Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.20.4
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSeek Genuine Spiritual Guidance
“Vidura was purified of all passion by wandering in sacred places, and at last he reached Hardwar, where he met the great sage who knew the science of spiritual life, and he inquired from him. Śaunaka Ṛṣi therefore asked: What more did Vidura inquire from Maitreya?”
What the purport teaches
- Vidura left a home filled with politics and diplomacy and became purified by visiting sacred places. At Hardwar he met Maitreya, who knew the science of spiritual life.
- Pilgrimage is not merely for bathing; one should seek genuine sages and receive their instructions. One must carefully distinguish a true knower of the Absolute Truth from a pretender.
- Kṛṣṇa, situated in everyone’s heart, helps a sincere seeker find a suitable spiritual master. By the mercy of Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, one attains devotional service, the path of salvation.
Try this today
Write down one sincere spiritual question to bring to a teacher who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking genuine spiritual instruction, rather than only an outward religious experience?
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.