Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.18.12
Mukti· LiberationPure Devotion Reveals Good Qualities
“All the demigods and their exalted qualities, such as religion, knowledge and renunciation, become manifest in the body of one who has developed unalloyed devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva. On the other hand, a person devoid of devotional service and engaged in material activities has no good qualities. Even if he is adept at the practice of mystic yoga or the honest endeavor of maintaining his family and relatives, he must be driven by his own mental speculations and must engage in the service of the Lord’s external energy. How can there be any good qualities in such a man?”
What the purport teaches
- All living entities are eternal parts of Kṛṣṇa. When they revive their original Kṛṣṇa consciousness, His good qualities become manifest in them in a small quantity.
- The processes of devotional service purify the heart and reveal our relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Unalloyed devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, brings forth exalted qualities.
- A Vaiṣṇava is kind, truthful, peaceful and respectful toward everyone, without seeking respect personally. Such qualities distinguish a devotee; material accomplishments without devotional service do not establish spiritual goodness.
Try this today
Offer respect to one person today without seeking respect in return, remembering the qualities of a devotee.
Ask yourself
Which quality of a Vaiṣṇava would I like to see grow through my devotional 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.