186 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 2, Ch. 4

Lord. The Vedas say that He is so complete that even though the whole
complete identity is emanated from Him, He still remains the same
complete whole (piirnasya piirnam addya piirnam evdvasisyate). As such,
there is no validity in a material conception of the Lord by the mental
speculators. Thus He remains always a mystery for the mundane scholar,
even if he is vastly learned in the Vedic literatures (vedesu durlabham
adurlabham atma-bhaktau). Therefore, the Lord is beyond the limit of con-
ception for mundane learned scholars, philosophers or scientists. He is
easily understandable by the pure devotee because the Lord declares in the
Bhagavad-gita that after surpassing the stage of knowledge, when one is
able to be engaged in the devotional service of the Lord, then only can one
know the true nature of the Lord (Bg. 18.54). No one can have any clear
conception of the Lord or His holy name, form, attributes, pastimes, etc.,
unless one is engaged in His transcendental loving service. The statement of
the Bhagavad-gitad that one must first of all surrender unto the Lord, being
freed from all other engagements, means that one must become a pure
unconditional devotee of the Lord. Only then can one know Him by the
strength of devotional service.

Maharaja Pariksit admitted in the previous verse that the Lord is incon-
ceivable even for the greatest learned scholars. Why then should he again
request Sukadeva Gosvami to clarify his insufficient knowledge about the
Lord? The reason is clear. Sukadeva Gosvami was not only vastly learned
in the Vedic literatures, but he was also a great self-realized soul and a
powerful devotee of the Lord. A powerful devotee of the Lord is, by the

ace of the Lord, more than the Lord Himself. The Personality of Godhead

ri Ramacandra attempted to bridge the Indian Ocean to reach the island
of Lafka, but Sri Hanumanji, the unalloyed devotee of the Personality of
Godhead, could cross the ocean simply by jumping over it. The Lord is so
merciful upon His pure devotee that He presents His beloved devotee as
more powerful than Himself. The Lord expressed Himself to be unable to
save Durvasa Muni, although the Muni was so powerful that he could reach
the Lord directly in these material conditions. But Durvasa Muni was saved
by Maharaja Ambarisa, a devotee of the Lord. Therefore, a devotee of the
Lord is not only more powerful than the Lord, but also worship of the
devotee is considered more effective than direct worship of the Lord
(mad-bhakta pijabhyadhika).

The conclusion is, therefore, that a serious devotee must first approach
a spiritual master who is not only well versed in the Vedic literatures but is
also a great devotee with factual realization of the Lord and His different
energies. Without the help of such a devotee spiritual master, no one can
