Go to Vaniquotes | Go to Vanipedia | Go to Vanimedia


Vanisource - the complete essence of Vedic knowledge


SB 7.6.20-23: Difference between revisions

m (1 revision(s))
 
(Vanibot #0054 edit - transform synonyms into clickable links, which search similar occurrences)
 
(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{SB_Header|{{PAGENAME}}}}
{{info
{{info
|speaker=King Prahlada
|speaker=Prahlāda Mahārāja
|listener=King Prahlada's school friends
|listener=Prahlāda Mahārāja's school friends
}}
}}
[[Category:Srimad-Bhagavatam - Canto 07 Chapter 06]]
[[Category:Bhagavatam Verses Spoken by Prahlada Maharaja - Vanisource|070620]]
<div style="float:left">'''[[Srimad-Bhagavatam]] - [[SB 7|Seventh Canto]] - [[SB 7.6: Prahlada Instructs His Demoniac Schoolmates|Chapter 6: Prahlāda Instructs His Demoniac Schoolmates]]'''</div>
<div style="float:right">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=SB 7.6.19]] '''[[SB 7.6.19]] - [[SB 7.6.24]]''' [[File:Go-next.png|link=SB 7.6.24]]</div>
{{RandomImage}}


==== TEXTS 20-23 ====
==== TEXTS 20-23 ====


<div id="text">
<div class="verse">
parāvareṣu bhūteṣu<br>
:parāvareṣu bhūteṣu
brahmānta-sthāvarādiṣu<br>
:brahmānta-sthāvarādiṣu
bhautikeṣu vikāreṣu<br>
:bhautikeṣu vikāreṣu
bhūteṣv atha mahatsu ca<br>
:bhūteṣv atha mahatsu ca
guṇeṣu guṇa-sāmye ca<br>
 
guṇa-vyatikare tathā<br>
:guṇeṣu guṇa-sāmye ca
eka eva paro hy ātmā<br>
:guṇa-vyatikare tathā
bhagavān īśvaro 'vyayaḥ<br>
:eka eva paro hy ātmā
pratyag-ātma-svarūpeṇa<br>
:bhagavān īśvaro 'vyayaḥ
dṛśya-rūpeṇa ca svayam<br>
 
vyāpya-vyāpaka-nirdeśyo<br>
:pratyag-ātma-svarūpeṇa
hy anirdeśyo 'vikalpitaḥ<br>
:dṛśya-rūpeṇa ca svayam
kevalānubhavānanda-<br>
:vyāpya-vyāpaka-nirdeśyo
svarūpaḥ parameśvaraḥ<br>
:hy anirdeśyo 'vikalpitaḥ
māyayāntarhitaiśvarya<br>
 
īyate guṇa-sargayā<br>
:kevalānubhavānanda-
:svarūpaḥ parameśvaraḥ
:māyayāntarhitaiśvarya
:īyate guṇa-sargayā
</div>
</div>


