Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.22.6
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesA Life Dedicated to Devotional Service
“The four great sages were elder to Lord Śiva, and when they were seated on the golden throne, they appeared just like fire blazing on an altar. Mahārāja Pṛthu, out of his great gentleness and respect for them, began to speak with great restraint as follows.”
What the purport teaches
- The Kumāras declined Lord Brahmā’s request to marry and increase the population. They wanted to remain brahmacārī and engage fully in the Lord’s devotional service.
- They are called naiṣṭhika-brahmacārī because they never marry. They appeared before Lord Śiva, who arose from between Lord Brahmā’s eyes when he became angry.
- Seated on the golden throne, the sages appeared like fire blazing on an altar. Pṛthu Mahārāja addressed them gently, respectfully, and with great restraint.
Try this today
Set aside a short, uninterrupted period today for devotional service to the Lord.
Ask yourself
What small choice would help me give more attention to devotional service?
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.