Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 8.67
Hear and Surrender With Your Whole Being
“Rāmānanda Rāya continued, “Lord Brahmā said, ‘My dear Lord, those devotees who have thrown away the impersonal conception of the Absolute Truth and have therefore abandoned discussing empiric philosophical truths should hear from self-realized devotees about Your holy name, form, pastimes and qualities. They should completely follow the principles of devotional service and remain free from illicit sex, gambling, intoxication and animal slaughter. Surrendering themselves fully with body, words and mind, they can live in any āśrama or social status. Indeed, You are conquered by such persons, although You are always unconquerable.’””
What the purport teaches
- Devotees abandon the impersonal conception and discussions of empiric philosophical truths. They hear from self-realized devotees about the Lord’s holy name, form, pastimes and qualities.
- They follow the principles of devotional service and remain free from illicit sex, gambling, intoxication and animal slaughter.
- They can remain in any āśrama or social status while surrendering fully with body, words and mind. Such devotees conquer the Lord, although He is always unconquerable.
Try this today
Spend a few minutes hearing a self-realized devotee’s teaching about the Lord’s holy name, form, pastimes or qualities.
Ask yourself
How can I bring my body, words and mind more fully into devotional service within my present circumstances?
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.