Canto 1.

Chapter 2 - Divinity and Divine Service

1. Discuss the significance of Suta Gosvami not wearing a sacred thread.

➔ The significance of Sukadeva Goswami not wearing a sacred thread can best be
understood through what Srila Parbhupada says in the purport as He talks about Srila
Sukadeva Gosvami. Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī was a Vaiṣṇava from the beginning;
therefore, there was no need for him to undergo all the processes of the varṇāśrama
institution. Ultimately the aim of varṇāśrama-dharma is to turn a crude man into a pure
devotee of the Lord, or a Vaiṣṇava. Anyone, therefore, who becomes a Vaiṣṇava
accepted by the first-class Vaiṣṇava, or uttama-adhikārī Vaiṣṇava, is already considered
a brāhmaṇa, regardless of his birth or past deeds. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted
this principle and recognized Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura as the ācārya of the holy name,
although Ṭhākura Haridāsa appeared in a Mohammedan family. In conclusion, Śrīla
Śukadeva Gosvāmī was born a Vaiṣṇava, and, therefore, brahminism was included in
him. He did not have to undergo any ceremonies.

2. All activities other than those which awaken our love of Krsna are considered a
useless waste of time. Explain this statement in your own words. Give examples
of 2 other categories of activities and explain their uselessness.

➔ In human society, everyone has a different mentality, and according to their modes of
nature and mindsets, these people are categorized into various occupations. Majority of
these people are gross materialists who keep working very hard their entire lives, simply
to gratify and satisfy their senses, constantly chasing after material things and
achievements. Further, above these, are mental speculators, whose occupational duties
simply revolve around making meaningless poetries, stories and philosophies which in
reality does not benefit anybody; for they too stem from the same place as gross
materialists, that is, out of bodily and mental selfishness. And because they are not
aware about the soul and its relation to the body and mind, they always remain
unsatisfied.

➔ However, this is where the concern for satisfaction of the self arises, and without
understanding the need of the spirit soul, it cannot be satisfied. To satisfy the spirit soul.
And the need of the soul is to break free of the material bondage and fulfill his desire of
complete freedom. Now, this freedom can only be achieved when he meets the complete
spirit, the Personality of Godhead. Everyone has an innate love for God, but this is often
misdirected towards material things. To awaken our divine consciousness, we should
 focus on activities that involve hearing and chanting the divine activities of the Supreme
Lord. Any activity that doesn't help us develop this spiritual attachment is considered a
waste of time.

➔ The examples of these two categories and their uselessness is as follows :-

● The activity of reading a newspaper and watching news on television every single
day are examples of occupation performed by both mental speculators and gross
materialists. The stories, poetry and philosophy compiled by mental speculators
in these newspapers and news channels and interviews benefit no one and are
actually absolutely useless. These occurrences, and the approach directed
towards narrating them is purely body and mind-centric and is based on sense
gratification, it is almost like advertising the sense gratification in this material
world that leads to bizarre things. Similarly, reading about these daily affairs
every single day is equally useless. Nonetheless, hundreds of millions of people
indulge in reading and watching news right after waking up. This shows how
useless these occupations performed by gross materialists and mental
speculators are. Since, they do not awaken our love for Krishna, they are a
complete waste of time.

3. Compare the concepts explained in 1.2.6 with Srila Rupa Goswami's definition of
pure devotional service, as described in Nectar of Devotion. Give reference to
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.6 and Srila Prabhupada's Introduction to Nectar of
Devotion in your response.

➔
Srimad Bhagavatam Nectar of Devotion

bhaktir adhokṣaje kṛṣṇānu - śīlanaṁ

(devotional service unto the Transcendence) (cultivation of service in relationship to
Kṛṣṇa)

paro dharmo bhaktir uttamā

(Sublime occupation) (first-class devotional service)

Ahaitukī anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ
(causeless) without desires other than those for the service
of Lord Kṛṣṇa, or without material desires

Apratihatā Jñāna-karmādy
(unbroken) (By the knowledge of the philosophy of the
monist Māyāvādīs*; by fruitive activities; by
artificially practicing detachment, by the
mechanical practice of yoga, by studying the
Sāṅkhya philosophy, and so on)
➔ Both these verses in an identical way indicate that the supreme occupation is loving
devotional service unto the transcendental Lord, and that loving devotional service must
be without desire of self-enjoyment, fruitive actions and philosophical speculation. In
simple words, such devotional service must be uninterrupted and unmotivated, as stated
in Srimad Bhagavatam.

