Sri Bhagavaf-sandarbha

An Essay on Bhagavan
TabIe of confenfs
lialman, Paiamaima and llagavan, Anucclcdas 1-9
Tlc Dcsciipiion ol llagavan in Siimad-llagavaiam 2.9.9-19 Anucclcdas 10-
11
Tlc Loid's Poicncics, Anucclcdas 12-
1S
Tlc Jivas, ilc Scnscs, and llagavan, Anucclcdas 19-
20
llagavan is Always in Iull Coniiol ol His Poicncics, Anucclcdas 21-
22
llagavan is Tiansccndcnial and llisslul, Spiiiiual Poicncics,
ilc Maya Poicncy, Anucclcda 23
llagavan's Qualiiics and Opulcnccs, Anucclcdas 2+-
29
Tlc Loid's Ioim, Anucclcdas 30-
31
llagavan is loil All-pcivading and Localiscd, Anucclcdas 32-
39
llagavan Appcais in Many Ioims, Anucclcdas +0-
+3
llagavan is ilc All-pcivading Supcisoul, Anucclcda ++
llagavan's Ioim is Tiansccndcnial, Anucclcda +5
llagavan Rcvcals Himscll, Anucclcda +6
llagavan's Ioims and Aciiviiics aic Spiiiiual, Anucclcda +7
llagavan's Limbs and Scnscs, Anucclcdas +S-
+9
Tlc Idca ilai ilc Supicmc Has No Namc oi Ioim is Rcluicd.
Tlc Loid's Ioim is Spiiiiual, Anucclcdas 50-
57
Kisna is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Anucclcdas 5S-
59
llagavan's Oinamcnis and Paiaplcinalia, Anucclcda 60
Tlc Spiiiiual Woild, Anucclcdas 61-
77
Tlc Spiiiiual Woild, Anucclcda 7S
Tlc Ioui Kumaias Scc Loid Naiayana, Anucclcda 79
All Goals ol Lilc aic Picscni in llagavan, Anucclcda S0
lialman and llagavan aic ilc Samc Supicmc, Anucclcda S1
llagavan, ilc Dcvoiccs, Dcvoiional Scivicc and Libciaiion, Anucclcdas S2-
S6
llagavan is ilc Uliimaic and Impcisonal lialma
is Suboidinaic Anucclcdas S7-
92
llagavan is ilc Oiigin ol lialma, Anucclcda 93
lialman is a Namc ol llagavan, llagavan is lciici Tlan
lialma, Tlc Dcvoiccs aic lciici Tlan ilc Impcisonalisis,
Anucclcda 9+
Siimad llagavaiam and Dcvoiional Scivicc, Anucclcda 95
Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.30-33, Anucclcdas 96-
97
Tlc Vcdas Dcsciibc llagavan, Anucclcdas 9S-
99
llagavan Can lc dcsciibcd, Tlc Piaycis ol ilc Pcisonilicd
Vcdas, Anucclcdas 100-
102
llagavan's Poicncics, Lalsmi-dcvi, Hladini-salii, Visuddla-
saiiva, llagavan Rcvcals Himscll by His own wisl, Anucclcda 103
Lalsmi-dcvi, Anucclcda 10+
llagavan Cannoi bc Know by Maiciial mcans, Anucclcda 105
llagavan Can bc Known by Dcvoiional Scivicc, Anucclcda 106
Infroducfion
Tlc sccond sandaibla, callcd llagavai-sandaibla, diaws a disiinciion bciwccn
impcisonal lialman and localiscd Paiamaima, and dcsciibcs ilc spiiiiual woild
and ilc dominaiion ol ilc modc ol goodncss dcvoid ol coniaminaiion by ilc oilci
iwo maiciial modcs. In oilci woids, ilcic is a vivid dcsciipiion ol ilc
iiansccndcnial posiiion lnown a suddla-saiiva. Maiciial goodncss is api io bc
coniaminaicd by ilc oilci iwo maiciial qualiiics - ignoiancc and passion - bui
wlcn onc is siiuaicd in ilc suddla-saiiva-posiiion, ilcic is no clancc loi sucl
coniaminaiion. Ii is a spiiiiual plailoim ol puic goodncss. Tlc poicncy ol ilc
Supicmc Loid, and ilc living cniiiy, is also dcsciibcd, and ilcic is a dcsciipiion ol
ilc inconccivablc cncigics and vaiiciics ol cncigics ol ilc Loid. Tlc poicncics ol
ilc Loid aic dividcd inio caicgoiics - inicinal, cxicinal, pcisonal, maiginal, and so
loiil. Tlcic aic also discussions ol ilc cicinaliiy ol Dciiy woislip, ilc
omnipoicncc ol ilc Dciiy, His all-pcivasivcncss, Hi giving slclici io cvciyonc, His
subilc and gioss poicncics, His pcisonal manilcsiaiions, Hi cxpicssion ol loim,
qualiiics, and pasiimcs, His iiansccndcnial posiiion and His complcic loim. Ii is
also siaicd ilai cvciyiling pciiaining io ilc Absoluic las ilc samc poicncy and
ilai ilc spiiiiual woild, ilc associaics in ilc spiiiiual woild, and ilc ilicclold
cncigics ol ilc Loid in ilc spiiiiual woild aic all iiansccndcnial. Tlcic aic luiilci
discussions conccining ilc dillcicncc bciwccn ilc impcisonal lialman and ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc lullncss ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc objcciivc
ol all Vcdic lnowlcdgc, ilc pcisonal poicncics ol ilc Loid, and ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad as ilc oiiginal auiloi ol Vcdic lnowlcdgc.
His Divinc Giacc A.C. llaliivcdania Swami Piablupada

Anuccheda 1
In ilc picvious (Taiiva) Sandaibla I lavc dcsciibcd in a gcncial way ilc
naiuic ol ilc non-dual Absoluic Tiuil and ilc cicinal disiinciion bciwccn ilai
Absoluic and ilc individual living cniiiics, wlo aic naiuially ilc scivanis and
woislippcis ol ilc Absoluic. Now I slall dcsciibc somc ol ilc vaiicgaicd lcaiuics
ol ilc Absoluic. Tlc Absoluic is lnown in ilicc lcaiuics, callcd lialman,
Paiamaima and llagavan. Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad
llagavaiam (1.2.11):
Lcaincd iiansccndcnialisis wlo lnow ilc Absoluic Tiuil call ilis non
dual subsiancc lialman, Paiamaima oi llagavan.`¯
Anuccheda 2
1 In ilis and oilci vciscs ol ilc llagavaiam, and in oilci Vcdic liiciaiuics as
wcll, ilc Absoluic Tiuil is indicaicd by ilc usc ol ilcsc ilicc woids. In somc
placcs ilc Absoluic is callcd lialman, in oilci placcs Paiamaima, and in oilci
placcs llagavan. In ilc dcsciipiion ol Siila Vyasa's pciccpiion, in spiiiiual iiancc,
ol ilc Supicmc (dcsciibcd in ilc Taiiva Sandaibla), ilc individual living cniiiics
(jivas) aic clcaily dcsciibcd as dillcicni liom ilc Supicmc. Ioi ilis icason no onc
slould claim ilai ilc jivas aic idcniical wiil ilc Supicmc, and no onc can
aiiilicially add ilc pliasc jiva iii ca sabdyaic` (and ilc Supicmc is also lnown as
jiva) io ilis vcisc (1.2.11) ol Siimad llagavaiam.
Alilougl ilc llagavaiam givcs claboiaic cxplanaiions ol lialman and
llagavan liisi, and only alici somc wlilc dcsciibcs ai lcngil ilc lcaiuic ol
Paiamaima, ncvciilclcss ilis vcisc (1.2.11) givcs ilc ilicc lcaiuics ol ilc Supicmc
in ilc scqucncc lialman, Paiamaima, llagavan. Tlis scqucncc slows ilc iclaiivc
impoiiancc ol ilc ilicc lcaiuics, ilc mosi impoiiani givcn lasi.
2 Tlc non-dual Supicmc, wlosc spiiiiual bliss is wiiloui iniciiupiion is
undcisiood in ilc ilicc lcaiuics ol lialman, Paiamaima and llagavan. I slall
now dcsciibc ilc lcaiuic callcd lialman:
Tlosc iiansccndcnialisis wlo icalisc ilc lialman lcaiuic ol ilc Loid
cxpciicncc so mucl spiiiiual lappincss by ilis icalisaiion ilai ilcy spii in
conicmpi on ilc lappincss aiiaincd by ilc dcmigod lialma, wlai io spcal ol ilc
liiilc lappincss availablc io ilc oilci insignilicani cicaiuics in ilc maiciial woild.
ly iigidly lollowing ilc piaciiccs ol spiiiiual lilc (sadlana), ilcsc
iiansccndcnialisis aic ablc io undcisiand ilai ilc individual living cniiiy is
spiiiiual and lis naiuic is lilc ilai ol ilc Supicmc. Tlcsc pcisons lowcvci,
icmain unablc io undcisiand ilc vaiiciy ol spiiiiual loim and poicncics in ilc
iiansccndcnial woild, and nciilci can ilcy undcisiand ilc dillcicncc bciwccn ilc
poicncics (salii) and Supicmc Loid wlo is ilc masici ol all poicncics (saliiman).
Tlcii limiicd lnowlcdgc ol ilc muiual spiiiiual naiuic ol ilc individual living
cniiiics and ilc Supicmc is lnown as ilc lialman undcisianding ol ilc Loid.
3 Tlc llagavan lcaiuic ol ilc Absoluic Tiuil may bc cxplaincd in ilc
lollowing way:
Tlc Supicmc is in somc ways dillcicni liom His poicncics, and Hc is ilc
Supicmc Slclici upon wlicl all His iiansccndcnial poicncics icsi. Tlc dcvoiccs
diiccily pciccivc wiil ilcii scnscs ilc pcisonal loim ol ilc Loid cvciywlcic,
wiilin and wiiloui cvciyiling, and in ilis way ilc dcvoiccs cxpciicncc inicnsc
iiansccndcnial bliss. Tlis icalisaiion ol ilc dcvoiccs, ilai ilc poicncics (salii)
and ilc Supicmc Loid wlo is ilc masici ol all poicncics (saliiman) aic dillcicni,
is lnown as ilc llagavan undcisianding ol ilc Loid.
+ Tlcsc ilicc lcaiuics ol ilc Supicmc Loid aic dcsciibcd in ilc samc way in
ilc lollowing vcisc ol Siimad llagavaiam (5.12.11), wlcic Jada llaiaia says:
Wlai, ilcn, is ilc uliimaic iiuil' Tlc answci is ilai non dual lnowlcdgc
is ilc uliimaic iiuil. Ii is dcvoid ol ilc coniaminaiion ol maiciial qualiiics. Ii
givcs us libciaiion. Ii is ilc onc wiiloui a sccond, all-pcivading and bcyond
imaginaiion. Tlc liisi icalisaiion ol ilai lnowlcdgc is lialman. Tlcn
Paiamaima, ilc Supcisoul, is icaliscd by ilc yogis wlo iiy io scc Him wiiloui
giicvancc. Tlis is ilc sccond siagc ol icalisaiion. Iinally, lull icalisaiion ol ilc
samc supicmc lnowlcdgc is icaliscd in ilc Supicmc Pcison (llagavan). All
lcaincd sclolais dcsciibc ilc Supicmc Pcison as Vasudcva, ilc causc ol lialman,
Paiamaima and oilci.`¯
5 Tlc samc dcsciipiion is lound in ilc lollowing vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam
+.11.30) wlcic Manu says io Malaiaja Dliuva:
Rcgaining youi naiuial posiiion and icndciing scivicc unio ilc Supicmc
Loid (llagavan), wlo is ilc all-powcilul icscivoii ol all plcasuic and wlo livcs in
all living cniiiics as ilc Supcisoul, you will vciy soon loigci ilc illusoiy
undcisianding ol 'I' and 'my'.`¯
Anuccheda 3
1 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'blagavan' is modilicd by ilc adjcciival compounds
'ananda-maiic' (ilc icscivoii ol all plcasuic) and 'upapanna-amasiia-saliau' (ilc
masici ol all poicncics). Wlcn ilc Supicmc complcicly icvcals Himscll Hc is
lnown as llagavan, and in compaiison io ilis ilc lialman lcaiuic, wlcic ilc
iiansccndcnial loim ol ilc Loid is noi manilcsicd, is only a paiiial manilcsiaiion
ol ilc Supicmc. Tlis will bc discusscd in gicai dciail laici on in ilis bool. Now
lci us considci ilc dcliniiion ol ilc woid 'llagavan' givcn in ilc lollowing vciscs
ol Visnu Puiana (6.5.66-69):
2 Tlc impcisonal lialman lcaiuic ol ilc Supicmc is unmanilcsicd, licc
liom old-agc, inconccivablc, biiillcss, licc liom dccay and diminuiion,
indcsciibablc, loimlcss, wiiloui lands, lcci, oi oilci limbs, all-powcilul, all-
pcivading, cicinal, ilc oiigin ol all maiciial clcmcni, wiiloui any causc, picscni in
cvciyiling, alilougl noiling is siiuaicd in ii, ilc souicc ol ilc maiciial cosmos,
ilc objcci ol vision loi ilc dcmigods, and ilc objcci ol mcdiiaiion loi ilcy wlo
aspiic alici libciaiion. Tlc impcisonal lialman I ilc supicmcly subilc spiiiiual
cllulgcncc and abodc ol Loid Visnu, wlicl I dcsciibcd in ilc maniias ol ilc
Vcdas. lialman is ilc cllulgcncc ol ilc llagavan lcaiuic ol ilc Loid, and ilc all-
pcivading Supcisoul (Paiamaima) I ilc paiiial manilcsiaiion ol ilc iiansccndcnial
loim ol ilc impciislablc Supicmc Pcison, Sii llagavan.`
3 Tlc Visnu Puiana luiilci cxplains (5.6.73-75):
O sagc, ilc woid llagavan may bc cxplaincd in ilc lollowing way: ilc
syllablc 'bla' may bc undcisiood io mcan 'blaiia', oi 'samblaiia', ilc mainiainci
and nouiislci ol ilc dcvoiccs, and ilc syllablc 'ga' may bc undcisiood io mcan
'gamayiia', ilc lcadci ol ilc dcvoiccs, oi ilc oiiginal cicaioi ol ilc good qualiiics
picscni in ilc dcvoiccs.
+ Tlc woid 'blaga' also mcans 'opulcnccs'. Tlcic aic six opulcnccs: wcalil,
siicngil, lamc, bcauiy, lnowlcdgc, and icnunciaiion. llagavan` mcans ilc
pcison wlo posscsscs all ilcsc opulcnccs in lull.
5 In ilc woid 'blagavan', ilc syllablc 'va' siands loi ilc vcib 'vas' io icsidc.
lccausc all maiciial clcmcnis and all living cniiiics icsi wiilin ilc Supicmc Loid,
and bccausc Hc is picscni in ilc lcaii ol all condiiioncd souls, Hc is addicsscd by
ilc syllablc 'va'.`
6 Ii is also said (Visnu Puiana 6.5.79);
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad posscsscs all siicngil, bcauiy,
wcalil, lamc, lnowlcdgc, and icnunciaiion, and ilcicloic Hc is lnown as
'blagavan'. Hc is licc liom all laulis.`
7 Now lci us considci ilis dcsciipiion ol llagavan liom ilc Visnu Puiana.
In ilc liisi loui vciscs (quoicd in icxi 2), ilc woid 'bialma' may bc ialcn as an
adjcciivc ('gicai'), modilying 'visnol paiamam padam' (supicmc naiuic ol Loid
Visnu). Inicipicicd in ilis way ilc woids 'viblum' (all-powcilul) and 'saiva-
gaiam' (all-pcivading) dcsciibc Loid llagavan's naiuic, wlicl I lull ol all
opulcnccs (aisvaiyasya samagiasya). Tlc adjcciivcs 'aiupam' (loimlcss) and 'pani-
padady-asamyuiam' (wiiloui lands, lcci, oi oilci limbs) slould bc undcisiood io
mcan ilai ilc Supicmc Loid llagavan las no maiciial loim, loi His loim is
pcilccily spiiiiual, and no maiciial lands, lcci, oi oilci limbs, loi His limbs aic
noi madc ol maiici.
S In ilis passagc ilc woid 'viblum' mcans 'lull ol all powcis and opulcnccs',
'vyapi' mcans 'all-pcivading', and 'avyapyam' mcans 'noiling clsc can cnici Him
and bc pcivading wiilin Him.` Tlc woid 'blagavan' diiccily indicaics ilc
Absoluic Tiuil and is noi in any way an indiicci oi incomplcic dcsciipiion ol
Him. A cciiain iivci may bc diiccily indicaicd by ilc namc 'ganga', alilougl ilis
iivci is only indiiccily indicaicd by ilc woid 'iivcibanl'. In ilc samc way ilc
woid 'blagavan' diiccily indicaics ilc absoluic Tiuil and 'bialman' indiiccily
iclcis io ilc Absoluic Tiuil.
9 Tlc Niiulia diciionaiy bcgins ii's lisi ol dcliniiions by announcing (1.2.1)
Now wc slall givc synonym loi somc dilliculi woids'. In ilc samc way wc slall
now cxplain somc ol ilc woids quoicd in ilc dcliniiion ol ilc woid llagavan. In
ilai cxplanaiion ilc syllablc 'bla' was dcsciibcd as sianding loi ilc woid 'blaiia'.
llaiia` mcans 'ilc nouiislci, mainiainci and csiablislci ol ilc dcvoiccs.` In ilc
samc way ilc syllablc 'ga' siands loi ilc woid 'gamayiia', wlicl mcans Hc wlo
cicaics all linds ol auspicious qualiiics wiilin His dcvoiccs', oi Hc wlo gianis
puic lovc ol Godlcad, wlicl is ilc aciual icsuli ol dcvoiional scivicc', oi 'Hc wlo
biings His dcvoiccs io His own iiansccndcnial planci'. Tlc woids 'blaiia' and
'gamayiia', slould noi bc inicipicicd lcic io mcan 'ilc cicaioi and mainiainci ol
ilc univcisc.` In ilis conicxi ilcsc woids aic uscd io cxpicss ilc iclaiionslip
bciwccn ilc Supicmc Loid and His dcvoiccs. Tlis is ilc opinion ol ilc disciplic
succcssion ol Vaisnava acaiyas.
10 Synonyms loi ilc ncxi vcisc liom ilc Visnu Puiana (quoicd in Tcxi +)
lollow: Aisvaiya` mcans abiliiy io coniiol oilcis`, samagia` mcans in all
icspccis`, viiya` mcans ilc poicncy ol Vcdic maniias clanicd by gicai sagcs`,
yasal` mcans lamc ol good qualiiics in iclaiion io body, mind and woids`, Sii`
mcans all linds ol opulcncc and good loiiunc`, jnana` mcans omniscicncc`,
vaiiagya` mcans non-aiiaclmcni io maiciial ilings`, and 'ingana` mcans
namc`.
11 Tlc woid blagavan` may bc undcisiood io mcan Hc wlo posscsscs ('vai'
is ilc allix lnown as 'maiup'), ilc qualiiics picviously dcsciibcd by ilc syllablc
'bla', 'ga' and 'va' (bla+ga+van). Tlc 'a' in ilc iliid qualiiy (va), was clidcd,
cnabling ilc iwo v's io join and bccomc a singlc lciici. In ilis way ilc woid
llagavavan` bccomcs llagavan). llagavan` is ilcicloic ilc posscssoi ol 'bla',
'ga' and 'va'.
12 In ilc ncxi vcisc (Tcxi 6) ilc six opulcnccs posscsscd by llagavan aic also
dcsciibcd. In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'jnana' mcans 'lnowlcdgc', wlicl is ilc domain
ol ilc mind and iniclligcncc, 'salii' mcan 'ilc powci ol ilc scnscs', 'balam' mcans
'ilc siicngil ol ilc body', 'icjal' mcans 'bcauiy', and 'ascsaial' mcans 'complcicly'
('aisvaiya' and 'viiya' lavc bccn dcsciibcd in ilc picvious icxis). Tlc posscssoi ol
all ilcsc in lull ('van') is lnown as llagavan. Tlc Supicmc is manilcsi in ilicc
lcaiuics: lialman, Paiamaima, and llagavan (Siimad llagavaiam 1.2.11). Tlc
llagavan lcaiuic is ilc complcic manilcsiaiion ol ilc Supicmc, and ilc oilci iwo
aic paiiial icvclaiions ol ilc aciual naiuic ol ilc Supicmc.
Anuccheda +
1 Tlc naiuic ol lialman and llagavan aic icvcalcd in ilc lollowing qucsiion
poscd by Malaiaja Nimi, and ii's answci by Pippalayana Muni (Siimad
llagavaiam 11.3.3+ and 35):
King Nimi inquiicd: Plcasc cxplain io mc ilc iiansccndcnial siiuaiion ol
ilc Supicmc Loid, Naiayana, wlo is Himscll ilc Absoluic Tiuil and ilc
Supcisoul ol cvciyonc. You can cxplain ilis io mc, bccausc you aic all mosi
cxpcii in iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc.`¯¯¯
2 Sii Pippalayana aid: Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc causc ol
ilc cicaiion, mainicnancc and dcsiiuciion ol ilis univcisc, yci Hc las no piioi
causc. Hc pcivadcs ilc vaiious siaics ol walclulncss, dicaming and unconscious
dccp slccp and also cxisis bcyond ilcm. ly cniciing ilc body ol cvciy living bcing
as ilc Supcisoul, Hc cnlivcns ilc body, scnscs, lilc aiis and mcnial aciiviiics and
ilus all ilc subilc and gioss oigan ol ilc body bcgin ilcii lunciions. My dcai
King, lnow ilai Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad io bc ilc Supicmc.`¯¯¯
3 Malaiaja Nimi's qucsiion may bc cxplaincd in ilc lollowing way: Tlc woid
'naiayanablidlanasya' mcans 'ol llagavan, wlo is lnown as Naiayana' and
'nisila' mcans 'ilc iiansccndcnial siiuaiion'. Tlc Loid's lcaiuics as lialman and
Paiamaima as mcniioncd in ilis vcisc aic His appcaiancc spccilically wiilin ilc
maiciial woild. Hc appcais as llagavan in ilc spiiiiual woild, and His appcaiancc
as lialman and Paiamaima is limiicd, loi ilc mosi paii, io ilc maiciial woild.
Tlis is conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (11.15.16):
Naiayana, wlo is lnown as llagavan, appcais in ilc spiiiiual woild
(iuiiya), unlilc oilci manilcsiaiions ol ilc Loid ilai appcai in ilc maiciial
woild.`
+ In ilis vcisc (11.3.35), in answci io King Nimi's qucsiion, Pippalayana
Muni spcals vcisc 11.3.35. Hc says ilcic ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is ilc 'causc ol ilc cicaiion, mainicnancc and dcsiiuciion ol ilis univcisc
(siliii-adi-lciu) and Hc las no piioi causc (alciu). Hc cnicis ilc body ol ilc
living cniiiy as ilc Supcisoul and cnlivcns ilc body, scnscs, lilc-aiis, and mcnial
aciiviiics, and ilus all ilc subilc and gioss oigans ol ilc body bcgin ilcii
lunciions (dclcndiiyasu-lidayani caianii ycna sanjiviiani).
In lis answci Pippalayana says: Plcasc lnow ilai Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
wlo appcais in ilc loim ol Naiayana and oilci loims, io bc ilc Supicmc (avcli
paiam).
Tlis cxplanaiions clcaily dcsciibcs ilc llagavan lcaiuic ol ilc Supicmc,
loi ilc lialman lcaiuic las a dillcicni dcsciipiion. Tlc ilicc lcaiuics ol ilc
Supicmc (lialman, Paiamaima and llagavan) lavc dillcicni namcs and ilcy
appcai in dillcicni ways io ilcii woislippcis. Lacl is disiinci liom ilc oilcis.
lialman is dillcicni liom Paiamaima and Paiamaima is dillcicni liom llagavan.
Pippalayana Muni answcicd ilc qucsiion ol King Nimi by dcsciibing ilc llagavan
lcaiuic ol ilc Supicmc.
5 Tlc woid 'alciu' may also bc inicipicicd io mcan 'lccausc ilc Supicmc
Loid in His llagavan lcaiuic always icmains in ilc spiiiiual woild wiil His
iiansccndcnial pasiimc poicncy, Hc icmains alool liom ilc aciiviiics ol maiciial
cicaiion.' llagavan appcais in ilc loim ol His paiiial cxpansion, Paiamaima, wlo
ilcn cicaics ilc loims ol ilc condiiioncd souls (wlo aic ilc Loid's paiis and
paiccls) and ilc maiciial cncigics. Ii is ilc Paiamaima wlo 'cnicis ilc body ol
cvciy living cniiiy, and cnlivcns ilc body, scnscs, lilc-aiis and mcnial aciiviiics.'
Tlc pliasc 'avcli paiam' may ilcn bc inicipicicd io mcan 'Plcasc lnow ilai ilis is
ilc Paiamaima lcaiuic ol ilc Supicmc.'
6 Tlc ilicc lcaiuics ol ilc Supicmc aic mcniioncd by Vaiunadcva in ilc
lollowing piayci io Sii Kisna (Siimad llagavaiam 10.2S.7):
I ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs io ilc Supicmc Loid, wlo appcais in
ilicc lcaiuics as llagavan, Paiamaima, and lialman.`
In commcniing on ilis vcisc, Siidlaia Svami said:
Tlc woid 'paiamaimanc' in ilis vcisc mcans 'ilc coniiollci ol living
cniiiics.'`
Tlc Paiamaima lcaiuic ol ilc Loid is ilcn ilc consiani companion ol ilc
condiiioncd souls, bui Hc I always ilcii supciioi, and ilcicloic Hc is callcd
'paiamaima', oi 'ilc Supicmc Soul'. In ilc vcisc liom ilc Llcvcnil Canio
(11.3.35) ilc lialman lcaiuic ol ilc Supicmc is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing woids:
Hc pcivadcs ilc vaiious siaics ol walclulncss, dicaming and unconscious
dccp slccp, and also cxisis bcyond ilcm.`
Tlc woid 'ca' (and) is signilicani in ilis vcisc, loi ii disiinguislcs lialman
liom ilc individual living cniiiics (Tlcic aic ilc individual living cniiiics and
ilcic is also ilc lialman`). In ilcsc ways in ilis vcisc (11.3.35) ii is said: Plcasc
undcisiand ilc llagavan, Paiamaima and lialman lcaiuics ol ilc Supicmc Loid.`
Tlis vcisc was spolcn by Sii Naiada Muni.
Anuccheda 5
1 Tlc lollowing ilicc vciscs ol Siimad llagavaiam (11.15.15-17) dcsciibc
ilc ilicc lcaiuics ol ilc Absoluic (lialman, Paiamaima and llagavan) in
conncciion wiil ilc dcsciipiion ol ilc aiiainmcni ol mysiic yoga powcis. Tlc
llagavaiam cxplains:
Onc wlo conccniiaics lis consciousncss in Visnu, ilc Supcisoul, ilc
piimc movci and Supicmc Loid ol ilc cxicinal cncigy consisiing ol ilc ilicc
modcs, obiains ilc mysiic pcilcciion ol coniiolling oilci condiiion souls, ilcii
maiciial bodics and bodily dcsignaiions.¯¯¯
2 Tlc yogi wlo placcs lis mind in My loim ol Naiayana, lnown as ilc
louiil lacioi, lull ol all opulcnccs, bccomcs cndowcd wiil My naiuic and ilus
obiains ilc mysiic pcilcciion callcd vasiia.`¯¯¯
3 Onc wlo lixcs ilc puic mind in Mc in My manilcsiaiion as ilc impcisonal
lialman obiains ilc gicaicsi lappincss, wlcicin all ol lis dcsiics aic complcicly
lullillcd.`¯¯¯
+ Siidlaia Svami cxplains ilcsc vciscs in ilc lollowing way:
Ol ilcsc ilicc vciscs ilc liisi (quoicd in Tcxi 7) dcsciibcs ilc Paiamaima
lcaiuic ol ilc Loid. In ilai vcisc ilc woid iiy-adlisvaic' mcans 'ilc supicmc
coniiollci ol maya`, wlicl consisi ol ilicc modcs ol naiuic', and ilc woid 'lala-
vigialc' mcans 'ilc Supcisoul wlo pciccivcs cvciyiling'.
Tlc sccond ol ilcsc vciscs (quoicd in Tcxi S) dcsciibcs ilc llagavan
lcaiuic ol ilc Loid. In ilis vcisc llagavan I dcsciibcd as 'iuiiyallyc' (Hc wlo is
lnown as ilc louiil lacioi). Tlc mcaning ol ilis woid is givcn in ilc lollowing
siaicmcni ol Vcdic liiciaiuic: Wiilin ilc maiciial woild ilc Supicmc Loid
appcais in ilicc loims Kaianodalasayi Visnu, Gaiblodalasayi Visnu, and
Ksiiodalasayi Visnu. Tlc oiiginal loim ol ilc Loid is dillcicni liom ilcsc ilicc
loims, and ilcicloic Hc is lnown as iuiiya, ilc louiil loim ol ilc Loid.`
Tlis compound woid 'blagavac-clabda-sabdiic' is cxplaincd in ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol Visnu Puiana (6.5.7+): 'Tlcic aic six opulcnccs: wcalil,
siicngil, lamc, bcauiy, lnowlcdgc and icnunciaiion. llagavan mcans ilc pcison
wlo posscsscs all ilcsc opulcnccs in lull.`
Anuccheda 6
1 Tlc vicw lcld by somc ilai Impcisonal lialman is ilc uliimaic lcaiuic ol
ilc Supicmc will bc discusscd in ilc Tliid (Paiamaima) Sandaibla. In ilai
Sandaibla wc will quoic ilc lollowing vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.6) wlicl
ilc impcisonalisis icpcai io subsianiiaic ilcii posiiion:
2 O unlimiicd Loid, only pcisons wlo lavc clcanscd ilcii lcaiis ol
coniaminaiion aic ablc io undcisiand ilc gloiics ol Youi iiansccndcnial loim.
lccausc You do noi undcigo any maiciial iiansloimaiion, bccausc You lavc no
maiciial loim and bccausc You aic scll-manilcsi, unlcss You cloosc io icvcal
Youiscll io somconc, ilcic is no oilci mcans io undcisiand You.`
3 Tlis vcisc slould bc undcisiood in ilc lollowing way:
O Loid (bluman), alilougl ii is vciy dilliculi io undcisiand wlcilci Youi
uliimaic lcaiuic is lialman oi llagavan, ncvciilclcss (iailapi), ii is clcai ilai ilc
unlimiicd qualiiics ol Youi own iiansccndcnial loim aic now liddcn (agunasya).`
Tlc woid 'malima' in ilis vcisc mcans 'gicaincss'. Wc may noic in ilis
conncciion ilai ilc woid 'lialman' mcans 'ilc gicai'. Tlis is conliimcd in ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Siuii-sasiia:
Wlai is ilc mcaning ol ilc woid lialman' lialman mcans Hc wlosc
gicaincss is cxpandcd wiiloui limii (bimlaii), oi Hc wlo causcs His dcvoiccs io
bccomc gicai (bimlayaii).`
+ In ilis vcisc lialma says:
O Loid, only pcisons wlo lavc clcanscd ilcii lcaiis ol coniaminaiion
(amalaniaiaimablil) aic ablc io undcisiand (vibodlum ailaii) Youi gloiics
(malima).`
Onc may asl: Wly aic only ilc puic-lcaiicd ablc io undcisiand ilc Loid'
To ilis qucsiion ilc answci is givcn:
O Loid, bccausc You aic scll-manilcsi (svanublavai), unlcss You cloosc
io icvcal Youiscll io somconc, ilcic is no oilci mcans io undcisiand You.`
5 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: Accoiding io oui pciccpiion all gioss
and subilc bodics aic subjcci io vaiious linds ol maiciial iiansloimaiions (sucl as
biiil, giowil, old-agc, and dcail). Ioi ilis icason wc may assumc ilai ilc loim
ol Sii Kisna is also subjcci io ilcsc maiciial iiansloimaiion.`
In oidci io answci ilis objcciion, lialma uscs ilc woid 'aviliiyai', wlicl
mcans 'bccausc Youi loim docs noi undcigo any maiciial iiansloimaiions.`
6 Ai ilis poini somconc may iaisc ilc lollowing objcciion: All loims wlicl
wc lavc pciccivcd aic maiciial in naiuic, and ilcicloic wc considci ilai ilc loim
ol Sii Kisna, wlicl is pciccivablc by ilc scnscs, musi also bc maiciial.`
In oidci io answci ilis objcciion, lialma uscs ilc woid 'aiupaial' (ilc
loim ol Sii Kisna is noi maiciial).
7 Ai ilis poini Loid Kisna may posc ilc lollowing qucsiion io lialma: How
can My iiansccndcnial loim bccomc manilcsi bcloic ilc living cniiiics'`
In oidci io answci ilis qucsiion, lialma says: ananya-bodlyaimaiaya
(You can bc undcisiood only by dcvoiional scivicc).` Alilougl no onc las, by lis
own mciii, ilc abiliiy io undcisiand Kisna, il onc woislips Him by Pciloiming
dcvoiional scivicc, ilc Loid voluniaiily appcais bcloic ilai dcvoicc. Tlis is
dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vcisc liom Siimad llagavaiam (1.2.12 ilc vcisc
immcdiaicly lollowing ilc dcsciipiion ol lialman, Paiamaima and llagavan)
wlcic Suia Gosvami says:
S Tlc sciiously inquisiiivc siudcni oi sagc, wcll cquippcd wiil lnowlcdgc
and dciaclmcni, icaliscs ilai Absoluic Tiuil by icndciing dcvoiional scivicc in
icims ol wlai lc las lcaid liom ilc Vcdania-siuii.`¯
9 Tlis is also conliimcd in ilc lollowing vcisc liom Siimad llagavaiam
(S.2+.3S) wlcic Loid Maisya insiiucis Malaiaja Saiyaviaia in ilc lollowing woid:
You will bc iloiouglly adviscd and lavouicd by Mc, and bccausc ol youi
inquiiics, cvciyiling aboui My gloiics, wlicl aic lnown as paiam bialma, will bc
manilcsi wiilin youi lcaii. Tlus you will lnow cvciyiling aboui Mc.`¯
Anuccheda 7
1 Tlc ilicc aspccis ol lialman, Paiamaima and llagavan aic also dcsciibcd
in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (2.7.+7):
Wlai I icaliscd as ilc Absoluic lialman I lull ol unlimiicd bliss wiiloui
giicl. Tlai I cciiainly ilc uliimaic plasc ol ilc supicmc cnjoyci, ilc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad (llagavan). Hc is cicinally void ol all disiuibanccs and lcailcss. Hc I
complcic consciousncss as opposcd io maiici. Unconiaminaicd and wiiloui
disiinciions, Hc is ilc piimcval causc (Paiamaima) ol all causcs and cllccis, in
wlom ilcic is no saciilicc loi liuiiivc aciiviiics and in wlom ilc illusoiy cncigy
docs noi siand.`¯
2 lccausc ilc Absoluic Tiuil I ilc gicaicsi (biiiama) Hc is lnown as
lialman (bialmcii yad vidul). lialman and llagavan boil iclci io ilc samc
Supicmc Tiuil (paiamasya pumso blagavaial padam), and ilcicloic ilcy aic noi
dillcicni liom cacl oilci. llagavan is, lowcvci, ilc oiiginal lcaiuic ol ilc
Supicmc and lialman is manilcsicd ai a laici iimc liom ilc loim ol llagavan,
wlo I ilc icscivoii in wlom ilc lialman and oilci lcaiuics ol ilc Supicmc
icmain.
3 In ilis vcisc ilc Impcisonal lialma is dcsciibcd by ilc woids 'piaiibodla-
maiiam' (complcic consciousncss, as opposcd io maiici), and 'ajasia-sullam'
(unlimiicd bliss). Tlc woid 'aima-iaiivam' indicaics ilai ilc Supicmc Tiuil is ilc
oiiginal iooi liom wlom all individual spiiii souls lavc bccomc manilcsicd.
lccausc ilc Supicmc is ilc oiiginal lailci ol all spiiii souls, Hc lovcs ilcm all
cqually wiiloui disciiminaiion.
+ Tlc Absoluic Tiuil is lull ol unlimiicd bliss bccausc Hc is 'sasvai' (cicinal),
'piasaniam' (licc liom all disiuibanccs), 'ablayam' (wiiloui lcai), and 'visolam'
(wiiloui giicl). Tlc Supicmc docs noi nccd io pciloim pious aciiviiics in oidci io
icap lappincss as a icsuli. Tlis is conliimcd in ilc lollowing woids:
Tlc Supicmc docs noi pciloim saciiliccs in oidci io icap maiciial bcncliis.
Tlis mcans ilai ilc liuiiivc saciiliccs dcsciibcd in ilc laima-llanda
scciion ol ilc Vcdas will noi lclp onc io undcisiand ilc Absoluic iiuil. Only ilc
plilosoplical poiiions ol ilc Vcdas, sucl as ilc Upanisads, will lclp onc io
undcisiand ilc Supicmc. Tlis is conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc
lilad-aianyala Upanisad (3.9.26):
Tlc Supicmc Pcison is icvcalcd in ilc Upanisads.
5 Tlai ilc Loid's iiansccndcnial bliss I noi dcpcndcni on ilc iniciaciion ol
scnscs wiil scnsc-objccis is conliimcd by ilc lollowing woids uscd in ilis vcisc io
dcsciibc ilc Loid: 'suddlam' (ilc Loid is unconiaminaicd), 'saman' (wiiloui
disiinciion) and 'sad-asaial paiam' (and bcyond ilc iniciaciions ol maiciial causcs
and cllccis).
Tlc pliasc 'maya paiaiiy ablimullc ca vilajjamana' mcans 'Tlc illusoiy
cncigy maya is aslamcd io comc bcloic ilc Loid ol His dcvoiccs. Slc llccs lai
away liom ilcm.`
Anuccheda 8
1 Wlcn ilc iiuil ol ilc Loid's oiiginal lcaiuic, lnown a llagavan, bccomcs
manilcsicd, ilcn ilc iiuil ol ilc Impcisonal lialman lcaiuic auiomaiically
bccomcs manilcsicd also. Ioi ilis icason ilis cxplanaiion ol lialman las bccn
includcd in ilis cssay, wlicl cxplains ilc naiuic ol llagavan.
2 Tlc piopci mcilod ol undcisianding ilc llagavan lcaiuic ol ilc Supicmc
is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vcisc ol Siimad llagavaiam (1.7.+) wlcic Suia
Gosvami says:
Tlus lc lixcd lis mind, pcilccily cngaging ii by linling ii in dcvoiional
scivicc (blalii-yoga) wiiloui any iingc ol maiciialism, and ilus lc saw ilc
Absoluic Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad along wiil His cxicinal cncigy, wlicl was undci
lull coniiol.`¯
Anuccheda 9
Tlai ilc llagavan lcaiuic ol ilc Supicmc may bc undcisiood only by
dcvoiional scivicc is also conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad-
llagavaiam (3.9.11) wlcic lialma says:
O my Loid, Youi dcvoiccs can scc You iliougl ilc cais by ilc pioccss ol
bona lidc lcaiing, and ilus ilcii lcaiis bccomc clcanscd, and You ialc Youi scai
ilcic. You aic so mcicilul io Youi dcvoiccs ilai You manilcsi Youiscll in ilc
paiiiculai cicinal loim ol iiansccndcncc in wlicl ilcy always ilinl ol You.`¯
Tlis vcisc was iccounicd by Siila Suia Gosvami.
Anuccheda 10
1 Tlc llagavan lcaiuic ol ilc Loid is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing icn and a
lall vciscs ol Siimad llagavaiam (2.9.9-19) wlcic Suladcva Gosvami says:
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, bcing ilus vciy mucl saiislicd wiil ilc
pcnancc ol Loid lialma was plcascd io manilcsi His pcisonal abodc, Vailunila,
ilc supicmc planci abovc all oilcis. Tlis iiansccndcnial abodc ol ilc Loid is
adoicd by all scll-icaliscd pcisons liccd liom all linds ol misciics and lcai ol
illusoiy cxisicncc.¯
2 In ilai pcisonal abodc ol ilc Loid, ilc maiciial modcs ol ignoiancc and
passion do noi picvail, noi is ilcic any ol ilcii inllucncc in goodncss. Tlcic is no
picdominancc ol ilc inllucncc ol iimc, so wlai io spcal ol ilc illusoiy, cxicinal
cncigy; ii cannoi cnici ilai icgion. Wiiloui disciiminaiion, boil ilc dcmigods
and ilc dcmons woislip ilc Loid as dcvoiccs.¯
3 Tlc inlabiianis ol Vailunila plancis aic dcsciibcd as laving a glowing
sly-bluisl complcxion. Tlcii cycs icscmblc loius llowcis, ilcii dicss is ol
ycllowisl coloui, and ilcii bodily lcaiuics vciy aiiiaciivc. Tlcy aic jusi ilc agc ol
giowing youils, ilcy all lavc loui lands, ilcy aic all niccly dccoiaicd wiil pcail
nccllaccs wiil oinamcnial mcdallions, and ilcy all appcai io bc cllulgcni.¯
+ Somc ol ilcm aic cllulgcni lilc coial and diamonds in complcxion and
lavc gailands on ilcii lcads, blooming lilc loius llowcis, and somc wcai caiiings.
5 Tlc Vailunila plancis aic also suiioundcd by vaiious aiiplancs, all
glowing and biillianily siiuaicd. Tlcsc aiiplancs bclong io ilc gicai malaimas oi
dcvoiccs ol ilc Loid. Tlc ladics aic as bcauiilul as liglining bccausc ol ilcii
cclcsiial complcxions, and all ilcsc combincd iogcilci appcai jusi lilc ilc sly
dccoiaicd wiil boil clouds and liglining.¯
6 Tlc goddcss ol loiiunc in lci iiansccndcnial loim is cngagcd in ilc loving
scivicc ol ilc Loid's loius lcci, and bcing movcd by ilc blacl bccs, lollowcis ol
spiing, slc is noi only bcing cngagcd in vaiicgaicd plcasuic-scivicc io ilc Loid,
along wiil lci consiani companions - bui is also cngagcd in singing ilc gloiics ol
ilc Loid's aciiviiics.¯
7 Loid lialma saw in ilc Vailunila plancis ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
wlo is ilc Loid ol ilc cniiic dcvoicc communiiy, ilc Loid ol ilc Goddcss ol
loiiunc, ilc Loid ol all saciiliccs, and ilc Loid ol ilc univcisc, and wlo is scivcd
by ilc loicmosi sciviiois lilc Nanda, Sunanda, Piabala and Ailana, His immcdiaic
associaics.¯
S Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, sccn lcaning lavouiably iowaids His loving
sciviiois, His vciy sigli inioxicaiing and aiiiaciivc, appcaicd io bc vciy mucl
saiislicd. Hc lad a smiling lacc dccoiaicd wiil an cnclaniing icddisl luc. Hc
was dicsscd in ycllow iobcs and woic caiiings and a lclmci on His lcad. Hc lad
loui lands, and His clcsi was mailcd wiil ilc lincs ol ilc goddcss ol loiiunc.¯
9 Tlc Loid was scaicd on His ilionc and was suiioundcd by dillcicni
cncigics lilc ilc loui, ilc sixiccn, ilc livc, and ilc six naiuial opulcnccs, along
wiil oilci insignilicani cncigics ol ilc icmpoiaiy claiacici. lui Hc was ilc
laciual Supicmc Loid, cnjoying His own abodc.¯
10 Loid lialma, ilus sccing ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad in His lullncss, was
ovciwlclmcd wiil joy wiilin lis lcaii, and ilus in lull iiansccndcnial lovc and
ccsiasy, lis cycs lillcd wiil icais ol lovc. Hc ilus bowcd down bcloic ilc Loid.
Tlai is ilc way ol ilc liglcsi pcilcciion loi ilc living bcing (paiamalamsa).¯
11 And sccing lialma picscni bcloic Him, ilc Loid acccpicd lim as woiily
io cicaic living bcings, io bc coniiollcd as Hc dcsiicd, and ilus bcing mucl
saiislicd wiil lim, ilc Loid slool lands wiil lialma and, smiling, addicsscd
lim ilus.`¯
12 Tlc liisi ol ilcsc vciscs (2.9.9 quoicd in Tcxi 1) slould bc inicipicicd in
ilc lollowing way: lialma siaycd in ilc loius llowci ol ilc navcl ol ilc Puiusa-
avaiaia namcd Naiayana, and ilcic lc woislippcd ilc Loid by pciloiming
ausiciiiics loi His saiislaciion, as ilc Loid Himscll lad picviously oidcicd. Tlc
Supicmc Loid bccamc plcascd wiil lialma (sablajiia), and slowcd lim His own
(sva-lolam) Vailunila icalm, ilc iopmosi ol all planciaiy sysicms. In ilis vcisc
ilc woid 'yai-paiam' may bc inicipicicd io mcan Tlc liglcsi ol all Vailunila
plancis: ilc abodc ol ilc oiiginal loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad`, oi ii may
also bc inicipicicd io mcan 'ilc Vailunila icalm wlicl is noi dillcicni liom ilc
Supicmc Tiuil, lialman Himscll.`
Tlis Vailunila icalm is dcsciibcd in ilcsc vciscs as lull ol iiansccndcnial
vaiiciics and licc liom ilc inllucncc ol ilc illusoiy poicncy, maya.
13 In ilis vcisc (2.9.9) ilc Vailunila icalm was icvcalcd io lialma.
Vailunila is dcsciibcd lcic as licc liom all misciics and lcais (vyapcia-sanllcsa-
vimola-saddlvasam). Accoiding io Paianjali's Yoga-suiias (Sadlana-pada, Suiia
3), ilc livc misciics ol maiciial cxisicncc aic: 1. Ignoiancc, 2. Ialsc-cgo, 3. Lusi, +.
Haiicd, and 5. Aiiaclmcni. Vailunila is licc liom ilcsc and all oilci sullciings.
Scll-icaliscd souls aic ablc io scc Vailunila (sva-disiavadblil), and ilcy always
woislip and gloiily ii (ablisiuiam).
1+ Tlai scll-icaliscd souls aic ablc io scc Vailunila is conliimcd by ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (3.16.27-2S) wlicl dcsciibcs ilc Ioui
Kumaias' visii io Vailunilalola:
Loid lialma said: Alici sccing ilc Loid ol Vailunila, ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, in ilc scll-illuminaicd Vailunila planci, ilc sagcs lcli
ilai iiansccndcnial abodc.¯
15 Tlc sagcs ciicumambulaicd ilc Supicmc Loid, ollcicd ilcii obcisanccs
and iciuincd, cxiicmcly dcliglicd ai lcaining ol ilc divinc opulcncc ol ilc
Vaisnava.`¯
16 In ilc ncxi vcisc (2.9.10) wc icad ilai In ilc pcisonal abodc ol ilc Loid
ilc maiciial modcs ol ignoiancc and passion do noi picvail, noi is ilcic any ol
ilcii inllucncc in goodncss.` Tlc maiciial modc ol goodncss, wlicl is invaiiably
mixcd wiil ilc lowci modc ol passion and ignoiancc, docs noi cxisi in
Vailunilalola. Only ilc spiiiiual modc ol goodncss, lnown as 'suddla-saiiva',
wlicl is complcicly licc liom ilc ioucl ol ilc illusoiy cncigy, maya, cxisis in ilc
spiiiiual icalm ol Vailunila.
17 Tlai ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic aic noi picscni in ilc Vailunila
plancis is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vcisc liom ilc Jiiania-sioiia ol ilc Naiada-
pancaiaiia:
Tlc plancis lnown as Vailunila aic lillcd wiil all six spiiiiual opulcnccs.
Tlc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic aic noi picscni on ilcsc plancis, wlicl cannoi
bc cnicicd by ilcy wlo aic noi dcvoiccs ol ilc Loid.`
1S In ilc dcsciipiion ol Vailunilalola lound in ilc Padma Puiana Uiiaia-
llanda, ilc modc ol goodncss picscni in ilc spiiiiual woild is clcaily dcsciibcd as
bcing non-maiciial. In ilis passagc, alici dcsciibing ilc opulcnccs and powcis ol
ilc maiciial poicncy, Loid Siva cxplains (Padma Puiana, Uiiaia-llanda
255.56.59):
19 My dcai Paivaii, you lavc jusi lcaid aboui ilc opulcnccs ol ilc maiciial
cncigy, now lcai aboui ilc supicmc opulcnccs ol ilc spiiiiual woild, wlicl
compiiscs ilicc quaiicis ol all cxisicncc.
20 Pioduccd liom ilc pcispiiaiion ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlosc
limbs aic all ilc Vcdic liiciaiuics, ilc auspicious Viiaja Rivci llows on ilc
boundaiy ilai scpaiaics ilc maiciial cncigy liom ilc spiiiiual sly.
21 On ilc laiilci sloic ol ilc Viiaja Rivci is ilc spiiiiual sly. In ilai
spiiiiual sly I ilc abodc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlai abodc is
cicinal, impciislablc, unlimiicd, cllulgcni, iiansccndcnial, and lull ol ncciai. Tlai
abodc is madc ol ilc iiansccndcnial cncigy lnown as ilc modc ol puic goodncss
(suddla-saiiva).`
22 Tlc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic ncvci cxisi alonc. Il onc ol ilc modcs
is picscni, ilcn ilc oilci iwo aic also picscni. Tlis I conliimcd in ilc lollowing
siaicmcnis ol Vcdic liiciaiuic:
Tlc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic aic picscni iogcilci.`
Sanllya-laumudi
Tlc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic aic picscni iogcilci. Tlcy do noi
icmain alonc. Il onc is picscni, ilcn ilc oilcis aic also picscni.`
llaiiila
Wlcicvci onc modc ol maiciial naiuic is picscni, ilc oilci modcs aic also
ilcic. Tlc modc ol goodncss, ilcicloic, docs noi cxisi alonc, bui is always mixcd
wiil passion and ignoiancc. In ilc samc way ilc oilci modcs ol naiuic cannoi bc
manilcsicd alonc. Tlcy aic always mixcd wiil ilc oilci modcs.`
Agama-sasiia
Tlc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic aic always iogcilci, ilcy cannoi bc
scpaiaicd liom cacl oilci.`
Vcdic liiciaiuic
23 lccausc in ilc Vailunila plancis ilcic is no modc ol maiciial passion,
noiling is cicaicd ilcic; bccausc ilcic is no modc ol maiciial ignoiancc, noiling
is dcsiioycd ilcic; and bccausc ilcic is no modc ol maiciial goodncss, noiling is
maiciial ilcic, bui cvciyiling is spiiiiual, cicinal, lull ol lnowlcdgc and bliss.
Tlis vcisc (2.9.10) givcs ilc icason loi ilc abscncc ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial
naiuic wiilin ilc icalm ol Vailunila by saying:
Tlcic is no picdominancc ol ilc inllucncc ol iimc.`¯
Tlc iimc clcmcni agiiaics ilc maiciial cncigy, and liom ilai agiiaiion ilc
ilicc modcs ol naiuic aic boin. lccausc in Vailunila ilcic is no maiciial iimc,
wlicl is ilc causc ol ilc six vaiiciics ol maiciial iiansloimaiion, ilcic aic also no
ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic.
2+ In ilis vcisc (2.9.10) ilc pliasc 'na yaiia maya' (Tlcic is no picdominancc
ol ilc cxicinal, illusoiy cncigy) is lilc an axc ilai cuis ai ilc iooi ol any
conccpiion ilai maiciial iimc oi ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic lavc any inllucncc
in ilc Vailunila woild. In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'maya' docs noi only mcan
'illusion', bui ii iclcis io a spccilic poicncy ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cniiusicd
wiil ilc cicaiion, mainicnancc and dissoluiion ol ilc maiciial univciscs. lccausc
maya is abscni in Vailunila, ilc modcs ol passion and ignoiancc, as wcll as
maiciial goodncss, wlicl is invaiiably coniaminaicd by ilc lowci modcs ol
passion and ignoiancc, aic also abscni. In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'misiam' may also bc
inicipicicd io mcan 'piadlana', oi ilc unmanilcsicd siagc ol ilc modcs ol naiuic,
wlcic ilc modcs aic noi yci dillcicniiaicd, bui aic mcigcd iogcilci as a singlc
unii.
Inicipicicd in ilis way ii may bc undcisiood ilai cvcn ai ilc bcginning ol
ilc cicaiion maya and piadlana wcic iwo disiinci poicncics ol ilc Loid and wcic
noi idcniical. lccausc cvcn ai ilc bcginning ol maiciial cicaiion piadlana was
dillcicni liom maya, ii may bc undcisiood ilai piadlana is always indcpcndcni ol
boil maya and iimc. Ii is a scpaiaic, indcpcndcni poicncy.
Tlc pliasc 'lim uiapaic' (wlai io spcal ol) icinloiccs ilc siaicmcni ol ilis
vcisc, ilai in Vailunilalola ilcic is no inllucncc ol ilc maiciial cncigy. Tlcic is
no nccd io bclaboui ilis poini, bui ii is sullicicni io siaic, in a gcncial way, ilai in
Vailunilalola ilcic is no inllucncc ol ilc modc ol passion and ignoiancc.
25 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: Is ii noi so ilai bccausc in Vailunila
ilcic is no inllucncc ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic, wlicl aic ilc oiigin ol
vaiiciics, ii may bc logically concludcd ilai ilcic is no vaiiciy in Vailunilalola'`
Considciing ilai somconc migli iaisc ilis objcciion, Suladcva Gosvami
dcsciibcs ilc vaiiciics picscni in ilc Loid' iiansccndcnial poicncy lnown as
suddla-saiiva, wlicl picvails in ilc Vailunila plancis. Tlis dcsciipiion bcgins
wiil ilc woid 'laicl' in vcisc 2.9.10 (quoicd in Tcxi 2).
26 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'suia' mcans 'ilosc inllucnccd by ilc modc ol
maiciial goodncss', and 'asuia' mcans 'ilosc inllucnccd by ilc basci modcs ol
passion and ignoiancc'. In Vailunila boil ilcsc classcs ol living cniiiics woislip
ilc Loid. In laci, lowcvci, bccausc ilc icsidcnis ol Vailunila consianily woislip
ilc Loid ilcy aic mosi cxalicd and aic bcyond all ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic.
Tlcy aic aciually abovc ilc siaius ol ciilci dcmon oi dcmigod.
27 Suladcva Gosvami dcsciibcs ilc icsidcnis ol Vailunilalola in ilc
lollowing woids (2.9.11):
Tlc inlabiianis ol ilc Vailunila plancis aic dcsciibcd as laving a glowing
sly-bluisl complcxion (syamavadaial). Tlcii cycs icscmblc loius llowcis (saia-
paiia-locanal), ilcii dicss is ol ycllowisl coloui (pisanga-vasiia), and ilcii bodily
lcaiuics vciy aiiiaciivc (suiucal). Tlcy aic jusi ilc agc ol giowing youils
(supcsasal), ilcy aic all niccly dccoiaicd wiil pcail nccllaccs (mani-piavcla) and
wiil oinamcnial mcdallions (nislablaianal) and ilcy all appcai io bc cllulgcni
(suvaicasal).
Many ol ilc Vailunila icsidcnis lavc a bluisl complcxion lilc ilai ol ilc
Loid, bui somc lavc a dillcicni complcxion and ilcy aic dcsciibcd in ilc
lollowing woids (2.9.12):
Somc ol ilcm aic cllulgcni lilc coial and diamonds in complcxion.`
2S In ilc ncxi vciscs (2.9.13-15), Suladcva Gosvami, alici dcsciibing ilc
icsidcnis ol Vailunila, coniinucs lis dcsciipiion ol ilc Vailunila plancis.
Synonyms loi somc ol ilc woids in ilcsc vciscs lollow:
iil` mcans 'ilc goddcss ol loiiunc, wlo is ilc iiansccndcnial poicncy ol
ilc Loid', 'iupini' mcans 'in ilc loim ol ilc mosi dcai consoii ol ilc Loid',
'manam' mcans 'icspccilul sciviccs', 'vibluiiblil' mcans 'accompanicd by lci
pcisonal associaics', 'picnllam' mcans 'movcmcni ol cnjoymcni', 'siiia' mcans
'cngaging in iiansccndcnial pasiimcs', 'lusumalaial' mcans 'spiing',
'lusumalaianuga' mcans 'ilc bumblc bccs, wlo aic lollowcis ol spiing',
'giyamana' mcans 'bcing gloiilicd in vaiious ways', and 'piiya-laima' mcans 'ilc
aciiviiics ol ilc dcaimosi Loid Haii.`
29 Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is also dcsciibcd as ilc masici ol ilc lciocs in
ilc Yadava dynasiy. Tlis is conliimcd in ilc lollowing vcisc ol Siimad
llagavaiam (2.+.19), wlcic Siila Suladcva Gosvami says:
May Loid Sii Kisna, wlo is ilc woislipablc Loid ol all dcvoiccs, ilc
pioiccioi and gloiy ol all ilc lings lilc Andlala and Visni ol ilc Yadu dynasiy,
ilc lusband ol all goddcsscs ol loiiunc, ilc diiccioi ol all saciiliccs and ilcicloic
ilc lcadci ol all living cniiiics, ilc coniiollci ol all iniclligcncc, ilc piopiicioi ol
all plancis, spiiiiual and maiciial, and ilc supicmc incainaiion on ilc caiil (ilc
supicmc all in all), bc mcicilul upon mc.`¯
30 In ilc ncxi vcisc (2.9.16 quoicd in icxi S), Suladcva Gosvami says ilai ilc
vciy sigli ol ilc Loid is 'inioxicaiing and aiiiaciivc', and 'His clcsi is mailcd wiil
ilc lincs ol ilc goddcss ol loiiunc.' Tlc goddcss ol loiiunc icmains as a goldcn
linc on ilc lcli sidc ol ilc Loid's clcsi. In ilc ncxi vcisc (2.9.17, quoicd in Tcxi
9), ilc loui poicncics mcniioncd may bc inicipicicd io iclci io ilc loui spiiiiual
poicncics bcginning wiil ilc poicncy ol icligious piciy. Tlc loui poicncics clcaily
docs noi iclci io iiicligion oi any similai cxicinal, maiciial cncigics. Tlcsc
spiiiiual poicncics in ilc spiiiiual icalm aic dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni
ol ilc Padma Puiana, Uiiaia-llanda (91.100):
31 In ilc spiiiiual woild ilc Rg, Yajui, Sama and Ailaiva Vcdas, as wcll as
ilc loui poicncics: piciy, lnowlcdgc, opulcncc, and icnunciaiion, cicinally
icmain.`
Wc may noic ilai ilc usc ol ilc woid 'iaila' in ilis vcisc in ilc middlc ol
samasa is noi a giammaiical llaw, loi ilis vcisc is spolcn by Siila Vyasadcva
Himscll.
32 Tlc sixiccn poicncics mcniioncd in ilis vcisc (2.9.17 quoicd in Tcxi 9) aic
ilc sixiccn dooilccpcis ol Vailunila, wlo aic dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing
siaicmcni ol Padma Puiana Uiiaia-llanda (256.1+-17), wlcic Loid Siva says io
Paivaii:
O bcauiilul-laccd Paivaii, Canda and Piacanda aic ilc guaids posicd ai ilc
casicin gaic ol Vailunila. lladia and Subladiala guaid ilc souilcin gaic, Jaya
and Vijaya icmain ai ilc wcsicin gaic, and Dlaia and Vidlaia pioicci ilc noiilcin
gaic. In addiiion io ilcm Kumuda and Kumudalsa guaid ilc souilcasi,
Pundaiila and Vamana guaid ilc souilwcsi, Sanlulaina and Saivanciia guaid ilc
noiilcasi. Tlcsc aic ilc namcs ol ilc sixiccn pioicciois ol Vailunila-puii.`
33 Tlc livc poicncics mcniioncd in ilis vcisc (2.9.17 quoicd in Tcxi 9) aic
namcd in ilc lollowing vcisc liom ilc Padma Puiana Uiiaia llanda (256-2+):
Kuima, Nagaiaja, Vainaicya ilc masici ol ilc Vcdas, Clandal and
Saivamaniia aic ilc livc poicncics ilai compiisc ilc loim ol ilc spiiiiual icalm.`
3+ Laici, in ilc Kisna-sandaibla, wc will dcsciibc ilc pcisonal abodc ol Sii
Kisna, wlicl is siiuaicd in ilc liglcsi paii ol ilc Vailunila icalm. In ilai icalm
ol Sii Kisna ilcic aic also sixiccn iiansccndcnial poicncics, and ilcii namcs
bcginning wiil Cyuia and Alambini will bc givcn in a passagc liom ilc Piablasa-
llanda quoicd in ilc Kisna-sandaibla.
35 In ilis vcisc (2.9.17 quoicd in icxi 9) ilc woid 'svail' mcans 'pcisonal',
'blagail' mcans 'wiil vaiious opulcnccs and poicncics', and 'yuliam' mcans
'cmpowcicd'. 'Iiaiaiia' mcans 'among ilc mysiic-yogis', and 'adliuvail' mcans
'icmpoiaiy'. In oilci woids, ilc mysiic yogis aiiain opulcnccs ilai aic a laini
icllcciion ol ilosc ilc Loid manilcsis in ilc spiiiiual woild. Tlc woid 'vc' mcans
'own', and 'dlaman' mcans 'in ilc Loid's abodc ol Vailunila'. lccausc Loid
Naiayana is supicmcly indcpcndcni and bccausc Hc cngagcs only in cnjoying
vaiious pasiimcs (iamamanam) in ilc Vailunila woild, ilcicloic Hc slould bc
undcisiood io bc ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad (isvaiam). Hc is noi an oidinaiy
living cniiiy.
36 Tlc ncxi vcisc (2.9.1S quoicd in icxi 10) says: 'bowing bcloic ilc Loid's
loius lcci is ilc way ol liglcsi pcilcciion loi ilc living bcing.' Tlis siaicmcni
conliims ilai ilc loim ol ilc Loid is noi maiciial, bui puicly spiiiiual, cicinal, lull
ol lnowlcdgc and lull ol bliss.
37 In ilc ncxi vcisc (2.9.19 quoicd in icxi 11), Suladcva Gosvami says ilc
Supicmc Loid 'acccpicd lialma as woiily io cicaic living bcings, io bc coniiollcd
as Hc dcsiicd (piaja-visaigc nija-sasanailanam), and ilus ilc Loid spolc io lim
as lollow (bablasc).'
3S Ai ilis poini somconc may iaisc ilc lollowing objcciion: lialma is mcicly
ilc cicaioi ol ilc maiciial univciscs, and is vciy insignilicani in compaiison io ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc gicaicsi ol ilc gicai. I do noi ilinl ii is possiblc loi
lialma io lavc a diicci iclaiionslip wiil ilc Supicmc Loid.`
In oidci io answci ilis qucsiion, Siila Suladcva Gosvami dcsciibcd ilc
Supicmc Loid's inicnsc lovc loi His dcvoiccs in ilc ncxi vcisc (2.9.19 quoicd in
icxi 11) by saying: Tlc Loid was vciy mucl saiislicd wiil lialma, slool lands
wiil lim, and, sliglily smiling, addicsscd lim ilus.`¯
Anuccheda 11
Tlc llagavan, oi pcisonal, lcaiuic ol ilc Supicmc Spiiii is noi an aiiilicial
cicaiion spiung liom ilc imaginaiion ol somc ilcologicians and plilosoplcis, bui
ii is ilc aciual iiuil. Tlis pcisonal aspcci ol ilc Supicmc Tiuil, wlo is always
accompanicd by His vaiious poicncics, is ilc subjcci maiici dcsciibcd in ilc vciscs
ol Siimad llagavaiam, and in ilc vciy bcginning ol ilc llagavaiam, Siila
Vyasadcva siicsscs ilc icaliiy ol ilis subjcci maiici (ilc Supicmc Pcison) by
saying (1.1.2):
Tlis llagavaia Puiana piopounds ilc liglcsi iiuil wlicl is
undcisiandablc by ilosc dcvoiccs wlo aic lully puic in lcaii. Tlc liglcsi iiuil is
icaliiy disiinguislcd liom illusion loi ilc wcllaic ol all. Sucl iiuil upioois ilc
ilicclold misciics.`¯
In ilis vcisc ilc Supicmc Tiuil is dcsciibcd by ilc iwo adjcciivcs
'sivadam' and 'iiayonmulanam'. Sivadam' mcans 'Hc wlo givc iiansccndcnial
bliss by ilc mcans ol His own iiansccndcnial poicncy', and 'iapa-iiayonmulanam'
mcans 'Hc wlo upioois ilc ilicclold misciics causcd by ilc illusoiy poicncy,
maya.'
Anuccheda 12
Tlc poicncics ol ilc Loid may bc dividcd inio iwo opposiic linds: 1. Tlc
inicinal, oi spiiiiual poicncy, and 2. Tlc cxicinal, oi maiciial poicncy, maya.
Tlcsc iwo poicncics inspiic ilcii lollowcis io ilinl and aci in divcisc ways, and in
ilis way ilcic aic innumciablc dillcicni aciiviiics and innumciablc dillcicni
plilosoplics, cacl losiilc io ilc oilcis. Ncvciilclcss all ilis vaiiciy las a singlc
oiigin. Tlai singlc oiigin is dcsciibcd by Malaiaja Dalsa in ilc lollowing piayci
(Siimad llagavaiam 6.+.31) addicsscd io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad:
Lci mc ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio ilc all-pcivading Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol godlcad, wlo posscsscs unlimiicd iiansccndcnial qualiiics. Aciing
liom wiilin ilc coics ol ilc lcaiis ol all plilosoplcis, wlo piopagaic vaiious
vicws, Hc causcs ilcm io loigci ilcii own souls wlilc somciimcs agiccing and
somciimcs disagiccing among ilcmsclvcs. Tlus Hc cicaics wiilin ilis maiciial
woild a siiuaiion in wlicl ilcy aic unablc io comc io a conclusion. I ollci my
obcisanccs unio Him.
Anuccheda 13
Tlai all vaiicgaicd poicncics lavc ilcii oiigin in ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad is also conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam
(+.9.16) wlcic Dliuva Malaiaja says io ilc Supicmc Loid:
My dcai Loid, in Youi impcisonal manilcsiaiion ol lialman ilcic aic
always iwo opposing clcmcnis - lnowlcdgc and ignoiancc. Youi mulii-cncigics
aic coniinually manilcsi, bui ilc impcisonal lialman, wlicl is undividcd,
oiiginal, clangclcss, unlimiicd and blisslul, is ilc causc ol ilc maiciial
manilcsiaiion. lccausc You aic ilc samc impcisonal lialman, I ollci my
icspccilul obcisanccs unio You.`¯
Tlc mulii-cncigics ol ilc Loid may bc dividcd inio ilicc bioad caicgoiics:
ilc supciioi, inicimcdiaic, and inlciioi poicncics. Inspiicd by ilcsc vaiicgaicd
cncigics ol ilc Loid, ilc living cniiiics aci in vaiious ways.
Anuccheda 1+
Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc oiigin and icscivoii ol all
poicncics is also conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam
(+.17.33), wlcic Maiiicya Muni says io Viduia:
My dcai Loid, by Youi own poicncics You aic ilc oiiginal causc ol ilc
maiciial clcmcnis, as wcll as ilc pciloiming insiiumcnis (ilc scnscs), ilc woilcis
ol ilc scnscs (ilc coniiolling dcmigods), ilc iniclligcncc and ilc cgo, as wcll as
cvciyiling clsc. ly Youi cncigy You manilcsi ilis cniiic cosmic cicaiion, mainiain
ii and dissolvc ii. Tliougl Youi cncigy alonc cvciyiling is somciimcs manilcsi
and somciimcs noi manilcsi. You aic ilcicloic ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, ilc causc ol all causcs. I ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio You.`¯
Anuccheda 15
Tlai ilc Loid's vaiicgaicd poicncics aic inconccivablc and cannoi bc
complcicly undcisiood by ilc individual living cniiiy is conliimcd by ilc
lollowing siaicmcnis ol Vcdic liiciaiuic:
O Loid, You aic ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad loi all living cniiiics.
Youi divcisc cncigics can aci muliilaiiously. Tlis is inconccivablc io us.`¯
Dcvaluii-dcvi io Loid Kapila (Siimad llagavaiam
3.33.3)
Tlc Absoluic Tiuil and His poicncics aic inconccivablc. Tlcy can only
bc undcisiood by ilc Vcdic liiciaiuics, wlicl aic ilc diicci icvclaiion ol ilc
Loid.`
Vcdania-suiia 2.1.27
Innumciablc vaiicgaicd and inconccivablc poicncics cxisi wiilin ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
Vcdania-suiia 2.1.2S
Anuccheda 16
1 Tlc naiuic ol ilc Loid's poicncics is luiilci dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing
vcisc ol Siimad llagavaiam (11.3.37) wlcic Pippalayana Rsi says io Malaiaja
Nimi:
Oiiginally onc, ilc Absoluic, lialman, comcs io bc lnown a ilicclold,
manilcsiing iiscll as ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic: goodncss, passion and
ignoiancc. lialman luiilci cxpands ii poicncy, and ilus ilc powci io aci and ilc
powci ol consciousncss bccomcs manilcsi, along wiil ilc lalsc cgo, wlicl covcis
ilc idcniiiy ol ilc condiiioncd living bcing. Tlus, by ilc cxpansion ol ilc mulii-
poicncics ol ilc Absoluic, ilc dcmigods, as ilc cmbodimcni ol lnowlcdgc,
bccomc manilcsi, along wiil ilc maiciial scnscs, ilcii objccis, and ilc icsulis ol
maiciial aciiviiy, namcly lappincss and disiicss. In ilis way ilc manilcsiaiion ol
ilc maiciial woild ialcs placc as ilc subilc causc and as ilc maiciial cllcci visiblc
in ilc appcaiancc ol gioss maiciial objccis. lialman, wlicl is ilc souicc ol all
subilc and gioss manilcsiaiions, is simuliancously iiansccndcnial io ilcm, bcing
absoluic.`¯¯¯
2 In ilis vcisc ilc pliasc 'bialmaiva uiu-salii blaii' mcans 'Tlc Supicmc
Tiuil posscsscs many poicncics'. Tlc woid 'cva' (cciiainly) cmplasiscs ilc laci
ilai Loid's poicncics aic noi mcicly imagincd io cxisi, bui aic ical, ilc poicncics
naiuially posscsscd by ilc Loid. In ilc lasi linc ol ilis vcisc 'yai' iclcis io
lialman, 'sai' io caiil and ilc oilci gioss maiciial clcmcnis, 'asai'' io pialiii and
ilc oilci subilc maiciial clcmcnis, 'iayol' io ilcsc iwo cxicinal poicncics, and
'paiam' io ilc Loid's pcisonal inicinal poicncy, wlicl is ilc spiiiiual plancis ol
Vailunila, and ilc puic spiiii souls, wlo aic His maiginal poicncics. Any
conccpiion ilai coniiadicis ilis is in ciioi.
3 Somconc may asl: Wlai dillcicni linds ol poicncics aic ilc piopciiy ol
ilc Loid'` In oidci io answci ilis qucsiion, Pippalayana Muni said: 'jnana-
liiyaiila-plala-iupaiaya'. Tlis mcans ilai ilc Loid las many poicncics, sucl as
His jnana-salii, wlicl consisis ol ilc malai-iaiiva and oilci poicncics, liiya-
salii, wlicl consisis ol ilc suiias and oilci poicncics, and aiila-salii, wlicl
consisis ol ilc ian-maiias and oilci poicncics. Tlcsc sai and asai poicncics aic
maiciial in naiuic. Abovc ilcm (iayol paiam) is ilc supicmc goal ol lilc, ilc
spiiiiual Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is lnown as llagavan and wlo is
accompanicd by His poicncics. Also abovc ilcm is ilc spiiiiual living cniiiy, wlo
is lnown as jiva, and wlo, bccausc Hc lollows ilc Loid, is puic. In ilis way ilc
Loid's many poicncics (uiu-salii), wlicl bcgin wiil His jnana-salii and liiya-
salii aic dcsciibcd.
+ Tlc Loid's poicncics aic ical, noi imagincd, loi ilcy lavc cmanaicd liom
ilc Loid Himscll, ilc Supicmc Rcaliiy. Tlis is conliimcd by Pippalayana Muni in
ilc lollowing siaicmcni:
Oiiginally onc, ilc Absoluic, lialman, comcs io bc lnown as ilicclold,
manilcsiing iiscll as ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic: goodncss, passion and
ignoiancc. In ilis way lialman cxpands iis poicncy.`¯¯¯
Iiom ilc Supicmc lialman ilc unmanilcsicd modcs ol maiciial naiuic
(iii-vii) aic manilcsicd; liom ilc unmanilcsicd modc ol naiuic ilc liiya-salii is
manilcsicd, liom ilc liiya-salii ilc suiiam is manilcsicd.
Iiom jnana-salii ilc powci ol consciousncss is manilcsicd and liom ilc
powci ol consciousncss ilc lalsc-cgo (alam) is manilcsicd. Tlc lalsc cgo covcis
ilc awaicncss ol ilc puic individual soul (jivam) wlicl is onc ol ilc Loid's
spiiiiual poicncics.
Tlc Vcdic liiciaiuics cxplain (piavadanii) ilc manilcsiaiion ol ilc Loid's
poicncics in ilis way. Tlai all ilcsc vaiicgaicd cncigics lavc cmanaicd liom ilc
Supicmc Godlcad is cxplaincd in ilc Clandogya Upanisad (6.2.1) in ilc
lollowing woids:
O gcnilc siudcni, in ilc bcginning, bcloic ilc cicaiion, only ilc Supicmc
Godlcad was manilcsi. Ii is liom Him ilai cvciyiling las comc.`
lccausc ilc vaiicgaicd poicncics lavc cmanaicd liom ilc Supicmc Tiuil,
ilcy musi also bc ical, ilcy cannoi bc lalsc. All ilcsc poicncics aic lilc ilc limbs
and paiis ol ilc limbs ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Hc is lilc ilc sun, and all
ilcsc poicncics aic lilc ilc iays ol ligli cmanaiing liom ilai Supicmc-sun. Tlis is
conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siuii-sasiia (lound in ilc lollowing
placcs: Kaila Upanisad 2.2.15, Mundala Upanisad 2.2.10, and Svciasvaiaia
Upanisad 6.1+):
Lvciyiling ilai cxisis is lilc iays ol ligli cmanaiing liom ilc Supicmc.`
5 Tlai ilc Loid's poicncics aic ical, and also inconccivablc io ilc living
cniiiics, is conliimcd by ilc lollowing qucsiion poscd by Maiiicya Muni, and
answcicd by Paiasaia Muni.
Maiiicya aslcd (Visnu Puiana 1.3.2):
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is supicmcly puic in lcaii and mind, and Hc
is bcyond ilc inllucncc ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic. Hc is unlimiicd.
How is ii possiblc loi Him io diiccily cngagc in ilc cicaiion, mainicnancc and
dcsiiuciion ol ilc vaiious maiciial univciscs' I would cxpcci ilai Hc would lavc
no diicci conncciion ai all wiil ilc maiciial woild.`
6 Paiasaia Muni answcicd Maiiicya's qucsiion in ilc lollowing woids (Visnu
Puiana 1.3.3):
O bcsi ol ilc ascciics, ilc poicncics ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad (sucl as saiga-salii, ilc poicncy ol maiciial cicaiion, and oilcis) aic all
inconccivablc and cannoi bc undcisiood by ilc individual living cniiiics. Jusi as
lcai is ilc poicncy ol liic, ilcsc aic all ilc poicncics ol ilc Supicmc.`
7 Siidlaia Svami commcnis on ilis vcisc in ilc lollowing woids:
In ilis vcisc Maiiicya Muni doubis ilai ii is possiblc loi ilc
iiansccndcnial Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad io cngagc in ilc mundanc aciiviiy ol
maiciial cicaiion. Tlc woid 'niigunasya' uscd in ilis vcisc mcans 'licc liom ilc
inllucncc ol ilc maiciial modcs ol goodncss, passion and ignoiancc'.
Apiamcyasya' mcans 'licc liom ilc limiiaiions ol iimc, spacc, and oilci maiciial
icsiiiciing laciois'. 'Suddlasya' mcans 'wiiloui a maiciial body', oi 'Hc wlo docs
noi icquiic anyonc's lclp in oidci io do anyiling'. 'Amalaimanal' mcans 'Hc wlo
is licc liom maiciial piciy and impiciy, and wlo docs noi lavc io pciloim any
Vcdic iiiual in oidci io bccomc puiilicd.' Obsciving ilai ilc Supicmc is dillcicni
liom, and uniouclcd by, maiici, Maiiicya Muni doubis ilai ii is possiblc loi Him
io cicaic somciling so dillcicni liom Himscll.
S In ilc ncxi vcisc and a lall, Paiasaia Muni answcis Maiiicya's qucsiion by
saying ilai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad acis wiilin ilc maiciial woild iliougl ilc
agcncy ol His inconccivablc poicncics. Tlc Loid's poicncics may bc considcicd
inconccivablc in iwo ways. Iiisi, ilcy aic inconccivablc bccausc ilcy aic so gicai
and powcilul ilai ilc iiny logical appaiaius ol ilc condiiioncd soul docs noi lavc
ilc siicngil io undcisiand ilcm, and sccond, ilcy aic inconccivablc bccausc ilcy
aic simuliancously onc and dillcicni liom ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, a sccming
coniiadiciion wlicl ilc iniclligcncc ol ilc condiiioncd souls is gcncially noi laigc
cnougl io lousc. Tlis sccming coniiadiciion can bc undcisiood, lowcvci, by ilc
cxamplc ol ilc liic and iis poicncy lcai. Hcai is ilc poicncy ol liic and ii las
spccilic buining powci obiaincd liom ii's oiigin, ilc liic. In somc ways ilc lcai is
ilc samc as ilc liic iiscll, and in oilci ways ii is dillcicni. In ilc samc way
cvciyiling ilai cxisis is ilc poicncy ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
simuliancously onc and dillcicni liom Him.
In ilis way ilc simuliancous oncncss and dillcicncc may bc undcisiood.
Wc may also noic in ilis vcisc ilai ilc woid 'blava-saliayal' mcans 'pcilcci by
naiuic'. In ilis way, cvcn ilougl ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ncvci iouclcd by
ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic, and cvcn ilougl Hc ncvci diiccily coniacis ilc
maiciial naiuic, Hc cicaics ilc maiciial univciscs, and pciloims vaiious aciiviiics
wiilin ilcm, by mcans ol His inconccivablc poicncics.`
9 Tlai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc masici ol inconccivablc poicncics is
also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Svciasvaiaia Upanisad (6.S):
Hc docs posscss bodily loim lilc ilai ol an oidinaiy living cniiiy. Tlcic is
no dillcicncc bciwccn His body and His soul. Hc is absoluic. All His scnscs aic
iiansccndcnial. Any onc ol His scnscs can pciloim ilc aciion ol any oilci scnsc.
Tlcicloic, no onc is gicaici ilai Him oi cqual io Him. His poicncics aic
muliilaiious, and ilus His dccds aic auiomaiically pciloimcd as a naiuial
scqucncc.`¯
10 Tlai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc masici ol innumciablc poicncics is
also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Siuii-sasiia (Svciasvaiaia
Upanisad +.10):
Alilougl maya is lalsc oi icmpoiaiy, ilc baclgiound ol maya is ilc
supicmc magician, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is Malcsvaia, ilc supicmc
coniiollci.`¯
11 Lvciyiling ilai cxisis is ilc poicncy ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, and is simuliancously onc and dillcicni liom Him jusi as lcai is noi
dillcicni liom liic. Tlc woid 'blava-saliayal' may also bc inicipicicd io mcan
'pioduccd liom ilc iiansccndcnial body ol ilc Loid.' lccausc ilc Loid's poicncics
aic manilcsicd liom His own loim, ilcy aic also simuliancously onc and dillcicni
liom Him. No onc can dclcai ilis aigumcni oi piovc anyiling dillcicni ilan ilis.
Tlai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc masici ol innumciablc poicncics is
conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcnis ol ilc Upanisads:
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las muliilaiious poicncics.`
Svciasvaiaia Upanisad 6.S
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc supicmc masici and coniiollci ol
cvciyiling ilai cxisis.`
lilad-aianyala Upanisad +.+.22
12 In ilis passagc (liom ilc Visnu Puiana, quoicd in Tcxis 5 and 6) Maiiicya
poscs lis qucsiion liom ilc poini ol vicw ol ilc impcisonalisis, wlo mainiain ilai
ilc Supicmc las no qualiiics, and Paiasaia Muni icplics by ialing ilc siancc ol ilc
pcisonalisis wlo icacl ilai ilc Supicmc las qualiiics, and ilai vaiiciy cxisis cvcn
in ilc spiiiiual woild. Maiiicya uscs woids lilc suddlasya` (puic) and
'adclasya' (wiiloui a body) io dcsciibc ilc Supicmc. Hc was ilinling in icims ol
an impcisonal Supicmc wiiloui poicncics. Paiasaia Muni, in lis icply, uscd ilcsc
samc icims io dcsciibc ilc pcisonal lcaiuic ol ilc Supicmc. In Paiasaia's answci
ilc icim 'niigunasya' (wiiloui qualiiics) uscd by Maiiicya io dcsciibc ilc Supicmc
was answcicd by ilc woid 'aciniya-jnana-gocaial' (inconccivablc). ly using ilis
woid, Paiasaia linicd io Maiiicya ilai ilc Supicmc is callcd 'niiguna' (wiiloui
qualiiics) bccausc His qualiiics aic so gicai ilai ilcy cannoi bc lully oi piopcily
undcisiood by ilc individual living cniiiics. Wlcn Maiiicya uscd ilc woids
'amalaimanal' (llawlcss) and 'suddlasya' (puic), lc considcicd ilai ilc Supicmc
was wiiloui qualiiics, in oilci woids lc ilougli ol ilc Supicmc as puic in ilc
way an unllawcd piccc ol glass oi ciysial is puic by viiiuc ol laving no qualiiics.
Paiasaia Muni acccpicd ilc dcsciipiion ol ilc puiiiy ol ilc Supicmc in a dillcicni
way. Ioi Him ilc Supicmc lad qualiiics, bui no viccs oi impcilcciions. In ilis
way ilc Supicmc is puic. In lis answci Paiasaia icjccicd ilc impcisonalisiic
conccpi ol ilc Supicmc iclciicd io by Maiiicya and insicad dcsciibcd ilc Supicmc
as pcison, ilc masici ol innumciablc inconccivablc poicncics. Hcai is somciimcs
picscni in waici, aii, oi oilci clcmcnis, bui ii is always picscni in ilc liic-clcmcni,
and can ncvci bc scpaiaicd liom ii. Jusi as lcai is always picscni in liic, in ilc
samc way ilc inconccivablc poicncics ol ilc Supicmc cannoi bc scpaiaicd liom
Him. Tlcy aic an iniiinsic paii ol His naiuic. lccausc ilc Supicmc posscsscs
unlimiicd inconccivablc poicncics, Hc is ilc gicaicsi, and no onc is cqual oi
gicaici ilan Him. Tlis is conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Svciasvaiaia
Upanisad (6.S):
No onc is cqual io oi gicaici ilan ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
13 In ilc Upanisads and oilci Vcdic liiciaiuics ilc Loid's poicncics aic
somciimcs dcsciibcd as 'bialma' (ilc gicaicsi). Tlis docs noi mcan ilai ilc
Loid's poicncics aic gicaici ilan ilc Loid Himscll, bui mcicly ilai ilc Loid's
poicncics aic cxiicmcly powcilul, and cannoi bc clcclcd by anyonc cxccpi loi ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad Himscll. Tlc Loid's iiansccndcnial poicncy aciivaics ilc
maiciial naiuic, wlicl movcs ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic, wlicl bccomc
iiansloimcd inio ilc 'saiga-salii' (poicncy ol maiciial cicaiion) and oilci maiciial
poicncics. In ilis way ilc allaiis ol ilc maiciial univciscs aic conducicd by ilc
Loid's poicncics, wiiloui any diicci inicivcniion by ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
wlo is ncvci iouclcd by ilc maiciial cncigy.
1+ Tlc woid 'bialma' (ilc gicaicsi) is also uscd io dcsciibc ilc Loid's
poicncics in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Clandogya Upanisad (3.1+.1):
Tlis cniiic maiciial woild is lialman, ilc gicaicsi.`
Tlis dcsciipiion ol ilc maiciial poicncy ol ilc Loid as ilc 'gicaicsi', slould
bc undcisiood, lowcvci, only in a iclaiivc scnsc, loi ilc Loid's maiciial poicncy is
noi gicaici ilan ilc Loid Himscll, as Maiiicya Muni las alicady cxplaincd by
using ilc woid 'niigunasya' (uniouclcd by ilc maiciial modcs ol naiuic) io
dcsciibc ilc Loid. Tlc Svciasvaiaia Upanisad (+.10) also dcsciibcs ilc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad as supciioi io His maiciial poicncy in ilc lollowing woids:
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc masici and coniiollci ol ilis maiciial
woild, wlicl is His illusoiy poicncy, maya.`
Tlai maya is inlciioi io ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is also conliimcd by ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (1.7.+):
Tlc illusoiy poicncy maya ialcs slclici ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and
is indcpcndcni on Him.`
In ilis way ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is supciioi io His illusoiy poicncy,
maya, cvcn ilougl ilai poicncy is somciimcs dcsciibcd as 'bialma' (ilc gicaicsi).
lccausc ilc Loid's poicncics (lnown as 'bialma') aic suboidinaic io Him, Hc
dclcgaics io ilcm vaiious duiics in iclaiion io ilc maiciial woild. Tlcy coniaci
ilc maiciial cncigy, noi Hc.
15 Tlai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol godlcad is supciioi io His poicncics ('bialma') is
also conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavad-giia (13.12-13),
wlcic ilc Loid Himscll says:
I slall now cxplain ilc lnowablc, lnowing wlicl you will ialc ilc
cicinal. Tlis bcginninglcss, and ii is suboidinaic io Mc. Ii is callcd lialman, ilc
spiiii, and ii lics bcyond ilc causc and cllcci ol ilis maiciial woild.`¯
16 Tlc Supicmc Tiuil las innumciablc inconccivablc poicncics, wlicl may
bc gioupcd inio loui bioad caicgoiics: 1. His inicinal poicncy, 2. Tlc sccondaiy
poicncics manilcsi liom His inicinal poicncy, 3. Tlc individual living cniiiics
(jivas), and +. Tlc unmanilcsi siaic ol ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic (piadlana).
As ilc sun icmains in onc placc, alilougl iis poicncy, ilc sunslinc, cxpands in all
diicciions, so ilc pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad icmains in onc placc, alilougl His
vaiicgaicd poicncics aic cvciywlcic.
17 Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Visnu Puiana (1.22.5+):
Jusi as ilc illuminaiion ol a liic, wlicl is siiuaicd in onc placc, is spicad
all ovci, ilc cncigics ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Paiabialman, aic
spicad all ovci ilis univcisc.`¯
1S Tlis is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni lound in boil ilc Kaila
Upanisad (2.2.15) and Svciasvaiaia Upanisad (6.1+):
Tlis cniiic cosmos is ilc cllulgcncc manilcsicd liom ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
19 Somconc may aiguc ilai ii is coniiadicioiy io say ilai ilc Supicmc siays in
onc placc, and ai ilc samc iimc Hc is picscni cvciywlcic. Tlis objcciion is noi
valid, loi ilc Loid posscsscs all inconccivablc poicncics by wlicl Hc can do any
impossiblc iling. In ilis way Hc can bc simuliancously localiscd and all-
pcivading. Tlc Loid's poicncics aic dividcd inio ilicc caicgoiics as lollows: 1.
Aniaianga-salii, ilc inicinal poicncy, wlicl is picscni in ilc spiiiiual woild ol
Vailunila, 2. Taiasila-salii, ilc maiginal poicncy, oi individual spiiii souls, wlo
aic lilc spails ol ilc Supicmc Wlolc, and 3. laliianga-salii, ilc cxicinal poicncy
lnown as maya, wlicl is incii maiici, ilc unmanilcsicd siagc (piadlana) ol ilc
modcs ol naiuic. Tlcsc ilicc poicncics ol ilc Loid aic dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing
siaicmcni ol ilc Visnu Puiana (6.7.61-63):
20 Howcvci, ilcic is anoilci cncigy, callcd illusion, wlicl consisis ol liuiiivc
aciiviiy. Tlai is ilc Loid's iliid poicncy.`¯
21 Tlis living cniiiy, covcicd by ilc inllucncc ol ncscicncc, cxisis in dillcicni
loims in ilc maiciial cncigy, io gicaici oi lcssci dcgiccs.`¯
22 In ilis vcisc ilc woids 'avidya-laima' mcan 'ilc poicncy ilai bcwildcis',
and ilc woid 'samjna' (namcd) idcniilics ilai poicncy as ilc illusoiy poicncy,
maya. Alilougl ilc maya poicncy is cxicinal and inlciioi io ilc maiginal
poicncy, oi individual living souls, ncvciilclcss, ilc cxicinal poicncy las ilc
powci io covci and bcwildci ilc maiginal poicncy. Tlis is cxplaincd in ilc ncxi
vcisc, wlcic ilc woid 'iaiaiamycna' dcsciibcs ilc cxicinal poicncy's abiliiy io
placc ilc individual spiiii-souls in vaiious liglci and lowci maiciial bodics,
cxicnding liom ilc body ol ilc dcmigod lialma down io ilc insignilicani bodics
ol planis and oilci non-moving cicaiuics. Tlis powci ol ilc cxicinal poicncy
ovci ilc maiginal poicncy is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad-
llagavaiam (1.7.5):
Tlc individual living cniiiics (jivas) aic placcd in illusion by ilc cxicinal
poicncy, maya.`
23 In ilis vcisc (1.7.5) ilc woid 'yay' iclcis io ilc Loid's inconccivablc
illusoiy poicncy maya, by wlosc inllucncc ilc unmanilcsicd modcs ol maiciial
naiuic (piadlana) aic incii, unconscious and consianily muiablc. Tlai ilc
piadlana is manilcsicd liom ilc maya-poicncy wc slall dcmonsiiaic laici on in
ilis bool. Tlc ilicc poicncics: aiaianga, iaiasila and baliianga, aic similai in
many bui noi all icspccis. Lacl las disiinguisling lcaiuics, and cacl las somc
dclccis noi picscni in ilc oilcis.
Anuccheda 17
1 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc masici ol all spiiiiual and
maiciial poicncics. Lvcn Hiianyalasipu conliims ilis in ilc lollowing woids
(Siimad llagavaiam 7.3.3+):
Lci mc ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs io ilc Supicmc, wlo posscsscs
cxicinal and inicinal cncigics.`¯
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is spiiiiual in naiuic and Hc is ilc
slclici ol innumciablc spiiiiual poicncics (ilc individual living cniiiics). Hc is
lilc ilc sun-planci, wlicl by naiuic consisis ol ligli, and wlicl is ilc slclici ol
innumciablc iays ol ligli, wlicl lavc ilc samc naiuic as ilc sun-planci iiscll.
Tlc maiginal spiiiiual poicncy lnown as jiva-salii, oi ilc individual spiiiiual
cniiiics, will bc cxplaincd in ilc ncxi iicaiisc, ilc Paiamaima-sandaibla.
2 In ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Visnu Puiana (1.19.76-77) ilc aniaianga-
salii (inicinal poicncy) is dcsciibcd by coniiasiing ii wiil ilc baliianga-salii
(cxicinal, maiciial poicncy):
O Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, O masici ol ilc dcmigods, O
Supcisoul picscni in ilc lcaiis ol all cicaiuics, I ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs io
Youi inlciioi maiciial poicncy, wlicl is cicinal, and wlicl is ilc icsiing placc loi
ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic. O Loid, I also ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs
io Youi inicinal, spiiiiual poicncy, wlicl las no maiciial aiiiibuics, and wlicl
cannoi bc undcisiood by ilc maiciial mind oi maiciial woids, bui only by ilc
siaicmcnis ol ilc advanccd iiansccndcnialisis.`
Wc may noic ilai ilc Loid posscsscs innumciablc spiiiiual poicncics. Tlis
is conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Svciasvaiaia Upanisad (6.S):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc masici ol muliilaiious
supciioi spiiiiual poicncics.`
Anuccheda 18
1 In ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad-llagavaiam (2.9.3+), ilc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad dcsciibcs ilc cxicinal, maiciial poicncy, baliianga-salii, in ilc
lollowing woids:
O lialma, wlaicvci appcais io bc ol any valuc, il ii is wiiloui iclaiion io
Mc, las no icaliiy. Know ii as My illusoiy cncigy, ilai icllcciion wlicl appcais io
bc in dailncss.`¯
2 In ilc liisi paii ol ilis vcisc, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad says:
O lialma wlaicvci appcais io bc ol any valuc, il ii is wiiloui iclaiion io
Mc, las no icaliiy.`¯
3 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'aimanal' mcans 'ol Mc, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad`, and ilc woid 'maya' iclcis io iwo poicncics ol ilc Loid: ilc baliianga-
salii, oi maiciial cncigy maya, and ilc iaiasila-salii, oi individual spiiii souls.
Inicipicicd in iclaiion io ilc individual spiiii souls, ilc woid 'ablasa' mcans
'cllulgcncc'. In oilci woids, ilc individual spiiii souls aic lilcncd io paiiiclcs ol
ligli cmanaiing liom ilc supicmc sun ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Il ilc woid 'maya' is ialcn io mcan ilc baliianga-salii, ilcn ilc woid
'ablasa' may bc undcisiood io mcan 'illusion'. Tlc illusoiy poicncy picscnis a
gicai vaiiciy ol consianily clanging loims ol ilc incii maiciial cncigy, wlicl
bcwildcis ilc condiiioncd souls by picscniing bcloic ilcii cycs a gicai vaiiciy ol
icmpoiaiy and consianily clanging loims ol ilc incii and unconscious maiciial
cncigy, oi ilicc modcs ol naiuic, goodncss, passion and ignoiancc. Tlc woid
'ablasa' is uscd in ilis way, io mcan ilc maiciial cosmos, in Siimad llagavaiam
(2.10.7 ablasas ca niiodlas ca). Tlc woid 'ablasa' is also dcsciibcd in Visnu
Puiana 1.22.5+ (quoicd in Anucclcda 16, Tcxi 17).
+ Tlc Loid's poicncics aic also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni spolcn
by ilc sclolais ol ilc Ayui-Vcda:
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlosc dcsiics aic auiomaiically lullillcd, is
ilc oiiginal cicaioi ol ilc maiciial univciscs. His loim is cicinal and lull ol
iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc, and His cicinal iiansccndcnial poicncy cmanaics liom
Him as paiiiclcs ol ligli liom ilc sun. As an acioi, wlo clangcs lis appcaiancc
wlcn lc cnicis ilc siagc, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad appcais in ilc loim ol ilc
Supcisoul wlcn Hc cnicis ilc maiciial icalm. Hc aciivaics ilc incii maiciial
cncigy, and in ilis way causcs ilc cicaiion ol ilc maiciial univciscs.`
5 In ilc liisi paii ol ilc vcisc, wlcic ilc Loid's 'maya' is dcsciibcd as 'ablasa',
ilc woid 'ablasa' may bc inicipicicd in iwo dillcicni ways in oidci io maicl ilc
iwo inicipiciaiions ol ilc woid 'maya' (wlicl may mcan ciilci ilc individual
spiiii souls oi ilc cxicinal maiciial cncigy). In ilc sccond paii ol ilc vcisc, wlcic
ilc 'ablasa' is dcsciibcd as icllccicd on ilc 'iamal' (dailncss), ilcic is no nccd io
inicipici ilc woid 'iamal' in iwo dillcicni ways in oidci io lii ilc iwo
inicipiciaiions ol ilc woids 'maya' and ablasa'. Tlc singlc mcaning 'dailncss'
naiuially liis ilc iwo possiblc inicipiciaiions ol ilc vcisc.
6 Tlc dailncss (iamal) ol ilc maiciial cosmos is dcsciibcd as cicaicd by ilc
Loid's sladow. Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vcisc ol Siimad llagavaiam
(3.20.1S), wlcic Maiiicya Muni says io Viduia:
Iiisi ol all, lialma cicaicd liom lis sladow ilc covciings ol ignoiancc ol
ilc condiiioncd souls. Tlcy aic livc in numbci and aic callcd iamisia, andla-
iamisia, iamas, mola and malamola.`¯
7 Tlc maiciial woild is also compaicd io dailncss (iamal) in ilc lollowing
vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.11) wlcic Loid lialma says io Loid Kisna:
Wlcic am I, a small cicaiuic ol scvcn spans ilc mcasuic ol my own land'
I am cncloscd in ilc univcisc composcd ol maiciial naiuic, ilc ioial maiciial
cncigy, lalsc cgo, cilci, aii, waici and caiil. And wlai is Youi gloiy' Unlimiicd
univciscs pass iliougl ilc poics ol Youi body jusi lilc paiiiclcs ol dusi passing
iliougl ilc opcning ol a window.`¯
S Tlis vcisc (3.20.1S quoicd in icxi S) cxplains ilai lialma, using ilc
insiiumcni ol ilc sladow poicncy (claya-salii) manilcsicd 'avidya' ai ilc iimc ol
cicaiing ilc maiciial univcisc. Tlc woid 'avidya' lcic may iclci ciilci io ilc
dillcicni classcs ol condiiioncd souls (jiva-maya) oi io ilc dillcicni manilcsiaiions
ol ilc modcs ol naiuic (guna-maya).
