Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.20.28
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionThe Lord Magnifies Even Small Service
“My dear Lord of the universe, the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī, is the mother of the universe, and yet I think that she may be angry with me because of my intruding upon her service and acting on that very platform to which she is so much attached. Yet I am hopeful that even though there is some misunderstanding, You will take my part, for You are very much inclined to the poor, and You always magnify even insignificant service unto You. Therefore even though she becomes angry, I think that there is no harm for You, because You are so self-sufficient that You can do without her.”
What the purport teaches
- Lakṣmī is constantly attentive to the Lord’s service. Although Pṛthu Mahārāja feared intruding upon her service, the purport explains that her anger toward him was very unlikely.
- The Lord is so kind that He accepts even insignificant service as very great. He was ready to award Pṛthu Mahārāja the highest perfection of life—devotional service.
- Fruitive sacrifices alone cannot qualify one to return to Godhead; pleasing the Lord brings elevation to devotional service. The Lord is fully self-sufficient, yet kindly accepts His devotees’ service.
Try this today
Offer one small act of service to the Lord today, remembering that He kindly accepts even insignificant service.
Ask yourself
How does the Lord’s kindness encourage me to offer service even when it seems insignificant?
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.