(a) How to understand this knowledge

    • Understand “As it is” given by Supreme Personality of Godhead

    (b) Result

    • One will become intelligent and perfect in transcendental knowledge
    • Freed from all contaminations from material modes
    • Devotional service and the Lord are one and the same because they are spiritual; devotional service takes place within the internal energy of the Lord
      o Analogy: Lord is like sun, Ignorance is like darkness – wherever there is sun there is no question of darkness
      o Conclusion: Whenever devotional service is present under the proper guidance of a proper spiritual master, there is no question of ignorance

    (c) PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Everyone must take to Krishna consciousness and devotional service to become intelligent and purified

    • Intelligence (However high in material estimation) without this understanding is not the perfect intelligence

    (d) Importance of the word “anagha”

    • It implies unless one is free from all sinful reactions it is very difficult to understand Krishna
      o So what is the hope – Devotional service is so pure and potent that once one is engaged he automatically comes to the stage of sinlessness

    (e) Most important thing one should surmount during practice of devotional service

    • Weakness of the heart – Two kinds of weakness (cause of problems of material existence)
      o Desire to Lord it over material nature
      o Lording over makes one attached to matter and possession of matter
    • Role of Chapter 15
      o First five chapters describe how to free oneself from these weaknesses
      o Texts 15.6 – 15.20 discusses Purusottama Yoga

    (a) It refutes many philosophical speculations about the constitution of the living entity and Supreme Absolute Truth (refutes that they are one and the same)

    (b) No need of speculation but hear submissively

    (c) Importance of the word “bhajati” – This word is often used in relationship with the service of the Supreme Lord

    Text 15.20

    THEME: This verse summarizes Chapter 15 – Knowledge explained in this chapter is the essence of Vedanta and the most confidential part/substance of the Vedas

    • Result of understanding – One will become wise and his endeavors will know perfection
    • Qualification – Sinlessness

    PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 15.20
    Summarizes Chapter 15: To understand Purushottama-yoga we have to be sinless. Thus this chapter discusses breaking our material attachments and understanding Krishna as the source of Brahman; as the maintainer, the Paramatma; and as Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Finally, knowing all this, one surrenders and becomes one with Him in desire and service. That is the conclusion of all sastra – “The yoga of the Supreme Person”.

    Learnings from Purport 15.20

    (a) How to understand this knowledge

    • Understand “As it is” given by Supreme Personality of Godhead

    (b) Result

    • One will become intelligent and perfect in transcendental knowledge
    • Freed from all contaminations from material modes
    • Devotional service and the Lord are one and the same because they are spiritual; devotional service takes place within the internal energy of the Lord
      o Analogy: Lord is like sun, Ignorance is like darkness – wherever there is sun there is no question of darkness
      o Conclusion: Whenever devotional service is present under the proper guidance of a proper spiritual master, there is no question of ignorance

    (c) PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Everyone must take to Krishna consciousness and devotional service to become intelligent and purified

    • Intelligence (However high in material estimation) without this understanding is not the perfect intelligence

    (d) Importance of the word “anagha”

    • It implies unless one is free from all sinful reactions it is very difficult to understand Krishna
      o So what is the hope – Devotional service is so pure and potent that once one is engaged he automatically comes to the stage of sinlessness

    (e) Most important thing one should surmount during practice of devotional service

    • Weakness of the heart – Two kinds of weakness (cause of problems of material existence)
      o Desire to Lord it over material nature
      o Lording over makes one attached to matter and possession of matter
    • Role of Chapter 15
      o First five chapters describe how to free oneself from these weaknesses
      o Texts 15.6 – 15.20 discusses Purusottama Yoga

      (a) It refutes many philosophical speculations about the constitution of the living entity and Supreme Absolute Truth (refutes that they are one and the same)

      (b) No need of speculation but hear submissively

      (c) Importance of the word “bhajati” – This word is often used in relationship with the service of the Supreme Lord

      Text 15.20

      THEME: This verse summarizes Chapter 15 – Knowledge explained in this chapter is the essence of Vedanta and the most confidential part/substance of the Vedas

      • Result of understanding – One will become wise and his endeavors will know perfection
      • Qualification – Sinlessness

      PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 15.20
      Summarizes Chapter 15: To understand Purushottama-yoga we have to be sinless. Thus this chapter discusses breaking our material attachments and understanding Krishna as the source of Brahman; as the maintainer, the Paramatma; and as Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Finally, knowing all this, one surrenders and becomes one with Him in desire and service. That is the conclusion of all sastra – “The yoga of the Supreme Person”.

      Learnings from Purport 15.20

      (a) How to understand this knowledge

      • Understand “As it is” given by Supreme Personality of Godhead

      (b) Result

      • One will become intelligent and perfect in transcendental knowledge
      • Freed from all contaminations from material modes
      • Devotional service and the Lord are one and the same because they are spiritual; devotional service takes place within the internal energy of the Lord
        o Analogy: Lord is like sun, Ignorance is like darkness – wherever there is sun there is no question of darkness
        o Conclusion: Whenever devotional service is present under the proper guidance of a proper spiritual master, there is no question of ignorance

      (c) PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Everyone must take to Krishna consciousness and devotional service to become intelligent and purified

      • Intelligence (However high in material estimation) without this understanding is not the perfect intelligence

      (d) Importance of the word “anagha”

