THE IMPIOUS NEVER SURRENDER, PIOUS DO (7.15 – 7.19)
(a) Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization
Beginning of spiritual realisation – When one is trying to give up ones attachment to materialism, there is some leaning towards impersonalism.
Advanced stage – One can understand that there are activities in spiritual life which constitute devotional service; and thus he becomes ‘attached and surrenders’ to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(b) Understanding and realization of one fully matured in knowledge
Knows that spiritual life is full of activities, which are eternal, and blissful and not just impersonalism or voidism
Material world is a perverted reflection of spiritual activities.
Understand Supreme Lord as the cause of all causes and thus realizes a universal vision of Vasudeva (Sees all in relation to Lord) and this vision precipitates full surrender to Krishna as highest goal
Realizes the dependence on Supreme Lord’s mercy
Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization, therefore surrenders o Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad 3.14–3.15 o Ref. Chandogya Upanisad: Life is the centre of all activities in the body of a living being and not the power to speak, see or hear etc; Similarly Lord Vasudeva is the prime entity in everything and all the powers lose all importance if not related to the Supreme Lord o Ref. Bg. 7.17; Bg. 11.40
(a) All are magnanimous because anyone who comes to the Lord for any purpose is called a Mahatma or great soul
(b) Devotees wanting some benefit out of devotional service are accepted by the Lord – Because there is an exchange of affection
(c) Devotee in full knowledge is very dear to the Lord – Because his only purpose is to serve the Supreme Lord with love and devotion
Cannot live a second without serving the Supreme Lord
Supreme Lord is very fond of his devotee and cannot be separated from him
Ref. SB 9.4.68: “sadhavo hrdayam…”
(d) Conclusion of 7.17 – 7.18 : Intimate relationship between Krishna and pure devotees
The devotees are always in My heart and I am always in their heart
Devotee does not know anything beyond Me and I cannot forget the devotee
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.18 & 7.19: After many life-times one comes to the level of full knowledge that Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization.
Text 7.19
THEME : Devotional Service is very rare
Jnana ultimately leads to bhakti
“Full knowledge” implies to know Vasudeva as cause of all causes and surrender unto Him
Learnings from Purport 7.19
(a) Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization
Beginning of spiritual realisation – When one is trying to give up ones attachment to materialism, there is some leaning towards impersonalism.
Advanced stage – One can understand that there are activities in spiritual life which constitute devotional service; and thus he becomes ‘attached and surrenders’ to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(b) Understanding and realization of one fully matured in knowledge
Knows that spiritual life is full of activities, which are eternal, and blissful and not just impersonalism or voidism
Material world is a perverted reflection of spiritual activities.
Understand Supreme Lord as the cause of all causes and thus realizes a universal vision of Vasudeva (Sees all in relation to Lord) and this vision precipitates full surrender to Krishna as highest goal
Realizes the dependence on Supreme Lord’s mercy
Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization, therefore surrenders o Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad 3.14–3.15 o Ref. Chandogya Upanisad: Life is the centre of all activities in the body of a living being and not the power to speak, see or hear etc; Similarly Lord Vasudeva is the prime entity in everything and all the powers lose all importance if not related to the Supreme Lord o Ref. Bg. 7.17; Bg. 11.40
(a) All are magnanimous because anyone who comes to the Lord for any purpose is called a Mahatma or great soul
(b) Devotees wanting some benefit out of devotional service are accepted by the Lord – Because there is an exchange of affection
(c) Devotee in full knowledge is very dear to the Lord – Because his only purpose is to serve the Supreme Lord with love and devotion
Cannot live a second without serving the Supreme Lord
Supreme Lord is very fond of his devotee and cannot be separated from him
Ref. SB 9.4.68: “sadhavo hrdayam…”
(d) Conclusion of 7.17 – 7.18 : Intimate relationship between Krishna and pure devotees
The devotees are always in My heart and I am always in their heart
Devotee does not know anything beyond Me and I cannot forget the devotee
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.18 & 7.19: After many life-times one comes to the level of full knowledge that Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization.
Text 7.19
THEME : Devotional Service is very rare
Jnana ultimately leads to bhakti
“Full knowledge” implies to know Vasudeva as cause of all causes and surrender unto Him
Learnings from Purport 7.19
(a) Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization
Beginning of spiritual realisation – When one is trying to give up ones attachment to materialism, there is some leaning towards impersonalism.
Advanced stage – One can understand that there are activities in spiritual life which constitute devotional service; and thus he becomes ‘attached and surrenders’ to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(b) Understanding and realization of one fully matured in knowledge
Knows that spiritual life is full of activities, which are eternal, and blissful and not just impersonalism or voidism
Material world is a perverted reflection of spiritual activities.
