Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 2.9.17
Āśraya· The supreme shelterSeek Service, Not Temporary Powers
“The Lord was seated on His throne and was surrounded by different energies like the four, the sixteen, the five, and the six natural opulences, along with other insignificant energies of the temporary character. But He was the factual Supreme Lord, enjoying His own abode.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord naturally possesses the greatest wealth, power, fame, beauty, knowledge and renunciation. No one is equal to or greater than Him.
- The material creative energies and the temporary powers attained by yogīs are under His control. A living being’s acquired powers never make that being the Supreme Lord.
- Unalloyed devotees want nothing from the Lord except His transcendental service. He is so pleased with their service that He gives Himself in exchange.
Try this today
Offer a short prayer asking for the opportunity to serve the Lord rather than for personal power or gain.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking something from the Lord, or learning to desire His service itself?
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.