Question: SB 1.1.2: In the purport of Verse 2, Chapter 1, Srila Prabhupada talks about Upasana Kanda. We have the understanding of Upasana Kanda as Bhakti process. Here the purport says that the Srimad Bhagavatam is superior to Upasana Kanda. If Srimad Bhagavatam is superior to Upasana Kanda, then what is Upasana Kanda?
Answer by Romapada Swami: The broad sense of the term “upasana” is “Worship”.
In different places, according to context, upasana can indicate devotional service + worship of Krishna/Vishnu — or it can sometimes indicate worship of demigods (e.g. SB 4.20.30 purport).
Emphasis in SB 1.1.2 purport (namely, the position of SB as superlative to upasana kanda) is the superlative understanding which SB is providing — namely, that the original fountainhead of all existence, whether spiritual or material, is Bhagavan Sri Krishna.
While one can also say that SB is upasana-kanda literature, the above point is simultaneously correct — which is recognizing the distinction of SB above and beyond all other upasana-kanda texts.
SB is the topmost amala pramana, spotless or visuddha-sattva, while others are sattva (slightly tinged with other modes).
