998 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 3, Ch. 24

is to be eternally a servitor of the Supreme Lord, Vasudeva. Self-
realization does not mean that because the Supreme Soul and the
individual soul are both souls they are equal in every respect. The individ-
ual soul is prone to be conditioned, and the Supreme Soul is never
conditioned. When the conditioned soul realizes that he is subordinate
to the Supreme Soul, that is called labdhatma, self-realization, or mukta-
bandhana, freedom from material contamination. Material contamination
continues as long as one thinks that he is as good as the Supreme Lord or
is equal with Him. This condition is the last snare of maya. Maya always
influences the conditioned soul. Even after much meditation and
speculation, if one continues to think himself one with the Supreme
Lord, it is to be understood that he is still in the last snares of the spell
of maya.

The word parena is very significant. Para means _ transcendental,
untinged by material contamination. When one is in full consciousness that
heis an eternal servant of the Lord, that is called para bhakti. If one has any
identification with material things and executes devotional service for
attainment of some material gain, that is viddha bhakti, contaminated
bhakti. One can actually become liberated by execution of para bhakti.

Another word mentioned here is sarva-jne.The Supersoul sitting within
the heart is all-cognizant. He knows. I may forget my past activities due
to the change of body, but because the Supreme Lord as Paramatma is
sitting with me, He knows everything; therefore the result of .my past
karma or past activities is awarded to me. I may forget, but He awards me
suffering or enjoyment for the misdeeds or good deeds of my past life.
One should not think that he is freed from reaction because he has for-
gotten the actions of his past life. Reactions will take place, and what
kind of reactions there will be is judged by the Supersoul, the witness.

TEXT 46

mar aaa aaetaaferay |
AIT AMAT ATA 18

Gtmdanam sarva-bhitesu
bhagavantam avasthitam

apasyat sarva-bhiitani
bhagavaty api catmani
