3 phases of the Absolute Truth!

Verse 1.2.11: Everyone should definitely memorize this verse. Prabhuji will ask in a couple of days.

So Sukadeva Goswami after telling the previous slokas, was talking about the spirit souls. But now, he is coming to the Absolute Truth. This is very important, the absolute truth is realized in 3 phases: brahman, paramatma and bhagavan. There is qualitative oneness, but there is difference too.

Srila Prabhupada has given a lot of emphasis: brahman, paramatma and bhagavan. Everything rests in the brahman, but Krishna is telling that I am the source of brahman. Next is paramatma, which is the localized presence of Krishna, he is the closest to the soul. The next and the highest is Bhagavan. Srila Prabhupada always gave this example: Sun rays (similar to all pervading brahman), Sun Planet (similar to trying to understand paramatma) and the Sun God (similar to realizing Bhagavan).

Brahman (sat feature is there), Paramatma (sat and chit feature is there), but only in Bhagavan ( has all three: sat-chit-ananda features). Similar to perfect, more perfect and most perfect.

The actual ananda comes in the Bhagavan realization stage, since the Supreme Personality of Godhead is enjoying different rasas with so many of His devotees.