Prabhupada, Gorakhpur, February 14, 1971: […] Advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam adyam purana-purusam nava-yauvanam ca, vedesu durlabham atma-bhaktau [Bs. 5.33]. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is difficult to be approached by simple understanding of the Vedas.
One has to become a devotee. Just like Bhagavad-gita. It is simple. It is the entrance book for spiritual understanding. It is not very, I mean to say, highly theosophical or theological literature. That highly theological literature is Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is the natural commentary on the Vedanta-sutra. So in the Bhagavad-gita we get all information how Krishna expands Himself.
Advaita… Vedesu durlabha. Therefore one who does not read Bhagavad-gita through a devotee… Krishna… Just like Arjuna is a devotee. He understands Bhagavad-gita. Without going through a devotee, nobody can understand God or His statements. Thousands of people for thousands of years, reading Bhagavad-gita, but they do not know Krishna. Is it not a fact? Yes.
So because they are not going through the proper channels, they are… Still, vedesu durlabham adurlabham atma-bhaktau [Bs. 5.33]. Simply by trying to understand the Vedic literature, one cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Vedesu durlabha. Durlabha means very difficult to approach. Adurlabha atma-bhaktau. But atma-bhaktau, those who are devotees, for them He is very easily accepted.
Take for example… Now, you have gone to see a very high officer, say, the secretary of the government. You are waiting. You have sent your card, you are waiting. But you cannot enter the room without being permitted. But an ordinary orderly, his servant, he’s thousand times going and coming.
There is no restriction for him. He does not require any permission. He goes within because… And the message will come through him. In Dvaraka… Perhaps you have read in the Nectar of Devotion that Brahma, Indra, they used to come to see Krishna, and Krishna’s orderly…
They were offering prayers, and Krishna’s orderly was requesting them, “Please make no noise.” They were offering prayers, Brahma, Indra, and His personal servant was prohibiting him, “Please do not make noise. Sit down here.” This is the position.
So vedesu durlabham adurlabham atma-bhaktau [Bs. 5.33]. Krishna is not available, not approachable, simply by studying Vedas. He has to be obedient to the orders of the devotees.
Full lecture
pamho agt ACBSP
SRIPAD SANKARACHARYA says in the BHAGAVAD-GITA MAHATMYA, Sloka 4. Gita, sugita kartavya kim anyaih sastra vistaraih ya svyam padam nabhayasa mukha padmad vinih sritam
Translation: This Gita which has come out of the lotus like face of the Lord (HE who has the lotus in HIS navel) and which is so melodious should be studied.
There is no need to study any other scriptures in detail. Another point is that of Dhruva Maharaja he knew nothing because he was just a child of 5 years old when received the darshan of SRI VISHNU in HIS form of PRISNIGARBHA in Madhuvan.
Dhruva Maharaja’s meditation broke and he did not know how to glorify UTTAMASLOKA. But as soon as SRI VISHNU touched his head with HIS shell Dhruva Maharaja was able to offer to SRI VISHNU the best prayers with perfect pronunciation.
This is the proof that we are property of SRI VISHNU therefore HE can do whatever HE wish with us. We have just to let HIM use us as part and parcel of HIS transcendental body to associate with HIM by reading the daily BHAGAVAD-GITA with humility.
Gita sastram idam punyam yah pateth prayatah puman vishnoh padam avapnoti bhaya shokadi varjitah
Translation: He who studies this Gita scripture with humility is freed from fear and misery and attains the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu, Sloka 1.
BHAGAVAD-GITA MAHATMYA so we are eternally in debit with HDG ACBSP because HE gave us the way to be connect with the supreme truth through the divine BHAGAVAD-GITA ki jai SRILA PRABHUPADA ki jai ys seva das haribol