Introduction a Introduction

695

full of ignorance, and produce misery, and can never be considered constitutional in

nature. As long as one maintains the habit of criticizing or praising others in the bodily

conception of life, he will never be elevated to the spiritual platform, having deviated

from his real self-interest.
TEXT 3

TaEJaSaeiNad]YaaPaŕeiPa<@SQaaeNaíceTaNa> )

MaaYaa&Pa[aPanaeiTaMa*TYau&vaTaÜNNaaNaaQaRd*KPauMaaNa( ))3))

taijase nidrayäpanne piëňa-stho nańöa-cetanaů

mäyäŕ präpnoti mĺtyuŕ vä tadvan nänärtha-dĺk pumän
Just as one loses external consciousness when his senses, which are born of the

räjasika ahaěkära, are overcome by the illusion of dreaming, or deathlike state of deep

sleep, so a person absorbed in material duality must experience illusion and death.
COMMENTARY

He who thinks in terms of material duality, and thus glorifies or condemns others’

natures and activities is deviated from his real self-interest. This verse provides and

example to illustrate this point. The senses are produced from false ego in the mode of

passion. When the senses are dormant as the living entity sleeps, his mind is plunged into

the illusion of dreaming. And when the mind becomes inactive, the living entity loses

all external consciousness and remains in a deathlike state of deep sleep. Similarly, one

who discriminates according to material designations covers his original consciousness,

becoming almost like inert matter.

PURPORT

Being enthusiastically engaged on the bodily platform, the conditioned souls

remain indifferent to the service of the Lord as they continue dreaming of themselves

as lords of the material nature. Such material absorption is the result of forgetting one’s

constitutional position as the eternal part and parcel of the Supreme Lord. Although

materialistic sense enjoyers endeavor for achieving high positions within this world,

they ultimately meet with destruction, under the control of the laws of nature. Being

bewildered by false ego, although the conditioned souls are struggling hard for existence

while failing to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they become very proud

of their temporary designations, thinking themselves to be the lords of all they survey.

696

UDDHAVA-GÉTÄ

TEXT 4

ik&->ad]&ik-Ma>ad]&vaÜETaSYaavSTauNa>ik-YaTa( )

vacaeidTa&TadNa*Ta&MaNaSaaDYaaTaMaevc ))4))

kiŕ bhadraŕ kim abhadraŕ vä dvaitasyävastunaů kiyat

väcoditaŕ tad anĺtaŕ manasä dhyätam eva ca

That which the conditioned souls express by their words or meditate upon by their

mind is not ultimate truth. Considering this, what is actually good or bad within this

illusory world of duality?
COMMENTARY

In these verses, the Lord elaborately describes how it is foolish to glorify or criticize

material conditions, because anything seen as not related to the Supreme Lord is an

illusion. The holy names, forms, abode, and devotees of the Supreme Lord are all

transcendental, and thus as good as Him. All dualities of this world—whether spoken

by material words or meditated upon by the material mind—are illusory.

The word asat means “that which has no factual existence.” So, praise and criticism of

objects that are seen to be separate from the Supreme Lord is itself an activity of illusion.

On the other hand, anything seen in relation to the Supreme Lord is to be considered

transcendental. The Supreme Lord is eternal, full of knowledge, unlimited, and full of

bliss. He is the reservoir of all transcendental pleasure. He has many transcendental

names, such as Gopäla, and these names are fully spiritual. Those who glorify the

Supreme Lord are on the path to liberation. Even before the devotee relinquishes his

material body, he is awarded a spiritual body by the mercy of the Lord. The abode of the

Lord is transcendental, and His associates are also transcendental. Anything that is not

in relation to the Lord is mundane, illusory, and fit to be rejected.

PURPORT

The Absolute Truth is reflected in the objects manifested by material nature.

However, one should know that a mere shadow or reflection of the Absolute Truth,

as found in material objects, cannot bring about genuine auspiciousness. Sometimes

the mind accepts something as favorable and sometimes it accepts the same thing as

unfavorable. Perverted existence cannot be accepted as ultimate reality, although it may

appear similar. All actions performed in the perverted reflection of material existence,

such as speaking and meditating, are self-centered in nature, being nourished by the

false ego. Those who are absorbed in thought of temporary material objects, and those

Jďäna-yoga__697'>Jďäna-yoga

697

who take pleasure in discussing the temporary manifestations of matter, are averse to the

service of the Absolute Personality of Godhead, although they pose as being very expert

in discriminating between that which is seemingly good and that which is apparently

bad. When the eternal constitutional activities of the spirit soul are thus dormant, the

mind assumes the role as the master. The mind’s false ego considers itself as the enjoyer

and thus becomes subjected to happiness and distress while interacting with the sense

objects of form, taste, smell, touch, and sound, with the help of the senses. When such

sense enjoyers experience frustration, they imagine themselves as renouncing sense

gratification while remaining engaged in propagating the philosophy of impersonalism.

