SB 1.2.11). That is brāhmaṇa.
Therefore people should go to brāhmaṇa. Tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum eva abhigacchet (MU 1.2.12). Without becoming a brāhmaṇa, one cannot become guru.
Because if he does not know Brahman, Paramātmā, Bhagavān, what kind of brāhmaṇa he is, and what kind of guru he is?
So therefore one must know the ultimate truth, Bhagavān. Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti. Not silent, simply by understanding Brahman or Paramātmā, but he must know what is Bhagavān.
Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam (SB 1.3.28). Bhagavān is Kṛṣṇa. That is the verdict of the Vedas. Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam.
So a brāhmaṇa, even with good qualification, but if he does not now Kṛṣṇa, then he cannot become guru. That is the injunction". (SB 1.15.39 Los Angeles, December 17, 1973)
Srila Prabhupada - "So kṛṣṇa-praśna, inquiry about Kṛṣṇa, and to understand Kṛṣṇa means on the spiritual platform, ātmavit. That is not material body, material platform.
Material platform means "I am this body; you are this body. So Kṛṣṇa is also like us. Kṛṣṇa has a material body, and He is like me." Avajānanti māṁ mūḍhāḥ (BG 9.11).
Kṛṣṇa should not be considered as ordinary being. We are worshiping Kṛṣṇa in this temple, not an ordinary being. But Kṛṣṇa is so kind. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Aṇor aṇīyān mahato mahīyān.
He is greater than the greatest and still, He can become smaller than the smallest. That is his greatness.
He can become, He can show Arjuna the virāḍ-rūpa, the universal form; at the same time, He can talk with Arjuna as ordinary friend. This is Kṛṣṇa. You have read Bhagavad-gītā.
He was talking on the chariot as his friend, but when there was need, Arjuna wanted to see the universal friend, and Kṛṣṇa showed him that universal form, gigantic form, everything including.
So that Kṛṣṇa is ātmā, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān and Brahman. Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate (SB 1.2.11)". (SB 2.1.1-5 Melbourne, June 26, 1974)
Srila Prabhupada - "So we have to approach to a guru, tattva-darśī. Tattva-darśī. Tattva-darśī means... What is tattva? Tattva means truth. One who has seen the truth. We have to approach such tattva-darśī. And what is that tattva?
vadanti tat tattva-vidastattvaṁ yaj jñānam advayambrahmeti paramātmetibhagavān iti śabdyate(SB 1.2.11)
Tattva means the tattva-vastu, the Absolute Truth, is manifested in three features: Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān. Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate. They are actually the same thing, but different realization". (SB 3.26.10 Bombay, December 22, 1974)
Srila Prabhupada - "So brahmaṇaḥ sthānam. This temple is brahmaṇaḥ sthānam, the residential place for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, brahmaṇaḥ.
Brahmaṇaḥ means the Absolute Truth. Absolute Truth is understood in three different features: brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate (SB 1.2.11).
So Supreme Brahman means Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as it was accepted by Arjuna after understanding Bhagavad-gītā. He addressed Him, paraṁ brahma param dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān: (BG 10.12) "You are paraṁ brahma."
Brahman and Paramātmā and Bhagavān.
Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate, the Absolute Truth. According to our different realization, the Absolute Truth is realized in three different features:
impersonal Brahman; and localized, all-pervading antaryāmī, Viṣṇu or Paramātmā; and the last word of understanding is Bhagavān". (SB 3.26.46 Bombay, January 21, 1975)
Srila Prabhupada - "Tattva-jijñāsā, that is the main business. Now, what is that tattva? That is explained in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavata. Vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvam: (SB 1.2.11)
"Those who are aware of the tattva, they say that tattva means the Supreme Absolute Truth." Vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvaṁ yaj jñānam advayam (SB 1.2.11).
Jñānam, that knowledge, is advaya. Advaya means without any duality. But they are expressed in three different ways—
Brahman,
Paramātmā,
Bhagavān -
brahmeti paramātmeti, according to the stage of understanding.
Those who are in the lower stage, we cannot say lower, in the beginning stage, that is Brahman realization. And one who has made further progress, that is Paramātmā realized.
And one who has made further progress, that is Bhagavān realization. This is the verdict. So if you realize Bhagavān, then vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ (BG 7.19).
Then you'll understand that Vāsudeva, Bhagavān, He is Paramātmā. He's also Brahman. Rather, He is Parabrahman". (SB 5.5.2 Hyderabad, April 11, 1975)
Srila Prabhupada - "Yogis, they see Bhagavān as Paramātmā. Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. So all of them are on the platform but realization different. Gradually develop.
Brahman realization is also spiritual realization.
Paramātmā realization also spiritual realization and Bhagavān realization is also spiritual, but the perfect spiritual realization is Bhagavān realization.
It includes Paramātmā and Brahman, everything". (SB 6.1.14 Bombay, November 10, 1970)
Srila Prabhupada - "Here in the material world you are always filled up with kuṇṭha, anxieties. And if you go to Viṣṇu or Kṛṣṇa, then there is no more kuṇṭha, full freedom without anxiety.
Because even if you realize yourself that you are part and parcel of Parabrahman, when you realize Brahman yourself, not this body, immediately you become jolly.
Brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati (BG 18.54). There are many sannyāsīs who are brahmavādī. So as soon as they feel "Ahaṁ brahmāsmi," they are no more in anxiety of this material world.
And if you increase that—Brahman, Paramātmā, Bhagavān That simple Brahman realization, it is knowledge that "I am not this, but I am that." Neti.
But that knowledge will not be sufficient. You have to make progress further because we are by nature ānandamāya. Ānanda-mayo 'bhyāsāt.
Our nature is to search after ānanda. So simply Brahman realization will not give you ānanda.
Therefore we see sometimes big, big sannyāsīs, they gave up this world as brahma satyaṁ jagan mithyā, but because they could not get ānanda, they come down again." (SB 6.2.14 Vrndavana, September 17, 1975)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.