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Uttama means: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Uttama|3]]
[[Category:Uttama|Uttamam]]
[[Category:Vaniquotes Sanskrit Dictionary A to Z]]
 
[[Category:Vaniquotes Sanskrit Dictionary S-T-U]]
[[Category:Meaning of Sanskrit Words]]
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<div id="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" class="section" sec_index="0" parent="compilation" text="Bhagavad-gita As It Is"><h2>Bhagavad-gita As It Is</h2>
== Bhagavad-gita As It Is ==
</div>
 
<div id="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" text="BG Chapters 7 - 12"><h3>BG Chapters 7 - 12</h3>
=== BG Chapters 7 - 12 ===
</div>
 
<div id="BG92_0" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" book="BG" index="60" link="BG 9.2" link_text="BG 9.2">
<span class="BG-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:BG 9.2|BG 9.2, Purport]]:''' Therefore the purifying potency of devotional service is very strong, and it is called pavitram uttamam, the purest. Uttama means transcendental. Tamas means this material world or darkness, and uttama means that which is transcendental to material activities.</span>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 9.2 (1972)|BG 9.2, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Therefore the purifying potency of devotional service is very strong, and it is called pavitram uttamam, the purest. Uttama means transcendental. Tamas means this material world or darkness, and uttama means that which is transcendental to material activities.</p>
 
</div>
== Srimad-Bhagavatam ==
</div>
 
<div id="Srimad-Bhagavatam" class="section" sec_index="1" parent="compilation" text="Srimad-Bhagavatam"><h2>Srimad-Bhagavatam</h2>
=== SB Canto 4 ===
</div>
 
<div id="SB_Canto_4" class="sub_section" sec_index="4" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 4"><h3>SB Canto 4</h3>
<span class="SB-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:SB 4.20.27|SB 4.20.27, Purport]]:''' The Lord is here addressed as akhila-pūruṣottama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord of the entire creation. puruṣa means "the enjoyer," and uttama means "the best."</span>
</div>
 
<div id="SB42027_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="820" link="SB 4.20.27" link_text="SB 4.20.27">
=== SB Canto 5 ===
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 4.20.27|SB 4.20.27, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The Lord is here addressed as akhila-pūruṣottama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord of the entire creation. puruṣa means "the enjoyer," and uttama means "the best."</p>
 
</div>
<span class="SB-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:SB 5.14.43|SB 5.14.43, Purport]]:''' In this verse the Lord is described as Uttamaśloka. Uttama means "the best," and śloka means "reputation." Lord Kṛṣṇa is full in six opulences, one of which is reputation.</span>
</div>
 
<div id="SB_Canto_5" class="sub_section" sec_index="5" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 5"><h3>SB Canto 5</h3>
== Other Books by Srila Prabhupada ==
</div>
 
<div id="SB51443_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_5" book="SB" index="353" link="SB 5.14.43" link_text="SB 5.14.43">
=== Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead ===
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 5.14.43|SB 5.14.43, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">In this verse the Lord is described as Uttamaśloka. Uttama means "the best," and śloka means "reputation." Lord Kṛṣṇa is full in six opulences, one of which is reputation.</p>
 
</div>
<span class="OB-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:KB 87|Krsna Book 87]]:''' Kṛṣṇa Himself declares in the Bhagavad-gītā that because He is transcendental to all sentient and insentient beings, He is known as Puruṣottama, which means the Supreme Personality. (Puruṣa means “person,and uttama means “supreme” or “transcendental.”)</span>
</div>
 
<div id="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" class="section" sec_index="3" parent="compilation" text="Other Books by Srila Prabhupada"><h2>Other Books by Srila Prabhupada</h2>
<span class="OB-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:KB 89|Krsna Book 89]]:''' The Mahā-Viṣṇu form of the Lord is also called Puruṣottama (Puruṣa-uttama) because He is beyond the material world. Tama means “darkness,” and ut means “above, transcendental”; therefore, uttama means “above the darkest region of the material world.”</span>
</div>
 
<div id="Krsna_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" class="sub_section" sec_index="4" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead"><h3>Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead</h3>
== Lectures ==
</div>
 
<div id="KB87_0" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="91" link="KB 87" link_text="Krsna Book 87">
=== Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures ===
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 87|Krsna Book 87]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Kṛṣṇa Himself declares in the Bhagavad-gītā that because He is transcendental to all sentient and insentient beings, He is known as Puruṣottama, which means the Supreme Personality. (Puruṣa means "person," and uttama means "supreme" or "transcendental.")</p>
 
</div>
<span class="LEC-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 1.13-14 -- London, July 14, 1973|Lecture on BG 1.13-14 -- London, July 14, 1973]]:''' That is called puruñottama. Puruña uttama. Uttama. Uttama means "not of this material world." Ut. Ut means above, and tama means this darkness. So ut-tama means "above this darkness." So uttama puruña. Puruña uttama. Puruña. Puruña means enjoyer.</span>
</div>
 
<div id="KB89_1" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="93" link="KB 89" link_text="Krsna Book 89">
<span class="LEC-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 1.20 -- London, July 17, 1973|Lecture on BG 1.20 -- London, July 17, 1973]]:''' Mystery means very complicated; no ordinary man can understand. Therefore it is called mystery, rahasyam. But not ordinary rahasyam, uttamam. Uttamam means transcendental, not covered with darkness of material science.</span>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 89|Krsna Book 89]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The Mahā-Viṣṇu form of the Lord is also called Puruṣottama (Puruṣa-uttama) because He is beyond the material world. Tama means "darkness," and ut means "above, transcendental"; therefore, uttama means "above the darkest region of the material world."</p>
 
