Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.5.4
Mukti· LiberationDevotional Service Opens the Heart to Guidance
“Therefore, O great sage, please give me instruction on the transcendental devotional service of the Lord, so that He who is situated in the heart of everyone can be pleased to impart, from within, knowledge of the Absolute Truth in terms of the ancient Vedic principles delivered only to those who are purified by the process of devotional service.”
What the purport teaches
- Devotional service alone completely purifies the heart of material coverings. The pure devotee seeks neither fruitive results nor philosophical speculation.
- The Lord dwells in everyone's heart alongside the individual soul. Pleased by loving service, He gives the devotee knowledge and guidance toward returning home, back to Godhead.
- Beginners follow the prescribed rules of devotional service given in scripture and confirmed by great ācāryas. This practice can lead to rāga-bhakti, in which the Lord responds from within as the spiritual master.
Try this today
Reread Vidura's request for instruction and make a sincere request to learn how to please the Lord through service.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking spiritual knowledge chiefly to understand more, or to serve and please 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.