➢ Reference from Nectar of Devotion: “The authorized descriptions of bhakti, or

devotional service, following in the footsteps of previous ācāryas, can be summarized in
the following statement by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī: “First-class devotional service is known
by one’s tendency to be fully engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, serving the Lord
favorably.” The purport is that one may also be in Kṛṣṇa consciousness unfavorably, but
that cannot be counted as pure devotional service. Pure devotional service should be
free from the desire for any material benefit or for sense gratification, as these desires
are cultivated through fruitive activities and philosophical speculation.” - Introduction of
Nectar of devotion

➢ Reference from Srimad Bhagavtam: “Therefore devotional service to the Lord must be
pure in quality, i.e., without the least desire for material enjoyment. One should,
therefore, accept the superior quality of occupation in the form of the devotional service
of the Lord without any tinge of unnecessary desire, fruitive action and philosophical
speculation. This alone can lead one to perpetual solace in His service.” - Purport pf
1.2.6, Srimad Bhagavatam

4. "Bhakti, or the devotional service of the Lord, is meant for those who cannot
perform the high- grade activities." Refute this statement, giving reference to
1.2.7.

➔ According to those who consider devotional service to the Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa to be
something like material emotional affairs, bhakti, or the devotional service of the Lord, is
considered to be meant for those who cannot perform the high-grade activities.
Generally it is said that the bhakti cult is meant for the śūdras, vaiśyas and the less
intelligent woman class. But that is not the actual fact. The bhakti cult is the topmost of
all transcendental activities, and therefore it is simultaneously sublime and easy. It is
sublime for the pure devotees who are serious about getting in contact with the Supreme
Lord, and it is easy for the neophytes who are just on the threshold of the house of
bhakti. To achieve the contact of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, is a
great science, and it is open for all living beings, including the śūdras, vaiśyas, women
and even those lower than the lowborn śūdras, so what to speak of the high-class men
like the qualified brāhmaṇas and the great self-realized kings. The other high-grade
activities designated as sacrifice, charity, austerity, etc., are all corollary factors following
the pure and scientific bhakti cult.
➔ This statement can also be refuted by citing verse 9.32 from Bhagavad-Gita where Lord
Krishna Himself says, “O son of Pṛthā, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of
lower birth – women, vaiśyas [merchants] and śūdras [workers] – can attain the supreme
destination.”

5. Analyze the distinction between real and pretentious religion with reference to
1.1.2 and 1.2.6.
➔
Verses Pretentious religion Real Religion

1.2.6 ➔ This is called the ➔ This is called the

pravṛtti-mārga, or the nivṛtti-mārga, or the path of
path of sense enjoyment. renunciation.
➔ The path of enjoyment is ➔ The path of sacrifice for the
inferior. supreme cause is superior.
➔ The material existence of ➔ Actual life is spiritual
the living being is a existence, or brahma-bhūta
diseased condition of existence, where life is
actual life. eternal, blissful and full of
➔ Material existence is knowledge.
temporary, illusory and ➔ The devotional service to
full of miseries. There is the Supreme Lord, which
no happiness at all. There leads one to eternal, blissful
is just the futile attempt to and all-cognizant life, is
get rid of the miseries, called the superior quality
and temporary cessation of occupation.One should,
of misery is falsely called therefore, accept the
happiness. Therefore, the superior quality of
path of progressive occupation in the form of
material enjoyment, the devotional service of
which is temporary, the Lord without any tinge
miserable and illusory, is of unnecessary desire,
inferior. fruitive action and
philosophical speculation.
 1.1.2 ➔ Man is thriving ➔ But Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is
economically, so at transcendental to all these
present he is not very sense-gratificatory
interested in religion. activities. It is purely
Churches, mosques or transcendental literature
temples are now which can be understood
practically vacant. Men only by the pure devotees
are more interested in of the Lord who are
factories, shops, and transcendental to
cinemas than in religious competitive sense
places which were gratification. But the
erected by their transcendental devotees of
forefathers. This the Lord are not only free
practically proves that from material envy, but are
religion is performed for well-wishers to everyone,
some economic gains. and they strive to establish
Economic gains are a competition-less society
needed for sense with God in the center.
gratification. ➔ The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is
➔ In the karma-kāṇḍa, there superior to all of these
is competition to reach because it aims at the
heavenly planets for Supreme Truth, which is the
better sense gratification, substance or the root of all
and there is similar categories. It is higher than
competition in the impersonalist literatures
jñāna-kāṇḍa and the and higher than the
upāsanā-kāṇḍa. jñāna-kāṇḍa division of the
Vedas.

