Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.5.29
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesFaithful Service Prepares Us for Pure Devotion
“I was very much attached to those sages. I was gentle in behavior, and all my sins were eradicated in their service. In my heart I had strong faith in them. I had subjugated the senses, and I was strictly following them with body and mind.”
What the purport teaches
- A person seeking pure devotion must seek the association of pure devotees and avoid being misled by pseudodevotees. Simplicity and gentleness help one receive their instructions.
- A pure devotee is completely surrendered to the Personality of Godhead. Such a devotee knows Him as the supreme proprietor and everyone else as His servants.
- A beginner should faithfully serve a pure devotee and carefully follow the instructions received. Such association removes sins, while faithful service shows determination to attain success in this life.
Try this today
Choose one instruction from a pure devotee that you have received or read, and carefully put it into practice today.
Ask yourself
How can gentleness and faithful action strengthen the way you receive devotional instructions?
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.