bhagavatamnotes

[bhagavatamnotes]

1.3.43

kṛṣṇe sva-dhāmopagate

 dharma-jñānādibhiḥ saha

kalau naṣṭa-dṛśām eṣa

 purāṇārko ’dhunoditaḥ

kṛṣṇe — in Kṛṣṇa’s; sva-dhāma — own abode; upagate — having returned; dharma — religion; jñāna — knowledge; ādibhiḥ — combined together; saha — along with; kalau — in the Kali-yuga; naṣṭa-dṛśām — of persons who have lost their sight; eṣaḥ — all these; purāṇa-arkaḥ — the Purāṇa which is brilliant like the sun; adhunā — just now; uditaḥ — has arisen.

This scripture is practically a light of this dark age. When there’s need for clarity, illumination, warmth, that Purana shall bring it.

It’s just so encouraging.

[bhagavatamnotes]

1.2.32

In this chapter Suta Gosvami begins his reply, and what is striking is his outline of entire process for gaining the loving service (bhakti), complete satisfaction (prasidati) and for being reclaimed by the Lord. It starts with arranging all of one's life activities in a way so that they provoke attraction (ratim) to the Lord, and materially - desiring only a healthy life. Qualification to hear comes from serving a pure devotee. And we hear - bhakti comes from his heart. When we joyfully (muda) act on this love, no question of modes remain, and the Lord comes and gets us. 

The verse which "clicked" is 1.2.32

yathā hy avahito vahnir  dāruṣv ekaḥ sva-yoniṣu nāneva bhāti viśvātmā  bhūteṣu ca tathā pumān

“The Lord, as Supersoul, pervades all things, just as fire permeates wood, and so He appears to be of many varieties, though He is the absolute one without a second”

This verse, probably because of my need to be connected with Him - to see a reason behind all the activities. And the fact that he is everywhere makes everything a reminder of Him, an inspiration to connect, just as an object, which belongs or came from the beloved, is very dear to one yearning to meet him again.

[bhagavatamnotes]

SB 1.1.8

vettha tvaṁ saumya tat sarvaṁ  tattvatas tad-anugrahāt brūyuḥ snigdhasya śiṣyasya  guravo guhyam apy uta 

“And because you are submissive, your spiritual masters have endowed you with all the favors bestowed upon a gentle disciple. Therefore you can tell us all that you have scientifically learned from them."

The verse is spoken by the sages to Suta Goswami, as part of asking questions about the ultimate good for humanity, the abode of dharma, and as part of their request to hear about the Lord.

This verse is especially interesting to me because it mentions the qualification of a disciple with who a teacher wants to share his secrets. (guravaḥ — the spiritual masters; guhyam — secret; api uta— endowed with)

One has to be  snigdhasya -  submissive, and  saumya  - gentle, pure, and simple (also sober and grave, as in translations of other verses)

Possibly, one may invoke such feelings before a spiritual teacher when she knows that he is her only connection with the spiritual reality and with the greatest good, the only access to the spiritual treasures.