Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.12.11
Āśraya· The supreme shelterVāsudeva Is the Complete Absolute Truth
“What, then, is the ultimate truth? The answer is that nondual knowledge is the ultimate truth. It is devoid of the contamination of material qualities. It gives us liberation. It is the one without a second, all-pervading and beyond imagination. The first realization of that knowledge is Brahman. Then Paramātmā, the Supersoul, is realized by the yogīs who try to see Him without grievance. This is the second stage of realization. Finally, full realization of the same supreme knowledge is realized in the Supreme Person. All learned scholars describe the Supreme Person as Vāsudeva, the cause of Brahman, Paramātmā and others.”
What the purport teaches
- The Absolute Truth is free from material contamination and beyond the material qualities. Realizing this truth brings spiritual success and liberation.
- Brahman is the bodily effulgence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Paramātmā is His expansion. Full realization of the same Absolute Truth is Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa.
- There is no difference between Kṛṣṇa’s body and soul; He is the complete whole. To understand Him properly and surrender to Him, one must approach an authorized spiritual master.
Try this today
Write down one sincere question about Kṛṣṇa to ask an authorized spiritual teacher.
Ask yourself
Why is authorized guidance important for my understanding of Kṛṣṇa?
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.