Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja | 2005 | 440,179 words | ISBN-13: 9781935428329
The Brihad-bhagavatamrita Verse 2.2.169, English translation, including commentary (Dig-darshini-tika): an important Vaishnava text dealing with the importance of devotional service. The Brihad-bhagavatamrita, although an indepent Sanskrit work, covers the essential teachings of the Shrimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata-purana). This is verse 2.2.169 contained in Chapter 2—Jnana (knowledge)—of Part two (prathama-khanda).
Verse 2.2.169
Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of verse 2.2.169:
श्री-भक्त�-शास्त्राण्य् ऊचुः� लब्ध-ब्रह्माधिकारेद� मह�-गोप्यं निधेर् अप� �
भवत्-सद�-गु�-सन्दोहैर� आख्याम� मुखरी-कृता� � १६� �śrī-bhakti-śāstrāṇy ūcuḥ� labdha-brahmādhikāreda� -gopya� nidher api |
bhavat-sad-guṇa-sandohair ākhyāmo ܰī-ṛt� || 169 ||śrī-bhakti-śāstrāṇi ūcu�–the glorious scriptures of devotion said; labdha–having attained; -–the post of ; idam–t; -DZⲹ–supreme confidentiality; Ծ�–of this treasure; api–aٳdzܲ; bhavat–ydzܰ; -ṇa-Իdz�–because of many pure qualities; 峾�–we are describing; ܰī-ṛt�–eٱԲ.
The devotional scriptures said: O you who have newly achieved the post of , this truth is more secret than the most precious jewels. However, impelled by your virtues and worship of , we will personally reveal it to you.
Commentary: Dig-darśinī-ṭīkā with Bhāvānuvāda
(By Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī himself including a deep purport of that commentary)
The personified پ-śٰ say, “O you, who are newly appointed to the post of .� The implication of this address to Śrī Gopa-ܳ is, “Because you have qualified yourself for the position of , you deserve to hear this confidential truth, which is more valuable than a great treasure (-nidhi).� If the word nidhi is read as vidhi, then the meaning is, “This truth is so confidential that even is not qualified to hear it.�
Gopa-ܳ might then object, “But I have merely attained the qualification of being , so why are you revealing this secret to me?�
The bhakti-śٰ reply, “Although it may not be appropriate to divulge this confidential truth to you, we are overwhelmed and inspired by your outstanding qualities and eager attempts to worship Śrī . Therefore, we will personally reveal it to you.