Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.8.23
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRise Above the Three Material Modes
“O my Lord, sages freed from the influence of the three modes of material nature — sages such as the four Kumāras [Sanat, Sanaka, Sanandana and Sanātana] — are able to think of You, who are concentrated knowledge. But how can an ignorant person like me think of You?”
What the purport teaches
- Svabhāva means one’s original spiritual nature or constitutional position. In that position, the living entity is unaffected by the modes of material nature.
- Those freed from the three modes are situated on the Brahman platform. Authorities such as the four Kumāras and Nārāda can naturally understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- A conditioned soul under material nature’s influence cannot realize the Supreme. Kṛṣṇa therefore advises rising above the three material modes.
Try this today
When a material influence pulls your attention today, pause and reflect: “My original nature is spiritual.”
Ask yourself
How does remembering my spiritual nature change my view of material influences?
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.