Glories of Purushottama - Part 11

Date: 2018-07-22 Author: Narahari 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 topic "Glories of Purushottama" wherein we began to meditate on the meanings of the word "Purushottama" as described in the scriptures. Lord Krishna explains in the 15th chapter title "Purushottama Yoga" how He is the Supreme Person greater than everyone. Krishna states in the verse 15.19 of about the person who understands Him as Purushottama.

yo mām evam asammūḍho jānāti puruṣottamam sa sarva-vid bhajati māṁ sarva-bhāvena bhārata

Whoever knows Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, without doubting, is the knower of everything. He therefore engages himself in full devotional service to Me, O son of Bharata.

Srila Prabhupada states in the purport, "Now in this verse the Supreme Personality of Godhead clearly explains that anyone who knows Lord Krishna to be the Supreme Person is actually the knower of everything. The imperfect knower goes on simply speculating about the Absolute Truth, but the perfect knower, without wasting his valuable time, engages directly in Krishna consciousness, the devotional service of the Supreme Lord… One should submissively hear from Bhagavad-Gita that these living entities are always subordinate to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Anyone who is able to understand this, according to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, knows the purpose of the ."

The Lord also arranges for practical demonstration of the above fact in His various avataras. When He appeared as Lord , the Lord was constantly served by His younger brother Lakshmana who realized Him to be Supreme Person. Lakshmana never allowed him to be separated from Lord Rama and during their exile to the forest, he accompanied Lord Rama and Mother and rendered all kinds of services. He could not see them sleeping on straw mat. So Lakshmana did not sleep at all for 14 years in the forest till he saw Rama returning to Ayodhya and sleeping in the royal bed. Lord Rama also ensured that Lakshmana was never separated from Him. Lord Rama was separated from Sita three times, but He was never separated from Lakshmana. After Ravana was killed, all devas appeared and by their blessings, Dasaratha appeared in front of Lord Rama and glorified Lord Rama and Mother Sita. Then he turned towards Lakshmana and said, "You have pleased me very much and earned great spiritual merit because you served Rama and Sita with devotion. Also you obtained the reward of the practice of all virtues and great fame". Dasaratha gives the reason in Ramayan verse 06.119.31, why Lakshmana attained ultimate glory and result of all dharmas and knowledge just by serving his elder brother and His wife.

ete sendraas trayo lokaah siddhaash ca paramarshayah abhigamya mahaatmaanam archanti purushottamam

All the three worlds, including, Lord Indra, Siddhas and great sages always worship and approach Lord Rama who is the Purushottama (Supreme Person).

Lakshmana attained the result of all Vedic learning, practice of all dharmas and great glory because he served Lord Rama who is the Purushottama. And even while winding up of Rama lila, Lakshmana left to the spiritual world first and was waiting there to receive Lord Rama and serve Him there.

Lord Krishna also explains the greatness of the knowledge of Himself as Purushottama and the perfection it bestows. We will meditate on that topic in the next offering, Krishna willing.

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