Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.30.28
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionThe Lord Accepts Loving Service
“Dear Lord, You are the killer of all inauspicious things. You are compassionate upon Your poor devotees through the expansion of Your arcā-vigraha. You should certainly think of us as Your eternal servants.”
What the purport teaches
- The arcā-vigraha is an expansion of the Lord’s unlimited potencies. Because He is compassionate, He accepts the service of beginning devotees.
- The Supreme Lord accepts a leaf, flower, fruit or water offered with love and devotion. He accepts bhāva, the attitude of service.
- Sincere devotees should worship the Lord’s form at home or in the temple, following authorized scriptures and the spiritual master. As the Lord becomes satisfied with their service, He accepts them as His unalloyed servants.
Try this today
Offer the Lord a little water or a fruit today with a sincere desire to serve Him.
Ask yourself
Am I giving attention to the loving attitude behind my offering?
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.