SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM: CANTO 3

(1) The Supreme Lord said: 'Of one's karma and under divine guidance does the living entity through the particle of semen of a man enter the womb of a woman to dwell there for obtaining a body. (2) On the first night the sperm and ovum mix, at the fifth night there is a bubble and in about ten days it is thereafter like a plum, lump of flesh or an egg. (3) Within a month a head appears and after two months limbs like arms and feet do form; nails, [the beginnings of] hair, bones, skin, reproductive organs and the apertures have their appearance within three months. (4) In about four months do the seven ingredients separate [body-fluids and other elements], in five months do feelings like hunger and thirst take place and in six months does the fetus at the right start to move around in the amnion [males at the right, females at the left it is said]. (5) From the nutrition taken from the mother, the body of the fetus grows staying in that impossible hollow, whereabout stool and urine form a breedingplace for germs. (6) All the time aching for food, it is, being so tender, affected by infestations and so suffers with all its body a great deal residing there, moment after moment falling into unconsciousness. (7) Because of the excessive bitterness, heat, pungency, saltiness, dryness, the sour etc. of the food taken by the mother, it is in every limb affected feeling pain. (8) Enclosed by the amnion in that place surrounded by the intestines it lies with its head in its belly arched with a bent neck and back. (9) Like a bird in a cage with no freedom of movement, when it is lucky, remembers it [the soul] still what has happened in all its hundreds of births, of which, remembering such a long time, it may sigh, for what peace of mind can it then achieve? (10) From the seventh month on being endowed with consciousness it is pushed down though by the pressure of the womb not being able to keep that place, just like the worm coming from the same belly.

(11) The frightened living entity bound to its seven constituents [nails, skin, fat, flesh, blood, bone, marrow], then faltering, with folded hands and words of prayer appeals to the Lord who placed him in the womb. (12) The human soul says: 'May He protect me who protects the whole universe in accepting different forms, walking the earth with His lotus feet - let me take refuge in that shelter that will take my fears away; unto Him who deemed this untrue condition was what I deserved. (13) I, the pure soul, covered by the gross consisting of the elements, the senses and the mind, in its being bound to its activities, has fallen into this state of delusion [mâyâ]. Let me offer my obeisances so that I may keep to the completely pure and changeless One of unlimited knowledge who resides in the heart of the repentant. (14) I, unfit for it, separated by the covering of this material body made of the five elements with its senses, material preferences, sense-objects and ego, am offering my obeisances unto You, the Supreme Person transcendental to material nature and its living entities, whose glories are not obscured by a material body. (15) By the deluding quality of Your outer appearance is this body through the modes and the karma bound to wander on its path in repeated birth and death, suffering considerably with a spoilt memory; may again this entity realize Your true nature. How else would divine mercy be found? (16) Who else but the divinity of You, that as a partial representation dwells in as well the animate as the inanimate, would give the knowledge of past, present and future? Unto You, whom the living souls are pursuing on the path of fruitive activities to be freed from the threefold miseries [caused by oneself, nature and others], we must surrender. (17) Embodied within the abdomen of another body, fallen into a pool of blood, stool and urine and strongly scorched by gastric fire, is this body from that place desiring to get out, counting its months of when it, as a person of only a miserable intelligence, will be released, o Lord. (18) As one being only ten months old I was by You, o Lord so full of mercy, awakened. What else can I do but to pray with folded hands in return to thank in gratitude for that incomparable mercy of indeed You alone who are the refuge of the fallen ones ? (19) This living entity can only see from its bondage to the seven layers of matter [23.29: 40-45] what is agreeable and disagreeable, but being endowed with another body of selfcontrol within myself, I indeed am able to recognize You, the oldest of the personal of me, the internal guidance, seen as residing within the heart as well as outside. (20) Although I my self, Almighty One, having to live with many miseries outside of this abdomen, do not wish to depart for that pitfall, I will have to live according the false identification of this continual cycle of birth and death wherein one who goes there is captured by Your mâyâ. (21) Therefore will I, not agitated any longer, deliver myself quickly from the darkness, with myself as a friend, indeed for another time, by putting my mind on the feet of protection and thus save me from this plight of having to enter so many wombs.'

