Category:Atmarama
Theme Analysis
The concept of the ātmārāma (one who is self-satisfied) is one of the most elevated subjects in Vedic philosophy, reaching its pinnacle in the famous ātmārāma verse of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.7.10). Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the word ātmā has seven primary meanings: Brahman (the Absolute Truth), body, mind, endeavor, endurance, intelligence, and personal habits. Therefore, anyone who takes pleasure in cultivating any of these is technically an ātmārāma. However, the highest class of ātmārāmas are the liberated transcendentalists—those who have transcended bodily consciousness and find complete satisfaction in spiritual realization.
The central mystery and philosophical triumph of the ātmārāma verse is its conclusion. It states that even those who are fully self-satisfied and completely freed from all material bondage (including the desire for liberation) are irresistibly attracted to the personal form and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Urukrama (Kṛṣṇa). Consequently, they engage in unalloyed devotional service (ahaitukīṁ bhaktim). Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that this definitively proves that the Lord's form, qualities, and devotional service are not products of the material energy; otherwise, fully liberated souls would never be attracted to them.
This profound verse became the centerpiece of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu's teachings. To demonstrate the unlimited depth of the Bhāgavatam, Lord Caitanya famously explained the ātmārāma verse in eighteen different ways to Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya. Later, He expanded upon it even further, delivering an astonishing sixty-one distinct meanings to Sanātana Gosvāmī. By masterfully playing with Sanskrit grammar, aggregating terms like 'ca' and 'api', and categorizing the thirty-two types of devotees engaged in regulative and spontaneous service, Lord Caitanya definitively established that every single type of living entity—from the foolish materialist to the highest liberated mystic—ultimately finds their true perfection only in the unalloyed loving service of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
- Defining Ātmārāma: The term means "one who rejoices in the self." Depending on the context, it can refer to a gross materialist rejoicing in the body, or a liberated mystic rejoicing in spiritual realization.
- The Irresistible Attraction: The ātmārāma verse proves that Kṛṣṇa's transcendental qualities are so magnetic that they attract even those who have already achieved complete spiritual liberation.
- Devotion Above Liberation: Because the ātmārāmas engage in devotional service after attaining liberation, bhakti-yoga is established as the supreme post-graduate stage of spiritual life.
- Lord Caitanya's Linguistic Mastery: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu astonished the greatest scholars of His time by extracting up to sixty-one distinct philosophical meanings from this single verse.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Ātmārāma - The Supreme Attraction of the Self-Satisfied.
Subcategories
This category has the following 6 subcategories, out of 6 total.
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Pages in category "Atmarama"
The following 118 pages are in this category, out of 118 total.
1
A
- According to Sanskrit verbal arrangement, kurvanti refers to doing things for someone else. Therefore, it means that the atmaramas render devotional service unto the Lord not for personal interest but for the pleasure of the Lord, Urukrama
- According to the grammatical rules, there are many atmaramas, but one sense of the word is sufficient to represent the others. In the collective sense, all the atmaramas are inclined to worship the Supreme Lord Krsna
- According to the Visva-prakasa Sanskrit dictionary, there are seven synonyms for the word atmarama, which are as follows: (1) Brahman (the Absolute Truth), (2) body, (3) mind, (4) endeavor, (5) endurance, (6) intelligence and (7) personal habits
- After hearing all the explanations of all the different meanings of the atmarama verse, Sanatana Gosvami was struck with wonder. He fell down at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and began to offer prayers
- After hearing the atmarama verse, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya addressed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu - My dear Sir, please explain this verse. I have a great desire to hear Your explanation of it
- After hearing the different explanations of the word atmarama, Sanatana Gosvami was struck with wonder, and he fell down in devotion at the feet of Lord Caitanya
- After uttering the word 'atmaramah' fifty-eight times and taking 'ca' in a sense of aggregation, one may add the word 'munayah.' That will mean that great sages also render devotional service to Lord Krsna. In this way there are fifty-nine meanings
- All different varieties of atmaramas (those who take pleasure in atma), especially those established on the path of self-realization, though freed from all kinds of material bondage, desire to render unalloyed devotional service unto the P of G
- All glories to Sri Caitanya, who acted as the eastern horizon where the sun of the atmarama verse rose. He manifested its rays in the form of different meanings and thus eradicated the darkness of the material world. May He protect the universe
- Although the words 'atmaramas ca' would be repeated six times, simply by adding the word 'ca,' five 'atmaramas' are deleted
- Another meaning of 'atma' is dhrti, or endurance. A person who endeavors with endurance is atmarama. With endurance, such a person engages in devotional service
- Another meaning of atma is "intelligence." One who has special intelligence is also called atmarama
