Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.9.17
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionLoving Service Is the Highest Benediction
“My Lord, O Supreme Lord, You are the supreme personified form of all benediction. Therefore, for one who abides in Your devotional service with no other desire, worshiping Your lotus feet is better than becoming king and lording it over a kingdom. That is the benediction of worshiping Your lotus feet. To ignorant devotees like me, You are the causelessly merciful maintainer, just like a cow, who takes care of the newly born calf by supplying milk and giving it protection from attack.”
What the purport teaches
- Pure devotional service is unmotivated and is not covered by mental speculation or fruitive activities. Dhruva Mahārāja recognized that his desire for his father’s kingdom had mixed a material motive into his worship.
- The Lord mercifully protects His devotee, just as a cow nourishes and protects her calf. When a devotee is sincere, Kṛṣṇa guides him despite his faults and gradually elevates his devotional service.
- The ultimate goal is to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead and remain engaged in His loving service. Rather than asking for material benefits, one should seek protection from desires that lead away from devotion.
Try this today
Pray today for constant loving service and protection from distracting material desires, without asking for a material reward.
Ask yourself
What material expectation might be mixed into my worship of 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.