Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.21.39
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesPlease the Lord by Serving His Devotees
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is everlastingly independent and who exists in everyone’s heart, is very pleased with those who follow in His footsteps and engage without reservation in the service of the descendants of brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas, for He is always dear to brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas and they are always dear to Him.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead is independent and complete, so He needs no service from anyone. Offering service is nevertheless in our own interest.
- The Lord is most pleased when someone serves His devotees. Service to brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas is a way of offering service to Him.
- By pleasing the spiritual master, one pleases the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Pṛthu Mahārāja therefore advises wholehearted service to brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas, following the Lord’s own example.
Try this today
Ask a devotee what small task you could help with today, and offer to do it.
Ask yourself
Am I willing to serve the Lord’s devotees without seeking something for myself?
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.