# Room Conversation — December 15, 1970, Surat <audio controls preload="metadata" src="https://media.prabhupada.io/audio/1970/701215R1-SURAT.mp3"></audio> 701215R1-SURAT **[03:24 Minutes] **Guest (1):[indistinct].Prabhupāda: You understand what is the meaning of *bhāgavata,* this word *bhāgavata?* You understand? These are the common questions. If you do not understand this common question, then how you can instruct others? **Guest (1):** I have many [indistinct]. **Prabhupāda:** That's all right, but do not take the position of a teacher unless you have assimilated the whole thing. Simply by hearing others you may misunderstand; you may not present the real thing. Therefore I'm asking you... **Guest (1):** [indistinct] **Prabhupāda:** [Hindi] [indistinct] everyone can become. One is not..., [indistinct]. You do not know... **Guest (1):** I do not know that. **Prabhupāda:** So a**nother thing is that you must know *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* from a *bhāgavata,* whose life is *bhāgavata.* First of all you must know what is *bhāgavata.* What is *bhāgavata?* Can you give me idea what you have understood? Instead of going through the instruction, first of all let me understand what do you understand about this [indistinct] *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.* That is essential. So you cannot explain what is *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.* You have read *Bhāgavatam* from the beginning? *Dharma projjhita kaitavo atra* [[sb/1/1/2|[SB. 1.1.2] ]]. You have read? **Guest (1):** [indistinct] **Prabhupāda:** Eh? You have not read even the first verse, and you are going to give instruction on *Bhāgavatam?* Your life should be *bhāgavata.* You should understand what is *bhāgavata.* Simply by some catching stray words from others how can you accept? **Guest (1):** [indistinct] **Prabhupāda:** Huh? So I bless you that you try to understand. Then you write. That is my request. That's all right. All right. [end]