9 Tlc dillcicncc bciwccn ilc avidya-salii (ignoiancc poicncy) and vidya-
salii (lnowlcdgc poicncy) is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vcisc ol Siimad-
llagavaiam (11.11.3) wlcic Loid Kisna says:
O Uddlava, boil lnowlcdgc and ignoiancc, bcing pioducis ol maya, aic
cxpansions ol My poicncy. loil lnowlcdgc and ignoiancc aic bcginninglcss and
pcipciually awaid libciaiion and bondagc io cmbodicd living bcings.`¯¯¯
10 Tlc lnowlcdgc poicncy is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vciscs ol ilc Padma
Puiana (Uiiaia-llanda 73.230-231) in ilc Kaiiiila-malaimya, in conncciion wiil
ilc piaycis ol ilc dcmigods io Maya, wlicl aic iclaicd by Loid Kisna io
Saiyablama-dcvi:
As ilc dcmigods wcic ollciing piaycis in ilis way, ilcy saw a poiiion ol
ilc sly bccomc vciy biilliani wiil a gicai ligli. Iiom ilai cllulgcni paii ol ilc sly
ilcy lcaid ilc goddcss Saiasvaii spcal ilc lollowing woids: 'I appcai in ilis
maiciial woild in ilicc ways, in iclaiion io ilc ilicc modcs ol goodncss, passion,
and ignoiancc.'`
11 Tlc ignoiancc-poicncy (avidya-salii) is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing
siaicmcni ol ilc Padma Puiana, Uiiaia-llanda (91.51) wlcic ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad says io Loid lialma:
Tlc dcnsc dailncss ol ilc ignoiancc poicncy in ilis maiciial woild is
immcasuiablc and incxlausiablc.`
Anuccheda 19
1 Tlc inicinal spiiiiual poicncy (aniaianga-salii), wiiloui wlosc lclp ilc
individual living cniiiics aic powcilcss io aci, is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing iwo
vciscs ol Siimad-llagavaiam (6.16.23-2+), wlcic Naiada Muni says io Malaiaja
Ciiialciu:
2 Tlc Supicmc lialman cmanaics liom ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad and cxpands lilc ilc sly. Alilougl uniouclcd by anyiling maiciial, ii
cxisis wiilin and wiiloui. Noncilclcss, ilc mind, iniclligcncc, scnscs and living
loicc can nciilci ioucl Him noi lnow Him. I ollci unio Him my icspccilul
obcisanccs.`¯
3 As iion las ilc powci io buin wlcn madc icd-loi in ilc associaiion ol
liic, so ilc body, scnscs, living loicc, mind and iniclligcncc, alilougl mcicly
lumps ol maiici, can lunciion in ilcii aciiviiics wlcn inluscd wiil a paiiiclc ol
consciousncss by ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. As iion cannoi buin
unlcss lcaicd by liic, ilc bodily scnscs cannoi aci unlcss lavouicd by ilc Supicmc
lialman.`¯
+ Siidlaia Svami commcnis on ilcsc vciscs in ilc lollowing woids:
In ilc liisi vcisc (6.16.23) Naiada said: Tlc Supicmc lialman (yai)
cmanaics liom ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and cxpands lilc ilc sly
(viiaiam vyomavai). Noncilclcss, ilc living loicc (asaval) can nciilci ioucl lim
(na spisaii) by using ilc insiiumcni ol liiya-salii, noi can ilc mind, iniclligcncc
and scnscs lnow Him (na vidul) by using ilc insiiumcni ol jnana-salii. I ollci
unio Him my icspccilul obcisanccs (naio smi). Tlc icason ilc mind, iniclligcncc,
scnscs and living loicc cannoi undcisiand ilc Supicmc lialman is cxplaincd in
ilc ncxi vcisc (6.16.2+), wlcic Naiada says: 'Tlc body, scnscs, living loicc, mind
and iniclligcncc, alilougl mcicly lumps ol maiici, can lunciion in ilcii aciiviiics
(laimasu) wlcn inluscd by a paiiiclc ol consciousncss (ami yad-amsa-viddlal) by
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.` Wiiloui ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad's inicivcniion, ilcy cannoi aci ciilci in ilc siaics ol walclulncss,
dicaming, dccp-slccp, unconsciousncss, oi any oilci condiiion ol lilc. In oidci io
cxplain ilc scnscs' dcpcndcncc on ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Naiada
givcs ilc lollowing cxamplc: 'As iion cannoi buin unlcss lcaicd by liic
(apiaiapiam laulam), ilc bodily scnscs cannoi aci unlcss lavouicd by ilc Supicmc
lialman.' A icd-loi iion iod gci iis buining poicncy liom liic, and alilougl ii
can buin many objccis, ii cannoi buin liic iiscll. In ilc samc way, bccausc ilc
maiciial body, scnscs, living loicc, mind and iniclligcncc ol ilc living cniiiics lavc
obiaincd ilcii powcis io aci (liiya-salii) and undcisiand (jnana-salii) liom ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, alilougl ilcy may bc ablc io ioucl oi
undcisiand many ilings, ilcy aic unablc io ioucl oi undcisiand ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc souicc ol all ilcii powci.`
5 Tlai ilc scnscs aic dcpcndcni on ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad loi
ilcii powcis is conliimcd by cvcn Sanlaiacaiya, ilc lcadci ol ilc impcisonalisis,
wlo in ilc couisc ol icluiing ilc ailcisiic Sanllya plilosoply said (Saiiiala-
blasya 1.1.5):
Tlc maiciial cycs lavc ilc powci io scc bccausc ii is givcn io ilcm by ilc
Supicmc. As an iion iod oi similai objcci obiains ilc powci io buin by bcing
placcd ncai a liic, so ilc scnscs obiain ilc powci io aci liom ilc Supicmc. Tlc
omniscicni Supicmc Tiuil is ilc piimaiy causc ol ilc cniiic maiciial cosmos.`
6 Tlai ilc scnscs aic dcpcndcni on ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
also conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcnis ol ilc Upanisads:
Wlcn ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad appcais, ilcn ilc vaiious
dillcicni plancis may also bccomc manilcsicd. Tlcy cannoi appcai unlcss Hc
appcais liisi.`
Kaila Upanisad 2.2.15, Mundala Upanisad 2.2.10
and Svciasvaiaia Upanisad 6.1+
Unlcss ilc supicmcly blisslul Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is picscni wiilin ilc
sly ol ilc lcaii, wlai living cniiiy las ilc powci io do anyiling, oi cvcn io
icmain alivc'`
Taiiiaiiya Upanisad 2.7.1
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad gianis ilc powci ol sigli io ilc cycs
and ilc powci ol lcaiing io ilc cais ol ilc individual living cniiiics.`
lilad-aianyala Upanisad +.+.1S
7 In ilc concluding poiiion ol lis commcniaiy on ilis vcisc (Siimad
llagavaiam 6.16.2+) Siidlaia Svami says:
Ai ilis poini somconc may say: 'All iigli, ilc scnscs cannoi aci
indcpcndcnily, only ilc individual spiiii soul is ilc scci and ilc lnowci ol wlai is
cxpciicnccd by ilc scnscs.' To ilis I icply; 'No, no, in all siaics ol bcing, wlcilci
awalc, dicaming, oi dccply aslccp, ilc individual living cniiiy is dcpcndcni on ilc
Supicmc. Wiiloui ilc mcicy ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc
individual spiiii soul cannoi scc oi pciccivc anyiling wiil any onc ol lis scnscs
(na diasiiapadcsam cii). Tlis is conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol lilad-
aianyala Upanisad (3.7.23): 'Wiiloui ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's
mcicy, no onc can scc anyiling.'
Anoilci way io inicipici ilc woids no diasiiapadcsam cii is io acccpi
ilcm as mcaning: 'Alilougl ilc scnscs ol ilc individual living cniiiy can pciccivc
vaiious ilings, undci noimal condiiions ilcy cannoi pciccivc ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is ilc souicc ol ilcii powci.'`
S Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc oiigin ol all scnsoiy
pciccpiion is conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad-llagavaiam (2.10.9):
All ilicc ol ilc abovc-mcniioncd siagcs ol dillcicni living cniiiics aic
inicidcpcndcni. In ilc abscncc ol onc, anoilci is noi undcisiood. lui ilc
Supicmc lcing wlo sccs cvciy onc ol ilcm as ilc slclici ol ilc slclici is
indcpcndcni ol all, and ilcicloic Hc is ilc supicmc slclici.`¯
9 In vaiious placcs in ilc Siuii-sasiia also ii is conliimcd ilai ilc individual
living cniiiics (jivas) aic ncvci indcpcndcni ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy o
Godlcad. Hc is ilc oiiginal scci ol cvciyiling, and no onc can scc anyiling
wiiloui His mcicy. In ilis way ilcsc vciscs (6.16.23-2+) may bc undcisiood.
Anuccheda 20
1 Tlai ilc scnscs ol ilc condiiioncd souls cannoi pciccivc ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad wlo is ilc souicc ol ilcii powci is conliimcd in ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (6.+.25) wlcic Malaiaja Dalsa says:
lccausc ilcy aic only maiici, ilc body, ilc lilc aiis, ilc cxicinal and
inicinal scnscs, ilc livc gioss clcmcnis and ilc subilc scnsc objccis (loim, iasic,
smcll, sound and ioucl) cannoi lnow ilcii own naiuic, ilc naiuic ol ilc oilci
scnscs oi ilc naiuic ol ilcii coniiollcis. lui ilc living bcing, bccausc ol lis
spiiiiual naiuic, can lnow lis body, ilc lilc aiis, ilc scnscs, ilc clcmcnis and ilc
scnsc objccis, and lc can also lnow ilc ilicc qualiiics ilai loim ilcii ioois.
Ncvciilclcss, alilougl ilc living bcing is complcicly awaic ol ilcm, lc is unablc
io scc ilc Supicmc lcing, wlo is omniscicni and unlimiicd. I ilcicloic ollci my
icspccilul obcisanccs unio Him.`¯
2 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'piana' mcans 'lilc-aiis', 'alsal' mcans 'ilc scnscs',
'manaval' mcans 'ilc mind', 'bluia-maiiam' mcans 'ilc ian-maiias', 'aimanam'
mcans 'ilcmsclvcs', 'anyam' mcans 'oilci aicas ol pciccpiion'. Tlc dcmigods wlo
aic bcyond (paiam) ilcsc iwo ilcy do noi lnow. Tlcsc ilings ilcy do noi lnow
(na vidul). 'Puman` mcans ilc living bcing`, 'saivam' mcans 'ilcmsclvcs and
wlaicvci is bcyond ilcmsclvcs'. lcyond ilcmsclvcs (paiam) aic ilc maiciial
body, ilings in iclaiion io ilc body, and ilc coniiolling dcmigods. Tlis ilc living
cniiiy lnows (vcda). 'Gunams ca' mcans 'ilc modc ol goodncss and ilc oilci
maiciial modcs', wlicl aic ilc iooi liom wlicl ilc maiciial bodics and oilci
maiciial ilings lavc giown. Lvcn ilougl ilc living cniiiy lnows all ilcsc (iaj-
jnal) lc siill docs noi lnow (na vcda) ilc saivajna. Saivajna lcic mcans Hc wlo
lnows ilc living cniiiics and cvciyiling clsc also.' Tlc woid 'ananiam' is
cxplaincd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (1.1S.19):
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, unlimiicd, in poicncy and iiansccndcnial by
aiiiibuics, is callcd ilc anania (Unlimiicd).`¯
Tlc spcalci ilcn says: I woislip (idc) ilc unlimiicdly powcilul Supicmc
Loid.`
3 In conncciion wiil ilc siaicmcni ilai ilc individual cniiiy is unablc io scc
ilc Supicmc ilc lilad-aianyala Upanisad (+.5.15) says:
Tlcic (in ilc maiciial woild ol dualiiy) ilc individual living cniiiy sccs
ilc Supicmc as dillcicni liom limscll.'
In ilcsc woids is dcsciibcd low ilc individual spiiii soul sccs limscll as
dillcicni liom ilc Supicmc. Tlc Upanisad ilcn says:
Wlcn lc sccs ilai cvciyiling is ilc Supicmc Soul, ilcn low, oi wlai will
lc scc (ilai is dillcicni liom limscll)'`
Tlcn ilc living cniiiy docs noi scc ilc Supicmc Soul as ilc obscivci, bui
iailci lc sccs ilai cvciyiling is ilc obscivci ol ilc Supicmc Soul and ilai wlai lc
sccs is limscll.`
Tlcn ilc Upanisad says:
How can lc lnow ilc lnowci'`
An cxplanaiion ol ilc mcaning ol ilcsc passagcs lollows. In ilcsc
siaicmcnis ilc woid 'yaiia' mcans 'in ilc illusoiy poicncy, maya, wlcic dualiiy is
manilcsicd.' Undci ilc inllucncc ol ilc inconccivablc poicncy namcd maya, and
undci ilc inllucncc ol ilc icmpoiaiy woild ol ilc coniaminaiion ol maiici, wlai
is noi dillcicni is pciccivcd io bc dillcicni. lccausc ol ilis inllucncc ilc individual
spiiii soul is boin again and again as il lc wcic indcpcndcni and scpaiaic. In ilis
way ilc 'scpaiaic' (iiaial) living cniiiy sccs oilcis as 'scpaiaic' (iiaiam). Hc is ablc
io scc oilcis as scpaiaic bccausc ilc insiiumcni ol sccing and ilc objcci ol vision
aic boil suiiablc loi ilis lind ol vision. Tlai is ilc mcaning.
Tlc woid 'yaiia' lcic mcans 'in His pcisonal poicncy'. Tlc individual soul,
oi jiva lcic is compaicd io a paiiiclc ol ligli, and ilc Supicmc Soul, dcsciibcd
lcic as ilc 'aima', is compaicd io ilc sun-globc. Tlc woids 'saivam ablui' mcan
ilai cvciyiling is manilcsicd by ilc Loid's pcisonal poicncy. Lvciyiling cxisis
liom bcginninglcss iimc. Ii is noi manilcsi only in ilai cniiancc ai ilai iimc.
Wlai (lam) and by wlai scpaiaic (iiaicna) mcilod (lcna) can ilc scpaiaic
(iiaial) individual soul (jiva) scc' Hc cannoi scc anyiling by any sucl mcilod.
Tlai is ilc mcaning. ly ilcii own powci individual iays ol ligli cannoi display
ilc splcndoui manilcsi in ilc sun iiscll and nciilci can individual spails buin a
liic. Tlai is ilc mcaning. ly wlai scpaiaic mcilod may onc undcisiand ilc
omniscicni (vijnaiaiam), unlimiicd, omnipoicni Supicmc Soul' Tlcic is no
scpaiaic mcilod io undcisiand Him. Tlai is ilc mcaning. Wlcn ilc jnana-salii
is manilcsi, ilcn ilc liiya-salii and iccla-salii aic also sccn. Tlc vcisc quoicd in
Tcxi 1 was spolcn by Malaiaja Dalsa io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
Anuccheda 21
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is always in lull coniiol ol His
vaiious poicncics. Tlis is conliimcd by ilc lollowing vcisc ol Siimad llagavaiam
(7.9.22) wlcic Piallada Malaiaja says io Loid Nisimladcva:
My dcai Loid, O supicmc gicai, You lavc cicaicd ilis maiciial woild ol
sixiccn consiiiucnis, bui You aic iiansccndcnial io ilcii maiciial qualiiics. In
oilci woids, ilcsc maiciial qualiiics aic undci Youi lull coniiol, and You aic
ncvci conqucicd by ilcm. Tlcicloic ilc iimc clcmcni is Youi icpicscniaiion. My
Loid, O Supicmc, no onc can conquci You. As loi mc, lowcvci, I am bcing
ciuslcd by ilc wlccl ol iimc, and ilcicloic I suiicndci lully unio You. Now
lindly ialc mc undci ilc pioicciion ol Youi loius lcci.`¯
Siidlaia Svami cxplains ilai ilc woid 'sva-dlamna' mcans 'by Youi
pcisonal spiiiiual cncigy', and 'lala' mcans 'ilc iimc clcmcni, wlicl cicaics ilc
maiciial manilcsiaiion, oi maya.' 'Aima' lcic mcans 'ilc individual living cniiiics',
and 'guna' mcans ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic (goodncss, passion, and
ignoiancc). Alilougl ilc individual living cniiiics may comc undci ilc coniiol ol
ilc modcs ol naiuic, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ncvci coniiollcd by
ilcm. Tlis is conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam
(11.25.12) wlcic ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad says:
Tlc individual living cniiiics may comc undci ilc coniiol ol goodncss,
passion and ignoiancc, bui I am ncvci coniiollcd by ilcm.`
Anuccheda 22
1 Tlai ilc Supicmc Loid's poicncics aic always undci His lull coniiol is also
conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (5.1S.3S), wlcic ilc
Laiil-dciiy says io Loid Vaiala:
O Loid, You do noi dcsiic ilc cicaiion, mainicnancc oi annililaiion ol
ilis maiciial woild, bui You pciloim ilcsc aciiviiics loi ilc condiiioncd souls by
Youi cicaiivc cncigy. Lxacily as a piccc ol iion movcs undci ilc inllucncc ol a
lodcsionc, incii maiici movcs wlcn You glancc ovci ilc ioial maiciial cncigy.`¯
2 Siidlaia Svami cxplains in lis commcniaiy:
Tlis vcisc mcans` 'O Loid, You do noi dcsiic ilc cicaiion (ncpsiiam),
mainicnancc oi annililaiion ol ilis maiciial woild (visva-siliii) bui You pciloim
(laioii) ilcsc aciiviiics loi ilc condiiioncd souls by Youi cicaiivc cncigy (maya)
wlo uscs ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic (gunail) as lci insiiumcnis. As
(yaila) a piccc ol iion (ayal) movcs (bliamaii) undci ilc inllucncc ol a lodcsionc
(giavnal), incii maiici movcs wlcn You glancc (salsinc) ovci ilc ioial maiciial
cncigy, obsciving ilc modcs ol naiuic (guna) and ilc liuiiivc aciions ol ilc
condiiioncd souls (laima), wlicl alilougl sccn by you, icmain invisiblc io ilcm.
I ilcicloic ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio (namal).'`
Anuccheda 23
1 Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is always siiuaicd in iiansccndcncc and lillcd
wiil spiiiiual bliss. In ilis condiiion Hc icmains cicinally unallccicd by ilc incii
maiciial poicncy maya. Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vcisc ol Siimad
llagavaiam (1.7.23), wlcic Aijuna says io Loid Kisna:
You aic ilc Oiiginal Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad wlo cxpands Himscll all ovci
ilc cicaiions and is iiansccndcnial io maiciial cncigy. You lavc casi away ilc
cllccis ol ilc maiciial cncigy by dini ol Youi spiiiiual poicncy. You aic always
siiuaicd in cicinal bliss and iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc.`¯
2 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'adyal puiusal' iclcis io ilc llagavan lcaiuic ol ilc
Loid, and ilc woid 'isvaial' iclcis io ilc Supcisoul lcaiuic ol ilc Loid. loil
lcaiuics ol ilc Loid aic dcsciibcd as 'pialiicl paial' (iiansccndcnial io ilc
maiciial cncigy).
Somconc may asl ilc lollowing qucsiion: Plcasc dcsciibc low ilc
llagavan lcaiuic ol ilc Loid cnjoys iiansccndcnial bliss uniouclcd by ilc
maiciial cncigy, and plcasc also cxplain low ii is possiblc loi ilc Supcisoul lcaiuic
ol ilc Loid io icmain uniouclcd by ilc maiciial cncigy, cvcn ilougl ilc
Supcisoul is ilc picdominaiing Dciiy wlo coniiols ilc maiciial cncigy, and is
appaicnily diiccily in coniaci wiil ii'`
To ilcsc qucsiions ilc lollowing answcis may bc givcn: Tlc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, by His iiansccndcnial inicinal poicncy, scnds ilc cxicinal
illusoiy poicncy, maya, lai away liom Himscll. ly mcans ol His inicinal spiiiiual
poicncy Hc cnjoys iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc and bliss (laivalyc). Tlis is
dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (11.9.1S) wlcic ii is
said:
3 Hc is also ilc supicmc woislipablc objcci loi all bcings, including
libciaicd souls, dcmigods and oidinaiy condiiioncd souls. Tlc Loid is cicinally
licc liom any maiciial dcsignaiion, and lc consiiiuics ilc ioialiiy ol spiiiiual bliss
dciivcd liom pciccpiion ol His own spiiiiual loim. Tlc Loid cxlibiis ilc lullcsi
mcaning ol ilc woid libciaiion`.¯¯¯
+ In ilis vcisc liom ilc Llcvcnil Canio ol ilc llagavaiam, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is dcsciibcs as siiuaicd in His own iiansccndcnial cicinal bliss (aimani
siliial). Tlis is also cxplaincd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam
(6.9.33):
O my Loid, You aic siiuaicd in Youi own iiansccndcnial bliss.`
5 In ilc quoic liom ilc Llcvcnil Canio ol Siimad llagavaiam (11.9.1S) ilc
woid 'sandola' (muliiiudc) indicaics ilai ilc spiiiiual poicncics ol ilc Loid aic
manilcsicd in cndlcss vaiiciy. In conncciion wiil ilc vcisc liom ilc liisi canio
(1.7.23), Siidlaia Svami las cxplaincd ilai ilc woid 'pialiicl' iclcis io ilc ilicc
modcs ol maiciial naiuic. Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc masici
ol all poicncics is also dcsciibcd by Dcvaluii-dcvi in ilc lollowing vcisc ol Siimad
llagavaiam (3.2+.33):
6 I suiicndci unio ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, dcsccndcd in ilc
loim ol Kapila, wlo is indcpcndcnily powcilul and iiansccndcnial, wlo is ilc
Supicmc Pcison and ilc Loid ol ilc sum ioial ol maiici and ilc clcmcni ol iimc,
wlo is ilc lully cognisani mainiainci ol all ilc univciscs undci ilc ilicc modcs ol
maiciial naiuic, and wlo absoibs ilc maiciial manilcsiaiions alici ilcii
dissoluiion.`¯
7 Siidlaia Svami commcnis on ilis vcisc in ilc lollowing woids:
In ilis vcisc ilc woid paiam mcans 'ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad.' Wly is Hc ilc Supicmc Godlcad' Tlc icasons aic givcn in ilc
lollowing woids: Hc is 'svacclanda-salii' (ilc indcpcndcni masici ol innumciablc
poicncics), 'piadlanam puiusam' (ilc Loid ol ilc sum ioial ol maiici, 'malaniam'
(ilc Univcisal Ioim), 'lalam' (iimc, wlicl piods ilc maiciial cncigy inio
aciiviiy), 'iii-viiam' (ilc ilicc modcs ol naiuic, and ilc lalsc-cgo), and 'lola-pala'
(ilc mainiainci ol all ilc univciscs.
Alici dcsciibing low ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc masici ol ilc
maiciial cicaiion, Siimaii Dcvaluii-dcvi cxplains ilai ilc Supicmc Loid, by
manilcsiing His inicinal spiiiiual poicncy, icmains always uniouclcd by ilc
maiciial cncigy. In ilis conncciion slc says aimanubluiyanugaia-piapancam' (Hc
manilcsis His spiiiiual poicncy, and ilus absoibs ilc maiciial manilcsiaiions alici
ilcii dissoluiion). Slc also dcsciibcs ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad as
'lavim' (Hc wlo is lully cognisani ol cvciyiling ilai lappcns in ilc maiciial
icalm).`
S Alilougl ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad somciimcs icmains wiilin ilc
maiciial cncigy as iis coniiollci, Hc is always supciioi io ilai cncigy and alool
liom ii. Tlis is conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Loid Kapiladcva Siimad-
llagavaiam (3.26.3):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc Supicmc Soul, and Hc las no
bcginning. Hc is iiansccndcnial io ilc maiciial modcs ol naiuic and bcyond ilc
cxisicncc ol ilis maiciial woild. Hc is pciccivablc cvciywlcic bccausc Hc is scll-
cllulgcni, and by His scll-cllulgcni lusiic ilc cniiic cicaiion is mainiaincd.`¯
9 In ilc couisc ol dcsciibing ilc Supicmc Loid's loly namcs and loims, ilc
Mala-samliia givcs ilc lollowing dcsciipiion ol ilc Loid's ilicc maiciial
poicncics:
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad manilcsis ilicc poicncics in iclaiion io ilc
condiiioncd souls in ilc maiciial woild. Tlcsc ilicc poicncics aic lnown as 1.
Sii, oi ilc poicncy loi mainiaining ilc maiciial univciscs, 2. llu, oi ilc poicncy
loi cicaiing ilc maiciial univciscs, and 3. Duiga, oi ilc poicncy loi annililaiing
ilc maiciial univciscs. Asidc liom ilcsc poicncics, ilc Loid las His own pcisonal
poicncics (aima-maya) wlicl aic manilcsicd as iccla-salii (His spiiiiual poicncy,
by wlicl wlaicvci Hc wislcs bccomcs immcdiaicly lullillcd), and guna-maya-
salii, (His cxicinal poicncy, by wlicl ilc incii maiciial univciscs aic
consiiucicd).`
In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'sii' mcans 'ilc poicncy loi mainiaining ilc maiciial
univciscs', 'blu', mcans 'ilc poicncy loi cicaiing ilcm', and 'duiga' mcans 'ilc
poicncy loi annililaiing ilcm'. Tlcsc aic ilc divisions ol dillcicni poicncics. Tlc
poicncy ol ilc individual living cniiiics is callcd 'jiva-maya.'
10 Tlcsc ilicc (Sii, llu and Duiga) poicncics ol ilc Loid aic dcsciibcd in ilc
lollowing passagc ol ilc Padma Puiana (Kaiiiila-malaimya 73.231-232) wlcic
Loid Kisna says io Saiyablama-dcvi:
Loid Kisna said: 'O Saiyablama, I icmain in ilis maiciial woild in ilc
loim ol My ilicc poicncics associaicd wiil ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic.`
Wlcn ilc dcmigods lcaid ilis siaicmcni ol ilc Loid, ilcy undcisiood His
inicniion, and wiil gicai dcvoiion ilcy ollcicd ilcii icspccis io ilc ilicc
goddcsscs Lalsmi-dcvi, Paivaii-dcvi and Piilivi-dcvi, ilc ilicc poicncics ol ilc
Loid.`
11 Tlc ilicc poicncics ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic also dcsciibcd in ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (11.3.16), wlcic Aniaiilsa Rsi says:
I lavc now dcsciibcd maya, ilc illusoiy cncigy ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad. Tlis illusoiy poicncy, consisiing ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial
naiuic, is cmpowcicd by ilc Loid loi ilc cicaiion, mainicnancc and annililaiion
ol ilc maiciial univcisc. Now, wlai moic do you wisl io lcai'`¯¯¯
12 Tlc dcmigod lialma dcsciibcs ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's
poicncics in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam 10.13.+5):
As ilc dailncss ol snow on a dail nigli and ilc ligli ol a glow-woim in ilc ligli
ol day lavc no valuc, ilc mysiic powci ol an inlciioi pcison wlo iiics io usc ii
againsi a pcison ol gicai powci is unablc io accomplisl anyiling; insicad ilc
powci ol ilai inlciioi pcison is diminislcd.`¯
13 In ilis vcisc lialma cxplains ilai ilcic aic dillcicni dcgiccs ol mysiic
powci (maya). A small amouni ol mysiic powci may bc gcnuinc oi illusoiy, bui
wlaicvci ilc naiuic ol ilai powci, il somconc uscs a small mysiic powci clallcngc
a gicaici powci, ilc small powci will cciiainly bc dclcaicd and appcai insignilicani
in iclaiion io ilc gicaici powci. To dcmonsiiaic ilis, lialma givcs io cxamplcs in
ilis vcisc.
1+ Tlc woid 'maya' in ilis vcisc mcans 'mysiic powci'. Ii docs noi mcan
'illusion' lcic. Ioi cxamplc, ilc Puianas and oilci Vcdic liiciaiuics somciimcs
dcsciibc baiilcs wlcic vaiious wcapons composcd ol 'maya' woundcd and lillcd
many soldicis. Il ilc 'maya' wlicl was ilc aciivc piinciplc ol ilosc wcapons lad
bccn an illusion, ii would noi lavc bccn ablc io luii anyonc, jusi as no onc
bccomcs wci by ioucling ilc miiagc ol waici sccn in a dcscii. Tlc woid 'maya' is
uscd in vaiious Vcdic liiciaiuics io dcsciibc ilc Loid's cicinal iiansccndcnial
poicncy, wlicl always accompanics Him. Ioi cxamplc ilc Caiui-vcda-silla
cxplains:
Tlc cicinal Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Loid Visnu, is dcsciibcd as ilc
supicmc masici ol all iiansccndcnial poicncics (maya-mayam).`
Tlc Mala-samliia cxplains:
Tlc poicncy lnown as aima-maya lullils all ilc dcsiics ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
Tlis aima-maya is manilcsicd in iwo divisions as jnana-salii and liiya-
salii. Tlc woid 'maya' may also bc inicipicicd io mcan 'lnowlcdgc', loi ilc Vcdic
diciionaiy cxplains:
Anoilci mcaning ol ilc woid maya is lnowlcdgc.`
15 Somc dillcicni mcanings liom ilc woid 'maya' aic givcn in ilc lollowing
vcisc liom ilc Sabda-malodadli Diciionaiy:
Tlcy wlo undcisiand ilc mcanings ol woids say ilai ilc woid 'maya' may
bc dclincd io mcan: 1. Tlc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic, 2. Knowlcdgc, and 3.
Tlc iiansccndcnial poicncy ol Loid Visnu.`
16 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'gunaimila' may bc undcisiood io mcan ilc Loid's
oiiginal poicncy, by wlicl ilc modcs ol naiuic and ilc vaiious maiciial univciscs
aic cicaicd. Accoiding io ilc Tiillanda-scsa Diciionaiy ilc woid 'maya' may bc
inicipicicd in iwo ways:
Tlc woid 'maya' may bc undcisiood io mcan 'iiiclciy' oi 'mcicy'.`
In lis commcniaiy on Siimad-llagavaiam (11.2+.27) Siidlaia Svami says:
Tlc woid 'maya-mayc' uscd in ilis vcisc may bc undcisiood io mcan
'pusling ilc illusoiy poicncy inio aciion', oi 'lull ol lnowlcdgc', dcpcnding on
wlcilci wc inicipici ilc woid 'maya' io mcan 'illusoiy poicncy' oi 'lnowlcdgc'.
Commcniing on Siimad llagavaiam (9.20.27) Siidlaia Svami also says:
Tlc woid 'maya' uscd in ilis vcisc slould bc undcisiood io mcan
'opulcnccs.'`
In lis commcniaiy on Siimad-llagavaiam (3.15.26) Siidlaia Svami las
cxplaincd ilai ilc woid 'yoga-maya' uscd in ilai vcisc may bc inicipicicd io mcan
ciilci 'ilc mysiic yoga powcis aiiaincd by ilc Ioui Kumaias', oi 'ilc spiiiiual
pasiimc poicncy ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.' In Siimad llagavaiam 1.7.23, ilc
vcisc quoicd in ilc bcginning ol ilis Anucclcda, Aijuna cxplains ilai in ilc
libciaicd Vailunila spiiiiual plancis (laivalyc), wlicl aic siiuaicd on ilc plailoim
ol libciaiion, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad appcais in His own plcnaiy poiiion
(aimani siliial). Onc may asl: How is ilc Supicmc Loid siiuaicd in ilai spiiiiual
woild' Tlc answci is givcn in ilc ncxi paii ol ilc vcisc:
You casi away ilc cllccis ol ilc maiciial cncigy by dini ol Youi spiiiiual
poicncy.`
In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'maya' is uscd in ilc scnsc ol 'ilc illusoiy maiciial
cncigy', and ii is clcaily cxplaincd ilai ilc illusoiy maiciial cncigy las no
inllucncc ovci ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and cannoi cnici His spiiiiual woild ol
Vailunila. Tlis is also cxplaincd in ilc lollowing vcisc ol Siimad llagavaiam
(2.9.10), wlcic Siila Suladcva Gosvami says:
17 In ilai pcisonal abodc ol ilc Loid, ilc maiciial modcs ol ignoiancc and
passion do noi picvail, noi is ilcic any ol ilcii inllucncc in goodncss. Tlcic is no
picdominancc ol ilc inllucncc ol iimc, so wlai io spcal ol ilc illusoiy, cxicinal
cncigy, ii cannoi cnici ilai icgion. Wiiloui disciiminaiion, boil ilc dcmigods
and ilc dcmons woislip ilc Loid as dcvoiccs.`¯
1S In ilc Padma Puiana, Uiiaia-llanda, ilc lollowing synonyms aic givcn loi
ilc woid 'vailunila':
Somc synonyms loi ilc woid 'vailunila' aic:
1. Molsa (ilc posiiion ol libciaiion), 2. Paiam padam (ilc supicmc abodc),
3. Lingam (ilc subilc spiiiiual icalm), +. Amiiam (ilc cicinal placc), and 5.
Visnu-mandiiam (ilc palaiial icsidcncc ol Loid Visnu).`
Anuccheda 2+
1 All iiansccndcnial qualiiics and opulcnccs aic picscni in ilc iiansccndcnial
loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad by ilc agcncy ol His inicinal spiiiiual
poicncy. Tlis poini will bc discusscd now in ilc ncxi Anucclcdas.
Anuccheda 25
1 Tlai ilc iiansccndcnial loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is lull ol all
spiiiiual aiiiibuics and opulcnccs is conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol
Siimad llagavaiam (10.S7.3S) wlcic ilc Pcisonilicd Vcdas addicss ilc Loid:
O Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlcn ilcic is cosmic manilcsiaiion,
ilc jivaima, oi ilc individual soul, appcais in ilc cicaiion in dillcicni loims,
accoiding io lis picvious liuiiivc aciiviiics, and duc io lis long loigcilulncss ol
ical cxisicncc, lc idcniilics limscll wiil a paiiiculai loim awaidcd io lim by ilc
laws ol maiciial naiuic. Alici assuming a maiciial loim, lc bccomcs subjccicd io
ilc ilicc maiciial modcs ol naiuic and acis accoidingly io coniinuc lis cxisicncc
in ilc maiciial woild. Wlilc cnwiappcd in sucl ignoiancc, lis naiuial opulcnccs,
alilougl cxisiing in minuic quaniiiy, aic almosi cxiinci. Youi opulcnccs,
lowcvci, aic noi diminislcd, alilougl You appcai wiilin ilis maiciial woild.
Tlc condiiioncd soul bccomcs cniiappcd in ilc maiciial woild, wlcicas You lcavc
ii wiiloui allcciion, jusi as a snalc slcds lis slin. Tlc disiinciion bciwccn You
and ilc condiiioncd individual soul is ilai You mainiain Youi naiuial opulcnccs,
lnown as sad-aisvaiya, asia-siddli and asia-guna.`
2 Siidlaia Svami commcnis on ilis vcisc in ilc lollowing woids:
In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'sal' mcans 'ilc individual spiiii soul'. 'Yai' mcans
'bccausc', 'ajaya' mcans 'by ilc maiciial cncigy maya', 'ajam' mcans 'ignoiancc',
'anusayiia' mcans 'cmbiaccs', 'gunams ca' mcans 'ilc maiciial body and scnscs',
'jusan' mcans 'sciving, oi considciing ilc maiciial body as ilc scll', 'svaiupaiam
jusan apcia-blagal' mcans 'absoibcd in ilc maiciial cncigy, ilc individual spiiii
soul bccomc bcicli ol lis naiuial spiiiiual opulcnccs sucl as bliss and lnowlcdgc',
'miiyum' mcans 'ilc maiciial icalm ol icpcaicd biiil and dcail', 'blajaii' mcans
'aiiains', 'ivam uia' mcans 'bui You', and 'jalasi iam' mcans 'abandon all aiiaclmcni
loi ilai maiciial cncigy.'
3 Ai ilis poini somconc may asl: 'O Loid, low is ilai You icmain alool
liom ilc maiciial cncigy maya'' In oidci io answci ilis qucsiion, ilc Pcisonilicd
Vcdas say: 'Alii iva ivacam' (O Loid, jusi as a snalc slcds iis slin, in ilc samc
way you slcd all coniaci wiil ilc illusoiy poicncy maya). Tlis mcans: 'You ncvci
lall inio ilc illusion ol idcniilying wiil a maiciial body consiiucicd ol ilc ilicc
modcs ol maiciial naiuic'. lccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc
masici ol limiilcss iiansccndcnial bliss and lnowlcdgc, Hc icmains always alool
liom ilc inlciioi maiciial cncigy.
+ Somconc may asl: 'How is ii ilai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad icmains lull
ol all iiansccndcnial opulcnccs'' To answci ilis qucsiion, ilc Pcisonilicd Vcdas
say: 'Aiia-blagal' (O Loid, You aic lull ol cicinal spiiiiual opulcnccs).
Now somconc may asl: 'How is ii ilai ilc Supicmc Loid's opulcnccs aic so
cxiiaoidinaiy'' To answci ilis qucsiion, ilc Pcisonilicd Vcdas say: 'Apaiimcya-
blagal' (O Loid, Youi opulcnccs aic unlimiicd. Nciilci iimc noi spacc imposc
icsiiiciions on Youi opulcnccs).`
5 Tlc limiilcss opulcnccs ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic also
dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vcisc liom Siimad llagavaiam (10.S7.1+), wlcic ilc
Pcisonilicd Vcdas say io ilc Supicmc Loid:
O Loid, You aic ilc masici ol all opulcnccs.`
6 Tlc cxamplc ol ilc snalc slcdding iis slin may bc cxplaincd in ilc
lollowing way: A snalc slcd iis slin wlcn ilc slin bccomcs ioo old. Tlc snalc
will noi go ai all ncai ilc old icjccicd slin, bui avoids ii complcicly. In ilc samc
way, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad will noi cvcn comc ncai ilc maiciial cncigy
maya, bui complcicly icjccis ii.
7 Tlc Loid's iiansccndcnial opulcnccs aic also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing
siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (10.37.22), wlcic Loid Kisna is addicsscd in ilc
lollowing woids:
O Loid, You aic lull ol supicmcly puic iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc. All
Youi dcsiics aic auiomaiically lullillcd, and nonc ol Youi dcsiics can cvci bc
ilwaiicd.`¯
S In ilc lollowing vciscs liom Siimad llagavaiam (11.15.3-5) ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad dcsciibcs His opulcnccs io Uddlava:
Tlc masicis ol ilc yoga sysicm lavc dcclaicd ilai ilcic aic cigliccn iypcs
ol mysiic pcilcciion and mcdiiaiion, ol wlicl cigli aic piimaiy, laving ilcii
slclici in Mc, and icn aic sccondaiy, appcaiing liom ilc maiciial modc ol
goodncss.`¯¯¯
9 Among ilc cigli piimaiy mysiic pcilcciions ilosc ilicc by wlicl onc
adjusis onc's own body aic anima, bccoming smallci ilan ilc smallcsi, malima,
bccoming gicaici ilan ilc gicaicsi, and laglima, bccoming liglici ilan ilc
liglicsi. Tliougl ilc pcilcciion ol piapii onc acquiics wlaicvci onc dcsiics, and
ilougl pialamya-siddli onc cxpciicnccs any cnjoyablc objcci, ciilci in ilis woild
oi ilc ncxi. Tliougl isiia-siddli onc can manipulaic ilc sub poicncics ol maya,
and iliougl ilc coniiolling poicncy callcd vasiia-siddli onc is unimpcdcd by ilc
ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic. Onc wlo las acquiicd lamavasayiia-siddli can
obiain anyiling liom anywlcic, io ilc liglcsi possiblc limii. My dcai gcnilc
Uddlava, ilcsc cigli mysiic pcilcciions aic considcicd io bc naiuially cxisiing and
uncxccllcd wiilin ilis woild.`¯¯¯
10 Tlc poicncics ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad includcd ilc maiciial
poicncy maya. Maya is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vcisc ol Siimad llagavaiam
(7.6.23), wlcic Piallada Malaiaja says io ilc sons ol ilc dcmons:
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is simply pciccivcd as ilc supicmc sac-cid-
ananda (ciciniiy, lnowlcdgc and bliss). lcing covcicd by ilc cuiiain ol ilc
cxicinal cncigy, io ilc ailcisi Hc appcais non cxisicni.`¯
11 Siila Siidlaia Svami discusscs ilis vcisc:
Somconc may asl: 'Il God is all-pcivading, ilcn wly do wc noi scc ilc
omniscicni, all-powcilul Godlcad cvciywlcic''
Tlc answci io ilai qucsiion is givcn in ilis vcisc: 'mayayaniailiiaisvaiyal'
(Tlc supicmcly opulcni Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is covcicd by ilc cuiiain ol ilc
cxicinal cncigy, and io ilc ailcisi Hc appcais non-cxisicni).`
Tlis vcisc cxplains ilai ilc gloiics and opulcnccs ol ilc Loid aic liddcn
liom ilc vicw ol ilc condiiioncd souls by ilc cxicinal maiciial poicncy (mayaya
guna-saigaya). Tlcsc cxplanaiions clcaily iclci io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad wlo is indicaicd by ilc woid 'paiamcsvaial'.
12 Maya is also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Svciasvaiaia Upanisad
(+.5):
Tlc unboin maiciial naiuic cicaics ilc many maiciial bodics assumcd by
ilc condiiioncd souls. Tlis maiciial naiuic las ilicc lcaiuics, ilc ilicc modcs ol
maiciial naiuic: goodncss (wliic), passion (icd) and ignoiancc (blacl). In ilc
condiiioncd siaic ilc unboin cicinal spiiii soul bccomcs ilc lollowci and scivani
ol ilc maiciial cncigy. Wlcn libciaicd liom illusion, ilc spiiii soul abandons ilc
aiicmpi io cnjoy wlai is ollcicd by ilc maiciial cncigy.`
13 How may ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad bc dcsciibcd' Hc is ilc
posscssoi ol all lnowlcdgc and ilc masici ol all opulcnccs and poicncics. Tlis is
dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcnis ol Vcdic liiciaiuic:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc masici ol all iiansccndcnial
qualiiics and poicncics.`
Svciasvaiaia Upanisad 1.3
Tlc iiansccndcnial poicncics ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic
bcyond ilc pciccpiion oi dcsciipiion ol ilc condiiioncd souls.`
Visnu Puiana 1.19.77
Anuccheda 26
1 Tlis is also cxplaincd in Siimad llagavaiam 11.13.+0, wlcic ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad Himscll says:
All supciioi iiansccndcnial qualiiics, sucl as bcing bcyond ilc modcs ol
naiuic, dciaclcd, ilc wcll-wislci, ilc mosi dcai, ilc Supcisoul, cqually siiuaicd
cvciywlcic, and licc liom maiciial qualiiics, lind ilcii slclici and woislipablc
objcci in Mc.`¯¯¯
2 Siidlaia Svami cxplains in lis commcniaiy:
Wlai is ilc naiuic ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad' Hc is
dcsciibcd in ilis vcisc by ilc woid 'aguna'. Hcic ilc woid 'aguna' mcans 'wiiloui
any ol ilc icmpoiaiy, consianily clanging qualiiics ol ilc maiciial naiuic'. Tlc
Loid las no maiciial qualiiics, loi all His aiiiibuics aic cicinal and clangclcss.`
Tlis is also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Naiada-pancaiaiia,
Jiiania-sioiia:
I ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol godlcad.
Hc is ilc oiiginal cicaioi ol cvciyiling. Alilougl Hc las no maiciial qualiiics, Hc
is lully cndowcd wiil all six iiansccndcnial opulcnccs.`
3 Tlc iiansccndcnial qualiiics ol ilc Loid aic also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing
siaicmcni ol ilc bialma-iaila:
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad posscsscs all iiansccndcnial qualiiics. Tlc
qualiiics ol ilc Supicmc Loid and ilc libciaicd living cniiiics aic ilc samc. In
qualiiy ilcy aic onc.`
+ Tlc spiiiiual qualiiics ol ilc Loid aic also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vciscs
ol ilc Kalila Puiana, wlcic goddcss Duiga piays io Loid Visnu:
O Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, cvcn lialma, ilc dcmigods, sagcs, and ascciics
cannoi undcisiand Youi iiansccndcnial loims. How is ii possiblc, ilcn, loi an
insignilicani pcison lilc myscll io dcsciibc You' O Loid, You aic niiguna,
wiiloui any maiciial qualiiics. Lvcn ilc dcmigods, lcadcd by Malaiaja India, and
ilc dcmons cannoi undcisiand Youi iiansccndcnial qualiiics. How is ii possiblc,
ilcn, loi mc, wlo am only a woman, io undcisiand ilcm'`
Tlis vcisc was iccounicd by Sii Hamsadcva io Sanala and ilc Kumaias.
Anuccheda 27
1 In ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (1.16.29), ilc caiilly
dciiy conliims ilc siaicmcni ol Hamsa-avaiaia (Siimad llagavaiam 11.13.+0
quoicd in Anucclcda 26, icxi 1) and, alici lisiing somc ol ilc Supicmc Loid's
iiansccndcnial qualiiics, (sucl as clcanlincss and iiuillulncss) alliims ilai all
ilcsc qualiiics aic cicinally picscni in ilc Loid, and Hc is ncvci scpaiaicd liom
ilcm. Slc says:
Many iiansccndcnial qualiiics aic cicinally picscni in ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and aic ncvci io bc scpaiaicd liom Him.`¯
2 Siidlaia Svami cxplains in lis commcniaiy:
In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'cic' iclcis io ilc +0 qualiiics ol ilc Loid lisicd lcic.
Tlc woids 'anyc ca' iclci io innumciablc oilci gicai qualiiics ol Loid noi includcd
in ilis lisi. Among sucl qualiiics aic ilc Supicmc Loid's mcicy io ilc lialmanas
and His pioicciion ol ilc suiicndcicd souls. Tlc woid 'niiyal' mcans ilai ilc
Loid's qualiiics aic all cicinal and ilcy aic naiuially His piopciiy. Tlcy aic noi
aiiilicially imposcd liom wiiloui. Tlc woids 'na viyanii' mcan ilai ilc Loid's
qualiiics ncvci dciciioiaic and ilc Loid is ncvci bcicli ol ilcm.`
3 Tlai ilc iiansccndcnial qualiiics ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
aic bcyond ilc inllucncc ol maiciial iimc is conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni
ol Visnu Puiana (+.1.27):
Timc, wlicl is composcd ol scconds, minuics, louis, ycais and so loiil,
is noi ablc io clangc ilc cicinal qualiiics ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
Anuccheda 28
1 Tlai ilc qualiiics ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic complcicly
spiiiiual and noi ai all maiciial is also conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol
Siimad llagavaiam (10.2S.7) wlcic Vaiunadcva says io Sii Kisna:
O Loid, O Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Supicmc lialman and
Supcisoul ol cvciyiling, lci mc ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio You. You aic
ilc supicmc iiansccndcnial pcisonaliiy; ilcic is no possibiliiy ol imposing ilc
inllucncc ol maiciial naiuic upon You.`¯
2 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'yaiia' iclcis io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
wlo is manilcsi as lialman, Paiamaima and llagavan. Hc is ncvci undci ilc
inllucncc ol ilc cxicinal maiciial cncigy (maya na siuyaic). Maya's juiisdiciion is
limiicd io ilc cicaiion, mainicnancc, and annililaiion ol ilc vaiious maiciial
univciscs. Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is spiiiiual and bcyond ilc
limiicd maiciial univciscs. Tlcicloic Hc is noi wiilin maya's juiisdiciion, and Hc
is noi coniiollcd by lci.
3 As lc was asling Siila Suladcva Gosvami aboui ilc gcogiaply ol ilc caiil
planci, Malaiaja Paiilsii spolc ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam 5.16.3),
conliiming ilai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is bcyond ilc icacl ol ilc maiciial
cncigy and ilc ilicc modcs ol naiuic:
Wlcn ilc mind is lixcd upon ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad in His
cxicinal lcaiuic madc ol ilc maiciial modcs ol naiuic - ilc gioss univcisal loim -
ii is biougli io ilc plailoim ol puic goodncss. In ilai iiansccndcnial posiiion,
onc can undcisiand ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Vasudcva, wlo in lis
subilci loim is scll-cllulgcni and bcyond ilc modcs ol naiuic.`¯
Anuccheda 29
1 Tlai ilc maiciial cncigy is aslamcd cvcn io appioacl ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vciscs ol Siimad llagavaiam (2.5.12-13)
wlcic Loid lialma says io Naiada:
I ollci my obcisanccs and mcdiiaic upon Loid Kisna (Vasudcva), ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlosc invinciblc poicncy inllucnccs ilcm (ilc lcss
iniclligcni class ol mcn) io call mc ilc supicmc coniiollci.¯
2 Tlc illusoiy cncigy ol ilc Loid cannoi ialc picccdcncc, bcing aslamcd ol
lci posiiion, bui ilosc wlo aic bcwildcicd by lci always iall nonscnsc, bcing
absoibcd in ilouglis ol 'Ii is I' and 'Ii is minc'.`
3 In ilis vcisc lialma cxplains ilai bccausc ilc maiciial cncigy, maya, is
composcd ol ilc ilicc modcs ol ignoiancc, passion and goodncss, slc is
coniaminaicd and lull ol laulis. Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, bccausc Hc is
spiiiiual, and posscsscs ciciniiy, lnowlcdgc and bliss io ilc liglcsi dcgicc, is
complcicly llawlcss. Tlc coniaminaicd maiciial cncigy is ilcicloic cmbaiiasscd io
comc wiilin ilc cncigy is ilcicloic cmbaiiasscd io comc wiilin ilc vision ol ilc
supicmcly puic Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlis vcisc cxplains ilai ilc maiciial
cncigy maya bcwildcis (vimoliial) Loid lialma and all oilci condiiioncd souls.
Anuccheda 30
1 Having dcmonsiiaicd ilai ilc iiansccndcnial loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
godlcad is lull ol ilc six opulcnccs ol wcalil, siicngil, lamc, bcauiy, lnowlcdgc,
and icnunciaiion, and many oilci powcis and opulcncc also, wc will now
csiablisl ilai ilc loim ol ilc Loid is pcilcci and complcic in all icspccis. Iiisi wc
will slow ilai bccausc ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc supicmc iulci ol ilc
spiiiiual plancis lnown as Vailunilalola, ilcicloic His spiiiiual loim is cicinal,
and will ncvci ccasc io cxisi. Tlis is conliimcd by ilc lollowing ilicc vciscs ol
Siimad llagavaiam (10.3.25-27). wlcn Loid Kisna dcsccndcd io ilis maiciial
woild, Dcvali-dcvi piaycd io Him (10.3.25):
2 Alici millions ol ycais, ai ilc iimc ol cosmic annililaiion, wlcn
cvciyiling, manilcsicd and unmanilcsicd, is annililaicd by ilc loicc ol iimc, ilc
livc gioss clcmcnis cnici inio ilc subilc conccpiion, and ilc manilcsicd caicgoiics
cnici inio ilc unmanilcsicd subsiancc. Ai ilai iimc, You alonc icmain, and You
aic lnown as Anania-Scsa-naga.`¯
3 In ilc ncxi vcisc (10.3.26) Dcvali cxplaincd wly ilc Loid is lnown by ilc
namc 'scsa':
O inauguiaioi ol ilc maiciial cncigy, ilis wondcilul cicaiion woils undci
ilc coniiol ol powcilul iimc, wlicl is dividcd inio scconds, minuics, louis and
ycais. Tlis clcmcni ol iimc, wlicl cxicnds loi many millions ol ycais, is bui
anoilci loim ol Loid Visnu. Ioi Youi pasiimcs, You aci as ilc coniiollci ol iimc,
bui You aic ilc icscivoii ol all good loiiunc. Lci mc ollci my lull suiicndci unio
Youi Loidslip.`¯
+ In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'avyalia-bandlo' mcans 'O inauguiaioi ol ilc
maiciial cncigy', and 'ccsiam' mcans 'iimc', wlicl is dividcd inio scconds, minuics,
louis, and ycais'. Tlai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc oiiginal cicaioi ol iimc
is conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Mala-Naiiayana Upanisad (1.S):
Timc is boin liom ilc splcndid Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`¯
In oilci woids, iimc, wlicl is ilc causc ol ilc cicaiion and dcsiiuciion ol
ilc maiciial univciscs, is simply onc ol ilc limbs ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Alilougl ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc oiigin ol ilc dcsiiuciivc iimc-lacioi,
siill, Hc is also supicmcly auspicious, as Dcvali-dcvi las said: 'lscma-dlama' (O
Loid, You aic ilc icscivoii ol all good-loiiunc). ly His own wisl ilc Supicmc
Loid appcaicd in ilis maiciial woild and liiglicncd ilc dcmon Kamsa (by His
iimc-poicncy), wlai io spcal ol giving pioicciion io ilc dcvoicd Dcvali (lscma-
dlama). Tlcsc iwo aciiviiics aic clcaily dcsciibcd in ilc ncxi vcisc ol Siimad
llagavaiam (10.3.27) wlcic Dcvali says:
5 No onc in ilis maiciial woild las bccomc licc liom ilc loui piinciplcs ol
biiil, dcail, old agc, and discasc, cvcn by llccing io vaiious plancis. lui now ilai
You lavc appcaicd, My Loid, dcail is llccing in lcai ol You, and ilc living cniiiics,
laving obiaincd slclici ai Youi loius lcci by Youi mcicy, aic slccping in lull
mcnial pcacc.`¯
6 In ilis vcisc Dcvali-dcvi coniiasis ilc vaiious maiciial plancis wiil ilc
loius lcci ol ilc Sii Kisna. ly llccing io vaiious maiciial plancis (lolan piapya),
onc cannoi bccomc licc liom lcai (niiblayam). Onc ilc oilci land, by ialing
slclici ol Loid Kisna's loius lcci (ivai-padabjam piapya), onc bccomcs licc liom
ilc lcais ol maiciial cxisicncc. Wc may noic in ilis conncciion ilai by saying
'ivai-padabjam' (Youi loius lcci), Dcvali-dcvi clcaily iclcis noi only io ilc Loid's
loius lcci bui io His complcic iiansccndcnial loim also.
In ilis vcisc Dcvali says ilai dcail llccs in lcai ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad. Tlis is also conliimcd in ilc Visnu-salasia-nama piaycis, wlicl
dcsciibc ilc Supicmc Loid as 'amiia-vapul' (Hc wlosc loim is cicinal). Lvcn
Sanlaiacaiya conliims ilis in His commcniaiy on ilis woid ol ilc Visnu-salasia-
nama, by saying:
Tlc woid 'amiia-vapul' mcans 'Hc wlosc loim is licc liom dcail'.`
7 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'adya' may bc inicipicicd io mcan: O Loid wlo docs
noi ialc biiil in ilis maiciial woild, alilougl You aic ilc oiiginal lailci ol all ilc
living cniiiics wlo do ialc biiil lcic.` Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
docs noi ialc biiil in ilc maiciial woild as an oidinaiy condiiioncd soul bui
appcais lcic in His oiiginal iiansccndcnial loim by His own wisl, is conliimcd by
ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (10.3.S) wlcic ilc Loid's 'biiil' as
Dcvali's son is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing woids compaiing ilc Loid's 'biiil' io ilc
iising ol ilc moon:
Tlcn ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Visnu, wlo is siiuaicd in ilc
coic ol cvciyonc's lcaii , appcaicd liom ilc lcaii ol Dcvali in ilc dcnsc dailncss
ol nigli, lilc ilc lull moon iising on ilc casicin loiizon.`¯
S Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad ncvci ialcs biiil is also
dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Mala Upanisad:
Loid Haii is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and Hc is lull ol all
iiansccndcnial bliss. Hc is ncvci boin and Hc ncvci dics. Hc causcs lialma io
cicaic ilc maiciial univcisc and Siva io dcsiioy ii.`
Tlc vciscs quoicd in ilc bcginning ol ilis Anucclcda wcic spolcn io ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad by Sii Dcvali-dcvi.
Anuccheda 31
1 Tlai ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is biiillcss and
bcginninglcss is also conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam
(5.25.9):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is bcginninglcss and unlimiicd. Hc
cnablcs ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic io aci as ilc causcs ol univcisal cicaiion,
mainicnancc and dcsiiuciion.`¯
2 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ncvci allccicd by biiil, dcail,
oi any oilci maiciial iiansloimaiion is cxplaincd in ilc lollowing vcisc liom
Siimad llagavaiam (5.17.19) wlcic Loid Siva dcsciibcs ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad Loid Sanlaisana in ilc lollowing woids:
Wc cannoi coniiol ilc loicc ol oui angci. Tlcicloic wlcn wc lool ai
maiciial ilings, wc cannoi avoid lccling aiiiaciion oi icpulsion loi ilcm. lui ilc
Supicmc Loid is ncvci allccicd in ilis way. Alilougl Hc glanccs ovci ilc maiciial
woild loi ilc puiposc ol cicaiing, mainiaining and dcsiioying ii, Hc is noi
allccicd, cvcn io ilc sliglicsi dcgicc. Tlcicloic, onc wlo dcsiics io conquci ilc
loicc ol ilc scnscs musi ialc slclici ol ilc loius lcci ol ilc Loid. Tlcn lc will bc
vicioiious.`¯
3 Tlai ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is always unallccicd
by ilc iiansloimaiions causcd by ilc maiciial cncigy is conliimcd by ilc lollowing
siaicmcnis ol Siila Suladcva Gosvami:
My dcai King, appioximaicly 2+0 000 milcs bcncail ilc planci Paiala livcs
anoilci incainaiion ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Hc is ilc cxpansion
ol Loid Visnu lnown as Loid Anania oi Loid Sanlaisana. Hc is always in ilc
iiansccndcnial posiiion, bui bccausc Hc is woislippcd by Loid Siva, ilc dciiy ol
iamo-guna oi dailncss, Hc is somciimcs callcd iamasi. Loid Anania is ilc
picdominaiing Dciiy ol ilc maiciial modc ol ignoiancc as wcll as ilc lalsc cgo ol
all condiiioncd souls. Wlcn a condiiioncd living bcing ilinls 'I am ilc cnjoyci,
and ilis woild is mcani io bc cnjoycd by mc', ilis conccpiion ol lilc is diciaicd io
lim by Sanlaisana. Tlus ilc mundanc condiiioncd soul ilinls limscll ilc
Supicmc Loid.`¯
Siimad llagavaiam 5.25.1
In Ilaviia-vaisa, Loid Siva is always cnciiclcd by icn billion maidscivanis
ol goddcss Duiga, wlo minisici io lim. Tlc quadiuplc cxpansion ol ilc Supicmc
Loid is composcd by Vasudcva,, Piadyumna, Aniiiudla and Sanlaisana.
Sanlaisana, ilc louiil cxpansion, is cciiainly iiansccndcnial, bui bccausc lis
aciiviiics ol dcsiiuciion in ilc maiciial woild aic in ilc modc ol ignoiancc, Hc is
lnown as iamasi, ilc Loid's loim in ilc modc ol ignoiancc. Loid Siva lnows ilai
Sanlaisana is ilc oiiginal causc ol lis own cxisicncc, and ilus lc always mcdiiaics
upon Him in iiancc by claniing ilc lollowing maniia.`¯
Siimad llagavaiam 5.17.16
+ Tlai all ilc loims ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic
iiansccndcnial io ilc inlciioi maiciial cncigy is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing
siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (5.25.10) wlcic Siila Suladcva Gosvami says:
Tlis manilcsiaiion ol subilc and gioss maiici cxisis wiilin ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Oui ol causclcss mcicy iowaid His dcvoiccs, Hc cxlibiis
vaiious loims, wlicl aic all iiansccndcnial. Tlc Supicmc Loid is mosi libcial,
and Hc posscsscs all mysiic powci. To conquci ilc minds ol His dcvoiccs and givc
plcasuic io ilcii lcaiis, Hc appcais in dillcicni incainaiions and manilcsis many
pasiimcs.`¯
5 Tlai all ilc loims ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic cicinal is also
conliimcd by ilc lollowing piayci liom ilc Padma Puiana, Uiiaia-llanda:
I ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
wlo appcais as ilc Univcisal Ioim. All ilc loims ol ilc Loid aic biiillcss,
dcaillcss and unlimiicd.`
6 Hcic somconc may pioicsi ilai ilcic aic siaicmcnis in ilc Slanda Puiana
and oilci Vcdic liiciaiuics ilai dcsciibc ilc Supicmc Loid's loim as icmpoiaiy
and maiciial. Sucl siaicmcnis aic dclibciaicly insciicd in somc sciipiuics in oidci
io lidc ilc Loid's gloiics liom ilc cycs ol ilc ailcisis, and ilc Puianas coniaining
sucl lauliy inloimaiion aic clcaily lnown as Puianas in ilc modc ol ignoiancc.
Lvcn ilc Siimad llagavaiam coniains somc lcw siaicmcnis ilai aic noi io bc
acccpicd by ilc dcvoiccs as ilc llagavaiam iiscll dcclaics (10.77.30):
Wc will spccilically csiablisl ilis poini laici on in ilc Sii Kisna-sandaibla.
7 My only opinion is ilai ilc Loid's loims aic cciiainly cicinal and
iiansccndcnial and ilis vicw is conliimcd by ilc siaicmcnis ol Siimad llagavaiam
1.16.27 (wlcic ilc caiil dciiy cxplains ilai ilc Supicmc Loid's qualiiics, sucl as
bcauiy, cnduiancc, cncigy, and siicngil aic all cicinal), 10.3.25 and 5.25.9 wlicl
lavc bccn quoicd in ilc picvious icxis.
Tlc vcisc quoicd in ilc bcginning ol ilis Anucclcda was spolcn by Siila
Suladcva Gosvami.
Anuccheda 32
1 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is all-pcivading is conliimcd by
ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (10.9.13-1+):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las no bcginning and no cnd, no
cxiciioi and no iniciioi, no lioni and no icai. In oilci woids, Hc is all-pcivading.
lccausc Hc is noi undci ilc inllucncc ol ilc clcmcni ol iimc, loi Him ilcic is no
dillcicncc bciwccn pasi, picscni and luiuic; Hc cxisis in His own iiansccndcnial
loim ai all iimcs. lcing Absoluic, bcyond iclaiiviiy, Hc is licc liom disiinciion
bciwccn causc and cllcci, alilougl Hc is ilc causc and cllcci ol cvciyiling. Tlai
unmanilcsicd pcison, wlo is bcyond ilc pciccpiion ol ilc scnscs, lad now
appcaicd as a luman clild, and moilci Yasoda, considciing Him lci own oidinaiy
clild, bound Him io ilc woodcn moiiai wiil a iopc.`¯
2 Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis on ilis vcisc in ilc lollowing woids:
Il an objcci las limiis ol bcginning and cnd, ii may bc bound wiil a iopc,
bui il an objcci las no limiis, ilcn ii cannoi bc suiioundcd by anyiling, oi bound
wiil any iopc. In ilis vcisc Siimad llagavaiam conliims ilai Sii Kisna is all-
pcivading and wiiloui limiis (na canial). Indccd, Hc is cvciyiling (jagac ca yal).
Siill, 'ilc unmanilcsicd Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is bcyond ilc
pciccpiion ol ilc scnscs (adlolsajam) lad now appcaicd as a luman clild
(maiiya-lingam) and Moilci Yasoda considciing (maiva) Him (iam) lci own
oidinaiy clild (aimajam) bound (babandla) Him io ilc woodcn moiiai wiil a
iopc..'`
3 Tlc pliasc 'jagac ca yal' (Hc is cvciyiling in cicaiion in ioial) may bc
undcisiood in ilc lollowing way: Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is noi
dillcicni liom ciilci ilc causc ol cicaiion, oi ilc cosmic manilcsiaiion ilai is ilc
cllcci ol ilai causc. In oilci woids, bccausc ilc cniiic maiciial univcisc is
noiling bui ilc poicncy ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Hc is noi
dillcicni liom ii. lccausc an oidinaiy maiciial iopc is simply a liagmcnial paii ol
onc ol His cncigics, sucl a iopc las no powci io bind Him, any moic ilan a small
llamc las ilc powci io buin up a laigc liic.
+ Ai ilis poini somconc may iaisc ilc lollowing objcciion: Il ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is all-pcivading, ilcn low is ii possiblc ilai Yasoda-dcvi
iicd Him wiil a small iopc ilai could noi cvcn lavc cxicnd ilc bicadil ol ilc
maiciial univcisc'` Tlis objcciion is answcicd in ilis vcisc by ilc woids 'maiiya-
lingam' (in oidci io pciloim His pasiimcs, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
appcaicd lilc an oidinaiy luman clild). In oidci io aci lilc an oidinaiy luman
bcing, ilc Supicmc Loid allowcd Himscll io bc bound by Moilci Yasoda's iopc.
5 Ai ilis poini somconc may iaisc ilc lollowing qucsiion: 'Il ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las a luman-lilc loim, ilan ilai loim is cciiainly
manilcsicd wiilin a limiicd aica ol spacc. How can sucl a limiicd loim bc all-
pcivading'`
Tlis qucsiion is answcicd by ilc usc ol ilc woid 'adlolsajam' (bcyond ilc
pciccpiion ol ilc scnscs). Tlc loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cannoi bc
piopcily undcisiood by ilc scnscs ol ilc condiiioncd soul, noi can ii bc
undcisiood by any oilci pioccss loi acquiiing lnowlcdgc availablc io ilc
condiiioncd souls. lccausc Hc is ilus inconccivablc, alilougl Hc may appcai io
bc limiicd wiilin iimc and spacc, in aciual laci Hc is all-pcivading. lccausc Hc is
noi piopcily undcisiood by oidinaiy living cniiiics, Hc is ilcicloic dcsciibcd in
ilis vcisc as 'avyaliam' (unmanilcsicd).
6 Ai ilis poini somconc may asl: Il ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
all-pcivading, cvcn ilougl His loim appcaicd lilc ilai ol an oidinaiy luman
bcing, ilcn wly did Hc noi icvcal His all-pcivading naiuic io His moilci, Yasoda-
dcvi'`
Tlis qucsiion is answcicd by ilc woids 'aimajam-maiva' (Moilci Yasoda
considcicd Kisna lci own oidinaiy clild). Tlc iclaiionslip bciwccn Sii Kisna
and Yasoda-dcvi was ilai ol son and moilci. In oidci noi io disiupi ilc blisslul
cxclangc ol lovc bciwccn Himscll and His moilci, Loid Kisna conccalcd His all-
pcivasivcncss and His oilci opulcnccs liom lci cycs. Moilci Yasoda's ignoiancc
ol ilc supci luman piowcss ol lci son was aciually lci gicai gloiy, loi in oidci io
lccp ilc loving paicni-clild iclaiionslip wiil lci, Hc allowcd Himscll io bc
bound by a lcw small iopcs. Tlc cxalicd posiiion ol Moilci Yasoda is dcsciibcd in
ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (10.9.20):
Nciilci Loid lialma, noi Loid Siva, noi cvcn ilc goddcss ol loiiunc, wlo
is always ilc bciici lall ol ilc Supicmc Loid, can obiain liom ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc dclivcici liom ilis maiciial woild, sucl mcicy as
icccivcd by moilci Yasoda.`¯
7 Somc may say ilai ilc pliasc 'adlolsajam pialiiam yaila' mcans ilai ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is all-pcivading, acccpicd ilc illusoiy loim ol a
luman bcing iliougl ilc agcncy ol His mala-maya poicncy. Sucl a conccpiion is
complcicly lalsc. Tlcy wlo ilinl ilai ilc Supicmc Loid, wlo cannoi bc iouclcd
by ilc maiciial poicncy maya, can bc undcisiood by ilc inlaniilc logic ol ilc
condiiioncd souls, aic gicai lools. Tlcy aic jusi lilc ilc gulliblc audicncc ilai
bclicvcs in ilc cxisicncc ol ilc magician's cicaiion ol a blazing liic in ilc middlc ol
ilc occan. Tlcy do noi undcisiand ilc naiuic ol ilc Supicmc. Tlai ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dilliculi io undcisiand is conliimcd by ilc lollowing
siaicmcni ol Siuii-sasiia:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is all-powcilul. Hc alonc cicaicd all
ilc dcmigods. Wlo can undcisiand low Hc appcais in ilis woild'`
S In ilis vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 10.9.13-1+), ilc iclaiivc and co-iclaiivc
pionouns 'yai' and 'iai' boil iclci io Sii Kisna. Ioi ilis icason ii slould bc
undcisiood ilai ilc loim ol Sii Kisna is simuliancously limiicd wiilin spacc,
(bccausc Hc las a clcaily dclincd loim wiil lands, lcci, and oilci limbs) and also
all-pcivading. Tlcsc appaicnily coniiadicioiy qualiiics ol ilc Loid may bc
acccpicd bccausc Hc is ilc icscivoii ol lundicds ol muiually coniiadicioiy
poicncics, and ilcicloic any oilciwisc impossiblc iling may casily bc donc by
Him. Tlai muiually coniiadicioiy aciions may pciloimcd by a singlc causc may
bc sccn cvcn in ilc maiciial splcic wlcic ilcic aic somc mcdicincs ilai cicaic
many dillcicni cllccis on ilc body, somc ol ilcm coniiadiciing oilci cllccis
causcd by ilc samc mcdicinc.
9 Tlai Sii Kisna is simuliancously limiicd wiilin spacc and also all-
pcivading is possiblc bccausc Hc is ilc masici ol all inconccivablc poicncics wlicl
cannoi bc giaspcd by ilc iiny biains ol ilc condiiioncd souls, is conliimcd by ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol lialma-samliia (5.3+):
I woislip Govinda, ilc piimcval Loid, only ilc iip ol ilc ioc ol wlosc
loius lcci is appioaclcd by ilc yogis wlo aspiic alici ilc iiansccndcnial and
bcialc ilcmsclvcs io pianayama by diilling ilc icspiiaiion; oi by ilc jnanis wlo
iiy io lind oui ilc non dillcicniiaicd lialman by ilc pioccss ol climinaiion ol ilc
mundanc, cxicnding ovci ilousands and millions ol ycais.`¯¯
10 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad posscsscs muiually coniiadicioiy
qualiiics, including ilc abiliiy io bc simuliancously limiicd in spacc and all-
pcivading, is conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Siuii-sasiia as quoicd in
ilc commcniaiics ol Siipada Madlvacaiya:
Loid Haii is nciilci laigc, small, oi ol a middlc-sizc. Hc is simuliancously
all-pcivading and noi all-pcivading. Hc las and docs noi lavc a bcginning. Hc is
and is noi ilc maiciial univcisc. Hc las qualiiics and Hc docs noi lavc qualiiics.`
11 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad posscsscs muiually coniiadicioiy
qualiiics is also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Nisimla-iapani
Upanisad (2.6.1):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cxisis ouisidc ilc maiciial splcic,
bui ilcn again Hc cxisis wiilin ilc maiciial splcic. Hc is ilc scll, bui ilcn again
Hc is noi ilc scll. Hc is lciocious and Hc is also noi lciocious. Hc is powcilul and
also powcilcss. Hc is gicai, and Hc is also noi gicai. Hc is all-pcivading, and noi
all-pcivading. Hc is vciy splcndid and Hc is noi splcndid ai all. His laccs aic
manilcsi cvciywlcic, and again His laccs aic noi manilcsi cvciywlcic.`
12 Tlis is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc lialma Puiana:
Tlc Supicmc Godlcad las a loim nciilci laigc noi small. Hc is noi ilc
maiciial univcisc, bui ilcn again Hc is ilc maiciial univcisc. Hc posscsscs
innumciablc qualiiics and opulcnccs, many ol wlicl coniiadici cacl oilci.
lccausc Hc is lull ol all opulcnccs, Hc is lnown as ilc Supicmc Pcison.`
13 Tlis is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Visnu-dlaima
Puiana:
I ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
wlo is simuliancously ilc gicaicsi and ilc smallcsi. Hc is onc ilousandil ilc six
ol an aiom, and ai ilc samc iimc Hc is so laigc ilai all ilc maiciial univciscs
baicly occupy a millionil paii ol ilc sizc ol His abdomcn.`
1+ Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad dcsciibcs His own scll-coniiadicioiy
powcis and opulcnccs in ilc lollowing vciscs ol llagavad-giia (9.+-5):
ly Mc in My unmanilcsicd loim, ilis cniiic univcisc is pcivadcd. All
bcings aic in Mc, bui I am noi in ilcm. And yci cvciyiling ilai is cicaicd docs
noi icsi in Mc, bclold My mysiic opulcncc!`¯
Wc may noic ilai ilc woid 'avyalia-muiiina' uscd in ilis vcisc may mcan
'by My loim, wlicl is bcyond ilc compiclcnsion ol ilc limiicd maiciial
iniclligcncc.'
Anuccheda 33
1 In ilc ncxi scciion ol ilis bool (Anucclcdas 31-39) wc will quoic vaiious
siaicmcnis ol ilc dcmigod lialma ilai conliim ilc siaicmcni ilai ilc loim ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is simuliancously limiicd wiilin spacc, and yci
all-pcivading. In ilc liisi quoiaiion (Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.11) lialma says:
Wlcic am I, a small cicaiuic ol scvcn spans ol ilc mcasuic ol my own
land' I am cncloscd in ilc univcisc composcd ol maiciial naiuic, ilc ioial
maiciial cncigy, lalsc cgo, cilci, aii, waici and caiil. And wlai is Youi gloiy'
Unlimiicd univciscs pass iliougl ilc poics ol Youi body jusi lilc paiiiclcs ol dusi
passing iliougl ilc opcning ol a window.`¯
2 In ilc ncxi vcisc lialma cxplains (Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.12):
O Adlolsaja, il a clild wiilin ilc womb plays wiil lis lcgs, and wlilc
playing iouclcs ilc body ol ilc moilci, is ilc moilci ollcndcd wiil ilc clild' Ol
couisc slc isn'i. Similaily, I may bc a vciy gicai pcisonaliiy wiilin ilis univcisc,
and yci noi only myscll bui cvciyiling ilai bc is cxisiing wiilin You. Tlcicloic
You aic considcicd io bc ilc moilci and cvciyiling cxisiing wiilin Youi womb is
considcicd io bc a clild. And a good moilci is ncvci ollcndcd wiil ilc clild,
cvcn il lc iouclcs lci body by licling lis lcgs.`¯
3 In ilc ncxi vcisc (10.1+.13) lialma cxplains ilai ii is wcll lnown ilai
lialma limscll las ialcn biiil liom ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad:
Ai ilc cnd ol ilc univcisc, wlcn ilc ilicc planciaiy sysicms aic mcigcd
inio ilc occan ol dcvasiaiion, Youi plcnaiy poiiion Naiayana lics down on ilc
waicis ol ilai occan, and liom His navcl a loius sicm giows. Tlc Puianas dcsciibc
ilai lialma, ilc unboin, appcais liom ilai loius sicm. O Supicmc Coniiollci,
indccd, am I noi boin liom You'`¯
+ Considciing ilai Loid Kisna migli say Il I wcic Loid Naiayana, wlo lics
down on ilc waicis ol dcvasiaiion, ilcn you migli say ilai you lavc ialcn biiil
liom Mc. Tlc aciual iiuil, lowcvci, is somciling clsc. I am noi Naiayana`,
lialma spolc ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.1+):
O Loid ol loids, You aic ilc scci ol all cicaiion. You aic indccd cvciyonc's
dcaicsi lilc. Aic You noi ilcicloic, my lailci, Naiayana' Naiayana iclcis io onc
wlosc abodc is in ilc waici boin liom Naia (Gaiblodalasayi Visnu) and ilai
Naiayana is Youi plcnaiy poiiion. All Youi plcnaiy poiiions aic iiansccndcnial.
Tlcy aic absoluic and aic noi cicaiions ol maya.`¯
5 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'adlisa' mcans 'O Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
wlo aic siiuaicd abovc ilc loim ol Loid Naiayana, wlo icsidcs in ilc lcaiis ol all
condiiioncd souls,' 'li' mcans 'cciiainly', 'naiayanas ivam na' mcans 'Aic You noi
Naiayana'', and 'naiavano nigam' mcans 'Loid Naiayana is Youi plcnaiy poiiion'.
lialma says in ilis vcisc 'O Loid, bccausc I lavc ialcn biiil liom Youi plcnaiy
poiiion, ilcicloic ii may bc considcicd ilai I lavc ialcn biiil liom You.`
6 lialma ilougli Sii Kisna migli say; 'How is ii ilai You say I am Loid
Naiayana' Cciiainly ilcic is a gicai dillcicncc bciwccn Loid Naiayana and Mc. In
oidci io answci ilis qucsiion, lialma said ilc woids 'dclinam aima' (You aic
Loid Naiayana, ilc all-pcivading Supcisoul picscni in ilc lcaiis ol all condiiioncd
souls).
Tlc woid Naiayana may bc inicipicicd io mcan 'Hc wlo is ilc iclugc
(ayana) ol all living cniiiics (naia). Naiayana is ilc Supcisoul wlo icsidcs in ilc
lcaiis ol all condiiioncd souls, bui Sii Kisna is ilc Oiiginal loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad, siiuaicd abovc Naiayana, and ialing no paii in Naiayana's aciiviiics as
ilc Supcisoul.
7 Loid lialma coniinucd His cxplanaiion by using ilc woid 'allila-lola-
salsi' (Loid Naiayana is ilc scci ol all cicaiion). Il ilc woid 'naia' is ialcn io
mcan 'all living cniiiics' and ilc woid 'ayana' is ialcn io mcan 'undcisianding', ilc
woid 'naiayana' may bc undcisiood io mcan 'Hc wlo lnows cvciyiling aboui all
living cniiiics.' In ilis way ilc woid 'allila-lola-salsi' iclcis io Loid Naiayana.
Loid Kisna docs noi diiccily ialc paii in ilc aciiviiics ol wiincssing ilc aciions ol
ilc condiiioncd souls, bui Hc docs ilis aciiviiy iliougl His plcnaiy cxpansion ol
ilc Supcisoul Naiayana. In ilis way, also, Loid Kisna is dillcicni liom Naiayana.
S lialma ilougli ilai Sii Kisna migli iaisc ilc lollowing objcciion: 'My
dcai lialma, youi siaicmcni 'naiayanas ivam na' cciiainly mcans ilai I am noi
Naiayana. Il onc wcic io inicipici ilis pliasc io mcan ilai I am Loid Naiayana,
ilcn ilis inicipiciaiion would malc no scnscs. How is ii possiblc ilai I am Loid
Naiayana'`
In oidci io answci ilis possiblc objcciion, lialma addicsscd Kisna using
ilc woid 'adlisa', 'Isa' mcans 'ilc coniiollci', and ilai woid clcaily iclcis io Loid
Naiayana, ilc coniiollci ol all living cniiiics. Tlc woid 'adlisa' lowcvci, mcans
'ilc coniiollci ol ilc coniiollci'. In oilci woids, by addicssing Sii Kisna as
'adlisa', lialma cxplaincd ilai Kisna is ilc coniiollci ol Loid Naiayana, jusi as
ilc ling ol a couniiy is ilc coniiollci ol many aiisiociais. Tlai Sii Kisna is ilc
Oiiginal Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, supciioi io Loid Naiayana and ilc oilci loims ol
ilc Loid will bc cxplaincd ai a laici iimc, accoiding io ilc mcilodical aiiangcmcni
ol ilcsc six sandaiblas, in ilc bool lnown as Sii Kisna-sandaibla.
9 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: Tlc piopci undcisianding ol ilc namc
Naiayana is lound in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Vcdic liiciaiuic:
Tlcy wlo aic wisc lnow ilai ilc woid 'naia' mcans 'ilc vaiious maiciial
clcmcnis manilcsicd liom ilc puiusa-avaiaia (naia). 'Ayana' mcans 'icsiing placc',
and ilcicloic ilc woid 'naiayana' mcans 'Hc wlo is ilc icsiing placc wiilin wlicl
ilc vaiious maiciial clcmcnis aic coniaincd.'`
10 Oui objccioi may also quoic ilc lollowing vcisc liom Visnu Puiana (1.+.6)
io suppoii lis inicipiciaiion ol ilc namc Naiayana:
Tlc waici (Gaiblodala occan) pioduccd liom ilc puiusa-avaiaia is
lnown as 'naia'. 'Ayana' mcans 'icsiing placc', and ilcicloic ilc namc 'naiayana'
mcans 'Hc wlo icsis on ilc Gaiblodala occan.'`
11 Tlinling Sii Kisna migli inicipici ilc woid 'naiayana' io mcan 'Hc wlo
lics down on ilc Gaibladala Occan', lialma said: 'naia-blu-jalayanai iac capi
saiyam na iavaiva maya' (Tlc woid 'Naiayana' docs noi mcan 'Hc wlo lics down
on ilc Pialaya occan'. Tlis inicipiciaiion ol ilc woid 'Naiayana' is cicaicd by
Youi illusoiy poicncy, maya).`
Hcic wc may quoic ilc Visva-pialasa Diciionaiy's dcliniiion ol ilc woid
'maya':
Tlc woid 'maya' may bc ialcn io mcan 'iiiclciy' oi 'mcicy'.
Tlc mcaning ol lialma's siaicmcni slould bc undcisiood in ilc lollowing
way: O loid, bccausc ol Youi inconccivablc poicncy, Youi loim is simuliancously
limiicd in spacc and also all-pcivading. Tlcicloic any conccpiion ol You ilai
limiis You io ilc loim ol Naiayana wlo lics down on ilc Pialaya occan is cciiainly
an illusion.`
In ilcsc loui vciscs lialma says: 'O Loid, myscll, ilis cniiic univcisc, and
all oilci univciscs also, all icsi in Naiayana. Tlc loim ol Naiayana, lowcvci, icsi
wiilin You.`
Tlcicloic ilc piopci dcliniiion ol ilc woid 'Naiayana' is 'Hc wlo is all-
pcivading.`
12 Tlc piopci inicipiciaiion ol ilc woid Naiayana is givcn in ilc lollowing
maniia ol ilc Mala-Naiayana Upanisad (2.6):
Loid Naiayana is all-pcivading. Hc is picscni wiilin and wiiloui
cvciyiling ilai las cvci bccn sccn oi lcaid in all ilc maiciial univciscs.`
Anuccheda 3+
1 lialma ciics lis own diicci cxpciicncc io piovc ilai Sii Kisna's
iiansccndcnial loim is noi limiicd by ilc Gaiblodala Occan oi any oilci
boundaiy placcd wiilin ilis maiciial woild. Hc says (Siimad llagavaiam
10.1+.15):
Tlc giganiic univcisal body, wlicl is siill icsiing on ilc waici lnown as
Gaiblodala, is anoilci manilcsiaiion ol Youi cncigy. On accouni ol His icsiing
on ilc waici, ilis univcisal loim is also Naiayana, and wc aic all wiilin ilc womb
ol ilis Naiayana loim. I scc Youi dillcicni Naiayana loims cvciywlcic. I can scc
You on ilc waici, I can lccl You wiilin my lcaii, and I can also scc You bcloic mc
now. You aic ilc oiiginal Naiayana.`¯
2 In ilis vcisc lialma said: Tlc loim ol Naiayana, wlo icsis on ilc
Gaiblodala Occan, is noi cicinally manilcsi ilcic. O Loid wlo is ilc masici ol
all inconccivablc opulcnccs (blagavan), il ilis loim cicinally icmains on ilc
Gaiblodala Occan, ilcn wly did I noi scc ii wlcn I climbcd down ilc sicm ol ilc
loius llowci'
Il onc wcic io say ilai ilc loim ol Naiyana is an illusion cicaicd by ilc
maya-poicncy (wlicl is dcsciibcd in ilc Tiilanda-scsa Diciionaiy as 'ilc cncigy
by wlicl Sambaia and oilcis cicaicd many illusoiy ilings ilai did noi aciually
cxisi) ilcn wly was ii ilai I was ablc io scc ilc loim ol Naiayana, wlicl is cicinal,
lull ol lnowlcdgc and bliss, wlcn I mcdiiaicd upon Him and was ablc io scc Him
in my lcaii, alilougl alici ilc yogic mcdiiaiion was cndcd I was no longci ablc io
scc Him'`
Iiom ilis wc may undcisiand ilai ilc iiansccndcnial loim ol ilc Loid is
cciiainly ical and cicinal, bui ilc conccpiion ilai ilc Loid's cxisicncc is limiicd by
any spccilic loim, and ilcicloic Hc is noi all-pcivading, is noi a iiuc conccpiion.
Anuccheda 35
1 Tlc accouni ol lialma's lailuic io scc Naiayana by climbing down ilc
loius sicm, and His uliimaicly sccing Him in ilc iiancc ol mcdiiaiion is iccounicd
in ilc Tliid Canio ol Siimad llagavaiam and ilc icadci is iclciicd io ilai loi ilc
dciails ol ilc sioiy. In ilis vcisc ilc woids 'iac ccj jala-silam iava saj jagad
vapul' inloim us ilai ilc loim ol Loid Naiayana is ical, cicinal, and
iiansccndcnial, and bccausc ilc maiciial univcisc is cxpandcd liom ilai Supicmc
Rcaliiy ol Loid Naiayana, ii is also ical. Tlc maiciial univcisc is siiuaicd wiilin
ilc loim ol ilc Loid Naiayana, as was diiccily pciccivcd by Moilci Yasoda. Tlis
is cxplaincd by lialma in ilc ncxi vcisc (10.1+.16):
2 My dcai Loid, in ilis incainaiion You lavc piovcd ilai You aic ilc
supicmc coniiollci ol maya. You icmain wiilin ilc cosmic manilcsiaiion, and yci
ilc wlolc cicaiion is wiilin You. Tlis laci las alicady bccn piovcd by You wlcn
You cxlibiicd ilc wlolc univcisal cicaiion wiilin Youi mouil bcloic Youi moilci
Yasoda. ly Youi inconccivablc poicncy ol yogamaya, You can malc sucl ilings
cllcciivc wiiloui cxicinal lclp.`¯
3 In ilis vcisc lialma says: My dcai Loid, in ilis incainaiion You lavc
piovcd ilai You aic ilc supicmc coniiollci ol maya (mayadlamanavaiaic). You
icmain wiilin ilc cosmic manilcsiaiion, and yci ilc wlolc cicaiion is wiilin You`
(piapancasya balil spluiasya liisnasya caniai jailaic). lccausc Loid Kisna is
boil wiilin and wiiloui ilc cosmic manilcsiaiion, wc may undcisiand ilai Hc is
noi limiicd by ilc boundaiics ol maiici, and wlcn Hc appcais io occupy a limiicd
posiiion in iclaiion io iimc and spacc, ilai appcaiancc ol limiiaiion is simply an
illusion. Alilougl Loid Kisna appcais io bc siiuaicd wiilin ilc cosmic
manilcsiaiion, ilc cosmic manilcsiaiion is also wiilin Him, loi ii las cmanaicd
liom Him. lialma says in ilis vcisc: O Loid, ly Youi inconccivablc poicncy ol
yogamaya, You aic now all-pcivading wiilin ilc cosmic manilcsiaiion, alilougl
oiiginally ilc cosmos is wiilin You.` lialma givcs an cxamplc io dcmonsiiaic
ilai ilc cosmos aciually cxisis wiilin Loid Kisna by saying: 'Tlis laci las alicady
bccn piovcd by You wlcn You cxlibiicd ilc wlolc univcisal cicaiion wiilin You
mouil bcloic Moilci Yasoda.`
Anuccheda 36
1 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'mayadlamana' mcans 'O supicmc coniiollci ol
maya'. lialma said: 'O Loid, by Youi mcicy You icvcalcd ilai ilc cniiic cosmic
manilcsiaiion is siiuaicd wiilin You.' In oidci io csiablisl ilc iiuil ol ilis
siaicmcni, as wcll as io icluic any coniiaiy aigumcni, lialma spolc ilc ncxi vcisc
(Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.17):
2 My dcai Loid Kisna, ilc wlolc cosmic manilcsiaiion ilai wc aic
visualising ai picscni is all wiilin Youi body. Yci I am sccing You ouisidc, and
You aic also sccing mc ouisidc. How can sucl ilings lappcn wiiloui bcing
inllucnccd by Youi inconccivablc cncigy'`¯
3 Wlcn ilc woids ol ilis vcisc aic placcd in ilcii piosc oidci ilcy icad
'yasya lulsau saivam idam saiman yaila blaii iai saivam ila (balii api iailaiva)
ivayi blaii'.
Tlc mcaning ol ilis vcisc is ilai jusi as Sii Kisna is siiuaicd wiilin
Viajablumi, in ilc samc way (bccausc Sii Kisna is all-pcivading) Viajablumi is
siiuaicd wiilin Him. In ilis way ilc siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.16,
ilai Sii Kisna is wiilin ilc cosmic manilcsiaiion, and ilc cosmic manilcsiaiion is
also wiilin Him, is conliimcd. Wlcn Moilci Yasoda saw Sii Kisna bcloic lci
wiil ilc cniiic cosmos wiilin His mouil, slc was ablc io diiccily pciccivc ilcsc
iwo iiuils aboui Kisna. Ai ilai iimc slc iiicd io undcisiand wlai slc lad jusi
sccn and slc said (Siimad llagavaiam 10.S.+0):
Is ilis a dicam, oi is ii an illusoiy cicaiion by ilc cxicinal cncigy' Has
ilis bccn manilcsicd by my own iniclligcncc, oi is ii somc mysiic powci ol my
clild'`¯
lialma cxplains in ilis conncciion: O Loid, alilougl by ilc powci ol
Youi inconccivablc poicncy You appcai io occupy a limiicd spacc wiilin ilc land
ol Viaja, You aic ncvciilclcss all-pcivading. You diiccily slowcd ilcsc iwo iiuils
aboui Youiscll io Youi moilci, Yasoda.`
+ Tlc siaicmcni ol ilis vcisc (10.1+.17) is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing
cxplanaiion ol Siimad llagavaiam (2.7.30):
Wlcn ilc cowlcid woman (Kisna's losici moilci, Yasoda) was iiying io
iic ilc lands ol lci son wiil iopcs, slc lound ilc iopc io bc always insullicicni in
lcngil, and wlcn slc linally gavc up, Loid Kisna, by and by, opcncd His mouil,
wlcicin ilc moilci lound all ilc univciscs siiuaicd. Sccing ilis, slc was doubilul
in lci mind, bui slc was convinccd in a dillcicni mannci ol ilc mysiic naiuic ol
lci son.`¯
Tlis is conliimcd by ilc woids '(iava) lulsau saivam idam yaila blaii ila'
(My dcai Loid Kisna, ilc wlolc cosmic manilcsiaiion ilai wc aic visualising ai
picscni is all wiilin Youi body). Alilougl ilc cosmic manilcsiaiion is siiuaicd
wiilin You, You aic siill all-pcivading wiilin ii. Tlc llagavaiam says: 'ivayi iai
saivam blaii' (Lvciyiling is picscni wiilin You).
Anuccheda 37
1 lialma inicndcd io say: O all-pcivading Loid, wiiloui bcing inllucnccd
by Youi maya-poicncy, wlicl conccals ilc aciual iiuil aboui You, low is ii
possiblc io bclicvc ilai You aic limiicd by ilc boundaiics ol maiciial iimc and
spacc' Ii is noi possiblc. Tlis I lavc diiccily sccn.` lialma said (Siimad
llagavaiam 10.1+.1S):
2 My dcai Loid, lcaving asidc all oilci ilins and jusi considciing ioday's
lappcnings - wlai I lavc sccn - aic ilcy noi all duc io Youi inconccivablc
cncigics' Iiisi ol all I saw You alonc; ilcicalici You cxpandcd Youiscll as Youi
liicnds, ilis calvcs and all cxisicncc ol Vindavana; ilcn I saw You and all ilc boys
as loui-landcd Visnus, and Tlcy wcic bcing woislippcd by all clcmcnis and
dcmigods, including myscll. Again Tlcy wcic all wound up, and You icmaincd
alonc as You wcic bcloic. Docs ilis noi mcan ilai You aic ilc Supicmc Loid
Naiayana, ilc oiigin ol cvciyiling, and liom You cvciyiling cmanaics, and again
cvciyiling cnicis unio You, and You icmain ilc samc as bcloic'`¯
3 In ilis vcisc lialma says: 'Jusi ioday (adyaiva) was ii noi icvcalcd io mc
(mama) ilai ilis univcisc (asya), wlicl is lillcd wiil bcwildcicd condiiioncd
souls and is a pioduci ol Youi maya poicncy (mayaivam), las cmanaicd liom Youi
lumanlilc loim (ivad iic)' Tlis las cciiainly bccn icvcalcd io mc.`
+ Ai ilis poini Loid Kisna migli iaisc ilc lollowing qucsiion: Wlai is ilc
naiuic ol My loim'` In oidci io answci ilis qucsiion lialma says: 'clo si' (You
aic alonc). Tlis mcans 'Now ilai all ilc cowlcid boys and calvcs lavc
disappcaicd, You lavc manilcsicd Youiscll as ilcsc boys and calvcs, and ilcicloic
ilcsc aic all You (clo si). lccausc You aic ablc io do ilis, I dcclaic ilai You aic in
iiuil ilc non-dual Supicmc lialman (advayam bialma)`.
All maiciial subsianccs aic boin ai a cciiain iimc, icmain manilcsicd loi a
cciiain pciiod, and pciisl ai cciiain iimc. Tlcsc maiciial clangcs aic lnown as
ilc 'dualiiy' ol maiici. lccausc ilc Supicmc lialman is noi allccicd by any ol
ilcsc clangcs, bui is cicinal and unclanging, Hc is lnown as 'advayam'. Tlc
Supicmc lialma is by naiuic all-pcivading. ly csiablisling Sii Kisna as ilc
Supicmc lialman, lialma las piovcn ilai Sii Kisna is all-pcivading.
Anuccheda 38
1 Ai ilis poini Sii Kisna migli iaisc ilc lollowing qucsiion: Ai ilc
bcginning ol univcisal cicaiion, only lialma, Visnu, and Siva wcic manilcsi, and
ilcy aic considcicd ilc oiiginal causcs ol cvciyiling ilai cxisis. Duiing ilc iimc
ol cosmic manilcsiaiion, many incainaiions also appcai, and I may bc considcicd
sucl an incainaiion, bui low is ii possiblc io say ilai I am ilc oiiginal causc ol all
causcs' lialma, Siva and Visnu aic ilc oiiginal causcs.` To answci ilis qucsiion,
lialma says (Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.19):
2 Pcisons wlo aic unawaic ol Youi inconccivablc cncigy cannoi undcisiand
ilai You alonc cxpand Youiscll as ilc cicaioi lialma, mainiainci Visnu, and
annililaioi Siva. Pcisons wlo aic noi in awaicncss ol ilings as ilcy aic
conicmplaic ilai I, lialma, am ilc cicaioi, Visnu is ilc mainiainci, and Loid Siva
is ilc annililaioi. Aciually, You aic alonc cvciyiling: cicaioi, mainiainci and
annililaioi.`¯
3 In ilis vcisc ilc sccond-pcison pionoun 'ivam' (You) is ilc subjcci ol ilc
scnicncc and ilc woid 'blasi' (aic manilcsi) is ilc vcib. Tlc woid 'iva' (as il) docs
noi iclci io 'ivam', bui iailci io 'csal' (Hc, Loid Visnu). Tlc woid 'csal' docs noi
iclci io ilc iiansccndcnial loim ol Loid Kisna, bccausc Loid Kisna is ilc Oiiginal
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and noi a guna-avaiaia, sucl as Loid Visnu is. To
considci Sii Kisna as guna-avaiaia would coniiadici ilc picvious vcisc, wlcic
lialma said: O Kisna, cvciyiling cmanaics liom You.` In ilis vcisc ilc woid
'ivai-padavim' mcans 'Youi iiansccndcnial loim', 'ajanaiam' mcans 'io ilosc wlo
do noi undcisiand', 'aima' mcans 'You wlo aic ilc oiigin ol all incainaiions ol
Godlcad', 'aimana' mcans ;by Youi vaiious cxpansions', 'mayam' mcans 'ilc
poicncy loi cicaiing, mainiaining, and annililaiing ilc maiciial univciscs',
'anaimani' mcans 'in ilc incii, unconscious, unmanilcsicd ilicc modcs ol maiciial
naiuic (piadlana), wlicl aic ilc oiiginal causc ol ilc malai-iaiiva, and oilci
loiccs ilai causc ilc cicaiion ol ilc maiciial univciscs', 'viiaiya' mcans 'laving
cxpandcd' and 'blasi' mcans 'You aic manilcsicd, appcaiing in dillcicni loims
accoiding io ilcsc dillcicni aciiviiics ol cicaiion, mainicnancc, and annililaiion ol
ilc maiciial univciscs.`
Ai ilis poini Sii Kisna migli say: 'How is ii possiblc ilai I pciloim ilc
aciiviiics ol lialma, Visnu and Siva'` In oidci io answci ilis qucsiion, lialma
says: 'You appcai as il You aic mc, wlo am cngagcd in ilc aciiviiics ol univcisal
cicaiion (jagaial sisiav alam), You appcai as il You aic Visnu, wlo is cngagcd in
ilc aciiviiics ol univcisal mainicnancc (vidlanc csa iva), and You also appcai as il
You aic Siva, wlo is cngagcd in ilc aciiviiics ol univcisal dcsiiuciion (anic iii-
nciia iva). In iiuil, You cxpand Youiscll in ilcsc vaiious loims. Only ilcy wlo
aic loolisl and bcwildcicd scc ilcsc ilicc dcmigods as dillcicni liom You.`
+ Tlai Sii Kisna pciloims ilc aciiviiics ol cicaiion, mainicnancc and
dcsiiuciion ol ilc maiciial univciscs is conliimcd by ilc lollowing vcisc ol Siimad
llagavaiam (2.6.32), wlcic Loid lialma says:
ly His will, I cicaic, Loid Siva dcsiioys and Hc Himscll, in His cicinal
loim as ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, mainiains cvciyiling. Hc is ilc powcilul
coniiollci ol ilcsc ilicc cncigics.`¯
Iiom ilis vcisc wc may undcisiand ilai Loid Visnu is a diicci
manilcsiaiion ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and ilus Hc is csscniially non-
dillcicni liom ilc iiansccndcnial loim ol Sii Kisna. Visnu is ilcicloic, dillcicni
liom lialma and Siva, wlo aic noi diicci manilcsiaiions ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, bui aic ol a dillcicni caicgoiy.
Anuccheda 39
Loid Kisna cxpands noi only as ilc guna-avaiaias, bui as oilci
incainaiions as wcll. lialma dcsciibcs ilis in ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam
10.1+.20):
Similaily, You cxpand Youiscll in dillcicni incainaiions among ilc
dcmigods You incainaic as Vamanadcva, among ilc gicai sagcs You incainaic as
Paiasuiama, among ilc luman bcings You appcai as Youiscll, as Loid Kisna, oi
Loid Rama, among ilc animals You appcai as ilc boai incainaiion , and among
ilc aquaiics You appcai as ilc incainaiion ol lisl. And yci You lavc no
appcaiancc; You aic always cicinal. Youi appcaiancc and disappcaiancc aic madc
possiblc by youi inconccivablc cncigy jusi io givc pioicciion io ilc laiillul
dcvoiccs and io annililaic ilc dcmons.`¯
Wc may noic ilai in ilis vcisc ilc woids 'ajanasya janma (ilc unboin las
ialcn biiil) indicaic ilai Sii Kisna docs noi ialc biiil, bui simply appcais in ilis
woild accoiding io His own wisl.
