Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.13.14
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesAttentive Hearing Awakens Spiritual Understanding
“Thus Mahātmā Vidura, being treated just like a godly person by his kinsmen, remained there for a certain period just to rectify the mentality of his eldest brother and in this way bring happiness to all the others.”
What the purport teaches
- Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira received Vidura with the honor due a saintly person. Vidura accepted the hospitality out of mercy, not to enjoy material comforts.
- Vidura stayed to enlighten Dhṛtarāṣṭra, who remained deeply attached to material life. It is the duty of enlightened souls to help deliver those who are fallen.
- The whole family took pleasure in patiently hearing Vidura’s spiritual instructions. A realized soul’s message acts on the dormant heart, and continuous hearing leads toward perfect self-realization.
Try this today
Spend five uninterrupted minutes reading Vidura’s spiritual instructions attentively.
Ask yourself
Do I listen to spiritual instruction with the patience and attention needed for it to affect my heart?
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.