Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.3.15-17
Āśraya· The supreme shelterKṛṣṇa Reveals Himself Through Devotional Service
“The mahat-tattva, the total material energy, is undivided, but because of the material modes of nature, it appears to separate into earth, water, fire, air and ether. Because of the living energy [jīva-bhūta], these separated energies combine to make the cosmic manifestation visible, but in fact, before the creation of the cosmos, the total energy is already present. Therefore, the total material energy never actually enters the creation. Similarly, although You are perceived by our senses because of Your presence, You cannot be perceived by the senses, nor experienced by the mind or words [avāṅ-mānasa-gocara]. With our senses we can perceive some things, but not everything; for example, we can use our eyes to see, but not to taste. Consequently, You are beyond perception by the senses. Although in touch with the modes of material nature, You are unaffected by them. You are the prime factor in everything, the all-pervading, undivided Supersoul. For You, therefore, there is no external or internal. You never entered the womb of Devakī; rather, You existed there already.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa’s name, fame and pastimes cannot be understood through material senses. He reveals Himself to one engaged in pure devotional service under proper guidance.
- Everything rests on the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s spiritual and material energies. Although He is all-pervading, He does not lose His personal existence.
- Kṛṣṇa already existed within and outside Devakī’s womb. Just as sunshine cannot cover the sun, material energy cannot cover the Lord from whom it comes.
Try this today
Take one minute today to offer Kṛṣṇa a prayer expressing your wish to serve Him with love.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking to understand Kṛṣṇa through loving service, rather than through my senses alone?
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.