MODULE 1 CBA - 3 (SB 2.1.

1 - 5)

( One may or may not quote shlokas, unless specifically mentioned.

The notes are exhaustive and indicative for study purpose.)

Section I: Short Answer Questions (~75 words)

1. Why did Sukadeva congratulate Parikshit? (2.1.1-11)

Parikshit Maharaj ask Sukadev Goswami what one should chant, hear,
remember and worship - especially one who is about to die -
mriyamāṇasya

Sukadeva Goswami was very pleased and congratulated him saying that
his questions were auspicious for the whole of humanity. The Supreme
Personality of Godhead is the original transcendental Lord, and questions
concerning him are beneficial to all kinds of people and approved by all
transcendentalists. They help one transcend all material miseries. The
inquiries are like the river Ganges, which flows from the toes of the Lord
and purifies the places where it flows and anybody who bathes in it.
Similarly, questions about the Supreme purify the hearer, speaker, enquirer,
and everyone else present.

He then goes on to explain what one should not do and how hearing the
Bhāgavatam, which he was about to present to him, develops unflinching
faith towards the Supreme Lord. Constant chanting of the Lord’s holy
names, following the great authorities, are the doubtless and fearless way
of success for all.

2. What are the limbs of aṣtanga-yoga? (2.1.15-39)

Ashtanga yoga for liberation can be practised when one has completely
given up the fear of death and his conquered his mind ( sense desires) with
the weapon of detachment - asaṅga-śastreṇa.

The 8 limbs of aṣtanga-yoga are :

 Aṅga Description (e.g.)
Yama Leave home and practice self control ( Don't s)
16
Niyama Bathe regularly at a sacred place ( Do's)
Āsana Sit down in a secluded and sanctified place ( postures)
17 Prāṇāyāma Remember ‘Oṁ’ and regulate breathing
18 Pratyāhāra Withdraw the mind from sense activities
Dhāraṇā Fix the mind with intelligence on the Lord’s form
19 Dhyāna Meditate on each limb of Lord, without deviating from
the conception of whole body of Lord
Samādhi Completely reconcile the mind in Viṣṇu without any
other thought.

3. Write a brief note on the significance of the virāt-rūpa (2.1.26-27)

The virāt-rūpa refers to an imaginary material form of the Lord. It refers to

the gross gigantic material form within the universal shell made of 7 layers.
When a neophyte devotee still has material desires i.e. when he is still not
purified, the virāt-rūpa becomes his dharana ashraya because he is then
able to realise the Lord by focusing on the gross material aspects. This
helps in gradual cleansing and elevation.

Such a neophyte devotee is unable to focus on the Paramatma or

Bhagavan form of the Lord and is still struggling with rāga and dveṣa. For
such a devotee the universal form helps in realising the various aspects of
the Lord and then steadies him in devotion.

4. What are the 6 questions of Nārada Muni to Lord Brahmā? (2.5.1-8)

Nārada muni wanted to understand creation in reality, not just in theory.

Knowing that his father Brahma had created the universe with his energy,
just as a spider creates a cobweb with its energy, he asked Brahmaji the
following Six Questions about the universe :
Q1 yad rūpaṁ - Characteristics of the universe?
Q2 yad adhiṣṭhānaṁ - What is its shelter?
Q3 yataḥ sṛṣṭam - How is it created? (Process of creation)
Q4 yat saṁsthaṁ - How is it conserved? (In what it merges at destruction)
Q5 yat paraṁ - What it depends on?
Q6 yac ca - What is it composed of (ingredients)?

5. How did Brahmā clarify the doubts of Nārada and establish the
Supreme Lord’s position? (2.5.9-13)

Nārada muni had asked his father questions about creation of the universe.
You then said " you create the universe with your energies and yet you
perform austerities, so is there anyone superior to you? "

Brahma ji was very happy with Nārada's question and thank him because
due to this inspiration he was able to meditate on the Lord’s prowess
(bhagavad-vīrya-darśane)

He clarified that he was subordinate to the Supreme Lord. He said "I only
re-create" " I manifest the universe which is already manifested by the
self-manifesting Lord "
(yena sva-rociṣā viśvaṁ rocitaṁ rocayāmy aham). Just as the sun and
other luminaries reveal what is already revealed by the Lord.

