This is what the Bhagvatam says: Aishwaryasya, Samagrasya, Darmasya, Yashasshriyah, Jnanavairagya Yoshcaiva Shannam Bhaga Itirana.
Meaning: He who has the six qualities of lordship, righteousness, fame, prosperity, wisdom and renunciation is Bhagavan.
So, don’t use the word Bhagavan for all and sundry. The Bhagavatam describes Bhagavan as one who has complete lordship, righteousness, fame, prosperity, wisdom and renunciation.
When the Shvetashvatara Upanishad says Bhagavan, that’s what it means. Sarvavyapi sa bhagavan.
Well, that person indeed is the Lord, the impeller of the highest being, reaching the purest attainment, the ruler, the imperishable light.
Once this has been said, it follows with another description, which connects it to oneself, to the heart of the human being, and not leaves it to some abstract, indefinable, unreachable substance! What is that?
Angusthamatrah purusontaratma
Sada jananam hrdaye sannivistah |
Hrda manisa manasabhiklrpto
Ya etad viduramrtaste bhavanti ||