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
Seorang materialis, yang kecerdasannya disesatkan oleh jalan indera yang menipu, tidak dapat mengenal Engkau, walaupun Engkau sentiasa hadir dalam inderanya sendiri, nafas, hati, dan juga dalam objek persepsinya. Namun meskipun pemahamannya diselubungi maya-Mu, jika dia memperoleh pengetahuan Veda daripada-Mu—Guru asal bagi semua guru—dia dapat memahami-Mu secara langsung.
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.