1.1. Chapter One, Questions by the Sages, verses summary.

Srila Vyasadeva offers his obeisances to Lord Sri Krsna, the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, and immediately glorifies the Srimad Bhagavatam
as completely pure, free from materially motivated activities, and especially
nectarean having emamated from the lips of Sri Sukadeva Goswami. (1-3)
The narration of the Bhagavatam begins in the holy place of
Naimisaranya, where great sages first glorify Srila Suta Goswami, the
speaker of the Bhagavatam, and then begin inquiring from him (4-8) The
sages begin by posing three questions. (9-13)
Then they glorify chanting and hearing about the Lord and request
Suta to speak to them about the Lord and His incarnations. (14-20)
After Suta describes that the Age of Kali has just begun, the sages
then ask a final (sixth) question: "Now that Sri Krsna, the Absolute Truth,
the master of all mystic powers has departed for His abode, please tell us by
whom religious principles are presently protected." (21-23)
Reading the 1st
Chapter so quickly has been intense. It should get a little more even next week.
Welcome to those just joining
Catch up gradually as you like.
1. Ch-1 is 42 pages with 22 verses (1.9 pages/verse).
2. And, most of those pages are in the first three verses.
Take them slowly, 1/2 of your reading is in the first three verses.
3. Second half is Questions by the Sages. What are the six questions?
Why do they ask these of Suta Goswami?
Are the four regulative principles introduced?
What right do they have to ask these questions?
Where are they? Kuruksetra?
What qualifications do we have or lack to hear Srimad Bhagavatam (Text 21
Purport).
***
There is so much knowledge even in this First Chapter. DON'T try to understand
it all in one effort! Try to hear it submissively and then read on. It will be
repeated again and again. You are not the primary student. Primary student is
your sub-conscious mind. But if you are not hearing attentively he will never be
able to appreciate this.
Sure, get some logical understanding, but not TOO MUCH.
4. But what is Srimad Bhagavatam? Is that the content of Texts 2 & 3?
5. Text One is 9-pages! I count maybe 11-qualities of Krsna, Vasudeva,
mentioned in the sloka.
Is that a correct count? Does Prabhupada discuss them all in the Purport? Why
should we
meditate on Vasudeva, not economic development?
What does susrusu mean (Compare Nectar of Instruction 5).
What's a "Prelude"? Introduction, Run up
6. Text One describes Krsna. Text Two describes Absolute truth ______(?)
7. Is the following true of Text Two? Please complete:
Materialistic Religion <=<< Srimad Bhagavatam >>=> Highest Truth >>=> Reality
x Illusion (for)
Welfare of ALL. >>=> Destroys ____(?) & >>=> Sufficient for ______?
Who compiled it? Who can understand it? (Graph it!)
8. Is Text Three more of Text Two? How? Two ways?
O.K.
Finis -- Are the Six Questions in front of you?
Do you have any other questions? If these six are answered will it be enough
for you?
Bhakti Vaibhav Homework Questions
Text 1 :

1. List three features of the Absolute Truth listed in the purport to 1.1.1 ( 2 marks)

2. List the four primary subjects of religion as mentioned in purport 1.1.1. (2 marks)

3. Explain why Srila Vyasadeva purposely invokes a Gayatri mantra, Dhimahi. (3 Marks)

4. Discuss the significance of the words ‘abhijnah’ and ‘svarat’. (4 marks)

5. What is the meaning the terms: (4 Marks)

a. asamaurdhva

b. param satyam
6. Explain the analogy of the desert mirage. (3 marks)
Text 2 :

7. Srimad Bhagavatam can only be understood by whom? Give reference to specific Sanskrit
words from 1.1.2 in your response. (2Marks)

8. What is the significance of the phrase – ‘vastavam vastu and sivadam’? (3 marks)

9. List the three categories (kanda) of the Vedic literature. (2 marks)

10.Discuss the meaning, and significance, of the word ‘susrusu’. (3 marks)