</div>
<span class="LEC-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 2.26 -- Hyderabad, November 30, 1972|Lecture on BG 2.26 -- Hyderabad, November 30, 1972]]:''' If you are actually eager, anxious to understand the spiritual science, then you must approach a guru. Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. Uttama means transcendental subject matter. You cannot learn it.</span>
</div>
<div id="Lectures" class="section" sec_index="4" parent="compilation" text="Lectures"><h2>Lectures</h2>
</div>
<div id="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="0" parent="Lectures" text="Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures"><h3>Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures</h3>
</div>
<div id="LectureonBG11314LondonJuly141973_0" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="10" link="Lecture on BG 1.13-14 -- London, July 14, 1973" link_text="Lecture on BG 1.13-14 -- London, July 14, 1973">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 1.13-14 -- London, July 14, 1973|Lecture on BG 1.13-14 -- London, July 14, 1973]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">That is called puruñottama. Puruña uttama. Uttama. Uttama means "not of this material world." Ut. Ut means above, and tama means this darkness. So ut-tama means "above this darkness." So uttama puruña. Puruña uttama. Puruña. Puruña means enjoyer.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonBG120LondonJuly171973_1" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="13" link="Lecture on BG 1.20 -- London, July 17, 1973" link_text="Lecture on BG 1.20 -- London, July 17, 1973">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 1.20 -- London, July 17, 1973|Lecture on BG 1.20 -- London, July 17, 1973]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Mystery means very complicated; no ordinary man can understand. Therefore it is called mystery, rahasyam. But not ordinary rahasyam, uttamam. Uttamam means transcendental, not covered with darkness of material science.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonBG226HyderabadNovember301972_2" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="92" link="Lecture on BG 2.26 -- Hyderabad, November 30, 1972" link_text="Lecture on BG 2.26 -- Hyderabad, November 30, 1972">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 2.26 -- Hyderabad, November 30, 1972|Lecture on BG 2.26 -- Hyderabad, November 30, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">If you are actually eager, anxious to understand the spiritual science, then you must approach a guru. Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. Uttama means transcendental subject matter. You cannot learn it.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonBG42434NewYorkAugust121966_3" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="190" link="Lecture on BG 4.24-34 -- New York, August 12, 1966" link_text="Lecture on BG 4.24-34 -- New York, August 12, 1966">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 4.24-34 -- New York, August 12, 1966|Lecture on BG 4.24-34 -- New York, August 12, 1966]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">In Bhāgavata also, it is said, tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam: ([[Vanisource:SB 11.3.21|SB 11.3.21]]) "One who is hankering after the highest type of question..." We have got so many questions. We can question the whole day and night "What is the rate of this commodity? What is happening in the political field? What is going on in China?" These questions are not... Not these question. Śreya uttamam. One who has become inquisitive in the uttamam. Uttamam means udgata-tama, not any question of pertaining to the material world. </p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonBG434NewYorkAugust141966_4" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="195" link="Lecture on BG 4.34 -- New York, August 14, 1966" link_text="Lecture on BG 4.34 -- New York, August 14, 1966">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 4.34 -- New York, August 14, 1966|Lecture on BG 4.34 -- New York, August 14, 1966]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Śreya uttamam. Uttamam means the udgata-tamam. That is transcendental. Tama means darkness. Anything of this material world, that is in darkness because this material world is dark. You know that the whole world, whole universe, is dark. Therefore there is requisition of the sunlight, moonlight, electricity. It is dark. So uttamam means which is beyond this darkness, beyond this darkness. That means transcendental subject, spiritual subject. In the spiritual world there is no darkness.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonBG82892NewYorkNovember211966_5" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="296" link="Lecture on BG 8.28-9.2 -- New York, November 21, 1966" link_text="Lecture on BG 8.28-9.2 -- New York, November 21, 1966">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 8.28-9.2 -- New York, November 21, 1966|Lecture on BG 8.28-9.2 -- New York, November 21, 1966]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">And uttamam. Uttamam means "which is transcendental." Ut means "trans-," and tama means "darkness." So uttama means "the knowledge which is beyond this material darkness." This material world is called darkness, and when the knowledge surpasses this material world, material knowledge, that is really called uttama.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonBG92NewYorkNovember221966_6" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="299" link="Lecture on BG 9.2 -- New York, November 22, 1966" link_text="Lecture on BG 9.2 -- New York, November 22, 1966">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 9.2 -- New York, November 22, 1966|Lecture on BG 9.2 -- New York, November 22, 1966]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">And uttamam. Uttamam means the highest, or transcendental. Last day we have already explained uttamam.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonBG92CalcuttaMarch71972_7" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="300" link="Lecture on BG 9.2 -- Calcutta, March 7, 1972" link_text="Lecture on BG 9.2 -- Calcutta, March 7, 1972">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 9.2 -- Calcutta, March 7, 1972|Lecture on BG 9.2 -- Calcutta, March 7, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Pavitram idam uttamam. Uttamam. Ut means transcendental, above. Utgatam. Just like utpana. So uttama means ut, above, tama. Tama means this material world. This material world is known as tama. Tamasi mā jyotir gamaḥ, the Vedas say. "Don't remain in darkness. Come to the spiritual platform." Tamasi mā jyotir gamaḥ.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Lectures" text="Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures"><h3>Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures</h3>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB127DelhiNovember131973_0" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="47" link="Lecture on SB 1.2.7 -- Delhi, November 13, 1973" link_text="Lecture on SB 1.2.7 -- Delhi, November 13, 1973">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 1.2.7 -- Delhi, November 13, 1973|Lecture on SB 1.2.7 -- Delhi, November 13, 1973]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">But here it is said, śreya uttamam. Uttamam means udgata tamaṁ yasmād. This material world is called tamaḥ. Therefore Vedic advice is tamasi mā jyotir gama: "Don't remain in this darkness. Try to go to the light." Jyotir gama. So uttama means... This word we have..., uttama. The uttama means transcendental, beyond this material world. So there is śreya, ultimate benefit of life, beyond this material world.