International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
BHAKTIVEDANTA RAJAVIDYALAYA
BHAKTIVAIBHAVA
COURSE
STUDENTS’
HANDBOOK
SRIMAD
BHAGAVATAM
CANTO 1 – 6
(Unit 2 - Chapter 3 to 5 )
SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM CANTO 1
CREATION
UNIT 2
CHAPTER 3
KÅÑËA IS THE SOURCE OF ALL INCARNATIONS
Verses 1-5: Describing in Further Detail the Three puruña-avatäras
Süta Gosvämé describes the three roles of the puruña-avatäras in the creation of both the total cosmos
and the individual universes.
Verses 6-27: Describing Twenty-two Avatåras
Süta Gosvämé briefly describes twenty-two incarnations of God that appear within this universe, then
explains that the Lord actually has unlimited incarnations.
Verses 28-29: Krsna is the fountainhead of all incarnations
Although innumerable incarnations exist, Kåñëa is their fountainhead and is the Supreme Personality
of Godhead. Whoever recites the mysterious appearances of the Lord, with devotion in the morning
and in the evening, gets relief from all miseries of life.
Verses 30-39: Progressing from Matter Upward to Brahman, Paramatma, and Finally Bhagavan
Material bodily conceptions (gross and subtle) regarding both the Lord (viräö-rüpa) and the living
beings are actually imaginary. When one experiences, by self-realization, that the gross and subtle
bodies have nothing to do with the pure self, he sees himself as well as the Lord. If the illusory energy
subsides and the living entity becomes fully enriched with knowledge by the Lord’s grace, he becomes
enlightened with self-realization and thus becomes situated in his own glory. Learned men thus
describe the Lord's births and activities. Only those who render unreserved, uninterrupted service can
know Him. Süta Gosvämé praises the sages’ inquires as they invoke ecstatic love for the Lord and
guarantee cent percent immunity from repeated birth and death.
Verses 40-44: Glorification of Çrémad-Bhägavatam
Süta Gosvämé glorifies the Çrémad-Bhägavatam as the incarnation of Lord Kåñëa meant for delivering
the conditioned souls of Kali-yuga. He also describes how the ÇrémadBhägavatam was transferred from
Çréla Vyäsadeva to Çukadeva Gosvämé to himself.
CLOSED BOOK SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. List in Sanskrit, the three purusa avataras. (1) (1M)
2. Who is the collective Paramatma of all living beings? (2) (1M)
3. All the incarnations within the universe are emanations from which purusa-avatara? (5) (1M)
4. How many Manus are there in one day of Brahma? (5) (1M)
5. What are indirectly empowered incarnations called? (5) (1M)
6. List the 4 stages of sannyasa. (13) (2M)
7. What is the general test to identify an incarnation of the Lord? (26) (1M)
8. Give the English meaning of Avatara. (28) (1M)
9. List the Lord’s six opulences. (36) (2M)
10. Give the English meaning of the term ‘amogha-lila’. (36) (1M)
11. Give the English meaning of the phrase ‘puranam brahma-sammitam’. (40) (1M)
12. When did Sri Krsna appear? (43) (1M)
13. How can we certainly see directly the presence of Lord Sri Krsna in the pages of Srimad
Bhagavatam? (44) (2M)
CLOSED BOOK QUESTIONS
1. Explain how Lord Siva is not exactly in the same transcendental position as Lord Visnu.(5)
(2M)
2. Briefly describe how incarnations enter into a universe as mentioned in SB 1.3.1-5. (3M)
3. Give the percentages of Sri Krsna’s attributes possessed by His personal expansions, Lord Siva,
Lord Brahma and the jivas respectively. (28) (3M)
4. Explain the analogy of the expert electrician can utilize the electrical energy for both heating
and cooling. (34) (3M)
5. Explain why Srimad Bhagavatam is compared to the cream of the milk. (41) (2M)
OPEN BOOK ESSAYS
1. Present an overview of the 6 questions of the sages the sages of Naimisaranya & Suta Gosvami’s
respective responses. Give specific reference to verses and statements from Srila Prabhupada’s
purports from SB 1.1-3 in your response. Discuss the significance of these questions in relation
to the Srimad Bhagavatam in general. (10M)
2. Establish Lord Krsna is the fountainhead of all incarnations, with reference to 1.3.28 verse and
purport. (10M)
3. “When, however, one meets the self by proper culture, the activities of the self, begin.” Explain
this statement with reference to 1.3.31-33 verses and purports, and at least three references to
the Bhakti Sastri texts. (10M)
4. Explain the two classes of materialists, with reference to 1.3.37-38, verse and purport, and at
least two appropriate verses from Bhagavad Gita. (10M)
5. “We can have all the transcendental light of the Supreme Brahman, Sri Krsna, from the
recitation of Srimad Bhagavatam provided it is received through the medium of the transparent
spiritual master.” Discuss how this statement reflects Srila Prabhupada’s mission with reference
to 1.3.40 verse and purport. (10M)
6. Srila Prabhupada writes in 1.3.41: “We should always remember the maxim that one man’s food
is another man’s poison.” Discuss the import of this statement with reference to 1.3.41, verse
and purport. (10M)
7. “....both the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam are like torchbearers for the blind people
of this age. In other words, if men in this Age of Kali want to see the real light of life, they must
take to these two books only, and their aim of life will be fulfilled.” Discuss the significance of
this statement. Give reference to 1.3.43, verse and purport, in your response. (10M)
8. Describe in your own words, the glories of Srimad Bhagavatam with reference to 1.3.43 verse
and purport. (10M)
