Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.25.10
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Supersoul Is Our Unknown Friend
“My dear King, once in the past lived a king named Purañjana, who was celebrated for his great activities. He had a friend named Avijñāta [“the unknown one”]. No one could understand the activities of Avijñāta.”
What the purport teaches
- Every living entity is purañjana, living within a body and free to use it. Under the bodily conception of life, one mistakes serving the senses for life’s ultimate goal.
- The living entity is eternal and does not die when the body is destroyed. He passes from one body to another, performing many activities.
- God is present in everyone’s heart as Paramātmā, the Supersoul and friend of the living entity. Although we may think ourselves independent, no desire can be fulfilled without the Lord’s sanction.
Try this today
Pause before pursuing one desire today and remember that the ability and opportunity to act depend on the Lord.
Ask yourself
How would remembering the Lord’s presence in my heart change my sense of independence?
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.