Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.29.3
Āśraya· The supreme shelterThe Lord Reveals Himself Through Devotional Service
“The person I have described as unknown is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master and eternal friend of the living entity. Since the living entities cannot realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead by material names, activities or qualities, He remains everlastingly unknown to the conditioned soul.”
What the purport teaches
- The unknown friend is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the living entity’s master and eternal friend. His name, form, qualities and activities cannot be perceived by material senses.
- The description nirākāra does not mean that the Lord has no form. It means that His spiritual form cannot be understood by a materialistic person.
- Through loving devotional service, the senses become purified and the Lord reveals Himself by His grace. The devotee understands that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and that His activities are spiritual.
Try this today
Speak the name Kṛṣṇa today with the sincere intention of offering loving service.
Ask yourself
Am I approaching Kṛṣṇa with a desire to serve, rather than relying only on my senses and speculation?
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.