Learning from the Person Bhāgavata

In the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the term bhāgavata refers to two entities: the book Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and the pure devotee of the Lord. These two are inseparable. While the book contains the message of Godhead, the person bhāgavata is the active agent who embodies that message. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that one cannot truly understand the scripture without the guidance of the person bhāgavata. This article explores the qualifications of the person bhāgavata, the necessity of learning from them, and the transformative power of their association.

Who is the Person Bhāgavata?

The person bhāgavata is defined by their absorption in the text. They are the "living Bhāgavatam," meaning their life is a perfect reflection of the verses found in the scripture. This title applies to the spiritual master, the ācāryas, and any exalted devotee who is dedicated to the pure devotional service of the Lord. They are distinct from professional reciters who treat the Bhāgavatam as a means of livelihood.

• Bhagavata means pure devotee of the Lord. One bhagavata is this book Bhagavata, another bhagavata, the person bhagavata. Who lives on the book Bhagavata, he is person bhagavata. 2 kinds of bhagavata. We have to learn Bhagavatam from the living bhagavata.
• Not only should we read Srimad-Bhagavatam, but we should also serve the person bhagavata, one whose life is nothing but Srimad-Bhagavatam. Nityam bhagavata-sevaya.
• Bhagavata means the book Bhagavata and the person bhagavata. The person bhagavata is spiritual master or any exalted devotee. He is bhagavata, maha-bhagavata.

Necessity of Authorized Instruction

The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is confidential. It cannot be accessed by outsiders or through academic scholarship alone. To relish the real taste and understand the purport, one must hear from the person bhāgavata. This follows the instruction of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who advised studying the text only from a realized soul.

• This is book bhagavata, and a devotee is person bhagavata. So according (to) our Caitanya Mahaprabhus cult, the Bhagavata should be studied from the person bhagavata, not from the professional reciters.
• The whole matter is explained by the Lord Himself, and one who has no approach to the Lord in His personal feature can rarely understand the purport of Srimad-Bhagavatam without being taught by the bhagavatas in the disciplic succession.
• All Vedic literatures maintain that Srimad-Bhagavatam has to be learned from the person bhagavata, and to understand it one has to engage in pure devotional service.

Transformation through Service

The combined process of reading the book and serving the person is the secret to spiritual advancement. By serving the person bhāgavata, one's heart is cleansed of anarthas (unwanted things), and one becomes fixed (naiṣṭhikī) in devotional service. This interaction instills the mellows of love of God into the heart of the neophyte.

• By this process (reading Srimad-Bhagavatam, and serving the person bhagavata) we can attain the stage of bhagavad-bhakti, but first we must get rid of all these anarthas, unwanted things.
• Through the actions of these two bhagavatas the Lord instills the mellows of transcendental loving service into the heart of a living being, and thus the Lord, in the heart of His devotee, comes under the control of the devotees love.
• Bhagavata is spiritual master. Vaisnava, he's also bhagavata. Acaryas, bhagavata. Grantha-bhagavata and person, person bhagavata. So person bhagavata or book bhagavata, you always serve. Then you will be fixed up. Naisthiki. Nobody can move you.

Conclusion

The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is not meant to be a dry intellectual pursuit. It is a living science, and the person bhāgavata is the scientist who demonstrates the results. By taking shelter of such a devotee and hearing submissively from them, the sincere seeker unlocks the treasures of the scripture and begins the journey back home, back to Godhead.

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

• Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Bhagavata - the Person.