Line 29: Line 37:
==== SYNONYMS ====
==== SYNONYMS ====


<div id="synonyms">
<div class="synonyms">
para-avareṣu—in exalted or hellish conditions of life; bhūteṣu—in the living beings; brahma-anta—ending with Lord Brahmā; sthāvara-ādiṣu—beginning with the nonmoving forms of life, the trees and plants; bhautikeṣu—of the material elements; vikāreṣu—in the transformations; bhūteṣu—in the five gross elements of material nature; atha—moreover; mahatsu—in the mahat-tattva, the total material energy; ca—also; guṇeṣu—in the modes of material nature; guṇa-sāmye—in an equilibrium of material qualities; ca—and; guṇa-vyatikare—in the uneven manifestation of the modes of material nature; tathā—as well; ekaḥ—one; eva—only; paraḥ—transcendental; hi—indeed; ātmā—the original source; bhagavān—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; īśvaraḥ—the controller; avyayaḥ—without deteriorating; pratyak—inner; ātma-svarūpeṇa—by His original constitutional position as the Supersoul; dṛśya-rūpeṇa—by His visible forms; ca—also; svayam—personally; vyāpya—pervaded; vyāpaka—all-pervading; nirdeśyaḥ—to be described; hi—certainly; anirdeśyaḥ—not to be described (because of fine, subtle existence); avikalpitaḥ—without differentiation; kevala—only; anubhava-ānanda-svarūpaḥ—whose form is blissful and full of knowledge; parama-īśvaraḥ—the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme ruler; māyayā—by māyā, the illusory energy; antarhita—covered; aiśvaryaḥ—whose unlimited opulence; īyate—is mistaken as; guṇa-sargayā—the interaction of the material modes of nature.
''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=para&tab=syno_o&ds=1 para]-[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=avareṣu&tab=syno_o&ds=1 avareṣu]'' — in exalted or hellish conditions of life; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=bhūteṣu&tab=syno_o&ds=1 bhūteṣu]'' — in the living beings; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=brahma&tab=syno_o&ds=1 brahma]-[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=anta&tab=syno_o&ds=1 anta]'' — ending with Lord Brahmā; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=sthāvara&tab=syno_o&ds=1 sthāvara]-[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=ādiṣu&tab=syno_o&ds=1 ādiṣu]'' — beginning with the nonmoving forms of life, the trees and plants; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=bhautikeṣu&tab=syno_o&ds=1 bhautikeṣu]'' — of the material elements; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=vikāreṣu&tab=syno_o&ds=1 vikāreṣu]'' — in the transformations; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=bhūteṣu&tab=syno_o&ds=1 bhūteṣu]'' — in the five gross elements of material nature; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=atha&tab=syno_o&ds=1 atha]'' — moreover; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=mahatsu&tab=syno_o&ds=1 mahatsu]'' — in the ''mahat-tattva'', the total material energy; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=ca&tab=syno_o&ds=1 ca]'' — also; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=guṇeṣu&tab=syno_o&ds=1 guṇeṣu]'' — in the modes of material nature; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=guṇa&tab=syno_o&ds=1 guṇa]-[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=sāmye&tab=syno_o&ds=1 sāmye]'' — in an equilibrium of material qualities; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=ca&tab=syno_o&ds=1 ca]'' — and; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=guṇa&tab=syno_o&ds=1 guṇa]-[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=vyatikare&tab=syno_o&ds=1 vyatikare]'' — in the uneven manifestation of the modes of material nature; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=tathā&tab=syno_o&ds=1 tathā]'' — as well; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=ekaḥ&tab=syno_o&ds=1 ekaḥ]'' — one; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=eva&tab=syno_o&ds=1 eva]'' — only; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=paraḥ&tab=syno_o&ds=1 paraḥ]'' — transcendental; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=hi&tab=syno_o&ds=1 hi]'' — indeed; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=ātmā&tab=syno_o&ds=1 ātmā]'' — the original source; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=bhagavān&tab=syno_o&ds=1 bhagavān]'' — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=īśvaraḥ&tab=syno_o&ds=1 īśvaraḥ]'' — the controller; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=avyayaḥ&tab=syno_o&ds=1 avyayaḥ]'' — without deteriorating; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=pratyak&tab=syno_o&ds=1 pratyak]'' — inner; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=ātma&tab=syno_o&ds=1 ātma]-[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=svarūpeṇa&tab=syno_o&ds=1 svarūpeṇa]'' — by His original constitutional position as the Supersoul; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=dṛśya&tab=syno_o&ds=1 dṛśya]-[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=rūpeṇa&tab=syno_o&ds=1 rūpeṇa]'' — by His visible forms; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=ca&tab=syno_o&ds=1 ca]'' — also; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=svayam&tab=syno_o&ds=1 svayam]'' — personally; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=vyāpya&tab=syno_o&ds=1 vyāpya]'' — pervaded; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=vyāpaka&tab=syno_o&ds=1 vyāpaka]'' — all-pervading; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=nirdeśyaḥ&tab=syno_o&ds=1 nirdeśyaḥ]'' — to be described; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=hi&tab=syno_o&ds=1 hi]'' — certainly; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=anirdeśyaḥ&tab=syno_o&ds=1 anirdeśyaḥ]'' — not to be described (because of fine, subtle existence); ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=avikalpitaḥ&tab=syno_o&ds=1 avikalpitaḥ]'' — without differentiation; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=kevala&tab=syno_o&ds=1 kevala]'' — only; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=anubhava&tab=syno_o&ds=1 anubhava]-[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=ānanda&tab=syno_o&ds=1 ānanda]-[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=svarūpaḥ&tab=syno_o&ds=1 svarūpaḥ]'' — whose form is blissful and full of knowledge; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=parama&tab=syno_o&ds=1 parama]-[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=īśvaraḥ&tab=syno_o&ds=1 īśvaraḥ]'' — the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme ruler; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=māyayā&tab=syno_o&ds=1 māyayā]'' — by ''māyā'', the illusory energy; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=antarhita&tab=syno_o&ds=1 antarhita]'' — covered; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=aiśvaryaḥ&tab=syno_o&ds=1 aiśvaryaḥ]'' — whose unlimited opulence; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=īyate&tab=syno_o&ds=1 īyate]'' — is mistaken as; ''[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=guṇa&tab=syno_o&ds=1 guṇa]-[//vanipedia.org/wiki/Special:VaniSearch?s=sargayā&tab=syno_o&ds=1 sargayā]'' — the interaction of the material modes of nature.
</div>
</div>