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB1218LosAngelesAugust211972_1" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="77" link="Lecture on SB 1.2.18 -- Los Angeles, August 21, 1972" link_text="Lecture on SB 1.2.18 -- Los Angeles, August 21, 1972">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 1.2.18 -- Los Angeles, August 21, 1972|Lecture on SB 1.2.18 -- Los Angeles, August 21, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Uttama, uttama means udgata-tama. This material world is tama, ignorance, darkness. And Kṛṣṇa is beyond this material world; therefore He is called para. Para means transcendental. So uttama-śloka. So when we offer our prayers to Kṛṣṇa, they are not ordinary words. Therefore those who are not liberated soul, they cannot offer prayers actually. We have to repeat the prayers offered by liberated soul, not by ordinary man. Because he is not yet uttama, he is not yet in the transcendental platform. Therefore we don't allow songs which are not sung by liberated souls like Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB1233VrndavanaNovember121972_2" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="101" link="Lecture on SB 1.2.33 -- Vrndavana, November 12, 1972" link_text="Lecture on SB 1.2.33 -- Vrndavana, November 12, 1972">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 1.2.33 -- Vrndavana, November 12, 1972|Lecture on SB 1.2.33 -- Vrndavana, November 12, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So we have to begin from this uttamā-bhakti. Uttama means nirguṇa, or transcendental. Uttama. Uttama, udgata-tamaḥ. Ut means transcendental, when you surpass. Tama. Tama means this material world. So ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 19.167|CC Madhya 19.167]]). That is uttamā-bhakti. That is transcendental bhakti.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB1514NewVrindabanMay221969_3" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="129" link="Lecture on SB 1.5.1-4 -- New Vrindaban, May 22, 1969" link_text="Lecture on SB 1.5.1-4 -- New Vrindaban, May 22, 1969">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 1.5.1-4 -- New Vrindaban, May 22, 1969|Lecture on SB 1.5.1-4 -- New Vrindaban, May 22, 1969]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So every word has volumes of meanings. Udga... Therefore sometimes right commentary required. So uttamam means udgataṁ tamam. Tama means this material world. When one is inquisitive to understand about the spiritual life, then he should accept a spiritual master. Otherwise there is no need. A spiritual master is not a fashion, that "Oh, I should have a spiritual master." People after fashion. No. One must be very much inquisitive to know. What about, inquisitive? Uttamam. Śreya uttamam, what is the highest perfection of life. If one is actually inquisitive to understand about the highest perfectional stage of our life, then he should search after a spiritual master. That is the direction.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB1511NewVrindabanJune101969_4" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="135" link="Lecture on SB 1.5.11 -- New Vrindaban, June 10, 1969" link_text="Lecture on SB 1.5.11 -- New Vrindaban, June 10, 1969">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 1.5.11 -- New Vrindaban, June 10, 1969|Lecture on SB 1.5.11 -- New Vrindaban, June 10, 1969]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Whatever we are reading in the Bhagavad-gītā or Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam or we are chanting, the subject matter is glorifying the Lord, who is called Uttama-śloka. Uttama-śloka. Śloka means verse, and uttama means transcendental or very nice. So whenever we offer some prayer, read some literature, Bhāgavata, the verses are composed in very nice words and systematically. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam you'll find every śloka, the topmost literary composition. Topmost, full of meaning, full of philosophy. In every line you'll find.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB1718VrndavanaSeptember151976_5" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="174" link="Lecture on SB 1.7.18 -- Vrndavana, September 15, 1976" link_text="Lecture on SB 1.7.18 -- Vrndavana, September 15, 1976">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 1.7.18 -- Vrndavana, September 15, 1976|Lecture on SB 1.7.18 -- Vrndavana, September 15, 1976]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam ([[Vanisource:SB 11.3.21|SB 11.3.21]]). Uttamam. Uttamam means udgata-tamaṁ yasmāt. Tamam means darkness. This world is darkness. Everyone, we know, as this material world is dark. And because it is dark there is need of the sunshine, there is need of the moonshine, there is need of electricity, there is need of fire. Because it is constitutionally dark. And the Vedic injunction is tamasi mā: "Don't remain in darkness." Jyotir gama: "Go to the light."</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB1825VrndavanaOctober51974_6" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="214" link="Lecture on SB 1.8.25 -- Vrndavana, October 5, 1974" link_text="Lecture on SB 1.8.25 -- Vrndavana, October 5, 1974">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 1.8.25 -- Vrndavana, October 5, 1974|Lecture on SB 1.8.25 -- Vrndavana, October 5, 1974]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta: "You are now inquisitive about understanding higher level knowledge, so you must go to a guru." Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta. Who? Jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. Uttamam. Uttamam means this which is above this darkness. This whole world is darkness. So one who wants to go above darkness... Tamasi mā jyotir gama. The Vedic injunction is: "Don't keep yourself in darkness. Go to the light." That light is Brahman, brahma-jijñāsā.</p>
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<div id="LectureonSB1845LosAngelesMay71973_7" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="250" link="Lecture on SB 1.8.45 -- Los Angeles, May 7, 1973" link_text="Lecture on SB 1.8.45 -- Los Angeles, May 7, 1973">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 1.8.45 -- Los Angeles, May 7, 1973|Lecture on SB 1.8.45 -- Los Angeles, May 7, 1973]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Adhama, adhama-paḍuyā means, adhama, adhama means very low grade, adhama. And uttama means high grade. Uttama and adhama. And madhyama. Madhyama means via-media. There are three grades in everything, first class, second class, third class. So this class of students, adhama, who are not interested to understand God or Kṛṣṇa, they are third-class student. Adhama-paḍuyā. Caitanya Mahāprabhu was explaining during His instruction, Kṛṣṇa. But the adhama-paḍuyā did not like it.</p>
