Canto 1, Theme 2:

Süta Goswämi answers 6

questions of the sages of

Naimiñäraëya1/21/2011

Highlights of this thematic lesson Human life is NOT meant simply struggling for

economic development and material enjoyment.

Why do we hanker for material enjoyment, which invariably results into material frustrations and sufferings?

Step-by-step, scientific explanation of how simply hearing about Krsna progressively results into the end of three-fold material miseries, we attain lasting happiness, and become liberated from our material existence.

How to develop taste for hearing Krsna-kathä? 1/21/2011

Before beginning to answering the sages’ questions, Süta

Goswämi first offers his obeisances to his guru, Çré

Çukadeva Goswämi, and then to the presiding deity of Çrémad-Bhägavatam, Nara-Näräyana Rsi, the goddess of learning,

Sarasvati (the power of SB) and finally the author of Çrémad-

Bhägavatam, Çréla Vyäsadeva. 1/21/2011

Glorious Birth of Çukadeva

Goswämi (2) Stayed in the womb of his mother for 16 years!

Took sannyäsa at birth youngest sannyäsi in history.

Pravajantam—parivrajaka

Anupetam—without being reformed by the upayanam

Apeta—not undergoing ceremonies of the higher castes

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Six Questions Of The Sages

(1.1.9-23)1. What is the absolute and ultimate good (sreyah) for people in general? (9)

2. What is the essence (sära) of all scriptures? (11)

3. For what purpose the SPG appeared in the womb of Devaki as the son of Vasudeva? (12)

4. Tell us of the acts of the Lord performs in relationship to creating the material world. (17)

5. Narrate to us the transcendental pastimes of the SPG’s multi-incarnations. (18)

6. Where has religion taken shelter after Krsna has retired to His abode? (23)

51/21/2011

Q1) What is the absolute and ultimate good (sreya)

for people in general? (1.1.9) After describing that devotional service to Çré

Krsna was the essence of the scriptures, Süta explains that the ultimate benefit for people in general is to become free from material bondage and develop love of God throughdevotional service offered only to Krsna or His plenary parts (1.2.6-7, but also until verse 27)

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Q2) What is the essence (sära) of all scriptures?

(1.1.11) Throughout the 2nd Chapter and especially in 1.2.6-7, and continuing on to text 28, Çré Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is confirmed as the only object of worship, and establishing one's lost relationship with Him in love and service through devotional service is proclaimed as sum and substance of the Vedic literatures.

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The perfection of religion (5-10) Although the sages of Naimiñäraëya

asked many general questions, they were in fact indirectly inquiring about Krsna. Süta Goswämi acknowledges this by describing the relevance of the sages’ inquiries—they are about Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and thus satisfying to the self (5).

He then answers the sages’ first two questions concerning the essence of religion, by describing pure devotional service and its result (detachment and knowledge [about Çré Krsna] (6-7; Contd)

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The perfection of religion (5-10; Contd)

The same point about pure devotional service being the essence of religion is again established, but this time from a negative view—religious activities are useless if they don’t invoke an attraction for Çré Krsna (8).

Finally, Süta Goswämi clarifies a common misconception about the purpose of religion. Religion (dharma) is for liberation, not for material gain as is commonly misunderstood. Süta clarifies the real purpose of accruing material gain –to keep the body fit for inquiry into the Absolute Truth (tattva), the singular goal of all one’s activities (9-10).

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Okay, if we have bhakti, what to do with it? (13)

To please Krsna!If He is pleased, the whole world is

pleased.How do we know if Krsna is pleased?

Yayätmä suprasidati—completely satisfies the soul (6)

Jnäna & vairägya, or knowledge and detachment, respectively, are byproducts of pure bhakti—no separate endeavors needed (7)

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How can we please Krsna while still staying in our

occupation? (14)With one-pointed attention, one should constantly hear about, glorify (preach), remember and worship the Personality of Godhead, who is the protector of the devotees.

These 4 are the general occupations for all member of the varëäçrama institution.

Without these principles of life, no one can exist.

In modern society, all activities are more or less dependent on hearing and preaching.

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THE PROCESS AND RESULTS OF DEVOTIONAL

SERVICE (16-22)

Süta Goswämi describes gradual progression of consciousness (from çraddhä to prema) as one overcomes the effects of the modes of nature and attains pure ds through proper hearing of Çrémad Bhägavatam and serving pure devotees.These series of verses are especially meant for neophyte devotees.

1/21/2011

Carucandra Dasa 13

From çraddhä to prema—Step-by-step, scientific explanation of how simply hearing about

Krsna progressively results into the end of three-fold material

miseries, we attain lasting happiness, and become

liberated from our material existence. 1/21/2011

14

1) How to develop taste for hearing Krsna-kathä? By sädhu-sanga, or associating with self-realized souls and serving them, who are free of the 6 kinds of vises (16) 2) When we hear Krsna-kathä Krsna as the Supersoul cleanses all inauspicious things in our heart due the 6 vises born of the modes of passion & ignorance (17) 3) By regularly attending Bhägavata classes and serving the great souls, mahä-bhägavatas nistä-bhakti, or steadiness in our bhakti , which now becomes irrevocable (18) 4) The lower modes of material nature get replaced by the mode of pure goodness (19) liberation from 3-fold miseries5) Attainment of bliss, pure Krsna-bhakti, and the positive science of Krsna at the stage of pure goodness (20) 6) Hankering for material enjoyment, accumulated karmic reactions, any doubts about Krsna are ALL GONE ; and realization spiritual identity and as eternal servant of Krsna (21)

1/21/2011Carucandra Dasa

Q3) For what purpose the SPG appeared in the womb

of Devaki as the son of Vasudeva? (12)

This question is answered in 1.2.34 “To reclaim those in the mode of puregoodness"

In addition, this question is answered in 1.8.35, 9.4.61, 10.8.48-50, and 10.33.37. 1/21/2011

Q4) Tell us of the acts of the Lord performs in

relationship to creating the material world. (1.1.17) This question is answered in 1.2.30-33,

wherein the Bhägavatam explains how LordVäsudeva creates the material substance and enters into it as the Puruña incarnations. In addition, Cantos 3 and 4 explain the creation of the universe.

1/21/2011

Q5) Narrate to us the transcendental pastimes of

the SPG’s multi-incarnations. (1.1.18) The Lord's incarnations are

described within the Chapter 3 of the Canto 1.

Descriptions of the incarnations are expanded throughout the remainder of the Bhägavatam.

1/21/2011Carucandra Dasa

Q6) Where has religion taken shelter after Krsna has retired to His abode?

(1.1.23) Süta Goswämi answers this question in SB 1.3.43 by declaring, "This Bhägavat Puräëa is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krsna to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Puräëa."

1/21/2011