Every word has a meaning

July 18 2017, 22:53

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every word has a meaning↴
    
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    im just trying to make them all heard
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Expressions researched:
«Every word we hear has a meaning behind it»
|«each word»
|«every word»
|«meaning»
|«meanings»
|«Meaningful»

Every word we hear has a meaning behind it. As soon as we hear the word «water,» there is a substance—water—behind the word. Similarly, as soon as we hear the word «God,» there is a meaning to it. If we receive that meaning and explanation of «God» from God Himself, then it is perfect.

SB 3.26.33, Purport: All material and mundane information is tainted by illusion, error, cheating and imperfection of the senses. Because Vedic knowledge was imparted by the Supreme Lord, who is transcendental to material creation, it is perfect. If we receive that Vedic knowledge from Brahmā in disciplic succession, then we receive perfect knowledge. Every word we hear has a meaning behind it. As soon as we hear the word «water,» there is a substance—water—behind the word. Similarly, as soon as we hear the word «God,» there is a meaning to it. If we receive that meaning and explanation of «God» from God Himself, then it is perfect. But if we speculate about the meaning of «God,» it is imperfect. Bhagavad-gītā, which is the science of God, is spoken by the Personality of Godhead Himself. This is perfect knowledge. Mental speculators or so-called philosophers who are researching what is actually God will never understand the nature of God. The science of God has to be understood in disciplic succession from Brahmā, who was first instructed about knowledge of God by God Himself. We can understand the knowledge of God by hearing Bhagavad-gītā from a person authorized in the disciplic succession.

CC Madhya 24.10, Translation: “There are eleven clear words in this verse, but when they are studied separately, various meanings glitter from each word.»

CC Antya 17.44, Translation: “Kṛṣṇa’s speech is far sweeter than nectar. Each of His jubilant words is full of meaning, and when His speech mixes with His smile, which is like camphor, the resultant sound and the deep meaning of Kṛṣṇa’s words create various transcendental mellows.»

Kṛṣṇa is unlimited, and similarly, each word and letter of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam has unlimited meanings. One can understand these meanings through the association of devotees.

Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 16: «Do not try to praise Me in that way,» the Lord told Sanātana. «Just try to understand the real nature of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the sound representation of the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa; therefore Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is not different from Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is unlimited, and similarly, each word and letter of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam has unlimited meanings. One can understand these meanings through the association of devotees. Don’t, then, say that Bhāgavatam is simply a collection of answers to questions.»

Although Kṛṣṇa does not speak very long, each and every word from His mouth contains volumes of meaning.

Nectar of Devotion 21, Qualities of Śri Kṛṣṇa : Kṛṣṇa’s speech, which contains all good qualities in the universe, is described in the following statement by Uddhava: «The words of Kṛṣṇa are so attractive that they can immediately change the heart of even His opponent. His words can immediately solve all of the questions and problems of the world. Although He does not speak very long, each and every word from His mouth contains volumes of meaning. These speeches of Kṛṣṇa are very pleasing to my heart.»

Veda-vāda-ratas search out meanings in every word of the Vedas to suit their own purposes.

Sri Isopanisad 9, Purport: As stated in Mantra One, we should know that the Personality of Godhead is the proprietor of everything and that we must be satisfied with our allotted portions of the necessities of life. The purpose of all Vedic literature is to awaken this God consciousness in the forgetful living being, and this same purpose is presented in various ways in the different scriptures of the world for the understanding of a foolish mankind. Thus the ultimate purpose of all religions is to bring one back to Godhead.
But the veda-vāda-rata people, instead of realizing that the purpose of the Vedas is to revive the forgetful soul’s lost relationship with the Personality of Godhead, take it for granted that such side issues as the attainment of heavenly pleasure for sense gratification—the lust for which causes their material bondage in the first place—are the ultimate end of the Vedas. Such people misguide others by misinterpreting the Vedic literature. Sometimes they even condemn the Purāṇas, which are authentic Vedic explanations for laymen. The veda-vāda-ratas give their own explanations of the Vedas, neglecting the authority of great teachers (ācāryas). They also tend to raise some unscrupulous person from among themselves and present him as the leading exponent of Vedic knowledge. Such veda-vāda-ratas are especially condemned in this mantra by the very appropriate Sanskrit words vidyāyāṁ ratāḥ. Vidyāyām refers to the study of the Vedas because the Vedas are the origin of all knowledge (vidyā), and ratāḥ means «those engaged.» Vidyāyāṁ ratāḥ thus means «those engaged in the study of the Vedas.» The so-called students of the Vedas are condemned herein because they are ignorant of the actual purpose of the Vedas on account of their disobeying the ācāryas. Such veda-vāda-ratas search out meanings in every word of the Vedas to suit their own purposes. They do not know that the Vedic literature is a collection of extraordinary books that can be understood only through the chain of disciplic succession.

