2011-09-02Srimad Bhagavatam 10.02.10 - Yogamaya's Identity (download mp3)
by Prahalada Priya Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net
SB 10.2.10
arcisyanti manusyas tvam
sarva-kama-varesvarim
dhupopahara-balibhih
sarva-kama-vara-pradam
Translation:
By sacrifices of animals, ordinary human beings will worship you gorgeously, with various paraphernalia, because you are supreme in fulfilling the material desires of everyone.
As stated in Bhagavad-gita (7.20), kamais tais tair hrta jñanah prapadyante 'nya-devatah: "Those whose minds are distorted by material desires surrender unto demigods." Therefore the word manusya, meaning "human being," here refers to one who does not know the actual goal of life. Such a person wants to enjoy the material world by taking birth in a highly elevated family with the benefits of education, beauty and immense wealth, which in this material world are desirable. One who has forgotten the real aim of life may worship goddess Durga, maya-sakti, under various names, for different purposes, and in different places. As there are many holy places for the worship of Krsna, there are also many holy places in India for the worship of Durgadevi, or Mayadevi, who took birth as the daughter of Yasoda. After cheating Kamsa, Mayadevi dispersed herself to various places, especially in Vindhyacala, to accept regular worship from ordinary men. A human being should actually be interested in understanding atma-tattva, the truth of atma, the spirit soul, and Paramatma, the supreme soul. Those who are interested in atma-tattva worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead (yasmin vijñate sarvam evam vijñatam bhavati) (Mundaka Upanisad 1.3). However, as explained in the next verse of this chapter, those who cannot understand atma-tattva (apasyatam atma-tattvam) worship Yogamaya in her different features. Therefore Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.2) says:
srotavyadini rajendra
nrnam santi sahasrasah
apasyatam atma-tattvam
grhesu grha-medhinam
"Those persons who are materially engrossed, being blind to the knowledge of ultimate truth, have many subject matters for hearing in human society, O Emperor." Those who are interested in remaining in this material world and are not interested in spiritual salvation have many duties, but for one who is interested in spiritual salvation, the only duty is to surrender fully unto Krsna (sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]). Such a person is not interested in material enjoyment.