(22) Kapila said: 'Thus desiring from within the womb, does the ten months old living entity extol the Lord at the time of being pushed downwards by the pressure of labor to take birth. (23) Because of that pressure its head is turned downwards and, suddenly with great difficulty suffering, it comes out breathless bereft of all memory. (24) Like a worm coming down on the earth, smeared with blood, it moves its limbs and cries loudly, having lost the wisdom in reaching the opposite state. (25) By others not understood in what he wants has he, being maintained by his folks and unable to refuse, fallen into circumstances he didn't wish for. (26) Laying down in fouled linen [dirty diapers etc.] is the child pestered by germs [suffering rashes on its body] it cannot scratch away from its limbs, not being able to sit, stand or move around. (27) Flies, mosquitos, bugs and other creatures bite the baby its tender skin and being just like vermin pestered by other vermin, it, deprived of wisdom, cries. (28) This way undergoing infancy in distress and even in its childhood out of its ignorance not achieving what it wants, is its anger kindled and is it overtaken by sorrow. (29) With the false of the developing body, it, because of that anger, develops at the cost of the soul enmity as a lusty person being destructive towards other lusty people. (30) Living constantly in the body made of the five elements it accepts the ignorant of the nonpermanent of 'I' and 'mine' and is thus of a foolish resolve. (31) Engaged in actions in the service of the body, is the soul, bound thereto, going repeatedly for another life in the material condition and thus pursuing the physical, because of that bondage to the dark motives of fruitive action, is a hindrance formed [the so-called kles'as]. (32) If, with the unrighteous on his path, he associates endeavoring for the pleasure of his genitals and stomach, does the living entity enter the darkness as before. (33) Thus associated he loses his sense of truth, purity, compassion and gravity; his spiritual intelligence, prosperity, modesty and his good name; his mercy, control of mind and senses and his fortune. (34) With coarse fools bereft of selfrealization one is of bad association and one should not try to make it with the pitiable women and their dancing dogs. (35) No association of a man gives an infatuation and bondage to other things like that of a man attached to women or a fellowship of men attached to women. (36) The father of man [Brahmâ] bewildered at the sight of his own daughter as a stag ran shamelessly to her when he saw her in the form of a deer [compare 3.12: 28]. (37) Except for the wise Nârâyana, there is among all the living entities born from Brahmâ indeed no male whose intelligence is not distracted by mâyâ in the form of a woman.

(38) Behold the strength of My mâyâ in the shape of a woman that even makes the conquerors of the world follow her to her heels by the mere movement of an eyebrow. (39) One who aspires to reach the culmination of yoga should never live together with a woman; they say that to the selfrealization obtained by rendering service to Me, cohabiting with women is the gateway to hell for such a one. (40) The woman created by God represents mâyâ slowly encroaching, which must be regarded, like a dead well covered by grass, as death for the soul. (41) She, who from being attached to women became a woman, thinks, due to the illusion of My mâyâ, that coming to the form of a man will bring her wealth, progeny and a house. (42) She herself should [similarly] consider the mâyâ of it, consisting of her husband, children and house, as the death brought about by His authority that is alike the singing of the hunter [* compare the verse in the Bhakti-rasâmrita-sindhu 1.2: 255 that allows association of the sexes in a devotional setting]. (43) On account of the body possessed by the living entity, it so wanders from one world to another, incessantly taking pleasure in its material activities. (44) So verily it attains to a body suitable, made of the material elements, the senses and the mind; when that comes to an end it is called death but when it manifests it is called birth. (45-46) As the perception of the fixed place of an object becomes impossible from a rigid view, so too does one take birth from the misconception of considering the body to be oneself. Of both the sight and the seeing is the seer then indeed not able to perceive, the same as with the eyes that are not capable of seeing all the different parts of an object at a time. (47) On account of death one should not be terrified, be miserly or eager for material gain; realizing the true nature of the living being one should on this planet move steadfast and free from attachment. (48) Relegating the body to this world composed of mâyâ should one, by reason endowed with the right vision, move about connected in the science of [the three forms of] yoga.'

The Supreme Lord said: 'Of one's karma and under divine guidance does the living entity through the particle of semen of a man enter the womb of a woman to dwell there for obtaining a body.

The Supreme Lord said: 'Of one's karma and under divine guidance does the living entity through the particle of semen of a man enter the womb of a woman to dwell there for obtaining a body. (Vedabase)

Text 2

On the first night the sperm and ovum mix, at the fifth night there is a bubble and in about ten days it is thereafter like a plum, lump of flesh or an egg.

