Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.12.42
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesPure Love Conquers the Unconquerable Lord
“The great sage Nārada continued: Just see how Dhruva Mahārāja, aggrieved at the harsh words of his stepmother, went to the forest at the age of only five years and under my direction underwent austerity. Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead is unconquerable, Dhruva Mahārāja defeated Him with the specific qualifications possessed by the Lord’s devotees.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead is unconquerable, yet He willingly submits to His devotees’ pure love. This is His voluntary response to their devotional qualities.
- Accepting a bona fide spiritual master is the first principle of devotional service. Dhruva Mahārāja gained the Lord’s favor by strictly following Nārada’s direction.
- The sum of devotional qualities is unalloyed love for Kṛṣṇa. Anyone can gradually develop this love by submissively hearing messages spoken by Kṛṣṇa or about Him.
Try this today
Spend five minutes attentively hearing or reading a message spoken by Kṛṣṇa or about Him.
Ask yourself
How can I hear about Kṛṣṇa with greater humility and attention?
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.