Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 12.8.35
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRespond to the Lord With Reverence
“These two sages, Nara and Nārāyaṇa, were the direct personal forms of the Supreme Lord. When Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi saw Them, he immediately stood up and then with great respect offered Them obeisances by falling down flat on the ground like a stick.”
What the purport teaches
- Nara and Nārāyaṇa were the direct personal forms of the Supreme Lord.
- Upon seeing Them, Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi immediately stood up.
- With great respect, he offered obeisances by falling flat on the ground like a stick.
Try this today
Offer the Lord a respectful bow today, remembering Mārkaṇḍeya’s reverence.
Ask yourself
How can you express greater respect when approaching 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.