Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 2.6.38
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord Reveals Himself Through Devotional Service
“Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto that Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose incarnations and activities are chanted by us for glorification, though He can hardly be fully known as He is.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord’s transcendental name, form, qualities and activities cannot be perceived by gross materialistic senses. Hearing, chanting, remembering and worshiping purify the senses through devotional service.
- The Lord is not an order-supplying agent who must appear whenever we demand it. He reveals Himself according to the devotee’s spiritual advancement and is pleased by humble, earnest devotional activities.
- Brahmā advises us to hear and chant the glories of the Lord’s incarnations. Although no method allows us to know the Supreme Personality of Godhead fully, through devotional service He can be partially seen and felt.
Try this today
Spend a few minutes reading aloud this verse’s glorification of the Lord, then offer respectful obeisances.
Ask yourself
Am I approaching the Lord with humble service or expecting Him to satisfy my demands?
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.