Text 21] Conversation Between Narada and Vyasa 297

The Lord was much pleased with Narada Muni, and therefore the necessary
strength was invested in him so that he could hear the Lord. It is not,
however, possible for others to perceive directly the touch of the Lord
during the probation stage of regulative devotional service. It was a special
gift for Narada. When he heard the pleasing words of the Lord, the feelings
of separation were to some extent mitigated. A devotee in love with God
feels always the pangs of separation and is therefore always enwrapped in
transcendental ecstasy.

TEXT 21
THATS HATHA A TESA HETELA |
TBR Tease FATAL 2211

hantasmin janmani bhavan
ma mam drastum iharhati

avipakva-kasayanam ‘
durdarso’harm kuyoginam

hanta—O Narada; asmin—this; janmani—duration of life; bhavan—
yourself; ma—not; mam—Me; drastum—to see; itha—here; arhati—deserve;
avipakva—immature; kasayanam—material dirt; durdarsah—difficult to be
seen; aham—I; kuyoginam—incomplete in service.

TRANSLATION

O Narada [the Lord spoke], I regret that during this lifetime you will
not be able to see Me any more. Those who are incomplete in service and
who are not completely free from all material taints can hardly see Me.

PURPORT

The Personality of Godhead is described in the Bhagavad-gitd as the
most pure, the Supreme and the Absolute Truth. There is no trace of a
tinge of materiality in His person, and thus one who has the slightest tinge
of material affection cannot approach Him. The beginning of devotional
service starts from the point when one is freed from at least two forms of
material modes, namely the mode of passion and the mode of ignorance.
The result is exhibited by the signs of being freed from kama (lust) and
lobha (covetousness). That is to say, one must be freed from the desires
