SB Canto 5 Chapter 15 The Glories of the Descendants of King Priyavrata Preliminary Self

Study (Pürva-svädhyäya )

1. Explain the distinguishing characteristic between the Äryan and the ärya-samäja. (1)

Those who are Āryans strictly follow the Vedic principles, but in this Age of Kali a
community has sprung up known as the Arya Samaj, who members are ignorant of the
import of the Vedas in the paramparā system. They decry all bona fide ācāryas and pose
themselves as the real followers of the Vedic principles, but in fact such non-Āryans do
not follow the Vedic principles. Another group of non-Āryans are the Jains, who are
referred to in the present verse. Not only do they not follow the Vedic principles, but
they have no relationship with Lord Buddha

2. Describe why the world is in a chaotic and distressful condition. (7)

There are no kings or brāhmaṇas in this age, and due to their absence, the whole world is
in a chaotic condition and is always in distress.

3. Explain why monarchy is abolished in Kali-yuga. (7)

In Kali-yuga, monarchy is abolished because the kings themselves are subjected to the
influence of Kali-yuga.

4. Explain the import of the term “nara-deva” and who it refers to. (7)

Since the king is the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is

sometimes called nara-deva, that is, the Lord as a human being. According to the Vedic
injunctions, he is worshiped as God on the material platform. As a representative of the
Supreme Lord, the king had the duty to protect the citizens in a perfect way so that they
would not be anxious for food and protection and so that they would be jubilant.

Analogies:
5.15.16: Within a garden, a flowering tree attains a good reputation because of its fragrant
flowers. Similarly, if there is a famous man in a family, he is compared to a fragrant flower in
a forest.

Canto 5 Chapter 16 A Description of Jambüdvépa Preliminary Self Study (Pürva-

svädhyäya)
 1. Explain the position from which one can understand the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. (3)

When the mind is fixed upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His external
feature made of the material modes of nature — the gross universal form — it is
brought to the platform of pure goodness. In that transcendental position, one can
understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, who in His subtler form
is self-effulgent and beyond the modes of nature.

2. Describe the real source of human prosperity and what is currently accepted as the
source of it. (24)

The prosperity of humanity does not depend on a demoniac civilization that has no
culture and no knowledge but has only gigantic skyscrapers and huge automobiles
always rushing down the highways. The products of nature are sufficient. When there
is a profuse supply of milk, yogurt, honey, food grains, ghee, molasses, dhotis,
saris, bedding, sitting places and ornaments, the residents are actually opulent. When
a profuse supply of water from the river inundates the land, all these things can be
produced, and there will not be scarcity.

3. Explain what people must do if they wish to attain happiness in this life. (25)

If people actually want happiness in this life and want to prepare for the best in the
next life, they must adopt a Vedic civilization. In a Vedic civilization, there is a full
supply of all the necessities

SB Canto 5 Chapter 17 The Descent of the River Ganges Preliminary Self Study (Pürva-
svädhyäya)
1. Explain who is described as “véra-vrata” and explain what the term means. (2)

When a person is firmly fixed in devotional service to the Supreme Personality of

Godhead, he is described as vīra-vrata, fully determined. Such a devotee increases his
ecstasy in devotional service more and more. Thus, as soon as he remembers Lord
Viṣṇu, his eyes fill with tears.

2. List and describe the two primary groups of transcendentalists. (3)

 Transcendentalists are divided into two primary groups: the nirviśeṣa-vādīs, or
impersonalists, and the bhaktas, or devotees. The impersonalists do not accept
spiritual varieties of life. They want to merge into the existence of the Supreme Lord
in His Brahman feature (the brahmajyoti). The devotees, however, desire to take part
in the transcendental activities of the Supreme Lord.

3. List and describe the six kinds of auspicious qualifications that Brähmaëas are
supposed to acquire. (11)

Brāhmaṇas are supposed to acquire six kinds of auspicious qualifications: they become
very learned scholars (paṭhana) and very qualified teachers (pāṭhana); they become
expert in worshiping the Lord or the demigods (yajana), and they teach others how to
execute this worship (yājana); they qualify themselves as bona fide persons to receive
alms from others (pratigraha), and they distribute the wealth in charity (dāna).