Anuccheda +0
1 Ai ilis poini Sii Kisna migli iaisc ilc lollowing objcciion: My dcai
lialma, low is ii ilai you lavc comc io ilis conclusion' Ii is noi possiblc loi My
loim io bc all-pcivading. My loim is composcd ol vaiious maiciial clcmcnis jusi
lilc an caiilcn poi oi oilci maiciial subsianccs sccn in ilis woild. How is ii ilai
you say My loim is oilciwisc' How is ii ilai you say My loim is spiiiiual' You
may lavc bccomc a liiilc bcwildcicd sccing somc wondcilul opulcnccs lcic, bui I
assuic you, you pcilccily undcisiand Mc. You complcicly lnow ilc lull cxicni ol
My powcis. As lai as ilc iiansloimaiion ol ilcsc boys and calvcs inio loui-aimcd
Visnu-loims wlicl you lavc jusi sccn, ii las lappcncd somclow oi oilci, bccausc
ol ilc cxpansion ol somc unlnown pcison, bui I lavc cciiainly noiling io do wiil
ilis magical display. Iuiilcimoic, all ilcsc loims aic spiiiiual, lull ol lnowlcdgc
and unlimiicd bliss, and all ilcsc luman-lilc loims appcaicd ai ilc samc momcni,
and ilcic wcic so many ol ilcm, ilai you did scc all ol ilcm. How is ii possiblc
loi a liiilc cowlcid boy lilc Mc io manilcsi so many spiiiiual loims ai ilc samc
iimc' I am noi ilc causc ol ilis wondcilul iling.` Tlinling ilai Sii Kisna migli
picscni ilis aigumcni, lialma said (Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.21):
2 O supicmc gicai onc! O Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad! O Supcisoul,
masici ol all mysiic powci! Youi pasiimcs aic ialing placc coniinuously in ilcsc
woilds, bui wlo can csiimaic wlcic, low and wlcic You aic cmploying Youi
spiiiiual cncigy and pciloiming Youi pasiimcs' No onc can undcisiand ilc
mysiciy ol ilcsc aciiviiics.`¯
3 In ilis vcisc lialma says` O Loid, Youi pasiimcs aic ialing placc
coniinuously (laii va) in ilcsc woilds (iiilolyam), bui wlo can csiimaic (lo vciii)
wlcic (lva), low (lailam) and wlcn (lada) You aic cmploying Youi spiiiiual
cncigy (yogamayam visiaiayan) and pciloiming Youi pasiimcs (liidasi blavaia
uiil)' No onc can undcisiand ilc mysiciy ol ilcsc aciiviiics.`
No onc can complcicly undcisiand Loid Kisna. Tlis is also conliimcd by
ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Kcna Upanisad (2.3):
Onc wlo ilinls lc undcisiands ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad docs
noi aciually undcisiand Him, bui onc wlo lnows ilai lc docs noi aciually
undcisiand ilc Loid is aciually awaic ol ilc naiuic ol ilc Supicmc Pcison.`
+ In ilc picvious loui vciscs lialma las cxplaincd ilai Sii Kisna is by
naiuic inconccivablc. In ilis vcisc lc cxplains wly ilc Loid is inconccivablc by
addicssing Him wiil ilc woid 'bluman', wlicl mcans 'O Loid wlo appcais in
innumciablc dillcicni loims.' Tlis mcans ilai alilougl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad las onc piincipal loim, Hc also appcais in innumciablc oilci
iiansccndcnial loims. Tlis is conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad
llagavaiam (10.+0.7), wlcic Aliuia piays io Sii Kisna:
I ollci my obcisanccs io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad wlo,
alilougl Mc oiiginally appcais in a singlc iiansccndcnial loim, las cxpandcd inio
innumciablc oilci iiansccndcnial loims.`
In ilis conncciion ilc Siuii-sasiia also says:
Alilougl Hc is onc, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is sccn io appcai
in many dillcicni iiansccndcnial loims.`
5 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad appcais in dillcicni loims accoiding
io ilc way in wlicl Hc is woislippcd. Tlis is conliimcd by ilc lollowing
siaicmcni ol Madlva Muni in lis commcniaiy on Vcdania-suiia 3.3.52:
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad appcais in dillcicni loims accoiding io ilc
way in wlicl His dcvoiccs woislip Him.`
Tlc lollowing cxamplc may bc givcn in ilis icgaid: A sillcn gaimcni may
bc laslioncd wiil many dillcicni colouis in an iniiicaic dcsign, jusi as a pcacocl
lcailci is dccoiaicd wiil many colouis. Il onc lools ai a spccilic paii ol sucl a
gaimcni lc may scc a spccilic coloui, and il onc lools ai anoilci paii ol ilc
gaimcni lc may scc anoilci coloui. Il onc lools ai ilc cniiic gaimcni ai oncc lc
will scc ilc gaimcni as a wlolc. In ilis cxamplc Sii Kisna is ilc cniiic gaimcni,
and wlcn Hc is paiiially manilcsicd ilis is lnown as ilc vaiious incainaiions ol
Godlcad.
6 Tlai innumciablc loims ol Godlcad cmanaic liom ilc loim ol Sii Kisna is
also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Naiada-pancaiaiia:
Wlcn ilc jcwcl lnown as vaiduiya iouclcs oilci maiciials, ii appcais io
bc scpaiaicd inio dillcicni colouis. Conscqucnily ilc loims also appcai dillcicni.
Similaily, accoiding io ilc mcdiiaiional ccsiasy ol ilc dcvoiccs, ilc Loid, wlo is
lnown as Acyuia (inlalliblc) appcais in dillcicni loims, alilougl Hc is csscniially
onc.`¯
In ilis vcisc ilc jcwcl iclciicd io is ilc vaiduiya sionc (lapis lazuli), and
ilc woids 'nila-piiadiblil' iclci io ilc vaiious iiansccndcnial aiiiibuics ol ilc
Loid. Tlis cxplanaiion ol ilc vaiious loims ol ilc Loid icvcals ilc mcaning ol ilc
woid 'lva' (wlcic') in ilc picviously quoicd siaicmcni ol Loid lialma (Siimad
llagavaiam 10.1+.21).
7 Tlc Supicmc Loid's cxpansion in ilc loims ol ilc vaiious incainaiions
manilcsicd liom His singlc oiiginal loim is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol
Siimad llagavaiam (S.1S.12), wlcic Siila Suladcva Gosvami dcsciibcs ilc loim ol
ilc Vamana-incainaiion:
Tlc Loid appcaicd in His oiiginal loim, wiil oinamcnis and wcapons in
His lands. Alilougl ilis cvci-cxisiing loim is noi visiblc in ilc maiciial woild,
Hc noncilclcss appcaicd in ilis loim. Tlcn, in ilc picscncc ol His lailci and
moilci, Hc assumcd ilc loim ol Vamana, a bialmana-dwail, a bialmacaii, jusi
lilc a ilcaiiical acioi.`¯
S In ilis vcisc Siila Suladcva Gosvami cxplains ilai ilc Loid liisi appcaicd
in His oiiginal loim (vapul), wlicl is noi a manilcsiaiion cxpandcd liom any
oilci loim ol Godlcad, bui is oiiginally cxisiing and las no oilci loims as iis
oiigin. Tlai loim is spiiiiual (cii) and lull ol pcilcci and complcic iiansccndcnial
bliss, and ilai loim is manilcsicd (blaii) wiil oinamcnis and wcapons in iis lands
(viblusanayudlail). Tlc Loid appcaicd in ilis oiiginal loim in ilc maiciial
woild (vyaliam adlaiayai). Alici ilis oiiginal loim was manilcsicd, ilc Loid
assumcd ilc loim ol a bialmana-dwail, a bialmacaii (icnaiva vamano vaiui
babluva laiil). Tlc woid 'cva' (cciiainly) cmplasiscs ilai ilis was ilc loim ilc
Loid assumcd. Hc did noi assumc any oilci loim ai ilai iimc.
9 Onc may asl: Undci wlai ciicumsianccs did ilc Loid appcai as ilc
Vamana-incainaiion'` Tlc answci is givcn in ilis vcisc wiil ilc woid
'sampasyaiol' (ilc Loid appcaicd as Vamana in ilc picscncc ol His paicnis
Kasyapa and Adiii). Tlc qucsiion may bc aslcd: Wlai is ilc naiuic ol ilc Loid's
loim' Tlc answci is givcn in ilc woid 'divya-gaiil' (His movcmcnis aic
wondcilul). 'Divya' mcans 'supicmcly inconccivablc', and 'gaiil' mcans
'movcmcnis oi pasiimcs'. Tlc Loid's loims and pasiimcs aic all cicinal, alilougl
somciimcs ilcy may bc sccn by ilc living cniiiics, and somciimcs ilcy cannoi bc
sccn. Tlai ilc Loid's loims aic cicinal is conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol
Siuii-sasiia:
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cxisicd in ilc pasi. Hc cxisis in ilc picscni,
and Hc will coniinuc io cxisi in ilc luiuic cicinally.`
10 In ilis conncciion in oidci io givcn an cxamplc ol low ilc Supicmc Loid
assumcs ilc loims ol His vaiious incainaiions, ilus manilcsiing cciiain lcaiuics ol
His oiiginal loim, Suladcva Gosvami says:
Tlc Loid assumcd ilc loim ol Vamana, jusi lilc a ilcaiiical acioi.`¯
In ilis compaiison ol ilc Loid io an acioi, Suladcva Gosvami noics ilai
ilc Loid is a wondcilul acioi (divya-gaiil) and ilc gcsiuics ol His lands and
movcmcnis ol His body will lill ilc audicncc wiil wondci. Alilougl wlcn ilc
Loid appcais in His vaiious incainaiions Hc may sccm io bc an oidinaiy luman
bcing oi dcmigod, in iiuil Hc ncvci sullcis ilc maiciial misciics wlicl aic ilc
cvciyday cxpciicnccs ol ilc condiiioncd souls, and Hc is ncvci impcilcci in any
way.
11 Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is supicmcly indcpcndcni. Ioi cxamplc, Hc
cicaics ilc vaiious maiciial univciscs wiiloui any cxicinal lclp, jusi as a spidci
consiiucis a wcb liom ilc saliva wiilin iis own body. Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (11.9.21):
As a spidci cicaics a wcb wiil saliva liom wiilin iis mouil, and ilcn,
laving cicaicd ii, again swallows ii, so docs ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
cicaic, and again swallow, ilc maiciial woilds.`
12 In ilc lollowing vcisc liom Siimad llagavaiam (3.9.11), Loid lialma
cxplains ilai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad appcais in ilc loims ol His many
dillcicni incainaiions accoiding io ilc dillcicni ways in wlicl ilc dcvoiccs
appioacl Him. lialma says:
O my Loid, Youi dcvoiccs can scc You iliougl ilc cais by ilc pioccss ol
bona lidc lcaiing, and ilus ilcii lcaiis bccomc clcanscd, and You ialc Youi scai
ilcic. You aic so mcicilul io Youi dcvoiccs ilai You manilcsi Youiscll in ilc
paiiiculai cicinal loim ol iiansccndcncc in wlicl ilcy always ilinl ol You.`¯
In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'pianayasc' mcans 'You manilcsi'. Wc may noic ilai
by saying 'siuiclsiia-pailal' (ilc dcvoiccs lcain aboui ilc Loid by lcaiing ilc
bona-lidc dcsciipiions ol Him in ilc Vcdic liiciaiuics), lialma conliims ilc
icaliiy ol ilc Supicmc Loid's iiansccndcnial loims. In oilci woids, ilc Loid's
loims aic noi ilc pioduci ol ilc mcdiiaioi's imaginaiion. Tlcy aciually cxisi.
13 Somc may say ilai ilc vaiious loims ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad do noi
dcligli ilc dcvoiccs. Tlis lalsc conccpiion is icluicd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol
Siimad llagavaiam (3.2+.31), wlcic Kaidama Muni addicsscs ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad in ilc lollowing woids:
My dcai Loid, alilougl You lavc no maiciial loim, You lavc Youi own
innumciablc loims. Tlcy iiuly aic Youi iiansccndcnial loims, wlicl aic plcasing
io Youi dcvoiccs.`¯
Tlis vcisc mcans 'Wlaicvci (yani yani) loims (iupani) ol You (ic) ilcic
aic, ilcsc loims (iany cva), plcasc (iocanic) Youi dcvoiccs.' Tlc woid
'abliiupani' mcans 'ilc Loid only acccpis loims ilai aic suiiablc.' Hc ncvci
acccpis any unsuiiablc loim.
1+ Tlc Loid may somciimcs acccpi loims ilai appcai io bc unsuiiablc. An
cxamplc ol ilis is wlcn Hc assumcd an appaicnily abominablc maiciial loim
bcloic King Raniidcva. Tlai ilis loim was abominablc and maiciial is, ol couisc,
an illusion. Tlis loim is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam
9.21.15):
Dcmigods lilc Loid lialma and Loid Siva, wlo can saiisly all maiciially
ambiiious mcn by giving ilcm ilc icwaids ilcy dcsiic, ilcn manilcsicd ilcii own
idcniiiics bcloic King Raniidcva, loi ii was ilcy wlo lad picscnicd ilcmsclvcs as
ilc bialmana sudia, candala, and so on.`¯
15 Siidlaia Svami commcnis on ilis vcisc: 'Tlc woid 'iiibluvanandlisal'
mcans 'lialma, Visnu and Siva', and ilc woid 'maya' mcans ilai in oidci io
cxaminc low paiicni and iolciani Malaiaja Raniidcva was, ilc Loid, wiil ilc
assisiancc ol His bcwildciing maya-poicncy, assumcd ilc loim ol ilc bialmana,
sudia and candala.'
Tlc icason ilc Loid ncvci acccpis an unplcasani loim is givcn in ilc woid
'aiupinal', wlicl mcans 'Hc wlo ncvci acccpis a maiciial loim.`
Siidlaia Svami commcnis: lccausc ilc Loid ncvci acccpis an abominablc
loim, His loims aic ncvci maiciial.`
16 Rciuining now io ilc vcisc oiiginally undci discussion (Siimad
llagavaiam 10.1+.21, quoicd in icxi 2) wc may noic ilc ilicc pliascs 'lailam va'
(low'), 'laii va' (low many') and 'lada va' (wlcn'), and wc may also noic ilc
ilicc woids in ilc vocaiivc casc (blagavan, paiamaiman, and yogcsvaia), uscd io
addicss ilc Loid. Lacl ol ilcsc ilicc pliascs is iclaicd io onc ol ilc ilicc
vocaiivc addicsscs, as wc slall now cxplain.
Tlc woid 'lailam va' (low You aic pciloiming Youi pasiimcs)' is uscd
wiil ilc woid 'blagavan' wlicl slould bc inicipicicd io mcan O Masici ol all
inconccivablc poicncics.` Tlc Loid's loim is lull ol all inconccivablc poicncics,
and any oilci inicipiciaiion ilai coniiadicis ilis slould noi bc acccpicd.
17 Tlc woid 'laii va' (low many iimcs You incainaic and pciloim pasiimcs) is
uscd wiil ilc woid 'paiaiman', wlicl may bc cxplaincd io mcan: 'O Loid, bccausc
You aic unlimiicd You posscss all opulcnccs and aic ilc oiigin ol innumciablc
incainaiions ol Godlcad, wlo cacl posscss limiilcss poicncics. O Loid, You
cannoi bc undcisiood by ilc limiicd maiciial mind oi adcquaicly dcsciibcd by ilc
limiicd maiciial powci ol spcccl. Ioi ilis icason ii is said: 'No onc can
undcisiand low many iimcs You incainaic in ilis woild and pciloim pasiimcs
(laii va).`
1S Tlc pliasc 'lada' (wlcn You appcai and pciloim pasiimcs) is uscd wiil
ilc woid 'yogcsvaia' (O masici ol all mysiic powci). Tlis woid mcans 'O Loid,
You aic ilc masici ol ilc yogamaya poicncy, by wlosc assisiancc You appcai in
many dillcicni loims. O Loid, all ilcsc iiansccndcnial loims ol Youi Loidslip aic
coniaincd wiilin Youi singlc mosi impoiiani loim. Wlcn You wisl, You appcai
in onc ol ilcsc loims, wlicl aic manilcsicd accoiding io ilc dillcicni ways in
wlicl ilc dcvoiccs woislip You.` Iiom ilis wc may undcisiand ilai ilc loims ol
all incainaiions ol Godlcad aic coniaincd in ilc loim ol Sii Kisna, ilc Oiiginal
Ioim ol ilc Loid.
Anuccheda +1
1 In ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.22) Loid lialma concludcs
ilai Sii Kisna is ilc Oiiginal Ioim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad:
My dcai Loid, ilis wlolc cosmic manilcsiaiion is jusi lilc a llasling
dicam, and iis icmpoiaiy cxisicncc simply disiuibs ilc mind. As a icsuli, wc aic
lull ol anxiciy in ilis cxisicncc; io livc wiilin ilis maiciial woild mcans simply io
sullci and io bc lull ol misciics. And yci ilis icmpoiaiy cxisicncc ol ilc maiciial
woild appcais io bc plcasing and dcai on accouni ol iis laving cvolvcd liom Youi
body, wlicl is cicinal and lull ol bliss and lnowlcdgc. My conclusion is,
ilcicloic, ilai You aic ilc Supicmc Soul, Absoluic Tiuil, and ilc supicmc
oiiginal pcison; and alilougl You lavc cxpandcd Youiscll in so many Visnu
loims, oi in living cniiiics and cncigics, by Youi inconccivablc iiansccndcnial
poicncics, You aic ilc supicmc onc wiiloui a sccond, You aic ilc supicmc
Supcisoul.`¯
2 In ilis vcisc lialma says: 'O Loid, You aic ilc oiigin ol cvciyiling ilai is
maiciial and cvciyiling ilai is spiiiiual. lccausc You aic ilc oiigin ol cvciyiling,
Youi own loim is cicinal, and lull ol lnowlcdgc and bliss. Iiom Youi unlimiicd
loim, all ilc maiciial univciscs lavc bccomc manilcsicd.`
3 Onc may asl: Wlai is ilc naiuic ol ilis iiansccndcnial loim ol ilc Loid'`
Tlc answci is givcn in ilc woids: 'udayad api yai sad ivavablaii' (O Loid, ilc
maiciial cosmic manilcsiaiion is coniinually bcing manilcsicd liom Youi body,
and ilcn again cnicis wiilin ii. In ilis way ilc maiciial univcisc is in a siaic ol
consiani llux).`
+ Ai ilis poini Sii Kisna migli say: Il I am ilc souicc ol ilc consianily
clanging maiciial naiuic, ilcn wly is ii ilai You say ilai I am unclanging. I
slould also bc consianily clanging il I am ilc souicc ol all ilis clangc.` In
answci io ilis, lialma uscs ilc woid 'mayaial'. lialma says:
O Loid, You aic cicinal, and unclanging. Tlis clanging maiciial univcisc
is manilcsicd by ilc aid ol Youi inconccivablc poicncy lnown as maya. You aic
Youiscll alool liom ilc clangcs ol maiici, and Youi coniaci wiil maiici, is only by
ilc mcans ol Youi maya poicncy. Tlcicloic You do noi clangc.`
Tlai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is unclanging is also conliimcd by ilc
Vcdania-suiia 2.1.27:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is licc liom all laulis. Tlis is so
bccausc ii is dcclaicd in ilc Vcdas, ilc souicc ol icvcalcd lnowlcdgc.`
Tlcicloic ilc Supicmc Loid ncvci clangcs.
5 lialma coniinucs io dillcicniiaic Sii Kisna liom ilc clanging maiciial
manilcsiaiion. Hc says:
O Loid, ilis wlolc cosmic manilcsiaiion is jusi lilc a llasling dicam.
You, lowcvci, aic icaliiy. You aic noi anoilci illusoiy manilcsiaiion lilc ilis
maiciial cosmos.`
Tlai dicams aic an unical siaic ol cxisicncc is dcsciibcd in Vcdania-suiia
(2.2.29):
Rcaliiy is dillcicni liom ilc cxisicncc pciccivcd in dicams.`
6 lialma coniinucs io dcsciibc ilc dicamlilc siaic ol maiciial illusion by
saying 'asia-dlisanam' (by dcpiiving ilc condiiioncd souls ol lnowlcdgc aboui ilc
Supcisoul, ilc maya poicncy placcs ilcm in gicai mcnial anxiciy).
7 Ioi ilcsc icasons, alilougl ii may somciimcs appcai io bc a placc ol
lappincss, ilc maiciial woild is a placc ol inicnsc sullciing (puiu-dullla-
dulllam). Iuiilcimoic, lialma says ilc maiciial woild is dcvoid ol spiiiiual
icaliiy (asai-svaiupam). Jusi as ilc loins ol a iabbii lavc no ical cxisicncc, in ilc
samc way ilc illusoiy conccpiions ol maiciial cxisicncc lavc no icaliiy. lialma
also cxplains ilai alilougl ilc maiciial woild is icmpoiaiy and clanging, ii
appcais io bc cicinal (sad iva) accoiding io ilc misialcn conccpiions ol ilc
bcwildcicd condiiioncd souls. Tlc implicaiion ol ilis vcisc is ilai bccausc ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc oiigin ol ilc awaicncss ol maiciial
cxisicncc, Hc is also ilc oiigin ol ical iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc, and ilus ilc
supicmc icaclci ol cvciyonc. Anoilci implicaiion ol ilis vcisc is ilai bccausc ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc oiigin ol ilc maiciial lcavcnly plancis, Hc
is ilc icscivoii ol all plcasuic.
S Tlis concludcs ilc cxplanaiion ol low ilc loim ol Sii Kisna is
simuliancously all-pcivading and, by ilc agcncy ol His inicinal poicncy, limiicd
wiilin a cciiain spacc.
Anuccheda +2
1 In ilis way wc lavc dcmonsiiaicd ilai alilougl ilc loim ol Sii Kisna may
bc siiuaicd wiilin ilc cosmic manilcsiaiion, ncvciilclcss, ii is ilc icsiing placc
wiilin wlicl cvciyiling ilai cxisis is siiuaicd, and bccausc ii is ilc icsiing-placc
ol cvciyiling, ilcicloic, ii is also all-pcivading. lccausc Sii Kisna is by naiuic all-
pcivading, ii is vciy casy loi Him io cxpand inio as many loims in as many placcs
as Hc lilcs. An cxamplc ol ilis is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad
llagavaiam (10.69.2):
Ii is asiounding ilai Loid Sii Kisna, wlo is onc wiiloui a sccond,
cxpandcd Himscll in sixiccn ilousand similai loims io maiiy sixiccn ilousand
quccns in ilcii icspcciivc lomcs.`¯
2 In ilis vcisc ilc woids 'ciiiam baiaiiai' mcan 'ii is asiounding'. Onc may
asl: Wlai is so asiounding'` In answci io ilis qucsiion, Naiada Muni says Ii is
asiounding ilai Sii Kisna, wlo is onc wiiloui a sccond (clal), maiiicd (udvalai)
sixiccn ilousand quccns (dvy-asia-salasiam).` Oui qucsiionci may answci:
Wlai is so asiounding aboui ilai'` In answci io ilis Naiada says:
Hc maiiicd ilcm in sixiccn ilousand placcs (gilcsu).`
Oui unsaiislicd qucsiionci may icspond: Tlai may bc. Siill, wlai is
asiounding in all ilis'` To ilis Naiada may answci: Loid Kisna did noi maiiy
ilcm all iogcilci in onc placc, bui Hc maiiicd cacl onc ol ilcm individually
(piilal).`
Oui qucsiionci may answci: Tlai is all iigli. Ii is noi possiblc loi onc
lusband io maiiy many wivcs onc alici anoilci. Sucl ilings lavc occuiicd
bcloic.` Ai ilis poini Naiada says:
lui Loid Kisna maiiicd all ilcsc quccns ai ilc samc momcni (yugapai).`
Oui qucsiion may say: Tlai's all iigli. Many pcilcci yogis lavc ilc mysiic
powci io cxpand inio many loims. My dcai Naiada, you youiscll aic a gicai
mysiic yogi, woislippcd by all oilci yogis, and ilcicloic You lnow ilis mysiic
iiicl youiscll. Wlai can bc considcicd io bc asiounding, ilcicloic, in Loid
Kisna's cxpansion inio many loims'` In answci io ilis, Naiada says:
Loid Kisna's cxpansion inio many loims was noi lilc ilc cxpansion ol ilc
yogis', wlo can malc icllcciions ol ilcii own loim appcai in many dillcicni
placcs. Tlcsc icllccicd loims ol ilc yogis aic noi ilc yogis ilcmsclvcs, lowcvci,
in ilc casc ol Loid Kisna, cacl onc ol His cxpansions was Hc Himscll, and Hc
could pciloim all soiis ol aciiviiics in ilcsc cxpandcd loims. In oilci woids, ilcsc
cxpansions ol ilc Loid wcic noi mcic icllcciions ol ilc Loid, bui wcic ilc Loid
Himscll.
Hcaiing ilis, oui qucsiionci may icply: No. Tlai is noi possiblc. No onc
can do ilai.`
3 Tlai cacl onc ol ilcsc cxpandcd loims wcic noi a mcic icllcciion, bui
aciually ilc Loid Himscll is conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad
llagavaiam (3.3.S), wlcic Sii Uddlava says:
All ilosc piinccsscs wcic lodgcd in dillcicni apaiimcnis, and ilc Loid
simuliancously assumcd dillcicni bodily cxpansions cxacily maicling cacl and
cvciy piinccss. Hc acccpicd ilcii lands in pcilcci iiiuals by His inicinal poicncy.`
¯
+ In ilis way all objcciions aic icmovcd and ii is clcaily csiablislcd ilai Loid
Kisna can manilcsi His pcisonaliiy in any numbci ol placcs ai ilc samc momcni
(clcna vapusa piilag yugapai). Tlis is cciiainly vciy wondcilul. Tlis is also
conliimcd by Siila Siidlaia Svami, wlo siaics (in lis commcniaiy on Siimad
llagavaiam 5.20.+0, wlicl is a piosc dcsciipiion ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad's loim as ilc picdominaiing Dciiy ol ilc splcic lnown as Lolalola):
lccausc Hc is ilc masici ol all supicmc powcis and opulcnccs, ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad can bc pcisonally picscni in His own loim in all placcs
simuliancously.`
5 Tlis cxpansion ol Loid Kisna inio many pcisonal loims simuliancously is
also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (10.59.+2):
Alici dclcaiing India, Kisna, ilc clangclcss Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad aiiangcd io maiiy ilc 16 100 giils biougli liom ilc cusiody ol
llaumasuia. ly cxpanding Himscll in 16 100 loims, Hc simuliancously maiiicd
ilcm all in dillcicni palaccs in onc auspicious momcni.`¯
Tlcsc cxpansions ol Loid Kisna all lad bodily lcaiuics ilai wcic cxacily
idcniical wiil Loid Kisna Himscll. Tlcic was no dillcicncc, as ilcic is in oilci
cxpansion ol ilc Loid, sucl as ilc cxpansion ol ilc Loid inio ilc loim ol
Naiayana, wlosc bodily lcaiuics aic sliglily dillcicni liom ilosc ol Loid Kisna.
Tlc cxpansion ol Loid Kisna inio many loims wlosc lcaiuics aic all idcniical wiil
His dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siila Rupa Gosvami's Sii Laglu-
blagavaiamiia (1.1.21):
6 Il numcious loims, all cqual in ilcii lcaiuics, aic displaycd
simuliancously, sucl loims aic callcd pialsas-vigialas ol ilc Loid.`¯
Anuccheda +3
1 Loid Kisna's cxpansion inio many loims simuliancously is also dcsciibcd
in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (10.69.+1):
Tlus Naiada saw onc singlc Kisna living in sixiccn ilousand palaccs by
His plcnaiy cxpansions. Duc io His inconccivablc cncigy, Hc was visiblc in cacl
and cvciy individual quccn's palacc. In ilis way Hc dcmonsiiaicd ilc pail ol
sanciilying oidinaiy lousclold lilc.`¯
2 Tlcsc cxpansions ol ilc Loid wcic noi cxpansions ol poiiions ol His
pcisonaliiy, as ilc incainaiions ol Godlcad gcncially aic, bui cacl loim was Sii
Kisna in lull (saiva-gclcsu iam cva, clam cva saniam). Tlis muliiplc appcaiancc
ol ilc oiiginal loim ol ilc Loid is dcsciibcd in ilc Siuii-sasiia in ilc lollowing
woids:
Alilougl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is onc, Hc appcais io lavc
bccomc many.`
Tlai ilc Loid is all-pcivading is also conliimcd in Siimad-llagavaiam
(10.9.13):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Sii Kisna, is all-pcivading. Hc las
nciilci insidc noi ouisidc, loi Hc is cvciywlcic.`
ly ilc aiiangcmcni ol Sii Kisna's inicinal poicncy, Naiada Muni was ablc
io diiccily scc Loid Kisna's picscncc in ilc many palaccs ol Dvaiala. Naiada did
noi spcculaic oi gucss aboui ilc Loid's omnipicscncc. Hc diiccily saw ii.
3 Alici sccing ilc many cxpansions ol ilc oiiginal loim ol Sii Kisna, Naiada
Muni bccamc asionislcd, as ilc Siimad llagavaiam (10.69.+2) cxplains:
Loid Kisna las unlimiicd powci, and Naiada Muni's asionislmcni was
boundlcss upon obsciving again and again ilc dcmonsiiaiion ol Loid Kisna's
inicinal cncigy.`¯
+ Tlc woid 'yogamaya' uscd in ilis vcisc iclcis io ilc Loid's spiiiiual
poicncy by wlicl Hc can pciloim any impossiblc aciion.
In Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.26 in ilc sioiy ol ilc Ioui Kumaias' visii io
Vailunilalola, ilis woid is uscd io dcsciibc ilc Supicmc Loid's poicncy. In lis
commcniaiy on ilai vcisc, Siila Siidlaia Svami also conliims ilis cxplanaiion ol
ilc woid 'yogamaya'.
5 Wlcn Naiada Muni saw ilcsc cxpansions ol ilc pcisonal loim ol Sii Kisna
Hc bccamc asionislcd bccausc lc undcisiood ilai ilcsc cxpansions wcic noi lilc
ilc limiicd cxpansions manilcsicd by an oidinaiy mysiic yogi, bui cacl ol ilcsc
cxpansions was ilc oiiginal Loid Kisna, and noi a mcic yogic icllcciion.
6 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's pcisonal picscncc cvciywlcic is
dcsciibcd by ilc lollowing quoiaiion liom Vcdic liiciaiuic:
Tlc Supcisoul is all-pcivading. His lands and lcci aic cvciywlcic.
llagavad-giia 13.1+ and Svciasvaia Upanisad 3.16
Alilougl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad icmains in His own placc
in ilc iiansccndcnial woild, siill Hc is picscni cvciywlcic.
Vcdania Suiia 3.2.11 (inicipicicd accoiding io ilc
commcniaiy ol Siipada Madlvacaiya)
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad appcais as ilc omnipicscni Supcisoul. Tlis
loim ol ilc Supcisoul is noi dillcicni liom ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Loid. Tlcy
aic ilc samc pcison.`
Siuii-sasiia
Spiiiiual auiloiiiics cxplain ilai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is picscni in
ilc lcaiis ol all living cniiiics.`
Siuii-sasiia
7 Tlc Supicmc Loid's all-pcivasivcncss is also dcsciibcd in ilc Maisya
Puiana:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Visnu, is all-pcivading. Ol ilis
ilcic is no doubi. ly His iiansccndcnial opulcncc Hc icmains in His oiiginal
iiansccndcnial loim, and yci Hc appcais cvciywlcic, jusi as ilc sun wlicl,
alilougl ii icmains in onc placc, appcais io bc picscni cvciywlcic.`
S Tlai ilc cxpansion ol ilc Supcisoul is noi dillcicni liom ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad Himscll is conliimcd in ilc Vcdania-suiia (3.2.12-13):
Il onc says ilai ilc cxpansion ol ilc Supcisoul is dillcicni liom ilc
Oiiginal Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, lc slould lnow ilai siaicmcni is lalsc. Tlc
Supcisoul is ilc samc as ilc Oiiginal Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlis is conliimcd in
ilc Siuii-sasiia and all oilci Vcdic liiciaiuics.`
Tlai ilc Loid is noi dillcicni liom His cxpansion as ilc all-pcivading
Supcisoul is also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad-llagavaiam
(1.9.+2), wlcic llisma says:
Anuccheda ++
1 Now I can mcdiiaic wiil lull conccniiaiion upon ilai onc Loid, Sii Kisna,
now picscni bcloic mc bccausc now I lavc iiansccndcd ilc misconccpiions ol
dualiiy in icgaid io His picscncc in cvciyonc's lcaii, cvcn in ilc lcaiis ol ilc
mcnial spcculaiois. Hc is in cvciyonc's lcaii. Tlc sun may bc pciccivcd
dillcicnily, bui ilc sun is onc.`¯
2 In ilis vcisc llismadcva says: Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Sii Kisna, is
now picscni bcloic mc (iam imam). Hc is picscni in ilc lcaiis ol all condiiioncd
souls in ilc loim ol His cxpansion as ilc all-pcivading Supcisoul (saiiia-blajam
lidi lidi dlisiliiam)`. Tlc loim ol ilc Loid as ilc all-pcivading Supcisoul is also
dcsciibcd in Siimad llagavaiam (2.2.S):
Oilcis conccivc ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad icsiding wiilin ilc body in
ilc icgion ol ilc lcaii and mcasuiing only cigli inclcs, wiil loui lands caiiying
a loius, wlccl ol a claiioi, a concl slcll and a club icspcciivcly.`¯
llisma coniinucs: Alilougl ilcsc loims ol ilc Supcisoul appcai io bc
dillcicni liom ilc loim ol ilc oiiginal Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, in iiuil Tlcy aic
noi ai all dillcicni liom Him (clam). Now I can mcdiiaic wiil lull conccniiaiion
on ilai onc Loid, Sii Kisna (samadli-gaio smi). I am now awaic ol ilc all-
pcivading blisslul loim ol ilc Supicmc Loid as ilc Supcisoul.`
3 llismadcva coniinuc: I lavc now iiansccndcd ilc misconccpiions ol
dualiiy in icgaid io His picscncc cvciywlcic. Ioimcily I ilougli ilc loims ol ilc
Supcisoul wcic dillcicni liom cacl oilci and liom oilci loims ol ilc Supicmc
Loid, loi I ilougli ii impossiblc loi ilc Loid io bc all pcivading. Now I am licc ol
ilai illusion (vidluia-blcda-molal). Tlc Supicmc Loid is cciiainly picscni
cvciywlcic in His loim as ilc Supcisoul.
+ Tlc Loid's all-pcivasivcncss is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing woids: Sii Kisna
is picscni in cvciyonc's lcaii, cvcn in ilc lcaiis ol ilc spcculaiivc plilosoplcis
(aima-lalpiianam piaiidisam). Hc icmains wiilin ilc sigli ol all living cniiiics,
cvcn ilougl ilcy aic siiuaicd in many dillcicni placcs.`
llismadcva givcs ilc cxamplc ol ilc sun: In many dillcicni placcs all ovci
ilc woild ilc sun appcais io bc jusi ovcilcad, ovci ilis iicc oi ilai wall. In icaliiy
ilc sun is in a singlc placc in ouici spacc, bui siill in so many placcs ilc sun sccms
io bc jusi ovci ilis iicc oi ilai wall. In ilc samc way ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad appcais cvciywlcic, in ilc lcaiis ol all living cniiiics, in His loim ol ilc
Supcisoul. Tlc dillcicncc bciwccn ilc Supcisoul and ilc sun is ilai ilc sun iiuly
is siiuaicd in a singlc placc lai away and iis omnipicscncc is ilc misundcisianding
ol ilc obscivcis, bui ilc Supcisoul cxpansion ol ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is, by His inconccivablc poicncy, ilc Loid Himscll, and
ilus ilc Loid Himscll is iiuly picscni cvciywlcic.
llismadcva coniinucs: Now I can mcdiiaic wiil lull conccniiaiion
(samadli-gaio smi) upon ilai onc Loid, Sii Kisna, now picscni bcloic mc (iam
imam), wlom I lavc dcsciibcd in ilc picvious piaycis. Tlc Supicmc Loid is
picscni in ilc lcaiis ol all condiiioncd souls (saiiia-blajam lidi lidi). Alilougl
ilc Loid is gcncially all-pcivading in lis loui-aimcd Supcisoul loim, I now scc
Him cvciywlcic in His iwo-aimcd loim ol Sii Kisna, wlicl is supicmcly powcilul
and is now picscni bcloic mc. No oilci loim is cqual io ilc loim ol Sii Kisna.`
5 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'blcda' iclcis io ilc Supicmc Loid's picscncc in
many placcs. Ii docs noi iclci io ilc Loid's pcilcciion oi impcilcciion. In Siimad
llagavaiam 1.9.30-+3 llismadcva gloiilicd ilc iiansccndcnial loim ol ilc Loid.
Tlcsc piaycis clcaily do noi gloiily ilc impcisonal lialman aspcci ol ilc
Supicmc. In ilis way wc lavc now dcsciibcd low ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is manilcsicd wiilin a limiicd aica ol spacc, and yci is also all-pcivading,
picscni wiilin ilc lcaiis ol all moving and non-moving cicaiuics.
Anuccheda +5
1 Tlus wc lavc piovcd ilai ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
is cicinal and all-pcivading. Tlis is also cxplaincd in ilc lollowing vcisc liom
Siidlaia Svami's commcniaiy (S.6.S.):
In ilis vcisc, by saying ilai alilougl ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
unboin, lc icpcaicdly appcais in ilc loims ol His incainaiions, lialma clcaily
csiablislcs ilc cicinaliiy and omnipicscncc ol ilc Supicmc Loid's iiansccndcnial
loim.`
2 Tlc cicinaliiy and all-pcivasivcncss ol ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd in Siimad llagavaiam (S.6.S-9) wlcic Loid lialma says:
Alilougl You aic ncvci boin, Youi appcaiancc and disappcaiancc as an
incainaiion ncvci ccasc. You aic always licc liom ilc maiciial qualiiics, and You
aic ilc slclici ol iiansccndcnial bliss icscmbling an occan. Licinally cxisiing in
Youi iiansccndcnial loim, You aic ilc supicmc subilc ol ilc mosi cxiicmcly
subilc. Wc ilcicloic ollci oui icspccilul obcisanccs unio You, ilc Supicmc,
wlosc cxisicncc is inconccivablc.¯
3 O bcsi ol pcisons, O supicmc diiccioi, ilosc wlo aciually aspiic loi
supicmc good loiiunc woislip ilis loim ol Youi Loidslip accoiding io ilc Vcdic
Taniias. My Loid, wc can scc all ilc ilicc woilds in You.`¯
+ Siidlaia Svami commcnis: In ilis vcisc lialma says: 'O Loid, Youi
appcaiancc in ilis maiciial woild and Youi pasiimcs aic noi lilc oui biiil and
aciiviiics.' How aic ilc Loid's appcaiancc and aciiviiics dillcicni liom ilosc ol ilc
condiiioncd soul' lialma givcs ilc answci in ilc woid 'agunaya' (O Loid, You
aic always licc liom ilc maiciial qualiiics) and 'niivana-sullainavaya' (O Loid,
You aic ilc slclici ol iiansccndcnial bliss icscmbling an occan).
5 In ilis vcisc lialma says alilougl ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is smallci
ilan ilc aiom (anoi animnc), Hc is also so laigc ilai no onc can mcasuic Him
(paiaiganya-dlama). Tlis slould noi bc considcicd impossiblc bccausc, as
lialma cxplains, ilc powcis and opulcnccs ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic
inconccivablc (malanublavaya). In ilcsc woids lialma piovcs ilai ilc loim ol
ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is cicinal and inconccivablc.
6 lialma coniinucs: 'O bcsi ol pcisons (puiusaisabla), ilosc wlo aciually
aspiic loi good loiiunc (sicyo-iiliblil) woislip (ijyam) ilis loim (iupam ciai) ol
Youi Loidslip (iava) accoiding io ilc Vcdic Taniias (vaidila-ianiiilcna)'. In ilis
way lialma dcsciibcd ilc cxalicd iiansccndcnial naiuic ol ilc loim ol ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Iiom ilis wc may undcisiand ilai ilc Loid's appcaiancc
in ilis maiciial woild is noi lilc ilc maiciial biiil ol ilc condiiioncd souls.
7 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: 'Tlc dcmigods aic also woislipablc.
Wly is ii noi ilougli ilai ilc biiil ol ilc dcmigods is also iiansccndcnial and
non-maiciial lilc ilai ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad''
To ilis I icply: Tiuc, ilc dcmigods aic woislipablc. Siill, ilcy aic noi
cqual io ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, loi ilcy aic all siiuaicd wiilin ilc univcisal
loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, as lialma says: 'My Loid, wc can scc
(pasyami) ilai all ilc ilicc woilds (iii-lolam) and wc dcmigods and living cniiiics
as wcll (nal) aic all siiuaicd wiilin Youi univcisal loim (visva-muiiau). Youi
iiansccndcnial loim, ilcicloic, is limiilcss, and wc aic clcaily Youi inlciiois.'`
S In Siimad llagavaiam S.6.S. lialma mciaploiically dcsciibcd ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad as 'an occan ol iiansccndcnial bliss' (niivana-
sullainavaya). In ilis way lialma cxplaincd ilai ilc bliss ol icalising ilc
pcisonal loim ol God is supciioi io ilc lappincss ol icalising His impcisonal
aspcci (niivana). Tlis is also dcsciibcd by Dliuva Malaiaja in ilc lollowing
woids (Siimad llagavaiam +.9.10):
9 My Loid, ilc iiansccndcnial bliss dciivcd liom mcdiiaiing upon Youi
loius lcci oi lcaiing aboui Youi gloiics liom puic dcvoiccs is so unlimiicd ilai ii
is lai bcyond ilc siagc ol bialmananda wlcicin onc ilinls limscll mcigcd in ilc
impcisonal lialman as onc wiil ilc Supicmc. Sincc bialmananda is also
dclcaicd by ilc iiansccndcnial bliss dciivcd liom dcvoiional scivicc, ilcn wlai io
spcal ol ilc icmpoiaiy blisslulncss ol clcvaiing oncscll io ilc lcavcnly plancis,
wlicl is cndcd by ilc scpaiaiing swoid ol iimc' Alilougl onc may bc clcvaicd io
ilc lcavcnly plancis, lc lalls down in duc couisc ol iimc.`¯
10 In Siimad llagavaiam S.6.S lialma said ilai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
smallci ilan ilc aiom, and ai ilc samc iimc Hc is so laigc ilai no onc can mcasuic
Him. Tlis is possiblc bccausc ilc Loid is ilc masici ol all inconccivablc
poicncics. lialma ilcn said io ilc Loid: O Loid, cvciyiling is icsiing wiilin
You.`
11 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is nciilci dcmigod noi dcmon,
nciilci luman noi biid oi bcasi. Hc is noi woman, man, oi ncuici, noi is Hc an
animal. Hc is noi a maiciial qualiiy, a liuiiivc aciiviiy, a manilcsiaiion oi non
manilcsiaiion. Hc is ilc lasi woid in ilc disciiminaiion ol 'noi ilis, noi ilis', and
Hc is unlimiicd. All gloiics io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad!`¯
12 Wlcn ilc King ol ilc clcplanis was dcsciibing ilc supicmc auiloiiiy,
wiiloui mcniioning any paiiiculai pcison, lc did noi involc ilc dcmigods,
lcadcd by Loid lialma, Loid Siva, India and Candia. Tlus nonc ol ilcm
appioaclcd lim. Howcvci, bccausc Loid Haii is ilc Supcisoul, Puiusoiiama, ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Hc appcaicd bcloic Gajcndia.`¯
13 lccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc oiiginal causc ol all
causcs, no dcmigod oi oilci living cniiiy can bc His cqual. Tlis is conliimcd by
Gajcndia in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam S.3.22-23):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cicaics His minoi paii and paiccls,
ilc jiva-iaiiva, bcginning wiil Loid lialma, ilc dcmigods and ilc cxpansions ol
Vcdic lnowlcdgc (Sama, Rg, Yajui and Ailaiva) and including all oilci living
cniiiics, moving and non moving, wiil ilcii dillcicni namcs and claiaciciisiics.
As ilc spails ol a liic oi ilc slining iays ol ilc sun cmanaic liom ilcii souicc and
mcigc inio ii again and again, ilc mind, ilc iniclligcncc, ilc scnscs, ilc gioss and
subilc maiciial bodics, and ilc coniinuous iiansloimaiions ol ilc dillcicni modcs
ol naiuic all cmanaic liom ilc Loid and again mcigc inio Him.`¯
Gajcndia coniinucs by cxplaining ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
las no maiciial qualiiics. Hc is noi woman, man, oi ncuici, noi is Hc an animal.
Hc is noi a maiciial qualiiy, a modc ol maiciial naiuic, a pious oi impious liuiiivc
aciiviiy.` Hc is noi any ol ilcsc ilings bccausc Hc is ilc cicaioi ol ilcm and
ilcicloic Hc is noi dillcicni liom ilcm. Wc may also noic ilai ilc pliasc 'na san
na casai' may bc inicipicicd io mcan Hc is nciilci small noi laigc.` Tlis mcans
ilai Hc can appcai in any loim, laigc oi small, as lc wislcs.
Siidlaia Svami commcnis on ilis vcisc:
Tlc woid 'niscdla-scsal' mcans 'ncgaiing ilc dillcicni maiciial loims
laslioncd by ilc illusoiy cncigy, maya, onc may undcisiand ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is noi a pioduci ol maya.' In ilis vcisc Gajcndia
says: 'All gloiics io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad! I piay Hc may appcai
bcloic mc so I may bccomc licc liom ilis disiicssing siiuaiion and aiiain
libciaiion.'`
1+ In Siimad llagavaiam S.3.30 (quoicd in icxi 13) Suladcva Gosvami says:
Wlcn ilc ling ol ilc clcplanis was dcsciibing (upavainiia) ilc supicmc
auiloiiiy, wiiloui mcniioning any paiiiculai pcison (niiviscsam), lc did noi
involc ilc dcmigods, lcadcd by Loid lialma, Loid Siva, India and Candia
(vividla-linga-blidablimanal). Tlus nonc ol ilcm appioaclcd lim (naiic
yadopasasipul). Howcvci, bccausc Loid Haii is ilc Supcisoul (nillilaimalaivai),
Puiusoiiama, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad (allilamaia-mayo laiil), Hc appcaicd
(aviiasii) bcloic Gajcndia.`¯
In ilcsc piaycis Gajcndia said: 'O Loid, Youi iiansccndcnial loim is nciilci
laigc noi small, loi ii is ncvci limiicd by maiciial dcsignaiions.' In ilc samc way
in oilci placcs ol Vcdic liiciaiuic ii is said ilai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las
nciilci lands noi lcci. In ilis way ilc iiansccndcnialisis mcdiiaic on ilc Loid in
ilcii lcaii. Tlis, ol couisc, mcans ilai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las no
maiciial lands and lcci, loi all ilc limbs ol ilc Loid's body aic spiiiiual. Tlis is
conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (10.1+.2), wlcic Loid
lialma says:
My dcai Loid, Youi loim is iiansccndcnial io all maiciial clcmcnis. I can
undcisiand ilai You lavc mcicy upon mc bccausc You aic icvcaling ilai loim,
sianding bcloic mc lilc a small clild. lui alilougl I am Loid lialma, ilc so-
callcd cicaioi ol ilis univcisc, I am unablc io ascciiain ilc iiansccndcnial
poicncics ol Youi body. And il I am unablc io undcisiand ilc spiiiiual poicncy ol
Youi clildlilc body, ilcn wlai can I undcisiand aboui Youi iiansccndcnial
pasiimcs'`¯
Many oilci vciscs liom Vcdic liiciaiuic conliim ilis poini, bui io avoid
unduc icpciiiion wc will noi quoic ilcm.
Anuccheda +6
1 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's picscncc as ilc Supcisoul in ilc
lcaiis ol all condiiioncd souls is dcsciibcd by Malaiaja Niga (Siimad llagavaiam
10.6+.26):
My dcai Loid, You aic ilc Supcisoul scaicd in cvciyonc's lcaii. Tlcic aic
many gicai mysiic yogis wlo lavc cycs io scc You iliougl ilc Vcdas and
Upanisads. In oidci io aclicvc ilc clcvaicd posiiion ol bcing cqual in qualiiy wiil
You, ilcy always mcdiiaic on You wiilin ilcii lcaiis. Alilougl sucl cxalicd
sainily pcisons may scc You consianily wiilin ilcii lcaiis, ilcy siill cannoi scc
You cyc io cyc: ilcicloic I am vciy mucl suipiiscd ilai I am ablc io scc You
pcisonally. I lnow ilai I was cngagcd in so many aciiviiics, cspccially as a ling.
Alilougl I was in ilc midsi ol luxuiy and opulcncc and was subjccicd io so mucl
ol ilc lappincss and misciy ol maiciial cxisicncc, I am so loiiunaic io bc sccing
You pcisonally. As lai as I lnow, wlcn onc bccomc libciaicd liom maiciial
cxisicncc, lc can scc You in ilis way.`¯
2 Siidlaia Svami commcnis:
In ilis vcisc Malaiaja Niga says io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad:
'O Loid, I am vciy mucl suipiiscd ilai I am ablc io scc You pcisonally' (sa ivam
lailam mama viblo lsi-pailal). Somconc may asl: Wly is ilis so suipiising' In
answci io ilis Malaiaja Niga says: 'O Loid, You aic ilc Supcisoul (paiamaima)
scaicd in cvciyonc's lcaii. Tlcic aic many gicai mysiic yogis (yogcsvaiail) wlo
lavc cycs io scc You ilougl ilc Vcdas and Upanisads (siuii-disa) and ilcy always
mcdiiaic on You wiilin ilcii puic lcaiis (amala-lid-viblavyal). Alilougl sucl
cxalicd sainily pcisons may scc You consianily wiilin ilcii lcaiis, ilcy siill
cannoi scc You cyc io cyc, loi You icmain bcyond ilc pciccpiion ol ilc maiciial
scnscs (adlolsajal). Wlcn onc bccomcs libciaicd liom maiciial cxisicncc
(blavapavaigal), lc can scc You as I am sccing You now (anudisya). Alilougl
my iniclligcncc las bccomc blindcd by ilc gicai sullciing I lavc cxpciicnccd in
ilis lilciimc as a lizaid, I lavc bccomc so loiiunaic as io scc You pcisonally. Tlis
is cciiainly vciy suipiising.'`
3 Tlc icason Malaiaja Niga was ablc io diiccily scc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd in ilc Naiayanadlyaima:
Alilougl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad icmains always invisiblc io
ilc condiiioncd souls, Hc may bc sccn by ilc inicivcniion ol ilc Loid's
iiansccndcnial poicncy. Wiiloui ilc mcicy ol ilc Loid's poicncy, wlo is ablc io
scc ilc cicinal Supicmc Loid'`
+ Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad can bc sccn only wiil ilc giacc ol His
own poicncy, wlicl Hc manilcsis by His own mcicy. Tlcicloic, ilc Loid's mcicy
is ilc aciual causc ol bcing ablc io scc Him. Tlis is conliimcd in ilc lollowing
siaicmcnis ol ilc Upanisad:
Wiil maiciial cycs no onc can scc ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad.`
Kaila Upanisad 2.3.9
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad icvcals Himscll ol His own accoid io
ilosc Hc clooscs.`
Mundala Upanisad 3.2.3
Tlc condiiioncd living cniiiy is noi ablc io scc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad.`
Kaila Upanisad 2.3.9 and Svciasvaiaia Upanisad +.20
5 Tlis is also cxplaincd in ilc Naiayaniya clapici ol ilc Molsa-dlaima
(Malablaiaia, Sanii-paiva 339.+5-+6), wlcic Loid Naiayana, ilc masici ol
Svciadvipa says io Naiada:
O Naiada, I am ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc masici ol ilc
univcisc. You aic noi ablc io complcicly undcisiand My iiansccndcnial loim.
lccausc I dcsiicd io icvcal Myscll io you I lavc momcniaiily appcaicd bcloic you
and ilcn disappcaicd. You aic no longci ablc io scc Mc, bui can only scc ilis
maiciial naiuic ol ilc ilicc modcs and vaiious clcmcnis I lavc cicaicd. Ai ilc
picscni momcni you can scc only ilis. You cannoi scc Mc.`
6 In ilis vcisc Loid Naiayana says You lavc sccn My loim (disyaic), bui
you lavc noi undcisiood ii (ivaya na jncyam)'. ly saying ilai His loim cannoi bc
undcisiood wiilin ilc iclcicncc ol maiici, ilc Loid alliims ilai His loim is
spiiiiual and noi maiciial. Ncvciilclcss, bccausc ilc Loid dcsiics io slow mcicy
io His dcvoiccs, Hc somciimcs wislcs (icclan) io icvcal His loim io ilcm, and
ilcn Hc also disappcais liom lcii sigli (nasycyam). lccausc ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc supicmc coniiollci (isal) ol cvciyiling, Hc is
supicmcly indcpcndcni, and Hc is also dillcicni liom ilc maiciial univcisc. Ioi
ilis icason Hc can appcai and ilcn disappcai wlcncvci Hc lilcs. Tlc pliascs
'maya ly csa maya sisia yan mam pasyasi' and 'saiva-bluia-guanii yuliam' mcans
'Now you do noi scc Mc. Now you scc only My illusoiy cncigy.`
7 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad may bc sccn only by His mcicy is
conliimcd by llismadcva (Malablaiaia, Sanii-paiva 339.12):
Tlc cicinal Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc masici ol ilc dcmigods,
ilcn bccamc plcascd and pcisonally icvcalcd Himscll io Upacaii Vasu. Tlis is ilc
only way Hc may bc sccn. Il Hc docs noi wisl io slow Himscll, Hc will icmain
invisiblc.`
In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'iam' iclcis io Upacaii Vasu.
S lcloic ilis passagc a gioup ol dcvoiccs lcadcd by Upacaii Vasu says
(Malablaiaia, Sanii-paiva 336.19):
O lilaspaii, nciilci you noi wc aic ablc io scc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad. Only ilcy wlo obiain His mcicy can scc Him.`
9 Tlc vaiious aiiiibuics ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, sucl as His
icmaining invisiblc io ilc cycs ol ilc condiiioncd souls, aic dcsciibcd in ilc
Upanisads. Ioi cxamplc, ilc Kaila Upanisad (2.3.9) says:
Wiil maiciial cycs no onc can scc ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad.`
Tlc vcisc quoicd in ilc bcginning ol ilis Anucclcda was spolcn by King
Niga io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Anuccheda +7
1 In ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (S.3.S) ilc conccpiion
ilai ilc loims, qualiiics, and pasiimcs ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic
maiciial is icluicd. Hcic ilc Loid's loims aic dcsciibcd as spiiiiual and noi
maiciial:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las no maiciial biiil, aciiviiics,
namc, loim, qualiiics oi laulis. To lullil ilc puiposc loi wlicl ilis maiciial woild
is cicaicd and dcsiioycd, Hc comcs in ilc loim ol a luman bcing lilc Loid Rama
oi Loid Kisna by His oiiginal inicinal poicncy.`¯
2 Tlis vcisc dcsciibcs ilc vaiious iiansloimaiions picscni in ilc maiciial
bodics ol ilc condiiioncd souls. Tlc liisi iiansloimaiion is biiil (janma), ilc ncxi
iiansloimaiion is woil (laima), by wlicl ilc impcilcci and unlullillcd soul iiics
io bccomc pcilcci and lullillcd. Tlc ncxi iiansloimaiion is namc (nama), oi ilc
sysicm ol sounds by wlicl vaiious objccis wiilin ilc mind's icacl aic indicaicd
loi ilc puiposc ol laciliiaiing cvciyday aciiviiics. Tlc ncxi iiansloimaiion is loim
(iupa), ilc qualiiy pciccivcd by ilc visual scnsc. Tlc lasi iiansloimaiion is qualiiy
(guna), oi ilc condiiioncd souls' dillcicni naiuics, boin liom ilcii coniaci wiil
ilc ilicc modcs: goodncss, passion and ignoiancc. Tlc maiciial iiansloimaiions
aic picscni in ilc condiiioncd souls, bui ilcy aic noi picscni in ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad bccausc Hc is always siiuaicd in His own oiiginal
iiansccndcnial loim, wlicl is pcilcci and complcic, bcyond ilc undcisianding ol
ilc limiicd maiciial mind, bcyond ilc ioucl ol ilc maiciial cncigy, and visiblc
only by ilc Loid's conscni and noi oilciwisc. Alilougl ilc Loid icmains
uniouclcd by ilc maiciial iiansloimaiions, Hc ncvciilclcss comcs io ilc maiciial
woild in a luman lilc loim lilc ilc loims ol Loid Rama oi Loid Kisna (yas iani
icclanii). Tlc scnicncc bcgun in ilis vcisc is complcicd in ilc ncxi wlicl says:
Hc las immcnsc poicncy, and in vaiious loims, all licc liom maiciial
coniaminaiion, Hc acis wondcilully. Hc is ilcicloic ilc Supicmc lialman. I ollci
my icspccis io Him.`¯
Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las no maiciial loim is also
dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcnis liom ilc Upanisads:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is pcilcci and complcic. Hc is
supicmcly pcacclul. His aciiviiics aic ncvci maiciial.`
Svciasvaiaia Upanisad 6.19
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las no maiciial namc oi loim. Hc is
cicinal and clangclcss. Hc is noi undcisiood by ilc maiciial scnscs.`
Kaila Upanisad 1.3.15
Alilougl Hc las no maiciial aiiiibuics, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad las a spiiiiual loim and scnscs. Tlis is conliimcd in ilc lollowing
woids:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is omnipoicni. Hc can do wlaicvci
Hc lilcs. All His dcsiics aic auiomaiically lullillcd. Hc iasics and smclls all ilai
cxisis. His scnscs pciccivc cvciyiling.`
Clandogya Upanisad 3.1+.2
+ In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'guna-dosal' mcans ilai alilougl ilcy wlo aic noi
Supicmc may lavc laulis, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las no laulis. Tlis
is dcsciibcd in Kuima Puiana:
lccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is lull ol all opulcnccs, somc
ol His opulcnccs may sccm io coniiadici somc ol His oilci opulcnccs. lccausc ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is supicmc in all icspccis, ilcsc coniiadiciions
slould noi bc ialcn as laulis.`
5 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is pcilcci and licc liom any
dclcci is also conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcnis ol ilc Upanisads:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad icmains always uniouclcd by
maiciial impuiiiy oi sin.`
Clandogya Upanisad S.1.5.
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is dcsciibcd in ilc Vcdas, is
supicmcly auspicious bccausc noi only docs Hc posscss all inauspiciousncss
wiilin Himscll, bui Hc also lcads oilcis io an auspicious condiiion.`
Clandogya Upanisad +.15.2-+
6 In ilc picviously quoicd passagc liom Clandogya Upanisad (3.1+.2) ilc
woid 'saiva-gandlal' may also bc inicipicicd io mcan Hc wlo is mosi plcasanily
liagiani', oi, in oilci woids, Hc wlosc aiiiibuics aic supciioi io ilosc ol all
oilcis. In ilc vcisc liom Siimad llagavaiam (S.3.S) quoicd picviously, ilc woid
'icclaii' (Hc acccpis) slould noi bc inicipicicd io mcan ilai Hc acccpis a posiiion
lilc ilc lauliy siaius ol ilc condiiioncd souls. Sucl an inicipiciaiion would
clcaily coniiadici ilc siaicmcnis ol ilc Upanisads.
7 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: Iiisi you say ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad las no biiil, aciiviiics, namc, loim, oi qualiiics, and ilcn again you
say lc las all ilcsc. Tlis is cciiainly a coniiadicioiy siaicmcni.`
Icaiing ilai somconc would say ilis, ilc Siimad llagavaiam (S.3.S) says:
ly ilc powci ol His oiiginal inicinal poicncy (sva-maya) ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad ialcs biiil, cvcn ilougl Hc is unboin.` Wiiloui acccpiing ilc Loid's
all-powcilul inicinal poicncy, ii is indccd illogical io say ilc Loid simuliancously
ialcs biiil and docs noi ialc biiil. In laci ilc biiil ol ilc Supicmc Loid is
dillcicni liom ilc biiil ol ilc condiiioncd souls. Tlc Loid's biiil is a spiiiiual
pasiimc and cannoi bc undcisiood liom ilc maiciial liamc ol iclcicncc oi
dcsciibcd accoiding io maiciial conccpis.
S Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad docs lavc biiil, namc, loim,
aciiviiics, and qualiiics is conliimcd by Sanlaiacaiya in ilc lollowing woids
(saiiiala-blasya 1.+.16):
Tlc woid 'sai' (icaliiy) is gcncially applicd io ilai wlicl las namcs and
loims. Considciing ilai somc plilosoplcis migli ilinl ilc Supicmc godlcad
uliimaicly las nciilci namc noi loim, ilc Siuii-sasiia spccilically says: 'lcloic ilc
cicaiion, ilc Supicmc cxisicd as sai (icaliiy). Oilci ilings wcic ilcn non cxisicni
(asai). Tlis mcans ilai by using ilc woid 'sai' io dcsciibc ilc Supicmc bcloic ilc
cicaiion, ilc Siuii-sasiia alliims ilai bcloic ilc cicaiion ol ilc maiciial univciscs
ilc Supicmc Godlcad was manilcsicd wiil boil namc and loim, loi ilc vciy woid
'sai' mcans io lavc namc and loim.`
9 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las spiiiiual qualiiics bui no
maiciial qualiiics is conliimcd by ilc lollowing sccmingly coniiadicioiy
siaicmcnis ol Visnu Puiana (6.5.S3-S+):
O sagc, ilc Supicmc Godlcad is abovc all viiiucs and laulis. Tlcsc ilings
aic noi picscni in Him.`
Tlc Supicmc Godlcad is ilc posscssoi ol all auspicious qualiiics.`
10 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las spiiiiual, noi maiciial,
qualiiics is also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing woids (Visnu Puiana 6.5.79):
Tlc pcison ilai las all lnowlcdgc, powci, siicngil, opulcncc, lcioism
and splcndoui, and docs noi lavc any inlciioi maiciial qualiiics, oi laulis is
lnown as llagavan, oi ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
11 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las spiiiiual, noi maiciial,
qualiiics is again conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Padma Puiana, Uiiaia-
llanda:
Wlcn ilc Vcdic liiciaiuics dcsciibc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
ilc coniiollci ol all ilc univciscs, as bcing wiiloui qualiiics (niiguna), ilis slould
bc undcisiood io mcan ilai Hc las no inlciioi maiciial qualiiics.`
12 In Siimad llagavaiam S.3.S ilc woid 'sva-mayaya' slould bc inicipicicd io
mcan 'Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad wlo appcais in ilis maiciial woild
iliougl ilc agcncy ol His own iiansccndcnial poicncy.' Tlis pliasc slould noi bc
inicipicicd in any oilci way. Tlai ilis inicipiciaiion is coiicci is conliimcd by
ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Naiada Muni in Siimad llagavaiam (10.37.22), wlicl
clcaily dclincs ilc woid 'maya' as 'ilc Loid's poicncy`:
My Loid, lci mc ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs io Youi loius lcci. You aic
siiuaicd complcicly in ilc iiansccndcnial posiiion ol pcilcci lnowlcdgc and bliss.
You aic complcic in Youiscll, and aic bcyond all dcsiics. ly cxlibiiing Youi
inicinal poicncy You lavc sci up ilc inllucncc ol maya. Youi unlimiicd poicncy
cannoi bc mcasuicd by anyonc. My dcai Loid, You aic ilc Supicmc Coniiollci. Ii
is simply vain io ilinl ilai You aic dcpcndcni on any ol Youi cicaiions.`¯
13 Any oilci inicipiciaiion ol ilc woid 'sva-mayaya' slould bc undcisiood io
coniiadici ilc inicniion ol Siila Suladcva Gosvami in spcaling Siimad
llagavaiam 12.12.69. In ilis vcisc and also in Siidlaia Svami's commcniaiy on ii,
ilc woid 'sva-mayaya' is clcaily dclincd io mcan 'ilc Loid's iiansccndcnial
poicncy.`
1+ Somconc may objcci: In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'icclaii' mcans 'acccpis'. Tlis
mcans ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad somciimcs acccpis a loim, and ai
oilci iimcs Hc docs noi acccpi a loim.
To ilis objcciion Siimad llagavaiam icplics by using ilc woid 'anulalam'
(cicinally). In oilci woids, Siimad llagavaiam siaics ilai ilc Supicmc Loid
cicinally acccpis a loim. Hc ncvci abandons ilc posiiion ol laving His own
iiansccndcnial loim. In oilci woids, Hc is ncvci loimlcss. Tlcicloic, ii may bc
undcisiood ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc oiigin ol His
iiansccndcnial poicncics, and ai ilc samc iimc Hc manilcsis His cicinal loim
wiilin ilc maiciial woild by ilc agcncy ol His iiansccndcnial poicncy.
15 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: How is ii possiblc ilai ilc biiil and
aciiviiics ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic cicinal. Hc is noi cicinally
bcing boin, nciilci is Hc cicinally caiiying oui any spccilic aciion. His cxpansions
appcai ai a cciiain poini in iimc, and ilcn alici ilai Tlcy aic no longci manilcsi.
How is ii, ilcn, ilai you say ilai ilc Loid's biiil and aciiviiics aic cicinal'`
To ilis objcciion I icply: Tlcic is no dclcci in ilc siaicmcni ilai ilc biiil
and pasiimcs ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic cicinal. Hc las
innumciablc loims and cacl loim is manilcsi in an unlimiicd numbci ol placcs.
Tlc Loid's biiil and aciiviiics aic ilcicloic unlimiicd in numbci. Tlc oiiginal
loims and sccondaiy manilcsiaiions ol ilc Loid's vaiious placcs ol pasiimcs and
vaiious pasiimc-associaics in boil ilc spiiiiual woild ol Vailunila and ilc
maiciial univciscs aic also unlimiicd in numbci. Tlcicloic, wlcncvci ilc biiil oi
pasiimcs ol any oiiginal loim ol ilc Loid oi sccondaiy manilcsiaiion ol ilc Loid's
loim is complcicd in a cciiain placc, ii is immcdiaicly manilcsicd again in anoilci
placc. In ilis way ilc biiil and pasiimcs ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
aic ncvci iniciiupicd. Tlcy aic cicinally manilcsi. Tlc oiiginal manilcsiaiions ol
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's biiils and pasiimcs aic always ilc samc.
Tlcy ncvci clangc. Tlc sccondaiy appcaianccs ol ilcsc oiiginal loims, lowcvci,
somciimcs iniioducc vaiiciics inio ilcsc pasiimcs.
16 Tlai ilc oiiginal loims ol ilc Loid can cxpand inio innumciablc sccondaiy
loims is conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (10.69.2):
Ii is asiounding ilai Loid Kisna, wlo is onc wiiloui a sccond, cxpandcd
Himscll in sixiccn ilousand similai loims io maiiy sixiccn ilousand quccns in
ilcii icspcciivc lomcs.`¯
17 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilcicloic, manilcsis vaiious loims in
vaiious ciicumsianccs accoiding io His dillcicni aciiviiics. In ilis way ilc
vaiiciics ol ilc mcllows ol His pasiimcs aic manilcsicd.
1S Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: How can you say ilai simply bccausc
Hc is boin and acis in dillcicni loims ai dillcicni iimcs, ilc biiil and aciiviiics ol
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic cicinal' Tlcsc biiils and aciiviiics aic
dillcicni, and ilcicloic nonc ol ilcm aic cicinal. Ioi ilis icason ilc loim ol ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is also noi cicinal.`
To ilis I icply: Tlc loims ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic onc.
Tlcy appcai ai dillcicni iimcs and undci dillcicni ciicumsianccs, bui ilcy aic siill
ilc samc cicinal loims. Tlai ilcy appcai ai dillcicni iimcs docs noi mcan ilai
ilcy musi bc dillcicni loims.
Il somciling is icpcaicd ilai docs noi mcan ilai ilc icpciiiion is dillcicni
liom ilc liisi appcaiancc. Tlis is cxplaincd by Sanlaiacaiya in Saiiiala-blasya:
Il ilc woid 'cow' is icpcaicd iwicc ilai docs noi mcan ilai ilcic aic iwo
cows. Tlcic is only onc cow, bui loi cmplasis ilc woid las bccn icpcaicd. In ilc
samc way, il ilc woid 'coolcd' is icpcaicd iwicc, ilai docs noi mcan ilai ilc lood
was iwicc coolcd. Simply loi cmplasis ilc woid was icpcaicd.`
Iiom ilcsc cxplanaiions wc may undcisiand ilai ilc biiil and aciiviiics ol
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic cicinal. Ioi ilis icason ilc Agama-
sasiias and oilci Vcdic liiciaiuics woislip ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's
pasiimcs, wlicl wcic all pciloimcd innumciablc iimcs in ilc pasi.
19 Tlis is also conliimcd in Madlvacaiaya's commcniaiy:
lccausc ilc loims ol Loid Tiiviliama and ilc oilci incainaiions aic all
manilcsicd liom ilc loim ol ilc Supcisoul (paiamaima), ilcicloic ilcsc loims aic
all cicinal, jusi as ilc Supcisoul is cicinal.`
Tlis is also coiioboiaicd by ilc Siuii-sasiia:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad always cxisicd in ilc pasi. Hc cxisis
ai picscni, and Hc will coniinuc io cxisi in ilc luiuic cicinally.`
Iiom ilis ii slould bc lnown ilai bccausc ilc loims ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic all cicinal, ilcy aic also ilc supicmc objccis ol oui
woislip.
20 Tlc 'biiil' ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is vciy dillcicni liom ilc
biiil ol ilc condiiioncd souls. Any similaiiiics ol ilcsc iwo biiils aic vciy
supcilicial. Somciimcs ilc Loid's 'biiil' is complcicly dillcicni liom ilc
condiiioncd souls biiil and ilcic is noi cvcn a supcilicial icscmblancc. Tlai ilc
Supicmc Loid is unboin alilougl Hc sccms io ialc biiil is dcsciibcd in ilc Siuii-
sasiia:
Alilougl Hc is unboin, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad ialcs biiil
again and again.`
21 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's appcaiancc in ilis maiciial
woild only supcilicially icscmblcs ilc biiil ol ilc condiiioncd souls is conliimcd
by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (10.3.S):
Tlcn ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Visnu, wlo is siiuaicd in ilc
coic ol cvciyonc's lcaii, appcaicd liom ilc lcaii ol Dcvali in ilc dcnsc dailncss
ol nigli, lilc ilc lull moon iising on ilc casicin loiizon, bccausc Dcvali was ol
ilc samc caicgoiy as Sii Kisna.`¯
22 Tlc dillcicncc bciwccn ilc Loid's 'biiil' and ilai ol ilc condiiioncd souls
is also sccn in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (7.S.17), wlcic ilc
Loid's appcaiancc as Loid Nisimadcva is dcsciibcd:
To piovc ilai ilc siaicmcni ol His scivani Piallada Malaiaja was
subsianiial - in oilci woids, io piovc ilai ilc Supicmc Loid is picscni cvciywlcic,
cvcn wiilin ilc pillai ol an asscmbly lall - ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
Haii, cxlibiicd a wondcilul loim ncvci bcloic sccn. Tlc loim was nciilci ilai ol
a man noi ilai ol a lion. Tlus ilc Loid appcaicd in His wondcilul loim in ilc
asscmbly lall.`¯
23 Tlc 'biiil' ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is again dcsciibcd in
Siimad llagavaiam (3.2+.6):
Alici many, many ycais, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
Madlusudana, ilc lillci ol ilc dcmon Madlu, laving cnicicd ilc scmcn ol
Kaidama, appcaicd in Dcvaluii jusi as liic comcs liom wood in a saciilicc.`¯
In ilis dcsciipiion ol ilc Loid's 'biiil' wc may noic ilai, inllucnccd by ilc
puic dcvoiion ol Kaidama Muni, ilc Supicmc Loid agiccd io bccomc lis son. Wc
may also noic ilai ilc woid 'viiyam' lcic may bc undcisiood io mcan 'sonslip'.
In ilis way ilc pliasc 'viiyam apannal' may mcan 'Tlc Supicmc Loid acccpicd
ilc siaius ol Kaidama Muni's son.'
2+ Tlc aciiviiics ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic His blisslul
iiansccndcnial pasiimcs. Tlcy aic noi lilc ilc maiciial aciiviiics ol ilc
condiiioncd souls. Tlis is dcsciibcd in Vcdania-suiia (2.1.33):
Alilougl ilcy may supcilicially icscmblc ilc aciiviiics ol condiiioncd
souls, ilc aciions ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic all His iiansccndcnial
pasiimcs.`
Siipada Madlvacaiya commcnis on ilis suiia:
Tlc iiansccndcnial pasiimcs ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic
dillcicni liom ilc lappy dancing and oilci aciiviiics ol ilc inioxicaicd and mad
condiiioncd souls, wlo inlabii ilis maiciial woild.`
25 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ncvci loiccd io aci is dcsciibcd
in ilc Naiayana-samliia:
Loid Haii is noi obligcd io cicaic ilc maiciial univciscs oi do any oilci
iling. Hc is complcicly licc io do wlaicvci Hc lilcs. As a madman oi an
inioxicaicd pcison liccly danccs wiiloui ilinling ol aiiaining any spccilic icsuli
io lullilling any duiy, so ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, impcllcd by His
own iiansccndcnial bliss, acis in any way Hc plcascs.
How las ilc idca comc ilai ilc pcilccily blisslul Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is obligcd io aci in cciiain ways and is noi licc io aci as Hc plcascs' Tlis
idca is a gicai misialc, loi il cvcn ilc libciaicd jivas aic licc io aci and lavc all
ilcii dcsiics auiomaiically lullillcd, ilcn cciiainly ilc Supicmc Loid is complcicly
licc. All His dcsiics aic auiomaiically lullillcd wiiloui His laving io cndcavoui in
any way.`
26 Onc slould noi concludc liom ilis cxamplc compaiing ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad io an inioxicaicd pcison oi a madman ilai ilc Supicmc
Loid is noi omniscicni oi ilai His lnowlcdgc is lauliy in any way, as ilc
lnowlcdgc ol a madman oi an inioxicaicd pcison is. Tlc cxamplc slould bc
undcisiood io mcan ilai ilcic aic somc similaiiiics bciwccn ilc aciions ol ilc
Supicmc Loid and an inioxicaicd pcison, bui ilcy aic noi ilc samc in all icspccis.
As a madman oi an inioxicaicd pcison docs noi considci wlai is ncccssaiy
loi lis pcisonal bcnclii, bui acis iiicsponsibly, so ilc Supicmc Loid docs noi
considci His own scll-inicicsi, loi Hc is alicady lloodcd wiil iiansccndcnial bliss.
Tlc Supicmc Loid's iiansccndcnial bliss is auiomaiically csiablislcd. Hc nccd noi
woil io aiiain ii.
Somconc may say ilis is a lacl ol awaicncss on ilc Loid's paii: ilai Hc
docs noi lnow low His bliss is csiablislcd. Howcvci, loi ilc Loid ilis is noi a
lauli. As cvcn ilc mosi lcaincd sclolai is noi considcicd ignoiani bccausc lc is
noi awaic low lc is inlaling and cxlaling in dccp slccp oi somc oilci
unconscious siaic, so ilcic is no lauli on ilc Loid's paii il Hc is noi awaic low His
iiansccndcnial bliss is csiablislcd. Iiom ilis wc may concludc ilai ilc pasiimcs
ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic by naiuic lull ol iiansccndcnial bliss.
Tlis is conliimcd by ilc Siuii-sasiia:
ly naiuic ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's dcsiics aic auiomaiically
lullillcd wiiloui His cndcavoui. Il ilis is so, and Hc ncvci lacls anyiling, ilcn
low is ii possiblc loi Him io dcsiic anyiling' His dcsiics do noi icmain loi ilcy
aic all immcdiaicly and clloiilcssly lullillcd.`
27 Lvcn wlcn Hc cicaics ilc maiciial woild, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad pciloims cvciyiling wiiloui any clloii, all His dcsiics bcing
auiomaiically lullillcd. Tlis is dcsciibcd in Aiiaicya Upanisad (1.1.1):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad glanccd and ilougli: 'Lci ilcic bc
cicaiion'. In ilis way ilc maiciial woild was cicaicd.`
Il ilc Loid's dcsiics in iclaiion io ilis maiciial woild aic auiomaiically
lullillcd, ilcn wlai io spcal ol His dcsiics in iclaiion io ilc spiiiiual woild ol
Vailunila' In ciilci spiiiiual oi maiciial woilds, ilcn, ilc Supicmc Loid can
pciloim any aciion simply by willing ii. Tlis is dcsciibcd by ilc Kaliya scipcni's
wivcs (Siimad llagavaiam 10.16.+7):
Oui dcai Loid, in ilc maiici ol cicaiing ilc cosmic manilcsiaiion,
pcisonally You lavc noiling io cxcii; by cxpanding Youi dillcicni linds ol cncigy
- namcly ilc modc ol goodncss, ilc modc ol passion, and ilc modc ol ignoiancc -
You can cicaic, mainiain and annililaic ilis cosmic manilcsiaiion. As ilc
coniiollci ol ilc cniiic iimc loicc, You can simply glancc ovci ilc maiciial cncigy,
cicaic ilis univcisc, and cncigisc ilc dillcicni loiccs ol maiciial naiuic, wlicl aic
aciing dillcicnily in dillcicni cicaiuics. No onc can csiimaic, ilcicloic, low Youi
aciiviiics aic going on wiilin ilis woild.`¯
2S Tlc iiansccndcnial naiuic ol ilc Supicmc Loid's appcaiancc and aciiviiics
is also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (1.3.35):
Tlus lcaincd mcn dcsciibc ilc biiils and aciiviiics ol ilc unboin and
inaciivc, wlicl is undiscovciablc cvcn in ilc Vcdic liiciaiuics. Hc is ilc Loid ol
ilc lcaii.`¯
29 Tlis vcisc may bc undcisiood by siudying ilc iwo picccding vciscs, wlicl
dcsciibc ilc pioccss by wlicl onc bccomcs ablc io undcisiand ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlcsc iwo vciscs (Siimad llagavaiam 1.3.33-3+) say:
Wlcncvci a pcison cxpciicnccs, b scll-icalisaiion, ilai boil ilc gioss and
subilc bodics lavc noiling io do wiil ilc puic scll, ai ilai iimc lc sccs limscll as
wcll as ilc Loid.¯
Il ilc illusoiy cncigy subsidcs and ilc living cniiiy bccomcs lull cniiclcd
wiil lnowlcdgc by ilc giacc ol ilc Loid, ilcn lc bccomcs ai oncc cnliglicncd
wiil scll-icalisaiion and ilus bccomcs siiuaicd in lis own gloiy.`¯
Tlc liisi vcisc mcans ilai bccoming licc, by lull spiiiiual lnowlcdgc, liom
ilc ignoiancc ol ilinling ilai ilc gioss and subilc maiciial bodics aic ilc scll, is
ilc causc ol bcing ablc io scc ilc Loid.
Tlc sccond vcisc mcans ilai wlcn ilc illusoiy cncigy subsidcs ilc gicai
iicasuic ol onc's own spiiiiual loim bccomcs manilcsi.
Tlc iliid vcisc (1.3.35) mcans ilai ilc lcaincd mcn, wlo ialc plcasuic in
ilc Supicmc Scll, dcsciibc ilc biiils and aciiviiics ol ilc Supcisoul, wlo is ilc
Loid ol ilc lcaii.
Wlcn maiciial misconccpiions subsidc, ilcn ilc iiansccndcnial iicasuic ol
diicci pciccpiion ol ilc Loid's biiil and aciiviiics bccomcs manilcsi. Tlis is ilc
mcaning. Iiom ilis ii may bc undcisiood ilai ilc Loid's loims and pasiimcs aic
lillcd wiil iiansccndcnial bliss. Tlai is ilc mcaning.
30 In ilis vcisc (1.3.35) ilc pliasc 'alaiiui ajanasya' (ilc Loid las nciilci
biiil noi aciiviiics) slould bc undcisiood io mcan 'ilc Loid las no maiciial biiil
oi aciiviiics.' His biiil and aciiviiics aic complcicly spiiiiual and dillcicni liom
ilcii maiciial counicipaiis. Tlc pliasc 'vcda-gulyani' (undiscovciablc cvcn in ilc
Vcdic liiciaiuics) is cxplaincd in Aliuia's piaycis (Siimad llagavaiam 10.+S.23-
2+):
To considci Youi Loidslip io bc onc ol us, condiiioncd by ilc maiciial
naiuic, is a misialc duc io oui impcilcci lnowlcdgc. Wlcn pcoplc dcviaic liom
ilc oiiginal lnowlcdgc ol ilc Vcdas, ilcy iiy io idcniily ilc oidinaiy living cniiiics
wiil Youi Loidslip. Youi Loidslip las appcaicd on ilis caiil in Youi oiiginal
loim in oidci io ic-csiablisl ilc ical lnowlcdgc ilai ilc living cniiiics aic nciilci
onc wiil noi cqual io ilc Supicmc God. My dcai Loid, You aic always siiuaicd in
unconiaminaicd goodncss (suddla-saiiva). Youi appcaiancc is ncccssaiy io ic-
csiablisl aciual Vcdic lnowlcdgc, as opposcd io ilc ailcisiic plilosoply ilai iiics
io csiablisl ilai God and ilc living cniiiics aic onc and ilc samc. My dcai Loid
Kisna, ilis iimc You lavc appcaicd in ilc lomc ol Vasudcva as lis son, along wiil
Youi plcnaiy cxpansion, Sii lalaiama. Youi mission is io lill all ilc ailcisiic ioyal
lamilics along wiil ilcii lugc miliiaiy siicngil. You lavc advcnicd Youiscll io
minimisc ilc ovcibuidcn ol ilc woild, and in oidci io lullil ilis mission. You
lavc gloiilicd ilc dynasiy ol Yadu, appcaiing in ilc lamily as onc ol iis mcmbcis.`
¯
Siidlaia Svami discusscs ilcsc vciscs in lis commcniaiy:
Somconc may say ilai ilc pasiimcs ol ilc Loid aic aciually manilcsiaiions
ol maiciial illusion and ilcy only appcai io bc spiiiiual undci ilc inllucncc ol
dcvoiion io ilc Loid as a gliiiciing oysici-slcll may somciimcs bc misialcn loi
silvci. Tlis is noi a laci. Tlc Supicmc Loid's pasiimcs aic spiiiiual. Tlcy aic noi
ilc oidinaiy aciiviiics ol condiiioncd souls, bui ilc Supicmc Godlcad's spoii.
Tlis is conliimcd by ilc dcsciipiion givcn in ilcsc iwo vciscs ol Siimad
llagavaiam.
31 As ilc Supicmc Loid's loim is iiansccndcnial, so His namcs and aciiviiics
aic also iiansccndcnial. Tlis is dcsciibcd in Visnu Puiana (5.2.1S) wlcic ilc
dcmigods say io Dcvali-dcvi:
O Dcvali, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Visnu, wlosc namcs,
loims, and aciiviiics aic bcyond ilc limiicd undcisianding ol ilc condiiioncd
souls, is now picscni wiilin youi womb.`
Wc may noic ilai somc manusciipis coniain ilc icading 'iupa-laima'
(loims and aciiviiics) in ilc bcginning ol ilis vcisc. (In ilis alicinaic vcision ilc
iianslaiion would icad: 'wlosc loims and aciiviiics', omiiiing ilc woid 'namcs').
32 Tlc iiansccndcnial naiuic ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's
pasiimcs is also dcsciibcd in llagavad-giia (+.9) wlcic ilc Loid says:
Onc wlo lnows ilc iiansccndcnial naiuic ol My appcaiancc and aciiviiics
docs noi, upon lcaving ilc body, ialc biiil again in ilis woild, bui aiiains My
cicinal abodc, O Aijuna.`¯
33 Tlc namc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is pcilcci and
iiansccndcnial. Ii is dillcicni liom ilc maiciial naiuic and ii cannoi bc dcsciibcd
in maiciial woids oi undcisiood by ilc ilinling pioccss ol ilc maiciial mind.
Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Vasudcvadlyaima:
lccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las limiilcss qualiiics, Hc is
lnown as 'anama', oi 'Hc wlo las no namc'. Tlc Loid is said io lavc no namc
bccausc Hc docs noi lavc a singlc namc. In oilci woids, His namcs aic unlimiicd
in numbci.`
3+ Tlis is also dcsciibcd in ilc lialma Puiana:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is somciimcs said io bc namclcss.
Tlis is said bccausc ilc namcs ol ilc Loid aic unlimiicd in numbci. Tlcic is no
singlc namc ol ilc Loid. In ilc samc way, ilc Supicmc Loid is somciimcs said io
bc loimlcss. Tlis slould bc undcisiood io mcan ilai ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc
Loid is spiiiiual. Ii is noi composcd ol ilc livc maiciial clcmcnis. Tlcicloic ilc
Loid las no maiciial loim.`
35 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's namcs and pasiimcs aic
spiiiiual and noi maiciial is also conliimcd in ilc Visnu Puiana (5.1S.53-5+):
O unboin Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Youi namcs, biiil, loims and
so loiil, aic noi ilc pioduci ol ilc vivid imaginaiion ol ilc condiiioncd souls, bui
ilcy aic all supicmcly ical. You aic cicinal, ilc unclanging, supicmc spiiiiual
icaliiy. You aic ilc supicmc lnowlcdgc bcyond ilc lccblc spcculaiivc powcis ol
ilc condiiioncd souls, and ilcicloic You aic gloiilicd by a losi ol loly namcs,
sucl as Kisna (ilc all-aiiiaciivc), Acyuia (ilc inlalliblc), Anania (ilc unlimiicd),
and Visnu (ilc all-pcivading).`
36 Tlis dcsciipiion ol ilc Loid's loly namcs docs noi ai all coniiadici ilc
vcisc liom ilc Visnu Puiana quoicd in icxi 31. loil passagcs dcsciibc ilc
spiiiiual naiuic ol ilc Loid's loly namc. Tlc spcculaiivc powcis ol ilc
condiiioncd souls cannoi givc cciiain lnowlcdgc, and ilcicloic ilis vcisc cxplains
ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's namc, biiil and pasiimcs cannoi bc
undcisiood by ilc spcculaiivc pioccss. In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'bialma' clcaily
csiablislcs ilc spiiiiual naiuic ol ilc Loid's loly namc.
37 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is unboin is conliimcd in ilc
Svciasvaiaia Upanisad (+.5):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is unboin. Hc appcais in ilc icd,
wliic and blacl loims ol His dillcicni incainaiions.`
lccausc ilc namcs, loims and pasiimcs ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad aic all cicinal, unboin and supicmcly woislipablc, ilcy cannoi bc ilc
pioduci ol plilosoplcis' imaginaiions. Tlcy aic noi imaginaiy. Tlcy aic ical.
Tlis is also conliimcd in ilc siaicmcni ol Visnu Puiana (5.2.1S) quoicd in icxi 31.
Tlc Loid's loly namcs, sucl as Kisna and oilci namcs and His
incainaiions, wlcic Hc appcais in ilc loims ol dcmigods, luman bcings, lsaiiiyas
and oilcis, and His pasiimcs in ilcsc dillcicni incainaiions aic noi imaginaiy.
Tlcy aic all ical. All ilc pasiimc-incainaiions ol ilc Loid aic ilc masicis ol His
cicinal spiiiiual poicncics, and ilcy aic all pcilcci in all icspccis. Tlis is
conliimcd in Siimad llagavaiam (10.37.32):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is, by naiuic, pcilcci in all icspccis.`
3S In ilc Visnu Puiana passagc quoicd in Tcxi 35 ilc woid 'yaial' mcans
'bccausc' and 'iaial' mcans 'ilcicloic'. 'Saivasya aiilasya' mcans 'ol all visiblc
subsiancc', 'lalpanam iic' mcans 'bcyond conccpiion oi imaginaiion', 'adligamal'
mcans 'maiciial conccpiion', and 'na' mcans 'is noi'. Tlis vcisc cxplains ilai
nciilci ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad noi His loly namc aic imaginaiy, bui
ilcy aic bcyond ilc inloimaiion gailciing abiliiics ol ilc condiiioncd souls in ilc
maiciial woild. Tlc gicai sagcs and ilc Vcdic liiciaiuics boil gloiily ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad by claniing His supicmcly pcilcci iiansccndcnial namcs.
Tlcsc gloiics ol ilc Loid aic noi imaginaiy. Tlcy aic ical. Tlai is ilc mcaning ol
ilis vcisc.
39 In ilis way ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd in ilc Vcdic
liiciaiuics. Ii las alicady bccn csiablislcd ilai ilc poicncics ol ilc Loid aic all
scll-pcilcci. Oilci ilings may bc pioducis ol plilosoplcis' imaginaiion, bui noi
ilc Loid's pcilcci poicncics. In ilis vcisc ilc Visnu Puiana clcaily says: Tlc
namcs, biiil, and cvciyiling clsc in iclaiion io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad aic noi imaginaiy (na vidyanic nama-jaiy-adi-lalpanal) loi ilcy aic in
iclaiion io You, O Loid (blavan), ilc Supicmc loim ol ilc supicmc spiiii
(paiamam bialma)'. Tlc usc ol ilc woid 'avilaii' (unclanging) docs noi mcan
ilai ilc Loid icmains siaiic and docs noi movc oi aci, loi Hc always cnjoys
vaiious iiansccndcnial pasiimcs. Tlc woid 'aja' (O unboin) mcans ilai Hc docs
noi ialc biiil oi appcai in ilc woild as a condiiioncd souls docs.
Wly do somc commcniaiois claim ilai ilc namcs, biiils, cic., ol ilc
Supicmc Loid aic imaginaiy' Tlcii conclusion cannoi bc acccpicd, Maiciial
lnowlcdgc is aiiaincd by ilc pioccss ol mcnial spcculaiion (lalpanam iic iilasya
saivasyadligamal). Mcnial spcculaiion, lowcvci, docs noi lclp us undcisiand
ilc namcs, biiil, cic. ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Tlc vcisc concludcs by saying: 'O Loid, You aic gloiilicd (idyasc) by Youi
loly namcs (namablil), sucl as Kisna and oilci namcs', wlicl aic all clanicd by
ilc cicinally pcilcci Vcdic liiciaiuics, sucl as ilc Siuii-sasiias and ilc Puianas.
Tlc conclusion is ilai ilc Supicmc Godlcad is noi impcisonal, and His namcs,
biiil, loim, cic. aic noi imaginaiy. Tlcy aic all ical.
+0 Tlc namcs Kisna, Acyuia, Anania, and Visnu in ilis vcisc aic sclccicd io
givc somc indicaiion ol ilc Loid's innumciablc namcs. In ilc Vcdic liiciaiuics ilc
namc ol Naiayana and many oilci namcs aic also givcn.
+1 Tlc Loid's loly namc is dcsciibcd in ilc Vcdic liiciaiuic:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is manilcsi as ilc syllablcs ol His
namc.`
Tlc Vcdania-suiia (2.+.16) also says:
Tlc loly namc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is cicinal.`
In ilis way ilc cicinaliiy ol ilc Loid's loly namc, wlicl is dcsciibcd in all
Vcdic liiciaiuics, is csiablislcd.
+2 Tlc loly namcs ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic also dcsciibcd
in ilc Gopala-iapani Upanisad (1.29) wlcic, in ilc couisc ol dcsciibing ilc 1S
syllablc Kisna-maniia, ilc dcmigod lialma says:
Wlcn I dcsiicd io cicaic ilc univcisc ilc Loid again appcaicd bcloic mc,
slowing mc in ilcsc syllablcs ilc univcisc ilai was io bc.`
In ilis way ilc loly namcs ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic
dcsciibcd as ilc oiiginal causc ol ilc maiciial univcisc ilcn aboui io bc cicaicd.
Tlc Loid's loly namc is noi dillcicni liom His loim. lccausc ilc Loid and His
namc aic ilc samc, ilc Loid's namc is dillcicni liom ilc univcisc, alilougl ii is
also ilc univcisc's oiiginal causc. lccausc ii is dillcicni liom ilc univcisc, ilc
Loid's namc is spiiiiual and all-pcilcci. Ii is wiiloui llaw.
+3 Tlc Loid's loly namc is also dcsciibcd in ilc Rg Vcda (1.156.3):
O Visnu, by claniing Youi loly namc wiil a liiilc undcisianding, wc
aiiain piolound iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc.`
++ In ilis vcisc woid 'visno' mcans 'O Visnu', 'ic' mcans Youi', 'cii' mcans
'spiiiiual by naiuic', 'malal' mcans 'scll-manilcsi', 'asya' mcans 'ol ilai loly namc',
and 'a' mcans 'cvcn sliglily'. Wlcn ii is said, 'wiil cvcn a small undcisianding ol
Youi loly namc', ii is undcisiood ilai complcic undcisianding ol ilc gloiics ol ilc
Loid's namc is ilc bcsi posiiion. Tlc woid 'vivilian' mcans 'cvcn by simply
icpcaiing ilc syllablcs', 'sumaiim' mcans 'piopci lnowlcdgc ol ilc loly namc',
'blajamalc' mcans 'wc obiain', 'iai' mcans 'ilcicloic', 'om' mcans 'ilc sacicd
syllablc om', and 'sai' mcans 'scll-pcilcci'.
Iiom ilis wc may undcisiand ilai ilc claniing ol ic loly namc ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad liccs ilc clanici liom lcai, laiicd and oilci
maiciial impcilcciions. Tlis dcsciipiion is also conliimcd by vaiious oilci
siaicmcnis ol ilc Vcdic liiciaiuics.
+5 Tlai onc bccomcs libciaicd by ilc claniing ol ilc loly namc ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is also dcsciibcd in ilc lialma Puiana:
Lvcn il onc's mind is disiiacicd and onc docs noi ilinl ol ilc Loid, and
cvcn il onc bccomcs angiy, il onc coniinually gloiilics Loid Haii, lc will bccomc
licc liom ilc bonds ol icpcaicd biiil and dcail and aiiain libciaiion as Sisupala,
ilc King ol Ccdi, did.`
+6 Onc bccomcs libciaicd by cvcn only oncc claniing ilc loly namc ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlis is dcsciibcd in Padma Puiana:
A pcison wlo clanis ilc iwo syllablcs Ha-ii, cvcn il lc clanis only a
singlc iimc, causcs lis liicnds and iclaiivcs io bccomc libciaicd liom ilc cyclc ol
icpcaicd biiil and dcail by sucl claniing.`¯
+7 Tlc sacicd syllablc om is dcsciibcd in ilc Siuii-sasiia:
Om is ilc namc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. lccausc spcaling
ii icscucs onc liom ilc cyclc ol icpcaicd biiil and dcail, om is lnown as 'iaia'
(ilc dclivcici).`
+S Onc slould noi invcni a concocicd inicipiciaiion ol ilc mcaning ol ilc
loly namc. To concoci a lancilul mcaning ol ilc loly namc ol Loid Haii` is
counicd among ilc ollcnscs io ilc loly namc mcniioncd in ilc Padma Puiana.
Lvcn il onc icgulaily clanis ilc loly namc ol ilc Loid, il lc commiis ilis
oi oilci ollcnscs io ilc loly namc, lc will noi bccomc libciaicd as a icsuli ol lis
claniing, bui will icmain cnmcslcd in ilc cyclc ol icpcaicd biiil and dcail. Tlis
is iiuc ol onc wlo commiis ollcnscs io ilc Loid's loly namc and ii is also iiuc ol
onc wlo commiis ollcnscs io ilc Loid's dcvoiional scivicc. An cxamplc ol an
ollcnsc io dcvoiional scivicc is lound in ilc Sii Visnu-blalii-candiodaya:
Il onc sccs ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad iiavclling in His
Railayaiia lcsiival oi somc similai lcsiival and docs noi lollow ilc Loid in His
pioccssion, ilcn sucl a pcison will lind ilai ilc icsulis ol all lis pious aciiviiics
will bccomc buincd by ilc liic ol iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc, and lc will ialc lis
ncxi biiil in a lamily ol lialma-ialsasas.`
Tlcsc ollcnscs io ilc Loid's loly namc oi dcvoiional scivicc as dcsciibcd in
ilcsc siaicmcnis ol ilc Visnu-blalii-candiodaya and Padma Puiana slould bc
undcisiood io bc gicai obsiaclcs loi ilcy wlo aspiic io malc piogicss in spiiiiual
lilc.
+9 As wlcn onc scc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad picscni as ilc
wiincss wiilin ilc lcaii, onc lccls iiansccndcnial bliss, in ilc samc way, wlcn onc
piopcily clanis ilc loly namc ol ilc Loid, onc lccls iiansccndcnial bliss. Tlis is
dcsciibcd by Sii Saunala Rsi in ilc lollowing woids Siimad llagavaiam (2.3.2+):
Cciiainly ilai lcaii is siccl-liamcd wlicl, in spiic ol onc's claniing ilc
loly namc ol ilc Loid wiil conccniiaiion, docs noi clangc wlcn ccsiasy ialcs
placc, icais lill ilc cycs and ilc laiis siand on cnd.`¯
50 Tlc loly namc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc maiuic liuii
ol all ilc Vcdas and ii is ilc iiansccndcnial loim ol ilc Supicmc Loid. Tlis is
dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Piablasa-llanda:
Tlc loly namc ol Loid Kisna is ilc mosi auspicious ol all auspicious
ilings, and ilc swccicsi ol all swcci ilings. Ii is complcicly spiiiiual, wiiloui any
ioucl ol maiici, and ii is ilc iiansccndcnial liuii ol ilc vinc ol all Vcdic
liiciaiuics. Il onc clanis ilc loly namc ol Loid Kisna, cvcn oncc, ciilci wiil
laiil, oi cvcn in ilc spiiii ol mocling Him, ilc loly namc will dclivci ilc clanici
liom ilc bondagc ol maiciial cxisicncc.`
51 Iiom ilis wc may undcisiand ilai ilc loly namc and loim ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic idcniical. Tlis is clcaily cxplaincd in Naiada-
pancaiaiia in ilc dcsciipiion ol ilc cigli-syllablc maniia Om namo vasudcvaya:
Tlc supicmcly blisslul pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Naiayana is pcisonally
picscni in ilc sound vibiaiion ol ilc cigli syllablc maniia Om namo vasudcvaya.`
52
Tlc Supicmc Loid's namc Om is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcnis ol ilc
Upanisads:
Tlis cniiic cosmic manilcsiaiion is aciually ilc syllablc Om.`
Clandogya Upanisad 2.2+.+
Tlis cniiic univcisc is idcniical wiil ilc sacicd syllablc Om.`
Mandulya Upanisad 1.1
53 Tlc sacicd syllablc Om is luiilci dcsciibcd in ilc Agama-sasiia:
Tlc sacicd syllablc om is idcniical wiil ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad. Om is ilc Supicmc. Om las no lioni, no insidc, and no ouisidc.
Noiling is supciioi io ilc clangclcss om. Om is ilc bcginning, middlc and cnd ol
cvciyiling. Onc wlo is ablc io undcisiand ilc iiuc naiuic ol om cvcniually
aiiains diicci associaiion ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Onc slould
undcisiand ilai ilc syllablc om is idcniical wiil ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, wlo is siiuaicd in ilc lcaiis ol all living bcings. A ilouglilul pcison
wlo undcisiands ilai ilc syllablc om is aciually ilc all-pcivading Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, ncvci lamcnis loi anyiling. Om is immcasuiablc and unlimiicd. Om is
supicmcly auspicious loi ii ciadicaics ilc misconccpiion ol ilinling ilai ilc
maiciial cosmos is indcpcndcni ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Onc wlo
undcisiands ilis iiuc naiuic ol ilc sacicd syllablc om is aciually a lcaincd
plilosoplci. Onc wlo docs noi undcisiand om is noi a plilosoplci, bui only an
ignoiani lool.`
5+ Somconc may claim ilai ilc syllablc om and ilc oilci namcs ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic noi aciually ilc Loid Himscll, bui aic mcicly
woids, alilougl occasionally in piaycis wc lind somc cxaggciaicd siaicmcnis
gloiilying ilcm. Tlis is noi ilc iiuil. In iiuil ilc namcs ol ilc Supicmc Loid aic
considcicd His incainaiions in ilc loim ol woids, and ilcy aic noi dillcicni liom
ilc Oiiginal Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad Himscll. Tlis is conliimcd by ilc Siuii-
sasiia. Tlc namc ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilcicloic noi dillcicni liom ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad Himscll. Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc Padma Puiana:
55 Tlc loly namc ol Kisna is iiansccndcnially blisslul. Ii bcsiows all
spiiiiual bcndiciions; loi ii is Kisna Himscll, ilc icscivoii ol all plcasuic. Kisna's
namc is complcic, and ii is ilc loim ol all iiansccndcnial mcllows. Ii is noi a
maiciial namc undci any condiiion, and ii is no lcss powcilul ilan Kisna Himscll.
Sincc Kisna's namc is noi coniaminaicd by ilc maiciial qualiiics, ilcic is no
qucsiion ol iis bcing involvcd wiil maya. Kisna's namc is always libciaicd and
spiiiiual; ii is ncvci condiiioncd by ilc laws ol maiciial naiuic. Tlis is bccausc ilc
namc ol Kisna and Kisna Himscll aic idcniical.`
56 In ilis vcisc ilc loly namc ol Kisna is dcsciibcd as 'ciniamani' (a
iiansccndcnial gcm) bccausc ilc loly namc gianis all bcncdiciions. Noi only ilai,
bui ilc loly namc is ilc 'loim ol all iiansccndcnial mcllows', and ii is libciaicd
and spiiiiual. Tlc loly namc ol Kisna manilcsis ilcsc qualiiics bccausc ii is non
dillcicni liom Kisna Himscll (ablinnaivai).