- Another meaning of the word 'atma' is 'one's characteristic nature.' Whoever enjoys his particular type of nature is called atmarama. Therefore, all living entities - be they moving or nonmoving - are also called atmarama
- Anyone who is engaged in devotional service of any form or extension of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is called atmarama. All such devotees engage themselves either in the regulative principles of devotional service or in DS in transcendental love
- Api added to the word 'nirgranthah' is used for exposition. Thus I have tried to clarify seven meanings - of the atmarama verse
- As far as the word atmarama is concerned, the Lord (Caitanya) explained that the word atma is used to indicate: (1) the Supreme Absolute Truth, (2) the body, (3) the mind, (4) endeavor, (5) conviction, (6) intelligence, and (7) nature
- As long as one labors under the bodily conception, he must fulfill volumes and volumes of material desires. Thus a person is called atmarama
- As mentioned above, the word 'ca' can be used to mean 'aggregate.' According to this meaning, all the atmaramas and munis engage in Krsna's service. Besides 'aggregate,' there is another meaning of the word 'ca'
- Atma, in the material sense, means the body or the mind, but when referring to one whose mind is fixed on the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, atmarama means "one who is fixed in spiritual activities in relationship with the Supreme Soul
- Atmarama means "one who rejoices in the self," or "one who enjoys in the spiritual atmosphere"
- Atmarama or self-realized
- Atmaramanam, self-satisfied. There are two kinds of men: atmarama and apasyatam atma-tattvam (SB 2.1.2) - one who does not know what is the soul and what is the business of the soul
B
- Both the atmaramas engaged in regulative devotional service and those engaged in spontaneous devotional service are further categorized into four groups
- By material association we lose our spiritual consciousness; consequently there is the question of the auspicious and inauspicious. But those who are atmarama, or self-realized, have transcended such questions
- By the aggregate use of the word 'ca,' it is indicated that all the atmaramas and saints serve and worship Krsna
E
- Even the foolish atmaramas can give up everything and engage themselves in Krsna consciousness in pure devotional service
- Even those who are liberated (atmarama) must always engage in devotional service
- Everyone has some kind of intelligence, and one who utilizes his intelligence is called an atmarama. There are two types of atmaramas. One is a learned scholar and philosopher, and the other is an uneducated, illiterate, foolish person
- Everyone is searching after the highest pleasure, but the standard of pleasure of one may be different from the standard of another. Therefore, the standard of pleasure enjoyed by the karmis is different from that of the atmaramas
F
- Falling flat at the feet of Lord Caitanya, Sanatana Gosvami requested Him to explain the Atmarama verse as He had explained it to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya. Sanatana explained his eagerness to hear the same explanation in order that he might be enlightened
- Formerly I (Caitanya) thought of sixty different meanings for the word atmarama, the Lord told Sanatana Gosvami, but here another meaning comes to My mind by your association
I
- In addition to the nineteen meanings of the verse mentioned previously, there are these four further meanings when the word 'atmarama' is taken to mean 'those laboring under the bodily conception.' This brings the total to twenty-three
- In all the activities associated with lusty desires, Lord Siva is an implement of atma-rama. Ordinary persons, therefore, should not try to understand Lord Siva and his activities. One who tries to criticize the activities of Lord Siva is shameless
- In that case, by the word 'ca,' the word 'eva' is meant. The word 'api' can be taken in the sense of aggregation. Thus the verse would read atmarama eva - that is, even all kinds of living beings worship Krsna
- In this way, as I add the word 'ca' to one word after another, I make a compound. Thus the different names of atmaramas can be taken fifty-eight times
- It is here mentioned that every living entity is atmarama. Temporarily covered by the influence of maya, the living entity serves his senses, which are represented as kama-krodha-lobha-moha-mada-matsarya - lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness and envy
- It is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam that those who are atmarama, self-satisfied, are freed from all contaminations of the material modes of nature
L
- Lord Caitanya concluded His teachings to Sanatana Gosvami by pointing out that the six kinds of atmaramas engage in some kind of devotional service to Krsna
- Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu took each word specifically and combined it with the word "atmarama." He thus explained the word "atmarama" in eighteen different ways
- Lord Kapila says that mayi manasam, a devotee whose mind is always fixed upon the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is called atmarama or vidita-tattva
- Lord Siva is atmarama, or situated in complete self-realization, but because he is the incarnation in charge of the material mode of ignorance, tamo-guna, he is sometimes affected by the pleasure and pain of the material world
O
- On the path of spontaneous devotional service, there are also sixteen categories of devotees. Thus there are thirty-two types of atmaramas enjoying the Supreme Lord on these two paths
- One who always engages in the service of the S P of Godhead is called atmarama. There are two types of atmaramas. One is an atmarama engaged in regulative devotional service, and the other is an atmarama engaged in spontaneous devotional service
