Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.3.11
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesServe the Lord Within Your Mind
“When Vasudeva saw his extraordinary son, his eyes were struck with wonder. In transcendental jubilation, he mentally collected ten thousand cows and distributed them among the brāhmaṇas as a transcendental festival.”
What the purport teaches
- Vasudeva recognized the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His fully decorated, four-handed form. His worshipable Lord had appeared as his son, filling him with wonder and joy.
- Because imprisonment prevented an outward festival, Vasudeva celebrated within his mind. He mentally distributed ten thousand cows to the brāhmaṇas.
- If one cannot externally serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one can serve Him within the mind. Such mental service is as good as service performed with the other senses.
Try this today
Spend one quiet minute mentally offering a joyful festival to the Lord, following Vasudeva’s example.
Ask yourself
When circumstances limit my outward service, how can I still serve the Lord within my mind?
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.