57 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: Il ilc loly namc ol Kisna is libciaicd
and spiiiiual, as you say, ilcn low is ii possiblc loi ilc libciaicd namc ol ilc Loid
io appcai bcloic ilc maiciial scnscs ol ilc condiiioncd souls'`
To ilis objcciion I icply: In iiuil, ilc loly namc ol Supicmc Loid can bc
pciccivcd by ilc scnscs ol ilc condiiioncd souls. Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las
Himscll cxplaincd ilis in Siimad llagavaiam (11.21.36-37):
5S Tlc iiansccndcnial sound ol ilc Vcdas is vciy dilliculi io compiclcnd and
manilcsis on dillcicni lcvcls wiilin ilc piana, scnscs and mind. Tlis Vcdic sound
is unlimiicd, vciy dccp and unlailomablc, jusi lilc ilc occan.¯¯¯
As ilc unlimiicd, unclanging and omnipoicni Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
dwclling wiilin all living bcings. I pcisonally csiablisl ilc Vcdic sound vibiaiion
in ilc loim ol omlaia wiilin all living cniiiics. Ii is ilus pciccivcd subily, jusi
lilc a singlc siiand ol libic on a loius siall.`¯¯¯
59 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad may appcai bcloic ilc icsidcnis
ol ilc maiciial univcisc is also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad
llagavaiam (12.6.+7), wlcic ilc division ol ilc Vcdas inio iis vaiious paiis is
dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing woids:
Sccing ilai by ilc inllucncc ol iimc ilc living cniiiics wcic bccoming
sloii-livcd, wcal, and uniniclligcni, ilc sagcs dividcd ilc Vcda inio iis vaiious
paiis, so ii would bc moic casily undcisiood. Tlc sagcs did ilis bccausc ol ilc
oidci ol ilc inlalliblc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad wlo was siiuaicd wiilin
ilcii lcaiis.`¯¯¯
Siidlaia Svami commcnis:
Icaiing ilai ilc iniclligcncc ol ilc luman bcings was bccoming wcal, ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, siiuaicd wiilin ilc lcaiis ol ilc sagcs, oidcicd ilcm io
dividc ilc Vcda inio iis consiiiucni paiis.`
In oilci woids, ilc Supicmc Loid appcaicd io ilc sagcs, liom wiilin ilcii
lcaiis. In ilis way Hc was diiccily pciccivcd by ilcm.
60 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad somciimcs appcais bcloic ilc
icsidcnis ol ilc maiciial woild is also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vcisc ol Siimad
llagavaiam (12.13.50):
Lci us mcdiiaic on ilc Supicmc Tiuil, wlo is cicinal, lull ol ncciai, licc
liom all lamcniaiion, spoilcss and puic. Oui ol His own causclcss mcicy ilis
Supicmc iiuil, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad loimcily cnliglicncd lialma, Naiada,
Vyasa, Suladcva Gosvami and Malaiaja Paiilsii, by picscniing bcloic ilcm ilc
ligli ol iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc.`
61 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol godlcad's appcaiancc bcloic ilc icsidcnis ol
ilc maiciial woild is also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad
llagavaiam (10.2.36), wlcic ilc dcmigods piay io Loid Kisna, wlo is siiuaicd
wiilin ilc womb ol Dcvali:
O Loid, Youi iiansccndcnial namc and loim aic noi ascciiaincd by ilosc
wlo mcicly spcculaic on ilc pail ol imaginaiion. Youi namc, loim and aiiiibuics
can bc ascciiaincd only iliougl dcvoiional scivicc.`¯
62 Tlc spccial lcaiuic ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's appcaiancc in
ilc maiciial woild is ilai Hc appcais lcic by ilc agcncy ol His own inicinal
poicncy, and Hc is noi loiccd io appcai in ilc maiciial woild, bui docs so only by
His own wisl. Tlcsc poinis lavc bccn clcaily dcmonsiiaicd in ilc picvious
poiiions ol ilis bool, and ilcy aic luiilci coiioboiaicd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni
ol Siimad-llagavaiam (2.9.+):
63 O King, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, bcing vciy mucl plcascd wiil Loid
bialma bccausc ol lis non dcccpiivc pcnancc in blalii yoga, picscnicd His cicinal
and iiansccndcnial loim bcloic lialma. And ilai is ilc objcciivc goal loi
puiilying ilc condiiioncd soul.`¯
6+ Siidlaia Svami commcnis on ilis vcisc in ilc lollowing woids:
In ilc cigli clapici ol ilis Canio, Malaiaja Paiilsii aslcd: 'Il ilc
Supicmc Loid las a maiciial body, ilcn low is ii ilai ilc dcvoiccs bccomc
libciaicd by simply sciving and woislipping ilc maiciial body ol ilc Supicmc
Loid'' Malaiaja Paiilsii also aslcd il ilcic was any dillcicncc bciwccn ilc Loid's
body and ilc bodics ol ilc condiiioncd souls. Hc said (2.S.S):
Il ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, liom wlosc abdomcn ilc loius
sicm spiouicd, is posscsscd ol a giganiic body accoiding io His own calibic and
mcasuicmcni, ilcn wlai is ilc spccilic dillcicncc bciwccn ilc body ol ilc Loid
and ilosc ol common living cniiiics''
Tlis qucsiion is answcicd in ilis (2.9.+) vcisc. In ilis vcisc ilc pliasc
'aima-iaiiva-visuddly-aiilam' mcans: 'Tlc loim ol ilc Loid puiilics ilc
condiiioncd souls and bcsiows iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc on ilcm.' Onc may asl:
'Wlai iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc did ilc Loid icacl lialma'' Tlc answci is: 'Tlc
Loid spolc io lialma (blagavan bialmanc ala) ilc scicncc ol dcvoiional scivicc,
wlicl consisis ol ausiciiiics and oilci spiiiiual piaciiccs.' Onc may asl: 'Wlai did
ilc Loid ilcn do'' Tlc answci is lound in ilc pliasc 'iiam iupam daisayan' (Tlc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad picscnicd His cicinal and iiansccndcnial loim bcloic
lialma). Onc may asl: 'Wly did ilc Loid icvcal His iiansccndcnial loim'' Tlc
answci is lound in ilc pliasc 'avyalila-viaiadiial' (ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
was vciy mucl plcascd wiil Loid lialma bccausc ol lis non dcccpiivc pcnancc in
blalii-yoga).
Iiom all ilis wc may concludc ilai ilc cxicinal loim ol ilc condiiioncd
living cniiiy is a manilcsiaiion ol ilc Supicmc Loid's maiciial illusoiy poicncy.
Tlc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, lowcvci, is dillcicni, loi ii is
spiiiiual. Ii is noi manilcsicd by ilc maiciial poicncy bui by ilc Loid's own
spiiiiual poicncy lnown as yogamaya. In ilis way, bccausc ilc loim ol ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is spiiiiual in naiuic, by woislipping ilai spiiiiual loim,
ilc dcvoiccs aiiain libciaiion.`
65 Malaiaja Vasudcva also dcsciibcs ilc spiiiiual naiuic ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's loim in ilc lollowing woids Siimad llagavaiam
(10.3.20-21):
My Loid, Youi loim is iiansccndcnial io ilc ilicc maiciial modcs, yci loi
ilc mainicnancc ol ilc ilicc woilds, You assumc ilc wliic coloui ol Visnu in
goodncss, loi cicaiion, wlicl is suiioundcd by ilc qualiiy ol passion, You appcai
icddisl, and ai ilc cnd, wlcn ilcic is a nccd loi annililaiion, wlicl is suiioundcd
by ignoiancc, You appcai blaclisl.`¯
O my Loid, piopiicioi ol all cicaiion, You lavc now appcaicd in my lousc,
dcsiiing io pioicci ilis woild. I am suic ilai You will lill all ilc aimics ilai aic
moving all ovci ilc woild undci ilc lcadcislip ol poliiicians wlo aic dicsscd as
lsaiiiya iulcis bui wlo aic laciually dcmons. Tlcy musi bc lillcd by You loi ilc
pioicciion ol ilc innoccni public.`¯
66 Tlis vcisc may bc inicipicicd in ilc lollowing way: My Loid, You aic ilc
cicaioi, mainiainci and dcsiioyci ol ilc maiciial woilds. Wlcn You dcsiic io
mainiain ilc woilds, by manilcsiing Youi own poicncy (sva-mayaya) You manilcsi
ilc modc ol goodncss (aimanal sullam vainam). ly doing ilis You pioicci ilc
bialmanas and ilc oilci mcmbcis ol sociciy also. Wlcn You dcsiic io cicaic you
manilcsi ilc modc ol passion (iajasopabimliiam ialiam). In ilis way You lullil
ilc passionaic dcsiics ol ilc vaiious classcs ol sociciy, bcginning wiil ilc
bialmanas. Wlcn You dcsiic io annililaic ilc univcisc You aiiangc loi ilosc
ilings ilai aic sinlul and impuic (lisnam).`
Tlis vcisc may also bc inicipicicd: O Loid, You appcai in ilc puic
(sullam) loim ol Visnu, wlicl is licc liom all coniaci ol ilc maiciial modcs ol
naiuic, and You also appcai in a icddisl (lialma) and blaclisl (Siva) loim loi
maiciial cicaiion and annililaiion.`
Wc many noic lcic ilai as Loid Visnu icmains uniouclcd by ilc ilicc
modcs ol maiciial naiuic, so lialma and Siva also icmain uniouclcd by ilc ilicc
modcs ol maiciial naiuic.
67 Tlai Visnu, lialma and Siva aic abovc ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic
is ilc conclusion ol Siila Suladcva Gosvami, wlo said:
Siva appcais io display ilc qualiiics ol all ilicc modcs ol naiuic, alilougl
Hc is aciually licc liom ilcii inllucncc. Hc is lull ol all poicncics, and His ical
iiansccndcnial naiuic icmains liddcn liom ilc pciccpiion ol oidinaiy mcn.`
Siimad llagavaiam (10.SS.3)
Loid Haii is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Hc is bcyond ilc
maiciial naiuic and Hc icmains always uniouclcd by ilc ilicc modcs ol naiuic.`
Siimad llagavaiam (10.SS.5)
6S Tlc Supicmc Loid icmains always licc liom ilc modcs ol naiuic, cvcn
ilougl Hc may somciimcs appcai io bc undci ilcii inllucncc. Tlis is dcsciibcd in
Siimad llagavaiam (10.3.50):
Tlosc Visnu loims, by Tlcii puic smiling, wlicl icscmblcd ilc incicasing
ligli ol ilc moon, and by ilc sidclong glanccs ol Tlcii icddisl cycs, cicaicd and
pioiccicd ilc dcsiics ol Tlcii own dcvoiccs, as il by ilc modcs ol passion and
goodncss.`¯
69 Tlis vcisc clcaily cxplains ilai alilougl ilc Loid may somciimcs appcai io
bc aciing undci ilc inllucncc ol ilc modcs ol passion and goodncss, ilis is
appcaiancc only, and ilc Loid icmains always licc liom ilc inllucncc ol ilc
modcs ol naiuic.
Tlc picviously quoicd vcisc (llagavaiam 10.3.20) cxplaincd ilai Visnu
appcais in ilc coloui wliic, lialma in icd, and Siva in blacl. Tlcsc colouis aic
inicndcd lcic as symbolic namcs loi ilc ilicc modcs ol naiuic. Ii slould noi bc
ialcn liicially ilai ilcsc ilicc dciiics manilcsi loims in ilcsc colouis. Ioi
cxamplc, ilc guna-avaiaia ol Loid Visnu wlo appcais in ilc maiciial woild as
Ksiiodalasayi Visnu in oidci io pioicci ilc univcisc (as wc will dcsciibc laici in
ilc Paiamaima-sandaibla), is lamous loi manilcsiing a blacl loim. In ilc samc
way Loid Siva, wlo dcsiioys ilc univcisc, is lamous loi olicn appcaiing in a wliic
loim. Tlcsc poinis aic cxplaincd in ilc dcsciipiion ol dcvoiional scivicc spolcn
by Goblila Muni. In ilc samc way, Loid lialma docs noi manilcsi a icd loim.
Iiom ilis wc may concludc ilai ilc colouis ol vaiious pcisonaliiics docs noi
ncccssaiily conncci ilcm io a spccilic modc ol naiuic. Iuiilci cxamplcs aic ducls
and oilci animals, wlo alilougl manilcsiing a wliic coloui, aic cciiainly noi in
ilc modc ol goodncss, and Siila Vyasadcva, Suladcva Gosvami and oilcis, wlo
aic woislipablc loi ilosc in ilc modc ol goodncss, bui wlo ncvciilclcss manilcsi
blacl loims accoiding io ilc dcsciipiion ol ilcm lound in ilc Puianas.
Tlis vcisc (llagavaiam 10.3.20) coniinucs: O Loid, you slow Youi mcicy
io Youi dcvoiccs by mainiaining ilcm and by appcaiing among ilcm.` Hcic ilc
woid 'ialiam' mcans ilc modcs ol passion wlicl inspiics ilc dcsiic io cicaic, and
a losi ol oilci dcsiics as wcll. Tlc woid 'lisnam' in ilis vcisc mcans ilc modc ol
ignoiancc, wlicl conccals ilc ical spiiiiual idcniiiics ol ilc individual souls.
70 Tlc qualiiics ol ilc ilicc modcs ol naiuic aic dcsciibcd in Siimad
llagavaiam (1.2.2+):
Iiicwood is a iiansloimaiion ol caiil, bui smolc is bciici ilan ilc iaw
wood. And liic is siill bciici, loi by liic wc can dciivc ilc bcncliis ol supciioi
lnowlcdgc (iliougl Vcdic saciiliccs). Similaily, passion (iajas) is bciici ilan
ignoiancc (iamas), bui goodncss (saiiva) is bcsi bccausc by goodncss onc can
comc io icalisc ilc Absoluic Tiuil.`¯
71 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: ly cxplaining ilai ilc blacl loim ol ilc
Loid docs noi ncccssaiily cngagc in ilc aciiviiics ol univcisal dcsiiuciion, ilc icd
loim ol ilc Loid docs noi ncccssaiily cngagc in univcisal cicaiion, and ilc wliic
loim ol ilc Loid docs noi ncccssaiily cngagc in mainiaining ilc univcisc, you
lavc cciiainly mislcd ilc pcoplc wlo icad youi bool. Wly do you spcal in ilis
way'`
Icaiing ilai somconc would spcal ilis objcciion, and lcaiing ilai somconc
would ilinl ilai Loid Kisna migli lavc said I lavc now assumcd ilis blacl loim
ol ilc modc ol ignoiancc in oidci io dcsiioy ilc univcisc`, Malaiaja Vasudcva
spolc ilc lollowing vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 10.3.21) in oidci io alliim ilai
Loid Kisna's mission in ilc woild is loi iis pioicciion, and noi iis annililaiion:
O my Loid, piopiicioi ol all cicaiion, You lavc now appcaicd in my
lousc, dcsiiing io pioicci ilis woild. I am suic ilai you will lill all ilc aimics
ilai aic moving all ovci ilc woild undci ilc lcadcislip ol poliiicians wlo aic
dicsscd as lsaiiiya iulcis bui wlo aic laciually dcmons. Tlcy musi bc lillcd by
You loi ilc pioicciion ol ilc innoccni public.`¯
72 Tlis vcisc slould bc undcisiood in ilc lollowing way: Alilougl ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad may assumc loims ilai sccm io coiicspond io cciiain
modcs ol maiciial naiuic, ilcsc loims aic all spiiiiual and siiuaicd in puic
goodncss, bcyond ilc modcs ol naiuic. Ai ilc iimc ol cosmic annililaiion,
bccausc ilc Loid givcs only sullciing io ilc living cniiiics, Hc icmains in a
posiiion ol dccp slccp. Tlis dcsciipiion ol ilc Loid docs noi apply io ilis casc ol
Loid Kisna. Loid Kisna docs noi icmain pcimancnily aslccp, and nciilci is Hc a
souicc ol consiani sullciing loi ilc living cniiiics, bui iailci Hc givcs
iiansccndcnial bliss io ilc cniiic woild. Ii is iiuc, ol couisc, ilai Hc docs lill ilc
dcmons, lowcvci, is only ilc picicxi ilai ilc Loid uscs io giani ilcm His mcicy
and giani ilcm libciaiion, clcvaiing ilcm bcyond ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic.
Iiom ilis wc may concludc ilai ilc blacl loim ol Kisna docs noi cxclusivcly
cngagc in dcsiiuciion, and ilcicloic ii is noi appiopiiaic io considci Loid Kisna
ilc incainaiion ilai cngagcs in ilc aciiviiics ol ilc modc ol ignoiancc. Ii is iiuc
ilai onc mcaning ol ilc woid 'Kisna` is 'dailncss', bui ilai mcaning is noi
appiopiiaic in ilis conicxi. A woid slould bc undcisiood accoiding io ilc
conicxi in wlicl ii is uscd, jusi as il I say 'Plcasc biing ilc saindlava', bccausc ilc
woid 'saindlava' mcans 'boil 'sali' and 'loisc', ilc piopci mcaning ol ilc woid
'saindlava' musi bc dcicimincd accoiding io ilc conicxi. In ilis samc way ilc
woid 'lisna' in ilis vcisc slould bc undcisiood accoiding io ilc conicxi. Hcic ilc
woid 'lisna' clcaily docs noi mcan 'dailncss'.
73 lccausc Loid Sii Kisna docs noi pciloim ilc aciiviiics ol ilc modc ol
dailncss, Hc slould noi bc undcisiood as ilc incainaiion icpicscniing dailncss.
Tlc aciions ol ilc dillcicni modcs ol naiuic aic dcsciibcd in Siimad llagavaiam
(7.1.S):
Wlcn ilc qualiiy ol goodncss is piomincni, ilc sagcs and dcmigods
llouiisl wiil ilc lclp ol ilai qualiiy, wiil wlicl ilcy aic inluscd and suiclaigcd
by ilc Supicmc Loid. Similaily, wlcn ilc modc ol passion is piomincni ilc
dcmons llouiisl, and wlcn ignoiancc is piomincni ilc Yalsas and Ralsasas
llouiisl. Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is picscni in cvciyonc's lcaii,
losiciing ilc icaciions ol saiiva-guna, iajo-guna and iamo-guna.`¯
7+ Tlc blacl loim ol Loid Kisna is ilcicloic noi a manilcsiaiion ol ilc modc
ol dailncss. In ilc samc way ilc icd and wliic loims ol ilc Loid aic noi
manilcsiaiions ol ilc modcs ol passion and ignoiancc, as somc would lavc ii. Tlc
cvidcncc ollcicd by ilc Vcdic liiciaiuics is, ilcicloic, ilai all ilc loims ol ilc Loid
aic iiansccndcnial and bcyond ilc modcs, and ilc coloui a spccilic loim ol ilc
Loid docs noi indicaic ilc inllucncc ol a paiiiculai modc ol maiciial naiuic.
75 Tlc iiansccndcnial naiuic ol ilc loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad was
also dcsciibcd by Dcvali-dcvi, wlo icspccilully said (Siimad llagavaiam 10.3.2+):
My dcai Loid, ilcic aic dillcicni Vcdas, somc ol wlicl dcsciibc You as
unpciccivablc iliougl woids and ilc mind. Yci You aic ilc oiigin ol ilc cniiic
cosmic manilcsiaiion. You aic lialman, ilc gicaicsi ol cvciyiling, lull ol
cllulgcncc lilc ilc sun. You lavc no maiciial causc, You aic licc liom clangc and
dcviaiion, and You lavc no maiciial dcsiics. Tlus ilc Vcdas say ilai You aic ilc
subsiancc. Tlcicloic, my Loid, You aic diiccily ilc oiigin ol all Vcdic siaicmcnis,
and by undcisianding You, onc giadually undcisiands cvciyiling. You aic
dillcicni liom ilc ligli ol lialman and Paiamaima, yci You aic noi dillcicni liom
ilcm. Lvciyiling cmanaics liom You. Indccd, You aic ilc causc ol all causcs,
Loid Visnu, ilc ligli ol all iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc.`¯
76 Tlc loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is noi maiciial, noi is ii a pioduci
ol ilc maiciial modcs ol naiuic, noi docs ii lavc any maiciial aiiiibuics. lccausc
ilc wondcilul loim ol ilc Supicmc Loid aiiiacis ilc scll-icaliscd libciaicd souls, ii
slould bc undcisiood ilai ilc Loid's loim is complcicly spiiiiual. Tlc libciaicd
soul's aiiiaciion io ilc Loid's loim is dcsciibcd by Siila Suia Gosvami (Siimad
llagavaiam 1.7.10-11):
All dillcicni vaiiciics ol aimaiamas (ilosc wlo ialc plcasuic in aima, oi
spiiii scll), cspccially ilosc csiablislcd on ilc pail ol scll-icalisaiion, ilougl liccd
liom all linds ol maiciial bondagc, dcsiic io icndci unalloycd dcvoiional scivicc
unio ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlis mcans ilai ilc Loid posscsscs
iiansccndcnial qualiiics and ilcicloic can aiiiaci cvciyonc, including libciaicd
souls.¯
Siila Suladcva Gosvami, son ol Siila Vyasadcva, was noi only
iiansccndcnially powcilul. Hc was also vciy dcai io ilc dcvoiccs ol ilc Loid.
Tlus lc undciwcni ilc siudy ol ilis gicai naiiaiion (Siimad llagavaiam).`¯
77-7S Tlc spiiiiual naiuic ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is also dcsciibcd in ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Visnu-dlaima Puiana, Uiiaia-llanda:
lccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is lull ol all opulcnccs, ii
slould bc undcisiood ilai wiilin Him aic all iiansccndcnial qualiiics, and Hc is
complcicly licc ol any laulis oi dclccis alilougl, undci ilc inllucncc ol ilc
illusoiy cncigy (maya), somc loolisl pcisons lalscly claim ilai ilc Supicmc Loid
las boil good qualiiics and laulis. Ii slould bc undcisiood ilai nciilci ilc
illusoiy maiciial cncigy, noi ii's illusoiy by-pioducis cxisi wiilin ilc Supicmc
Loid. How, indccd, could ilcy cnici wiilin Him' Ii slould, ilcicloic, bc
undcisiood ilai all ilc qualiiics ol ilc Supicmc Loid aic ilc manilcsiaiions ol His
iiansccndcnial opulcncc. Tlcy aic noi pioduccd by ilc illusoiy maiciial cncigy
(maya). lccausc ilc Loid is complcicly licc liom ilc inllucncc ol ilc maiciial
cncigy, Hc is lnown as Paiamaima, oi ilc Supicmc.`
79 Wc slall now picscni ilc linal paii ol ilc cxplanaiion ol ilc Siimad
llagavaiam vcisc (S.3.S) liisi discusscd ai ilc bcginning ol ilis anucclcda.
Now ilai ii las bccn clcaily csiablislcd ilai ilc loims and qualiiics ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic spiiiiual and complcicly dillcicni liom ilc
maiciial cncigy, somconc may objcci: 'Il ilc pasiimcs and loims ol ilc Supicmc
Loid aic spiiiiual, pcilcci and complcic, ilcn wly docs ilc Loid dcsccnd io ilis
maiciial woild ai all'`
Icaiing ilai somconc migli say ilis, ilc Siimad-llagavaiam cxplains:
'lolapyaya-samblavaya' (Tlc Supicmc Loid dcsccnds io ilc maiciial woild in
oidci io icscuc ilc dcvoiccs liom ilc cyclc ol icpcaicd biiil and dcail) and 'blu-
piapiau' (Tlc Loid appcais in oidci io givc iiansccndcnial lappincss io His
cicinal associaics).`
S0 Tlcsc iiansccndcnial puiposcs ol ilc Loid's advcni aic also dcsciibcd in
ilc lollowing vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 1.7.25) wlcic Aijuna says:
Tlus You lavc dcsccndcd as an incainaiion io icmovc ilc buidcn ol ilc
woild and io bcnclii Youi liicnds, cspccially ilosc wlo aic Youi cxclusivc
dcvoiccs and aic iapi in mcdiiaiion upon You.`¯
S1 Tlis vcisc mcans: O Loid, jusi as You lavc loimcily appcaicd as ilc
puiusa-avaiaias and oilci incainaiions, You lavc now appcaicd (iailayam
avaiaial) in Youi oiiginal loim as Sii Kisna, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
You lavc appcaicd in oidci io icmovc ilc buidcn ol ilc caiil planci (bluvo
blaia-jiliisaya) wlo is Youi gicai dcvoicc, and cnablc Youi dcvoiccs io consianily
iclisl ilc lappincss ol woislipping You and mcdiiaiing on You (anudlyanaya).`
S2 Ai ilis poini somconc may say: Kisna musi ialc biiil in ilis maiciial
woild in oidci io givc lappincss io His dcvoiccs. Hc cannoi avoid coming lcic.`
To ilis siaicmcni I icply: Tlis is noi a laci. Kisna is noi loiccd io do
anyiling. Hc is licc and indcpcndcni. His indcpcndcncc is dcsciibcd in ilc
Naiayana-samliia:
Tlc indcpcndcni Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is lull ol all iiansccndcnial bliss.
How is ii possiblc io say ilai Hc nccds anyiling oi is loiccd io do anyiling' Ii is
noi possiblc.`
As lai as His appcaiing in ilis woild io givc lappincss io ilc puic dcvoiccs
(ananya-blavanam) is conccincd, ilai docs noi dciiaci liom His indcpcndcncc.
Hc comcs bccausc Hc is mcicilul io His dcvoiccs. Hc is licc liom all laulis, and
bccausc lacl ol mcicy is a lauli, Hc is licc liom all mcicilcssncss also. Iicc liom
ilai lauli, Hc is vciy mcicilul io His puic dcvoiccs and Hc voluniaiily appcais
bcloic ilcm io givc ilcm iiansccndcnial lappincss. Onc may say ilai His
supicmc indcpcndcncc and His mcicy coniiadici cacl oilci and His mcicy
dciiacis somcwlai liom His indcpcndcncc. Aciually Hc is boil indcpcndcni and
mcicilul. loil qualiiics cxisi in ilc Loid cvcn ilougl ilcy may somciimcs
coniiadici cacl oilci. Tlc Kuima Puiana cxplains ilc muiually coniiadicioiy
qualiiics ol ilc Loid in ilc lollowing woids:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad posscsscs muiually coniiadicioiy
qualiiics.`
Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc icscivoii ol all wondcilul
qualiiics is also cmplaiically dcclaicd by ilc Siuii-sasiia and oilci Vcdic
liiciaiuics and bccausc Hc is lull ol ilcsc wondcilul qualiiics Hc aiiiacis all living
cniiiics liom ilc dcmigod lialma down io ilc mosi insignilicani cicaiuic.
S3 Loid Kisna pcisonally conliimcd His own supicmc indcpcndcncc in ilcsc
woids io ilc gopis (Siimad llagavaiam 10.32.19-20):
My dcai liicnds, pcisons wlo simply iccipiocaic ilc loving dcalings ol ilc
oilci paii aic jusi lilc mciclanis. Tlcy givc in loving allaiis as mucl as ilcy gci
liom ilc oilci paiiy. Piaciically ilcic is no qucsiion ol lovc. Ii is simply busincss
dcaling, and ii is scll-inicicsicd oi scll-ccniicd. lciici ilc sccond class ol mcn,
wlo lovc in spiic ol ilc opposiic paiiy's coniiaiincss; cvcn ilosc wiiloui a iingc ol
loving allaiis aic bciici ilan ilc mcclanis. Sinccic lovc can bc sccn wlcn ilc
lailci and moilci lovc ilcii clildicn in spiic ol ilcii clildicn's ncglcci. Tlc iliid
class nciilci iccipiocaics noi ncglccis. Tlcy can bc luiilci dividcd inio iwo
classcs. Onc is ilc scll-saiislicd, wlo do noi icquiic anyonc's lovc. Tlcy aic
callcd aimaiama, wlicl mcans ilcy aic absoibcd in ilc ilougli ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and so do noi caic wlcilci onc lovcs ilcm oi noi. lui
anoilci class aic ungiaiclul mcn. Tlcy aic callcd callous. Tlc mcn in ilis gioup
icvoli againsi supciioi pcisons. Ioi insiancc, a son, in spiic ol iccciving all linds
ol ilings liom loving paicnis, may bc callous and noi iccipiocaic. Tlosc in ilis
class aic gcncially lnown as guiudiula, wlicl mcans ilcy icccivc lavouis liom
ilc paicnis oi ilc spiiiiual masici and yci ncglcci ilcm.¯
My dcai liicnds, you migli bc aggiicvcd by My woids and acis, bui you
musi lnow ilai somciimcs I do noi iccipiocaic my dcvoiccs' dcalings wiil Mc. Ii
appcais ilai my dcvoiccs aic vciy mucl aiiaclcd io Mc, bui somciimcs I do noi
iccipiocaic ilcii lcclings piopcily in oidci io incicasc ilcii lovc loi Mc moic and
moic. Il I can vciy casily bc appioaclcd by ilcm, ilcy migli ilinl, 'Kisna is so
casily availablc'. So somciimcs I do noi icspond. Il a pcison las no moncy bui
alici somc iimc accumulaics somc wcalil and ilcn loscs ii, lc will ilinl ol ilc
losi piopciiy iwcniy-loui louis a day. Similaily, in oidci io incicasc ilc lovc ol
My dcvoiccs, somciimcs I appcai io bc losi io ilcm, and insicad ol loigciiing Mc,
ilcy lccl ilcii loving scniimcnis loi Mc incicasc.`¯
S+ Tlcicloic wc may concludc ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
omnipoicni, and alilougl Hc is ncvci loiccd io do anyiling, Hc voluniaiy
pciloims wondcilul, blisslul iiansccndcnial pasiimcs and in ilis way dcliglis His
dcvoiccs. Tlis is also dcsciibcd in Siimad llagavaiam S.3.S ilc vcisc quoicd ai
ilc bcginning ol ilis anucclcda.
S5 lccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is all-powcilul, His mcicy
biings lappincss in iis walc. Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing saying:
Tlc mcicy ol an incompcicni lool biings sullciing io ilosc wlo icccivc ii,
wlcicas ilc mcicy ol a powcilul and iniclligcni pcison biings lappincss.`
Anuccheda +8
1 Tlc siaicmcni ol ilc Siuii-sasiia ilai ilc Supicmc las nciilci lands noi
lcci mcans ilai ilc cicinal, spiiiiual, limiilcss, blisslul loim ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, las spiiiiual and noi maiciial limbs. Tlis siaicmcni ol
ilc Vcdas docs noi mcan anyiling clsc. Tlai ilis is so is conliimcd by ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Pcisonilicd Vcdas (Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.2S):
O Loid, You aic indcpcndcni. Alilougl You lavc no maiciial scnscs,
Youi poicncy mainiains ilc scnscs ol cvciyonc. Tlc dcmigods and ilc goddcss
Maya woislip You wiil ollciings. As small lings caiiy oilcis' ollciings io ilc
gicai cmpcioi, so ilc awc-siiucl dcmigods caiiy ilc living cniiiics' ollciings io
You, ilc cicaioi ol ilc woilds.'
2 Tlis vcisc slould bc undcisiood in ilc lollowing way: Tlc maiciial
cxicinal scnscs ol ilc condiiioncd souls aic dillcicni liom ilc condiiioncd souls
ilcmsclvcs jusi as ilc doci is dillcicni liom ilc aciiviiics lc pciloims, oi, in onc
scnsc, a liic is dillcicni liom iis aciiviiy ol buining. Tlc cxicinal scnscs ol ilc
condiiioncd soul aic maiciial in naiuic and dillcicni liom ilc spiiiiual loim ol ilc
soul iiscll. In ilis way ii is said ilai ilc condiiioncd soul 'las scnscs', wlicl is
cquivalcni io saying 'las cxicinal maiciial scnscs dillcicni liom limscll`. Tlc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad ncvci las cxicinal maiciial scnscs aiiaclcd io His
oiiginal spiiiiual loim. His spiiiiual scnscs aic an inicgial paii ol lis spiiiiual
loim, and aic, ilcicloic, noi dillcicni liom His scll. In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'svaiai'
is uscd io mcan 'scll-manilcsi.` Tlis woid is uscd io dcsciibc ilc Supicmc Loid's
scnscs wlicl aic a 'scll-manilcsi' paii ol His spiiiiual loim, and noi an cxicinal
imposiiion as ilcy aic loi ilc condiiioncd souls. In ilis way ii slould bc
undcisiood ilai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad docs noi 'lavc' scnscs in ilc samc way
ilc condiiioncd soul docs. Tlc condiiioncd soul is cncascd in a maiciial body and
aiiaclcd io a sci ol maiciial scnscs. Tlc Loid, lowcvci, alilougl picscni wiilin
ilc condiiioncd soul's lcaii as ilc Supcisoul, is licc liom ilc cncumbiancc ol a sci
ol cxicinal maiciial scnscs. In ilis way ilc Loid docs noi 'lavc' scnscs.
3 Tlc Supicmc Loid's loius lcci, wlicl imply ilc cxisicncc ol His spiiiiual
limbs and scnscs, aic dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing piayci, wlcic ilc Pcisonilicd
Vcdas say ai ilc iimc ol univcisal annililaiion (Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.23):
Womcn sucl as ilc gopis wcic aiiaclcd io Kisna and wanicd io bc
cmbiaccd by ilc aims ol Kisna, wlicl icscmblc ilc bcauiilul iound slapc ol a
snalc. Similaily ilcic aic ilc Vcdic lymns, and wc also conccniiaic upon Youi
loius lcci io go bacl lomc, bacl io Godlcad.`¯
+ Tlis vcisc slould bc undcisiood in ilc lollowing way: O Supicmc Loid,
Wc, wlo aic ilc spiiiiual masicis ol ilc gicaicsi lcaincd sclolais, aic cngagcd in
gloiilying Youi wondcilul iiansccndcnial scnscs. Wly, ilcn, is ii somciimcs said
in ilc Vcdic liiciaiuics ilai You aic wiiloui scnscs' You aic said io bc wiiloui
scnscs bccausc You lavc no maiciial scnscs. All Youi scnscs aic an inicgial paii
(svaiai) ol Youi spiiiiual loim, and ilcy aic noi maiciial.`
5 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
manilcsicd in ilc many loims ol His vaiious incainaiions. How is ii possiblc ilai
ilcsc dillcicni loims lavc scnscs ilai aic an inicgial paii ol ilc Supicmc Loid's
oiiginal spiiiiual loim. Clcaily, ilc bodics ol ilc Loid's vaiious incainaiions as
wcll as ilc scis ol scnscs aiiaclcd io ilosc bodics musi bc imposiiions on ilc
oiiginal idcniiiy ol ilc Loid. Sucl scnscs cannoi bc scll-manilcsicd non imposcd
scnscs as you lavc dcsciibcd.`
To ilis objcciion I icply: Tlc spiiiiual loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
is aciually onc, alilougl Hc may appcai in many dillcicni lcaiuics in many placcs.
In ilis way His scnscs aic noi dillcicni liom His scll icgaidlcss ol ilc lcaiuic Hc is
inclincd io manilcsi ai any paiiiculai momcni. Tlai ilc spiiiiual loim ol ilc
Supicmc Loid is nonc, alilougl manilcsicd vaiiously, is conliimcd by ilc
lollowing siaicmcnis ol Vcdic liiciaiuic:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is blisslul and cicinal. Alilougl Hc
is ilc oldcsi is complcicly licc liom ilc inliimiiics ol old-agc. Alilougl Hc
manilcsis Himscll in many dillcicni loims, all ilcsc aciually loim a singlc
iiansccndcnial loim.`
lilad-aianyala Upanisad +.+.19
Alilougl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad may appcai io bc dillcicni
loims, ilc loims aic aciually onc singlc iiansccndcnial loim. Tlcsc loims aic noi
ai all dillcicni liom cacl oilci.`
Kaila Upanisad 2.1.11
Tlc lands, lcci, lacc, abdomcn, and oilci paiis ol ilc loim ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic complcicly spiiiiual in naiuic. Tlcsc limbs
ol ilc Loid aic all lull ol iiansccndcnial bliss.`
Smiii-sasiia
6 Ai ilis poini Loid Kisna, ialing ilc paii ol ilc dcvil's advocaic, migli iaisc
ilc lollowing objcciion: My liicnd, wlai cvidcncc do you lavc ilai ilc poicncy ol
sucl iiansccndcnial scnscs is picscni wiilin Mc'`:
To ilis objcciion I icply: O Loid, ilc Pcisonilicd Vcdas addicss You saying
(Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.2S): 'allila-laiala-salii-dlaial' (O Loid, ii is You wlo
cnablc ilc cycs and oilci scnscs ol ilc living cniiiics io aci)'. Tlcicloic, bccausc
ilc powcis ol ilc condiiioncd souls' scnscs comcs liom You, wc musi concludc
ilai all powcis ol all scnscs aic oiiginally picscni wiilin You in pcilcciion and
complcicncss.
7 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc oiiginal souicc ol all ilc
powcis ol ilc scnscs is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcnis ol ilc
Upanisads:
Tlc powci ol ilc living loicc picscni in ilc individual living cniiiics is
manilcsicd liom ilc living loicc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and ilc
powcis ol ilc cycs and oilci scnscs aic similaily manilcsicd liom ilc cycs and
scnscs ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy.`
lilad-aianyala Upanisad +.+.1S
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad naiuially las all powcis io acquiic
lnowlcdgc (jnana-salii) and do wlaicvci Hc wislcs (sandlini-salii and liiya-
salii).`
Svciasvaiaia Upanisad 6.S
S Tlis is also cxplaincd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam
(11.+.+):
Iiom ilc scnscs ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad ilc woiling and
lnowlcdgc acquiiing scnscs ol ilc cmbodicd condiiioncd souls gain ilcii powci.
Iiom ilc Loid's bicail ilc condiiioncd souls aiiain lnowlcdgc, bodily powci,
scnsoiy powci, and ilc powci io aci.`
9 Tlc Vcdic liiciaiuics say ilc Supicmc Loid las scnscs, and ai oilci iimcs
ilc Vcdas say ilc Supicmc Loid las no scnscs. Somc cxamplcs lollow:
lccausc ilc Supicmc Godlcad las no scnscs, ilcicloic Hc cannoi bc
dcsciibcd.`
Vcdania-suiia 2.1.31
lccausc ilc Supicmc Godlcad is ilc oiigin ol ilc scnsc ol lcaiing and all
oilci scnscs, ii slould bc undcisiood ilai Hc las His own scnsc ol lcaiing and
His own sci ol all oilci scnscs as wcll.`
Vcdania-suiia 2.1.27
Tlc Supicmc Loid las no scnscs and no duiy Hc is obligcd io pciloim.`
Svciasvaiaia Upanisad 6.S
Iiom You, O Supicmc Loid, ilc powcis ol ilc condiiioncd souls' scnscs aic
manilcsicd. Ioi ilis icason ilc powcis ol ilc scnscs aic oiiginally picscni in
You.`
Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.2S
Tlcsc siaicmcnis may appcai coniiadicioiy and illogical, bui ilc laci is
ilcy all cxplain ilc samc iiuil: ilai ilc Supicmc Loid docs noi lavc maiciial
scnscs, loi His scnscs aic spiiiiual.
10 Tlc cxplanaiion ol Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.2S coniinucs:
Tlis vcisc cxplains ilai India and ilc oilci dcmigods (animisal), wlosc
gloiy is inlciioi io ilai ol ilc Supicmc Loid, along wiil ilc lialmas and oilci
univcisal cicaiois (visva-sijal), wlo aic woislipablc loi ilc Indias and oilci
dcmigods, malc ollciings (balim valanii) io You (iava) O Loid, wiil icspccilully
iaiscd lcads (ui). Tlcsc dcmigods aic accompanicd by ilc illusoiy poicncy Maya-
dcvi, wlo is ilcii supcivisoi and coniiollci. In oidci io obiain auspiciousncss loi
lciscll, wlosc powci is simply a palc icllcciion ol ilai ol ilc Loid, wlo is lull ol
all iiansccndcnial powci and bliss, Maya-dcvi also biings ollciings io ilc Supicmc
Loid. Human bcings also malc ollciings io ilc Loid (Samadanii) in ilc loims ol
vaiious Vcdic saciiliccs, and alici ilc ollciings aic complcic, ilcy cai ilc sacicd
icmnanis.
11 Hcic ilc cxamplc is givcn ol ilc caiilly lings. As small lings bcing iiibuic
io ilc cmpcioi, so ilc dcmigods and oilci living cniiiics malc ollciings io ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Wly do ilcy malc ilcsc ollciings' lccausc ilc
Supicmc Loid las commandcd ilcm.
12 Tlai ilc vaiious dcmigods aic obcdicni io ilc commands ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Taiiiiiiya
Upanisad (2.S.1):
Oui ol lcai ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad ilc wind blows. Oui
ol lcai ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad ilc sun iiscs. Oui ol lcai ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad liic buins, ilc moon slincs, and dcail movcs
aboui, ialing iis ioll.`
13 Ai ilis poini ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad migli objcci: Plcasc
spcal wlaicvci cvidcncc you lavc, il indccd you lavc somc cvidcncc, io piovc
ilai My lands and oilci limbs and scnscs aic an inicgial paii ol My
iiansccndcnial pcisonaliiy and noi an cxicinal imposiiion as is ilc casc wiil ilc
condiiioncd souls.`
To ilc Loid's objcciion I icply: In Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.2S ilc
Pcisonilicd Vcdas dcclaic ilai ilc vaiious dcmigods (animisal) wlo aic
picdominaiing dciiics ol ilc vaiious scnscs and cicaiois ol ilc vaiious univcisal
ingicdicnis (visva-sijal), as lialma and ilc piajapaiis aic, all biing picscniaiions
(balim udvalanii) as ollciings io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Iiom ilis
wc may undcisiand ilai ilc picsiding dciiics ol ilc vaiious scnscs considci
ilcmsclvcs suboidinaic io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and bccausc ilcy
ialc slclici ol Him ilcy aic ablc io disclaigc ilcii duiics as coniiollcis ol ilc
scnscs. lccausc ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilcicloic, is ilc supicmc among all
picsiding dciiics ol ilc scnscs, and ilcic is no onc supciioi io Him in ilis icspcci,
ii may bc concludcd ilai His scnscs aic noi a gili liom somconc clsc, bui ilcy aic
an inicgial paii ol His oiiginal iiansccndcnial loim. Somconc may objcci io ilis,
saying ilai ilc illusoiy poicncy Maya-dcvi is ilc supicmc among ilc picsiding
dciiics ol ilc scnscs and noi ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlis objcciion is icluicd
by ilc usc ol ilc woid 'mayaya' in ilis vcisc. Tlc woid 'mayaya' lcic indicaics
ilai Maya-dcvi also biings picscniaiions io ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and
considcis lciscll His scivani.
1+ Ai ilis poini ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad may iaisc ilc lollowing
objcciion: All iigli, il ilc dcmigods aic noi ilc uliimaic picdominaiing dciiics ol
ilc scnscs, ilcn cciiainly ilc individual living cniiiics ilcmsclvcs aic:`
To ilis objcciion I icply: Tlis vcisc liom Siimad llagavaiam (10.S7.2S)
cxplains ilai ilc individual living cniiiics also picscni ollciings io ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and ilus acccpi a posiiion suboidinaic io Him. O Loid, ii
is You wlo giani ilc dcmigods juiisdiciion ovci ilc scnsc-oigans by wlicl ilc
living cniiiics aic ablc io pciccivc ilc vaiious iniciaciions ol maiciial naiuic. ly
compaiison ilc individual living cniiiics lavc only a small juiisdiciion ovci ilc
scnsc-insiiumcnis. Tlcy aic cciiainly noi ilc uliimaic picsiding dciiics ovci all
ilc scnscs. Tlai Supicmc picdominaiing dciiy ovci ilc aciions ol ilc scnscs is
nonc oilci ilan Youiscll.
Anuccheda +9
1 Tlc limbs and scnscs ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic spiiiiual
and ilcicloic dillcicni liom ilc maiciial scnscs wlicl covci ilc condiiioncd living
cniiiics, loi ilis icason ilc Vcdas dcclaic 'apani-padam' (ilc Supicmc las no
lands oi lcci). Tlai ilc loim and scnscs ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic noi
maiciial is also conliimcd in ilc lollowing woids spolcn by Siimaii Rulmini-dcvi
io Loid Kisna (Siimad llagavaiam 10.60.+5):
A man wiilin ilis maiciial woild is jusi a dcad body. In laci, supcilicially,
ilc living cniiiy is covcicd by ilis body, wlicl is noiling bui a bag ol slin
dccoiaicd wiil bcaids and mousiaclcs, laiis on ilc body, nails on ilc lingcis, and
laiis on ilc lcad. Wiilin ilis dccoiaicd bag ilcic aic bunclcs ol musclcs,
bundlcs ol boncs, amid pools ol blood, always mixcd up wiil siool, uiinc, mucus,
bilc and polluicd aii, and cnjoycd by dillcicni linds ol insccis and gcims. A
loolisl woman acccpis sucl a dcad body as lci lusband, and in slcci
misundcisianding lovcs lim as lci dcai companion. Tlis is only possiblc bccausc
sucl a woman las ncvci iasicd ilc cvci-blisslul llavoui ol Youi loius lcci.`¯
2 Tlis siaicmcni ol Siimaii Rulmini-dcvi dcsciibcs ilc spiiiiual, blisslul
naiuic ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's laii and oilci limbs and scnscs,
wlicl aic dillcicni liom ilc maiciial limbs and scnscs ol ilc cmbodicd souls.
Wlcn ilc dcmigod lialma blcsscd Hiianyalasipu ilai lc would noi bc lillcd by
dillcicni vaiiciics ol living cniiiics (Siimad llagavaiam 7.3.37), lialma said ilai
no onc alivc oi dcad would lill Hiianyalasipu. Tlis mcans boil ilai
Hiianyalasipu could bc lillcd by ilc claws ol Loid Nisimladcva (claws bcing
nciilci alivc noi dcad), and also ilai Hiianyalasipu could bc lillcd by ilc
spiiiiual loim ol Loid Nisimladcva, wlicl is nciilci alivc in ilc samc way
maiciial bodics aic alivc, noi dcad. Tlai ilc spiiiiual loim ol ilc Loid is noi
maiciially alivc oi dcad is conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcnis ol ilc Upanisads,
wlicl ncgaic liisily maiciial lilc, and sccondly incii lilclcssncss:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad docs noi lavc a maiciial mind as ilc
condiiioncd souls do. Hc docs noi lavc a body ilai is alivc in ilc maiciial scnsc,
and ai ilc samc iimc, in ilc spiiiiual scnsc Hc is cicinally alivc and can ncvci bc
lillcd. In oilci woids His loim is complcicly spiiiiual and noi ai all maiciial.`
Mundala Upanisad 2.1.2
Tlc Vcdic liiciaiuics aic manilcsicd liom ilc bicailing ol ilc living
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
lilad-aianyala Upanisad +.5.11
3 Tlc spiiiiual naiuic ol ilc Supicmc Loid's loim is also dcsciibcd in ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol Vaiala Puiana:
Tlc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is noi a maiciial
pioduciion ol lai, maiiow, boncs and similai subsianccs and nciilci is His loim a
magical pioduciion ol mysiic illusion pioduccd by yogic powci. lccausc ilc Loid
is ilc Supicmc Coniiollci ol cvciyiling His loim is cicinal, spiiiiual, inlalliblc,
unvanquislablc and all-powcilul.`
+ Tlis vcisc conliims ilai ilc Loid's loim is nciilci maiciial noi a
pioduciion ol yoga magic. lccausc ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc supicmc
masici ol cvciyiling ilai cxisis, His loim is cicinal. Tlis vcisc also conliimcd ilai
ilc Loid's cicinal spiiiiual loim is omniscicni and omnipoicni, ablc io pciloim
anyiling ilc Loid dcsiics. Tlc Loid's loim is dillcicni liom ilc loims ol ilc
condiiioncd souls in ilc scnsc ilai ilc condiiioncd souls lavc an cxicinal maiciial
body madc ol incii and lilclcss maiciial clcmcnis. Tlc maiciial body ol ilc
condiiioncd soul is lilc a coipsc covciing ilc living spiiii souls (jiva cclavam).
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, lowcvci, docs noi lavc sucl a covciing ol
incii maiici. His loim is spiiiiual and alivc. Ii is noi dillcicni liom Himscll. Tlis
is ilc dillcicncc bciwccn ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and ilc
cxicinal maiciial bodics ol ilc condiiioncd souls. Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad's loim is unclanging and livcs loicvci. Ii is spiiiiual, cicinal, lull ol
bliss, and supicmcly woislipablc. Tlis is ilc dillcicncc bciwccn ilc spiiiiual
loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and ilc cxicinal maiciial bodics ol ilc
condiiioncd souls.
Anuccheda 50
1 Tlc Vcdas somciimcs say ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las nciilci
namc noi loim, and oilci iimcs say Hc docs lavc a namc and loim. In ilis
dispuic ilc lollowing conclusion is givcn (Siimad llagavaiam 6.+.31):
Tlc iwo paiiics - namcly ilc ilcisis and ilc ailcisis. Tlc ilcisi, wlo
acccpis ilc Supcisoul, linds ilc spiiiiual causc iliougl mysiic yoga. Tlc
Sanllyiic, lowcvci, wlo mcicly analyscs ilc maiciial clcmcnis, comcs io a
conclusion ol impcisonalism and docs noi acccpi a supicmc causc - wlcilci
llagavan, Paiamaima oi cvcn lialma. Insicad, lc is picoccupicd wiil ilc
supcilluous , cxicinal aciiviiics ol maiciial naiuic. Uliimaicly, lowcvci, boil
paiiics dcmonsiiaic ilc Absoluic Tiuil bccausc alilougl ilcy ollci opposing
siaicmcnis, ilcii objcci is ilc samc uliimaic causc. Tlcy aic boil appioacling ilc
samc Supicmc lialman, io wlom I ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs.`¯
2 Tlis vcisc says ilcic aic iwo paiiics ol plilosoplcis. Somc Vcdic
liiciaiuics iccommcnd woislip ol ilc giganiic Univcisal Ioim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad. In ilis vicw ilc cniiic univcisc is ilc loim ol ilc Loid. Tlc lowci
planciaiy sysicm is His loius lcci, and vaiious oilci paiis ol ilc univcisc
coiicspond io vaiious paiis ol ilc giganiic body ol ilc Loid. In ilis conccpiion
ilc namcs ol vaiious objccis, sucl as a piiclci, a piccc ol cloil, cic. may bc
considcicd namcs ol ilc Supicmc Loid bccausc ilc cniiic univcisc is noiling bui
ilc Loid's giganiic body. Tlis vicw, wlicl acccpis ilai ilc Loid las a loim and
namc, is iclciicd io in ilis vcisc as ilc paiiy ilai says 'asii' (ilcic is a loim and
namc ol ilc Loid).
Tlc sccond paiiy lollows ilc spcculaiivc sciipiuics ol sanllya plilosoply,
wlicl assciis ilai ilc Loid las nciilci namc noi loim. Accoiding io ilcsc
sanllyiics, ilc Univcisal Ioim is an imaginaiion, loi ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad docs noi lavc a maiciial loim oi namc. Tlis sccond paiiy is idcniilicd
by ilc pliasc 'nasii' (ilcic is no loim oi namc ol ilc Loid.)
3 Alilougl ilcsc vicws sccm io coniiadici cacl oilci, boil aic suppoiicd by
ilc picccding siaicmcnis ol Siimad llagavaiam. Lxamplcs ol quoiaiions
suppoiiing cacl vicw lollow:
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad manilcsis ilc cniiic univcisc as His loim. Hc
may bc addicsscd by vaiious spiiiiual namcs, wlicl aic inconccivablc io ilc
maiciial scnscs. Wlcn will ilai Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad bc plcascd wiil
mc'`¯
Siimad llagavaiam 6.+.2S
Anyiling cxpicsscd by maiciial vibiaiions, anyiling ascciiaincd by
maiciial iniclligcncc and anyiling cxpciicnccd by ilc maiciial scnscs oi concocicd
wiilin ilc maiciial mind is bui an cllcci ol ilc modcs ol naiuic and ilcicloic las
noiling io do wiil ilc ical naiuic ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlc
Supicmc Loid is bcyond ilc cicaiion ol ilis maiciial woild, loi Hc is ilc souicc ol
ilc maiciial qualiiics and cicaiion. As ilc causc ol all causcs, Hc cxisis bcloic ilc
cicaiion. I wisl io ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio Him.`¯
Siimad llagavaiam 6.+.29
+ Somconc may objcci: In ilis vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 6.+.31) ilc
dillcicni vicws ol ilc ilcisis and ailcisiic sanllyiics aic dcsciibcd. Do ilcsc iwo
paiiics noi pciccivc iwo dillcicni objccis' I ilinl ilai is ilc piopci way io
undcisiand ilcii disagiccmcni.`
To ilis objcciion I icply: Tlis vcisc clcaily cxplains ilai ilcsc iwo paiiics
pciccivc ilc samc objcci (cla-silayol).
Tlc Supicmc las no maiciial loim, and ilcicloic onc paiiy pioclaims ilai
ilc Supicmc las no loim oi namc. Ai ilc samc iimc ilc Supicmc docs lavc a
spiiiiual loim and namc, and ilcicloic anoilci paiiy pioclaims ilai ilc Supicmc
las a loim and namc. In ilis way ilcic is no ical dillcicncc ol opinion among ilc
iiansccndcnialisis in ilis maiici, and ilcic is no ical coniiadiciion in wlai ai liisi
may appcai coniiadicioiy siaicmcnis ol ilc Vcdas.
5 Tlis sccming dillcicncc ol opinion aboui ilc naiuic ol ilc Supicmc is also
icsolvcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Malaiaja Dliuva, wlo dcsciibcs ilc non-
maiciial naiuic ol ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad in ilc
lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam +.9.13):
My dcai Loid, O Supicmc Unboin, I lnow ilai ilc dillcicni vaiiciics ol
living cniiiics, sucl as animals, iiccs, biids, icpiilcs, dcmigods and luman bcings,
aic spicad iliougloui ilc univcisc, wlicl is causcd by ilc ioial maiciial cncigy,
and I lnow ilai ilcy aic somciimcs manilcsi and somciimcs unmanilcsi; bui I
lavc ncvci cxpciicnccd ilc supicmc loim I bclold as I scc You now. Now all
linds ol mcilods ol ilcoiising lavc comc io an cnd.`¯
6 Tlc woid 'iupam' (loim) and iis iclaiion io ilc iwo vicws ol ilc naiuic ol
ilc Loid (as wiil and wiiloui namc and loim), is dcsciibcd in Visnu Puiana:
O King, ilc Supicmc Godlcad las a loim , and ai ilc samc iimc Hc las
no loim. Hc is simuliancously immancni and iiansccndcni.`
In ilc picviously quoicd siaicmcni ol Dliuva Malaiaja ilc woids 'aial
paiam' iclci io ilc loui-aimcd loims ol Loid Naiayana and oilci loims ol ilc
Supicmc Loid. Tlc woids 'na vcdmi' mcan 'I lavc ncvci cxpciicnccd ilc supicmc
loim I bclold as I scc You now.`
7 Tlai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las no maiciial namcs and loims bccausc
all His namcs and loims aic spiiiiual is also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol
Siimad llagavaiam (6.+.33):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is inconccivably opulcni, wlo
is dcvoid ol all maiciial namcs, loims and pasiimcs, and wlo is all-pcivading, is
cspccially mcicilul io ilc dcvoiccs wlo woislip His loius lcci. Tlus Hc cxlibiis
iiansccndcnial loims and namcs wiil His dillcicni pasiimcs. May ilai Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlosc loim is cicinal and lull ol lnowlcdgc and bliss, bc
mcicilul io mc.`¯
S Tlis vcisc cxplains ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, alilougl Hc
is dcvoid ol all maiciial namcs, loims, and pasiimcs, ncvciilclcss cxlibiis
iiansccndcnial loims and namcs (namani iupani ca blcjc) wiil His iiansccndcnial
biiil (janma) and dillcicni pasiimcs (laimablil). Tlc lauliy icasoning ol ilcy
wlo insisi ilai ilc Supicmc las no namcs oi loims ai all is icluicd in ilis vcisc by
ilc usc ol ilc woid 'anania' (unlimiicd), loi il ilc Supicmc Godlcad las no loim,
namcs, qualiiics, oi pasiimcs ilcn His powci io aci is cciiainly slaiply cuiiailcd.
lccausc His powci is unlimiicd (anania), Hc is ilc lull posscssoi ol innumciablc
iiansccndcnial loims, namcs, qualiiics and pasiimcs.
9 Tlc unlimiicd loims, namcs and opulcnccs ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad aic dcsciibcd by ilc Piaccias in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam
+.30.31):
Dcai Loid, wc slall ilcicloic piay loi Youi bcncdiciion bccausc You aic
ilc Supicmc bcyond all iiansccndcncc and bccausc ilcic is no cnd io Youi
opulcnccs. Conscqucnily You aic cclcbiaicd by ilc namc Anania.`¯
10 lccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc oiigin ol innumciablc
iiansccndcnial loims, namcs, qualiiics and pasiimcs, Hc is lnown as 'llagavan',
ilc posscssoi (van) ol ilc opulcnccs (blaga) ilai aic His poicncics. His poicncics
aic noi an illusion (maya). Tlcy aic dcsciibcd by ilc woid 'paiama', wlicl mcans
'ilc supicmc (paia) opulcncc (ma)'. Any oilci inicipiciaiion ol ilcsc woids
would coniiadici ilc iiuil ilai ilc Loid is iiansccndcnial and supicmc.
11 Tlai ilc loim and aiiiibuics ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic noi
a pioduci ol ilc illusoiy maiciial cncigy maya is conliimcd by ilc Vcdic
liiciaiuics:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is lull ol all powcis and opulcnccs.
lccausc Hc is bcyond ilc inllucncc ol ilc maiciial cncigy maya, ilc sainily
dcvoiccs lnow ilai Hc is ilc Supicmc.`
12 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: Tlc dcvoiccs aiguc ilai ilc Supicmc
las spiiiiual bui noi maiciial loims and namcs. Wly slould wc ialc ilcsc
dcvoiccs as auiloiiiics' Wly slould ilc opinion ol ilc dcvoiccs bc ialcn wiil
sucl sciiousncss'`
Considciing ilai somconc migli iaisc sucl an objcciion, ilc Siimad
llagavaiam gloiilics ilc dcvoiccs in ilc lollowing woids (6.+.33, quoicd
picviously):
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is cspccially mcicilul io ilc dcvoiccs
wlo woislip His loius lcci.`¯
Tlc conclusion slould bc ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad docs
noi icvcal Himscll as lully io ilc yogis and sanllya plilosoplcis as Hc docs io ilc
dcvoiccs. Tlis is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Mailaia-siuii
(as quoicd in Siipada Madlvacaiya's commcniaiy on Vcdania-suiia 3.3.5+):
Dcvoiional scivicc cnablcs onc io scc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad.`
In ilis way wc may undcisiand ilai ilc dcbaic ovci wlcilci ilc Supicmc
las a loim, namc and scnscs docs noi lavc any ical mcaning.
Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is vciy allcciionaic io His
dcvoiccs is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam
(6.+.35-36):
13 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Haii, wlo is cxiicmcly allcciionaic
io His dcvoiccs, was vciy plcascd by ilc piaycis ollcicd by Dalsa, and ilus Hc
appcaicd ai ilai loly placc lnown as Aglamaisana. O Malaiaja Paiilsii, bcsi ol
ilc Kuiu dynasiy, ilc Loid's loius lcci icsicd on ilc slouldcis ol His caiiici
Gaiuda, and Hc appcaicd wiil cigli long migliy, vciy bcauiilul aims.`¯
1+ ly saying Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cxlibiis (blcjc)
iiansccndcnial namcs and loims wiil His dillcicni pasiimcs`, ilis vcisc (6.+.33)
conliims ilc laci ilai ilc Supicmc Godlcad las innumciablc loims, namcs, and
qualiiics. Tlai ilc Loid's loim is cicinal is conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni
ol Mala-Naiayana Upanisad (5.10):
Tlc supicmcly puic loius lcci ol ilc Loid aic cicinal and lavc cxisicd
sincc iimc immcmoiial.`
lccausc ilc Supicmc Loid is idcniilicd as 'anania' (unlimiicd) in ilis vcisc
(6.+.33), ii slould bc undcisiood ilai His namcs and loims aic also unlimiicd.
Tlai ilc Loid las spiiiiual bui noi maiciial scnscs is also conliimcd by Siidlaia
Svami wlo commcnis:
Tlc siaicmcni in ilis vcisc ilai ilc Supicmc Godlcad las nciilci namcs
noi loims slould bc ialcn io mcan ilai Hc docs noi lavc maiciial namcs oi
loims.`
Anuccheda 51
1 Tlc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad slould bc considcicd
lully iiansccndcnial and spiiiiual bccausc ii is cicinal, all-powcilul, all-pcivading,
ilc slclici ol cvciyiling, iiansccndcnial io all gioss and subilc loims ol maiciial
cncigy, manilcsicd in ilc lcaiis ol all condiiioncd souls, manilcsi only by ilc
Loid's own wisl, and clcaily dcsciibcd in all Vcdic liiciaiuics. Tlc supicmc
plilosoplci, lialma, las dcsciibcd ilc Loid's loim in ilc lollowing ilicc vciscs
ol Siimad llagavaiam (3.9.2-+):
2 Tlc loim wlicl I scc is cicinally liccd liom maiciial coniaminaiion and
las advcnicd io slow mcicy io ilc dcvoiccs as a manilcsiaiion ol inicinal poicncy.
Tlis incainaiion is ilc oiigin ol many oilci incainaiions, and I am boin liom ilc
loius llowci giown liom Youi navcl lomc.¯
3 O Loid, I do noi scc a loim supciioi io Youi picscni loim ol cicinal bliss
and lnowlcdgc. In Youi impcisonal lialman cllulgcncc in ilc spiiiiual sly, ilcic
is no occasional clangc and no dciciioiaiion ol inicinal poicncy. I suiicndci unio
You bccausc wlcicas I am pioud ol my maiciial body and scnscs, Youi Loidslip is
ilc causc ol ilc cosmic manilcsiaiion and yci You aic uniouclcd by maiici.¯
+ Tlc picscni loim, oi any iiansccndcnial loim cxpandcd by ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Sii Kisna, is cqually auspicious loi all ilc univciscs.
Sincc You lavc manilcsicd ilis cicinal pcisonal loim upon wlom Youi dcvoiccs
mcdiiaic, I ilcicloic ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio You. Tlosc wlo aic
dcsiincd io bc dispaiclcd io ilc pail ol lcll ncglcci Youi pcisonal loim bccausc ol
spcculaiing on maiciial iopics.`¯
5 Siidlaia Svami commcnis on ilcsc vciscs in ilc lollowing woids:
Somconc may objcci: Is ii noi iiuc ilai you lavc noi aciually sccn ilc
iiansccndcnial Supicmc Godlcad' You may lavc sccn somc loim, bui ilai loim
is simply a pioduciion ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic. Ii is noi ai all
iiansccndcnial, loi ilc iiansccndcnial Supicmc Godlcad is dcvoid ol all loim and
qualiiics.
Tlinling somconc migli aiguc in ilis way, Loid lialma spolc ilc liisi
iwo ol ilcsc vciscs.
6 In ilc liisi ol ilcsc vciscs lialma says: 'Tlc loim wlicl I scc is cicinally
liccd liom maiciial coniaminaiion (avabodla-iasodaycna sasvan-niviiia-iamal)
and las voluniaiily advcnicd io slow mcicy io ilc dcvoiccs (sad-anugialaya
giliiam). Tlis incainaiion is ilc oiigin ol many oilci incainaiions (avaiaia-
saiaila-bijam), wlo aic all siiuaicd in ilc plailoim ol iiansccndcnial goodncss. I,
wlo am ilc iajo-guna-avaiaia, aic boin liom ilc loius llowci giown liom Youi
navcl lomc (yan-nabli-padma-blavanai).'
In ilc sccond ol ilcsc vciscs lialma says: 'O my Loid (paiama), I do noi
scc (na pasyami) a loim supciioi (paiam) io Youi picscni loim (blavaial
svaiupam) ol cicinal bliss and lnowlcdgc. In youi impcisonal lialman cllulgcncc
in ilc spiiiiual sly (ananda-maiiam), ilcic is no occasional clangc (avilalpam)
and no dciciioiaiion ol inicinal poicncy (aviddla-vaical). I suiicndci unio You
(asiiio smi) bccausc, wlcicas I am pioud ol my maiciial body and scnscs
(bluicndiiyaimala-madal), Youi Loidslip is ilc causc ol ilc cosmic
manilcsiaiion (visva-sijam), and yci You aic uniouclcd by maiici (avisvam). You
aic ilc oiiginal cicaioi ol ilc maiciial bodics and scnscs ol ilc condiiioncd souls,
and You aic ilc uliimaic objcci ol woislip.'
7 Tlinling somconc migli considci ilc Supicmc Loid's loim io bc only
icccnily, and noi cicinally, manilcsicd, lialma spolc ilc iliid vcisc, saying 'Tlis
picscni loim, oi any iiansccndcnial loim cxpandcd by ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, Sii Kisna, is cqually auspicious loi all ilc univciscs (bluvana-mangala).
Sincc You lavc manilcsicd ilis cicinal pcisonal loim upon wlom wc, Youi
dcvoiccs mcdiiaic (upasalanam mangalaya dlyanc daisiiam), I ilcicloic ollci my
icspccilul obcisanccs unio You (iublyam namc nuvidlcma). You do noi icvcal
ilis iiansccndcnial loim io ilosc ol us wlosc minds aic aiiaclcd io ilc pail ol
impcisonalisi spcculaiion.'
Ai ilis poini Sii Kisna migli objcci: 'Il ilis is iiuc, ilcn wly is ii ilai
somc pcoplc dcclinc io woislip Mc'`
To answci ilis qucsiion lialma says: 'Tlosc wlo aic dcsiincd io bc
dispaiclcd io ilc pail ol lcll ncglcci Youi pcisonal loim (yo nadiial) bccausc ol
spcculaiing on maiciial iopics (asai-piasangail) and acccpiing ilc lauliy logic ol
ailcisiic plilosoplcis.'`
S lccausc lialma is ilc spiiiiual masici ol ilc gicaicsi plilosoplcis, lc
ncvci acccpis any vicw in opposiiion io ilai cxpicsscd in ilcsc vciscs. Tlc
impcisonalisis and ailcisis, lowcvci, do noi acccpi ilcsc siaicmcnis ol Loid
lialma. Tlc impcisonalisis lad picviously bccn dcsciibcd by lialma in ilc
woids 'avyalia-vaiimablinivcsiiaima' (ilosc absoibcd in mcdiiaiion on ilc
impcisonal lcaiuic ol ilc Supicmc). Tlc ailcisis wcic dcsciibcd by Siila Siidlaia
Svami ai ilc cnd ol ilc picvious quoiaiion. Alilougl ilc iiansccndcnial loim ol
ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is clcaily csiablislcd by all auiloiiiics, ilc ailcisis
icjcci ilc diicci cxpciicncc ol ilc lcaincd dcvoiccs, and insisi ilcic is no God.
9 On ilc oilci land, ilc dcvoiccs, wlo aic qualilicd io piopcily undcisiand
ilc Supicmc Loid's iiansccndcnial loim aic dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vcisc
(Siimad llagavaiam 3.9.5), wlcic lialma says:
O my Loid, pcisons wlo smcll ilc aioma ol Youi loius lcci caiiicd by ilc
aii ol Vcdic sound iliougl ilc lolcs ol ilc cais, acccpi Youi dcvoiional scivicc.
Ioi ilcm You aic ncvci scpaiaicd liom ilc loius ol ilcii lcaiis.`¯
10 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'iui' (bui) is uscd io coniiasi ilc dcvoiccs ol ilc Loid
wiil ilc picviously dcsciibcd non dcvoiccs. lialma dcsciibcs ilc dcvoiccs
saying: O Loid, ilc dcvoiccs lavc laiil in ilc cxisicncc ol Youi iiansccndcnial
loim bccausc ilcy acccpi ilc Vcdic icvclaiion as ilc liglcsi souicc ol lnowlcdgc.
Tlcy smcll ilc aioma ol Youi loius lcci, caiiicd by ilc aii ol Vcdic sound (siuii-
vaia-niiam), iliougl ilc lolcs ol ilc cais, and ilcy acccpi ilc dcvoiional scivicc
ol Youi loius lcci (blaliya giliia-caianal).`
Anuccheda 52
1 Lvcn in ilc loim ol ilc cmpowcicd avcsa-avaiaia, Loid Rsabladcva is
iiansccndcnial in naiuic. Tlis is conliimcd by ilc lollowing vcisc ol Siimad
llagavaiam (5.5.19) wlcic Loid Rsabladcva says:
My iiansccndcnial body (sac-cid-ananda-vigiala) lools cxacily lilc a
luman loim, bui ii is noi a maiciial luman body. Ii is inconccivablc. I am noi
loiccd by naiuic io acccpi a paiiiculai iypc ol body; I ialc on a body by My own
swcci will. My lcaii is also spiiiiual, and I always ilinl ol ilc wcllaic ol My
dcvoiccs. Tlcicloic wiilin My lcaii can bc lound ilc pioccss ol dcvoiional
scivicc, wlicl is mcani loi ilc dcvoiccs. Iai liom My lcaii lavc I abandoncd
iiicligion (adlaima) and non dcvoiional aciiviiics). Tlcy do noi appcal io Mc.
Duc io all ilcsc iiansccndcnial qualiiics, pcoplc gcncially piay io Mc as
Rsabladcva, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc bcsi ol all living cniiiics.`¯
2 In ilis vcisc Loid Rsabladcva says: 'My iiansccndcnial body (sac-cid-
ananda-vigialal) lools cxacily lilc a luman loim, bui ii is noi a maiciial luman
body (saiiiam). Ii is inconccivablc (duiviblavyam). Wiilin My lcaii (mc
lidayam) can bc lound ilc pioccss ol dcvoiional scivicc (dlaimal), wlicl is
mcani loi ilc dcvoiccs. Iai liom My lcaii lavc I abandoncd iiicligion (adlaima)
and non dcvoiional aciiviiics.`
In oidci io dcmonsiiaic ilc piopci modc ol aciion loi a scll-saiislicd
iiansccndcnialisi, Loid Rsabladcva, ilc spcalci ol ilis vcisc, picicndcd io lcavc
His body ai ilc linal siagc ol His caiilly pasiimcs. Tlc oidinaiy condiiioncd souls
misialcnly ilougli ilai Hc dicd oi lcli His body.
3 Loid Rsabladcva's linal pasiimcs, and His so-callcd 'dcail' aic dcsciibcd in
Siimad llagavaiam (5.6.6):
Loid Rsabladcva was ilc lcad ol all lings and cmpciois wiilin ilis
univcisc, bui assuming ilc dicss and languagc ol an avadluia, Hc acicd as il dull
and maiciially bound. Conscqucnily no onc could obscivc His divinc opulcncc.
Hc adopicd ilis bclavioui jusi io icacl yogis low io givc up ilc body.
Noncilclcss Hc mainiaincd His oiiginal posiiion as a plcnaiy cxpansion ol Loid
Vasudcva, Kisna. Rcmaining always in ilai siaic, Hc gavc up His pasiimcs as Loid
Rsabladcva wiilin ilc maiciial woild. Il, lollowing in ilc looisicps ol Loid
Rsabladcva, onc can givc up lis subilc body, ilcic is no clancc ilai onc will
acccpi a maiciial body again.`¯
+ Loid Rsabladcva's cclcbiaicd abandonmcni ol His body is dcsciibcd in ilc
dcvoiional sciipiuic ol Siimad llagavaiam (5.6.S): Wlilc Hc was wandciing
aboui, a wild loicsi liic bcgan. Tlis liic was causcd by ilc liiciion ol bamboos,
wlicl wcic biing blown by ilc wind. In ilai liic, ilc cniiic loicsi ncai Kuialacala
and ilc body ol Loid Rsabladcva wcic buini io aslcs.`¯
5 Wc may noic in ilis vcisc ilai ilc woids 'icna sala' (wiil ilai body) aic in
ilc insiiumcnial casc, and ilc subjcci ol ilc scnicncc, 'davalanal' (a loicsi-liic), is
in ilc nominaiivc casc. Tlc iiccs and oilci icsidcnis ol ilc loicsi wlo gavc up
ilcii maiciial bodics in ilai loicsi-liic as Loid Rsabladcva picicndcd io givc up
His spiiiiual loim, all aiiaincd libciaiion.
6 Tlc associaics ol Loid Ramacandia also aiiaincd libciaiion in ilc samc way.
Tlis is dcsciibcd in Siimad llagavaiam (9.11.22):
Loid Ramacandia iciuincd io His abodc, io wlicl ilc blalii-yogis aic
piomoicd. Tlis is ilc placc io wlicl all ilc inlabiianis ol Ayodlya wcni alici
ilcy scivcd ilc Loid in His manilcsi pasiimcs by ollciing Him obcisanccs,
ioucling His loius lcci, lully obsciving Him as a lailcililc King, siiiing oi lying
down wiil Him lilc cquals, oi cvcn jusi accompanying Him.`¯
7 In ilis way, Loid Rsabladcva's disappcaiancc in ilc loicsi liic is dcsciibcd.
Wc may also noic ilai ai ilc cnd ol ilis clapici in Siimad llagavaiam ilc clapici
iiilc is givcn: Tlc Appcaiancc ol Loid Rsabladcva`. Tlc iiilc clcaily docs noi say
'ilc liiil ol Loid Rsabladcva`, bccausc ilc Loid was noi boin in ilc samc way
condiiioncd souls aic, bui iailci Hc appcaicd in His iiansccndcnial body io
pciloim His pasiimcs lcic.
Anuccheda 53
1 Il cvcn ilc cmpowcicd incainaiion Rsabladcva lad a spiiiiual body, ilcn
cciiainly ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol godlcad, Loid Kisna, is also
iiansccndcnial and noi ai all maiciial. Tlc supicmcly cxalicd posiiion ol ilc
Supicmc Loid, Sii Kisna, is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol llismadcva io
Loid Kisna Siimad llagavaiam (1.9.+1):
Ai ilc Rajasuya-yajna (saciilicc) pciloimcd by Malaiaja Yudlisiliia, ilcic
was ilc gicasicsi asscmbly ol all ilc cliic mcn ol ilc woild, ilc ioyal and lcaincd
oidcis, and in ilai gicai asscmbly Loid Sii Kisna was woislippcd by onc and all as
ilc mosi cxalicd Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlis lappcncd duiing my picscncc, and
I icmcmbcicd ilc incidcni in oidci io lccp my mind upon ilc Loid.`¯
2 Siidlaia Svami commcnis:
In ilis vcisc llismadcva says: 'Loid Kisna, wlo is ilc soul (aima) ol all
ilc univciscs, was pcisonally picscni (avil) bcloic my cycs (mama disi gocaial).
How loiiunaic I am.'`
Anuccheda 5+
1 Tlc cxalicd posiiion ol Sii Kisna, ilc oiiginal Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, is also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing piayci spolcn by Dcvali-dcvi io Loid
Kisna (Siimad llagavaiam 10.3.2+):
My dcai Loid, ilcic aic dillcicni Vcdas, somc wlicl dcsciibc You as
unpciccivablc iliougl woids and ilc mind. Yci You aic ilc oiigin ol ilc cniiic
cosmic manilcsiaiion. You aic lialman, ilc gicaicsi ol cvciyiling, lull ol
cllulgcncc lilc ilc sun. You lavc no maiciial causc, You aic licc liom clangc and
dcviaiion, and You lavc no maiciial dcsiics. Tlus ilc Vcdas say ilai You aic ilc
subsiancc. Tlcicloic, my Loid, You aic diiccily ilc oiigin ol all Vcdic siaicmcnis,
and by undcisianding You, onc giadually undcisiands cvciyiling. You aic
dillcicni liom ilc ligli ol lialman and Paiamaima, yci You aic noi dillcicni liom
ilcm. Lvciyiling cmanaics liom You. Indccd, You aic ilc causc ol all causcs,
Loid Visnu, ilc ligli ol all iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc.`¯
2 In ilis vcisc Dcvali-dcvi says: 'O Loid, ilc vaiious Vcdic liiciaiuics
dcsciibc (pialul) Youi iiansccndcnial naiuic (iupam).' Wlai is ilis naiuic ol ilc
Loid' Dcvali says: 'O Loid, You aic noi pciccivablc io ilc woids, mind and
scnscs (avyaliam).' Alilougl ilc Loid cannoi bc pciccivcd in ilcsc ways,
ncvciilclcss Dcvali says: 'You aic Loid Visnu, ilc Supicmc, and You aic now
diiccily picscni bcloic my cycs (salsai ivam visnul).`
3 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad can bc sccn by ilc dcvoiccs is
dcsciibcd in ilc Padma Puiana, Niimana-llanda, wlcic Vcda-vyasa piays io Loid
Kisna:
O Loid Madlusudana, ilc bcsi ol Vcdic liiciaiuics pioclaim ilai You aic
ilc cicinally iiansccndcnial Supicmc lialman, ilc cicaioi and masici ol all
univciscs. O Loid, I wisl io scc You wiil my own cycs. Plcasc giani mc ilc
powci io scc You.`
+ In ilis vcisc Dcvali addicsscs Loid Kisna as 'adlyaima-dipal' (ilc ligli ol
all iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc). Tlis mcans ilai Sii Kisna illuminaics ilc iiuil
aboui all causcs and cllccis and aboui ilc ical naiuic ol all ilc living cniiiics
cncascd in vaiious maiciial bodics. lccausc Sii Kisna is ilus adlyaima-dipa, ilcic
is no nccd loi Dcvali io lcai ilai King Kamsa may laim Him, and ilis iiuil is
clcaily coiioboiaicd by Siidlaia Svami in lis commcniaiy.
Anuccheda 55
1 Tlc loims ol ilc plcnaiy cxpansions ol Loid Kisna aic also spiiiiual and
iiansccndcnial. Tlis is conliimcd by Siila Suladcva Gosvami (Siimad llagavaiam
10.13.5+):
Tlc visnu-muiiis all lad cicinal, unlimiicd loims, lull ol lnowlcdgc and
bliss and cxisiing bcyond ilc inllucncc ol iimc. Tlcii gicai gloiy was noi cvcn io
bc iouclcd by ilc jnanis cngagcd in siudying ilc Upanisads.`¯
2 Siidlaia Svami commcnis:
In ilis vcisc ilc loims ol ilc plcnaiy cxpansions ol Loid Kisna aic
dcsciibcd as bcing idcniical in ilcii iiansccndcnial lcaiuics. Tlc woid 'cla-iasal'
lcic may bc inicipicicd io mcan ciilci 'always ilc samc', oi 'always cicinal
(saiya), lull ol lnowlcdgc (jnana), unlimiicd (anania), and lull ol bliss (ananda).'
Tlc gloiy ol ilcsc iiansccndcnial loims was noi cvcn io bc iouclcd (aspisia-
bluii-malaimyal) by ilc jnanis cngagcd in siudying ilc Upanisads (upanisad-
disam).`
3 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'maiia' slould bc inicipicicd io mcan ilai ilc
vaiious Visnu cxpansions dcsciibcd in ilis vcisc lad ilc samc cxicinal lcaiuics
and ilc samc inicinal idcniiiy, loi ilcy wcic all Loid Visnu. Tlis woid slould noi
bc inicipicicd io mcan ilai ilc vaiious cxpansions wcic aciually ilc impcisonal
lcaiuiclcss lialman. Sucl a labouicd and inappiopiiaic inicipiciaiion clcaily
coniiadicis ilc siaicmcnis ol Siila Suladcva Gosvami in ilc llagavaiam and Siila
Siidlaia Svami in lis commcniaiy on ilc llagavaiam. Tlis impcisonal
inicipiciaiion is also icluicd by ilc louiil linc ol ilis sianza, wlicl siaics: Tlc
gicai gloiy ol ilcsc iiansccndcnial loims was noi cvcn io bc iouclcd by ilc
impcisonalisi jnanis cngagcd in siudying ilc Upanisads' (aspisia-bluii-malaimya
appi ly upanisad-disam). Siila Suladcva Gosvami icluics ilis impcisonal
inicipiciaiion by dcsciibing ilc iiansccndcnial icaliiy ol ilc Supicmc Loid's loim
in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.3S):
Tlc sagcs, lcadcd by Sanala Rsi, saw ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, Visnu, wlo was loimcily visiblc only wiilin ilcii lcaiis in ccsiaiic
iiancc, lad now aciually bccomc visiblc io ilcii cycs. As Hc camc loiwaid,
accompanicd by His own associaics bcaiing all paiaplcinalia, sucl as an umbiclla
and a camaia lan, ilc wliic bunclcs ol laii movcd vciy gcnily, lilc iwo swans,
and duc io ilcii lavouiablc bicczc ilc pcails gailanding ilc umbiclla also movcd,
lilc diops ol ncciai lalling liom ilc wliic lull moon oi icc mcliing duc io a gusi ol
wind.`¯
Tlc impcisonal inicipiciaiion ol ilc woid 'maiiam' in ilis vcisc (10.13.5+)
cannoi bc acccpicd bccausc Siila Suladcva Gosvami, ilc spcalci ol Siimad
llagavaiam was noi am impcisonalisi, bui a gicai dcvoicc ol ilc Loid. Tlai
Suladcva Gosvami was noi an impcisonalisi, and ilai Siimad llagavaiam docs
noi icpicscni ilc impcisonalisi vicw is conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol
Siimad llagavaiam (12.12.69):
Lci mc ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio my spiiiiual masici, ilc son ol
Vyasadcva, Suladcva Gosvami. Ii is lc wlo dclcais all inauspicious ilings wiilin
ilis univcisc. Alilougl in ilc bcginning lc was absoibcd in ilc lappincss ol
lialman icalisaiion and was living in a sccludcd placc, giving up all oilci iypcs ol
consciousncss, lc bccamc aiiiacicd by ilc mosi mclodious pasiimcs ol Loid Sii
Kisna. Hc ilcicloic mcicilully spolc ilc supicmc Puiana, lnown as Siimad
llagavaiam , wlicl is ilc biigli ligli ol ilc Absoluic Tiuil and wlicl dcsciibcs
ilc aciiviiics ol Loid Kisna.`¯
+ Tlai ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic spiiiiual, cicinal,
and lull ol bliss and lnowlcdgc and noi simply illusoiy icpicscniaiions ol an
impcisonal icaliiy, is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcnis ol Siimad
llagavaiam:
Tlc loim ol ilc Supicmc Loid is lull ol supicmcly puic iiansccndcnial
lnowlcdgc.`
10.37.22
I ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
wlosc iiansccndcnial loim is lull ol ilc puicsi lnowlcdgc.`
10.27.11
O Loid, Youi iiansccndcnial loim is cicinal and lull ol bliss and
lnowlcdgc.`
10.1+.22
Tlcsc siaicmcnis ol ilc llagavaiam slould bc ialcn liicially. No onc
slould iiy io clangc ilcii obvious mcaning by woid jugglciy and iiy io malc
ilcm mcan somciling oilci ilan wlai ilcy clcaily say.
5 Tlai ilc loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is lull ol all iiansccndcnial
bliss is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcnis ol Siimad llagavaiam:
Wlcn ilc ladics ol Mailuia saw ilc blisslul loims ol Kisna and lalaiama
wiil ilcii cycs, ilcy iool ilcm wiilin ilcii lcaiis and bcgan io cmbiacc Tlcm io
ilcii lullcsi dcsiic.`¯
10.+1.2S
Kubja ilcn iool Kisna's loius lcci and placcd ilcm on lci bicasis, wlicl
wcic buining wiil ilc blazing liic ol lusi. ly smclling ilc liagiancc ol Kisna's
loius lcci, slc immcdiaicly bccamc iclicvcd ol all lusiy dcsiics. Slc was ilus
allowcd io cmbiacc Kisna, wlosc iiansccndcnial loim is lull ol bliss. Slc was
allowcd io cmbiacc Kisna wiil lci iwo aims and ilus miiigaic lci long clciislcd
dcsiic io lavc Kisna as a visiioi in lci lousc.`¯
10.+S.7
6 Tlai ilc loims ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic all lull ol
lnowlcdgc and bliss is also conliimcd by ilc Mala-Vaiala Puiana:
Tlc iiansccndcnial loims ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic
cicinal and impciislablc. Tlcy wcic noi cicaicd ai a cciiain poini, and ilcy aic
ncvci io bc dcsiioycd. Tlcy aic noi pioducis ol ilc maiciial cncigy.
7 All ilc loims ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic complcicly lillcd
wiil iiansccndcnial bliss, lnowlcdgc, and all auspicious qualiiics. Tlcsc spiiiiual
loims ol ilc Loid aic licc liom all maiciial dclccis.`
Anuccheda 56
1 Tlis spiiiiual naiuic ol Loid Kisna's loim is also alliimcd by Siila Suladcva
Gosvami (Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.55):
You slould lnow Kisna as ilc oiiginal soul ol all aimas (living cniiiics).
Ioi ilc bcnclii ol ilc wlolc univcisc, Hc las, oui ol His causclcss mcicy, appcaicd
as an oidinaiy luman bcing. Hc las donc ilis wiil ilc siicngil ol His own
inicinal poicncy.`¯
2 Loid lialma dcsciibcs Sii Kisna's iiansccndcnial loim in ilcsc woids
(Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.1):
My dcai Loid, You aic ilc only woisliplul Supicmc Loid, Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad; ilcicloic I am ollciing my lumblc obcisanccs and piaycis jusi io plcasc
You. Youi bodily lcaiuics aic ol ilc coloui ol clouds lillcd wiil waici. You aic
gliiiciing wiil silvci clcciiic llaslcs cmanaiing liom Youi ycllow gaimcnis. Lci
mc ollci my icspccilul icpcaicd obcisanccs unio ilc son ol Malaiaja Nanda wlo is
sianding bcloic mc wiil conclslcll caiiings and pcacocl lcailci on His lcad. His
lacc is bcauiilul; Hc is wcaiing a lclmci, gailandcd by loicsi llowcis, and Hc
siands wiil a moiscl ol lood in His land. Hc is dccoiaicd wiil canc, lluic and a
buglc madc ol bullalo loin. Hc siands bcloic mc wiil small loius lcci.`¯
3 In ilis vcisc (quoicd in icxi 1) Siila Suladcva Gosvami says: Tiy io
bccomc lcaincd in spiiiiual scicncc and iiy io undcisiand ilis iiansccndcnial loim
ol Sii Kisna (avcli). Do noi iiy io undcisiand Sii Kisna using maiciial logic oi
any iool oilci ilan dcvoiional scivicc. Ioi ilc bcnclii ol ilc wlolc univcisc
(jagad-dliiaya, and in oidci io aiiiaci ilc minds ol all condiiioncd souls io His
own iiansccndcnial loim, Hc las oui ol His causclcss mcicy (mayaya), appcaicd as
an oidinaiy luman bcing (dclivablaii) and pciloimcd His own iiansccndcnial
pasiimcs.` Wc may noic ilc usc ol ilc woid 'iva' (lilc), wlicl indicaics a
dillcicncc bciwccn ilc naiuic ol Loid Kisna's laving a loim and ilc condiiioncd
soul's laving a loim. Tlc dillcicncc is ilai ilc Supicmc, Loid Kisna, docs noi
acccpi an cxicinal maiciial body as ilc condiiioncd soul docs.
+ Tlai ilc sigli ol ilc Supicmc Loid's iiansccndcnial loim gianis ilc
supicmc bcncdiciion io ilc dcvoicc is conliimcd by Dliuva Malaiaja (Siimad
llagavaiam +9.17):
My Loid, O Supicmc Loid, You aic ilc supicmc pcisonilicd loim ol all
bcncdiciion. Tlcicloic, loi onc wlo abidcs in Youi dcvoiional scivicc wiil no
oilci dcsiic, woislipping Youi loius lcci is bciici ilan bccoming ling and loiding
ii ovci a lingdom. Tlai is ilc bcncdiciion ol woislipping Youi loius lcci.`¯
5 Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis:
Tlis vcisc slould bc undcisiood io mcan 'My Loid, O Supicmc Loid
(blagavan), You aic ilc blisslul, supicmc pcisonilicd loim ol all bcncdiciion
(puiusaiila-muiicl). Youi loius lcci (iava pada-padmam) aic a moic valuablc
bcncdiciion (saiyasil), ilan ilc bcncdiciion (asisal) ol bccoming ling and loiding
ii ovci a lingdom.' Onc may asl: 'loi wlom is ilis bcncdiciion availablc'' Tlc
answci is givcn 'Tlis supicmc bcncdiciion is availablc io onc wlo abidcs in Youi
dcvoiional scivicc wiil no oilci dcsiic, woislipping Youi loius lcci.
(Anublajaial).'`
Anuccheda 57
1 Tlai ilc iiansccndcnial loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
idcniical wiil ilc Supicmc lialman dcsciibcd in ilc Vcdas is cxplaincd by
Maiiicya Muni (Siimad llagavaiam 3.21.S):
Tlcn, in ilc Saiya-yuga, ilc loius cycd Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
bcing plcascd, slowcd Himscll io ilai Kaidama Muni and displaycd His
iiansccndcnial loim, wlicl can bc undcisiood only iliougl ilc Vcdas.`¯
2 Tlis vcisc mcans: Tlcn in ilc Saiya-yuga (liic yugc), ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad (blagavan) slowcd Himscll (daisayam asa) io ilai
Kaidama Muni (iam) and displaycd His iiansccndcnial loim (vapui dadlai),
wlicl is ilc Absoluic Tiuil (bialma) wlicl can bc undcisiood only iliougl ilc
Vcdas.`
In ilis way wc concludc ilc dcsciipiion ol ilc iiansccndcnial naiuic ol ilc
Supicmc Loid's loim.
Anuccheda 58
1 Now ilai wc lavc csiablislcd ilai ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is dillcicni in lind liom ilc maiciial bodics covciing ilc condiiioncd
souls, wc may also undcisiand ilai ilc Loid's loim is noi icmpoiaiy and subjcci io
ilc dcsiiuciivc inllucncc ol iimc, as aic caiilcn pois and vaiious oilci objccis
madc ol incii maiici, ilai ilc pcilcci and complcic iiansccndcnial loim ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is cicinal and noi subjcci io ilc six maiciial
iiansloimaiions (biiil, giowil, mainicnancc, clangc, dwindling and dcsiiuciion)
is csiablislcd by Loid lialma in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam
10.1+.23):
2 My conclusion is, ilcicloic, ilai You aic ilc Supicmc Soul, Absoluic
Tiuil, and ilc supicmc oiiginal pcison. Alilougl You lavc cxpandcd Youiscll in
so many Visnu loims, oi in living cniiiics and cncigics, by Youi inconccivablc
iiansccndcnial poicncics, You aic ilc supicmc onc wiiloui a sccond. You aic ilc
souicc ol ilc oiiginal bialmajyoii' indccd, ilc bialmajyoii is noiling bui Youi
pcisonal bodily cllulgcncc. Youi body is cicinal, indcsiiuciiblc and lull ol bliss.
You aic also niianjana bccausc Youi pasiimcs, as ilc liiilc son ol moilci Yasoda oi
ilc Loid ol ilc gopis, aic ncvci coniaminaicd by ilc maiciial qualiiics. You aic
always complcic, onc wiiloui a sccond, and You aic iiansccndcnial io boil
ncscicncc and lnowlcdgc. Tlus You aic ilc oiiginal amiia, ilc indcsiiuciiblc
ncciai ol immoiialiiy.`¯
3 In ilc bcginning ol Loid lialma's piaycis (Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.1),
lialma cxplaincd ilai ilc loim ol Sii Kisna, wlo las a dail complcxion ilc
coloui ol a iain-cloud, is ilc mosi woiily objcci ol piaisc. Wc slall now
dcmonsiiaic ilai Sii Kisna is ilc supicmc objcci ol piaisc and, ilai Hc is ilc
Supcisoul picscni in all living cniiiics, and ilc supicmc slclici ol cvciyonc.
+ Tlai Sii Kisna is ilc slclici ol cvciyonc and cvciyiling and ilc Supcisoul
picscni in ilc lcaiis ol all living cniiiics is conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcnis
ol Loid lialma:
My dcai Loid, lcaving asidc all oilci ilings and jusi considciing ioday's
lappcnings - wlai I lavc sccn - aic ilcy noi all duc io Youi inconccivablc
cncigics' Iiisi ol all I saw You alonc; ilcicalici You cxpandcd Youiscll as Youi
liicnds, ilc calvcs and all ilc cxisicncc ol Vindavana; ilcn I saw You and all ilc
boys as loui-landcd Visnus and Tlcy wcic bcing woislippcd by all ilc clcmcnis
and dcmigods, including myscll. Again Tlcy wcic all wound up and You
icmaincd alonc as You wcic bcloic. Docs ilis noi mcan ilai You aic ilc Supicmc
Loid, Naiayana, ilc oiigin ol cvciyiling, and liom you cvciyiling cmanaics, and
again cvciyiling cnicis inio You, and You icmain ilc samc as bcloic'`¯
Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.1S
You slould lnow Kisna as ilc oiiginal soul ol all aimas (living cniiiics).
Ioi ilc bcnclii ol ilc wlolc univcisc, Hc las, oui ol His causclcss mcicy, appcaicd
as an oidinaiy luman bcing. Hc las donc ilis wiil ilc siicngil ol His own
inicinal poicncy.`¯
Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.55
5 In ilis vcisc Siila Suladcva Gosvami inicnds io say: O Kisna, bccausc You
aic ilc Supcisoul picscni in ilc lcaiis ol all living cniiiics, ii slould bc
undcisiood ilai You aic cicinal, and bccausc You aic ilc uliimaic slclici upon
wlicl cvciyiling icsis, wlaicvci is cicinal is so bccausc ol Youi cicinaliiy. You
aic ilc oiiginal abodc ol all cicinaliiy.`
6 Tlai Sii Kisna is ilc icsiing placc ol all immoiialiiy is conliimcd by ilc
dcmigods, wlo ollci ilc lollowing piayci io Loid Kisna (Siimad llagavaiam
10.2.26):
O Loid, You ncvci dcviaic liom Youi vow, wlicl is always pcilcci bccausc
wlaicvci You dccidc is pcilccily coiicci and cannoi bc sioppcd by anyonc. lcing
picscni in ilc ilicc plascs ol cosmic manilcsiaiion - cicaiion, mainicnancc and
annililaiion - You aic ilc Supicmc Tiuil. Indccd, unlcss onc is complcicly
iiuillul, onc cannoi aclicvc Youi lavoui, wlicl ilcicloic cannoi bc aclicvcd by
lypociiics. You aic ilc aciivc piinciplc, ilc ical iiuil, in all ilc ingicdicnis ol
cicaiion, and ilcicloic you aic lnown as aniaiyami, ilc innci loicc. You aic cqual
io cvciyonc, and Youi insiiuciions apply loi cvciyonc, loi all iimc. You aic ilc
bcginning ol all iiuil. Tlcicloic, ollciing oui obcisanccs, wc suiicndci unio you.
Kindly givc us pioicciion.`¯
7 Tlai Sii Kisna is ilc oiiginal souicc ol all cicinaliiy is conliimcd by ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol Malablaiaia (Udyama-paiva 70.12):
All cicinaliiy is siiuaicd wiilin ilc Supicmc Licinal Loid Kisna. lccausc
all cicinaliiy las iis souicc in Him, Hc is ilcicloic lnown by ilc namc saiya (ilc
cicinal).`
S Tlai Sii Kisna is complcicly licc liom ilc maiciial iiansloimaiions (biiil,
giowil, mainicnancc, clangc, dwindling, and dcsiiuciion) is conliimcd by Loid
lialma (Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.23):
O My Loid, You aic ilc oiigin ol cvciyiling (adya).`
Loid lialma's siaicmcni in Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.1S also conliims ilai
Loid Kisna ncvci undcigocs ilc iiansloimaiion lnown as biiil. Tlai Loid Kisna
is ncvci aciually boin is conliimcd by Padma Puiana:
Alilougl Loid Haii appcais bcloic ilc cycs ol His dcvoiccs, Hc ncvci
undcigocs ilc maiciial iiansloimaiion lnown as biiil.`
9 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Sii Kisna, ncvci undcigocs ilc
iiansloimaiion lnown as biiil is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol
Slanda Puiana:
Iools do noi undcisiand ilc iiuil aboui ilc blisslul, cicinal and
unclanging Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc causc ol all causcs. Tlcy
misialcnly ilinl ilai ilc Supicmc Loid las ialcn biiil in a maiciial body
composcd ol ilc livc clcmcnis. Hc aciually ncvci ialcs biiil.`
10 Tlai Sii Kisna is ilc oiigin ol cvciyiling and ilc oldcsi is conliimcd by
Loid lialma (Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.23):
O Loid, You aic ilc oldcsi, ilc oiiginal pcison (puiusal puianal).`
Iiom ilis wc may undcisiand ilai Loid Kisna always cxisicd. Hc cxisicd
bcloic ilc cicaiion ol ilc maiciial woild in an cicinally youillul body. Alilougl
Hc is ilc oldcsi, Hc icmains cicinally youillul.
11 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cxisicd bcloic ilc cicaiion ol ilc
maiciial univciscs is conliimcd in lilad-aianyala Upanisad (1.+.1):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cxisicd bcloic ilc cicaiion ol ilc
maiciial univciscs.`
12 In ilis way ii may bc sccn ilai Sii Kisna is licc liom ilc maiciial
iiansloimaiions ol biiil. Tlc sccond maiciial iiansloimaiion is mainicnancc.
Tlai Sii Kisna is licc liom any considciaiion ol mainicnancc is conliimcd by
lialma in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.23):
O Loid Kisna, You aic always pcilcci and complcic (puina).`
lccausc Loid Kisna is always pcilcci, lc ncvci giows (ilc iliid
iiansloimaiion).
Tlc louiil maiciial iiansloimaiion is clangc. lialma conliims ilai Sii
Kisna is licc liom clangc in ilc lollowing woids (liom ilc samc llagavaiam
vcisc):
O Loid Kisna, You aic cicinally lull ol all iiansccndcnial bliss (ajasia-
sulla).`
lccausc Loid Kisna is always blisslul His condiiion ol lilc ncvci clangcs.
13 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is lull ol bliss is also conliimcd
by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol lilad-aianyala Upanisad (3.9.2S):
Tlc Supicmc Godlcad is lull ol all lnowlcdgc and bliss.`
Wc may noic ilai in ilis siaicmcni ilc ncuici woid 'ananda' is uscd insicad
ol ilc masculinc woid 'sulla'.
1+ Tlc lilil maiciial iiansloimaiion is dwindling. lialma conliims ilai Sii
Kisna is licc liom dwindling in ilcsc woids (liom ilc samc llagavaiam vcisc):
O Loid Kisna, You aic cicinally licc liom dccay and diminuiion (alsaya).`
Tlc sixil maiciial iiansloimaiion is dcsiiuciion. lialma conliims ilai Sii
Kisna is licc liom dcsiiuciion in ilc lollowing woids (liom ilc samc llagavaiam
vcisc):
O Loid Kisna, You aic ncvci io bc dcsiioycd. You aic cicinal (amiia).`
15 Loid Kisna's pcilcciion and complcicncss aic dcsciibcd by lialma in ilc
lollowing woids (liom ilc samc llagavaiam vcisc):
O Loid Kisna, You aic unlimiicd and onc wiiloui a sccond (anania and
advaya).`
Tlis mcans ilai Sii Kisna is bcyond all limiiaiions ol iimc, spacc and sizc
and noiling can cxisi wiiloui ilc manilcsiaiion ol His poicncics.
