Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.4.25
Āśraya· The supreme shelterSpiritual Awareness Has Limits Before the Unlimited
“Because they are only matter, the body, the life airs, the external and internal senses, the five gross elements and the subtle sense objects [form, taste, smell, sound and touch] cannot know their own nature, the nature of the other senses or the nature of their controllers. But the living being, because of his spiritual nature, can know his body, the life airs, the senses, the elements and the sense objects, and he can also know the three qualities that form their roots. Nevertheless, although the living being is completely aware of them, he is unable to see the Supreme Being, who is omniscient and unlimited. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.”
What the purport teaches
- The body, senses and material elements cannot know themselves because they are matter. The living being can understand material objects because he is a spirit soul.
- An analytical study of the body and physical elements does not by itself reveal the spirit soul above them. When self-realized, the living being can understand the Paramātmā, upon whom yogīs meditate.
- Even an advanced living being cannot comprehend the unlimited Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is ananta, unlimited in all six opulences.
Try this today
Take a moment to distinguish your body and senses from yourself as the spiritual knower, then offer obeisances to the unlimited Lord.
Ask yourself
How can awareness of my spiritual nature go together with humility about my understanding?
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.