On the first night the sperm and ovum mix, at the fifth night there is a bubble and in about ten days it is thereafter like a plum, lump of flesh or an egg. (Vedabase)

Text 3

Within a month a head appears and after two months limbs like arms and feet do form; nails, [the beginnings of] hair, bones, skin, reproductive organs and the apertures have their appearance within three months.

Within a month a head appears and after two months limbs like arms and feet do form; nails, [the beginnings of] hair, bones, skin, reproductive organs and the apertures have there appearance within three months. (Vedabase)

Text 4

In about four months do the seven ingredients separate [body-fluids and other elements], in five months do feelings like hunger and thirst take place and in six months does the fetus at the right start to move around in the amnion [males at the right, females at the left it is said].

In about four months do the seven ingredients separate [body-fluids and other elements], in five months do feelings like hunger and thirst take place and in six months does the fetus start to move around in the amnion [males from the right, females from the left it is said]. (Vedabase)

Text 5

From the nutrition taken from the mother, the body of the fetus grows staying in that impossible hollow, whereabout stool and urine form a breedingplace for germs.

From the nutrition taken from the mother, the body of the fetus grows staying in that impossible hollow, whereabout stool and urine form a breedingplace for germs. (Vedabase)

Text 6

All the time aching for food, it is, being so tender, affected by infestations and so suffers with all its body a great deal residing there, moment after moment falling into unconsciousness.

All the time aching for food, it is, being so tender, affected by infestations and so suffers with all its body a great deal residing there, moment after moment falling into unconsciousness. (Vedabase)

Text 7

Because of the excessive bitterness, heat, pungency, saltiness, dryness, the sour etc. of the food taken by the mother, it is in every limb affected feeling pain.

Because of the excessive bitterness, heat, pungency, saltiness, dryness, the sour etc. of the food taken by the mother, it is in every limb affected feeling pain. (Vedabase)

Text 8

Enclosed by the amnion in that place surrounded by the intestines it lies with its head in its belly arched with a bent neck and back.

Enclosed by the amnion in that place surrounded by the intestines it lies with its head in its belly arched with a bent neck and back. (Ve d abase)

Text 9

Like a bird in a cage with no freedom of movement, when it is lucky, remembers it [the soul] still what has happened in all its hundreds of births, of which, remembering such a long time, it may sigh, for what peace of mind can it then achieve?

Like a bird in a cage with no freedom of movement, when it is lucky, it still remembers what has happened in all its hundreds of births, of which, remembering such a long time, it may sigh; what peace of mind can it then achieve? (Vedabase)

Text 10

From the seventh month on being endowed with consciousness it is pushed down though by the pressure of the womb not being able to keep that place, just like the worm coming from the same belly.

From the seventh month on being endowed with consciousness it is pushed down though by the pressure of labor not being able to keep that place, just like the worm coming from the same belly. (Vedabase)

Text 11

The frightened living entity bound to its seven constituents [nails, skin, fat, flesh, blood, bone, marrow], then faltering, with folded hands and words of prayer appeals to the Lord who placed him in that womb.

The frightened living entity bound to its seven constituents [nails, skin, fat, flesh, blood, bone, marrow], then faltering, with folded hands and words of prayer appeals to the Lord who placed him in the womb. (Vedabase)

Text 12

The human soul says: 'May He protect me who protects the whole universe in accepting different forms, walking the earth with His lotus feet - let me take refuge in that shelter that will take my fears away; unto Him who deemed this untrue condition was what I deserved.

The human soul says: 'May He protect me who protects the whole universe in accepting different forms, walking the earth with His lotus feet - let me take refuge unto that shelter that will take my fears away; unto Him who deemed this untrue condition was what I deserved. (Vedabase)

Text 13

I, the pure soul, covered by the gross consisting of the elements, the senses and the mind, in its being bound to its activities, has fallen into this state of delusion [mâyâ]. Let me offer my obeisances so that I may keep to the completely pure and changeless One of unlimited knowledge who resides in the heart of the repentant.