- One who always meditates upon Krsna is mainly a devotee of Krsna engaged in His devotional service. Other atmaramas are subordinate in devotional service
- Out of thousands and millions of such karmis, one may become an atmarama by self-realization. Atma means self, and arama means to take pleasure
S
- Saintly persons who are always meditating upon Krsna are engaged in the devotional service of the Lord. The atmaramas are also engaged in the Lord's service. That is the indirect import
- Srimad-Bhagavatam is a postgraduate study even for the atmaramas, who have surpassed all the studies of Vedic knowledge
T
- The atmarama stage, is possible when the Lord bestows His mercy upon a devotee for his advanced devotional activity. It is the highest perfectional stage because one cannot reach it unless one has attained pure love of God
- The atmarama verse (SB 1.7.10) was discussed at Naimisaranya at a meeting of many great sages, headed by Saunaka Rsi
- The atmaramas are completely indifferent to material enjoyment in every respect
- The atmaramas can be considered to exist in thirty-two divisions. If the words muni, nirgrantha, ca and api are applied to the 32 classes, then there are fifty-eight different types of devotees. All these devotees can be described by one word: atmarama
- The atmaramas with special intelligence are of two kinds. One is the learned sage, and the other is the fool without book knowledge. Both of these can have an opportunity to associate with the pure devotee
- The atmaramas, or self-realized persons, gradually making further progress in spiritual bliss, come to the platform of association with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is the perfection of life
- The brahma-bhuta stage of life is also known as the atmarama stage, in which one is fully self-satisfied and does not hanker for the world of sense enjoyment
- The Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi-lila 7.97) describes this stage (the atmarama) of ecstasy and intoxication as being far above the ecstasy of realizing oneself as Brahman, or the supreme spirit
- The Lord (Caitanya) explained about the different kinds of atmaramas, or transcendentalists. As for the word munayah, or muni, those who are great thinkers are called munis
- The Lord (Caitanya) gave sixty different meanings to the word atmarama. In addition, He said that atma means: the living entity, beginning from the first living creature, Brahma, down to the ant
- The Lord always gives instructions to such exalted devotees to inform them how they can remain fixed in devotional service. Similarly, it is stated in the atmarama verse - SB 1.7.10
- The Lord is self-satisfied because He is fully opulent, and one who is satisfied by serving Him is called bhagavata atmaramah
- The mystic who worships the Supersoul within himself is also called atmarama. The atmarama yogis are of two kinds: sagarbha and nigarbha
- The person who constructs a skyscraper is a materialist, and the person who constructs a temple of Visnu is atmarama
- The SB (1.7.10) states, Although those who are atmarama, self-satisfied, are liberated from all material contamination, they are still attracted by the pastimes of the Supreme Lord, and thus they engage themselves in His transcendental service
- The six further meanings of the verse are based on the following meanings of the word atmarama: (1) mental speculators (vide verse 165), (2) those engaged in different types of endeavor (vide verse 168), (3) those who are patient and sober
- The six further meanings of the verse are based on the following meanings of the word atmarama: (4) those who are intelligent and learned scholars (vide verse 187), (5) those who are intelligent but illiterate and foolish (vide verse 187)
- The six further meanings of the verse are based on the following meanings of the word atmarama: (6) those who are conscious of their eternal servitorship to Krsna (vide verse 201)
- The six kinds of atmaramas render devotional service to Krsna without ulterior motives. The words 'munayah' and 'santah' indicate those who are very much attached to meditating upon Krsna
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead, being self-sufficient, is full of transcendental bliss (atmarama)
- The Supreme Soul is the Personality of Godhead, and the individual soul is the living entity. When they engage in reciprocation of service and benediction, the living entity is said to be in the atmarama position
- The transcendentalists can be categorized into six basic types: 1) the neophyte transcendentalist, 2) the absorbed transcendentalist, 3) one who is actually situated in transcendence. All of these are called atmarama
- The transcendentalists can be categorized into six basic types: 4) one who actually desires liberation, 5) one who is actually liberated, and 6) one who is actually engaged in activities in his constitutional position. All of these are called atmarama
- The two types of atmarama-yogis are called sagarbha and nigarbha. Each of these is divided into three; therefore there are six types of worshipers of the Supersoul
- The word 'atma' sometimes means 'the mind.' In this case the word 'atmarama' means 'a person who is satisfied by mental speculation.' When such a person associates with a pure devotee, he takes to devotional service at the lotus feet of Krsna
- The word 'atmarama' refers to one who enjoys these seven items (the Absolute Truth, body, mind and so on). Later, I shall enumerate the atmaramas
- The word 'ca' can also be used to indicate the certainty that only saintly persons are engaged in rendering devotional service to Krsna. In the combination 'atmarama api,' 'api' is used in the sense of censure
- The word 'nirgrantha' can be taken as an adjective modifying 'muni' and 'atmarama.' There is another meaning, which you may hear from Me, indicating association with a devotee
