Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.7.11
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevotee Association Awakens Personal Loving Service
“Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī, son of Śrīla Vyāsadeva, was not only transcendentally powerful. He was also very dear to the devotees of the Lord. Thus he underwent the study of this great narration [Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam].”
What the purport teaches
- Vyāsadeva taught Śukadeva Gosvāmī the Bhāgavatam to attach him to the Lord’s transcendental activities. Even a liberated soul can become attracted to the Lord’s qualities through association with pure devotees.
- By Nārada’s mercy, Vyāsadeva could narrate Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and by Vyāsadeva’s mercy, Śukadeva Gosvāmī could grasp its meaning. Śukadeva experienced greater transcendental bliss in the Lord’s personal feature than in impersonal Brahman.
- Devotees desire to remain individuals and become personal servants of the Lord. After becoming a devotee, Śukadeva Gosvāmī desired their association, and they also cherished his.
Try this today
Read aloud the passage describing how Vyāsadeva’s association attracted Śukadeva Gosvāmī to the Lord’s qualities.
Ask yourself
How can I become more receptive to the association of those who desire to serve the Lord personally?
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.