Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 2.9.43
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesReceive Knowledge Through Devotion and Service
“The great sage Nārada also inquired in detail from his father, Brahmā, the great-grandfather of all the universe, after seeing him well satisfied.”
What the purport teaches
- Transcendental knowledge is received from an authorized, realized spiritual master through surrender, questions and service. It is not something purchased like ordinary information.
- Unflinching devotion to the Lord and the spiritual master allows spiritual knowledge to be revealed. A genuine spiritual master must first have strictly followed his own spiritual master.
- Both disciple and spiritual master require sense control, not merely a formal relationship. This discipline includes controlling speech, anger, the tongue, the mind, the belly and the genitals.
Try this today
Practice control of speech today: pause before responding in anger and choose restrained words.
Ask yourself
How can I support my spiritual questions with sincere service and self-discipline?
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.