Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja | 2005 | 440,179 words | ISBN-13: 9781935428329
The Brihad-bhagavatamrita Verse 2.2.88, English translation, including commentary (Dig-darshini-tika): an important Vaishnava text dealing with the importance of devotional service. The Brihad-bhagavatamrita, although an indepent Sanskrit work, covers the essential teachings of the Shrimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata-purana). This is verse 2.2.88 contained in Chapter 2—Jnana (knowledge)—of Part two (prathama-khanda).
Verse 2.2.88
Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of verse 2.2.88:
परमात्मा वासुदेवः सच्-चिद्-आनन्द-विग्रहः ।
नितान्तं शोधिते चित्ते स्फुरत्य् एष न चान्यतः ॥ ८८ ॥paramātmā vāsudevaḥ sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ |
nitāntaṃ śodhite citte sphuraty eṣa na cānyataḥ || 88 ||parama-ātmā–the Supreme Self; vāsudevaḥ–Lord Vāsudeva; sat–eternal; cit–full of knowledge; ānanda–and full of bliss; vigrahaḥ–His form; nitāntam–completely; śodhite–pure; citte–in the heart; sphurati–manifests; eṣaḥ–He; na–not; ca–also; anyataḥ–by any other way.
Vāsudeva, the Supersoul and presiding Deity of consciousness, is sac cid-ānanda-vigraha, the embodiment of eternity, knowledge, and bliss. He only appears in a consciousness that has been completely cleansed of the contamination of material urges and is surcharged with viśuddha-sattva (pure spiritual goodness). There is no other way to see Him.
Commentary: Dig-darśinī-ṭīkā with Bhāvānuvāda
(By Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī himself including a deep purport of that commentary)
Śrī Pippalāyana had said, “He cannot be seen by the eyes.” In this verse, he explains the reason for this. He says, “Vāsudeva is the presiding Deity of consciousness who resides in the heart as the Supersoul. He reveals Himself only in a heart that is surcharged with the mode of transcendental goodness, or viśuddhasattva.”
This viśuddha-sattva is defined in the Fourth Canto of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (4.3.23): “sattvaṃ viśuddhaṃ vasudeva-śabditaṃ–the quality of transcendental goodness (viśuddha-sattva) is known by the name vasudeva.” Only in the pure, unstained consciousness (vasudeva) will the Supreme Person Vāsudeva (He who comes from vasudeva) manifest.
“Material urges are like dirt on the heart. When the consciousness is completely cleansed of this contamination, then Vāsudeva manifests in such a heart. Vāsudeva is the embodiment of eternality, cognizance, and joy. He is the Supreme Brahman, self-luminous and unlimited. His darśana is not to be had with the eyes or any of the external senses.”