From the sastras, we definitely understand that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The paribhasa sutra of Srimad Bhagavatam being 1.3.28 – krsnas tu bhagavan svayam – this is the king verse of Bhagavatam. Srila Rupa Goswami wrote a book named Laghu Bhagavatamrta to explain this conclusion in greater detail. Tenth Canto is described as the Summom Bonum, the be-all and end-all of Srimad Bhagavatam, wherein the glories of Lord Krishna are profusely described. There are verses that tell how Krishna is greater than all the other incarnations, how Krishna is greater than all other demigods, and how He only is the sole object of one’s service.
Another confidential thing we learn by reading Srimad Bhagavatam is that the pure devotees of Krishna are greater than everyone else, even greater than Krishna.
If devotees are not present, with whom will Krishna enact pastimes?
If devotees are not there, with whom will Krishna exchange the different rasas?
If devotees are not there, for whom Krishna will appear in this world?
Nrsimhadeva appeared to fulfill the statements of Prahlada, more than he came to kill Hiranyakashipu. Bhagavatam confirms that – satyaṁ vidhātuṁ nija-bhṛtya-bhāṣitaṁ (SB 7.8.17)
Krishna appeared to enact pastimes and give pleasure to His devotees, more than He appeared to kill the demons. Killing of the demons is a side business of Krishna. His main goal is to exchange pastimes with His own devotees.
Bhagavatam highly glorifies the devotees of the Lord.
1] Devotees are greater than ordinary souls:
It is stated,
ajñāta-bhagavad-dharmā
mantra-vijñāna-saṁvidaḥ
narās te go-khara jñeyā
api bhū-pāla-vanditāḥ
“Men who do not know the principles of devotional service to the Supreme Lord should be known as cows and asses, even if they are expert in technically analyzing Vedic mantras and are adored by world leaders.” Bṛhaspati-saṁhitā
Prahlada Maharaja states that a brahmana possessing all the twelve qualifications but not a devotee of the Lord is far lower than a dog-eater who is a devotee of the Lord.
2] Devotees are greater than demigods:
Krishna Himself states in SB 10.84.12,
nāgnir na sūryo na ca candra-tārakā
na bhūr jalaṁ khaṁ śvasano ‘tha vāṅ manaḥ
upāsitā bheda-kṛto haranty aghaṁ
vipaścito ghnanti muhūrta-sevayā
Neither the demigods controlling fire, the sun, the moon and the stars nor those in charge of earth, water, ether, air, speech and mind actually remove the sins of their worshipers, who continue to see in terms of dualities. But wise sages destroy one’s sins when respectfully served for even a few moments.
Vasudeva says to Narada Muni that the activities of demigods result in both happiness and suffering, whereas the activities of great saints only result in happiness. Futhermore, demigods can only give what is in one’s karma, whereas saintly people are actually merciful to the fallen, and they can even interfere in the karma of living entities. (SB 11.2.5-6)
3] Devotees are greater than the holiest of Rivers:
Krishna says,
na hy am-mayāni tīrthāni
na devā mṛc-chilā-mayāḥ
te punanty uru-kālena
darśanād eva sādhavaḥ
Mere bodies of water are not the real sacred places of pilgrimage, nor are mere images of earth and stone the true worshipable deities. These purify one only after a long time, but saintly sages purify one immediately upon being seen. SB 10.84.11
4] Devotees are better than the holy places of Pilgrimage:
King Yudhisthira, when he sees Vidura is so enchanted that naturally a beautiful verse comes from his lotus mouth. He says,
bhavad-vidhā bhāgavatās
tīrtha-bhūtāḥ svayaṁ vibho
tīrthī-kurvanti tīrthāni
svāntaḥ-sthena gadābhṛtā
My lord, devotees like your good self are verily holy places personified. Because you carry the Personality of Godhead within your heart, you turn all places into places of pilgrimage. SB 1.13.10
Srila Vishwanatha Chakravarti Thakura states,
“Vidura’s going to the holy places is good fortune for those places. You make the holy places even greater, purifying the pure.”
Holy places don’t go to purify anyone, but devotees of the Lord, just by travelling to different places turn all places into places of pilgrimage.
5] Devotees are greater than the Supreme Lord:
The paribhasa-sutra, or the verse governing the entire tenth canto is stated as follows,
trayyā copaniṣadbhiś ca
sāṅkhya-yogaiś ca sātvataiḥ
upagīyamāna-māhātmyaṁ
hariṁ sāmanyatātmajam
The glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are studied through the three Vedas, the Upaniṣads, the literature of Sāṅkhya-yoga, and other Vaiṣṇava literature, yet mother Yaśodā considered that Supreme Person her ordinary child.
The superior position of mother Yasoda is being described.
evaṁ sandarśitā hy aṅga
hariṇā bhṛtya-vaśyatā
sva-vaśenāpi kṛṣṇena
yasyedaṁ seśvaraṁ vaśe
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, this entire universe, with its great, exalted demigods like Lord Śiva, Lord Brahmā and Lord Indra, is under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Yet the Supreme Lord has one transcendental attribute: He comes under the control of His devotees. This was now exhibited by Kṛṣṇa in this pastime.
How much one should have appreciation for devotees if Srimad Bhagavatam is so full of the glories of the devotees?
