Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.4.22
Mukti· LiberationBodily Identification Keeps Us in Darkness
“In the bodily conception of life, one remains in darkness, without self-realization, thinking, “I am being killed” or “I have killed my enemies.” As long as a foolish person thus considers the self to be the killer or the killed, he continues to be responsible for material obligations, and consequently he suffers the reactions of happiness and distress.”
What the purport teaches
- In the bodily conception of life, one lacks self-realization and thinks of oneself as the killer or the killed. This ignorance binds one to material obligations and reactions.
- By the Lord’s grace, Kaṁsa felt sincere regret for persecuting Devakī and Vasudeva. He spoke of freedom from ignorance and bodily identification.
- Kaṁsa appealed to the truth that one free from false ego and entangled intelligence is not bound by actions. On this basis, he asked them to excuse his past activities.
Try this today
Take one quiet minute today to reflect on the difference between bodily identification and self-realization.
Ask yourself
When do I identify myself only with my body and what happens to it?
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.