4. Describe the qualification of a bona fide guru. (11)

• A guru must be a direct representative of Kṛṣṇa who distributes the

instructions of Kṛṣṇa without any change.
• One who is not a Vaiṣṇava, or who is not a representative of Kṛṣṇa, cannot be
a guru. Even the most qualified brāhmaṇa cannot become a guru if he is not a
representative of Kṛṣṇa.
• A Vaisnava can become a guru even if he is śva-paca, a member of a family of
dog-eaters.

5. Explain who is referred to as “tämasé” and why. Also address why this seems
strange. (16)

• Lord Śiva is always meditating upon Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa in trance.

• Lord Śiva is in charge of the destruction of the material world
• Because destruction is in the mode of ignorance, Lord Śiva and his worshipable
Deity, Saṅkarṣaṇa, are technically called tāmasī.
• Lord Śiva is the incarnation of tamo-guṇa. Since both Lord Śiva and Saṅkarṣaṇa
are always enlightened and situated in the transcendental position, they have
nothing to do with the modes of material nature — goodness, passion and
ignorance — but because their activities involve them with the mode of
ignorance, they are sometimes called tāmasī.
 6. Define and explain the term “dhéra”. (20)

Anyone who remains unagitated, even in the presence of cause for agitation, is
called dhīra, or equipoised. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, being always in a
transcendental position, is never agitated by anything. Therefore someone who wants
to become dhīra must take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. In Bhagavad-
gītā (2.13) Kṛṣṇa says, dhīras tatra na muhyati: a person who is equipoised in all
circumstances is never bewildered.

5.17.22-23: The Supreme Personality of Godhead controls all the most important demigods
—especially Lord Brahmä and Lord Çiva—exactly as the owner of a bird controls it by
binding it with a rope.

SB Canto 5 Chapter 18: The Prayers Offered to the Lord by the Residents of Jambüdvépa
Preliminary Self Study (Pürva-svädhyäya)

1. Describe the aim of human life. (2)

Mūḍhas do not know that if they want to purify themselves, they must worship Lord
Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) by performing penances and austerities. This purification is the aim of
human life. This life is not meant for blind indulgence in sense gratification. In the
human form, the living being must engage himself in Kṛṣṇa consciousness to purify his
existence. In the human form of life, one must undergo all kinds of austerities to purify
his existence.

2. Explain the meaning of the term “brahma-saukhya”. (2)

Unobstructed happiness is called brahma-saukhya, spiritual happiness. Although we may

get some so-called happiness in this material world, that happiness is temporary.
3. Explain why the Lord permits sinful activities. (3)

The Supreme Lord does not want any living being to act sinfully, and He begs him
through his good conscience to refrain from sin. But when someone insists upon acting
sinfully, the Supreme Lord gives him the sanction to act at his own risk (mattaḥ smṛtir
jñānam apohanaṁ ca). No one can do anything without the sanction of the Lord, but He
is so kind that when the conditioned soul persists in doing something, the Lord permits
the individual soul to act at his own risk.

4. Describe why Vedic knowledge disappears. (6)

Although Vedic knowledge is imperishable, within this material world it is sometimes

manifest and sometimes not. When the people of this material world become too absorbed
in ignorance, the Vedic knowledge disappears.
Lord Hayagrīva or Lord Matsya, however, always protects the Vedic knowledge, and in due
course of time it is again distributed through the medium of Lord Brahmā. Brahmā is the
trustworthy representative of the Supreme Lord. Therefore, when he again asked for the
treasure of Vedic knowledge, the Lord fulfilled his desire.

5. Explain the meaning of the term “avitatha-éhitäya”. (6)

avitatha-īhitāya — whose resolution never fails

whose determination never fails.