While such people remain deviated from the path of devotional service because of

their materialistic mentality, they attribute mundane abomination to the Supreme

Absolute Truth, having no understanding of the spiritual energies—hlädiné, sandhiné,

and samvit. Being impersonalists, they consider the temporary material manifestation as

false, and the eternal kingdom of God as a similar mundane existence. Those who are

conversant with the truth know that it is unreasonable to equate this temporary cosmic

manifestation with the eternal abode of the Lord.

TEXT 5

^aYaaPa[TYaaűYaa>aaSaaůSaNTaae_PYaQaRk-air )

Wv&dehadYaae>aavaYaC^NTYaaMa*TYauTaae>aYaMa( ))5))

chäyä-pratyähvayäbhäsä hy asanto ‘py artha-käriëaů

evaŕ dehädayo bhävä yacchanty ä-mĺtyuto bhayam
Although shadows, echoes, and the acceptance of a seashell as silver are only illusory

reflections of real things, such reflections do cause meaningful perception. In the same

way, although the identification of the conditioned soul with his material body and mind

is illusory, this identification creates fear within him, right up to the time of death.

COMMENTARY

If temporary material objects are not reality, then how can pots and pitchers be of

use? The answer is that, just as a shadow, echo, reflection, or the acceptance of a seashell

as silver produces an emotional response, although illusory, so material objects, although

temporary and illusory, are still considered as useful by the conditioned soul. Although

the material body is temporary and illusory, it creates fear of material existence for the

living entities, up until the time of death.

698

UDDHAVA-GÉTÄ

PURPORT

A reflection, shadow, and echo, and the mistake of accepting a seashell as silver are

illusory existences. Although they resemble the objects they imitate, they are distinct

from them. The living entities’ conditional state is temporary and illusory manifestation

of reality. Non-devotees, being bereft of the service of the Lord’s lotus feet, which award

fearlessness, experience fear, illusion, lamentation, and so forth, in relation to illusory

material manifestations. Forgetfulness of one’s constitutional position makes one identify

with his gross and subtle bodies, which are temporary and thus subject to annihilation,

causing great fear and anxiety.

TEXT 6-7

ATMaEvTaidd&ivě&Sa*JYaTaeSa*JaiTaPa[>au> )

}aaYaTae}aaiTaivěaTMaaih]YaTaehrTaqěr> ))6))

TaSMaaNNaůaTMaNaae_NYaSMaadNYaae>aavaeiNaćiPaTa> )

iNaćiPaTae_Ya&i}aivDaaiNaMaURl/>aaiTaraTMaiNa )

wd&Gau

atmaiva tad idaŕ viçvaŕ sĺjyate sĺjati prabhuů

träyate träti viçvätmä hriyate haratéçvaraů
tasmän na hy ätmano ‘nyasmäd anyo bhävo nirüpitaů

nirüpite ‘yaŕ tri-vidhä nirmüla bhätir ätmani

idaŕ guëa-mayaŕ viddhi tri-vidhaŕ mäyayä kĺtam
The Supersoul is the supreme controller and creator of this world, and thus He is also

that which is created. Thus, the Soul of all existence maintains and is also maintained,

withdraws and is also withdrawn. No entity should be ascertained as being separate

from Him, the Supreme Soul, who nonetheless remains distinct from everything. When

the truth has been ascertained in this manner, it should be understood that the three

conditions of material existence, ädhyätmika, adhidaivika, and adhibautika, are illusory,

being manifestations of Maya.

COMMENTARY

The Vedas have ascertained that the material creation is a manifestation of the

separated energy of the Supreme Lord. How then can it be considered false? The answer

is given here: “The Supreme Lord is both the cause and effect. Therefore, the material

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699

manifestation is not separate from Him. He maintains the entire universe in His form as

Paramätmä. Nothing seen as without relationship with the Supersoul can be accepted

as reality. The three features of material existence—ädhyätmika, adhidaivika, and

adhibautika— are thus manifestations of illusion.” If the Supersoul is the actual form of

the universe, then from where did these three features come? The answer is herein given:

“If there is no original, then how can there be an imitation? The cosmic manifestation is

a creation of the inconceivable energy of the Lord. This is the doctrine of the followers

of pariëämaväda. The followers of vivartaväda say that these three features are illusions

born of ignorance.”

