to this world, everything would have been nothing. He revealed this gayatri-mantra, as well as the catur-sloki (four essence verses) of Srimad-Bhagavatam and their explanation, and he especially revealed the highest love of the mahabhava of Srimati Radhika. He revealed the meaning of Srimad-Bhagavatam, he manifested all Puranas and especially the Mahabharata, and the essence of all these scriptures is the same.Essential to Know the Meaning of VyasaSrila Vyasadeva first taught his four disciples Jaimini, Vaisampayana, Paila, and Angira and he especially taught his dearest one, Srila Sukadeva Gosvami. Sukadeva Gosvami was not only his son, but also his dear-most disciple. Srila Vyasadeva manifested all his knowledge in the heart of Srila Sukadeva Gosvami, who then preached it everywhere.All acaryas, and also their disciples, in our entire guru-parampara, are so much indebted to those who are in the line of Srila Vyasadeva.It is therefore essential to know the meaning of Vyasa. Suppose there is a circle. If from any point of the circumference a straight line is drawn, passing through the center to the other end, this is called Vyasa (diameter). The diameter is always straight and covers all 360 degrees of the circle. It always divides the circle in half, making it 180 degrees. This is vyasa.This Vyasa touches everywhere in the world. Srila Vyasadeva revealed the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he revealed Radhika, and he revealed all other knowledge; and we are thus unlimitedly indebted to him. Our whole guru-parampara is indebted to him, and it is for this reason that the mantra of Vyasa-puja is:narayanam namaskrtyanaram caiva narottamamdevim sarasvatim vyasamtato jayam udirayet["Before reciting this Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is the very means of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, Narayana, unto Nara-narayana Rsi, the supermost human being, unto mother Sarasvati, the goddess of learning, and unto Srila Vyasadeva, the author." (Srimad Bhagavatam, 1.2.4 )]In other words, this is the mantra for worshipping Vyasa, who is the origin of Vyasa-puja. We first offer pranama to Narayana, who is Krsna Himself: Narayanam namaskrtya. Then,naram caiva. Some say that in this connection naram ca means Arjuna, and there is no harm in that* [see endnote 1], but generally it means Nara-Narayana Rsi here. Then, devim sarasvatim, who is Sarasvati Devi. Vyasam, tato jayam udirayet means and then to Srila Vyasadeva. By offering pranama in this way, one can then read or explain Mahabharata, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Vedanta-sutra, and all the Puranas. This mantra has been given in Srimad Bhagavatam, the Puranas, Mahabharata, and elsewhere.Proper Respect to All the AcaryasToday is guru-puja. A disciple can observe this day in honor of any acarya, but it is especially for those following the footsteps of Srila Vyasadeva. It is especially for those who are preaching the glories of Radha-Krsna and pure bhakti everywhere. On that gurus birthday, he performs the puja of Srila Vyasadeva, vyasa-pancaka, krsna-pancaka, panca-tattva, acarya-tattva, guru-parampara-tattva, and so on. By worship of these seven pancakas, one worships his entire guru-parampara from top to bottom.* [See endnote 2 (chart)] By serving and performing puja of Krsna, everything is completed tasmin tuste jagat