Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 7.121
The Lord’s Energies Undergo Transformation
“In his Vedānta-sūtra Śrīla Vyāsadeva has described that everything is but a transformation of the energy of the Lord. Śaṅkarācārya, however, has misled the world by commenting that Vyāsadeva was mistaken. Thus he has raised great opposition to theism throughout the entire world.
What the purport teaches
- Śrīla Vyāsadeva’s Vedānta-sūtra states that cosmic manifestations result from transformations of the Lord’s various energies.
- Śaṅkarācārya does not accept this explanation of the Lord’s energy. Instead, he takes transformation to mean that the Lord Himself would be transformed and His oneness disturbed.
- By accusing Śrīla Vyāsadeva of being mistaken, Śaṅkarācārya establishes vivarta-vāda, the Māyāvāda theory of illusion. The translation describes this as raising opposition to theism.
Try this today
Write one sentence explaining that cosmic manifestations arise through transformations of the Lord’s energies.
Ask yourself
Can I explain the difference between transformation of the Lord’s energies and transformation of the Lord Himself?
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.