Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 6.120
Understanding the Commentary Being Taught
“He then began to instruct Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu on Vedānta philosophy, and out of affection and devotion, he spoke to the Lord as follows.”
What the purport teaches
- The Vedānta- or Brahma-sūtra was written by Śrīla Vyāsadeva and is studied by advanced spiritual students. Sannyāsīs must read it to establish their final conclusions concerning Vedic knowledge.
- The Vedānta taught here was Śaṅkarācārya’s commentary, known as Śārīraka-bhāṣya. Sannyāsīs of the Śaṅkara-sampradāya seriously enjoy studying the Vedānta-sūtra with this commentary.
- Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya intended to convert Caitanya Mahāprabhu from a Vaiṣṇava sannyāsī into a Māyāvādī sannyāsī. He therefore arranged to teach Him according to Śaṅkarācārya’s commentary.
Try this today
Write down the names of the original text and the commentary discussed here, identifying each author.
Ask yourself
Do I distinguish a spiritual text from the commentary used to explain it?
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.