938 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 22
assert that both the Supreme Lord and ourselves are of the same quality.
Tat tvam asi, ayam atma brahma. Both the Supreme Lord and the living
entity are spirit. Understanding this is self-realization. The human form of
life is meant for understanding the Supreme Lord and oneself by spiritual
cultivation of knowledge. One should not waste valuable life simply en-
gaged in economic development and sense gratification.

In this verse the word ksetra-vit is also important. This word is explained
in Bhagavad-gita: idam sartram kaunteya ksetram ity abhidhiyate (Bg.13.2).
This body is called ksetra, or the field of activities, and the proprietors of
the body, the individual soul and the Supersoul sitting within the body,
are both called ksetra-vit. But there is a difference between the two kinds
of ksetra-vit. One ksetra-vit, or knower of the body, namely the Paramatma
or the Supersoul, is directing the individual soul. When we rightly take the
direction of the Supersoul, our life becomes successful. He is directing
from within and from without. From within He is directing as caitya-guru,
or the spiritual master sitting within the heart. Indirectly He is also helping
the living entity by manifesting Himself as the spiritual master outside. In
both ways the Lord is giving directions to the living entity so that he may
finish up his material activities and come back home, back to Godhead.
The presence of the Supreme Soul and the individual soul within the body
can be perceived by anyone by the fact that as long as the individual soul
and the Supersoul are both living within the body, the body is always
shining and fresh. But as soon as the Supersoul and the individual soul
give up possession of the gross body, it immediately decomposes. One who
is spiritually advanced can thus understand the real difference between a
dead body and a living body. In conclusion, one should not waste his time
by so-called economic development and sense gratification but should
cultivate spiritual knowledge to understand the Supersoul and the indi-
vidual soul and their relationship. In this way, by advancement of knowl-
edge, one can achieve liberation and the ultimate goal of life. It is said that
if one takes to the path of liberation, even rejecting his so-called duties in
the material world, he is not a loser at all. But a person who does not take
to the path of liberation yet carefully executes economic development and
sense gratification, loses everything. Narada’s statement before V yasadeva
is appropriate in this connection:

tyaktva sva-dharmam caranambujam harer
bhajann apakvo’tha patet tato yadi
yatra kva vabhadram abhud amusya kim
ko vartha apto’bhajatam sva-dharmatah
(Bhag. 1.5.17)