6. verses and purports. In your response, give examples of pretentious religion from
current society.

➔ Reference from Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.2: This is the situation in modern civilization.
Man is thriving economically, so at present he is not very interested in religion.
Churches, mosques or temples are now practically vacant. Men are more interested in
factories, shops, and cinemas than in religious places which were erected by their
forefathers. This practically proves that religion is performed for some economic gains.

➔ Reference from Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.6: The material existence of the living being
is a diseased condition of actual life.Material existence is temporary, illusory and full of
miseries. There is no happiness at all. There is just the futile attempt to get rid of the
miseries, and temporary cessation of misery is falsely called happiness. Therefore, the
path of progressive material enjoyment, which is temporary, miserable and illusory, is
inferior.
7. How do we gain an affinity for hearing about Krsna? Describe the development of
our consciousness as we continue hearing about Krsna with reference to specific
Sanskrit words/phrases, and statements from Srila Prabhupada's purports, from
SB 1.2.16-22.

➔
Verse Sanskrit Phrases Stages of Bhakti

16 Śuśrūṣoḥ Shraddha
śuśrūṣoḥ śraddadhānasya (one who is engaged in
vāsudeva-kathā-ruciḥ hearing)
syān mahat-sevayā viprāḥ Śraddadhānasya
puṇya-tīrtha-niṣevaṇāt (with care and attention)

syān mahat-sevayā Sadhu Sanga

(is made possible by service
rendered to pure devotee)

Vāsudeva-kathā-ruciḥ Bhajan Kriya

(in respect to Vāsudeva the
message affinity)

17 śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ Bhajan Kriya

śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ Puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ
kṛṣṇaḥ (Such a hearer develops the
puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ virtue to hear and chant)
hṛdy antaḥ stho hy
abhadrāṇi
vidhunoti suhṛt satām hṛdy antaḥ stho hy abhadrāṇi Anartha Nivritti
vidhunoti suhṛt satām
(Krishna the benefactor of the
devotee, cleanses material
desires from the heart)

18 naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu Anartha Nivritti

naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā
nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā (By regular hearing from the
bhagavaty uttama-śloke Bhagavatam and by rendering
bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī service to the pure devotees,
all that is troublesome to the
heart is almost completely
destroyed)
 bhagavaty uttama-śloke Nistha
bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī
(And by loving service unto
the personality of Godhead,
who is uttama sloka, is
established an irrevocable
fact)

19 tadā rajas-tamo-bhāvāḥ Ruchi

tadā rajas-tamo-bhāvāḥ kāma-lobhādayaś ca ye
kāma-lobhādayaś ca ye (The effects of nature’s modes
ceta etair anāviddhaṁ of passion and ignorance,
sthitaṁ sattve prasīdati such as lust, desire and
hankering, disappear from the
heart)

ceta etair anāviddhaṁ Asakti (Firm attachment)

sthitaṁ sattve prasīdati
(As soon as irrevocable loving
service is established in the
heart, then the devotee is
established in goodness, and
he becomes completely
happy.)

