The Supreme Lord and His Abode as Described in the Brahma-saṁhitā
Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently references the Brahma-saṁhitā as the most authoritative scripture for realizing the original form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the nature of His transcendental realm. Through his purports, he reveals the profound truths of Kṛṣṇa as the cause of all causes and provides vivid details of the spiritual sky. By studying these descriptions, devotees can perfectly understand both the supreme abode of Goloka Vṛndāvana and the mechanics of the material creation.
The Original Form of Govinda
The Brahma-saṁhitā clearly establishes Śrī Kṛṣṇa, or Govinda, as the primeval Lord and the ultimate cause of all causes. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa possesses an eternal, blissful, spiritual body with omnipotent senses, and this form is not imaginary but realized by great authorities like Lord Brahmā.
- All Vedic literature confirms that Narayana, or Krsna, is the cause of all causes. In the Brahma-samhita (5.1) also it is said that the Supreme Lord is Sri Krsna, Govinda, the delighter of every living being and the primeval cause of all causes.
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is described in the Brahma-samhita (5.1): "Krsna, known as Govinda, is the supreme controller. He has an eternal, blissful, spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin, for He is the prime cause of all causes."
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is described as sac-cid-ananda-vigraha (BS 5.1), the body of eternity, transcendental bliss and full knowledge. Now in this verse He is more fully described.
- The Brahma-saḿhita describes each of His (God's) senses as omnipotent. The mundane eye can see but not hear, but His eyes can see, hear, eat, generate offspring, and so on.
The Transcendental Realm of Goloka Vṛndāvana
Beyond the material universe lies the supreme spiritual planet of Kṛṣṇaloka, which is beautifully described in the Brahma-saṁhitā. Śrīla Prabhupāda details this realm as cintāmaṇi-dhāma, a place made of touchstone, where the Lord eternally tends surabhi cows and is served by thousands of goddesses of fortune.
- A description of this transcendental land of Krsna is given in the Brahma-samhita, which is considered by Lord Sri Caitanya to be the most authentic literature in this connection.
- The supreme abode of the Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is described in Brahma-samhita as the abode of cintamani: cintamani-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vrksa-laksavrtesu surabhir abhipalayantam - Brahma-samhita 5.29.
- Brahmaji also described the highest planet of the Vaikunthaloka as Goloka Vrndavana, where the Lord resides as a cowherd boy keeping transcendental surabhi cows and surrounded by hundreds and thousands of goddesses of fortune.
- The Brahma-samhita describes the supreme abode as ananda-cinmaya-rasa, a place where everything is full of spiritual bliss. Whatever variegatedness is manifest there is all of the quality of spiritual bliss - there is nothing material.
The Mechanics of the Material Creation
While establishing the supremacy of the spiritual world, the Brahma-saṁhitā also provides a scientific explanation of the material cosmos. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the creation is manifested through the Lord's expansions, such as Mahā-Viṣṇu, and is maintained by His supreme order.
- As stated in the Brahma-samhita (5.40), the Brahman effulgence emanating from the body of the Supreme Lord creates innumerable planets in both the spiritual and material worlds; thus these planets are creations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- This first incarnation in the material creation, namely Karanarnavasayi Visnu, is the plenary part of the original Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna, described in the Brahma-samhita.
- In the Fifth Chapter of the Brahma-samhita there is a description of the variegated planetary system that is within the material world.
- Adaptability of an organism to different varieties of planets is described in the Brahma-samhita as vibhuti-bhinnam; i.e., each and every one of the innumerable planets within the universe is endowed with a particular type of atmosphere.
The Positions of the Demigods
The Brahma-saṁhitā clearly defines the relationship between the Supreme Lord and the powerful demigods who manage the material affairs. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites this scripture to explain how personalities like Lord Śiva, Goddess Durgā, and the sun-god act strictly under the direction and supreme order of Govinda.
- Lord Siva is described in the Brahma-samhita to be like curd or yogurt. Curd is not different from milk. Since milk is transformed into curd, in one sense curd is also milk.
- In the Brahma-samhita her (Sati's) strength is described: she is capable of creating and dissolving many universes. But although she is so powerful, she acts under the direction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, as His shadow.
- The sun is described in the Brahma-samhita (5.52): The sun, which is the chief among all planetary systems, is the eye of the Supreme Lord.
- We may note the mantras for worshiping Lord Siva, Lord Brahma, goddess Durga, the sun-god and Ganesa, as described in the Brahma-samhita.
Conclusion
In summary, the Brahma-saṁhitā serves as an unparalleled source of transcendental knowledge, perfectly describing both the supreme spiritual reality and the mechanics of the material manifestation. Śrīla Prabhupāda expertly utilizes this great literature to establish Śrī Kṛṣṇa as the primeval Lord and the absolute cause of all causes. By absorbing the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda regarding this sacred text, devotees can deeply understand the nature of the demigods, the material cosmos, and ultimately, the eternal, blissful abode of Goloka Vṛndāvana where the Supreme Lord eternally resides.
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