Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.13.28
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord’s Form Is Never Material
“He was personally the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu and was therefore transcendental, yet because He had the body of a hog, He searched after the earth by smell. His tusks were fearful, and He glanced over the devotee-brāhmaṇas engaged in offering prayers. Thus He entered the water.”
What the purport teaches
- Although an ordinary hog’s body is material, the Lord’s boar form is never materially contaminated. His body is transcendental in all circumstances.
- His assumption of a boar’s form is His pastime. By searching for the earth through smell, He showed that He can perfectly play the part of any living entity.
- His gigantic form was fearful to nondevotees but not to His pure devotees. His pleasing glance filled the devotees offering prayers with transcendental happiness.
Try this today
Recall the Lord’s pleasing glance and offer Him a brief prayer.
Ask yourself
How does this verse help me distinguish the Lord’s form from an ordinary animal’s body?
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.