Text 11] The Dynasty of Maharaja Nimi 161

TRANSLATION

The demigods said: Let Maharaja Nimi live without a material
body. Let him live in a spiritual body as a personal associate of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, and, according to his desire, let
him be manifest or unmanifest to common materially embodied
people.

PURPORT

The demigods wanted Maharaja Nimi to come to life, but Maharaja
Nimi did not want to accept another material body. Under the circum-
stances, the demigods, having been requested by the saintly persons,
gave him the benediction that he would be able to stay in his spiritual
body. There are two kinds of spiritual bodies, as generally understood by
common men. The term “spiritual body” is sometimes taken to refer to a
ghostly body. An impious man who dies after sinful activities is some-
times condemned so that he cannot possess a gross material body of five
material elements, but must live in a subtle body of mind, intelligence
and ego. However, as explained in Bhagavad-gita, devotees can give up
the material body and attain a spiritual body free from all material
tinges, gross and subtle (tyaktua deharn punar janma naiti mam eti so
‘rjuna). Thus the demigods gave King Nimi the benediction that he
would be able to stay in a purely spiritual body, free from all gross and
subtle material contamination.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead can be seen or unseen according
to His own transcendental desire; similarly, a devotee, being jivan-
mukta, can be seen or not, as he chooses. As stated in Bhagavad-gita,
naham prakésah sarvasya yogamayd-samavrtah: the Supreme Per-
sonality of Godhead, Krsna, is not manifest to everyone and anyone. To
the common man He is unseen. Atah S§ri-krsna-nadmadi na bhaved
grahyam indriyaih: Krsna and His name, fame, qualities and parapher-
nalia cannot be materially understood. Unless one is advanced in spiri-
tual life (sevonmukhe hi jihvédau), one cannot see Krsna. Therefore the
ability to see Krsna depends on Krsna’s mercy. The same privilege of
being seen or unseen according to one’s own desire was given to
Maharaja Nimi. Thus he lived in his original, spiritual body as an associ-
ate of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
