Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.21.7
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevotional Service Leads to the Supreme Lord
“King Pṛthu was greater than the greatest soul and was therefore worshipable by everyone. He performed many glorious activities in ruling over the surface of the world and was always magnanimous. After achieving such great success and a reputation which spread throughout the universe, he at last obtained the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
What the purport teaches
- A ruler’s duties include performing prescribed sacrifices, supporting the duties of varṇa and āśrama, and developing the earth for food-grain production.
- King Pṛthu perfectly discharged his duties as a kṣatriya and was greater than the greatest. Despite his widespread fame, his ultimate attainment was the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- The Vaikuṇṭha planets can be achieved only by devotional service. Without attachment to the Personality of Godhead, those who reach the impersonal Brahman region fall back into the material world.
Try this today
Before one daily duty, take a moment to remember that devotional service—not reputation—is your goal.
Ask yourself
Am I treating success in my duties as the goal, or cultivating attachment to the Supreme Personality of Godhead?
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.