Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.19.31
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesApproach a Spiritual Master With Humility
“The sage Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī sat perfectly pacified, intelligent and ready to answer any question without hesitation. The great devotee, Mahārāja Parīkṣit, approached him, offered his respects by bowing before him, and politely inquired with sweet words and folded hands.”
What the purport teaches
- Mahārāja Parīkṣit approached Śukadeva Gosvāmī with bowed head, folded hands and sweet words. This humble approach follows the scriptural instruction for learning transcendental science.
- With only seven days remaining, the King wanted to learn how to enter the kingdom of God. A spiritual master should be approached with serious questions about life’s problems.
- Śukadeva Gosvāmī was peaceful and answered without hesitation. Through his recitation of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and the King’s inquiries, both master and disciple attained perfection.
Try this today
Write down one sincere spiritual question, using respectful and clear words.
Ask yourself
What serious question about life would I bring humbly to a spiritual master?
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.