Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.17.14
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionThe Lord Accepts Service Through His Deity
“To show mercy to His devotees in each of these nine tracts of land, the Supreme Personality of Godhead known as Nārāyaṇa expands Himself in His quadruple principles of Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. In this way He remains near His devotees to accept their service.”
What the purport teaches
- Nārāyaṇa expands as Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha to show mercy to His devotees. He remains near them to accept their service.
- There is no difference between the arcā-vigraha, the temple Deity, and the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. Worship of the Deity brings the devotee directly in touch with Him.
- One should not regard the Deity as stone or metal, or the spiritual master as an ordinary human being. Avoiding offenses against both helps one advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Try this today
Read the verse's translation slowly today, reflecting on the Lord's mercy in remaining near His devotees to accept their service.
Ask yourself
How would recognizing the Lord's presence in the Deity deepen my respect for worship?
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.