Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 24.211
Four Bodily Meanings of Ātma
“I have already explained nineteen different meanings. Now please hear further meanings. The word ‘ātma’ also refers to the body, and this can be taken in four ways.
What the purport teaches
- After explaining nineteen meanings, the speaker introduces another meaning of ātma: the body.
- The first two bodily divisions are the material body considered as Brahman with designations, and the body engaged in Vedic ritualistic ceremonies.
- The other two divisions are the body engaged in austerities and penances, and the body engaged in satisfying all kinds of material desires.
Try this today
Make a short list of the four bodily divisions described in this verse.
Ask yourself
How does this fourfold description help me notice the purposes for which I use my body?
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.