BHAKTI VAIBHAV MODULE-2

UNIT-15

SB Canto 4 Chapter 1 (Genealogical Table of the daughters of Manu)

1. Explain the meaning of the words putrikä - dharma. Explain the reason for Manu’s
extraordinary behaviour in this connection (2)

Sometimes a sonless person offers his daughter to a husband on the condition that his
grandson be returned to him to be adopted as his son and inherit his property. This is called
putrikä-dharma,
But here we see extraordinary behaviour in Manu, for in spite of his having two sons, he
handed over his first daughter to Prajäpati Ruci on the condition that the son born of his
daughter be returned to him as his son, because that King Manu knew that the Supreme
Personality of Godhead would take birth in the womb of Äküti; therefore, in spite of having
two sons, he wanted the particular son born of Äküti because he was ambitious to have the
Supreme Personality of Godhead appear as his son and grandson.

2. Summarize Srila Prabhupäda’s instructions on a Vedic husband-wife relationship (6)

according to Vedic civilization, the wife is trained to be satisfied in all conditions, and the
husband, according to Vedic instruction, is required to please the wife with sufficient food,
ornaments and clothing. Then, if they are satisfied with their mutual dealings, good children
are born. In this way the entire world can become peaceful,

3. Explain the phrase “gradations of Brahmän ” and identify the respective categories of
Dattätreya, Durväsä, and Soma (15)

The Viñëu sväàça expansions of the Supreme Lord in different Viñëu forms are like lamps,
Lord Çiva is also like a lamp, and the supreme candle power, or the one-hundred-percent
light, is Kåñëa. The viñëu-tattva has ninety-four percent, the çiva-tattva has eighty-four
percent, Lord Brahmä has seventy-eight percent, and the living entities are also like Brahmä,
but in the conditioned state their power is still more dim. There are gradations of Brahman,
Therefore the words ätmeça-brahma-sambhavän indicate that Dattätreya was directly part and
parcel of Viñëu, whereas Durväsä and Soma were parts and parcels of Lord Çiva and Lord
Brahmä.
4. Why is Atri Muni not counted among the pure devotees? (20)

Although he wanted a son exactly like the Supreme Personality of Godhead, this desire was
material because he did not want the Personality of Godhead Himself, but only a child exactly
like Him. If he had desired the Supreme Personality of Godhead as his child, he would have
been completely free of material desires because he would have wanted the Supreme
Absolute Truth, but because he wanted a similar child, his desire was material. Thus Atri
Muni cannot be counted among the pure devotees.

5. Explain the meaning of the word daëòavat (24)

Daëòa means "a long rod," and vat means "like." Before a superior, one has to fall down on
the ground just like a stick, and this sort of offering of respect is called daëòavat.

6. Who did Nara Näräyaëa Åñi later appear as? (59)

Nara Näräyaëa Åñi later appeared in the dynasties of Yadu and Kuru, in the forms of Kåñëa
and Arjuna respectively

7. How many fire-gods are there in total? (61)

The grandfather is Agni, and the sons are Pävaka, Pavamäna and Çuci. Counting these four,
plus forty-five grandsons, there are altogether forty nine different fire-gods.

8. Explain why Saté, the sixteenth daughter of Dakña and the wife of Lord Çiva, could not
produce a child (66)

Sati’s father Dakña unnecessarily criticized her husband Lord Çiva, although Lord Çiva was
faultless. Because of this, before attaining a mature age Sati gave up the body given by her
father Dakña, and therefore she could not produce a child.
SB Canto 4 Chapter 2 (Dakña Curses Lord Çiva)

1. Why was Vidura astonished? (1-2)

Whenever there is consideration of chastity, Sati, this wife of Lord Çiva and daughter of Dakña, is
considered first. Vidura, therefore, was astonished. "Dakña is such a great man," he thought, "and is
the father of Sati. And Lord Çiva is the spiritual master of everyone. How then could there possibly be
so much enmity between them that Sati, the most chaste goddess, could give up her body because of
their quarrel?

2. What is the meaning of the word Saté ? (2)

The word saté means "the most chaste."