6. Describe how a typical Vaiñëava prays. (9)

Prahlāda Mahārāja is a typical Vaiṣṇava. He prays not for himself but for all living
entities — the gentle, the envious and the mischievous. He always thought of the welfare
of mischievous persons like his father, Hiraṇyakaśipu.

7. Explain the determining factor of how quickly one advances in Kåñëa consciousness
according to Prahläda Mahäräja. (10)

• A person who is actually self-realized and who has controlled his mind is perfectly
satisfied with the bare necessities of life. He does not try to gratify his senses. Such
a person quickly advances in Kṛṣṇa consciousness
• Avoid the association of nondevotees attached to the materialistic way of life.
• Attached only to a devotee.
 • A devotee is not interested in unnecessarily increasing the demands of the senses for
gratification.
• Devotees should eat as simply as possible. Otherwise, attachment for material things
will gradually increase, and the senses, being very strong, will soon require more and
more material enjoyment. Then the real business of life — to advance in Kṛṣṇa
consciousness — will stop.

8. According to Çréla Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja, describe how one can distinguish between a
Vaiñëava and a non-Vaiñëava. (12)

• Some of the qualities of devotees

• Very well-behaved, tolerant, peaceful, magnanimous and grave.
• Spoke very sweetly, his endeavors were very pleasing, he was always patient, he
respected everyone, he always worked for everyone’s benefit, his mind was free of
duplicity, and he was completely devoid of all malicious activities.
• Śrī Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja, the author of Caitanya-caritāmṛta, says that all good
qualities become manifest in the body of a Vaiṣṇava and that only by the presence
of these good qualities can one distinguish a Vaiṣṇava from a non-Vaiṣṇava.

9. Explain where the power to preach successfully comes from. (22)

Men of meager intelligence desire temporary happiness. We have actually seen that one
of the disciples of Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura wanted to enjoy the property of his
spiritual master, and the spiritual master, being merciful toward him, gave him the
temporary property, but not the power to preach the cult of Caitanya Mahāprabhu all
over the world. That special mercy of the power to preach is given to a devotee who does
not want anything material from his spiritual master but wants only to serve him.

10. Describe the Supreme Lord’s reason for creating this material world. (38)

Sometimes the question arises why the Supreme Lord has created this material world,
which is so full of suffering for the living entities entrapped in it.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead does not wish to create this material world just to
inflict suffering on the living entities. The Supreme Lord creates this world only because
the conditioned souls want to enjoy it.
Analogies:
5.18.13: Just as aquatics always desire to remain in the vast mass of water, all conditioned
living entities naturally desire to remain in the vast existence of the Supreme Lord.

5.18.36: By manipulating a fire-generating stick, great saints and sages can bring forth the fire
lying dormant within wood. In the same way, O Lord, those expert in understanding the
Absolute Truth try to see You in everything—even in their own bodies.

SB Canto 5 Chapter 19 A Description of the Island of Jambüdvépa Preliminary Self Study

(Pürva-svädhyäya)
1. Describe how engaging in bhakti-yoga and studying the çästras can be considered a
waste of time. (14)

• At the time of death, a materialist thinks of his wife and children. He is

absorbed in thinking of how they will live and who will take care of them after
he leaves. Consequently, he is never prepared to give up his body; rather, he
wants to continue to live in his body to serve his society, family, friends and so
on.
• If despite practicing bhakti-yoga and studying all the Vedic literature, one is
afraid of giving up his bad body, which is the cause of all his suffering, what is
the use of his attempts to advance in spiritual life?

2. Explain the perfection of yoga. (15)

•The perfect yoga system consists of always thinking of Kṛṣṇa, always engaging
in devotional service, always worshiping Kṛṣṇa and always offering obeisances
unto Him.
• The perfection of yoga consists of giving up attachment for this body and
bodily relationships and transferring that attachment to Kṛṣṇa.
• When we transfer same attachment to Kṛṣṇa, we traverse the path of liberation.
One has to practice this yoga system and none other.
3. Describe when a living entity becomes established in spiritual life. (20)

A living entity becomes established in spiritual, blissful life when he fully understands
that his happiness depends on spiritual self-realization, which is the basic principle
 of ānanda (bliss), and when he is eternally situated in the service of the Lord, who has
no other lord above Him.

