1090 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 3, Ch. 26

these three types of material ego, the mind, the senses of perception and
the organs of action, and the gross elements evolve.

PURPORT

In the beginning, from clear consciousness or the pure state of Krsna
consciousness, the first contamination sprang up. This is called false ego,
or identification of the body as self. The living entity exists in the
natural state of Krsna consciousness, but he has marginal independence,
and this allows him to forget Krsna. Originally, pure Krsna consciousness
exists, but because of misuse of marginal independence there is a chance
of forgetting Krsna. This is exhibited in actual life; there are many
instances in which someone acting in Krsna consciousness suddenly
changes. In the Upanisads it is stated, therefore, that the path of spiritual
realization is just like the sharp edge of a razor. The example is very
appropriate. One shaves his cheeks with a sharp razor very nicely, but as
soon as his attention is diverted from the activity he immediately cuts his
cheek because he mishandles the razor.

Not only must one come to the stage of pure Krsna consciousness, but
one must also be very careful. Any inattentiveness or carelessness may cause
falldown. This falldown is due to false ego. From the status of pure
consciousness the false ego is born because of misuse of independence. We
cannot argue about why false ego arises from pure consciousness. Fac-
tually, there is always the chance that this will happen, and therefore one
has to be very careful. False ego is the basic principle for all material
activities, which are executed in the modes of material nature. As soon as
one deviates from pure Krsna consciousness, he increases his entanglement
in material reaction. The entanglement of materialism is the material
mind, and from this material mind, the senses and material organs become
manifest.

TEXT 25

aad = aed | TAT |
aRITSH Ged aa UII

sahasra-sirasam saksad
yam anantam pracaksate
sankarsanakhyam purusam
bhitendriya-manomayam