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<div id="LectureonSB11020LondonMay241973_8" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="281" link="Lecture on SB 1.10.20 -- London, May 24, 1973" link_text="Lecture on SB 1.10.20 -- London, May 24, 1973">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 1.10.20 -- London, May 24, 1973|Lecture on SB 1.10.20 -- London, May 24, 1973]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">But if you talk of Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa's līlā, Kṛṣṇa's pastimes, then it becomes simultaneously discussion of Vedic knowledge, at the same time, very beautiful. Therefore Kṛṣṇa is described here: uttama-śloka. Kṛṣṇa is never described by ordinary verses. Uttama-śloka. Uttama-śloka means... Uttama means also liberated. Ut. Ut means transcendental, one who has crossed, ud gata. Ut. Ut means one who has gone to the other side. Tama. Tama means this darkness.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB11527NewYorkMarch61975_9" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="294" link="Lecture on SB 1.15.27 -- New York, March 6, 1975" link_text="Lecture on SB 1.15.27 -- New York, March 6, 1975">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 1.15.27 -- New York, March 6, 1975|Lecture on SB 1.15.27 -- New York, March 6, 1975]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">One can realize the Absolute Truth if he is inquisitive. Brahma-jijñāsā. Just like you are advancing by inquiring. Jijñāsā. Jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. Jijñāsuḥ. This is human life. Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam ([[Vanisource:SB 11.3.21|SB 11.3.21]]). Uttama means which is not material, which is beyond material... Ut-tama . Ud-gata-tama yasmāt. Tama means darkness. Here they are so-called scholars, big big professor, scientist, and... but they are in the darkness, tama. Tama means darkness. They do not know what they are.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB212MombassaSeptember131971_10" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="357" link="Lecture on SB 2.1.2 -- Mombassa, September 13, 1971" link_text="Lecture on SB 2.1.2 -- Mombassa, September 13, 1971">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 2.1.2 -- Mombassa, September 13, 1971|Lecture on SB 2.1.2 -- Mombassa, September 13, 1971]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">But guru is needed for whom? Jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. One who is inquisitive to learn about the transcendental subject matter, uttama. Uttama means... Ut means transcendental, and tama means the darkness. This world is dark. Just like at night now because there is no more sunshine, it is dark. Actually it is dark. Simply by sunshine, moonshine, electricity, fire, in this way we keep it glittering. Otherwise, it is dark.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB3258BombayNovember81974_11" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="429" link="Lecture on SB 3.25.8 -- Bombay, November 8, 1974" link_text="Lecture on SB 3.25.8 -- Bombay, November 8, 1974">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 3.25.8 -- Bombay, November 8, 1974|Lecture on SB 3.25.8 -- Bombay, November 8, 1974]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam ([[Vanisource:SB 11.3.21|SB 11.3.21]]). Uttamam. Here is called tamaḥ. Here is called tamaḥ. Tamasaḥ, tamaso 'ndhasya. Tamaḥ and uttama. Udgata tamam. If you can transcend this tamaḥ, this darkness, that is called uttama. We use this word, uttama... Uttama means very good. Generally, we take. How it is very good? When it is transcendental, above this darkness, that is called uttama.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB3258BombayNovember81974_12" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="429" link="Lecture on SB 3.25.8 -- Bombay, November 8, 1974" link_text="Lecture on SB 3.25.8 -- Bombay, November 8, 1974">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 3.25.8 -- Bombay, November 8, 1974|Lecture on SB 3.25.8 -- Bombay, November 8, 1974]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So one who is inquisitive to inquire about that portion of God's creation which is beyond this darkness-na tad bhāsayate sūryaḥ. There is description in the Upaniṣads and the Bhagavad-gītā. Uttama means there is another world, another nature.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB32512BombayNovember121974_13" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="433" link="Lecture on SB 3.25.12 -- Bombay, November 12, 1974" link_text="Lecture on SB 3.25.12 -- Bombay, November 12, 1974">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 3.25.12 -- Bombay, November 12, 1974|Lecture on SB 3.25.12 -- Bombay, November 12, 1974]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So when a person comes to a transcendentalist to inquire about śreya uttamam—uttamam means transcendental subject matter—he becomes very happy. He becomes very happy. One who hears very attentively about the spiritual subject matter, the spiritual master becomes very happy.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB32519BombayNovember191974_14" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="441" link="Lecture on SB 3.25.19 -- Bombay, November 19, 1974" link_text="Lecture on SB 3.25.19 -- Bombay, November 19, 1974">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 3.25.19 -- Bombay, November 19, 1974|Lecture on SB 3.25.19 -- Bombay, November 19, 1974]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Brahma-jijñāsā means... That is not ordinary jijñāsā. It is called uttamam. Uttamam means transcendental to this material world, which is full of darkness, ignorance. That is called ut. Ud-gata tama yasmād iti uttama. There is no more darkness, simply light.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB762TorontoJune181976_15" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="747" link="Lecture on SB 7.6.2 -- Toronto, June 18, 1976" link_text="Lecture on SB 7.6.2 -- Toronto, June 18, 1976">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 7.6.2 -- Toronto, June 18, 1976|Lecture on SB 7.6.2 -- Toronto, June 18, 1976]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">First of all, who requires a guru? Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam ([[Vanisource:SB 11.3.21|SB 11.3.21]]). One who is inquisitive to know about the spiritual world. Uttamam. Uttamam means ud-gata tamam: transcendental to this darkness. This material world is called darkness, ignorance. Actually it is dark. Because it is dark, material world, therefore we require the sun. By the grace of Kṛṣṇa, we have got the sun. Yac-cakṣur eṣa savitā. Savitā means sun. Oṁ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ tat savitur vareṇyam. This is Gāyatrī-mantra. So who requires a guru? Jijñāsuḥ śreyaḥ uttamam. One who wants to go beyond this world of darkness. </p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB798SeattleOctober211968_16" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="797" link="Lecture on SB 7.9.8 -- Seattle, October 21, 1968" link_text="Lecture on SB 7.9.8 -- Seattle, October 21, 1968">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 7.9.8 -- Seattle, October 21, 1968|Lecture on SB 7.9.8 -- Seattle, October 21, 1968]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Kṛṣṇa's name is Uttamaśloka. Uttama, uttama means selected, high class. Actually, not high class. It is transcendental. Ut means "trans," and tama, tama means "darkness," and śloka means "verses." So uttamaśloka means verses which are not of this material world.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Lectures" text="Nectar of Devotion Lectures"><h3>Nectar of Devotion Lectures</h3>
</div>
<div id="TheNectarofDevotionVrndavanaOctober291972_0" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" book="Lec" index="26" link="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 29, 1972" link_text="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 29, 1972">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 29, 1972|The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 29, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī recommends in his Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu for executing proper spiritual life, one must take shelter of the bona fide spiritual master. Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreyaḥ uttamam ([[Vanisource:SB 11.3.21|SB 11.3.21]]). Person who is actually interested in uttamam. Uttamam means transcendental. Udgata-tamam. After darkness. This material world is darkness. Tamasi mā jyotir gamaḥ. The spiritual world is full of light. Therefore anything spiritual, that is called uttamam.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="3" parent="Lectures" text="Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Lectures"><h3>Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Lectures</h3>
