Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.87.1
Āśraya· The supreme shelterHow Can Words Describe the Supreme?
“Śrī Parīkṣit said: O brāhmaṇa, how can the Vedas directly describe the Supreme Absolute Truth, who cannot be described in words? The Vedas are limited to describing the qualities of material nature, but the Supreme is devoid of these qualities, being transcendental to all material manifestations and their causes.”
What the purport teaches
- Parīkṣit asks how the Vedas can directly describe the Supreme Absolute Truth, who is beyond material qualities, manifestations and their causes.
- The purport distinguishes literal meanings from secondary, metaphorical meanings. A metaphorical meaning should be accepted only when the literal meaning does not make sense.
- The commentators approach this difficult subject with humility and dependence on their predecessors and Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. The purport identifies bhakti-yoga as the path of devotional service to the Supreme Lord.
Try this today
Before studying today, offer a brief prayer to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa for help in understanding and serving Him.
Ask yourself
How can humility help me study teachings that stretch my understanding?
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.