Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.9.39-40
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesA Joyful Welcome Shared With Others
“Then King Uttānapāda, being very eager to see the face of his lost son, mounted a chariot drawn by excellent horses and bedecked with golden filigree. Taking with him many learned brāhmaṇas, all the elderly personalities of his family, his officers, his ministers and his immediate friends, he immediately left the city. As he proceeded in this parade, there were auspicious sounds of conchshells, kettledrums, flutes, and the chanting of Vedic mantras to indicate all good fortune.”
What the purport teaches
- King Uttānapāda was eager to see his lost son’s face. He immediately left the city in a chariot drawn by excellent horses and decorated with golden filigree.
- Learned brāhmaṇas, elderly family members, officers, ministers and close friends accompanied him. The welcome brought many people together.
- Conchshells, kettledrums and flutes sounded during the procession. The chanting of Vedic mantras also marked the occasion with auspiciousness.
Try this today
Give someone a warm, attentive welcome today.
Ask yourself
How can I make a welcome warm and include others in its joy?
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.