Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.69.9-12
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesBeauty Accompanies Household Service
“Supporting the palace were coral pillars decoratively inlaid with vaidūrya gems. Sapphires bedecked the walls, and the floors glowed with perpetual brilliance. In that palace Tvaṣṭā had arranged canopies with hanging strands of pearls; there were also seats and beds fashioned of ivory and precious jewels. In attendance were many well-dressed maidservants bearing lockets on their necks, and also armor-clad guards with turbans, fine uniforms and jeweled earrings. The glow of numerous jewel-studded lamps dispelled all darkness in the palace. My dear King, on the ornate ridges of the roof danced loudly crying peacocks, who saw the fragrant aguru incense escaping through the holes of the latticed windows and mistook it for a cloud.”
What the purport teaches
- The palace had coral pillars, sapphire-decorated walls and brilliantly shining floors. Pearl-strung canopies and jewel-studded lamps added to its splendor.
- Fragrant incense fumes escaped through the windows. Mistaking them for clouds, the peacocks began dancing jubilantly.
- The servants wore beautiful clothing and ornaments. Beautiful as they were, they were all engaged in different household duties.
Try this today
Complete one small household duty carefully today, remembering the servants engaged in the Lord’s palace.
Ask yourself
What can you learn from the servants’ attention to their duties amid such beauty?
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.