In oidci io piovc ilai Sii Kisna is cicinal, lialma cxplains ilai Sii Kisna is
bcyond ilc loui linds ol icsuli (biiil, aiiainmcni ol cnds, clangc, and
puiilicaiion) wlicl lollow ilc aciions ol ilc condiiioncd souls. Tlai Sii Kisna is
noi boin (ilc liisi icsuli), lialma cxplains by ilc siaicmcni:
O Loid Kisna, You aic ilc oiigin ol cvciyiling (adyal).`
Tlc sccond icsuli ol woil is ilc aiiainmcni ol somc cnd, wlicl may bc
donc ciilci wiil plysical cndcavoui, oi as a icsuli ol lnowlcdgc. Sii Kisna docs
noi nccd io cndcavoui plysically io aiiain any cnd, loi as lialma says, Hc is ilc
'all pcivading Supcisoul (aima), and ai ilc samc iimc Kisna docs noi nccd io
undcigo mcdiiaiion oi mcnial spcculaiion io obiain somc cnd, as ilc
impcisonalisi plilosoplcis do, bccausc Hc is Himscll ilc 'oiigin ol ilc
lialmajyoii (svayam-jyoii)', as lialma says. Tlc iliid icsuli ol woil is clangc.
Sii Kisna is licc liom clangc bccausc, as lialma says lcic, 'Hc ncvci acccpis a
clanging maiciial body (upadliio mulia).' Tlc louiil icsuli ol woil is
puiilicaiion. Sii Kisna is ncvci in nccd ol puiilicaiion bccausc, as lialma says 'Hc
is always licc liom all coniaminaiion (niianjana).' In ilis way Sii Kisna icmains
alool liom ilc loui linds ol icsulis ol woil.
16 Tlai Sii Kisna and His iiansccndcnial abodc may bc diiccily pciccivcd by
ilc dcvoiccs is cxplaincd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam
(2.9.22), wlcic ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad says io Loid lialma:
Tlc liglcsi pcilcciional ingcnuiiy is ilc pcisonal pciccpiion ol My
abodcs, and ilis las bccn possiblc bccausc ol youi submissivc aiiiiudc in ilc
pciloimancc ol scvcic pcnancc accoiding io My oidci.`¯
17 Siidlaia Svami commcnis:
In ilis vcisc Loid Kisna says io lialma: 'ly My mcicy you aic ablc io scc
ilis. lccausc I wisl ii, You may now diiccily pciccivc ilis (manisiia).' Onc may
asl: 'Wlai is ii ilai lialma is ablc io scc by ilc Loid's mcicy'' Tlc answci is
givcn: 'You aic now ablc io scc My own abodc (mama lolavalolanam yai).'`
1S Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad icvcals Himscll io lis dcvoics is
also conliimcd in ilc Naiayanadlyaimya:
Alilougl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad gcncially icmains invisiblc,
Hc may ncvciilclcss bc sccn iliougl ilc agcncy ol His own iiansccndcnial
poicncy.`
19 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: Is ii noi so ilai in ilc dcsciipiion ol
His opulcnccs in Siimad llagavaiam (11.16.29) ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad said:
'among cxalicd pcisons (blagavan) I appcai as ilc son ol Malaiaja Vasudcva'' Is
ii noi also so ilai ai ilc cnd ol ilis dcsciipiion ol His opulcnccs, ilc Supicmc
Loid said: 'Tlcsc opulcnccs ol Minc aic all iiansloimaiions ol ilc mind'' Clcaily,
liom ilis wc may undcisiand ilai ilc loim ol Loid Kisna, ilc son ol Vasudcva, is
noi ilc oiiginal Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, bui iailci ilc cxpansion ol onc ol His
opulcnccs. Iuiilcimoic, docs noi ilc sccond quoic csiablisl ilc iiuil ilai ilc
loim ol Loid Kisna and ilc oilci opulcnccs ol ilc Absoluic Tiuil dcsciibcd in
ilis passagc, aic noi iiansccndcnial loims, bui mcicly iiansloimaiions ol ilc
maiciial ilinling pioccss'`
To ilis objcciion I icply: My dcai liicnd, ilcsc quoics aic vciy nicc, ol
couisc, bui jusi as ilc scnicncc 'claiiino gacclanii' is ambiguous and icquiics
somc cxplanaiion bcloic ii is piopcily undcisiood, in ilc samc way, ilcsc vcisc
Siimad llagavaiam icquiic an claboiaic cxplanaiion bcloic ilcy aic piopcily
undcisiood.
20 In ilis conncciion wc may noic ilc usc ol ilc woid 'paiam' in ilc lollowing
vcisc liom ilc samc scciion ol Siimad llagavaiam (11.16.37), wlcic Loid Kisna
says:
I am loim, iasic, aioma, ioucl and sound; lalsc cgo; ilc malai-iaiiva;
caiil, waici, liic, aii and sly; ilc living cniiiy; maiciial naiuic; ilc modcs ol
goodncss, passion and ignoiancc. All ilcsc iicms, along wiil lnowlcdgc ol ilcii
individual sympioms and ilc sicady conviciion ilai icsulis liom ilis lnowlcdgc,
icpicscnis mc.`¯¯¯
21 Wc may noic ilai in ilis vcisc ilc woid 'paiam' iclcis io ilc Supicmc
Absoluic Tiuil, Accoiding io ilis inicipiciaiion, ilcn, ilc Supicmc lialman is
counicd among ilc opulcnccs ol ilc Loid, wlicl aic luiilci dcsciibcd as (Siimad
llagavaiam 11.16.+1) 'iiansloimaiions ol ilc mind'. Sucl an cxplanaiion ol ilc
naiuic ol lialman will clcaily noi saiisly ilosc wlo aic awaic ol ilc aciual
mcaning ol Vcdic liiciaiuics. lialman is noi a maiciial iiansloimaiion. lialman
is licc liom any maiciial covciing oi maiciial cxicinal loim, jusi as a ilicslcd
giain ol iicc is licc liom ilc cxicinal lusl. Tlis iiansccndcnial naiuic ol lialman
is cxplaincd by ilc lollowing siaicmcnis ol Siimad llagavaiam:
O Supicmc Loid, You aic licc liom maiciial covciings.`
10.1+.23
I ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs io ilc Supicmc Loid, wlosc loim is lull ol
ilc puicsi iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc.`
10.37.22
22 lccausc ilis passagc liom ilc Llcvcnil Canio ol Siimad llagavaiam
appcais io cxplain ilai ilc Supicmc lialman, and Loid Kisna, ilc son ol
Vasudcva aic opulcnccs ol ilc Supicmc and aic simply maiciial iiansloimaiions ol
ilc mind, ii slould bc undcisiood ilai ilcsc siaicmcnis (loi ai lcasi ilis
inicipiciaiion ol ilcm) coniiadici ilc dcsciipiion ol ilc Supicmc lialman and
Loid Kisna in ilc oilci passagcs ol Vcdic liiciaiuic. Tlcicloic, I say ilai ilcsc
siaicmcni aic noi cxacily iiuc. Tlcic aic somc cxamplcs ol passagcs in Vcdic
liiciaiuics ilai aic noi cxacily iiuc. Onc sucl siaicmcni is ilc lollowing vcisc
spolcn by llismadcva (Siimad llagavaiam 1.9.3+):
On ilc baiilclicld (wlcic Sii Kisna aiicndcd Aijuna oui ol liicndslip), ilc
llowing laii ol Loid Kisna iuincd aslcn duc io ilc dusi iaiscd by ilc lools ol ilc
loiscs. And bccausc ol His laboui, bcads ol swcai wciicd His lacc. All ilcsc
dcsciipiions inicnsilicd by ilc wounds dcali by my slaip aiiows, wcic cnjoycd by
Him lci my mind ilus go unio Sii Kisna.`¯
lccausc ilc iiansccndcnial body ol Loid Kisna can ncvci bc luii oi piciccd
by any wcapon, ii slould bc undcisiood ilai ilc dcsciipiion ol ilis pasiimc
slould noi bc ialcn as iiuil bui is a spccilic illusion aiiangcd by ilc Loid.
23 An cxamplc ol a siaicmcni coniiaiy io ilc iiuil, bui yci givcn in Siimad
llagavaiam, is mcniioncd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Suladcva Gosvami (in
conncciion wiil Kisna's lamcniaiion duiing His baiilc wiil Salva) Siimad
llagavaiam 10.77.30):
O King Paiilsii, alilougl Kisna lamcnicd wlcn Salva aiicmpicd io iiicl
Him inio ilinling ilai His lailci, Vasudcva, was lillcd, wc slould undcisiand
ilai in aciualiiy, Loid Kisna was noi ai all loolcd, and lc did noi lamcni.
Alilougl somc sagcs may say ilai ilc Loid lamcnicd, sucl siaicmcnis aic noi lii
io bc acccpicd as iiuil.`¯
2+ Tlai ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is spiiiiual and licc
liom all maiciial dclccis is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Slanda
Puiana:
Loid Visnu is complcicly alool liom ilc inllucncc ol ilc maiciial cncigy.
Hc is cicinal, impciislablc, unbicalablc, undclcaiablc, and undccaying. Hc
appcais in ilis woild and cnjoys pasiimcs wiil His dcvoiccs. Hc picicnds io bc an
oidinaiy luman bcing, and in ilis iolc Hc may somciimcs appcai io bc bound
wiil iopcs, oi io blccd wlcn woundcd. Alilougl ilcsc aciiviiics bcwildci ilc
dcmons, ilc libciaicd souls do noi bccomc bcwildcicd. Tlcy always undcisiand
ilc aciual naiuic ol ilc Loid.`
25 As lc was ligliing wiil Kisna, llismadcva bccamc momcniaiily
ovciwlclmcd by a dcmonic ilougli ol laiming Kisna, and in ilis way lc bccamc
bcwildcicd inio ilinling ilai Kisna las bccomc woundcd. Laici llisma
icmcmbcicd ilai bcwildcimcni as onc icmcmbcis a painlul niglimaic, and Hc
cxpicsscd ilai mcmoiy in ilc vcisc quoicd picviously (Siimad llagavaiam
1.9.3+).
26 Somconc may asl: How is ii ilai Loid Kisna bccamc so puic and licc liom
maiciial coniaminaiion ilai Hc could noi bc woundcd oi blccd' Did Hc comc
undci ilc inllucncc ol somc wondcilully puiilying subsiancc, oi did Hc
assiduously iid Himscll ol all impuiiiics'`
In answci io ilis qucsiion I cxplain: Sii Kisna is cicinally puic and docs
noi icquiic io do somciling io bccomc licc liom coniaminaiion. Hc did noi
icquiic io comc undci ilc inllucncc ol somc puiilying agcni bccausc Hc is Himscll
pcilcci and complcic, and ilcicloic cvciyiling ilai puiilics is alicady picscni
wiilin Him. In ilis ilc samc way Hc docs noi icquiic io iid Himscll ol impuiiiics,
sincc impuiiiics can ncvci cnici Him, as Loid lialma cxplains (Siimad
llagavaiam 10.1+.23): 'O Loid Kisna, You aic always licc liom all linds ol
maiciial coniaminaiion (niianjana).` In ilis way ii may bc undcisiood ilai ilc
loim ol Sii Kisna is always unconiaminaicd and lull ol puic iiansccndcnial
lnowlcdgc.
Anuccheda 59
In ilis way wc lavc cxplaincd ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
naiuially cndowcd wiil innumciablc powcis and opulcnccs. Jusi as ligli las
cciiain naiuial qualiiics opposiic io ilc naiuic ol dailncss, in ilc samc way ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las a losi ol iiansccndcnial qualiiics dillcicni liom ilc
qualiiics ol maiici. Wc lavc also csiablislcd ilai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
supicmcly pcilcci and complcic bccausc Hc is ilc masici ol all poicncics. All ol
His qualiiics aic cicinal and Hc is lull ol all iiansccndcnial bliss. lccausc Hc is ilc
icscivoii in wlicl all iiansccndcnial qualiiics, powcis and opulcnccs icsi, Hc is
lnown as ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad (blagavan). Jusi as laddu candy is
by naiuic aiomaiic and las cciiain naiuial aiiiibuics ilai cannoi bc scpaiaicd liom
ii, in ilc samc way ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad posscsscs a losi ol
wondcilul iiansccndcnial aiiiibuics. Tlc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is acccpicd by ilc mosi lcaincd iiansccndcnialisis as ilc liglcsi
manilcsiaiion ol ilc Absoluic Tiuil. Tlis is conliimcd by ilc lollowing piayci ol
Loid lialma io Sii Kisna Siimad llagavaiam (3.9.2):
Tlc loim wlicl I scc is cicinally liccd liom maiciial coniaminaiion and
las advcnicd io slow mcicy io ilc dcvoiccs as manilcsiaiion ol inicinal poicncy.
Tlis incainaiion is ilc oiigin ol many oilci incainaiions, and I am boin liom ilc
loius llowci giown liom Youi navcl lomc.`¯
Anuccheda 60
1 In ilis way wc lavc piovcn ilai ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is pcilcci and complcic in all icspccis. Howcvci, in oidci io cvcn moic
liimly csiablisl ilis laci, wc slall now dcsciibc ilc Loid's oinamcnis and
paiaplcinalia. In ilc lollowing siaicmcni Siila Suladcva Gosvami dcsciibcs ilc
Supicmc Loid appcaiancc in ilis woild along wiil His own iiansccndcnial
oinamcnis and paiaplcinalia (Siimad llagavaiam 10.3.9):
Vasudcva ilcn saw ilc ncwboin clild, wlo lad vciy wondcilul loius lilc
cycs and wlo boic in His loui lands ilc loui wcapons sanlla, calia, gada and
padma. On His clcsi was ilc mail ol Siivaisa and so His nccl ilc biilliani
Kausiubla gcm. Dicsscd in ycllow, His body blaclisl lilc a dcnsc cloud, His
scaiicicd laii lully giown, and His lclmci and caiiings spailling uncommonly
wiil ilc valuablc gcm Vaiduiya, ilc clild, dccoiaicd wiil a biilliani bcli, aimlcis,
banglcs and oilci oinamcnis, appcaicd vciy wondcilul.`¯
2 Tlc oinamcnis and paiaplcinalia ol ilc Loid aic in onc scnsc non dillcicni
liom His iiansccndcnial loim. Visvaiupa cxplains ilis io Malaiaja India in ilc
lollowing woids Siimad llagavaiam (S.S.32-33):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc living cniiiics, ilc maiciial
cncigy, ilc spiiiiual cncigy and ilc cniiic cicaiion aic all individual subsianccs.
In ilc uliimaic analysis, lowcvci, iogcilci ilcy consiiiuic ilc supicmc onc, ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlcicloic ilosc wlo aic advanccd in spiiiiual lnowlcdgc
scc uniiy in divcisiiy. Ioi sucl advanccd pcisons, ilc Loid's bodily dccoiaiions,
His namc, His lamc, His aiiiibuics and loims and ilc wcapons in His land aic
manilcsiaiions ol ilc siicngil ol His poicncy. Accoiding io ilcii clcvaicd spiiiiual
undcisianding, ilc omniscicni Loid, wlo manilcsis vaiious loims, is picscni
cvciywlcic. May Hc always pioicci us cvciywlcic liom all calamiiics.`¯
3 In ilis vcisc Visvaiupa says: Tlosc wlo aic advanccd in spiiiiual
lnowlcdgc scc uniiy in divcisiiy (ailaimyanublavanam). Tlc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad appcais bcloic ilcsc advanccd iiansccndcnialisis in His
loim lull ol ilc ncciai ol (mayaya) appcais bcloic His dcvoiccs in His own
iiansccndcnial loim lull ol all wondcilul poicncics, so Hc also displays io ilcm
His bodily dccoiaiions (blusana), His namc, His lamc, His aiiiibuics, and loims
and wcapons in His land, wlicl aic all ilc manilcsiaiions ol ilc siicngil ol His
poicncy (saliil). Tlcsc gicai iiansccndcnialisis diiccily pciccivc ilc iiuc naiuic
ol ilc Loid and His paiaplcinalia (saiya-mancna). Tlc Loid, wlo manilcsi as
vaiious wondcilul loims (saivail svaiupail) is picscni cvciywlcic. May Hc
always pioicci (paiu) us (nal) cvciywlcic liom all calamiiics.`
+ In ilc lollowing vciscs ol ilc Visnu-dlaima Puiana, Malaiaja lali ollcis
piaycis io ilc Loid's Sudaisana Calia:
Lvcn ilc gicaicsi ol yogis cannoi complcicly oi piopcily gloiily ilc Loid's
Sudaisana Calia. lccausc ol ilc illuminaiion ol ilis wliiling Calia, ilis dcmon
lali las bccn ablc io scc ilc cniiic univcisc wiil iis ilicc planciaiy sysicms ol
llui, lluvai and Svai-lolas.`
5 Malaiaja Ambaiisa's piaycis io ilc Sudaisana Calia aic iccoidcd in ilc
Ninil Canio ol Siimad llagavaiam, and ilc icadci is iclciicd io ilcm loi a moic
claboiaic dcsciipiion. In vaiious placcs in ilc Vcdic liiciaiuics, ilc Sudaisana
Calia, llag ol Gaiuda, and oilci paiaplcinalia ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, aic dcsciibcd as 'causclcss'. Tlis mcans ilai ilc Loid's paiaplcinalia is
iiansccndcnial and las no maiciial oiigin, jusi as ilc Loid Himscll las no oiigin.
6 Loid Kapiladcva dcsciibcs somc ol ilc Loid's oinamcnis and paiaplcinalia
(Siimad llagavaiam 3.2S.2S): 'Tlc yogi slould mcdiiaic upon His club wlicl is
namcd Kaumodali and is vciy dcai io lim. Tlis club smaslcs ilc dcmons, wlo
aic always inimical soldicis, and is smcaicd wiil ilcii blood. Onc slould
conccniiaic on ilc nicc gailand on ilc nccl ol ilc Loid, wlicl is always
suiioundcd by bumblcbccs, wiil ilcii nicc buzzing sound, and onc slould
mcdiiaic upon ilc pcail nccllacc on ilc Loid's nccl, wlicl is considcicd io
icpicscni ilc puic living cniiiics wlo aic always cngagcd in His scivicc.`¯
7 Tlc Loid's Kausiubla gcm is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol
Siimad llagavaiam (12.13.10):
Tlc unboin Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol godlcad wcais His own lialman
cllulgcncc in ilc loim ol ilc Kausiubla jcwcl on His clcsi.`¯
S As ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is willing io bc considcicd non
dillcicni liom ilc univcisc in oidci io laciliiaic ilc condiiioncd souls' woislip ol
Him, so ilc Kausiubla gcm is considcicd non dillcicni liom ilc iiansccndcnial
loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
9 Tlai ilc Kausiubla gcm is non dillcicni liom ilc iiansccndcnial loim ol
ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is also conliimcd by Visnu Puiana:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Haii, pcisonally appcais as ilc
Kausiubla gcm, wlicl is puic, licc liom all coniaminaiion ol ilis maiciial woild,
and uniouclcd by ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic.`
Anuccheda 61
1 Tlc spiiiiual woild ol Vailunilalola is non dillcicni liom ilc Loid in ilc
samc way, and ii is icpcaicdly dcsciibcd in ilc Vcdic liiciaiuics so ilc slow wiiicd
condiiioncd souls may bccomc awaic ol iis cxisicncc. Ioi cxamplc, Vailunilalola
is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (2.9.9):
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, bcing ilus vciy mucl saiislicd wiil ilc
pcnancc ol Loid lialma was plcascd io manilcsi His pcisonal abodc, Vailunila,
ilc supicmc planci abovc all oilcis. Tlis iiansccndcnial abodc ol ilc Loid is
adoicd by all scll-icaliscd pcisons liccd liom all linds ol misciics and lcai ol
illusoiy cxisicncc.`¯
2 lccausc ilc spiiiiual woild ol Vailunila cannoi bc icaclcd by oidinaiy
maiciially pious aciiviiics, bccausc ilc Vcdic liiciaiuics cxplain ilai ii is bcyond
ilc limiis ol ilc maiciial cicaiion, bccausc ii is gloiilicd as ilai placc in wlicl ilc
icsidcnis do noi lall inio ilc illusion ol maya, bccausc ii is icaclcd wlcn onc
bccomc unallccicd by ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic, bccausc by cniciing a
icmplc ol Loid Visnu cvcn in ilis maiciial woild, onc aciually cnicis ilc spiiiiual
woild, and conscqucnily bccomcs licc liom ilc ioucl ol ilc ilicc modcs ol
maiciial naiuic, ilcicloic ii slould bc undcisiood ilai ilc spiiiiual woild ol
Vailunila is aciually a manilcsiaiion ol ilc spiiiiual loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, ilai ilc maiciial cncigy, ilai ii is cicinal, ilai ii may bc obiaincd only
by dcvoiional scivicc wlicl cclipscs ilc so-callcd lappincss ol libciaiion, and ilai
ii is lull ol ciciniiy, lnowlcdgc and bliss.
3 Tlai ilc icalm ol Vailunila cannoi bc obiaincd by maiciial aciiviiics,
pious oi oilciwisc, is conliimcd by ilc Supicmc Loid in ilc lollowing woids
(Siimad llagavaiam 11.2+.12-1+):
Hcavcn was csiablislcd as ilc icsidcncc ol ilc dcmigods. lluvailola as
ilai ol ilc glosily spiiiis and ilc caiil sysicm as ilc placc ol luman bcings and
oilci moiial cicaiuics. Tlosc mysiics wlo siiivc loi libciaiion aic piomoicd
bcyond ilcsc ilicc divisions.`¯¯¯
+ Loid lialma cicaicd ilc icgion bclow ilc caiil loi ilc dcmons and ilc
Naga snalcs. Tlus ilc dcsiinaiions ol ilc ilicc woilds wcic all aiiangcd as ilc
coiicsponding icaciions loi dillcicni linds ol woil pciloimcd wiilin ilc ilicc
modcs ol maiciial naiuic.¯¯¯
5 ly mysiic yoga, gicai ausiciiiics and ilc icnounccd oidci ol lilc, ilc puic
dcsiinaiions ol Malailola, Janolola, Tapolola and Saiyalola aic aiiaincd. lui by
dcvoiional yoga, onc aclicvcs My iiansccndcnial abodc.`¯¯¯
6 In ilcsc vciscs ilc Loid says: Tlosc mysiics wlo siiivc loi libciaiion
(siddlanam) by pciloimancc ol mysiic yoga and oilci spiiiiual aciiviiics aic
piomoicd bcyond (paiam) ilcsc ilicc divisions (iiiayai) ol planciaiy sysicms
(lluilola, lluvailola, and Svailola). Tlus ilc dcsiinaiions ol ilc ilicc woilds
(iiilolyam) wcic all aiiangcd as ilc coiicsponding icaciions loi dillcicni linds ol
woil (laimanam) pciloimcd by ilosc aiiaclcd io lousclold lilc. ly piaciicing
upaluivana-bialmacaiya onc aiiains Malailola, by naisilila-bialmacaiya onc
aiiains Janalola, by vanapiasila lilc onc aiiains Tapolola and by sannyasa onc
aiiains Saiyalola. In ilis way ilc vaiious icsulis ol yoga-piaciicc aic calculaicd.`
7 Tlai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's own abodc (mad-gaiil), lnown as
Vailunilalola, can only bc aiiaincd by ilc dcvoiional aciiviiics ol blalii-yoga
(sucl as lcaiing and claniing ilc gloiics ol Vailunila and ilc masici ol
Vailunila), and by no oilci mcans, is cxplaincd in Siimad llagavaiam (3.15.23):
Ii is vciy mucl icgiciiablc ilai unloiiunaic pcoplc do noi discuss ilc
dcsciipiion ol ilc Vailunila plancis bui cngagc in iopics wlicl aic unwoiily io
lcai and wlicl bcwildci onc's iniclligcncc. Tlosc wlo givc up iopics ol
Vailunila and ialc io iall ol ilc maiciial woild aic iliown inio ilc dailcsi
icgion ol ignoiancc.`¯
S A luiilci dcsciipiion ol Vailunilalola is lound in Siimad llagavaiam
(3.15.20), wlcic Loid lialma says io ilc dcmigods:
Tlc inlabiianis ol Vailunila iiavcl in ilcii aiiplancs madc ol lapis lazuli,
cmciald and gold. Alilougl ciowdcd by ilcii consoiis, wlo lavc laigc lips and
bcauiilul smiling laccs, ilcy cannoi bc siimulaicd io passion by ilcii miiil and
bcauiilul claims.`¯
9 Siidlaia Svami commcnis on ilis vcisc in ilc lollowing woids:
Tlis vcisc cxplains: Tlc inlabiianis ol Vailunila iiavcl in ilcii aiiplancs
(vimanail) wlicl ilcy obiaincd simply by ollciing obcisanccs io ilc loius lcci ol
Loid Haii, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad (laii-padanaii-maiia-disiail).'
Tlus ilcy aic ablc io iiavcl in Vailunila by mcans ol ilcii dcvoiional aciiviiics,
and noi by any lind ol maiciial liuiiivc aciiviiy.`
10 Tlc icalm ol Vailunila is also dcsciibcd in Mundala Upanisad (1.2.12):
Wlcn a pcison aspiiing io advancc in spiiiiual lilc cxamincs ilc
icmpoiaiy bcncliis obiaincd by pciloiming pious dccds and caining a icmpoiaiy
icsidcncc in ilc uppci maiciial plancis, lc undcisiands ilai onc cannoi aiiain ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad by pciloiming maiciially pious dccds, and Hc bccomcs
disinicicsicd in boil liuiiivc Vcdic saciiliccs and maiciial wcllaic woil.`
11 Tlai ilc spiiiiual woild ol Vailunila can bc obiaincd only by dcvoiional
scivicc io ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is also pcisonally conliimcd by Loid Kisna
in ilc lollowing woids (llagavad-giia 1S.61-62):
Tlc Supicmc Loid is siiuaicd in cvciyonc's lcaii, O Aijuna, and is
diicciing ilc wandciings ol all living cniiiics, wlo aic scaicd as on a maclinc
madc ol ilc maiciial cncigy.`¯
12 O scion ol llaiaia, suiicndci unio Him uiicily. ly His giacc you will
aiiain iiansccndcnial pcacc and ilc supicmc cicinal abodc.`¯
Anuccheda 62
1 Tlai ilc spiiiiual Vailunila plancis aic siiuaicd bcyond ilc maiciial woild
is conliimcd by Loid Siva in ilc lollowing woids spolcn io ilc Piaccias (Siimad
llagavaiam +.2+.29):
A pcison wlo cxccuics lis occupaiional duiy piopcily loi onc lundicd
biiils bccomcs qualilicd io occupy ilc posi ol lialma, and il lc bccomcs moic
qualilicd, lc can appioacl Loid Siva. A pcison wlo is diiccily suiicndcicd io
Loid Kisna, oi Visnu, in unalloycd dcvoiional scivicc is immcdiaicly piomoicd io
ilc spiiiiual plancis. Loid Siva and oilci dcmigods aiiain ilcsc plancis alici ilc
dcsiiuciion ol ilis maiciial woild.`¯
2 Siidlaia Svami commcnis on ilis vcisc in ilc lollowing woids:
In ilis vcisc Loid Siva says: 'Onc wlo las accumulaicd ilc icsulis ol
many pious aciions may aiiain My associaiion (mam cii) alici lc givcs up ilc
picscni body. A dcvoicc ol Kisna, lowcvci, is immcdiaicly piomoicd io ilc
spiiiiual plancis (vaisnavam padam), wlicl aic bcyond ilc boundaiics ol ilis
maiciial woild.'
Tlai ilc Supicmc Loid and His namc, loim, aiiiibuics and abodc aic all
bcyond ilc boundaiics ol ilc maiici is conliimcd by ilc Supicmc Loid Himscll in
ilc lollowing woids (Clandogya Upanisad 6.3.32):
Alilougl My namc and loim aic gcncially noi visiblc in ilis maiciial
woild, I slall now icvcal ilcm.'
In ilc llagavaiam vcisc, Loid Siva coniinucs: (Loid Siva), and ilc oilci
adminisiiaiivc dcmigods (vibudlal) aiiain ilcsc spiiiiual plancis alici ilc
dcsiiuciion ol ilis maiciial woild (lalaiyayc).' Tlis lasi poini is conliimcd by ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol Vcdania-suiia (3.3.33):
Tlc adminisiiaiivc dcmigods aic appoinicd io cciiain icims ol ollicc, and
ilcy icmain in ilis maiciial woild loi ilc duiaiion ol ilosc icims. Wlcn ilcii
icims cxpiic ilcy may cnici ilc spiiiiual woild.`
Anuccheda 63
1 Tlai ilc icsidcnis ol Vailunilalola do noi lall down inio ilc maiciial
woild is dcsciibcd by Loid Kapila (Siimad llagavaiam 3.25.37-3S):
Tlus bccausc lc is complcicly absoibcd in ilougli ol Mc, ilc dcvoicc
docs noi dcsiic cvcn ilc liglcsi bcncdiciion obiainablc in ilc uppci planciaiy
sysicms, including Saiyalola. Hc docs noi dcsiic ilc cigli maiciial pcilcciions
obiaincd liom mysiic yoga, noi docs lc dcsiic io bc clcvaicd io ilc lingdom ol
God. Yci cvcn wiiloui dcsiiing ilcm, ilc dcvoicc cnjoys, cvcn in ilis lilc, all ilc
ollcicd bcncdiciions.¯
2 Tlc Loid coniinucd: My dcai moilci, dcvoiccs wlo icccivc sucl
iiansccndcnial opulcnccs aic ncvci bcicli ol ilcm; nciilci wcapons noi ilc clangc
ol iimc can dcsiioy sucl opulcnccs. lccausc ilc dcvoiccs acccpi Mc as ilcii
liicnd, ilcii iclaiivc, ilcii son, picccpioi, bcnclacioi and Supicmc Dciiy, ilcy
cannoi bc dcpiivcd ol ilcii posscssions ai any iimc.`¯
3 In ilis vcisc Loid Kapiladcva says: Tlosc dcvoiccs, wlo, by My mcicy
lavc bccomc licc liom ignoiancc, do noi dcsiic ilc gicaicsi opulcnccs and
cnjoymcnis availablc in ilc maiciial woild (vibluiim). Tlcy do noi dcsiic ilc
cigli maiciial pcilcciions (bcginning wiil anima-siddli) obiaincd liom mysiic
yoga (aisvaiyam asiangam anupiaviiiam). Tlcy do noi dcsiic opulcncc cqual
(saisii) io ilai ol ilc Supicmc Loid (blagavaiim siiyam). Alilougl ilc dcvoiccs
only dcsiic ilc lappincss ol dcvoiional scivicc, ncvciilclcss ilcy aiiain (asnuvaic)
all ilcsc bcncdiciions in ilc spiiiiual woild ol Vailunila (mc lolc).` Tlis
siaicmcni slows ilc Supicmc Loid's gicai allcciion loi His dcvoiccs.
+ Tlai alilougl ilc dcvoicc ncvci piays loi maiciial opulcncc ilc Supicmc
Loid ncvciilclcss slowcis all bcncdiciions on lim is sccn in ilc lollowing
dcsciipiion ol ilc bcncdiciions gianicd io Sudama ilc lloiisi (Siimad llagavaiam
10.+1.51-52):
Wlcn ilc lloiisi was ollcicd bcncdiciion, lc bcggcd liom ilc Loid ilai lc
migli icmain His scivani in dcvoiional scivicc and by sucl scivicc do good io all
living cicaiuics. lcing saiislicd wiil ilc lloiisi, Loid Kisna noi only gavc lim
bcncdiciion loi wlaicvci lc wanicd, bui ovci and abovc ilai, Hc ollcicd lim all
maiciial opulcnccs, lamily piospciiiy, long duiaiion ol lilc, and wlaicvci clsc lis
lcaii dcsiicd wiilin ilc maiciial woild.`¯
5 Tlc dcvoiccs ol ilc Loid aic always unaiiaclcd io all linds ol opulcnccs.
As las alicady bccn cxplaincd, ilc dcvoiccs do noi wisl loi any spiiiiual opulcncc
ilai may bc gianicd by ilc Loid's mcicy, oi any maiciial opulcnccs, up io ilc
opulcnccs lialmalola, wlicl may bc gianicd by ilc Loid's illusoiy poicncy maya.
Lvcn ilougl ilc dcvoiccs aic gianicd all linds ol opulcncc ilcy do noi iiy io
cnjoy oi cxploii ilcm, loi ilcy considci ilcm vciy insignilicani and noi woiil
ilcii aiicniion.
6 Tlc dcsiiclcssncss ol ilc dcvoiccs is dcsciibcd in Clandogya Upanisad
(S.1.6):
Tlc auspicious siiuaiion pious dccds giani in ilis lilc will cvcniually bc
dcsiioycd, and in ilc samc way ilc auspicious siiuaiion pious dccds giani in ilc
ncxi lilc will also cvcniually bc dcsiioycd. Undcisianding ilc icmpoiaiy naiuic ol
ilcsc maiciial bcncdiciions, and also undcisianding ilc iiuil aboui ilc all-
pcivading Supcisoul, ilc dcvoiccs only dcsiic cicinal bcncliis in iclaiion io ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlcy pass iliougl all linds ol maiciial siiuaiions licc
liom all maiciial dcsiics.`
7 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: Is ii noi so ilai in Svaigalola oi any
oilci planci boil ilc objccis ol cnjoymcni and ilc cnjoycis ol ilosc objccis will
cvcniually bc dcsiioycd' Is ilis noi iiuc also loi ilc dcvoiccs and ilcii objcci ol
cnjoymcni'
Loid Kapila answcis ilis objcciion wlcn Hc says (Siimad llagavaiam
3.25.3S):
In ilc clangclcss (sania-iupc) spiiiiual woild ol Vailunila My dcvoiccs
aic ncvci bcicli (na nanlsyanii) ol iiansccndcnial opulcnccs. My pcisonal wcapon
(mc lciil) ilc wlccl ol iimc (animisal), cannoi swallow up (no lcdli) ilcii
opulcnccs.`
Tlai ilc icsidcnis ol Vailunilalola aic ncvci dcpiivcd ol ilcii opulcnccs
and auspicious condiiion ol lilc is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol
Clandogya Upanisad (S.15.1):
Oncc laving cnicicd ilc spiiiiual woild ol Vailunila onc ncvci iciuins io
ilc maiciial woild.`
S Tlai ilc icsidcnis ol Vailunilalola ncvci iciuin io ilc maiciial woild is
conliimcd by Loid Kisna Himscll in llagavad-giia (S.16):
Iiom ilc liglcsi planci in ilc maiciial woild down io ilc lowcsi, all aic
placcs ol misciy wlcicin icpcaicd biiil and dcail ialc placc. lui onc wlo aiiains
My abodc, O son ol Kunii, ncvci ialcs biiil again.`¯
9 Tlis is also dcsciibcd by Siipada Sanlaiacaiya in ilcsc woids (Sii-Visnu-
salasia-nama-blasya, icxi 75):
In ilc Supicmc (paiam) abodc (ayanam), ilcic is no lcai ol iciuining io
ilc maiciial woild. Tlc woid uscd lcic is a baluviili-samasa in ilc masculinc
gcndci.`
10 Loid Kapiladcva's gloiilicaiion ol ilc dcvoicc icsidcnis ol Vailunila docs
noi siop lcic, lowcvci, bui ilc Loid coniinucs by cxplaining ilai ilc dcvoiccs
lovc only ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Hc is ilcii solc objcci ol lovc.
Tlis cxplanaiion docs noi only apply io ilc icsidcnis ol Vailunilalola, bui ii may
also bc ialcn io dcsciibc ilc cicinal cowlcid icsidcnis ol Golola Vindavana, wlo
also considci Loid Kisna io bc ilc solc objcci ol ilcii lovc.
11 Ai ilis poini somconc may asl: Wlcn ilc living cniiiics bccomc licc liom
ilc ignoiancc ol maiciialism wlai dillcicni vaiiciics ol lovc loi ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad do ilcy manilcsi'`
To answci ilis qucsiion Loid Kapila says: Somc dcvoiccs (ycsam), sucl as
ilc sagcs dcsciibcd in Padma Puiana Uiiaia-llanda, dcsiic io appioacl Mc as
ilcii dcai masici, and as a icsuli ilcy mcdiiaic on Mc as ilcii dcai (piiya) masici.
Somc dcvoiccs, sucl as ilc Ioui Kumaias and oilcis, dcsiic io scc Mc as ilc
Supicmc lialman (aima), and ilcy mcdiiaic on Mc in ilai way. In wlaicvci way
ilc dcvoicc wisl io lovc Mc, ilcy may appioacl Mc in ilai way.`
Wc may noic ilai in ilis vcisc ilc woid 'sulidal' (liicnd and bcnclacioi)
is in ilc pluial. Tlis mcans ilai ilcic aic many dillcicni linds ol liicnds and ilc
Loid is willing io bccomc any onc ol many dillcicni linds ol liicnds loi His
dcvoicc. Tlc cxclangc ol liicndslip bciwccn ilc Loid and ilc dcvoiccs is
dcsciibcd by Naiada Muni in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam (+.12.37):
12 Pcisons wlo aic pcacclul, cquipoiscd, clcanscd and puiilicd, and wlo
lnow ilc aii ol plcasing all oilci living cniiiics, lccp liicndslip only wiil ilc
Loid and His dcvoiccs; ilcy alonc can vciy casily aclicvc ilc pcilcciion ol going
bacl lomc, bacl io Godlcad.`¯
Anuccheda 6+
Tlai Vailunilalola is bcyond ilc maiciial cosmos, and ilai no onc lalls
liom Vailunila io ilc maiciial woild, aic boil dcsciibcd by Siila Suia Gosvami in
Siimad llagavaiam (12.11.19):
O lialmanas, ilc icalm ol Vailunila is a gicai umbiclla ilai givcs
pioicciion liom all linds ol lcai.`
Anuccheda 65
ly bccoming licc liom ilc inllucncc ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic
only may cnici ilc spiiiiual woild ol Vailunila. Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad conliims ilis by saying (Siimad llagavaiam 11.25.22):
Tlosc immciscd in ilc modc ol goodncss go io ilc liglci plancis lnown
as Svailola, ilosc immciscd in ilc modc ol passion cnici luman sociciy in ilc
middlc planciaiy sysicms, ilosc immciscd in ilc modc ol ignoiancc go io ilc
lcllisl woilds, and ilosc wlo aic licc liom ilc giip ol ilc ilicc modcs aiiain Mc.`
Wc may noic ilai insicad ol saying 'ilcy aiiain My planci', ilc Loid says
'ilcy aiiain Mc'. Tlc Loid spcals in ilis way in oidci io pioclaim ilai Hc is noi
dillcicni liom His iiansccndcnial abodc.
Anuccheda 66
1 Tlai ilc spiiiiual woild ol Vailunila is bcyond ilc ioucl ol ilc ilicc
modcs ol maiciial naiuic is conliimcd by Loid Kisna Himscll in ilc lollowing
woids (Siimad llagavaiam 11.25.25):
Rcsidcniial quaiicis wiilin ilc loicsi aic in ilc modc ol goodncss,
icsidcniial quaiicis in big ciiics, iowns and villagcs aic in ilc modc ol passion, and
icsidcniial quaiicis in an aimosplcic wlcicin indulgcncc in ilc loui sinlul
aciiviiics ol illicii scx, inioxicaiion, mcai-caiing, and gambling picdominaic aic in
ilc modc ol ignoiancc, bui My abodc is licc liom ilc maiciial modcs.`¯
2 Tlai ilc spiiiiual woild ol Vailunila is supciioi io ilc maiciial woild is
conliimcd by Loid Kisna in Siimad llagavaiam (10.SS.25-26):
Loid Siva linally cnicicd ilc splcndid woild ol Svciadvipa Vailunila,
wlcic Loid Naiayana pcisonally icsidcs, and wlicl is bcyond ilc dailncss ol
maiici. In Svciadvipa ilcic aic gicai sainily pcisons wlo aic complcicly liccd
liom ilc cnvious naiuic ol ilc maiciial woild and aic bcyond ilc juiisdiciion ol
ilc loui piinciplcs ol maiciial aciiviiics, namcly icligiousncss, cconomic
dcvclopmcni, scnsc-giaiilicaiion and libciaiion. Anyonc wlo cnicis inio ilai
Vailunila planci ncvci comcs bacl again io ilis maiciial woild.`¯
Anuccheda 67
1 Spcaling io Naiada, Loid bialma dcsciibcs ilc cicinaliiy ol Vailunilalola
in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam 2.5.39):
Iiom ilc loiclioni ol ilc clcsi up io ilc nccl ol ilc univcisal loim ol ilc
Loid aic siiuaicd ilc planciaiy sysicms namcd Janalola and Tapolola, wlcicas
Saiyalola, ilc iopmosi planciaiy sysicm is, siiuaicd on ilc lcad ol ilc loim. Tlc
spiiiiual plancis, lowcvci, aic cicinal.`¯
2 Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis on ilis vcisc:
In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'bialmalola' iclcis io ilc cicinal (sanaiana)
Vailunila plancis. Hcic ilc woid 'bialmalola; docs noi iclci io any planci
wiilin ilc cicaicd maiciial univcisc'. Hcic ilc woid 'bialmalola' mcans 'spiiiiual
(bialma) planci (lola)'.
Anuccheda 68
1 Tlai Vailunilalola may bc obiaincd only by ilc piaciicc ol inicnsc
dcvoiional scivicc, wlicl malcs ilc lappincss ol libciaiion sccm insignilicani in
compaiison, is cxplaincd by ilc Ioui Kumaias in Siimad llagavaiam (3.15.23 and
25):
Ii is vciy mucl icgiciiablc ilai unloiiunaic pcoplc do noi discuss ilc
dcsciipiion ol ilc Vailunila plancis bui cngagc in iopics wlicl aic unwoiily io
lcai and wlicl bcwildci onc's iniclligcncc. Tlosc wlo givc up ilc iopics ol
Vailunila and ialc io iall ol ilc maiciial woild aic iliown inio ilc dailcsi
icgion ol ignoiancc.¯
2 Pcisons wlosc bodily lcaiuics clangc in ccsiasy and wlo bicailc lcavily
and pcispiic duc io lcaiing ilc gloiics ol ilc Loid aic piomoicd io ilc lingdom ol
God, cvcn ilougl ilcy do noi caic loi mcdiiaiion and oilci ausiciiiics. Tlc
lingdom ol God is abovc ilc maiciial univciscs, and ii is dcsiicd by lialma and
oilci dcmigods.`¯
3 Tlc liisi paii ol ilis vcisc may bc inicipicicd 'yac ca nal' (Vailunilalola is
siiuaicd abovc us), oi 'nal spilaniya-silal' (wc dcsiic io aiiain ilc good qualiiics
posscsscd by ilc gicai dcvoiccs). Tlc gicai dcvoiccs aic dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing
woids: 'duic yamal' (lccausc ilcy lavc alicady aiiaincd all spiiiiual pcilcciion,
ilcsc gicai dcvoiccs do noi caic loi mcdiiaiion and oilci ausiciiiics), and 'blaiiu
miilal su-yasasal' (Tlcsc gicai dcvoiccs aic consianily cngagcd in lcaiing ilc
gloiics ol ilc Loid). Tlcsc gicai dcvoiccs aic piomoicd (viajanii) io ilc lingdom
ol God on ilc siicngil ol ilcii inicnsc dcvoiional scivicc, wlicl malcs cvcn ilc
lappincss ol libciaiion sccm insignilicani by compaiison.
+ Tlai dcvoiional scivicc io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad malcs ilc
lappincss ol libciaiion sccm insignilicani is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing
siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (3.15.+S):
Pcisons wlo aic vciy cxpcii and mosi iniclligcni in undcisianding ilings
as ilcy aic cngagc in lcaiing naiiaiions ol ilc auspicious aciiviiics and pasiimcs ol
ilc Loid, wlicl aic woiil claniing and woiil lcaiing. Sucl pcisons do noi caic
cvcn loi ilc liglcsi maiciial bcncdiciion, namcly libciaiion, io say noiling ol
oilci lcss impoiiani bcncdiciions lilc ilc maiciial lappincss ol ilc lcavcnly
lingdom.`¯
Anuccheda 69
1 Tlai ilc spiiiiual woild ol Vailunila is cicinal, lull ol lnowlcdgc and lull
ol bliss is conliimcd by ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad Himscll in ilc
lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam 11.20.37):
Tlosc wlo sciiously lollow ilc mcilods ol aclicving Mc ilai I lavc
pcisonally iaugli aiiain liccdom liom illusion and upon icacling My pcisonal
abodc can ai lasi pcilccily undcisiand ilc Absoluic Tiuil.`¯¯¯
2 Jnana-yoga, laima-yoga and blalii-yoga aic ilc spiiiiual pails (mc
pailal) mcniioncd lcic by ilc Loid. lccausc ii is ilc mosi piaciical and cllcciivc
ai all iimcs, placcs and ciicumsianccs, ilc dcvoiccs considci blalii-yoga ilc bcsi
ol all spiiiiual pails. Tlc woid 'lscmam' in ilis vcisc indicaics ilai ilc
Vailunilaslolas aic lillcd wiil ilc supicmc auspiciousncss ol puic dcvoiional
scivicc, and ilc woids 'mai-silanam paiamam bialma vidul' indicaic ilai ilc
gicai sagcs undcisiand ilai ilc spiiiiual abodc ol ilc Loid is non dillcicni liom
ilc Loid Himscll.
3 Tlc spiiiiual woild ol Vailunilalola is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing
siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (10.2S.15-16):
Rcllcciing in ilis way, ilc mcicilul and all-powcilul Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad slowcd His own planci, wlicl is abovc ilc dailncss ol maiciial
cxisicncc, io ilc cowlcid mcn ol Vindavana.¯
+ Tlus Kisna slowcd ilcm ilc cllulgcni, cicinal, cvci-cxisiing spiiiiual sly,
wlicl is unlimiicd and lull ol lnowlcdgc. Gicai sagcs and sainily pcisons wlo
lavc alicady suipasscd ilc inllucncc ol ilc ilicc maiciial modcs ol naiuic aic ablc
io diiccily scc ilai spiiiiual woild.`¯
5 loil ilcsc quoiaiions (Siimad llagavaiam 11.20.37 and 10.2S.1+-15)
clcaily cxplain ilai ilc spiiiiual abodc ol Loid Kisna is bcyond ilc inllucncc ol
ilc maiciial cncigy. Tlc supposiiion ilai ilc woid 'ca' (also) is undcisiood,
alilougl noi cxpicsscd in ilcsc vciscs, and ilai ilcicloic ilcsc vciscs mcan 'ilc
abodc ol Loid Kisna and ilc spiiiiual woild', and ilai ilcicloic ilc abodc ol Loid
Kisna is dillcicni liom ilc cicinal spiiiiual woild, is an cxiicmcly loiccd and
illogical misinicipiciaiion ol wlai is clcaily said in ilcsc vciscs. Tlai ilis abodc
ol Loid Kisna is non dillcicni liom ilc spiiiiual woild ol Vailunila is also
conliimcd by Siila Siidlaia Svami, wlo cxplains in lis commcniaiy on ilis vcisc:
Tlc woids 'iamasal paiam' in ilis vcisc indicaic ilai ilc abodc ol Loid
Kisna is bcyond ilc dailncss ol maiciial cxisicncc.`
Anuccheda 70
1 Tlc spiiiiual abodc ol Loid Kisna is luiilci dcsciibcd by Siila Suladcva
Gosvami in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 2.2.17-1S):
In ilai iiansccndcnial siaic ol labdopasanii, ilcic is no supicmacy ol
dcvasiaiing iimc, wlicl coniiols cvcn ilc cclcsiial dcmigods wlo aic cmpowcicd
io iulc ovci mundanc cicaiuics. (And wlai io spcal ol ilc dcmigods ilcmsclvcs')
Noi is ilcic ilc modc ol maiciial goodncss, noi passion, noi ignoiancc, noi cvcn
ilc lalsc cgo, noi ilc maiciial Causal Occan, noi ilc maiciial naiuic.¯
2 Tlc iiansccndcnialisis dcsiic io avoid cvciyiling godlcss, loi ilcy lnow
ilai supicmc siiuaiion in wlicl cvciyiling is iclaicd wiil ilc Supicmc Loid
Visnu. Tlcicloic a puic dcvoicc wlo is in absoluic laimony wiil ilc Loid docs
noi cicaic pciplcxiiics, bui woislips ilc loius lcci ol ilc Loid ai cvciy momcni,
ialing ilcm inio His lcaii.`¯
3 In ilis vcisc Siila Suladcva Gosvami says: 'Tlc iiansccndcnialisis dcsiic io
avoid (icclaval) cvciyiling godlcss (aiai, dauiaimyam), sucl as ilc usclcss
spcculaiions ol ilc nyaya-logicians (ncii ncii), and ilc impcisonalisi lallacy ilai
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and ilc individual jiva living cniiiics aic
idcniical in all icspccis. Abandoning all ilcsc misconccpiions, ilcy cmbiacc
(upagulya) ilc loius lcci (padam) ol ilc supicmcly woislipablc (aila)
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad wiilin ilcii lcaiis (lida) ai cvciy momcni (padc padc).
In ilis way ilc sainily dcvoiccs icposc all ilcii lovc in ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad and in no onc clsc. Sucl dcvoiccs undcisiand (amananii) ilc iiuil
aboui ilc spiiiiual abodc ol ilc Supicmc Loid Visnu (yai iad vaisnavam padam)`.
ly cxplaining ilai ilc dcvoiccs icposc all ilcii lovc in ilc Supicmc Loid,
ilis vcisc clcaily icluics ilc misconccpiion ilai ilc Absoluic Tiuil is loimlcss and
impcisonal, loi ii is noi possiblc io lovc a loimlcss non pcison.
+ Tlc impcisonalisis' idca ilai God is loimlcss is clcaily icjccicd by ilc
auiloi ol ilc Mulia-plala-iila in lis cxplanaiion ol ilis vcisc, wlcic lc cxplains
ilc iclaiion bciwccn ilc dcmigods and ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad in ilc
lollowing woids:
As a ling csiablislcs placcs ol icsidcncc loi lis dillcicni subjccis, wlilc
Hc icscivcs ilc bcsi icsidcncc loi limscll, so ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
csiablislcs ilc icsidcncc ol lialma and all ilc oilci living cniiiics wiilin ilc
univcisc, wlilc His own icsidcncc is ilc bcsi, loi ii is abovc (paiam) ilc inllucncc
ol ilc maiciial cncigy.`
5 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad icmains in His own gloiious
icalm, ilc woild ol Vailunila, is conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcnis ol ilc
Siuii-sasiia:
Wlcic docs ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad icsidc' Hc icsidcs in His
own gloiious abodc.`
Clandogya Upanisad 7.2+.1
Wlo can piopcily undcisiand ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad wlo
icsidcs in His own iiansccndcnial abodc'`
Kaila Upanisad 1.2.25
Anuccheda 71
1 Tlc ilcioiical qucsiion Wlo can piopcily undcisiand ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad wlo icsidcs in His own iiansccndcnial abodc'` is
answcicd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Naiada Muni io Malaiaja Piacinabaili
(Siimad llagavaiam +.29.+S):
Tlosc wlo aic lcss iniclligcni acccpi ilc Vcdic iiiualisiic ccicmonics as all
in all. Tlcy do noi lnow ilai ilc puiposc ol ilc Vcdas is io undcisiand onc's own
lomc, wlcic ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad livcs. Noi bcing inicicsicd in
ilcii ical lomc, ilcy aic illusioncd and scaicl alici oilci lomcs.`¯
2 In ilis vcisc Naiada says: Tlosc wlo aic lcss iniclligcni (dlumia-dliyal)
acccpi (alul) ilc Vcdic iiiualisiic ccicmonics (vcdam sa-laimalam) as all in all.
Tlcy lnow ol Svaigalola and ilc oilci plancis ol ilc maiciial univcisc, bui ilcy
do noi lnow ilai ilc puiposc ol ilc Vcdas is io undcisiand onc's own lomc
(svam lolam) wlcic (yaiia) ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad (janaidanal)
livcs.`
Anuccheda 72
1 Tlc picscncc ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad in ilc spiiiiual woild is also
dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing piayci spolcn by ilc dcmigods io Loid Haii (Siimad
llagavaiam 6.9.32):
O Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, O Naiayana, O Vasudcva, oiiginal
pcison! O mosi cxalicd pcison, supicmc cxpciicncc, wcllaic pcisonilicd! O
supicmc bcncdiciion, supicmcly mcicilul and clangclcss! O suppoii ol ilc
cosmic manilcsiaiion, solc piopiicioi ol all planciaiy sysicms, masici ol cvciyiling
and lusband ol ilc goddcss ol loiiunc! Youi Loidslip is icaliscd by ilc iopmosi
sannyasis, wlo wandci aboui ilc woild io picacl Kisna consciousncss, lully
absoibcd in samadli iliougl blalii-yoga. lccausc ilcii minds aic conccniiaicd
upon You, ilcy can icccivc ilc conccpiion ol Youi pcisonaliiy in ilcii lully
puiilicd lcaiis. Wlcn ilc dailncss in ilcii lcaiis is complcicly ciadicaicd and
You aic icvcalcd io ilcm, ilc iiansccndcnial bliss ilcy cnjoy is ilc iiansccndcnial
loim ol Youi Loidslip picscni in ilc spiiiiual woild. No onc bui sucl pcisons
can icalisc You. Tlcicloic wc simply ollci You oui icspccilul obcisanccs.`
2 In ilis passagc ol Siimad llagavaiam ilc woid 'iamal' may bc inicipicicd
io mcan ciilci 'maiciial cncigy' oi 'ignoiancc'. Tlc woid 'aima-lolc' mcans 'ilc
pcisonal abodc ol ilc Supicmc Loid'. Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
icsidcs in His own spiiiiual icalm is again conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcnis
ol ilc Siuii-sasiia:
Tlc spiiiiual woild is ilc pcisonal abodc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad.`
lilad-aianyala Upanisad +.3.32
3 Tlc spiiiiual icalm ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is also dcsciibcd in ilc
Pippalada-salla:
Tlc subilc, iiansccndcnial, cicinal abodc ol Loid Visnu is ilc bcsi ol all
plancis, and alilougl cvciyonc slould lnow aboui ii, ii is gcncially noi piopcily
undcisiood. Only ilc gicaicsi yogi-plilosoplcis undcisiand ilc iiuc naiuic ol
ilis abodc ol Loid Visnu.
+ Tlc spiiiiual icalm ol Vailunila is also dcsciibcd in ilc Mala Naiayana
Upanisad (S.1+):
Tlcy wlo lavc icnounccd ilc maiciial woild cnici ilc spiiiiual sly,
wlicl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las liddcn liom ilc gazc ol ilc
condiiioncd souls.`
5 Tlc iiansccndcnial abodc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is also
dcsciibcd in ilc Nisimla-iapani Upanisad (5.10):
In ilc iiansccndcnial abodc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc
oiiginal auiloi ol ilc Vcdic maniias, ilcic is no sullciing ol any lind. In ilai
abodc nciilci ilc sun, moon oi siais slinc, ilc wind docs noi blow, dcail cannoi
cnici, and ilcic aic no dclccis ol any lind. Tlai abodc is blisslul, cicinal, pcacclul
and always lull ol all auspiciousncss. Tlc yogis mcdiiaic on ilai supicmc abodc,
and ilc dcmigods lcadcd by lialma ollci obcisanccs and piaycis io ilai supicmc
abodc. Tlc yogis wlo iiavcl io ilai supicmc abodc ol ilc Loid ncvci iciuin io
ilis maiciial woild.`
6 Tlc spiiiiual abodc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is also
dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing maniia ol ilc Rg Vcda:
Tlc sainily dcmigods coniinually gazc ai Loid Visnu's iiansccndcnial
abodc, wlicl is lilc a biilliani sun in ilc spiiiiual sly. Tlc icsidcnis ol ilai abodc
ol ilc Loid aic licc liom any dclcci, cllulgcni and always awalc wiil all spiiiiual
lnowlcdgc.`
7 Tlcsc Vcdic passagcs dcsciibc ilc spiiiiual icalm as ilc objcci ol Loid
lialma's piaycis, and ilcy also say ilai oncc laving cnicicd ilai spiiiiual icalm
on ncvci iciuins io ilc maiciial woild. Tlis is a clcai dcsciipiion ol ilc planci ol
Loid Visnu. Tlcsc dcsciipiions do noi apply io ilc impcisonal lialman
cllulgcncc, and ilcicloic no onc slould inicipici ilai ilcsc siaicmcnis dcsciibc
ilai impcisonal lialman. Tlc Rg Vcda's dcsciipiion ol ilc planci ol Loid Visnu
is also coiioboiaicd by ilc lollowing cxplanaiion ol Visnu Puiana (2.S.93-9S):
S Abovc ilc plancis ol ilc scvcn sagcs, ilc Dliuvalola planci is siiuaicd.
Dliuvalola is ilc splcndid, iiansccndcnial abodc ol Loid Visnu. Ii is siiuaicd in
ilc spiiiiual sly, abovc boil ilc uppci and lowci maiciial plancis.
9 O bialmana, ilcy wlo lavc icnounccd ilis maiciial woild, wlo coniiol
ilc mind and scnscs, and lavc bccomc licc liom all maiciial impuiiiics and all
pasi sinlul and pious laimic icaciions, icsidc in ilai iiansccndcnial abodc.
10 In ilai placc ilcic aic no pious oi impious laimic icaciions, and noiling
causcs pain. Having gonc io ilai placc onc ncvci lamcnis. Tlai is Loid Visnu's
supicmc abodc.
11 Yamaiaja, Dliuva Malaiaja, and oilci dcmigod adminisiiaiois ol
univcisal allaiis, wlosc opulcncc is cqual io ilai ol ilc Loid Himscll, icsidc in ilai
spiiiiual icalm. Tlis is Loid Visnu's supicmc abodc.
12 Wlaicvci las bccn and wlaicvci will bc in ilc luiuic, ilc cniiic maiciial
cicaiion as wcll as all moving and non moving living cniiiics aic manilcsicd liom
ilis spiiiiual woild, jusi as ilc waip and wool ol a loom cicaics a cloil. O
Maiiicya, ilis spiiiiual icalm is ilc supicmc abodc ol Loid Visnu.
13 Tlus unlimiicdly cxpandcd spiiiiual icalm is lilc a gicai cyc in ilc
spiiiiual sly. Ii givcs iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc io ilc dcvoiccs. Tlis is Loid
Visnu's supicmc abodc.`
1+ Tlc picviously quoicd siaicmcni ol ilc Nisimla-iapani Upanisad ilai In
ilc spiiiiual woild ilc wind docs noi blow, ilc sun, moon and siais do noi slinc`
mcans ilai ilcic aic no maiciial wind, sun, moon oi siais in ilc spiiiiual woild.
Spiiiiual sun, moon, siais and winds do, lowcvci, cxisi in ilc spiiiiual woild, and
ilis laci is suppoiicd by many siaicmcnis ol Smiii-sasiia.
15 (Tlc sioiy ol Malaiaja Dliuva naiiaicd in ilc Siimad llagavaiam coniains
a vciy clcai dcsciipiion ol ilc Vailunila icalm ol Loid Visnu. Wc slall quoic
somc ol ilcsc vciscs io gain somc undcisianding ol ilai Vailunilalola. Tlc liisi
quoiaiion cxplains wly ii was ilai Malaiaja Dliuva, cvcn ilougl lc lad jusi
diiccily sccn ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ncvciilclcss icmaincd moiosc
ai lcaii.) Siimad llagavaiam (+.2.29) cxplains:
Maiiicya Muni answcicd: Dliuva Malaiaja's lcaii, wlicl was piciccd by
ilc aiiows ol ilc laisl woids ol lis sicpmoilci, was gicaily aggiicvcd and ilus
wlcn lc lixcd upon lis goal ol lilc lc did noi loigci lci misbclavioui. Hc did noi
dcmand aciual libciaiion liom ilis maiciial woild, bui ai ilc cnd ol lis dcvoiional
scivicc, wlcn ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad appcaicd bcloic lim, lc was
simply aslamcd ol ilc maiciial dcmands lc lad in lis mind.`¯
16 Malaiaja Dliuva lamcnis in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam
+.9.31):
Alas, jusi lool ai mc! I am so unloiiunaic. I appioaclcd ilc loius lcci ol
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo can immcdiaicly cui ilc clain ol ilc
icpciiiion ol biiil and dcail, bui siill, oui ol my loolislncss, I piaycd loi ilings
wlicl aic pciislablc.`¯
17 Tlis vcisc iccoids Dliuva Malaiaja's dissaiislaciion. Hc piaycd loi a vciy
cxalicd posiiion, and lc icccivcd a bcncdiciion lai cxcclling ilis oiiginal dcsiic.
1S Tlc cxalicd posiiion aiiaincd by Malaiaja Dliuva is dcsciibcd by Malaima
Viduia in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam +.9.2S):
Sii Viduia inquiicd: My dcai bialmana, ilc abodc ol ilc Loid is vciy
dilliculi io aiiain. Ii can bc aiiaincd only by puic dcvoiional scivicc, wlicl alonc
plcascs ilc mosi allcciionaic, mcicilul Loid. Dliuva Malaiaja aclicvcd ilis
posiiion cvcn in onc lilc, and lc was vciy wisc and conscicniious. Wly, ilcn, was
lc noi vciy plcascd'`¯
19 Tlc cxalicd posiiion aiiaincd by Malaiaja Dliuva is dcsciibcd by ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad Himscll in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad
llagavaiam +.9.25):
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad coniinucd: My dcai Dliuva, alici youi
maiciial lilc in ilis body, you will go io My planci, wlicl is always ollcicd
obcisanccs by ilc icsidcnis ol all oilci planciaiy sysicms. Ii is siiuaicd abovc ilc
plancis ol ilc scvcn isis, and laving gonc ilcic you will ncvci lavc io comc bacl
again io ilis maiciial woild.`¯
20 Tlis gicai bcncdiciion, Dliuva's libciaiion in ilc planci ol Loid Visnu, is
dcsciibcd by iwo associaics ol ilc Loid in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad
llagavaiam +.12.26):
Dcai King Dliuva, nciilci youi loiclailcis noi anyonc clsc bcloic you
cvci aclicvcd sucl a iiansccndcnial planci. Tlc planci lnown as Visnulola,
wlcic Loid Visnu pcisonally icsidcs, is ilc liglcsi ol all. Ii is woislipablc by ilc
inlabiianis ol all oilci plancis wiilin ilc univcisc. Plcasc comc wiil us and livc
ilcic cicinally.`¯
21 Malaiaja Dliuva's good loiiunc is also dcsciibcd by Siila Suia Gosvami in
ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam +.13.1):
Suia Gosvami, coniinuing io spcal io all ilc isis, lcadcd by Saunala, said:
Alici lcaiing Maiiicya Rsi dcsciibc Dliuva Malaiaja's asccni io Loid Visnu's
abodc, Viduia bccamc vciy mucl cnliglicncd in dcvoiional cmoiion, and lc
inquiicd liom Maiiicya as lollows:
22 Tlc ilc planci iulcd by Dliuva Malaiaja is an cicinal Vailunila planci is
conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (5.22.17):
Siiuaicd S S00 000 milcs abovc Saiuin, oi 20 S00 000 milcs abovc caiil,
aic ilc scvcn sainily sagcs, wlo aic always ilinling ol ilc wcll-bcing ol ilc
inlabiianis ol ilc univcisc. Tlcy ciicumambulaic ilc supicmc abodc ol Loid
Visnu, lnown as Dliuvalola, ilc polcsiai.`¯
23 Tlis is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam
(5.23.1):
Suladcva Gosvami coniinucd: My dcai King 1 300 000 yojanas (10 +00
000 milcs) abovc ilc plancis ol ilc scvcn sagcs is ilc placc ilai lcaincd sclolais
dcsciibc as ilc abodc ol Loid Visnu. Tlc son ol Malaiaja Uiianapada, ilc gicai
dcvoicc Malaiaja Dliuva, siill icsidcs as ilc lilc souicc ol all ilc living cniiiics
wlo livc uniil ilc cnd ol cicaiion. Agni, India, Piajapaii, Kasyapa and Dlaima all
asscmblc ilcic io ollci lim lonoui and icspccilul obcisanccs. Tlcy
ciicumambulaic lim wiil ilcii iigli sidcs iowaid lim. I lavc alicady dcsciibcd
ilc gloiious aciiviiics ol Malaiaja Dliuva (in ilc Iouiil Canio ol Siimad
llagavaiam).`¯
2+ Tlcsc quoiaiions liom Siimad llagavaiam slow ilai ilc Dliuvalola
planci is an cicinal Vailunila planci, cvcn ilougl ii is appaicnily siiuaicd wiilin
ilc juiisdiciion ol ilc maiciial woild. Tlc siiuaiion ol a libciaicd soul wlo livcs
wiilin ilc maiciial woild is similai, as dcsciibcd in ilc Vcdania-suiia (+.+.19):
Alilougl siiuaicd wiilin a maiciial body, wlicl gocs iliougl ilc six
maiciial iiansloimaiions, a libciaicd soul is aciually siiuaicd on ilc iiansccndcnial
plailoim. Hc las noiling io do wiil ilc clanging maiciial woild.`
25 Ai ilc iimc ol annililaiion ol ilc maiciial univcisc, wlcn all ilc maiciial
plancis pciisl, ilc Dliuvalola planci is noi dcsiioycd, bui mcicly bccomcs no
longci visiblc ioi lc cycs ol ilc condiiioncd souls. Tlai Dliuvalola is noi
dcsiioycd ai ilc iimc ol cosmic annililaiion is conliimcd by Hiianyalasipu in ilc
lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam 7.3.11):
ly dini ol my scvcic ausiciiiics, I slall icvcisc ilc icsulis ol pious and
impious aciiviiics. I slall ovciiuin all ilc csiablislcd piaciiccs wiilin ilis woild.
Lvcn Dliuvalola will bc vanquislcd ai ilc cnd ol ilc millcnnium. Tlcicloic,
wlai is ilc usc ol ii' I slall piclci io icmain in ilc posiiion ol lialma.`¯
26 In ilis way ii may bc undcisiood ilai Dliuvalola is an cicinal Vailunila
planci, cvcn ilougl ii is manilcsicd wiilin ilc boundaiics ol ilc maiciial woild.
Tlis naiuic ol Dliuvalola is dcsciibcd in many dillcicni passagcs ol ilc Siuii-
sasiia, and ii is also dcsciibcd by Loid Siva in ilc lollowing woids (Padma Puiana,
Uiiaia-llanda 91.5+.77):
27 O Paivaii, plcasc lisicn io ilis dcsciipiion ol ilc opulcnccs ol ilc maiciial
woild and ilc opulcnccs ol ilc spiiiiual woild, wlicl is ilicc louiils ol ilc cniiic
cicaiion.
2S Tlc auspicious Viiaja iivci llows bciwccn ilc maiciial and spiiiiual
woilds. Tlis iivci is pioduccd liom ilc pcispiiaiion ol ilc Pcisonilicd Vcdas.
29 On ilc lai sloic ol ilai Viiaja iivci is ilc cicinal, dcaillcss, impciislablc,
unlimiicd, ncciaican spiiiiual sly, wlicl consisis ol ilicc louiils ol ilc cniiic
cicaiion.
30 Tlai impciislablc spiiiiual icalm is ilc abodc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad. Tlai icalm is madc ol ilc iiansccndcnial modc ol puic goodncss,
and ii is moic splcndid ilan many millions ol blazing suns.
31 Tlis spiiiiual woild is lull ol all lnowlcdgc and licc liom all loims ol
dcsiiuciion. Ii is limiilcss, cicinal, cllulgcni, licc liom old agc, and licc liom ilc
vaiious loims ol maiciial consciousncss, including ilc siaics ol maiciial
walclulncss and maiciial slccp.
32 Tlis spiiiiual woild is ilc abodc ol libciaiion, and ii is lull ol all spiiiiual
bliss. Noiling is cqual oi supciioi io ii, and ii is wiiloui bcginning oi cnd. Ii is
supicmcly auspicious, and ii glows wiil a goldcn cllulgcncc.
33 Tlis spiiiiual woild is wondcilully splcndid, dcliglilul and cicinal, Ii is
lilc a gicai occan ol iiansccndcnial bliss, and ii is lull ol all iiansccndcnial
aiiiibuics. Tlis placc is ilc supicmc iiansccndcnial abodc ol Loid Visnu.
3+ Tlai abodc ol Loid Haii is noi illumincd by ilc sun oi moon, noi by
clcciiiciiy. Onc wlo icaclcs ii ncvci iciuins io ilis maiciial woild.¯
35 Tlis iiansccndcnial abodc ol Loid Visnu is pcilcci, cicinal, and
impciislablc. No onc can piopcily dcsciibc ii, cvcn il lc lad lundicds ol millions
ol lalpas in wlicl io spcal.
36 Nciilci bialma, ilc gicai sagcs, noi I lavc ilc powci io dcsciibc ilc
abodc ol Loid Haii. Il onc ilinls lc complcicly undcisiands ilc abodc wlcic ilc
inlalliblc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad icsidcs, ilcn ilai pcison docs noi lnow
ilc liisi iling aboui ilc Loid's abodc.
37 Tlis abodc ol ilc Loid is vciy conlidcniial and cannoi bc undcisiood
mcicly by siudying ilc Vcdas. Lvcn ilc dcmigods wlo coniiol ilc univcisc
cannoi piopcily undcisiand ii. Il onc docs noi undcisiand ilis abodc ol ilc Loid,
ilcn wlai is ilc usc ol lis claniing ilc Vcdic lymns' Il onc docs undcisiand ilc
abodc ol ilc Loid, ilcn all ilc Vcdic lymns bccomc auiomaiically manilcsi io
lim.
3S Tlc dcmigods coniinually lix ilcii gazc upon Loid Visnu's inlalliblc,
impciislablc, cicinal, iiansccndcnial abodc, wlicl is lilc a biilliani sun slining in
ilc spiiiiual sly.
39 Alilougl nciilci lialma, Siva oi any ol ilc oilci dcmigods can cnici ilis
iiansccndcnial abodc, ilc bcsi ol ilc yogis can ai lcasi scc ii by mcans ol
iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc obiaincd liom ilc Vcdic liiciaiuics.
+0 Nciilci lialma, ilc dcmigods, ilc gicai sagcs, noi I myscll can
complcicly undcisiand ilis iiansccndcnial abodc ol ilc Loid. Howcvci, wlai liiilc
I lavc bccn ablc io undcisiand by siudying all ilc Upanisads, O sainily Paivaii, I
slall now iclaic io You.
+1 In ilc ccniic ol Loid Visnu's iiansccndcnial abodc is a ncciaican louniain
namcd Subla. Ai ilis placc aic many long loincd suiabli cows wiil ilcii calvcs.
+2 In ilai splcndid abodc ol Loid Visnu, wlo caiiics ilc Sainga bow, and
wlo is gloiilicd by ilc dcvoiccs, aic many gloiious and auspicious suiabli cows.
+3 Tlai cicinal, puic icalm ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
splcndid as ilc sun. Ii is supicmcly cllulgcni and ii cxisis bcyond ilc dailncss ol
ilc maiciial woild.
++ Tlis cicinal iiansccndcnial abodc is always awalc wiil spiiiiual awaicncss.
In ilc iopmosi paii ol ilis spiiiiual abodc cicinal Loid Visnu and His consoii
Siimaii Lalsmi-dcvi icsidc.
+5 Ncai Sii Sii Lalsmi-Visnu, ilc iwo youillul sisicis llu-salii an Lila-salii,
wlo aic vciy dcai io ilc Loid, siay. lcloic ilcm aic ilc cicinal Sadlyas and
Visvcdcvas.
+6 Lcaincd bialmanas awalc wiil spiiiiual lnowlcdgc, cvcn sccing wlom
biings all auspiciousncss, gloiily ilai splcndid iiansccndcnial abodc.
+7 Tlc supicmc abodc ol Loid Visnu is lnown by ilc namc Molsa
(libciaiion). Tlcy wlo bccomc licc liom ilc bonds ol icpcaicd biiil and dcail
aiiain iiansccndcnial bliss in ilai supicmc abodc.
+S Loid Visnu's supicmc abodc is lnown as Molsa (libciaiion), bccausc ilcy
wlo cnici ii ncvci iciuin io icpcaicd biiil and dcail in ilc maiciial woild. Tlai
supicmc abodc is also lnown by ilc namcs Paiam padam (Supicmc Abodc),
Lingam (ilc loim ol ilc Loid), Amiia (Tlc Immoiial Ncciai) and Visnu-mandiia
(ilc icmplc ol Loid Visnu).
+9 Loid Visnu's supicmc abodc is also lnown as Alsaia (Tlc Impciislablc
Abodc), Paiamam dlama (ilc Supicmc Abodc), Vailunila (ilc placc wlcic ilcic
is no anxiciy), Sasvaiam padam (Tlc Licinal Abodc), Niiya (Tlc Licinal Abodc),
Paiama-vyoma (ilc Spiiiiual sly), Saivoilisia (Tlc Supicmc Abodc), and
Sanaiana (Tlc Licinal Abodc).
50 Tlc Supicmc abodc ol ilc inlalliblc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las many
oilci namcs also. I slall now dcsciibc in dciail ilc naiuic ol ilis supicmc abodc,
wlicl is ilicc louiils ol ilc cniiic poicncy ol ilc Loid.`
51 Alilougl many passagcs ol Siuii and Smiii-sasiia dcsciibc ilc Loid's
abodc, ilcy will noi all bc quoicd lcic. Tlc ncxi quoic will bc liom a
convcisaiion ol lialma and Naiada iccoidcd in ilc Jiiania-sioiia ol ilc Naiada-
pancaiaiia:
52 Tlc six planciaiy sysicm namcd Vailunilalola is lull ol six
iiansccndcnial opulcnccs. Tlcy wlo aic noi dcvoiccs ol Loid Visnu aic noi ablc
io cnici ilai iiansccndcnial icalm, wlicl icmains always uniouclcd by ilc ilicc
modcs ol maiciial naiuic.
53 Tlc Vailunila icalm is lull ol cicinally pcilcci libciaicd dcvoiccs ol ilc
Loid. Tlai icalm is vciy auspicious and bcauiilul, cndowcd wiil many asscmbly
buildings, palaccs, loicsis and gaidcns.
5+ Tlc Vailunila icalm is bcauiilully dccoiaicd wiil many iiccs, wclls,
lalcs, and ponds. Tlai non maiciial icalm is woislippcd and gloiilicd by ilc
dcmigods. Ii is splcndid as millions ol suns.
55 Tlc icalm ol Vailunila is luiilci dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol
lialmanda Puiana:
Tlc Vailunila icalm is lull ol unlimiicd spiiiiual aiiiibuics.. Ii is lull ol
supicmc cllulgcncc and ii is vciy dilliculi io aiiain. Ii is incompaiablc and lull ol
iiansccndcnial bliss. Ii icmains invisiblc io ilc maiciial scnscs ol ilc condiiioncd
souls.`
56 Tlc Vailunila icalm is also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vciscs liom ilc
sioiy ol Mudgala iclaicd in ilc Iiilasa-samuccaya:
Abovc ilc planci ol lialma lics ilc cicinal, cllulgcni, puic abodc ol Loid
Visnu. Gicai sagcs lnow ilai abodc as ilc Supicmc lialman.`
57 Sainily dcvoiccs wlo dcvoicdly cngagc in mcdiiaiion and yoga, wlo lavc
coniiollcd ilc scnscs, and wlo aic licc liom lalsc-cgo, maiciial posscssivcncss, and
maiciial dualiiy, aiiain ilai supicmc abodc.
5S-59 Tlc wlo woislip, icmcmbci and mcdiiaic on ilc inlalliblc iiansccndcnial
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is lnown as Haii, Visnu, Kisna, Jisnu,
Sanaiana, Naiayana, Aja, Dcva, Visvalscna, and Caiuibluja, aiiain ilc Supicmc
Loid's abodc. Tlis is ilc conclusion ol ilc cicinal Vcdic liiciaiuics.`
60 Vailunilalola is dcsciibcd in ilc Slanda Puiana in a convcisaiion bciwccn
Sanai-lumaia and Mailandcya Rsi in ilcsc woids:
O bcsi ol ilc bialmanas, onc wlo is a dcvoicc ol Loid Visnu, and wlo
dccoiaics lis body wiil ilc mails ol ilc conclslcll, disc, and oilci signs ol ilc
Loid, gocs io Loid Visnu's planci, wlicl is noi dcsiioycd wlcn ilc cniiic univcisc
is consumcd by llamcs.`
61 Somconc may aiguc ilai ilc woids 'paia-dlama' and 'silana' uscd in ilcsc
quoiaiions may bc inicipicicd io mcan ilc iiansccndcnial loim ol ilc Loid and
ilc Loid's abodc. Il wc cxaminc ilcsc vciscs in conicxi wc slall scc ilis aigumcni
io bc paicnily lalsc. Ioi cxamplc, wlcn ilc Loid says: Tlc dcvoiccs aiiain My
abodc (silana), wlicl ilc sagcs lnow as ilc Supicmc lialman,` ilc 'silana' musi
bc ialcn io mcan ilc Loid's abodc. Any oilci inicipiciaiion will bc icjccicd by
ilc iniclligcni icadci.
62 Il onc wcic io aiguc ilai ilc woid 'ca' (and) alilougl noi diiccily
cxpicsscd in ilc siaicmcni paiam bialmcii yad vidul' (Tlc gicai sagcs lnow ilai
abodc as ilc Supicmc lialman) liom ilc Iiilasa-samuccaya, slould bc
undcisiood, and ilcicloic ilc woids 'paiam bialma' slould noi bc ialcn as
adjcciivcs modilying ilc Loid's abodc, bui as nouns iclciiing ilc Supicmc
Godlcad, ilcn io ilis aigumcni I icply ilai ilc woid 'lola' (planci) is uscd in
many placcs wlcic ii is clcaily modilicd by ilc woid 'paiam bialma', and ilai
ilcicloic in ilis insiancc ii slould also bc undcisiood in ilc samc way. Tlc woids
'pada', 'dlama', 'silana' and 'lola' all iclci io ilc samc iling; ilc abodc ol ilc Loid.
Wlcn ilcy aic joinily uscd, as ilcy aic in ilc passagcs jusi quoicd, ilcy casi lai
away any oilci possiblc cxplanaiion ol wlai ilcy aciually mcan. As ilc woids
'blagavan', 'laii' and visnu' iclci only io ilc loim ol ilc Loid, and noi io anyiling
clsc in ilc samc way ilcsc siaicmcnis ol ilc Padma Puiana, Visnu Puiana, and
oilci Vcdic liiciaiuics slould bc ialcn io dcsciibc only ilc abodc ol ilc Loid.
Tlcy cannoi bc undcisiood io dcsciibc ilc Loid's loim. Tlcsc passagcs ol Vcdic
liiciaiuic can bc considcicd io appiopiiaicly dcsciibc only ilc Loid's abodc loi
ilcy say ilc objcci ol ilcii dcsciipiion is noi aiiaincd by liuiiivc oi non dcvoiional
woil. In many oilci ways also ilc dcsciipiion picscnicd in ilcsc passagcs can bc
considcicd io appiopiiaicly dcsciibc only ilc Loid's abodc. On ilc oilci land,
ilc Loid's loim is appiopiiaicly dcsciibcd in a paiiiculai way (loi cxamplc; as
lolding a iod in His land, cic.), iadically dillcicni liom ilc dcsciipiions in ilcsc
passagcs. An cxamplc ol an appiopiiaic dcsciipiion ol ilc Loid's loim may bc
lound in Siimad llagavaiam 6.9.32 quoicd in Anucclcda 72. In ilis way,
ilcicloic, wc may concludc ilai ilc passagcs quoicd clcaily dcsciibc ilc
iiansccndcnial abodc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlcy cannoi bc
ialcn io dcsciibc His loim.
Anuccheda 73
1 In ilis ilc Vailunila woild is dcsciibcd. As ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad appcais in many dillcicni loims, somciimcs manilcsiing His opulcnccs in
lull, and somciimcs only manilcsiing paii ol His opulcncc, in ilc samc way loi
cacl loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad ilcic is a coiicsponding
Vailunila planci. Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc Padma Puiana, Uiiaia-llanda, and also
in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Maiiicya Rsi (Siimad llagavaiam 3.19.31):
Alici ilus lilling ilc mosi loimidablc dcmon Hiianyalsa, ilc Supicmc
Loid Haii, ilc oiigin ol ilc boai spccics, iciuincd io His own abodc, wlcic ilcic
is always an uniniciiupicd lcsiival. Tlc Loid was piaiscd by all ilc dcmigods,
lcadcd by lialma.`¯
Tlc woid 'sadayiiva' in ilis vcisc mcans 'alici lilling.'
2 Tlai cacl loim ol ilc Loid las His own Vailunila planci is also conliimcd
in ilc lodlayana-sasiia, in ilc discussion ol ilc Paviiiaiopa lcsiival:
Onc wlo woislips Loid Nisimladcva by laiillully pciloiming ilc
Paviiiaiopa lcsiival cvciy ycai will bccomc libciaicd. Hc will cnici ilc
iiansccndcnial planci wlcic Loid Nisimladcva icsidcs.`
3 Tlc planci ol Loid Siva is dcsciibcd in ilc samc way in ilc Vayu Puiana:
Ai ilc iimc ol cosmic dissoluiion all ilc univciscs will bc complcicly
lloodcd by a gicai occan.
+ Waicis ol dcvasiaiion will violcnily llood all ilc univciscs up, down, and
in all diicciions.
5 Gicai liics will ilcn icducc all ilc plancis inio iion splcics, and ilcn
gicai luiiicanc winds will icai iliougl all ilc univciscs.
6 Tlc unlimiicd unmanilcsicd avyalia will liisi absoib ilc luiiicanc winds,
and ilcn ii will absoib, onc alici anoilci, ilc cilci clcmcni, ilc livc gioss
clcmcnis, and ilc malai-iaiiva.
7 Tlc avyalia is an unlimiicd, unmanilcsicd dailncss. Ii is bcginninglcss,
cndlcss, invisiblc, wiiloui any boundaiy, and licc liom any dcsignaiion.
S lcyond ilis dailncss, bcyond ilc cilci clcmcni, and bcyond ilc boundaiy
ol ilc maiciial univciscs is ilc Loid Siva's gicai iiansccndcnial abodc, wlicl cvcn
ilc gicai dcmigods cannoi appioacl. Tlis is clcaily dcsciibcd in ilc Siuii-sasiia.`
Anuccheda 7+
1 As ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad somciimcs manilcsis His
iiansccndcnial loim wiilin ilc maiciial woild, so Hc somciimcs manilcsis somc ol
His iiansccndcnial abodcs wiilin ilc boundaiics ol ilc maiciial icalm. Onc
insiancc ol ilis is dcsciibcd by Siila Suladcva Gosvami in ilcsc woids (Siimad
llagavaiam S.5.+-5):
Iiom ilc combinaiion ol Sublia and lis wilc, Vailunila, ilcic appcaicd
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Vailunila, along wiil dcmigods wlo wcic
His pcisonal plcnaiy cxpansions.¯
2 Jusi io plcasc ilc goddcss ol loiiunc, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
Vailunila, ai lci icqucsi, cicaicd anoilci Vailunila planci, wlicl is woislippcd
by cvciyonc.`¯
3 As ilc iiansccndcnial loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is cicinal and
only cnicis ilc maiciial woild, alilougl ii is said io bc 'boin', so ilc Loid's cicinal
spiiiiual icalm only cnicis ilc maiciial woild, alilougl in ilis vcisc ilc woid
'boin' (jajnc) is uscd. In ilcsc vciscs ilc woid 'vailunila' mcans 'ilc son ol
Vailunila-dcvi' as wcll as 'ilc spiiiiual plancis lialma saw bcloic ilc cicaiion ol
ilc maiciial univcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.9-16).
+ Tlai Vailunilalola is siiuaicd bcyond ilc boundaiics ol ilc maiciial
univciscs lillcd wiil Svaiga and oilci plancis is conliimcd by ilc lollowing
siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (S.19.11):
Upon sccing ilai ilc icsidcncc ol Loid Visnu was vacani, Hiianyalasipu
bcgan scaicling loi Loid Visnu cvciywlcic. Angiy ai noi sccing Him,
Hiianyalasipu scicamcd loudly and scaiclcd ilc cniiic univcisc, including ilc
suilacc ol ilc caiil, ilc liglci planciaiy sysicms, all diicciions and all ilc cavcs
and occans. lui Hiianyalasipu, ilc gicaicsi lcio, did noi scc Visnu anywlcic.`¯
Anuccheda 75
Tlc dcvoiccs wlo scivc Loid Vailunila as His diicci associaics aic on ilc
samc iiansccndcnial plailoim as ilc Loid Himscll, loi wiiloui bcing cqually
iiansccndcnial ilcy could noi diiccily scivc Him. Tlis is conliimcd by Vcdic
liiciaiuic in ilcsc woids:
Onc wlo is noi lilc ilc Supicmc Loid cannoi woislip oi scivc Him.`
Tlai ilc cicinal associaics ol ilc Loid do noi lavc maiciial bodics, scnscs,
and lilc-aiis, as ilc condiiioncd souls boin in ilc cyclc ol samsaia do, bui insicad
lavc spiiiiual loims madc ol puic iiansccndcnial goodncss, is conliimcd by ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (7.1.35):
Tlc bodics ol ilc inlabiianis ol Vailunila aic complcicly spiiiiual,
laving noiling io do wiil ilc maiciial body, scnscs oi lilc aii.`¯
Anuccheda 76
Tlai ilc pcisonal associaics ol ilc Loid aic lilc ilcii masici is conliimcd
by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siila Suladcva Gosvami (Siimad llagavaiam
6.9.2S):
Suiiounding and sciving ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Naiayana,
wcic sixiccn pcisonal aiicndanis, dccoiaicd wiil oinamcnis and appcaiing cxacily
lilc Him bui wiiloui ilc mail ol Siivaisa and ilc Kausiubla jcwcl. O King, wlcn
all ilc dcmigods saw ilc Supicmc Loid in ilai posiuic, smiling wiil cycs lilc ilc
pcials ol loiuscs giown in auiumn, ilcy wcic ovciwlclmcd wiil lappincss and
immcdiaicly lcll down lilc iods, ollciing dandavais. Tlcn ilcy slowly iosc and
plcascd ilc Loid by ollciing Him piaycis.`¯
Anuccheda 77
Tlc gicai dcvoiccs ol ilc Loid obiain iiansccndcnial bcncliis ilai cannoi
bc dcsiioycd by iimc. Tlis is dcsciibcd by Piallada Malaiaja in a piayci io Loid
Nisimladcva (Siimad llagavaiam 7.9.2+):
My dcai Loid, now I lavc complcic cxpciicncc conccining ilc woildly
opulcncc, mysiic powci, longcviiy and oilci maiciial plcasuics cnjoycd by all
living cniiiics, liom Loid lialma down io ilc ani. As powcilul iimc, You dcsiioy
ilcm all. Tlcicloic, bccausc ol my cxpciicncc, I do noi wisl io posscss ilcm. My
dcai Loid, I icqucsi You io placc mc in ioucl wiil Youi puic dcvoicc and lci mc
scivc lim as a sinccic scivani.`¯
Anuccheda 78
1 Tlc Vailunila plancis and ilc libciaicd dcvoiccs wlo icsidc ilcic aic
dcsciibcd in Padma Puiana, Uiiaia-llanda:
Counilcss bliss spiiiiual plancis aic in ilc spiiiiual sly, wlicl is ilicc
louiils ol ilc cniiic cicaiion.
2 All ilcsc spiiiiual plancis aic cicinal, clangclcss, and licc liom ilc
abominablc maiciial modc ol passion. Tlcy aic puic, and ilcy lavc a goldcn
cllulgcncc biigli as millions ol suns.
3 All ilcsc iiansccndcnial plancis aic all lillcd wiil Vcdic lnowlcdgc and
licc liom lusi, angci, and oilci viccs. On ilcsc plancis icsidc gicai dcvoiccs
wlosc only joy is ilc puic dcvoiional scivicc ol Loid Naiayana's loius lcci.`
+ In ilcsc vciscs ilc woid 'iii-pad-vibluii' indicaics ilc spiiiiual woild
bcyond ilc maiciial univciscs, and ilc woid 'pada-vibluii' indicaics ilc maiciial
univciscs.
5 Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc Padma Puiana, Uiiaia-llanda:
Tlc cicinal spiiiiual woild is ilicc louiils ol cxisicncc, wlcicas ilc
icmpoiaiy maiciial woild is only onc louiil ol cxisicncc.
6 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol godlcad, wlosc loim is cicinal, auspicious,
iiansccndcnial, inlalliblc, dcliglilul, and always youillul, icsidcs in ilai supicmc
abodc accompanicd by His poicncics Isvaii-dcvi, Sii-dcvi and llumi-dcvi.
7 Tlc Vailunila plancis and maiciial woild aic boil dcsciibcd in Siimad
llagavaiam (2.6.1S):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc coniiollci ol immoiialiiy and
lcailcssncss, and Hc is iiansccndcnial io dcail and ilc liuiiivc aciions ol ilc
maiciial woild. O Naiada, O bialmana, ii is ilcicloic dilliculi io mcasuic ilc
gloiics ol ilc Supicmc Pcison.`¯
S Tlis vcisc liom Siimad llagavaiam diiccily mcniions ilc Loid's
immoiialiiy and lcailcssncss, and ilc Loid's posiiion ol bcing always libciaicd
liom maiciial inllucncc is implicd alilougl noi diiccily and ilc oilci iwo
qualiiics only implicd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Siuii-sasiia (Svciasvaiaia
Upanisad 3.15):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc oiiginal masici ol all
immoiialiiy.`
Tlc passagc ol Siimad llagavaiam dcsciibcs ilc Loid, ilc posscssoi ol
ilcsc qualiiics, (immoiialiiy, lcailcssncss, and libciaiion) wlcicas ilc passagc
liom Siuii-sasiia dcsciibcs ilc qualiiics ilc Loid posscsscs.
9 Vailunilalola's immoiialiiy is linicd in ilcsc woids ol Siimad
llagavaiam (2.9.9.):
Vailunila is adoicd by all scll-icaliscd pcisons liccd liom all linds ol
misciics and lcai ol illusoiy cxisicncc.`¯
Vailunilalola's blisslulncss is linicd in ilcsc woids ol Siimad llagavaiam
(2.9.9):
Vailunila is ilc supicmc planci abovc all oilcis.`¯
10 Tlai ilc Vailunilalola is cicinal is also dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing
siaicmcni ol Padma Puiana (Uiiaia-llanda 255.77):
Tlc icsidcncc ol Loid Visnu is cicinal.`
11 Tlai ilc Vailunila plancis aic complcicly licc liom all lcai is linicd by ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam (2.9.10):
In ilc pcisonal abodc ol ilc Loid ilcic is no picdominancc ol ilc
inllucncc ol iimc.`¯
12 Tlis is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siimad llagavaiam
(12.11.19):
O bialmanas, ilc iiansccndcnial abodc ol ilc Loid is always licc liom all
lcai.`
13 Tlai ilc abodc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is auspicious is
linicd by Siimad llagavaiam (2.9.10):
Tlc illusoiy cxicinal cncigy (maya) cannoi cnici ilc pcisonal abodc ol
ilc Loid.`¯
lccausc ii is complcicly licc liom ilc maiciial modcs, wlicl iuin onc liom
ilc Loid, Vailunilalola slould bc undcisiood io bc a gicai icscivoii ol ilc
auspiciousncss ol puic dcvoiional scivicc io ilc Supicmc Loid.
1+ Tlai dcvoiional scivicc is ilc abodc ol all auspiciousncss is conliimcd by
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad Himscll in ilc lollowing woids (Naiadiya
Puiana):
O bcsi ol ilc bialmanas, I giani io you unwavciing puic dcvoiional
scivicc unio Mc. Tlis dcvoiional scivicc is lull ol pcilcci iiansccndcnial bliss, and
ii is ilc icscivoii ol all auspiciousncss.`
15 Tlai ilc abodc ol ilc Loid is always libciaicd liom maiciial coniaci is
conliimcd by ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad Himscll in ilc lollowing woids
(Siimad llagavaiam 11.20.37):
My puic dcvoiccs aiiain libciaiion liom maiici by cniciing My
iiansccndcnial abodc.`
16 Taling slclici ol sccondaiy mcanings ol ilc woids 'amiia' and 'blaya' onc
may inicipici ilcm io mcan 'Janalola and ilc oilci maiciial planciaiy sysicms.'
Tlis labouicd misinicipiciaiion is icluicd by ilc usc ol ilc woid 'maiiyam'
(dying), wlicl clcaily indicaics ilai ilcsc iwo woids slould bc inicipicicd
accoiding io ilcii piimaiy mcanings. Tlis woid (maiiyam) is cxplaincd by ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad Himscll in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad
llagavaiam 11.10.30):
Lvcn lialma wlo posscsscs ilc supicmc lilc-span ol 311 0+0 000 000 000
ycais, is also aliaid ol Mc.`
17 In ilis vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 2.6.1S), ilc woid 'annam' mcans 'ilc
icsulis ol liuiiivc aciions', and ilc woid 'aiyagai' mcans 'Tiansccnding ilc ilicc
maiciial planciaiy sysicms, ilc Loid is picscni in ilc spiiiiual woild.'
1S Tlc woid 'csal' mcans 'Tlc Supicmc Loid wlosc loim is lull ol
immoiialiiy and all oilci opulcnccs', and ilc woid 'duiaiyayal' mcans 'Hc wlom
ilc bialmacaiis and oilci iiansccndcnialisis cannoi undcisiand oi mcasuic by ilc
spcculaiivc powcis ol ilc mind.`
19 In ilis way wc lavc dcsciibc ilc cicinal spiiiiual woild, wlicl is ilicc
quaiicis ol all cxisicncc, and ilc maiciial woild, wlicl is subjcci ol dcsiiuciion,
and wlicl is onc quaiici ol all cxisicncc.
20 Loid lialma again dcsciibcs ilc opulcncc ol ilc spiiiiual woild, wlicl is
ilicc quaiicis ol all cxisicncc (Siimad llagavaiam 2.6.19):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is io bc lnown as ilc supicmc
icscivoii ol all maiciial opulcnccs by ilc onc louiil ol His cncigy in wlicl all ilc
living cniiiics cxisi. Dcaillcssncss, lcailcssncss and liccdom liom ilc anxiciics ol
old agc and discasc cxisi in ilc lingdom ol God, wlicl is bcyond ilc ilicc liglci
planciaiy sysicms and bcyond ilc maiciial covciings.`¯
21 In ilis vcisc lialma says: Tlc living cniiiics, as wcll as dcail and oilci
maiciial qualiiics, cxisi wiilin ilc maiciial woild wlicl is onc quaiici ol all
cxisicncc (siliii-padal). All ilc opulcnccs ol ilc Loid aic disiiibuicd iliougloui
ilc loui quaiicis (padcsu) ol cxisicncc, including boil spiiiiual and maiciial
woilds. Tlc living cniiiics (saiva-bluiani) including ilc pcisonal associaics ol ilc
Loid icsidc in all loui quaiicis ol cicaiion (including boil spiiiiual and maiciial
woilds).`
22 In ilis vcisc Loid lialma dcsciibcs ilc spiiiiual woild wlicl is ilicc
quaiicis ol ilc cicaiion. Hc says: Dcaillcssncss (amiiam), lcailcssncss
(ablayam), and liccdom liom ilc anxiciy ol old-agc and discasc (lscmam)
cicinally cxisi (adlayi) in ilc lingdom ol God, wlicl is bcyond (muidlasu) ilc
ilicc liglci planciaiy sysicms, ilc maiciial covciings and ilc ilicc modcs ol
maiciial naiuic.`
Tlc maiciial woild is ilc cicaiion's singlc-quaiici paii wlcic dcail and
vaiious liuiiivc aciions cxisi and abovc ilai is ilc ilicc-quaiicis paii, oi ilc
spiiiiual woild, wlcic ilcic aic dcaillcssncss and oilci auspicious condiiions.
Tlc spiiiiual and maiciial woilds aic dcsciibcd by ilc Rg Vcda (10.90.3):
Tlicc quaiicis ol cxisicncc is ilc cicinal and pcilccily opulcni spiiiiual
woild.`
Tlc woid 'divi', wlicl mcans 'Vailunila', is ilc icalm wlcic all opulcnccs,
cicinaliiy, and oilci auspicious condiiions cxisi. Tlc auspiciousncss dcsciibcd
lcic iclcis io boil Vailunila and iis icsidcnis.
23 lialma dcsciibcs ilc oilci paii ol ilc loui quaiicis ol cxisicncc, ilc icalm
ol ilc ilicc maiciial planciaiy sysicms, in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam
2.6.20):
Tlc spiiiiual woild, wlicl consisis ol ilicc louiils ol ilc Loid's cncigy, is
siiuaicd bcyond ilis maiciial woild, and ii is cspccially mcani loi ilosc wlo will
ncvci bc icboin. Oilcis, wlo aic aiiaclcd io lamily lilc and wlo do noi siiicily
lollow cclibacy vows, musi livc wiilin ilc ilicc maiciial woilds.`¯
2+ Tlc woid 'ca' (and) lcic mcans 'and loi all ilosc'. In ilis vcisc lialma
says: 'Tlc spiiiiual woild, wlicl consisis ol ilicc louiils (padas iiayal) ol ilc
Loid's cncigy, is siiuaicd bcyond (balil) ilc maiciial woild (iii-lolyal).`
Tlis is also cxplaincd in ilc Puiusa-sulia (Rg Vcda):
Tlc spiiiiual woild is ilicc louiils ol ilc Loid's cncigy.`
Onc may asl Wlo icsidcs in ilai spiiiiual woild'` lialma answcis by
saying: Tlc spiiiiual woild is mcani io bc ilc icsidcncc ol ilosc wlo will ncvci
bc icboin (apiajanam asiamal).` Tlis mcans ilc sannyasis, vanapiasilas and
bialmacaiis, oi in oilci woids, ilosc wlo lollow ilc vow ol cclibacy. lialma
dcsciibcs ilc icsidcnis ol ilc maiciial woild in ilcsc woids: Oilcis (apaial),
wlo aic aiiaclcd io lamily lilc (gila-mcdlal) and wlo do noi siiicily lollow
cclibacy vows (abilad-viaial), musi livc wiilin (anial) ilc ilicc maiciial woilds
(iii-lolyal).`
25 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc masici ol boil spiiiiual and
maiciial woilds, as lialma cxplains io Naiada (Siimad llagavaiam 2.6.21):
ly His cncigics, ilc all-pcivading Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilus
compiclcnsivcly ilc masici in ilc aciiviiics ol coniiolling and in dcvoiional
scivicc. Hc is ilc uliimaic maicis ol boil ncscicncc and laciual lnowlcdgc ol all
siiuaiions.`¯
62 In ilis vcisc lialma says: Tlc all-pcivading (visval) Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad (puiusal) is ilus compiclcnsivcly ilc masici (vicaliamc) ol ilc iwo
dcsiinaiions (siii) aiiaincd by ilc living cniiiics.`
Onc may asl: Wlai aic ilcsc iwo dcsiinaiions'' lialma answcis ilis
qucsiion by saying: Tlcsc iwo dcsiinaiions aic ilc cnjoymcni ol ilc liuiis ol
laima (sasana) and iiansccnding ilosc liuiis (anasanc). Tlcn lc dcsciibcs ilc
mcilod ol ovcicoming ilc liuiis ol laima. Tlc woid 'avidya' lcic mcans 'ilc
illusoiy poicncy maya' and 'vidya' mcans 'ilc spiiiiual poicncy'. Tlc Loid is ilcn
dcsciibcd as ilc slclici (asiayal) ol boil poicncics. Ii is said (Siimad llagavaiam
2.6.22):
Iiom ilai Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, all ilc univcisal globcs and ilc
univcisal loim wiil all maiciial clcmcnis, qualiiics and scnscs aic gcnciaicd. Yci
Hc is alool liom sucl maiciial manilcsiaiions, lilc ilc sun, wlicl is scpaiaicd
liom iis iays and lcai.`¯
In ilis way cicaiion may bc dividcd inio louiils, (ilicc-louiils) posscssing
all opulcncc, and (onc louiil), posscssing paiiial opulcncc. (Tlc vcisc quoicd
liom Siimad llagavaiam was spolcn by) lialma io Naiada.