      • It implies unless one is free from all sinful reactions it is very difficult to understand Krishna
        o So what is the hope – Devotional service is so pure and potent that once one is engaged he automatically comes to the stage of sinlessness

      (e) Most important thing one should surmount during practice of devotional service

      • Weakness of the heart – Two kinds of weakness (cause of problems of material existence)
        o Desire to Lord it over material nature
        o Lording over makes one attached to matter and possession of matter
      • Role of Chapter 15
        o First five chapters describe how to free oneself from these weaknesses
        o Texts 15.6 – 15.20 discusses Purusottama Yoga

      (a) The Living entity compared to the Lord

      (b) Importance of ”loke”

      (c) Reference for Supreme Lord as having a localized aspect as Paramatma – Ref. Chandogya Upanishad (study purport)

      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 15.18 & 15.19: What are the activities of one who has assimilated the knowledge of the previous three verses, especially the knowledge that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

      KNOWING KRISHNA MEANS KNOWING EVERYTHING

      Text 15.19

      THEME: One who knows without doubt Krishna as the Paramatma, engages in full devotional service

      • Who is the knower of everything – One who knows “Me” as the Supreme Personality of Godhead without doubting
      • Result of such knowledge – One engages in full devotional service to Me
      Learnings from Purport 15.19

      (a) It refutes many philosophical speculations about the constitution of the living entity and Supreme Absolute Truth (refutes that they are one and the same)

      • Perfect knower (Of the purpose of the Vedas) – Engages in Krishna consciousness without any speculation
        o Clearly knows Krishna as the Supreme Person
      • Imperfect knower – Goes on speculating about the absolute truth
        o Does not surrender – Simply wastes time

      (b) No need of speculation but hear submissively

      • Vedic knowledge is called Sruti – learning by aural reception
      • Receive Vedic message from authorities like Krishna and His representatives
      • How to hear
        o Simply hearing like hogs is not sufficient
        o Should not simply speculate academically
        o One must be able to understand from authorities
        o Submissively hear from Bhagavad-gita about the subordinate position of living entities

      (c) Importance of the word “bhajati” – This word is often used in relationship with the service of the Supreme Lord

      • A Person engaged in Krishna consciousness has understood all Vedic knowledge
        o No need of any other spiritual process
        o Has ended all preliminary processes of understanding
      • Speculation for hundreds of lives – Simply waste of time
        o If one does not come to the point that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead
      Text 15.20

      THEME: This verse summarizes Chapter 15 – Knowledge explained in this chapter is the essence of Vedanta and the most confidential part/substance of the Vedas

      • Result of understanding – One will become wise and his endeavors will know perfection
      • Qualification – Sinlessness

      PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 15.20
      Summarizes Chapter 15: To understand Purushottama-yoga we have to be sinless. Thus this chapter discusses breaking our material attachments and understanding Krishna as the source of Brahman; as the maintainer, the Paramatma; and as Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Finally, knowing all this, one surrenders and becomes one with Him in desire and service. That is the conclusion of all sastra – “The yoga of the Supreme Person”.

      Learnings from Purport 15.20

      (a) How to understand this knowledge

      • Understand “As it is” given by Supreme Personality of Godhead

      (b) Result

      • One will become intelligent and perfect in transcendental knowledge
      • Freed from all contaminations from material modes
      • Devotional service and the Lord are one and the same because they are spiritual; devotional service takes place within the internal energy of the Lord
        o Analogy: Lord is like sun, Ignorance is like darkness – wherever there is sun there is no question of darkness
        o Conclusion: Whenever devotional service is present under the proper guidance of a proper spiritual master, there is no question of ignorance

      (c) PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Everyone must take to Krishna consciousness and devotional service to become intelligent and purified

      • Intelligence (However high in material estimation) without this understanding is not the perfect intelligence

      (d) Importance of the word “anagha”

      • It implies unless one is free from all sinful reactions it is very difficult to understand Krishna
        o So what is the hope – Devotional service is so pure and potent that once one is engaged he automatically comes to the stage of sinlessness

      (e) Most important thing one should surmount during practice of devotional service

      • Weakness of the heart – Two kinds of weakness (cause of problems of material existence)
        o Desire to Lord it over material nature
        o Lording over makes one attached to matter and possession of matter
      • Role of Chapter 15
        o First five chapters describe how to free oneself from these weaknesses
        o Texts 15.6 – 15.20 discusses Purusottama Yoga

        (a) The Living entity compared to the Lord

        (b) Importance of ”loke”

        (c) Reference for Supreme Lord as having a localized aspect as Paramatma – Ref. Chandogya Upanishad (study purport)

        LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 15.18 & 15.19: What are the activities of one who has assimilated the knowledge of the previous three verses, especially the knowledge that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

        KNOWING KRISHNA MEANS KNOWING EVERYTHING

        Text 15.19

        THEME: One who knows without doubt Krishna as the Paramatma, engages in full devotional service

        • Who is the knower of everything – One who knows “Me” as the Supreme Personality of Godhead without doubting
        • Result of such knowledge – One engages in full devotional service to Me
        Learnings from Purport 15.19

        (a) It refutes many philosophical speculations about the constitution of the living entity and Supreme Absolute Truth (refutes that they are one and the same)

        • Perfect knower (Of the purpose of the Vedas) – Engages in Krishna consciousness without any speculation
          o Clearly knows Krishna as the Supreme Person
        • Imperfect knower – Goes on speculating about the absolute truth
          o Does not surrender – Simply wastes time