He said that people bewildered by māyā Identify with the conception of

‘aham' and 'mameti’ and think of him as the supreme.

However as a responsible devotee he does not want to be falsely called

Supreme and explains to Nārada that he is subordinate to the supreme lord
and only does the secondary creation under the instructions of the Lord.

Section II: Short Essay Questions (~200 words)

1. Explain 2.1.5-6 based on the purports of Srila Prabhupada.

ŚB 2.1.5 : One who desires freedom from fear and miseries must hear
about, glorify and remember Lord Hari.
tasmād bhārata sarvātmā bhagavān īśvaro hariḥ
śrotavyaḥ kīrtitavyaś ca smartavyaś cecchatābhayam

In the previous verse, Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī has described how the
foolish materially attached men are wasting their valuable time in the
improvement of the material conditions of life. In doing so, the living soul
entangles himself in the cycle of the law of karma and the chain of birth and
death in the 8,400,000 species of life.
If one desires freedom from this vicious circle, then one must cease to act
as a karmī or enjoyer of the results of one’s own work, good or bad. One
should not do anything, either good or bad, on his own account, but must
execute everything on behalf of the Supreme Lord. (Bg 9.27)
Therefore, one should firstly, hear about the Lord. When one has perfectly
and scrutinizingly heard, one must glorify His acts and deeds, and thus it
will become possible to constantly remember the transcendental
nature of the Lord.
This brings freedom from all sorts of fear. This process of hearing about
and glorifying the Lord is applicable for everyone, whoever he may be, and
it will lead one to the ultimate success in everything in which one may be
engaged by providence.
By hearing about and glorifying the Lord, all a person’s activities become
moulded into spiritual activities, and thus all conceptions of material
miseries become completely vanquished.

ŚB 2.1.6 : The highest perfection of human life, achieved either by

sāṅkhya-yoga (jñānīs), or mystic yoga (yogīs), or occupational duties
(karmīs), is to remember the Lord at the end of life.

etāvān sāṅkhya-yogābhyāṁ sva-dharma-pariniṣṭhayā

janma-lābhaḥ paraḥ puṁsām ante nārāyaṇa-smṛtiḥ
One can achieve the highest perfection, provided one is able to reach the
stage of nārāyaṇa-smṛti, or constant remembrance of the Personality of
Godhead. This is possible only by the association of a pure devotee, who
can give a finishing touch to the transcendental activities of all jñānīs, yogīs
or karmīs, in terms of prescribed duties defined in the scriptures.

Everyone is anxious to achieve the highest perfection of his particular

activity, and it is indicated herein that such perfection is nārāyaṇa-smṛti, for
which everyone must endeavour his best. In other words, life should be
moulded in such a manner that one is able to progressively remember the
Personality of Godhead in every step of life.

2. Describe the path of attached and detached yogīs with a flowchart.

(2.2.22-32)

3. Summarize Śukadeva Gosvāmī’s prayers in 2.4.

11.In ŚB 2.4.11 to 25 Śukadeva Gosvāmī offers heartfelt prayers to the the

master of the senses (Hṛṣīkeśa) and systematically remembered as
follows.
12. He accepts three modes for the creation, is the complete whole
residing in all the living entities and whose ways are inconceivable
(anupalakṣya-vartmane).

13. He destroys the suffering of devotees, liberates the non-devotees, is

the form of śuddha-sattva and the shelter of those with the mood of
paramahaṁsas.

14. He who associates with the Yadus, is a problem for the non-devotees,
is the enjoyer of the material and spiritual worlds and who possesses
unsurpassable and unequalled opulences.

15. Is all-auspicious Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, about whom glorification,

remembrance, audience, prayers, hearing and worship can at once cleanse
sinful effects.
yat-kīrtanaṁ yat-smaraṇaṁ yad-īkṣaṇaṁ
yad-vandanaṁ yac-chravaṇaṁ yad-arhaṇam
lokasya sadyo vidhunoti kalmaṣaṁ
tasmai subhadra-śravase namo namaḥ (SB 1.4.15)

16. Is all-auspicious Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa – jñānīs, by surrendering unto His lotus
feet, are relieved of all attachments to present and future existences and
progress toward spiritual existence easily.