Understand Supreme Lord as the cause of all causes and thus realizes a universal vision of Vasudeva (Sees all in relation to Lord) and this vision precipitates full surrender to Krishna as highest goal
Realizes the dependence on Supreme Lord’s mercy
Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization, therefore surrenders o Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad 3.14–3.15 o Ref. Chandogya Upanisad: Life is the centre of all activities in the body of a living being and not the power to speak, see or hear etc; Similarly Lord Vasudeva is the prime entity in everything and all the powers lose all importance if not related to the Supreme Lord o Ref. Bg. 7.17; Bg. 11.40
(a) Sukritinas – Defined as follows:
Pious people
Adherent of regulative principles of Scriptures
Follow moral and social laws
More or less devoted to the Supreme Lord
(b) 4 categories of Sukritinas (pious men)
Artah – Distressed
Artharthi – wealth seeker
Jijnasu – inquisitive
Jnani – One who desires knowledge of Absolute truth
(c) Are they pure devotees – No, because they have some aspiration to fulfil in exchange for devotional service
(d) Pure devotional service explained
Render transcendental loving service favorably
Without desire for material profit or gain through fruitive activities or philosophical speculations
(e) Destiny of Sukritinas
They follow devotional service for above 4 reasons
In due course, they associate with pure devotees and get purified
Achieve pure devotional service (Ref. Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.1.11)
(f) At what stage do these four Sukritinas become pure devotees
When they are free from all material desires.
When they fully understand that material remuneration has nothing to do with spiritual improvement.
(g) What is the hope for miscreants in regard to devotional service
For them devotional service is very difficult – because their lives are selfish, irregular and without spiritual goals.
Is there any hope any time – If by chance they come in contact with a pure devotee, they also become pure devotees.
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.16 & 7.17: “Who is the best of the four pious people?”
Text 7.17
THEME : Wise (Jnani) is the best, because he is:
In full knowledge of the Absolute Truth, and free of material desires
Engages in pure devotional service; Lord is very dear to him and he is dear to the Lord
When one is in pure knowledge of the transcendence of the Supreme Lord, material contamination cannot touch him (study purport)
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.17 & 7.18: After hearing Text 7.17 one may conclude that the three karmamishra-bhaktas are insignificant and only a jnani is important. Anticipating this, Krishna speaks Text 7.18
Text 7.18
THEME : Wise is the best, but, all are mahatma/magnanimous, because, “all come to Him for fulfillment of desires”.
Learnings from Purport 7.18
(a) All are magnanimous because anyone who comes to the Lord for any purpose is called a Mahatma or great soul
(b) Devotees wanting some benefit out of devotional service are accepted by the Lord – Because there is an exchange of affection
(c) Devotee in full knowledge is very dear to the Lord – Because his only purpose is to serve the Supreme Lord with love and devotion
Cannot live a second without serving the Supreme Lord
Supreme Lord is very fond of his devotee and cannot be separated from him
Ref. SB 9.4.68: “sadhavo hrdayam…”
(d) Conclusion of 7.17 – 7.18 : Intimate relationship between Krishna and pure devotees
The devotees are always in My heart and I am always in their heart
Devotee does not know anything beyond Me and I cannot forget the devotee
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.18 & 7.19: After many life-times one comes to the level of full knowledge that Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization.
Text 7.19
THEME : Devotional Service is very rare
Jnana ultimately leads to bhakti
“Full knowledge” implies to know Vasudeva as cause of all causes and surrender unto Him
Learnings from Purport 7.19
(a) Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization
Beginning of spiritual realisation – When one is trying to give up ones attachment to materialism, there is some leaning towards impersonalism.
Advanced stage – One can understand that there are activities in spiritual life which constitute devotional service; and thus he becomes ‘attached and surrenders’ to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(b) Understanding and realization of one fully matured in knowledge
Knows that spiritual life is full of activities, which are eternal, and blissful and not just impersonalism or voidism
Material world is a perverted reflection of spiritual activities.
Understand Supreme Lord as the cause of all causes and thus realizes a universal vision of Vasudeva (Sees all in relation to Lord) and this vision precipitates full surrender to Krishna as highest goal
Realizes the dependence on Supreme Lord’s mercy
Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization, therefore surrenders o Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad 3.14–3.15 o Ref. Chandogya Upanisad: Life is the centre of all activities in the body of a living being and not the power to speak, see or hear etc; Similarly Lord Vasudeva is the prime entity in everything and all the powers lose all importance if not related to the Supreme Lord o Ref. Bg. 7.17; Bg. 11.40
(a) Sukritinas – Defined as follows:
Pious people
Adherent of regulative principles of Scriptures
Follow moral and social laws
More or less devoted to the Supreme Lord
(b) 4 categories of Sukritinas (pious men)
Artah – Distressed
Artharthi – wealth seeker
Jijnasu – inquisitive
Jnani – One who desires knowledge of Absolute truth
(c) Are they pure devotees – No, because they have some aspiration to fulfil in exchange for devotional service
(d) Pure devotional service explained
Render transcendental loving service favorably
Without desire for material profit or gain through fruitive activities or philosophical speculations
(e) Destiny of Sukritinas
They follow devotional service for above 4 reasons
In due course, they associate with pure devotees and get purified
Achieve pure devotional service (Ref. Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.1.11)
(f) At what stage do these four Sukritinas become pure devotees
When they are free from all material desires.
When they fully understand that material remuneration has nothing to do with spiritual improvement.