        (b) No need of speculation but hear submissively

        • Vedic knowledge is called Sruti – learning by aural reception
        • Receive Vedic message from authorities like Krishna and His representatives
        • How to hear
          o Simply hearing like hogs is not sufficient
          o Should not simply speculate academically
          o One must be able to understand from authorities
          o Submissively hear from Bhagavad-gita about the subordinate position of living entities

        (c) Importance of the word “bhajati” – This word is often used in relationship with the service of the Supreme Lord

        • A Person engaged in Krishna consciousness has understood all Vedic knowledge
          o No need of any other spiritual process
          o Has ended all preliminary processes of understanding
        • Speculation for hundreds of lives – Simply waste of time
          o If one does not come to the point that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead
        Text 15.20

        THEME: This verse summarizes Chapter 15 – Knowledge explained in this chapter is the essence of Vedanta and the most confidential part/substance of the Vedas

        • Result of understanding – One will become wise and his endeavors will know perfection
        • Qualification – Sinlessness

        PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 15.20
        Summarizes Chapter 15: To understand Purushottama-yoga we have to be sinless. Thus this chapter discusses breaking our material attachments and understanding Krishna as the source of Brahman; as the maintainer, the Paramatma; and as Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Finally, knowing all this, one surrenders and becomes one with Him in desire and service. That is the conclusion of all sastra – “The yoga of the Supreme Person”.

        Learnings from Purport 15.20

        (a) How to understand this knowledge

        • Understand “As it is” given by Supreme Personality of Godhead

        (b) Result

        • One will become intelligent and perfect in transcendental knowledge
        • Freed from all contaminations from material modes
        • Devotional service and the Lord are one and the same because they are spiritual; devotional service takes place within the internal energy of the Lord
          o Analogy: Lord is like sun, Ignorance is like darkness – wherever there is sun there is no question of darkness
          o Conclusion: Whenever devotional service is present under the proper guidance of a proper spiritual master, there is no question of ignorance

        (c) PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Everyone must take to Krishna consciousness and devotional service to become intelligent and purified

        • Intelligence (However high in material estimation) without this understanding is not the perfect intelligence

        (d) Importance of the word “anagha”

        • It implies unless one is free from all sinful reactions it is very difficult to understand Krishna
          o So what is the hope – Devotional service is so pure and potent that once one is engaged he automatically comes to the stage of sinlessness

        (e) Most important thing one should surmount during practice of devotional service

        • Weakness of the heart – Two kinds of weakness (cause of problems of material existence)
          o Desire to Lord it over material nature
          o Lording over makes one attached to matter and possession of matter
        • Role of Chapter 15
          o First five chapters describe how to free oneself from these weaknesses
          o Texts 15.6 – 15.20 discusses Purusottama Yoga

        (a) Supporting Ref. Katha and Svetasvatara Upanisad: “nityo nityanam…”

        (b) Who is a wise man who can obtain perfect peace – One who can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the Supreme Personality who is also present in everyone’s heart as Paramatma and maintaining everyone

        PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 15.17
        This verse refutes Mayavada by saying that ‘Krishna is the Supreme Maintainer”

        • One may gain Brahman realization by which he has a feeling of all pervasiveness
        • Mayavada understanding holds that this is the state of Godhead
        • But to be God also means to be the total maintainer of all material manifestation
        • Can impersonally realized yogi claim that by his power, the different universes are running perfectly or that he is fully conscious of all things happening in all places and at all times – Never possible
        Text 15.18

        THEME: Krishna is Himself the Supersoul – “I am that Supreme Soul” celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person Because:

        • “I am transcendental, beyond both fallible and infallible”
        • “I am the greatest”
        Learnings from Purport 15.18

        (a) The Living entity compared to the Lord

        • Both are always individuals
        • Difference is that, living entity at any stage, conditioned or liberated, cannot surpass in quantity the inconceivable potencies of the Lord
        • These two points refute that Supreme Lord and living entity are equal in all respects – thus refutes Mayavada
        • This is indicated by the word “Uttama” – No-one can surpass the superior position of the Lord

        (b) Importance of ”loke”

        • Signifies “In the paurusa aagama” (Ref. Smrti scriptures)
        • Nirukti dictionary explains “The purpose of Vedas is explained by the Smrti scriptures”

        (c) Reference for Supreme Lord as having a localized aspect as Paramatma – Ref. Chandogya Upanishad (study purport)

        LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 15.18 & 15.19: What are the activities of one who has assimilated the knowledge of the previous three verses, especially the knowledge that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

        KNOWING KRISHNA MEANS KNOWING EVERYTHING

        Text 15.19

        THEME: One who knows without doubt Krishna as the Paramatma, engages in full devotional service

        • Who is the knower of everything – One who knows “Me” as the Supreme Personality of Godhead without doubting
        • Result of such knowledge – One engages in full devotional service to Me
        Learnings from Purport 15.19

        (a) It refutes many philosophical speculations about the constitution of the living entity and Supreme Absolute Truth (refutes that they are one and the same)

        • Perfect knower (Of the purpose of the Vedas) – Engages in Krishna consciousness without any speculation
          o Clearly knows Krishna as the Supreme Person
        • Imperfect knower – Goes on speculating about the absolute truth
          o Does not surrender – Simply wastes time

