Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead: A Summary Study of Srimad Bhagavatam, 10th Canto: A Summary Study of Srila Vyasadeva's Srimad Bhagavatam, 10th Canto

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For most of us the term ‘Supreme Personality of Godhead’ is somewhat unusual. I know when I first encountered it I was bemused, wondering just who or what is a ‘Godhead’? Why not just God? Consulting the dictionary I discovered that Godhead means the ‘essential being of God’. This is precisely what Prabhupada intended to convey with his use of the term. There may be many names and forms of God, but Krishna is the original. He is the Supreme Being, the source of all other beings and indeed everything else in existence. One might take issue with this assertion, but a careful analysis of the facts should put the mind at rest. The Sanskrit word Krishna (Krsna) simply means ‘all attractive’, which surely must be God’s main attribute. All beauty, power, wealth, knowledge, wisdom and whatever else we find attractive have their source in him. This is what it means to be great, which most people will agree is the right word to apply to God.Prabhupada’s book ‘Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead’ shows that greatness in all of its splendour. A summary of the tenth canto of the Bhagavata Purana, it chronicles the activities of Krishna when he appeared on earth 5000 years ago. From his mystical ‘birth’ in the sacred township of Mathura, to his life in the celestial city of Dvaraka lying within the ocean, we hear of his many wondrous deeds. Great demons are slain, barbarian armies of millions are destroyed, and the hand of many a beautiful princess is won. But over and above all of this are the divine displays of love between Krishna and his devotees. It is said that God will reciprocate with us in whatever way we desire, and this is demonstrated by Krishna as he takes on his various roles. Whether acting as a delightful infant, a perfect son, a dear friend, a dashing lover or a mighty hero, Krishna’s focus is always on pleasing his devotees. Although he is God he makes it clear that nothing gives him more pleasure than to serve his own servants. In these accounts we discover that God is not some old bearded man sitting in heaven, passing judgment on us sinful wretches. Far from it, he is eternally youthful, the very essence of grace and beauty, of gentility, humility, kindness, sweetness and love. Of course, he can also be pretty fierce and unassailable. It all depends on how one approaches him. He is ready for anything. Those who want to fight with him will get the opportunity. Krishna will go along with that quite happily, but don’t expect your head to remain on your shoulders for very long. God’s greatness includes very great power.I have read this book many times and found something new each time. Deep, transcendental knowledge fills every page. I won’t say it is not a challenging read. Prabhupada laces the narrative with much philosophy to help us understand the profound significance of Krishna’s activities. Really Krishna has no interest in material enjoyment or politics or anything else that generally moves us mortals. His only interest is divine love, giving it to us and receiving it back. This is the secret of understanding Krishna. Each of us are meant for that love and we can begin to experience it as we turn these pages. Gradually our envy of God is dispelled as we realise that better than trying to take his place is to become his loving servant. Then he gives himself to us. It is true that God cannot be conquered by any power, but he agrees to be conquered by love, the greatest power.This is a truly wonderful work, but to better understand the philosophical concepts it espouses I would also recommend that you read Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Then you can dive deeply into the divine ocean of Krishna’s transcendental pastimes, and leave behind this mundane sphere of struggle and pain.

everytime i go to read 1-3 chapters i always end up reading 3-6 (they are small i know) but the point is that its a really hard book to set down i love hearing of all of the pastimes of krsna. 6 stars

Krishna!

I simply cannot get through this book. I have read four or five different translations of the Bhagavad Gita, because it is important to me. I am reading the Upanishads. I would like to read this, but the writing is so tedious and circular that I simply can't make myself read it. Every time I start, I get a few pages and then I have to put it down.

Front and back cover, spine broken. Binding damaged. Pages loose. Poor quality.