Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.8.19
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevotional Service Opens Understanding of the Lord
“Lord Brahmā, thus contemplating, entered the water through the channel of the stem of the lotus. But in spite of entering the stem and going nearer to the navel of Viṣṇu, he could not trace out the root.”
What the purport teaches
- Brahmā entered the water through the channel of the lotus stem. Although he went nearer to Viṣṇu’s navel, he could not trace the root.
- Personal endeavor may bring one nearer to the Lord, but without His mercy one cannot reach the ultimate point.
- True understanding of the Lord is possible only through devotional service. Effort alone cannot replace His mercy.
Try this today
Offer a short prayer asking for the Lord’s mercy and the opportunity to serve Him.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking to understand the Lord through devotional service, or relying only on my own effort?
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.