Glories of Lord Vamana- Part 2

Date: 2016-10-13 Author: Narahari Krishna das

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

This is in continuation of the previous offering titled "Glories of Lord Vamana".

In the commentary to the verse 2.7.40 Srila Prabhupada explains, "The highest scientific advancement of the material scientist is atomic energy. But the material scientist is not able to have an estimation of the particles of atoms contained in this whole universe. But even if one is able to count such atomic particles or is able to roll up the sky like one's bedding, even then one is unable to estimate the extent of prowess and enery of the Supreme Lord. He is known as Trivikrama because once, in His incarnation of Vamana, He expanded His leg beyond the highest planetary system Satyaloka and reached the neutral state of the modes of nature called the covering of the world".

Now one may argue that, "These scriptural statements are applicable in those ancient ages, where there was no scientific progress like we have now. Now we have machine for every single task and with advancement of science definitely in future we will be able to fathom the end of the Lord's greatness and we may even do not need the Lord in future." However the Vedas and Bhagavata purana refute such an argument as follows, The Rg veda mantra revealed by the Sage Vasishta states as follows.

na te viṣṇor jāyamāno na jāto deva mahimnaḥ pāram anantam āpa udhastabhnā nākham ṛśvam bṛhantam dādharta prācīṁ kakubam pṛthivyā

O Lord Vishnu who incarnated as Trivikrama, no one either who is already born or to be born in the future can estimate the end of your glories, who supports the material and spiritual world eternally.

Srimad Bhagavatam which is the matured fruit of Vedic knowledge also states this beautiful point. In verse 8.23.29

pāraṁ mahimna uruvikramato gṛṇāno yaḥ pārthivāni vimame sa rajāṁsi martyaḥ kiṁ jāyamāna uta jāta upaiti martya ity āha mantra-dṛg ṛṣiḥ puruṣasya yasya

One who is subject to death cannot measure the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Trivikrama, Lord Vishnu, anymore than he can count the number of atoms on the entire planet earth. No one, whether born already or destined to take birth, is able to do this. This has been sung by the great sage Vasishta.

So even in the future no one can comprehend the complete glories of the Lord no matter how much we advance because

1. We're subject to death and 2. The Lord's qualities are infinite.

Srila Prabhupada states in the purport, "No one can estimate the extent of the uncommonly glorious activities of Lord Vishnu. Unfortunately, the so-called scientists who are subject to death at every moment but are trying to understand by speculation the wonderful creation of the cosmos. This is a foolish attempt. Long long ago, Vasishta muni said that no one in the past could measure the glories of the Lord and that no one can do so in the future ."

So, now we may ask what to do in this case when we can't measure it? Srila Prabhupada answers, "One must be simply satisfied with seeing the glorious activities of the Supreme Lord's creation". On auspicious occasions such as Lord's appearance day, the devotees hear and glorify the Lord's uncommon activities to the best of their ability and derive transcendental bliss. The fact that the Lord's glories are immeasurable does not make devotees hopeless and frustrated but rather gives them great joy and motivates them to glorify His infinite and immeasurable nature.

Krishna willing, we will see how Lord Trivikrama protected dharma and benefited His different devotees in the next offering.

Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Narahari Krishna das Ipswich.