Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.20.17
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesReceive the Lord’s Instructions With Respect
“The great saint Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, in this way Mahārāja Pṛthu, the conqueror of the entire world, accepted the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead on his head.”
What the purport teaches
- Mahārāja Pṛthu accepted the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead on his head. His example teaches us to receive the Lord’s words with great care, attention and respect.
- The Lord’s instructions should be accepted as they are. It is not our business to amend His words or make additions or alterations.
- Pṛthu Mahārāja shows how knowledge is received through the paramparā system. Acceptance of the Lord’s instructions begins with humble submission at His lotus feet.
Try this today
Read one instruction from Bhagavad-gītā slowly today, with the intention to understand it without changing its meaning.
Ask yourself
Do I try to understand the Lord’s instructions as they are, or adjust them to suit my preferences?
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.