Every word is used with full meaning. Sanskrit language is so nice. Therefore it is called Sanskrit, Sanskrit, Saṁskṛta. Saṁskṛta means reform.

Lecture on BG 1.2-3 — London, July 9, 1973: So Duryodhana wanted to point out «That this boy, your disciple, he… It is fixed up that he’s meant for killing you, and he has arranged nicely military phalanx just to defeat you. And he has learned this art from you.»
Therefore he is using this word, dhīmatā. Dhī, dhī means intelligence. Dhīmat-śabda. Dhīmat. Dhī means intelligence, and mat means «one who possesses.» Asty arthe matup-pratyaya. When one possesses something, in this sense, this pratyaya… In Sanskrit there are pratyayas. So matup pratyaya. So matup. From matup, it comes to mat. Sanskrit language means it is so reformed that each and every word has significance. Not that like your English language. «Beauty but peauty put.(?)» No, not like that. If you say «beauty but,» you must say, «peauty put.» But no, you change: beauty but peauty put. Why? This kind of change cannot be allowed in Sanskrit language. If the «u» means «aḥ,» just like beauty but, then it must always mean like that, no change. So dhīmatā. Dhī means intelligence. Dhī means intelligence. So one who has got intelligence. Every word is used with full meaning. Sanskrit language is so nice. Therefore it is called Sanskrit, Sanskrit, Saṁskṛta. Saṁskṛta means reform. And the alphabets are called devanāgarī. Devanāgarī means these alphabets… Just like in Europe the Roman letters are used, similarly, in the upper planetary system these alphabets are used, devanāgarī, used in the cities of the demigods. And the language is called Saṁskṛta, «most reformed.» And Sanskrit is the mother of all languages.

Each and every word is very carefully selected in Sanskrit, and they have got immense meaning, full of meaning.

Every word has got meaning.

Lecture on BG 9.1 — Melbourne, April 19, 1976: Therefore here it is said, bhagavān uvāca. You cannot put any question. That is the way.
Because Bhagavān means… Every word has got meaning. Bhaga means opulence. So one of the opulence is nobody is wiser than Him. Aiśvaryasya samagrasya vīryasya yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ (Viṣṇu Purāṇa 6.5.47). Bhagavān means one who possesses six kinds of opulences, richness, aiśvaryasya samagrasya, total richness. You are rich, I am rich, he is rich, but nobody can claim that «I am the only rich,» or «Nobody is richer than me.» That is not possible. But if you find somebody who is the richest—nobody is richer than him—then he is God. Then he’s God. God is not so cheap thing that in every street, every village, there is incarnation of God. Don’t accept that. You must know what is meaning of God. At least we followers of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, we do not accept such cheap God. The God’s description is there in the śāstra.

Every word has got meaning. Jīva ke karaye gadha. This gāḍha, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has said… It is not Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura wordings; it is the Vedic scripture.

Lecture on BG 9.2 — Calcutta, March 7, 1972: Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said, jaḍa vidyā sab māyāra vaibhava. By advance of material science you are simply increasing the paraphernalia of this māyā, illusory energy. Jada-vidyā, māyāra vaibhava, tomāra bhajane bādhā. The more one become materialistic scientist, he, he defies God: «That is not. We, we believe in science, believe in science.» But what is your science perfection? That is a different subject matter. But the difficulty is, at the present moment especially, the more one becomes advanced in this material knowledge, he becomes atheist. He becomes disbeliever. Therefore Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said, jaḍa-vidyā yata māyāra vaibhava, tomāra bhajane bādhā. It is simply hindrances. anitya saṁsāre moha janamiyā jīva ke karaye gadha. Every word has got meaning. Jīva ke karaye gadha. This gāḍha, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has said… It is not Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura wordings; it is the Vedic scripture. Kṛṣṇa also said, na māṁ prapadyante mūḍhāḥ duṣkṛtino narādhamāḥ [Bg. 7.15]. Mūḍhāḥ, mūḍhāḥ means gāḍha, «who has no knowledge.» So anyone who does not surrender to Kṛṣṇa, what he is? He is in the four classes: na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ [Bg. 7.15]. Either he’s a narādhama or he’s an ass, mūḍhāḥ, or he’s full of sinful activities, or if you say that he’s so learned scholar, then māyaya apahṛta-jñānā, his knowledge has been taken out by māyā. Otherwise, how he cannot surrender to Kṛṣṇa? How he cannot surrender to Kṛṣṇa? Because he is not surrendering to Kṛṣṇa, he must be classified in either of these categories—mūḍhāḥ, duṣkṛtino, narādhama, māyaya apahṛta-jñānā [Bg. 7.15].