Line 36: Line 44:
==== TRANSLATION ====
==== TRANSLATION ====


<div id="translation">
<div class="translation">
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller, who is infallible and indefatigable, is present in different forms of life, from the inert living beings [sthāvara], such as the plants, to Brahmā, the foremost created living being. He is also present in the varieties of material creations and in the material elements, the total material energy and the modes of material nature [sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa], as well as the unmanifested material nature and the false ego. Although He is one, He is present everywhere, and He is also the transcendental Supersoul, the cause of all causes, who is present as the observer in the cores of the hearts of all living entities. He is indicated as that which is pervaded and as the all-pervading Supersoul, but actually He cannot be indicated. He is changeless and undivided. He is simply perceived as the supreme sac-cid-ānanda [eternity, knowledge and bliss]. Being covered by the curtain of the external energy, to the atheist He appears nonexistent.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller, who is infallible and indefatigable, is present in different forms of life, from the inert living beings [sthāvara], such as the plants, to Brahmā, the foremost created living being. He is also present in the varieties of material creations and in the material elements, the total material energy and the modes of material nature [sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa], as well as the unmanifested material nature and the false ego. Although He is one, He is present everywhere, and He is also the transcendental Supersoul, the cause of all causes, who is present as the observer in the cores of the hearts of all living entities. He is indicated as that which is pervaded and as the all-pervading Supersoul, but actually He cannot be indicated. He is changeless and undivided. He is simply perceived as the supreme sac-cid-ānanda [eternity, knowledge and bliss]. Being covered by the curtain of the external energy, to the atheist He appears nonexistent.
</div>
</div>
Line 43: Line 51:
==== PURPORT ====
==== PURPORT ====


<div id="purport">
<div class="purport">
Not only is the Supreme Personality of Godhead present as the Supersoul of all living entities; at the same time, He pervades everything in the entire creation. He exists in all circumstances and at all times. He exists in the heart of Lord Brahmā and also in the cores of the hearts of the hogs, dogs, trees, plants and so on. He is present everywhere. He is present not only in the heart of the living entity, but also in material things, even in the atoms, protons and electrons being explored by material scientists.
Not only is the Supreme Personality of Godhead present as the Supersoul of all living entities; at the same time, He pervades everything in the entire creation. He exists in all circumstances and at all times. He exists in the heart of Lord Brahmā and also in the cores of the hearts of the hogs, dogs, trees, plants and so on. He is present everywhere. He is present not only in the heart of the living entity, but also in material things, even in the atoms, protons and electrons being explored by material scientists.