(g) What is the hope for miscreants in regard to devotional service
For them devotional service is very difficult – because their lives are selfish, irregular and without spiritual goals.
Is there any hope any time – If by chance they come in contact with a pure devotee, they also become pure devotees.
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.16 & 7.17: “Who is the best of the four pious people?”
Text 7.17
THEME : Wise (Jnani) is the best, because he is:
In full knowledge of the Absolute Truth, and free of material desires
Engages in pure devotional service; Lord is very dear to him and he is dear to the Lord
When one is in pure knowledge of the transcendence of the Supreme Lord, material contamination cannot touch him (study purport)
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.17 & 7.18: After hearing Text 7.17 one may conclude that the three karmamishra-bhaktas are insignificant and only a jnani is important. Anticipating this, Krishna speaks Text 7.18
Text 7.18
THEME : Wise is the best, but, all are mahatma/magnanimous, because, “all come to Him for fulfillment of desires”.
Learnings from Purport 7.18
(a) All are magnanimous because anyone who comes to the Lord for any purpose is called a Mahatma or great soul
(b) Devotees wanting some benefit out of devotional service are accepted by the Lord – Because there is an exchange of affection
(c) Devotee in full knowledge is very dear to the Lord – Because his only purpose is to serve the Supreme Lord with love and devotion
Cannot live a second without serving the Supreme Lord
Supreme Lord is very fond of his devotee and cannot be separated from him
Ref. SB 9.4.68: “sadhavo hrdayam…”
(d) Conclusion of 7.17 – 7.18 : Intimate relationship between Krishna and pure devotees
The devotees are always in My heart and I am always in their heart
Devotee does not know anything beyond Me and I cannot forget the devotee
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.18 & 7.19: After many life-times one comes to the level of full knowledge that Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization.
Text 7.19
THEME : Devotional Service is very rare
Jnana ultimately leads to bhakti
“Full knowledge” implies to know Vasudeva as cause of all causes and surrender unto Him
Learnings from Purport 7.19
(a) Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization
Beginning of spiritual realisation – When one is trying to give up ones attachment to materialism, there is some leaning towards impersonalism.
Advanced stage – One can understand that there are activities in spiritual life which constitute devotional service; and thus he becomes ‘attached and surrenders’ to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(b) Understanding and realization of one fully matured in knowledge
Knows that spiritual life is full of activities, which are eternal, and blissful and not just impersonalism or voidism
Material world is a perverted reflection of spiritual activities.
Understand Supreme Lord as the cause of all causes and thus realizes a universal vision of Vasudeva (Sees all in relation to Lord) and this vision precipitates full surrender to Krishna as highest goal
Realizes the dependence on Supreme Lord’s mercy
Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization, therefore surrenders o Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad 3.14–3.15 o Ref. Chandogya Upanisad: Life is the centre of all activities in the body of a living being and not the power to speak, see or hear etc; Similarly Lord Vasudeva is the prime entity in everything and all the powers lose all importance if not related to the Supreme Lord o Ref. Bg. 7.17; Bg. 11.40
(a) Solution offered by Bhagavad-gita to surmount stringent material laws – Surrendering unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality Krishna
(b) Why intelligent and hard-working leaders do not take to this solution, although they desire to get liberation from material laws
They pose themselves as scientists, philosophers etc. just for material gain
They have no idea of God – They do not accept the plan or path of the Supreme Lord
They simply manufacture their own worldly plans
Result of such plans – They complicate the problems of material existence in their vain attempt to solve them
(c) Material energy is very powerful
It resists the unauthorized plans of the atheists and baffle the ‘planning commissions’
Position of material energy – It has no independent authority. Analogy: It works as the shadow moves in accordance with the movements of the object
Power of material energy to delude jiva o Atheist due to his godless temperament, cannot know how material energy works o Nor can he know the plan of the Supreme Lord o All his plans are baffled, even if they are materially learned – e.g. Hiranyakashipu and Ravana
(d) Meaning of ‘Duskritinah’ – They are atheistic plan-makers whose intelligence and efforts are misdirected (‘krti’ means meritorious work)
(e) Four categories of Duskritnas are explained in the Summarized Theme 7A below
SUMMARISED THEME
FOUR CATEGORIES OF ‘DUSKRITNAS’ (MISCREANTS)
1. ‘MUDHAS’ – Grossly foolish like hard working asses (‘beasts of burden’)
Attachment to the fruits – They are fruitive workers who want to enjoy the fruits of their labor by themselves and do not want to part with them for the Supreme
Does not know for whom he should work o Just like an ass works hard for his master but does not know for whom he works so hard o Does not know that karma is meant for ‘yajna’
Level of happiness o For them, destructible material gains are life’s all in all, although they enjoy a very small fraction of the fruits of their labor o Mudhas work hard but sleepless nights, no time for food; He suffers from ulcers, indigestion etc. o Similarly an ass is satisfied by filling his stomach by a bundle of grass, sleeping for a while under the fear of being beaten, and satisfying his sex appetite at the risk of being repeatedly kicked by the opposite party
