Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.26.52
Sthāna· The universe in orderThe Universal Form and Original Lord
“This universal egg, or the universe in the shape of an egg, is called the manifestation of material energy. Its layers of water, air, fire, sky, ego and mahat-tattva increase in thickness one after another. Each layer is ten times bigger than the previous one, and the final outside layer is covered by pradhāna. Within this egg is the universal form of Lord Hari, of whose body the fourteen planetary systems are parts.”
What the purport teaches
- The egglike universe has coverings that successively increase tenfold, with pradhāna outside. Its dimensions are inconceivable to the tiny human brain.
- The fourteen planetary systems are parts of Lord Hari's universal body. Those unable to worship His transcendental form directly are advised to think of and worship this universal form.
- The virāṭ-puruṣa is an incarnation, but Kṛṣṇa is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ādi-puruṣa. Speculation or falsely identifying oneself with God cannot measure His greatness.
Try this today
Spend a quiet minute remembering the universe as the Lord's universal form and Kṛṣṇa as the original Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Ask yourself
How can contemplating the vast universe deepen my humility and desire to worship Kṛṣṇa?
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.