Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.11.13
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHonor the Lord and His Servants
“The city gateway, the household doors and festooned arches along the roads were all nicely decorated with festive signs like plantain trees and mango leaves, all to welcome the Lord. Flags, garlands and painted signs and slogans all combined to shade the sunshine.”
What the purport teaches
- The city gates, household doors and roadside arches were decorated to welcome the Lord. Plantain trees, mango leaves, flags and garlands made the welcome festive.
- The decorations were gathered from nature's gifts. Mango trees, coconut palms and plantain trees are accepted as auspicious signs.
- The flags bore pictures of Garuḍa or Hanumān, two great servitors of the Lord. Devotees give special respect to the Lord's servants for His satisfaction.
Try this today
Offer one sincere expression of respect to a devotee today, with the desire to satisfy the Lord.
Ask yourself
How can honoring the Lord's servants become part of my welcome to Him?
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.