Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.23.31
Nirodha· Winding upHear About the Lord’s Devotees
“Any person who describes the great characteristics of King Pṛthu with faith and determination — whether he reads or hears of them himself or helps others to hear of them — is certain to attain the very planet which Mahārāja Pṛthu attained. In other words, such a person also returns home to the Vaikuṇṭha planets, back to Godhead.”
What the purport teaches
- Devotional service begins with hearing and chanting about Viṣṇu. This includes hearing and chanting about His devotees and everything related to Him.
- Anyone who reads, hears or helps others hear about Pṛthu with faith and attention can attain the same Vaikuṇṭha destination. Hearing about a Vaiṣṇava is as good as hearing about Viṣṇu.
- The spiritual master is honored as much as the Supreme Lord because he is the Lord’s most confidential servant. Service to the Lord’s devotees is not separate from devotional service to the Lord.
Try this today
Read a short passage about Pṛthu aloud today, with faith and attention.
Ask yourself
Do I give attentive hearing to the lives and qualities of the Lord’s devotees?
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.