Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.14.38
Āśraya· The supreme shelterHonor Spiritual Advancement Through Thoughtful Charity
“O King Yudhiṣṭhira, the Supersoul in every body gives intelligence to the individual soul according to his capacity for understanding. Therefore the Supersoul is the chief within the body. The Supersoul is manifested to the individual soul according to the individual’s comparative development of knowledge, austerity, penance and so on.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead, as the Supersoul, gives intelligence according to the individual soul’s capacity to understand. He is the chief within every body.
- A person’s importance rests on advancement in spiritual consciousness. The purport places the Vaiṣṇava above the spiritually advanced brāhmaṇa, and the Supreme Lord above all.
- Charity in goodness is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy recipient, without expecting a return. Giving to brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Try this today
Give a small gift to a Vaiṣṇava today without seeking repayment or recognition.
Ask yourself
Can I give in support of spiritual service without expecting anything in return?
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.