Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 2.1.7
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLiberated Souls Delight in Glorifying the Lord
“O King Parīkṣit, mainly the topmost transcendentalists, who are above the regulative principles and restrictions, take pleasure in describing the glories of the Lord.”
What the purport teaches
- A beginner is guided by the spiritual master under regulative principles, just as a patient follows restrictions during treatment. The topmost transcendentalist is a liberated soul, beyond these restrictions.
- The Lord’s form, attributes and activities are transcendental, not material. Liberated souls, who have no interest in material activities, take pleasure in discussing His pastimes.
- The highest perfection of transcendental realization is to enjoy hearing and describing the Lord’s qualities. Real transcendental pleasure lies in glorifying Him, not in merging into His impersonal existence.
Try this today
Read aloud one sentence from this purport describing the Lord’s transcendental qualities.
Ask yourself
How can I approach hearing about the Lord as an opportunity for devotional pleasure?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.