sanakÄdi-Å›ukadeva tÄhÄte pramÄṇa
ei-mata nÄnÄ artha karena vyÄkhyÄna

 sanaka-Ädi - the four Sanas; Å›ukadeva - and Åšukadeva GosvÄmÄ«; tÄhÄte - in that; pramÄṇa - the evidence; ei-mata - in this way; nÄnÄ - varieties; artha - meaning; karena - does; vyÄkhyÄna - explanation.


Text

ÅšrÄ« Caitanya MahÄprabhu explained the meaning of the verse by giving evidence concerning Åšukadeva GosvÄmÄ« and the four ṛṣis Sanaka, Sanat-kumÄra, SanÄtana and Sanandana. Thus the Lord gave various meanings and explanations.

Purport

That Kṛṣṇa is all-attractive is verified by the activities of the four ṛṣis and Åšukadeva GosvÄmÄ«. All of them were liberated persons, yet they were attracted by the qualities and pastimes of the Lord. It is therefore said, muktÄ api lÄ«layÄ vigrahaá¹ ká¹›tvÄ bhagavantaá¹ bhajante: “Even liberated persons are attracted by the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa and thus engage in devotional service.†(Cc. Madhya 24.112) From the very beginning of their lives, Åšukadeva GosvÄmÄ« and the four KumÄras, known as catuḥ-sana, were liberated and self-realized on the Brahman platform. Nonetheless, they were attracted by the qualities of Kṛṣṇa, and they engaged in His service. The four KumÄras were attracted by the aroma of the flowers offered at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, and in this way they became devotees. Åšukadeva GosvÄmÄ« heard ÅšrÄ«mad-BhÄgavatam by the mercy of his father, VyÄsadeva, and he was consequently attracted to Kṛṣṇa and became a great devotee. The conclusion is that the transcendental bliss experienced in the service of the Lord must be superior to brahmÄnanda, the bliss derived from realizing the impersonal Brahman.