701215 - Conversation - Surat

Conversations by Date, 1970

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

701215R1-SURAT - December 15, 1970 - 03:24 Minutes

Guest (1): . . . (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: You understand what is the meaning of bhāgavata, this word bhāgavata? You understand? These are the common questions. If you do not understand this common question, then how you can instruct others?

Guest (1): I have many . . . (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: That's all right, but do not take the position of a teacher unless you have assimilated the whole thing. Simply by hearing others you may misunderstand; you may not present the real thing. Therefore I'm asking you . . .

Guest (1): . . . (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: Bhagavat . . . Srimad Bhagavat . . . Aise koi baat nahi hai. (That is not how it is.) . . . (indistinct) . . . everyone can become. One is not . . . (indistinct) . . . you do not know . . .

Guest (1): I do not know that.

Prabhupāda: So another thing is that you must know Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from a bhāgavata, whose life is bhāgavata. First of all you must know what is bhāgavata. What is bhāgavata? Can you give me idea what you have understood?

Instead of going through the instruction, first of all let me understand what do you understand about this heading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. That is essential. So you cannot explain what is Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. You have read Bhāgavatam from the beginning? Dharma projjhita kaitavo atra (SB 1.1.2). You have read?

Guest (1): . . . (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: Eh? You have not read even the first verse, and you are going to give instruction on Bhāgavatam? Your life should be bhāgavata. You should understand what is bhāgavata. Simply by some catching stray words from others how can you accept?

Guest (1): . . . (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: Huh? So I bless you that you try to understand. Then you write. That is my request. That's all right. All right. (end)