Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.17.17
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLoving Devotion Draws the Lord’s Protection
“The personality of religion said: These words just spoken by you befit a person of the Pāṇḍava dynasty. Captivated by the devotional qualities of the Pāṇḍavas, even Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, performed duties as a messenger.”
What the purport teaches
- Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s assurances were not empty pride. By the Lord’s grace, a devotee can fulfill promises that would ordinarily be very difficult.
- Through pure devotional service and full surrender, the Pāṇḍavas attracted Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, to serve as their driver and messenger. Such service to His pure devotees pleases Him.
- The pure devotee’s life is devoted to serving the Lord with love. Mahārāja Parīkṣit was always under the Lord’s protection, so his promise of protection had real meaning.
Try this today
Set aside a few minutes today to serve the Lord with love, consciously depending on His grace.
Ask yourself
Am I cultivating loving service to the Lord rather than confidence in my own strength alone?
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.