Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.22.20
Āśraya· The supreme shelterEverything Belongs to the Supreme Lord
“Śrīmatī Vindhyāvali said: O my Lord, You have created the entire universe for the enjoyment of Your personal pastimes, but foolish, unintelligent men have claimed proprietorship for material enjoyment. Certainly they are shameless agnostics. Falsely claiming proprietorship, they think they can give charity and enjoy. In such a condition, what good can they do for You, who are the independent creator, maintainer and annihilator of this universe?”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord created the universe for His personal pastimes and remains its independent creator, maintainer and annihilator. Claiming His property as our own for enjoyment or charity is a demoniac conception.
- Even the body belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who supplies it according to the living entity’s material desires. Vindhyāvali therefore challenged Bali Mahārāja’s claim of ownership and prayed for his release by the Lord’s causeless mercy.
- The purport stresses the need for the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement to benefit people misled by those who deny God’s authority. Recognizing the Supreme Lord’s ownership directs us toward His service rather than independent enjoyment.
Try this today
Use one possession in devotional service today, consciously remembering that it belongs to the Supreme Lord.
Ask yourself
How would accepting the Lord’s ownership change the way I use my body and possessions?
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.