The Lord is present in three features—as Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. Because He is present everywhere, He is described as sarvaṁ khalv idaṁ brahma. Viṣṇu exists beyond Brahman. Bhagavad-gītā confirms that Kṛṣṇa, by His Brahman feature, is all-pervading (mayā tatam idaṁ sarvam ([[BG 9.4]])), but Brahman depends upon Kṛṣṇa (brahmaṇo hi pratiṣṭhāham ([[BG 14.27]])). Without Kṛṣṇa, there could be no existence of Brahman or Paramātmā. Therefore, Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the ultimate realization of the Absolute Truth. Although He is present as the Paramātmā in the core of everyone's heart, He is nonetheless one, either as an individual or as the all-pervading Brahman.
The Lord is present in three features—as Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. Because He is present everywhere, He is described as ''sarvaṁ khalv idaṁ brahma''. Viṣṇu exists beyond Brahman. ''Bhagavad-gītā'' confirms that Kṛṣṇa, by His Brahman feature, is all-pervading (''mayā tatam idaṁ sarvam'' ([[BG 9.4 (1972)|BG 9.4]])), but Brahman depends upon Kṛṣṇa (''brahmaṇo hi pratiṣṭhāham'' ([[BG 14.27 (1972)|BG 14.27]])). Without Kṛṣṇa, there could be no existence of Brahman or Paramātmā. Therefore, Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the ultimate realization of the Absolute Truth. Although He is present as the Paramātmā in the core of everyone's heart, He is nonetheless one, either as an individual or as the all-pervading Brahman.


The supreme cause is Kṛṣṇa, and devotees who have surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead can realize Him and His presence within the universe and within the atom (aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu-cayāntara-stham ([[BS 5.35]])). This realization is possible only for devotees who have fully surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord; for others it is not possible. This is confirmed by the Lord Himself in Bhagavad-gītā ([[BG 7.14]]):
The supreme cause is Kṛṣṇa, and devotees who have surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead can realize Him and His presence within the universe and within the atom (''aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu-cayāntara-stham'' (BS 5.35)). This realization is possible only for devotees who have fully surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord; for others it is not possible. This is confirmed by the Lord Himself in ''Bhagavad-gītā'' ([[BG 7.14 (1972)|BG 7.14]]):


:daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī
:''daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī''
:mama māyā duratyayā
:''mama māyā duratyayā''
:mām eva ye prapadyante
:''mām eva ye prapadyante''
:māyām etāṁ taranti te
:''māyām etāṁ taranti te''


The process of surrender in a devotional attitude is accepted by a fortunate living being. After wandering through many varieties of life on many planetary systems, when one comes to the real understanding of the Absolute Truth by the grace of a devotee, one surrenders to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā ([[BG bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate ([[BG 7.19]])]]).
The process of surrender in a devotional attitude is accepted by a fortunate living being. After wandering through many varieties of life on many planetary systems, when one comes to the real understanding of the Absolute Truth by the grace of a devotee, one surrenders to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as confirmed in ''Bhagavad-gītā'' (''bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate'' ([[BG 7.19 (1972)|BG 7.19]])).


Prahlāda Mahārāja's class friends, who were born of Daitya families, thought that realizing the Absolute was extremely difficult. Indeed, we have experience that many, many people say this very thing. Actually, however, this is not so. The Absolute, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is most intimately related to all living entities. Therefore if one understands the Vaiṣṇava philosophy, which explains how He is present everywhere and how He acts everywhere, to worship the Supreme Lord or to realize Him is not at all difficult. Realization of the Lord, however, is possible only in the association of devotees. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, in His teachings to Rūpa Gosvāmī said ([[CC Madhya 19.151]]):
Prahlāda Mahārāja's class friends, who were born of Daitya families, thought that realizing the Absolute was extremely difficult. Indeed, we have experience that many, many people say this very thing. Actually, however, this is not so. The Absolute, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is most intimately related to all living entities. Therefore if one understands the Vaiṣṇava philosophy, which explains how He is present everywhere and how He acts everywhere, to worship the Supreme Lord or to realize Him is not at all difficult. Realization of the Lord, however, is possible only in the association of devotees. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, in His teachings to Rūpa Gosvāmī said ([[CC Madhya 19.151]]):


:brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
:''brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva''
:guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
:''guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja''


