SRI BRAHMA-SAMHITA

Verse 59

pramanais tat sadacharais tad abhyasair nirantaram
bodhayann atmanatmanam bhaktim apy uttamam labhet [59]

Translation: Supreme devotion is attained by gradually increasing perception of one’s intrinsic self through constant self-cultivation following authority, virtuous practices and practising spiritual life.

Purport: ‘Authority’ refers to the scriptures that teach us about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, such as the Vedas, Puranas, Srimad Bhagavad-gita, etc. ‘Virtuous practices’ refers to the practices of the true devotee saints, and the practices inspired by the divine love in the hearts of the pure devotees who follow the path of love for the Lord. By ‘practising spiritual life’ it is meant that one should learn about Dasa-mula, or the ten fundamental divine principles, from the scriptures, and after receiving as directed therein the Holy Name of the Lord—embodying His Name, form, qualities and pastimes—one should go on with the constant practice of His divine service, taking the Name regularly every day.

It must be clearly understood that in this practising spiritual life, scriptural cultivation and saintly association (sadhu-sanga) are necessary. When virtuous practices are combined with the service of the Name, the ten offences to the Holy Name can no longer endure. To faithfully follow the sadhus who hear and chant the glories of the Name without any trace of offence is the true practising of spiritual life. In the heart of one who faithfully continues his practising spiritual life in this line, the objective, which is devotion in divine love, makes her gracious appearance.

• For Reader's Appreciation
• Feelings of Appreciation
• Prologue
• Translator's Note
• Illumination
• Verse 1
• Verse 2
• Verse 3
• Verse 4
• Verse 5
• Verse 6
• Verse 7
• Verse 8
• Verse 9

• Verse 11
• Verse 12
• Verse 13
• Verse 14
• Verse 15
• Verse 16
• Verse 17
• Verse 18
• Verse 19

• Verse 20
• Verse 21
• Verse 22
• Verse 23
• Verse 24
• Verse 25
• Verse 26
• Verse 27
• Verse 28
• Verse 29

• Verse 30
• Verse 31
• Verse 32
• Verse 33
• Verse 34
• Verse 35
• Verse 36
• Verse 37
• Verse 38
• Verse 39

• Verse 40
• Verse 41
• Verse 42
• Verse 43
• Verse 44
• Verse 45
• Verse 46
• Verse 47
• Verse 48
• Verse 49

• Verse 50
• Verse 51
• Verse 52
• Verse 53
• Verse 54
• Verse 55
• Verse 56
• Verse 57
• Verse 58
• Verse 59

• Verse 60
• Verse 61
• Verse 62

• Verse Contents

Download (epub)
Download (pdf)