Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.23.56
Mukti· LiberationSpiritual Understanding Removes Material Fear
“The false ego gives shape to illusory material existence and thus experiences material happiness and distress. The spirit soul, however, is transcendental to material nature; he can never actually be affected by material happiness and distress in any place, under any circumstance or by the agency of any person. A person who understands this has nothing whatsoever to fear from the material creation.”
What the purport teaches
- False ego gives shape to material existence and experiences its happiness and distress. Under its influence, the bodily covering overwhelms the soul's awareness.
- The soul is transcendental to material nature. Material happiness and distress have no real relationship with his spiritual identity, whatever the place, circumstance or person involved.
- The brāhmaṇa's teaching challenges every material explanation of the soul's happiness and distress. One who understands this teaching becomes free from the terrible anxiety of material fear.
Try this today
Write down one fear today, then reread the verse and reflect on the soul's transcendental nature.
Ask yourself
Which fear could you examine in light of the distinction between your bodily covering and your spiritual self?
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.