Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.16.20
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesEveryone Is a Servant of the Lord
“The goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī, the dust of whose feet is worn on the head by others, waits upon You, as appointed, for she is anxious to secure a place in the abode of the king of bees, who hovers on the fresh wreath of tulasī leaves offered at Your feet by some blessed devotee.”
What the purport teaches
- Tulasī has attained superior qualities through being placed at the Lord’s lotus feet. A blessed devotee offers Him a fresh wreath of tulasī leaves.
- Although others seek the favor of Lakṣmī, she herself constantly serves the Lord’s lotus feet. Her eagerness is compared to the king of bees hovering over the offered tulasī.
- No one can be the Lord’s benefactor. Everyone is actually the servant of the servant of the Lord.
Try this today
Offer one small act of help to a devotee today, remembering that you are a servant of the Lord’s servant.
Ask yourself
Do I see service as a favor I give, or as my rightful 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.