Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 12.9.7
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord Prefers Devotees Beyond Illusion
“Sūta Gosvāmī said: O wise Śaunaka, thus satisfied by Mārkaṇḍeya’s praise and worship, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, smiling, replied, “So be it,” and then departed for His hermitage at Badarikāśrama.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supreme Lord, appearing as the twin sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa, accepted Mārkaṇḍeya’s request and departed for Badarikāśrama.
- The Lord smiled ruefully because He prefers His pure devotees to stay away from His illusory energy. Curiosity about that energy can develop into sinful material desire.
- To please Mārkaṇḍeya, the Lord granted his request, knowing what would follow. The purport compares this to a father allowing a son to learn from the painful result of a harmful desire.
Try this today
Set aside one distracting curiosity today and use that moment to offer praise to the Lord.
Ask yourself
Is any curiosity drawing me away from devotional service toward material desire?
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.