Consciousness Depends On Four Levels Of Enquiry

2011-07-09
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.01.14 - Consciousness Depends On Four Levels Of Enquiry (download mp3)
by Rohini Priya Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net





SB 10.1.14
suta uvaca
evam nisamya bhrgu-nandana sadhu-vadam
vaiyasakih sa bhagavan atha visnu-ratam
pratyarcya krsna-caritam kali-kalmasa-ghnam
vyahartum arabhata bhagavata-pradhanah

Translation: 
Suta Gosvami said: O son of Bhrgu [Saunaka Rsi], after Sukadeva Gosvami, the most respectable devotee, the son of Vyasadeva, heard the pious questions of Maharaja Pariksit, he thanked the King with great respect. Then he began to discourse on topics concerning Krsna, which are the remedy for all sufferings in this age of Kali.

Purport: 
In this verse the words krsna-caritam kali-kalmasa-ghnam indicate that the activities of Lord Krsna are certainly the greatest panacea for all miseries, especially in this age of Kali. It is said that in Kali-yuga people have only short lives, and they have no culture of spiritual consciousness. If anyone is at all interested in spiritual culture, he is misled by many bogus svamis and yogis who do not refer to krsna-katha. Therefore most people are unfortunate and disturbed by many calamities. Srila Vyasadeva prepared Srimad-Bhagavatam at the request of Narada Muni in order to give relief to the suffering people of this age (kali-kalmasa-ghnam). The Krsna consciousness movement is seriously engaged in enlightening people through the pleasing topics of Srimad-Bhagavatam. All over the world, the message of Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita is being accepted in all spheres of life, especially in advanced, educated circles.

Srila Sukadeva Gosvami is described in this verse as bhagavata-pradhanah, whereas Maharaja Pariksit is described as visnu-ratam. Both words bear the same meaning; that is, Maharaja Pariksit was a great devotee of Krsna, and Sukadeva Gosvami was also a great saintly person and a great devotee of Krsna. Combined together to present krsna-katha, they give great relief to suffering humanity.

anarthopasamam saksad
bhakti-yogam adhoksaje
lokasyajanato vidvams
cakre satvata-samhitam

"The material miseries of the living entity, which are superfluous to him, can be directly mitigated by the linking process of devotional service. But the mass of people do not know this, and therefore the learned Vyasadeva compiled this Vedic literature, Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is in relation to the Supreme Truth." (SB 1.7.6) People in general are unaware that the message of Srimad-Bhagavatam can give all of human society relief from the pangs of Kali-yuga (kali-kalmasa-ghnam).