11.Explain the significance of dharmah projjhita-kaitavo ’tra paramo . (4
marks)
Text : 3

12. Why is Srila Sukadeva Gosvami compared to a parrot? (2 marks)

13. List the names of the 12 rasas. ( 2 marks )

14.Explain why the Srimad Bhagavatam is described as the ripened fruit of all
Vedic knowledge. (4 marks)
15. List the required qualities of the speaker of Bhagavatam from text 5 to 8 (4 Marks)

16. What are the characteristics of Kaliyug people? 1.1.10

17. Why Vampasthi and Sanyashi deviates in this Kaliyuga from rigid path (Varnashram)?1.1.11

18. What are the 6 question of the sages of Namisaranya?

19. What are the significances of Lord’s name (Harinaam) & His devotees? 1.1.14-15

20. Explain the meaning of title “Prabupad” & “Vishnupad”. 1.1.15

21. Explain the example of Cinema with material & spiritual world. 1.1.17

22. Explain the 2 types of materialistic people. 1.1.17

 23. How a materialistic person becomes or claim himself Lord? 1.1.20

24. Make the Yuga’s chart. 1.1.21

25. How educational institutions are compared with slaughter house? How will you safe your
own kids from this slaughter houses. 1.1.22

Question of Canto 1, Chapter 2

Sloka 1 to Sloka 17

1. Who is Romharsani and who is his father. What are alternative names of Ved Vyash and
Sukhadev 1.2.1

2. Explain the 4 stages to reach the levels to a Vaishava ? 1.2.2

3. Explain the darkest material planet with the example of Camel. 1.2.3

4. What do you mean by Veda, Vedanta, Vedant Sutra and Bhagwatam. 1.2.3

5. Explain “Sarirka Bhaishya” & “Swabhavik Bhaishya” in context to Sankracharya (1.2.3)

6. What is considered as a “best question”. ? 1.2.5

7. What is the best occupational duty for human being? 1.2.6

8. What is “Sudha Bhagwat Bhakti”? 1.2.6 (Purport)

9. How “Gyan” and “Vairagya” can be achieved from Bhakti ? (1.2.7)

10. What does the word “Niskarm” means? (1.2.7)

11. What are 2 types of selfishness (swarth vritti)? (1.2.8)

12. What are the needs of a soul? (1.2.8)

13. What is the purpose of char pursartha for general people. What is as per Bhagwatam (1.2.9-
10)

14. Define is sapeksh satya & nirpeksh (param) satya? (1.2.11)

15. What do you mean by “Gyan Adwaiyam” with example 1.2.11 (Rosgulla)

16. Why the 3rd class of devotees are called materialistic and how they will uplift to 2nd class?
(1.2.12)

17. When a religious preacher be called as “anadhikrit” & “adhikrit”? (1.2.12)

18. What are the scientific names of all the Varnas & Ashrams. (1.2.13)

19. What is the cause behind the breaking of Varnashram system. ? (1.2.13)

20. What is Karmyog, Gyanyog & Suddha Bhakti yog. (1.2.15)

21. What God do to reform Ashurik people. (1.2.16)

22. What is the importance of Services to devotees? (1.2.16)

23. How to develop gradual taste in Lord’s glorification (Katha)? (1.2.16)

24. How the Anartha’s of our heart can be cleansed? (1.2.17)

25. What are the 2 types of Bhagawat and explain them. (1.2.17)

26. How Lord Krirodaksaya creates this material world and who are the
departmental head? Amongst them who is the most benefactor? (1.2.23)

27. Explain the example of firewood, smoke and fire. (1.2.24)

28. Explain with the commentary of Srila Chakraborty Thakur, how to realize
“Brahma tattva” through the modes of nature. (1.2.24)

29. What is swa-ansh (integrated plenary portions) & vibhin-ansh (separated parts and parcels).
Explain with example? (1.2.26)