Analogies:
5.19.25: If one obtains a human body in the land of Bhärata-varña, with clear sensory
organs with which to execute the saìkértana-yajïa, but in spite of this opportunity he does
not take to devotional service, he is certainly like liberated forest animals and birds that are
careless and are therefore again bound by a hunter.

SB Canto 5 Chapter 20 Studying the Structure of the Universe Preliminary Self Study
(Pürva-svädhyäya)
1. Explain the meaning of the term “dåg-éçvara”. (46)

It is because of the sun’s presence that all living entities can see, and therefore he is
called dṛg-īśvara, the Personality of Godhead presiding oversight.
Analogies:
5.20.3-4: As a government officer is sometimes accepted as the entire government
although he is actually but a departmental manager, so the demigods, having achieved
power of attorney from Viñëu, act on His behalf, although they are not as powerful as He.

5.20.17: If one worships the demigods, the demigods, as servants of the Supreme, carry the
sacrificial offerings to the Lord, like tax collectors collecting revenue from the citizens and
bringing it to the government's treasury.

SB Canto 5 Chapter 21: The Movements of the Sun

SB Canto 5 Chapter 22: The Orbits of the Planets
SB Canto 5 Chapter 23: The Çiçumära Planetary Systems Preliminary Self Study (Pürva-
svädhyäya)
1. List and explain the four names of the moon given in text ten. (22.10)

Predominating deity of everyone’s mind - Manomaya.

Annamaya - gives potency to all herbs and plants.
Amṛtamaya - source of life for all living entities.
Everyone is satisfied by the presence of the moon - Sarvamaya [all-pervading].

2. Explain why material scientists develop theories about the movements of the planets.
(23.3)
 According to the description of this verse, the hundreds and thousands of stars and the
great planets such as the sun, the moon, Venus, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter are not
clustered together because of the law of gravity or any similar idea of the modern scientists.
These planets and stars are all servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda
or Kṛṣṇa, and according to His order they sit in their chariots and travel in their respective
orbits.

SB Canto 5 Chapter 24 The Subterranean Heavenly Planets Preliminary Self Study (Pürva-
svädhyäya)
1. Describe what causes solar and lunar eclipses. (3)

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, is always the protector of His devotees,
who are also known as demigods.
Although Rāhu attempts to attack both the sun and the moon, they are protected by Lord
Viṣṇu. Being very afraid of Lord Viṣṇu’s cakra, Rāhu cannot stay in front of the sun or
moon for more than a muhūrta (forty-eight minutes). The phenomenon that occurs when
Rāhu blocks the light of the sun or moon is called an eclipse. The attempt of the
scientists of this earth to go to the moon is as demoniac as Rāhu’s attack.

2. Explain the two kinds of opulence and what they are used for. (22)

• There are two kinds of opulence. One, which results from one’s karma, is
material, whereas the other is spiritual. A surrendered soul who fully depends
upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not want material opulence for
sense gratification. Therefore, when a pure devotee is seen to possess exalted
material opulence, it is not due to his karma.
• He is in that position because the Supreme Lord wants him to execute service to
Him very easily and opulently.
• Material opulence offered to the demigods causes forgetfulness of the Lord.

3. Describe the source of the advanced Vaiñëavas’ humility. (26)

The path of bhakti is not at all difficult if we follow in the footsteps of

previous ācāryas and authorities.
 It is characteristic of advanced Vaiṣṇavas following the principles of bhakti that they
think themselves ordinary human beings. This is not an artificial exhibition of humility;
a Vaiṣṇava sincerely thinks this way and therefore never admits his exalted position.

