Ray of Visnu

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> This epithet for Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura is derived from

> Srila Prabhupada's purport to SB 3.22.19. Is it derived from any

> statements of sastra or previous acaryas, or is it Srila Prabhupada's

> innovation?

 

Prabhupada used the Gita Press English verse translations during his work

with the Third Canto. The Gita Press translators rendered the first part of

3.22.19 as follows:

 

"Therefore, I shall take to wife this noble girl on condition that I shall

remain with her till she bears (in her womb) through me a ray of the

Supreme Spirit."

 

Vivan€tha Cakravart… µh€kura proposed two ways in which the verse can be

understood:

 

1. y€vat mam€tmano deh€c cyutaˆ tejo bibhy€t t€vat bhajiye

"I shall remain with her until she bears the semen emitted from my body."

 

2. atra mam€tmano mat-priye˜adevasya tejaƒ kapiladev€khyam iti vastvartha

ca jñeyaƒ

"Regarding the subject matter of this verse, it is to be understood, that

'the splendour of my €tman,' is Lord Kapiladeva, 'the splendour of my own

worshipable Deity (ViŠu)'."

 

Prabhupada's verse translation follows Vivan€tha's first proposal, while

his remarks in the purport reflect VCT's second explanation. The choice of

words comes from the Gita Press translation.

 

J…va Gosv€m… understood '€tmanaƒ' to refer to Kapila as manifestation of

Param€tm€:

€tmanaƒ param€tmanaƒ kapil€khyaˆ tejo me matto y€vad bibhy€t.

"Until she bears, through me, the splendour of Param€tm€, known as Kapila."

 

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