9. Explain the secret of learning Srimad Bhagavatam with reference to 1.3.44 verse and purport.
(10M)
10. Srila Prabhupada writes in 1.3.41: “No one can give rapt attention who is not pure in mind. No
one can be pure in mind who is not pure in action. No one can be pure in action who is not
pure in eating, sleeping, fearing and mating.” Discuss the relevance of this statement for your
practice of Krsna consciousness. Give reference to at least 3 Bhakti Sastri verses in your
response. (10M)
CHAPTER 4
THE APPEARANCE OF ÇRÉ NÄRADA
Verses 1-13: Çaunaka Åñi Inquires from Süta Gosvämé
Çaunaka Åñi requests Süta Gosvämé to relate the pious message of Çrémad-Bhägavatam, spoken by the
great sage Çukadeva Gosvämé. Çaunaka inquires about:
Where Çréla Vyäsadeva got the inspiration to compile Çrémad-Bhägavatam (3)
Elevated position of Çukadeva Gosvämé (4-8)
Çréla Çukadeva’s relationship with Mahäräja Parékñit (7-8)
Qualities and birth of Mahäräja Parékñit (9)
Why Parékñit gave up everything to sit by the Ganges and fast until death (9-12)
Verses 14-25 Vyasadeva divides the Veda
Süta Gosvämé explains how Çréla Vyäsadeva, seeing the anomalies of the age, divided the Veda into
four so they may be practically followed by less intelligent persons. He also compiled the great
historical narration Mahäbhärata for women, çudras, and friends of the twice-born.
Verses 26-33: Vyásadeva's dissatisfaction & Narada’s Visit
Nevertheless, Çréla Vyäsadeva still felt dissatisfied because in none of his works were the
transcendental activities of the Lord properly explained. Just as he is contemplating the cause of his
despondency, his spiritual master, Närada Muni, appears.
CLOSED BOOK SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. What are the three qualifications of the congratulator of an assembly? (1) (1M)
2. List two examples of non bonafide persons who recite Srimad Bhagavatam. (2) (2M)
3. What is the ‘Suka samhita’? (7) (1M)
4. What is the distinction between brahmanas and parivrajakacaryas? (13) (1M)
5. When was the great sage Vyasadeva born? (14) (1M)
6. Where is the Saraswati River flowing? (15) (1M)
7. How was Vyasadeva able to see the anomalies of the age? (17-18) (2M)
8. List 3 of the 5 professors of the Vedas. (21-22) (3M)
9. For which three groups is the Mahabharata compiled for? (25) (3M)
CLOSED BOOK QUESTION
1. Summarize, and briefly discuss the significance of, the questions Saunaka Rsi asks Suta
Gosvami in relation to later topics of Srimad Bhagavatam. (1.4.6-12) (5M)
2. With reference to the discussion between Saunaka Rsi and Sri Suta Gosvami, explain the
significance of the statement, “...Realization is more important than parrotlike chanting.”
(5M)
3. Summarize Srila Vyasadeva’s literary contributions, as described in 1.4.15-26. (5M)
4. List three anomalies Srila Vyasadeva saw, in the duties of the millennium and describe the
solution he contemplated. 1.4.16-19. (5M)
5. Explain how no one can claim independent knowledge beyond the Vedas. (1.4.23) (3M)
OPEN BOOK ESSAYS
1. Explain the standard of recitation of Srimad Bhagavatam with reference to 1.4.1 verse and
purport. Discuss the relevance of these standards for effectively presenting KC to a variety of
audiences. Discuss the consequences for ISKCON, of not maintaining these standards. (10M)
2. Discuss general principles relevant for preachers, from the Suta Goswami’s description of
Sukadeva Goswami’s qualities. Give reference to Srimad Bhagavatam 1.4.4-8, verses and
purports, and at least 2 appropriate verses from the Bhakti Sastras. (10M)
3. Explain the significance of Vyasadeva’s inquiry to the young damsels, in regards to Sukadeva
Goswami. Give reference to Srimad Bhagavatam 1.4.5, verse and purport in your response.
