Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 25
Nondual Vision Beyond Praise and Blame
Dvandva-nivṛtti and Ātma-viveka
समाहितै: क: करणैर्गुणात्मभि-र्गुणो भवेन्मत्सुविविक्तधाम्न: । विक्षिप्यमाणैरुत किं नु दूषणंघनैरुपेतैर्विगतै रवे: किम् ॥ २५ ॥
samāhitaiḥ kaḥ karaṇair guṇātmabhir guṇo bhaven mat-suvivikta-dhāmnaḥ vikṣipyamāṇair uta kiṁ nu dūṣaṇaṁ ghanair upetair vigatai raveḥ kim
For one who has properly realized My personal identity as the Supreme Lord, what special credit is there if his senses—mere products of the guṇas—are perfectly concentrated in meditation? And conversely, what blame is there if his senses become agitated? Indeed, what does it matter to the sun if clouds come and go?
A pure devotee of the Lord is considered eternally liberated, because he has perfectly understood the Lord’s transcendental personality and abode and is always engaged in serving the Lord’s mission within this world. Although superficially such a devotee may appear agitated by events in the material world while engaged in the Lord’s mission, this does not change his exalted status as the Lord’s eternal servitor, just as the exalted status of the sun is not changed even when the sun is apparently covered by clouds.
FAQs
It teaches that the self’s true purity is beyond the material senses and modes; even if senses are steady or disturbed, the liberated identity in Krishna remains unaffected—like the sun untouched by clouds.
To show Uddhava that material disturbances (gunas, sense agitation) only appear to cover consciousness but cannot truly contaminate the soul established in its spiritual nature and sheltered in Krishna.
Treat distractions as temporary “clouds,” return to steady remembrance of Krishna, and don’t identify your spiritual worth with passing mental states; keep practicing devotion and discernment without despair.