Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.27.44
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesBalance devotional festivity with regulated service
“Singing along with others, chanting loudly and dancing, acting out My transcendental pastimes, and hearing and telling stories about Me, the devotee should for some time absorb himself in such festivity.”
What the purport teaches
- A devotee engaged in regulative worship should sometimes become ecstatically absorbed in chanting and hearing the Lord’s pastimes, dancing and other festivities.
- Devotional celebration includes singing with others, chanting loudly, acting out the Lord’s transcendental pastimes, and hearing and telling stories about Him.
- The words “for some time” warn against neglecting regulative principles and service in the name of so-called ecstasy. Joyful absorption does not replace regulated service to the Lord.
Try this today
Set aside a few minutes for devotional singing today while keeping your regular service commitments.
Ask yourself
How can you make room for joyful devotional celebration without neglecting your regular 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.