Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.19.23
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSpiritual Knowledge Inspires Selfless Goodwill
“The King said: O great sages, you have all very kindly assembled here, having come from all parts of the universe. You are all as good as supreme knowledge personified, who resides in the planet above the three worlds [Satyaloka]. Consequently you are naturally inclined to do good to others, and but for this you have no interest, either in this life or in the next.”
What the purport teaches
- Wealth, strength, fame, beauty, knowledge and renunciation originally belong to the Absolute Personality of Godhead. Living beings possess these attributes partially, but material energy covers them.
- Those fully aware of Vedic wisdom are described as the Vedas personified. Such devotees are practically desireless, with no personal gain to seek in either the material or spiritual worlds.
- By the Lord’s order, these devotees come to help fallen souls deluded by material energy. Doing good to others is their natural inclination, not a means of securing personal benefit.
Try this today
Offer one small act of spiritual help today without asking for praise or anything in return.
Ask yourself
When I help someone spiritually, am I seeking their good or recognition for myself?
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.