Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 24.82
Understanding the Words Brahma and Ātmā
“Although the words ‘brahma’ and ‘ātmā’ indicate Kṛṣṇa, their direct meaning refers only to the impersonal Brahman and the Supersoul respectively.
What the purport teaches
- The words ‘brahma’ and ‘ātmā’ both indicate Kṛṣṇa.
- The direct meaning of ‘brahma’ refers to impersonal Brahman.
- The direct meaning of ‘ātmā’ refers to the Supersoul. The verse distinguishes these direct meanings from their indication of Kṛṣṇa.
Try this today
Make a two-line note pairing ‘brahma’ with impersonal Brahman and ‘ātmā’ with the Supersoul.
Ask yourself
Can I distinguish what these words directly mean from whom they ultimately indicate?
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.