Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
| Canto 7: The Science of God | Chapter 3: Hiranyakasipu's Plan to Become Immortal |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 7.3.30
tvam sapta-tantun vitanoshi tanva
trayya catur-hotraka-vidyaya ca
SYNONYMS
tvam -- you; sapta-tantun -- the seven kinds of Vedic ritualistic ceremonies, beginning from the agnishtoma-yajna; vitanoshi -- spread; tanva -- by your body; trayya -- the three Vedas; catuh-hotraka -- of the four kinds of Vedic priests, known as hota, adhvaryu, brahma and udgata; vidyaya -- by the necessary knowledge; ca -- also; tvam -- you; ekah -- one; atma -- the Supersoul; atma-vatam -- of all living entities; anadih -- without beginning; ananta-parah -- without end; kavih -- the supreme inspirer; antah-atma -- the Supersoul within the core of the heart.
TRANSLATION
My dear lord, by your form as the Vedas personified and through knowledge relating to the activities of all the yajnic brahmanas, you spread the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies of the seven kinds of sacrifices, headed by agnishtoma. Indeed, you inspire the yajnic brahmanas to perform the rituals mentioned in the three Vedas. Being the Supreme Soul, the Supersoul of all living entities, you are beginningless, endless and omniscient, beyond the limits of time and space.
PURPORT
The Vedic ritualistic ceremonies, the knowledge thereof, and the person who agrees to perform them are inspired by the Supreme Soul. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita, mattah smritir jnanam apohanam ca: [Bg. 15.15] from the Lord come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. The Supersoul is situated in everyone's heart (sarvasya caham hridi sannivishtah, isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrid-dese 'rjuna tishthati [Bg. 18.61]), and when one is advanced in Vedic knowledge, the Supersoul gives him directions. Acting as Supersoul, the Lord gives inspiration to a suitable person to perform the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. In this connection, four classes of priests, known as ritvik, are required. They are mentioned as hota, adhvaryu, brahma and udgata.
Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness