Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 20.119
Pure Devotional Service Remedies Fear
“ ‘When the living entity is attracted by the material energy, which is separate from Kṛṣṇa, he is overpowered by fear. Because he is separated from the Supreme Personality of Godhead by the material energy, his conception of life is reversed. In other words, instead of being the eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, he becomes Kṛṣṇa’s competitor. This is called viparyayo’smṛtiḥ. To nullify this mistake, one who is actually learned and advanced worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead as his spiritual master, worshipful Deity and source of life. He thus worships the Lord by the process of unalloyed devotional service.’
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa is the worshipful Deity, spiritual master and Supersoul of all conditioned souls. As the Supersoul, He always gives the living entity good counsel.
- Neglecting His instructions, the living entity identifies with the material body and considers things related to it his property. This forgetfulness brings fear and attachment.
- The only remedy is to return to the Lord’s service. Through unalloyed devotional service, the conditioned soul can be liberated from material nature’s harassment.
Try this today
Take a quiet moment to pray to Kṛṣṇa for guidance in serving Him without seeking material rewards.
Ask yourself
How does thinking “this body is me, and these things are mine” contribute to my fear?
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.