Verse 2.4.195

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of verse 2.4.195:

भजनानन्द-साम्येऽपि भेदः कश्चित् प्रकल्प्यते ।
बाह्यान्तरीण-भावेन दूर-पार्श्व-स्थतादिना ॥ १९५ ॥

bhajanānanda-sāmye'pi bhedaḥ kaścit prakalpyate |
bāhyāntarīṇa-bhāvena dūra-pārśva-sthatādinā || 195 ||

bhajana–of worship; ānanda–of bliss; sāmye–equality; api–although; bhedaḥ–division; kaścit–some; prakalpyate–it is ascertained; bāhya–of external; āntarīṇa–of internal; bhāvena–by the states; dūra–distant; pārśva–near; sthatā–by the situation; ādinā–and so forth.

All the residents of Vaikuṇṭha experience equal happiness in their service. However, one can presume some degree of difference in their bliss, considering that some associates perform external service (bāhya-sevā) from a distance, while others remain close and render intimate service (antaraṅga-sevā). In this way, the difference of proximity and distance is conceived.

Commentary: Dig-darśinī-ṭīkā with Bhāvānuvāda

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

Śrī Gopa-kumāra might raise the question, “If one presumes some difference among these eternal associates, then there is also a possibility of difference in the results they receive. Otherwise, would not recognition of the distinction between the eternal associates and new associates be illogical?”

To settle this point, Śrī Nārada speaks this verse beginning with bhajana. He says, “Both types of eternal associates receive equal happiness from their bhajana. Nevertheless, sometimes one can imagine that there is some small difference. What kind of difference? Their external condition depends on their external emotions, and their internal condition depends on their internal emotions. In other words, due to their external moods, some render service from a distance, while others stay nearby the Lord in a mood of intimacy.”

Here the word ādi indicates that some associates accompany the Lord when He descends to places such as the earthly plane. Thus, although there is no difference in the results, there are differences in their services. According to the opinion of some, since the associates’ services are different, the results will also be different. However, as already mentioned, in essence, there is no appreciable difference in the results.