Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.9.27
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesPure Devotional Service Makes No Demands
“Despite having achieved the desired result of his determination by worshiping the lotus feet of the Lord, Dhruva Mahārāja was not very pleased. Thus he returned to his home.”
What the purport teaches
- Following Nārada Muni's instructions, Dhruva Mahārāja worshiped the Lord's lotus feet in devotional service. He obtained the exalted position he had desired.
- Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, mercifully fulfilled Dhruva Mahārāja's childish determination. He offered Dhruva the planet where He personally resides.
- Although his desire was fulfilled, Dhruva Mahārāja was not very pleased. He felt ashamed of having demanded something, because pure devotional service makes no demand from the Lord.
Try this today
Offer one short prayer today asking to serve the Lord without requesting a material reward.
Ask yourself
Am I approaching the Lord mainly to serve Him or to obtain something?
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.