Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 20.173
Worshiping the One Lord in Many Forms
“ ‘In different Vedic scriptures, there are prescribed rules and regulative principles for worshiping different types of forms. When one is purified by these rules and regulations, he worships You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although manifested in many forms, You are one.’
What the purport teaches
- Different Vedic scriptures prescribe rules and regulative principles for worshiping different forms. Purified by these rules, one worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Although manifested in many forms, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is one. The Vedas state that the one becomes many: eko bahu syām.
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead expands Himself in various forms: viṣṇu-tattva, jīva-tattva and śakti-tattva.
Try this today
Reread the translation and write down the purpose it gives for following the prescribed rules of worship.
Ask yourself
How does understanding the purpose of prescribed rules affect your attitude toward worship?
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.