Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.7.20
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Beautiful Lord Protects His Devotees
“His complexion was blackish, His garment yellow like gold, and His helmet as dazzling as the sun. His hair was bluish, the color of black bees, and His face was decorated with earrings. His eight hands held a conchshell, wheel, club, lotus flower, arrow, bow, shield and sword, and they were decorated with golden ornaments such as bangles and bracelets. His whole body resembled a blossoming tree beautifully decorated with various kinds of flowers.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Viṣṇu's blackish form, golden-yellow garment and shining ornaments are beautifully described. His face resembles a lotus flower, and His eight hands are compared to its eight petals.
- The Lord's weapons protect His devotees. The club and wheel punish demons and miscreants, while the lotus flower and conchshell bless devotees.
- Lord Viṣṇu is the proprietor of both the material and spiritual worlds. A devotee's position is always transcendental, and the devotee is always protected by Him.
Try this today
Meditate briefly on the Lord's lotus flower and conchshell today, remembering His blessings upon His devotees.
Ask yourself
How does remembering the Lord's beauty and protection strengthen your desire to serve Him?
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.