| Canto 11: General History | Chapter 14: Lord Krishna Explains the Yoga System to Sri Uddhava |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.31
dhyayen mumukshur etan me
SYNONYMS
sri-uddhavah uvaca -- Sri Uddhava said; yatha -- in what way; tvam -- You; aravinda-aksha -- O my dear lotus-eyed Krishna; yadrisam -- of what specific nature; va -- or; yat-atmakam -- in what specific form; dhyayet -- should meditate; mumukshuh -- one who desires liberation; etat -- this; me -- to me; dhyanam -- meditation; tvam -- You; vaktum -- to speak or explain; arhasi -- ought.
TRANSLATION
Sri Uddhava said: My dear lotus-eyed Krishna, by what process should one who desires liberation meditate upon You, of what specific nature should his meditation be, and upon which form should he meditate? Kindly explain to me this topic of meditation.
PURPORT
It has already been elaborately explained by the Supreme Lord that without loving devotional service rendered to Him in the association of devotees, no other process of self-realization will work. Therefore it may be asked why Uddhava is again referring to the system of meditation, dhyana. The acaryas explain that one cannot fully appreciate the beauty and perfection of bhakti-yoga unless one sees its superiority to all other processes. Through comparative analysis, the devotees become fully ecstatic in their appreciation of bhakti-yoga. It should also be understood that although Uddhava asks about those who aspire for liberation, he is not actually a mumukshu, or salvationist; rather, he is asking questions for the benefit of those who are not on the platform of love of Godhead. Uddhava wants to hear this knowledge for his personal appreciation and so that those who pursue salvation, or liberation, can be protected and redirected to the path of pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord.
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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
His Holiness Hrdayananda dasa Goswami
Gopiparanadhana dasa Adhikari
Dravida dasa Brahmacari