Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.13.37
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord Guides Devotees Toward Himself
“The King was very liberal, and after taking permission from the priests, he took the preparation in his joined palms, and after smelling it he offered a portion to his wife.”
What the purport teaches
- After receiving the priests’ permission, the liberal King accepted the preparation in his joined palms. He smelled it and offered a portion to his wife, Sunīthā, though she was not fit to receive the benediction.
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead arranged for a cruel son to be born so that the King’s detachment from the material world would increase. The unfavorable family situation would lead him to leave home.
- Lord Viṣṇu fulfills a devotee’s desire differently from a karmī’s desire. He gives the devotee opportunities to progress and return home, back to Godhead.
Try this today
Choose one disappointment today and pray for guidance to use it for progress in devotional service.
Ask yourself
Can I seek progress in devotional service even when circumstances do not fulfill my expectations?
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.