Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.5.32
Āśraya· The supreme shelterEverything Depends on the Independent Lord
“On this earth there are four kinds of living entities, who are all created by Him. The material creation rests on His lotus feet. He is the great Supreme Person, full of opulence and power. May He be pleased with us.”
What the purport teaches
- The five material elements and the total material energy rest on the Lord's lotus feet. The cosmic manifestation is another of His opulences.
- The purport describes four kinds of living entities: those born from embryos, eggs, perspiration, and seeds. Everything is generated from the Lord.
- We are dependent, whereas the Supreme Lord is completely independent. He activates material creation while remaining in His original, spiritual position.
Try this today
Notice one material element around you and offer a brief prayer to the Lord on whom it rests.
Ask yourself
How does recognizing my dependence change the way I approach the Lord?
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.