Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 11.7.41

parthiveshv iha deheshu

pravishtas tad-gunasrayah

gunair na yujyate yogi

gandhair vayur ivatma-drik

SYNONYMS

parthiveshu -- composed of earth (and other elements); iha -- in this world; deheshu -- within bodies; pravishtah -- having entered; tat -- of them; guna -- the characteristic qualities; asrayah -- having assumed; gunaih -- with those qualities; na yujyate -- does not entangle himself; yogi -- a yogi; gandhaih -- with different odors; vayuh -- the air; iva -- just as; atma-drik -- he who can see himself properly (as separate from this matter).

TRANSLATION

Although a self-realized soul may live in various material bodies while in this world, experiencing their various qualities and functions, he is never entangled, just as the wind which carries various aromas does not actually mix with them.

PURPORT

Although we experience the wind as fragrant or foul, depending on the aromas it carries, the wind does not in fact change its actual nature. Similarly, although we regard a particular person as strong or weak, intelligent or retarded, beautiful or homely, good or bad, the pure spirit soul, who is the actual person, does not really possess any of the qualities of the body but is merely covered by them, just as the wind is covered by different aromas. Thus, a Krishna conscious person is always aware that he is different from the temporary body. He experiences the various transformations of the body, such as childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age; but although he experiences the pains, pleasures, qualities and functions of that body, a Krishna conscious person never thinks that he is the body. He always understands that he is an eternal spirit soul, part and parcel of Lord Krishna. As stated in this verse, na yujyate yogi: he is not entangled. The conclusion is that one should never consider a Krishna conscious person in terms of bodily designation, but should see him as an eternal servitor of the Lord.

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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
His Holiness Hrdayananda dasa Goswami
Gopiparanadhana dasa Adhikari
Dravida dasa Brahmacari