Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.22.19
Sarga· CreationThe Supreme Soul Supports Matter and Soul
“According to some philosophers there are seven elements, namely earth, water, fire, air and ether, along with the conscious spirit soul and the Supreme Soul, who is the basis of both the material elements and the ordinary spirit soul. According to this theory, the body, senses, life air and all material phenomena are produced from these seven elements.”
What the purport teaches
- Having explained His own viewpoint, the Lord now summarizes other methods of analysis. One method counts seven elements.
- These are earth, water, fire, air, ether, the conscious spirit soul and the Supreme Soul. The Supreme Soul is the basis of both the material elements and the ordinary spirit soul.
- According to this theory, the body, senses, life air and all material phenomena are produced from these seven elements.
Try this today
Write the seven elements in this account, and mark the Supreme Soul as the basis of both matter and the ordinary spirit soul.
Ask yourself
What does it mean for me that the Supreme Soul is the basis of both matter and the conscious soul?
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.