Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.4.10
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord Responds to Pure Love
“Maitreya Muni was greatly attached to Him [the Lord], and he was listening in a pleasing attitude, with his shoulder lowered. With a smile and a particular glance upon me, having allowed me to rest, the Lord spoke as follows.”
What the purport teaches
- Maitreya listened with attachment and a pleasing attitude. Yet the Lord gave more intimate attention to Uddhava because he was a spotlessly pure devotee.
- The Lord reciprocates on the basis of transcendental love, not philosophical knowledge or fruitive activities. Devotion mixed with the monistic viewpoint is not pure devotion.
- The gopīs of Vṛndāvana had spontaneous love for the Lord without being highly learned scholars or mystic yogīs. Lord Caitanya approved their relationship with Him as supreme.
Try this today
Before one devotional activity today, pause and make your intention loving service rather than personal gain.
Ask yourself
Do I approach devotional service with a desire to love the Lord or to gain something for myself?
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.