Dāsa means servant, and go means senses. And if you are master of the senses, then you are gosvāmī. Every word has meaning. So without being fit, we should not use this word as personal designation. That is not good.

Lecture on BG 16.5 — Hawaii, January 31, 1975: About the Gosvāmīs it is said that these things, material demands of the body, sleeping, eating, sex and defense… They are the demands of the body. But how they became gosvāmī or svāmī? Because they were not affected by these demands. That is gosvāmī; that is svāmī. Svāmī means master. Gosvāmī means master of the senses. So if I am servant of the senses, how I can become gosvāmī, how I can become svāmī? That is false, hypocrisy. If you are servant of the senses, then you are go-dāsa. Dāsa means servant, and go means senses. And if you are master of the senses, then you are gosvāmī. Every word has meaning. So without being fit, we should not use this word as personal designation. That is not good.

So every word has volumes of meanings. Udga… Therefore sometimes right commentary required.

Each word is meaningful.

Lecture on SB 1.5.13 — New Vrindaban, June 13, 1969: Lord Caitanya advises, therefore, yāre dekha tāre kaha kṛṣṇa-upadeśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Kṛṣṇa consciousness means whomever you meet… Suppose I practice some yoga practice. Suppose I become perfect. So that I make for myself. For myself. But Kṛṣṇa consciousness is so nice… Just like Vyāsadeva is advised, «For others, just…» Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā, na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ [Bg. 18.69]. So Nārada advises that «You do this.» What is that? Urukramasya. Each word is meaningful. Urukrama. Uru means uncommon. Uru. Uru means great. And krama. Krama means activities. So who is Urukrama? Urukrama is Kṛṣṇa, God. His activities are uncommon. Just see. This Pacific Ocean is just like in a cup. And it is floating in the sky. Is it not? We see: «Oh, it is vast ocean.» But what is the position of this? This vast ocean is in a cup, and it is floating in the sky. That’s all. Just see. This is called urukrama. This is God’s activity. Can you float a cup of water in the sky? Is it possible? Let any scientist come and make any arrangement. They have discovered all this gravity of… What is called? Gravitation. So many things they have discovered. But let them fly a cup of water in the sky. Is it possible? Is there any scientist?

You will find in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, each word is transcendental. Each word is full of meaning and transcendental knowledge because the writer, the composer of this transcendental book, is Vyāsadeva. He is perfect, Vedavyāsa, perfect in Vedic knowledge.

Lecture on SB 1.7.6 — Vrndavana, April 18, 1975: So Vyāsadeva first of all made his life perfect. How? Bhakti-yogena. by practicing bhakti-yoga. And bhakti-yoga means manasā. Manasā vācā karmaṇā. Here it is said, manasā. Manasā, that is very nice bhakti-yoga, always thinking of Kṛṣṇa, sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayoḥ [SB 9.4.18], as Ambarīṣa Mahārāja did. Always Ambarīṣa Mahārāja fixed up his mind at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. So here also, Vyāsadeva, bhakti-yogena manasi samyak praṇihite amale [SB 1.7.4], when the mind was completely cleansed, then he saw. What he saw? Apaśyat. Apaśyat means «he visioned, he saw,» puruṣaṁ pūrṇam, «the complete Supreme Personality of Godhead.» And māyā. He saw also māyā, māyāṁ ca tad-apāśrayam, māyā on the back side, back side. So in this way he made his life first of all perfect, then he wrote this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam after becoming perfect. Therefore you will find in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, each word is transcendental. Each word is full of meaning and transcendental knowledge because the writer, the composer of this transcendental book, is Vyāsadeva. He is perfect, Vedavyāsa, perfect in Vedic knowledge.

