Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.1.20
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesReceive Spiritual Instruction with Humility
“Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: After thus being fully instructed by Lord Brahmā, who is the spiritual master of the three worlds, Priyavrata, his own position being inferior, offered obeisances, accepted the order and carried it out with great respect.”
What the purport teaches
- Priyavrata offered obeisances and accepted Lord Brahmā’s order with great respect. Although a great devotee, he humbly acknowledged his position.
- A great devotee carries out the order of the spiritual master or the spiritual master’s spiritual master. The Supreme Lord’s instructions are received through this disciplic chain.
- A devotee always considers himself a servant of the servant of the servant of the Lord. This humble understanding supports respectful obedience.
Try this today
Reread one instruction you have received through the disciplic chain and choose one concrete way to follow it today.
Ask yourself
How does seeing myself as a servant affect the way I receive spiritual instruction?
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.