1150 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 3, Ch. 27

to the body is mine” is called false ego, but when one is self-realized and
thinks that he is an eternal servitor of the Supreme Lord, that identifica-
tion is real ego. One conception is in the darkness of the threefold qualities
of material nature~goodness, passion and ignorance—and the other is in
the pure state of goodness, called Suddha-sattva or vasudeva. When we
say that we give up our ego, this means that we give up our false ego, but
real ego is always present. When one is reflected through the material
contamination of the body and mind in false identification, he is in the
conditional state, but when he is reflected in the pure stage he is called
liberated. The identification of oneself with one’s material possessions in
the conditional stage must be purified, and one must identify himself in
relationship with the Supreme Lord. In the conditioned state one accepts
everything as an object of sense gratification, and in the liberated state one
accepts everything for the service of the Supreme Lord. Krsna conscious-
ness, devotional service, is the actual liberated stage of a living entity.
Otherwise, both accepting and rejecting on the material platform or in
voidness or impersonalism are imperfect conditions for the pure soul.

By the understanding of the pure soul, called satya-drk, one can see
everything as a reflection of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A
concrete example can be given in this connection. A conditioned soul
sees a very beautiful rose, and he thinks that the nice aromatic flower
should be used for his own sense gratification. This is one kind of vision.
A liberated soul, however, sees the same flower as a reflection of the
Supreme Lord. He thinks, “This beautiful flower is made possible by the
superior energy of the Supreme Lord; therefore it belongs to the Supreme
Lord and should be utilized in His service.” These are two kinds of vision.
The conditioned soul sees the flower for his own enjoyment, and the
devotee sees the flower as an object to be used in the service of the Lord.
In the same way, one can see the reflection of the Supreme Lord in his
own senses, mind and body—in everything. With that correct vision, one
can engage everything in the service of the Lord. It is stated in the Bhakti-
rasamyta-sindhu that one who has engaged everything—his vital energy, his
wealth, his intelligence and his words—in the service of the Lord, or who
desires to engage all these in the service of the Lord, no matter how he is
situated, is to be considered a liberated soul, or satya-drk. Such a man has
understood things as they are.

TEXT 14

qaaratrmage merase aT |
dtarsrata wer fafa faefira: eel
