Text 9] The Supreme Lord Is Equal to Everyone 15
Paramatma, or Supersoul, is situated in the core of everyone’s heart (an-
tatah). This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (18.61). Isvarah sarva-
bhiitanam hrd-dese ’rjuna tisthati. The isvara, the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, being situated in everyone’s heart, gives directions to every-
one in terms of one’s capabilities in taking the instructions. The instruc-
tions of Bhagavad-gitad are open to everyone, but some people
understand them properly, whereas others understand them so im-
properly that they cannot even believe in the existence of Krsna, al-
though reading Krsna’s book. Although the Gita says Sri-bhagavan
uvdca, indicating that Krsna spoke, they cannot understand Krsna. This
is due to their misfortune or incapability, which is caused by rajo-guna
and tamo-guna, the modes of passion and ignorance. It is because of
these modes that they cannot even understand Krsna, whereas an ad-
vanced devotee like Arjuna understands Him and glorifies Him, saying,
param brahma param dhdma pavitrarh paramam bhavan: “You are the
Supreme Brahman, the supreme abode and purifier.” Krsna is open to
everyone, but one needs the capability to understand Him.

By external features one cannot understand who is favored by Krsna
and who is not. According to one’s attitude, Krsna becomes one’s direct
adviser, or Krsna becomes unknown. This is not Krsna’s partiality; it is
His response to one’s ability to understand Him. According to one’s
receptiveness—whether one be a devatd, asura, Yaksa or Raksasa—
Krsna’s quality is proportionately exhibited. This proportionate exhibi-
tion of Krsna’s power is misunderstood by less intelligent men to be
Krsna’s partiality, but actually it is no such thing. Krsna is equal to
everyone, and according to one’s ability to receive the favor of Krsna,
one advances in Krsna consciousness. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti
Thakura gives a practical example in this connection. In the sky there are
many luminaries. At night, even in darkness, the moon is extremely
brilliant and can be directly perceived. The sun is also extremely
brilliant. When covered by clouds, however, these luminaries are not
distinctly visible. Similarly, the more one advances in sattva-guna, the
more his brilliance is exhibited by devotional service, but the more one is
covered by rajo-guna and tamo-guna, the less visible his brilliance, for
he is covered by these qualities. The visibility of one’s qualities does not
depend on the partiality of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; it is due
