Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.3.26
Āśraya· The supreme shelterBegin Devotion With Respectful Obeisances
“Now, fully desiring release from material life, I offer my respectful obeisances unto that Supreme Person who is the creator of the universe, who is Himself the form of the universe and who is nonetheless transcendental to this cosmic manifestation. He is the supreme knower of everything in this world, the Supersoul of the universe. He is the unborn, supremely situated Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.”
What the purport teaches
- The universe has a creator who supplies and becomes its ingredients. The Supreme Lord is eternally existing and remains transcendental to the cosmic manifestation.
- He knows everything in this world and is the Supersoul of the universe. Desiring release from material life, Gajendra offers Him respectful obeisances.
- When people ask where Kṛṣṇa is, the purport directs them to consider the source of the entire cosmic manifestation. Offering respectful obeisances to the Supreme Lord on this basis is the beginning of devotional life.
Try this today
Pause today to consider the creator of the universe, and offer respectful obeisances to Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
How can considering the source of the universe help me begin or deepen my devotional life?
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.