Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.16.7
Mukti· LiberationThe Soul Endures Beyond Temporary Relationships
“A few living entities are born in the human species, and others are born as animals. Although both are living entities, their relationships are impermanent. An animal may remain in the custody of a human being for some time, and then the same animal may be transferred to the possession of other human beings. As soon as the animal goes away, the former proprietor no longer has a sense of ownership. As long as the animal is in his possession he certainly has an affinity for it, but as soon as the animal is sold, the affinity is lost.”
What the purport teaches
- Relationships between living entities are impermanent even within this life. The example of an animal changing owners shows how ownership and affinity change.
- The living entity is eternal, but the temporary bodily dress hides this eternity. The body passes through boyhood, youth and old age.
- The living entity remained Citraketu’s son for some time. When he was transferred to another body, that affectionate bodily relationship was broken.
Try this today
Recall one change from childhood to the present and reflect that the living entity continues while the body changes.
Ask yourself
What helps me distinguish the enduring living entity from a changing bodily relationship?
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.