Text 32] The Activities of the Pracetas 1527
material world, and this is called pararh padam. Aruhya krechrena param
padam (Bhag. 10.2.32). Merging into the impersonal effulgence of the
Lord is called param padam, but there is a higher transcendental position,
which is the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Brahmeti
paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate (Bhdg. 1.2.11). The Absolute Truth is
realized first as impersonal Brahman, then as Paramatma, and finally as
Bhagavan. Thus the Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan, is paratah parat,
beyond Brahman and Paramatma realization. In this connection, Srila
Jiva Gosvami points out that paratah parat means “better than the best.”
The best is the spiritual world, and it is known as Brahman. The Supreme
Personality of Godhead, however, is known as Parabrahman. Therefore
paratah parat means “better than Brahman realization.”

As will be explained in the next verse, the Pracetés planned to ask the
Lord for something that has no limit. The Lord’s pastimes, qualities, forms
and names are all unlimited. There is no limit to His name, forms, pastimes,
creation and paraphernalia. The living entity cannot conceive of the un-
limitedness of the unlimited. However, if living entities are engaged in
hearing about the unlimited potencies of the Supreme Lord, they are fac-
tually connected directly to the unlimited. Such understanding of the un-
limited becomes unlimited by hearing and chanting.

TEXT 32
TRMNASHA GY AFSHAA ITA |
e iat
cae fa SATATE ATT FG TATE NRA
parijate ’iijasa labdhe
sdrango ‘nyan na sevate
tvad-anghri-mitlam dsadya
saksat kim kim vrnimahi

parijate—the celestial tree known as parijata; afijasa—-completely ; labdhe
—having achieved; sdrangah—a bee; anyat—other; na sevate— does not resort
to; tvat-anghri— Your lotus feet; mitlam—the root of everything; asad ya—
having approached; saksat— directly ; kim— what; kim—what;vrnimahi— may
we ask.

TRANSLATION

Dear Lord, when the bee approaches the celestial tree called the parijata,

it certainly does not leave the tree, because there is no need for such
