Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.15.39
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesReceive Mercy and Guard Against Offenses
“The Lord is the reservoir of all pleasure. His auspicious presence is meant for everyone’s benediction, and His affectionate smiling and glancing touch the core of the heart. The Lord’s beautiful bodily color is blackish, and His broad chest is the resting place of the goddess of fortune, who glorifies the entire spiritual world, the summit of all heavenly planets. Thus it appeared that the Lord was personally spreading the beauty and good fortune of the spiritual world.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord looked mercifully upon both the offenders and the offended. He is equal to all and especially inclined toward His devotees.
- An offense against a devotee is very dangerous to devotional service. Like a mad elephant trampling a garden, it can destroy one’s position in service.
- The Lord is the reservoir of all pleasure and gives shelter to everyone. Devotees receive shelter in His personal abodes, and His affectionate smile and glance touch their hearts.
Try this today
Before speaking to or about a devotee today, pause and choose respectful words.
Ask yourself
How can I be more careful not to hurt or disrespect another devotee?
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.