Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.16.15
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSpiritual Opulence Surpasses Material Grandeur
“The four brāhmaṇa sages were nevertheless extremely delighted to behold Him, and they experienced a thrill throughout their bodies. They then spoke as follows to the Lord, who had revealed the multiglories of the Supreme Personality through His internal potency, yoga-māyā.”
What the purport teaches
- The sages were almost too puzzled to speak before the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Yet their joy was so great that the hairs of their bodies stood erect.
- The highest material opulence is that of Brahmā, called pārameṣṭhya. Even this cannot compare with the opulence of the Supreme Lord.
- The Lord’s spiritual opulence is revealed through His internal potency, yoga-māyā. Material opulence is caused by mahā-māyā.
Try this today
Spend one quiet minute reflecting on how even the highest material opulence cannot compare with the Lord’s glory.
Ask yourself
What do I admire more: material grandeur or the Lord’s spiritual glory?
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.