Sri mad Bhagavatam - Prabhupada

1002 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 3, Ch . 25the platform of goodness. In the mode of goodness one's knowledge expands.On the platform of passion there is no knowledge, for passion issimply an impetus to enjoy material benefits. On the platform of ignorancethere is no knowledge and no enjoyment but simply life almost like that ofanimals.The Vedas are meant to elevate one from the mode of ignorance to theplatform of goodness. When one is situated in the mode of goodness he isable to understand knowledge of the self, or transcendental knowledge.This knowledge cannot be appreciated by any ordinary man. Therefore,since a disciplic succession is required, this knowledge is expounded eitherby the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself or by His bona fidedevotee. Saunaka Muni also states here that Kapila, the incarnation of theSupreme Personality of Godhead, took His birth or appearance simply toappreciate and disseminate transcendental knowledge. Simply to understandthat one is not matter but spirit soul (aham brahmiismi: "I am bynature Brahman") is not sufficient knowledge for understanding the selfand his activities. One must be situated in the activities of Brahman, andthat knowledge is explained by the Supreme Personality of GodheadHimself. Such transcendental knowledge can be appreciated in humansociety but not in animal society, as clearly indicated here by the wordnrr-iim, "for the human beings." Human beings are meant for regulated life.By nature, there is regulation in animal life also, but that is not like theregulative life as described in the scriptures or by the authorities. Humanlife is regulated life, not animal life. In regulated life only can one understandtranscendental knowledge.TEXT2.. :crt': !!4 t=ij it: II IIna hy asya var§mar-a pumsiimvarimr-a sarva-yoginiimvisrutau sruta-devasyabhiiri trpyanti me 'savana-not; hi-indeed; as'ya-about Him; var§maT_Ia- the greatest; pumsiimamongmen; varimT_a-the foremost; sarva- all; yoginiim-of yogis;