Text 45] The Behavior of a Perfect Person 135

TRANSLATION

A learned, thoughtful person must realize that material exis-
tence is illusion. This is possible only by self-realization. A self-
realized person, who has actually seen the truth, should retire
from all material activities, being situated in self-realization.

PURPORT

By an analytical study of the entire constitution of the body, one can
surely come to the conclusion that the soul is different from all the
body’s material constituents, such as earth, water, fire and air. Thus the
difference between the body and soul can be realized by a person who is
thoughtful (manisi or muni), and after this realization of the individual
spirit soul one can very easily understand the supreme spirit soul. If one
thus realizes that the individual soul is subordinate to the supreme spirit
soul, he achieves self-realization. As explained in the Thirteenth Chapter
of Bhagavad-gita, there are two souls within the body. The body is called
ksetra, and there are two ksetra-jras, or occupants of the body, namely
the Supersoul (Paramatma) and the individual soul. The Supersoul and
the individual soul are like two birds sitting on the same tree (the ma-
terial body). One bird, the individual, forgetful bird, is eating the fruit
of the tree, not caring for the instructions of the other bird, which is only
a witness to the activities of the first bird, who is his friend. When the
forgetful bird comes to understand the supreme friend who is always
with him and trying to give him guidance in different bodies, he takes
shelter at the lotus feet of that supreme bird. As explained in the yoga
process, dhydndvasthita-tad-gatena manasd pasyanti yam yoginah.
When one actually becomes a perfect yogi, by meditation he can see the
supreme friend and surrender unto Him. This is the beginning of
bhakti-yoga, or actual life in Krsna consciousness.

TEXT 45

arena ate 3 ggaata aftay |
saad atearaneat ary fF ATTAT: [V4

svatma-vrttarh mayettham te
suguptam api varnitam
