“One who is intelligent understands that there is a great and supreme authority above everything.”
<< previous next >>
This is from the Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.2.33
[This chapter of the Srimad-Bhagavatam is entitled “The Elephant Gajendra’s Crisis.” In this chapter, when the King of the elephants, along with his female elephants, was enjoying in the water, a crocodile suddenly attacked him, and the elephant surrendered to the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead for protection.]
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is certainly not known to everyone, but He is very powerful and influential. Therefore, although the serpent of eternal time, which is fearful in force, endlessly chases everyone, ready to swallow him, if one who fears this serpent seeks shelter of the Lord, the Lord gives him protection, for even death runs away in fear of the Lord. I therefore surrender unto Him, the great and powerful supreme authority who is the actual shelter of everyone.
PURPORT (excerpt):
One who is intelligent understands that there is a great and supreme authority above everything. That great authority appears in different incarnations to save the innocent from disturbances. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita, paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam: the Lord appears in His various incarnations for two purposes — to annihilate the duskrti, the sinful, and to protect His devotees.
The King of the elephants decided to surrender unto Him. This is intelligent. One must know that great Supreme Personality of Godhead and surrender unto Him. The Lord comes personally to instruct us how to be happy, and only fools and rascals do not see by intelligence this supreme authority, the Supreme Person.
More:
- More about the Srimad-Bhagavatam
- About the author
- Read this section of Srimad-Bhagavatam on Vedabase.com
- See a whole bunch more Smart Quotes (In case you missed any)
- Join one of our verse-a-day eBook Clubs
- Have any questions or a Smart Quote you’d like to share? Contact us.
