1. God and Godhead

    Prabhupada: There is little difference between “God” and “Godhead.” Isvarah paramah krsnah [Bs. 5.1]. Isvarah paramah. Isvara, more or less everyone, but isvarah paramah, that is Godhead. The Mayavadis, they do not distinguish between one isvara to another isvara. That may be on the ordinary level, but there is parama isvara.

    God means Supreme Person. But these advaitavadi, Mayavadis, they have made God everyone. God means Supreme Person, that is the dictionary word. “Supreme Being.” That is the dictionary meaning. God does not mean ordinary, but they have made ordinary, anyone God: “I am God, you are God, he is God.” Then what is meaning of God?

    Yogesvara: Therefore we say Godhead.

    Prabhupada: Yes. Head man. There are many men; He is the head man.

    (Conversation — August 5, 1976, New Mayapur)

     

    “God” is not the exact word of Bhagavan; therefore we use the word “Godhead.” “Back to Godhead.” Bhagavan means the Supreme Lord, the Supreme Being. God means the ruler, the controller. But when we come to the supreme
    controller, He is Bhagavan.

    (From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Bhagavad-gita 7.1 — August 22, 1976, Hyderabad)