</div>
<div id="LectureonCCMadhyalila20100108BombayNovember91975_0" class="quote" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta_Lectures" book="Lec" index="53" link="Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.100-108 -- Bombay, November 9, 1975" link_text="Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.100-108 -- Bombay, November 9, 1975">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.100-108 -- Bombay, November 9, 1975|Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.100-108 -- Bombay, November 9, 1975]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Uttamam means spiritual. Tama means material, and jyoti means spiritual. So Vedic instruction is tamasi mā jyotir gamaḥ: "Don't remain in the dark, material platform. You just approach a spiritual platform." These are the Vedic civilization. One should be inquisitive about... Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. Ut means udgatam, transcendental. There is no tama, there is no darkness. So uttamam, that is uttamam. This word uttama, uttama means not of this material world: beyond this material world. That is called uttama.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonCCMadhyalila20172NewYorkDecember141966_1" class="quote" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta_Lectures" book="Lec" index="85" link="Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.172 -- New York, December 14, 1966" link_text="Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.172 -- New York, December 14, 1966">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.172 -- New York, December 14, 1966|Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.172 -- New York, December 14, 1966]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Now Kṛṣṇa's two particular names are Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Puruṣottama. In the Bhagavad-gītā, in the Eighth Chapter you will understand what is Puruṣottama. Puruṣa, puruṣa means enjoyer; uttama means the highest.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Festival_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="6" parent="Lectures" text="Festival Lectures"><h3>Festival Lectures</h3>
</div>
<div id="HisDivineGraceSrilaSaccidanandaBhaktivinodaThakurasAppearanceDayLectureLondonSeptember31971_0" class="quote" parent="Festival_Lectures" book="Lec" index="30" link="His Divine Grace Srila Sac-cid-ananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Appearance Day, Lecture -- London, September 3, 1971" link_text="His Divine Grace Srila Sac-cid-ananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Appearance Day, Lecture -- London, September 3, 1971">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:His Divine Grace Srila Sac-cid-ananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Appearance Day, Lecture -- London, September 3, 1971|His Divine Grace Srila Sac-cid-ananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Appearance Day, Lecture -- London, September 3, 1971]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Those who are inquisitive to understand higher scientific knowledge, uttamam. Uttama means higher. Uttama, madhyama, adhama. There are three words. First-class, second-class, third-class. So spiritual knowledge is uttamam. Anyone who is inquisitive to understand first-class knowledge, he requires to go to a guru. Those who are interested in third-class knowledge, they do not require any guru.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Initiation_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="8" parent="Lectures" text="Initiation Lectures"><h3>Initiation Lectures</h3>
</div>
<div id="BrahmanaInitiationLecturewithProfessorOConnellBostonMay61968GlenvilleAveTemple_0" class="quote" parent="Initiation_Lectures" book="Lec" index="3" link="Brahmana Initiation Lecture with Professor O'Connell -- Boston, May 6, 1968, (Glenville Ave. Temple)" link_text="Brahmana Initiation Lecture with Professor O'Connell -- Boston, May 6, 1968, (Glenville Ave. Temple)">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Brahmana Initiation Lecture with Professor O'Connell -- Boston, May 6, 1968, (Glenville Ave. Temple)|Brahmana Initiation Lecture with Professor O'Connell -- Boston, May 6, 1968, (Glenville Ave. Temple)]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. Uttamam means... Ut means surpassing, and tamam means the darkness. This material world is darkness. And one who has transcended the darkness region and has come to the region of light... Jyotir gamaḥ tamasa mā, "Don't remain in this darkness. Go to the light." So that is called uttamam. Uttamam. Udgata tamaṁ yasmād.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="General_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="11" parent="Lectures" text="General Lectures"><h3>General Lectures</h3>
</div>
<div id="SundayFeastLectureLosAngelesMay211972_0" class="quote" parent="General_Lectures" book="Lec" index="116" link="Sunday Feast Lecture -- Los Angeles, May 21, 1972" link_text="Sunday Feast Lecture -- Los Angeles, May 21, 1972">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Sunday Feast Lecture -- Los Angeles, May 21, 1972|Sunday Feast Lecture -- Los Angeles, May 21, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">F you want to know the transcendental science, then you must find out a guru. That is injunction. Jijñāsuḥ śreyaḥ uttamam. Guruṁ prapadyeta. Tasmād prapadyeta guruṁ jijñāsuḥ śreyaḥ uttamam. If you are actually inquisitive to understand higher science, uttamam... Uttama means higher. These are not higher sciences, how to earn some money. Earn some money, and eat something, and sleep, and have some sex life, and die—this is not higher science. This is not higher science. Higher science is brahma-jijñāsā, to inquire about Brahman. That is higher science.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" class="section" sec_index="5" parent="compilation" text="Conversations and Morning Walks"><h2>Conversations and Morning Walks</h2>
</div>
<div id="1975_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" class="sub_section" sec_index="8" parent="Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" text="1975 Conversations and Morning Walks"><h3>1975 Conversations and Morning Walks</h3>
</div>
<div id="ConversationwithProfessorHopkinsJuly131975Philadelphia_0" class="quote" parent="1975_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" book="Con" index="143" link="Conversation with Professor Hopkins -- July 13, 1975, Philadelphia" link_text="Conversation with Professor Hopkins -- July 13, 1975, Philadelphia">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Conversation with Professor Hopkins -- July 13, 1975, Philadelphia|Conversation with Professor Hopkins -- July 13, 1975, Philadelphia]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Prof. Hopkins: So that you would see then, in terms of, in terms of some kind of theological structure, you would see that Puruṣottama as always...</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Uttama, uttama means the best.</p>
<p>Prof. Hopkins: Always superior.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Yes.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Latest revision as of 02:28, 21 May 2018

