Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.31.5
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSaintly Association Dispels Ignorance and Fear
“All the Pracetās began to address the great sage Nārada: O great sage, O brāhmaṇa, we hope you met with no disturbances while coming here. It is due to our great fortune that we are now able to see you. By the traveling of the sun, people are relieved from the fear of the darkness of night — a fear brought about by thieves and rogues. Similarly, your traveling is like the sun’s, for you drive away all kinds of fear.”
What the purport teaches
- The Pracetās considered Nārada’s visit their great fortune. They welcomed him and asked whether his journey had been free from disturbances.
- As sunrise relieves the fear caused by darkness, the appearance of a great sage like Nārada disperses ignorance.
- The material world is full of fear and danger. Meeting Nārada or his representative, a spiritual master, relieves anxiety brought about by ignorance.
Try this today
Write down one anxiety about which you would like to seek a spiritual master’s guidance.
Ask yourself
Which of my anxieties shows a need for spiritual understanding?
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.