Gradient of Perfection

Jagannatha dasa, Jul 18 2011

Hare Krishna prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I have often heard Srila Gurudeva describe the Absolute Truth with the phrase, Perfect, More Perfect and Most Perfect.

This is in the context of Brahman Paramatma and Bhagavan.

What is the meaning of this phrase?

Brahma jyoti is perfect because it is eternal.

Paramatma, (Lord Vishnu) is more perfect because it is both perfect and full of knowledge.

and Bhagavan (Lord Krishna) is most perfect, being full of eternity knowledge and bliss (sat cid ananda)

For a sastric reference to this and Prabhupada’s full purport please see Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.11

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However the conditioned souls like us are still struggling with our senses.  We have the tendency to find fault wherever and whenever possible.  It is important that we begin from the mood of humility.  Only when we understand that Brahman is perfect, and that Paramatma is more perfect can we fully understand the paramount perfection of Lord Krishna to our capacity.  Otherwise, by criticizing Brahman or Vishnu, we cheat ourselves from the happiness of Krishna consciousness, and remain morose in the clutches of maya.

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I’m taking a moment here to meditate on the glory of the Absolute Truth in its various manifestations and see my self so fallen in that light. So what is that bliss that Krishna possesses?

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In Srila Prabhupada’s purport to Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya Lila Chapter 9, text 144 he compares the qualities of Vishnu and Krishna. “Lord Narayana has sixty transcendental qualities. Over and above these, Krishna has four extraordinary transcendental qualities absent in Lord Narayana. These four qualities are (1) His wonderful pastimes, which are compared to an ocean, (2) His association in the circle of the supreme devotees in conjugal love (the gopés), (3) His playing on the flute, whose vibration attracts the three worlds, and (4) His extraordinary beauty, which surpasses the beauty of the three worlds. Lord Krishna’s beauty is unequaled and unsurpassed.”

Thank you all very much for your kind attention.  Please let me know if there are any questions or comments to add.

Your servant,

-Jagannatha dasa

Mahabhagavat Das SDA, Jul 19 2011

Dear Jagannatha Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Gurudeva.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Thank you very much for your reflection. You gave us an opportunity to engage in Smaranam, remembrance of the Lord, and in this way you are my great well-wisher.

Even within Krishna’s Bhagavan form, there are increasing levels of sweetness manifested, for example, I feel that Partha Sarathi Krishna is so incredibly sweet, but Gopala Krishna is sweeter, but Lord Damodara Gopal is even more sweet, and the Lord’s sweetness expands unlimitedly through His pastimes. I can’t wait to be completely and fully bewildered by the Lord’s sweetness and pray that all the sincere souls in this group be fully and unlimitedly drowned in the oceans of the Lord’s sweetness.

Your servant,

Mahabhagavat Das

 

(Conversation compiled by Nashvin Gangaram)