3. List reasons why Dakña become inolerant toward Lord Çiva (8-16)

Dakña was very much offended to see Lord Çiva sitting and not showing him any respect. At that
time, Dakña became greatly angry,

4. Persons in the modes of goodness, passion, and ignorance are given shelter by which respective
deities? (14-15)

In the creation of the Lord there are different kinds of living creatures. Some of them are in the mode
of goodness, some are in the mode of passion, and some are in the mode of ignorance. Lord Viñëu
takes charge of persons who are advanced Kåñëa conscious Vaiñëavas, and Lord Brahmä takes charge
of persons who are very much attached to material activities, but Lord Çiva is so kind that he takes
charge of persons who are in gross ignorance and whose behavior is lower that that of the animals.
Therefore Lord Çiva is especially called auspicious.

5. What general principle does Çréla Prabhupäda draw from Dakña’s accusations against Lord
Brahmä? (16)

In anger one forgets everything, and thus Dakña, in anger, not only accused the great Lord Çiva, but
criticized his own father, Lord Brahmä, for his not very astute advice that Dakña hand over his
daughter to Lord Çiva.

6. Explain how Dakña’s curse was indirectly a blessing (18)

Lord Çiva was saved from the calamity of taking part with other demigods, who were all materialistic.
Lord Çiva is the greatest devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and it is not fitting for him
to eat or sit with materialistic persons like the demigods. Thus the curse of Dakña was indirectly a
blessing, for Çiva would not have to eat or sit with other demigods, who were too materialistic.

7. What conclusion does Çréla Prabhupäda give regarding the behavior of Lord Çiva?(18)

The conclusion is that Lord Çiva behaved in his own way to avoid materialistic persons who might
disturb him in his prosecution of devotional service.

8. What general principles does Çréla Prabhupäda draw from the behavior of Dakña? (19)

Lord Çiva behaved in his own way to avoid materialistic persons who might disturb him in his
prosecution of devotional service.

9. List the main points from the cursing and counter cursing in the assembly (21-32)

10. Explain the phrase brahma - daëòaà dur atyayam (27)

The word duratyaya is particularly used in reference to a brahmadaëòa, or curse by a brähmaëa. A

curse by a brähmaëa is very strong; therefore it is called duratyaya, or insurmountable.

11. What does Çréla Prabhupäda say about material curses and benedictions? (27)

The Caitanya-caritämåta confirms that that which is accepted in this material world to be a
benediction and that which is taken to be a curse are both on the same platform because they are
material. To get out of this material contamination, one should take shelter of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead.

12. What does Lord Çiva’s becoming morose and leaving the arena of the sacrifice indicate about his
character? (33)

A Vaiñëava is always tolerant, and Lord Çiva is considered the topmost Vaiñëava, so his character, as
shown in this scene, is excellent. He became morose because he knew that these people, both his men
and Dakña's, were unnecessarily cursing and counter cursing one another, without any interest in
spiritual life. From his point of view, he did not see anyone as lower or higher,

13. What general principles does Çréla Prabhupäda draw from the sages’ remaining to perform the
sacrifice after the departure of Çiva and Dakña? (35)

After Lord Çiva and Dakña, left the arena of sacrifice, the sacrifice was not stopped; the sages went
on for many years in order to satisfy the Supreme Lord. The sacrifice was not destroyed for want of
Çiva and Dakña, and the sages went on with their activities. In other words, it may be assumed that if
one does not worship the demigods, even up to Lord Çiva and Brahmä, one can nevertheless satisfy
the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

SB Canto 4 Chapter 3 (Talks Between Lord Çiva and Saté)

1. What was the chief reason for Saté's giving up her body? (1)

The chief reason for Saté's giving up her body was that her father, Dakña, began another
sacrificial performance, to which Lord Çiva was not invited at all.

2. Why was Dakña proud? (2)

Although he was envious and was inimical towards Lord Çiva, Dakña was appointed the chief
of all Prajäpatis. That was the cause of his excessive pride.

3. List the reasons why Saté was eager to participate in Dakña's sacrifice (5-14)

 Saté, the daughter of Dakña, heard the heavenly denizens flying in the sky conversing
about the great sacrifice being performed by her father.
 My sisters, my mother's sisters and their husbands, and other affectionate relatives
must be assembled there, so if I go I shall be able to see them
 I shall be able to see the flapping flags and the performance of the sacrifice by the
great sages.

