Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.1.24
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesOffer Prayers and Humble Respects
“Thereafter he began to offer prayers to the three deities, who were seated on different carriers — a bull, a swan and Garuḍa — and who held in their hands a drum, kuśa grass and a discus. The sage offered them his respects by falling down like a stick.”
What the purport teaches
- Daṇḍavat means falling on the ground like a long rod before a superior. Atri Ṛṣi offered respect to the three deities in this way.
- Lord Viṣṇu sat on Garuḍa and carried a disc. Brahmā sat on a swan and held kuśa grass.
- Lord Śiva sat on a bull and held a small drum called a ḍamaru. Recognizing the deities by their carriers and symbols, Atri Ṛṣi offered prayers and respects.
Try this today
Offer a short prayer to Lord Viṣṇu, consciously expressing your respect.
Ask yourself
How can my prayers express genuine respect rather than mere habit?
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.