Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.29.3
Āśraya· The supreme shelterHumble Shelter Brings Spiritual Perfection
“Therefore, O lotus-eyed Lord of the universe, swanlike men happily take shelter of Your lotus feet, the source of all transcendental ecstasy. But those who take pride in their accomplishments in yoga and karma fail to take shelter of You and are defeated by Your illusory energy.”
What the purport teaches
- One can achieve spiritual perfection simply by taking shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The most discriminating people recognize His lotus feet as the actual source of spiritual happiness.
- Those proud of achievements in mystic yoga or material work are often more attracted to their own endeavor than to the Lord. They fail to appreciate obedient surrender and are defeated by His illusory energy.
- By humbly taking shelter of Lord Kṛṣṇa, one can advance easily and quickly in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and go back home, back to Godhead.
Try this today
Offer a short prayer to Lord Kṛṣṇa asking for humble dependence on Him rather than pride in your accomplishments.
Ask yourself
Does pride in your own effort sometimes distract you from taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa?
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.