Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.2.34
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesMake the Supreme Lord’s Satisfaction the Goal
“The sage Maitreya continued: O Vidura, all the progenitors of the universal population thus executed a sacrifice for thousands of years, for sacrifice is the best way to worship the Supreme Lord, Hari, the Personality of Godhead.”
What the purport teaches
- The progenitors of the universal population performed sacrifices to worship Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Their concern was to satisfy Him.
- Sacrifices and severe austerities are meant for the Supreme Lord’s satisfaction. When performed for personal satisfaction, they involve one in pāṣaṇḍa, or atheism.
- Acting for the Supreme Lord’s satisfaction is the Vedic principle. The assembled sages continued their sacrifices for one thousand years.
Try this today
Before one spiritual activity today, pause and make the Supreme Lord’s satisfaction your intention.
Ask yourself
In my spiritual practice, am I seeking mainly my own satisfaction or the satisfaction of 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.