Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.9.50
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesA Devotee Is a True Hero
“My dear Vidura, Sunīti was the mother of a great hero. Her tears, together with the milk flowing from her breasts, wet the whole body of Dhruva Mahārāja. This was a great, auspicious sign.”
What the purport teaches
- Sunīti’s tears and milk bathed Dhruva Mahārāja in an auspicious abhiṣeka. In Deity installation, abhiṣeka is the ceremony of washing with milk, yogurt and water.
- This bathing by his mother indicated that Dhruva would soon occupy his father’s throne.
- Dhruva was not only a heroic emperor but also a great devotee. A devotee is a true hero because he conquers the influence of māyā.
Try this today
Set aside one small distraction today and use that time for devotional service.
Ask yourself
How does conquering māyā change your understanding of heroism?
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.