Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.5.43
Āśraya· The supreme shelterFollow Kṛṣṇa Back to Godhead
“All learned men say that the five elements, eternal time, fruitive activity, the three modes of material nature, and the varieties produced by these modes are all creations of yoga-māyā. This material world is therefore extremely difficult to understand, but those who are highly learned have rejected it. May the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the controller of everything, be pleased with us.”
What the purport teaches
- The elements, time, fruitive activity, and the modes of nature are creations of yoga-māyā. Everything happens under the direction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, though its workings are extremely difficult to understand.
- We cannot fully understand even the affairs within our own body, which is a small universe. We should therefore accept the guidance of those learned in Vedic wisdom, especially Kṛṣṇa.
- Kṛṣṇa describes this world as temporary and full of misery. Returning home, back to Godhead, through devotion is the highest perfection of life.
Try this today
Read Kṛṣṇa’s statement quoted in this purport once, and reflect on returning to Him as life’s highest goal.
Ask yourself
Where could you rely more on Kṛṣṇa’s guidance rather than waiting to understand everything?
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.