Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.12.12
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Incomparable Fortune of Vṛndāvana’s Inhabitants
“Yogīs may undergo severe austerities and penances for many births by practicing yama, niyama, āsana and prāṇāyāma, none of which are easily performed. Yet in due course of time, when these yogīs attain the perfection of controlling the mind, they will still be unable to taste even a particle of dust from the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. What then can we describe about the great fortune of the inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi, Vṛndāvana, with whom the Supreme Personality of Godhead personally lived and who saw the Lord face to face?”
What the purport teaches
- Yogīs may practice difficult austerities and disciplines for many births and attain control of the mind. Yet they remain unable to taste even a particle of dust from the Lord’s lotus feet.
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead personally lived with the inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi, Vṛndāvana. They saw Him face to face.
- Their fortune, attained after many, many births of pious activities, is impossible to describe fully.
Try this today
Pause for one minute to reflect on their extraordinary fortune in seeing the Lord face to face.
Ask yourself
How does this comparison deepen your appreciation of the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana?
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.