Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.21.34
Āśraya· The supreme shelterSatisfying the Supreme Lord Purifies Our Activities
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead is transcendental and not contaminated by this material world. But although He is concentrated spirit soul without material variety, for the benefit of the conditioned soul He nevertheless accepts different types of sacrifice performed with various material elements, rituals and mantras and offered to the demigods under different names according to the interests and purposes of the performers.”
What the purport teaches
- The ultimate goal of sacrifice is to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu. Even when offerings are made in the names of demigods, the Supreme Lord is their actual enjoyer.
- Even a little endeavor to please Lord Viṣṇu is bhakti and is of great value. This touch of devotional service gradually purifies activities performed for material benefit.
- Lord Kṛṣṇa has complete transcendental knowledge and remains untouched by material qualities. Devotional service is the direct and best method of satisfying Him and gaining liberation from material bondage.
Try this today
Spend a few minutes remembering the Supreme Lord, making His satisfaction—not material gain—your purpose.
Ask yourself
How could I shift my attention from gaining something for myself to pleasing 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.