Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.15.48
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHearing the Lord’s Glories Is Supreme
“Persons who are very expert and most intelligent in understanding things as they are engage in hearing narrations of the auspicious activities and pastimes of the Lord, which are worth chanting and worth hearing. Such persons do not care even for the highest material benediction, namely liberation, to say nothing of other less important benedictions like the material happiness of the heavenly kingdom.”
What the purport teaches
- Devotees enjoy transcendental bliss in hearing and chanting the Lord’s auspicious activities. This pleasure is completely different from material happiness.
- Pure devotees seek neither heavenly enjoyment nor any kind of liberation. They are concerned only with glorifying the Supreme Lord, knowing that pleasurable material positions are temporary.
- Pure devotional service is śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam—hearing and chanting the Lord’s glories. Hearing His activities from pure devotees is acceptable for everyone and is the supreme benediction for mankind.
Try this today
Spend five minutes today hearing a pure devotee narrate the Lord’s activities, without asking for a material reward.
Ask yourself
Do I approach devotional service for rewards, or for the pleasure of hearing and glorifying the Lord?
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.