Text 15] Yamaraja Instructs His Messengers 157

pradhanah—chiefly in the mode of goodness; api—although; kim—
what to speak of; tatah—than them; anye—others.

TRANSLATION

I, Yamaraja; Indra, the King of heaven; Nirrti; Varuna; Candra,
the moon-god; Agni; Lord Siva; Pavana; Lord Brahma; Surya, the
sun-god; Visvasu; the eight Vasus; the Sadhyas; the Maruts; the
Rudras; the Siddhas; and Marici and the other great rsis engaged
in maintaining the departmental affairs of the universe, as well as
the best of the demigods headed by Brhaspati, and the great sages
headed by Bhrgu are all certainly freed from the influence of the
two base material modes of nature, namely passion and ignorance.
Nevertheless, although we are in the mode of goodness, we cannot
understand the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
What, then, is to be said of others, who, under illusion, merely
speculate to know God?

PURPORT

The men and other living entities within this cosmic manifestation are
controlled by the three modes of nature. For the living entities controlled
by the base qualities of nature, passion and ignorance, there is no
possibility of understanding God. Even those in the mode of goodness,
like the many demigods and great rsis described in these verses, cannot
understand the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As
stated in Bhagavad-gita, one who is situated in the devotional service of
the Lord is transcendental to all the material qualities. Therefore the
Lord personally says that no one can understand Him but the bhaktas,
who are transcendental to all material qualities (bhaktya mam abhi-
janati). As stated by Bhismadeva to Maharaja Yudhisthira in Srimad-
Bhégavatam (1.9.16):

na hy asya karhicid rajan
puman veda vidhitsitam

yad vijijndsaya yukta
muhyanti kavayo ‘pi hi

“O King, no one can know the plan of the Lord [Sri Krsna]. Even though

great philosophers inquire exhaustively, they are bewildered.” No one,
