Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.1.17
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSeek Purification and Devotee Guidance
“By his piety, Vidura achieved the advantages of the pious Kauravas. After leaving Hastināpura, he took shelter of many places of pilgrimages, which are the Lord’s lotus feet. With a desire to gain a high order of pious life, he traveled to holy places where thousands of transcendental forms of the Lord are situated.”
What the purport teaches
- High birth, wealth, learning and beauty result from past pious acts. These advantages alone are not sufficient to obtain the Lord’s grace and engage in His loving service.
- Vidura humbly sought greater purification through pilgrimage. Pilgrims should not merely visit holy places but eagerly seek the great souls serving the Lord there.
- The arcā-mūrti is not an idol but the Lord Himself, kindly accepting our service in a visible form. The guidance of a pure devotee is always required to understand His presence.
Try this today
Write down one question about serving the Lord that you would like to ask a pure devotee.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking genuine purification and guidance, or feeling satisfied with outward advantages?
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.