Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.13.4
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHear Pure Devotees Describe Pure Devotees
“Persons who hear from a spiritual master with great labor and for a long time must hear from the mouths of pure devotees about the character and activities of pure devotees. Pure devotees always think within their hearts of the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, who awards His devotees liberation.”
What the purport teaches
- Students trained by hearing from a bona fide spiritual master must hear both about the Lord and about His pure devotees.
- The Lord is within everyone’s heart, but material illusion hides His presence from their awareness. Pure devotees realize His presence and constantly remember His lotus feet.
- The purport describes worship of the devotee as more potent than worship of the Lord. Students should hear about pure devotees from other pure devotees, who can truly explain them.
Try this today
Reread the purport and note one quality of a pure devotee to reflect on today.
Ask yourself
How much attention do I give to hearing about the qualities of pure devotees?
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.