Anuccheda 79
1 Tlc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is ilc masici ol ilc
inicinal spiiiiual poicncics, is manilcsi by ilc Loid's own poicncy. ly a spccilic
poicncy ilc wondcilul vaiiciy ol ilc Loid's many loims is manilcsicd. Oui
cvidcncc (loi ilc dcsciipiion ol ilc Loid's loim) is givcn by ilc Ioui Kumaias in
ilc ncxi louiiccn vciscs (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.37-50):
2 Ai ilai vciy momcni, ilc Loid, wlo is callcd Padmanabla bccausc ol ilc
loius giown liom His navcl and wlo is ilc dcligli ol ilc iiglicous, lcaincd aboui
ilc insuli ollcicd by His own scivanis io ilc sainis. Accompanicd by His spousc,
ilc goddcss ol loiiunc, Hc wcni io ilc spoi on ilosc vciy lcci sougli loi by
iccluscs and gicai sagcs.¯
3 Tlc sagcs, lcadcd by Sanala Rsi, saw ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, Visnu, wlo was loimcily visiblc only wiilin ilcii lcaiis in ccsiaiic
iiancc, lad now aciually bccomc visiblc io ilcii cycs. As Hc camc loiwaid,
accompanicd by His own associaics bcaiing all paiaplcinalia, sucl as an umbiclla
and a camaia lan, ilc wliic bunclcs ol laii movcd vciy gcnily, lilc iwo swans,
and duc io ilcii lavouiablc bicczc ilc pcails gailanding ilc umbiclla also movcd,
lilc diops ol ncciai lalling liom ilc wliic lull moon ol icc mcliing duc io a gusi ol
wind.¯
+ Tlc Loid is ilc icscivoii ol all plcasuic. His auspicious picscncc is mcani
loi cvciyonc's bcncdiciion, and His allcciionaic smiling and glancing ioucl ilc
coic ol ilc lcaii. Tlc Loid's bcauiilul bodily coloui is blaclisl, and His bioad
clcsi is ilc icsiing placc ol ilc goddcss ol loiiunc, wlo gloiilics ilc cniiic
spiiiiual woild, ilc summii ol all lcavcnly plancis. Tlus ii appcaicd ilai ilc Loid
was pcisonally spicading ilc bcauiy and good loiiunc ol ilc spiiiiual woild.¯
5 Hc was adoincd wiil a giidlc ilai slonc biiglily on ilc ycllow cloil
covciing His laigc lips, and Hc woic a gailand ol licsl llowcis wlicl was
disiinguislcd by lumming bccs. His lovcly wiisi wcic giaccd wiil biacclcis, and
Hc icsicd onc ol His lands on ilc slouldci ol Gaiuda, His caiiici, and iwiilcd a
loius wiil anoilci land.¯
6 His counicnancc was disiinguislcd by clccls ilai cnlanccd ilc bcauiy ol
His alligaioi-slapcd pcndanis, wlicl ouislonc liglining. His nosc was
piomincni, and His lcad was covcicd wiil a gcm-siuddcd ciown. A claiming
nccllacc lung bciwccn His sioui aims, and His nccl was adoincd wiil ilc gcm
lnown by ilc namc Kausiubla.¯
7 Tlc cxquisiic bcauiy ol Naiayana, bcing many iimcs magnilicd by ilc
iniclligcncc ol His dcvoiccs, was so aiiiaciivc ilai ii dclcaicd ilc piidc ol ilc
goddcss ol loiiunc in bcing ilc mosi bcauiilul. My dcai dcmigods, ilc Loid wlo
ilus manilcsicd Himscll is woislipablc by mc, by Loid Siva and by all ol you. Tlc
sagcs icgaidcd Him wiil unsaicd cycs and joyously bowcd ilcii lcads ai His loius
lcci.¯
S Wlcn ilc bicczc caiiying ilc aioma ol iulasi lcavcs liom ilc iocs ol ilc
loius lcci ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cnicicd ilc nosiiils ol ilosc sagcs, ilcy
cxpciicnccd a clangc boil in body and in mind, cvcn ilougl ilcy wcic aiiaclcd
io ilc impcisonal lialman undcisianding.¯
9 Tlc Loid's bcauiilul lacc appcaicd io ilcm lilc ilc insidc ol a bluc loius,
and ilc Loid's smilc appcaicd io bc a blossoming jasminc llowci. Alici sccing ilc
lacc ol ilc Loid, ilc sagcs wcic lully saiislicd, and wlcn ilcy wanicd io scc Him
luiilci, ilcy loolcd upon ilc nails ol His loius lcci, wlicl icscmblcd iubics.
Tlus ilcy vicwcd ilc Loid's iiansccndcnial body again and again, and so ilcy
linally aclicvcd mcdiiaiion on ilc Loid's pcisonal lcaiuic.¯
10 Tlis is ilc loim ol ilc Loid wlicl is mcdiiaicd upon by ilc lollowcis ol
ilc yoga pioccss, and ii is plcasing io ilc yogis in mcdiiaiion. Ii is noi imaginaiy
bui laciual, as piovcd by gicai yogis. Tlc Loid is lull in cigli linds ol
aclicvcmcni, bui loi oilcis ilcsc aclicvcmcnis aic noi possiblc in lull pcilcciion.¯
11 Tlc Kumaias said: Oui dcai Loid, You aic noi manilcsicd io iascals, cvcn
ilougl You aic scaicd wiilin ilc lcaii ol cvciyonc. lui as lai as wc aic
conccincd, wc scc You lacc io lacc, alilougl You aic unlimiicd. Tlc siaicmcnis
wc lavc lcaid aboui You liom oui lailci, lialma, iliougl ilc cais lavc now
bccn aciually icaliscd by Youi lind appcaiancc.¯
12 Wc lnown ilai You aic ilc Supicmc Absoluic Tiuil, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, wlo manilcsis His iiansccndcnial loim in ilc unconiaminaicd modc ol
puic goodncss. Tlis iiansccndcnial, cicinal loim ol Youi pcisonaliiy can bc
undcisiood only by Youi mcicy, iliougl unllincling dcvoiional scivicc, by gicai
sagcs wlosc lcaiis lavc bccn puiilicd in ilc dcvoiional way.¯
13 Pcisons wlo aic vciy cxpcii and mosi iniclligcni in undcisiand ilings as
ilcy aic cngagc in lcaiing naiiaiions ol ilc auspicious aciiviiics and pasiimcs ol
ilc Loid, wlicl aic woiil claniing and woiil lcaiing. Sucl pcisons do noi caic
cvcn loi ilc liglcsi maiciial bcncdiciion, namcly libciaiion, io say noiling ol lcss
impoiiani bcncdiciions lilc ilc maiciial lappincss ol ilc lcavcnly lingdom.¯
1+ O Loid, wc piay ilai You lci us bc boin in any lcllisl condiiion ol lilc,
jusi a long as oui lcaiis and minds aic always cngagcd in ilc scivicc ol Youi loius
lcci, oui woids aic madc bcauiilul (by spcaling ol Youi aciiviiics) jusi as iulasi
lcavcs aic bcauiilicd wlcn ollcicd unio Youi lcci, and long as oui cais aic always
lillcd wiil ilc claniing ol Youi iiansccndcnial qualiiics.¯
15 O Loid, wc ilcicloic ollci oui icspccilul obcisanccs unio Youi cicinal
loim as ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlicl You lavc so lindly manilcsicd bcloic
us. Youi supicmc, cicinal loim cannoi bc sccn by unloiiunaic, lcss iniclligcni
pcisons, bui wc aic so mucl saiislicd in oui minds and vision io scc ii.`¯
16 Now ilcsc vciscs will bc discusscd. Siidlaia Svami cxplains ilc liisi ol
ilcsc vciscs (Tcxi 2):
Tlis vcisc slould bc undcisiood io mcan: Tlc Supicmc Loid, wlo is ilc
dcligli ol ilc iiglicous (aiya-lidyal), lcaincd (vibudlya) aboui ilc insuli
(aiiliamam) ollcicd by His own scivanis (svanam) wlo lad clcclcd ilc
movcmcnis ol ilc Ioui Kumaias, lcadcd by Sanala Kumaia. Accompanicd by ilc
goddcss ol loiiunc, Hc wcni (yayau) io ilc spoi (iasmin), quiclly walling ilcic
(calayan) wiil His own lcci (caianau).`
Tlc Supicmc Loid ilougli: 'I will slow My angci io ilcsc iwo
gaiclccpcis bccausc ilcy lavc ollcndcd ilc sagcs wlo camc io scc My loius lcci.
Lalsmi-dcvi and I will boil pacily ilc dcsiiclcss sagcs by gianiing ilcm many
opulcnccs.'`
17 In oidci io giani spiiiiual bliss io ilc Ioui Kumaias, wlosc plcasuic was
scll-icalisaiion, ilc Loid gianicd ilcm ilc sigli ol His loius lcci. Tlc Loid, wlosc
supcicxccllcni iiansccndcnial loim is ilc abodc ol all ciciniiy, lnowlcdgc and
bliss, along wiil His pasiimcs-poicncy, ilc goddcss ol loiiunc, pcisonally wcni io
ilosc sagcs. Tlc woid 'svanam' is uscd in ilc pluial (and noi ilc dual) in ilis
vcisc, alilougl ii iclcis only io ilc iwo gaiclccpcis. Ii may bc ilai ilc Loid iool
ii ilai all His pcisonal associaics wcic icsponsiblc loi ilc ollcnsc ol ilcsc iwo, oi ii
may bc ilai ilc pluial is uscd oui ol icspcci loi ilc cxalicd gaiclccpcis. Ii slould
noi bc undcisiood ilai ilc woid 'svanam' is uscd lcic io iclci io ilc loui
(Kumaias) sagcs. Tlcsc sagcs wcic noi iniimaic dcvoiccs ol ilc Loid, as ilc
gaiclccpcis ol Vailunila wcic, and ilcicloic ilc woid svanam` (His own
scivanis) cannoi appiopiiaicly iclci io ilcm.
1S Tlc ncxi livc vciscs (Tcxis 3-7), dcsciibc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad as Hc was sccn by ilc Ioui Kumaias. Tlcy say: Tlc sagcs (ic) lcadcd
by Sanala Rsi saw ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Visnu, wlo was loimcily
visiblc only wiilin ilcii lcaiis in ccsiaiic iiancc (sva-samadli-blagyam), lad now
aciually bccomc visiblc io ilcii cycs (alsa-visayam).` Tlis passagc may also bc
inicipicicd io mcan: As a icsuli ol ilcii picvious mcdiiaiion on ilc Loid in
ccsiaiic iiancc (sva-samadli), ilc loui Kumaias (ic) now obiaincd ilc oppoiiuniiy
io diiccily scc ilc Supicmc Loid wiil ilcii own cycs. Tlc Loid's own
iiansccndcnial poicncy, wlicl icvcals ilc Loid's loim io ilc iniclligcncc and
scnscs ol His dcvoiccs, icvcalcd ilc Loid's loim io ilc loui Kumaias. As ilc
Kumaias lad picviously pciccivcd ilc Loid in ccsiaiic mcdiiaiion, in ilc samc way
ilcy wcic now ablc io diiccily pciccivc ilc Loid, ilc sound ol wlosc voicc, and
ilc ioucl, sigli, iasic and aioma ol wlosc body aic all lull ol complcic ciciniiy,
lnowlcdgc and bliss. Tlc Kumaias saw ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad as Hc is
cicinally manilcsicd. As a icsuli ol ilcii mcdiiaiion on Him, ilc Kumaias wcic
ablc io scc ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo in vaiious ciicumsianccs ai vaiious
iimcs is scivcd wiil vaiious aiiiclcs ol woislip by His own pcisonal associaics
lillcd wiil ilc inicnsc bliss ol puic lovc iising liom diiccily sccing ilc gicai
wondci ol ilc claiming swccincss ol ilc Loid's loim. In ilis way ilc Supicmc
Loid's poicncy ol iiansccndcnial bliss icvcals ilc iolc in ilc Loid's pasiimcs ol ilc
icsidcnis ol Vailunila, wlo lavc aiiaincd ilc mosi dcsiiablc condiiion ol lilc.
Tlc Loid's landsomcncss wlicl aiouscs gicai aiiiaciion and lovc in ilc lcaiis and
minds ol ilc Loid's associaics is dcsciibcd in ilc ilicc and a lall vciscs (Tcxis +-
7) bcginning wiil ilc woid 'lamsa'. Wc may also noic ilai ilc woid 'lcsaia' uscd
in ilis Tcxi 3 mcans 'a nccllacc ol pcails.'
19 Tlc ncxi vcisc (Tcxi +) says: Tlc Loid's allcciionaic and playlul glancing
(snclavalola) and smiling (sumullam) gianicd bcncdiciion (piasada) io
cvciyonc (liisna), including ilc iwo dooilccpcis and ilc loui Kumaias. Tlc
Loid is ilc abodc (dlama) ol all dcsiiablc (spilaniya) qualiiics. Tlc Loid's
spiiiiual abodc (aima-dlisnyam) ol Vailunila, ilc abodc ol cicinal, limiilcss,
bliss, is ilc summii (cuda-manim) ol all lcavcnly plancis (sval). Tlc Loid's
bioad clcsi (uiasi) is ilc icsiing placc ol ilc goddcss ol loiiunc (sobliiaya siiya).
Tlc woid 'sublagayaniam iva' may also bc inicipicicd io mcan Tlc goddcss ol
loiiunc icsicd on ilc Loid's clcsi as il slc wcic a sublaga-oinamcni.` Tlc woid
'iva' (lilc) is uscd io cxpicss ilc analogy in ilis siaicmcni.
20 Tlc Vailunila icalm is again dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam
3.15.26):
Tlus ilc gicai sagcs, Sanala, Sanaiana, Sananda and Sanai-lumaia, upon
icacling ilc abovcmcniioncd Vailunila in ilc spiiiiual woild by dini ol ilcii
mysiic yoga pciloimancc, pciccivcd unpicccdcnicd lappincss. Tlcy lound ilai
ilc spiiiiual sly was illuminaicd by liglly dccoiaicd aiiplancs piloicd by ilc bcsi
dcvoiccs ol Vailunila and was picdominaicd by ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad.`¯
21 Tlc loui Kumaias' dcpaiiuic liom Vailunila is dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids
(Siimad llagavaiam 3.16.27-2S):
Alici sccing ilc Loid ol Vailunila, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
in ilc scll-illuminaicd Vailunila planci, ilc sagcs lcli ilai iiansccndcnial abodc.¯
22 Tlc sagcs ciicumambulaicd ilc Supicmc Loid, ollcicd ilcii obcisanccs
and iciuincd, cxiicmcly dcliglicd ai lcaining ol ilc divinc opulcnccs ol ilc
Vaisnava.`¯
23 In ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.+0 quoicd in icxi 5) ilc woids
'lancya' and 'vana-malaya' aic in ilc insiiumcnial casc. In ilc vcisc alici ilai
(Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.+1, quoicd in icxi 6) ilc woid 'laiaia' mcans 'claiming'.
Having dcsciibcd ilc bcauiy ol ilc Loid's gaimcnis and oinamcnis, Siimad
llagavaiam ncxi dcsciibcs ilc bcauiy ol ilc Loid's loim in ilc ncxi vcisc
(3.15.+2, quoicd in icxi 7). Tlis vcisc says: Tlc cxquisiic bcauiy (balu-
sausilavadlyam) ol Naiayana was so aiiiaciivc ilai ii dclcaicd (upasisiam) ilc
piidc (uismiiam) ol ilc goddcss ol loiiunc (indiiayal) in bcing ilc mosi bcauiilul.
Tlc Loid's gicai bcauiy was many iimcs magnilicd by ilc iniclligcncc (dliya) ol
His dcvoiccs. Tlc Loid was ilus gloiilicd by ilc dcvoiccs bccausc His
iiansccndcnial loim was lull ol unlimiicd bcauiy, opulcncc, and claiming
qualiiics (balu-sausilavadlyam).`
2+ Ai ilis poini somconc may asl: How is ii possiblc ilai ilc conlidcniial
iicasuic o ilc Loid's iiansccndcnial bcauiy is so gicai ilai ii cxcccds ilc bcauiy ol
Lalsmi-dcvi, ilc goddcss ol loiiunc. Is ii noi iiuc ilai ilcic is no bcauiy gicaici
ilan Lalsmi's'
lialma answcicd ilis qucsiion by dcsciibing ilc uncquallcd supicmacy ol
ilc Loid's bcauiy. lialma says: Tlc Supicmc Loid wlo ilus manilcsicd His
iiansccndcnial loim is woislipablc (angam blajaniam) by mc (malyam), by Loid
Siva, and by all ol you.`
25 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's bcauiy and opulcnccs aic
uncquallcd in all ciicumsianccs is conliimcd by Siipada Yamunacaiya in ilc
lollowing woids (Sioiia-iaina 13):
O my Loid, cvciyiling wiilin maiciial naiuic is limiicd by iimc, spacc
and ilougli. Youi claiaciciisiics, lowcvci, bcing uncquallcd and unsuipasscd aic
always iiansccndcnial io sucl limiiaiions. You somciimcs covci sucl
claiaciciisiics by Youi own cncigy, bui ncvciilclcss Youi unalloycd dcvoiccs aic
always ablc io scc You undci all ciicumsianccs.`¯
26 Tlai ilc Supicmc Loid may bc sccn by puic dcvoiional scivicc is dcsciibcd
in ilc Siuii-sasiia:
Puic dcvoiional scivicc lcads onc io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Puic dcvoiional scivicc cnablcs onc io scc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
In ilis vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.+2, quoicd in icxi 7) ii is said: Tlc
loui Kumaias icgaidcd (niiilsya) ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad wiil
unsaicd (na viiipia) cycs (disal) and joyously (muda) bowcd (ncmul) ilcii lcads
(lail) ai His loius lcci.`
27 Siipada Siidlaia Svami commcnis on ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam
3.15.+3, quoicd in Tcxi S):
Tlc bliss ol dcvoiional scivicc io ilc Loid is gicaici cvcn ilan ilc bliss ol
diiccily sccing ilc Loid. Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilis vcisc, wlcic Loid lialma says:
Wlcn ilc bicczc (vayul) caiiying ilc aioma (malaianda) ol iulasi lcavcs (iulasi)
liom ilc iocs ol ilc loius lcci (padaiavinda-linjalla) ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad (iasya) cnicicd ilc nosiiils (sva-vivaicna) ol ilosc sagcs, ilcy
cxpciicnccd a clangc (sanlsoblam) boil in body (ianvol) and mind (ciiia), cvcn
ilougl ilcy wcic aiiaclcd io ilc impcisonal lialman undcisianding (alsaia-
jusam).` Tlc clangc ol body cxpciicnccd by ilc loui Kumaias was ilc ccsiaiic
sympiom ol laiis on ilc body sianding up, and ilc clangc ol mind ilcy
cxpciicnccd was inicnsc lappincss in ilc mind.`
2S Tlc pliasc 'padaiavinda-linlajlla-misia-iulasi' in ilis vcisc may bc
inicipicicd io mcan 'ilc aioma ol ilc iulasi lcavcs and ilc aioma ol ilc iocs ol ilc
loius lcci ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad', oi again ii may also bc
inicipicicd io mcan 'ilc aioma ol ilc Loid's lcci, and ilc aioma ol ilc loius
llowcis and iulasi lcavcs liom His gailand.' Tlc bicczc caiiicd ilcsc aiomas,
mixcd wiil ilc aioma ol ilc Loid's iiansccndcnial limbs. Caiiicd by ilc bicczc,
ilcsc combincd aiomas agiiaicd ilc minds and bodics ol ilc loui Kumaias.
29 In ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.++, quoicd in icxi 9, Loid
lialma icspccilully dcsciibcs ilc icason ilc loui Kumaias lcli iiansccndcnial
ccsiasy. lialma says: Tlc Loid's bcauiilul lacc (vadana) appcaicd io ilcm (ic
vai) lilc ilc insidc (losam) ol a sliglily blossomcd bluc (asiia) loius (padma).
Alici sccing (udvilsya) ilc lacc ol ilc Loid, ilc sagcs wcic lully saiislicd
(labdlasisal), and wlcn ilcy wanicd io scc Him luiilci, ilcy loolcd down ilc
nails (nalla) ol His loius lcci (anglii-dvanvam) wlicl icscmblcd iubics (aiuna-
mani-siayanam). Tlus ilcy vicwcd (avclsya) ilc Loid's iiansccndcnial body
again and again (punal).`
lccausc ilc loui Kumaias wcic noi ablc io scc ilc bcauiilul lcaiuics ol all
ilc Loid's iiansccndcnial limbs ai ilc samc iimc, ilcy mcdiiaicd on ilc Loid's
loim, and in ilai mcdiiaiion ilcy wcic ablc io scc all ilc Loid's iiansccndcnial
limbs simuliancously. Tlc loui Kumaias ilougli: How will wc bc ablc io scc all
ilc bcauiilul lcaiuics ol ilc Loid simuliancously'` Longing io sccilc Loid in ilis
way ilcy mcdiiaicd on Him. Tlis mcdiiaiion on ilc Loid incicascd ilcii ccsiaiic
lovc loi Him. ly ilis mcdiiaiion ilc loui Kumaias aiiaincd ccsiaiic lovc loi ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
30 In ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.+5 quoicd in icxi 10) Loid
lialma says: Tlis luman-lilc (pumsam) loim (vapul) displaycd (daisayanam)
by ilc Loid is icspccilully mcdiiaicd upon (maiam) by lialma and all ilc gicai
dcmigods (balu).`
Tlc loim mcniioncd lcic is ilc guna-avaiaia Visnu, wlo is manilcsicd
liom ilc puiusa-avaiaia Gaiblodalasayi Visnu. Loid Visnu is no dillcicni liom
His iiansccndcnial loim, unlilc lialma and ilc oilci dcmigods wlo lavc
cxicinal maiciial loims dillcicni liom ilcii spiiiiual idcniiiics.
Loid lialma coniinucs: Tlc Loid is lull ol His own bcginninglcss, scll-
manilcsicd, cicinal (auipaiiilail) opulcnccs (siddlail) sucl as ilc cigli
opulcnccs (bcginning wiil anima-siddli) aclicvcd by yoga-piaciicc (asia-
blogail). lccausc ilc Loid is lull ol ilcsc iiansccndcnial opulcnccs, ilc loui
Kumaias gloiilicd (samaginan) Him wiil many piaycis.`
31 In ilc ncxi vciscs (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.+6-50 quoicd in icxis 11-15)
ilc loui Kumaias ollci piaycis io ilc Loid, cxpicssing ilcii lcaii-lcli lcclings ol
lovc loi Him. Tlc pliasc 'alsaia-jusam' (ilc loui Kumaias lad picviously bccn
aiiaclcd io ilc impcisonal lialman undcisianding) is cxplaincd by ilc Kumaias
in ilc lollowing woids:
O Loid, ilai You aic cicinally manilcsi as ilc impcisonal lialma is
nciilci vciy wondcilul noi vciy signilicani. Youi aciually impoiiani lcaiuic is
Youi pcisonal loim, wlicl Youi own iiansccndcnial poicncy is now cnabling us io
scc. How loiiunaic wc lavc bccomc now io bc ablc io scc You lacc io lacc (naya-
mulam). O Loid, You aic noi manilcsicd (aniailiial) io ilc iascals
(duiaimanam), cvcn ilougl You aic scaicd (gaial) wiilin ilc lcaii (lidi) ol
cvciyonc. lui as lai as wc aic conccincd (nal), wc scc You lacc io lacc (nayana-
mulam iaddlal), alilougl You aic unlimiicd (anania).`
Tlai onc may scc ilc Supicmc Loid lacc io lacc by cngaging in His
dcvoiional scivicc is also conliimcd in Vcdania-suiia (3.2.2+):
ly cngaging in dcvoiional scivicc onc may bccomc cligiblc io diiccily scc
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad lacc io lacc, and onc may bc ablc io
undcisiand Him wiil ilc mind and pciccivc Him wiilin ilc lcaii by ilc pioccss
ol mcdiiaiion.`
Tlis is also conliimcd in Kaila Upanisad (2.1.1):
32 Gcncially spcaling, no onc can scc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
wlo is bcyond ilc giasp ol ilc maiciial scnscs. Howcvci, onc wlo is iniclligcni
and sainily, and wlo aspiics loi libciaiion, can iuin lis cycs liom maiici and
bccomc ablc io scc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad icsiding wiilin lis lcaii
as ilc Supcisoul.`
33 lccausc ilc Kumaias lad lcaid aboui ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
liom ilcii lailci, Loid lialma, ilcy bccamc cligiblc io scc ilc Loid lacc io lacc.
Tlis is conliimcd by ilc Kumaias in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.+6,
quoicd in icxi 11):
Tlc liisi siaicmcnis wc lavc lcaid aboui You (anuvainiia-ialal) liom oui
lailci lialma (piiia) iliougl ilc cais (laina-vivaicna) lavc now bccn aciually
icaliscd by Youi lind appcaiancc (gulam gaio nal...blavad-udblavcna).`¯
3+ Ai ilis poini Loid Naiayana may objcci: Is ii noi so ilai bccausc youi
lailci iaugli you ilc Absoluic Tiuil is invisiblc and vciy sccici, and bccausc I am
now opcnly visiblc bcloic youi cycs, ilcicloic I cannoi bc ilai Absoluic Tiuil bui
musi bc somciling clsc.`'
Tlc loui Kumaias icjcci ilc idca ilai Loid Naiayana is dillcicni liom ilc
Absoluic Tiuil. Tlcy say (in ilc ncxi vcisc, icxi 12): Wc lnow ilai You aic ilc
Supicmc Absoluic iiuil, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
35 Tlc Kumaias says: O Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol godlcad (blagavan), wc
lnow (vidama) ilai You aic ilc Supicmc Absoluic Tiuil (paiam aima-iaiivam),
wlosc loim is spiiiiual.`
Loid Naiayana ilcn may asl: 'How do you lnow'' Tlc Kumaias ilcn
icply: Wc lnow bccausc You lavc now (sampiaii) manilcsicd bcloic us Youi
iiansccndcnial loim in ilc unconiaminaicd modc ol puic goodncss (saiivcna).
Uniil ilis momcni wc did noi undcisiand You, bui now ilai wc can diiccily scc
You, wc lavc concludcd ilai You aic ilc Supicmc. You appcai bcloic ilc spiiiiual
cycs ol us wlo aic puic in lcaii. You aic noi visiblc io oidinaiy maiciial cycs.`
Tlc Kumaias coniinuc: You aic noi lnown by iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc
(il ii is dcvoid ol lovc loi You). You lavc cicaicd (iacayaniam) oui lovc (iaiim)
loi You, loi oilciwisc wc would noi bc ablc io lovc You. To ilc scll-icaliscd sagcs
wlo aic licc liom piidc and lalsc-cgo, bui wlo lavc no lovc loi You, You appcai
as ilc splcndid lialman cllulgcncc. Tlcic is a spccilic spiiiiual pail by wlicl
onc aiiains lovc loi You.`
Tlc Kumaias ilcn dcsciibc ilai spccilic pail. Tlcy say: Youi mcicy is ilc
spiiiiual piaciicc by wlicl Youi spiiiiual loim bccomcs manilcsi. ly Youi mcicy
(anuiapa-vidiiail) and by unllincling dcvoiional scivicc (didla-blalii-yogail),
onc undcisiands You. Tlis spiiiiual piaciicc is also gcnuinc lumblcncss, by
wlicl onc undcisiands unllincling puic dcvoiional scivicc.
Loid Naiayana may asl: Wlai aic ilc pcoplc wlo undcisiand Mc lilc'`
Tlc Kumaias ilcn answci: Tlcy aic wiiloui aiiaclmcni and aic licc liom
maiciial bondagc (udgianilayal). Tlcy aic noi inicicsicd in maiciial lilc
(viiagal).`
In ilis way ilcsc loui vciscs (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.+7-50) dcsciibc
puic dcvoiion and lovc loi ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
36 Alilougl picviously ilc Kumaias ilougli ilcmsclvcs non dillcicni liom
ilc Supicmc, now, inllucnccd by ilc pasiimcs ol ilc bliss poicncy ol ilc Loid's
iiansccndcnial loim, ilcy undcisiand ilcy aic dillcicni liom ilc Supicmc and
ilcy piay loi puic dcvoiional scivicc. In ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam
3.15.+S, quoicd in icxi 13), ilcy dcsciibc ilc inicnsc lappincss ol ilc dcvoiccs ol
ilc Loid. Tlc pliasc 'aiyaniilam piasadam' mcans 'ilc bcncdiciion ol impcisonal
libciaiion' and ilc pliasc 'limv anyai' mcans 'io say noiling ol ilc maiciial
lappincss ol India and ilc oilci dcmigods.`
37 In ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.+9, quoicd in icxi 1+) ilc
Kumaias conlcss ilcii own ollcnsc and piay loi puic dcvoiional scivicc. Tlcy say:
O Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, bcloic now wc did noi commii any sin, bui
now ilai iwo ol Youi dcvoiccs aic cuiscd on oui accouni, wc lavc commiiicd all
sins. Tlcicloic, lci us (nal) bc boin (blaval) in any lcllisl condiiion ol lilc
(niiaycsu).`
3S Tlcy wlo undcisiand ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, lowcvci, ncvci
sullci a lcllisl lilc. Tlis is dcsciibcd in Vcdania-suiia (+.1.13): Wlcn onc
undcisiands ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad ilc sins ol boil pasi and picscni
aic all dcsiioycd. Tlis is so bccausc ii is dcsciibcd in ilc Upanisads.` In ilis way
ilcy wlo undcisiand ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad bccomcs cxcuscd liom
many gicai sins ilai would oilciwisc lavc casi ilcm inio a lcllisl condiiion ol
lilc. Tlis laci slows ilc all-wondcilul gloiy ol ilc Supicmc Loid, wlicl Siimad
llagavaiam dcsciibcs in ilc woids (1.17.10): Tlc Loid posscsscs iiansccndcnial
qualiiics.`
39 Tlc Kumaias plcad: Lci us bc boin in lcll. Wc do noi mind. Wc aic noi
aliaid ol lcll. (Oui only icqucsi is ilai) wc may ncvci lavc ilc misloiiunc ol
bccoming avcisc io You. (Wc aic noi aliaid) il oui lcaiis and minds (ccial) aic
always cngagcd in ilc scivicc (iamcia) ol You loius lcci (padayol). Wc will bc
lilc bumblcbccs ilai iasic only ilc swccincss ol Youi loius lcci and oui woids will
bc cngagcd in dcsciibing oui diicci pciccpiion ol You, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad.` Hcaiing ilcii lcaii-lcli plca, ilc Supicmc Loid loigavc ilcii ollcnsc io
His dcvoiccs. ly His wisl ilcii ollcnsc ladcd inio non cxisicncc. In ilis way ilc
passagc slould bc undcisiood.
+0 In ilcsc iwo vciscs (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.+9-50, quoicd in icxi 1+ and
15) ilc Kumaias say: lccausc ii is noi impossiblc io scivc You in lcll, loi us,
wlo dcsiic only dcvoiional scivicc, lcll is bciici ilan impcisonal libciaiion (wlcic
ii is noi possiblc io scivc You). Oui dcvoiional scivicc io You is ilc vciy
wondcilul succcss ol oui livcs.
In ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.50, quoicd in icxi 15) ilc
Kumaias says: You do noi appcai bcloic lcss iniclligcni pcisons (anaimanam),
wlo do noi lavc unalloycd dcvoiion loi You, alilougl You lavc appcaicd bcloic
us (ii piaiiial). Wc ollci (vidlcma) oui icspccilul obcisanccs (namal) io You
(iasmai).
+1 Tlc loui Kumaias aic ilc spiiiiual masicis ol all oilci spiiiiual masicis
pcilcci in lnowlcdgc. Tlcy aic ilc spiiiiual masicis ol ilc gicai paiamalamsa
sagcs. Tlis is dcsciibcd by Sii Amsuman in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad
llagavaiam 9.S.23):
O my Loid, sagcs liccd liom ilc inllucncc ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial
naiuic - sagcs sucl as ilc loui Kumaias (Sanai, Sanala, Sanandana and Sanaiana) -
aic ablc io ilinl ol You, wlo aic conccniiaicd lnowlcdgc. lui low can an
ignoiani pcison lilc mc ilinl ol You'`¯¯¯
+2 Tlc cxalicd posiiion ol ilc loui Kumaias is also dcsciibcd by Loid lialma
in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 1.7.5):
To cicaic dillcicni planciaiy sysicms I lad io undcigo ausiciiiics and
pcnancc, and ilc Loid, ilus bcing plcascd wiil mc, incainaicd in loui sanas
(Sanala, Sanailumaia, Sanandana, and Sanaiana). In ilc picvious cicaiion ilc
spiiiiual iiuil was dcvasiaicd, bui ilc loui sanas cxplaincd ii so niccly ilai ilc
iiuil ai oncc bccamc clcaily pciccivcd by ilc sagcs.`¯
+3 Tlc Kumaias aic also gloiilicd in Clandogya Upanisad (7.26.2):
To a pcison wlosc lcaii is clcanscd ol all impuiiiy Loid Sanai-lumaia
icvcals ilc Absoluic Tiuil, wlo is bcyond ilc dailncss ol ignoiancc.`
++ Ioi a iiansccndcnialisi wlo las noi yci aiiaincd ilc pcilcciional siagc ol
spiiiiual icalisaiion, anima-siddli and ilc oilci mysiic powcis aic obsiaclcs io lis
piogicss. Ioi ilc iiansccndcnialisi wlo las alicady aiiaincd pcilcciion ol spiiiiual
icalisaiion, lowcvci, ilcy aic noi obsiaclcs. Tlis is cxplaincd by Loid Kapiladcva
in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 3.2S.3S):
Tlc body ol sucl a libciaicd yogi, along wiil ilc scnscs, is ialcn claigc ol
by ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and iis lunciions uniil iis dcsiincd
aciiviiics aic linislcd. Tlc libciaicd dcvoicc, bcing awalc io lis consiiiuiional
posiiion and ilus siiuaicd in samadli, ilc liglcsi pcilcciional siagc ol yoga, docs
noi acccpi ilc by-pioducis ol lis body as lis own. Tlus lc considcis lis bodily
aciiviiics io bc lilc ilc aciiviiics ol a body in a dicam.`¯
+5 Alilougl ilcy wcic iiansccndcnialisis licc ilc illusion ol dualiiy cicaicd by
ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic, (bccausc ilcy wcic impcisonalisis) by ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's dcsiic, wlicl can do any impossiblc iling, ilc Kumaias
wcic siill lillcd wiil angci and oilci viccs (as was sccn in ilcii angci diiccicd io
ilc gaiclccpcis ol Vailunila). Alilougl ilcy wcic impcisonalisis always plungcd
in ilc bliss ol impcisonal lialma, (ilcy bccamc pcisonalisis, dcvoiccs by coniaci
wiil ilc Loid Himscll) as is dcsciibcd in Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.+3-+5 (quoicd
in icxis S-10).
+6 In oilci placcs also ii is said ilai ilc lcaiis ol ilosc wlo aic aciually
advanccd in spiiiiual lilc (ilc dcvoiccs) aic noi disiuibcd by maiciial
impcilcciions. In Siimad llagavaiam (7.15.35) Naiada Muni says:
Wlcn onc's consciousncss is unconiaminaicd by maiciial lusiy dcsiics, ii
bccomcs calm and pcacclul in all aciiviiics, loi onc is siiuaicd in cicinal blisslul
lilc. Oncc siiuaicd on ilai plailoim, onc docs noi iciuin io maiciialisiic
aciiviiics.`¯
+7 In ilis way ilc impcisonalisi Kumaias bccamc aiiiacicd io ilc bliss ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Oilci impcisonalisi aimaiamas also bccamc
aiiiacicd io ilc Loid and bccamc dcvoiccs. In ilc sciipiuics is ilc cxamplc ol
Siila Suladcva Gosvami (Siimad llagavaiam 12.12.69):
Lci mc ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio my spiiiiual masici, ilc son ol
Vyasadcva, Suladcva Gosvami. Ii is lc wlo dclcais all inauspicious ilings wiilin
ilis univcisc. Alilougl in ilc bcginning lc was absoibcd in ilc lappincss ol
lialman icalisaiion and was living in a sccludcd placc, giving up all oilci linds ol
consciousncss, lc bccamc aiiiacicd by ilc mosi mclodious pasiimcs ol Loid Kisna.
Hc ilcicloic mcicilully spolc ilc supicmc Puiana, lnown as Siimad llagavaiam,
wlicl is ilc ligli ol ilc Absoluic Tiuil and wlicl dcsciibcs ilc aciiviiics ol Loid
Kisna.`¯
+S Ai ilis poini somconc may asl: Do ilc aciiviiics ol dcvoiional scivicc
lollow populai cusiom oi ilc ancicni samslaia iiiuals'` Tlc answci is givcn:
Nciilci ol ilcm. Dcvoiional scivicc is bcyond ilc maiciial splcic. Hcic ilc
cxamplc ol an inioxicaicd pcison wlo cannoi undcisiand wlcilci lc is wcaiing
cloiling is givcn in Siimad llagavaiam (3.2S.37):
lccausc lc las aclicvcd lis ical idcniiiy, ilc pcilccily icaliscd soul las no
conccpiion ol low ilc maiciial body is moving oi aciing, jusi as an inioxicaicd
pcison cannoi undcisiand wlcilci oi noi lc las cloiling on lis body.`¯
+9 Anoilci cxamplc ol ilc dcvoiccs' aloolncss liom maiciial dcsiic is sccn in
ilc lollowing siaicmcni (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.12):
Loid lialma said: My loui sons Sanala, Sanaiana, Sanandana and Sanai-
lumaia, wlo wcic boin liom my mind, aic youi picdcccssois. Somciimcs ilcy
iiavcl iliougloui ilc maiciial and spiiiiual slics wiiloui any dcliniic dcsiic.`¯
Tlc Kumaias wcic absoibcd in ilougli ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad.
50 Tlc dcvoiccs' aiiaclmcni io ilc Loid is dcsciibcd in Siimad llagavaiam
(3.15.37):
Tlc Loid's lcci aic sougli loi by iccluscs and gicai sagcs.`¯
Tlc dcvoiccs ovcicomc any obsiaclc laic may placc bciwccn ilcm and ilc
Loid.
51 Tlc dcvoiccs aic also dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam
(5.3.11):
Dcai Loid, all ilc gicai sagcs wlo aic ilouglilul and sainily pcisons
inccssanily iccouni Youi spiiiiual qualiiics. Tlcsc sagcs lavc alicady buincd up
all ilc unlimiicd diiiy ilings and, by ilc liic ol lnowlcdgc, siicngilcncd ilcii
dciaclmcni liom ilc maiciial woild. Tlus ilcy lavc aiiaincd Youi qualiiics and
aic scll-saiislicd. Yci cvcn loi ilosc wlo lccl spiiiiual bliss in claniing Youi
aiiiibuics, Youi pcisonal picscncc is vciy iaic.`¯
In ilis piosc passagc ilc dcvoiccs' cxclusivc laiil in ilc Loid is dcsciibcd.
52 Tlc dcvoiccs aic again dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam
12.12.69):
Tlc dcvoiccs' lcaiis aic aiiiacicd io ilc claiming pasiimcs ol ilc
invinciblc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
53 Tlc sigli ol ilc Loid givcs gicai plcasuic io ilc dcvoiccs. Tlc Kumaias
say (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.50):
O Loid, wc ilcicloic ollci oui icspccilul obcisanccs unio Youi cicinal
loim as ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlicl You lavc so lindly manilcsicd bcloic
us. Youi supicmc, cicinal loim cannoi bc sccn by unloiiunaic, lcss iniclligcni
pcisons, bui wc aic so mucl saiislicd in oui mind and vision io scc ii.`¯
5+ Somconc may say ilai alilougl, as ilc picvious vcisc said, ilc Loid biings
lappincss io ilc cycs, ilc Loid limscll is alool and docs noi lovc anyonc. Tlis is
noi iiuc, loi anoilci vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.39) says:
Tlc Loid's allcciionaic smiling and glancing ioucl ilc coic ol ilc lcaii.`¯
55 lccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad (blagavan) aiiiacis and
dcliglis ilc impcisonalisis and oilci iiansccndcnialisis, ilc spiiiiual subsiancc
namcd lialman slould bc undcisiood io bc aciually a lcaiuic ol Loid llagavan.
Tlc Kumaias aic an cxamplc ol impcisonalisis wlo bccamc aiiiacicd io Loid
llagavan (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.+3):
Wlcn ilc bicczc caiiying ilc aioma ol iulasi lcavcs liom ilc iocs ol ilc
loius lcci ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cnicicd ilc nosiiils ol ilosc sagcs, ilcy
cxpciicnccd a clangc boil in body and in mind, cvcn ilougl ilcy wcic aiiaclcd
io ilc impcisonal lialman undcisianding.`¯
56 lcyond ilc bliss ol lialman is a moic inicnsc siagc ol spiiiiual icalisaiion
wlcic onc is lillcd wiil wondcilul bliss by gazing ai ilc wondcilul limbs ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Ii is noi appiopiiaic io say oilciwisc. Tlis bliss
is a manilcsiaiion ol ilc Loid's own pasiimc poicncy.
57 Ai ilis poini somconc may pioicci: Is ii noi so ilai bccausc ilc bliss ol
llagavan is limiicd io a spccilic loim, ilcicloic ilc bliss ol ilc loimlcss, and
ilcicloic unlimiicd, lialman is gicaici' lialman appcais in ilc ilouglis ol a
pcison siiuaicd in puic goodncss. Wlcn llagavan is manilcsicd in ilc mosi puic
loim ol ilc modc ol goodncss, ilcn ii bccomcs onc wiil lialman. In ilis way ilc
iiuil ol llagavan bccomcs manilcsicd. In ilis way ii is said ilai impcisonal
lialman and ilc loim ol ilc llagavan aic onc and ilc samc. In wlaicvci loim
lialman is manilcsi, ilc samc loimlcss bliss is picscni. Tlai bliss docs noi lavc
ilc sliglicsi sccni ol a iclaiionslip wiil any spccilic loim. Tlai bliss is causcd by
mcdiiaiion on ilc impcisonal lialman. Tlcicloic, in ilc ligli ol ilis cvidcncc,
low can ii bc said ilai ilc Absoluic iiuil las a loim'
5S In youi opinion you lavc said ilai ilc impcisonal lialman appcais in ilc
ilouglis ol onc wlo is puic and ilai by abandoning all paiiial, impcilcci
conccpiions ol God, and by bccoming cnliglicncd wiil gcnuinc spiiiiual
lnowlcdgc, ilc impcisonal lialman, ilc complcic, linal aspcci ol ilc Absoluic
Tiuil, bccomcs manilcsi.
Ii is bccausc ol youi incomplcic lnowlcdgc and youi aiiaclmcni io ilc
impcisonal idca ol God ilai you do noi acccpi ilc iiuil ilai God las loim and
qualiiics. Wlcn you say ilc loim and qualiiics ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad aic manilcsiaiions ol ilc modc ol puic goodncss, wlai do you mcan' Do
you mcan ilai ilcy aic iiansloimaiions ol ilc modc ol puic goodncss oi lavc a
laigc quaniiiy ol ilc modc ol puic goodncss. Tlc liisi pioposal, ilai ilcy aic
iiansloimaiions ol ilc modc ol puic goodncss is clcaily noi iiuc, loi ii las alicady
bccn cxplaincd ilai ii is noi possiblc loi somciling io bc a iiansloimaiion ol ilc
modc ol goodncss wiiloui somc mixiuic ol ilc modc ol passion. Tlc sccond
pioposal, ilai ilcy lavc a laigc quaniiiy ol ilc modc ol puic goodncss, is also noi
iiuc loi ilai siaicmcni would imply ilai somc oilci modcs aic also picscni and
ilc goodncss is noi puic, bui mixcd wiil oilci modcs. Tlis idca malcs
mcaninglcss ilc woid 'visuddla' (puic) in ilc Siimad llagavaiam (10.2.3+)
siaicmcni 'saiivam visuddlam siayaic blavan siliiau' (O Loid, You manilcsi
scvcial incainaiions, all wiil iiansccndcnial bodics, bcyond ilc maiciial modcs ol
naiuic).¯
Ai ilis poini oui opponcni may say: 'All iigli, ilc loim and qualiiics ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic in ilc modc ol puic goodncss, bui ilcy aic
cciiainly noi spiiiiual. Tlai is noi possiblc. You can loigci aboui ilinling ilai
ilcy aic dillcicni liom ilc maiciial cncigy.`
To ilis I icply: Il ilc sagcs scc ilc spiiiiual naiuic picscni in ilc modc ol
pcilccily puic goodncss, ilcn youi aigumcni is icluicd bccausc ilc inlcicncc you
malc is noi valid.
59 Tlc loui Kumaias alliim ilai ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is spiiiiual in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.3S):
Tlc sagcs, lcadcd by Sanala Rsi, saw ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, Visnu, wlo was loimcily visiblc only wiilin ilcii lcaiis in ccsiaiic
iiancc, lad now aciually bccomc visiblc io ilcii cycs.`¯
In ilis quoic ilc diicci pciccpiion ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
is dcsciibcd and ilc idcas ilai ilc Absoluic Tiuil is invisiblc io all cycs, ilc puic
goodncss ol ilc Loid's loim is maiciial, ilc Loid's loim is a iiansloimaiion ol ilc
modc ol goodncss and ilc Loid's loim las a laigc quaniiiy ol ilc modc ol
goodncss, aic all icluicd. Tlc iiuil, as las alicady bccn dcsciibcd, is ilai ilc
Loid's loim is scll-manilcsi, ilai is, manilcsi by ilc modc ol puic goodncss. In
ilis way ilc idcas ilai ilc Loid's loim is maiciial oi ilai ilc Loid las no loim, aic
boil icluicd and ilc wondci ol ilc bliss ol ilc diicci pciccpiion ol ilc Loid's loim
is clcaily csiablislcd. In ilis way, by ilc dcsciipiion ol ilc diicci sccing ol ilc
Loid's loim and by ilc dcsciipiion ol ilc Loid's landsomcncss, ilc iiuil ilai ilc
Loid's loim is puic iiansccndcnial goodncss is clcaily piovcd.
60 In ilc woids 'Tlc sagcs gazcd ai ilc loim ol ilc Loid wiil unsaicd cycs'
Siimad llagavaiam (3.15.+2) conliims ilc iiansccndcnial naiuic ol ilc Loid's
loim by cxplaining ilai ilc sagcs could ncvci bccomc saicd by gazing ai ilc Loid's
loim.
61 In ilc passagc bcginning wiil ilc woid 'ca' (and) (Siimad llagavaiam
3.15.+1-+2) ii is sccn ilai ilc bicczc caiiying ilc aioma ol ilc Loid's loius lcci
dclcais ilc impcisonal lialman. Il ilis wcic noi so, ilcn in boil ilcsc passagcs
ilc loimlcssncss ol ilc lappincss ol impcisonal lialman would lavc bccn
dcsciibcd (and noi ilc loim ol ilc Loid) and ilc woid 'alsaia-jusam' (aiiaclcd io
ilc impcisonal lialman undcisianding) would bc icplaccd by ilc woid 'vidya-
jusam' (aiiaclcd io iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc). Tlis is so bccausc ilcsc iwo iival
conccpiions (ilc pcisonal and impcisonal dcliniiion ol God) aic muiually
cxclusivc. In ilis way ii may bc undcisiood ilai, jusi as Vasisila Muni casily
conqucicd ilc sliglicsi possibiliiy ol giicving ovci ilc dcail ol lis sons, so ilc
bliss ol ilc sliglicsi glimpsc ol ilc pcisonal loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad casily conqucis ilc lappincss ol pcicciving ilc impcisonal lialman. In
ilis way ilc aigumcnis ol ilc impcisonalisis aic icluicd.
Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis lcic (3.15.+3):
Tlc bliss ol sciving ilc Loid is gicaici cvcn ilan ilc bliss ol diiccily
sccing Him.`
Tlis cxplanaiion (by Siidlaia Svami) is cciiainly a souicc ol gicai wondci.
62 Ioi ilis icason ilc Kumaias ollci ilc lollowing wondcilul piayci (Siimad
llagavaiam 3.15.+9):
O Loid, wc piay ilai You lci us bc boin in any lcllisl condiiion ol lilc,
jusi as long as oui lcaiis and minds aic always cngagcd in ilc scivicc ol Youi
loius lcci, oui woids aic madc bcauiilul (by spcaling ol Youi aciiviiics) jusi as
iulasi lcavcs aic bcauiilicd wlcn ollcicd unio Youi loius lcci, and as long as oui
cais aic always lillcd wiil ilc claniing ol Youi iiansccndcnial qualiiics.`¯
63 Tlc Nyaya-sasiia says: Il loncy is ncaiby, wly go io a mouniain io scaicl
loi ii'` Tlcic is no nccd io scaicl loi anoilci, a moic complicaicd, lcss obvious
cxplanaiion loi all ilis. Tlc mcaning is clcai.
6+ In ilcsc vciscs ii is noi siaicd ilai ilc jivas aic non-dillcicni liom ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, bui iailci, ilc opposing vicw, ilai ilcy aic
dillcicni, is clcaily givcn. Ioi cxamplc, in Siimad llagavaiam (3.15.+2) ii is said:
Tlc sagcs icgaidcd Him (ilc Loid) wiil unsaicd cycs and joyously bowcd
ilcii lcads ai His loius lcci.`¯
Also, ilc Kumaias say (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.+9):
O Loid, wc piay ilai You lci us bc boin in any lcllisl condiiion ol lilc,
jusi as long as oui lcaiis and minds aic always cngagcd in ilc scivicc ol Youi
loius lcci, oui woids aic madc bcauiilul (by spcaling ol Youi aciiviiics) jusi as
iulasi lcavcs aic bcauiilicd wlcn ollcicd unio Youi loius lcci, and as long as oui
cais aic always lillcd wiil ilc claniing ol Youi iiansccndcnial qualiiics.`¯
In ilcsc passagcs is sccn ilc lappincss ol puic dcvoiional scivicc, wlcic
ilc dcvoicc ollcis icspccilul obcisanccs io ilc Loid and lnows ilai lc is dillcicni
liom ilc Loid. All ol ilis, ol couisc is ilc opposiic (ol ilc impcisonal vicw, wlcic
onc ilinls limscll onc wiil ilc Loid). Tlc impcisonalisis' vicw is an illusion ol
ilc woisi lind and ilc lappincss ol impcisonal icalisaiion is also an illusion.
lccausc ilcy aic lillcd wiil lnowlcdgc ol ilc iiuil, ilc dcvoiccs do noi
misundcisiand ilis illusoiy lappincss, ilinling ii somciling oilci ilan ii is. ilc
spiiiiual pasiimcs ol ilc Loid, lowcvci, aic, manilcsicd liom His pcisonal,
inicinal poicncy, wlicl is pcilcci and complcicly dillcicni liom ilc lappincss ol
impcisonal lialman.
65 Tlc dcvoiccs' conccpiion ol libciaiion, wlcic onc bccomcs licc liom all
maiciial dcsignaiions and undcisiands ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, is ilc
iiuil. Ii is bciici ilan ilc impcisonalisis' conccpiion ol libciaiion, wlcic, siaying
in ilc maiciial woild, onc sccs cvciyiling as a icllcciion ol lialman. Tlis is
conliimcd by ilc loui Kumaias in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 3.15.+S):
Pcisons wlo aic vciy cxpcii and mosi iniclligcni in undcisianding ilings
as ilcy aic cngagc in lcaiing naiiaiions ol ilc auspicious aciiviiics and pasiimcs ol
ilc Loid, wlicl aic woiil claniing and woiil lcaiing. Sucl pcisons do noi caic
cvcn loi ilc liglcsi maiciial bcncdiciion, namcly libciaiion, io say noiling ol
oilci lcss impoiiani bcncdiciions lilc ilc maiciial lappincss ol ilc lcavcnly
lingdom.`¯
Iiom ilis wc may undcisiand ilai a dcvoicc docs noi considci onc siaius
ol maiciial lilc bciici ilan anoilci.
66 Tlai ilc wondcilul libciaiion ol ilc dcvoiccs is bciici ilan ilc vaiiciylcss
lialman libciaiion ol ilc impcisonalisis is conliimcd by Siimad llagavaiam
(3.15.+S):
Pcisons wlo aic vciy cxpcii and mosi iniclligcni in undcisianding ilings
as ilcy aic cngagc in lcaiing naiiaiions ol ilc auspicious aciiviiics and pasiimcs ol
ilc Loid, wlicl aic woiil claniing and woiil lcaiing. Sucl pcisons do noi caic
cvcn loi ilc liglcsi maiciial bcncdiciion, namcly libciaiion, io say noiling ol
oilci lcss impoiiani bcncdiciions lilc ilc maiciial lappincss ol ilc lcavcnly
lingdom.`¯
Iiom ilis wc may undcisiand ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
ilc masici ol wondcilul inicinal poicncics, las a loim ol iiansccndcnial bliss.
Tlai ilc wondci ol ilc pasiimcs and poicncics in His loim is moic signilicani ilan
ilc impcisonal lialman is conliimcd by ilc pcisonal cxpciicncc ol ilc wisc. Tlis
is dcsciibcd in Siila Siidlaia Svami's commcniaiy on Siimad llagavaiam
(10.S7.21):
Giving up ilcii maiciial bodics, ilc dcvoiccs bccomc libciaicd and
woislip ilc Loid by cnjoying iiansccndcnial pasiimcs wiil Him.`
Tlis is also dcsciibcd in Nisimla-iapani Upanisad (2.+):
All ilc dcmigods, bialmavadis, and sagcs wlo aspiic loi libciaiion,
mcdiiaic on ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
Tlc woid 'bialmavadi' lcic mcans 'ilc spiiiiual masicis ol ilc
impcisonalisis.`
Tlis is also dcsciibcd in Malablaiaia:
Loid Kisna is woislippcd by libciaicd souls licc liom illusion.`
67 Tlis is also dcsciibcd in llagavad-giia (1S.5+):
Onc wlo is ilus iiansccndcnially siiuaicd ai oncc icaliscs ilc Supicmc
lialman and bccomcs lully joylul. Hc ncvci lamcnis oi dcsiics io lavc anyiling.
Hc is cqually disposcd iowaid cvciy living cniiiy. In ilai siaic lc aiiains puic
dcvoiional scivicc unio Mc.`¯
6S Tlis is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Siuii-sasiia quoicd in
Siipada Madlvacaiya's commcniaiy on Malablaiaia:
Tlc dcvoiional scivicc pciloimcd by libciaicd souls is lull ol cicinal bliss.`
Tlis is also conliimcd by Vcdania-suiia (+.1.12):
Alici libciaiion ilc pioccss ol dcvoiional scivicc coniinucs.`¯
Tlis is also conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Supaina-siuii quoicd
in Siipada Madlvacaiya's commcniaiy:
Onc slould always woislip ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Lvcn
alici aiiaining libciaiion onc slould coniinuc io woislip Him. Tlc libciaicd souls
woislip Him.`
69 Tlis is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni, wlcic, discussing
Piallada Malaiaja, lali Malaiaja and oilci gicai dcvoiccs, Sii Visnu Puiana
(2.5.7) says:
Lvcn wlcn placcd in lcll, wlai libciaicd soul docs noi coniinuc io lovc
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad'`
Anuccheda 80
1 All goals ol lilc aic siiuaicd wiilin ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad. Tlis is dcsciibcd in Siimad llagavaiam (5.3.7-S) wlcic ilc iivig piicsis
say io Loid Yajna-puiusa:
Wc lavc cngagcd in Youi woislip wiil many ilings and lavc ollcicd
saciiliccs unio You, bui wc ilinl ilai ilcic is no nccd loi so many aiiangcmcnis
io plcasc Youi Loidslip. All ol lilc's goal and opulcnccs aic diiccily, scll-
sullicicnily, unccasingly, and unlimiicdly incicasing in You ai cvciy momcni.
Indccd, You aic unlimiicd cnjoymcni and blisslul cxisicncc iiscll.`¯
2 Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis:
Tlis vcisc says 'All ol lilc's goals and opulcnccs (puiusaiila) aic diiccily
(anasa), scll-sullicicnily (aimanal), incicasingly and unlimiicdly (ascsa)
incicasing (bobluyamana) in You (svaiupa) ai cvciy momcni (anusavanam).
Indccd, You aic unlimiicd cnjoymcni and blisslul cxisicncc iiscll.'`¯
3 Tlis is also dcsciibcd in Clandogya Upanisad (3.1+.2):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is all dcsiics, all liagianccs, all
iasics.`
Anuccheda 81
1 lialman and llagavan aic boil ilc samc Supicmc. Alilougl Tlcy aic
considcicd scpaiaicly, ilc dcsciipiions ol ilc cxpciicnccs ol ilc wisc conliim ilai
Tlcy aic onc. Tlcy aic onc iiuil dcsciibcd in iwo woids. Tlcy aic noi in laci
dillcicni.
2 Siill, ilc dillcicncc bciwccn Tlcm is noi only in namc bui also in
appcaiancc. Tlc Supicmc ilus manilcsis Himscll in iwo ways accoiding io iwo
dillcicni vicws and in ilcsc iwo ways Hc is woislippcd. lccausc boil ol ilcsc
vicws aic iiuc ii slould noi bc ilougli ilai onc ol ilcsc vicws is iiuc and ilc
oilci is an illusion. lccausc (ilc sciipiuics alliim ilai) Tlcy aic noi paiiial
iiansloimaiions ol ilc poicncy ol somciling clsc, lialman and llagavan aic noi
iwo dillcicni iiansloimaiions ol a singlc oiiginal subsiancc. Iiom ilis vicw ii is
undcisiood ilai lialman and llagavan aic boil ilc samc and dillcicni. Tlc vicw
ilai Tlcy aic only ilc samc is ilc icsuli ol noi caiclully cxamining Tlcm boil.
Tlcy aic dillcicni. Tlc liisi dillcicncc is ilai lialman only siays in onc placc.
Tlc sccond dillcicncc is ilai lialman is dcvoid ol any vaiiciy. A conccpiion ol
somciling ilai cannoi dcsciibc iis qualiiics is an incomplcic conccpiion. Tlc
conccpiion ol lialma is lilc ilai. A conccpiion ol somciling ilai dcsciibcs iis
many wondcilul qualiiics is a complcic conccpiion. Tlc conccpiion ol ilc loim ol
llagavan is lilc ilai.
3 Tlc mcaning ol ilis is ilai bccausc ilcic aic dillcicni lcvcls ol spiiiiual
icalisaiion, ilcic aic also dillcicni lcvcls ol manilcsiaiion ol ilc Supicmc. Tlcic
aic iwo icasons ilc gicai Siimad llagavaiam was manilcsicd. Tlcsc iwo icasons
aic cxplaincd in ilc lollowing six vciscs (Siimad llagavaiam 1.5.+,7,S,12,37,3S):
+ Sii Naiada said: You lavc lully dclincaicd ilc subjcci ol impcisonal
lialman as wcll as ilc lnowlcdgc dciivcd ilcicliom. Wly slould you bc
dcspondcni in spiic ol all ilis, ilinling ilai you aic undonc, my dcai piablu'¯
5 Lilc ilc sun, youi goodncss can iiavcl cvciywlcic in ilc ilicc woilds and
lilc ilc aii you can pcnciiaic ilc inicinal icgion ol cvciyonc. As sucl, you aic as
good as ilc all-pcivasivc Supcisoul. Plcasc, ilcicloic, lind oui ilc dclicicncy in
mc, dcspiic my bcing absoibcd in iiansccndcncc undci disciplinaiy icgulaiions
and vows.¯
6 Sii Naiada said: You lavc noi aciually bioadcasi ilc sublimc and spoilcss
gloiics ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlai plilosoply wlicl docs noi saiisly ilc
iiansccndcnial scnscs ol ilc Loid is considcicd woiillcss.¯
7 Knowlcdgc ol scll-icalisaiion, cvcn ilougl licc liom all maiciial alliniiy,
docs noi lool wcll il dcvoid ol a conccpiion ol ilc inlalliblc (God). Wlai, ilcn, is
ilc usc ol liuiiivc aciiviiics, wlicl aic naiuially painlul liom ilc vciy bcginning
and iiansicni by naiuic, il ilcy aic noi uiiliscd loi ilc scivicc ol ilc Loid'¯
S Lci us all clani ilc gloiics ol Vasudcva along wiil His plcnaiy cxpansions
Piadyumna, Aniiuddla and Sanlaisana.¯
9 Tlus lc is ilc aciual scci wlo woislips, in ilc loim ol iiansccndcnial
sound icpicscniaiion, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Visnu, wlo las no
maiciial loim.
10 Tlcsc many dillcicni vciscs (Siimad llagavaiam 1.5.+-7, S, 12, 37, 3S
quoicd in icxis +-9) lavc bccn discusscd lcic only biiclly and noi ai lcngil. Siila
Siidlaia Svami commcnis on ilc liisi ol ilcsc vciscs:
Tlis vcisc mcans 'You (ivaya) lavc lully dclincaicd (jijnasiiam) ilc
subjcci ol impcisonal lialman (bialma), wlicl is cicinal (sanaianam), as wcll as
ilc lnowlcdgc dciivcd ilcicliom (vicaiiiam). Wly slould you bc dcspondcni
(socasi) in spiic ol all ilis (iailapi)''`
11 Siimad llagavaiam 1.5.7 (quoicd in icxi 5) mcans 'lccausc you aic
cmpowcicd by Loid Visnu, lilc ilc sun youi goodncss can iiavcl cvciywlcic in
ilc ilicc woilds, and lilc ilc aii you can pcnciiaic ilc inicinal icgion ol cvciyonc.
You aic ilc wiincss wlo lnows wlai is insidc ilc lcaiis ol all living bcings. You
lnow all ilai lappcns boil cxicinally and also wiilin ilc lcaii. As sucl you aic
as good as ilc all-pcivasivc Supcisoul. I am absoibcd in iiansccndcncc undci
disciplinaiy vows.' Tlis is also dcsciibcd by ilc sagc Yajnavallya in ilc lollowing
woids:
12 Tlc uliimaic icsuli ol woislip, iiglicous conduci, mcicy, non violcncc,
claiiiy, Vcdic siudy, and pious dccds, is ilc diicci vision ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad in yogic iiancc.`
13 Tlc sccond paii ol ilc vcisc mcans 'Plcasc, ilcicloic, lind oui ilc
dclicicncy in mc, dcspiic my bcing absoibcd in iiansccndcncc undci disciplinaiy
icgulaiions and vows, and in Vcdic siudy io undcisiand ilc picliminaiy iiuil ol
lialman dcsciibcd in ilc sciipiuics.`
1+ Tlc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 1.5.S, quoicd in icxi 6) mcans
'Wiiloui woislip ol ilc Loid, wlicl mcans dcsciipiion ol lis gloiics, mcic
lnowlcdgc ol diy, impcisonal lialman docs noi plcasc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad. I ilinl ilai (impcisonal) plilosoply is woiillcss. Tlis is madc moic
clcai by ilc ncxi quoic (Siimad llagavaiam 1.5.12, quoicd in icxi 7).
15 Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis (on Siimad llagavaiam 1.5.12, quoicd in
icxi 7): 'In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'naislaimyam' mcans boil 'spiiiiual icalisaiion' and
'liccdom liom liuiiivc woil'. And 'niianjanam' mcans 'licc liom dcsignaiions'.
Tlis lind ol lnowlcdgc ol scll icalisaiion docs noi lool wcll il ii is dcvoid ol lovc
loi ilc inlalliblc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Ai ilc iimc ol pciloiming
aciions and also ai ilc iimc ol obiaining ilc icsulis ol aciions, ilis lind ol
lnowlcdgc is lull ol pain (abladiam). Tlc woid 'ca' (and) lcic mcans ilai ilis
dcsciipiion applics io boil liuiiivc and non liuiiivc woil. Il woil is noi ollcicd io
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, low can ii bc auspicious (soblaic)' Ii is noi
auspicious bccausc ii las no iclaiion io ilc Supicmc Loid and bccausc ii docs noi
puiily ilc lcaii.`
In ilis way lnowlcdgc ol scll icalisaiion, cvcn ilougl licc liom all maiciial
alliniiy (docs noi lool wcll). lccausc ilis vcisc is vciy impoiiani ii is icpcaicd
vcibaiim alici ilc Tcnil Canio (12.12.52). Tlc conclusion ol ilcsc iwo vciscs is
ilai loving dcvoiional scivicc is ilc way io diiccily scc ilc Supicmc Loid.
16 In ilc ncxi vciscs (Siimad llagavaiam 1.5.37 and 3S, quoicd in Tcxis S
and 9) ilc woid 'maniia-muiiim' mcans ciilci Hc wlosc loim is dcsciibcd in
maniias', oi 'Hc wlosc loim is idcniical wiil maniias'. Tlc woid 'amuiiilam'
mcans ciilci 'Hc wlo docs noi lavc a loim dcsciibcd in maniias' oi 'Hc wlosc
loim is noi maiciial.' Tlis mcans His loim is noi maiciial ciilci bccausc Hc and
His loim aic idcniical, oi bccausc Hc is noi dillcicni liom His loim. Tlus ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is diiccily visiblc (in ilc loim ol maniia).
Anuccheda 82
1 In icims ol dillcicni lcvcls ol plilosoplical undcisianding and dillcicni
lcvcls ol manilcsiaiions ol ilc Supicmc, llagavan (ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad) is ilc bcsi. Wiil His cxalicd iiansccndcnial qualiiics llagavan aiiiacis
ilc scll-icaliscd souls (aimaiamas). Tlis is conliimcd in ilc lollowing woids
(Siimad llagavaiam 1.7.10):
2 All dillcicni vaiiciics ol aimaiamas (ilosc wlo ialc plcasuic in aima, oi
spiiii scll), cspccially ilosc csiablislcd on ilc pail ol scll-icalisaiion, ilougl liccd
liom all linds ol maiciial bondagc, dcsiic io icndci unalloycd dcvoiional scivicc
unio ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlis mcans ilai ilc Loid posscsscs
iiansccndcnial qualiiics and ilcicloic can aiiiaci cvciyonc, including libciaicd
souls.`¯
3 Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis: Tlc woid 'niigianila' lcic mcans 'ilcy
wlo aic abovc ilc injunciions ol ilc sciipiuics'. Tlis is dcsciibcd in llagavad-
giia (2.52):
Wlcn youi iniclligcncc las passcd oui ol ilc dcnsc loicsi ol dclusion, you
slall bccomc indillcicni io all ilai las bccn lcaid and all ilai is io bc lcaid.`¯
+ Oi ilc woid 'niigianila' may also bc inicipicicd io mcan 'ilcy wlo lavc
cui ilc lnois (ol maiciial dcsiic) in ilc lcaii'.
Somconc may asl, 'Wlai is ilc usc ol dcvoiional scivicc loi ilcy wlo aic
alicady libciaicd'`
Tlc answci is givcn ilai cvcn ilc libciaicd souls cngagc in dcvoiional
scivicc io icmovc all calamiiics. Also, ilc Loid is lull ol wondcilul qualiiics
(iiilam-bluia-gunal) (and ilus ilc libciaicd souls aic aiiiacicd io scivc Him).`
Anuccheda 83
1 Tlai llagavan (ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad) is ilc supicmc loim
ol God is conliimcd by ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam 3.2+.+3-+7):
Hc lixcd lis mind upon ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
Paiabialman, wlo is bcyond causc and cllcci, wlo manilcsis ilc ilicc modcs ol
maiciial naiuic, wlo is bcyond ilosc ilicc modcs, and wlo is pciccivcd only
iliougl unlailing dcvoiional scivicc.¯
2 Tlus lc giadually bccamc unallccicd by ilc lalsc cgo ol maiciial idcniiiy
and bccamc licc liom maiciial allcciion. Undisiuibcd, cqual io cvciyonc and
wiiloui dualiiy, lc could indccd scc limscll also. His mind was iuincd inwaid
and was pcilccily calm, lilc an occan unagiiaicd by wavcs.¯
3 Hc ilus bccamc libciaicd liom condiiioncd lilc and bccamc scll siiuaicd in
iiansccndcnial dcvoiional scivicc io ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Vasudcva, ilc
omniscicni Supcisoul wiilin cvciyonc.¯
+ Hc bcgan io scc ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is scaicd in
cvciyonc's lcaii, and ilai cvciyonc is cxisiing on Him, bccausc Hc is ilc
Supcisoul ol cvciyonc.¯
5 Iiccd liom all laiicd and dcsiic, Kaidama Muni, bcing cqual io cvciyonc
bccausc ol disclaiging unconiaminaicd dcvoiional scivicc, uliimaicly aiiaincd ilc
pail bacl io Godlcad.`¯
6 In Siimad llagavaiam 3.2+.+3 (quoicd in icxi 1) ilc woid 'cla-blaliya'
mcans 'by unlailing sadlana-blalii (dcvoiional scivicc in piaciicc).' 'Anublaviic`
mcans 'cicinally pciccivcd'. Wiiloui dcvoiional scivicc ilc goal ol lilc is noi
aiiaincd. In ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 3.2+.++ quoicd in icxi 2) ilc
woids 'niialanliiii niimanal' mcans 'lccausc ol bcing unallccicd by ilc lalsc cgo
ol maiciial idcniiiy, lc bccamc licc liom maiciial allcciion.' lccausc lc was licc
liom lalsc cgo and maiciial allcciion, lc also bccamc licc loim ilc mind and
scnscs.
7 Tlc woid 'sama-dil' mcans 'sccing cqually'. 'Sva-dil' mcans 'sccing limscll
as spiiii'. 'Piaiyal' mcans 'iuincd inwaid'. 'Piasania' mcans 'unagiiaicd'. 'Dlil'
mcans 'lnowlcdgc'. In ilc siagc ol sadlana-blalii, wlcic dcvoiion is mixcd wiil
lnowlcdgc ol lialman, lc aiiaincd pciccpiion ol lialman and ilcn laici, on ilc
siicngil ol puic blalii, lc dcvclopcd lovc loi ilc Supicmc and alici ilai lc was
ablc io scc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc ncxi
vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 3.2+.+5, quoicd in icxi 3).
S In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'piaiyag-aimani- mcans 'picscni wiilin cvciyonc'.
'Paicna blalii-blavcna' mcans 'by ilc powci ol loving dcvoiional scivicc.' In ilis
way Hc bccamc licc liom lalsc cgo and oilci maiciial impcilcciions and aiiaincd
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. ly lnowlcdgc ol lialman lc bccamc licc ol
maiciial lalsc cgo, bui wlcn lc bccamc puiilicd by ilc bliss ol lovc loi ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, lc aiiaincd lis ical cgo, lis ical idcniiiy.
9 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: 'Is ii noi so ilc libciaicd dcvoicc will
iciuin again io ilc siaic ol maiciial bondagc, loi ilc causcs ol bondagc siill icmain
in lim'
To ilis I icply: No. Tlc vcisc said 'mulia-bandlanal' (Hc bccomcs
libciaicd). Tlis is conliimcd by Vcdania-suiia (+.+.22) 'ly ilc sound vibiaiion ol
ilc Vcdic sciipiuics onc bccomcs libciaicd and docs noi iciuin io ilc woild ol
biiil and dcail.' Tlis piovcs ilai by gicai dcvoiion onc aiiains ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
10 In ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 3.2+.+6, quoicd in icxi +) ilc woid
'aimanam' mcans 'ilc indcpcndcni Supcisoul'. Tlc mcaning lcic is ilai ilc
Supcisoul is a manilcsiaiion ol Loid llagavan (ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad). How onc aiiains ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd in
ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 3.2+.+7 quoicd in icxi 5). Tlcic ii is said ilai
bcing licc ol laiicd and dcsiic, wlicl aic abominablc, and bcing cqual io
cvciyonc, lc aiiaincd ilc pail bacl io Godlcad. Tlis (cquanimiiy and liccdom
liom laiicd and dcsiic) is dcsciibcd in Siimad llagavaiam (6.17.2S) in ilcsc
woids:
11 Dcvoiccs solcly cngagcd in ilc dcvoiional scivicc ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Naiayana, ncvci lcai any condiiion ol lilc. Ioi ilcm ilc
lcavcnly plancis, libciaiion and ilc lcllisl plancis aic all ilc samc, loi sucl
dcvoiccs aic inicicsicd only in ilc scivicc ol ilc Loid.`¯
12 Tlc woid 'sama' in Siimad llagavaiam 3.2+.+7 (quoicd in icxi 5) may also
bc inicipicicd as a namc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlis is dcsciibcd
in ilc commcniaiy on Sii Visnu-salasia-namc-sioiia: 'Tlc woid 'sama' lcic mcans
'Hc wlo siays wiil Moilci Lalsmi'. In ilis way ilc woid 'sama-cciasa' may mcan
'wiil lcaii and mind lixcd on ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad'. In ilis vcisc
ilc pliasc 'piapio blagavaiim gaiim' is an alicinaic icading loi ilc lasi linc. In
ilis icading nominaiivc-casc 'piapial' iclcis io Kaidama Muni and ilc goal lc
aiiaincd is in ilc accusaiivc casc. In ilcsc siaicmcnis ilc yoga ol dcvoiional
scivicc io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is clcaily dcsciibcd.
13 Tlis is dcsciibcd in llagavad-giia (1S.51-55):
lcing puiilicd by His iniclligcncc and coniiolling ilc mind wiil
dciciminaiion, giving up ilc objccis ol scnsc giaiilicaiion, bcing licc liom
aiiaclmcni and laiicd, onc wlo livcs in a sccludcd placc, wlo cais liiilc, wlo
coniiols lis body, mind and powci ol spcccl, wlo is always in iiancc and wlo is
dciaclcd, licc liom lalsc cgo, lalsc siicngil, lalsc piidc, lusi, angci, and acccpiancc
ol maiciial ilings, licc liom lalsc piopiicioislip, and pcacclul -sucl a pcison is
cciiainly clcvaicd io ilc posiiion ol scll-icalisaiion.¯
1+ Onc wlo is ilus iiansccndcnially siiuaicd ai oncc icaliscs ilc Supicmc
lialman and bccomcs lully joylul. Hc ncvci lamcnis ol dcsiics io lavc anyiling.
Hc is cqually disposcd iowaid cvciy living cniiiy. In ilai siaic lc aiiains puic
dcvoiional scivicc unio Mc.¯
15 Onc can undcisiand Mc as I am, as ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
only by dcvoiional scivicc. And wlcn onc is in lull consciousncss ol Mc by sucl
dcvoiion, lc can cnici inio ilc lingdom ol God.`¯
16 In ilis lasi vcisc (llagavad-giia 1S.55) ilc woid 'visaic' mcans 'cnicis' in
ilc scnsc ol cniciing a placc in oidci io mcci somconc (and noi in ilc scnsc ol
mciging and bccoming onc wiil ilc placc cnicicd), as in ilc siaicmcni 'Lcaving
Duiyodlana, ilc ling cnicicd Yudlisiliia's (palacc). In lis commcniaiy on ilc
Tcnil Canio ol Siimad llagavaiam, Siila Siidlaia Svami says: 'Tlc gopas ilcn saw
ilc woild ol Vailunila, wlicl is abovc ilc splcndoui ol ilc lialman cllulgcncc.`
Anuccheda 8+
1 Tlis is dcsciibcd in Siimad llagavaiam (11.19.5), wlcic Loid Kisna says:
O Uddlava, undcisianding ilc iiuil aboui ilc scll, and lillcd wiil
ilcoiciical spiiiiual lnowlcdgc, iis piaciical applicaiion, and loving dcvoiion,
woislip Mc.`
2 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'svaimanam' mcans 'ilc individual spiiii soul (jiva)'.
Tlc 'jnana and vijnana' lcic aic spiiiiual. Wlai moic nccd bc said' Tlis iopic las
alicady bccn claboiaicly cxplaincd by ilc loui Kumaias, Suladcva Gosvami and
ilc oilci gicai dcvoiccs.
Anuccheda 85
1 Touclcd on ilc clccl by ilc Loid's spiiiiual conclslcll, Dliuva, cvcn
ilougl only a clild spolc cloqucni piaycis. Hcaiing in ilis way ol His wondcilul
and blisslul qualiiics, lc dcsciibcd ilc Loid's pcilcciion in ilc lollowing woids:
2 My Loid, ilc iiansccndcnial bliss dciivcd liom mcdiiaiing upon Youi
loius lcci oi lcaiing aboui Youi gloiics liom puic dcvoiccs is so unlimiicd ilai ii
is lai bcyond ilc siagc ol bialmananda, wlcicin onc ilinls limscll mcigcd in ilc
impcisonal lialman as onc wiil ilc Supicmc. Sincc bialmananda is also
dclcaicd by ilc iiansccndcnial bliss dciivcd liom dcvoiional scivicc, ilcn wlai io
spcal ol ilc icmpoiaiy blisslulncss ol clcvaiion oncscll io ilc lcavcnly plancis,
wlicl is cndcd by ilc scpaiaiing swoid ol iimc' Alilougl onc may bc clcvaicd io
ilc lcavcnly plancis, lc lalls down in duc couisc ol iimc.`¯
3 In ilis vcisc 'sva-malimani' mcans 'in uncommon magniliccncc', 'ma blui'
mcans 'is noi', and 'anialasil' mcans 'iimc'. Tlis vcisc is spolcn by Dliuva io
Loid Dluivapiiya.
Anuccheda 86
1 Dcvoiional scivicc is bciici ilan ilc spiiiiual pcilcciion ol mciging inio
lialman. Loid Kapiladcva icaclcs ilis in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad
llagavaiam 3.25.33):
Wlcn ilai scivicc spiiii is cngagcd in dcvoiional scivicc io ilc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad, wiiloui any moiivc, ilai is lai bciici cvcn ilan salvaiion.`¯
2 Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis: Dcvoiional scivicc is bciici ilan ilc
pcilcciion ol impcisonal libciaiion.' Sii llagavan-nama-laumudi assciis:
Dcvoiional scivicc is bciici ilan mysiic pcilcciion, iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc, oi
impcisonal libciaiion.' Tlc vcisc picviously quoicd was spolcn by Loid
Kapiladcva.
Anuccheda 87
1 Iiom ilis ii slould bc undcisiood ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is ilc uliimaic, oiiginal Supicmc Tiuil. lccausc ii docs noi aci as ilc
Supicmc Pcison docs, and bccausc ii is loimlcss and amoiplous, ilc impcisonal
lialman is noi ilc Uliimaic Tiuil. Loid Kapiladcva siaics ilis in ilc lollowing
iwo vciscs (Siimad llagavaiam 3.32.32-33):
2 Plilosoplical icscaicl culminaics in undcisianding ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Alici aclicving ilis undcisianding, wlcn onc bccomcs
licc liom ilc maiciial modcs ol naiuic, lc aiiains ilc siagc ol dcvoiional scivicc.
Liilci by dcvoiional scivicc diiccily oi by plilosoplical icscaicl, onc las io lind
ilc samc dcsiinaiion, wlicl is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.¯
3 A singlc objcci is appicciaicd dillcicnily by dillcicni scnscs duc io is
laving dillcicni qualiiics. Similaily, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is onc,
bui accoiding io dillcicni sciipiuial injunciions Hc appcais io bc dillcicni.`¯
+ Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis:
Tlis vcisc siaics ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is aiiaincd by
jnana-yoga. Tlc jnana-yoga dcsciibcd lcic, lowcvci, is lilc blalii-yoga. Tlc
vcisc says: 'Plilosoplical icscaicl (jnana-yoga) culminaics in undcisianding ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Alici aclicving ilis undcisianding, wlcn onc
bccomcs licc liom ilc maiciial modcs ol naiuic, lc aiiains ilc siagc ol dcvoiional
scivicc. Liilci by dcvoiional scivicc diiccily oi by plilosoplical icscaicl, onc las
io lind ilc samc dcsiinaiion, wlicl is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.' Wly
aic jnana-yoga and blalii-yoga ilc samc' Tlc answci is linicd by ilc pliasc
'Liilci by dcvoiional scivicc diiccily oi by plilosoplical icscaicl, onc las io lind
ilc samc dcsiinaiion, wlicl is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.' Tlis is
luiilci dcsciibcd in llagavad-giia (12.+) wlcic ilc Loid says:
lui ilosc wlo lully woislip ilc unmanilcsicd, ilai wlicl licd bcyond ilc
pciccpiion ol ilc scnscs, ilc all-pcivading, inconccivablc, unclanging, lixcd and
immovablc - ilc impcisonal conccpiion ol ilc Absoluic Tiuil - by coniiolling ilc
vaiious scnscs and bcing cqually disposcd io cvciyonc, sucl pcisons, cngagcd in
ilc wcllaic ol all, ai lasi aclicvc Mc.`¯
5 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: 'Is ii noi undcisiood liom ilc
sciipiuics ilai ilc icsuli ol piaciicing jnana-yoga is aiiainmcni ol ilc Scll and ilc
icsuli ol piaciicing blalii-yoga is aiiainmcni ol ilc woislipablc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad' How, ilcn, aic jnana and blalii ilc samc''
Icaiing ilai ilis objcciion would bc iaiscd, ilc Loid piovcd ilcy aic ilc
samc by giving an cxamplc. Hc said many divcisc qualiiics, sucl as loim and
iasic, icsidc in mill and oilci subsianccs. Alilougl cacl subsiancc is onc, ilc
dillcicni scnscs pciccivc a singlc subsiancc dillcicnily and bclicvc ii io bc a
dillcicni lind ol subsiancc. Tlc cycs pciccivc mill as wliic, ilc ionguc pciccivcs
ii as swcci, ilc ioucl pciccivcs ii as cool, and so loiil. In ilc samc way ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is onc, alilougl lc may bc pciccivcd dillcicnily.'
Tlis is ilc cxplanaiion ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. ly ilc
cvidcncc givcn lcic in ilc cxamplc ol ilc dillcicni scnscs, ilc iiuc naiuic ol
dcvoiional scivicc slould bc undcisiood.
Anuccheda 88
1 Tlc sciipiuics dcclaic ilai lialman is a paiiial cxpansion ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Loid Sanlaisana says io King Ciiialciu (Siimad
llagavaiam 6.16.51):
All living cniiiics, moving and non moving, aic My cxpansions and aic
scpaiaic liom Mc. I am ilc Supcisoul ol all living bcings, wlo cxisi bccausc I
manilcsi ilcm. I am ilc loim ol ilc iiansccndcnial vibiaiions lilc omlaia and
Haic Kisna Haic Rama, and I am ilc Supicmc Absoluic Tiuil (lialman). Tlcsc
iwo loims ol Minc - namcly, ilc iiansccndcnial sound and ilc cicinally blisslul
spiiiiual loim ol ilc Dciiy, aic My cicinal loims; ilcy aic noi maiciial.'¯
3 Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis:
In ilis vcisc ilc Loid says: All living cniiiics (saiva-bluiani) aic My
cxpansions. I am ilc Supcisoul (aima) ol all living bcings (bluia), and ilc
supicmc diciaioi and cnjoyci ol ilcm. Tlis woild, lillcd wiil cnjoycis and ilc
objccis ol ilcii cnjoymcni, is noi scpaiaic liom Mc. I am ilc causc ol all living
cniiiics (bluia-blavanal). I am ilc loim ol ilc iiansccndcnial vibiaiions (sabda-
bialma), and I am ilc Supicmc Absoluic Tiuil (paiam bialma).'
Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: 'Is ii noi iiuc ilai ilc Supicmc
impcisonal lialman is ilc causc ol iiansccndcnial vibiaiions (sabda-bialma)''
Tlc Loid answcis : 'Tlc iiansccndcnial sound and ilc cicinally blisslul
spiiiiual loim ol ilc Dciiy, aic My (mama) cicinal (sasvaii) loims (ianu); ilcy aic
noi maiciial.'`
In ilis way ii is piovcd ilai ilc lialman cllulgcncc is a paiiial cxpansion
ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Anuccheda 89
1 Tlai ilc impcisonal, lcaiuiclcss lialman is a paiiial cxpansion ol ilc
Loid's opulcncc is conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Loid Maisyadcva io
Saiyaviaia (Siimad llagavaiam S.2+.3S):
You will bc iloiouglly adviscd and lavouicd by Mc, and bccausc ol youi
inquiiics cvciyiling aboui My gloiics, wlicl aic lnown as paiam bialma, will bc
manilcsi wiilin youi lcaii. Tlus you will lnow cvciyiling aboui Mc.`¯
2 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'malimanam' mcans 'opulcncc ilai las no vaiiciy',
'mc' mcans 'My', 'anugiliiam' mcans 'mcicilully', 'vcisyasi lii' mcans 'you will
lnow wlai is manilcsicd in ilc lcaii', 'sampiasnail' mcans 'by youi qucsiions',
and 'viviiam' mcans 'icvcalcd by Mc.'
Hcic ilc Loid says: Alilougl ilc pciccpiion ol impcisonal lialman in
ilc lcaii is Mc, ilai is, ii is noi dillcicni liom Mc, ncvciilclcss ilai impcisonal
lialman is noi ilc samc as ilc diicci pciccpiion ol Mc, wlicl is lad only by
dcvoiional scivicc. Il you dcsiic io scc Mc diiccily you musi cngagc in dcvoiional
scivicc.
3 Tlis is also cxplaincd by Uddlava (Siimad llagavaiam 10.+6.31):
loil lalaiama and Kisna aic ilc oiiginal pcisonaliiics ol Godlcad liom
wlom ilc cosmic manilcsiaiion is cmanaiing. Tlcy aic ilc clicl among all
pcisonaliiics. loil ol Tlcm aic ilc cllcciivc causc ol ilis maiciial cicaiion.
Maiciial naiuic is conducicd by ilc puiusa incainaiions, wlo aic all aciing undci
Kisna and lalaiama. ly Tlcii paiiial icpicscniaiion Tlcy cnici in ilc lcaiis ol all
living cniiiics. Tlcy aic ilc souicc ol all lnowlcdgc and all loigcilulncss also.`¯
Tlc woid 'lnowlcdgc' lcic iclcis io lnowlcdgc ol lialman.
Anuccheda 90
1 Tlc Loid dcsciibcs His opulcnccs again in ilcsc woids (Siimad
llagavaiam 11.16.37):
I am caiil, aii, spacc, waici, liic, lalsc-cgo, malai-iaiiva, ilc
iiansloimaiions ol maiici, ilc puiusa, ilc unmanilcsi, passion, goodncss,
ignoiancc and ilc Supicmc.`
Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis: 'Tlc woid 'Supicmc' lcic mcans 'ilc
Supicmc lialman'.
2 Tlc gicai Vaisnava saini Sii Yamunacaiya also cxplains:
'O Loid, ilc maiciial univcisc, cvciyiling wiilin ilc univcisc, ilc icn
covciings aiound ii, ilc modcs ol naiuic, ilc unmanilcsicd siagc ol maiici, ilc
puiusa-avaiaia, ilc supicmc spiiiiual woild, and ilc Supicmc lialman, aic all
Youi opulcnccs.'
Anuccheda 91
1 lccausc ii las nonc ol ilc vaiiciy picscni in ilc Loid's loim, lialman is
said io bc ilc bodily cllulgcncc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Dcvali-
dcvi cxplains ilis in lci piaycis io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad (Siimad
llagavaiam 10.3.2+):
My dcai Loid, ilcic aic dillcicni Vcdas, somc ol wlicl dcsciibc You as
unpciccivablc iliougl woids and ilc mind. Yci You aic ilc oiigin ol ilc cniiic
cosmic manilcsiaiion. You aic lialman, ilc gicaicsi ol cvciyiling, lull ol
cllulgcncc lilc ilc sun. You lavc no maiciial causc. You aic licc liom clangc and
dcviaiion, and You lavc no maiciial dcsiics. Tlus ilc Vcdas say ilai You aic ilc
subsiancc. Tlcicloic, My Loid, You aic diiccily ilc oiigin ol all Vcdic siaicmcnis,
and by undcisianding You, onc giadually undcisiands cvciyiling. You aic
dillcicni liom ilc ligli ol lialman and Paiamaima, yci You aic noi dillcicni liom
ilcm. Lvciyiling cmanaics liom You. Indccd, You aic ilc causc ol all causcs,
Loid Visnu, ilc ligli ol all iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc.`¯
In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'bialma-jyoiil' mcans (ilc cllulgcncc ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad' and ilc woid 'iupam' mcans 'ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
2 Tlis is also cxplaincd in Sii lialma-samliia (+0):
I woislip Govinda, ilc piimcval Loid, wlo is cndowcd wiil gicai powci.
Tlc glowing cllulgcncc ol His iiansccndcnial loim is ilc impcisonal lialman,
wlicl is absoluic, complcic, and unlimiicd, and wlicl displays ilc vaiiciics ol
counilcss plancis, wiil ilcii dillcicni opulcnccs, in millions and millions ol
univciscs.
Anuccheda 92
1 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is supciioi io ilc impcisonal
lialman. Loid Siva conliims ilis in lis insiiuciions io ilc Piaccias (Siimad
llagavaiam +.2+.2S):
Any pcison wlo is suiicndcicd io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
Kisna, wlo is abovc ilc lialman cllulgcncc, ilc maiciial naiuic, and ilc living
cniiiy, is aciually vciy dcai io mc.`
2 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'ialal' mcans 'lialman'. Gicaici ilan lialman
(ialal), ilc unmanilcsi siagc ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic (iii-gunai),
and ilc individual living cniiiics (jiva-samjniiai), is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad. Onc suiicndcis io Him by lcaiing aboui Him, ollciing ilc liuiis ol
onc's woil io Him, and sciving Him in oilci ways.
3 Tlis is also conliimcd in ilc Visnu-dlaima Puiana, Naiala-dvadasi-viaia,
Sii Visnu-siava:
Loid Vasudcva, ilc all-pcivading Supcisoul, is picscni in ilc sly and
oilci maiciial clcmcnis, in sound and oilci objccis ol scnsc-pciccpiion, in ilc
cais and ilc oilci scnscs, in ilc malai-iaiiva and oilci piimoidial loiccs, in ilc
maiciial cncigy, in ilc individual pcison, and in ilc impcisonal lialman
splcndoui. Tlis iiuil biings io dcsiiuciion ilc sins ilai would malc mc sullci in
lcll. Tlis iiuil givcs mc cvciy day ilc gloiy ol iiansccndcnial piciy.`
In ilis conicxi a dillcicni inicipiciaiion ol ilc woid 'saivaima' cannoi bc
acccpicd.
+ Tlis is also conliimcd by ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Visnu-dlaima Puiana,
Uiiaia-llanda, Ksciabandlupallyaya:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is picscni in ilc impcisonal
lialman. Hc is picscni in ilc unmanilcsicd piadlana. Hc is picscni in ilc
manilcsicd maiciial cosmos. I slall bccomc His dcvoicc.`
5 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is supciioi io ilc impcisonal
lialman is also conliimcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol Visnu-dlaima Puiana,
Masailsa-puja:
O inlalliblc Loid, O Supicmc Soul gicaici ilan ilc impcisonal lialman,
plcasc giani my dcsiic! O limiilcss Loid, plcasc icmovc ilis dangci!`
6 In ilc Sii Visnu Puiana (1.5.55) also ii is said:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is supciioi io ilc impcisonal
lialman.`
Tlc Siuii-sasiia (Mundala Upanisad 2.1.2) says:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is supciioi io ilc impcisonal
lialman.`
Anuccheda 93
1 Tlis is also conliimcd in ilc Siuii-sasiia (Taiiiiiiya Upanisad 2.1.3-2.5.1)
in ilc passagc bcginning wiil 'Hc, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is icaliscd
in His loim ol anna-iasa), and coniinuing iliougl ilc siaicmcnis 'Tlc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc basis ol cvciyiling...Hc is ilc basis ol ilc caiil....Hc
is ilc basis ol ilc Vcdas....Hc is ilc basis ol ligli....Hc is ilc basis ol ilc
impcisonal lialman.'
Tlis is also conliimcd in ilc lilil Vcda, ilc Smiii-sasiia, wlcic, in ilc
llagavad-giia (1+.27), Loid Kisna says: 'I am ilc basis ol ilc impcisonal
lialman.`¯
In ilis way ilc siaicmcni 'I am ilc basis ol ilc impcisonal lialman' is
spolcn in boil Siuii and Smiii, and in llagavad-giia ii is cmplasizcd by ilc woid
'li' (cciiainly).
2 Immcdiaicly picccding ilcsc woids is ilc lollowing siaicmcni (llagavad-
giia 1+.26):
Onc wlo cngagcs in lull dcvoiional scivicc, unlailing in all ciicumsianccs,
ai oncc iiansccnds ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic and ilus comcs io ilc lcvcl ol
lialman.`¯
3 Tlis is ilc vcisc immcdiaicly picccding ilc siaicmcni 'I am ilc basis ol
lialman'. In ilis vcisc, by saying ilai lialman is 'bcyond ilc modcs ol maiciial
naiuic' ii is clcai ilai ilc lialman lcic is ilc impcisonal lialman poicncy and
noi ilc dcmigod lialma.
+ Ai ilis poini somconc may asl ilc Loid: Wly is dcvoiional scivicc io You
(llagavad-giia 1+.26, quoicd in icxi 2) ilc mcans ol aiiaining impcisonal
lialman' Onc would cxpcci ilai impcisonal lialman is aiiaincd only by
mcdiiaiion on lialman (and noi by dcvoiion io You).'
Tlc Loid answcis ilis qucsiion wiil ilc woids: 'I am ilc basis ol ilc
impcisonal lialma.' In ilc Siuii-sasiia (Taiiiiiiya Upanisad 2.2.5.) ilc answci is
also givcn: 'Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc basis ol ilc impcisonal
lialman'. In ilis way ilc Siuii-sasiia alliims ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is ilc uliimaic basis ol cvciyiling. Also, in ilai samc passagc ol
Taiiiiiiya Upanisad, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd as lull ol
bliss. Tlis is also conliimcd by ilc auiloi ol Vcdania-suiia (1.1.12): 'Tlc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is by naiuic lull ol joy'. As ilc sun-globc is lull
ol ligli, so ilc blisslul Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is also (lull ol ilc ligli ol
lialman). Ioi ilis icason ilc Loid says: 'I am ilc basis ol ilc impcisonal
lialman.`
Tlc Loid may say: 'Alilougl ilcic is no dillcicncc bciwccn ilc impcisonal
lialman and Mc, ncvciilclcss I am ilc oiigin ol ilc lialman. I am ilc uliimaic.
Tlis is so bccausc I am ilc oiigin and impcisonal lialman is My poicncy. Tlc
oiigin is naiuially supciioi io iis poicncy. Tlis is so also bccausc ilc Siuii-sasiia
alliims ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is supciioi io ilc impcisonal
lialman. Alilougl I, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and ilc impcisonal
lialman, aic onc, Wc aic also dillcicni as ilc splcndid sun is dillcicni liom ilc
slcndci cicsccni moon. Tlcicloic, bccausc ilc impcisonal lialman is suboidinaic
io Mc, a pcison wlo, wiil ilc dcsiic loi impcisonal libciaiion, woislips mc, will
aiiain ilc impcisonal lialman.`
5 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc oiigin ol ilc impcisonal
lialma is also cxplaincd in Sii Visnu Puiana (6.7.75):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc basis ol ilc all-pcivading
Supcisoul and ilc impcisonal lialman.`
Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis:
Tlis vcisc mcans ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc basis ol
ilc all-pcivading Supcisoul and ilc impcisonal lialman. Tlc woid 'asiaya' lcic
mcans 'basis'. Tlis is also conliimcd in llagavad-giia (1+.27), wlcic Loid Kisna
says, 'I am ilc basis ol ilc impcisonal lialman.'`
In lis commcniaiy on ilis vcisc in llagavad-giia, Siila Siidlaia Svami
says:
Tlc Loid lcic says, 'I am ilc basis ol ilc impcisonal lialman.' Tlis
mcans ilai ilc Loid says, 'As ilc sun-globc is moic impoiiani ilan mcic ligli, so I
am moic impoiiani ilan ilc impcisonal lialman.'
6 Tlc woid glani-bluia lcic is a usc ol ilc giammaiical loim cvi-piaiyaya.
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad appcais in ilc lcaiis ol ilc dcvoiccs, bui ilc
impcisonal lialman docs noi appcai ilcic. Tlc inicipiciaiion ilai ilc woid
'piaiisila' in ilis vcisc (llagavad-giia 1+.27) mcans 'piaiima' (icllccicd) is ilc
idca ol cnvious mcn. Tlis inicipiciaiion is noi iiuc, loi ii malcs no scnsc in ilis
conicxi. As ilc sun planci is noi a icllcciion ol ilc sunslinc, so ilc loim ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is noi a icllcciion ol ilc loimlcss lialman.
Tlc icmaining ilicc lincs ol ilis sianza (llagavad-giia 1+.27) do noi
dcsciibc ilc libciaiion ol ilc impcisonalisis. Nciilci do ilc vciscs wc lavc quoicd
liom Visnu Puiana and Siuii-saili dcsciibc ii. Tlc inicipiciaiion ilai 'piaiisila'
mcans 'piaiima' slould noi bc acccpicd, oi il ii is acccpicd, ilcn 'piaiima' slould
bc inicipicicd io mcan 'basis' and noi 'icllcciion'. Il ilis sccond inicipiciaiion is
acccpicd, ilcn ilc woid 'piaiima' is undcisiood io bc dciivcd liom ilc picposiiion
'piaii' (iowaid) and ilc vcib 'ma' (io cicaic).
7 Tlis is all also cxplaincd in ilc lollowing piayci (Siimad llagavaiam
10.S7.17) spolcn by ilc Pcisonilicd Vcdas io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad:
My dcai Loid, ii is impciaiivc ilai ilc living cniiiics bc cngagcd in Kisna
consciousncss, always icndciing dcvoiional scivicc by picsciibcd mcilods sucl as
lcaiing and claniing and cxccuiing Youi oidcis. Il a pcison is noi cngagcd in
Kisna consciousncss and dcvoiional scivicc, ii is usclcss ol lim io cxlibii ilc
sympioms ol lilc. Gcncially ii is acccpicd ilai il a pcison is bicailing lc is alivc.
lui a pcison wiiloui Kisna consciousncss may bc compaicd io a bcllows in a
blaclsmiil's slop. Tlc big bcllows is a bag ol slin wlicl cxlalcs and inlalcs aii,
and a luman bcing wlo is simply living wiilin ilc bag ol slin and boncs wiiloui
ialing io Kisna consciousncss and loving dcvoiional scivicc is no bciici ilan ilc
bcllows. Similaily a non dcvoicc's long duiaiion ol lilc is compaicd io ilc long
cxisicncc ol a iicc, lis voiacious caiing capaciiy is compaicd io ilc caiing ol dogs
and logs, and lis cnjoymcni in scx lilc is compaicd io ilai ol logs and goais.
