Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.88.8
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionThe Lord’s Favor May Include Loss
“The Personality of Godhead said: If I especially favor someone, I gradually deprive him of his wealth. Then the relatives and friends of such a poverty-stricken man abandon him. In this way he suffers one distress after another.”
What the purport teaches
- The Personality of Godhead says that His special favor may involve gradually taking away someone’s wealth. Friends and relatives may then abandon that person, bringing further distress.
- Devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa destroys karmic reactions. The purport explains a devotee’s happiness and distress as effects of loving reciprocation with the Lord, rather than ordinary consequences of material work.
- The Lord watches over His devotee at every stage of devotion. His merciful strictness can deepen the devotee’s eagerness to call upon Him.
Try this today
Take one quiet moment to call upon Kṛṣṇa and remember Him amid a present difficulty.
Ask yourself
When difficulties arise, how can I keep turning toward the Lord in devotional service?
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.