Each word is full of meaning. Cintāmaṇi, prakara, sadmasu, kalpa-vṛkṣa. So Kṛṣṇa should be offered by chosen words. Uttama-śloka, very nicely arranged.

In Sanskrit composition each word has meaning.

Lecture on SB 1.9.3 — Los Angeles, May 17, 1973: So that is the test of knowledge, Kṛṣṇa’s knowledge. Therefore Bhagavān. Just try to understand Bhagavān. Bhagavān is not so cheap that any rascal comes and he says that «I am Bhagavān. You worship me,» and another rascal comes and… Not like that. Don’t take it cheaply. Bhagavān is not ordinary thing. He must be complete in everything. Aiśvaryasya samagrasya. Therefore Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is mentioned here, bhagavān api. Api. Why api? In Sanskrit composition each word has meaning. Api means «Although He is Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, still, He was going to see Bhīṣmadeva.» So just consider the position of Bhīṣmadeva. He was lying on deathbed with all these… Of course, the Pāṇḍavas, they were their grandson. It is their duty. But why Kṛṣṇa should go there? Therefore it is said bhagavān api: «In spite of His being the Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of God…» He was also going to show respect. How much great He was, just imagine. And all the brāhmaṇas, all the sages. That will be mentioned. There will be list of great personalities who were present.

Every word used in śāstra has got so deep meaning.

Lecture on SB 1.10.3 — Mayapura, June 18, 1973: Every word used in śāstra has got so deep meaning. Senayor ubhayor madhye rathaṁ sthāpaya… He could address Him, «Kṛṣṇa.» No, «Acyuta. You are correct to Your promise always.» And again, another place, Kṛṣṇa says, kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati [Bg. 9.31]. Kṛṣṇa asked Arjuna that «You declare to the world that My devotees will never be vanquished.» Why Kṛṣṇa asking Arjuna to declare? He could declare. He could declare, but the meaning is that sometimes, for the sake of His devotee, He breaks His promise. For the sake of His devotee. Just like Bhīṣma. Bhīṣma promised, «Kṛṣṇa, tomorrow either Your friend Arjuna will die, I am determined now, or You have to break Your promise.» Because Kṛṣṇa said, «I will not fight.» But when Arjuna was practically devastated by the arrows of Bhīṣma, he fell down, his chariot broke, everything shattered. Now Kṛṣṇa saw, «Now Arjuna is going to die.» So immediately Kṛṣṇa took the wheel of the chariot and went to the front of Bhīṣma: «Now you stop; otherwise I will kill you.» So this is fighting. So Bhīṣma saw, «Now Kṛṣṇa has broken His promise. I stop.» So to keep the promise of Bhīṣma, that Bhīṣma promised, «Either Arjuna will die, or Kṛṣṇa, You will have to break Your promise,» two things, so Kṛṣṇa said, «Yes, I am breaking My promise. Don’t kill Arjuna.» Therefore, for the sake of devotee, He sometimes break His promise.

Sanskrit, every word, every syllable, has got meaning. That is Sanskrit language.

Lecture on SB 2.1.1 — Los Angeles, July 1, 1970: Bhaga means opulence, and vān means one who possesses. Bhagavān. That is the meaning of word bhagavān. So when this bhagavān word is addressed, it is addressed as bhagavate. The word is bhagavat, bhagavat-śabda. Of course, these are grammatical arrangement. Vat, this affix, is there when it is meant… Sanskrit, every word, every syllable, has got meaning. That is Sanskrit language. It is not like that «beauty but, (?) beauty put.» No. If you say «beauty but,» then you must say «peauty put.» But in English, «beauty but, peauty put.» So in Sanskrit language, you cannot do like that. If you have to follow the rules, then the same rule will go on. So bhagavate address, oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Vāsudevāya. This is the form of, fourth form of, śabda, sound vibration, fourth form. Just like kṛṣṇāya. When I offer something, kṛṣṇāya, viṣṇave. Similarly, bhagavate, vāsudevāya.

Every word, suggests volumes of meaning.

Lecture on SB 2.1.1-5 — Boston, December 22, 1969: Another Bharata is the forefather of the Kuru dynasty. His name is also Bharata. And another Bharata was the son of King Ṛṣabhadeva, by whose name this planet is called Bhāratavarṣa. This whole planet is called Bhāratavarṣa. So he is addressing Parīkṣit Mahārāja as the descendant of King Bharata, Bhārata.» He bhārata. You have to talk and hear about sarvātmā, the Supersoul who is sitting in everyone’s heart, Bhagavān, the Personality of Godhead, full with all opulences.» Bhagavān, this word, every word, suggests volumes of meaning. And Hari: «who can take away all your sufferings.» Īśvara: «and He is the controller, supreme controller.»