        (b) No need of speculation but hear submissively

        • Vedic knowledge is called Sruti – learning by aural reception
        • Receive Vedic message from authorities like Krishna and His representatives
        • How to hear
          o Simply hearing like hogs is not sufficient
          o Should not simply speculate academically
          o One must be able to understand from authorities
          o Submissively hear from Bhagavad-gita about the subordinate position of living entities

        (c) Importance of the word “bhajati” – This word is often used in relationship with the service of the Supreme Lord

        • A Person engaged in Krishna consciousness has understood all Vedic knowledge
          o No need of any other spiritual process
          o Has ended all preliminary processes of understanding
        • Speculation for hundreds of lives – Simply waste of time
          o If one does not come to the point that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead
        Text 15.20

        THEME: This verse summarizes Chapter 15 – Knowledge explained in this chapter is the essence of Vedanta and the most confidential part/substance of the Vedas

        • Result of understanding – One will become wise and his endeavors will know perfection
        • Qualification – Sinlessness

        PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 15.20
        Summarizes Chapter 15: To understand Purushottama-yoga we have to be sinless. Thus this chapter discusses breaking our material attachments and understanding Krishna as the source of Brahman; as the maintainer, the Paramatma; and as Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Finally, knowing all this, one surrenders and becomes one with Him in desire and service. That is the conclusion of all sastra – “The yoga of the Supreme Person”.

        Learnings from Purport 15.20

        (a) How to understand this knowledge

        • Understand “As it is” given by Supreme Personality of Godhead

        (b) Result

        • One will become intelligent and perfect in transcendental knowledge
        • Freed from all contaminations from material modes
        • Devotional service and the Lord are one and the same because they are spiritual; devotional service takes place within the internal energy of the Lord
          o Analogy: Lord is like sun, Ignorance is like darkness – wherever there is sun there is no question of darkness
          o Conclusion: Whenever devotional service is present under the proper guidance of a proper spiritual master, there is no question of ignorance

        (c) PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Everyone must take to Krishna consciousness and devotional service to become intelligent and purified

        • Intelligence (However high in material estimation) without this understanding is not the perfect intelligence

        (d) Importance of the word “anagha”

        • It implies unless one is free from all sinful reactions it is very difficult to understand Krishna
          o So what is the hope – Devotional service is so pure and potent that once one is engaged he automatically comes to the stage of sinlessness

        (e) Most important thing one should surmount during practice of devotional service

        • Weakness of the heart – Two kinds of weakness (cause of problems of material existence)
          o Desire to Lord it over material nature
          o Lording over makes one attached to matter and possession of matter
        • Role of Chapter 15
          o First five chapters describe how to free oneself from these weaknesses
          o Texts 15.6 – 15.20 discusses Purusottama Yoga

          (a) Supporting Ref. Katha and Svetasvatara Upanisad: “nityo nityanam…”

          (b) Who is a wise man who can obtain perfect peace – One who can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the Supreme Personality who is also present in everyone’s heart as Paramatma and maintaining everyone

          PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 15.17
          This verse refutes Mayavada by saying that ‘Krishna is the Supreme Maintainer”

          • One may gain Brahman realization by which he has a feeling of all pervasiveness
          • Mayavada understanding holds that this is the state of Godhead
          • But to be God also means to be the total maintainer of all material manifestation
          • Can impersonally realized yogi claim that by his power, the different universes are running perfectly or that he is fully conscious of all things happening in all places and at all times – Never possible
          Text 15.18

          THEME: Krishna is Himself the Supersoul – “I am that Supreme Soul” celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person Because:

          • “I am transcendental, beyond both fallible and infallible”
          • “I am the greatest”
          Learnings from Purport 15.18

          (a) The Living entity compared to the Lord

          • Both are always individuals
          • Difference is that, living entity at any stage, conditioned or liberated, cannot surpass in quantity the inconceivable potencies of the Lord
          • These two points refute that Supreme Lord and living entity are equal in all respects – thus refutes Mayavada
          • This is indicated by the word “Uttama” – No-one can surpass the superior position of the Lord

          (b) Importance of ”loke”

          • Signifies “In the paurusa aagama” (Ref. Smrti scriptures)
          • Nirukti dictionary explains “The purpose of Vedas is explained by the Smrti scriptures”

          (c) Reference for Supreme Lord as having a localized aspect as Paramatma – Ref. Chandogya Upanishad (study purport)

          LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 15.18 & 15.19: What are the activities of one who has assimilated the knowledge of the previous three verses, especially the knowledge that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

          KNOWING KRISHNA MEANS KNOWING EVERYTHING

          Text 15.19

          THEME: One who knows without doubt Krishna as the Paramatma, engages in full devotional service

          • Who is the knower of everything – One who knows “Me” as the Supreme Personality of Godhead without doubting
          • Result of such knowledge – One engages in full devotional service to Me
          Learnings from Purport 15.19

          (a) It refutes many philosophical speculations about the constitution of the living entity and Supreme Absolute Truth (refutes that they are one and the same)

          • Perfect knower (Of the purpose of the Vedas) – Engages in Krishna consciousness without any speculation
            o Clearly knows Krishna as the Supreme Person
          • Imperfect knower – Goes on speculating about the absolute truth
            o Does not surrender – Simply wastes time

