Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.31.19
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionUse Human Life for Self-Realization
“The living entity in another type of body sees only by instinct; he knows only the agreeable and disagreeable sense perceptions of that particular body. But I have a body in which I can control my senses and can understand my destination; therefore, I offer my respectful obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whom I have been blessed with this body and by whose grace I can see Him within and without.”
What the purport teaches
- The human form offers developed consciousness for realizing the self and the Supreme Lord. We should feel grateful for this opportunity and use it properly.
- An uncontrolled mind and senses complicate material life. By controlling them, we can understand the self, the Supersoul, the world and their relationship.
- Self-realization does not mean thinking ourselves equal to the Supreme. Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of everything, and we are His parts and parcels under His control.
Try this today
Pause before following one sense impulse today, and offer a brief prayer of gratitude to the Supreme Lord for your human life.
Ask yourself
How could I use my ability to control my senses for self-realization?
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.