Hare Krsna,
I was going through the set of questions asked my both Vidura (to Rsi Maitreya) and Pariksit Maharaja (to Sukadeva Goswami). What is common in these sets of questions is that both the inquirers did not ask about the confidential pastimes of the Lord. They first enquired about the Lord’s material and spiritual world and energies. Even in the prelude to Catuh Sloki verses (SB 2.9), we see that the Lord Brahma asked the following questions to the Supreme Lord:
- Please tell me about Your material and spiritual forms.
- How are the various spiritual and material energies of the Lord working?
- What are the Lord’s activities in relation to His material and spiritual energies?
Lord Brahma did not ask questions about the 10th canto pastimes of the Lord. Rather he is more interested to know about the creation of the universe. Similarly, Saint Vidura and Pariksit Maharaja desired to understand the Lord’s form, qualities, creation/abode, activities, etc.
In 2nd Canto in the section of the vira-rupa description of the Lord, it is recommended that for those human beings who have a difficulty in meditation on the personal aspect of the Lord (due to contamination in their hearts), meditation on virat-rupa form of the Lord is recommended. This meditation will gradually cleanse the dirty things from their hearts in order to become qualified to actually see the transcendental form of the Lord in the near future.
It is impossible for anyone to fully understand the Supreme Lord. Being the Supreme, His magnanimity cannot be surpassed by our limited intellect. Therefore, in various scriptures the aisvarya (opulence) aspect of the Lord is always presented before one can truly appreciate the madhurya (sweetness) aspect of the Lord’s nature. The first nine cantos help one to know the amazing omnipotence of the Lord before entering into his confidential madhurya pastimes found in the tenth canto.
To set an example for us, Vidura and Pariksit Maharaja asked their questions in relation to the opulence aspect of the Lord first. Mahārāja Parīkṣit and Vidura intelligently put questions before their spiritual master for scientific understanding of the transcendental body of the Lord. This teaches us that we should not jump to the confidential topics of the Lord without having a good understanding of the Lord’s supremacy and magnanimity. In order words, we must understand the science of the Supreme Personality of Godhead through a good study of scriptures such as Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.
“Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the science of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and as such, all questions that may arise in the mind of a serious student must be cleared by the statements of the authority. Mahārāja Parīkṣit, being a typical devotee, is not only satisfied by confirming the importance of hearing the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from the representative of Brahmājī by disciplic succession, but he is still more anxious to establish the philosophical basis of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. A person on the path of devotional service may inquire from his spiritual master all about the spiritual position of God and the living beings. From the Bhagavad-gītā, as well as from the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, it is known that qualitatively the Lord and the living beings are one. The living being in the conditioned state of material existence is subjected to many transmigrations by continuous changing of the material body. But what are the causes of the material embodiment of the part and parcel of the Lord? Mahārāja Parīkṣit inquires about this very important matter for the benefit of all classes of candidates on the path of self-realization and devotional service to the Lord.” (SB 2.8.7 Purport)
In the process of devotional service, the first step is to take shelter of the spiritual master and then inquire from the spiritual master all about the process. This inquiry is essential for immunity to all kinds of offenses on the path of devotional service. Even if one is fixed in devotional service like Mahārāja Parīkṣit, he must still inquire from the realized spiritual master all about this. In other words, the spiritual master must also be well versed and learned so that he may be able to answer all these inquiries from the devotees. (SB 2.8.7 Purport)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 