Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.29.37
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesShelter in the Lord’s Foot Dust
“Goddess Lakṣmī, whose glance is sought after by the demigods with great endeavor, has achieved the unique position of always remaining on the chest of her Lord, Nārāyaṇa. Still, she desires the dust of His lotus feet, even though she has to share that dust with Tulasī-devī and indeed with the Lord’s many other servants. Similarly, we have approached the dust of Your lotus feet for shelter.”
What the purport teaches
- Although Goddess Lakṣmī remains on Lord Nārāyaṇa’s chest, she still desires the dust of His lotus feet. That dust is ecstatic and enlivening.
- She desires to share this shelter with Tulasī-devī and the Lord’s many other servants. Her unique position does not lessen her attraction to His feet.
- The gopīs ask Kṛṣṇa to give them the same opportunity. They plead that He encourage their search for shelter rather than send them away.
Try this today
Offer a short prayer for shelter at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet alongside His other servants.
Ask yourself
Do I value shelter at the Lord’s feet more than a special position?
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.