Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 2.1.30
Sthāna· The universe in orderApproach Vedic Wisdom With Humility
“The sphere of outer space constitutes His eyepits, and the eyeball is the sun as the power of seeing. His eyelids are both the day and night, and in the movements of His eyebrows, Brahmā and similar supreme personalities reside. His palate is the director of water, Varuṇa, and the juice or essence of everything is His tongue.”
What the purport teaches
- Outer space is described as the Lord’s eyepits, the sun as His eyeball and power of seeing, and day and night as His eyelids.
- The purport explains that these descriptions may appear contradictory to ordinary common sense. Our common sense is imperfect, whereas the descriptions of the śāstras are perfect and complete.
- The recommended approach is to accept the scriptural description and concentrate on the virāṭ-rūpa. Apparent incongruities should lead us to recognize the limits of our own understanding.
Try this today
Reread one unfamiliar description in this verse slowly, allowing yourself to contemplate it without demanding an immediate explanation.
Ask yourself
How do I respond when a scriptural description goes beyond my present understanding?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.