Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.6.20-23
Āśraya· The supreme shelterRealize the All-Pervading Lord Through Devotion
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller, who is infallible and indefatigable, is present in different forms of life, from the inert living beings [sthāvara], such as the plants, to Brahmā, the foremost created living being. He is also present in the varieties of material creations and in the material elements, the total material energy and the modes of material nature [sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa], as well as the unmanifested material nature and the false ego. Although He is one, He is present everywhere, and He is also the transcendental Supersoul, the cause of all causes, who is present as the observer in the cores of the hearts of all living entities. He is indicated as that which is pervaded and as the all-pervading Supersoul, but actually He cannot be indicated. He is changeless and undivided. He is simply perceived as the supreme sac-cid-ānanda [eternity, knowledge and bliss]. Being covered by the curtain of the external energy, to the atheist He appears nonexistent.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supreme Lord is present as the Supersoul in every living entity’s heart and also pervades the entire creation. He exists everywhere, at all times and in all circumstances.
- The Lord is realized as Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the origin of Brahman and Paramātmā and the ultimate realization of the Absolute Truth.
- The curtain of material energy hides the Lord’s presence from ordinary vision. Through association with a pure devotee, accepting instructions in devotional service and surrendering to the Lord, one can understand Him.
Try this today
Reread one instruction on devotional service in this purport and choose how you will apply it today.
Ask yourself
How can accepting a devotee’s instructions help me understand the Lord’s presence?
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.