Sri Priti-Sandarbha
BY: SUN STAFF
Srila Jiva Goswami
Jun 28, CANADA (SUN) —
Sri Priti-sandarbha
Volume One
by Srila Jiva Goswami
Anuccheda 38
The Supreme Lord Himself praises the devotees in these words of Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.14.16):
nirapeksham munim shantam
nirvairam sama-darshanam
anuvrajamy aham nityam
puyeyety anghri-renubhih
"I follow a devotee who is peaceful and desireless, who always thinks of Me, who sees everyone equally. and who thinks of no one as his enemy. I follow him so I may become purified by the dust of his feet."
In this verse the Supreme Lord saYs: "I follow a pure devotee (muni), a devotee like Sri Narada and others, a devotee who is peaceful (shantam) and desireless (nirapeksham), who does not think some things should be accepted and others should be rejected (sama-darshanam). and who thinks of no one as his enemy (nirvairam)."
In this verse the Supreme Lord says: "I am devoted to the saintly persons who have sincere devotion to Me." Why does the Lord follow such devotees. The Lord says: "I follow them so I may become absolved (puyeya) of the debt I owe them for their devotion to Me". That is the meaning here. this verse was spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Anuccheda 39
The devotees are again praised in these words of Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.4.36):
gunair aham asankhyeyair
mahatmyam tasya sucyate
vasudeve bhagavati
yasya naisargiki ratih
"Who could list the innumerable transcendental qualities of Prahlada Maharaja? He had unflinching faith in Vasudeva, Lord Krishna (the son of Vasudeva), and unalloyed devotion to Him. His attachment to Lord Krishna was natural because of His previous devotional service. Although his good qualities cannot be enumerated, they prove that he was a great soul (mahatma)."*
The word "tasya" (of him) in this verse refers to Sri Prahlada. This verse was spoken by Srila Shukadeva Gosvami.
Anuccheda 40
All of this proves that pure love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the highest goal of life. This truth is also confirmed by this prose passage of Srimad-Bhagavatam (6.9.39):
atha ha vava tava mahimamrita-rasa-samudra-viprusha sakrid avalidhaya sva-manasi nishyandamananavarata-sukhena vismarita-drishta-shruta-vishaya-sukha-leshabhasah parama-bhagavata ekantino bhagavati sarva-bhuta-priya-suhridi sarvatmani nitaram nirantaram nirvrita-manasah katham u ha va ete madhumanthana punah svartha-kushala hy atma-priya-suhridah sadhavas tvac-caranambujanusevam vishrijati na yatra punar ayam samsara-paryavartah
"Therefore, O killer of the Madhu demon, incessant transcendental bliss flows in the minds of those who have even once tasted but a drop of the nectar from the ocean of Your glories. Such exalted devotees forget the tiny reflection of so-called material happiness produced from the material senses of sight and sound. Free from all desires, such devotees are the real friends of all living entities. Offering their minds unto You, and enjoying transcendental bliss, they are expert in achieving the real goal of life. O Lord, You are the soul and dear friend of such devotees, who never need return to this material world. How could they give up engagement in Your devotional service?"*
Liberation is described in these words of Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.15.35):
cittam brahma-sukha-sprishtam
naivottishtheta karhicit
"When one's consciousness is uncontaminated by material lusty desires, it becomes calm and peaceful in all activities, for one is situated in eternal blissful life. Once situated on that platform, one does not return to materialistic activities."*
These words of Srimad-Bhagavatam say: "O Lord, You are the dear friend of the individual spirit souls". The verse quoted in the beginning of this anuccheda was spoken by the demigods to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Return to Anuccheda 36-37
