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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.5.1
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A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT 1
- nārada uvāca
- deva-deva namas te 'stu
- bhūta-bhāvana pūrvaja
- tad vijānīhi yaj jñānam
- ātma-tattva-nidarśanam
nāradaḥŚrī Nārada said uvācaŚrī Nārada said — Śrī Nārada said; devaof all demigods — of all demigods; devathe demigod — the demigod; namaḥobeisances — obeisances; teunto you as — unto you as; astuare — are; bhūtathe generator of all living beings-bhāvanathe generator of all living beings — the generator of all living beings; pūrvathe firstborn-jathe firstborn — the firstborn; tatplease explain that knowledge vijānīhiplease explain that knowledge — please explain that knowledge; yatwhich knowledge jñānamwhich knowledge — which knowledge; ātmatranscendental-tattvatranscendental — transcendental; nidarśanamspecifically directs — specifically directs.
Śrī Nārada Muni asked Brahmājī: O chief amongst the demigods, O firstborn living entity, I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto you. Please tell me that transcendental knowledge which specifically directs one to the truth of the individual soul and the Supersoul.
The perfection of the paramparā system, or the path of disciplic succession, is further confirmed. In the previous chapter it has been established that Brahmājī, the firstborn living entity, received knowledge directly from the Supreme Lord, and the same knowledge was imparted to Nārada, the next disciple. Nārada asked to receive the knowledge, and Brahmājī imparted it upon being asked. Therefore, asking for transcendental knowledge from the right person and receiving it properly is the regulation of the disciplic succession. This process is recommended in the Bhagavad-gītā (BG 4.2, Not yet available in the library. Try the live source.). The inquisitive student must approach a qualified spiritual master to receive transcendental knowledge by surrender, submissive inquiries and service. Knowledge received by submissive inquiries and service is more effective than knowledge received in exchange for money. A spiritual master in the line of disciplic succession from Brahmā and Nārada has no demand for dollars and cents. A bona fide student has to satisfy him by sincere service to obtain knowledge of the relation and nature of the individual soul and the Supersoul.