Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.30.33
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSeek Devotee Association Life After Life
“Dear Lord, as long as we have to remain within this material world due to our material contamination and wander from one type of body to another and from one planet to another, we pray that we may associate with those who are engaged in discussing Your pastimes. We pray for this benediction life after life, in different bodily forms and on different planets.”
What the purport teaches
- The best benediction a devotee can ask for is association with devotees who discuss the Lord’s pastimes. Whatever one’s circumstances, hearing about the Supreme Lord should continue.
- A pure devotee values hearing and devotional service more than liberation from birth and death. The Pracetās pray for this opportunity in every form of life.
- Where pure devotees assemble to chant, hear and discuss the Supreme Personality of Godhead, that place becomes Vaikuṇṭha. The Lord is personally present wherever His devotees chant His glories without offense.
Try this today
Spend five minutes hearing about the Lord’s pastimes with a devotee today.
Ask yourself
Do I value opportunities to hear about the Lord more than a change in my circumstances?
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.