Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.15.30
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHonor Saints Beyond Their Appearance
“The four boy-sages, who had nothing to cover their bodies but the atmosphere, looked only five years old, even though they were the oldest of all living creatures and had realized the truth of the self. But when the porters, who happened to possess a disposition quite unpalatable to the Lord, saw the sages, they blocked their way with their staffs, despising their glories, although the sages did not deserve such treatment at their hands.”
What the purport teaches
- The Kumāras looked like five-year-old boys and traveled naked, yet they were older than all other living creatures.
- They had realized the truth of the self and did not deserve to be barred from Vaikuṇṭha.
- The Lord is always anxious to serve sages like the Kumāras. Although the doormen knew this, they prohibited the sages from entering, which displeased the Lord.
Try this today
When you notice yourself judging someone by appearance today, pause before acting on that judgment.
Ask yourself
How might outward appearance affect your willingness to respect a saintly person?
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.