Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.4.27-28
Mukti· LiberationDevotional Service Makes the Lord Accessible
“Just as great learned brāhmaṇas who are expert in performing ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices can extract the fire dormant within wooden fuel by chanting the fifteen Sāmidhenī mantras, thus proving the efficacy of the Vedic mantras, so those who are actually advanced in consciousness — in other words, those who are Kṛṣṇa conscious — can find the Supersoul, who by His own spiritual potency is situated within the heart. The heart is covered by the three modes of material nature and the nine material elements [material nature, the total material energy, the ego, the mind and the five objects of sense gratification], and also by the five material elements and the ten senses. These twenty-seven elements constitute the external energy of the Lord. Great yogīs meditate upon the Lord, who is situated as the Supersoul, Paramātmā, within the core of the heart. May that Supersoul be pleased with me. The Supersoul is realized when one is eager for liberation from the unlimited varieties of material life. One actually attains such liberation when he engages in the transcendental loving service of the Lord and realizes the Lord because of his attitude of service. The Lord may be addressed by various spiritual names, which are inconceivable to the material senses. When will that Supreme Personality of Godhead be pleased with me?”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is extremely difficult to understand, yet the perfect path of devotional service makes understanding Him easy. Through pure devotion, one can come in contact with Him despite material impediments.
- Pure devotional service begins with hearing and chanting about the Lord. Continuing this process purifies the heart and leads to transcendental love and appreciation of His name, form, qualities and pastimes.
- Seeking material happiness brings distress, but redirecting one's endeavors toward pleasing the Lord removes this misery. Pleased with His devotee, the Lord turns material impediments into spiritual service.
Try this today
Read aloud a short passage about Kṛṣṇa from this purport, listening carefully with the desire to please Him.
Ask yourself
Which endeavor for my own happiness could I redirect toward pleasing the Lord?
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.