Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 25.49
Read Scripture Without Imposing Your Opinion
“Anyone who wants to establish his own opinion or philosophy certainly cannot explain any scripture according to the principle of direct interpretation.
What the purport teaches
- Wanting to establish one's own opinion prevents direct interpretation of scripture.
- The warning applies to anyone who approaches scripture chiefly to establish a personal philosophy.
- Direct interpretation calls for receiving what scripture says rather than making it support one's own views.
Try this today
Read this translation again and summarize its plain meaning before adding your own interpretation.
Ask yourself
Am I trying to understand scripture, or mainly looking for support for what I already believe?
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.