Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.10.20
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSimple Praise Can Express Vedic Wisdom
“Absorbed in the thought of the transcendental qualities of the Lord, who is sung in select poetry, the ladies on the roofs of all the houses of Hastināpura began to talk of Him. This talk was more attractive than the hymns of the Vedas.”
What the purport teaches
- The goal of all Vedic literature is the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. The ladies’ conversation directly praised Him and was therefore especially pleasing.
- The subject matter is more important than the language. Songs praising the Lord can be as good as Vedic mantras even when composed in simple language.
- Absorbed in the Lord’s thoughts and activities, the ladies developed the consciousness of Vedic wisdom by His grace. Their pleasing words did not depend on scholarly learning.
Try this today
Say two simple sentences in praise of Kṛṣṇa, drawing on what you have read here.
Ask yourself
Does concern about finding impressive words ever hold you back from praising Kṛṣṇa simply?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.