I, the pure soul, covered by the gross consisting of the elements, the senses and the mind, in its being bound to its activities, has fallen into this state of delusion [mâyâ]. Let me offer my obeisances so that I may keep to the completely pure and changeless One of unlimited knowledge who resides in the heart of the repentant. (Vedabase)

Text 14

I, unfit for it, separated by the covering of this material body made of the five elements with its senses, material preferences, sense-objects and ego, am offering my obeisances unto You, the Supreme Person transcendental to material nature and its living entities, whose glories are not obscured by a material body.

I, unfit for it, separated by the covering of this material body made of the five elements with its senses, material preferences, sense-objects and ego, am offering my obeisances unto You, the Supreme Person transcendental to material nature and its living entities, who's glories are not obscured by a material body. (Vedabase)

Text 15

By the deluding quality of Your outer appearance is this body through the modes and the karma bound to wander on its path in repeated birth and death, suffering considerably with a spoilt memory; may again this entity realize Your true nature. How else would divine mercy be found?

By the deluding quality of Your outer appearance is this body through the modes and the karma bound to wander on its path in repeated birth and death, suffering considerably with a spoilt memory; may again this entity realize Your true nature. How else would divine mercy be found? (Vedabase)

Text 16

Who else but the divinity of You, that as a partial representation dwells in as well the animate as the inanimate, would give the knowledge of past, present and future? Unto You, whom the living souls are pursuing on the path of fruitive activities to be freed from the threefold miseries [caused by oneself, nature and others], we must surrender.

Who else but the divinity of You, that as a partial representation dwells in as well the animate as the inanimate, would give the knowledge of past, present and future? Unto You, whom the living souls are pursuing on the path of fruitive activities to be freed from the threefold miseries [caused by oneself, nature and others], we must surrender. (Vedabase)

Text 17

Embodied within the abdomen of another body, fallen into a pool of blood, stool and urine and strongly scorched by gastric fire, is this body from that place desiring to get out, counting its months of when it, as a person of only a miserable intelligence, will be released, o Lord.

Embodied within the abdomen of another body, fallen into a pool of blood, stool and urine and strongly scorched by gastric fire, is this body from that place desiring to get out, counting its months of when it as person of only a miserable intelligence, will be released, o Lord. (Vedabase)

Text 18

As one being only ten months old I was by You, o Lord so full of mercy, awakened. What else can I do but to pray with folded hands in return to thank in gratitude for that incomparable mercy of indeed You alone who are the refuge of the fallen ones ?

As one being only ten months old I was by You, o Lord so full of mercy, awakened. What else can I do but to pray with folded hands in return to thank in gratitude for that incomparable mercy of indeed You alone who are the refuge of the fallen ones ? (Vedabase)

Text 19

This living entity can only see from its bondage to the seven layers of matter [23.29: 40-45] what is agreeable and disagreeable, but being endowed with another body of selfcontrol within myself, I indeed am able to recognize You, the oldest of the personal of me, the internal guidance, seen as residing within the heart as well as outside.

This living entity can only see from its bondage to the seven layers of matter [23-29:40-45] what is agreeable and disagreeable, but being endowed with another body of selfcontrol within myself, I indeed am able to recognize You, the oldest of the personal of me, the internal guidance, seen as residing within the heart as well as outside. (Vedabase)

Text 20

Although I my self, Almighty One, having to live with many miseries outside of this abdomen, do not wish to depart for that pitfall, I will have to live according the false identification of this continual cycle of birth and death wherein one who goes there is captured by Your mâyâ.

Although I my self, Almighty One, having to live with many miseries outside of this abdomen, do not wish to depart for that pitfall, I will have to live according the false identification of this continual cycle of birth and death wherein one who goes there is captured by Your Mâyâ. (Vedabase)

Text 21

Therefore will I, not agitated any longer, deliver myself quickly from the darkness, with myself as a friend, indeed for another time, by putting my mind on the feet of protection and thus save me from this plight of having to enter so many wombs.'

Therefore will I, not agitated any longer, deliver myself quickly from the darkness, with myself as a friend, indeed for another time, by putting my mind on the feet of protection and thus save me from this plight of having to enter so many wombs.' (Ve d abase)

Text 22

Kapila said: 'Thus desiring from within the womb, does the ten months old living entity extol the Lord at the time of being pushed downwards by the pressure of labor to take birth.

Kapila said: 'Thus desiring from within the womb, does the ten-month's old living entity extol the Lord at the time of being pushed downwards by the pressure of labor to take birth. (Vedabase)

Text 23

Because of that pressure its head is turned downwards and, suddenly with great difficulty suffering, it comes out breathless bereft of all memory.

