Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.20.24
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHear the Lord’s Glories From Pure Devotees
“My dear Lord, I therefore do not wish to have the benediction of merging into Your existence, a benediction in which there is no existence of the nectarean beverage of Your lotus feet. I want the benediction of at least one million ears, for thus I may be able to hear about the glories of Your lotus feet from the mouths of Your pure devotees.”
What the purport teaches
- Pṛthu Mahārāja rejected merging into the Lord’s existence because it lacks the nectar of hearing His glories. Instead, he asked for one million ears to hear from pure devotees.
- The Lord’s glories should come from pure devotees who speak from the cores of their hearts. Such glorification is immediately effective, unlike ornamental recitation by nondevotees.
- The Lord’s glories are unlimited and can never be fully enumerated. Keeping the ears engaged in hearing them leaves no scope for Māyāvāda philosophy, which obstructs spiritual perfection.
Try this today
Spend five attentive minutes today hearing Śrīla Prabhupāda glorify the Lord.
Ask yourself
Am I choosing to hear the Lord’s glories from pure devotees rather than merely seeking an impressive presentation?
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.