1364. Stimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 28

evam—thus; sah—he (the individual soul); m@nasah—living together
within the heart; hamsah—like the swan; harisena—by the other swan;
pratibodhitah—being instructed; sva-sthah—situated in self-realization; tat-
vyabhicarena—by being separated from the Supersoul; nastam— which was
lost; Gpa— gained; punah—again; smrtim—real memory.

TRANSLATION

In this way both swans live together in the heart. When the one swan is
instructed by the other, he is situated in his constitutional position. This
means he regains his original Krsna consciousness, which was lost because
of his material attraction.

PURPORT

Here it is clearly stated: hamso hamsena pratibodhitah. The individual
soul and the Supersoul are both compared to swans (hamsa) because they
are white or uncontaminated. One swan, however, is superior and is the
instructor of the other. When the inferior swan is separated from the other
swan, he is attracted to material enjoyment. This is the cause of his fall-
down. When he hears the instructions of the other swan, he understands his
real position and is again revived to his original consciousness. The Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Krsna, comes down (avatara) to deliver His devo-
tees and kill the demons. He also gives His sublime instructions in the form
of Bhagavad-gita. The individual soul has to understand his position by the
grace of the Lord and the spiritual master because the text of Bhagavad-
gita cannot be understood simply by academic qualifications. One has to
learn Bhagavad-gita from a realized soul.

tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena sevaya

upadeksyanti te jnanam
Jfianinas tattva-darsinah

“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from
him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can
impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” (Bg. 4.34)
Thus one has to select a bona fide spiritual master and become en-
lightened to his original consciousness. In this way the individual soul can
understand that he is always subordinate to the Supersoul. As soon as he
declines to remain subordinate and tries to become an enjoyer, he begins
