Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.8.40
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionReceive Natural Gifts Through Devotional Gratitude
“All these cities and villages are flourishing in all respects because the herbs and grains are in abundance, the trees are full of fruits, the rivers are flowing, the hills are full of minerals and the oceans full of wealth. And this is all due to Your glancing over them.”
What the purport teaches
- Human prosperity flourishes through natural gifts supplied by the Supreme Lord. Grains, fruits, rivers and minerals depend on His mercy, not on human power alone.
- We should use nature’s gifts without trying to exploit or dominate material nature. When sufficient grains and vegetables are available, there is no need to kill animals for food.
- The real need is to obey the Lord’s laws and attain the perfection of human life through devotional service. Kuntīdevī desires His mercy so that natural prosperity may continue by His grace.
Try this today
Choose a meal of grains, vegetables or fruits today, and pause to acknowledge the Lord’s mercy in providing it.
Ask yourself
How can I receive nature’s gifts gratefully rather than use them with an exploitative attitude?
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.