Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.1.6
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesServe Faithfully and Remember the Lord
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, Prince Priyavrata was a great devotee because he sought the lotus feet of Nārada, his spiritual master, and thus achieved the highest perfection in transcendental knowledge. With advanced knowledge, he always engaged in discussing spiritual subjects and did not divert his attention to anything else. The Prince’s father then asked him to take charge of ruling the world. He tried to convince Priyavrata that this was his duty as indicated in the revealed scriptures. Prince Priyavrata, however, was continuously practicing bhakti-yoga by constantly remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead, thus engaging all his senses in the service of the Lord. Therefore, although the order of his father could not be rejected, the Prince did not welcome it. Thus he very conscientiously raised the question of whether he might be diverted from devotional service by accepting the responsibility of ruling over the world.”
What the purport teaches
- By serving his spiritual master, Nārada, Priyavrata understood the soul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and their relationship. He therefore decided to dedicate himself to the Lord’s service.
- A liberated devotee can handle worldly responsibilities affectionately without becoming attached. He cares for and educates his children to become devotees while remaining absorbed in the Lord’s service.
- Unflinching faith in the Supreme Lord and the spiritual master reveals the essence of Vedic knowledge. Constant remembrance of the Lord, called brahma-satra, keeps the devotee’s mind engaged in spiritual activities.
Try this today
Chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra for a few minutes today, letting the words remind you of the Lord and His activities.
Ask yourself
How can I fulfill a responsibility today while keeping my attention on the Lord’s service?
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.