Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 48
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa
यं वै न वेद वितथाक्षपथैर्भ्रमद्धी: सन्तं स्वकेष्वसुषु हृद्यपि दृक्पथेषु । तन्माययावृतमति: स उ एव साक्षा- दाद्यस्तवाखिलगुरोरुपसाद्य वेदम् ॥ ४८ ॥
yaṁ vai na veda vitathākṣa-pathair bhramad-dhīḥ santaṁ svakeṣv asuṣu hṛdy api dṛk-patheṣu tan-māyayāvṛta-matiḥ sa u eva sākṣād ādyas tavākhila-guror upasādya vedam
El materialista, cuya inteligencia se extravía por los senderos engañosos de los sentidos, no puede reconocerte, aunque Tú estás siempre presente en sus propios sentidos y corazón, y también entre los objetos de su percepción. Sin embargo, aun si su entendimiento está cubierto por Tu māyā, si recibe de Ti—el maestro original de todos—el conocimiento védico, puede comprenderte directamente.
FAQs
This verse says the senses can lead one along deceptive paths, leaving the intelligence bewildered, so the Lord—though present within the heart and even within perception—remains unknown until one’s understanding is uncovered by His grace.
He teaches that direct realization comes by approaching the Supreme Lord, the original teacher, and receiving true Vedic knowledge—rather than relying on sense-based speculation.
Do not make the senses the final authority; cultivate bhakti and disciplined study/hearing of śāstra under guidance, so inner awareness becomes clear and God is recognized within the heart.