20 evaṁ prasanna-manaso Rati

evaṁ prasanna-manaso bhagavad-bhakti-yogataḥ
bhagavad-bhakti-yogataḥ (Thus established in the mode
bhagavat-tattva-vijñānaṁ of unalloyed goodness, the
mukta-saṅgasya jāyate man whose mind has been
enlivened by contact with
devotional service to the Lord)

Bhagavat-tattva-vijñānaṁ Bhagvat Prem

mukta-saṅgasya jāyate
(One gains positive scientific
knowledge of the Personality
of Godhead in the stage of
liberation from all material
association.)

21 bhidyate hṛdaya-granthiś Prema

bhidyate hṛdaya-granthiś chidyante sarva-saṁśayāḥ
chidyante sarva-saṁśayāḥ kṣīyante cāsya karmāṇi
kṣīyante cāsya karmāṇi dṛṣṭa evātmanīśvare
dṛṣṭa evātmanīśvare (Thus the knot in the heart is
 pierced, and all misgivings are
cut to pieces. The chain of
fruitive actions is terminated
when one sees the self as
master.)

22 ato vai kavayo nityaṁ Its conclusion to verse 16 to

ato vai kavayo nityaṁ bhaktiṁ paramayā mudā 21, and after establishing the
bhaktiṁ paramayā mudā vāsudeve bhagavati relationship with the Lord,
vāsudeve bhagavati kurvanty ātma-prasādanīm
devotees become constantly
kurvanty ātma-prasādanīm (Certainly, therefore, since
time immemorial, all engaged in devotional
transcendentalists have been service. Thus, they are
rendering devotional service to delighted and enlivened.
Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of
Godhead, with great delight,
because such devotional
service is enlivening to the
self.)

➔ Gaining affinity for hearing about Krishna: The Lord is more pleased when He sees
that His servants are properly respected because such servants risk everything for the
service of the Lord and so are very dear to the Lord. The Lord declares in the
Bhagavad-Gita that no one is dearer to Him than one who risks everything to preach His
glory. By serving the servants of the Lord, one gradually gets the quality of such
servants, and thus one becomes qualified to hear the glories of God. The eagerness to
hear about God is the first qualification of a devotee eligible for entering the kingdom of
God. By such transcendental service to the pure devotees of the Lord, develops the
affinity to hear the message of the Personality of Godhead.

8. How does the rajas stage of life give a slight clue to the realization of the Absolute
Truth?

➔ The uncivilized state of life, or the life of the lower animals, is controlled by the mode of
tamas. The civilized life of man, with a passion for various types of material benefits, is
the stage of rajas. The rajas stage of life gives a slight clue to the realization of the
Absolute Truth in the forms of fine sentiments in philosophy, art and culture with moral
and ethical principles.

➔ Wood from which fire springs is born of earth, smoke is born of fire. Fire is superior to
both smoke and wood, because it allows us to perform Vedic sacrifices, which award
 knowledge. In that sense, smoke is superior to wood, because smoke heralds the
coming of fire and is thus closer to the goal (fire).

➔ Similarly, the mode of passion is better than the mode of ignorance, for it offers clues to
help us realize the absolute truth. Passion is also active, and thus produces results that
may be offered to Krishna.

9. What’s the position and the mission of the Supersoul? How can we learn to
perceive the Supersoul? List 2 analogies which describe how the presence of the
Paramatma can be felt.

➔ Position of the Supersoul: The position of the Lord is always transcendental because
the causal and effectual energies required for the creation of the material world were
also created by Him. He is unaffected, therefore, by the qualities of the material modes.
His existence, form, activities and paraphernalia all existed before the material creation.
He is all-spiritual and has nothing to do with the qualities of the material world.

➔ Mission of the Supersoul: As Paramātmā and eternal friend of the living entities, the
Lord, by one of His plenary portions, accompanies the living entities to guide them in
their material enjoyment and to become witness to all activities. While the living entities
enjoy the material conditions, the Lord maintains His transcendental position without
being affected by the material atmosphere.
➢ Reference from Bhagavad-Gita 13.23 translation: Yet in this body there is
another, a transcendental enjoyer, who is the Lord, the supreme proprietor, who
exists as the overseer and permitter, and who is known as the Supersoul.

