Bhaagavata Suutram: Chapter-1 (Suutrams 1-4)

(Aphorisms (Sūtrams) Composed By Shri Datta Swami As Answers To Questions Asked By His Devotees)

1) Athā'to bhāgavata praśnottarāṇi |

[Then (after finishing the study of true spiritual knowledge) and therefore (since clearance of doubts gives maximum clarity of the knowledge), questions from devotees and answers for them (the questions of the devotees are clarified with answers given by Shri Datta Swami)]

1) Anūhya taijasa bhautika bheda iti ।

[Shri Krishna Iyer asked about the difference between original God and different forms of God present in various religions. Shri Datta Swami answers that whatever may be the religion, the fundamental point is that the original God (Parabrahman) is unimaginable. There are two types of forms of God:- i) Energetic incarnations pertaining to upper worlds containing only inert energy and awareness and ii) Human incarnations pertaining to earth containing inert energy, inert matter and awareness.]

2) Taijase'pi dravyatva śakra darśanāt ।

[Shri. P.V. Durgaprasad asked that angels may not have lust and hence, children are not produced. He also asked about the possibility of variation of the number of energetic incarnations. Shri Datta Swami answers that Angels are made of energy and awareness. In energy also there is slight nature of matter called as the rest mass of photon. If there is no common nature, conversion of one item into another item is impossible. Due to this, the angels have a trace of lust, but they do not get children and also death. They do not get children due to the curse from Goddess Pārvatī since angels disturbed the union of God Śiva and Goddess Pārvatī. Due to the absence of both children and death, their number always remains as 33 Crores. Moreover, they have only one constant language called Sanskrit. On the earth, there is variation of population and there are various languages. Therefore, the number of incarnations in the upper worlds is constant and it varies on the earth.]

3) Taijasānāṃ Daiva bhakti radhikā putreṣaṇā'bhāvāt ।

[Shri. T. Laxmi Thrylokya asked the reason for greater devotion to God in the case of angels compared to human beings. Shri Datta Swami answers that the angels do not have children due to the curse of Goddess Pārvatī. Hence, the bond with children (Putreṣaṇā) is totally absent in them. This bond is the strongest bond among all the three strongest bonds or Eṣaṇās. Hence, it becomes very easy to develop more devotion to God.]

4) Laukikebhyo'pya dhyātmikaṃ krameṇa sādhyam ।

[Shri. P.V. Durgaprasad asked whether it is possible to achieve the spiritual goal also through materialistic rituals (Rituals done aspiring for materialistic boons). Shri Datta Swami answers that it is quite possible, but it takes some time because after doing materialistic rituals and getting contented with materialistic boons, the devotee gradually develops spiritual desires that lead to enquiry about the God worshipped in the materialistic rituals. When this step starts, the further journey will be about learning the excellent qualities of that form of God, which is the beginning of the spiritual path only.]

To be continued...

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