Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.81.5
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord Honors His Devotee’s Intention
“[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Even after being addressed in this way, O King, the brāhmaṇa felt too embarrassed to offer his palmfuls of flat rice to the husband of the goddess of fortune. He simply kept his head bowed in shame.”
What the purport teaches
- The brāhmaṇa remained too embarrassed to offer his flat rice and kept his head bowed.
- Sudāmā wondered how the Lord of Śrī could eat such hard, stale rice. He resolved not to give it, even if the Lord asked repeatedly.
- The Lord, however, intended that His devotee’s purpose in bringing the gift should not be frustrated.
Try this today
Identify one simple service you have hesitated to offer, and take a small step toward doing it today.
Ask yourself
Have you ever hesitated to serve the Lord because what you could offer seemed inadequate?
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.