«One who protects a human being from being hurt by others»—that is called kṣatriya. And brāhmaṇa means one who knows Brahman, the Absolute Truth. And vaiśya means those who know visampati, the economic problem. And śūdra means laborer. So each word has got meaning.

Lecture on SB 2.9.14 — Melbourne, April 13, 1972: So sva-dharma means, intelligent class means they are interested in philosophy, in religion, in uplifting the human society to the proper position. That is intelligent class. And administrator class means they are interested in giving protection to the people. Now it is under nationalism. And give them protection from the enemies, from thieves, from rogues. That is the duty of the kṣatriya. Kṣat. Kṣatta means injury, and tra means one who protects or liberates. «One who protects a human being from being hurt by others»—that is called kṣatriya. And brāhmaṇa means one who knows Brahman, the Absolute Truth. And vaiśya means those who know visampati, the economic problem. And śūdra means laborer. So each word has got meaning. So everyone has got his particular type of occupation, either as intelligent class of men, or as the administrator class of men, or as vaiśyas, traders, or merchants, or as a laborer. Everyone has got.

Out of eighteen Purāṇas the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is one Purāṇa. And in one Purāṇa you find eighteen thousand verses, and each and every word is so meaningful that you study throughout your whole life, oh, still you’ll find refreshed.

Lecture on SB 5.5.1-2 — London (Tittenhurst), September 13, 1969: So if our Kṛṣṇa consciousness improves, then we may be satisfied whatever is kṛṣṇa-prasāda. That’s Kṛṣṇa cons… Whatever Kṛṣṇa has offered me, that is sufficient. No more. Then our problem of sense gratification is solved. Similarly, your bread problem is solved, your apartment problem is solved. If you make your life very simple and shortcut, then the balance time you can utilize for Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This is the program. This is the program of Vedic civilization. You’ll find great scholars, Vyāsadeva… There is no comparison of his scholarship, how many… Now, this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, he has written eighteen thousand verses. And not only Śrīmad-… He has written eighteen Purāṇas. Out of eighteen Purāṇas the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is one Purāṇa. And in one Purāṇa you find eighteen thousand verses, and each and every word is so meaningful that you study throughout your whole life, oh, still you’ll find refreshed. Why this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam? There is Mahābhārata. And out of the Mahābhārata the Bhagavad-gītā is only one chapter, seven hundred verses. Such a great scholar was living in a cottage. You see. Not only that. He was, of course, brāhmaṇa, he was saintly… But he was family man. He had his wife, he had his children.

Each and every word is full of meaning and so nicely set up. Therefore it is said, vidvān cakre sātvata-saṁhitām: «The vidvān, the most learned Vyāsadeva, has given us the sātvata-saṁhitā.»

Lecture on SB 6.1.13-14 — Los Angeles, June 26, 1975: As soon as you say «incarnation,» the next question will be, «Whose incarnation?» That Vyāsadeva explains, that Kṛṣṇa’s incarnation Kṛṣṇa is not incarnation. Kṛṣṇa is personally the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is the statement of Vyāsadeva, the most learned. He is accepted the most, actually. Who can be more learned than Vyāsadeva in this material world? Nobody. You can see his writing, Bhāgavatam, how exalted, scholarly. Nobody can write such verses at the present moment. It is not possible. Each and every word is full of meaning and so nicely set up. Therefore it is said, vidvān cakre sātvata-saṁhitām: «The vidvān, the most learned Vyāsadeva, has given us the sātvata-saṁhitā.»

In Sanskrit literature every word has got particular meaning, particular thought. Therefore it is called Sanskṛta, most performed and purified literature, Sanskrit.

