G a u d i y a To u c h s t o n e
O sense-enjoyers – why do you regard this world as enjoyable? If you remain within the realm of sense gratification then hari-bhajana will not be possible. There is also no hari-bhajana simply in renunciation. The entire world is an instrument for the service of Bhagavan. It is a place meant for His enjoyment, for Bhagavan is the exclusive enjoyer of everything (advitiya-bhokta). Radha-kunda descended to this world, and Giri-Govardhana also descended. It is not a place for sense-enjoyment or renunciation. It is not a place of non-differentiation (nirvishesha) like Brahmaloka. Vaikuntha’s mood of aishvarya is not predominant here. It is the zenith of madhurya-dhama. It is the land where the topmost service is rendered unto Sri Krishna’s lotus-feet. It is here that Arishtasura, the representation of four-legged dharma, was killed. eta saba chadi’ ara varnashrama-dharma akinchana hana laya krishnaika-sharana Giving up all material attachment and varnashrama-dharma, one should become akinchana (devoid of any material attachment) and take exclusive shelter of Krishna. (Cc.Madhya 22.93) You must discuss the Brahma-sutras and all the Shrutis. If you try to understand all the shrauta-shastras by means of the path of asrauta (hearing from the wrong sources), you will not be able to grasp the real meaning of the Shruti and you will be in trouble. You should discuss the shruti following the direction shown in the Srimad Bhagavata. Srimad Bhagavata is the essence of the whole Vedanta – in that shastra the significance of all the Shrutis has been ascertained. The ultimate object ascertained in the Srimad Bhagavata its goal cannot be different from that of Shrutis. dharmah projjhita-kaitavo ‘tra paramo nirmatsaranam satam vedyam vastavam atra vastu shivadam tapa-trayonmulanam srimad-bhagavate maha-muni-krite kim va parair ishvarah sadyo hridy avarudhyate ‘tra kritibhih shushrusubhis tat-kshanat Rejecting all kinds of fruitive religious activities, this Bhagavata Purana explains the highest truth, which is understood by those devotees who are pure and non-envious. The highest truth is that reality which is distinguished from illusion, benefits all and uproots the threefold material miseries. What is the need of any other scripture besides this beautiful Bhagavatam, compiled
57