Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 8.65
Spiritual Understanding Leads Toward Pure Devotional Service
“Rāmānanda Rāya continued, “According to the Bhagavad-gītā, ‘One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me.’””
What the purport teaches
- The purport describes one who accepts monism and engages in empiric philosophical discussion about spiritual life. At the stage described, one becomes joyful and free from material lamentation and hankering.
- One becomes equipoised, seeing all living entities as spiritual beings. After attaining this elevated stage, one can attain pure devotional service.
- The purport concludes that devotional service mixed with ritualistic fruitive activity is inferior to spiritual service based on empiric philosophic discussion.
Try this today
In one interaction today, consciously remember that the other person is a spiritual being and treat them with equal regard.
Ask yourself
How might seeing others as spiritual beings help me become more equally disposed toward them?
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.