No time to hear for immortality of soul o Analogy: swine eats night soil, not care for sweet meats
2. ‘NARADHAMAS’ – Lowest of Mankind (Please note: 3 definitions are underlined below
‘Nara’ means human being and ‘adhama’ means lowest
Different categories of human species o Uncivilized – Numerous lower forms of human life o Civilized – Those who have regulated principles of social, political and religious life o ‘Naradhamas’ – Socially and politically developed but no religious principles ▪ Nor is religion without God religion (Purpose of religion is explained in the next point)
Purpose of following religious principles – To know the Supreme Truth and man’s relation with Him o Ref. Bg. 7.7 – “There is no authority above Him, He is the Supreme Truth” o Civilized form of life – meant to revive man’s lost consciousness of his eternal relationship with the Supreme Truth o Naradhama – Whoever loses the chance of human life to revive their lost relationship falls into this category
Example of losing the chance – Baby in mother’s womb promises to worship Him after taking birth, but he forgets as soon as he gets out and falls into maya
Systems designed to revive the lost relationship with God o It is the duty of the guardians of the children to revive dormant consciousness in them o This is done by varnasrama system and 10 samskaras which are meant for purification and elevation o 99.9% of population is Naradhama – Because they lack the Varnasrama system and purificatory samskaras
Effect of all powerful material energy on ‘Naradhamas’ – All their education is made null and void
Hope for Naradhamas – Mercy of devotees e.g., Jagai and Madhai delivered by Nityananda Prabhu o Vision of a true devotee – He sees all castes and species on the same platform (Bg. 5.18)
Recommendation of Lord Caitanya for Naradhamas o Can also be delivered by submissive hearing process (which they usually neglect)
Unfortunate condition of Naradhamas – They refuse to give aural reception to the messages of Godhead and thus Naradhamas neglect the prime duty of the human being
3. ‘MAYAYAPAHRTA JNANA’ – Knowledge stolen by illusory energy
Range of their knowledge is only devoted to material world.
Examples: o They are mostly very learned, e.g. philosophers, literary, poets; but are misguided and they disobey the Supreme Lord o Many mundane scholars of Bhagavad-gita also fall into this category because they consider Lord to be an ordinary human being ▪ Because they do not know that the blessed form of human life is designed after the eternal and transcendental feature of the Supreme Lord
4. ‘ASURAM BHAVAM ASRITAH’ – Envious towards God/Atheistic demons
Their arguments: o Supreme Lord can never descend in material world ▪ but, they are unable to give tangible reasons as to why Lord cannot descend o He is subordinate to impersonal features o Present illicit incarnations from factory of their brain
Yamunacarya’s comment on “knowing Supreme Personality of Godhead” o He is unknowable to persons involved with atheistic principles o Various proofs of Lord’s Supremacy ▪ Krishna – His uncommon qualities, features and activities ▪ Sastra – Confirmation by all the revealed scriptures in the quality of goodness ▪ Sadhu – Acknowledgement by famous authorities on the transcendental science
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.15 & 7.16: “Then who surrenders?”
Text 7.16
THEME : Describes Sukritinas, 4 kinds of pious peope who surrender unto the Lord.
Learnings from Purport 7.16
(a) Sukritinas – Defined as follows:
Pious people
Adherent of regulative principles of Scriptures
Follow moral and social laws
More or less devoted to the Supreme Lord
(b) 4 categories of Sukritinas (pious men)
Artah – Distressed
Artharthi – wealth seeker
Jijnasu – inquisitive
Jnani – One who desires knowledge of Absolute truth
(c) Are they pure devotees – No, because they have some aspiration to fulfil in exchange for devotional service
(d) Pure devotional service explained
Render transcendental loving service favorably
Without desire for material profit or gain through fruitive activities or philosophical speculations
(e) Destiny of Sukritinas
They follow devotional service for above 4 reasons
In due course, they associate with pure devotees and get purified
Achieve pure devotional service (Ref. Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.1.11)
(f) At what stage do these four Sukritinas become pure devotees
When they are free from all material desires.
When they fully understand that material remuneration has nothing to do with spiritual improvement.
(g) What is the hope for miscreants in regard to devotional service
For them devotional service is very difficult – because their lives are selfish, irregular and without spiritual goals.
Is there any hope any time – If by chance they come in contact with a pure devotee, they also become pure devotees.
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.16 & 7.17: “Who is the best of the four pious people?”
Text 7.17
THEME : Wise (Jnani) is the best, because he is:
In full knowledge of the Absolute Truth, and free of material desires
Engages in pure devotional service; Lord is very dear to him and he is dear to the Lord
When one is in pure knowledge of the transcendence of the Supreme Lord, material contamination cannot touch him (study purport)
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.17 & 7.18: After hearing Text 7.17 one may conclude that the three karmamishra-bhaktas are insignificant and only a jnani is important. Anticipating this, Krishna speaks Text 7.18
Text 7.18
THEME : Wise is the best, but, all are mahatma/magnanimous, because, “all come to Him for fulfillment of desires”.
