Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.3.20-21
Mukti· LiberationLearn Surrender Through Recognized Disciplic Succession
“Lord Brahmā, Bhagavān Nārada, Lord Śiva, the four Kumāras, Lord Kapila [the son of Devahūti], Svāyambhuva Manu, Prahlāda Mahārāja, Janaka Mahārāja, Grandfather Bhīṣma, Bali Mahārāja, Śukadeva Gosvāmī and I myself know the real religious principle. My dear servants, this transcendental religious principle, which is known as bhāgavata-dharma, or surrender unto the Supreme Lord and love for Him, is uncontaminated by the material modes of nature. It is very confidential and difficult for ordinary human beings to understand, but if by chance one fortunately understands it, he is immediately liberated, and thus he returns home, back to Godhead.”
What the purport teaches
- Bhāgavata-dharma means surrender unto the Supreme Lord and love for Him. This confidential religious principle is free from the material modes of nature.
- Kṛṣṇa asks one to give up all other duties and surrender unto Him. This principle becomes understandable by following the paramparā system, or disciplic succession, of recognized authorities.
- One must take shelter of one of the four recognized successions: Brahma, Rudra, Śrī or Kumāra. A succession without a link to these authorities cannot enable one to understand real religious principles.
Try this today
Reread the explanation of the four disciplic successions and write down why their connection to recognized authorities matters.
Ask yourself
How can learning through a recognized disciplic succession help me understand surrender to Kṛṣṇa?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.