Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.10.49
Āśraya· The supreme shelterThe Supreme Lord Is His Devotees’ Friend
“The impersonal Brahman is Kṛṣṇa Himself because Kṛṣṇa is the source of the impersonal Brahman. He is the origin of the transcendental bliss sought by great saintly persons, yet He, the Supreme Person, is your most dear friend and constant well-wisher and is intimately related to you as the son of your maternal uncle. Indeed, He is always like your body and soul. He is worshipable, yet He acts as your servant and sometimes as your spiritual master.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Person and the source of impersonal Brahman. There is no truth superior to Him.
- That same Kṛṣṇa acted as the Pāṇḍavas’ dear friend, relative and sometimes servant. As their well-wisher, He also became Arjuna’s spiritual master.
- A pure devotee remains with Kṛṣṇa through thick and thin. Kṛṣṇa is the devotee’s way of life.
Try this today
Reread Kṛṣṇa’s instruction quoted in this purport and reflect on your willingness to accept His guidance.
Ask yourself
What would it mean to keep Kṛṣṇa central in both easy and difficult circumstances?
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.