          (b) No need of speculation but hear submissively

          • Vedic knowledge is called Sruti – learning by aural reception
          • Receive Vedic message from authorities like Krishna and His representatives
          • How to hear
            o Simply hearing like hogs is not sufficient
            o Should not simply speculate academically
            o One must be able to understand from authorities
            o Submissively hear from Bhagavad-gita about the subordinate position of living entities

          (c) Importance of the word “bhajati” – This word is often used in relationship with the service of the Supreme Lord

          • A Person engaged in Krishna consciousness has understood all Vedic knowledge
            o No need of any other spiritual process
            o Has ended all preliminary processes of understanding
          • Speculation for hundreds of lives – Simply waste of time
            o If one does not come to the point that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead
          Text 15.20

          THEME: This verse summarizes Chapter 15 – Knowledge explained in this chapter is the essence of Vedanta and the most confidential part/substance of the Vedas

          • Result of understanding – One will become wise and his endeavors will know perfection
          • Qualification – Sinlessness

          PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 15.20
          Summarizes Chapter 15: To understand Purushottama-yoga we have to be sinless. Thus this chapter discusses breaking our material attachments and understanding Krishna as the source of Brahman; as the maintainer, the Paramatma; and as Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Finally, knowing all this, one surrenders and becomes one with Him in desire and service. That is the conclusion of all sastra – “The yoga of the Supreme Person”.

          Learnings from Purport 15.20

          (a) How to understand this knowledge

          • Understand “As it is” given by Supreme Personality of Godhead

          (b) Result

          • One will become intelligent and perfect in transcendental knowledge
          • Freed from all contaminations from material modes
          • Devotional service and the Lord are one and the same because they are spiritual; devotional service takes place within the internal energy of the Lord
            o Analogy: Lord is like sun, Ignorance is like darkness – wherever there is sun there is no question of darkness
            o Conclusion: Whenever devotional service is present under the proper guidance of a proper spiritual master, there is no question of ignorance

          (c) PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Everyone must take to Krishna consciousness and devotional service to become intelligent and purified

          • Intelligence (However high in material estimation) without this understanding is not the perfect intelligence

          (d) Importance of the word “anagha”

          • It implies unless one is free from all sinful reactions it is very difficult to understand Krishna
            o So what is the hope – Devotional service is so pure and potent that once one is engaged he automatically comes to the stage of sinlessness

          (e) Most important thing one should surmount during practice of devotional service

          • Weakness of the heart – Two kinds of weakness (cause of problems of material existence)
            o Desire to Lord it over material nature
            o Lording over makes one attached to matter and possession of matter
          • Role of Chapter 15
            o First five chapters describe how to free oneself from these weaknesses
            o Texts 15.6 – 15.20 discusses Purusottama Yoga

          (a) Both classes of living entities are eternal separated parts and parcels

          (b) The fallible class

          (c) Infallible class

          Text 15.17

          THEME : Supersoul is discussed – Supreme Soul is the master of both living entities – He is the greatest living personality

          • He enters the three worlds and is maintaining them
          Learnings from Purport 15.17

          (a) Supporting Ref. Katha and Svetasvatara Upanisad: “nityo nityanam…”

          • It explains that above all living entities both conditioned and liberated there is one Supreme living personality who maintains them and gives all the facilities for enjoyment

          (b) Who is a wise man who can obtain perfect peace – One who can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the Supreme Personality who is also present in everyone’s heart as Paramatma and maintaining everyone

          PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 15.17
          This verse refutes Mayavada by saying that ‘Krishna is the Supreme Maintainer”

          • One may gain Brahman realization by which he has a feeling of all pervasiveness
          • Mayavada understanding holds that this is the state of Godhead
          • But to be God also means to be the total maintainer of all material manifestation
          • Can impersonally realized yogi claim that by his power, the different universes are running perfectly or that he is fully conscious of all things happening in all places and at all times – Never possible
          Text 15.18

          THEME: Krishna is Himself the Supersoul – “I am that Supreme Soul” celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person Because:

          • “I am transcendental, beyond both fallible and infallible”
          • “I am the greatest”
          Learnings from Purport 15.18

          (a) The Living entity compared to the Lord

          • Both are always individuals
          • Difference is that, living entity at any stage, conditioned or liberated, cannot surpass in quantity the inconceivable potencies of the Lord
          • These two points refute that Supreme Lord and living entity are equal in all respects – thus refutes Mayavada
          • This is indicated by the word “Uttama” – No-one can surpass the superior position of the Lord

          (b) Importance of ”loke”

          • Signifies “In the paurusa aagama” (Ref. Smrti scriptures)
          • Nirukti dictionary explains “The purpose of Vedas is explained by the Smrti scriptures”

          (c) Reference for Supreme Lord as having a localized aspect as Paramatma – Ref. Chandogya Upanishad (study purport)

          LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 15.18 & 15.19: What are the activities of one who has assimilated the knowledge of the previous three verses, especially the knowledge that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

          KNOWING KRISHNA MEANS KNOWING EVERYTHING

          Text 15.19

          THEME: One who knows without doubt Krishna as the Paramatma, engages in full devotional service

          • Who is the knower of everything – One who knows “Me” as the Supreme Personality of Godhead without doubting
          • Result of such knowledge – One engages in full devotional service to Me
          Learnings from Purport 15.19

