Western world people say that “God is great,” but from the Vedic literature, we find out how God is great

Srimad-Bhagavatam class was on 1.7.10, the famous atmarama verse. Srila Prabhupada had Pradyumna read out not only the verse, but most of the purport, before he spoke. He told us that Lord Caitanya has explained this verse in sixty-four different ways, proving that Krishna is all-attractive. He said that since Krishna is purna, or perfect, if we fix our minds on the lotus feet of Krishna everything will follow very perfectly. “That is promised by Krishna. Tesham satata-yuktanam bhajatam priti-purvakam. If one is engaged always in love and affection … Not as official love. Ecstatic love, spontaneous, that is wanted. That example is here in Vrindavana. At least, as we get information of Vrindavana from the sastras, from Srimad-Bhagavatam, how spontaneously the inhabitants of Vrindavana?the gopis and the cowherds boys and the birds, beasts, the calves, the animals, the trees, everyone, even the flies, the bees, the insect, even the dust, the grass?they are all cinmaya, spiritual. They are not material, but they are attracted to Krishna in different varieties.” He explained that Krishna has a variety of energies, both spiritual and material, and if we study things carefully we can understand how these energies are working. Just as a typewriter does not work by itself but is merely an instrument operated by a person, similarly, Prabhupada said, material nature is not working independently. “Like this temple. It is a composition of earth, water, and fire. Tejo-vari-mrid vinimayah. Tejo means fire, and vari means water, and mrit means earth. So what is this building? You have collected earth, and shaped it into a brick, and then put it with water, and then put into the fire?it becomes brick. Then you smash it, powder it, it becomes mortar. Then you set up. In this way … So the fire, water, earth, has not made this nice temple. It is the person, the brain, the engineer, the architect?they have made.” He said that in the western world people say that “God is great,” but from the Vedic literature, we find out how God is great. “You cannot find such information anywhere, in any book throughout the whole world. So there is no question of studying Vedas from a sectarian point of view. For the sake of knowledge, everyone should study this Vedic literature.” For the second time since he has been here, Prabhupada cautioned us not to be misled by rascals who say that the Srimad-Bhagavatam was written by someone other than Vyasadeva. He said that Srila Vyasadeva wrote the Srimad-Bhagavatam for the benefit of the entire world, as the natural commentary on his own work, the Vedanta-sutra. Humbly presenting himself as the representative of Vyasadeva, he solicited the help of his youthful disciples: “So we have tried to explain this satvata-samhitam in English for study of the whole world because English can be understood, or it can be translated easily. So these activities are going on. And we are very much thankful to you that you are cooperating. So in India you may find some difficulty. Still, your valuable cooperation is required for the benefit of the whole world. Lokasyajanato vidvams cakre satvata-samhitam; atmaramas ca munayo nirgrantha apy urukrame/ kurvanty ahaitukim bhaktim ittham-bhuta-guno harih. We have to spread the transcendental qualities of Krishna; that is the life’s mission. So as far as possible, try to understand. As advised by Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, siddhanta baliya citte na kara alasa?don’t be lazy. Always try to understand Krishna, by siddhanta, by Vedic conclusion?not by manufacturing ideas. Don’t be lazy. That is the instruction of Kaviraja Gosvami. If you study according to the Vedic conclusion, don’t manufacture ideas and whims and sentiments. If you go through siddhanta, then you’ll be more and more firmly fixed up. Iha haite krishne lage sudridha manasa. Then your life is successful.”