Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.5.17
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevotional Service Benefits All People
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The great sage Maitreya Muni, after honoring Vidura very greatly, began to speak, at Vidura’s request, for the greatest welfare of all people.”
What the purport teaches
- Maitreya Muni greatly honored Vidura before responding to his request. He spoke for the greatest welfare of all people.
- Maitreya is called bhagavān here because his learning and experience surpassed those of ordinary people. His judgment about the world’s greatest welfare is therefore authoritative.
- Devotional service to the Lord is the all-inclusive welfare service for human society. In response to Vidura, Maitreya appropriately described this service.
Try this today
Share this verse’s teaching with one willing listener: devotional service to the Lord benefits all people.
Ask yourself
How does seeing devotional service as universal welfare change my understanding of helping others?
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.