Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 12.10.14
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDeep Absorption and Respectful Recognition
“Opening his eyes, the sage saw Lord Rudra, the spiritual master of the three worlds, together with Umā and Rudra’s followers. Mārkaṇḍeya then offered his respectful obeisances by bowing his head.”
What the purport teaches
- Opening his eyes, Mārkaṇḍeya saw Lord Rudra, the spiritual master of the three worlds, with Umā and his followers. The sage bowed his head in respect.
- The purport explains that seeing Lord Śiva and Umā within his heart made Mārkaṇḍeya aware of them and of his own individual self.
- During his trance, he had been absorbed simply in awareness of the Supreme Lord. He had forgotten himself as the conscious perceiver.
Try this today
Spend one quiet minute remembering the Supreme Lord rather than reviewing your own concerns.
Ask yourself
How does Mārkaṇḍeya’s absorption differ from keeping yourself at the center of attention?
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.