Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.2.53
Mukti· LiberationNever Exchange the Lord’s Shelter for Opulence
“The lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are sought even by the greatest of demigods, such as Brahmā and Śiva, who have all accepted the Supreme Personality of Godhead as their life and soul. A pure devotee of the Lord can never forget those lotus feet in any circumstance. He will not give up his shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord for a single moment — indeed, not for half a moment — even in exchange for the benediction of ruling and enjoying the opulence of the entire universe. Such a devotee of the Lord is to be considered the best of the Vaiṣṇavas.”
What the purport teaches
- A pure devotee never forgets the Lord’s lotus feet, even for half a moment in exchange for the opulence of the entire universe. Those lotus feet are sought even by Brahmā and Śiva.
- Since everything that exists is an expansion of the Supreme Lord, a pure devotee finds nothing separate from Him. This keeps the devotee’s remembrance of the Lord undisturbed.
- Even if given all universal opulence, a pure devotee would offer it at the Lord’s lotus feet and remain His humble servant. No material facility can distract such a devotee from the Lord’s service.
Try this today
When enjoying a comfort today, pause to remember Kṛṣṇa and how that facility could support His service.
Ask yourself
What comfort or opportunity most distracts me from remembering and serving the Lord?
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.