4. Explain the meaning of the word stré (9)

stré, which means "one who expands the field of material enjoyment."

5. Explain the meaning of Lord Çiva’s name nélakaëöha. Why does Saté address Çiva with this
name? (12)

Lord Çiva drank an ocean of poison and kept it in his throat, not swallowing it or allowing it
to go down to his stomach, and thus his throat became blue. Since then he has been known as
nélakaëöha.

When the ocean was churned by the demigods and the demons, the churning at first produced
poison, so because the poisonous ocean might have affected others who were not so
advanced, Lord Çiva drank all the ocean water. In other words, he could drink such a great
amount of poison for others' benefit, and now, since his wife was personally requesting him to
go to her father's house, even if he did not wish to give that permission, he should do so out of
his great kindness.

6. Why was Çiva, a liberated personality, sad because of the words of Dakña? (15)
 Lord Çiva is ätmäräma, or situated in complete self-realization, but because he is the
incarnation in charge of the material mode of ignorance, tamo-guëa, he is sometimes affected
by the pleasure and pain of the material world.

7. Why is a serpent considered envious of other living entities? (17)

A serpent, by nature, is envious of other living entities, even though they be faultless.

8. What does “natural psychology” dictate? (19)

natural psychology dictates that although one can suffer harm from an enemy and not mind so
much because pain inflicted by an enemy is natural, when one is hurt by the strong words of a
relative, one suffers the effects continually, day and night, and sometimes the injury becomes
so intolerable that one commits suicide.

9. Explain what offering respect to a Vaiñëava actually means (21-22)

Devotees do not identify with the body, so offering respect to a Vaiñëava means offering
respect to Viñëu.

10. Explain what çuddha - sattva existence is (23)

As soon as one is fully Kåñëa conscious it is to be understood that one is in his pure, original
constitutional position. This state of existence is called çuddha-sattva, which means that it is
transcendental to the material qualities.

11. Summarize Lord Çiva’s instructions to Saté (24)  

An insult from a relative is worse than death, especially when one is well situated."

SB Canto 4 Chapter 4 (Saté Quits Her Body)

1. What is a woman's last weapon? (2)

A woman's last weapon is weeping, which forces a husband to agree to the proposal of his
wife.

2. Separation between husband and wife is generally due to what? (3)

 Separation between husband and wife is due to womanly behaviour

3. What makes family life very peaceful? (3)

The best course for a woman is to abide by the orders of her husband. That makes family
life very peaceful.

4. What was the purpose of Vedic animal sacrifice? (6)

The brähmaëas entrusted with the performance of yajïa were very realized souls, and to
test their realization an old animal was offered in the fire and rejuvenated, The real
purpose of a sacrifice was to test a Vedic mantra by giving an animal new life.

5. What general principles does Çréla Prabhupäda draw from the way in which Saté was
received? (7-8)

 Women are naturally softhearted, but men are sometimes very hardhearted.
 The material bodily conception is so polluted that even upon slight provocation all
our relationships of love and affection are nullified.

6. what was Saté most concerned about? (9-10)

she was most concerned that her husband was being insulted in the sacrifice. When she
marked the insult, she became greatly angry, and she looked at her father so angrily that
Dakña appeared to burn in her vision.

7. How should one respond when Viñëu or a Vaiñëava is insulted? (10)

when Viñëu or a Vaiñëava is insulted, one should be angry. Lord Caitanya, who always
preached nonviolence, meekness and humility, also became angry when Nityänanda was
offended by Jagäi and Mädhäi, and He wanted to kill them. When Viñëu or a Vaiñëava is
blasphemed or dishonored, one should be very angry.

8. Whom are offenses generally committed by? (13)

Offenses are generally committed by persons who falsely identify with the impermanent
body.

