Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.17.44
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionHelp Devotees and Receive the Lord’s Shelter
“Just as a ship rescues those who have fallen into the ocean, similarly, I very quickly rescue from all calamities those persons who uplift brāhmaṇas and devotees suffering in a poverty-stricken condition.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord promises to rescue those who relieve the poverty of brāhmaṇas and devotees surrendered to Him. He compares His rescue to a ship saving people from the ocean.
- A person absorbed in material enjoyment can rectify that position by dedicating hard-earned money to the Lord’s service. Wealth can be used to relieve the hardships of His devotees.
- Seeing the difficult austerities of saintly persons, a pious person should arrange for their comfort. The Lord uplifts those who offer such charity from the ocean of material attachment.
Try this today
Offer a small amount of money or practical help toward the needs of a devotee or brāhmaṇa facing poverty.
Ask yourself
How could I use some of my resources to relieve a devotee’s hardship?
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.