Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.3.4
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevotional Service Reveals the Lord
“The devotees, with their perfect eyes, see the transcendental form of the puruṣa who has thousands of legs, thighs, arms and faces — all extraordinary. In that body there are thousands of heads, ears, eyes and noses. They are decorated with thousands of helmets and glowing earrings and are adorned with garlands.”
What the purport teaches
- Our present materialized senses cannot perceive the transcendental Lord. Through devotional service the senses become purified, and the Lord reveals Himself.
- We should learn about the Lord’s form from devotees who have actually seen Him with eyes purified by devotional service. Receiving their experience is a valid way of gaining knowledge.
- Only pure devotional service can reveal the Lord and lead us to His side. Understanding His transcendental form requires patience and perseverance.
Try this today
Spend five attentive minutes reading this description of the Lord’s form with a desire to know and serve Him.
Ask yourself
How can I approach learning about the Lord with greater patience and a desire to serve?
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.