Learnings from Purport 7.18
(a) All are magnanimous because anyone who comes to the Lord for any purpose is called a Mahatma or great soul
(b) Devotees wanting some benefit out of devotional service are accepted by the Lord – Because there is an exchange of affection
(c) Devotee in full knowledge is very dear to the Lord – Because his only purpose is to serve the Supreme Lord with love and devotion
Cannot live a second without serving the Supreme Lord
Supreme Lord is very fond of his devotee and cannot be separated from him
Ref. SB 9.4.68: “sadhavo hrdayam…”
(d) Conclusion of 7.17 – 7.18 : Intimate relationship between Krishna and pure devotees
The devotees are always in My heart and I am always in their heart
Devotee does not know anything beyond Me and I cannot forget the devotee
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.18 & 7.19: After many life-times one comes to the level of full knowledge that Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization.
Text 7.19
THEME : Devotional Service is very rare
Jnana ultimately leads to bhakti
“Full knowledge” implies to know Vasudeva as cause of all causes and surrender unto Him
Learnings from Purport 7.19
(a) Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization
Beginning of spiritual realisation – When one is trying to give up ones attachment to materialism, there is some leaning towards impersonalism.
Advanced stage – One can understand that there are activities in spiritual life which constitute devotional service; and thus he becomes ‘attached and surrenders’ to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(b) Understanding and realization of one fully matured in knowledge
Knows that spiritual life is full of activities, which are eternal, and blissful and not just impersonalism or voidism
Material world is a perverted reflection of spiritual activities.
Understand Supreme Lord as the cause of all causes and thus realizes a universal vision of Vasudeva (Sees all in relation to Lord) and this vision precipitates full surrender to Krishna as highest goal
Realizes the dependence on Supreme Lord’s mercy
Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization, therefore surrenders o Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad 3.14–3.15 o Ref. Chandogya Upanisad: Life is the centre of all activities in the body of a living being and not the power to speak, see or hear etc; Similarly Lord Vasudeva is the prime entity in everything and all the powers lose all importance if not related to the Supreme Lord o Ref. Bg. 7.17; Bg. 11.40
(a) Solution offered by Bhagavad-gita to surmount stringent material laws – Surrendering unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality Krishna
(b) Why intelligent and hard-working leaders do not take to this solution, although they desire to get liberation from material laws
They pose themselves as scientists, philosophers etc. just for material gain
They have no idea of God – They do not accept the plan or path of the Supreme Lord
They simply manufacture their own worldly plans
Result of such plans – They complicate the problems of material existence in their vain attempt to solve them
(c) Material energy is very powerful
It resists the unauthorized plans of the atheists and baffle the ‘planning commissions’
Position of material energy – It has no independent authority. Analogy: It works as the shadow moves in accordance with the movements of the object
Power of material energy to delude jiva o Atheist due to his godless temperament, cannot know how material energy works o Nor can he know the plan of the Supreme Lord o All his plans are baffled, even if they are materially learned – e.g. Hiranyakashipu and Ravana
(d) Meaning of ‘Duskritinah’ – They are atheistic plan-makers whose intelligence and efforts are misdirected (‘krti’ means meritorious work)
(e) Four categories of Duskritnas are explained in the Summarized Theme 7A below
SUMMARISED THEME
FOUR CATEGORIES OF ‘DUSKRITNAS’ (MISCREANTS)
1. ‘MUDHAS’ – Grossly foolish like hard working asses (‘beasts of burden’)
Attachment to the fruits – They are fruitive workers who want to enjoy the fruits of their labor by themselves and do not want to part with them for the Supreme
Does not know for whom he should work o Just like an ass works hard for his master but does not know for whom he works so hard o Does not know that karma is meant for ‘yajna’
Level of happiness o For them, destructible material gains are life’s all in all, although they enjoy a very small fraction of the fruits of their labor o Mudhas work hard but sleepless nights, no time for food; He suffers from ulcers, indigestion etc. o Similarly an ass is satisfied by filling his stomach by a bundle of grass, sleeping for a while under the fear of being beaten, and satisfying his sex appetite at the risk of being repeatedly kicked by the opposite party
No time to hear for immortality of soul o Analogy: swine eats night soil, not care for sweet meats
2. ‘NARADHAMAS’ – Lowest of Mankind (Please note: 3 definitions are underlined below
‘Nara’ means human being and ‘adhama’ means lowest
Different categories of human species o Uncivilized – Numerous lower forms of human life o Civilized – Those who have regulated principles of social, political and religious life o ‘Naradhamas’ – Socially and politically developed but no religious principles ▪ Nor is religion without God religion (Purpose of religion is explained in the next point)
Purpose of following religious principles – To know the Supreme Truth and man’s relation with Him o Ref. Bg. 7.7 – “There is no authority above Him, He is the Supreme Truth” o Civilized form of life – meant to revive man’s lost consciousness of his eternal relationship with the Supreme Truth o Naradhama – Whoever loses the chance of human life to revive their lost relationship falls into this category
Example of losing the chance – Baby in mother’s womb promises to worship Him after taking birth, but he forgets as soon as he gets out and falls into maya
Systems designed to revive the lost relationship with God o It is the duty of the guardians of the children to revive dormant consciousness in them o This is done by varnasrama system and 10 samskaras which are meant for purification and elevation o 99.9% of population is Naradhama – Because they lack the Varnasrama system and purificatory samskaras
Effect of all powerful material energy on ‘Naradhamas’ – All their education is made null and void
Hope for Naradhamas – Mercy of devotees e.g., Jagai and Madhai delivered by Nityananda Prabhu o Vision of a true devotee – He sees all castes and species on the same platform (Bg. 5.18)
Recommendation of Lord Caitanya for Naradhamas o Can also be delivered by submissive hearing process (which they usually neglect)
Unfortunate condition of Naradhamas – They refuse to give aural reception to the messages of Godhead and thus Naradhamas neglect the prime duty of the human being
3. ‘MAYAYAPAHRTA JNANA’ – Knowledge stolen by illusory energy
Range of their knowledge is only devoted to material world.
