From Purport to Purport

Srila Prabhupada’s Бхагаватам purports sometimes shift from one topic to another.  For example, in his purport to Бхагаватам 10.1.17, we read that at one time the world was overburdened with demoniac kings who were harassing the people.  The verse and purport are relevant to modern politics, where every nation is trying to build up its military power.  Then in the next verse, we hear that Lord Brahma went with the demigods to the shore of the milk ocean and recited the Purusa-sukta prayers.  Brahma received a direct message back from Lord Visnu.  In that purport, Prabhupada writes mystically that you may get a direct message from Krishna when you meditate on Him.  He says that this can be done even today, and he gives the example of how subtle communications go by television and other methods. 

When reading Prabhupada purports, we should be patient and happy to follow Prabhupada as he goes from one topic to another.  Gradually, we may begin to understand, that for Prabhupada, Krishna is present everywhere, and the jurisdiction of Krishna consciousness is everywhere.  If Prabhupada turns his attention to the world’s political situation with thoughts of lamentation or anger, that is Krishna consciousness.  When he turns directly to Krishna and forgets this world, that is also Krishna consciousness.  As Krishna says in Бхагавад-гита, “For one who sees Me everywhere, I am never lost and he is never lost to Me.”

We should move with Prabhupada in his Bhaktivedanta purports from one topic to another.  With each purport, he gives all that the previous acaryas have said, and he reflects on it based on his own experience.  If we read Prabhupada with at least a little understanding of how he composed his purports, one after another, then we, too, will begin to see Krishna everywhere.