Bhāgavata-Dharma: The Most Confidential Religious Principle

Lord Brahmā, Bhagavān Nārada, Lord Śiva, the four Kumāras, Lord Kapila [the son of Devahūti], Svāyambhuva Manu, Prahlāda Mahārāja, Janaka Mahārāja, Grandfather Bhīṣma, Bali Mahārāja, Śukadeva Gosvāmī and I myself know the real religious principle. My dear servants, this transcendental religious principle, which is known as bhāgavata-dharma, or surrender unto the Supreme Lord and love for Him, is uncontaminated by the material modes of nature. It is very confidential and difficult for ordinary human beings to understand, but if by chance one fortunately understands it, he is immediately liberated, and thus he returns home, back to Godhead.

In Bhagavad-gītā Lord Kṛṣṇa refers to bhāgavata-dharma as the most confidential religious principle (sarva-guhyatamam, guhyād guhyataram). Kṛṣṇa says to Arjuna, “Because you are My very dear friend, I am explaining to you the most confidential religion.” Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja: “Give up all other duties and surrender unto Me.”

One may ask, “If this principle is very rarely understood, what is the use of it?”

In answer, Yamarāja states herein that this religious principle is understandable if one follows the paramparā system of Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, the four Kumāras and the other standard authorities. There are four lines of disciplic succession: one from Lord Brahmā, one from Lord Śiva, one from Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, and one from the Kumāras. The disciplic succession from Lord Brahmā is called the Brahma sampradāya, the succession from Lord Śiva (Śambhu) is called the Rudra sampradāya, the one from the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmījī, is called the Śrī sampradāya, and the one from the Kumāras is called the Kumāra sampradāya. One must take shelter of one of these four sampradāyas in order to understand the most confidential religious system.

In the Padma Purāṇa it is said, sampradāya-vihīnā ye mantrās te niṣphalā matāḥ: if one does not follow the four recognized disciplic successions, his mantra or initiation is useless. In the present day there are many apasampradāyas, or sampradāyas which are not bona fide, which have no link to authorities like Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, the Kumāras or Lakṣmī. People are misguided by such sampradāyas. The śāstras say that being initiated in such a sampradāya is a useless waste of time, for it will never enable one to understand the real religious principles.

 

Source: Srimad Bhagavatam 6.3.20-21

Share:

Follow us

Padmanayana Krsna Dasa

Recent Posts

Trivikrama Prabhu, or Maharaja?

Join us today for a critical examination in light of shastra and previous acharyas the…

1 week ago

Is the ritvik system the solution to fallen gurus?

Join us for an in-depth discussion from our June 12, 2025, meeting exploring the controversial…

2 weeks ago

Introducing: “The Mood And Mission of Srila Prabhupada”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsnHpPFurKA Buy now: https://books.bvks.com/book/view/the-mood-and-mission-of-srila-prabhupada.html Support us: https://donate.bvksmedia.net/ Recorded on May 20, 2025 in Atlanta, GA,…

3 weeks ago

Solving The Hindu Muslim Problem – Bhakti Vikasa Swami

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8tKOB314rE Support us: https://donate.bvksmedia.net/ Recorded on May 2, 2025 in Atlanta, GA, USA. For thousands…

4 weeks ago

Ritvik Initiations Not Sanctioned by Shastra: Why this matters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ59taC_9yw In this discussion, members of the ISKCON the India Scholars Board explain why scriptural…

4 weeks ago

Ritvikism Debunked || The Complete Reference || HG Amogh Lila Prabhu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=notZek_H0nk The end of Ritvik Mayavad || Truth revealed || Ritvikism Debunked || The complete…

4 weeks ago