➔ Perception of supersoul: The presence of the Lord as Paramātmā can be felt by the
process of legitimate hearing and chanting of the transcendental subjects which are
especially treated in the Vedic literatures like the Upaniṣads and Vedānta. Srimad
Bhagavatam is the bona fide explanation of these Vedic literatures. The Lord can be
realized through the aural reception of the transcendental message, and that is the only
way to experience the transcendental subject.

➔ The two analogies which describe how the presence of the Paramatma can be felt are
as follows:-
1. As from wood, fire can be manifested; similarly Paramatma can be felt by the
process of legitimate hearing and chanting of the transcendental subjects.
2. As butter can be churned out of milk, so also the presence of the Lord as
Paramātmā can be felt by the process of legitimate hearing and chanting of the
transcendental subjects.
10. Compare the book Bhagavat and the person Bhagavat and describe how serving
them brings advancement in KC.
Book Bhagvat Person Bhagvat

➔ Bhāgavata book and person are ➔ Bhāgavata book and person are
identical. identical.

➔ The book Bhāgavata is full of ➔ A devotee Bhāgavata is as good

information about the Personality as the book Bhāgavata because
of Godhead and His pure the devotee Bhāgavata leads his
devotees, who are also life in terms of the book
Bhāgavatas. Bhāgavata.

➔ The devotee Bhāgavata is a direct ➔ The messages of the book

representative of Bhagavān, the Bhāgavata have to be received
Personality of Godhead. from the devotee Bhāgavata.

➔ By pleasing the devotee ➔ By serving the book Bhāgavata,

Bhāgavata one can receive the one gets gradual promotion on the
benefit of the book Bhāgavata. path of devotion.

➔ Both the Bhāgavatas are ➔ Both the Bhāgavatas are

competent remedies competent remedies

➔ Both of them or either of them can ➔ Both of them or either of them can
be good enough to eliminate the be good enough to eliminate the
obstacles. obstacles.

➔ By sincere association of the

devotee Bhāgavatas, one is sure
to receive transcendental
knowledge very easily, with the
result that he becomes fixed in the
devotional service of the Lod
➔ Conclusion: The messages of the book Bhāgavata, therefore, have to be received from
the devotee Bhāgavata, and the combination of these two Bhāgavatas will help the
neophyte devotee to make progress on and on.

11. Sattva-guna is a prerequisite for self-realization. Give sastric statements and

argue either for or against this statement.

➔ I argue in favor of the statement, “Sattva-guna is a prerequisite for self-realization.” due

to the following sastric references :-

➔ Reference from Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.19: “The soul’s activity becomes adulterated
in contact with matter, and as such the diseased activities are expressed in the form of
lust, desire, hankering, inactivity, foolishness and sleep. The effect of devotional service
becomes manifest by complete elimination of these effects of passion and ignorance.
The devotee is fixed at once in the mode of goodness, and he makes further progress to
rise to the position of vasudeva, or the state of unmixed sattva, or śuddha-sattva. Thus,
only in this śuddha-sattva state can one always see Kṛṣṇa face to face by dint of pure
affection for the Lord.”

➔ Reference from Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.19: “The soul’s activity becomes adulterated
in contact with matter, and as such the diseased activities are expressed in the form of
lust, desire, hankering, inactivity, foolishness and sleep. The effect of devotional service
becomes manifest by complete elimination of these effects of passion and ignorance.
The devotee is fixed at once in the mode of goodness, and he makes further progress to
rise to the position of vasudeva, or the state of unmixed sattva, or śuddha-sattva. Thus,
only in this śuddha-sattva state can one always see Kṛṣṇa face to face by dint of pure
affection for the Lord.”

12. Explain the statement: "One has to surpass the brahminical stage and reach the
Vasudeva stage to understand the Personality of Godhead, Krsna." Give reference
to Canto 1 Chapter 2, verses and purports in your response.