SB Canto 5 Chapter 25 The Glories of Lord Ananta Preliminary Self Study (Pürva-
svädhyäya)
1. Describe why Lord Saìkarñaëa is sometimes called tämasé. (1)

A demoniac living entity is only an insignificant part of the Supreme Lord, he forgets
his true position and thinks he is the Supreme Lord. Because this forgetfulness is
created by Saṅkarṣaṇa, He is sometimes called tāmasī. The name tāmasī does not
indicate that He has a material body. He is always transcendental, but because He is
the Supersoul of Lord Śiva, who must perform tamasic activities, Saṅkarṣaṇa is
sometimes called tāmasī.
2. Explain why Lord Saìkarñaëa becomes angry. (3)

In each creation, the living entities are given a chance to close their business as
conditioned souls. When they misuse this opportunity and do not go back home, back
to Godhead, Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa becomes angry. The eleven Rudras, expansions of Lord
Śiva, come out of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa’s eyebrows due to His angry mood, and all of them
together devastate the entire creation.

3. Describe how one can become purified by the contamination of lust and greed. (8)
If persons who are very serious about being liberated from material life hear
the glories of Anantadeva from the mouth of a spiritual master in the chain of disciplic
succession, and if they always meditate upon Saṅkarṣaṇa, the Lord enters the cores of
their hearts, vanquishes all the dirty contamination of the material modes of nature,
and cuts to pieces the hard knot within the heart, which has been tied tightly since
time immemorial by the desire to dominate material nature through fruitive activities.

SB Canto 5 Chapter 26 A Description of the Hellish Planets Preliminary Self Study (Pürva-
svädhyäya)
1. Explain the meaning of human life. (23)
 • If one is born a śūdra, he must continually return to the ocean of Pūyoda to eat
horrible things. Thus, even a born śūdra is expected to become
a brāhmaṇa; that is the meaning of human life. Everyone should improve
himself.

• Even if one is by qualification a śūdra, he must try to improve his position and
become a brāhmaṇa. No one should try to check a person, no matter what his
present position is, from coming to the platform of a brāhmaṇa or a Vaiṣṇava.
Actually, one must come to the platform of a Vaiṣṇava.

• Human life is specifically meant for going back home, back to Godhead. That
facility should be given to everyone, whether one be a śūdra, a vaiśya, a woman
or a kṣatriya. This is the purpose of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.

2. List the six factors that are used to determine ones level of elevation. (30)

Birth, Austerity,Education, Behavior, Caste or Spiritual order

3. Explain why people become proud. (36)

• When one possesses more wealth than necessary, he certainly becomes very
proud.
• Everyone should use his money to spread the great transcendental movement
of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. If one does not spend money for this purpose but
accumulates more than necessary, he will certainly become proud of the
money he illegally possesses.
• One who possesses more money than he needs should spend it for Kṛṣṇa.
Unless one does so, he will become puffed up because of his false possessions,
and therefore he will be punished in the next life, as described herein.

4. Describe the purpose of this material world. (37)

• One is simply meant to change from one body to another in different planetary
systems.
 • Those in the mode of goodness are elevated to the heavenly planets.
• Those too engrossed in ignorance enter the hellish planetary systems. Both of
them, however, are subjected to the repetition of birth and death.
• Therefore, going from one planet to another does not solve the problems of
life. The problems of life will only be solved when we no longer have to accept
a material body.
• The complete purpose of this material world will be fulfilled when we resume
our spiritual identities and go back home, back to Godhead. The very simple
method for doing this is prescribed by the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja.
• Thus one should engage all the activities of his life in the service of Lord
Kṛṣṇa.

5. Explain why one should hear about the viräö form of the Lord. (38)

virāṭ-rūpa. If one reads the description of this external form of the Lord with great
faith, or if one hears about it or explains it to others to propagate bhāgavata-dharma,
or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, his faith and devotion in spiritual consciousness, Kṛṣṇa
consciousness, will gradually increase. Although developing this consciousness is very
difficult, by this process one can purify himself and gradually come to an awareness of
the Supreme Absolute Truth.
one should hear of the universal position of the virāṭ form of the Lord as described
in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. That will help one save himself from material conditional life
and gradually elevate him to the path of liberation so that he can go back home, back
to Godhead.