(10M)
4. Explain the import of the statement: “One should approach a sadhu or great sage not to see
but to hear him.” Give reference to Srimad Bhagavatam 1.4.6, verse and purport, and
appropriate Bhakti Sastri texts in your response. (10M)
5. Discuss the relevance, for ISKCON leaders, of Maharaja Pariksit’s leadership. Give reference to
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.4.12, verse and purport in your response. (10M)
6. Explain the significance of the statement, “...Realization is more important than parrotlike
chanting...”. Give reference to the example of Srila Suta Goswami, as described in 1.4.13 verse
and purport. (10M)
7. Discuss how Srila Vyasadeva’s contemplating for the welfare of men, in all statuses and orders
of life, reflects Srila Prabhupada’s mood and mission. Give reference to 1.4.17-18, verses and
purports in your response. (10M)
8. Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to 1.4.25: “It is a great science, and the great professor
is the Lord Himself in the form of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And persons who are
empowered by Him can initiate others in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.”
Discuss, with reference to 1.4.24-25 verses and purports, how this statement reflects Srila
Prabhupada’s mission. (10M)
9. Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to 1.4.25: “Vyasadeva and Lord Krsna are both on the
transcendental plane, and therefore they collaborated in doing good to the fallen souls of this
age.” Explain, with reference to Canto 1 Chapter 4, verses and purports, how Vyāsadeva and
Lord Krsna collaborated. (10M)
10. Discuss the significance of the statement: ‘stri-sudra-dvijabandhunam trayi na sruti-gocara’, in
relation to Srila Prabhuada’s mission. Give reference to 1.4.25, verses and purports, and
appropriate Bhakti Sastri verses in your response. (10M)
CHAPTER 5
NÄRADA'S INSTRUCTIONS ON ÇRÉMAD-BHÄGAVATAM FOR VYÄSADEVA
Verse 1-9: Närada Inquires about Vyäsa’s Despondency, and Vyäsa Replies
Närada Muni, fully understanding the situation, inquires from Vyäsadeva about the cause of his
unhappines and hints about the solution. Çréla Vyäsadeva requests his spiritual master, Närada Muni,
to reveal to him the root cause of his despondency. Närada explains that Vyäsadeva has written many
Vedic literatures in which he has broadly described dharma, artha, käma, and mokña, but he has not
described the glories of the Supreme Personality, Väsudeva. In this way Vyäsadeva has improperly
used his valuable time.
Verses 10-19: Närada Reveals to Vyäsa the Importance of Describing Kåñëa's Pastimes
Närada compares those words which do not describe the glories of the Lord to a place of pilgrimage
for crows. Transcendental literature, however, can bring about a revolution in the world’s misdirected
civilization. Because Vyäsa had encouraged the people, in the name of religion, to enjoy, Närada
condemns Vyäsa's compilation of different Vedic literatures as abominable. What if one gives up
prescribed duties (as recommended by Närada) but does not achieve complete success? Progress in
devotional service is credited forever. A nondevotee, however, though fully engaged in occupational
duties, does not gain anything. Material happiness comes by destiny, so there's no need to endeavor
for it. Even if a devotee of Lord Kåñëa falls down, he does not undergo material existence like others.
Verses 20-40: Närada narrates his past life and instructs Vyäsa
Närada gives himself as an example of how one can achieve confidential service to the Lord simply by
hearing from and serving great bhakti-vedäntas. (23-31) Närada Muni glorifies working in Kåñëa's
service while remembering Him. (32-36) Närada glorifies spiritual sound and asks Vyäsadeva to
directly glorify the Lord's activities for the benefit of suffering humanity
CLOSED BOOK SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. List three ethical instructions relevant for everyone in every place without exception. (11)
(3M)
2. Explain the meaning of the phrase ‘amogha-drk’. (13) (1M)
3. Give the English meaning of ‘jugupsitam’.(15) (1M)
4. List three of Sri Narada Muni’s characteristics. (24) (3M)
5. How did Sri Narada become infected with the qualities of the Bhaktivedantas? (25) (2M)
6. List three of the infallible purpose of the advancement of knowledge. (22) (3M)
7. Who are Krsna’s aide-de-camp? (37) (1M)
8. What is more important than the Vedanta for this modern age? (38) (1M)
9. List three qualifications of a disciple exemplified by Sri Narada. (29) (3M)
CLOSED BOOK QUESTIONS
1. Explain the statement: “Knowledge of self-realization, even though free from all material
affinity, does not look well if devoid of a conception of the Infallible [God].” Give reference to
at least two appropriate verses from Bhagavad Gita in your response. 1.5.12 (5M)
2. Explain the particular defect, Srila Naradadeva is stressing, in the Vedic literatures compiled
by Vyasadeva. (14) (5M)
3. Explain the remedy for eliminating all inauspicious things within the heart that are considered
to be obstacles in the path of self-realization (1.5.18). (5M)
4. Explain how a devotee does not undergo material existence like others. (19) (3M)
5. Explain why Srila Vyasadeva accepted Sri Narada as his spiritual master, even though he was
not at all dependent on a spiritual master. (1.5.21). (5M)
OPEN BOOK ESSAYS
1. Identify general principles from Vyasadeva’s dissatisfaction and discuss the relevance of these
principles for personal and preaching application. Give reference to 1.4.26-1.5.9, verses and
purports in your response. (10M)
2. Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to 1.5.10: “Mostly the market literatures which attract
men of the crow’s categories are literatures containing refused remnants of sensuous topics.”
