CC Madhya 6.198
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT 198
sanakādi-śukadeva tāhāte pramāṇa
ei-mata nānā artha karena vyākhyāna
SYNONYMS
sanaka-ādi—the four Sanas; śukadeva—and Śukadeva Gosvāmī; tāhāte—in that; pramāṇa—the evidence; ei-mata—in this way; nānā—varieties; artha—meaning; karena—does; vyākhyāna—explanation.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu explained the meaning of the verse by giving evidence concerning Śukadeva Gosvāmī and the four ṛṣis Sanaka, Sanat-kumāra, Sanātana and Sanandana. Thus the Lord gave various meanings and explanations.
PURPORT
That Kṛṣṇa is all-attractive is verified by the activities of the four ṛṣis and Śukadeva Gosvāmī. All of them were liberated persons, yet they were attracted by the qualities and pastimes of the Lord. It is therefore said, muktā api līlayā vigrahaṁ kṛtvā bhagavantaṁ bhajante: “Even liberated persons are attracted by the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa and thus engage in devotional service.” (CC Madhya 24.112) From the very beginning of their lives, Śukadeva Gosvāmī and the four Kumāras, known as catuḥ-sana, were liberated and self-realized on the Brahman platform. Nonetheless, they were attracted by the qualities of Kṛṣṇa, and they engaged in His service. The four Kumāras were attracted by the aroma of the flowers offered at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, and in this way they became devotees. Śukadeva Gosvāmī heard Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam by the mercy of his father, Vyāsadeva, and he was consequently attracted to Kṛṣṇa and became a great devotee. The conclusion is that the transcendental bliss experienced in the service of the Lord must be superior to brahmānanda, the bliss derived from realizing the impersonal Brahman.