- The word arama means enjoyer; therefore anyone who takes pleasure in the cultivation of the knowledge of these seven items (the Supreme Absolute Truth, the body, the mind, endeavor, conviction, intelligence, and nature) is known as atmarama
- The word atma is "nature." In this case the word atmarama indicates that everyone is enjoying the particular nature he has acquired. However, the ultimate nature, or the perpetual eternal nature of the living entity, is to serve the Supreme Lord
- The word atmarama indicates that even birds, beasts and fools - in short, everyone - can become attracted by the transcendental qualities of Krsna, engage in His service and become liberated
- The word atmarama refers to those who are not interested in the material world but are simply engaged in spiritual realization. Such self-realized persons are generally considered in two categories - impersonal and personal
- The word sarva-samuccaye is significant here. It includes all classes of men - atmaramas, munis and nirgranthas
- The word urukrama indicates the Supreme Lord. All the atmaramas are engaged in devotional service to Urukrama. Before engaging in devotional service, such transcendentalists are called santas, or pacified devotees
- The words bhagavata atmaramah are very significant in this verse (SB 5.1.1). If one is self-satisfied as is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is called bhagavata atmaramah
- The words in the atmarama verse (SB 1.7.10) are atmaramah, ca, munayah, nirgranthah, api, urukrame, kurvanti, ahaitukim, bhaktim, ittham-bhuta-gunah and harih
- The yogi who worships the Supersoul within himself is also called atmarama. There are two types of atmarama-yogis
- There are also thirty-two subtle meanings. Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings based on understanding the word atmarama to mean (4) a personal beloved, (5) a servant elevated by spiritual cultivation
- There are six kinds of atmaramas: one who desires to be liberated (mumuksu), one who is liberated even in this life (jivan-mukta), and one who is self-realized (prapta-svarupa)
- There are six kinds of atmaramas: one who is liberated even in this life (jivan-mukta), and one who is self-realized (prapta-svarupa)
- There are six kinds of atmaramas: the neophyte student (sadhaka), one who is absorbed in Brahman realization (brahma-maya), one who has already attained the Brahman position (prapta-brahma-laya)
- There is a word, atmarama, in Sanskrit. Atmarama means one who is satisfied with his self. He is called atmarama. Because self is the basic principle of this body, the soul
- There is no need to repeat the word 'atmarama.' One is sufficient, and that one word indicates six persons
- These (sometimes laughing, sometimes weeping, sometimes crying out very loudly, sometimes singing, and sometimes dancing and forgetting himself) are the signs of becoming intoxicated in devotional service. This stage, called the atmarama stage
- These six kinds of atmaramas engage in the loving service of Krsna. The varieties of service are indicated by adding 'ca,' and they also bear the meaning of 'api' ('indeed')
- This (atmarama) stage of full satisfaction is the proper situation for understanding the transcendental knowledge of the Personality of Godhead
- This atmarama position can be attained by one who knows the truth as it is. The truth is that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the enjoyer and that the living entities are meant for His service and enjoyment
- This practice we should give up: mano-dharma, mental concoction. We should immediately accept Krsna's instruction and be situated in atma-dharma. That is atmarama
U
- Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings based on understanding the word atmarama to mean (1) a servant of the Lord as His personal associate, (2) a personal friend, (3) personal parents or similar superiors
- Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings based on understanding the word atmarama to mean (11) a mature devotee as a parent and superior, (12) a mature devotee as a wife and beloved
- Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings based on understanding the word atmarama to mean (13) an immature devotee as a servant, (14) an immature devotee as a friend
- Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings based on understanding the word atmarama to mean (15) an immature devotee as a father or superior, and (16) an immature devotee as a beloved
- Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings based on understanding the word atmarama to mean (6) a friend by spiritual cultivation, (7) parents and superior devotees by cultivation of devotional service
- Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings based on understanding the word atmarama to mean (8) a beloved wife or female friend by cultivation of devotional service, (9) a mature devotee as a servant
W
- We can therefore conclude that the glories and pastimes of the Lord are not material. Otherwise, how could the liberated persons known as atmaramas be attracted by such pastimes? That is the important point in this verse
- When a person becomes atmarama, or a great thinker in Krsna consciousness, he fully engages in devotional service
- When all the ca-karas, or additions of the word 'ca,' are taken away, fifty-eight different meanings can still be understood by the one word 'atmarama'
- When one is under the shelter of this internal potency, the darkness of material ignorance is at once dissipated. And even those who are atmarama, or fixed in trance, take shelter of this maya, or internal energy
- When such an atmarama is favored by the mercy of Krsna, he gives up his so-called self-satisfaction and engages in the transcendental loving service of the Lord