220 Teachings of Lord Chaitanya

Bhagwatam indulge in the confidential topics of the Pastimes of the Supreme
Lord, which seemingly appear to be sex literature. Srimad Bhagwatam is meant
to be heard from the beginning, and the class of persons who are fit to assimilate
it is also mentioned in Srimad Bhagwatam I/1/2: A bona fide audience for hear-
ing the Srimad Bhagwatam is generated after many pious deeds. But an intel-
ligent person, by thoughtful discretion, can believe in the assurance of the
great sage Vyasadeva, and give patient hearing to the message of Srimad
Bhagwatam, in order to realize directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
And without undergoing the different Vedic stages, one can at once be lifted
to the position of Paramhansa, simply by agreeing to receive patiently the
message of Srimad Bhagwatam. The sages at Naimisharanya confirmed before
Suta Goswami that they were increasing in their intense desire to understand
the Srimad Bhagwatam. They were hearing from Suta Goswami about Krishna,
the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They were never satiated by such dis-
cussion, because persons who are really attached to Krishna never cease to
want to hear more and more about Krishna.

Lord Chaitanya therefore advised Prakasananda Saraswati, “Always
read Srimad Bhagwatam and try to understand each and every verse, and you
will actually understand the Brahma Sutra. You say you are very anxious about
the study of Vedanta Sutra, but you cannot understand Vedanta Sutra without
understanding Srimad Bhagwatam.” He also advised Prakasananda Saraswati
to always chant Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare] Hare
Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. “And, by doing that, very easily
you will be liberated. And after liberation you'll be eligible to achieve the
highest goal of life, love of Godhead.”

The Lord then recited many verses from authoritative Scriptures like
Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagwatam, and Nrishingha Tapani. He
quoted a verse from Bhagavad Gita, Eighteenth Chapter, 54th verse, that when
one actually becomes self-realized, knowing he is Brahman, he becomes happy
and joyful, and has no more cause for lamentation and hankering. Such a
person sees all living entities on an equal level, and he becomes a pure devotee
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Similarly, in the Nrishingha Tapani
it is said that when a person is actually liberated, then he can understand the
transcendental Pastimes of the Supreme Lord, and thus become engaged in
His devotional service. He also quoted a verse from the Second Canto of
Srimad Bhagwatam, in which Sukadeva Goswami admits that, although he was
elevated to the liberated stage and free from the clutches of Maya, still, he was
attracted by the transcendental Pastimes of Krishna. And, as such, he studied
