Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 7.134
Follow previous teachers, not false pride
“Whatever you might write due to false pride, trying to surpass Śrīdhara Svāmī, would carry a contrary purport. Therefore no one would pay attention to it.
What the purport teaches
- Śrīdhara Svāmī’s commentary is first among the commentaries on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and the other ācāryas follow his.
- The paramparā system does not allow deviation from the previous ācāryas. By depending upon them, one can write beautiful commentaries.
- False pride makes one think one can write better than the previous ācāryas, but it makes one’s comments faulty. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu condemns interpreting revealed scriptures according to one’s own philosophy.
Try this today
Review one explanation you have written and check whether it follows the supplied translation and purport.
Ask yourself
When I explain scripture, am I trying to understand the teachers or display my own learning?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.