Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.14.32-33
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLiberated Souls Always Seek the Lord’s Protection
“Also, Śrutadeva, Uddhava and others, Nanda, Sunanda and other leaders of liberated souls who are constant companions of the Lord are protected by Lord Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa. Are they all doing well in their respective functions? Do they, who are all eternally bound in friendship with us, remember our welfare?”
What the purport teaches
- The constant companions of Lord Kṛṣṇa are liberated souls who descend with Him to fulfill His mission. The Pāṇḍavas also came to serve Him in His transcendental pastimes.
- The Lord remembers all His associates, but His associates can forget because they are His marginal potency. They are infinitesimal particles of the Lord and always require His protection.
- Liberated souls never consider themselves as independent or powerful as the Lord. Like sparks glowing with a fire, they remain dependent on Him in both the material and spiritual worlds.
Try this today
Before one task today, pause and ask Lord Kṛṣṇa for protection and help to serve Him.
Ask yourself
Where in my life am I trying to be independent rather than seeking the Lord’s protection?
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.