Tlc cosmic manilcsiaiion las bccn possiblc bccausc ol ilc cniiancc ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad as Mala-Visnu wiilin ilis maiciial woild. Tlc
ioial maiciial cncigy bccomcs agiiaicd by ilc glancc ol Mala-Visnu and only ilcn
docs ilc iniciaciion ol ilc ilicc maiciial qualiiics bcgin. Tlcicloic ii slould bc
concludcd ilai wlaicvci maiciial laciliiics wc aic iiying io cnjoy aic availablc only
duc io ilc mcicy ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Wiilin ilc body aic livc dillcicni dcpaiimcnis ol cxisicncc, lnown as
annamaya, pianamaya, manomaya, vijnanamaya, and anandamaya. O Loid, You
aic picscni in all ilcsc livc siagcs.`¯
S In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'anubliial' mcans 'individual living cniiiics (jivas),
wlosc bicailing is lilc ilc bicailing ol a blaclsmiil's bcllows'. Tlc vcisc says: Il
(yadi) ilc pcoplc bccomc Youi dcvoiccs (anuvidlal), ilcn ilcii bicailing and
living is mcaninglul. Wc considci ilai ilc lilc passcd by Youi dcvoiccs is ilc
aciually mcaninglul lilc among ilc livcs ol ilc living cniiiics. Wly' You
mcicilully cicaicd ilc maiciial univcisc wiil iis many paiis sucl as malai-iaiiva
and lalsc cgo. Tlcicloic ilcy wlo aic avcisc io You, iuining ilcii laccs liom You,
aic no bciici ilan 'bicailing' blaclsmiil's bcllows. You luiilci slowcd Youi
mcicy wlcn You pcisonally cnicicd ilc maiciial univcisc madc ol malai-iaiiva,
lalsc-cgo and iis oilci paiis.`
9 Tlc Loid lcic may asl: Wly is ii ilai ilcsc ilings bccomc possiblc only
wlcn I cnici ilc univcisc'`
Tlc pcisonilicd Vcdas ilcn icply: You aic ilc Supicmc lialman, cicinal,
dcai, and lnown as anandamaya. You aic abovc ilc siagc ol annamaya. You aic
ilc lialman, ilc basis ol cvciyiling.`
Tlis is conliimcd in all Vcdic liiciaiuics. In ilc llagavad-giia ilc Loid
Himscll said: I am ilc basis ol ilc impcisonal lialman` (1+.27). In many oilci
placcs in Vcdic liiciaiuic ilis is piovcn.
10 Tlis is piovcn in Siimad llagavaiam (2.9.+):
O ling, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, bcing vciy mucl plcascd wiil Loid
lialma bccausc ol lis non dcccpiivc pcnancc in blalii yoga, picscnicd His cicinal
and iiansccndcnial loim bcloic lialma. And ilai is ilc objcciivc goal loi
puiilying ilc condiiioncd soul.`¯
Tlis vcisc piovcs, O Loid, ilai ilc ical naiuic ol ilc Supicmc is You, ilc
loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Ol ilc puiusas bcginning wiil ilc annamaya-
puiusa, You aic ilc uliimaic, ilc anandamaya-puiusa. O ilc piiya-bialma, moda-
bialma, paiamoda-bialma, and ananda-bialma, You aic ilc supicmcly blisslul
ananda-bialma. lccausc Youi loim is ilc oiigin ol all iiansccndcnial bliss, Youi
cniiancc inio ilc maiciial woild malcs ii possiblc loi ilc woild io lunciion.
Tlis is also conliimcd by ilc Siuii-sasiia (Taiiiiiiya Upanisad 2.7):
Il ilc blisslul Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is noi picscni in ilc sly ol ilc lcaii,
wlo is ablc io bicailc and icmain alivc'`
11 In ilis maiici ilc lollowing may bc said. Alilougl in ilc singlc loim ol
ilc Supicmc many vaiicgaicd qualiiics aic picscni, ncvciilclcss, ilcy aic only sccn
wiil spccial vision givcn by ilc powci ol ilc Loid. Tlcy cannoi bc sccn in any
oilci way. An cxamplc may bc givcn ol ilc sun planci. Ioi maiciial cycs ilc sun
planci is mcicly a ciiclc ol ligli, alilougl ilc iiuil is ilai wiilin ilc sun is an
asscmbly ol gicai dcmigods. Iiom ilis cxamplc may bc sccn ilai only by
dcvoiional scivicc is ilc wlolc iiuil aboui ilc naiuic ol ilc Supicmc undcisiood.
ly adlcicncc io ilc plilosoply ol impcisonalism only a poiiion ol ilc Supicmc is
undcisiood. Tlai paiiial manilcsiaiion ol ilc Supicmc is ilc impcisonal lialman.
ly impcisonal plilosoply only a vciy gcncial undcisianding ol ilc Supicmc Tiuil
is aiiaincd, an undcisianding unablc io scc ilc many divcisc qualiiics picscni in
ilc Loid. Ioi ilis icason ilc impcisonal plilosoply is siiuaicd ouisidc ilc ical
iiuil. Tlc gicai dcvoiccs diiccily scc ilai ilc Supicmc is lillcd wiil a gicai vaiiciy
ol wondcilul iiansccndcnial qualiiics, alilougl ilc impcisonalisis misialcnly
ilinl Hc is only a ball ol ligli. In ilis way ii is said ilai ilc Supicmc las His
lcssci manilcsiaiions, His paiiial manilcsiaiions, and His poicncics. Tlc complcic
undcisianding ol ilc Supicmc is ilai ilc Supicmc is ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
His bodily cllulgcncc, wlicl is a vaguc and gcncialiscd manilcsiaiion ol His loim,
is ilc lialman. Tlcicloic Hc is ilc basis ol ilc impcisonal lialman.
12 Tlis is also conliimcd by Siuii-sasiia:
Tlcic is only onc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Hc is Loid Naiayana.
Hc is iiansccndcnial, scll-manilcsi, and sinlcss. Tlc caiil is His body. Tlc soul is
His body. Tlc unmanilcsi piadlana is His body. Tlc impciislablc lialman is
His body. Hc is ilc Supcisoul picscni in all cicaiuics.`
13 Tlis siaicmcni icaclcs ilai ilc impciislablc (alsaia), wlicl lcic mcans
lialman, and ilc Supcisoul, aic Loid Naiayana. Tlai ilc woid 'alsaia' lcic
mcans 'lialman' is conliimcd by ilc usagc ol ilai woid in Siimad llagavaiam
3.15.+3.
1+ Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad dcsciibcs ilc sanllya plilosoply in
ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 11.2+.27):
Timc mcigcs inio ilc Supicmc Loid, picscni in ilc loim ol ilc omniscicni
Mala-puiusa, ilc oiiginal aciivaioi ol all living bcings. Tlai oiigin ol all lilc
mcigcs inio Mc, ilc unboin Supicmc Soul, wlo icmains alonc, csiablislcd wiilin
Himscll. Ii is liom Him ilai all cicaiion and annililaiion aic manilcsicd. Only
ilc impcisonal lialman icmains and docs noi mcigc inio Mc.`¯¯¯
Tlis mcans ilai ai ilc iimc ol cosmic annililaiion only lialman icmains
and ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad also icmains as ilc wiincss ol lialman.
Tlc Loid ilcn says (Siimad llagavaiam 11.2+.29):
15 Tlus, I ilc pcilcci scci ol cvciyiling maiciial and spiiiiual, lavc spolcn
ilis lnowlcdgc ol Sanllya, wlicl dcsiioys ilc illusion ol doubi by scicniilic
analysis ol cicaiion and annililaiion.`¯¯¯
16 A discussion ol Siimad llagavaiam 11.2+.29 (quoicd in icxi 15) lollows.
Tlc woid 'sanllya' in ilis vcisc mcans 'ilc plilosoply cxpoundcd in ilc sanllya
sciipiuics.' Considciing ilc spccilic lcaiuic ol ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad as dcsciibcd in ilosc sciipiuics, ii is sccn ilai ilc Loid's
loim icmains unclangcd ai ilc iimc ol cosmic annililaiion. Tlc impcisonal
lialman also icmains unclangcd, as ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad and ilc woild ol Vailunila boil also icmain unclangcd ai ilc linal
siagc ol cosmic annililaiion. Tlai is wlai is mcani io bc said lcic. Ai ilai iimc
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo siays in Vailunila and las
iiansccndcnial poicncics, is sccn io bc dillcicni liom ilc impcisonal lialman.
Howcvci, on ilc oilci land, ilc impcisonal lialman, wlicl bccausc ii las no
qualiiics las nciilci ioucl, loim, noi any oilci aiiiibuic, is also non dillcicni
liom ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad bccausc ii is His bodily cllulgcncc. Tlis
is ilc cxplanaiion. In ilis way ii is piovcd ilai ilc impcisonal lialman is ilc
bodily cllulgcncc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is lillcd wiil ilc
swccincss ol His loim, ioucl, and oilci iiansccndcnial aiiiibuics.
17 Tlis is also dcsciibcd in ilc Sii Haii-vamsa, Mala-lala-puia, wlcic ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad pcisonally says io Siiman Aijuna:
O bcsi ol ilc llaiaias, I am ilc gicai divinc lialman cllulgcncc you lavc
jusi sccn. Ii is My cicinal splcndoui.
1S Ii is My divinc poicncy. Ii is cicinal. To somc ii is manilcsi, and io oilcis
ii is noi manilcsi. Tlc gicai yogis cnici ii and bccomc libciaicd.
19 O son ol Piila, ii is ilc goal ol ilc sanllya plilosoplcis, ilc yogis, and
ilc ascciics. Ii is ilc gicai lialman ilai pcivadcs ilc cniiic woild. O llaiaia,
you slould lnow ilai ii is My gicai cllulgcncc.`
20 Tlc vcisc quoicd in icxi 1S cxplains ilai bccausc ilc lialman cllulgcncc is
ilc ligli ol ilc Loid's body, ilcicloic ii is His own iiansccndcnial poicncy. Tlis is
also conliimcd by ilc Visnu Puiana passagc (quoicd in Anucclcda 60) dcsciibing
ilc Kausiubla jcwcl.
In ilis way ilc Siimad llagavaiam vcisc (10.S7.17) quoicd in icxi 7 is
clcaily cxplaincd.
Anuccheda 9+
1 Alilougl ii may also bc applicd io ilc all-pcivading cllulgcncc ol ilc
Loid's body, bccausc ilc woid 'bialman' mcans 'ilc gicaicsi', ii is mosi piopcily
applicd io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlis is conliimcd in ilc
lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc lialma Puiana:
2 Tlc onc Supicmc Loid, Visnu, is icspccilully callcd by His many namcs,
sucl as Anania, llagavan, lialman and Ananda.`
3 In oilci placcs ii is said ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is callcd
lialman bccausc His iiansccndcnial qualiiics aic limiilcss. Tlc Padma Puiana
says:
lccausc ilcy aic limiilcss, ilc iiansccndcnial qualiiics ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cannoi bc complcicly dcsciibcd. lccausc Hc posscsscs all
iiansccndcnial qualiiics, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is callcd lialman
(ilc Gicai).
+ Ioi ilis icason Loid Visnu is callcd lialman. lccausc His qualiiics aic
limiilcss only Hc, and no onc clsc, is ilc Supicmc.`
5 Now ilis passagc will bc cxplaincd. Siimad llagavaiam (1.2.11) says:
Lcaincd iiansccndcnialisis wlo lnow ilc Absoluic Tiuil call ilis non
dual subsiancc lialman, Paiamaima oi llagavan.`¯
Tlc Loid's lcaiuic ilai las no qualiiics is callcd lialman. Tlc Loid's
lcaiuic ilai docs lavc qualiiics is callcd llagavan. As picviously cxplaincd, ilc
llagavan lcaiuic las loim. Ii is noi loimlcss.
6 Sii Visnu Puiana (6.7.+7) says:
O ling, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las loim and again Hc is also
loimlcss. Hc is iiansccndcnial, and again Hc is also maiciial.`
In ilis vcisc ol Visnu Puiana loui aspccis ol ilc Loid aic dcsciibcd. Il ilc
loimlcss aspcci ol ilc Loid is acccpicd, ilcn ilc impcisonal lialman is ilc
appiopiiaic objcci ol mcdiiaiion.
7 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad appcais as Loid Syamasundaia, Loid
Caiuibluja Naiayana, oi onc ol His oilci iiansccndcnial loims bcloic a dcvoicc
wlo sinccicly lovcs Him. Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad appcais as His
maiciial univcisal loim, wlcic Paialalola is imagincd io bc His lcci and ilc oilci
paiis ol ilc maiciial woild aic imagincd io bc oilci paiis ol His body, bcloic a
dcvoicc wlosc lovc loi Him is noi sinccic. Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
appcais as ilc iiansccndcnial loimlcss lialman bcloic a pcison aiiaclcd io diy
plilosoplical spcculaiion. Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad appcais as
maiciial loimlcss laic bcloic a dcvoicc wlosc lovc loi Him is lcavily mixcd wiil
plilosoplical spcculaiion. Tlc Loid's spiiiiual loim and His loimlcss lialman
aic noi maiciial. Tlis mcans ilai nciilci ilc loimlcss lialman noi ilc Loid's
iiansccndcnial loim aic inlciioi.
S Tlc Visnu Puiana (6.7.69) cxplains:
Tlc loim ol visva-iupa is Loid Haii's loim as ilc malai-iaiiva.`
lccausc ilc Loid cicaics ilc maiciial univcisc ii slould bc undcisiood ilai
Hc Himscll is boil cicinal and all-powcilul.
Tlc Visnu Puiana (6.7.77) again cxplains:
Tlc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad docs noi icsi on
anyiling ouisidc iiscll.`
Tlis mcans ilai ilc Loid's loim las no limiiaiions..
Tlc Visnu Puiana again cxplains (6.7.S2):
Onc slould mcdiiaic on Loid Visnu, wlosc loim is spiiiiual.`
Tlis mcans ilai ilc Supicmc las spiiiiual qualiiics.
Tlc Visnu Puiana again cxplains (6.7.75):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cannoi bc aiiaincd by ilc ilicc
linds ol mcdiiaiion.`
lccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cannoi bc aiiaincd by ilc
ilicc linds ol mcdiiaiion, namcly liuiiivc woil, plilosoplical spcculaiion mixcd
wiil liuiiivc woil, and puic plilosoplical spcculaiion, bccausc Hc is lull ol
iiansccndcnial qualiiics, and bccausc Hc appcais only in icsponsc io dcvoiional
scivicc, Hc is ilc uliimaic, ilc ical lcaiuic ol ilc Supicmc.
9 Tlc Visnu Puiana again cxplains (6.7.75):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc basis ol ilc impcisonal
lialman and ilc all-pcivading Supcisoul.`
10 Tlis siaicmcni alliims ilai ilcy wlo woislip ilc loim ol ilc Loid aic
supciioi and ilcy wlo woislip ilc loimlcss lialman aic inlciioi. Visnu Puiana
6.7.69 quoicd in icxi S, alliims ilai ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc is His uliimaic
lcaiuic.
11 Tlis is conliimcd by ilc ncxi siaicmcni ol ilc Visnu Puiana (6.7.70):
O ling, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad displays His iiansccndcnial
loims, wlicl aic lilc ilosc ol dcmigods, mcn, and animals, and wlicl aic
cndowcd wiil all poicncics, and cnjoys iiansccndcnial pasiimcs.`
12 Siimad llagavaiam (1.3.2) cxplains:
A paii ol ilc puiusa lics down wiilin ilc waici ol ilc univcisc, liom ilc
navcl lalc ol His body spiouis a loius sicm, and liom ilc loius llowci aiop ilis
sicm, lialma, ilc masici ol all cnginccis in ilc univcisc, bccomcs manilcsi.`¯
Alici dcsciibing ilis loim ol ilc Loid, ilc llagavaiam piocccds io icvcal
ilc oiigin ol ilc vaiious incainaiions ol ilc Loid in ilcsc woids (Siimad
llagavaiam 1.3.5):
Tlis loim (ilc sccond manilcsiaiion ol ilc puiusa) is ilc souicc and
indcsiiuciiblc sccd ol muliilaiious incainaiions wiilin ilc univcisc. Iiom ilc
paiiiclcs and poiiions ol ilis loim, dillcicni living cniiiics, lilc dcmigods, mcn
and oilcis, aic cicaicd.`¯
13 In lis commcniaiy on Visnu Puiana 6.7.69 (quoicd in icxi S) Siipada
Ramanujacaiya alliims ilc iiansccndcnial naiuic ol ilc Loid's loim. Acccpiing
ilc icading 'visva-iupa-vaiiupyam' (insicad 'visva-iupa-iupam vai'), lc cxplains
ilai ilc woid 'vaiiupyam' lcic mcans 'lillcd wiil vaiiciy'. lccausc ilc maiciial
univcisc is lillcd wiil vaiiciy, ilc Loid's univcisal loim is also lillcd wiil vaiiciy.
1+ Tlc Loid's loim is piovcd by ilc lollowing woids ol ilc Siuii (Svciasvaiaia
Upanisad 3.16):
Lvciywlcic aic His lands and lcgs, His cycs, lcads, and laccs, and Hc las
cais cvciywlcic.`¯
Tlcsc woids do noi dcsciibc a loim dillcicni liom ilc picviously dcsciibcd
all-pcivading univcisal loim. Tlis is ilc univcisal loim.
15 Tlc univcisal loim is dcsciibcd in Padma Puiana, Uiiaia-llanda:
Youillul Loid Haii acccpis ilc limiilcss univcisal loim and, ilc splcndoui
ol His body lilc ilc ncciai moon, cnjoys pasiimcs wiil Lalsmi, ilc moilci ol ilc
univciscs.`
16 Tlis vcisc says ilc univcisal loim is limiilcss bccausc ii is all-pcivading.
Loid Haii, wlosc loim is cicinally youillul, cnjoys pasiimcs wiil ilc goddcss ol
loiiunc. Tlai is ilc mcaning lcic. Tlc woid 'upcyivan' lcic mcans Loid Haii is
cicinal, as las alicady bccn cxplaincd in ilc passagc liom Siuii sasiia quoicd in
Anucclcda 93, icxi 12. lccausc in ilcsc passagcs ilc cicinaliiy ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is piovcd many iimcs, ii slould bc concludcd ilai ilc
iiansccndcnial loim ol ilc Loid is ilc uliimaic cicaioi ol ilc spiiiiual woilds,
wlicl compiisc ilicc-louiils ol His poicncics.
17 Tlc Padma Puiana, Uiiaia-llanda also cxplains:
Inlalliblc, cicinal, iiansccndcnial, cicinally young Loid Haii cicinally
cnjoys pasiimcs wiil ilc goddcsscs Isvaii-dcvi, Sii-dcvi and llumi-dcvi.`
1S Tlc conclusion is ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlosc
qualiiics aic dcsciibcd lcic, is ilc oiiginal, piimcval naiuic ol ilc Supicmc, wlosc
ilicc aspccis aic dcsciibcd in Siimad llagavaiam 1.2.11.
Tlis is conliimcd in Molsa-dlaima, Sii Naiayaniyopallyana:
19 Tlc gicai sagcs wlo sccl ilc iiuil wiil iloiougl plilosoplical analysis
lavc concludcd ilai ilc Supicmc Tiuil is Loid Naiayana, wlo is lnown as Haii
and is ilc masici ol Yogamaya.`
20 Tlis is also conliimcd in Naiayana Upanisad:
Naiayana is ilc Supicmc lialman. Naiayana is ilc uliimaic iiuil.`
21 Tlis is again conliimcd by ilc lollowing passagc quoicd by Siipada
Ramanujacaiya liom ilc Siuii-sasiia:
Tlcic is only onc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Hc is Loid Naiayana.
Hc is iiansccndcnial, scll-manilcsi and sinlcss. Tlc caiil is His body. Tlc soul is
His body. Tlc unmanilcsi piadlana is His body. Tlc impciislablc lialman is
His body. Hc is ilc Supcisoul picscni in all cicaiuics.`
In ilis way many sciipiuial passagcs conliim ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad is ilc uliimaic aspcci ol ilc Supicmc.
22 Hcic is las ilus bccn piovcn ilai ilc Puiusa-avaiaias and oilci cxpansions
ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic ilc Supicmc Tiuil and lavc loims ilai
aic cicinal. How mucl moic so musi ii bc, ilcicloic, ilai ilc oiiginal Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc Supicmc Tiuil and las a loim ilai is cicinal' In
ilc picvious poiiions ol ilis bool ilis las bccn conliimcd by many siaicmcnis,
and in ilc laiici poiiions ol ilis bool ii will again bc conliimcd.
23 Again in ilc Visnu Puiana (1.22.53-5+) ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing woids:
Tlc Supicmc lialman las iwo lcaiuics: a lcaiuic wiil loim and a lcaiuic
wiiloui loim. Tlcsc iwo lcaiuics cacl lavc anoilci iwo lcaiuics: a maiciial
lcaiuic and a spiiiiual lcaiuic. Tlc iwo loimlcss lcaiuics aic boil all-pcivading.
Tlc spiiiiual loimlcss lcaiuic is ilc impcisonal lialman and ilc maiciial loimlcss
lcaiuic is ilc cniiic univcisc iiscll.`
2+ Alici saying ilis, and alici dcsciibing Loid Visnu, Loid lialma, and Loid
Siva in ilc maiciial woild, ilc Visnu Puiana (1.22.5S) says:
O bcsi ol ilc sagcs, ilc Supicmc lialman is cicinal, bui ilc maiciial univcisc is a
placc ol appcaiancc, disappcaiancc, biiil and dcail.`
25 Hcic ilc woid 'alsaia' mcans 'ilc Supicmc lialman, wlicl is cicinal', and
'allila' mcans 'ilc maiciial univcisc, wlicl is cicaicd and dcsiioycd'. Tlc woids
'appcaiancc and disappcaiancc' lcic iclci io ilc plcnaiy cxpansions ol Loid Visnu,
and ilc woids 'biiil and dcail' iclci io cvciyonc clsc. Tlc loims ol Loid Visnu do
noi aciually bccomc paii ol ilc maiciial woild, ically cniciing ii, wlcn Tlcy
appcai wiilin ii. Tlai is ilc mcaning.
26 Licinally siaying in iis own abodc, ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, wlicl is dillcicni liom boil ilc icmpoiaiy maiciial woild and ilc
cicinal impcisonal lialman, is ilc iliid and uliimaic lcaiuic ol ilc Supicmc. Ii is
dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids (Visnu Puiana 1.22.59, 61-62):
27 Loid Visnu, ilc masici ol all poicncics, las loim, and is dillcicni liom ilc
loimlcss lialman. Sincc ancicni iimcs ilc yogis lavc mcdiiaicd on Him in mysiic
iiancc.
2S Hc is dillcicni liom His poicncics, bui Hc is noi dillcicni liom ilc
impcisonal lialman. O loiiunaic onc, His loim is spiiiiual. Lvciyiling aboui
Loid Haii is spiiiiual. Hc is ilc loom on wlicl ilc maiciial woild is wovcn.`
29 In ilis passagc ilc woids 'yogiblil puivam ciniyaic' mcan 'Alici icalising
lialman, ilc yogis mcdiiaic on ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.' Tlcicloic
ilc impcisonal lialman and ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic noi
dillcicni. Tlc scqucncc ol woislipping impcisonal lialman and ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlcic lialman is manilcsi liisi and ilcn ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is manilcsi is dcsciibcd in llagavad-giia (1S.5+) wlcic ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad says:
Onc wlo is ilus iiansccndcnially siiuaicd ai oncc icaliscs ilc Supicmc
lialman and bccomcs lully joylul. Hc ncvci lamcnis oi dcsiics io lavc anyiling.
Hc is cqually disposcd iowaid cvciy living cniiiy. In ilai siaic Hc aiiains puic
dcvoiional scivicc unio Mc.`¯
30 Hcic ilc woids 'sa paial saiva-saliinam' mcan 'Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is dillcicni liom all His poicncics, and ilcicloic Hc is ilcii uliimaic
slclici.' 'Saivam bialma-mayal' mcans 'Hc wlosc loim is pcilccily spiiiiual'.
lccausc ii is noi ilc masici ol poicncics, ilc impcisonal lialman is noi spiiiiual
in pcilcciion. Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc lcaiuic ol ilc Loid
dcsciibcd in llagavad-giia (15.15) as 'lnown by all ilc Vcdas.' Tlis is ilc
mcaning ol 'saivam bialma-mayal'.
31 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad dcsciibcs Himscll in ilcsc woids
(llagavad-giia 15.1S):
lccausc I am iiansccndcnial, bcyond boil ilc lalliblc and ilc inlalliblc,
and bccausc I am ilc gicaicsi, I am cclcbiaicd boil in ilc woild and in ilc Vcdas
as ilai Supicmc Pcison.`¯
32 Alilougl ilc woid 'alsaia' uscd in llagavad-giia 15.16 iclcis io ilc puic
jiva (individual spiiii soul), ii also iclcis io ilc Supicmc lialman. Tlcicloic ilc
pliasc 'alsaiam paiam bialma' (Visnu Puiana 1.22.53) quoicd picviously (in icxi
23) can iclci io boil ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and ilc jiva bccausc
boil aic spiiiiual in naiuic.
33 Tlc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd in ilc
lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam 10.+3.17):
Wlcn Kisna cnicicd ilc wicsiling aicna wiil lalaiama and Tlcii liicnds,
Hc appcaicd dillcicnily io dillcicni pcoplc accoiding io ilcii dillcicni
iclaiionslips (iasas) wiil Him. Kisna is ilc icscivoii ol all plcasuic and all linds
ol iasas, boil lavouiablc and unlavouiablc. Hc appcaicd io ilc wicsilcis cxacily
lilc a ilundciboli. To ilc pcoplc in gcncial Hc appcaicd as ilc mosi bcauiilul
pcisonaliiy. To ilc lcmalcs Hc appcaicd io bc ilc mosi aiiiaciivc malc, Cupid
pcisonilicd, and ilis incicascd ilcii lusi. Tlc cowlcid mcn wlo wcic picscni
ilcic loolcd upon Kisna as ilcii own linsman, coming liom ilc samc villagc ol
Vindavana. Tlc lsaiiiya lings wlo wcic picscni ilcic saw Him as ilc siiongcsi
iulci. To ilc paicnis ol Kisna, Nanda and Yasoda, Hc appcaicd io bc ilc mosi
loving clild. To Kamsa, ilc ling ol ilc lloja dynasiy, Hc appcaicd io bc dcail
pcisonilicd. To ilc uniniclligcni, Hc appcaicd io bc an incapablc pcisonaliiy. To
ilc yogis picscni, Hc appcaicd io bc ilc Supcisoul.`¯
Hcic ii is ilc yogis wlo undcisiand Him mosi diiccily. Tlc yogis in ilis
vcisc aic ilc gicai sagcs wlo lavc ilc loui Kumaias as ilcii lcadcis.
Anuccheda 95
1 Alilougl Siimad llagavaiam, ilc maiuic iipcncd liuii ol Vcdic liiciaiuic
(Siimad llagavaiam 1.1.3) is sublimc loi many icasons, ii is mosi sublimc bccausc
ii icaclcs ilc iiuil aboui ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlis is dcsciibcd
in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam 1.1.2):
2 Complcicly icjcciing all icligious aciiviiics wlicl aic maiciially moiivaicd,
ilis llagavaia Puiana piopounds ilc liglcsi iiuil, wlicl is undcisiandablc by
ilosc dcvoiccs wlo aic lully puic in lcaii. Tlc liglcsi iiuil is icaliiy
disiinguislcd liom illusion loi ilc wcllaic ol all. Sucl iiuil upioois ilc ilicclold
misciics. Tlis bcauiilul llagavaiam, compilcd by ilc gicai sagc Vyasadcva (in lis
maiuiiiy), is sullicicni in iiscll loi God icalisaiion. Wlai is ilc nccd ol any oilci
sciipiuic' As soon as onc aiicniivcly and submissivcly lcais ilc mcssagc ol
llagavaiam, by ilis culiuic ol lnowlcdgc ilc Supicmc Loid is csiablislcd wiilin
lis lcaii.`¯
3 Dlaima is dcsciibcd in ilc Siimad llagavaiam (1.2.6-12) in ilcsc woids:
Tlc supicmc occupaiion (dlaima) loi all lumaniiy is ilai by wlicl mcn
can aiiain io living dcvoiional scivicc unio ilc iiansccndcnial Loid. Sucl
dcvoiional scivicc musi bc unmoiivaicd and uniniciiupicd io complcicly saiisly
ilc scll.¯
ly icndciing dcvoiional scivicc unio ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
Sii Kisna, onc immcdiaicly acquiics causclcss lnowlcdgc and dciaclmcni liom ilc
woild.¯
Tlc occupaiional duiics a man pciloims accoiding io lis own posiiion aic
only so mucl usclcss laboui il ilcy do noi piovolc aiiiaciion loi ilc mcssagc ol
ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.¯
All occupaiional cngagcmcnis aic cciiainly mcani loi uliimaic libciaiion.
Tlcy slould ncvci bc pciloimcd loi maiciial gain. Iuiilcimoic, accoiding io
sagcs, onc wlo is cngagcd in ilc uliimaic occupaiional scivicc slould ncvci usc
maiciial gain io culiivaic scnsc giaiilicaiion.¯
Lilc's dcsiics slould noi bc diiccicd iowaid scnsc giaiilicaiion. Onc
slould dcsiic only a lcalily lilc, oi scll-picscivaiion, sincc a luman bcing is
mcani loi inquiiy aboui ilc Absoluic iiuil. Noiling clsc slould bc ilc goal ol
onc's woils.¯
Lcaincd iiansccndcnialisis wlo lnow ilc absoluic Tiuil call ilis non
dual subsiancc lialman, Paiamaima oi llagavan.¯
Tlc sciiously inquisiiivc siudcni oi sagc, wcll cquippcd wiil lnowlcdgc
and dciaclmcni, icaliscs ilai Absoluic Tiuil by icndciing dcvoiional scivicc in
icims ol wlai lc las lcaid liom ilc Vcdania-siuii.¯`
+ Siimad llagavaiam (1.2.13) concludcs:
O bcsi among ilc iwicc boin, ii is ilcicloic concludcd ilai ilc liglcsi
pcilcciion onc can aclicvc by disclaiging ilc duiics picsciibcd loi onc's own
occupaiion accoiding io casic divisions and oidcis ol lilc is io plcasc ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`¯
5 Tlcsc vciscs cxplain ilai puic dcvoiional scivicc alonc saiislics ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. In Siimad llagavaiam 1.1.2 (quoicd in icxi 2)
clcaiing icligion, dclincd as icligion moiivaicd by ilc dcsiic io cnjoy ilc liuiis ol
woil, is cmplaiically (pia) icjccicd (ujjliia). Tlc woid 'pia' also mcans ilai cvcn
salolya-mulii and oilci linds ol libciaicd aic icjccicd. Tlc woid 'niimaisaia'
mcans 'ilosc wlo aic noi cnvious'. An cnvious pcison is onc wlo dcsiics ilc
liuiis ol lis own woil and cannoi iolciaic oilcis' good loiiunc. Non-cnvious
pcisons aic lind cvcn io ilc animals. Tlcy aic sainily and caiclully lollow ilc
piinciplcs ol dlaima. In ilis way dcvoiional scivicc is bciici ilan ilc liuiiivc
woils dcsciibcd in ilc laima-llanda and upasana-llanda paiis ol ilc Vcdas.
6 Tlc mcssagc ol ilcsc paiis ol ilc Vcdas is vciy lai liom puic dcvoiional
scivicc, wlicl bcgins wiil claniing ilc gloiics ol ilc Loid. Tlc woid 'vcdyam'
(ilc liglcsi iiuil) lcic alliims ilai puic dcvoiional scivicc is bciici ilan ilc
jnana-lana paii ol ilc Vcdas. Tlai puic dcvoiional scivicc is bciici ilan ilc
spiiiiual pails ilai ignoic dcvoiion io ilc Loid is conliimcd in ilc lollowing
woids (Siimad llagavaiam 10.1+.+):
My dcai Loid, dcvoiional scivicc io You is ilc only auspicious pail. Il
onc givcs ii up simply loi spcculaiivc lnowlcdgc oi ilc undcisianding ilai ilcsc
living bcings aic spiiii soul and ilc maiciial woild is lalsc, lc undcigocs a gicai
dcal ol iioublc. Hc only gains iioublcsomc and inauspicious aciiviiics. His aciions
aic lilc bcaiing a lusl ilai is alicady dcvoid ol iicc. Onc's laboui bccomcs
liuiilcss.`¯
7 Tlc pliasc 'iapa-iiayonmulanam' lcic mcans 'bicals ilc ignoiancc ilai is
ilc iooi ol sullciing'. 'Siva' mcans 'iiansccndcnial bliss', and 'dam' mcans 'causcs
io cxpciicncc'. Dcvoiional scivicc is dillcicni liom ilc plilosoply ilai mainiains
ilai wiiloui aiiaining ilc loui puiusaiilas onc cannoi aiiain libciaiion. Siimad
llagavaiam docs noi mainiain ilai ii is good io aiiain ilc dilliculi-io-aiiain icsulis
ol ilc puiusaiilas. Tlc woid 'blagavaic' lcic mcans 'in ilc cvidcncc picscnicd in
Siimad llagavaiam' and 'siimai' mcans 'lillcd wiil ilc Loid's loly namc and His
many iiansccndcnial poicncics. Tlc allix 'maiup' lcic adds ilc posscssivc allix
'mai' io ilc woid 'sii'. Tlc allix 'mai' (posscssing) is cmploycd lcic jusi as ilc
allix 'vai' is cmploycd in ilc compound woid 'niloypaladi-vai'. Il ilis
inicipiciaiion is noi acccpicd, ilcn ilc woid las ilc lauli ol ilouglilcssncss
(avimisia-vidlcyamsa).
S Siimad llagavaiam is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing siaicmcni ol ilc Gaiuda
Puiana:
Tlc sciipiuic namcd Siimad llagavaiam las cigliccn-ilousand vciscs.`
9 Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis (Siimad llagavaiam 1.1.3):
Tlc dcsiic iicc lcic is Siimad llagavaiam.`
In somc placcs Siimad llagavaiam is iclciicd io as 'llagavaiam', wiiloui
ilc woid 'Siimad'. Tlis is lilc ilc usc ol ilc sloiicncd loim llama loi ilc namc
Saiyablama.
10 Tlc causc ol Siimad llagavaiam's gloiy is givcn in ilc woid 'mala-muni'
(Siimad llagavaiam 1.1.2). bccausc iis auiloi is ilc cicsi jcwcl ol ilc gicaicsi ol
plilosoplcis, Siimad llagavaiam is gloiious. Tlc Siuii-sasiia cxplains: 'Hc
bccamc a gicai plilosoplci and mcdiiaicd on ilc iiuil.' In ilis way ilc csscncc ol
ilc icvclaiion ol Siimad llagavaiam is dcsciibcd in ilcsc liisi loui vciscs ol Canio
Onc. Tlis icvclaiion is again dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam
12.13.19): 'Tlc Loid icvcalcd Siimad llagavaiam io ilc dcmigod lialma.`
11 Siimad llagavaiam is ilc bcsi ol all sciipiuics. Tlis vcisc (Siimad
llagavaiam 1.1.2) says ilc diicci appcaiancc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, wlicl is ilc bcsi goal ol lilc and ilc bcsi ol all lnowlcdgc dcsciibcd in
ilc Vcdic liiciaiuic, is casily aiiaincd in Siimad llagavaiam. Tlis vcisc dcsciibcs
ilc Siimad llagavaiam's supcicxccllcni gloiy by saying: Wlai is ilc nccd ol any
oilci sciipiuic oi ilc spiiiiual pails dcsciibcd in ilcm' As soon as onc
aiicniivcly and submissivcly lcais ilc mcssagc ol llagavaiam, by ilis culiuic ol
lnowlcdgc ilc Supicmc Loid is csiablislcd wiilin lis lcaii.` Tlc woid 'va' (oi)
lcic is lilc a momcniaiy sidclong glancc. Tlc woid 'susiusublili' lcic mcans
'ilcy wlo dcsiic io lcai'. As soon as onc dcsiics io lcai, ilc Loid is csiablislcd in
ilc lcaii.
12 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: 'Is ii noi so ilai cvciyonc lcais Siimad
llagavaiam'`
Tlc answci is givcn in ilis vcisc (1.1.2) in ilc woid 'liiiblil' wlicl mcans
'by ilc pious mcn'. ly ilcy wlo lavc noi pciloimcd pious dccds, bui simply
dcsiic io lcai, ilc Loid is noi csiablislcd in ilc lcaii. Tlai is ilc mcaning. Wlai
is ilc usc ol spiiiiual pails noi licc liom maiciial dcsiics, cvcn up io libciaiion,
ilc pail ol supcilicial pciloimancc ol iiiuals io woislip ilc Loid, mcdiiaiion on
impcisonal lialman and oilci spiiiiual pails mcniioncd and noi mcniioncd
lcic' How gloiious aic ilcy' Tlai is ilc mcaning lcic. Ioi ilcy wlo cngagc in
sadlana-blalii (dcvoiional scivicc in piaciicc) ilc Loid is ai oncc csiablislcd in
ilc lcaii. Ii is ilcy wlo always dcsiic io lcai Siimad llagavaiam. lccausc ii
aiiiacis ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and ilus coniains ilc mosi
conlidcniial sccici ol ilc ilicc paiis ol ilc Vcdas, Siimad llagavaiam is ilc bcsi ol
all sciipiuics. In ilis way ilicc lincs ol ilis vcisc (1.1.2) lavc bccn cxplaincd.
Tlc conclusion is ilai cvciyonc slould lcai Siimad llagavaiam.
Anuccheda 96
1 Siila Suladcva Gosvami mci ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad in lis
lcaii. Ioi ilis icason ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd in ilc loui
ccniial vciscs (1.9.30-33) ol Siimad llagavaiam. Suladcva Gosvami iaugli
Siimad llagavaiam bascd on lis own pcisonal lnowlcdgc and icalisaiion.
lccausc ilc dcmigod lialma was a gicai dcvoicc, ilc Supicmc Loid pcisonally
iaugli lim ilc loui mosi impoiiani vciscs ol His own sciipiuic, wlicl bcais ilc
namc Siimad llagavaiam. Tlc Loid said (Siimad llagavaiam (2.9.30):
2 Knowlcdgc aboui Mc as dcsciibcd in ilc sciipiuics is vciy conlidcniial,
and ii las io bc icaliscd in conjunciion wiil dcvoiional scivicc. Tlc ncccssaiy
paiaplcinalia loi ilai pioccss is bcing cxplaincd by Mc. You may ialc ii up vciy
caiclully.`¯
3 In ilis vcisc ilc Loid says: Plcasc acccpi ilis iiansccndcnial Vcdic
lnowlcdgc I, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, am spcaling io you. Oilcis do
noi lnow ilis lnowlcdgc.` Tlc woid 'paiama-gulyam' lcic mcans Tlis
lnowlcdgc is mosi conlidcniial ilan ilc lnowlcdgc ol impcisonal lialman.`
Tlai ilis is so is conliimcd in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 6.1+.5):
O gicai sagc, among many millions wlo aic libciaicd and pcilcci in
lnowlcdgc ol libciaiion, onc may bc a dcvoicc ol Loid Naiayana, oi Kisna. Sucl
dcvoiccs, wlo aic lully pcacclul, aic cxiicmcly iaic.`¯
+ Tlc Loid says: 'Plcasc acccpi ilis spiiiiual lnowlcdgc bascd on diicci
pciccpiion.' Tlc Loid ilcn says ilai ilis lnowlcdgc is vciy conlidcniial. Tlai
mcans ilis lnowlcdgc will cvcniually icvcal picma-blalii (dcvoiional scivicc in
puic lovc ol God). Tlc Loid ilcn says: 'Plcasc also acccpi ilc paiaplcinalia ol
ilis lnowlcdgc.' Wlcn ilc obsiaclcs ol ollcnscs aic picscni, ilis conlidcniial
lnowlcdgc will noi bc manilcsi immcdiaicly. Tlc Loid ilcicloic says: 'Plcasc
acccpi ilis paiaplcinalia io assisi in undcisianding ilis lnowlcdgc.' Tlai
paiaplcinalia is ilc pioccss ol dcvoiional scivicc, wlicl bcgins wiil lcaiing
(aboui Kisna). In ilis scnicncc ilc woid 'iad-angam' modilics 'sa-ialasyam'.
Tlcsc woids aic lilc iwo liicnds ilai lclp cacl oilci.
5 Ncxi ilc Loid givcs a blcssing so ilis jnana (lnowlcdgc) and ialasya
(conlidcniial paiaplcinalia) may bc manilcsicd (Siimad llagavaiam 1.9.31):
All ol Mc, namcly My aciual cicinal loim and My iiansccndcnial
cxisicncc, coloui, qualiiics and aciiviiics - lci all bc awalcncd wiilin you by
laciual icalisaiion, oui ol My causclcss mcicy,`¯
6 In ilis vcisc 'yavan' mcans 'cicinal loim' and 'yaila-blaval' mcans
'iiansccndcnial cxisicncc'. Tlc Loid lcic says 'I am lilc ilis'. His loims includc
His dail complcxioncd loim ol Syamasundaia and His loui-aimcd Visnu loims.
His qualiiics bcgin wiil His lovc loi His dcvoiccs. His aciiviiics aic His
iiansccndcnial pasiimcs. Tlis is ilc mcaning ol ilc woids 'yad-iupa-guna-
laimalal alam'. Tlc Loid lcic says: 'Lci all ilcsc bc awalcncd wiilin you by
laciual icalisaiion, oui ol My causclcss mcicy.`
Loid Kisna iclcis io ilcsc loui vciscs (Siimad llagavaiam 1.9.30-33) in
ilis insiiuciion io Uddlava (Siimad llagavaiam 3.+.13):
O Uddlava, in ilc loius millcnnium in ilc days ol yoic, ai ilc bcginning
ol ilc cicaiion, I spolc unio lialma, wlo is siiuaicd on ilc loius ilai giows oui
ol My navcl, aboui My iiansccndcnial gloiics, wlicl ilc gicai sagcs dcsciibc as
Siimad llagavaiam.`¯
7 Tlc woids 'vijnana' lcic mcans 'wiil ilc iiuil ol My iiansccndcnial loims
and qualiiics.' Tlc Loid lcic givcs a blcssing ilai ilis lnowlcdgc may bccomc
manilcsi. Oui ol lovc (loi His dcvoicc, ilc Loid givcs ilc blcssing ilai) ilc
conlidcniial iiuil ol His blisslul naiuic may bc diiccily sccn (by lialma).
S Tlc liisi iwo ol ilcsc loui vciscs mcniion jnana and vijnana, wlicl aic
luiilci dcsciibcd in ilc ncxi iwo vciscs (Siimad llagavaiam 1.9.32-33). Jnana is
dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vcisc, wlcic ilc Loid says (Siimad llagavaiam 1.9.32):
9 lialma, ii is I, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo was cxisiing bcloic ilc
cicaiion, wlcn ilcic was noiling bui Myscll. Noi was ilcic ilc maiciial naiuic,
ilc causc ol ilis cicaiion. Tlai wlicl you scc now is also I, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, and alici annililaiion wlai icmains will also bc I, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad.`¯
10 Hcic ilc woid 'alam' (I) mcans ilc loim ol ilc Loid, noi ilc lcaiuiclcss
lialman, bccausc lialman cannoi bc pciccivcd by ilc scnscs. Tlis vcisc is lilc
ilc lamous siaicmcni (Clandogya Upanisad 6.S.7) 'iai ivam asi' (You aic ilai).
Tlc Loid lcic says: 'Alici ilc iimc wlcn ilc maiciial univcisc is annililaicd, I in
My landsomc iiansccndcnial loim, will icmain.`
11 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cxisis bcloic and alici ilc
manilcsiaiion ol ilc maiciial univciscs is conliimcd by ilc lollowing quoics:
Loid Vasudcva cxisicd bcloic ilc maiciial woild was cicaicd, wlcn ilcic
was no lialma and no Siva.`
Mala-Naiayana Upanisad
In ilc bcginning was only Naiayana. Tlcic was no lialma and no Siva.`
Mala-Naiayana Upanisad
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc masici ol all living cniiiics, cxisicd piioi
io ilc cicaiion as onc wiiloui a sccond. Ii is by His will only ilai cicaiion is madc
possiblc and again cvciyiling mcigcs in Him. Tlis Supicmc Scll is sympiomiscd
by dillcicni namcs.`¯
Siimad llagavaiam 3.5.23
12 As in ilc scnicncc 'Tlc ling gocs' ilc woid 'ling' may also mcan 'ilc ling's
mcsscngci' oi 'ilc ling's soldicis', so ilc woid 'alam' (I) lcic docs noi only mcan
ilc Loid bui also mcans ilc Loid's abodc ol Vailunila, ilc Loid's associaics, and
cvciyiling clsc in diicci iclaiion wiil ilc Loid. In ilis way ilc mcaning slould bc
undcisiood. Tlc Loid is again dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing qucsiion ol King Paiilsii
(Siimad llagavaiam 2.S.10):
13 Plcasc also cxplain ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo lics in cvciy lcaii as
ilc Supcisoul and as ilc Loid ol all cncigics, bui is uniouclcd by His cxicinal
cncigy.`¯
1+ Viduia asls a similai qucsiion (Siimad llagavaiam 3.7.37):
Plcasc dcsciibc low many dissoluiions ilcic aic loi ilc clcmcnis ol
maiciial naiuic and wlo suivivcs alici ilc dissoluiions io scivc ilc Loid wlilc Hc
is aslccp.`¯
15 In ilc Kasi-llanda, Sii Dliuva-caiiia, ii is said:
lccausc ilc Loid's dcvoiccs do noi pciisl wlcn ilc maiciial cosmos is
dcsiioycd, ilc all-pcivading, cicinal Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad also ncvci
pciislcs.`
16 In ilis vcisc ilc woids 'alam cva' icluic ilc idca ilai ilc Supicmc is
loimlcss and impcisonal, and ilc woids 'asam cva' icluic ilc idca ilai ilc
Supicmc is bcyond ilc powci ol ilougli. Tlis is conliimcd by ilc woids 'yad-
iupa-guna-laimalal'.
Asidc liom ilc aciiviiics ol maiciial cicaiion, ilc dcmigod lialma and
oilci ouisidcis lnow noiling ol ilc Loid's ical aciiviiics. Tlcy do noi lnow ol
ilc Loid's inicinal, spiiiiual pasiimcs. As a ling las noiling ilai lc musi pciloim
as lis duiy, so ilc Supicmc Loid docs noi lavc io slccp, cai, oi do any oilci iling.
Tlc vcib 'as' (asam) may also mcan 'io go', 'io slinc', oi 'io acccpi'. Wlcn
'as' is inicipicicd io mcan 'slinc', ilis vcisc may mcan ilai ilc Loid says io
lialma: 'I am splcndidly manilcsi bcloic you as you gazc on My iiansccndcnial
lcaiuics.' Inicipicicd in ilis way, ilcsc woids icluic ilc idca ilai ilc Supicmc las
no loim.
In lis discussion ol loim and loimlcssncss in iclaiion io Loid Visnu, Siila
lopadcva Gosvami cxplains in lis Muliaplala-iila commcniaiy on ilis vcisc:
Ii is noi ilai ilc loims ol ilc Loid cannoi bc all pcivading. Tlc Loid's
loim docs noi disappcai inio noilingncss simply bccausc Hc is simuliancously
cvciywlcic.`
Tlc Aiiaicya Upanisad (1.1.1) also cxplains:
lcloic ilc maiciial woild was cicaicd ilc Supicmc Pcison cxisicd.`
Iiom ilis ii may bc undcisiood ilai bccausc ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cxisicd bcloic ilc maiciial cicaiion, ilc lnowlcdgc ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc liglcsi iiuil.
17 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: 'Is ii noi so ilc Siuii-sasiia says ilai
bcloic ilc maiciial cicaiion ilc lialman, wlicl las no qualiiics, cxisicd''
To ilis objcciion ilc Loid answcis: 'nanyad yai sai-asai-paiam'. Tlis
mcans: 'lcloic ilc cicaiion ilcic was noiling bui Myscll. Noi was ilcic ilc
maiciial naiuic, ilc causc ol ilis cicaiion.' In ilis siaicmcni ilc woid 'asai' mcans
'cllcci' and 'sai' mcans 'causc'. lccausc ilc Loid says ilai 'ilcic was noiling bui
Myscll', Hc says 'ilc impcisonal lialman, wlicl is abovc ilc causc and cllcci ol
ilis woild, is noi dillcicni liom Mc.' Hc says: 'lccausc somc sciipiuics cannoi
undcisiand my pcisonal loim and qualiiics, I am icllccicd in ilcm in my
impcisonal aspcci.' In ilc maiciial woild, wlcic spiiiiual vaiiciy is noi
undcisiood, I appcai as ilc undillcicniiaicd lialman, bui in ilc spiiiiual woild ol
Vailunila I appcai as ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. In ilis
way ilcsc iwo aspccis ol ilc Supicmc aic dcsciibcd in ilc sciipiuics. Tlc iiuil
aboui ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd by Loid Kisna in
llagavad-giia (1+.27) in ilc woids: 'I am ilc basis ol ilc impcisonal lialma.' In
ilis way ilc Loid says ilai lnowlcdgc ol Him is 'vciy conlidcniial.'
1S Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: 'O Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, is ii
noi so ilai wlcn ilc maiciial univcisc is no longci manilcsi, You also no longci
cxisi''
Tlc Loid answcis (Siimad llagavaiam 1.9.31): 'Alici annililaiion wlai
icmains will also bc I, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`¯
In ilc maiciial univciscs ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad manilcsis
His loim ol ilc Supcisoul, and in ilc spiiiiual woild ol Vailunila Hc manilcsis
His loims ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Tlai ilc Loid is noi allccicd by ilc dcsiiuciion ol ilc maiciial univciscs is
conliimcd in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam 11.3.35):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc causc ol ilc cicaiion,
mainicnancc and dcsiiuciion ol ilc maiciial univciscs. No onc is ilc causc ol
Him.`
19 Ai ilis poini somconc may objcci: 'O Loid, ilc poiiciy, cloiling, and oilci
loims sccn in ilc maiciial univcisc aic noi Youi loims, loi ilcy aic noi all
powcilul.'
Tlinling somconc migli iaisc ilis objcciion, ilc Loid said: 'I am ilc
maiciial univcisc. lccausc ii is noi dillcicni liom Mc, ii is My vciy scll.`
Ii is also said (Siimad llagavaiam 2.7.50):
20 My dcai son, I lavc no cxplaincd in biicl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, wlo is ilc cicaioi ol ilc manilcsicd woilds. Wiiloui Him, Haii, ilc
Loid, ilcic aic no oilci causcs ol ilc plcnomcnal and nominal cxisicnccs.`¯
21 In ilis way ilc iiuil ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is cxplaincd.
Tlc Himscll says (Siimad llagavaiam 1.9.33): Alici annililaiion ol ilc maiciial
univcisc wlai icmains will also bc I, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.` Aboui ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad ilc sciipiuics dcclaic: 'O Loid, bccausc You
alonc icmain (scsa) wlcn ilc maiciial univciscs aic dcsiioycd, You bcai ilc namc
Scsa.'
Tlc Loid icaclcs ilai Hc is picscni in all placcs and ai all iimcs. Hc says
(Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.33) 'I, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad was cxisiing bcloic ilc
cicaiion, wlcn ilcic was noiling bui Myscll.' Hc again says (llagavad-giia
1+.27): 'I am ilc basis ol ilc impcisonal lialman.`
In Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.32 ilc woid 'yad-blaval' indicaics ilai all loims
aic limbs ol ilc Loid's own loim, and ilc woid 'iupa' in ilai vcisc indicaics ilai
ilc Loid las unlimiicd wondcilul iiansccndcnial loims dillcicni liom maiciial
loims. Tlc woid 'guna' in ilai vcisc indicaics ilai ilc Loid is ilc slclici ol
cvciyiling and Hc las unlimiicd iiansccndcnial qualiiics dillcicni liom maiciial
qualiiics. Tlc woid 'laimalal' in ilai vcisc indicaics ilai ilc Loid is ilc slclici
ol many cxiiaoidinaiy aciiviiics, sucl as His cicaiion, mainicnancc, and
dcsiiuciion ol ilc maiciial univciscs.
22 In ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.3+), in oidci io icacl ilc iiuil
ilai His loims and qualiiics aic dillcicni liom maiici, ilc Loid dcsciibcs ilc
qualiiics ol ilc illusoiy cncigy (maya). Hc says:
O lialma, wlaicvci appcais io bc ol any valuc, il ii is wiiloui iclaiion io
Mc, las no icaliiy. Know ii as My illusoiy cncigy, ilai icllcciion wlicl appcais io
bc in dailncss.`¯
Tlc summaiy cxplanaiion ol ilis vcisc is: I am ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad. Anyiling picscni bcloic ilc cycs ilai is noi Mc las no icaliiy.
Anyiling wiiloui iclaiion io Mc las no icaliiy. Know ii as ilc illusoiy cncigy ol
Mc, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
23 Tlc woid 'yailablasal' givcs ilc cxamplc ol a icllcciion. Dailncss is lcic
compaicd io a icllcciion. Dailncss may mcan ciilci ilai ilcic is no ligli in a
cciiain placc alilougl ligli slincs in oilci placcs, oi dailncss may also mcan ilai
ligli docs slinc in a cciiain placc alilougl ilc bcloldci las no cycs io scc ii. Tlc
woid 'vidyai' (lnow), alilougl in ilc iliid- pcison, cxpicsscs ilc mcaning ol ilc
sccond-pcison. Tlis insiiuciion, ilcicloic, is inicndcd loi oilcis. Tlc Loid says:
Wiil ilc powci I givc, you will bc ablc io scc and undcisiand Mc. Tiansccnding
maiciial vision, you will diiccily scc and undcisiand Mc, wlosc loims and
qualiiics aic iiansccndcnial. ly iuining liom ilc illusion ol maiici, onc may
undcisiand Mc. Tlc conclusion is ilai My iiansccndcnial loim and qualiiics
cannoi bc sccn oi undcisiood by a pcison in ilc iliall ol maiciial illusion.` Ioi
ilis icason maiciial illusion slould bc givcn up. Wiiloui giving up maiciial
illusion ii is noi possiblc io lovc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Anuccheda 97
1 In ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.35) ilc Loid cxplains ilc sccici
ol lovc loi Him:
O lialma, plcasc lnow ilai ilc univcisal clcmcnis cnici inio ilc cosmos
and ai ilc samc iimc do noi cnici inio ilc cosmos; similaily, I Myscll also cxisi
wiilin cvciyiling cicaicd, and ai ilc samc iimc I am ouisidc ol cvciyiling.`¯
2 Tlis vcisc mcans: 'Tlc univcisal clcmcnis do noi cnici ilc cosmos, ilai is
io say ilcy icmain ouisidc, and ai ilc samc iimc ilcy do cnici, ilai is io say ilcy
siay wiilin. In ilc samc way I do noi cnici ilc maiciial cosmos bccausc I siay in
Vailunila, wlicl is bcyond ilc maiciial splcic, and ai ilc samc iimc I do cnici
ilc cosmos bccausc I siay in ilc lcaiis ol ilc viiiuous and suiicndcicd dcvoiccs.'
A cciiain paii ol ilc maiciial clcmcnis cnicis and anoilci paii docs noi cnici ilc
cosmos. In ilc samc, a paiiial cxpansion ol ilc Loid cnicis, and anoilci lcaiuic ol
ilc Loid docs noi cnici ilc maiciial woild. Tlai is ilc cxamplc lcic. In ilcsc
woids ilc sccici ol lovc loi ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlicl is aiiaincd
by ilc scll-coniiollcd, is linicd.
3 Tlc Loid's icmaining in ilc spiiiiual woild is dcsciibcd in lialma-samliia
(37):
I woislip Govinda, ilc piimcval Loid, wlo icsidcs in His own icalm,
Golola, wiil Radla, wlo icscmblcs His own spiiiiual liguic and wlo cmbodics
His ccsiaiic poicncy (lladini). Tlcii companions aic Hci conlidanics, wlo
cmbody cxicnsions ol Hci bodily loim and wlo aic cmbucd and pcimcaicd wiil
cvci-blisslul spiiiiual iasa.`¯
+ Tlc Loid's cniiancc in ilc dcvoiccs' lcaiis is dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids
(lialma-samliia 3S):
I woislip ilc piimcval Loid, Govinda, wlo is always sccn by ilc dcvoicc
wlosc cycs aic anoinicd wiil ilc pulp ol lovc. Hc is sccn in His cicinal loim ol
Syamasundaia, siiuaicd wiilin ilc lcaii ol ilc dcvoicc.`¯
5 Tlc Loid's loim is lillcd wiil inconccivablc iiansccndcnial qualiiics. Tlc
oinimcni lcic is ilc oinimcni ol lovc. Tlc Loid appcais bcloic a pcison wlosc
cycs aic lillcd wiil dcvoiion, laving bccn anoinicd wiil ilai oinimcni. Tlai is ilc
mcaning.
6 Tlc Loid again dcsciibcs ilis in llagavad-giia (9.29):
lui wlocvci icndcis scivicc unio Mc in dcvoiion is a liicnd, is in Mc, and
I am also a liicnd io lim.`¯
7 In ilis vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.35) ilc Loid says: As ilc maiciial
clcmcnis aic simuliancously wiilin and wiiloui ilc cosmos, so I am
simuliancously wiilin ilc dcvoiccs' ilouglis, and also ouisidc ilc dcvoiccs,
manilcsi bcloic ilcii scnscs. lccausc ilc dcvoiccs dcdicaic cvciyiling io Mc, I
appcai bcloic ilcm in My loim lillcd wiil bliss and lovc. Tlai is My sccici.
Tlc dcmigod lialma also dcsciibcs ilis (Siimad llagavaiam 2.6.3+):
S O Naiada, bccausc I lavc caugli lold ol ilc loius lcci ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Haii, wiil gicai zcal, wlaicvci I say las ncvci piovcd io
lavc bccn lalsc. Noi is ilc piogicss ol my mind cvci dciciicd. Noi aic my scnscs
cvci dcgiadcd by icmpoiaiy aiiaclmcni io maiici.`¯
9 Alilougl ilc inicipiciaiions ol ilis siaicmcni (Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.35)
may bc givcn, ilc mcaning lcic is clcai bccausc ilis siaicmcni lollows ilc loui
impoiiani siaicmcnis ol ilc Loid (Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.31-3+). Oilci
inicipiciaiions aic also icluicd by ilc woids 'na icsu' lcic. In ilis way ilc gicai
sccici is cxplaincd. As a ciniamani jcwcls is liddcn in a jcwcllciy casc, so
maiciialisiic inicipiciaiions lidc ilis sccici liom ilc wiclcd and indillcicni.
10 Tlc Loid Himscll says (Siimad llagavaiam 11.21.35):
Tlc wisc icll My sccici. Tlis sccici is vciy dcai io Mc.`
11 Tlis gicai sccici is cxplaincd in many placcs in Vcdic liiciaiuic. Tlc
gicaincss ol ilis sccici is dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 5.6.1S):
Tlosc cngagcd in gciiing ilc Loid's lavoui aiiain libciaiion liom ilc Loid
vciy casily, bui Hc docs noi vciy casily givc ilc oppoiiuniiy io icndci diicci
scivicc unio Him.`¯
12 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad pcisonally iold ilis sccici io ilc iwo
gicai dcvoiccs Aijuna and Uddlava in ilcsc woids:
lccausc you aic My vciy dcai liicnd, I am spcaling io you My supicmc
insiiuciion, ilc mosi conlidcniial lnowlcdgc ol all. Hcai ilis liom Mc, loi ii is loi
youi bcnclii.`¯
llagavad-giia 1S.6+
I will now icll you ilc mosi conlidcniial lnowlcdgc.`
Siimad llagavaiam 11.11.+9
13 lialma icvcalcd ilis sccici io Naiada in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam
2.7.51-52):
O Naiada, ilis scicncc ol God, Siimad llagavaiam, was spolcn io mc in
summaiy by ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and ii was spolcn as ilc
accumulaiion ol His divcisc poicncics. Plcasc cxpand ilis scicncc youiscll.¯
1+ Plcasc dcsciibc ilc scicncc ol Godlcad wiil dciciminaiion and in a
mannci by wlicl ii will bc quiic possiblc loi ilc luman bcing io dcvclop
iiansccndcnial dcvoiional scivicc unio ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad Haii, ilc
Supcisoul ol cvciy living bcing and ilc summum bonum souicc ol all cncigics.`¯
15 Siila Siidlaia Svami cloqucni cxplains ilai ilc woid 'ialasyam' (sccici)
lcic (Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.31) iclcis io puic dcvoiional scivicc.
How is ilis sccici, dcsciibcd in ilc passagc bcginning Siimad llagavaiam
2.9.31 undcisiood' Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad icaclcs ilc mcilod ol
undcisianding ii in ilc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.36):
16 A pcison wlo is scaicling alici ilc Supicmc Absoluic Tiuil, ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, musi cciiainly scaicl loi ii up io ilis, in all
ciicumsianccs, in all spacc and iimc, and boil diiccily and indiiccily.`¯
17 In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'aimanal' mcans 'ol Mc, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad', 'iaiiva-jijnasuna' mcans 'dcsiiing io undcisiand ilc sccici ol puic lovc',
'jijnasyam' mcans 'may bc lcaincd liom ilc spiiiiual masici', and 'anvaya-
vyaiiiclablyam' mcans 'wiil ilc insiiuciion io do cciiain acis and icliain liom
cciiain acis'. Tlis slould bc donc in all ciicumsianccs and all spacc and iimc.
1S Tlis is dcsciibcd in Siimad llagavaiam (2.2.33):
Ioi ilosc wlo aic wandciing in ilc maiciial univcisc, ilcic is no moic
auspicious mcans ol dclivciancc ilan wlai is aimcd ai in ilc diicci dcvoiional
scivicc ol Loid Kisna.`¯
19 Aciions io bc donc and io bc avoidcd aic dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids (Siimad
llagavaiam 2.2.36):
O King, ii is ilcicloic csscniial ilai cvciy luman bcing lcai aboui, gloiily
and icmcmbci ilc Supicmc Loid, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, always and
cvciywlcic.`¯
20 Tlis slould bc donc, as said in Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.36 'in all
ciicumsianccs, and in all iimc and spacc'. In ilis way ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad icaclcs aboui jnana, vijnana, ialasya, and iad-anga in ilcsc loui vciscs
(Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.31-3+).
In ilc bcginning ol ilis clapici ii is also said (Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.9):
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, bcing ilus vciy mucl saiislicd wiil ilc
pcnancc ol Loid lialma, was plcascd io manilcsi His pcisonal abodc, Vailunila,
ilc supicmc planci abovc all oilcis. Tlis iiansccndcnial abodc ol ilc Loid is
adoicd by all scll-icaliscd pcisons liccd liom all linds ol misciics and lcai ol
illusoiy cxisicncc.`¯
Ii is ilcn said (Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.1+):
Loid lialma saw in ilc Vailunila plancis ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
wlo is ilc Loid ol ilc cniiic dcvoicc communiiy, ilc Loid ol ilc goddcss ol
loiiunc, ilc Loid ol all saciiliccs, and ilc Loid ol ilc univcisc, and wlo is scivcd
by ilc loicmosi sciviiois lilc Nanda, Sunanda, Piabala and Ailana, His immcdiaic
associaics.`¯
In ilcsc woids ol Siimad llagavaiam, as wcll as ilc woids ol Gopala-
iapani Upanisad, Loid Kisna is dcsciibcd as ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Loid Kisna is ncvci dcsciibcd as an incainaiion ol Loid Naiayana, Loid
Gaiblodalasayi Visnu, oi ilc puiusa-avaiaias. lccausc ii dcsciibcs Loid Kisna,
ilc spcalci ol ilcsc loui vciscs (Siimad llagavaiam 2.9.31-3+) as ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad (llagavan), ilis Mala-Puiana is callcd Siimad
llagavaiam.
21 Tlai Loid Kisna is ilc oiiginal spcalci ol Siimad llagavaiam is conliimcd
in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam 12.13.19):
I mcdiiaic upon ilai puic and spoilcss supicmc Absoluic Tiuil, wlo is
licc liom sullciing and dcail and wlo in ilc bcginning pcisonally icvcalcd ilis
incompaiablc ioiclligli ol lnowlcdgc io lialma. lialma ilcn spolc ii io ilc
sagc Naiada, wlo naiiaicd ii io Kisna-dvaipayana Vyasa. Siila Vyasa icvcalcd ilis
Siimad llagavaiam io ilc gicaicsi ol sagcs, Suladcva Gosvami and Suladcva
mcicilully spolc ii io Malaiaja Paiilsii.`¯¯¯
Tlc woid 'paia' in ilis vcisc indicaics ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is ilc oiiginal spcalci ol ilc llagavaiam.
Tlai Loid Kisna is ilc oiiginal Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is linicd
in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 2.6.+2):
Kaianainavasayi Visnu is ilc liisi incainaiion ol ilc Supicmc Loid, and
Hc is ilc masici ol cicinal iimc, spacc, causc and cllccis, mind, ilc clcmcnis, ilc
maiciial cgo, ilc modcs ol naiuic, ilc scnscs, ilc univcisal loim ol ilc Loid,
Gaiblodalasayi Visnu, and ilc sum ioial ol all living bcings, boil moving and
unmoving.`¯
Tlis siaicmcni indicaics ilai Loid Kisna is dillcicni (bccausc Hc is ilc
oiigin ol all incainaiions) liom ilc vaiious incainaiions ol god.
22 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc oiiginal spcalci ol Siimad
llagavaiam is also conliimcd by ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 12.13.10):
Ii was io Loid lialma ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad liisi
icvcalcd ilc Siimad llagavaiam in lull. Ai ilc iimc, lialma, liiglicncd by
maiciial cxisicncc, was siiiing on ilc loius llowci ilai lad giown liom ilc Loid's
navcl.`¯¯¯
23 Tlc woid llagavan (Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad) is uscd in ilis
vcisc. Ii was llagavan wlo spolc io lialma as lc sai on ilc loius llowci giown
liom Loid Naiayana's navcl. Ii was also llagavan wlo icvcalcd ilc woild ol
Vailunila in ilc passagc liom Sccond Canio (2.9.9 and 2.9.1+, quoicd in icxi 20).
Anuccheda 98
1 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd in all ilc Vcdas. Tlis is
conliimcd in ilc lollowing woids ol ilc Caiui-vcda-silla:
ly all ilc Vcdas ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is io bc lnown. Tlc
Vcdas dcsciibc no onc clsc. A pcison wlo aspiics alici libciaiion slould siudy ilc
Vcdas, icllcci on ilcii woids, and iiy io undcisiand Him.`
2 Tlis is again conliimcd in ilcsc woids:
Tlc dcmigods, ilc sagcs wlo dcsiic libciaiion, and ilc bialmavadis all
mcdiiaic on ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
Sii Nisimla-iapani Upanisad 2.+
All ilc Vcdas mcdiiaic on ilc lcci ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
and all ausiciiiics clani His gloiics.`
Kaila Upanisad 1.2.15
Lci mc appioacl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc gicai Supcisoul
wlo sccs cvciyiling. Tlcy wlo aic ignoiani ol ilc Vcdas cannoi undcisiand
Him.`
Siuii-sasiia
I asl aboui ilc Supicmc Pcison, wlo is dcsciibcd in ilc Upanisads.`
Siuii-sasiia
ly all ilc Vcdas, I am io bc lnown. Indccd, I am ilc compilci ol ilc
Vcdania, and I am ilc lnowci ol ilc Vcdas.`¯
Loid Kisna, in llagavad-giia 15.15
3 In ilc Padma Puiana ii is said:
In conclusion, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad Visnu is dcsciibcd in
all ilc Vcdas.`
+ In ilc Slanda Puiana ii is said:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is namcd by all namcs and
woislippcd by all ilc Vcdas.`
5 In ilc Visnu Puiana ii is said:
Wc ollci oui icspccilul obcisanccs io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, ilc cicinal auiloi ol ilc Vcdas.`
6 In ilc lialma-iaila ii is said:
In all ilc Vcdas, Iiilasas, Puianas, and Yuliila-sasiias, only ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and no onc clsc, is io bc lnown.`
7 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad dcsciibcs Himscll as ilc conclusion
ol ilc Vcdas (Siimad llagavaiam 11.21.+3):
Tlc puiposc ol Vcdic liiciaiuic is io lnow Mc by dillcicni spcculaiions,
ciilci by indiicci undcisianding oi by diciionaiy undcisianding.`¯
S In ilis vcisc 'mam' mcans 'Mc, ilc objcci ol ilc Vcdic saciiliccs', 'vidlaiic'
mcans 'ilc Vcdas oidain', and 'ablidlaiic mam' mcans 'ilc Vcdas sci loim Mc, ilc
loim ol all Dciiics and ilc cicaioi ol ilc sly and ilc oilci maiciial clcmcnis.'
Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc cicaioi ol ilc sly is conliimcd by
ilc lollowing woids (Taiiiiiiya Upanisad 2.1.3):
Iiom ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad ilc sly was boin.`
Vilalpyapolyaic ly alam' mcans 'spcculaiing ilai noiling is dillcicni
liom Mc.`
Anuccheda 99
1 In ilis way ii is piovcd ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc
subjcci maiici ol ilc Vcdas. Tlis is conliimcd in ilc lollowing qucsiion ol King
Paiilsii and ilc answci ol Sii Suladcva Gosvami (Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.1):
Sincc Vcdic lnowlcdgc gcncially dcals wiil ilc subjcci maiici ol ilc ilicc
qualiiics ol ilc maiciial woild, low ilcn can ii appioacl ilc subjcci maiici ol
iiansccndcncc, wlicl is bcyond ilc appioacl ol ilc ilicc maiciial modcs' Sincc
ilc mind is maiciial and ilc vibiaiion ol woids is a maiciial sound, low can ilc
Vcdic lnowlcdgc, cxpicssing by maiciial sound ilc ilouglis ol ilc mind,
appioacl iiansccndcncc' Dcsciipiion ol a subjcci maiici ncccssiiaics dcsciibing
iis souicc ol cmanaiion, iis qualiiics, and iis aciiviiics. Sucl dcsciipiion can bc
possiblc only by ilinling wiil ilc maiciial mind and by vibiaiing maiciial woids.
Alilougl lialma, oi Absoluic Tiuil, las no maiciial qualiiics, oui powci ol
spcaling docs noi go bcyond ilc maiciial qualiiics. How ilcn can lialman, ilc
Absoluic Tiuil, bc dcsciibcd by youi woids' I do noi scc low ii is possiblc io
undcisiand iiansccndcncc liom sucl cxpicssions ol maiciial sound.`¯
2 Tlc mcaning is ilai ilc Vcdas consisi ol woids ilai dcsciibc mosily ilc
modc ol naiuic, wlicl bcgin wiil goodncss, and ilc Supicmc lialman is bcyond
ilc modcs ol naiuic, wlicl bcgin wiil goodncss. Ioi ilis icason ilc Supicmc
lialman cannoi bc dcsciibcd. lccausc ii is bcyond ilc aciions ol ilc modcs ol
maiciial naiuic, ilc Supicmc lialman cannoi bc dcsciibcd. Tlc woids 'sai' and
'asai' lcic mcan 'causc' and 'cllcci'. lialman is also bcyond causc and cllcci.
Somciimcs woids aic unambiguous and lavc only onc mcaning. An
cxamplc ol ilis is ilc woid 'diiila' (ioy clcplani). Somc woids lavc a sccond
mcaning. An cxamplc ol ilis is ilc pliasc 'simlo dcvadaiial' (ilc lion
Dcvadaiia), wlcic ilc woid 'lion' aciually mcans 'lionlilc'. Somciimcs woids lavc
a mciaploiical mcaning. An cxamplc ol ilis is ilc pliasc 'gangayam glosal' (a
cowlcid villagc on ilc Ganga), wlcic ilc woid 'Ganga' docs noi mcan 'in ilc
Ganga' bui 'on ilc Ganga's sloic'. How is ii possiblc loi ilc Vcdas io dcsciibc ilc
Supicmc lialman, wlicl las no maiciial qualiiics, wiil woids, wlicl lavc so
many ambiguous mcanings'
In ilc siaicmcnis ol ilc Vcdic liiciaiuic, wlicl do noi dcsciibc anyiling
bui ilc Supicmc, as loi cxamplc ilc siaicmcni ol Vcdania-suiia (1.1.3) 'Tlc
Supicmc lialman is ilc oiigin ol ilc sciipiuics' ilc piimaiy, liicial mcaning
slould bc acccpicd. In ilcsc scll cvidcni siaicmcnis ol ilc Vcdas ilc liicial
mcaning slould bc acccpicd. Wly slould ilc liicial mcaning bc acccpicd' Ii
slould bc acccpicd bccausc you (Suladcva Gosvami) aic pcisonally spcaling oui
ol gicai compassion. Oilciwisc ii would noi bc possiblc io undcisiand lialman
in ilc Vcdas. How ilcn would ii bc possiblc io undcisiand ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is abovc lialman, wiiloui youi cxplanaiion' Ioi
ilis icason ilc pail ol ilc scll-cvidcni Vcdas lcads io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad. Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilis passagc, wlicl bcgins wiil Siimad llagavaiam
10.S6.59.
3 Siila Suladcva Gosvami answcicd in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam
10.S7.2):
Tlc sagcs said: Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las cicaicd ilc
mind, scnscs, and living loicc loi ilc puiposc ol scnsc giaiilicaiion in
iiansmigiaiion liom onc lind ol body io anoilci, as wcll as loi ilc puiposc ol
allowing libciaiion liom ilc maiciial condiiions.`
+ In ilis vcisc ilc compound woid bcginning wiil 'buddli' mcans 'ilc
vaiious aiiiibuics' and 'jananam' mcans 'ol ilc individual living cniiiics'. To
aiiangc loi ilcii scnsc giaiilicaiion, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
(piablul) cicaicd ilcii iniclligcncc, mind, scnscs, and living loicc. Tlc
individual living cniiiics, cmploying ilcii own lnowlcdgc, did noi cicaic ilcm.
ly ilis siaicmcni ilc vivaiia-vada (impcisonalisis' ilcoiy ol iiansloimaiion) is
icluicd. Tlc woid 'miia' lcic mcans 'ol ilc maiciial scnscs', 'blava' mcans
'aciiviiics ilai biing onc anoilci biiil', 'aimanc' mcans 'io ilc individual living
cniiiy, wlo las comc io ilc maiciial woild io cnjoy', and 'alalpanaya' mcans 'loi
libciaiion and liccdom liom maiciial dcsiic'. Maiciial dcsiic lcic is ilc loui goals
ol cconomic dcvclopmcni, maiciial piciy, scnsc giaiilicaiion and impcisonal
libciaiion. Libciaiion lcic is ilc libciaiion wlcic onc sccs cvciyiling is spiiii.
5 Siimad llagavaiam (5.19.19-20) cxplains:
Il onc's posiiion is ascciiaincd by a bona lidc spiiiiual masici and onc is
piopcily iiaincd io cngagc in ilc scivicc ol Loid Visnu accoiding io ilc loui social
divisions (bialmana, lsaiiiya, vaisya and sudia) and ilc loui spiiiiual divisions
(bialmacaii, gilasila, vanapiasila and sannyasa), onc's lilc bccomcs pcilcci.¯
Alici many, many biiils, wlcn ilc icsulis ol onc's pious aciiviiics maiuic,
onc gcis an oppoiiuniiy io associaic wiil puic dcvoiccs. Tlcn onc is ablc io cui
ilc lnoi ol bondagc io ignoiancc, wlicl bound lim bccausc ol vaiicd liuiiivc
aciiviiics. As a icsuli ol associaiing wiil dcvoiccs, onc giadually icndcis scivicc io
Loid Vasudcva, wlo is iiansccndcnial, licc liom aiiaclmcni io ilc maiciial woild,
bcyond ilc mind and woids, and indcpcndcni ol cvciyiling clsc. Tlai blalii-
yoga, dcvoiional scivicc io Loid Vasudcva, is ilc ical pail ol libciaiion.`¯
In ilis piosc passagc ol ilc Iilil Canio iwo linds ol dcvoiional scivicc aic
dcsciibcd.
6 In boil ilcsc pioccsscs ol dcvoiional scivicc (lollowing vainasiama and
mcciing a dcvoicc) onc bccomcs licc liom ilc illusions ol maiciial ignoiancc. Tlc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad ilcicloic cicaics ilc iniclligcncc and scnscs ol
ilc condiiioncd souls io cnablc ilcm io cngagc in dcvoiional scivicc. His
sampadana-salii poicncy malcs all ilis possiblc. lccausc ilc ilicc goals ol
cconomic dcvclopmcni, maiciial piciy, and scnsc giaiilicaiion aic cxicinal and
maiciial, libciaiion is dillcicni liom ilcm. Libciaiion is paii ol ilc spiiiiual
poicncy. lccausc ii is inicinal and consisis ol spiiiiual lnowlcdgc and dcvoiional
scivicc, and bccausc ii bicals ilc bonds ol maiciial cxisicncc, ii is dillcicni liom
maiici. Tlis is dcsciibcd in Siimad llagavaiam 2.10.6:
Libciaiion is ilc pcimancni siiuaiion ol ilc living cniiiy alici lc givcs up
ilc clangcablc gioss and subilc maiciial bodics.`¯
Wlcn ilc living cniiiics aic avcisc io ilc Loid's dcvoiional scivicc, ilcn
ilcii iniclligcncc and scnscs aic undci ilc iliall ol ilc maiciial ignoiancc poicncy.
Wlcn ilc living cniiiics aic undci ilc iliall ol ilc modcs ol naiuic ilc Loid is noi
manilcsi, bui wlcn ilcy aic licc liom ilc modcs Hc appcais bcloic ilcm. In ilis
way ilis vcisc is cxplaincd.
7 Siila Suladcva Gosvami concludcs lis answci by says (Siimad llagavaiam
10.S7.+9):
Tlus I lavc icplicd io ilc qucsiion You submiiicd io mc, O ling, aboui
low ilc mind can lavc acccss io ilc Absoluic Tiuil, wlicl is incllablc and dcvoid
ol qualiiics.`¯¯¯
S In ilis way ilc spiiiiual poicncy icvcals ilc Loid's non maiciial, blisslul,
loims and qualiiics. Tlcicloic ilc Loid can bc undcisiood and cxpicsscd in
woids. Laici on ii will also bc piovcd ilai ilc Vcdas can dcsciibc ilc Loid's non
maiciial loims and qualiiics. Tlcicloic ii is piovcd ilai ilc woids ol ilc
individual spiiii souls can dcsciibcd ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlis is
cxplaincd in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam 1.5.1):
On ilc oilci land, ilai liiciaiuic wlicl is lull ol dcsciipiions ol ilc
iiansccndcnial gloiics ol ilc namc, lamc, loims, pasiimcs, cic. ol ilc unlimiicd
Supicmc Loid is a dillcicni cicaiion, lull ol iiansccndcnial woids diiccicd iowaid
biinging aboui a icvoluiion in ilc impious livcs ol ilis woild's misdiiccicd
civilisaiion. Sucl iiansccndcnial liiciaiuics, cvcn ilougl impcilccily composcd,
aic lcaid, sung, and acccpicd by puiilicd mcn wlo aic iloiouglly loncsi.`¯
In addiiion io ilis ii is said ilai ilc Vcdas aic cicaicd by ilc bicailing ol
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. (Tlus ilcic aic iwo linds ol dcsciipiion ol
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad: ilai spolcn by ilc individual living cniiiics,
and ilai spolcn by ilc Supicmc Loid Himscll.) Wlai moic nccd bc said' Tlc
Vcdas can diiccily dcsciibc ilc Supicmc.
9 In Siimad llagavaiam (10.S7.1+) ii will bc said:
O Loid, ilc Vcdas undcisiand You and You cnjoy pasiimcs wiil Youi
cicinal poicncy.`
In ilc Twcllil Canio (Siimad llagavaiam 12.6.+1), ii will bc said aboui
ilc sacicd syllablc om:
10 Tlis omlaia, uliimaicly non maiciial and impciccpiiblc, is lcaid by ilc
Supcisoul wiiloui His posscssing maiciial cais oi any oilci maiciial scnscs. Tlc
cniiic cxpansc ol Vcdic sound is claboiaicd liom omlaia, wlicl appcais liom ilc
soul, wiilin ilc sly ol ilc lcaii. Ii is ilc diicci dcsignaiion ol ilc scll-oiiginaiing
Absoluic iiuil, ilc Supcisoul, and is ilc sccici csscncc and cicinal sccd ol all
Vcdic lymns.`¯¯¯
11 In ilc Siuii-sasiia also ii is said:
Om is ilc namc ol ilc Supicmc.`
12 Ncdisilam' lcic mcans 'wiiloui conccaling any ol His claiaciciisiics`.
Tlc ling's qucsiion lcic is: 'How is ii possiblc loi ilc Vcdas io diiccily dcsciibc
ilc Supicmc' Plcasc icll.` Tlc idca is ilai woids aic noi ablc io dcsciibc ilc
Supicmc. Tlis idca is icluicd in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam
10.S7.+1):
O Loid, bccausc You aic limiilcss cvcn ilc gicai dcmigods cannoi lind
wlcic You cnd. Lvcn You cannoi lind wlcic You cnd. Wiilin You ilc univciscs
movc as spccls ol dusi iosscd by ilc wind. Rcjcciing cvciyiling ilai is noi You,
ilc Vcdas bccomc liuiilul wlcn ilcy lind You.`
Lxicinal, supcilicial icadcis ilinl ilc Vcdas dcsciibc cconomic
dcvclopmcni, maiciial piciy, and scnsc giaiilicaiion. Tlc conclusion ol ilc Vcdas
is noi ilcsc cxicinal ilings, bui iailci ilc inicinal, csoiciic dcsciipiion ol ilc
Supicmc.
13 Tlc Vcdas aic ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad's bicail, manilcsicd by
ilc pasiimc ol His compassion on ilc wiciclcd living cniiiics ouisidc ilc cicinal
spiiiiual icaliiy. Iiisi, io cicaic laiil in ilc unsccn and unlnown (spiiiiual
icaliiy) ilc Vcdas gicai casily visiblc goals, sucl as ilc aiiainmcni ol a son, io ilc
living cniiiics siiiving loi sucl ilings. Iiom ilis, laiil (in ilc Vcdas' abiliiy io
giani bcncdiciions) is cicaicd. Wiil ilai laiil ilc Vcdas slow ilc icmpoiaiy
naiuic ol ilc maiciial woild, cicaic a dcsiic io go io ilc vciy wondcilul liglci
woilds ol Svaigalola, and givc ilc living cniiiics ilc Agnisioma-yajna io aiiain ilai
goal. ly again and again piaciicing icligious iiiuals, ilc living cniiiy bccomcs
aiiiacicd io icligion, and wiil ilis aiiiaciion lc bccomcs puic in lcaii. Hc
bccomcs wisc and, lnowing ilai lis maiciial siiuaiion is icmpoiaiy, bccomcs
ioimcnicd wiil lcai ol ilc cyclc ol icpcaicd biiil and dcail. Tlcn ilc Vcdas givc
lim ilc dcsiic io aiiain ilc bliss ol impcisonal libciaiion. Iiom ilc bliss ol
impcisonal libciaiion cvcniually ilc spiiiiual loim ol ilc Supicmc Tiuil, ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, appcais.
1+ Tlis uliimaic plan ol ilc Vcdas is dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids (Siimad
llagavaiam 1.2.9-10):
All occupaiional cngagcmcnis aic cciiainly mcani loi uliimaic libciaiion.
Tlcy slould ncvci bc pciloimcd loi maiciial gain. Iuiilcimoic, accoiding io
sagcs, onc wlo is cngagcd in ilc uliimaic occupaiional scivicc slould ncvci usc
maiciial gain io culiivaic scnsc giaiilicaiion.¯
15 Lilc's dcsiics slould ncvci bc diiccicd iowaid scnsc giaiilicaiion. Onc
slould dcsiic only a lcalily lilc, oi scll-picscivaiion, sincc a luman bcing is
mcani loi inquiiy aboui ilc Absoluic Tiuil. Noiling clsc slould bc ilc goal ol
onc's woils.`¯
16 To ilc cxicni ilc iniclligcncc and scnscs aic siiuaicd in ilc inicinal
spiiiiual icaliiy, io ilai cxicni ilcy aic ablc io undcisiand ilc Supicmc Tiuil
manilcsi by ilc spiiiiual poicncy. In ilis way ilcy aic ablc io cioss ovci ilc Vcdic
insiiuciions in iclaiion io ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic aic ablc io
undcisiand ilc Supicmc Tiuil bcyond ilc modcs.
In ilc Twcllil Canio (Siimad llagavaiam 12.6.39) ii is said in iclaiion io
ilc sacicd syllablc om:
17 Iiom ilai ilc sacicd syllablc omlaia, indcpcndcni, wiil unmanilcsi
poicncics, and ilc loim ol lialman, Paiamaima, and llagavan, was manilcsi.`
1S Tlc Supicmc Tiuil is manilcsi in iwo ways: in ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and in ilc loim ol ilc impcisonal lialman. Tlc spiiiiual
poicncy is also manilcsi in iwo ways: in ilc loim ol scll-manilcsi dcvoiional
scivicc and in ilc loim ol spiiiiual lnowlcdgc. Tlc dcvoiional scivicc poiiions ol
ilc Vcdas lcad io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and ilc lnowlcdgc poiiions
ol ilc Vcdas lcad io ilc impcisonal lialman. Tlis conclusion is lound in ilc
Iiilasas.
Anuccheda 100
1 Siimad llagavaiam (10.S7.12) cxplains:
Sanandana said: Alici ilc dissoluiion ol ilc wlolc cosmic manilcsiaiion,
ilc cniiic cncigy and ilc wlolc cicaiion in iis nuclcus loim cnicis inio ilc body
ol Gaiblodalasayi Visnu. Tlc Loid ai ilai iimc icmains aslccp loi a long, long
iimc, and wlcic ilcic is again ncccssiiy ol cicaiion, ilc Vcdas pcisonilicd
asscmblc aiound ilc Loid and bcgin io gloiily Him, dcsciibing His wondcilul
iiansccndcnial pasiimcs.`¯
2 Ai ilc iimc ol cosmic annililaiion ilc Loid wiildiaws (apiya) ilc univcisc
Hc lad cicaicd and lics down io icsi wiil His poicncics. Maling ilc maiciial
naiuic, ilc puiusa-avaiaia, and ilc poiiion ol His poiiions all onc wiil Himscll,
Hc closcs His cycs. Wlcn ilc iimc ol cosmic annililaiion is almosi ovci ilc Vcdas
awalcn ilc Loid wiil piaycis dcsciibing His iiansccndcnial qualiiics. Tlc Loid
lcic is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Hc is noi a puiusa-avaiaia
cxpansion.
3 Tlai ilc puiusa-avaiaia also cnicis ilc Loid is dcsciibcd in ilc Tliid
Canio (Siimad llagavaiam 3.5.23):
Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc masici ol all living cniiiics, cxisicd piioi
io ilc cicaiion as onc wiiloui a sccond. Ii is by His will only ilai cicaiion is madc
possiblc and again cvciyiling mcigcs in Him. Tlis Supicmc Scll is sympiomiscd
by dillcicni namcs.`¯
+ Coniinuing ilc dcsciipiion in icxi 1, ilc Siimad llagavaiam (1.S7.13)
givcs an cxamplc:
Tlcn ilc Vcdas gloiily ilc Loid. Ii is cxacily lilc a ling. Wlcn lc is
aslccp in ilc moining, ilc appoinicd icciicis comc aiound lis bcdioom and bcgin
io sing ol lis clivalious aciiviiics, and wlilc lcaiing ol lis gloiious aciiviiics, ilc
ling giadually awalcns.`¯
5 Tlc cxamplc lcic is a powcilul ling, noi an impcisonal qualiiy lcss
somciling, gloiilicd wiil cloqucni piaycis. Tlai is ilc mcaning ol ilc woids Ii is
cxacily lilc a ling. Wlcn lc is aslccp...` Ai nigli ilc ling cnjoys pasiimcs wiil
lis quccns. Hc ignoics all cxicinal duiics and siays wiil His iniimaic associaics in
ilc innci paii ol lis palacc. Laici, ilc pocis awalcn lim by icciiing many piaycis
gloiilying lis piowcss. Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is compaicd io ilis
ling. Ignoiing all in iclaiion io ilc maiciial univciscs, Hc cnjoys pasiimcs wiil
His associaics in His own abodc liddcn liom maiciial cycs. Tlc Loid's associaics
(anujivinal) aic ilcy wlo lnow ilc Loid's lcaii.
6 In ilis passagc ilc Vcdas icvcal ilc iiuil ol ilc Loid's loim, wlicl is
diiccily sccn by dcvoiional scivicc, scivicc ilai allows onc io diiccily scc ilc Loid
and also gianis iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc and a losi ol iiansccndcnial viiiucs.
Tlc Pcisonilicd Vcdas say (Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.1+):
7 O unconquciablc, You aic ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy. No onc is cqual io
You oi gicaici ilan You. No onc can bc moic gloiious in lis aciiviiics. All gloiics
unio You! All gloiics unio You! ly Youi own iiansccndcnial naiuic You lully
posscss all six opulcnccs. As sucl, You aic ablc io dclivci all condiiioncd souls
liom ilc cluiclcs ol maya. O Loid, wc lcivcnily piay ilai You lindly do so. All
ilc living cniiiics, bcing Youi paiis and paiccls, aic naiuially joylul, cicinal, and
lull ol lnowlcdgc, bui duc io ilcii own laulis ilcy iiy io imiiaic You by iiying io
bccomc ilc supicmc cnjoyci; ilus ilcy disobcy Youi supicmacy and bccomc
ollcndcis. And bccausc ol ilcii ollcnscs, Youi maiciial cncigy las ialcn claigc ol
ilcm; ilus, ilcii iiansccndcnial qualiiics ol joylulncss, bliss, and wisdom lavc
bccn covcicd by ilc clouds ol ilc ilicc maiciial qualiiics. Tlis cosmic
manilcsiaiion, madc ol ilc ilicc maiciial qualiiics, is jusi lilc a piison lousc loi
ilc condiiioncd souls. Tlc condiiioncd souls aic siiuggling vciy laid io cscapc
liom maiciial bondagc, and accoiding io ilcii dillcicni condiiions ol lilc ilcy lavc
bccn givcn dillcicni iypcs ol cngagcmcni. lui all cngagcmcnis aic bascd on Youi
lnowlcdgc. Pious aciiviiics can bc cxccuicd only wlcn inspiicd by Youi mcicy,
ilcicloic, wiiloui ialing slclici ai Youi loius lcci onc cannoi suipass ilc
inllucncc ol maiciial cncigy. Aciually, wc, as pcisonilicd Vcdic lnowlcdgc, aic
always cngagcd in Youi scivicc io lclp ilc condiiioncd soul undcisiand You.`¯
S Ajiia` lcic mcans 'O unconquciablc onc' and 'jaya jaya' mcans 'Plcasc
icvcal Youi gloiy'. 'Jaya' is said iwicc oui ol icspcci. 'Ajiia' lcic is in ilc vocaiivc
casc.
9 Ii is said (Siimad llagavaiam 6.2.10):
Simply by claniing ilc loly namc ol Loid Visnu, sucl sinlul pcisons may
aiiiaci ilc aiicniion ol ilc Supicmc Loid, wlo ilcicloic considcis, 'lccausc ilis
man las clanicd My loly namc, My duiy is io givc lim pioicciion.'`¯
10 Iiom ilis ii may bc undcisiood ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
pcisonally picscni, lacc-io-lacc, in ilc sound ol His loly namc. Hc is His namc,
jusi as Hc is His iiansccndcnial loim. Hc is noi picscni lacc-io-lacc in anyiling
ilai is dillcicni liom Him. Tlc Siuii-sasiia cxplains ilai lcai, laiicd, and oilci
laulis and viccs picscni in ilc Loid's loim aic only symbolic. Tlcy aic noi lilc
maiciial lcai and laiicd. Tlis las alicady bccn piovcd in ilc Siuii. Tlc loim ol
ilc Loid appcais on ilc cycs and ilc loly namc ol ilc Loid appcais on ilc voicc.
Tlc Loid's loim and namc aic ilc samc diicci manilcsiaiion ol ilc Loid, alilougl
appcaiing in dillcicni ways. Tlai moic nccd bc said' Using sanlcia, iudla, and
oilci liiciaiy dcviccs, ilc Vcdas lavc in many ways cxplaincd ilai ilc Loid is noi
dillcicni liom His namc.
Tlc Vcdas lcic say: O Loid, plcasc icvcal Youi gloiics (jaya jaya)!` In ilis
way, wiiloui iccouisc io any indiicci liiciaiy dcviccs, ilc Pcisonilicd Vcdas
diiccily say ilai ilc Loid's gloiics and qualiiics aic ilc mosi cxalicd. Tlis is
dcsciibcd in ilc Siuii-sasiia in ilcsc woids:
O Loid, Youi gloiics aic so gicai cvcn You do noi lully undcisiand ilcm.`
Siuii-sasiia
No onc is cqual io oi gicaici ilan ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
Svciasvaiaia Upanisad 6.S
11 Tlc Pcisonilicd Vcdas lcic say 'jaya jaya!' so ilai ilc Loid will icvcal His
dcvoiional scivicc. Tlcy do ilai bccausc ilc Loid pcisonally appcais wlcn ilcic
is dcvoiional scivicc. Hcaiing ilc Vcdas' woids 'jaya jaya!', ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad may asl: 'Wlicl onc ol My gloiics slall I manilcsi'' To
ilis qucsiion ilc Pcisonilicd Vcdas icply: 'ajam jali', wlicl mcans 'Plcasc manilcsi
ilc gloiy ol Youi gili ol dcvoiional scivicc, wlicl casis away ilc inllucncc ol
maya.'
12 Tlcn ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad may pioicsi: 'My poicncy ol
lnowlcdgc and My poicncy ol ignoiancc aic boil callcd 'maya', so ii 'maya' is casi
oui, ilcn iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc will bc dcsiioycd.'
Tlc Pcisonilicd Vcdas ilcn icply: 'Tlis 'maya' is 'dosa-gibliia-guna'.'
'Dosa' lcic is ilc lauli ol ignoiancc, wlicl malcs ilc living cniiiics loigci
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. 'Gibliia' mcans 'acccpicd' and 'guna' mcans
'ilc lnowlcdgc ilai malcs ilc living cniiiics icmcmbci ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad.' Tlis mcans 'O Loid, wlcn You cnici ilc living cniiiy ignoiancc is casi
oui. No maiici wlcic, wlcn, low, oi wlom, ignoiancc llccs liom ilc living
cniiiy. Tlcicloic, O Loid, plcasc upiooi ignoiancc and givc ilc living cniiiics
puic dcvoiion loi Youi loius lcci.' Tlis mcans ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is Himscll bcyond ilc inllucncc ol ilc poicncy ol ignoiancc. Hc is
cicinal, lull ol lnowlcdgc, and lull ol bliss. Rcjcciing cvciyiling ilai is noi Him,
ilc Vcdas dcsciibc (caianii) ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
13 Tlai ilc Loid is abovc ilc inllucncc ol maiici is conliimcd in ilc lollowing
woids ol ilc Vcdas:
Onc slould lnow ilai alilougl maya (illusion) is lalsc oi icmpoiaiy, ilc
baclgiound ol maya is ilc supicmc magician, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is
Malcsvaia, ilc Supicmc Coniiollci.`¯
Svciasvaiaia Upanisad +.10
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is bcyond ilc inllucncc ol ilc
unboin poicncy ol illusion.`
Svciasvaiaia Upanisad +.5
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc masici ol cvciyiling. Hc is
ilc iulci ol all,`
lilad-aianyala Upanisad 5.6.1
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is noi maiciial. Hc is noi maiciial.`
lilad-aianyala Upanisad +.2.21
1+ Ai ilis poini ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad may pioicsi: 'Is ii noi so
ilai by piaying loi ilc dcsiiuciion ol maya you wani io dcsiioy wlai is onc ol My
opulcnccs'`
To answci ilis ilc Pcisonilicd Vcdas say: 'O Loid, You lully posscss all six
opulcnccs (ivam asi yad aimana samavaiuddla-samasia-blagal).' Tlis mcans 'O
Loid, You aic ilc masici ol a gicai muliiiudc ol opulcnccs in ilc spiiiiual woild,
wlicl is ilicc quaiicis ol all cxisicncc. Wlai is ilc usc ol ilis iiny, insignilicani
opulcncc ol maiciial illusion'`
15 In lis commcniaiy on Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.3S, Siidlaia Svami
cxplains:
O Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, O masici ol muliiiudcs ol lamadlcnu
cows and ilc poicncics ol iiansccndcnial bliss and lnowlcdgc, wlai do You lavc
io do wiil ilc unboin poicncy ol maiciial illusion' You lavc noiling io do wiil
ilc cigli maiciial opulcnccs limiicd by iimc, placc and oilci maiciial boundaiics.
Youi opulcnccs aic spiiiiual and licc ol all limiis.`
16 Hcic (in Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.1+) ilc woid 'aima' mcans 'Youi loim'
and 'blaga' mcans 'Youi qualiiics.' ly using ilcsc woids loi loim and qualiiics ilc
Pcisonilicd Vcdas aic ablc, by using ilc iiadiiional mcaning (iudli) ol woids, io
dcsciibc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
17 Tlc Siuii-sasiia dcsciibcs ilc Loid and His poicncics:
Tlc Loid is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. His poicncics aic
manilcsi liom Him.`
Siuii-sasiia
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad las muliilaiious poicncics.`
Svciasvaiaia Upanisad 6.S
1S In ilis way all ilc Vcdas dcsciibc ilc Loid's poicncics. In ilis vcisc
(Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.1+) ilc woid 'aga' mcans 'ilc siaiionaiy living cniiiics',
'jagai' mcans 'ilc moving living cniiiics', and 'olasam' mcans 'ilc maiciial bodics
ilai aic ilcii lomcs'. 'Allila-saliy-avabodlala' mcans 'O Loid wlo awalcns all
Youi poicncics, wlicl aic ilc individual living cniiiics (jivas)' and is in ilc
vocaiivc casc. Tlis mcans: 'O Loid, by Youi glancc manilcsiing ilc wondcilul
poicncics ol maya, You aic lilc an occan lillcd wiil ilc wavcs ol all Youi
poicncics.`
Ai ilis poini ilc Loid may pioicsi: 'Is ii noi so ilai il ilc maya poicncy is
dcsiioycd ilcn ilc poicncy ilai is ilc individual living cniiiics (jivas) will
incviiably also bc dcsiioycd'`
To ilis ilc Pcisonilicd Vcdas icply: Tlis is noi so bccausc 'aga-jagad-olsam
allila-saliy-avabodlala' (O Loid, You awalcn ilc moving and siaiionaiy living
cniiiics). On ilc coniiaiy, youi poicncy (ilai cclipscs maya) lills ilc living
cniiiics wiil bliss. In ilis way ilc Pcisonilicd Vcdas dcsciibc ilc individual living
cniiiics as iaiasila-salii (ilc Loid's maiginal poicncy).
19 Tlc iclaiionslip ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and ilc individual
living cniiiy is dcsciibcd in ilc Siuii-sasiia:
Wlo can bicailc and wlo can livc il ilc supicmc bliss, ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, docs noi siay in ilc sly ol lis lcaii'`
Taiiiiiiya Upanisad 2.7.1
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc lilc-bicail ol cvciyonc's lilc.`
Kcna Upanisad 1.2
Lvciyiling ilai cxisis is ilc icllcciion ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad.`
Svciasvaiaia Upanisad 6.S
Tlis mcans ilai ilc siais and oilci cclcsiial liglis aic icllccicd liom ilc
ligli ol ilc Supicmc.
