Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.69.17
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionThe Lord Is Everyone’s True Friend
“Śrī Nārada said: O almighty Lord, it is no surprise that You, the ruler of all worlds, show friendship for all people and yet subdue the envious. As we well know, You descend by Your sweet will in order to bestow the highest good on this universe by maintaining and protecting it. Thus Your glories are widely sung.”
What the purport teaches
- Every living being is a servant of the Lord, and the Lord is the true friend of every living being. His friendship extends to all.
- Even when the Lord chastises envious persons, His punishment amounts to real friendship. Both His chastisement and His blessing benefit the living being.
- The Lord descends by His own sweet will to bestow the highest good on the universe. He maintains and protects it, and His glories are widely sung.
Try this today
Before one interaction today, pause and remember that the other person is also a servant of the Lord.
Ask yourself
How might remembering that every living being is the Lord’s servant affect your attitude toward others?
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.