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The so-called yogīs who concentrate their mind or meditate…

“The so-called yogīs who concentrate their mind or meditate upon the impersonal or void are described here. This verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam describes persons who are expected to be very expert yogīs engaged in meditation but who do not find the Supreme Personality of Godhead seated within the…” quote by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
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““The so-called yogīs who concentrate their mind or meditate upon the impersonal or void are described here. This verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam describes persons who are expected to be very expert yogīs engaged in meditation but who do not find the Supreme Personality of Godhead seated within the heart. These persons are described here as durātmā, which means a person who has a very crooked heart, or a less intelligent person, just opposite to a mahātmā, which means one who has a broad heart. Those so-called yogīs who, although engaged in meditation, are not broad-hearted cannot find the four-handed Nārāyaṇa form, even though He is seated within their heart. Although the first realization of the Supreme Absolute Truth is impersonal Brahman, one should not remain satisfied with experiencing the impersonal effulgence of the Supreme Lord. In the Īśopaniṣad also, the devotee prays that the glaring effulgence of Brahman may be removed from his eyes so that he can see the real, personal feature of the Lord and thus satisfy himself fully. Similarly, although the Lord is not visible in the beginning because of His glaring bodily effulgence, if a devotee sincerely wants to see Him, the Lord is revealed to him. It is said in Bhagavad-gītā that the Lord cannot be seen by our imperfect eyes, He cannot be heard by our imperfect ears, and He cannot be experienced by our imperfect senses, but that if one engages in devotional service with faith and devotion, then God reveals Himself.””

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Meditation without devotion leaves the heart closed, preventing perception of the personal Divine; true realization requires love‑filled devotion rather than impersonal abstraction.

In simple terms: Meditation alone isn’t enough; love opens the heart to God.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate heartfelt devotion alongside practice.

Themes

spirituality devotion heart perception knowledge

Mood

contemplative hopeful

Type

scriptural inspirational

When to use this quote

  • personal growth
  • spiritual practice
  • religious study
  • mindfulness
  • prayer

Key Concepts

Bhagavad‑gītā Śrīmad‑Bhāgavatam Īśopaniṣad

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you open your heart to love in meditation?
  • What practices help transform impersonal insight into personal devotion?
A Different Perspective

Pure intellectual focus may miss the personal aspect of the Divine.

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