Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.1.20
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDesire the Lord Himself
“He was thinking: May the Lord of the universe, of whom I have taken shelter, kindly be pleased to offer me a son exactly like Him.”
What the purport teaches
- Atri Muni took shelter of the Lord of the universe and prayed for a son exactly like Him. He concentrated on the Supreme Personality of Godhead without knowing His name.
- Vedic information describes the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the source, maintainer and final resting place of the universe. Atri Muni directed his prayer toward that Supreme Person.
- His desire was material because he wanted a child like the Lord rather than the Lord Himself. Desiring the Supreme Personality of Godhead as his child would have been free of material desire; pure devotion seeks the Lord Himself.
Try this today
Offer a short prayer asking to desire the Lord Himself rather than only the fulfillment of material wishes.
Ask yourself
When you approach the Lord, are you seeking Him or mainly asking Him to fulfill another desire?
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.