Tlc iclaiionslip ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and ilc individual
living cniiiy is also dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids (Svciasvaiaia Upanisad):
Only io ilosc gicai souls wlo lavc implicii laiil in boil ilc Loid and ilc
spiiiiual masici aic ilc impoiis ol Vcdic lnowlcdgc auiomaiically icvcalcd.`¯
20 Ai ilis poini ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad may pioicsi: 'How do
you Vcdas lnow ilai I lavc no duiy io pciloim loi ilc unboin maya poicncy, and
low do you lnow ilai I am cicinal and lull ol lnowlcdgc and bliss and by My
own poicncics aic lull ol all opulcnccs''
Tlc Vcdas answci: Somciimcs wc scc You wlcn, io cicaic, mainiain, and
dcsiioy ilc maiciial woilds, in Youi loim ol ilc puiusa-avaiaia You cnjoy
pasiimcs wiil ilc unboin maya poicncy, oi wlcn by ilc mcans ol Youi inicinal
poicncy You manilcsi Youi pcisonal opulcnccs lull ol ilc ncciai ol ciciniiy,
lnowlcdgc and bliss, oi wlcn You appcai as ilc woids io us Vcdas oi as ilc
Supicmc woislipablc Loid. In ilis way wc Vcdas lnow cvciyiling aboui You.`
In ilis vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.1+) ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is in ilc posscssivc casc.
21 Tlc Vcdas aic dividcd inio iwo paiis, onc paii dcaling wiil ilc icalm ol ilc
ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic, and ilc oilci paii dcaling wiil wlai is bcyond ilc
ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic. Tlc paii dcaling wiil ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial
naiuic is in iuin again dividcd inio ilicc paiis. In ilc liisi ol ilcsc paiis ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd as bcing on ilc boidci bciwccn ilc
spiiiiual and maiciial woilds. An cxamplc ol ilis paii is ilc siaicmcni:
Iiom ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad ilc maiciial clcmcnis wcic
boin.`
Taiiiiiiya Upanisad 3.1.1
In ilc sccond ol ilcsc paiis ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
dcsciibcd as gloiious bccausc Hc is ilc coniiollci ol all wiilin ilc icalm ol ilc
ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic. An cxamplc ol ilis paii is ilc siaicmcni:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc ling ol all wiilin ilc icalm ol
ilc ilicc modcs.`
Siuii-sasiia
In ilc iliid ol ilcsc paiis ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd
as ilc icaclci ilai slows low io iiansccnd ilc icalm ol ilc ilicc modcs ol
maiciial naiuic.
22 Tlc sccond paii (dcsciibing wlai is bcyond ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial
naiuic) ol ilc Vcdas may bc dividcd inio iwo paiis. Tlc liisi paii siaics ilai ilc
Supicmc is dillcicni liom ilc icalm ol ilc ilicc modcs and ilc sccond paii siaics
ilai ilc Supicmc is idcniical wiil ilc icalm ol ilc ilicc modcs. An cxamplc ol
ilc liisi paii is ilc siaicmcni:
Tlc Supicmc is noi laigc and noi small. Ii is noi ilis. Ii is noi ilai.`
lilad-aianyala Upanisad 3.S.S.
Lxamplcs ol ilc sccond paii aic ilc siaicmcnis:
Tlc cniiic woild is lialman.`
Clandogya Upanisad 3.1+.1
You aic ilai.`
Clandogya Upanisad 6.S.7
Ol ilc lasi iwo quoics ilc liisi says ilai cvciyiling is lialman bccausc
cvciyiling was boin liom lialman. Tlus ilc clangclcss Supicmc lialman is ilc
slclici ol cvciyiling and cvciyiling is paii ol ii, cacl paii bcing puic lialman
(spiiii).
In ilc sccond quoic ilc woid 'ivam' (you) mcans 'ilc individual living
cniiiy, wlo is ilc poicncy ol ilc spiiiiual loim ol ilc Supicmc' and 'iai' (ilai)
mcans 'ilc Supicmc lialman'. Wiiloui undcisianding ilc ical mcaning ol ilc
woid 'iai' ilc mcaning ol 'ivam' will noi bc undcisiood. loil 'iai' (ilc Supicmc
lialman) and 'ivam' (ilc individual living cniiiy) aic by naiuic bcyond ilc icalm
ol ilc ilicc maiciial modcs. Hcic ii is clcai ilai ilc Supicmc is ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad (llagavan). Ii is noi ai all clcai ilai ilc Supicmc is ilc
impcisonal lialman. In ilis way ilc woids 'ajaya...caiaio nucaici' in Siimad
llagavaiam 10.S7.1+ aic cxplaincd.
23 Tlc living cniiiics wlo lavc iiansccndcd ilc icalm ol ilc ilicc modcs aic
dividcd inio iwo gioups: ilcy wlo aic dcvoicd io ilc impcisonal lialman and
ilcy wlo aic dcvoicd io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlc impcisonal
lialman is dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids (Taiiiiiiya Upanisad (3.6):
lialman is lull ol bliss.`
2+ Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids
(Svciasvaiaia Upanisad 6.S):
Hc docs noi posscss bodily loim lilc ilai ol an oidinaiy living cniiiy.
Tlcic is no dillcicncc bciwccn His body and His soul. Hc is absoluic. All His
scnscs aic iiansccndcnial. Any onc ol His scnscs can pciloim ilc aciion ol any
oilci scnsc. Tlcicloic, no onc is gicaici ilan Him oi cqual io Him. His poicncics
aic muliilaiious, and ilus His dccds aic auiomaiically pciloimcd as a naiuial
scqucncc.`¯
25 In ilis way ilc siaicmcni 'aimana caiaio nucaicn nigamal' is cxplaincd. In
ilis way ii is piovcd ilai ilc Vcdas dcsciibc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
In ilc paiis ol ilc Vcdas ilai dcsciibc wlai is bcyond ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial
naiuic Hc is diiccily dcsciibcd. In ilc oilci paiis Hc is dcsciibcd indiiccily. To
piovc ilai Hc is noi maiciial. His vaiious iiansccndcnial qualiiics aic dcsciibcd.
Lcaving bclind all paiiial dcsciipiions, ilc Vcdas diiccily dcsciibc ilc
iiansccndcnial loim and qualiiics ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlai is
ilc conclusivc cxplanaiion ol ilc indiicci dcsciipiion ol ilc Loid.
26 In conclusion, O Loid, ilc Vcdas bccomc liuiilul in ilc dcsciipiion ol You.
Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing vciscs quoicd in ilc commcniaiy ol Siipada
Madlvacaiya:
Nciilci cycs, noi cais, noi logic icacl ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad. Only ilc Siuii and Smiii sasiias icacl ol Him.`
Siuii-sasiia
Tlc Supicmc Pcison is dcsciibcd in ilc Upanisads:
lilad-aianyala Upanisad 3.9.26
Anuccheda 101
1 In ilis way ii las bccn piovcd ilai ilc Vcdas dcsciibc ilc Supicmc
lialman. Tlai ilc linal conclusion ol ilc Vcdas is ilai ilc Supicmc is ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.15):
O Loid, ilosc wlo aspiic loi libciaiion liom ilis maiciial woild musi
ilcicloic woislip You, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc uliimaic causc ol
all causcs. You aic jusi lilc ilc ioial mass ol caiil, liom wlicl vaiiciics ol caiilly
pois aic manulaciuicd. Tlc pois aic madc ol caiilly clay, ilcy icsi on ilc caiil,
and alici bcing dcsiioycd, ilcii clcmcnis uliimaicly mcigc bacl inio caiil. Ioi
ilis icason ilc gicai sagcs placc ilcii ilouglis, woids, and dccds in You. How
can ilcy avoid You' How can mcn noi placc ilcii lcci on ilc caiil as ilcy wall'`
2 How is ilc Supicmc lialman (bilai) undcisiood (upalabdlam)' Alici ilc
maiciial univcisc is dcsiioycd (viliicl), ilc Supicmc lialman icmains
(avascsaiaya). Wlai is ilai lilc' Ii is lilc caiilly clay. As clay is iiansloimcd inio
pois oi so many oilci ilings, ilc pois and oilci ilings iciain ilcii idcniiiy as
clay. Tlc samc may bc undcisiood (upalabdlam) ol ilc Supicmc lialman
(bilai). Tlc Vcdas considci (avayanii) ilai ilc cicaiion and dissoluiion ol ilc
maiciial woild aic bui iiansloimaiions (viliicl) ol ilc Supicmc lialman (bilai).
Tlc Taiiiiiiya Upanisad (3.1.1) cxplains:
Lvciyiling las comc liom ilc Supicmc.`
As ilc pois and oilci ilings iciain ilcii idcniiiy as clay, so ilc cniiic woild
iciains iis idcniiiy as paii ol ilc Supicmc.
Tlc qucsiion may bc iaiscd: 'Il cvciyiling is bui a iiansloimaiion ol ilc
Supicmc, ilcn wly do ilc Vcdas say ilc Supicmc is Noi ilis, noi ilai'` Tlc
answci is givcn lcic in ilc woid 'aviliiai' (bccausc ilc Supicmc icmains
unclangcd).
Tlc Supicmc as ilc uliimaic oiigin is again dcsciibcd in Vcdania-suiia
(2.1.27):
lccausc ilc Supicmc is ilc iooi liom wlicl ilc Vcdic siaicmcnis lavc
spiung.`
Tlc mcaning is ilai by His inconccivablc poicncy ilc Loid icmains
unclangcd (cvcn ilougl cvciyiling ilai cxisis is a iiansloimaiion ol Him).
3 Alilougl ilc woid lialman (bilai) is uscd lcic and ii is lcic said ilai
lialman las poicncics, ilc ical mcaning ol lialman lcic is llagavan (Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad). Tlis is so bccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
cannoi bc scpaiaicd liom His poicncics. lccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is noi small oi insignilicani, Hc is lcic callcd lialman (ilc Gicai).
lccausc ilc cxamplc ol caiilly clay in ilis vcisc indicaics ilai lialman is ilc
aciivc cicaioi ol ilc woilds, ii slould bc undcisiood ilai ilc impcisonal lialman
is noi indicaicd lcic. In ilc sccond lall ol ilis vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam
10.S7.15) ilc Pcisonilicd Vcdas cxplain ilai lialman is uliimaicly ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlcy say:
O Loid, loi ilis icason ilc gicai sagcs placc ilcii ilouglis, woids, and
dccds in You.
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and ilc impcisonal lialman aic onc
and ilc samc. Tlcy aic only ilougli io bc dillcicni bccausc in onc ilc Loid
displays His iiansccndcnial qualiiics and in ilc oilci Hc docs noi display ilcm.
Tlc sagcs ilcn say:
O Loid, low can ilc Vcdas avoid You' How can mcn noi placc ilcii lcci
on ilc caiil as ilcy wall'`
Tlis mcans: 'How can ilc Vcdas bccomc liuiilul' O Loid, ilcy bccomc
liuiilul only by linding You.' Tlis is conliimcd by ilc lollowing woids (Siimad
llagavaiam 3.32.32):
+ Plilosoplical icscaicl culminaics in undcisianding ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Alici aclicving ilis undcisianding, wlcn onc bccomcs
licc liom ilc maiciial modcs ol naiuic, lc aiiains ilc siagc ol dcvoiional scivicc.
Liilci by dcvoiional scivicc diiccily oi by plilosoplical icscaicl, onc las io lind
ilc samc dcsiinaiion, wlicl is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`¯
5 In Madlvacaiya's commcniaiy ilc Siuii-sasiia is quoicd:
All namcs aic uliimaicly namcs ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
As iivcis llow io ilc occan, so all namcs cnici ilc Supicmc.`
6 All ilc Vcdas dcsciibc ilc Supicmc as ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
and also as ilc impcisonal lialman. Tlcsc iwo namcs ol ilc Loid aic iiuc. Tlcy
aic noi imaginaiy. Tlc Pcisonilicd Vcdas cxplain (10.S7.16):
7 O masici ol ilc ilicc Loids ol ilc univcisc, diving inio ilc ncciai occan ol
iopics aboui You, wlicl waslcs away all ilc sins ol ilc woild, ilc wisc bccomc
licc ol all sullciings. O gicai onc, low can wc dcsciibc ilc gicai dcvoiccs wlo,
wiil a puic lcaii slaling oll ilc viccs ol ilis woild, ilc powci ol iimc, and ilc
ilicc modcs ol naiuic, scivc You, wlo aic lull ol cicinal iiansccndcnial bliss'`
S In ilis vcisc ilc woid 'iiy-adlipaic' mcans 'O Loid ol ilc ilicc dciiics
lcadcd by lialman (lialma, Visnu and Siva)'. Tlis mcans ilai ilc puiusa-
avaiaia, Loid Naiayana is ilc oiigin ol ilcsc ilicc dciiics, and ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad (Loid Kisna) is, bccausc Hc is naiuially supciioi, ilc
masici ol Loid Naiayana.
Tlc ncxi pliasc mcans: 'O masici (Kisna) ol ilc masici (Naiayana) ol ilc
masicis (lialma, Visnu and Siva), bccausc You aic ilc linal goal ol ilc Vcdas, ilc
iniclligcni dcmigods icnouncc ilcii poiiions ol ilc Vcdic yajnas and wiiloui any
oilci aciiviiy divc inio ilc ncciai occan ol Youi gloiics, wlicl waslcs away all
sins (iava allila-lola-mala-lsapana-lailamiiabdlim avagalya). 'Kim uia' mcans
'wlai can bc said''
Tlc pliasc 'iapamsi jalul' may mcan ciilci 'ilcy bccomc licc ol all
sullciings', oi ;ilcy pciloim scvcic ausiciiiics.'
Tlc vcisc coniinucs: 'Wiil a puic lcaii slaling oll boil ilc viccs ol ilis
woild, ilc powci ol iimc, and ilc ilicc modcs ol naiuic lcadcd by ilc modc ol
goodncss (sva-dlama-vidluiasaya-lala-gunal), ilcy scivc You, ilc Supicmc Tiuil
wlo is lnown as lialman and wlo is lull ol cicinal iiansccndcnial bliss (paiama
blajanii yc padam ajasia-sullanublavam).'
Tlc scqucncc ol cvcnis lcic is liisi ilcy divc inio ilc occan ol ncciai, ilcn
ilcy bccomc licc ol all sullciings, and ilcn ilcy scivc ilc Loid.
9 Tlc mcaning lcic is ilai ilc dcvoiccs lavc givcn up ilc idca ilai ilc
impcisonal lialman is ilc only lcaiuic ol ilc Supicmc. Hcic ilicc linds ol mcn
aic dcsciibcd: ilc bcwildcicd, ilc iniclligcni and ilc succcsslul. Ii is sccn ilai
wiiloui any cicaiivc spcculaiion, spcaling only ilc iiuil, ilc Vcdas dcsciibc ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad io ilcsc ilicc linds ol mcn. Il ii is noi sccn (ilai
ilc Vcdas dcsciibc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad) ilcn sucl icadcis
bccausc ol ilcii ignoiancc do noi aiiain ilc puiilicaiion dcsciibcd in ilc woids
'allila-lola-mala-lsapana.'
Wlcn ilc class ol bcwildcicd mcn do noi scc ilis (ilai ilc Vcdas dcsciibc
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad), ilcn ilc adagc 'lilc an iion iod uniouclcd
by liic' dcsciibcs ilc Vcdas' inabiliiy io puiily ilcm.
Wlcn ilc iniclligcni class docs noi scc ilis, bui insicad spcculaics on ilc
mcaning ol ilc Vcdas, ilc adagc 'Lilc a pcison wlo docs noi bclicvc wlai las lad
lcaid ol ilc viiiucs ol ilc baiicn woman's clildicn' dcsciibcs ilcii cynical
icjcciion ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Oi, ilis class, cvcn alici
undcisianding ilc iiuil, will noi abandon non dcvoiional duiics and scivc ilc
Loid. Tlcn ilc adagc 'Lilc a pcison wlo, cvcn alici lcaiing ilc ioyal gloiics ol
ilc Gangcs icluscs io lcavc lis own placc io go ilcic' applics io ilcm.
Wlcn cvcn ilc iliid class, ilcy wlo aic uliimaicly succcsslul bccausc ilcy
lavc aiiaincd scll-icalisaiion, cuiily dcclincs io divc inio ilc ncciai ol ilc iopics ol
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc adagc 'lilc a cynic wlo dcclincs io divc
inio a ncciai lalc bccausc lc misialcnly ilinls ilc iivci musi bc cvcn moic
swcci' applics io ilcm.
Tlc iiuc icsuli ol lcaiing ilc Loid's gloiics is dcsciibcd in ilc Visnu
Puiana in ilcsc woids:
Wlcn Hc cnicis ilc cais, Loid Haii lills all sins.`
10 Tlis is also dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.+0):
Dcai Loid, anyonc wlo, by Youi giacc, las undcisiood ilc gloiics ol Youi
loius lcci is callous io maiciial lappincss and disiicss, wlicl aiisc liom You alonc.
Hc is callous io piaisc oi condcmnaiion by ilc oidinaiy pcoplc. Il ilc dcvoicc can
ilus mainiain ilc iiansccndcnial posiiion, in ilc associaiion ol puic dcvoiccs daily
lcaiing Youi gloiious aciiviiics in dillcicni agcs and incainaiions, ilcn You
guaianicc His libciaiion.`
11 Tlis is again dcsciibcd in ilc Iiisi Canio (Siimad llagavaiam 1.7.11):
Siila Suladcva Gosvami, son ol Siila Vyasadcva, was noi only
iiansccndcnially powcilul. Hc was also vciy dcai io ilc dcvoiccs ol ilc Loid.
Tlus lc undciwcni ilc siudy ol ilis gicai naiiaiion (Siimad llagavaiam).`¯
12 In ilis way ii is piovcd ilai ilc Vcdas dcsciibc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad and His iiansccndcnial qualiiics.
13 Tlis is conliimcd by ilc lollowing woids ol ilc Siuii:
O Visnu, by claniing Youi loly namc wiil a liiilc undcisianding, wc
aiiain piolound iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc.`
Rg Vcda 1.156.3
As waici ncvci iouclcs a loius lcal, so sin ncvci iouclcs a pcison wlo
lnows ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
Clandogya Upanisad +.1+.3
Woil donc loi ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad will noi bind onc io
ilc law ol laima.`
Isa Upanisad 2
Onc wlo las abandoncd all maiciial aciiviiics, wlcilci pious oi impious,
is noi iouclcd by sin.`
Siuii-sasiia
Mcdiiaiing on ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, lc docs noi ilinl:
Wly did I noi do pious dccds' Wly did I sin'`
Taiiiiiiya Upanisad 2.9.1
Tlcy wlo lavc aiiaincd libciaiion siill woislip ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad.`
Siuii-sasiia
In ilcsc and oilci vciscs dcsciibing dcvoiional scivicc ilc supicmacy ol
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd. Ii is noi ai all icluicd by ilc
woids ol ilc Siuii-sasiia:
1+ Ai ilis poini somconc may pioicsi: 'Tlc woids ilai you ilinl dcsciibc ilc
Supicmc aic siill maiciial in naiuic. Tlc Supicmc can ncvci bc dcsciibcd in
woids. Tlis is conliimcd in ilc Siuii-sasiia:
Woids cannoi dcsciibc ilc Supicmc. Tlc mind will ncvci icacl Him.`
Taiiiiiiya Upanisad 2.+.1 and 2.9.1
Woids cannoi dcsciibc ilc Supicmc.`
Siuii-sasiia
Tlc Supicmc, wlo cnablcs us io spcal, cannoi bc dcsciibcd in woids.'
Kcna Upanisad 1.5
Hc wlo givcs ilc cais ilc powci io lcai cannoi bc lcaid by ilc cais.`
Kcna Upanisad 1.S
In ilis way ilc idca ilai ilc Supicmc can bc dcsciibcd in woids is icluicd.
15 To ilis doubi ilc answci is givcn: Wlcn somciling cannoi bc dcsciibcd
diiccily, ii also cannoi bc dcsciibcd indiiccily. Wly is ilis noi so' Tlc iwo linds
ol dcsciipiion aic noi dillcicni bccausc boil uliimaicly comc wiilin ilc icalm ol
woids. Tlcicloic, as maiciial ilings may bc dcsciibcd diiccily, so by saying ilc
Supicmc cannoi bc dcsciibcd, an indiicci dcsciipiion is givcn ol ilc Supicmc. In
ilis way ii is piovcd ilai ilc Supicmc can bc dcsciibcd.
Anuccheda 102
1 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc uliimaic goal and
conclusion ol ilc Vcdas is conliimcd by ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam
10.S7.+1):
O Loid, bccausc You aic limiilcss cvcn ilc gicai dcmigods cannoi lind
wlcic You cnd. Lvcn You cannoi lind wlcic You cnd. Wiilin You ilc univciscs
covcicd by icn and scvcn laycis movc as spccls ol dusi iosscd iliougl ilc cilci by
ilc wlccl ol iimc. Rcjcciing cvciyiling ilai is noi You, ilc Vcdas bccomc liuiilul
wlcn ilcy lind You.`
2 Hcic ii is said ilai ilc Loid's iiansccndcnial loims and qualiiics aic bcyond
dcsciipiion in iwo ways: 1. lccausc ilcy aic inliniic and 2. lccausc ilcy cannoi bc
piopcily dcsciibcd.
Tlc Pcisonilicd Vcdas dcsciibc ilc inliniiy ol ilc Loid's loim in ilc woids:
'O Loid, bccausc You aic limiilcss (ananiaiaya) cvcn ilc gicai dcmigods, ilc iulcis
ol Svaigalola and oilci plancis, cannoi lind wlcic You cnd.` Wly aic You
limiilcss (ananiaiaya)' lccausc You lavc no cnd. Only ailcisis say You lavc
limiis.
Wly aic You all lnowing oi all powcilul' Tlc Pcisonilicd Vcdas says:
lccausc You lavc no limiis (ananiaiaya).` Tlc Loid's all lnowingncss and all
powcilulncss aic ical. Tlcy aic noi an imaginaiion, as ilc loin ol a iabbii is.
Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc Siuii-sasiia`
Il somconc says lc lully undcisiands ilc Loid ol Vailunila, ilcn lc docs
noi undcisiand Him ai all.`
In ilis way ilc Loid's limiilcssncss is dcsciibcd.
Tlc Pcisonilicd Vcdas ilcn say: Wiilin You (yad-aniaia) ilc univciscs
(anda-nicayal) covcicd by icn and scvcn laycis (savaianal), movc (vanii) as
spccls ol dusi (iajamsi) iosscd iliougl ilc cilci (llc) by ilc wlccl ol iimc (sala
vayasa).` lccausc limiilcss univciscs wandci wiilin Him, ilc Loid is limiilcss and
bccausc Hc is ilc slclici ol wondcilul qualiiics, His qualiiics aic also limiilcss.
3 Tlis is also dcsciibcd in Siuii-sasiia:
O Gaigi, ilc Supicmc is abovc lcavcn, bclow ilc caiil, and bciwccn
lcavcn and caiil. Tlc Supicmc is, always was, and always will bc.`
lilad-aianyala Upanisad 3.S.+
Tlc lcioic gloiics ol Loid Visnu aic counilcss as ilc spccls ol dusi on ilc
caiil.`
Siuii-sasiia
+ Tlc Pcisonilicd Vcdas coniinuc (Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.+1) quoicd in
icxi 1): 'O Loid, ilc Vcdas bccomc liuiilul wlcn ilcy lind You.` Tlis mcans: ly
dcsciibing low You aic limiilcss, ilc Vcdas lind ilcii conclusion in You.` In ilc
Siuii-sasiia ii is said ilai ilc bliss ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
lundicds ol iimcs gicaici ilan ilc bliss ol ilc dcmigod lialma (Taiiiiiiya
Upanisad 2.+.1):
Woids iuin liom ilc Supicmc. Onc cannoi aiiain Him wiil ilc mind's
lclp. A wisc man wlo undcisiands ilc bliss ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad ncvci lcais anyiling.`
lccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is limiilcss, His bliss is
bcyond mcasuiing and bcyond ilc powci ol woids io dcsciibc.
5 Tlis is again dcsciibcd in Vcdic liiciaiuic:
Lvcn wlcn wisc mcn scc gicai Mouni Mciu ilcy siill cannoi undcisiand
ii. In ilc samc way ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cannoi bc undcisiood,
dcsciibcd, oi imagincd.`
6 ly ilis cxplanaiion ol low ii is ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
cannoi bc dcsciibcd, ii is piovcd ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad can bc
dcsciibcd.
Tlc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is diiccily dcsciibcd in
ilcsc woids (Taiiiiiiya Upanisad 2.1.3):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is cicinal, lull ol lnowlcdgc, and
licc ol all limiis.`
Tlc Loid's iiansccndcnial qualiiics aic dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids
(Svciasvaiaia Upanisad 6.S):
Tlc dccds ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad display His limiilcss
lnowlcdgc and powci.`
Tlc Pcisonilicd Vcdas coniinuc (Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.+1, quoicd in
icxi 1): 'Rcjcciing cvciyiling ilai is noi You, ilc Vcdas bccomc liuiilul wlcn ilcy
lind You.' Tlis mcans: 'Rcjcciing ilc maiciial woild, ilcy lind ilcii conclusion in
You.`
7 Tlai ilc Loid is ilc oiigin ol all qualiiics is dcsciibcd in llagavad-giia
(10.+-5) wlcic Hc says:
Iniclligcncc, lnowlcdgc, liccdom liom doubi and dclusion, loigivcncss,
iiuillulncss, coniiol ol ilc scnscs, coniiol ol ilc mind, lappincss and disiicss,
biiil, dcail, lcai, lcailcssncss, non violcncc, cquanimiiy, saiislaciion, ausiciiiy,
claiiiy, lamc and inlamy - all ilcsc vaiious qualiiics ol living bcings aic cicaicd by
Mc alonc.`¯
Ii is also said in Vcdic liiciaiuic:
Slyncss, iniclligcncc, lcai and cvciyiling clsc, lavc all comc liom ilc
lcaii ol ilc Supicmc.`
Howcvci, maiciial lnowlcdgc and oilci maiciial ilings aic noi idcniical
wiil ilc Supicmc. Tlis is dcsciibcd in lilad-aianyala Upanisad (+.+.22):
Tlis Supicmc is noi ilis. Tlc Supicmc is noi ilai.`
Tlc idca ilai ilc maiciial woild is ilc Supicmc is again icluicd in ilcsc
woids (Svciasvaiaia Upanisad 6.S):
All His scnscs aic iiansccndcnial. Any onc ol His scnscs can pciloim ilc
aciion ol any oilci scnsc.`¯
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is again dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids:
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is cicinal and lull ol lnowlcdgc. Hc
is licc ol all limiis.`
Taiiiiiiya Upanisad 2.1.3
Tlc dccds ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad display His limiilcss
lnowlcdgc and powci.`
Svciasvaiaia Upanisad 6.S
S Tlcicloic ilc Loid's lnowlcdgc and qualiiics aic dillcicni liom maiici.
Tlc Pcisonilicd Vcdas ilcicloic say: 'Rcjcciing maiciial lnowlcdgc and all oilci
maiciial ilings, ilc Vcdas lind ilcii conclusion in You, O Loid.' Alilougl,
bccausc Hc is bcyond ilc iangc ol ilc maiciial iniclligcncc, ilc loim ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cannoi bc dcsciibcd, ncvciilclcss, Hc can
aciually bc dcsciibcd io somc cxicni. Tlc Loid is bcyond ilc icalm ol ilc maiciial
scnscs, as is conliimcd by ilc siaicmcni 'O Loid, You aic ilc icnil manilcsiaiion,
bcyond ilc woild ol maiici.' ly ilis siaicmcni alonc ii is sccn ilai ilc Loid
icvcals His loim only by His own wisl. lccausc by His own wisl Hc is sccn in ilc
puic lcaii ol a dcvoicc, ilc Vcdas concludc ilai Hc las ilc powci io appcai only
wlcn Hc wislcs.
9 Tlai ilc Vcdas aic idcniical wiil ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing woids:
Tlc Vcdas and ilc impcisonal lialman, aic boil My cicinal loims.`
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad in Vcdic
liiciaiuic
Tlc Vcdas aic idcniical wiil ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
Siimad llagavaiam 11.3.+3
Tlc Vcdas aic diiccily ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Naiayana,
and aic scll-boin. Tlis wc lavc lcaid liom Yamaiaja.`¯
Siimad llagavaiam 6.1.+0
10 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc conclusion ol ilc Vcdas is
also conliimcd in ilc lollowing woids:
Tlis bcauiilul llagavaiam, compilcd by ilc gicai sagc Vyasadcva (in lis
maiuiiiy), is sullicicni in iiscll loi God icalisaiion. Wlai is ilc nccd ol any oilci
sciipiuic' As soon as onc aiicniivcly and submissivcly lcais ilc mcssagc ol
llagavaiam, by ilis culiuic ol lnowlcdgc ilc Supicmc Loid is csiablislcd wiilin
lis lcaii.`¯
Siimad llagavaiam 1.1.2
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd in ilc Upanisads.`
lilad-aianyala Upanisad 3.9.26
In ilis way ilc Vcdas icacl ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad may
bc appioaclcd iliougl ilc Upanisads. Ii is also said:
Looling iliougl ilc cyc ol ilc Vcdas onc may scc ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
11 Rcjcciing ilc dailncss ol maiici, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
pcisonally appcais by ilc mcans ol His scll-manilcsiaiion-poicncy, wlicl is ilc
Vcdas. Lvcn so, Hc siill cannoi bc dcsciibcd by oidinaiy, maiciial woids. As ilc
manilcsiaiion ol ilc sun is ilc samc as ilc sun's icllcciion in a poi, so ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc masici ol all poicncics, is also ilc samc as His
poicncics, and ilcn again Hc and His poicncics aic also dillcicni. In ilc samc way
Hc is dcsciibcd by woids and ilcn again woids cannoi dcsciibc Him.
12 Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc Gaiuda Puiana:
lccausc Hc is inconccivablc, ilc Supicmc cannoi bc dcsciibcd by woids
and Hc can bc dcsciibcd by ilc woids ol ilc Vcdas. Hc cannoi bc appioaclcd by
logic and Hc can bc appioaclcd by logic. Hc cannoi bc lnown and Hc can bc
lnown. Tlis is ilc conclusion ol ilc Smiii.`
13 Tlis is also dcsciibcd in ilc Siuii (Kcna Upanisad 1.+):
Tlc Supicmc is dillcicni liom boil ilc lnown and ilc unlnown.`
Paiasaia Muni cxplains:
Wc sagcs mcdiiaic on ilc Supicmc lialman, wlo is ilc abodc ol all
poicncics. Wlcn Loid Haii cnicis ilc cai, laiil giows and sins pciisl.`
1+ Ai ilis poini somconc may pioicsi: 'Is ii noi so ilai ilc Vcdas aic ilc scll-
manilcsi-poicncy ol ilc Supicmc lialman, wlo is lnown as ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad' Sincc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilus
icvcalcd iliougl His poicncy ilc Vcdas, low is ilc impcisonal lialman, wlicl
las no poicncics, icvcalcd'
Oui opinion is ilai ilc impcisonal lialman is icvcalcd in ilc Vcdas
bccausc ii is onc ol ilc poicncics ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlis is
dcsciibcd in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad llagavaiam S.2+.32):
15 You will bc iloiouglly adviscd and lavouicd by Mc, and bccausc ol youi
inquiiics, cvciyiling aboui My gloiics, wlicl aic lnown as paiam bialma, will bc
manilcsi wiilin youi lcaii. Tlus you will lnow cvciyiling aboui Mc.`¯
16 lccausc ilc impcisonal lialman and ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
aic noi dillcicni, ilc impcisonal lialman is noi scll-manilcsi. Hcic ilis is
cxplaincd cvcn in plain and oidinaiy woids and ii is also cxplaincd in ilc Siuii-
sasiia. All ol ilis docs noi icluic ilc cxisicncc ol ilc Loid's iiansccndcnial loim,
wlicl is manilcsicd by ilc Loid's pasiimc poicncy and pciccivcd by dcvoiional
scivicc. Wlai is ilc naiuic ol ilc Loid's pasiimc-poicncy' Ii is pcilccily puic.
Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc Supaina-siuii:
Tlcy wlo smcll ilc sccnis ol maiici do noi smcll ilc Supicmc. Tlcy wlo
scc maiici do noi scc ilc Supicmc. Tlcy wlo lcai maiici do noi lcai ilc
Supicmc. Tlcy wlo lnow maiici do noi lnow ilc Supicmc.`
Tlc vcisc quoicd in ilc bcginning ol ilis anucclcda was spolcn by ilc
Pcisonilicd Vcdas io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Anuccheda 103
1 Tlc poicncics and ilc Loid wlo is ilc masici ol all poicncics aic onc. Tlc
mosi impoiiani loim ol ilc masici ol poicncics is llagavan, oi ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlc mosi impoiiani poicncy is Lalsmi-dcvi, oi ilc
goddcss ol loiiunc. How many loims docs limiilcss Lalsmi-dcvi manilcsi'
Siimad llagavaiam (10.39.55) namcs somc ol Hci cxpansions:
2 Tlc Loid was scivcd by His poicncics Sii, Pusii, Giia, lanii, Kiiii, Tusii,
Ila, Ja, Vidya, Avidya, Salii and Maya.`
3 Tlc woid Salii` lcic mcans 'Mala-lalsmi'. Salii` lcic mcans ilc Loid's
liisi, gicai, inicinal poicncy. 'Maya' lcic is His cxicinal poicncy. All ilcsc
poicncics bcginning wiil Sii may bc dividcd inio iwo gioups: 1. Spiiiiual, and 2.
Maiciial. Tlcsc gioups aic lcadcd by Sii and Maya icspcciivcly. Tlc liisi gioup,
ilc pcisonal opulcncc ol ilc Loid, is lcadcd by Sii. Ii is noi lcadcd by Mala-
lalsmi bccausc Slc is ilc iooi liom wlicl all (boil spiiiiual and maiciial)
poicncics comc. Tlis las alicady bccn cxplaincd. Tlc sccond gioup, lcadcd by
Maya, is ilc opulcncc ol ilc maiciial univciscs.
+ Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad Himscll dcsciibcs ilc poicncy Sii in
ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 3.16.7):
lccausc I am ilc sciviioi ol My dcvoiccs, My loius lcci lavc bccomc so
sacicd ilai ilcy immcdiaicly wipc oui all sin, and I lavc acquiicd sucl a
disposiiion ilai ilc goddcss Sii docs noi lcavc Mc, cvcn ilougl I lavc no
aiiaclmcni loi lci and oilcis piaisc lci bcauiy and obscivc sacicd vows io sccuic
liom lci a sligli lavoui.`¯
Ai ilc cnd ol ilc Iouiil canio (Siimad llagavaiam +.31.22) Sii Naiada
dcsciibcs goddcss Sii in ilcsc woids:
5 Alilougl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is scll-sullicicni, Hc
bccomcs dcpcndcni on His dcvoiccs. Hc docs noi caic loi ilc goddcss Sii, noi loi
ilc lings and dcmigods wlo aic alici ilc lavouis ol goddcss Sii. Wlcic is ilai
pcison wlo is aciually giaiclul and will noi woislip ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad'`
¯
6 Tlis vcisc cxplains ilai Sii is ilc paiioncss ol many luman lings and
oilcis wlo ollci piaycis io lci. Cuiscd by Duivasa Muni, slc appcaicd in ilc
ilicc maiciial woilds, wlcic slc was boin liom ilc occan ol mill and wiil a
glancc bccamc ilc bclovcd ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Tlc maiciial poicncics (Siimad llagavaiam 10.39.55, quoicd in icxi 2) aic
ncxi dcsciibcd. Ila is ilc caiil, oi also ilc pasiimc poicncy. Among ilc spiiiiual
poicncics, Vidya, oi lnowlcdgc, is ilc poicncy ilai cnliglicns onc aboui ilc iiuil.
Ii is also namcd Samvii. Tlc pasiimc poicncy is dividcd inio lnowlcdgc and
ignoiancc poicncics. Tlc ignoiancc poicncy, wlicl malcs onc loigci ilc Supicmc
Loid's powcis and opulcnccs, biougli ilc bliss ol ccsiaiic lovc io Loid Kisna's
moilci (Yasoda). In ilc samc way ii also bcwildcicd ilc gopis, as is dcsciibcd in
ilc Gopala-iapani Upanisad. Tlis will bc dcsciibcd in dciail ai ilc piopci iimc.
Tlc maiciial ignoiancc poicncy malcs ilc condiiioncd souls in ilc maiciial woild
loigci ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Ii covcis ilcii iiuc lnowlcdgc.
7 Iiom ilc pasiimc poicncy ilc poicncics Sandlini, Samvii, Hladini, llaliy-
adlaia-salii, Muiii, Vimala, Jaya, Yoga, Pialvi, Isana, Anugiala, and oilcis aic
manilcsicd. Sandlini is ilc poicncy ol cicinal cxisicncc. Jaya is ilc poicncy ol
gloiy. Yoga is ilc poicncy ol Yogamaya. Samvii is ilc poicncy ol lnowlcdgc and
ignoiancc and ii is also ilc poicncy ol puic iiansccndcncc. Pialvi is ilc poicncy
ol wondcilul, limiilcss abiliiy. Isana is ilc poicncy ilai malcs cvciyiling possiblc.
Tlcsc and oilci poicncics aic manilcsi liom ilc pasiimc poicncy. lccausc ilc
Maya poicncy is manilcsi liom ilc cxicinal poicncy, ii is noi counicd among
ilcm. Paii ol ilc cxicinal poicncy, ii icmains lai away liom ilc Supicmc Loid's
puiusa-avaiaia.
In ilc Tcnil Canio, Tliiiy scvcnil Clapici (Siimad llagavaiam 10.37.22-
23) Naiada piays io Sii Kisna:
S My Loid, lci mc ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio Youi loius lcci. You
aic siiuaicd complcicly in ilc iiansccndcnial posiiion in pcilcci lnowlcdgc and
bliss. You aic complcic in Youiscll and aic bcyond all dcsiics. ly cxlibiiing Youi
inicinal poicncy, You lavc sci up ilc inllucncc ol maya. Youi unlimiicd poicncy
cannoi cvcn bc mcasuicd by anyonc.¯
9 My dcai Loid, You aic ilc supicmc coniiollci. You aic undci Youi own
inicinal poicncy, and ii is simply vain io ilinl ilai You aic dcpcndcni on any ol
Youi cicaiions. You lavc ialcn biiil in ilc Yadu dynasiy, oi ilc Visni dynasiy.
Youi advcni on ilc suilacc ol ilc caiil in Youi oiiginal loim ol cicinal blisslul
lnowlcdgc is Youi own pasiimc. You aic noi dcpcndcni on anyiling bui Youiscll;
ilcicloic I ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio Youi loius lcci.`¯
10 An cxplanaiion ol ilcsc iwo vciscs lollows. Tlc woids 'visuddla-vijnana-
glananm' mcan 'ilc Supicmc Tiuil, wlosc iiansccndcnial loim is lull ol puic
lnowlcdgc'. Sva-samsilaya' mcans ciilci 'wiil Youi iiansccndcnial loim' oi
'wiil Youi own poicncics'. 'Samapia' mcans ciilci 'cicinally pcilcci' oi 'complcicly
lull'. 'Saivaiila' mcans 'all opulcnccs'. 'Amogla-vancliiam' mcans 'ncvci clcaicd
by insignilicani, usclcss maiciial dcsiics.' Tlinling somconc migli considci ilc
Loid clcaicd in ilis way, Naiada spolc ilc ncxi woids (wlicl bcgin wiil 'sva-
icjasa'). 'Sva-icjasa' mcans 'by ilc powci ol Youi inicinal poicncy'. 'Niiya-niviiia-
maya-guna-piavalam' Mcans 'lai away liom ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic.'
11 Tlc woids 'aima-mayaya' mcan ilai ilc Loid associaics wiil His inicinal
poicncy, noi wiil His poicncy ol ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic. 'llagavaniam
imali' mcans 'Wc ialc slclici ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad'. Tlc
sccond vcisc concludcs: 'I ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs io ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is namcd Sii Kisna and wlo by His plcnaiy poiiion is
picscni as ilc Supcisoul in cvciyonc's lcaii.`
12 Wlai docs ilc woid 'isvaiam' mcan lcic' Tlc vcisc says 'svasiayam aima-
mayaya', wlicl mcans 'Hc is noi dcpcndcni on His maya poicncy, wlicl cicaics
vaiious maiciial loims loi ilc individual spiiii souls', oi ii may also mcan 'Hc is
ilc slclici ol ilc maya poicncy, wlicl cicaics vaiious maiciial loims loi ilc
individual spiiii souls.
Wlai docs ilc woid 'ivam' (You) mcan lcic' Ii mcans 'Now ilai You lavc
appcaicd in ilis woild, Youi plcnaiy cxpansion wlo acis as ilc coniiollci ol maya
las cnicicd wiilin You. Ai ilc samc iimc, in oidci io cnjoy many pasiimcs
(liidaiilam) wiil Youi poicncics and bccausc You lovc Youi dcvoiccs, You lavc
appcaicd in a lumanlilc loim (ablyaiiam manusya-vigialam).`
Tlc lumanlilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd in
Siimad llagavaiam:
Tlc loim ol ilc Supicmc lialman is lilc a luman loim.`
13 Tlc vcisc coniinucs: 'dluiyam yadu-visni-saivaiam' (You aic ilc lcadci ol
ilc Yadus, Visnis and Saivaias. Tlis slows ilai ilc Loid is lull ol lovc loi His
cicinal associaics.
In ilc vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 10.39.55) quoicd in ilc bcginning ol ilis
anucclcda (icxi 2), Pusii and ilc oilci poicncics aic all paiiial cxpansions ol ilc
poicncy Sii. 'Vidya' ilcic mcans 'lnowlcdgc' and ilc lollowing woid 'avidya' may
also bc piopcily undcisiood as 'avidya' (wiil a long iniiial a), in wlicl casc ii
mcans 'ilc gicai lnowlcdgc'. Tlc gicai lnowlcdgc lcic is puic dcvoiional scivicc.
Tlis is dcsciibcd in llagavad-giia (9.2):
Tlis lnowlcdgc (ol dcvoiional scivicc) is ilc ling ol cducaiion, ilc mosi
sccici ol all sccicis. Ii is ilc puicsi lnowlcdgc, and bccausc ii givcs diicci
pciccpiion ol ilc scll by icalisaiion, ii is ilc pcilcciion ol icligion. Ii is cvcilasiing,
and ii is joylully pciloimcd.`¯
1+ In Siimad llagavaiam 10.39.55, quoicd in icxi 2, ilc woid 'maya' mcans
'ilc cxicinal poicncy'. Tlc spiiiiual poicncics lcadcd by Sii slould bc undcisiood
io bc dillcicni liom ilc cxicinal poicncy. Tlc oilci poicncics aic lilc ilc cxicinal
poicncy. In ilc puic dcsciipiion ol ilc Loid ii is said ilai ilc Loid's inicinal
poicncy is dividcd inio ilicc accoiding io ilc Loid's naiuic ol bcing cicinal, lull ol
lnowlcdgc, and lull ol bliss. Tlis is dcsciibcd in Visnu Puiana (1.12.69) wlcic Sii
Dliuva says:
15 O Loid, You aic ilc suppoii ol cvciyiling. Tlc ilicc aiiiibuics lladini,
sandlini and samvii cxisi in You as onc spiiiiual cncigy. lui ilc maiciial modcs,
wlicl causc lappincss, misciy, and mixiuics ol ilc iwo, do noi cxisi in You, loi
You lavc no maiciial qualiiics.`¯
16 Tlc woid 'lladini' mcans 'ilc Loid's inicinal poicncy ilai givcs bliss'.
'Tvayi saiva-samsiliiau' mcans 'Lvciyiling icsis in You. Ii docs noi icsi in ilc
individual living cniiiics (jivas).' Tlc vcisc says: 'Tlc ilicc modcs ol maiciial
naiuic do noi siay in You.' Tlcsc modcs aic dcsciibcd in ilc woids 'llada-iapa-
laii misia'. 'Hlada' mcans 'ilc maiciial modc ol goodncss, wlicl plcascs ilc
lcaii'. 'Tapa-laii' mcans 'ilc maiciial modc ol ignoiancc, wlicl icmovcs all
lappincss'. 'Misia' mcans 'ilc maiciial modc ol passion, wlicl givcs a mixiuic ol
lappincss and misciy.' Tlc vcisc lcic says ilai ilcsc ilicc maiciial modcs do noi
cxisi in ilc Loid (guna-vaijiic).
'In ilc Saivajna-sulii ii is said:
17 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc Supicmc Coniiollci, is always
lull ol iiansccndcnial bliss and is accompanicd by ilc poicncics lladini and
samvii. Tlc condiiioncd soul, lowcvci, is always covcicd by ignoiancc and
cmbaiiasscd by ilc ilicclold misciics ol lilc. Tlus lc is a iicasuic-lousc ol all
linds ol iiibulaiions`.¯
1S In scqucncc ol impoiiancc, wiil ilc lasi ilc mosi impoiiani, ilcsc ilicc
poicncics aic lisicd sandlini, samvii and lladini.
As all pois aic madc by somc poiici, so cvciyiling ilai is las a causc
somcwlcic. Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is cicinal and is noi
picccdcd by a causc ilai cicaicd Him is conliimcd by ilc Siuii-sasiia (Clandogya
Upanisad 6.2.1):
O gcnilc siudcni, bcloic ilis maiciial woild was cicaicd, ilc cicinal
Supicmc cxisicd.`
Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cxisis in all placcs, iimcs and
ciicumsianccs, and givcs cicinal lilc io oilcis, is cllccicd by His sandlini poicncy.
Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad lnows cvciyiling and cnliglicns
oilcis is cllccicd by His samvii poicncy.
Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cxpciicnccs bliss and givcs bliss
io oilcis is cllccicd by His lladini poicncy, wlicl is ilc bcsi ol all.
19 In ilis way ii is piovcd ilai ilc Loid's inicinal poicncy is dividcd in ilicc.
Tlc poicncy by wlicl ilc Loid pcisonally appcais in His iiansccndcnial loim is
callcd Visuddla-saiiva, oi ilc poicncy ol puic goodncss. Tlc Loid docs noi
appcai in any way oilci ilan iliougl ilis poicncy, jusi as Hc docs noi lnow oi
icacl in any way oilci ilan iliougl His samvii poicncy. Tlc Visuddla-saiiva
poicncy is callcd puic bccausc ii is uniouclcd by ilc maiciial poicncy maya. Tlai
ilc Visuddla-saiiva poicncy is bcyond ilc icalm ol maiici is cxplaincd in ilcsc
woids spolcn by Mailandcya io Naiayana Rsi (Siimad llagavaiam 12.S.+5-+6):
20 O my Loid, O supicmc liicnd ol ilc condiiioncd soul, alilougl loi ilc
cicaiion, mainicnancc and annililaiion ol ilis woild You acccpi ilc modcs ol
goodncss, passion and ignoiancc, wlicl consiiiuic Youi illusoiy poicncy, You
spccilically cmploy ilc modc ol goodncss io libciaic ilc condiiioncd souls. Tlc
oilci iwo modcs simply biing ilcm sullciing, illusion and lcai.`¯¯¯
21 O Loid, bccausc lcailcssncss, spiiiiual lappincss and ilc lingdom ol God
aic all aclicvcd iliougl ilc modc ol puic goodncss, Youi dcvoiccs considci ilis
modc, bui ncvci passion and ignoiancc, io bc a diicci manilcsiaiion ol You, ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Iniclligcni pcisons ilus woislip Youi bclovcd
iiansccndcnial loim, composcd ol puic goodncss, along wiil ilc spiiiiual loims ol
Youi puic dcvoiccs.`¯¯¯
22 An cxplanaiion ol ilcsc iwo vciscs lollows. Tlcsc vciscs mcan: 'O Loid
(isa), ilc modcs ol goodncss, passion and ignoiancc aic ilc poicncics You cmploy
in Youi pasiimcs'` How is ilai' Tlcy aic cmploycd loi ilc cicaiion,
mainicnancc and annililaiion ol ilc maiciial woild.` Tlc modc ol goodncss
(saiivamayi) is cmploycd io biing pcacc (piasaniyai) and gicai lappincss. Tlc
oilci iwo modcs, passion and ignoiancc, aic noi cmploycd loi ilai puiposc. Tlcy
do noi biing pcacc and ilcy aic usclcss loi advanccmcni in scivicc ol ilc Loid.
Tlcicloic ilc woids 'vyasana-mola-bliyal' (sullciing, illusion and lcai) aic uscd
lcic io dcsciibc ilcii cmploymcni.
Tlc sccond vcisc says: 'O Loid (blagavan), ilcicloic (iasmai) iniclligcni
pcisons (lusalal) scivc (blajanii) Youi iiansccndcnial loim ol Loid Visnu, wlicl
is composcd ol puic goodncss. In ilc samc way ilcy also woislip ilc loims ol ilc
individual living cniiiics sucl as Svayambluva Manu and oilcis wlo aic Youi
puic dcvoiccs, and wlosc loims aic also composcd ol puic goodncss.' Tlcy ncvci
woislip ilc loims ol lialma, Siva oi ilc oilci dcmigods. Wly' lccausc Youi
loim biings pcacc io ilc woild (lola-piasaniyai) ii is vciy dcai io ilcm.
23 Ai ilis poini ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad may pioicsi: 'In ilis way
you lavc piovcd ilai My loim is a manilcsiaiion ol ilc modc ol goodncss. Wly
do you insisi, ilcn, ilai ii is noi a pioduci ol ilc illusoiy poicncy, maya'`
Tlc icply is givcn: O Loid, bccausc lcailcssncss, spiiiiual lappincss, and
ilc lingdom ol God, Vailunilalola, aic all aclicvcd iliougl ilc modc ol puic
goodncss, Youi dcvoiccs considci ilis modc io bc a diicci manilcsiaiion ol You,
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.` Iiom ilis ii slould bc undcisiood ilai ilc
modc ol goodncss mcniioncd lcic is ilc spiiiiual poicncy by wlicl ilc Loid
manilcsis His loim accoiding io His own wisl. Tlc goodncss lcic is noi a
pioduci ol maiici. Tlis is dcsciibcd by Loid Siva in ilc lollowing woids (Siimad
llagavaiam +.3.23):
2+ I am always cngagcd in mcdiiaiing on Loid Vasudcva in puic Kisna
consciousncss (suddla-saiiva, oi puic goodncss). Kisna consciousncss is always
puic consciousncss (goodncss), in wlicl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
lnown as Vasudcva, is icvcalcd wiiloui any covciing.`¯
25 Tlc icason ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad cannoi bc undcisiood by
ilc scnscs ol mind is lcic givcn: Hc cannoi bc undcisiood iliougl ilc maiciial
modcs ol naiuic. Tlc impuic modc ol goodncss is maiciial in naiuic and ilc Loid
cannoi bc undcisiood iliougl ii. Tlc puic modc ol goodncss, lowcvci, is ilc
Loid's spiiiiual poicncy, and by iis agcncy onc can aiiain ilc Loid.
26 Tlc woids (Siimad llagavaiam 12.S.+6 quoicd in Tcxi 21) 'lolo yaio
blayam uiaima-sullam' (lcailcssncss, spiiiiual lappincss, and ilc lingdom ol
God aic all aclicvcd iliougl ilc modc ol puic goodncss) piool ilai puic
goodncss is a spiiiiual poicncy ol ilc Loid. Tlai ilc Loid's loim musi bc manilcsi
by His spiiiiual poicncy and cannoi bc manilcsi by a maiciial modc ol naiuic is
conliimcd in Siimad llagavaiam (10.3.2+):
My dcai Loid, ilcic aic dillcicni Vcdas, somc ol wlicl dcsciibc You as
unpciccivablc iliougl woids and ilc mind. Yci You aic ilc oiigin ol ilc cniiic
cosmic manilcsiaiion. You aic lialman, ilc gicaicsi ol cvciyiling, lull ol
cllulgcncc lilc ilc sun. You lavc no maiciial causc, You aic licc liom clangc and
dcviaiion, and You lavc no maiciial dcsiics. Tlus ilc Vcdas say ilai You aic ilc
subsiancc. Tlcicloic, my Loid, You aic diiccily ilc oiigin ol all Vcdic siaicmcnis,
and by undcisianding You, onc giadually undcisiands cvciyiling. You aic
dillcicni liom ilc ligli ol lialman and Paiamaima, yci You aic noi dillcicni liom
ilcm. Lvciyiling cmanaics liom You. Indccd, You aic ilc causc ol all causcs,
Loid Visnu, ilc ligli ol all iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc.`¯
In Siimad llagavaiam 12.S.+6 ilc woid 'ablayam' mcans 'lcailcssncss' and
'anyai', alilougl onc woid, mcans ilc iwo woids 'passion and ignoiancc.' In ilc
picvious vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 12.S.+5) ilc woid 'anya' also mcani boil
'passion and ignoiancc'. In ilis way ilc goodncss ilai manilcsis ilc Loid's loim is
dillcicni liom maiciial goodncss. Tlis is also cxplaincd in Siimad llagavaiam
(11.+.+):
Tlc loim ol ilc Loid ilcn cnicicd ilc ilicc woilds. Iiom His scnscs ilc
woiling and lnowlcdgc acquiiing scnscs ol ilc cmbodicd bcings bccamc manilcsi.
Iiom His poicncy ilcii lnowlcdgc bccamc manilcsi. Iiom His bicailing ilcii
aciions and ilc powcis ol ilcii bodics and scnscs bccamc manilcsi. Wiil His
ilicc modcs lcadcd by goodncss, Hc cicaics, mainiains and dcsiioys ilc woilds.`
Tlc woids 'jnanam svaial' aic cxplaincd by Siila Siidlaia Svami in ilcsc
woids:
Tlcsc woids mcan ilai liom ilc Loid's own poicncy ol puic goodncss ilc
lnowlcdgc ol ilc cmbodicd bcings is manilcsi.`
27 Tlis is also dcsciibcd ai ilc cnd ol lialma's piaycis (Siimad llagavaiam
10.11.60):
Tlcsc dcsciipiions ol Loid Kisna's pasiimcs wiil His cowlcid boys, His
caiing wiil ilcm on ilc banl ol ilc Yamuna, and Loid lialma's piaycis unio
Him, aic all iiansccndcnial subjcci maiicis. Anyonc wlo lcais, icciics, oi clanis
ilcm suicly gcis all lis spiiiiual dcsiics lullillcd.`¯
Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis:
Tlc woid 'vyaliciaiai' lcic mcans 'iiansccndcnial puic goodncss, wlicl is
dillcicni liom ilc woild ol maiici.'`
Tlis is also dcsciibcd by Malaiaja llaiaia (Siimad llagavaiam 5.7.1+):
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is siiuaicd in puic goodncss. Hc
illuminaics ilc cniiic univcisc and bcsiows all bcncdiciions upon His dcvoiccs.
Tlc Loid las cicaicd ilis univcisc liom His own spiiiiual poicncy. Accoiding io
His dcsiic, ilc Loid cnicicd ilis univcisc as ilc Supcisoul, and by viiiuc ol His
dillcicni poicncics, Hc is mainiaining all living cniiiics dcsiiing maiciial
cnjoymcni. Lci mc ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio ilc Loid, wlo is ilc givci
ol iniclligcncc.`¯
Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis:
Tlc woids 'paio iajal' mcan 'bcyond ilc maiciial modc ol passion, oi
siiuaicd in ilc puic modc ol goodncss'.`
Tlc Vcdic liiciaiuics cxplain ilai ilc maiciial modcs ol naiuic, wlicl
bcgin wiil maiciial goodncss, allcci ilc individual living cniiiy (jiva), bui ilcy
lavc no allcci on ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad (isa). Tlis is conliimcd by
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad Himscll in ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam
11.25.12):
Tlc maiciial modcs ol goodncss, passion and ignoiancc inllucncc ilc
individual living cniiiics, bui ilcy lavc no inllucncc on Mc.`
2S Tlc Loid again cxplains in Sii llagavad-giia Upanisad (7.12-1+):
Know ilai all siaics ol bcing - bc ilcy ol goodncss, passion oi ignoiancc -
aic manilcsicd by My cncigy. I am, in onc scnsc, cvciyiling, bui I am
indcpcndcni. I am noi undci ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic, loi ilcy, on ilc
coniiaiy, aic wiilin Mc.¯
29 Dcludcd by ilc ilicc modcs (goodncss, passion and ignoiancc), ilc wlolc
woild docs noi lnow Mc, wlo am abovc ilc modcs and incxlausiiblc.¯
30 Tlis divinc cncigy ol Minc, consisiing ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial
naiuic, is dilliculi io ovcicomc. lui ilosc wlo lavc suiicndcicd unio Mc can
casily cioss bcyond ii.`¯
31 Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is bcyond ilc modcs ol maiciial
naiuic is also dcsciibcd in ilc Tcnil Canio (Siimad llagavaiam 10.SS.5):
Sii Haii, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, is siiuaicd bcyond ilc iangc
ol maiciial naiuic; ilcicloic Hc is ilc supicmc iiansccndcnial pcison. Hc can scc
cvciyiling insidc and ouisidc; ilcicloic Hc is ilc supicmc ovciscci ol all living
cniiiics. Il somconc ialcs slclici ai His loius lcci and woislips Him, lc also
aiiains a iiansccndcnial posiiion.`¯
32 Tlis is also dcsciibcd in Sii Visnu Puiana (1.9.+3):
May ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, in wlom maiciial goodncss and
ilc oilci maiciial modcs aic ncvci picscni, and wlo is ilc liisi ol all wlo aic
puic, bc plcascd wiil mc.`
33 ly ilc usc ol ilc adjcciivc 'pialiia' (maiciial) lcic ilc cxisicncc ol oilci,
non maiciial modcs is implicd. In ilc woid 'piasidaiu' (may Hc bc plcascd), ilc
oilci, non maiciial modc is ilc souicc ol ilc Loid's plcasuic. Tlis oilci modc is
puic goodncss. Ii is dcsciibcd in Sii Visnu Puiana (1.12.69, quoicd in icxi 15):
O Loid, You aic ilc suppoii ol cvciyiling. Tlc ilicc aiiiibuics lladini,
sandlini, and samvii cxisi in You as onc spiiiiual cncigy. lui ilc maiciial modcs,
wlicl causc lappincss, misciy and mixiuics ol ilc iwo, do noi cxisi in You, loi
You lavc no maiciial qualiiics.`¯
3+ Tlai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is bcyond ilc ioucl ol ilc
maiciial modcs ol naiuic is also dcsciibcd in ilc Tcnil canio, wlcic India, ilc
ling ol ilc dcmigods, says (Siimad llagavaiam 10.27.+):
My dcai Loid, You aic iiansccndcnial io all ilc maiciial qualiiics. Youi
iiansccndcnial posiiion is visuddla-saiivam, wlicl is abovc ilc plailoim ol ilc
maiciial modcs and Youi iiansccndcnial abodc is abovc ilc disiuibancc ol ilc
maiciial qualiiics. Youi namc, lamc, loim, qualiiy and pasiimcs aic all bcyond ilc
maiciial naiuic. Youi abodc is acccssiblc only loi onc wlo undcigocs scvcic
ausiciiiics and pcnanccs and is complcicly liccd liom ilc onslaugli ol maiciial
qualiiics lilc passion and ignoiancc. Il somconc ilinls ilai wlcn You comc
wiilin ilis maiciial woild You acccpi ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic, lc is
misialcn. Tlc wcbs ol ilc maiciial qualiiics aic ncvci ablc io ioucl You, and You
cciiainly do noi acccpi ilcm wlcn You aic picscni wiilin ilis woild. Youi
Loidslip is ncvci condiiioncd by ilc laws ol maiciial naiuic.`¯
35 An cxplanaiion ol ilis vcisc lollows. Tlc woid 'dlama' mcans 'ilc Loid's
inicinal poicncy', and ilc Loid's puiiiy is dcsciibcd by ilc iwo adjcciivcs 'dlvasia-
iajas-iamaslam' (licc liom passion and ignoiancc) and 'iapomayam' (consisiing ol
iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc aiiaincd by pciloiming ausiciiiics). 'Tapal' lcic mcans
'iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc aiiaincd by pciloiming ausiciiiics.' Tlis is dcsciibcd in
ilc Siuii-sasiia:
ly pciloiming ausiciiiics ilc sagc aiiaincd iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc.`
Tlc mcaning is ilai lnowlcdgc aiiaincd by pciloiming ausiciiiics is licc
liom cvcn ilc sliglicsi ioucl ol maiici. Ii is spiiiiual lnowlcdgc. Ii is dillcicni
liom ilc maiciial modc ol goodncss. Tlcicloic ilis vcisc cxplains: 'O Loid,
maiciial goodncss and ilc oilci maiciial modcs do noi cxisi wiilin You. You do
noi acccpi ilcm.`
36 Tlc lollowing siaicmcni (Siimad llagavaiam 10.2.3+-35) ol ilc dcmigods
lcadcd by lialma is an accuiaic dcsciipiion ol ilc Loid's iiansccndcnial posiiion:
O Loid, duiing ilc iimc ol mainicnancc You manilcsi scvcial incainaiions,
all wiil iiansccndcnial bodics, bcyond ilc maiciial modcs ol naiuic. Wlcn You
appcai in ilis way, You bcsiow all good loiiunc upon ilc living cniiiics by
icacling ilcm io pciloim Vcdic aciiviiics sucl as iiiualisiic ccicmonics, mysiic
yoga, ausiciiiics, pcnanccs, and uliimaicly samadli, ccsiaiic absoipiion in
ilouglis ol You. Tlus You aic woislippcd by ilc Vcdic piinciplcs.¯
37 O Loid, causc ol all causcs, il Youi iiansccndcnial body wcic noi bcyond
ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic, onc could noi undcisiand ilc dillcicncc bciwccn
maiici and iiansccndcncc. Only by Youi picscncc can onc undcisiand ilc
iiansccndcnial naiuic ol Youi Loidslip, wlo aic ilc coniiollci ol maiciial naiuic.
Youi iiansccndcnial naiuic is vciy dilliculi io undcisiand unlcss onc is inllucnccd
by ilc picscncc ol Youi iiansccndcnial loim.`¯
3S An cxplanaiion ol ilcsc vciscs lollows. In ilcsc woids ilc Loid's loim is
dcsciibcd as noi dillcicni liom ilc modc ol goodncss. How is ilis modc ol
goodncss dcsciibcd' Ii is puic goodncss (saiivam visuddlam). Ii is dcsciibcd as
puic bccausc ii is complcicly licc liom ilc sliglicsi ioucl oi mixiuic ol ilc
maiciial modcs ol passion oi ignoiancc. Ii is ilc Loid's inicinal poicncy. Ii is
supicmcly puic bccausc ii is noi iouclcd by cvcn ilc smallcsi paiiiclc ol maiici.
39 Wly docs ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad comc (siayaic) io ilis
woild' So ilc cmbodicd souls (saiiiinam) may lcain io lix ilcii ilouglis on His
loius lcci and, mosi impoiiani, so ilc dcvoiccs may iasic ilc lappincss ol
dcvoiional scivicc. Tlis is dcsciibcd by Siimaii Kunii-dcvi in ilcsc woids (Siimad
llagavaiam 1.S.20):
O Loid, You Youiscll dcsccnd io piopagaic ilc iiansccndcnial scicncc ol
dcvoiional scivicc unio ilc lcaiis ol ilc advanccd iiansccndcnialisis and mcnial
spcculaiois, wlo aic puiilicd by bcing ablc io disciiminaic bciwccn maiici and
spiiii.`¯
+0 Wlai is ilc naiuic ol ilc Loid's loim' Tlc answci is 'sicya-upayanam',
wlicl mcans 'ii lullils all ilc goals ol lilc'. Tlis mcans ii is lull ol cicinal,
limiilcss, spiiiiual bliss. Tlis mcans: 'O Loid, any idca ilai You and Youi loim aic
dillcicni is only a playlul liguic ol spcccl. Tlai idca is noi iiuc.' Ioi ilis icason
ilc pcoplc woislip Youi iiansccndcnial loim (iavailanam). How do ilcy woislip
You' Tlc answci is givcn in ilc woids 'vcda-liiya-yoga-iapal-samadliblil' (by
ilc Vcdic piinciplcs, iiiualisiic ccicmonics, mysiic yoga, ausiciiiics, pcnanccs, and
uliimaicly samadli, ccsiaiic absoipiion in ilouglis ol You).
+1 Tlc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 10.2.35, quoicd in icxi 37) mcans: 'O
Loid, causc ol all causcs (dlaial), il (cci) ilc lnowlcdgc ilai icvcals You, ilc
poicncy by wlicl You manilcsi Youiscll, wcic noi a manilcsiaiion ol puic
goodncss, ilcn low could ii, by icvcaling You, puiily (maijanam) ilc ignoiancc ol
ilinling You aic dillcicni liom Youi loim (ajnana-blida)'` Tlc conclusion,
ilcicloic, is ilai Youi loim is noi ai all maiciial.
Ai ilis poini somconc may pioicsi: 'My pciccpiion is limiicd by ilc modc
ol maiciial goodncss. I cannoi pciccivc liglci ilan ilai. How, ilcn, will I bc ablc
io pciccivc You.'`
Tlc answci is givcn in ilc woids 'guna-pialasaii anumiyaic blavann',
wlicl mcan 'O Loid, iliougl ilc maiciial modcs ol naiuic You may only bc
undcisiood ilcoiciically. Wiil ilcii lclp You cannoi bc sccn diiccily.` Tlai is
ilc mcaning.
+2 Oi ilc pliasc 'vijnanam ajnanblidapamaijanam guna-pialasaii anumiyaic
blavan' may mcan 'Il ilc ignoiancc ol You is noi icmovcd, il ilcic is only ilc lclp
ol ilc maiciial modcs, You can bc undcisiood only ilcoiciically.' Tlis mcans ilai
only wlcn His pcisonal poicncy ol puic goodncss is manilcsi can ilc Loid bc sccn
diiccily. Tlc dcmigods ilcn piocccd io dcsciibc iwo ways in wlicl ilc Loid may
bc lnown ilcoiciically. Tlcy say: 'pialasaic yasya ca ycna va gunal' (You can bc
undcisiood by ilc qualiiics manilcsi liom You oi by ilc qualiiics manilcsi by
You). lccausc You do lavc an cicinal iclaiionslip wiil ilc cxicinal maiciial
modcs bcginning wiil ilc modc ol maiciial goodncss, Youi naiuic can bc inlciicd
liom ilc maiciial modcs ilcmsclvcs as ilc sun's iising can bc inlciicd liom ilc
icd ligli ol dawn and liic can bc inlciicd liom ilc picscncc ol smolc. In boil
(ways wlcic You aic inlciicd liom ilc maiciial modcs) You aic noi manilcsi
diiccily. In ilis way ii is piovcd ilai You diiccily appcai only iliougl ilc
poicncy ol ilc non maiciial modc ol puic goodncss. Tlcy wlo undcisiand ilai
ilc spiiiiual modc ol puic goodncss is licc ol any iiacc ol ilc maiciial modcs ol
passion and ignoiancc, and wlo lnow ilai ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad is a manilcsiaiion ol puic goodncss, bccomc licc liom any ioucl ol ilc
modc ol passion bccausc ilcy aic by naiuic pcacclul, ilcy aic always ncuiial, ilcy
aic unagiiaicd, ilcy aic siiuaicd in lnowlcdgc ol ilc iiuil, and ilcy do noi
spcculaic on ilc naiuic ol ilc Loid, gucssing ii io bc oilci ilan ii is.
+3 In ilc modc ol goodncss wlai is oilciwisc unlnown is sccn, in ilc modc
ol passion a gicai vaiiciy is sccn, and in ilc modc ol ignoiancc ilai vaiiciy
disappcais. In ilc modc ol goodncss onc bccomcs ncuiial io ilc comings and
goings ol maiici, in ilc modc ol passion onc iiics io lclp oilcis, and in ilc modc
ol ignoiancc onc iiics io laim oilcis. In ilis way ilcic is maiciial cicaiion,
mainicnancc, and annililaiion, and ilcic is also indillcicncc io all maiciial
lappcnings. Il ilc sliglicsi iiacc ol passion wcic picscni, ilc woid 'puic' in 'puic
goodncss' would bccomc mcaninglcss. In ilc siaic ol puic goodncss wlai is ilc
usc ol siiiiing up ilc cauldion ol passions'
++ Il visuddla-saiiva (puic goodncss) is picscni, ilcn sandlini-salii's paiiial
cxpansion, adlaia-salii (mainicnancc), samvii-salii's paiiial cxpansion, aima-
vidya (spiiiiual lnowlcdgc), and lladini-salii's poicncy, gulya-vidya (conlidcniial
lnowlcdgc) aic also picscni. Puic goodncss is ilc combincd loim ol ilcsc ilicc
poicncics. ly adlaia-salii ilc abodc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
manilcsicd. Tlis is dcsciibcd in Siimad llagavaiam (12.S.+6):
Tlc gicai dcvoiccs lnow ilai ilc iiansccndcnial abodc ol ilc Loid is
manilcsicd liom puic goodncss.`
Aima-vidya (spiiiiual lnowlcdgc) consisis ol iwo paiis: lnowlcdgc, and ilc
aciions ilai lcad on io lnowlcdgc, and ii cvcniually lcads io ilc lnowlcdgc ol
scivicc io ilc Loid. Gulya-vidya (conlidcniial lnowlcdgc) consisis ol iwo paiis:
dcvoiional scivicc and ilc aciions ilai lcad onc io dcvoiional scivicc, and ii
cvcniually lcads io lovc loi ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
+5 Tlis is clcaily dcsciibcd in ilc piaycis io goddcss Lalsmi in ilc Sii Visnu
Puiana (1.9.11S):
O bcauiilul goddcss, wiil youi poicncics ol yajna-vidya, mala-vidla,
gulya-vidya, and aima-vidya, you givc vaiious linds ol liuiiivc icsulis and vaiious
linds ol libciaiion.`
+6 In ilis vcisc 'yajna-vidya' mcans 'liuiiivc aciions', 'mala-vidya' mcans
'asianga-yoga', 'gulya-vidya' mcans 'dcvoiional scivicc', and 'aima-vidya' mcans
'spcculaiivc lnowlcdgc'. Tlc vcisc mcans: 'lccausc you aic ilc slclici ol all ilcsc,
you givc vaiious linds ol libciaiion and vaiious linds ol liuiiivc icsulis.' Tlai is
ilc mcaning.
+7 In ilc modc ol puic goodncss (visuddla-saiiva) ilc Vasudcva loim ol ilc
Loid is manilcsi. Loid Siva dcsciibcs ilis in ilc Iouiil canio, Clapici ilicc
(Siimad llagavaiam +.3.23):
I am always cngagcd in mcdiiaiing on Loid Vasudcva in puic Kisna
consciousncss. Kisna consciousncss is always puic consciousncss (visuddla-
saiiva), in wlicl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, lnown as Vasudcva, is
icvcalcd wiiloui any covciing.`¯
+S An cxplanaiion ol ilis vcisc lollows. Tlc woid 'visuddla' lcic mcans
'bccausc ii is ilc Loid's inicinal poicncy ii is licc liom cvcn ilc sliglicsi ioucl ol
maiici', and ilai is wly ilc adjcciivc 'suddla' (puic) is uscd lcic. Tlis visuddla-
saiiva is lcic callcd 'vasudcva-saiiva'. Wly is ii callcd 'vasudcva-saiiva'' lccausc
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad (puman) Loid Vasudcva is manilcsi (iyaic)
bccausc ol ii (yai).
+9 Iiisily ilc woid 'saiiva' is uscd lcic bccausc ilis poicncy manilcsis ilc
Supicmc Tiuil and is ilus lilc ilc 'saiiva' (goodncss) ilai cnablcs ilc unsccn io
bc sccn in ilis woild. Sccondly, ilc woid 'vasudcva' is uscd bccausc ilis poicncy
cnablcs onc io undcisiand ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Loid Vasudcva.
Tlcsc iwo woids aic ilcn pui iogcilci inio 'vasudcva-saiiva', wlicl is ilc samc as
'visuddla-saiiva' (puic goodncss).
Tlc woid 'vasu' mcans ciilci 'ilai wlicl givcs a lomc io ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad' oi 'ilc lomc in wlicl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad icsidcs.' 'Dcva' mcans ciilci 'Hc wlo cnjoys iiansccndcnial pasiimcs' oi
'Hc wlo slincs wiil gicai splcndoui.' Tlcsc iwo woids aic ilcn combincd in ilc
woid 'vasudcva'. Anoilci mcaning ol 'vasu' is 'wcalil'. Tlc Loid Himscll says
(Siimad llagavaiam 911.19.39): Tlc piinciplcs ol icligion aic ilc ical wcalil
dcsiicd by mcn.` Tlcicloic bccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad ciilci
posscsscs oi causcs oilci io posscss ilc wcalil (vasu) ilai is icligion, Hc is lnown
as 'vasudcva'. In ilis way 'vasudcva-saiiva' is ilc samc as 'visuddla-saiiva' (puic
goodncss).
50 Tlc lnowlcdgc by wlicl onc undcisiands ilc cllulgcni loim ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dcsciibcd by ilc Loid Himscll in ilcsc woids
(Siimad llagavaiam 11.11.25-2+):
Absoluic lnowlcdgc is in ilc modc ol goodncss, lnowlcdgc bascd on
dualiiy is in ilc modc ol passion, and loolisl, maiciialisiic lnowlcdgc is in ilc
modc ol ignoiancc. Knowlcdgc bascd upon mc, lowcvci, is undcisiood io bc
iiansccndcnial.`¯¯¯
51 In ilis vcisc and in many oilci placcs in ilc sciipiuics, lnowlcdgc ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is said io bc bcyond ilc ioucl ol ilc modcs ol
maiciial naiuic. In ilis way ilc woid 'visuddla' (puic) slould bc undcisiood.
Tlis is ilc naiuic ol ilc inicinal poicncy by wlicl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad appcais accoiding io His own wisl. 'Saiiva' in ilis compound woid may
bc undcisiood io bc ciilci in ilc locaiivc casc (wlcic Loid Vasudcva is manilcsi)
oi ilc insiiumcnial casc (by wlicl Loid Vasudcva is manilcsi).
52 Siimad llagavaiam +.3.23 (quoicd in icxi +7) clcaily dcsciibcs ilc Loid's
inicinal poicncy. Tlc woid 'apaviial' ilcic mcans 'is icvcalcd wiiloui any
covciing'. Il maiciial goodncss is manilcsi ii is only a icllcciion ol puic goodncss.
Ii is lilc ilc icllcciion ol a lacc in a miiioi. Tlc icllcciion is ilc 'covcicd' aspcci ol
ilc oiiginal lacc. Tlai is ilc mcaning lcic. Siimad llagavaiam cxplains: 'Wiil all
my (mc) lcaii (manasa) I mcdiiaic (vidliyaic) on ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad (blagavan), wlo is cicinally manilcsicd in ilc (iasmin) modc ol puic
goodncss (saiivc).' Tlc conclusion is ilai wlcn ilc lcaii is siiuaicd in puic
goodncss ii is ablc io mcdiiaic on ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
53 Ai ilis poini somconc may pioicsi: Il ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
can ilus bc mcdiiaicd on wiil ilc mind, wlai is ilc nccd ol ilc modc ol puic
goodncss'`
Siimad llagavaiam answcis wiil ilc woids 'ly adlolsajal'. Hy' mcans
'bccausc' and 'adlilsajal' mcans 'Hc is bcyond ilc icacl ol ilc scnscs.' Tlis
mcans ilc Loid cannoi bc undcisiood by ilc maiciial scnscs.
In oilci icadings ilc woid 'manasa' (by ilc mind) is icplaccd by 'namasa' )
wiil icspccilul obcisanccs) and 'li' (bccausc) is icplaccd by ilc picposiiion 'anu'.
Tlc scnicncc ilcn bccomcs: 'I ollci icspccilul obcisanccs and scivc Loid Vasudcva,
wlo is manilcsi by His manilcsiing poicncy ol puic goodncss.' Tlc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is noi manilcsi in any way oilci ilan iliougl ilis
poicncy. Tlai is ilc mcaning. Wlcilci ilc Loid appcais bcloic us oi icmains
invisiblc, wc scivc Him by bowing down io ollci oui icspccis. Tlai is ilc mcaning
ol ilis passagc.
5+ Tlc poicncy ol puic goodncss, wlicl manilcsis ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, appcais as 'muiii' and 'vasudcva'. Tlc 'vasudcva' poiiion
is Malaiaja Vasudcva and ilc 'muiii' poiiion is lis icligious wilc. Tlc poicncics
lcd by Siaddla and Pusii aic lci sisicis.
55 Siimad llagavaiam (1.3.9) cxplains:
In ilc louiil incainaiion, ilc Loid bccamc Naia and Naiayana, ilc iwin
sons ol ilc wilc ol King Dlaima.`¯
Tlc woid 'lala' lcic mcans 'poicncy'. lccausc ii is sccn ilai ilc Loid's
incainaiions namcd Naia-Naiayana appcaicd ilcic, ilis poicncy slould bc
undcisiood io bc ilc poicncy ol puic goodncss, lnown as suddla-saiiva oi
vasudcva-saiiva. Ii is lcic namcd 'muiii'.
56 Alici a dcsciipiion ol Siaddla and many oilcis, Muiii is mcniioncd in
ilcsc woids (Siimad llagavaiam +.1.51):
Muiii, a icscivoii ol all icspcciablc qualiiics, gavc biiil io Sii Naia-
Naiayana, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`¯
57 Tlc vcisc says: 'lccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is a
icscivoii (uipaiii) ol all (saiva) icspcciablc qualiiics (guna), appcaicd wiilin lci,
slc gavc biiil io Tlcm boil.' lccausc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
wlosc loim (muiii) is cicinal and lull ol lnowlcdgc and bliss, appcaicd wiilin
lci, slc is namcd Muiii. In ilc samc way Malaiaja Vasudcva is so namcd bccausc
ilc Loid appcais in ilc poicncy ol vasudcva-saiiva (puic goodncss).
5S Malaiaja Vasudcva is also dcsciibcd in ilc Ninil Canio (Siimad
llagavaiam 9.2+.30):
Wlcn Vasudcva was boin, ilc dcmigods liom ilc lcavcnly lingdom
soundcd lciilcdiums (analadundubli). Tlcicloic Vasudcva, wlo piovidcd ilc
piopci placc loi ilc appcaiancc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Kisna,
was also lnown as Analadundubli.`¯
59 Il Malaiaja Vasudcva wcic noi ilc placc wlcic ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad appcaicd (laicl silanam), ilcn lis namc 'Vasudcva' would lavc no
mcaning.
In ilis way ii slould bc undcisiood ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad appcais by ilc cmploymcni ol His poicncy ol puic goodncss, wlicl
coniains wiilin ii ilc poicncics bcginning wiil lladini and ilc poicncics
bcginning wiil Sii. Tlcsc poicncics may bc dividcd in ilicc paiis: 1. Tlc poicncy
ol ilc opulcncc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, 2. Tlc poicncy ilai oui ol
lindncss givcs opulcncc io oilcis, and 3. Tlc paiiial cxpansion ol ilc Loid's
opulcncc. Tlcsc poicncics also may bc dividcd inio iwo paiis: 1. Tlc poicncy by
wlicl ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad appcais as ilc loimlcss lialman, and
2. Tlc poicncy by wlicl Hc displays His many iiansccndcnial loims. Tlis is ilc
cxplanaiion. Tlc vcisc quoicd ai ilc bcginning ol ilis anucclcda was spolcn by
Siila Suladcva Gosvami.
Anuccheda 10+
1 Goddcss Lalsmi is ilc Loid's limiilcss inicinal poicncy. Hci loim is a
paiiial cxpansion ol ilc Loid's loim. Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilcsc woids (Siimad
llagavaiam 12.11.20):
Goddcss Lalsmi is ilc consiani companion ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad. Slc is a diicci cxpansion ol Loid Haii.`
2 Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis:
Tlc consiani companion lcic is ilc Loid's own poicncy. Tlc icason loi
ilis is givcn in ilc woids: 'salsad aimanal' (diiccily manilcsicd liom Loid Haii).
lccausc ilc Loid's loim is pcilccily spiiiiual and bccausc slc is noi dillcicni liom
His loim, slc is His inicinal poicncy.
3 Tlc woid 'salsai' (diiccily) lcic conliims ilai goddcss Lalsmi is noi ilc
samc as ilc illusoiy poicncy maya. Tlis is conliimcd by ilc lollowing dcsciipiion
ol ilc illusoiy poicncy (Siimad llagavaiam 2.5.13):
Tlc illusoiy cncigy ol ilc Loid is aslamcd io bc sccn by ilc Loid.`
+ Tlai Goddcss Lalsmi is ilc Loid's consiani companion is dcsciibcd in ilc
layasiisa-pancaiaiia:
Loid Haii is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Goddcss Lalsmi is His
poicncy. Goddcss Lalsmi is lcmalc. Loid Kcsava is malc. Goddcss Lalsmi is
ncvci away liom Loid Visnu. Loid Haii is ncvci away liom Goddcss Lalsmi.`
5 Tlis is also dcsciibcd in Visnu Puiana (1.S.15):
Goddcss Lalsmi, ilc moilci ol ilc univcisc, is ilc consiani companion ol
Loid Visnu. O bcsi ol bialmanas, as Loid Visnu is all pcivading, so is slc.`
6 Tlc Visnu Puiana (1.9.+0) also cxplains:
As Loid Janaidana (Kisna), wlo is ilc masici ol ilc univcisc and ilc iulci
ol ilc dcmigods appcais in dillcicni incainaiions, so docs His companion Goddcss
Lalsmi.`
7 Tlai Lalsmi-dcvi's loim is spiiiiual is dcsciibcd in ilc Slanda Puiana:
Maiciial naiuic is cicinal. Lalsmi-dcvi, ilc spiiiiual poicncy, wlicl ialcs
slclici ol Loid Visnu, is also cicinal. Loid Haii, wlo posscsscs all viiiucs, is also
cicinal. Tlc wisc say ilcsc ilicc aic cicinal.`
S Tlc Visnu Puiana (1.9.++-+5) also cxplains:
May supicmcly puic Loid Haii, wlosc spiiiiual poicncy cannoi bc bound
by ilc siiing ol iimc lnoiicd wiil scconds, minuics and louis, bc plcascd wiil
mc.
May Loid Visnu, wlo is said io bc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
wlo is ilc Supcisoul picscni in all cmbodicd bcings, and wlo is scivcd by Lalsmi-
dcvi, bc plcascd wiil us.`
9 Siila Siidlaia Svami commcnis:
lccausc iimc coniiols only ilc maiciial icalm and bccausc ilc Loid's
cicinal poicncy Lalsmi-dcvi is noi dillcicni liom ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Lalsmi-dcvi is noi undci ilc coniiol ol iimc, wlicl is lilc
a siiing madc ol scconds, minuics, and louis. Tlai is ilc mcaning lcic. Tlis is
so bccausc slc is noi dillcicni liom ilc loim ol ilc supicmcly puic Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad.
Ai ilis poini somconc may pioicsi: Il Lalsmi-dcvi is noi dillcicni liom
Loid Visnu, ilcn wly is Hc said io bc lci lusband'
Tlc answci is givcn in ilc woid 'paiamcsal'. 'Paia' mcans 'supicmc', 'ma'
mcans 'moilci', and 'isal' mcans 'lusband'. Tlcicloic 'paiamcsal' (paia+ma+isal)
mcans 'ilc lusband ol ilc supicmc moilci, Lalsmi-dcvi'. Tlc woids 'suddlo py
upacaiaial' (scivcd by Lalsmi-dcvi) aic spolcn wiil ilc inicniion io cxplain ilai
alilougl Lalsmi-dcvi is, in somc ways, noi dillcicni liom Loid Visnu, slc is also,
in oilci ways, dillcicni liom Him. Tlc liisi iwo lincs ol ilis sianza aic iwo
scpaiaic clauscs. Tlai is wly ilc iclaiivc pionoun 'yal' (wlo) is uscd iwicc.'
10 Tlai Lalsmi-dcvi is boil dillcicni liom and noi dillcicni liom ilc Loid
may bc inlciicd liom ilcsc woids, wlcic ilc dcmigod lialma piays (Siimad
llagavaiam 3.9.23):
Tlc Supicmc Loid, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, is always ilc bcnclacioi ol
ilc suiicndcicd souls. His aciiviiics aic always cnacicd iliougl His inicinal
poicncy, Rama, oi ilc goddcss ol loiiunc. I piay only io cngagc in His scivicc in
ilc cicaiion ol ilc maiciial woild, and I piay ilai I noi bc maiciially allccicd by
my woils, loi ilus I may bc ablc io givc up ilc lalsc picsiigc ol bcing ilc cicaioi.`
¯
11 Ii is also said (Siimad llagavaiam 7.9.2):
Tlc goddcss ol loiiunc, Lalsmiji, was icqucsicd io go bcloic ilc Loid by
all ilc dcmigods picscni, wlo bccausc ol lcai could noi do so. lui cvcn slc lad
ncvci sccn sucl a wondcilul and cxiiaoidinaiy loim ol ilc Loid, and ilus slc
could noi appioacl Him.`¯
12 Hcic Lalsmi-dcvi was liiglicncd bccausc ilc loim ol Loid Nisimadcva lad
ncvci bccn sccn oi lcaid ol bcloic.
In ilis way Siimad llagavaiam 12.11.20 (quoicd in icxi 1) las bccn
cxplaincd.
Tlc vcisc quoicd in ilc bcginning ol ilis anucclcda was spolcn by Siila
Suia Gosvami.
Anuccheda 105
1 Hc wlosc loim is cicinal and lull ol lnowlcdgc and bliss, wlo posscsscs
inconccivablc, wondcilul, unlimiicd poicncics, wlo is icligion and ilc mosi
icligious pcison, wlo is noi dillcicni liom anyiling and wlo is dillcicni liom
cvciyiling in many ways, wlo las no loim and wlo las loim, wlo is all-
pcivading and localiscd, wlo is an occan ol limiilcss muiually coniiadicioiy
qualiiics, wlo by His own wisl alonc manilcsis His iiansccndcnial loim wlicl is
complcicly dillcicni liom ilc gioss and subilc clcmcnis ol ilc maiciial woild,
wlosc lcli sidc is dccoiaicd by ilc picscni ol His pcisonal poicncy Lalsmi-dcvi
wlosc iiansccndcnial loim is lilc His, wlosc iiansccndcnial loim is splcndidly
manilcsicd among His splcndid associaics in His iiansccndcnial abodcs, wlosc
poicncics, wondcilul playlul qualiiics, pasiimcs, and lcaiuics lill ilc gicai dcvoiccs
wiil wondci, wlo is idcniical wiil ilc impcisonal lialman, wlo is ilc slclici
and susicnancc ol ilc maiginal poicncy ilai is ilc individual spiiii souls, and
wlosc ablasa-salii manilcsis limiilcss maiciial univciscs, is lnown as llagavan
(ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad) by ilc wisc.
2 Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is dillcicni liom maiici. Tlc
maiciialisis cannoi scc, undcisiand, oi imaginc Him. Hc acis io cicaic laiil in ilc
wisc, wlo can undcisiand Him. Tlai lc cannoi bc undcisiood by ilc loolisl, and
ilai Hc can only bc lnown iliougl ilc icvclaiion ol ilc Vcdas, is dcsciibcd in ilc
lollowing woids, wlcic ilc Pcisonilicd Vcdas says (Siimad llagavaiam 10.S7.2+):
3 Wlo, icccnily boin and soon io dic in ilis woild, can lnow ilc Loid, wlo
cxisicd bcloic all and wlo lailcicd ilc gicai sagc lialma and all ilc dcmigods
gicai and small' Wlcn ilc Loid lics down and wiildiaws cvciyiling wiilin
Himscll, ilcic is no gioss oi subilc maiici, maiciial bodics madc ol ilc iwo, iimc
oi sciipiuic.`
+ In ilis vcisc 'baia' mcans 'O Loid', 'ila' mcans 'in ilis maiciial woild',
'agiasaiam' mcans 'You, wlo wcic pcilcci in ilc bcginning', 'avaia-janma-layal'
mcans 'wlo wcic icccnily boin and aic aboui io dic', and 'Vcda' mcans 'lnows'.
Tlc vcisc says: Wlicl ol ilcsc pcisons can lnow You'` Tlc Pcisonilicd
Vcdas say ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad was pcilcci in ilc bcginning, and
ilc oilcis, wlo aic all icccnily boin, aic noi ablc io undcisiand Him. Tlc woids
'yaia udagad isil' mcans 'liom You lialma was boin'. 'Yam anu ublayc' mcans
'Alici lialma was boin ilc dcmigods and oilci individual living cniiiics wcic
boin.' All ilcsc living cniiiics aic icccnily boin.
Tlc Pcisonilicd Vcdas says: Wlcn You ialc bacl (avalisya) io ilc
spiiiiual woild ilc Vcdas (sasiian), wlicl icacl aboui You, wlcn You also lic
down (sayiia), closing Youi cycs io ilc aciiviiics ol ilc maiciial univcisc, ilcn loi
ilc individual spiiii souls wlo lic down wiil you ilcic is no longci any way io
undcisiand You. Ai ilai iimc ilcic aic no gioss maiciial clcmcnis (sai) bcginning
wiil cilci, no subilc maiciial clcmcnis (asai) bcginning wiil malai-iaiiva, no
maiciial bodics madc ol gioss and subilc maiciial clcmcnis (ublayam), and no
loicc ol iimc (lala-jvaial). In ilis way ilcic aic also no scnscs, no living loicc,
and no oilci insiiumcnis ol maiciial lilc.`
Ai ilc iimc ol cicaiion ilc Vcdas icvcal ilc iiuil ol ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, bui ilc living cniiiics, bccausc ilcy aic icccnily boin,
boin alici ilc momcni ol cicaiion, bccausc ilcy aic bcwildcicd by ilc picscncc ol
maiciial bodics and vaiious maiciial dcsignaiions, and bccausc ilcy aic polluicd
by ilc powci ol iimc, cannoi undcisiand ilai icvclaiion ol ilc Supicmc.
Tlc Vcdas say: Ai ilc iimc ol cosmic dcvasiaiion cvciyiling cnicis wiilin
You. Ai ilai iimc, bccausc ilc Vcdas lavc ilcn disappcaicd, and bccausc ilcy aic
ovcicomc wiil ilc slccp ol ignoiancc, ilc living cniiiics also cannoi undcisiand
You.`
Tlis is dcsciibcd in ilc Siuii-sasiia in ilcsc woids:
5 O Loid, wlcn ilc living cniiiics cnici wiilin You ai ilc iimc ol cosmic
dcvasiaiion ilcy cannoi undcisiand anyiling aboui You.`
Siuii-sasiia
Woids iuin liom ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, loi ilcy cannoi
dcsciibc Him. Wiil ilc maiciial mind onc can ncvci aiiain Him.`
Taiiiiiiya Upanisad 2.+
Wlo undcisiands ilc Supicmc' In ilis woild wlo can dcsciibc Him'`
Siuii-sasiia
Iiom wlai las cvciyiling comc' Wlo las cicaicd ilis woild' Tlc
dcmigods wcic icccnily boin. Wlo lnows liom wlcncc ilcy lavc comc'`
Siuii-sasiia
6 Alilougl lixcd in His abodc, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol godlcad is swilici ilan ilc
mind and can ovcicomc all oilcis iunning. Tlc powcilul dcmigods cannoi
appioacl Him. Alilougl in onc placc, Hc coniiols ilosc wlo supply ilc aii and
iain. Hc suipasscs all in cxccllcncc.`¯
Isa Upanisad S
Nciilci ilc cycs, noi ilc cais, noi logic, noi mcmoiy, bui only ilc Vcdas
can icacl us aboui ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
Siuii-sasiia
Anuccheda 106
1 Tlai ilc ancicni wisc sagcs can diiccily undcisiand and scc ilc Supicmc by
sciving Him wiil dcvoiion will bc dcsciibcd in ilicc vciscs liom Siimad
llagavaiam (9.S.21-23) quoicd in ilis anucclcda. Tlc liisi ol ilcsc vciscs
(Siimad llagavaiam 9.S.21) says:
My Loid, cvcn Loid lialma is io ilis vciy day unablc io undcisiand Youi
posiiion, wlicl is lai bcyond limscll, ciilci by mcdiiaiion oi by mcnial
spcculaiion. So wlai io spcal ol oilcis lilc us, wlo lavc bccn cicaicd by lialma
in vaiious loims as dcmigods, animals, luman bcings, biids and bcasis' Wc aic
complcicly in ignoiancc. Tlcicloic, low can wc lnow You, wlo aic ilc
Tiansccndcncc'`¯
2 Tlis vcisc siaics: Lvcn Loid lialma (ajanal) is io ilc vciy day (adya)
unablc io scc (na pasyaii) You (ivam) oi io undcisiand (na budlyaic) Youi
posiiion (ivam).` Wly can lc noi scc oi undcisiand You' Tlc answci is givcn in
ilc woid 'samadli-yuliiblil', wlicl mcans 'You cannoi bc undcisiood by
mcdiiaiion oi mcnial spcculaiion'. Tlc woid 'apaic' mcans 'How can oilcis, wlo
aic only icccnily boin, scc oi undcisiand You'` Wly aic ilc oilcis said io bc
icccnily boin' Tlc answci is givcn in ilc woids 'luia paic iasya manal-saiiia-
dli-visaiga-sisia vayam apialasal', wlicl mcans 'So wlai io spcal ol oilcis lilc
us, wlosc mind, body, and iniclligcncc lavc bccn cicaicd by lialma liom ilc
maiciial modcs ol goodncss, passion, and ignoiancc, and madc inio in vaiious
loims as dcmigods, animals, and luman bcings' Wc aic complcicly in ignoiancc,
ilcicloic, low can wc scc oi lnow You, wlo aic ilc Tiansccndcncc'`
3 Wly can ilc oilcis (apaic) noi scc ilc Loid' Tlc answci is givcn in ilc
ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 9.S.22):
My Loid, You aic lully siiuaicd in cvciyonc's lcaii, bui ilc living cniiiics,
covcicd by ilc maiciial body cannoi scc You, loi ilcy aic inllucnccd by ilc
cxicinal cncigy, conducicd by ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic. Tlcii
iniclligcncc bcing covcicd by saiiva-guna, iajo-guna and iamo-guna, ilcy can scc
only ilc aciions and icaciions ol ilcsc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic. lccausc ol
ilc aciions and icaciions ol ilc modc ol ignoiancc, wlcilci ilc living cniiiics aic
awalc oi slccping, ilc can scc only ilc woilings ol maiciial naiuic, ilcy cannoi
scc You Loidslip.`¯
+ Tlc vcisc says: 'My Loid, You aic lully siiuaicd in cvciyonc's lcaii, bui ilc
living cniiiics, covcicd by ilc maiciial body (yc dcla-blajal) cannoi scc You (na
vidul). Tlcy scc (vipasyanii) only ilc maiciial modcs ol naiuic (gunan).
Somciimcs ilcy scc only ilc modc ol ignoiancc. Tlcii iniclligcncc ovcipowcicd
by ilc ilicc modcs, awalc oi dicaming ilcy scc only ilc maiciial scnsc-objccis.
In dicamlcss slccp ilcy scc only ilc modc ol ignoiancc. Tlcy do noi scc You, wlo
aic bcyond ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic. You aic cvciywlcic. Wly do ilcy
no scc You' lccausc ilcii minds aic bcwildcicd by ilc illusoiy poicncy maya, oi
by Youi illusoiy poicncy maya, ilcy cannoi undcisiand You. Pcisons lilc us
cannoi undcisiand You. Only Youi dcvoiccs can undcisiand You.`
5 Tlc ncxi vcisc (Siimad llagavaiam 9.S.23) cxplains:
O my Loid, sagcs liccd liom ilc inllucncc ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial
naiuic - sagcs sucl as ilc loui Kumaias (Sanai, Sanala, Sanandana, and Sanaiana)
- aic ablc io ilinl ol You, wlo aic conccniiaicd lnowlcdgc. lui low can an
ignoiani pcison lilc mc ilinl ol You'`¯
6 Tlis vcisc says: 'My Loid, low can I ilinl ol You, wlo posscss many
wondcilul iiansccndcnial poicncics' Wlai is Youi loim lilc' Ii is lull ol
lnowlcdgc.`
Tlai ilc loim ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is lull ol lnowlcdgc
is dcsciibcd in ilc sciipiuics in ilcsc woids:
Tlc Visnu-muiiis all lad cicinal, unlimiicd loims, lull ol lnowlcdgc, and
bliss and cxisiing bcyond ilc inllucncc ol iimc.`¯
Siimad llagavaiam 10.13.5+
Tlc Loid's loim is spiiiiual and cannoi bc sccn by ilc non dcvoiccs.`
Sii Visnu-salasia-nama-sioiia
Tlc mcaning is ilai bccausc ilc Loid's loim is lull ol iiansccndcnial
lnowlcdgc ii cannoi bc undcisiood by ilc maiciialisis. Tlc spcalci ol ilis vcisc
ilcicloic says: 'I am a viciim ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic. Tlcicloic I am
noi ablc io ilinl ol You, O Loid.`
7 Ai ilis poini ilc Supicmc Loid may pioicsi: Wlai is ilc piool ilai I am as
you say'`
Tlc spcalci ol ilis vcisc answcis: Tlc piool is ilai sagcs liccd liom ilc
inllucncc ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic - sagcs sucl as ilc loui Kumaias
(Sanai, Sanala, Sanandana, and Sanaiana) - aic ablc io ilinl ol You. Indccd, ilcy
aic ablc io scc You diiccily. As owls lavc no conccpiion ol ilc sun, so somc
pcoplc cannoi undcisiand You. Rcccnily boin pcisons cannoi undcisiand You ai
all, alilougl ilc wisc dcvoiccs can scc You diiccily. Tlai is ilc mcaning. Tlc
Siuii-sasiia cxplains (Kaila Upanisad 2.1.1):
S Gcncially spcaling, no onc can scc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
wlo is bcyond ilc giasp ol ilc maiciial scnscs. Howcvci, onc wlo is iniclligcni
and sainily, and wlo aspiics loi libciaiion, can iuin lis cycs liom maiici and
bccomc ablc io scc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad icsiding wiilin lis lcaii
as ilc Supcisoul.`
9 Tlc mcilod ol sccing and undcisianding ilc Loid is dcsciibcd in ilcsc
woids ol ilc Mailaia-siuii:
Dcvoiional scivicc biings onc io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Dcvoiional scivicc cnablcs onc io scc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Dcvoiional scivicc conqucis ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Dcvoiional
scivicc is moic powcilul ilan ilc Loid Himscll.`
10 Tlc sciipiuics also cxplains (Kaila Upanisad 1.2.23 and Mundala
Upanisad 3.2.3):
Tlc Supicmc Loid is noi aiiaincd by cxpcii cxplanaiions, by vasi
iniclligcncc, oi cvcn by mucl lcaiing. Hc is obiaincd only by onc wlom Hc
clooscs. To sucl a pcison Hc manilcsis His own loim.`¯
11 Tlc vcisc quoicd in ilc bcginning ol ilis anucclcda was spolcn by
Amsuman io Loid Kapiladcva.
In ilis sandaibla, lialman and ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
(llagavan) lavc bccn dcsciibcd.