Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.5.19
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionThe Taste of Devotion Draws Us Back
“My dear Vyāsa, even though a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa sometimes falls down somehow or other, he certainly does not undergo material existence like others [fruitive workers, etc.] because a person who has once relished the taste of the lotus feet of the Lord can do nothing but remember that ecstasy again and again.”
What the purport teaches
- One who has tasted the sweetness of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet repeatedly remembers that happiness. Pure devotional service gradually makes material enjoyment uninteresting.
- A fallen devotee is not in the same position as a worker suffering reactions to material actions. The devotee remains under the Lord’s care and may be corrected by Him.
- A beginner may foolishly seek material power in exchange for devotional service. The Lord may remove material supports as a special favor, bringing the devotee back to sincere service.
Try this today
Spend a quiet minute remembering Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, then perform one small act of service without asking for a material reward.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking the sweetness of serving Kṛṣṇa, or expecting material rewards from my 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.