Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.86.39
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSimple Hospitality Offered with Pleasure
“After bringing mats of grass and darbha straw and seating his guests upon them, he greeted them with words of welcome. Then he and his wife washed their feet with great pleasure.”
What the purport teaches
- Śrutadeva seats his guests on mats of grass and darbha straw and greets them with welcoming words.
- Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that he had to borrow extra mats from his neighbors even for this simple welcome.
- Śrutadeva and his wife wash their guests’ feet with great pleasure.
Try this today
Make a comfortable seat ready for someone today and greet them warmly.
Ask yourself
Am I willing to make a little extra effort to offer a simple, heartfelt welcome?
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.