Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.14.5-7
Visarga· Brahmā's creationMany Methods, One Ultimate Purpose
“From the forefathers headed by Bhṛgu Muni and other sons of Brahmā appeared many children and descendants, who assumed different forms as demigods, demons, human beings, Guhyakas, Siddhas, Gandharvas, Vidyādharas, Cāraṇas, Kindevas, Kinnaras, Nāgas, Kimpuruṣas, and so on. All of the many universal species, along with their respective leaders, appeared with different natures and desires generated from the three modes of material nature. Therefore, because of the different characteristics of the living entities within the universe, there are a great many Vedic rituals, mantras and rewards.”
What the purport teaches
- The many species of living beings have different natures and desires generated by the three modes of material nature.
- Different Vedic mantras and rituals address these varied beings. Their variety reflects different forms of material illusion, not different ultimate purposes.
- The ultimate purpose of all these Vedic injunctions is one: to know and love the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Try this today
Before your spiritual practice today, pause and state its purpose: to know and love the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Ask yourself
Do I keep the goal of knowing and loving the Supreme Lord in view amid different spiritual methods?
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.