Page 58 - History of Tirupathi Balaji and comparison of Sri Vaishnava

2.2.26, Translation and Purport:

The statements of Srimad-Bhagavatam are accepted by great acaryas like Sridhara
Svami, Ramanujacarya and Vallabhacarya. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu specifi cally
accepts Srimad-Bhagavatam as the spotless Vedic authority.
Srila Prabhupada also indicates that Ramanujacarya and Madhavacarya
gave special importance to reading Bhagavad-gita. Both great acaryas wrote
commentaries to the Bhagavad-gita in which they gave evidence from the
Upanisads and Vedas, Lecture on BG 2.16 -- London, August 22, 1973:
Prabhupada: He is speaking the fact. Otherwise, if Krishna speaks something nonsense,
utopian, then nobody would be interested to read Bhagavad-gita. We may be third-class men,
that we indulge in Bhagavad-gita, and Krishna is speaking something utopian, nonsense.
But there are big, big acaryas—Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya. Why they are giving
attention to the reading of Bhagavad-gita? Krishna does not speak anything nonsense. It is
fact. So if it is the fact that there is possibility of becoming immortal... That is sat.
Interview with Professors O’Connell, Motilal and Shivaram – Toronto,
June 18, 1976:

Prabhupada: Acarya will never interpret things like that. You see Ramanujacarya’s
comments on Bhagavad-gita. Nothing changed. But in every sloka he has given evidence
from the Vedas, from the Upanishads. Acarya will never change.
Progression of Spiritual Knowledge

In the following three lectures Srila Prabhupada reveals that spiritual
knowledge is progressive, not static. The different acaryas in the last 2500 years
are paving the way for ultimate spiritual realization. The process has been one
of ‘gradual development’ leading to the understanding that Lord Krishna is the
ultimate goal of spiritual enlightenment. This encourages sincere seekers to
strive fervently to know, serve and love the Lord Krishna. To understand this
progressive philosophical development requires substantial knowledge that has
progressively been revealed by the great acaryas, spiritual teachers.
Lord Krishna says to Arjuna, Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to
you My supreme instruction, the most confidential knowledge of all. Hear this from Me, for
it is for your benefit. (Bg 18.66)
The Lord has revealed three levels of transcendental, confi dential knowledge
to Arjuna: the fi rst level of confi dential revelation is knowledge of Brahman, the
second level is more confi dential which is knowledge of the Supersoul within
everyone’s heart and within every atom of creation, and the third level is most
confi dential namely surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord
Krishna, who is the origin of the Supersoul, the Brahman, and the entire material
creation.

The essence of the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita is one should become a
pure devotee of Lord Krishna and always think of Him and act for Him. Srila
Prabhupada writes, Life should be so moulded that one will always have the chance to
58