Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.12.49-50
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRecite With Surrender, Not for Profit
“Persons who have completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord should recite this narration of Dhruva Mahārāja without taking remuneration. Specifically, recitation is recommended on the full-moon or dark-moon day, on the day after Ekādaśī, on the appearance of the Śravaṇa star, at the end of a particular tithi, or the occasion of Vyatīpāta, at the end of the month, or on Sunday. Such recitation should of course be performed before a favorable audience. When recitation is performed this way, without professional motive, the reciter and audience become perfect.”
What the purport teaches
- Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam recitation must not be a business or a profession for earning a livelihood. The reciter should be fully surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and depend on Him for maintenance.
- The audience must be faithfully receptive to the Bhāgavata message. Recitation is especially recommended on specified occasions, including the full-moon day, the day after Ekādaśī and Sunday.
- When recitation is performed properly, the reciter gains perfect satisfaction, and the Lord is pleased with both reciter and audience. Both become liberated from material bondage through hearing.
Try this today
Read a short passage of Dhruva Mahārāja’s narration aloud today, with no expectation of payment and with a conscious wish to please the Lord.
Ask yourself
Am I approaching this narration with faithful receptivity rather than a desire for personal gain?
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.