Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.24.35
Āśraya· The supreme shelterThe Lord Maintains Gross and Subtle Elements
“My dear Lord, You are the origin of the subtle material ingredients, the master of all integration as well as the master of all disintegration, the predominating Deity named Saṅkarṣaṇa, and the master of all intelligence, known as the predominating Deity Pradyumna. Therefore, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supreme Lord maintains the universe through His integrating power as Saṅkarṣaṇa. He is also the master of disintegration, able to destroy the world through His energy.
- Pradyumna, another feature of Lord Vāsudeva, is responsible for universal growth and maintenance. He is also the master of intelligence.
- Earth, water, fire, air and ether are gross material elements; mind, intelligence and ego are subtle elements. The Supreme Personality of Godhead controls and maintains them through His different features.
Try this today
Offer respectful obeisances to the Lord, acknowledging His control over your body, mind and intelligence.
Ask yourself
How does knowing that the Lord maintains both body and mind deepen my respect for Him?
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.