Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.13.59
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLiberation Is Not Yet Pure Devotion
“Vidura, being affected with delight and grief, will then leave that place of sacred pilgrimage.”
What the purport teaches
- Vidura was delighted that his formerly materialistic brother had departed as a liberated yogī. Yet he grieved that Dhṛtarāṣṭra had not become a pure devotee.
- Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s hostility toward the Pāṇḍavas, who were devotees of the Lord, obstructed his progress toward pure devotion. The purport warns that offending a Vaiṣṇava is more dangerous than offending the Lord.
- Vidura generously gave mercy, but its ultimate result depended on the Supreme Lord’s will. Dhṛtarāṣṭra attained liberation rather than devotional service, and Vidura sought relief from his grief through pilgrimage.
Try this today
Before speaking about a devotee today, pause and choose respectful words.
Ask yourself
How can I become more careful not to offend devotees of 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.