Shri Bhaktivinoda Vani Vaibhava Divine Opulence of the Teachings of Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Relationship with the Lord 1. What is the science or knowledge of one's relationship with the Supreme Lord? There are three truths regarding one's relationship with the Lord. These are knowledge about the material world, knowledge about the living entities, and knowledge about the Supreme Lord. The Supreme Lord is one without a second, omnipotent, all-attractive, the source of all opulence and sweetness, and the only shelter of the living entities and material nature. Although He is the shelter of the living entities and material nature, He is always fully independent. His bodily effulgence is known as the impersonal Brahman. He created the living entities and the material world by His spiritual potency, and then as Paramatma, a plenary portion, He entered into the universes. In His form of opulence or aisvatya, He is Lord Narayana in the spiritual...