Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.29.32
Āśraya· The supreme shelterServing the Soul of All Souls
“Our dear Kṛṣṇa, as an expert in religion You have advised us that the proper religious duty for women is to faithfully serve their husbands, children and other relatives. We agree that this principle is valid, but actually this service should be rendered to You. After all, O Lord, You are the dearmost friend of all embodied souls. You are their most intimate relative and indeed their very Self.”
What the purport teaches
- Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Soul of all souls, their dearmost friend and well-wisher. The gopīs explain that He is the ultimate object of service.
- All authority comes from the Supreme Lord, and all living beings are His parts and parcels. One who wholeheartedly takes shelter of His service need not serve indirect authorities separately.
- A surrendered soul still serves the spiritual master, who directly represents the Supreme Lord. The bona fide spiritual master is the transparent medium leading the disciple to Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.
Try this today
Spend one minute reflecting on Kṛṣṇa as the Soul of all souls and your dearmost well-wisher.
Ask yourself
How does seeing Kṛṣṇa as my dearmost friend deepen my desire to serve Him?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.