Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.24.22
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLiving Nature Shares a Joyful Festival
“There were various trees and creepers on all sides of the lake, and there were mad bumblebees humming all about them. The trees appeared to be very jolly due to the sweet humming of the bumblebees, and the saffron, which was contained in the lotus flowers, was being thrown into the air. These all created such an atmosphere that it appeared as though a festival were taking place there.”
What the purport teaches
- Trees and creepers are also living beings. The purport describes their happiness when bumblebees come to collect honey.
- The wind scattered pollen or saffron from the lotus flowers. Together with the humming bees, sweet sounds of swans and calm water, this created a festive atmosphere.
- The Pracetās saw the place as a continuous festival. From this description, the purport suggests that they had reached Śivaloka, near the Himālaya Mountains.
Try this today
Spend a minute observing a tree or creeper today, remembering that it too is a living being.
Ask yourself
How does recognizing trees and creepers as living beings change the way I notice them?
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.