Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 20.251
Knowing the Three Puruṣas Brings Liberation
“ ‘Viṣṇu has three forms called puruṣas. The first, Mahā-Viṣṇu, is the creator of the total material energy [mahat], the second is Garbhodaśāyī, who is situated within each universe, and the third is Kṣīrodaśāyī, who lives in the heart of every living being. He who knows these three becomes liberated from the clutches of māyā.’
What the purport teaches
- The first puruṣa, Mahā-Viṣṇu, creates the total material energy, called mahat.
- The second, Garbhodaśāyī, is situated within each universe. The third, Kṣīrodaśāyī, lives in the heart of every living being.
- One who knows these three becomes liberated from the clutches of māyā. The purport traces this quotation through the Laghu-bhāgavatāmṛta to the Sātvata-tantra.
Try this today
Write the names of the three puruṣas and, beside each, the role or location given in the translation.
Ask yourself
What does knowing that Kṣīrodaśāyī lives in every living being’s heart invite you to reflect on?
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.