Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 2.4.11
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRemember Kṛṣṇa Before Speaking and Acting
“Sūta Gosvāmī said: When Śukadeva Gosvāmī was thus requested by the King to describe the creative energy of the Personality of Godhead, he then systematically remembered the master of the senses [Śrī Kṛṣṇa], and to reply properly he spoke thus.”
What the purport teaches
- Before answering the King, Śukadeva Gosvāmī remembered Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the master of the senses. Devotees do not think they can describe the Lord independently.
- Our senses belong to the Supreme Lord and are properly used in His service. Both the instruments of action and their ingredients are gifts from Him.
- Memory and knowledge come from the Lord, who directs our abilities. A devotee therefore seeks His permission and blessing before acting, eating or speaking.
Try this today
Before your next conversation, pause to remember Śrī Kṛṣṇa and ask for His blessing to use your speech in His service.
Ask yourself
How might your speech change if you remembered that your senses belong to Kṛṣṇa?
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.