Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.5.40
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionDevotional Service Brings Knowledge and Happiness
“O Father, O Lord, O Personality of Godhead, the living entities in the material world can never have any happiness because they are overwhelmed by the three kinds of miseries. Therefore they take shelter of the shade of Your lotus feet, which are full of knowledge, and we also thus take shelter of them.”
What the purport teaches
- Conditioned life brings suffering from the body and mind, other living beings, and natural or supernatural disturbances. Material happiness is a struggle to escape these miseries.
- Devotional service is neither sentimental nor mundane; it is the path of reality. Shelter at the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s lotus feet brings transcendental happiness.
- The Lord’s lotus feet are full of transcendental knowledge. He personally removes ignorance from His devotee’s heart, whereas knowledge pursued without devotion cannot relieve material miseries.
Try this today
Reread one sentence from this purport and pray to the Lord for understanding that supports your devotion.
Ask yourself
Does my search for knowledge bring me closer to devotional service?
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.