1-7: Çréla Vyäsadeva’s vision
1. What did Vyäsadeva see in his meditation? WVT 1.7.6-7 (anartho- paçamaà… and
yasyäà vai…) (BS p. 62).
8-11: Vyäsadeva teaches Bhägavatam to Çukadeva Gosvämé
2. How did Süta Gosvämé glorify Çukadeva Gosvämé? Quote 1.7.10. ätmärämäç ca…
and explain based on the purport.
Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahā prabhu explained this ātmārāma śloka very vividly before His
chief devotee Śrīla Sanā tana Gosvā mī. He points out eleven factors in the śloka, namely
(1) ātmārāma, (2) munayaḥ, (3) nirgrantha, (4) api, (5) ca, (6) urukrama, (7) kurvanti, (8)
ahaitukīm, (9) bhaktim, (10) ittham-bhūta-guṇaḥ and (11) hariḥ.
According to the Viśva-prakāśa Sanskrit dictionary, there are seven synonyms for the
word ātmā, which are as follows: (1) Brahman (the Absolute Truth), (2) body, (3) mind,
(4) endeavor, (5) endurance, (6) intelligence and (7) personal habits.
The word munayaḥ refers to (1) those who are thoughtful, (2) those who are grave and
silent, (3) ascetics, (4) the persistent, (5) mendicants, (6) sages and (7) saints.
The word nirgrantha conveys these ideas: (1) one who is liberated from nescience, (2)
one who has no connection with scriptural injunction, i.e., who is freed from the
obligation of the rules and regulations mentioned in the revealed scriptures like
ethics, Vedas, philosophy, psychology and metaphysics (in other words the fools,
illiterate, urchins, etc., who have no connection with regulative principles), (3) a
capitalist, and also (4) one who is penniless.
The word urukrama means “the one whose activities are glorious.”
According to Sanskrit verbal arrangement, kurvanti refers to doing things for someone
else. Therefore, it means that the ātmārāmas render devotional service unto the Lord not
for personal interest but for the pleasure of the Lord, Urukrama.
According to Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya, the import of the word ittham-bhūta is “complete
bliss.” These attractions are so strong that no one wants to exchange them for material
enjoyment, mystic powers and liberation.
12-16: Lamentation for the sons of the Päëòavas 17-34: Arjuna captures Açvatthämä
3. Summarize Arjuna’s prayers to Lord Kåñëa? (BS p. 64)
Gives fearlessness - “Your energies are limitless. You can instill fearlessness in devotees and
can give liberation to those in fire of material miseries.” krsna krsna m aha-baho bhaktanam
abhayankara tvam eko dahyam ananam apavargo 'si samsrteh
Transcendental - You are adi purusa, controller, transcendental to matter, always situated in
eternal bliss and knowledge.
All merciful - You execute Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksa, though you are beyond the
material energy, for the good of conditional souls
Descends - to remove the burden of the world and benefit the exclusive devotees.
4. Write SP’s comments about the brahmästra and nuclear weapons?
The brahmāstra is similar to the modern nuclear weapon manipulated by atomic energy. The
atomic energy works wholly on total combustibility, and so the brahmāstra also acts. It
creates an intolerable heat similar to atomic radiation, but the difference is that the atomic
bomb is a gross type of nuclear weapon, whereas the brahmāstra is a subtle type of weapon
produced by chanting hymns. It is a different science, and in the days gone by such science
was cultivated in the land of Bhā rata-varṣa. The subtle science of chanting hymns is
also material, but it has yet to be known by the modern material scientists. Subtle material
science is not spiritual, but it has a direct relationship with the spiritual method, which is still
subtler. A chanter of hymns knew how to apply the weapon as well as how to retract it. That
was perfect knowledge.
35-58: Arguments regarding the killing of Açvatthämä
5. List the various arguments for and against the killing of Açvatthämä. What qualities
of Draupadé are revealed through her arguments? (BS p. 65)
She could not tolerate Asvatthama being bound by ropes. She said “Release him,
for he is a brahmana, our spiritual master.” - dharmyam
Obligation to guru. - nyayyam
Son is considered a representative of father, Krpi is still living. - sakarunam
Never insult and cause pain to the respectable order. - nirvyalikam
My lord, do not make the wife of Dronacarya cry like me. * samam
If the kingly administrative order offends the brahmana order and enrages them,
then that fire burns royal family. – mahat
6. How did Arjuna execute the contradictory suggestions? (BS p. 66)
Brahma bandhu is not to be killed, but if he is an aggressor he must be killed.
Fulfill your promise to Draupadl and satisfy Bhima and Me.
Arjuna satisfies contradictory orders - He severed both hair and jewel from the
head of Asvatthama.
Asvatthama lost luster and strength. He was unbound and driven out.
Prescribed punishments for relative of a Brahmana never includes killing. It
includes (i) Cutting the hair, (ii) depriving him of his wealth and (iii) driving away
from his residence
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Verses for memorisation: 6,7,10, 49
Verses for translation: 4, 5, 8, 11, 22, 36, 37,44, 55