17. Is all auspicious Kṛṣṇa – people possessing any great quality (jñānīs,
karmīs, yogīs, scholars, etc.) cannot achieve any result without dedicating
them to His service.
tapasvino dāna-parā yaśasvino
manasvino mantra-vidaḥ sumaṅgalāḥ
kṣemaṁ na vindanti vinā yad-arpaṇaṁ
tasmai subhadra-śravase namo namaḥ (SB 1.4.17)

18. People of any sinful race or addicted to sinful acts can be purified by
taking shelter of His devotees, due to His being the supreme power.
Kirāta-hūṇāndhra-pulinda-pulkaśā
ābhīra-śumbhā yavanāḥ khasādayaḥ
ye 'nye ca pāpā yad-apāśrayāśrayāḥ
śudhyanti tasmai prabhaviṣṇave namaḥ (SB 1.4.18)
19-23: He continues to describes the Lord’s qualities saying “ May the
Supreme Lord, be pleased with me

19. He is the Supersoul and the Supreme Lord (adhīśvaraḥ) of all

self-realized souls, personification of the Vedas (trayī-mayaḥ), religious
scriptures (dharma-mayaḥ) and austerities (tapo-mayaḥ); is worshipped
by Brahmā, Śiva and all those who are above pretensions (gata-vyalīkaiḥ);
is revered with awe and veneration (vitarkya-liṅgaḥ).

20. Is the protector of prosperity, sacrifice, citizens, the intelligent, planets

and earth; is the protector and goal to be obtained for the Andhakas,
Vṛṣṇis and Yadus.
śriyaḥ patir yajña-patiḥ prajā-patir
dhiyāṁ patir loka-patir dharā-patiḥ
patir gatiś cāndhaka-vṛṣṇi-sātvatāṁ
prasīdatāṁ me bhagavān satāṁ patiḥ (SB 1.4.20)

21. He gives liberation. Purified by meditating on His lotus feet, devotees

see the Absolute Truth. But mental speculators think of Him according to
their whims. (May that Lord Kṛṣṇa give me knowledge.)

22. Amplified the potent knowledge of Brahmā from within his heart and
inspired him in creation, and appeared to be generated from Brahmā’s
mouth. (Just as the Lord made the Vedas flow from Brahmā’s mouth,
may He let the description of His pastimes flow from my mouth!)

23. He enlivens material bodies by lying down in the universe and, as the
puruṣa, causes the living entities to be subjected to sixteen divisions of
modes. (May He be pleased to decorate my words with literary
ornaments and qualities invoking mādhurya, karuṇa and other rasas
to bring joy to the listeners.)

24. Sukadeva Goswami then offered obeisances to Vyāsadeva, the

incarnation of Vāsudeva, who compiled the Vedic scriptures. Devotees
drink the nectar of Kṛṣṇa’s topics dropping from the Lord’s mouth.

25. Then he started to reply to the king saying “ O Parīkṣit! I will answer
your questions by quoting the Brahmā-Nārada saṁvāda.”
4. Give the limb-by-limb description of an animalistic person who
does not take interest in hari-kathā. (2.3.13-25)

20-25: LIMB-BY-LIMB DESCRIPTION OF AN ANIMALISTIC PERSON

Limb of Compared to If not
person
20 Earholes Holes of snakes listening to the prowess and
marvelous acts of the Lord

Tongue Tongue of a frog singing or chanting loudly the

worthy songs about the Lord

21 Upper body, Only a heavy burden bowing down before the Lord
though who can award mukti
crowned
with a silk
turban
Hands, Those of a dead engaging them in the service of
though with man Hari
glittering
bangles
22 Eyes Plumes of the looking at the symbolic
peacock representations of the
Personality of Godhead
Legs Tree trunks moving to the holy places
23 The person Certainly a dead (i) receiving the dust of the feet
body of pure devotees on his head or
(ii) experiencing the tulasī
aroma from the Lord’s feet
24 Heart Steel-framed transforming even after having
chanted the Lord’s holy name
25 Therefore please speak the hari-kathā that transpired between
Śukadeva Gosvāmī and Parīkṣit.

