Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.12.25
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRemain Steadfast in Devotional Service
“This child will be like Bali Mahārāja in patience, a staunch devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa like Prahlāda Mahārāja, a performer of many aśvamedha [horse] sacrifices and a follower of the old and experienced men.”
What the purport teaches
- Bali Mahārāja sacrificed everything to please the Lord. His determination to serve despite obstruction makes him a great authority in devotional service.
- The highest perfection of religious life is devotional service without selfish motive or obstruction by worldly obligations. The Lord’s satisfaction is its purpose.
- Prahlāda Mahārāja remained an unalloyed devotee despite severe chastisement from his father. Parīkṣit would likewise be a staunch devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa and a follower of old and experienced men.
Try this today
Set aside a few minutes for devotional service today without asking for anything in return.
Ask yourself
What desire for personal reward weakens my determination to serve the Lord?
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.