Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 2.3.23
Mukti· LiberationSeek the Mercy of Pure Devotees
“The person who has not at any time received the dust of the feet of the Lord’s pure devotee upon his head is certainly a dead body. And the person who has never experienced the aroma of the tulasī leaves from the lotus feet of the Lord is also a dead body, although breathing.”
What the purport teaches
- Pure devotion is attained by sincerely serving a pure devotee of the Lord. Receiving the dust of such a devotee’s feet expresses this service within the devotional paramparā, or disciplic succession.
- Austerity, scholarship and religious duties cannot by themselves bring the perfection of devotional service. Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is easily approached through His pure devotees.
- The translation compares someone who has never received a pure devotee’s foot dust or experienced the aroma of tulasī from the Lord’s feet to a breathing dead body. Seeking the devotee’s mercy revives our natural attraction for serving the Lord.
Try this today
Ask a devotee engaged in serving the Lord for one small way you can assist today.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking the mercy of the Lord’s devotees through sincere service?
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.