Sources of Absolute Knowledge 49

practice jfiana, the cultivation of knowledge; there were dif-
ferent opinions. But at that time Sukadeva Gosvami_ entered
the forest, and although Sukadeva was only sixteen, he was so
learned and reputed that all the old sages, including his father,
Vyasadeva, stood up to show him respect. He was so learned.
So when he appeared, it was agreed, “Here is Sukadeva
Gosvami. Let him decide what to do. We appoint him as our
representative.”

Sukadeva Gosvami was thus authorized to speak, and he
was asked, ““What is my duty? I am very fortunate that you
have come in this momentous hour. Kindly tell me what is
my duty.”

Sukadeva Gosvami said, “All right, I shall explain to you
the Srimad-Bhagavatam.” Then everyone present agreed.

As the Bhagavatam was first spoken by Sukadeva Gosvami,
it is therefore mentioned that as the parrot touches ripened
fruit and it becomes even sweeter, so this Srimad-Bhagavatam,
because it was touched first by Sukadeva Gosvami, has be-
come still more tasteful.

The idea is that any Vedic literature, especially the
Bhagavatam or the Gita, should be learned as spoken by a
realized soul. Especially this literature, which is called Vaisnava
literature, should not be heard from a person who is not a
devotee. This point I have several times stressed. Those who are
nondevotees, those who are mental speculationists, those who
are fruitive workers, those who are meditators or mystic yogis,
cannot explain the science of God. This is especially mentioned
also by Sanatana Gosvami, another great saint: those who are
not in devotional service, nongodly, those who have no faith in
God-—such persons should not be allowed to speak on the
Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, or any literature which
is in relationship with the Supreme Lord. So it is not that
anybody can speak the Bhagavatam or the Gita and we will
have to hear it. No. Sandtana Gosvami especially prohibits us:
