Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.20.31
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionTrust the Lord to Know Your Needs
“My Lord, due to Your illusory energy, all living beings in this material world have forgotten their real constitutional position, and out of ignorance they are always desirous of material happiness in the form of society, friendship and love. Therefore, please do not ask me to take some material benefits from You, but as a father, not waiting for the son’s demand, does everything for the benefit of the son, please bestow upon me whatever You think best for me.”
What the purport teaches
- Like a good son who trusts his father, a pure devotee depends upon the Lord. The Lord knows the living entity’s necessities and supplies them.
- Forgetfulness of our real position leads us to create unnecessary demands. These demands entangle us in material activities life after life.
- Our duty is to surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead and let Him take charge. Favorable service to Him, without seeking material benefit, is the highest perfection of life.
Try this today
Name one concern in prayer, then ask the Lord to bestow whatever He considers best for your devotional service.
Ask yourself
What unnecessary demand could I set aside as I learn to trust the Lord’s care?
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.