Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 11 Chapter 21 Verse 42

Canto 11: General History | Chapter 21: Lord Kṛṣṇa's Explanation of the Vedic Path

Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 11.21.42

kiḿ vidhatte kim ācaṣṭe

kim anūdya vikalpayet

ity asyā hṛdayaḿ loke

nānyo mad veda kaścana

SYNONYMS

kim — what; vidhatte — enjoins (in the ritualistic karma-kāṇḍa); kim — what; ācaṣṭe — indicates (as the object of worship in the devatā-kāṇḍa); kim — what; anūdya — describing in different aspects; vikalpayet — raises the possibility of alternatives (in the jñāna-kāṇḍa); iti — thus; asyāḥ — of Vedic literature; hṛdayam — the heart, or confidential purpose; loke — in this world; na — does not; anyaḥ — other; mat — than Me; veda — know; kaścana — anyone.

TRANSLATION

In the entire world no one but Me actually understands the confidential purpose of Vedic knowledge. Thus people do not know what the Vedas are actually prescribing in the ritualistic injunctions of karma-kāṇḍa, or what object is actually being indicated in the formulas of worship found in the upāsanā-kāṇḍa, or that which is elaborately discussed through various hypotheses in the jñāna-kāṇḍa section of the Vedas.

PURPORT

The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Absolute Truth, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Since the Lord is the source, maintainer and ultimate goal of Vedic knowledge, He is veda-vit, or the only true knower of Vedic knowledge. So-called philosophers, either Vedic scholars or ordinary men, may give their sectarian opinion, but it is the Lord Himself who knows the confidential purpose of the Vedas. The Lord is the only actual shelter and lovable object for all living entities. As He states in the Tenth Chapter of Bhagavad-gītā (10.41):

yad yad vibhūtimat sattvaḿ

śrīmad ūrjitam eva vā

tad tad evāvagaccha tvaḿ

mama tejo-'ḿśa-sambhavam

"Know that all beautiful, glorious and mighty creations spring from but a spark of My splendor." All beautiful, extraordinary and powerful manifestations are insignificant displays of the Lord's own opulences. Although ordinary people may quarrel over the purpose of religion, the actual purpose is one, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or pure love of Godhead. All Vedic formulas are understood to be preliminary stages leading to the perfect stage of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, in which one fully surrenders to the devotional service of the Lord. The pure devotees of the Lord represent Him within this world and never speak anything which is not authorized by the Lord. Because they are repeating the Lord's own words, they are also to be understood as true knowers of the Veda.

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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
His Holiness Hrdayananda dasa Goswami
Gopiparanadhana dasa Adhikari
Dravida dasa Brahmacari