Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.24.44
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord’s Service Truly Satisfies the Senses
“My dear Lord, I wish to see You exactly in the form that Your very dear devotees worship. You have many other forms, but I wish to see Your form that is especially liked by the devotees. Please be merciful upon me and show me that form, for only that form worshiped by the devotees can perfectly satisfy all the demands of the senses.”
What the purport teaches
- Bhakti means engaging all the senses in the service of their master, Hṛṣīkeśa. Their desires can be perfectly fulfilled through this service.
- To serve the Lord with purified senses, we must become free from false egotism and bodily designations. Lord Śiva asks for the mercy to see the form most dear to the devotees.
- Devotees want to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His complete perfection, not merely to gain something or become one with Him. Vaiṣṇavas accept Kṛṣṇa’s form in His Vṛndāvana pastimes as the chief form.
Try this today
Read aloud the description of Govinda in this purport, engaging your voice and hearing in His service.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking the Lord mainly for what He can give me, or for the opportunity to serve Him?
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.