          (a) It refutes many philosophical speculations about the constitution of the living entity and Supreme Absolute Truth (refutes that they are one and the same)

          • Perfect knower (Of the purpose of the Vedas) – Engages in Krishna consciousness without any speculation
            o Clearly knows Krishna as the Supreme Person
          • Imperfect knower – Goes on speculating about the absolute truth
            o Does not surrender – Simply wastes time

          (b) No need of speculation but hear submissively

          • Vedic knowledge is called Sruti – learning by aural reception
          • Receive Vedic message from authorities like Krishna and His representatives
          • How to hear
            o Simply hearing like hogs is not sufficient
            o Should not simply speculate academically
            o One must be able to understand from authorities
            o Submissively hear from Bhagavad-gita about the subordinate position of living entities

          (c) Importance of the word “bhajati” – This word is often used in relationship with the service of the Supreme Lord

          • A Person engaged in Krishna consciousness has understood all Vedic knowledge
            o No need of any other spiritual process
            o Has ended all preliminary processes of understanding
          • Speculation for hundreds of lives – Simply waste of time
            o If one does not come to the point that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead
          Text 15.20

          THEME: This verse summarizes Chapter 15 – Knowledge explained in this chapter is the essence of Vedanta and the most confidential part/substance of the Vedas

          • Result of understanding – One will become wise and his endeavors will know perfection
          • Qualification – Sinlessness

          PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 15.20
          Summarizes Chapter 15: To understand Purushottama-yoga we have to be sinless. Thus this chapter discusses breaking our material attachments and understanding Krishna as the source of Brahman; as the maintainer, the Paramatma; and as Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Finally, knowing all this, one surrenders and becomes one with Him in desire and service. That is the conclusion of all sastra – “The yoga of the Supreme Person”.

          Learnings from Purport 15.20

          (a) How to understand this knowledge

          • Understand “As it is” given by Supreme Personality of Godhead

          (b) Result

          • One will become intelligent and perfect in transcendental knowledge
          • Freed from all contaminations from material modes
          • Devotional service and the Lord are one and the same because they are spiritual; devotional service takes place within the internal energy of the Lord
            o Analogy: Lord is like sun, Ignorance is like darkness – wherever there is sun there is no question of darkness
            o Conclusion: Whenever devotional service is present under the proper guidance of a proper spiritual master, there is no question of ignorance

          (c) PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Everyone must take to Krishna consciousness and devotional service to become intelligent and purified

          • Intelligence (However high in material estimation) without this understanding is not the perfect intelligence

          (d) Importance of the word “anagha”

          • It implies unless one is free from all sinful reactions it is very difficult to understand Krishna
            o So what is the hope – Devotional service is so pure and potent that once one is engaged he automatically comes to the stage of sinlessness

          (e) Most important thing one should surmount during practice of devotional service

          • Weakness of the heart – Two kinds of weakness (cause of problems of material existence)
            o Desire to Lord it over material nature
            o Lording over makes one attached to matter and possession of matter
          • Role of Chapter 15
            o First five chapters describe how to free oneself from these weaknesses
            o Texts 15.6 – 15.20 discusses Purusottama Yoga

            (a) Both classes of living entities are eternal separated parts and parcels

            (b) The fallible class

            (c) Infallible class

            Text 15.17

            THEME : Supersoul is discussed – Supreme Soul is the master of both living entities – He is the greatest living personality

            • He enters the three worlds and is maintaining them
            Learnings from Purport 15.17

            (a) Supporting Ref. Katha and Svetasvatara Upanisad: “nityo nityanam…”

            • It explains that above all living entities both conditioned and liberated there is one Supreme living personality who maintains them and gives all the facilities for enjoyment

            (b) Who is a wise man who can obtain perfect peace – One who can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the Supreme Personality who is also present in everyone’s heart as Paramatma and maintaining everyone

            PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 15.17
            This verse refutes Mayavada by saying that ‘Krishna is the Supreme Maintainer”

            • One may gain Brahman realization by which he has a feeling of all pervasiveness
            • Mayavada understanding holds that this is the state of Godhead
            • But to be God also means to be the total maintainer of all material manifestation
            • Can impersonally realized yogi claim that by his power, the different universes are running perfectly or that he is fully conscious of all things happening in all places and at all times – Never possible
            Text 15.18

            THEME: Krishna is Himself the Supersoul – “I am that Supreme Soul” celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person Because:

            • “I am transcendental, beyond both fallible and infallible”
            • “I am the greatest”
            Learnings from Purport 15.18

            (a) The Living entity compared to the Lord

            • Both are always individuals
            • Difference is that, living entity at any stage, conditioned or liberated, cannot surpass in quantity the inconceivable potencies of the Lord
            • These two points refute that Supreme Lord and living entity are equal in all respects – thus refutes Mayavada
            • This is indicated by the word “Uttama” – No-one can surpass the superior position of the Lord

            (b) Importance of ”loke”

            • Signifies “In the paurusa aagama” (Ref. Smrti scriptures)
            • Nirukti dictionary explains “The purpose of Vedas is explained by the Smrti scriptures”

            (c) Reference for Supreme Lord as having a localized aspect as Paramatma – Ref. Chandogya Upanishad (study purport)

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 15.18 & 15.19: What are the activities of one who has assimilated the knowledge of the previous three verses, especially the knowledge that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

