Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.8.56
Mukti· LiberationWorship Personally and Be Content with Prasāda
“It is possible to worship a form of the Lord made of physical elements such as earth, water, pulp, wood and metal. In the forest one can make a form with no more than earth and water and worship Him according to the above principles. A devotee who has full control over his self should be very sober and peaceful and must be satisfied simply with eating whatever fruits and vegetables are available in the forest.”
What the purport teaches
- Worshiping the Lord’s form is essential; mental meditation and mantra chanting alone are not the whole practice described here. Dhruva Mahārāja was advised to worship a form made from earth and water if other materials were unavailable.
- A devotee should be self-controlled, sober and peaceful. The Lord’s personal form, rather than something impersonal, is the recommended object of worship.
- One should offer the best available food within the fruit and vegetable groups, cooked or uncooked. A devotee eats in a regulated way and is satisfied with available prasāda rather than hankering for particular tastes.
Try this today
At one meal today, accept the available prasāda with gratitude and avoid seeking extra food simply to satisfy the tongue.
Ask yourself
Can I be satisfied with available prasāda rather than insisting on my favorite food?
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.