Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 2.9.11
Sthāna· The universe in orderSpiritual Forms Beyond Material Experience
“The inhabitants of the Vaikuṇṭha planets are described as having a glowing sky-bluish complexion. Their eyes resemble lotus flowers, their dress is of yellowish color, and their bodily features very attractive. They are just the age of growing youths, they all have four hands, they are all nicely decorated with pearl necklaces with ornamental medallions, and they all appear to be effulgent.”
What the purport teaches
- The inhabitants of Vaikuṇṭhaloka are persons with spiritual bodily features not found in the material world.
- Revealed scriptures like Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam describe these forms. Impersonal descriptions of transcendence indicate that these bodily features are unlike anything in the material universe.
- Their glowing complexions, lotuslike eyes and four hands reveal their distinct spiritual beauty. Their forms should not be measured by the bodies we see here.
Try this today
Reread the description of the inhabitants and note one feature that differs from bodies in this world.
Ask yourself
How might material experience limit my understanding of spiritual forms?
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.