Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.8.20
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSincere Devotion Invites the Lord’s Mercy
“You Yourself descend to propagate the transcendental science of devotional service unto the hearts of the advanced transcendentalists and mental speculators, who are purified by being able to discriminate between matter and spirit. How then can we women know You perfectly?”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord descends to teach the transcendental science of devotional service. Kuntī humbly questions how she can know Him perfectly.
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be known merely through great learning or philosophical speculation. He is knowable only by one who receives His mercy.
- The Lord knows sincerity of purpose and does not reserve His favor for great philosophers. Simple acceptance of His authority is more effective than showy, insincere religious fervor.
Try this today
Offer a quiet bow to the Lord today, sincerely accepting His authority without seeking anyone’s notice.
Ask yourself
How can I make my devotion more sincere and less concerned with appearing knowledgeable?
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.