Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

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

The Brihad-bhagavatamrita Verse 2.4.234, 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 2.4.234 contained in Chapter 4—Vaikuntha (the spiritual world)—of Part two (prathama-khanda).

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of verse 2.4.234:

शक्यं न तद्-भाव-विशेष-तत्त्वं निर्वक्तुम् अस्माभिर् अथो न योग्यम् ।
भक्ति-प्रवृत्त्य्-अर्थ-परैः प्रभोः सच्-छास्त्रैर् इवाज्ञेषु विरुद्धवत् स्यात् ॥ २३४ ॥

śakyaṃ na tad-bhāva-viśeṣa-tattvaṃ nirvaktum asmābhir atho na yogyam |
bhakti-pravṛtty-artha-paraiḥ prabhoḥ sac-chāstrair ivājñeṣu viruddhavat syāt || 234 ||

śakyam na–unable; tad-bhāva–of that ecstasy; viśeṣa–the special; tattvam–true nature; nirvaktum–to describe; asmābhiḥ–by us; athau–then; na–not; yogyam–suitable; bhakti–of devotional service; pravṛtti–to the practice; artha-paraiḥ–by they who are devoted; prabhoḥ–of the Lord; sat-śāstraiḥ–the true scriptures; iva–like; ajñeṣu–amongst the fools; viruddha-vat–in a contrary way; syāt–it may be.

Even we are not able to describe the real nature of the special transcendental state of ecstacy that manifests in the fully mature stage of prema-bhakti. Although we can describe some of that special ecstasy’s marginal symptoms, there would still be some discrepancy in our description. Therefore, just as the pure scriptures do not reveal the nature of that special ecstasy, devotees dedicated to practicing bhakti also do not reveal it because foolish people would take it in a contrary way.

Commentary: Dig-darśinī-ṭīkā with Bhāvānuvāda

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

Śrī Gopa-kumāra might ask, “What is the nature of the special transcendental state of ecstasy (bhāva) that arises in that fully matured stage of pure loving service to the Lord?”

Śrī Nārada replies here in this verse beginning with śakyaṃ na. He says, “Even we are unable to describe the true nature of the special bhāva that arises in the fully matured state of prema-bhakti because that ecstasy is beyond mind and words.”

Gopa-kumāra could question further, “Can one not ascertain some of its marginal characteristics (taṭastha-lakṣaṇa)?”

Śrī Nārada answers, “Artful words cannot express that truth. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and other scriptures and the sādhus who are exclusively devoted to the pursuit of loving devotion to the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa have described or experienced that tattva (truth) as fully matured topmost bliss. However, when one hears that the nature of that prema-bhakti is like ‘millions of conflagrations at the time of the cosmic annihilation,’ in fear, no one will desire to pursue it.” Therefore, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.2.40) states: “hasaty atho roditi rauti gāyati–The devotees sometimes laugh, sometimes cry, and sometimes shout.”

In his commentary on this Bhāgavatam verse, Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmipāda has cleverly avoided touching the devotees’ wailing and other symptoms of distress. Rather, he says, “The laughing, crying, or shouting of devotees has the following meaning: When a devotee meets Kṛṣṇa, he tells Him, ‘O Lord! For such a long time, You have neglected me.’” In this way, Śrīdhara Svāmipāda has not mentioned the distress and pain experienced in separation from Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

The point could be made that such bhāva is in fact the ripened state of topmost happiness. Although this bhāva manifests externally as great distress, there is no fault in describing it. Therefore, Nārada explains, “This is true, but an ignorant person will misunderstand the truth and it will have a negative effect. When he hears of the external symptoms of the ecstasy, he will fear the distress that comes with premabhakti and will not be able to focus on the process of achieving bhakti. Rather, he will endeavor for liberation, which is devoid of distress. In other words, prema-bhakti is not for unworthy, foolish people, so they naturally have no inclination for it.”

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