Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.28.62
Mukti· LiberationOne in Quality, Different in Control
“My dear friend, I, the Supersoul, and you, the individual soul, are not different in quality, for we are both spiritual. In fact, My dear friend, you are qualitatively not different from Me in your constitutional position. Just try to consider this subject. Those who are actually advanced scholars, who are in knowledge, do not find any qualitative difference between you and Me.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supersoul and the individual soul are one in quality because both are spiritual. Learned scholars understand this spiritual likeness.
- The individual soul falls under the control of māyā. The Supreme Personality of Godhead controls māyā, which is His creation.
- Qualitative oneness does not remove the distinction between the Supersoul and the individual soul. Confusing the controller with the controlled is a mistaken understanding.
Try this today
Write down this distinction today: “The individual soul can be controlled by māyā; the Supreme Lord is māyā's controller.”
Ask yourself
How does distinguishing the controller from the controlled help me understand my spiritual position?
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.