The living entity in the material condition wanders through many varieties of life and many varieties of circumstances, but if he comes in contact with a pure devotee and is intelligent enough to take instructions from the pure devotee regarding the process of devotional service, he can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the origin of Brahman and Paramātmā, without difficulty. In this regard, Śrīla Madhvācārya says:
The living entity in the material condition wanders through many varieties of life and many varieties of circumstances, but if he comes in contact with a pure devotee and is intelligent enough to take instructions from the pure devotee regarding the process of devotional service, he can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the origin of Brahman and Paramātmā, without difficulty. In this regard, Śrīla Madhvācārya says:


:antaryāmī pratyag-ātmā
:''antaryāmī pratyag-ātmā''
:vyāptaḥ kālo hariḥ smṛtaḥ
:''vyāptaḥ kālo hariḥ smṛtaḥ''
:prakṛtyā tamasāvṛtatvāt
:''prakṛtyā tamasāvṛtatvāt''
:harer aiśvaryaṁ na jñāyate
:''harer aiśvaryaṁ na jñāyate''


The Lord is present as antaryāmī in everyone's heart and is visible in the individual soul covered by a body. Indeed, He is everywhere at every time and every condition, but because He is covered by the curtain of material energy, to an ordinary person there appears to be no God.
The Lord is present as ''antaryāmī'' in everyone's heart and is visible in the individual soul covered by a body. Indeed, He is everywhere at every time and every condition, but because He is covered by the curtain of material energy, to an ordinary person there appears to be no God.
</div>
</div>
__NOTOC__{{SB_Footer|{{PAGENAME}}}}
 
 
<div style="float:right; clear:both;">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=SB 7.6.19]] '''[[SB 7.6.19]] - [[SB 7.6.24]]''' [[File:Go-next.png|link=SB 7.6.24]]</div>
__NOTOC__
__NOEDITSECTION__

Latest revision as of 23:04, 18 February 2024

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada



TEXTS 20-23

parāvareṣu bhūteṣu
brahmānta-sthāvarādiṣu
bhautikeṣu vikāreṣu
bhūteṣv atha mahatsu ca
guṇeṣu guṇa-sāmye ca
guṇa-vyatikare tathā
eka eva paro hy ātmā
bhagavān īśvaro 'vyayaḥ
pratyag-ātma-svarūpeṇa
dṛśya-rūpeṇa ca svayam
vyāpya-vyāpaka-nirdeśyo
hy anirdeśyo 'vikalpitaḥ
kevalānubhavānanda-
svarūpaḥ parameśvaraḥ
māyayāntarhitaiśvarya
īyate guṇa-sargayā


SYNONYMS

para-avareṣu — in exalted or hellish conditions of life; bhūteṣu — in the living beings; brahma-anta — ending with Lord Brahmā; sthāvara-ādiṣu — beginning with the nonmoving forms of life, the trees and plants; bhautikeṣu — of the material elements; vikāreṣu — in the transformations; bhūteṣu — in the five gross elements of material nature; atha — moreover; mahatsu — in the mahat-tattva, the total material energy; ca — also; guṇeṣu — in the modes of material nature; guṇa-sāmye — in an equilibrium of material qualities; ca — and; guṇa-vyatikare — in the uneven manifestation of the modes of material nature; tathā — as well; ekaḥ — one; eva — only; paraḥ — transcendental; hi — indeed; ātmā — the original source; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; īśvaraḥ — the controller; avyayaḥ — without deteriorating; pratyak — inner; ātma-svarūpeṇa — by His original constitutional position as the Supersoul; dṛśya-rūpeṇa — by His visible forms; ca — also; svayam — personally; vyāpya — pervaded; vyāpaka — all-pervading; nirdeśyaḥ — to be described; hi — certainly; anirdeśyaḥ — not to be described (because of fine, subtle existence); avikalpitaḥ — without differentiation; kevala — only; anubhava-ānanda-svarūpaḥ — whose form is blissful and full of knowledge; parama-īśvaraḥ — the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme ruler; māyayā — by māyā, the illusory energy; antarhita — covered; aiśvaryaḥ — whose unlimited opulence; īyate — is mistaken as; guṇa-sargayā — the interaction of the material modes of nature.


