Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.18.11
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesPrepare Land to Retain Rainfall
“My dear King, may I inform you that you have to make the entire surface of the globe level. This will help me, even when the rainy season has ceased. Rainfall comes by the mercy of King Indra. Rainfall will remain on the surface of the globe, always keeping the earth moistened, and thus it will be auspicious for all kinds of production.”
What the purport teaches
- The earth asked King Pṛthu to level her surface so that rainwater could remain after the rainy season.
- Rainfall comes by the mercy of King Indra, who is in charge of rainfall and thunderbolts.
- The purport explains that level land is especially favorable for producing grain. Retained rainfall keeps the earth moist and supports production.
Try this today
Observe a patch of soil after watering or rain, and notice where water stays and where it runs away.
Ask yourself
What does this verse teach me about preparing land to make good use of rainfall?
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.