Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.21.32
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord’s Forms and Names Have Full Potency
“O great sage, I shall manifest My own plenary portion through your wife, Devahūti, along with your nine daughters, and I shall instruct her in the system of philosophy that deals with the ultimate principles or categories.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord promises to appear as Kapiladeva, the son of Devahūti and Kardama Muni, and teach Sāṅkhya philosophy. His Sāṅkhya is godly, unlike the godless system taught by another Kapiladeva.
- The Lord’s direct and further expansions have the same divine potency. Like candles lit from one another, none is inferior in its power to give light.
- Kṛṣṇa’s name, form, pastimes and qualities have the same potency because the Lord is absolute. Chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa and worshiping His form are not dealings with something separate from Him.
Try this today
Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa attentively for one minute, remembering that His name has the potency of the Lord Himself.
Ask yourself
How might remembering the Lord’s full presence in His name change the way I chant?
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.