TRANSLATION

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller, who is infallible and indefatigable, is present in different forms of life, from the inert living beings [sthāvara], such as the plants, to Brahmā, the foremost created living being. He is also present in the varieties of material creations and in the material elements, the total material energy and the modes of material nature [sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa], as well as the unmanifested material nature and the false ego. Although He is one, He is present everywhere, and He is also the transcendental Supersoul, the cause of all causes, who is present as the observer in the cores of the hearts of all living entities. He is indicated as that which is pervaded and as the all-pervading Supersoul, but actually He cannot be indicated. He is changeless and undivided. He is simply perceived as the supreme sac-cid-ānanda [eternity, knowledge and bliss]. Being covered by the curtain of the external energy, to the atheist He appears nonexistent.


PURPORT

Not only is the Supreme Personality of Godhead present as the Supersoul of all living entities; at the same time, He pervades everything in the entire creation. He exists in all circumstances and at all times. He exists in the heart of Lord Brahmā and also in the cores of the hearts of the hogs, dogs, trees, plants and so on. He is present everywhere. He is present not only in the heart of the living entity, but also in material things, even in the atoms, protons and electrons being explored by material scientists.

The Lord is present in three features—as Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. Because He is present everywhere, He is described as sarvaṁ khalv idaṁ brahma. Viṣṇu exists beyond Brahman. Bhagavad-gītā confirms that Kṛṣṇa, by His Brahman feature, is all-pervading (mayā tatam idaṁ sarvam (BG 9.4)), but Brahman depends upon Kṛṣṇa (brahmaṇo hi pratiṣṭhāham (BG 14.27)). Without Kṛṣṇa, there could be no existence of Brahman or Paramātmā. Therefore, Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the ultimate realization of the Absolute Truth. Although He is present as the Paramātmā in the core of everyone's heart, He is nonetheless one, either as an individual or as the all-pervading Brahman.

The supreme cause is Kṛṣṇa, and devotees who have surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead can realize Him and His presence within the universe and within the atom (aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu-cayāntara-stham (BS 5.35)). This realization is possible only for devotees who have fully surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord; for others it is not possible. This is confirmed by the Lord Himself in Bhagavad-gītā (BG 7.14):

daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī
mama māyā duratyayā
mām eva ye prapadyante
māyām etāṁ taranti te

The process of surrender in a devotional attitude is accepted by a fortunate living being. After wandering through many varieties of life on many planetary systems, when one comes to the real understanding of the Absolute Truth by the grace of a devotee, one surrenders to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate (BG 7.19)).

Prahlāda Mahārāja's class friends, who were born of Daitya families, thought that realizing the Absolute was extremely difficult. Indeed, we have experience that many, many people say this very thing. Actually, however, this is not so. The Absolute, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is most intimately related to all living entities. Therefore if one understands the Vaiṣṇava philosophy, which explains how He is present everywhere and how He acts everywhere, to worship the Supreme Lord or to realize Him is not at all difficult. Realization of the Lord, however, is possible only in the association of devotees. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, in His teachings to Rūpa Gosvāmī said (CC Madhya 19.151):

brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja

The living entity in the material condition wanders through many varieties of life and many varieties of circumstances, but if he comes in contact with a pure devotee and is intelligent enough to take instructions from the pure devotee regarding the process of devotional service, he can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the origin of Brahman and Paramātmā, without difficulty. In this regard, Śrīla Madhvācārya says:

antaryāmī pratyag-ātmā
vyāptaḥ kālo hariḥ smṛtaḥ
prakṛtyā tamasāvṛtatvāt
harer aiśvaryaṁ na jñāyate

The Lord is present as antaryāmī in everyone's heart and is visible in the individual soul covered by a body. Indeed, He is everywhere at every time and every condition, but because He is covered by the curtain of material energy, to an ordinary person there appears to be no God.



... more about "SB 7.6.20-23"
Prahlāda Mahārāja +
Prahlāda Mahārāja's school friends +