            KNOWING KRISHNA MEANS KNOWING EVERYTHING

            Text 15.19

            THEME: One who knows without doubt Krishna as the Paramatma, engages in full devotional service

            • Who is the knower of everything – One who knows “Me” as the Supreme Personality of Godhead without doubting
            • Result of such knowledge – One engages in full devotional service to Me
            Learnings from Purport 15.19

            (a) It refutes many philosophical speculations about the constitution of the living entity and Supreme Absolute Truth (refutes that they are one and the same)

            • Perfect knower (Of the purpose of the Vedas) – Engages in Krishna consciousness without any speculation
              o Clearly knows Krishna as the Supreme Person
            • Imperfect knower – Goes on speculating about the absolute truth
              o Does not surrender – Simply wastes time

            (b) No need of speculation but hear submissively

            • Vedic knowledge is called Sruti – learning by aural reception
            • Receive Vedic message from authorities like Krishna and His representatives
            • How to hear
              o Simply hearing like hogs is not sufficient
              o Should not simply speculate academically
              o One must be able to understand from authorities
              o Submissively hear from Bhagavad-gita about the subordinate position of living entities

            (c) Importance of the word “bhajati” – This word is often used in relationship with the service of the Supreme Lord

            • A Person engaged in Krishna consciousness has understood all Vedic knowledge
              o No need of any other spiritual process
              o Has ended all preliminary processes of understanding
            • Speculation for hundreds of lives – Simply waste of time
              o If one does not come to the point that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead
            Text 15.20

            THEME: This verse summarizes Chapter 15 – Knowledge explained in this chapter is the essence of Vedanta and the most confidential part/substance of the Vedas

            • Result of understanding – One will become wise and his endeavors will know perfection
            • Qualification – Sinlessness

            PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 15.20
            Summarizes Chapter 15: To understand Purushottama-yoga we have to be sinless. Thus this chapter discusses breaking our material attachments and understanding Krishna as the source of Brahman; as the maintainer, the Paramatma; and as Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Finally, knowing all this, one surrenders and becomes one with Him in desire and service. That is the conclusion of all sastra – “The yoga of the Supreme Person”.

            Learnings from Purport 15.20

            (a) How to understand this knowledge

            • Understand “As it is” given by Supreme Personality of Godhead

            (b) Result

            • One will become intelligent and perfect in transcendental knowledge
            • Freed from all contaminations from material modes
            • Devotional service and the Lord are one and the same because they are spiritual; devotional service takes place within the internal energy of the Lord
              o Analogy: Lord is like sun, Ignorance is like darkness – wherever there is sun there is no question of darkness
              o Conclusion: Whenever devotional service is present under the proper guidance of a proper spiritual master, there is no question of ignorance

            (c) PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Everyone must take to Krishna consciousness and devotional service to become intelligent and purified

            • Intelligence (However high in material estimation) without this understanding is not the perfect intelligence

            (d) Importance of the word “anagha”

            • It implies unless one is free from all sinful reactions it is very difficult to understand Krishna
              o So what is the hope – Devotional service is so pure and potent that once one is engaged he automatically comes to the stage of sinlessness

            (e) Most important thing one should surmount during practice of devotional service

            • Weakness of the heart – Two kinds of weakness (cause of problems of material existence)
              o Desire to Lord it over material nature
              o Lording over makes one attached to matter and possession of matter
            • Role of Chapter 15
              o First five chapters describe how to free oneself from these weaknesses
              o Texts 15.6 – 15.20 discusses Purusottama Yoga

            THE THREE–SLOKA GITA OF KNOWLEDGE:
            A SUMMARY OF THE VEDAS AND THE VEDANTA (15.16-15.18)

            Text 15.16

            THEME : Two kinds of living entities – Now Krishna being the knower of the Vedas summarizes two classes of living entities, fallible (conditioned) in the material world and infallible (liberated) in the spiritual world

            • Here the Lord gives in summary the contents of ‘Vedanta Sutra’ (15.16 – 15.18)
            Learnings from Purport 15.16

            (a) Both classes of living entities are eternal separated parts and parcels

            (b) The fallible class

            • The living entities in contact with the material world are called “jiva-bhuta”
            • Struggling in the world with the mind and the five senses
            • Bodies are constantly undergoing six changes
            • Due to contact with matter, the living entity appears to be changing
            • Any living entity in contact with matter (Brahma down to small ant) is changing it’s body

            (c) Infallible class

            • They are in oneness with the Supreme Personality of Godhead
            • Oneness does not mean they have no individuality
              o It means there is no disunity
              o They are all agreeable to the purpose of creation
                 ▪ Of course, in the spiritual world there is no such thing as creation – But since the Supreme Lord is the source of all emanations, that conception is explained
              o Thus this refutes Mayavada
            • In spiritual world the body does not undergo six changes like matter
            • All the living entities are always liberated in oneness
              o This oneness with Krishna of those infallible souls in the spiritual world is herein called kuta-sthah, a oneness in desire.
              o We are therefore required, as Krishna said in Texts 15.4 and 15.5, to be detached from the material world as Krishna is detached, and, overcoming our desire for independent enjoyment, surrender unto Him
            Text 15.17

            THEME : Supersoul is discussed – Supreme Soul is the master of both living entities – He is the greatest living personality

            • He enters the three worlds and is maintaining them
            Learnings from Purport 15.17

