Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.6.35
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesPurify the Senses Through Devotional Service
“The demigods saw Lord Śiva situated in his perfection as the master of the senses, knowledge, fruitive activities and the path of achieving perfection. He was the friend of the entire world, and by virtue of his full affection for everyone, he was very auspicious.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Śiva is full of wisdom and austerity. He exemplifies perfection in knowing how to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Materially contaminated senses tend toward sense gratification. Through wisdom and austerity, they become purified and engaged in the Lord’s service.
- Lord Śiva is a Vaiṣṇava who teaches conditioned souls how to engage in devotional service twenty-four hours a day. His affectionate guidance is good fortune for everyone.
Try this today
Spend five minutes using your voice to read aloud about devotional service.
Ask yourself
How could you use one of your senses in the Lord’s service rather than for personal gratification?
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.