Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.23.35
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHear With Devotion, Whatever Your Desires
“By hearing the narration of Pṛthu Mahārāja, one can become great, increase his duration of life, gain promotion to the heavenly planets and counteract the contaminations of this Age of Kali. In addition, one can promote the causes of religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation. Therefore from all sides it is advisable for a materialistic person who is interested in such things to read and hear the narrations of the life and character of Pṛthu Mahārāja.”
What the purport teaches
- Hearing Pṛthu’s life and character brings many benefits, including increased life, heavenly elevation and relief from the contamination of Kali. More importantly, such hearing naturally makes one a devotee.
- Whether one seeks pure devotion, material prosperity or liberation, the recommended path is devotional service. One should hear and chant about Lord Viṣṇu or His devotee.
- The purpose of Vedic knowledge is to understand Kṛṣṇa and His devotees. Kṛṣṇa is never without variety or alone; speaking of Him includes His devotees.
Try this today
Read a short portion of Pṛthu’s narration today with the intention of developing devotion, whatever other desires you carry.
Ask yourself
Whatever desires I have now, am I willing to make devotional hearing my path?
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.