Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.23.44
Ūti· What drives us to actThe Supersoul Witnesses as Our Friend
“Although present along with the struggling mind within the material body, the Supersoul is not endeavoring, because He is already endowed with transcendental enlightenment. Acting as my friend, He simply witnesses from His transcendental position. I, the infinitesimal spirit soul, on the other hand, have embraced this mind, which is the mirror reflecting the image of the material world. Thus I have become engaged in enjoying objects of desire and am entangled due to contact with the modes of nature.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supersoul is present with the struggling mind within the body. Already endowed with transcendental enlightenment, He does not struggle.
- He acts as the soul’s friend and witnesses from His transcendental position.
- The infinitesimal soul embraces the mind, which reflects the material world. Pursuing objects of desire, the soul becomes entangled through contact with the modes of nature.
Try this today
Take a quiet moment today to remember the Supersoul’s friendly presence while observing one desire in your mind.
Ask yourself
How does remembering the Supersoul as my witnessing friend change my response to a restless mind?
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.