Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.15.6-7
Mukti· LiberationSecondary Perfections Arise from Material Nature
“The ten secondary mystic perfections arising from the modes of nature are the powers of freeing oneself from hunger and thirst and other bodily disturbances, hearing and seeing things far away, moving the body at the speed of the mind, assuming any form one desires, entering the bodies of others, dying when one desires, witnessing the pastimes between the demigods and the celestial girls called Apsarās, completely executing one’s determination and giving orders whose fulfillment is unimpeded.”
What the purport teaches
- The ten secondary perfections arise from the modes of nature. They include freedom from hunger, thirst and other bodily disturbances, along with hearing and seeing things far away.
- Other powers include moving the body at the speed of the mind, assuming any desired form, entering others’ bodies and dying when one desires.
- The remaining powers are witnessing the pastimes of demigods with Apsarās, completely executing one’s determination and giving orders whose fulfillment is unimpeded.
Try this today
Make a brief list of the ten secondary perfections and label it “arising from the modes of nature.”
Ask yourself
What does the material origin of these powers help me understand about their nature?
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.