Bhagavad-gita As It Is

BG Chapters 7 - 12

BG 9.2, Purport:

Therefore the purifying potency of devotional service is very strong, and it is called pavitram uttamam, the purest. Uttama means transcendental. Tamas means this material world or darkness, and uttama means that which is transcendental to material activities.

Srimad-Bhagavatam

SB Canto 4

SB 4.20.27, Purport:

The Lord is here addressed as akhila-pūruṣottama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord of the entire creation. puruṣa means "the enjoyer," and uttama means "the best."

SB Canto 5

SB 5.14.43, Purport:

In this verse the Lord is described as Uttamaśloka. Uttama means "the best," and śloka means "reputation." Lord Kṛṣṇa is full in six opulences, one of which is reputation.

Other Books by Srila Prabhupada

Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead

Krsna Book 87:

Kṛṣṇa Himself declares in the Bhagavad-gītā that because He is transcendental to all sentient and insentient beings, He is known as Puruṣottama, which means the Supreme Personality. (Puruṣa means "person," and uttama means "supreme" or "transcendental.")

Krsna Book 89:

The Mahā-Viṣṇu form of the Lord is also called Puruṣottama (Puruṣa-uttama) because He is beyond the material world. Tama means "darkness," and ut means "above, transcendental"; therefore, uttama means "above the darkest region of the material world."

Lectures

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

Lecture on BG 1.13-14 -- London, July 14, 1973:

That is called puruñottama. Puruña uttama. Uttama. Uttama means "not of this material world." Ut. Ut means above, and tama means this darkness. So ut-tama means "above this darkness." So uttama puruña. Puruña uttama. Puruña. Puruña means enjoyer.

Lecture on BG 1.20 -- London, July 17, 1973:

Mystery means very complicated; no ordinary man can understand. Therefore it is called mystery, rahasyam. But not ordinary rahasyam, uttamam. Uttamam means transcendental, not covered with darkness of material science.

Lecture on BG 2.26 -- Hyderabad, November 30, 1972:

If you are actually eager, anxious to understand the spiritual science, then you must approach a guru. Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. Uttama means transcendental subject matter. You cannot learn it.

Lecture on BG 4.24-34 -- New York, August 12, 1966:

In Bhāgavata also, it is said, tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam: (SB 11.3.21) "One who is hankering after the highest type of question..." We have got so many questions. We can question the whole day and night "What is the rate of this commodity? What is happening in the political field? What is going on in China?" These questions are not... Not these question. Śreya uttamam. One who has become inquisitive in the uttamam. Uttamam means udgata-tama, not any question of pertaining to the material world.

Lecture on BG 4.34 -- New York, August 14, 1966:

Śreya uttamam. Uttamam means the udgata-tamam. That is transcendental. Tama means darkness. Anything of this material world, that is in darkness because this material world is dark. You know that the whole world, whole universe, is dark. Therefore there is requisition of the sunlight, moonlight, electricity. It is dark. So uttamam means which is beyond this darkness, beyond this darkness. That means transcendental subject, spiritual subject. In the spiritual world there is no darkness.

Lecture on BG 8.28-9.2 -- New York, November 21, 1966:

And uttamam. Uttamam means "which is transcendental." Ut means "trans-," and tama means "darkness." So uttama means "the knowledge which is beyond this material darkness." This material world is called darkness, and when the knowledge surpasses this material world, material knowledge, that is really called uttama.

Lecture on BG 9.2 -- New York, November 22, 1966:

And uttamam. Uttamam means the highest, or transcendental. Last day we have already explained uttamam.

