Study a Verse

• Thus the difference between the body and soul can be realized by a person who is thoughtful (manīṣī or muni), and after this realization of the individual spirit soul one can very easily understand the supreme spirit soul.
• If one thus realizes that the individual soul is subordinate to the supreme spirit soul, he achieves self-realization.
• The Supersoul and the individual soul are like two birds sitting on the same tree (the material body).

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Seriousness → Principled living. The example of bhakti becomes a guide to daily life.

Chapters 11–15 of Canto 7: Teachings on social and spiritual conduct. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 13: The Behavior of a Perfect Person

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Although fully learned, he should always remain silent, like a dumb person, and travel like a restless child. In this regard, Nārada Muni described a meeting between Prahlāda and a saintly person who had adopted the mode of life of a python.