ÇRÉ ÉÇOPANIÑAD

Mantra Four

1. Verse refers to four characteristics of the Supreme Personality of Godhead (the first
one is apparently contradictory:
a) He is fixed in one place, but He is the swiftest
b) Can't be approached even by the demigods
c) Localized, but controls all parts of the creation
d) The most excellent (Bhagavan)

2. Para One: Brahma samhita referred to:

One cannot approach the Supreme Lord through mental speculation
Only through bhakti

He is in Goloka, but He's all-pervading also, particularly through His energies (example
of heat and light emanating from fire is given).

3. Para Two: There are 3 main types of energies:

a) Internal
b) Marginal
c) External

Çréla Prabhupäda explains that there are so many divisions within each type (demigods
and humans within marginal potency).

Material world is external energy, spiritual world is internal.

4. Para Three: But one should not make the mistake of thinking that the Lord has become
impersonally distributed everywhere, or has lost His personality through being
distributed (not like when you tear up a piece of paper).

Çréla Prabhupäda refers to parasya saktir vividhaive sruyate.

5. Para Four: He is hard to understand by even great persons, so what to speak of demons
and other unqualified people?

Çréla Prabhupäda explains that this verse is supporting personalism, because it is giving
so much detail about the features of the Lord.

6. Para Five: We are one in quality, but not quantity. Therefore it is hard to understand
all about the Lord, but through the descending process we can understand as much as
possible.

7. Para Six: We have energy and initiative of our own, but we should not misuse that
(according to Mantra One). That is maya.
8. Para Seven: All our potencies are coming from Kåñëa, so they should be used in His
service. We must be submissive.

From Çréla Prabhupäda’s lectures on Sri Isopanisad: "This is also confirmed in Brahma-
saàhitä: goloka eva nivasaty akhilätma-bhütaù. Kåñëa, although He is always in Goloka
Våndävana, He has nothing to do. He is simply enjoying in the company of His
associates, the gopés and the cowherds boy, His mother, His father. Free, completely
free. And those who are associates, they are still more free. Because when the associates
are in danger, Kåñëa has got some anxiety how to save them, but the associates, they
have no anxiety. “Oh, there is Kåñëa.” Just see. (chuckles) The associates, they have no
anxiety. Any, anything happening, you will read in the Kåñëa book—so many dangers.
The boys, along with Kåñëa, they used to go every day with their calves and cows and
play in the forest on the bank of the Yamunä, and Kaàsa will send some demon to
destroy them. So you have seen, you will see also pictures. So they’ll enjoy simply
because they are so much confident. That is spiritual life. Avaçya rakñibe kåñëa viçväsa
pälana. This strong faith, that “Any dangerous condition, Kåñëa will save me,” this is
surrender.
There are six phases of surrender. The first thing is that we should accept which is
favorable for devotional service; we shall reject anything which is unfavorable to
devotional service. And the next is that to introduce oneself with the associates of the
Lord. Just like Kåñëa has got so many associates, you can... That will, of course... Not
artificially. When you are advanced you’ll understand what is your relationship with
Kåñëa. Then if you introduce yourself with that association, then the next stage is
confidence that “Kåñëa will give me protection.” Actually, He is giving protection to
everyone. That is a fact. But in mäyä we think that we are protecting ourself, we are
feeding ourself. No. That’s not the fact."