Discuss the relevance of this statement for personal and preaching application. Give reference
to 1.5.10, verse and purport in your response. (10M)
3. Discuss how Sri Narada’s instructions to Vyasa in 1.5.10-15 reflect Srila Prabhupada’s mood &
mission. Give reference to 1.5.10-15, verses and purports in your response. (10M)
4. Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to 1.5.11: “If there is a change of heart of the leaders
only, certainly there will be a radical change in the atmosphere of the world.” Discuss how
this statement reflects Srila Prabhupada’s mood & mission. Include, in your response, specific
statements from Sri Narada’s instructions to Vyasa in 1.5.11, which reflect this principle.
(10M)
5. Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to 1.5.11: “But we are sure that with all our faults in
this connection the seriousness of the subject matter will be taken into consideration, and the
leaders of society will still accept this due to its being an honest attempt to glorify the
almighty God.” Discuss how this statement reflects Srila Prabhupada’s mood & mission.
Include, in your response, appropriate statements from Sri Narada’s instructions to Vyasa, in
this chapter, which reflect this principle. (10M)
6. “The expert physician does not make any compromise with the patient by allowing him to
take partially what he should not at all take...” Explain the compromising spirit of Vyasa with
specific reference to 1.5.16, verse and purport, and Sri Narada’s teachings to Vyasa in general.
Discuss the significance of this statement for ISKCON's present and future. (10M)
7. Summarize Sri Narada’s comparison of Krsna conscious literature with literature that does not
describe the glories of Sri Krsna. Include specific reference to analogies and metaphors from
both the verses and purports of 1.5.8-22. (10M)
8. Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to 1.5.18: “...everyone has his destined happiness also.
No one can get more or less of these things simply by personal endeavors.” Discuss, with
reference to 1.5.18, verse and purport, and at least 3 Bhakti Sastri verses, the relevance of this
principle in your practice of Krsna consciousness. (10M)
9. Explain how even though he falls down, a devotee is never to be considered the same as a
fallen karmi. Give reference to 1.5.19, verse and purport in your response. (10M)
10. Srila Prabhupada writes in 1.5.22: “Scientific knowledge engaged in the service of the Lord,
and all similar activities, are all factually hari-kirtana, or glorification of the Lord.” Explain
how this statement reflects Srila Prabhupada’s mood and mission. Give reference to 1.5.22,
verse and purport, and at least 3 Bhakti Sastri verses in your response. (10M)
11. With reference to verses and purports from Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.23 to 31, give an overview
of Narada Muni’s experiences in association with the bhaktivedantas. Give reference to at least
3 appropriate Bhakti Sastri verses in your response. (10M)
12. Identify three principles that can be drawn from the previous life of Narada Muni, as
described in SB 1.5.23-1.5.31, and discuss their relevance to your own life and how these
principles can be applied in preaching. (10M)
13. The Lord says that the service of His servants is greater than His personal service. Explain this
principle with reference to verses and purports from 1.5.23-1.5.31, wherein Narada’s previous
life is described. (10M)
14. Srila Prabhupada writes in 1.5.22: “The irresponsible life of sense enjoyment was unknown to
the children of the followers of the varnasrama system.” Discuss the relevance of this principle
for ISKCON with reference to Narada’s previous life as described in 1.5.23-1.5.31, verses and
purports. (10M)
15. Srila Prabhupada writes in 1.5.36: “No one will disagree to partake in a function where good
singing, dancing and refreshment are administered. Everyone will attend such a function, and
everyone is sure to feel individually the transcendental presence of the Lord.” Discuss how
this statement reflects Srila Prabhupada’s mood and mission. Give reference to 1.5.36, verse
and purport in your response. (10M)
16. Select statements from 1.5.17-19 verses and purports, and explain how they increase your
faith and conviction in the process of Krsna consciousness. (10M)
