Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 12.9.28-29
Sthāna· The universe in orderThe Entire Universe Appears Real
“The sage saw the entire universe: the sky, heavens and earth, the stars, mountains, oceans, great islands and continents, the expanses in every direction, the saintly and demoniac living beings, the forests, countries, rivers, cities and mines, the agricultural villages and cow pastures, and the occupational and spiritual activities of the various social divisions. He also saw the basic elements of creation along with all their by-products, as well as time itself, which regulates the progression of countless ages within the days of Brahmā. In addition, he saw everything else created for use in material life. All this he saw manifested before him as if it were real.”
What the purport teaches
- The sage saw the entire universe, including the heavens and earth, mountains, oceans, forests and rivers. He also saw saintly and demoniac living beings.
- He saw the occupational and spiritual activities of the various social divisions, along with the basic elements of creation and their by-products. He also saw time, which regulates countless ages within the days of Brahmā.
- Everything created for use in material life appeared before the sage. This whole universe was manifested before him as if it were real.
Try this today
Take one minute today to remember Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and renew your intention to make devotional service your goal.
Ask yourself
What does the phrase “as if it were real” invite you to consider about what you see?
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.