PURPORT

The material world has emanated from the energy of the Supreme Lord, it is

maintained by Him for some time, and then it again merges within Him. The temporary

cosmic manifestation is meant for the inhabitation of those who are averse to the service

of the Supreme Lord. The Lord divides the time factor and empowers the material

energy, which possesses the power to cover the consciousness of the living entities,

and to throw them into the darkest regions of nescience. The external energy, which

manifests the material world, has no existence separate from the Supreme Lord, whose

nature is eternal, full of knowledge, and full of bliss. He is very dear to His devotees.

The objects of the senses have been created for the enjoyment of those who have turned

their backs on the Supreme Lord. The great variety of conditions that have manifested

within material existence are designed to capture the conditioned souls, whose only

engagement is the gratification of their senses. The abominable conditions of birth,

death, old age, and disease are absent in the eternal abode of the Lord, Vaikuëöha, or

Goloka. Thus, there is a gulf of difference between the manifestations of the internal and

external potencies. All the objects of the material world are products of the three modes

of material nature, which are manifested from the external energy of the Lord. Just as

an echo is similar to the original sound it mirrors, the activities of the material world

bear some resemblance to those enacted in the eternal abode of the Lord. Materialistic

people generally consider the form of the Lord to be a manifestation of the modes of

material nature, and such a conception is a product of the darkness of nescience. The

Supreme Personality of Godhead is pure, transcendental existence, devoid of all kinds

of abomination that is experienced in this world. The Lord is unlimited and absolute.

TEXT 8

WTaiÜÜaNMaduidTa&jaNaivjaNaNaEPau

NaiNaNdiTaNacSTaaEiTal/aeke-criTaSaUYaRvTa( ))

700

UDDHAVA-GÉTÄ

etad vidvän mad-uditaŕ jďäna-vijďäna-naipuëam

na nindati na ca stauti loke carati sürya-vat

One who has become firmly fixed in the understanding that I have imparted, and

its practical application, will not be concerned with honor or dishonor. Like the sun, he

wanders unimpeded throughout the world.
COMMENTARY

After realizing this knowledge and its application, as instructed by the Supreme

Lord, learned devotees treat everyone equally, like the sun, which distributes its heat

and light to all without discrimination.

PURPORT

The living entities are eternally parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord, and thus

they are by nature full of knowledge. However, involvement in mundane activities,

which naturally involves praising and criticizing others, covers one’s pure and original

consciousness. Just as a devotee should not be attached to anything material, so he

should also not be hateful of anything. He should simply accept everything favorable

for the service of the Lord and reject everything that is unfavorable, as directed by the

spiritual master.

TEXT 9

Pa[TYa+ae

AaŰNTavdSaJjaTvaiNa>Sa®aeivcreidh ))9))

pratyakńeëänumänena nigamenätma-saŕvidä

ädy-antavad asaj jďätvä niůsaěgo vicared iha
By means of sensual perception, reason and logic, the evidence of the scriptures, and

one’s own understanding, one should know that this world has a beginning and an end

and thus has no ultimate reality. Keeping this always in mind, one should live in this

world without attachment.
COMMENTARY

Anything that has a beginning also has an end. Through direct perception, one

can see the beginning and end of material objects, such as clay cooking pots. Through

deduction, one can conclude that there is a beginning and an end to this visible world.

Jďäna-yoga

701

From the Vedic statements, one can hear about the beginning and end of the material

elements, such as the sky, and by means of one’s personal realization, one can understand

that the cosmic manifestation is temporarily manifested by the Lord as a concession for

the conditioned souls, who desire material enjoyment.
PURPORT

A self-realized soul can understand through direct perception, deduction, and

the evidence of the transcendental sound vibration, that this material world is always

changing, and has a beginning and an end. A realized soul could never accept this world

as eternally existent and unchanging, knowing it to be a transformation of the absolute

truth. Transformable nature is distinct from eternal nature. The Vedas inform us that

the cosmic manifestation is a transformation of the Lord’s illusory energy, and therefore

temporary. Only those who have cultivated spiritual knowledge, which is the fruit of

their practice of yoga and meditation, can live in this world without attachment, having

realized its temporary nature by means of direct perception, deduction, and scriptural

evidence. The word niůsaěga, however, does not indicate that such a person gives up the

association of devotees and the worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

TEXT 10

é[qoÖv ovac

NaEvaTMaNaaeNadehSYaSa&Sa*iTad]Rí*d*XYaYaae> )

ANaaTMaSvd*XaaerqXak-SYaSYaaduPal/>YaTae ))10))

çré-uddhava uväca

naivätmano na dehasya saŕsĺtir drańöĺ-dĺçyayoů

anätma-sva-dĺçor éça kasya syäd upalabhyate
Çré Uddhava said: My dear Lord, it cannot be that this material existence is the

experience of either the soul, who is the seer, or the body, which is seen. On the one hand,

the spirit soul is innately endowed with perfect knowledge, and on the other hand, the

material body is not a conscious entity. To whom, then, does this experience of material

existence pertain?