9. Explain how Lord Çiva is the friend of everyone (15)

Even Vaiñëavas, who are above both the ordinary and the elevated men in this world, also
worship Lord Çiva as the greatest Vaiñëava. Thus he is the friend of everyone—the
common men, the elevated men and the devotees of the Lord.
 10. Explain how Çiva's position is constitutionally higher than that of Brahmä (16)

Lord Çiva is neither on the level of the Supreme Personality of Godhead nor on the level
of the ordinary living entities. Brahmä is in almost all cases an ordinary living entity.
Thus Lord Çiva's position is constitutionally higher than that of Lord Brahmä, although
Lord Çiva appeared as the son of Brahmä.

11. What was Saté's main purpose in coming to her father's house? (16)

Sati’s idea that she would convince her father, Dakña, that it was useless to continue being
envious of Lord Çiva. That was her main purpose in coming to her father's house.

12. Why do the Puräëas sometimes describe various demigods as being on an equal or
more elevated level than the Supreme Personality of Godhead? (16)

It is just to draw the devotee's attention to that particular demigod. It is also stated in the
Bhagavad-gétä (9.25) that if one wants to worship a particular demigod, the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, who is sitting in everyone's heart, gives one greater attachment for
that demigod so that one may be elevated to the demigod's abode.

13 How should one respond to blasphemy of an exalted person like Lord Çiva? (17)
A brähmaëa should leave the place or block his ears so that he will not hear the
blasphemy, a kñatriya should at once cut out the tongue of the vilifier and kill him. But as
far as the vaiçyas and çüdras are concerned, they should immediately give up their bodies
upon hearing blasphemy of an exalted person.

14. List reasons why Saté decided to give up her body (17-18, 23-24, 26)

 One should immediately give up their bodies upon hearing blasphemy of an exalted
person like Lord Çiva, she decided to give up her life.
 her body is related with that of Dakña, who is an offender at Lord Çiva's lotus feet.
She feels herself to be condemned because of the body given by her father, Dakña
 I feel very much sorry that my body, which is just like a bag, has been produced by
you. I shall therefore give it up.
 Saté's body was not ordinary, but still she decided to give it up because it was the
source of unhappiness because of its connection with Dakña

15. Why should one never vilify a great personality like Lord Çiva? (19-20)

The sunshine can sterilize an impure place, whereas if someone else were to pass such a
place he would be affected. One should not try to imitate Lord Çiva; rather, one should
strictly follow one's prescribed occupational duties. One should never vilify a great
personality like Lord Çiva.

16. Why do Lord Çiva's worshipers sometimes appear more opulent than the worshipers of
Lord Viñëu? (21)
Lord Çiva's worshipers sometimes appear more opulent than the worshipers of Lord Viñëu
because Durgä, or Saté, being the superintendent in charge of material affairs, can offer all
material opulences to the worshipers of Lord Çiva in order to glorify her husband, whereas
the worshipers of Viñëu are meant for spiritual elevation, and therefore their material
opulence is sometimes found to decrease.

17. Explain how any transcendental process of spiritual realization automatically helps to
keep the body fit (25)

Any transcendental process of spiritual realization automatically helps one to keep the body
fit, for it is the spirit soul that keeps the body always fresh.

18. What type of body did Saté achieve? (27)

Çré Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura also comments that since Saté is the superintendent deity
of the external potency, when she quit her body she did not get a spiritual body but simply
transferred from the body she had received from Dakña. Other commentators also say that she
immediately transferred herself into the womb of Menakä, her future mother. She gave up the
body she had received from Dakña and immediately transferred herself to another, better
body, but this does not mean that she got a spiritual body.

19. What principle does Çréla Prabhupäda draw from Saté’s giving up her body? (28

Saté was the daughter of Dakña, the greatest of all kings, and the wife of Lord Çiva, the
greatest of all demigods, One cannot attain complete satisfaction even if one is situated in the
greatest material opulence. Therefore, Çrémad-Bhägavatam (1.2.6) explains that one has to
achieve real satisfaction (yayätmä suprasédati), but ätmä—the body, mind and soul—all
become completely satisfied only if one develops devotional service to the Absolute Truth. If
one can develop his unflinching love for the transcendental Supreme Personality of Godhead,
that can give complete satisfaction, otherwise there is no possibility of satisfaction in the
material world or anywhere else.

