Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.6.38
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKnow the Lord Through Devotional Service
“O my son, the original poet, Brahmā, after mature meditation for one thousand celestial years, could know only that the glories of the Supreme Soul are inconceivable.”
What the purport teaches
- After one thousand celestial years of mature meditation, Brahmā could know only that the Lord’s glories are inconceivable. Mental speculation cannot measure those unlimited glories.
- Devotees submissively hear the Lord’s glories from bona fide devotees rather than waste time in fruitless speculation. They enjoy the devotional process of hearing and chanting.
- The mahātmās take to devotional service without deviation. If the Lord can be known to some extent, it is through devotional service and no other way.
Try this today
Reread a short passage of this purport about hearing and chanting, then repeat its teaching aloud with attention.
Ask yourself
Am I approaching the Lord through humble hearing, or trying to measure Him by my own speculation?
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.