Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.14.5
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHearing the Lord’s Battles Is Devotional Service
“The great sage Maitreya said: O warrior, the inquiry made by you is just befitting a devotee because it concerns the incarnation of the Personality of Godhead. He is the source of liberation from the chain of birth and death for all those who are otherwise destined to die.”
What the purport teaches
- Maitreya praised Vidura’s inquiry because it concerned the incarnation of the Personality of Godhead. Such questions are perfectly befitting a devotee.
- The Lord’s warfare concerns the struggle against the chain of māyā, which obliges one to accept repeated birth and death. Taking delight in hearing these topics relieves one from that chain.
- Kṛṣṇa’s participation in the Battle of Kurukṣetra ensured liberation for those present. Hearing the Lord’s war topics is as good as any other devotional service.
Try this today
Spend a few minutes reading this purport attentively as devotional service.
Ask yourself
How does knowing the spiritual purpose of the Lord’s battles change my interest in hearing them?
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.