Lecture on SB 6.1.13-14 — Honolulu, May 14, 1976: Gṛhamedhi means one who does not know what is the aim of life. Gṛhamedhi and gṛhastha. Gṛhastha means although he is living with wife and children, but he knows what is the aim of life. That is the gṛhastha āśrama. As the sannyāsī knows what is the aim of life, similarly, a gṛhastha also may know. So such gṛhastha, sex life is allowed, who knows the aim of life. And one who does not know the aim of life, simply enjoys sex, he is called gṛhamedhi. These two words are there. In Sanskrit literature every word has got particular meaning, particular thought. Therefore it is called Sanskṛta, most performed and purified literature, Sanskrit. Sanskrit means purified. Saṁskāra. Just like we offer saṁskāra at the time of initiation, purification. So our main problem is the sex life. That is… Because sex life is the basic principle of material life. Either you are human being or you are demigod or you are a bird, you are a beast, you are a fly, you are a fish, you are tree, plants—everything—the basic principle of material life is sex. Puṁsaḥ striyā mithunī-bhāvam etat tayor mitho hṛdaya-granthim āhuḥ [SB 5.5.8]. Everything is there. You have got books. You study and follow the practice. Be little sober. It is not that you’ll not be able. You’ll be able. And Kṛṣṇa will help. As soon as you are very eager, then Kṛṣṇa will help. Teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam [Bg. 10.10].

Every word in Bhāgavata, there is meaning.

Lecture on SB 7.9.3 — Mayapur, February 10, 1976: Just like nobody can excel the Supreme Personality of Godhead in anything, similarly, when He is angry, nobody can excel Him. He becomes so angry. So He is always… «God is great» means great in everything. When He is angry, nobody can excel Him in His anger. And when He is very peaceful, nobody can excel Him. This is God. Asamaurdha. God means nobody is equal; nobody is greater. So when the Lord was angry, nobody can show His anger equally and nobody can become greatly anger or more greatly angry than Kṛṣṇa. He is always topmost. This is… So such anger was exhibited. Why? Now, it is said, sva-pitre kupitam. He’s inducing, Brahmā inducing, that «We never seen the Lord so angry, but it is on account of your father, so it is your duty. You go there.» (chuckles) The child will accept, «Yes. My father committed so many offenses. Therefore it is my duty to pacify the Lord.» Therefore he is reminding because he was a child, «My dear child, it is for your father He has become so angry, so it is your duty. Go and pacify Him.» So every word in Bhāgavata, there is meaning. Sva-pitre kupitaṁ prabhum: «Don’t think that it is our duty; it is your duty. Although we are Brahmā, Lakṣmī, all right. So real duty is yours.» This is little joking.

Following in the footsteps of My Guru Mahārāja, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Prabhupāda, I have kept the Bengali character and tried to give the literary meaning of each word of the Bengali poem.

Lecture on CC Adi-lila 7.1 — Mayapur, March 1, 1974: This is the place of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, appearance site of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Śrīdhāma Māyāpur. So in this place this is the appropriate literature, Śrī-caitanya-caritāmṛta. We may try to discuss during these holy days. Last year some gentleman suggested, after seeing my all literatures, that «You kindly write a translation of Śrī-Caitanya-caritāmṛta.» He thought that this business I can do very nicely. So I took the initiation from this gentleman and began to write. Now it is almost complete. I am now translating Madhya-līlā, Twentieth chapter, the discussion, ‘sanātana-śikṣā.’ So it is estimated that ten volumes like this… (aside:) You think like that? Ten volumes like this, that will complete Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Caitanya-caritāmṛta is the postgraduate study of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The Bhagavad-gītā is the A-B-C-D to entrance, and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the graduate study, and Śrī-Caitanya-caritāmṛta is the postgraduate study of spiritual life. My Guru Mahārāja, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Prabhupāda, whenever he got some time he used to read Caitanya-caritāmṛta. And he predicted that the whole world like to read Caitanya-caritāmṛta, and for this reason they’ll learn Bengali. Therefore, following his footsteps, I have kept the Bengali character and tried to give the literary meaning of each word of the Bengali poem. This is, of course, Sanskrit. This book is full of Sanskrit verses. Some of them are composed by the author himself, Kavirāja Gosvāmī, and some of them are quoted from various literature, Vedic literature.

Each word is meaningful. Śāntam.

Radhastami, Srimati Radharani’s Appearance Day — Montreal, August 30, 1968: Śāntaṁ śāśvatam aprameyam anaghaṁ nirvāṇa-śānti-pradam. Each word is meaningful. Śāntam. The Lord is never disturbed. Why He shall be disturbed? Just like we are, in this material world, we are always disturbed in so many ways. The duration life is short, and we are always embarrassed with so many problems, political, social, religious, cultural, so many things. And family, maintenance of family is more difficult than maintaining an empire.

