Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.5.8
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesProsperity Through Agriculture and Cow Protection
“O King Parīkṣit, the cowherd men dressed very opulently with valuable ornaments and garments such as coats and turbans. Decorated in this way and carrying various presentations in their hands, they approached the house of Nanda Mahārāja.”
What the purport teaches
- The cowherd men wore valuable garments, ornaments, coats, and turbans. They approached Nanda Mahārāja’s house carrying gifts.
- The purport explains that village agriculturalists were prosperous through agricultural produce and cow protection.
- Neglecting agriculture and giving up cow protection brought suffering. The purport warns that atrocious activities called ugra-karma destroy the opportunity of human civilization.
Try this today
At one meal today, pause to appreciate the agricultural work that supplied your food.
Ask yourself
How does this verse challenge my understanding of prosperity?
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.