Question:
“Those who undergo severe austerities and penances not recommended in the scriptures, performing them out of pride and egoism, who are impelled by lust and attachment, who are foolish and who torture the material elements of the body as well as the Supersoul dwelling within, are to be known as demons.”
In this verse it is said that even the Supersoul is tortured by the austerities performed in mode of ignorance. In divinity there is no experience of ignorance. How is then the Supersoul tortured?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
Regarding tapasya and the Supersoul suffering, the commentators say that the Supersoul “suffers” due to the Supersoul’s pity and compassion for the foolish self-sabotage of an ignorant tapasvi.
BVB (Baladev Vidyabhushana) says – “They also make Me wither away, by offending Me, who am situated within their bodies.”
