Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 2.10.20
Sarga· CreationOur Abilities Depend on the Lord
“Thereafter, when the supreme puruṣa desired to smell odors, the nostrils and respiration were generated, the nasal instrument and odors came into existence, and the controlling deity of air, carrying smell, also became manifested.”
What the purport teaches
- The nose, odors, smelling and the controlling deity of air appeared together when the Lord desired to smell.
- The living entity cannot act independently. Even the freedom to think and the ability to put a thought into action depend on the Lord’s grace.
- The living entities are dependent, whereas the Supreme Lord is absolutely independent. Merely claiming equality with God does not establish that independence.
Try this today
Before beginning one planned task, pause and acknowledge that carrying it out depends on the Lord’s grace.
Ask yourself
How might remembering my dependence on the Lord change the way I make plans?
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.