Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.12.18
Visarga· Brahmā's creationPenance and the Proper Time for Service
“My dear son, you had better situate yourself in penance, which is auspicious for all living entities and which will bring all benediction upon you. By penance only shall you be able to create the universe as it was before.”
What the purport teaches
- Brahmā advises Rudra to undertake penance, which is auspicious for all living entities and brings benediction. The translation connects this penance with creating the universe as before.
- Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara, or Śiva, are respectively in charge of creation, maintenance and dissolution.
- Rudra is told not to destroy during the period of creation and maintenance. He should remain in penance until the time of dissolution, when his services will be needed.
Try this today
Before acting on one strong impulse today, consider whether this is the proper time and whether it will benefit others.
Ask yourself
Can I patiently wait when a service is not yet needed?
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.