Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja | 2005 | 440,179 words | ISBN-13: 9781935428329

The Brihad-bhagavatamrita Verse 2.2.90, 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 2.2.90 contained in Chapter 2—Jnana (knowledge)—of Part two (prathama-khanda).

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of verse 2.2.90:

मनः-सुखेऽन्तर्-भवति सर्वेन्द्रिय-सुखं स्वतः ।
तद्-वृत्तिष्व् अपि वाक्-चक्षुः-श्रुत्य्-आदीन्द्रिय-वृत्तयः ॥ ९० ॥

manaḥ-sukhe'ntar-bhavati sarvendriya-sukhaṃ svataḥ |
tad-vṛttiṣv api vāk-cakṣuḥ-śruty-ādīndriya-vṛttayaḥ || 90 ||

manaḥ–of the mind; sukhe–within the happiness; antaḥ-bhavati–are inherent; sarva–all; indriya–of the senses; sukham–happiness; svataḥ–automatically; tad-vṛttiṣu–in those functions; api–also; vāk–of words; cakṣuḥ–eyes; śruti–ears; ādi–and so forth; indriya–of the senses; vṛttayaḥ–the functions.

When joy arises in the mind, all the senses automatically become pleased. The functions of the eyes and other senses are accomplished by the mind, so when the mind is happy, all the senses are happy.

Commentary: Dig-darśinī-ṭīkā with Bhāvānuvāda

(By Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī himself including a deep purport of that commentary)

Śrī Gopa-kumāra might counter, “Although darśana of Bhagavān may be had in the mind, there is immeasurably greater happiness in seeing the Lord with one’s eyes.”

Pippalāyana replies, “When the mind becomes happy, the eyes and all the senses also become happy. Because the mind includes the senses in its pleasure, it is not true that only darśana with one’s eyes brings happiness. Just as by watering the root of a tree, all its branches, twigs, leaves and flowers naturally flourish and blossom, similarly, when the mind becomes happy, automatically all the senses, which are controlled by the mind, also enjoy. Conversely, when one’s mind is unhappy, even the tendency to enjoy with one’s senses vanishes, what to speak of actually trying to pursue such pleasure.”

Gopa-kumāra might object, “This proves that one achieves mental happiness when he remembers Bhagavān. But activities such as kīrtana and darśana (glorifying and seeing the Lord) are functions of the tongue and eyes. The happiness had by the mind is limited compared with the greater enjoyment one experiences through all the varied functions of the senses.”

Pippalāyana replies, “Although it is true that the variegatedness of the senses affords greater happiness, still, the functions of the ears, tongue, etc., are included within the function of the mind. It is the mind that performs the activities of all the senses. So kīrtana, darśana, and so forth are accomplished only by the mind.”

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