Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 2.91-92
The Ultimate Shelter Unites Ten Subjects
“ ‘Here [in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam] ten subjects are described: (1) the creation of the ingredients of the cosmos, (2) the creations of Brahmā, (3) the maintenance of the creation, (4) special favor given to the faithful, (5) impetuses for activity, (6) prescribed duties for law-abiding men, (7) a description of the incarnations of the Lord, (8) the winding up of the creation, (9) liberation from gross and subtle material existence, and (10) the ultimate shelter, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The tenth item is the shelter of all the others. To distinguish this ultimate shelter from the other nine subjects, the mahājanas have described these nine, directly or indirectly, through prayers or direct explanations.’
What the purport teaches
- Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam describes ten subjects, including creation, maintenance, special favor to the faithful, duties, incarnations, and liberation. The tenth is the ultimate shelter, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- The tenth subject is the substance, and the other nine are categories derived from that substance. He is the shelter of all the others.
- The mahājanas explain the nine subjects to distinguish the ultimate shelter from them. They do this directly or indirectly, through prayers or explanations.
Try this today
Write “The Supreme Personality of Godhead: the ultimate shelter” at the center of a page, and place three of the other subjects around it.
Ask yourself
How does recognizing the ultimate shelter change the way I approach the other subjects?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.