SB Canto 4 Chapter 5 (Frustration of the Sacrifice of Dakña)

1. Why did Saté, who is the personified material energy herself, not kill Dakña? (1)

Saté, who is the personified material energy, It would not have been difficult for her to
punish her father, but she thought that since she was his daughter, it was not proper for
her to kill him. Thus she decided to give up her own body, which she had obtained from
Dakña

2. What general principle does Çréla Prabhupäda draw from the quarrel between Lord Çiva
and Bhågu Muni? (4)
There is sometimes a competition between the mode of goodness and the mode of ignorance.
That is the way of material existence. Even when one is situated in the mode of goodness,
there is every possibility that his position will be mixed with or attacked by the mode of
passion or ignorance. That is the law of material nature. Although pure goodness, or çuddha-
sattva, is the basic principle in the spiritual world, pure manifestation of goodness is not
possible in this material world. Thus, the struggle for existence between different material
qualities is always present.

SB Canto 4 Chapter 6 (Brahmä Satisfies Lord Çiva)

1. Explain how it was good for Dakña to have been killed (4)

It was good for Dakña to have died in the fight because if he had lived he would have
committed such offenses at the lotus feet of great personalities again and again. If those
who are extremely offensive are killed by the grace of the Lord, that is good for them. In
other words, Lord Brahmä explained to the demigods that it was good for Dakña to have
been killed.

2. What does the name Äçutoña mean? (5)

Äçu means "very soon," and toña means "to become satisfied."

3. List aspects of Kailäsa that you find particularly interesting (9-32)

 Kailäsa is full of different herbs and vegetables, and it is sanctified by Vedic

hymns and mystic yoga practice. Thus the residents of that abode are demigods
by birth and have all mystic powers.
 Kailäsa is full of mountains filled with all kinds of valuable jewels and minerals
and surrounded by all varieties of valuable trees and plants. The top of the hill is
nicely decorated by various types of deer.
 Thus the demigods saw the wonderfully beautiful region known as Alakä in the
forest known as Saugandhika, which means "full of fragrance."
 the two rivers named Nandä and Alakanandä. These two rivers are sanctified by
the dust of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda.

4. Why is the Lord sometimes called Térthapäda? (24-25)

Lord Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is described here as Térthapäda.

Tértha means "sanctified place," and päda means "the lotus feet of the Lord." People go to
a sanctified place to free themselves from all sinful reactions. In other words, those who
are devoted to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa,
automatically become sanctified.
5. What does Lord Çiva's association with the Kumäras and Kuvera indicate? (34)

Thus Lord Çiva's association with the Kumäras and Kuvera indicates that he has all
transcendental and material opulences.

6. Explain the relationship between Lord Çiva and Lord Advaita Prabhu (39)

Lord Çiva is always thoughtful regarding how to deliver the demons from their fallen
condition of life. It is said that during the advent of Lord Caitanya, Sadäçiva appeared as
Advaita Prabhu, and Advaita Prabhu's chief concern was to elevate the fallen conditioned
souls to the platform of devotional service to Lord Kåñëa.

7. Why did Lord Çiva offer his respectful obeisances to Lord Brahmä? (40)

Lord Çiva in spite of his being situated in exalted position, instructed by practical
example how to offer obeisances to their superiors. Lord Çiva offered his respectful
obeisances to Brahmä because Brahmä was his father,

8. How does a devotee consider a calamitous condition? (45)

when a devotee is in a calamitous condition he takes it as a benediction of the Supreme
Lord and takes responsibility himself for his past misdeeds. In such a condition, he offers
still more devotional service and is not disturbed

9. Describe some of the difficulties of performing the Vedic rituals in Kali-yuga (53)
In this Kali-yuga it is not possible to perform such costly sacrifices, nor is it possible to
invite the demigods to participate.

SB Canto 4 Chapter 7 (The Sacrifice Performed by Dakña)

1. Describe Lord Çiva’s punishment of the demigods (2)

Lord Çiva’s is not inimical to any living entity; rather, he always wishes the welfare
of all. Whenever he chastises a person, it is just like a father's punishment of his son.
Lord Çiva is like a father because he never takes seriously any offense by any living
entities, especially the demigods.