COMMENTARY

Çré Uddhava said: “The living entity is a pure spirit soul, full of knowledge and

bliss, whereas the material body is a machine without consciousness. Who or what is

actually experiencing the ignorance of material existence?” The conscious experience of

702

UDDHAVA-GÉTÄ

material life cannot be denied, and thus Uddhava asks Lord Kĺńëa this question to elicit

a more precise understanding of the process by which illusion occurs. Although this

material creation is temporary, as long as it exists, who is it that experiences happiness

and distress? The material body is a product of matter and therefore inert by nature, so

that it cannot feel material happiness and distress. The spirit soul is by nature full of

knowledge. Therefore, how could he lose such constitutional knowledge” How has the

spirit soul been placed into illusion?

PURPORT

Inert matter cannot see, and the soul, being fully spiritual, has nothing to do with

matter. How then can these two have a relationship as the seer and the seen?
TEXT 11

AaTMaaVYaYaae_GauXauÖ>SvYa&JYaaeiTarNaav*Ta> )

AiGanvŐaĺvdicŐeh>k-SYaehSa&Sa*iTa> ))11))

ätmävyayo ‘guëaů çuddhaů svayaŕ-jyotir anävĺtaů

Agni-vad däru-vad acid dehaů kasyeha saŕsĺtiů
The spirit soul is transcendental, eternal, pure, self-illuminating, and unaffected by

material conditions. It is like fire, whereas the material body is dead matter, like firewood.

So, in this world, who is it that actually experiences material existence?

COMMENTARY

The spirit soul is imperishable, transcendental, pure, self-illuminating, full of

knowledge, and unaffected by material conditions, being the superior energy of

the Supreme Lord. In this verse, the example of wood and fire is given. Fire is self-

illuminating and wood is illuminating only when it is associated with fire. The material

body is dead matter, like wood, and the spirit soul is self-illuminating, like fire. Fire

exists independently of wood and wood cannot itself illuminate. The soul exists beyond

matter and matter itself is devoid of consciousness. So, who or what actually experiences

the happiness and distress of material existence?

TEXT 12

é[q>aGavaNaUvac

YaavŐeheiNd]YaPa[aSaiŕk-zR

Sa&Saar>f-l/va&STaavdPaaQaaeR_PYaivveik-Na> ))12))

Jďäna-yoga


çré-bhagavän uväca

yävad dehendriya-präëair ätmanaů sannikarńaëam

saŕsäraů phalaväŕs tävad apärtho ‘py avivekinaů

703

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: As long as the ignorant spirit soul

maintains his relationship with the material body, senses, and life air, his illusory material

existence will continue to flourish, although it is actually meaningless.
COMMENTARY

Ignorance is the cause of the living entities’ bondage to material existence. This is

being explained in this and the following verses. One’s material existence continues

to flourish as long as the soul maintains his relationship with its temporary material

products. How does a living entity establish a relationship with a temporary material

body? It is simply due to ignorance.

PURPORT

As long as the spirit soul remains attracted to his material body, senses, and life

air, the material world appears to be a very fruitful place, even though it is actually

insignificant. The cultivation of knowledge that is based upon ignorance is not factual.

Because such knowledge is based on the bodily concept of life, it is faulty and therefore

useless.
TEXT 13

AQaeRůivŰMaaNae_iPaSa&Sa*iTaNaRiNavTaRTae )

DYaaYaTaaeivzYaaNaSYaSvPane_NaQaaRGaMaaeYaQaa ))13))

arthe hy avidyamäne ‘pi saŕsĺtir na nivartate

dhyäyato vińayän asya svapne ‘narthägamo yathä
The living entity is transcendental to material existence, but because of his mentality

of lording it over material nature, his material existence continues, so that, just as in a

dream, he is affected by all sorts of inconveniences.
COMMENTARY

If the material body is an illusory manifestation of the external energy of the Lord,

then how did the pure spirit soul become attached to it? Even though the objects of

this material world are not factual, they continue to affect the conditioned souls. Such