Questions for Bhaktivaibhava Exam: Cantos 1, 2 and 3

 The Summative Exam will consist of 15 Questions drawn from the question bank below.

You will answer 5 questions, each of around 3-4 paragraphs, (about 400 words) as follows:

Canto 1 - 2 questions from 5

Canto 2 - 1 question from 3

Canto 3 - 2 questions from 7

In your response give references to the specific section of Srimad Bhagavatam discussed and, optionally, previous sections of Srimad Bhagavatam and the Bhaktisastras. 

The exam should be completed within 3 hours.

Canto 1

1. Srila Prabhupada begins his commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam with the statement, “We must know the present need of human society…” Explain the present need of human society and how Srimad Bhagavatam can fulfil it. In your response discuss the significance of Srila Prabhupada beginning his commentary with this statement and how it reflects his mission. Give reference to Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 in your response.

1. Describe the development of progress in bhakti with reference to specific Sanskrit words/phrases from Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.16-22.

1. Summarize the 6 questions of the sages the sages of Naimisaranya & Suta Gosvami’s respective responses with reference to Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 Chapters 1-3 and  discuss the significance of these questions in relation to the Srimad Bhagavatam in general.

1. Explain Vyasadeva’s dissatisfaction and discuss how Sri Narada’s subsequent instructions to him are important for the Krsna consciousness movement. Give reference to Canto 1 Chapters 4 and 5 in your response.
   
2. Srila Prabhupada writes, “The life of a sincere devotee of the Lord is thus explained in a nutshell by Narada Muni by his personal example.” (Purport, 1.6.26). Summarize the devotional life of Sri Narada Muni, with reference to specific incidents, and discuss its relevance for practicing and preaching Krsna consciousness.

1. Draw general principles from Queen Kunti’s prayers relevant for the practice of Krsna consciousness with reference to Canto 1 Chapter 8, and appropriate Bhakti sastri texts, in your response.
   
2. With reference to Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 Chapters 10 and 11, explain the relationship between Krishna and His queens in Dvaraka, effectively counteracting the misunderstanding that Krishna is immoral. 

1. Srila Prabhupada writes in , 1.16.18,  “The bull and the cow can be protected for the good of all human society simply by the spreading of brahminical culture as the topmost perfection of all cultural affairs.”  Discuss the significance of this statement for ISKCON.

1. Describe Maharaja Parikit’s response to the master of Kali-yuga, disguised as a king, hurting the legs of a cow and bull. Explain the significance of this incident in relation to the complete text of Srimad-Bhagavatam.  Give reference to Canto 1 Chapters 16 and 17 in your response.

1. Describe how the age of Kali was able to enter human society with reference to Canto 1 Chapters 15-18. (Marking key: Note: 15.36-37, 17.38 & 18.32-37, 18.47)

1. Srila Prabhupada writes in 1.17.27 purport: “in the absence of a suitable king to curb irreligious tendencies, educating the people systematically in the teachings of Srimad-Bhagavatam will clear up the hazy atmosphere of corruption, bribery, blackmail, etc.” Discuss the relevance of this statement for ISKCON’s present and future. Include in your response a summary of the guidelines Prabhupada gives in 1.17.38, for defeating Kali, in modern society and politics, and bringing about peace and harmony in the world. 

1. Give an overview of Canto One summarizing its main sections and how they connect with some detail of at least 3 significant events therein. Explain the role Canto One plays in the entire Srimad Bhagavatam. 

Canto 2

1. “As the unmixed sun ray is very forceful and is therefore called tīvra, similarly unmixed bhakti-yoga of hearing, chanting, etc., may be performed by one and all regardess of inner motive.” (Purport, 2.3.10). Explain this statement with reference to the verse 2.3.10,  (akamah, sarva-kamah moksa-kamah …) in your response.

1. Explain, with examples from contemporary society, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam’s categorization of the common man into the society of dogs, hogs, camels and asses. ( 2.3.19)

1. Srila Prabhupada purports Śukadeva Gosvāmī’s prayer in 2.4.18,  kirāta-hūṇāndhra-pulinda-pulkaśā, as follows “...Lord Caitanya accepted many devotees from communities other than the varṇāśramites, and He Himself declared, to teach us, that He does not belong to any caste or social order of life...” Explain how this principle applies to ISKCON’s development and specifically to your ISKCON community, nation and traditions.

1. Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to 2.7.52, “For such a blind human society in the darkness of ignorance, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the torchlight to see things in proper perspective. Therefore it was necessary to describe the science of God from the very beginning, or from the very birth of the phenomenal world.” Briefly explain Lord Brahmā description of sarga and visarga as given in Chapters 4 to 7 of the Second Canto and discuss the reason for the repetition of this subject in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

1. Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to 2.9.23, “Therefore penance in devotional service of the Lord, either by voluntary submission or by being forced by the Lord, is necessary for attaining perfection, and thus such penance is the internal potency of the Lord.” Summarize Lord Brahmā’s penance, as described in Canto 2, Chapter Nine and, in some detail, what was revealed to him as a result. Explain how penance is the internal potency of the Lord and how these penances are executed in Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON.

1. Summarize the content of the Catur sloki Bhagavatam, with reference to some of the key Sanskrit terms, and relate how it is practical in communicating with other religious and philosophical traditions. If appropriate share personal experiences of this type of preaching. Explain how these slokas relate to the other parts of the Bhagavatam.

1. Summarize the content of this canto in terms of any two of the following topics: 

Varnasrama dharma, the yoga ladder, science and the Vedas, preaching strategies, biographical notes of Puranic and contemporary characters, prayers, key verses. 

Canto 3 

1. While remembering Krsna's pastimes in Braja of herding the very beautiful bulls and cows, Srila Prabhupada writes in Srimad Bhagavatam 3.2.29: “With only these two things, cows and grain, humanity can solve its eating problem. Human society needs only sufficient grain and sufficient cows to solve its economic problems.” Explain this statement and discuss how its application addresses various current world crisis, e.g. pandemics, wars, poverty etc. Give reference to Sri Isopanisad Mantra 1 and Nectar of Instruction Text 2 in your response. 

1. Explain the offense of maryada-vyatikrama, as mentioned in 3.4.24-26, and discuss its importance within ISKCON society and broader social circles. Give some examples of appropriate and inappropriate application of this principle in your devotional career.

1. With reference to Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 3, describe the incident of the destruction of the Yadhu dynasty and events leading up to it, and explain how it was by the will of the Lord.

1. Summarize the primary and secondary creations as described in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto Three, with reference to the concepts of sarga, visarga, pradhana, prakrti, mahat tattva, panca maha bhuta, etc. Why is this topic presented repeatedly in Cantos 2 and 3 of Srimad Bhagavatam?

1. Describe the incident of the Kumaras refusing the order of their father Lord Brahma, as described in Srimad Bhagavatam 3.12. 5-6, and discuss its relevance for giving and receiving instructions in Krsna consciousness. 

1. Srila Prabhupada’s writes in the purport to 3.16.26 “It is to be understood that there was a plan in the cursing of the Lord’s devotees in Vaikuntha…” Explain this statement and describe the cursing of Jaya and Vijaya along with the events leading up to it, as mentioned in Chapters 13 to 16 of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto Three: The Appearance of Lord Varāha, Pregnancy of Diti in the Evening, Description of the Kingdom of God, The Two Doorkeepers of Vaikunṭha, Jaya and Vijaya Cursed by the Sages. 

1. Draw general principles from the example of Diti & Kasyapa Muni, as described in Canto 3 Chapter 14, which are important for Krsna conscious grhastha life and Krsna consciousness in general.

1. Briefly summarize Lord Varahadeva’s fight with the demon Hiranyaksa as described in Canto 3 Chapters 17-19, and discuss how it reflects the eternal conflict between the Lord and demons. 

1. Draw lessons relevant for the practice of Krsna consciousness, especially within grhastha asram, from the marriage of Kardama Muni and Devahuti as described in Chapters 21-24 of this  Canto Three of Srimad Bhagavatam. 

1. Contrast the relationships between Kasyapa-Diti and Kardma-Devahuti and discuss lessons relevant for Krsna consciousness grhasta life.

1. Briefly summarize the Sankhya philosophy given by Lord Kapila in Canto 3 Chapters 25-29, and discuss how it is relevant in the practice and preaching of Krsna consciousness. 

1. Give an overview of Canto Three summarizing its main sections and how they connect based upon such things as speakers, audience and content. Explain the role Canto Three plays in relation to the entire Srimad Bhagavatam. 

Thematic 

1. Draw lessons relevant for preachers from the various encounters of Sri Narada Muni in Cantos One through Three

From: https://iskconeducation.org/it/summative-exam/