Srimad Bhagavatam 07.14.38 - Rukmini-devi's Devotion To Krishna (download mp3)
Murari Gupta Prabhu ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net
SB 7.14.38
tesv eva bhagavan rajams
taratamyena vartate
tasmat patram hi puruso
yavan atma yatheyate
tesv eva bhagavan rajams
taratamyena vartate
tasmat patram hi puruso
yavan atma yatheyate
Translation:
O King Yudhisthira, the Supersoul in every body gives intelligence to the individual soul according to his capacity for understanding. Therefore the Supersoul is the chief within the body. The Supersoul is manifested to the individual soul according to the individual's comparative development of knowledge, austerity, penance and so on.
In Bhagavad-gita (15.15) it is said, mattah smrtir jñanam apohanam ca: the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His localized aspect gives intelligence to the individual soul as far as he is able to grasp it. Therefore we find the individual soul in different high and low positions. A living entity with the body of a bird or beast cannot take instructions from the Supreme Soul as adequately as an advanced human being. Thus there are gradations of bodily forms. In human society, the perfect brahmana is supposed to be the most advanced in spiritual consciousness, and further advanced than the brahmana is the Vaisnava. Therefore the best persons are the Vaisnavas and Visnu. When charity is to be given, one should take instruction from Bhagavad-gita (17.20):
datavyam iti yad danam
diyate 'nupakarine
dese kale ca patre ca
tad danam sattvikam smrtam
"That gift which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return, is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness." One should give charity to the brahmanas and Vaisnavas, for thus the Supreme Personality of Godhead will be worshiped. In this connection, Srila Madhvacarya comments:
brahmadi-sthavarantesu
na viseso hareh kvacit
vyakti-matra-visesena
taratamyam vadanti ca
Beginning from Brahma down to the ant, everyone is conducted by the Supersoul (isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati [Bg. 18.61]). But because of a particular person's advancement in spiritual consciousness, he is considered to be important. Therefore, the brahmana Vaisnava is important, and, above all, the Supersoul, the Personality of Godhead, is the most important personality.
