Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.2.23
Mukti· LiberationThe Soul Remains Unchanged
“Because of the movements of the water, the trees on the bank of a river, when reflected on the water, seem to move. Similarly, when the eyes move because of some mental derangement, the land appears to move also.”
What the purport teaches
- Trees reflected in moving water seem to move, although the trees remain still. Similarly, māyā makes changes of the body appear to be changes of the soul.
- The living entity does not take birth or accept death. Because the subtle and gross bodies are temporary, the soul appears to move or be gone forever.
- Success in life comes from understanding the constitutional position of the self. This understanding helps one remain undisturbed by material conditions, lamentation and hankering.
Try this today
During one moment of worry today, pause and recall that bodily changes do not change the spirit soul.
Ask yourself
Which change in your body or circumstances have you been treating as a change in your deepest self?
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.