Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.10.21
Visarga· Brahmā's creationLower Animals Have Limited Knowledge
“The eighth creation is that of the lower species of life, and they are of different varieties, numbering twenty-eight. They are all extensively foolish and ignorant. They know their desirables by smell, but are unable to remember anything within the heart.”
What the purport teaches
- The eighth creation consists of lower animals, divided into twenty-eight varieties. Their knowledge is covered by extensive ignorance.
- Their knowledge is concerned with hunger, thirst, eating and sleeping. Through smell they recognize what is favorable or unfavorable.
- The purport explains that even tigers can be tamed by regularly providing meals and sleeping accommodations. Snakes are stated to be an exception.
Try this today
Write down the basic needs that the purport says occupy animal awareness.
Ask yourself
What does this description help me understand about the limits of animal knowledge?
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.