Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 6.99
The Whole and the Devotee’s Position
“The source of all incarnations has the emotions of a superior when He considers Himself the master, and He has the emotions of an inferior when He considers Himself a devotee.”
What the purport teaches
- A part is included within the whole. The Lord is the whole, and the devotee is the part or fractional part.
- There are gradations among devotees. A greater devotee is called prabhu, and a lesser devotee is called bhakta.
- Kṛṣṇa is the supreme whole, and Baladeva and all Viṣṇu incarnations are His fractions. Kṛṣṇa is conscious of His superior position, while all Viṣṇu incarnations are conscious of Their positions as devotees.
Try this today
Take a quiet moment to reflect on the statement that the Lord is the whole and the devotee is the part.
Ask yourself
How does the relationship of whole and part help you understand the devotee’s position?
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.