908 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 22
yat-sambhasana-samprasnah
sarvesam vitanoti sam

sangamah—association; khalu—certainly ; sadhinam—of devotees; ubha-
yesam—for both; ca—also; sammatah—conclusive; yat—which; sambhasana—
discussion; samprasnah—question and answer; sarvesam—of all; vitanoti—
expands; sam—real happiness.

TRANSLATION

When there is a congregation of devotees, their discussions, questions
and answers become conclusive to both the speaker and the audience. Thus
such a meeting is beneficial for everyone’s real happiness.

PURPORT

Hearing discussions among the devotees is the only means to receive
the powerful message of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. For in-
stance, Bhagavad-gita has been well known all over the world for a very
long time, especially in the western world, but because the subject matter
was not discussed by devotees, there was no effect. Not a single person
in the West became Krsna conscious before the Krsna consciousness move-
ment was founded. When the same Bhagavad-gita was presented as it is
through the disciplic succession, there was immediately spiritual realization.

Sanat-kumara, one of the Kumaras, informed Prthu Maharaja that his
meeting with the Kumaras benefited not only Maharaja Prthu but
the Kumaras as well. When Narada Muni questioned Lord Brahma about
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Brahma thanked Narada Muni
because he gave him a chance to speak about the Supreme Lord. Therefore
questions about the Supreme Personality of Godhead or about the ultimate
goal of life put by a saintly person to another saintly person surcharge
everything spiritually. Whoever takes advantage of such discussions is
benefited both in this life and in the next.

The word ubhayesam can be described in many ways. Generally there
are two classes of men, the materialist and the transcendentalist. By hear-
ing discussions between devotees, both the materialist and transcendentalist
are benefited. The materialist is benefited by association with devotees,
and his life becomes regulated so that his chance of becoming a devotee
or making the present life successful for understanding the real position of
the living entity is increased. When one takes advantage of this opportu-
nity, he is assured of a human form of life in the next birth, or he may be
liberated completely and go back home, back to Godhead. The con-
