Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.4.18
ज्ञानं परं स्वात्मरह:प्रकाशं
प्रोवाच कस्मै भगवान् समग्रम् ।
अपि क्षमं नो ग्रहणाय भर्त-
र्वदाञ्जसा यद् वृजिनं तरेम ॥ १८ ॥
jñānaṁ paraṁ svātma-rahaḥ-prakāśaṁ
[jnaanam param svaatma-rahah-prakaasham]
provāca kasmai bhagavān samagram
[provaacha kasmai bhagavaan samagram]
api kṣamaṁ no grahaṇāya bhartar
[api kshamam no grahanaaya bhartar]
vadāñjasā yad vṛjinaṁ tarema
[vadaanjasaa yad vrijinam tarema]
Word-for-word
jñānam
—
knowledge
param
—
supreme
sva-ātma
—
own self
rahaḥ
—
mystery
prakāśam
—
enlightening
provāca
—
said
kasmai
—
unto Ka (Brahmājī)
bhagavān
—
the Personality of Godhead
samagram
—
in sum total
api
—
if so
kṣamam
—
able
naḥ
—
unto me
grahaṇāya
—
acceptable
bhartaḥ
—
O my Lord
vada
—
say
añjasā
—
in detail
yat
—
that which
vṛjinam
—
miseries
tarema
—
can cross over.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
jñānaṁ paraṁ svātma-rahaḥ-prakāśaṁ
jñānam
knowledge
param
supreme
sva-ātma
own self
rahaḥ
mystery
prakāśam
enlightening
provāca kasmai bhagavān samagram
provāca
said
kasmai
unto Ka (Brahmājī)
bhagavān
the Personality of Godhead
samagram
in sum total
api kṣamaṁ no grahaṇāya bhartar
api
if so
kṣamam
able
naḥ
unto me
grahaṇāya
acceptable
bhartaḥ
O my Lord
vadāñjasā yad vṛjinaṁ tarema
vada
say
añjasā
in detail
yat
that which
vṛjinam
miseries
tarema
can cross over.
My Lord, kindly explain to us, if You think us competent to receive it, that transcendental knowledge which gives enlightenment about Yourself and which You explained before to Brahmājī.
Purport
A pure devotee like Uddhava has no material afflictions because he engages constantly in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. A devotee feels afflicted without the association of the Lord. Constant remembrance of the Lord’s activities keeps the devotee alive, and therefore Uddhava requested that the Lord please enlighten him with the knowledge of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, as previously instructed to Brahmājī.
— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
O Lord! You spoke this highest, complete knowledge which reveals what is difficult to understand about yourself to Brahmā. If I am qualified, please tell me now, for by that knowledge I will cross the ocean of sorrow arising from your disappearance.
Therefore I desire knowledge which will eradicate these doubts. This means knowledge which will solve these contradictions that I have just asked, which are unknown to all, and not just that knowledge which you promised to give me as mentioned in verse 13. You spoke that knowledge to Brahmā (kasmai). Or the meaning can be “You did not speak it to anyone.” In that case, O Lord (bhartar), if you are merciful to me, then speak it. If I am qualified to receive it (grahaṇāya kṣamam), speak it, or if I am qualified and it is possible to explain, then explain it. If not, then do not speak it. From this knowledge I will cross the ocean of sorrow (vṛjinam) arising from the destruction of the Yadus and your disappearance which are happening now, and about which I am asking.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
A pure devotee feels afflicted when separated from the Lord and asks for the same instruction once given to Brahma. Reach for the highest teaching, not what is easy. The Lord gives in proportion to what is requested.
Reflection Questions
- Are your requests of the Lord scaled down to what feels reasonable rather than to what He could give?
- What 'Brahma-level' instruction have you been afraid to ask for?
My note
Source: vedabase.io