Every word, every syllable has got a symbolic meaning. Bhaga. Bhaga means opulence, and vān means one who possesses. There are many words like that, guṇavān. Guṇavān. Guṇa means quality, and vān means one who possesses.

Sunday Feast Lecture — Los Angeles, January 19, 1969: The real meaning of Sanskrit means «reform.» It is not whimsical, just like in English language, «beauty but, peauty put.» It is not like that. Every word, every syllable has got a symbolic meaning. Bhaga. Bhaga means opulence, and vān means one who possesses. There are many words like that, guṇavān. Guṇavān. Guṇa means quality, and vān means one who possesses. Similarly, the Sanskrit word, equivalent word of the English word «God» is Bhagavān. Bhaga… God… Generally described, God is great. That is perfect. Actually God is great. Nobody can be equal to God, and nobody can be greater than God. Greatness… If I am great and if there is another competitor great, then I am not God, neither he is God. When we say, speak of God, there is no competitor. The Sanskrit word used, asamaurdhva… Asama. Sama means equal; a means not. Nobody is equal.

It requires sufficient education, sufficient status. Then one can understand Vedānta. In each and each code, each word, there are volumes of meaning, and there are many commentation, commentary by Śaṅkarācārya, commentary by Rāmānujācārya, commentary by…, big, big volumes in Sanskrit language.

Address to Indian Association — Columbus, May 11, 1969: So Caitanya Mahāprabhu was not a fool, but Vedānta is not for fool. It requires sufficient education, sufficient status. Then one can understand Vedānta. In each and each code, each word, there are volumes of meaning, and there are many commentation, commentary by Śaṅkarācārya, commentary by Rāmānujācārya, commentary by…, big, big volumes in Sanskrit language. So how one will understand Vedānta? It is not possible. It may be possible for one person or two persons to understand what is Vedānta, but for the mass of people it is not possible; neither it is possible to practice yoga. Therefore this Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s method, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa… He says, the first installment of gain will be ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam: [Cc. Antya 20.12] All the dirty things from your heart will be cleansed simply by chanting. You chant. There is no expenditure; there is no loss. But as we are chanting, if you kindly chant… You just do it for one week, and you see how much you progress in spiritual knowledge. We are getting many students. Simply by chanting, they are understanding the whole philosophy. They are giving up their bad habits, they are becoming purified, so many things. They are practical. This Society, movement, is started practically not more than two years, 1966, and we have got so many branches. The American boys and girls, they are taking it very seriously and do it very nicely. They are following all rules and regulation, and they are happy. Ask any one of them.

Generally, every word in the scripture there is literal meaning, but one who cannot understand properly because one does not hear from the proper person, he makes some interpretation.

Our mode of presentation is first of all we put the original Sanskrit language in devanāgarī character. Then we give English, Roman transliteration, pronouncing the same word by diacritic mark. Then each word is translated into English. Then we give translation, the whole. And then we give the purport. This is our way. So we are giving meaning of each and every word means we have got considerable knowledge of that word. Otherwise how we can give?

Simply if you analyze one verse, you’ll find each word is full of volumes of meaning.

Do every word of our books meticulously and perfectly accurately transcribed so the most erudite and deep thinking men of the world can enter into the intricacies of meaning in each verse.

Letter to Pradyumna — Tittenhurst 13 October, 1969: I am sorry the NOD manuscript has not yet reached. This is another ill luck that the Post Office has not delivered. So whatever you have got finish it. If the manuscript does not reach, then we will will have to rewrite it again. If there is such need, I shall send you the duplicate. If it does reach, however, please inform me immediately. Your idea that our books should be read by scholars is quite appropriate. Without following the diacritic marks according to scholars they will think it inefficient. Yes, we want that businessmen, economists, religionists, students, etc. will all be carrying Bhagavatam and Gita. Yes, do every word of our books meticulously and perfectly accurately transcribed so the most erudite and deep thinking men of the world can enter into the intricacies of meaning in each verse. Your idea is nice. Please help all our literatures in that way and Krishna will bless you. Never mind what has been done in the past. You follow these principles steadily, chant Hare Krishna, and everything will be all right. There is no question of being frustrated. Regarding Nectar of Devotion, although it has been little procrastinated, things should be done slow but sure. Your questions certainly are not stupid. They are very intelligent questions and I am just pleased to discuss all these matters threadbare. I quite approve of your way of thinking. So do the work and Krishna will help you.