Examples: o They are mostly very learned, e.g. philosophers, literary, poets; but are misguided and they disobey the Supreme Lord o Many mundane scholars of Bhagavad-gita also fall into this category because they consider Lord to be an ordinary human being ▪ Because they do not know that the blessed form of human life is designed after the eternal and transcendental feature of the Supreme Lord
4. ‘ASURAM BHAVAM ASRITAH’ – Envious towards God/Atheistic demons
Their arguments: o Supreme Lord can never descend in material world ▪ but, they are unable to give tangible reasons as to why Lord cannot descend o He is subordinate to impersonal features o Present illicit incarnations from factory of their brain
Yamunacarya’s comment on “knowing Supreme Personality of Godhead” o He is unknowable to persons involved with atheistic principles o Various proofs of Lord’s Supremacy ▪ Krishna – His uncommon qualities, features and activities ▪ Sastra – Confirmation by all the revealed scriptures in the quality of goodness ▪ Sadhu – Acknowledgement by famous authorities on the transcendental science
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.15 & 7.16: “Then who surrenders?”
Text 7.16
THEME : Describes Sukritinas, 4 kinds of pious peope who surrender unto the Lord.
Learnings from Purport 7.16
(a) Sukritinas – Defined as follows:
Pious people
Adherent of regulative principles of Scriptures
Follow moral and social laws
More or less devoted to the Supreme Lord
(b) 4 categories of Sukritinas (pious men)
Artah – Distressed
Artharthi – wealth seeker
Jijnasu – inquisitive
Jnani – One who desires knowledge of Absolute truth
(c) Are they pure devotees – No, because they have some aspiration to fulfil in exchange for devotional service
(d) Pure devotional service explained
Render transcendental loving service favorably
Without desire for material profit or gain through fruitive activities or philosophical speculations
(e) Destiny of Sukritinas
They follow devotional service for above 4 reasons
In due course, they associate with pure devotees and get purified
Achieve pure devotional service (Ref. Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.1.11)
(f) At what stage do these four Sukritinas become pure devotees
When they are free from all material desires.
When they fully understand that material remuneration has nothing to do with spiritual improvement.
(g) What is the hope for miscreants in regard to devotional service
For them devotional service is very difficult – because their lives are selfish, irregular and without spiritual goals.
Is there any hope any time – If by chance they come in contact with a pure devotee, they also become pure devotees.
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.16 & 7.17: “Who is the best of the four pious people?”
Text 7.17
THEME : Wise (Jnani) is the best, because he is:
In full knowledge of the Absolute Truth, and free of material desires
Engages in pure devotional service; Lord is very dear to him and he is dear to the Lord
When one is in pure knowledge of the transcendence of the Supreme Lord, material contamination cannot touch him (study purport)
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.17 & 7.18: After hearing Text 7.17 one may conclude that the three karmamishra-bhaktas are insignificant and only a jnani is important. Anticipating this, Krishna speaks Text 7.18
Text 7.18
THEME : Wise is the best, but, all are mahatma/magnanimous, because, “all come to Him for fulfillment of desires”.
Learnings from Purport 7.18
(a) All are magnanimous because anyone who comes to the Lord for any purpose is called a Mahatma or great soul
(b) Devotees wanting some benefit out of devotional service are accepted by the Lord – Because there is an exchange of affection
(c) Devotee in full knowledge is very dear to the Lord – Because his only purpose is to serve the Supreme Lord with love and devotion
Cannot live a second without serving the Supreme Lord
Supreme Lord is very fond of his devotee and cannot be separated from him
Ref. SB 9.4.68: “sadhavo hrdayam…”
(d) Conclusion of 7.17 – 7.18 : Intimate relationship between Krishna and pure devotees
The devotees are always in My heart and I am always in their heart
Devotee does not know anything beyond Me and I cannot forget the devotee
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.18 & 7.19: After many life-times one comes to the level of full knowledge that Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization.
Text 7.19
THEME : Devotional Service is very rare
Jnana ultimately leads to bhakti
“Full knowledge” implies to know Vasudeva as cause of all causes and surrender unto Him
Learnings from Purport 7.19
(a) Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization
Beginning of spiritual realisation – When one is trying to give up ones attachment to materialism, there is some leaning towards impersonalism.
