Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 12.4.32
Mukti· LiberationFalse Ego Obstructs Spiritual Vision
“Although a cloud is a product of the sun and is also made visible by the sun, it nevertheless creates darkness for the viewing eye, which is another partial expansion of the sun. Similarly, material false ego, a particular product of the Absolute Truth made visible by the Absolute Truth, obstructs the individual soul, another partial expansion of the Absolute Truth, from realizing the Absolute Truth.”
What the purport teaches
- A cloud is produced by the sun and made visible by it, yet it creates darkness for the viewing eye.
- Similarly, material false ego is a product of the Absolute Truth and is made visible by the Absolute Truth.
- The individual soul is a partial expansion of the Absolute Truth. False ego obstructs the soul from realizing that Truth.
Try this today
Spend one minute reflecting on false ego as a cloud that obstructs realization of the Absolute Truth.
Ask yourself
What does the cloud’s obstruction of sunlight help you understand about false ego?
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.