            (a) Supporting Ref. Katha and Svetasvatara Upanisad: “nityo nityanam…”

            • It explains that above all living entities both conditioned and liberated there is one Supreme living personality who maintains them and gives all the facilities for enjoyment

            (b) Who is a wise man who can obtain perfect peace – One who can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the Supreme Personality who is also present in everyone’s heart as Paramatma and maintaining everyone

            PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 15.17
            This verse refutes Mayavada by saying that ‘Krishna is the Supreme Maintainer”

            • One may gain Brahman realization by which he has a feeling of all pervasiveness
            • Mayavada understanding holds that this is the state of Godhead
            • But to be God also means to be the total maintainer of all material manifestation
            • Can impersonally realized yogi claim that by his power, the different universes are running perfectly or that he is fully conscious of all things happening in all places and at all times – Never possible
            Text 15.18

            THEME: Krishna is Himself the Supersoul – “I am that Supreme Soul” celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person Because:

            • “I am transcendental, beyond both fallible and infallible”
            • “I am the greatest”
            Learnings from Purport 15.18

            (a) The Living entity compared to the Lord

            • Both are always individuals
            • Difference is that, living entity at any stage, conditioned or liberated, cannot surpass in quantity the inconceivable potencies of the Lord
            • These two points refute that Supreme Lord and living entity are equal in all respects – thus refutes Mayavada
            • This is indicated by the word “Uttama” – No-one can surpass the superior position of the Lord

            (b) Importance of ”loke”

            • Signifies “In the paurusa aagama” (Ref. Smrti scriptures)
            • Nirukti dictionary explains “The purpose of Vedas is explained by the Smrti scriptures”

            (c) Reference for Supreme Lord as having a localized aspect as Paramatma – Ref. Chandogya Upanishad (study purport)

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 15.18 & 15.19: What are the activities of one who has assimilated the knowledge of the previous three verses, especially the knowledge that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

            KNOWING KRISHNA MEANS KNOWING EVERYTHING

            Text 15.19

            THEME: One who knows without doubt Krishna as the Paramatma, engages in full devotional service

            • Who is the knower of everything – One who knows “Me” as the Supreme Personality of Godhead without doubting
            • Result of such knowledge – One engages in full devotional service to Me
            Learnings from Purport 15.19

            (a) It refutes many philosophical speculations about the constitution of the living entity and Supreme Absolute Truth (refutes that they are one and the same)

            • Perfect knower (Of the purpose of the Vedas) – Engages in Krishna consciousness without any speculation
              o Clearly knows Krishna as the Supreme Person
            • Imperfect knower – Goes on speculating about the absolute truth
              o Does not surrender – Simply wastes time

            (b) No need of speculation but hear submissively

            • Vedic knowledge is called Sruti – learning by aural reception
            • Receive Vedic message from authorities like Krishna and His representatives
            • How to hear
              o Simply hearing like hogs is not sufficient
              o Should not simply speculate academically
              o One must be able to understand from authorities
              o Submissively hear from Bhagavad-gita about the subordinate position of living entities

            (c) Importance of the word “bhajati” – This word is often used in relationship with the service of the Supreme Lord

            • A Person engaged in Krishna consciousness has understood all Vedic knowledge
              o No need of any other spiritual process
              o Has ended all preliminary processes of understanding
            • Speculation for hundreds of lives – Simply waste of time
              o If one does not come to the point that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead
            Text 15.20

            THEME: This verse summarizes Chapter 15 – Knowledge explained in this chapter is the essence of Vedanta and the most confidential part/substance of the Vedas

            • Result of understanding – One will become wise and his endeavors will know perfection
            • Qualification – Sinlessness

            PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 15.20
            Summarizes Chapter 15: To understand Purushottama-yoga we have to be sinless. Thus this chapter discusses breaking our material attachments and understanding Krishna as the source of Brahman; as the maintainer, the Paramatma; and as Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Finally, knowing all this, one surrenders and becomes one with Him in desire and service. That is the conclusion of all sastra – “The yoga of the Supreme Person”.

            Learnings from Purport 15.20

            (a) How to understand this knowledge

            • Understand “As it is” given by Supreme Personality of Godhead

            (b) Result

            • One will become intelligent and perfect in transcendental knowledge
            • Freed from all contaminations from material modes
            • Devotional service and the Lord are one and the same because they are spiritual; devotional service takes place within the internal energy of the Lord
              o Analogy: Lord is like sun, Ignorance is like darkness – wherever there is sun there is no question of darkness
              o Conclusion: Whenever devotional service is present under the proper guidance of a proper spiritual master, there is no question of ignorance

            (c) PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Everyone must take to Krishna consciousness and devotional service to become intelligent and purified

            • Intelligence (However high in material estimation) without this understanding is not the perfect intelligence

            (d) Importance of the word “anagha”

            • It implies unless one is free from all sinful reactions it is very difficult to understand Krishna
              o So what is the hope – Devotional service is so pure and potent that once one is engaged he automatically comes to the stage of sinlessness

            (e) Most important thing one should surmount during practice of devotional service

            • Weakness of the heart – Two kinds of weakness (cause of problems of material existence)
              o Desire to Lord it over material nature
              o Lording over makes one attached to matter and possession of matter
            • Role of Chapter 15
              o First five chapters describe how to free oneself from these weaknesses
              o Texts 15.6 – 15.20 discusses Purusottama Yoga
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