Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.1.4
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSincere Inquiry Leads Toward Devotional Service
“Saint Vidura was a great and pure devotee of the Lord, and therefore his questions to His Grace Ṛṣi Maitreya must have been very purposeful, on the highest level, and approved by learned circles.”
What the purport teaches
- The spiritual value of questions and answers depends on the persons involved. As a pure devotee, Vidura asked highly purposeful questions approved by saints and sages.
- The discussion between Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Person, and Arjuna, His devotee, is based on bhakti-yoga. Karma seeks the performer’s enjoyment, whereas karma-yoga is action for the Lord’s satisfaction.
- One should approach a bona fide spiritual master with genuine interest in spiritual understanding, not merely to follow a fashion. Mahārāja Parīkṣit was serious about learning the science of God.
Try this today
Before one task today, pause and make pleasing the Lord your intention rather than seeking only your own enjoyment.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking spiritual knowledge to please the Lord or mainly to benefit myself?
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.