Text 17] Nārada Muni Cursed by Prajāpati Dakṣa
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through fantastic theories. The science of the original cause is explained in various Vedic literatures.  Athāto brahma-jījñāsā/janmādy asya yataḥ . The  Vedānta-sūtra  explains that one should inquire about the Supreme Soul. Such inquiry about the Supreme is called  brahma-jījñāsā . The Absolute Truth,  tattva , is explained in  Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam  (1.2.11):
vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvaṁ yaj jñānam advayam brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate
“Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān.” The Absolute Truth appears to neophytes as impersonal Brahman and to advanced mystic  yogīs  as Paramātmā, the Supersoul, but devotees, who are further advanced, understand the Absolute Truth as the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu.
This material cosmic manifestation is an expansion of the energy of Lord Kṛṣṇa, or Lord Viṣṇu.
eka-deśa-sthitasyāgner jyotsnā vistāriṇī yathā parasya brahmaṇaḥ śaktis tathedam akhilaṁ jagat
“Whatever we see in this world is but an expansion of various energies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is like a fire that spreads illumination for a long distance although it is situated in one place.” ( Viṣṇu Purāṇa ) The entire cosmic manifestation is an expansion of the Supreme Lord. Therefore if one does not conduct research to find the supreme cause, but instead falsely engages in frivolous, temporary activities, what is the use of demanding recognition as an important scientist or philosopher? If one does not know the ultimate cause, what is the use of his scientific and philosophical research?
The  puruṣa , the original person—Bhagavān, Viṣṇu—can be understood only by devotional service.  Bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ : only by devotional service can one understand the