2. What general principles does Çréla Prabhupäda draw from the exchange of Dakña's
head with that of a goat? (5)

It appears from the exchange of Dakña's head that the modern scientific theory that the
brain substance is the cause of all intelligent work is not valid. The brain substance of
Dakña and that of a goat are different, but Dakña still acted like himself, even though his
head was replaced by that of a goat. The conclusion is that it is the particular
consciousness of an individual soul which acts. The brain substance is only an instrument
which has nothing to do with real intelligence.

3. What does the incident of the poor brähmana and Sanätana Gosvämé show? (6)

 The best of all the benediction is the association of the best devotee of Lord
Kåñëa
 If one is anxious to attain spiritual profit then one should give up the desire to
attain material profit

4. What is the main point of the verse and purport to text 9?

When the animal's head was fixed on the body of King Dakña, Dakña was immediately
brought to consciousness, and as he awakened from sleep,
Dakña actually took another body when he took on the head of a goat, but because
consciousness is individual, his consciousness remained the same although his bodily
condition changed. Thus bodily construction has nothing to do with the development of
consciousness. Consciousness is carried with the transmigration of the soul.

5. Why did Lord Çiva punish Dakña? (13-14)

 Lord Çiva punished Dakña not as one does his enemy; rather, he punished Dakña
just to bring him to his senses, so that he would know that he had done wrong.
 Lord Çiva's punishment was just like that of a cowherd boy, who keeps a stick to
frighten his animals. It is commonly said that to give protection to animals,

6. Explain the significance of the four symbols seen in the four hands of Viñëu (20)

The club and the wheel are the Lord's symbols of punishment for the demons and
miscreants, and the lotus flower and conchshell are used to bless the devotees.

7. Describe the medicine and the diet for spiritual life (24)

Chanting is the medicine, and prasäda is the diet. With these processes one can begin his
service, and as the service increases, the Lord reveals more and more to the devotee.

8. What can be understood from the statement of Lord Çiva in text 29?

From this statement by Lord Çiva it is understood that as long as one is on the material
platform one is affected by the three modes of material nature. As soon as one is in Kåñëa
consciousness, however, one is no longer affected by such material activities. One should
therefore always be fixed in Kåñëa consciousness, busy in the transcendental loving
service of the Lord. It is guaranteed that such a devotee will never be affected by the
actions and reactions of the three modes of material nature.
9. What is the perfect position of a Kåñëa conscious person? (30)

One should depend only on the causeless mercy of the Lord for deliverance and not even
slightly on one's own strength. That is the perfect position of a Kåñëa conscious person.

10. Explain the import of the Lord's name as bhakta-vatsala (38)

The Lord is famous as bhakta-vatsala, which means that He is always favorably inclined
to the devotees.

11. Explain how a Kåñëa conscious person is the best performer of yajïa (41, 45)

The whole target of life, therefore, is to please Lord Viñëu. That is yajïa. Any person who
is in Kåñëa consciousness has dedicated his life for the satisfaction of Kåñëa, the origin of
all Viñëu forms, and by offering worship and prasäda daily, he becomes the best
performer of yajïa.

12. Briefly explain the philosophy taught by Lord Caitanya that Kåñëa is simultaneously
one and different from His energies (45)

There is no difference between Kåñëa and His energies. Thus since everything is a
manifestation of His energy, it is to be understood that everything is Kåñëa.
He is spread throughout the creation as everything, but still He is not everything. The
philosophy recommended by Lord Caitanya is that He is simultaneously one and
different.

13. How do the Vaiñëavas relate to the demigods? (49)

Although Vaiñëavas accept Lord Viñëu as the Supreme, they are not prone to offend
demigods. They give the demigods proper respect. Vaiñëavas accept Lord Çiva as the
best Vaiñëava. For a Vaiñëava there is no possibility of offending any demigods, and the
demigods are also pleased with the Vaiñëava because they are faultless devotees of Lord
Viñëu.

14. Describe the equal vision of the devotee (53-55

If a particular part of the body is diseased, the whole attention of the body goes to that
part. Similarly, devotees care for any person who is forgetful of Kåñëa and therefore in
material consciousness. The equal vision of the devotee is that he works to get all living
entities back home, back to Godhead.