Now, suppose we had some forefather, ten generations before. So we do not know many things about. We may hear something by paramparā system or in the family history that our tenth, tenth generation before there was one forefather. So even we do not know. So from Kṛṣṇa, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, so many generations. In the beginning of this creation, the first beginning, Brahmā was created. Brahmā.
So millions and millions and years before, Brahmā was created. So what do we know about Brahmā and the demigods? So practically we do not know anything about God. It is not possible. Our teeny brain cannot approach such extensive, I mean to say, foremost platform where we can understand God.
In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam also it is said: ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ (CC Madhya 17.136). Indriya means these material senses. We gather knowledge by senses. But these material senses are very limited. So it is not possible to understand God, or Kṛṣṇa, by speculating our mind. Mind is the center of all senses.
So senses help mind gathers knowledge. So it is not possible, because our senses are all imperfect. By imperfect senses we cannot reach to the perfect or to the unlimited. Therefore we cannot know. Ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ. It is not possible by manipulating your different senses and knowledge and mind you can understand God.
Then, how it is possible? The possibility is sevonmukhe hi jihvādau svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ. The . . . if you engage your senses in the service of the Lord, then He'll reveal to your senses. The same thing. We have to acquire knowledge of God through these senses. But in our conditional life, the senses are all impure.
Therefore these senses cannot understand God simply by speculating. It is not possible. Therefore Lord says, na me viduḥ sura-gaṇāḥ (BG 10.2). Now we have got developed senses. Suppose a child, a child, his understanding and his father's understanding, there is difference, because his senses are not so developed. Father's senses are developed. Similarly, as we are here in this earthly planet, there are many, many other superior planets, their senses are far, far improved. But still they cannot understand God. Still they cannot understand. Similarly, ṛṣayaḥ. Ṛṣayaḥ means great philosophers, saintly persons, sages—they also cannot understand God.
- yo mām ajam anādiṁ ca
- vetti loka-maheśvaram
- asammūḍhaḥ sa martyeṣu
- sarva-pāpaiḥ pramucyate
- (BG 10.3)
Now people today can say that, "What is the use of understanding God? Let God remain in His place and let me remain in my place. What is the use?" Suppose . . . we cannot understand God. Now argument may be, "Yes, you don't understand God. There is no necessity of bothering for understanding God." But Kṛṣṇa says: "No." If you don't take that botheration, then you'll never be happy. Neither you'll be liberated. So it is your interest to understand God. Not that God will be profited if you understand Him. No. You will be profited if you understand Him.