Because of that pressure its head is turned downwards and, suddenly with great difficulty suffering, it comes out breathless bereft of all memory. (Vedabase)

Text 24

Like a worm coming down on the earth, smeared with blood, it moves its limbs and cries loudly, having lost the wisdom in reaching the opposite state.

Like a worm coming down on the earth, smeared with blood, it moves its limbs and cries loudly, having lost the wisdom in reaching the opposite state. (Vedabase)

Text 25

By others not understood in what he wants has he, being maintained by his folks and unable to refuse, fallen into circumstances he didn't wish for.

Not understanding to the wish of others has he, being maintained by his folks and unable to refuse, fallen into circumstances he did not wish for. (Vedabase)

Text 26

Laying down in fouled linen [dirty diapers etc.] is the child pestered by germs [suffering rashes on its body] it cannot scratch away from its limbs, not being able to sit, stand or move around.

Laying down in fouled linen [dirty diapers etc.] is the child pestered by germs [suffering rashes on its body] it cannot scratch away from its limbs, not being able to sit, stand or move around. (Vedabase)

Text 27

Flies, mosquitos, bugs and other creatures bite the baby its tender skin and being just like vermin pestered by other vermin, it, deprived of wisdom, cries.

Flies, mosquitos, bugs and other creatures bite the baby its tender skin and being just like vermin pestered by other vermin, it, deprived of wisdom, cries. (Vedabase)

Text 28

This way undergoing infancy in distress and even in its childhood out of its ignorance not achieving what it wants, is its anger kindled and is it overtaken by sorrow.

This way undergoing infancy in distress and even in its childhood out of its ignorance not achieving what it wants, is its anger kindled and is it overtaken by sorrow. (Vedabase)

Text 29

With the false of the developing body, it, because of that anger, develops at the cost of the soul enmity as a lusty person being destructive towards other lusty people.

With the false of the developing body, it, because of that anger, develops at the cost of the soul enmity as a lusty person being destructive towards other lusty people. (Vedabase)

Text 30

Living constantly in the body made of the five elements it accepts the ignorant of the nonpermanent of 'I' and 'mine' and is thus of a foolish resolve.

Living constantly in the body made of the five elements it accepts the ignorant of the nonpermanent of I and Mine and is thus of a foolish resolve. (Vedabase)

Text 31

Engaged in actions in the service of the body, is the soul, bound thereto, going repeatedly for another life in the material condition and thus pursuing the physical, because of that bondage to the dark motives of fruitive action, is a hindrance formed [the so-called kles'as].

Engaged in actions in the service of the body, is the soul, bound thereto, going repeatedly for another life in the material condition and thus pursuing the physical, because of that bondage to the dark motives of fruitive action, is a hindrance formed [the socalled klesa's]. (Vedabase)

Text 32

If, with the unrighteous on his path, he associates endeavoring for the pleasure of his genitals and stomach, does the living entity enter the darkness as before.

If, with the unrighteous on his path, he associates endeavoring for the pleasure of his genitals and stomach, does the living entity enter the darkness as before. (Vedabase)

Text 33

Thus associated he loses his sense of truth, purity, compassion and gravity; his spiritual intelligence, prosperity, modesty and his good name; his mercy, control of mind and senses and his fortune.

Thus associated he loses his sense of truth, purity, compassion and gravity; his spiritual intelligence, prosperity, modesty and his good name; his mercy, control of mind and senses and his fortune. (Vedabase)

Text 34

With coarse fools bereft of selfrealization one is of bad association and one should not try to make it with the pitiable women and their dancing dogs.

With coarse fools bereft of selfrealization one is of bad association and one should not try to make it with the pitiable women and their dancing dogs. (Vedabase)

Text 35

No association of a man gives an infatuation and bondage to other things like that of a man attached to women or a fellowship of men attached to women.

No association of a man gives an infatuation and bondage to other things like that of a man attached to women or a fellowship of men attached to women. (Vedabase)

Text 36

The father of man [Brahmâ] bewildered at the sight of his own daughter as a stag ran shamelessly to her when he saw her in the form of a deer [compare 3.12: 28].

The father of man [Brahmâ] bewildered at the sight of his own daughter as a stag ran shamelessly to her when he saw her in the form of a deer [compare 3-12-28]. (Vedabase)

Text 37

Except for the wise Nârâyana, there is among all the living entities born from Brahmâ indeed no male whose intelligence is not distracted by mâyâ in the form of a woman.

Except for the wise Nârâyana, there is among all the living entities born from Brahmâ indeed no male who's intelligence is not distracted by Mâyâ in the form of a woman. (Vedabase)

Text 38

Behold the strength of My mâyâ in the shape of a woman that even makes the conquerors of the world follow her to her heels by the mere movement of an eyebrow.

Behold the strength of My Mâyâ in the shape of a woman that even makes the conquerors of the world follow her to her heels by the mere movement of an eyebrow. (Vedabase)

Text 39

One who aspires to reach the culmination of yoga should never live together with a woman; they say that to the selfrealization obtained by rendering service to Me, cohabiting with women is the gateway to hell for such a one.

One who aspires to reach the culmination of yoga should never live together with a woman; they say that to the selfrealization obtained by rendering service to Me, cohabiting with women is the gateway to hell for such a one. (Vedabase)

Text 40

The woman created by God represents mâyâ slowly encroaching, which must be regarded, like a dead well covered by grass, as death for the soul.

The woman created by God represents Mâyâ slowly encroaching, which must be regarded, like a dead well covered by grass, as death for the soul. (Vedabase)

Text 41

She, who from being attached to women became a woman, thinks, due to the illusion of My mâyâ, that coming to the form of a man will bring her wealth, progeny and a house.

She, who from being attached to women became a woman, thinks, due to the illusion of My mâyâ, that coming to the form of a man will bring her wealth, progeny and a house. (Vedabase)

Text 42

She herself should [similarly] consider the mâyâ of it, consisting of her husband, children and house, as the death brought about by His authority that is alike the singing of the hunter [* compare the verse in the Bhakti-rasâmrita-sindhu 1.2: 255 that allows association of the sexes in a devotional setting].

She herself should [similarly] consider the mâyâ of it, consisting of her husband, children and house, as the death brought about by His authority that is alike the singing of the hunter [compare the verse in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.255 that allows association of the sexes in a devotional setting]. (Vedabase)

Text 43

On account of the body possessed by the living entity, it so wanders from one world to another, incessantly taking pleasure in its material activities.

On account of the body possessed by the living entity, it so wanders from one world to another, incessantly taking pleasure in its material activities. (Vedabase)

Text 44

So verily it attains to a body suitable, made of the material elements, the senses and the mind; when that comes to an end it is called death but when it manifests it is called birth.

So verily it attains to a body suitable, made of the material elements, the senses and the mind; when that comes to an end it is called death but when it manifests it is called birth. (Vedabase)

Text 45-46

As the perception of the fixed place of an object becomes impossible from a rigid view, so too does one take birth from the misconception of considering the body to be oneself. Of both the sight and the seeing is the seer then indeed not able to perceive, the same as with the eyes that are not capable of seeing all the different parts of an object at a time.

As the perception of the fixed place of an object becomes impossible from a rigid view, so too does one take birth from the misconception of considering the body to be oneself. Of both the sight and the seeing is the seer then indeed not able to perceive, just like the way the eyes are not capable of seeing all the different parts of an object at a time. (Vedabase)

Text 47

On account of death one should not be terrified, be miserly or eager for material gain; realizing the true nature of the living being one should on this planet move steadfast and free from attachment.

On account of death one should not be terrified, be miserly or eager for material gain; realizing the true nature of the living being one should on this planet move steadfast and free from attachment. (Vedabase)

Text 48

Relegating the body to this world composed of mâyâ should one, by reason endowed with the right vision, move about connected in the science of [the three forms of] yoga.'

One should relate to this world arranged by Mâyâ, in relegating the body to see it right through reason, strengthened by devotional service in detachment.' (Vedabase)

Footnote:

*: 'Man and woman should live together as householders relating to Krishna, only for the purpose of discharging duties in the service of Krishna. Engage the children, engage the wife and engage the husband, all in Krishna conscious duties, and then all these bodily or material attachments will disappear. Since the mediating medium is Krishna, the consciousness is pure, and there is no possibility of degradation at any time.' (Rûpa Gosvâmî in: Bhakti-rasâmrita-sindhu 1.2: 255)