Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.3.22
Mukti· LiberationLearn Faithful Service From the Spiritual Master
“Accepting the bona fide spiritual master as one’s life and soul and worshipable deity, the disciple should learn from him the process of pure devotional service. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, the soul of all souls, is inclined to give Himself to His pure devotees. Therefore, the disciple should learn from the spiritual master to serve the Lord without duplicity and in such a faithful and favorable way that the Supreme Lord, being satisfied, will offer Himself to the faithful disciple.”
What the purport teaches
- The bona fide spiritual master awakens the disciple to spiritual life and is therefore the very basis of the disciple’s life. The disciple should take shelter of him and learn pure devotional service with faith and devotion.
- One should eagerly serve the spiritual master, not try to use him for material gain. The Supreme Lord, Hari, is so pleased by pure, faithful service without duplicity that He gives Himself to His devotee.
- Hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from a bona fide spiritual master awakens loving service to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such hearing and service relieve lamentation, illusion and fear.
Try this today
Read aloud a short passage from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam today, with the intention of learning how to serve Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking guidance to serve faithfully, or to gain something material for myself?
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.