Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.2.31
Mukti· LiberationReceive the path through guru and Kṛṣṇa
“O Lord, who resemble the shining sun, You are always ready to fulfill the desire of Your devotee, and therefore You are known as a desire tree [vāñchā-kalpataru]. When ācāryas completely take shelter under Your lotus feet in order to cross the fierce ocean of nescience, they leave behind on earth the method by which they cross, and because You are very merciful to Your other devotees, You accept this method to help them.”
What the purport teaches
- The merciful ācāryas and Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, together help the serious devotee return home, back to Godhead. By the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa, one receives the seed of devotional service.
- The guru teaches suitable ways to serve according to the time, circumstances and person, while following śāstra, the scriptures. Kṛṣṇa accepts service offered through this authorized method.
- The ācāryas leave books and instructions to help future devotees follow the path. Rather than artificially imitate advanced devotees, one should faithfully follow the prescribed method and live in the association of devotees.
Try this today
Read one paragraph of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s purport today and choose one instruction about devotional service to follow.
Ask yourself
Am I willing to follow suitable devotional guidance rather than imitate someone else’s advanced practice?
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.