Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.17.23
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord’s Energies Exceed Our Understanding
“Thus it is concluded that the Lord’s energies are inconceivable. No one can estimate them by mental speculation or by word jugglery.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord’s energies are inconceivable. Mental speculation and clever words cannot fully explain them.
- The purport explains that the Lord is not directly responsible for material actions; they are carried out by His deputed material energy, māyā-śakti.
- Although the personality of religion knew that nothing happens without the Lord’s sanction, the deluding energy still produced doubt. In the Age of Kali, this influence becomes especially strong.
Try this today
Read the translation slowly once, then acknowledge one question about the Lord’s energies that you cannot settle by speculation.
Ask yourself
When understanding fails me, do I humbly recognize the limits of my reasoning?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.