Lecture on BG 9.2 -- Calcutta, March 7, 1972:

Pavitram idam uttamam. Uttamam. Ut means transcendental, above. Utgatam. Just like utpana. So uttama means ut, above, tama. Tama means this material world. This material world is known as tama. Tamasi mā jyotir gamaḥ, the Vedas say. "Don't remain in darkness. Come to the spiritual platform." Tamasi mā jyotir gamaḥ.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Lecture on SB 1.2.7 -- Delhi, November 13, 1973:

But here it is said, śreya uttamam. Uttamam means udgata tamaṁ yasmād. This material world is called tamaḥ. Therefore Vedic advice is tamasi mā jyotir gama: "Don't remain in this darkness. Try to go to the light." Jyotir gama. So uttama means... This word we have..., uttama. The uttama means transcendental, beyond this material world. So there is śreya, ultimate benefit of life, beyond this material world.

Lecture on SB 1.2.18 -- Los Angeles, August 21, 1972:

Uttama, uttama means udgata-tama. This material world is tama, ignorance, darkness. And Kṛṣṇa is beyond this material world; therefore He is called para. Para means transcendental. So uttama-śloka. So when we offer our prayers to Kṛṣṇa, they are not ordinary words. Therefore those who are not liberated soul, they cannot offer prayers actually. We have to repeat the prayers offered by liberated soul, not by ordinary man. Because he is not yet uttama, he is not yet in the transcendental platform. Therefore we don't allow songs which are not sung by liberated souls like Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura.

Lecture on SB 1.2.33 -- Vrndavana, November 12, 1972:

So we have to begin from this uttamā-bhakti. Uttama means nirguṇa, or transcendental. Uttama. Uttama, udgata-tamaḥ. Ut means transcendental, when you surpass. Tama. Tama means this material world. So ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā (CC Madhya 19.167). That is uttamā-bhakti. That is transcendental bhakti.

Lecture on SB 1.5.1-4 -- New Vrindaban, May 22, 1969:

So every word has volumes of meanings. Udga... Therefore sometimes right commentary required. So uttamam means udgataṁ tamam. Tama means this material world. When one is inquisitive to understand about the spiritual life, then he should accept a spiritual master. Otherwise there is no need. A spiritual master is not a fashion, that "Oh, I should have a spiritual master." People after fashion. No. One must be very much inquisitive to know. What about, inquisitive? Uttamam. Śreya uttamam, what is the highest perfection of life. If one is actually inquisitive to understand about the highest perfectional stage of our life, then he should search after a spiritual master. That is the direction.

Lecture on SB 1.5.11 -- New Vrindaban, June 10, 1969:

Whatever we are reading in the Bhagavad-gītā or Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam or we are chanting, the subject matter is glorifying the Lord, who is called Uttama-śloka. Uttama-śloka. Śloka means verse, and uttama means transcendental or very nice. So whenever we offer some prayer, read some literature, Bhāgavata, the verses are composed in very nice words and systematically. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam you'll find every śloka, the topmost literary composition. Topmost, full of meaning, full of philosophy. In every line you'll find.

Lecture on SB 1.7.18 -- Vrndavana, September 15, 1976:

Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam (SB 11.3.21). Uttamam. Uttamam means udgata-tamaṁ yasmāt. Tamam means darkness. This world is darkness. Everyone, we know, as this material world is dark. And because it is dark there is need of the sunshine, there is need of the moonshine, there is need of electricity, there is need of fire. Because it is constitutionally dark. And the Vedic injunction is tamasi mā: "Don't remain in darkness." Jyotir gama: "Go to the light."

Lecture on SB 1.8.25 -- Vrndavana, October 5, 1974:

Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta: "You are now inquisitive about understanding higher level knowledge, so you must go to a guru." Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta. Who? Jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. Uttamam. Uttamam means this which is above this darkness. This whole world is darkness. So one who wants to go above darkness... Tamasi mā jyotir gama. The Vedic injunction is: "Don't keep yourself in darkness. Go to the light." That light is Brahman, brahma-jijñāsā.

Lecture on SB 1.8.45 -- Los Angeles, May 7, 1973:

Adhama, adhama-paḍuyā means, adhama, adhama means very low grade, adhama. And uttama means high grade. Uttama and adhama. And madhyama. Madhyama means via-media. There are three grades in everything, first class, second class, third class. So this class of students, adhama, who are not interested to understand God or Kṛṣṇa, they are third-class student. Adhama-paḍuyā. Caitanya Mahāprabhu was explaining during His instruction, Kṛṣṇa. But the adhama-paḍuyā did not like it.

Lecture on SB 1.10.20 -- London, May 24, 1973:

But if you talk of Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa's līlā, Kṛṣṇa's pastimes, then it becomes simultaneously discussion of Vedic knowledge, at the same time, very beautiful. Therefore Kṛṣṇa is described here: uttama-śloka. Kṛṣṇa is never described by ordinary verses. Uttama-śloka. Uttama-śloka means... Uttama means also liberated. Ut. Ut means transcendental, one who has crossed, ud gata. Ut. Ut means one who has gone to the other side. Tama. Tama means this darkness.

Lecture on SB 1.15.27 -- New York, March 6, 1975:

One can realize the Absolute Truth if he is inquisitive. Brahma-jijñāsā. Just like you are advancing by inquiring. Jijñāsā. Jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. Jijñāsuḥ. This is human life. Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam (SB 11.3.21). Uttama means which is not material, which is beyond material... Ut-tama . Ud-gata-tama yasmāt. Tama means darkness. Here they are so-called scholars, big big professor, scientist, and... but they are in the darkness, tama. Tama means darkness. They do not know what they are.

Lecture on SB 2.1.2 -- Mombassa, September 13, 1971:

But guru is needed for whom? Jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. One who is inquisitive to learn about the transcendental subject matter, uttama. Uttama means... Ut means transcendental, and tama means the darkness. This world is dark. Just like at night now because there is no more sunshine, it is dark. Actually it is dark. Simply by sunshine, moonshine, electricity, fire, in this way we keep it glittering. Otherwise, it is dark.