30. Explain to whom and why the Vishudha satwic, Satvic, Rajshik, Tamshik prays with example?
(1.2.25-27)

31. Explain with the example of Jail, how living entities and demigods are bound by the rules of
the Lord (1.2.29)

32. Explain the examples of fire(agni) and butter (makkhan) in relation to Guru & Parmatma.
(1.2.32)

33. Explain with the example of giant wheel (father and son), how Parmatma facilitates living
beings to enjoy material nature. (1.2.33)

34. Although soul is in proximity of Parmatma while enjoying material nature, still he feels
unhappy. Explain the reason with the example of giant wheel (father and son)

Bhakti Vaibhav (Canto 1, Chapter 4)

1. What are the 3 qualities of the congratulator of the assembly? (1.4.1)

2. What is similarity and difference between 4 vedas and Puranas? (1.4.13)

3. Who are parents of Ved Vyas and describe about his birth story (1.4.14)

4. What are the problems in Kaliyuga (1st para 1.4.18)

5. What is proper sequence of 4 Yugas? What is Vyatikrama in this age? Give reasons.(1.4.18)

6. Write the qualities of Sukhdev Goswami (1.4.4 to 1.4.8)

7. For which 3 groups is the Mahabharata compiled for and what was the reason. (1.4.25)

Canto 1, Chapter - 2

श्लोक 1 से श्लोक 17 तक
1. रोम्हारसानी कौन हैं और उनके पिता कौन हैं? वेद व्यास और सुखदेव के वैकल्पिक
नाम क्या हैं 1.2.1

2. वैष्णव के स्तर तक पहुँचने के 4 चरणों की व्याख्या करें? 1.2.2

3. ऊँट के उदाहरण से भौतिक ग्रह की व्याख्या करें। 1.2.3

4. वेद, वेदांत, वेदांत सूत्र और भागवतम से आप क्या समझते हैं? 1.2.3

5. शंकराचार्य के संदर्भ में "सारिरका भाष्य" और "स्वाभाविक भाष्य" की व्याख्या

करें (1.2.3)

6. "सर्वोत्तम प्रश्न" किसे माना जाता है? 1.2.5

7. मनुष्य के लिए सर्वोत्तम व्यावसायिक कर्तव्य क्या है? 1.2.6

8. "सुद्ध भागवत भक्ति" क्या है? 1.2.6

9. भक्ति से "ज्ञान" और "वैराग्य" कैसे प्राप्त किये जा सकते हैं? (1.2.7)

10. निस्काम कर्म शब्द का क्या अर्थ है? (1.2.7)

11. स्वार्थ वृत्ति के 2 प्रकार क्या हैं? (1.2.8)

12. आत्मा की क्या आवश्यकताएँ हैं? (1.2.8)

13. सामान्य जनता के लिए चार पुरुषार्थ का उद्देश्य क्या है? भागवतम के अनुसार
क्या है (1.2.9-10)

14. सपेक्ष सत्य और निर्पेक्ष (परम) सत्य को परिभाषित करें? (1.2.11)

15. उदाहरण के साथ "ज्ञान अद्वयम्" से आपका क्या तात्पर्य है? 1.2.11

16. तीसरी श्रेणी के भक्तों को भौतिकवादी क्यों कहा जाता है और वे दूसरी श्रेणी
तक कैसे पहुंचेंगे? (1.2.12)

17. किसी धार्मिक उपदेशक को "अनाधिकृत" एवं "अधिकृत" कब कहा जाता है? (1.2.12)

18. सभी वर्ण एवं आश्रमों के वैज्ञानिक नाम क्या हैं? (1.2.13)

19. वर्णाश्रम व्यवस्था के टूटने का कारण क्या है? ? (1.2.13)

20. कर्मयोग, ज्ञानयोग एवं शुद्ध भक्तियोग क्या है? (1.2.15)

21. आशूरिक लोगों को सुधारने के लिए भगवान क्या करते हैं? (1.2.16)

