Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.16.2
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesOffending a Devotee Neglects the Lord
“The Personality of Godhead said: These attendants of Mine, Jaya and Vijaya by name, have committed a great offense against you because of ignoring Me.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord says that Jaya and Vijaya offended the sages because they ignored Him. Offending a devotee means neglecting the Supreme Lord Himself.
- Even in Vaikuṇṭha, an offense may occur by chance, but the Lord protects His servitor. The doormen’s service meant that advanced devotees did not expect their annihilation.
- The Lord personally came to the sages when they were prevented from seeing His lotus feet. He mercifully arranges that His devotees are not deprived of His audience.
Try this today
Speak with particular care and respect in one interaction with a devotee today.
Ask yourself
Do my dealings with devotees show that I remember their relationship with 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.