Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.9.29
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionAccept Responsibility Without False Pride
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead then said: O Brahmā, O depth of Vedic wisdom, be neither depressed nor anxious about the execution of creation. What you are begging from Me has already been granted before.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord tells Brahmā not to be depressed or anxious: the blessing he seeks has already been granted. Work authorized by the Lord or His bona fide representative is already blessed.
- One entrusted with responsibility should remain aware of personal limitations and always seek the Lord’s mercy. Such responsibility is good fortune, not a reason for pride.
- Arjuna accepted the Lord as his supreme guide rather than claiming independent success. Brahmā and those who follow his disciplic succession likewise succeed in loving service by remaining subordinate to the Lord.
Try this today
Before carrying out one responsibility, acknowledge your limitations and ask for the Lord’s mercy.
Ask yourself
Do my responsibilities make me more dependent on the Lord or more proud of myself?
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.