Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.16.24
Āśraya· The supreme shelterPerfect Knowledge Comes From Hearing Kṛṣṇa
“Among the eight progressive states of yoga I am the final stage, samādhi, in which the soul is completely separated from illusion. Among those desiring victory I am prudent political counsel, and among processes of expert discrimination I am the science of the soul, by which one distinguishes spirit from matter. Among all speculative philosophers I am diversity of perception.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord represents samādhi, in which the soul is completely separated from illusion. The highest discrimination distinguishes spirit from matter and understands their interaction.
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead is situated in everyone’s heart and awards knowledge or ignorance according to desire and merit. Differing modes of perception give rise to many philosophical speculations.
- Perfect knowledge comes only by hearing directly from Lord Kṛṣṇa. Conditioned philosophers perceive His creation imperfectly through the screen of their personal desires.
Try this today
Reread the Lord’s words in this verse and write down what they say about distinguishing spirit from matter.
Ask yourself
How might my personal desires affect the way I understand spiritual teachings?
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.