Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.8.22
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSee the Lord With Humble Reverence
“My respectful obeisances are unto You, O Lord, whose abdomen is marked with a depression like a lotus flower, who are always decorated with garlands of lotus flowers, whose glance is as cool as the lotus and whose feet are engraved with lotuses.”
What the purport teaches
- The lotuslike features of the Lord’s spiritual body distinguish Him from everyone else. Although He may appear as one of us, He always remains distinct.
- The Lord mercifully accepts the arcā-vigraha, His transcendental worshipable form, to favor those who cannot see beyond matter. Worship of this form is not idolatry.
- One should begin seeing the Lord from His lotus feet, gradually rising toward His face. A soothing atmosphere in the temple helps attract those absorbed in material troubles.
Try this today
Spend a quiet minute contemplating the Lord’s form, beginning with His lotus feet and gradually directing your attention upward.
Ask yourself
How can I approach the Lord’s worshipable form with greater humility and attention?
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.