Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.24.76
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionFollow Pure Devotees to Receive Mercy
“Although rendering devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and worshiping Him are very difficult, if one vibrates or simply reads this stotra [prayer] composed and sung by me, he will very easily be able to invoke the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Śiva is a pure devotee of Lord Vāsudeva and the topmost among Vaiṣṇavas. His Vaiṣṇava disciplic succession is called the Rudra sampradāya.
- Becoming a devotee of Kṛṣṇa is very difficult, yet reading or reciting this prayer can easily invoke the Lord’s mercy. Following the principles and footsteps of higher authorities makes devotion accessible.
- Devotional service cannot be attained through mental speculation. It is a special attainment available to one who surrenders to a pure devotee free from material contamination.
Try this today
Read a portion of Lord Śiva’s prayer today with a humble desire to follow his devotional guidance.
Ask yourself
Am I willing to receive guidance from pure devotees rather than rely only on my own speculation?
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.