Advanced stage – One can understand that there are activities in spiritual life which constitute devotional service; and thus he becomes ‘attached and surrenders’ to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(b) Understanding and realization of one fully matured in knowledge
Knows that spiritual life is full of activities, which are eternal, and blissful and not just impersonalism or voidism
Material world is a perverted reflection of spiritual activities.
Understand Supreme Lord as the cause of all causes and thus realizes a universal vision of Vasudeva (Sees all in relation to Lord) and this vision precipitates full surrender to Krishna as highest goal
Realizes the dependence on Supreme Lord’s mercy
Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization, therefore surrenders o Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad 3.14–3.15 o Ref. Chandogya Upanisad: Life is the centre of all activities in the body of a living being and not the power to speak, see or hear etc; Similarly Lord Vasudeva is the prime entity in everything and all the powers lose all importance if not related to the Supreme Lord o Ref. Bg. 7.17; Bg. 11.40
THE IMPIOUS NEVER SURRENDER, PIOUS DO
(7.15– 7.19)
Text 7.15
THEME : Duskritinas are impious people who do not surrender.
Learnings from Purport 7.15
(a) Solution offered by Bhagavad-gita to surmount stringent material laws – Surrendering unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality Krishna
(b) Why intelligent and hard-working leaders do not take to this solution, although they desire to get liberation from material laws
They pose themselves as scientists, philosophers etc. just for material gain
They have no idea of God – They do not accept the plan or path of the Supreme Lord
They simply manufacture their own worldly plans
Result of such plans – They complicate the problems of material existence in their vain attempt to solve them
(c) Material energy is very powerful
It resists the unauthorized plans of the atheists and baffle the ‘planning commissions’
Position of material energy – It has no independent authority. Analogy: It works as the shadow moves in accordance with the movements of the object
Power of material energy to delude jiva o Atheist due to his godless temperament, cannot know how material energy works o Nor can he know the plan of the Supreme Lord o All his plans are baffled, even if they are materially learned – e.g. Hiranyakashipu and Ravana
(d) Meaning of ‘Duskritinah’ – They are atheistic plan-makers whose intelligence and efforts are misdirected (‘krti’ means meritorious work)
(e) Four categories of Duskritnas are explained in the Summarized Theme 7A below
SUMMARISED THEME
FOUR CATEGORIES OF ‘DUSKRITNAS’ (MISCREANTS)
1. ‘MUDHAS’ – Grossly foolish like hard working asses (‘beasts of burden’)
Attachment to the fruits – They are fruitive workers who want to enjoy the fruits of their labor by themselves and do not want to part with them for the Supreme
Does not know for whom he should work o Just like an ass works hard for his master but does not know for whom he works so hard o Does not know that karma is meant for ‘yajna’
Level of happiness o For them, destructible material gains are life’s all in all, although they enjoy a very small fraction of the fruits of their labor o Mudhas work hard but sleepless nights, no time for food; He suffers from ulcers, indigestion etc. o Similarly an ass is satisfied by filling his stomach by a bundle of grass, sleeping for a while under the fear of being beaten, and satisfying his sex appetite at the risk of being repeatedly kicked by the opposite party
No time to hear for immortality of soul o Analogy: swine eats night soil, not care for sweet meats
2. ‘NARADHAMAS’ – Lowest of Mankind (Please note: 3 definitions are underlined below
‘Nara’ means human being and ‘adhama’ means lowest
Different categories of human species o Uncivilized – Numerous lower forms of human life o Civilized – Those who have regulated principles of social, political and religious life o ‘Naradhamas’ – Socially and politically developed but no religious principles ▪ Nor is religion without God religion (Purpose of religion is explained in the next point)
Purpose of following religious principles – To know the Supreme Truth and man’s relation with Him o Ref. Bg. 7.7 – “There is no authority above Him, He is the Supreme Truth” o Civilized form of life – meant to revive man’s lost consciousness of his eternal relationship with the Supreme Truth o Naradhama – Whoever loses the chance of human life to revive their lost relationship falls into this category
Example of losing the chance – Baby in mother’s womb promises to worship Him after taking birth, but he forgets as soon as he gets out and falls into maya
Systems designed to revive the lost relationship with God o It is the duty of the guardians of the children to revive dormant consciousness in them o This is done by varnasrama system and 10 samskaras which are meant for purification and elevation o 99.9% of population is Naradhama – Because they lack the Varnasrama system and purificatory samskaras
Effect of all powerful material energy on ‘Naradhamas’ – All their education is made null and void
Hope for Naradhamas – Mercy of devotees e.g., Jagai and Madhai delivered by Nityananda Prabhu o Vision of a true devotee – He sees all castes and species on the same platform (Bg. 5.18)
Recommendation of Lord Caitanya for Naradhamas o Can also be delivered by submissive hearing process (which they usually neglect)
Unfortunate condition of Naradhamas – They refuse to give aural reception to the messages of Godhead and thus Naradhamas neglect the prime duty of the human being
3. ‘MAYAYAPAHRTA JNANA’ – Knowledge stolen by illusory energy
Range of their knowledge is only devoted to material world.
