Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.19.10
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionPower Never Replaces Dependence on the Lord
“King Pṛthu was dependent on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as Adhokṣaja. Because King Pṛthu performed so many sacrifices, he was superhumanly enhanced by the mercy of the Supreme Lord. King Pṛthu’s opulence, however, could not be tolerated by the King of heaven, Indra, who tried to impede the progress of his opulence.”
What the purport teaches
- Although Pṛthu was an empowered incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu, he remained a living entity and a devotee. Empowerment never removes one’s eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Indra was called bhagavān because of his great power, but he was still a conditioned living entity. His envy of Pṛthu shows that material greatness does not remove material defects.
- Pṛthu’s opulence depended on the mercy of Adhokṣaja, not material conditions. Though beyond the reach of mind and senses, the Lord reveals His eternal form of bliss and knowledge to His devotee.
Try this today
Choose one ability you value and offer a brief prayer to use it in the Lord’s service rather than for pride.
Ask yourself
When I gain ability or success, do I remember my dependence on the Supreme Lord?
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.