Reading step by step from the first to twelfth Canto
In the "Srimad Bhagavatam" Preface, Srila Prabhupada writes: The only qualification one needs to study this great book of transcendental knowledge is to proceed step by step cautiously and not jump forward haphazardly as with an ordinary book. It should be gone through chapter by chapter, one after another. The reading matter is so arranged with the original Sanskrit text, its English transliteration, synonyms, translation and purports so that one is sure to become a God-realized soul at the end of finishing the first nine cantos.
Dear Guru Maharaja, please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Please, if that is fine with you, have a look at my questions and observations.
I understand that the single requirement needed to be able to scrutinize this superb book of spiritual lore is to go forward gradually, and carefully and not read hither and thither incidentally (as with a common book).
Q1: Where in the sastra is said that SB (or BG, CC, or other) should be read in sequence from the beginning to the end? And why it is like that? Moreover, if a devotee is doing that (reading systematically), at what moment s/he is to go to the next verse? Is that in any way described somewhere in sastra?
I finished reading the first nine cantos (maybe more than once). Kind of, I do not feel God-realized soul! Perhaps I just read and did not study it. I would like to know if there is a direct quote from sastra about going step by step and how. I am aware that there are verses that talk about doing it with attention, sincerity, etc. , but I would like some more elaboration on that. I ask for my personal bhajana, and also if at one point I will do a presentation of, that kind of, a system, I have sastric references at hand (as some bhakti yoga sadhakas will/may ask for it).
It's important to note the remarkable results of studying the Srimad Bhagavatam in the prescribed manner. Simply deeply engaging with the text, even without reading it in its entirety, can lead a person to God-realization.
HpS - AgtSP. Sorry it has taken so long to answer! Lots and lots of stress to finish the last DTC video...'Hanuman Reports to Rama".
Now we are in New Jersey on the way to Spain. Some real time to answer letters.
I wonder about your question also.
I do not know any specific answer from memory, but I think the second chapter has some comments on these concepts.
I think Srila Prabhupada is especially dealing with the Sahajiyas who jump to the Rasa lila chapters from zero and make movies about such stuff.
Also, comes to mind that self realized can mean different things.
Do you believe that you are your gross body and that all you need to become happy is to 'rethink your drink', meet the right woman...?
P'pada talks about Gopal Bhatta's recitation and 'nitya bhagavata seavaya' etc.
Even Sanskritist like Radha-ramana Das say that the depth of the poetry, grammar and philosophy in SB unfathomed by them.
Also, some one maybe on the level of Krsna's waiste from their previous religious work, so the teacher may take them pronto to the fifth canto.
Personally: https://vedabase.io/en/library/kb/90/#bb92801
and we chant Holy Names to get direction how to read from the BV Likrary etc.
Q2: I do not know what Srila Prahupada meant by “ordinary book”. He does not describe it, but usually, ordinary books are read from the beginning to the end, no? Sure some books can be read jumping all around, but those are less common. Am I wrong?
HpS - AgtSP. Same answer as above, no?
We see that people fast forward t 'juicey' parts of movies.
**Some more personal observations**
From my understanding, teaching in the past primarily involved oral transmission from teacher to student. During these interactions, students were encouraged to ask questions if they had any doubts. Once a student grasped one concept, the teacher would move on to the next. This approach represents simplified version of the teaching and learning process. For sure there are more details to it.
Today, books play a significant role in education. Teachers often refer to their books (Srila Prabhupada's books) as comprehensive sources of knowledge. However, if students proceed through the material without thoroughly understanding each step, they risk misunderstanding key concepts. Some of us still have "living" gurus and associations with fellow devotees to discuss and clarify topics. This interaction can help us stay on the right path, though there's still a possibility that we might misunderstand things collectively.
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Thank you!
Your servant Namacarya Das
HpS - Thank you! We also, never found good dscription of what Srila Prabhupada means by "Godhead", though he says in Preface to KRSNA book (?) that, 'those who know what we mean by 'godhead' '.
Yet, reading on we get some perspective at heart and going to library we got lots of understanding.
So, so, much fun reading Prabhupada's books, satisfaction, in association of devotees.
so many questions.
so much new solid information.
reading BG As It Is again is like nectar.
...
we will look for any more recent letters by you now.
3.45PM should go get read for Pod cast. Get properly dressed.
