Mantra 14

In this mantra, Sri Isopanisad teaches that one must perfectly know both sambhuti (the Personality of Godhead) and vinasa (the temporary material manifestation), side by side. By knowing the material manifestation alone, one cannot be saved, for in the course of nature there is devastation at every moment (ahany ahani bhutani gacchantiha yama-layam).

(Iso 14)

Mantra 15

In the prayers of Kunti in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.8.19) it is said that the Lord is covered by the curtain of yoga-maya and thus ordinary people cannot understand Him. This yoga-maya curtain is also confirmed in the Isopanisad (mantra 15), in which the devotee prays:

"O my Lord, You are the maintainer of the entire universe, and devotional service to You is the highest religious principle. Therefore, I pray that You will also maintain me. Your transcendental form is covered by the yoga-maya. The brahmajyoti is the covering of the internal potency. May You kindly remove this glowing effulgence that impedes my seeing Your sac-cid-ananda-vigraha, Your eternal form of bliss and knowledge."

(Bg 7.25 P Knowledge of the Absolute)

Regarding your second question, in reference to Isopanisad mantra 15, should a devotee ask the Lord to reveal Himself the answer is yes. Unless the Lord reveals Himself, the devotee cannot see Him, He reserves the right of being exposed or not being exposed. The yoga maya curtain is always covering the Lord, and in the Bhagavad-gita the Lord says, "I am not visible to everyone." Even in the material world, a man in the position of Presidentship is not visible to everyone. So one has to qualify himself by devotional service, then God will reveal Himself. So this Isopanisad mantra is an appeal by the devotee to move the veil of yoga maya or the glaring effulgence of Brahma so that the devotee can see Him face to face. The idea is one has to transcend the material conditions as well as the Brahma effulgence, then one can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Here the word "face" means the Absolute Truth is a Person. That is the most important point, that God is ultimately a Person.

(70-04-28.Cit Letter: Citsukhananda)

Acyutananda: So that principle, which makes things grow, the Isopanisad says, so 'ham asmi: "I am that principle."

Prabhupada: Hm?

Acyutananda: The Isopanisad says in the ultimate sloka, so 'ham asmi: "I am that."

Prabhupada: Asmi means "It is my energy. It is my energy."

Acyutananda: No, it says...

Prabhupada: If I say that "I am ISKCON," what is the wrong there? Because I have created this; therefore I say, "ISKCON means I. I am ISKCON." So what is the wrong there? It is like that. By energy of Krsna, everything has come out. Therefore says, "I am this, I am this, I am this, I am this." Vibhuti-bhinnam. Because everything.... Janmady asya yatah. Everything has come from Krsna.

Acyutananda: No, the Isopanisad says that you are that principle. Isopanisad says the principle which is lighting the sun...

Prabhupada: Yes, a devotee accepts.... That we accept.

Acyutananda: ...that "I am that principle. The being that is lighting the sun, I am that."

Prabhupada: I do not follow you.

Acyutananda: So 'ham asmi. That sixteenth...

Harikesa: "Like unto the sun, as am I."

Prabhupada: Oh. Yes, so 'ham asmi--because I am part and parcel.

Acyutananda: No, but it says "I am that, " not that "I am part of that."

Prabhupada: No.

Acyutananda: "I am that." "Like unto..."

Prabhupada: If it is said, it can be accepted, because I am qualitatively the same.

Kesavalal Trivedi: Quantity, much difference.

Prabhupada: Yes.

Acyutananda: No, but the direct statement...

Prabhupada: I am.... If I say, "I am Indian," what is the wrong there, if I say, "I am Indian"?

Acyutananda: That is something else.

Prabhupada: Yes. Not something else.

Acyutananda: But to directly accept the sruti, it says you are that same principle.

Prabhupada: And therefore you have to learn from the guru. And if you directly take, then you remain a fool. Therefore you require a guru. That is the instruction of sruti. Tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet. You have to learn sruti. You have to come to a guru.

Acyutananda: No, but this is after that. The ultimate conclusion of that Upanisad, sruti, the authority, is that you are that same principle.

Prabhupada: Yes, I am the same principle. Nityo nityanam.

Acyutananda: Well, nothing can be more eternal than another eternal.

Prabhupada: Everyone is eternal.

Acyutananda: It is contradictory then. Nityo nityananam. You cannot say that one thing is more eternal than another thing.

Prabhupada: No, no. That is not the point. Everyone is eternal.

Acyutananda: So how can one be more eternal than...

Prabhupada: As God is eternal, so you are also eternal.

Acyutananda: Then why the distinction...?

Prabhupada: But because you have accepted this material body, you are foolishly thinking that you are not eternal. Otherwise, as God is eternal, you are also eternal.

Acyutananda: Then why should one be distinguished from another if they are both eternal?

Prabhupada: Distin.... Just like the sun distinguished from the sunshine, but qualitatively heat and light is there. But because sunshine is there, you cannot say sun is there. That you cannot say. Mat-sthani sarva-bhutani naham tesv avasthitah. Clearly said.

Kesavalal Trivedi: I think, Swamiji, you explained this, and I could draw rationality from it, that "I am isa, but not I am sarvesa. I am atman but not Paramatman."

Prabhupada: Yes.

Kesavalal Trivedi: "I am amsa but not Paramamsa."

Prabhupada: That is explained in other.... You have to take reference. Isvarah paramah krsnah. I am also isvarah. That I explained so many times. But that does not mean I am paramesvara. Paramesvara is Krsna.

(760103mw.nel Conversations)