➔ Explanation: A brāhmaṇa is the symbol of sattva-guṇa, or the mode of goodness. So

one cannot be a devotee unless one at least qualifies as a brāhmaṇa. The devotee is
already a brāhmaṇa by action. But that is not the end of it. As referred to above, such a
brāhmaṇa has to become a Vaiṣṇava in fact to be actually in the transcendental stage. A
pure Vaiṣṇava is a liberated soul and is transcendental even to the position of a
brāhmaṇa. In the material stage even a brāhmaṇa is also a conditioned soul because
although in the brahmanical stage the conception of Brahman or transcendence is
realized, scientific knowledge of the Supreme Lord is lacking. Thus, one has to surpass
 the brahmanical stage and reach the Vasudeva stage to understand the Personality of
Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.

➔ Reference from 1.2.19:” The devotee is fixed at once in the mode of goodness, and he
makes further progress to rise to the position of Vasudeva, or the state of unmixed
sattva, or śuddha-sattva. Only in this śuddha-sattva state can one always see Kṛṣṇa face
to face by dint of pure affection for the Lord.”

➔ Reference from 1.2.24: “It is further comprehended herein that one has to rise to the
platform of the mode of goodness (sattva) so that one can be eligible for the devotional
service of the Lord.”

13. Srila Prabhupada writes in purport to 1.2.32: "As fire is kindled from wood by
another fire, the divine consciousness of man can similarly be kindled by another
divine grace." Explain this statement with reference to 1.2.32, verse and purport,
and Bhakti Sastri texts.

➔ Explanation: The Lord can be realized through the aural reception of the transcendental
message, and that is the only way to experience the transcendental subject. As fire is
kindled from wood by another fire, the divine consciousness of man can similarly be
kindled by another divine grace. His Divine Grace the spiritual master can kindle the
spiritual fire from the wood-like living entity by imparting proper spiritual messages
injected through the receptive ear. Therefore one is required to approach the proper
spiritual master with receptive ears only, and thus divine existence is gradually realized.”

➔ Reference from Bhagavad-Gita 4.34 translation: “Just try to learn the truth by
approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto
him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the
truth.”

14. The sufferings and enjoyments of the sons are indirectly the sufferings and
enjoyments of the father. Still the father is not in any way affected directly by the
suffering and enjoyment of the sons." Explain this statement with reference to
1.2.32-34, verses and purports, and Bhakti Sastri texts.

➔ Explanation: In the Bhagavad-Gita, the living beings in all varieties of bodies have been
claimed by the Lord as His sons. The sufferings and enjoyments of the sons are
indirectly the sufferings and enjoyments of the father. Still the father is not in any way
affected directly by the suffering and enjoyment of the sons. He is so kind that He
constantly remains with the living being as Paramātmā and always tries to convert the
living being towards the real happiness.
➔ Reference from 1.2.33 purport: “There are 8,400,000 species of living beings
beginning from the highest intellectual being, Brahmā, down to the insignificant ant, and
all of them are enjoying the material world according to the desires of the subtle mind
and gross material body. The gross material body is based on the conditions of the
subtle mind, and the senses are created according to the desire of the living being. The
Lord as Paramātmā helps the living being to get material happiness because the living
being is helpless in all respects in obtaining what he desires. He proposes, and the Lord
disposes. In another sense, the living beings are parts and parcels of the Lord. They are
therefore one with the Lord. In the Bhagavad-gītā the living beings in all varieties of
bodies have been claimed by the Lord as His sons. The sufferings and enjoyments of
the sons are indirectly the sufferings and enjoyments of the father. Still the father is not in
any way affected directly by the suffering and enjoyment of the sons. He is so kind that
He constantly remains with the living being as Paramātmā and always tries to convert
the living being towards the real happiness.”

➔ Reference from 1.2.34: Just as we cannot see fire in the wood and butter in the milk,
similarly we cannot see Supersoul in the body of living entities tangibly. But, we can feel
Him through the legitimate hearing about the glories of the Lord from a bona fide spiritual
master, as it so happens when the same milk is churned and the same wood is set
aflame, fire and butter manifest from it respectively. Thus, Paramatma always remains
with the living entity in each and every circumstance, just not visible to the naked eye.