Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.15.45
Mukti· LiberationSharpen Knowledge Through Service and Mercy
“As long as one has to accept a material body, with its different parts and paraphernalia, which are not fully under one’s control, one must have the lotus feet of his superiors, namely his spiritual master and the spiritual master’s predecessors. By their mercy, one can sharpen the sword of knowledge, and with the power of the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s mercy one must then conquer the enemies mentioned above. In this way, the devotee should be able to merge into his own transcendental bliss, and then he may give up his body and resume his spiritual identity.”
What the purport teaches
- The human body is a valuable boat, the spiritual master is its captain, and Kṛṣṇa’s instructions are a favorable breeze. These facilities should be used to cross the ocean of ignorance and return home, back to Godhead.
- Knowledge alone is insufficient: its sword must be sharpened by serving the spiritual master and following his instructions. By pleasing the spiritual master, one receives Kṛṣṇa’s mercy and strength to conquer spiritual obstacles.
- Only devotional service enables one to understand Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in truth. By the mercy of the spiritual master and Kṛṣṇa, one attains the ultimate goal, the lotus feet of Viṣṇu.
Try this today
Choose one instruction from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s purport here and put it into practice today, such as taking a few minutes to chant the Lord’s holy name.
Ask yourself
Am I trying only to gather knowledge, or also to follow spiritual instructions through service?
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.