1. All learned scholars must read Srimad-Bhagavatam

    Prabhupada: Some Sanskrit scholar in Swedish language must come forward. Then it can be done. But he must be a good scholar, because each word is meaningful. Yes. Just like beginning of the Bhagavata, janmadi asya [SB 1.1.1]. Janmadi. Now this one word has volumes of meaning. Janmadi means beginning from janma. So beginning from janma, birth, how many things are there? Generally, birth, janmastiti-lata[?], birth, then you stay for some time and then you become vanquished. This body. Janmadi asya. Asya, “of this material world.” Janma, creation, then situation, then annihilation. Now how many volumes of books you can write on these three words? How this universe was created, how it is being maintained and how it will be annihilated — these three words. How many books you can write?

    Dr. Hauser: Infinity.

    Prabhupada: Such is Bhagavata verse, janmady asya, asya janmadi. And this is Bhagavata. Concise word, but volumes of meanings. Volumes. Each word is like that. Vidya bhagavatavali[?]. Therefore one’s learning is complete when he reads Srimad-Bhagavatam. Otherwise he remains imperfect, in spite of all learning. Janmady asya yatah: from where? Now the creation of this cosmic world, from where? But you do not know from where. This is explained in Bhagavatam. Param satyam dhimahi. That is actually truth. In this way simply if you analyze one verse, you’ll find each word is full of volumes of meaning. Yes. Janmady asya yatah anvayat. Now the creation, anvayat, directly and indirectly, itaratas carthesu, in the matter of understanding, abhijnah. Abhijnah means completely cognizant. That is the Absolute Truth. He knows everything — how this universe is created, how it is maintained, how it annihilated, directly and indirectly.

    Just like I always, regular, everyday thing, when I am massaged by my student, I see so many veins, so I think that I claim, “This is my leg.” But I do not know what are these veins. Directly I know this is my leg, but indirectly I do not know how this leg is working with these veins and nerves and muscles. I do not know. But so far God is concerned, He has created. He knows every veins of everything. That is called abhijnah. In this way you analyze every word, you’ll find volumes of meaning. The next question will
    be, “Where He got this experience? You say He’s abhijnah, He knows everything. To get experience one must have teacher.” But the next word is svarat: He’s experienced and self-sufficiency, svarat, independent. He hasn’t got to go anywhere for experiencing. In this way each word is full of meaning. Janmady asya yatah, anvayad itaratas carthesv abhijnah svarat, tene brahma hrda ya adi-kavaye muhyanti yat surayah [SB 1.1.1]. We have very shortly described this one verse. I think five, six pages.

    [aside:] You have got that verse? You show him.

    Srutakirti: Yes. Right here. [showing book to the psychiatrist] Here’s the translation, the verse.

    Prabhupada: That is very short description.

    Srutakirti: Short. [laughs] Similarly for the next verse also.

    Prabhupada: So it is so meaningful. All learned scholars of the world must read Srimad-Bhagavatam if they want actually good for themselves and good for the world.

    Srila Prabhupada; Room Conversation with Dr. Christian Hauser, Psychiatrist — September 10, 1973, Stockholm