Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.85.25
Āśraya· The supreme shelterMany Manifestations, One Eternal Paramātmā
“The elements of ether, air, fire, water and earth become visible, invisible, minute or extensive as they manifest in various objects. Similarly, the Paramātmā, though one, appears to become many.”
What the purport teaches
- Ether, air, fire, water, and earth appear in different objects as visible or invisible, minute or extensive. This illustrates how the one Paramātmā appears to become many.
- Paramātmā is truly self-illuminating, eternal, aloof from everything, and free from the modes of nature. His manifestations may seem to have the opposite qualities.
- Just as the elements seem to appear and disappear in pots and other objects, Paramātmā seems to appear and disappear in His manifestations. This appearance does not change His eternal nature.
Try this today
Look at a pot or another object and recall the verse’s distinction between changing manifestations and eternal Paramātmā.
Ask yourself
How does the example of elements in different objects help you understand apparent change without change in Paramātmā?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.