Introduction 1
given by Lord Krsna Himself in Bhagavad-gita, where Krsna tells Arjuna at the be-
ginning of the Fourth Chapter:

imam vivasvate yogam
proRtavan aham avyayam
vivasvan manave praha
manur iksvakave ‘bravit
“| instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvan, and Vivasvan
instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to
Iksvaku.”’ (Bg. 4.1)

This is the method of parampara, or disciplic succession. Similarly, in Srimad-
Bhagavatam Krsna imparted knowledge into the heart of Brahma, the first created
creature within the universe. Brahma imparted those lessons to his disciple, Narada,
and Naradaimparted that knowledge to his disciple, Vyasadeva. Vyasadeva imparted
it to Madhvacarya, and from Madhvacarya the knowledge comes down to
Madhavendra Puri, to Tsvara Puri and from him to Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

One may ask that if Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Krsna Himself, then why did He
need a spiritual master? Of course He did not need a spiritual master, but because
He was playing the role of Gc@rya (one who teaches by example), He accepted a
spiritual master. Even Krsna Himself accepted a spiritual master, for that is the
system. In this way the Lord sets the example for men. We should not think, how-
ever, that the Lord takes a spiritual master because He is in want of knowledge. He
is simply stressing the importance of accepting the disciplic succession. The knowl-
edge of that disciplic succession actually comes from the Lord Himself, and if the
knowledge descends unbroken, it is perfect. Although we may not be in touch with
the original personality who first imparted the knowledge, we may receive the same
knowledge through this process of transmission. In Srimad-Bhagavatam, it is stated
that Krsna, the Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead, transmitted transcen-
dental knowledge into the heart of Brahma. This, then, is one way knowledge is
received—through the heart. Thus there are two processes by which one may receive
knowledge: One depends upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is situated
as the Supersoul within the heart of all living entities, and the other depends upon
the guru or spiritual master, who is an expansion of Krsna. Thus Krsna transmits
information both from within and from without. We simply have to receive it. If
knowledge is received in this way, it doesn’t matter whether it is inconceivable or not.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam there is a great deal of information given about the
Vaikuntha planetary systems which are beyond the material universe. Similarly, a
great deal of inconceivable information is given in Caitanya-caritamrta. Any attempt
to arrive at this information through experimental knowledge is not possible. The
knowledge simply has to be accepted. According to the Vedic method, sabda, or
transcendental sound, is regarded as evidence. Sound is very important in Vedic
understanding, for, if it is pure, it is accepted as authoritative. Even in the material
world we accept a great deal of information which is sent thousands of miles by
