Unlimited Meanings of the Ātmārāma Verse

The ātmārāma verse (SB 1.7.10) is one of the most celebrated verses in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. It serves as a philosophical bridge, connecting the stage of liberation with the platform of pure devotional service. Through the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, this verse became the primary tool for demonstrating the superiority of bhakti over dry gnosis. This article explores the unlimited meanings of this verse as revealed by the Lord, illustrating how the transcendental qualities of Kṛṣṇa captivate even the most elevated, self-satisfied sages.

Verse and Its Significance

The ātmārāma verse states that self-realized souls, who are free from the knots of material attachment, still engage in the unmotivated devotional service of the Lord. This indicates that Kṛṣṇa's qualities are not material; if they were, liberated souls would not be attracted to them. This verse is the "sun" that eradicates the darkness of misconceptions regarding the ultimate goal of life.

• In the atmarama verse of the SB, it is said that those who are already situated on the platform of self-realization are attracted by the transcendental qualities of Krsna. This means that Krsnas qualities are not material but pure and transcendental.
• All glories to Sri Caitanya, who acted as the eastern horizon where the sun of the atmarama verse rose. He manifested its rays in the form of different meanings and thus eradicated the darkness of the material world. May He protect the universe.
• The SB (1.7.10) states, Although those who are atmarama, self-satisfied, are liberated from all material contamination, they are still attracted by the pastimes of the Supreme Lord, and thus they engage themselves in His transcendental service.

Lord Caitanya's Analytical Exposition

When challenged by the great scholar Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, Lord Caitanya analyzed the eleven words of the verse—such as munayaḥ (sages), nirgranthāḥ (freed from bondage), and ahaitukīm (unmotivated). While the Bhaṭṭācārya used logic and grammar to find nine meanings, the Lord, without touching those nine, explained eighteen distinct meanings, leaving the scholar struck with wonder.

• There are eleven items in the Atmarama verse: (1) atmaramah, (2) ca, (3) munayah, (4) nirgranthah, (5) api, (6) urukrame, (7) kurvanti, (8) ahaitukim, (9) bhaktim, (10) ittham-bhuta-gunah, (11) harih.
• Upon hearing Caitanya Mahaprabhus explanation of the atmarama verse, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya was struck with wonder. He then understood Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to be Krsna in person, and he thus condemned himself in the following words.
• The Bhattacarya explained the atmarama verse in nine different ways on the basis of scripture. After hearing his explanation, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, smiling a little, began to speak.

Sixty-One Meanings for Sanātana Gosvāmī

Later, in Vārāṇasī, Lord Caitanya instructed Sanātana Gosvāmī, expanding His explanation even further. By combining the various meanings of the word ātmārāma (which include the neophyte, the impersonalist, the yogi, and the liberated devotee) with the other terms, the Lord manifested different interpretations. This display of intellectual and spiritual prowess confirmed that the Bhāgavatam is inexhaustible.

• Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave him (Sanatana Gosvami) His blessings to do all the works and also explained to Sanatana Gosvami the import of the atmarama verse from sixty-one different angles of vision.
• Caitanya told Sanatana Gosvami: I was just like a madman in describing this Atmarama verse in so many ways. Do not mind if I have said something mad. But if someone becomes a madman like Me, he can understand the real meaning of Srimad-Bhagavatam.
• When Lord Caitanya explained this atmarama verse (SB 1.7.10) to Srila Sanatana Gosvami, He described sixty-one meanings, and all of them point toward the devotional service of the Lord.

Supreme Attractiveness of Kṛṣṇa

The crux of the ātmārāma verse is the word ittham-bhūta-guṇaḥ—possessing such wonderful qualities. It establishes that Kṛṣṇa is Urukrama, the performer of wonderful activities. His attraction is so potent that it pulls the ātmārāmas out of their trance of self-satisfaction and engages them in active service. This proves that bhakti is not a means to an end, but the eternal function of the soul, superior to even the peace of liberation.

• In summary, Krsna is the meaning behind all the words in the Atmarama verse. Up to this point Lord Caitanya spoke only of the introduction to the Atmarama verse. Next He explains its real position.
• The word ahaituki is always applicable to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Urukrama. In this way I have described thirteen complete meanings - of the atmarama verse.
• In this way I shall progressively explain all the words in the atmarama verse. It should be understood that all these words are meant to enable one to taste the transcendental qualities of Krsna.

Conclusion

The ātmārāma verse stands as a testament to the supremacy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotional service. Through the brilliant expositions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, we understand that the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is not merely a book of stories but a deep ocean of transcendental truth. It reveals that the ultimate perfection for every living entity—whether conditioned, seeking liberation, or already liberated—is to surrender to the Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

• Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Atmarama Verse in the Srimad-Bhagavatam.