Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.7.35
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesFind Relief in Hearing the Lord’s Pastimes
“The Siddhas prayed: Like an elephant that has suffered in a forest fire but can forget all its troubles by entering a river, our minds, O Lord, always merge in the nectarean river of Your transcendental pastimes, and they desire never to leave such transcendental bliss, which is as good as the pleasure of merging in the Absolute.”
What the purport teaches
- Although the Siddhas possess the eight kinds of yogic perfection, they appear here as pure devotees. They constantly immerse themselves in hearing the Lord’s pastimes, called kṛṣṇa-kathā.
- Hearing these pastimes brings relief from material anxieties, like a river relieving an elephant suffering from a forest fire. Those absorbed in describing the Lord’s pastimes are liberated and free from fear of material life.
- The Siddhas seek happiness in discussing the Lord’s pastimes, not in sacrifices for material results. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is complete and includes all the processes praised in the Vedic scriptures.
Try this today
Spend five minutes reading or hearing the Lord’s pastimes with your attention gently focused on Him.
Ask yourself
Where do I usually seek relief from anxiety, and can I make room for hearing about the Lord?
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.