Examples: o They are mostly very learned, e.g. philosophers, literary, poets; but are misguided and they disobey the Supreme Lord o Many mundane scholars of Bhagavad-gita also fall into this category because they consider Lord to be an ordinary human being ▪ Because they do not know that the blessed form of human life is designed after the eternal and transcendental feature of the Supreme Lord
4. ‘ASURAM BHAVAM ASRITAH’ – Envious towards God/Atheistic demons
Their arguments: o Supreme Lord can never descend in material world ▪ but, they are unable to give tangible reasons as to why Lord cannot descend o He is subordinate to impersonal features o Present illicit incarnations from factory of their brain
Yamunacarya’s comment on “knowing Supreme Personality of Godhead” o He is unknowable to persons involved with atheistic principles o Various proofs of Lord’s Supremacy ▪ Krishna – His uncommon qualities, features and activities ▪ Sastra – Confirmation by all the revealed scriptures in the quality of goodness ▪ Sadhu – Acknowledgement by famous authorities on the transcendental science
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.15 & 7.16: “Then who surrenders?”
Text 7.16
THEME : Describes Sukritinas, 4 kinds of pious peope who surrender unto the Lord.
Learnings from Purport 7.16
(a) Sukritinas – Defined as follows:
Pious people
Adherent of regulative principles of Scriptures
Follow moral and social laws
More or less devoted to the Supreme Lord
(b) 4 categories of Sukritinas (pious men)
Artah – Distressed
Artharthi – wealth seeker
Jijnasu – inquisitive
Jnani – One who desires knowledge of Absolute truth
(c) Are they pure devotees – No, because they have some aspiration to fulfil in exchange for devotional service
(d) Pure devotional service explained
Render transcendental loving service favorably
Without desire for material profit or gain through fruitive activities or philosophical speculations
(e) Destiny of Sukritinas
They follow devotional service for above 4 reasons
In due course, they associate with pure devotees and get purified
Achieve pure devotional service (Ref. Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.1.11)
(f) At what stage do these four Sukritinas become pure devotees
When they are free from all material desires.
When they fully understand that material remuneration has nothing to do with spiritual improvement.
(g) What is the hope for miscreants in regard to devotional service
For them devotional service is very difficult – because their lives are selfish, irregular and without spiritual goals.
Is there any hope any time – If by chance they come in contact with a pure devotee, they also become pure devotees.
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.16 & 7.17: “Who is the best of the four pious people?”
Text 7.17
THEME : Wise (Jnani) is the best, because he is:
In full knowledge of the Absolute Truth, and free of material desires
Engages in pure devotional service; Lord is very dear to him and he is dear to the Lord
When one is in pure knowledge of the transcendence of the Supreme Lord, material contamination cannot touch him (study purport)
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.17 & 7.18: After hearing Text 7.17 one may conclude that the three karmamishra-bhaktas are insignificant and only a jnani is important. Anticipating this, Krishna speaks Text 7.18
Text 7.18
THEME : Wise is the best, but, all are mahatma/magnanimous, because, “all come to Him for fulfillment of desires”.
Learnings from Purport 7.18
(a) All are magnanimous because anyone who comes to the Lord for any purpose is called a Mahatma or great soul
(b) Devotees wanting some benefit out of devotional service are accepted by the Lord – Because there is an exchange of affection
(c) Devotee in full knowledge is very dear to the Lord – Because his only purpose is to serve the Supreme Lord with love and devotion
Cannot live a second without serving the Supreme Lord
Supreme Lord is very fond of his devotee and cannot be separated from him
Ref. SB 9.4.68: “sadhavo hrdayam…”
(d) Conclusion of 7.17 – 7.18 : Intimate relationship between Krishna and pure devotees
The devotees are always in My heart and I am always in their heart
Devotee does not know anything beyond Me and I cannot forget the devotee
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.18 & 7.19: After many life-times one comes to the level of full knowledge that Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization.
Text 7.19
THEME : Devotional Service is very rare
Jnana ultimately leads to bhakti
“Full knowledge” implies to know Vasudeva as cause of all causes and surrender unto Him
Learnings from Purport 7.19
(a) Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization
Beginning of spiritual realisation – When one is trying to give up ones attachment to materialism, there is some leaning towards impersonalism.
Advanced stage – One can understand that there are activities in spiritual life which constitute devotional service; and thus he becomes ‘attached and surrenders’ to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(b) Understanding and realization of one fully matured in knowledge
Knows that spiritual life is full of activities, which are eternal, and blissful and not just impersonalism or voidism
Material world is a perverted reflection of spiritual activities.
Understand Supreme Lord as the cause of all causes and thus realizes a universal vision of Vasudeva (Sees all in relation to Lord) and this vision precipitates full surrender to Krishna as highest goal
Realizes the dependence on Supreme Lord’s mercy
Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization, therefore surrenders o Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad 3.14–3.15 o Ref. Chandogya Upanisad: Life is the centre of all activities in the body of a living being and not the power to speak, see or hear etc; Similarly Lord Vasudeva is the prime entity in everything and all the powers lose all importance if not related to the Supreme Lord o Ref. Bg. 7.17; Bg. 11.40