Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.18.12
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevotional Service Gives a Certain Result
“We have just begun the performance of this fruitive activity, a sacrificial fire, without certainty of its result due to the many imperfections in our action. Our bodies have become black from the smoke, but we are factually pleased by the nectar of the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, Govinda, which you are distributing.”
What the purport teaches
- The sages’ fire sacrifice was full of smoke and doubts because of flaws in its performance. In the Age of Kali, expert brāhmaṇas able to perform such sacrifices successfully are scarce.
- The prescribed fruitful sacrifice in this age is congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy name. By hearing the Lord’s activities from Sūta Gosvāmī, the sages experienced real satisfaction.
- Fruitive activity and philosophical speculation may leave people laboring in vain. In devotional service, the result is sure and certain, and there is no loss of energy.
Try this today
Join another person today in chanting the Lord’s holy name for a few minutes.
Ask yourself
Where am I seeking uncertain results when I could give time to hearing and devotional service?
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.