Lecture on SB 3.25.8 -- Bombay, November 8, 1974:

Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam (SB 11.3.21). Uttamam. Here is called tamaḥ. Here is called tamaḥ. Tamasaḥ, tamaso 'ndhasya. Tamaḥ and uttama. Udgata tamam. If you can transcend this tamaḥ, this darkness, that is called uttama. We use this word, uttama... Uttama means very good. Generally, we take. How it is very good? When it is transcendental, above this darkness, that is called uttama.

Lecture on SB 3.25.8 -- Bombay, November 8, 1974:

So one who is inquisitive to inquire about that portion of God's creation which is beyond this darkness-na tad bhāsayate sūryaḥ. There is description in the Upaniṣads and the Bhagavad-gītā. Uttama means there is another world, another nature.

Lecture on SB 3.25.12 -- Bombay, November 12, 1974:

So when a person comes to a transcendentalist to inquire about śreya uttamam—uttamam means transcendental subject matter—he becomes very happy. He becomes very happy. One who hears very attentively about the spiritual subject matter, the spiritual master becomes very happy.

Lecture on SB 3.25.19 -- Bombay, November 19, 1974:

Brahma-jijñāsā means... That is not ordinary jijñāsā. It is called uttamam. Uttamam means transcendental to this material world, which is full of darkness, ignorance. That is called ut. Ud-gata tama yasmād iti uttama. There is no more darkness, simply light.

Lecture on SB 7.6.2 -- Toronto, June 18, 1976:

First of all, who requires a guru? Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam (SB 11.3.21). One who is inquisitive to know about the spiritual world. Uttamam. Uttamam means ud-gata tamam: transcendental to this darkness. This material world is called darkness, ignorance. Actually it is dark. Because it is dark, material world, therefore we require the sun. By the grace of Kṛṣṇa, we have got the sun. Yac-cakṣur eṣa savitā. Savitā means sun. Oṁ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ tat savitur vareṇyam. This is Gāyatrī-mantra. So who requires a guru? Jijñāsuḥ śreyaḥ uttamam. One who wants to go beyond this world of darkness.

Lecture on SB 7.9.8 -- Seattle, October 21, 1968:

Kṛṣṇa's name is Uttamaśloka. Uttama, uttama means selected, high class. Actually, not high class. It is transcendental. Ut means "trans," and tama, tama means "darkness," and śloka means "verses." So uttamaśloka means verses which are not of this material world.

Nectar of Devotion Lectures

The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 29, 1972:

Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī recommends in his Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu for executing proper spiritual life, one must take shelter of the bona fide spiritual master. Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreyaḥ uttamam (SB 11.3.21). Person who is actually interested in uttamam. Uttamam means transcendental. Udgata-tamam. After darkness. This material world is darkness. Tamasi mā jyotir gamaḥ. The spiritual world is full of light. Therefore anything spiritual, that is called uttamam.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Lectures

Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.100-108 -- Bombay, November 9, 1975:

Uttamam means spiritual. Tama means material, and jyoti means spiritual. So Vedic instruction is tamasi mā jyotir gamaḥ: "Don't remain in the dark, material platform. You just approach a spiritual platform." These are the Vedic civilization. One should be inquisitive about... Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. Ut means udgatam, transcendental. There is no tama, there is no darkness. So uttamam, that is uttamam. This word uttama, uttama means not of this material world: beyond this material world. That is called uttama.

Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.172 -- New York, December 14, 1966:

Now Kṛṣṇa's two particular names are Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Puruṣottama. In the Bhagavad-gītā, in the Eighth Chapter you will understand what is Puruṣottama. Puruṣa, puruṣa means enjoyer; uttama means the highest.

Festival Lectures

His Divine Grace Srila Sac-cid-ananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Appearance Day, Lecture -- London, September 3, 1971:

Those who are inquisitive to understand higher scientific knowledge, uttamam. Uttama means higher. Uttama, madhyama, adhama. There are three words. First-class, second-class, third-class. So spiritual knowledge is uttamam. Anyone who is inquisitive to understand first-class knowledge, he requires to go to a guru. Those who are interested in third-class knowledge, they do not require any guru.

Initiation Lectures

Brahmana Initiation Lecture with Professor O'Connell -- Boston, May 6, 1968, (Glenville Ave. Temple):

Jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. Uttamam means... Ut means surpassing, and tamam means the darkness. This material world is darkness. And one who has transcended the darkness region and has come to the region of light... Jyotir gamaḥ tamasa mā, "Don't remain in this darkness. Go to the light." So that is called uttamam. Uttamam. Udgata tamaṁ yasmād.

General Lectures

Sunday Feast Lecture -- Los Angeles, May 21, 1972:

F you want to know the transcendental science, then you must find out a guru. That is injunction. Jijñāsuḥ śreyaḥ uttamam. Guruṁ prapadyeta. Tasmād prapadyeta guruṁ jijñāsuḥ śreyaḥ uttamam. If you are actually inquisitive to understand higher science, uttamam... Uttama means higher. These are not higher sciences, how to earn some money. Earn some money, and eat something, and sleep, and have some sex life, and die—this is not higher science. This is not higher science. Higher science is brahma-jijñāsā, to inquire about Brahman. That is higher science.

Conversations and Morning Walks

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

Conversation with Professor Hopkins -- July 13, 1975, Philadelphia:

Prof. Hopkins: So that you would see then, in terms of, in terms of some kind of theological structure, you would see that Puruṣottama as always...

Prabhupāda: Uttama, uttama means the best.

Prof. Hopkins: Always superior.

Prabhupāda: Yes.