Copyright © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
| Madhya-līlā | Chapter 9: Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's Travels to the Holy Places |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrī Caitanya Caritāmrita Madhya 9.239-240
siddhānta-śāstra nāhi 'brahma-samhitā'ra sama
govinda-mahimā jñānera parama kārana
alpākshare kahe siddhānta apāra
sakala-vaishnava-śāstra-madhye ati sāra
SYNONYMS
siddhānta-śāstra — conclusive scripture; nāhi — there is not; brahma-samhitāra sama — like the scripture Brahma-samhitā; govinda-mahimā — of the glories of Lord Govinda; jñānera — of knowledge; parama — final; kārana — cause; alpa-akshare — briefly; kahe — expresses; siddhānta — conclusion; apāra — unlimited; sakala — all; vaishnava-śāstra — devotional scriptures; madhye — among; ati sāra — very essential.
TRANSLATION
There is no scripture equal to the Brahma-samhitā as far as the final spiritual conclusion is concerned. Indeed, that scripture is the supreme revelation of the glories of Lord Govinda, for it reveals the topmost knowledge about Him. Since all conclusions are briefly presented in the Brahma-samhitā, it is essential among all the Vaishnava literatures.
PURPORT
The Brahma-samhitā is a very important scripture. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu acquired the Fifth Chapter from the Ādi-keśava temple. In that Fifth Chapter, the philosophical conclusion of acintya-bhedābheda-tattva (simultaneous oneness and difference) is presented. The chapter also presents methods of devotional service, the eighteen-syllable Vedic hymn, discourses on the soul, the Supersoul and fruitive activity, an explanation of Kāma-gāyatrī, kāma-bīja and the original Mahā-Vishnu, and a detailed description of the spiritual world, specifically Goloka Vrindāvana. The Brahma-samhitā also explains the demigod Ganeśa, Garbhodakaśāyī Vishnu, the origin of the Gāyatrī mantra, the form of Govinda and His transcendental position and abode, the living entities, the highest goal, the goddess Durgā, the meaning of austerity, the five gross elements, love of Godhead, impersonal Brahman, the initiation of Lord Brahmā, and the vision of transcendental love enabling one to see the Lord. The steps of devotional service are also explained. The mind, yoga-nidrā, the goddess of fortune, devotional service in spontaneous ecstasy, incarnations beginning with Lord Rāmacandra, Deities, the conditioned soul and its duties, the truth about Lord Vishnu, prayers, Vedic hymns, Lord Śiva, the Vedic literature, personalism and impersonalism, good behavior, and many other subjects are also discussed. There is also a description of the sun and the universal form of the Lord. All these subjects are conclusively explained in a nutshell in the Brahma-samhitā.
Copyright © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness