When the word ‘Bhagavan’ is used in scripture for sages and demigods why does Prabhuapda say it should be reserved only for God

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Transcript

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Hare Krishna.
Since scriptures use the word Bhagawan to refer to Narada or Shiva also, so can the other devatas also be referred to as Bhagawan? Answer, there is a conventional usage of a word and there is a philosophical usage of a word and we shouldn’t confuse the two. So now, from the philosophical point of view, the word Bhagawan refers to, it has a particular technical definition, one who possesses the six opulences. And in that sense, the only person who possesses the six opulences is the all attractive Supreme Lord Krishna or Vishnu.
So he is Bhagawan in that sense. Now, if we consider from a generic point of view, the word Bhagawan, we see the scripture use it for Narada, one who has the Lord present within him, that person is also greatly opulent and that person can also be called as Bhagawan. So we don’t necessarily have to make a campaign against the devatas being referred to as Bhagawan.
If the philosophical misconception is not there, if the philosophical clarification is made, then that is okay. Now when Srila Prabhupada objected to the name Bhagawan being used for Godman, that was because it was not just a conventional usage without any philosophical misconception. It was actually a, it was a clear philosophical misconception itself.
Many of the followers of these fake incarnations think of them to be God. And that’s why they use the word Bhagawan and Jiva Goswami goes further and says that in order to, because Bhagawan is used for others also. So he says that actually more precise used to be Sri Bhagawan.
So it’s not just Bhagawan, but Sri Bhagawan and we see that in the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna is referred to as not just Bhagawan Vacha, but Sri Bhagawan Vacha. So that Bhagawan who is the possessor of Sri. So that means if we look deeply, the scriptures do make sure this conclusion is clear, if we look deeply enough.
But the point is that when names are used, when designations are used carelessly, then they can perpetuate or even create misconceptions. And it was that those misconceptions that Srila Prabhupada was against. So rather than, we recognize the use of the word Bhagawan for the other devatas also and other great sages also occasionally.
And we accept that usage as given in scripture, but we live in an age of philosophical misconceptions. And that’s why it is important that we try to keep the philosophical message as clear as possible. And in order to keep the philosophical message as clear as possible, it’s best to have the word Bhagawan used primarily for Krishna.
And certainly using the word Bhagawan for some person who is a just ordinary human being, but who is made into God by others, by followers is definitely misleading. Thank you. Hare Krishna.