22. शुद्ध भक्तों की सेवाओं का क्या महत्व है? (1.2.16)

23. भगवान की कथाओ में क्रमिक रुचि कैसे विकसित करें? (1.2.16)

24. हमारे हृदय की अनर्थ को कैसे शुद्ध किया जा सकता है? (1.2.17)

25. भागवत के दो प्रकार कौन से हैं और उनकी व्याख्या करें। (1.2.17)

26. भगवान इस भौतिक संसार की रचना कैसे करते हैं और इसके विभागाध्यक्ष कौन हैं?
उनमें से सबसे परम कौन है?

27. लकड़ी, धुआं और आग का उदाहरण समझाइये।

28. श्रील चक्रवर्ती ठाकुर की टिप्पणी के साथ समझाएं कि प्रकृति के गुणों के
माध्यम से "ब्रह्म तत्व" का एहसास कैसे किया जाए।

Brahma muhurta time is the early morning period between 3.30 a.m. and 5.30 a.m.

1 Muhurta = 48 minutes. Brahma Muhurta starts exactly 2 Muhurta before sunrise. Hence, it begins 1
hr and 36 mins before sunrise and ends 48 mins before it.

“Brahmi Muhurtam uttishthet swastho rakshartham ayusha: tatra sarvartha shantyartham

smareccha madhusudanam”– Ashtanga Hridaya ,Sutrasthana 2:1 - a treatise on Ayurveda, says that
waking up during Brahma Muhurta increases one’s lifespan and helps avoid diseases, at that time
one should meditate on Lord Krishna for peacefulness of all living entities.

Agni Purana

Chapter 155 instructs one to wake up during Brahma Muhurta to engage in prayer and meditation.

Shiva Purana

2.1.13 explains that one should wake up early in the morning during Brahma Muhurta to remember
the preceptor and Shiva, meditate on Hari, and recite a prayer in the name of Shiva.

Srila Prabhupada says, “in the early morning hours (known as brahma-muhurta) one should get up”

The brahma-muhurta is generally accepted as the most auspicious time of the day to perform
spiritual practices. During this time of day the world is peaceful and the influence of the modes of
passion and ignorance are less thus enabling us to focus more on our spiritual practices. The brahma-
muhurta begins approximately one and a half hours before sunrise. Although this may be difficult for
some devotees, due to pressures of work etc., rising early and regulation are beneficial for the
development of spiritual life. If you cannot rise this early it is still good to rise as early as possible and
at the same time everyday.

In the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krsna says,

yuktahara-viharasya

yukta-cestasya karmasu

yukta-svapnavabodhasya

yogo bhavati duhkha-ha

He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and work can mitigate all material
pains by practicing the yoga system.
Leading a regulated life helps us to overcome the influence of the modes of material nature and thus
be situated in a position more conducive to developing transcendental consciousness.

Concerning pratah-smrti, remembrance of the Lord in the morning, in the early morning hours
(known as brahma-muhurta) one should get up and immediately chant the Hare Krsna mantra, or at
least ‘Krsna, Krsna, Krsna’. In this way, one should remember Krsna. Some slokas or prayers should
also be chanted. By chanting, one immediately becomes auspicious and transcendental to the
infection of material qualities. Actually one has to chant and remember Lord Krsna twenty-four hours
daily, or as much as possible When you wake up in the morning, you should chant the name of the
Lord. This helps to clear the consciousness of the influences of sleep or any bad dreams you may
have experienced during the night. You can chant the names of the deities you are worshiping or the
Hare Krsna maha-mantra. In the purport to Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 24.331 Srila Prabhupada
says,

smartavyah satatam visnur vismartavyo na jatucit sarve vidhi-nisedhah syur etayor eva kinkarah

Krsna is the origin of Lord Visnu. He should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time.
All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the sastras should be the servants of these two
principles. [Padma Purana, from the portion called Brhat-sahasra-nama-stotra.]