Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.13.38
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevotional Service Fulfills All Sacrifices
“O Lord, Your semen is the sacrifice called soma-yajña. Your growth is the ritualistic performances of the morning. Your skin and touch sensations are the seven elements of the agniṣṭoma sacrifice. Your bodily joints are symbols of various other sacrifices performed in twelve days. Therefore You are the object of all sacrifices called soma and asoma, and You are bound by yajñas only.”
What the purport teaches
- The verse describes the Lord’s bodily features in relation to various sacrifices. He is the object of all sacrifices called soma and asoma.
- The purport lists seven kinds of routine Vedic yajñas. Those who regularly perform them are understood to be situated with the Lord.
- Anyone in contact with the Supreme Lord through devotional service is understood to have performed all varieties of yajñas. Devotional service thus fulfills the purpose of these sacrifices.
Try this today
Offer a short prayer today with the intention of serving and pleasing the Supreme Lord.
Ask yourself
How does this teaching help you value even a small act of devotional service?
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.