SECTION FIFTY

Hereafter, to determine the detailed import of Çrémad Bhägavatam, as has been discussed, sambandha, abhidheya, and prayojana will be explained in order in these six sandarbhas. Out of these six, Tattva-Sandarbha explains the sambandha (relation) between Väcya and Väcaka--the subject and the medium used.

Çréla Vyäsadeva indicates this subject in a general manner in the second Bhägavatam verse (1.1.2) with the words, "The Absolute Truth is to be known here (in the Çrémad Bhägavatam)...".

While commenting on this part of the verse Çrédhara Svämé writes: 

Here, in this beautiful Bhägavatam, the Absolute Reality in its highest manifestation is to be known, and not in the form of substance, qualities and so on as assumed by the Vaiçeñikas etc.

 

ÇRÉ JÉVA TOÑAËÉ COMMENTARY

             Çréla Jéva Gosvämé  here informs us that the same sambandha, abhidheya, and prayojana tattvas that Vyäsadeva and Sukadeva Gosvämé realized will be explained in greater detail in the six Sandarbhas. These were briefly mentioned in Anucchedas Eight and Nine, now he will expand his explanation of all three. Naturally, the basis of his presentation will be the Çrémad Bhägavatam. The Tattva, Bhagavat, Paramätmä, and Kåñëa Sandarbhas deal with the sambanda tattva. Bhakti Sandarbha deals with abhidheya tattva and  Préti Sandarbha with the prayojana tattva.

            Tattva Sandarbha serves as an introduction in that it explains the overall subject established through the Ñaö Sandarbhas.  Technically this relationship is called the väcya-väcakatä sambandha, or the relation of the subject with the words of the book. The subject is stated in the second verse of the Bhägavatam, vedyaà vastvamatra vastu "Absolute Reality is  to be understood herein...". As discussed earlier there are various levels of manifestation of reality, but Çrémad Bhägavatam  gives knowledge about the one Absolute Reality, Çré Kåñëa, who encompasses and reconciles all other realities.

            Sages like Kanäda and Gautama based their philosophies on a certain number of elements or realities. They say that by knowing these elements properly one can become free from material miseries. For example the vaiçeñika philosophy, mentioned at the end of this annucheda, has seven elements--Dravya (substance), Guëa (Quality), Karma (action), Sämänya (generality), viçeña (particularity), samaväya (Inherence) and Abhäva (non-existence). The vaiçeñikas try to explain the whole cosmos by these seven elements. Though it is true that an understanding of these elements leads to realization of a certain level of reality, that does not compare with the Absolute Reality, which is the sole subject of Çrémad Bhägavatam. The nature of this reality is explained in the next section.