5. Tabulate the different aspects of the universal form. (2.5.36-42)

36-42: DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VIRĀṬ-RŪPA

38-41: Viraat rupa in terms of the 37. In terms of Varṇas

Planetary Systems
1 Satyaloka Head Brāhmaṇas Mouth/head
2 Tapaloka Breast/lips Kṣatriyas Arms
3 Janaloka Neck Vaiśyas Thighs
4 Maharloka Chest Śūdras Legs
5 Svarga Heart
6 Bhuvarloka Navel to Heart 42. Other imaginations
7 Bhur-loka Navel Svarloka Chest - Head
(Upper)
8 Atala Waist/Buttocks Bhuvarloka Navel
(Middle)
9 Vitala Thigh Bhūrloka Legs
(Lower)
10 Sutala Knees
11 Talātala Shanks/Calves
12 Mahātala Ankles
13 Rasātala Upper portion
of feet
14 Patala Soles of feet

Section III: Long Essay Questions (~500 words)

1. Explain the glory of bhakti-yoga based on 2.2.33-37.

SB 2.2.33 : The most auspicious path ( śivaḥ panthā ) for those suffering
in this material world is devotional service, (sādhana-bhakti) which
produces prema to the Lord (vāsudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogo).
There are other parts like jnana yog and ashtanga yog but as stated in the
BG As stated in the Bhagavad-gita (BG 12.5), kleso ‘dhikaratas tesam
avyaktasakta-cetasam - it is very difficult to focus on the impersonal and
form of the Lord. All these paths are only stepping stones to the final
realisation - ( Bg 7.19) bahūnāṁ janmanām ante - after many many birds
one finally realises that vāsudevaḥ sarvam ! The Lord himself saythat the
highest Yogi is one who is exclusively engaged in devotional service unto
me - (Bg 6.47) yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā. SB
Canto 1 also says that prime occupation of every living being is yato
bhaktir adhokṣaje -that too without any motive - (ahaituki) and constant
(apratihatā).

Great scholars in Acharyas like Shridhar Swami and Jiva Goswami also
propounded that bhakti is easy, simple, natural and the only best way to
attend the Supreme.

SB 2.2.34. Verdict of Brahmā:

The Lord himself gave knowledge to Brahma from within the heart.( tene
brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye). In spite of this just to appease The scholars
he studied all the way the vedic texts scriptures three times and
conclusively stated that the path of bhakti, which leads to attraction (rati,
the first stage of prema) for Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the highest.

SB 2.2.35 : Perceiving the Lord and the jīva:

The presence of the Lord in all the jīvas as Paramatma can be perceived
and realised only by rendering service with intelligence. As stated in the
Shvetashvatara Upanishad ( is two birds on the bodily tree). The Jiva is
engaged in many activities, while Paramatma is a silent witness. If the anu
atma simply uses it's intelligence, it will realise the existence of the
Supreme through service to him. Since the Lord is seen in all beings, one
should hear about Him to realize Him.

SB 2.2.36 : Therefore practice sādhana-bhakti. It is essential that every

one practices hearing (śrotavyaḥ ) , glorifying (kīrtitavyaś) and
remembering (smartavyo) the Lord (hariḥ), always and everywhere.
(sarvatra sarvadā)
Every jiva must engage in the 9 devotional activities of sravanam, kirtanam,
visnoh smaranam etc.. When one engages in any or all of the activities, he
is gradually purified and the anarthas are destroyed. By the Lord's
unconditional mercy and the shelter of his divine Lotus feet, the past
karmas of many lifetimes are destroyed. One is awarded divine knowledge
and love for the Supreme.

SB 2.2.37: Two main benefits of sādhana-bhakti: Those who drink the

nectarean message (kathāmṛtaṁ) of Lord Kṛṣṇa through aural reception
(śravaṇa-puṭeṣu) –
(i) purify their polluted aim of life (material enjoyment) and thus
(ii) attain the Lord’s lotus feet.

When the glories of the lord enter the ear holes, one is completely cleansed
from within. Scripture such as BG and SB are the sound incarnations of the
Supreme Lord. By his mercy they completely purify the listener and sit on
the lotus flower of their relationship in the heart and inspire them from
within.

Bhakti Yoga is done on the strength of the mercy of the Lord, and thus is
the most glorious way returning Home - Back to Godhead. One simply has
to take centre at the Lotus feet of the most merciful Lord in bhakti.

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Krishnarpanam astu
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