Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.12.13
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHear About Kṛṣṇa and Grow in Service
“Who are the pure devotees mentioned here? In an assembly of pure devotees, there is no question of discussing material subjects like politics and sociology. In an assembly of pure devotees, there is discussion only of the qualities, forms and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is praised and worshiped with full attention. In the association of pure devotees, by constantly hearing such topics respectfully, even a person who wants to merge into the existence of the Absolute Truth abandons this idea and gradually becomes attached to the service of Vāsudeva.”
What the purport teaches
- Pure devotees discuss the qualities, forms and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They praise and worship Him with full attention.
- A devotee should not waste time in unnecessary talk about worldly news. The devotee’s ambition is to serve Kṛṣṇa positively and seriously.
- Respectfully hearing about the Lord in pure devotees’ association gradually brings attachment to serving Vāsudeva. Even the desire to merge into the Absolute Truth is abandoned.
Try this today
Replace five minutes of unnecessary news discussion with attentive hearing about Kṛṣṇa’s qualities.
Ask yourself
Which of my conversations nourish my desire to serve Kṛṣṇa?
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.