Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.19.24
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesChoose Places That Nourish Devotional Service
“An intelligent person does not take interest in a place, even in the topmost planetary system, if the pure Ganges of topics concerning the Supreme Lord’s activities does not flow there, if there are not devotees engaged in service on the banks of such a river of piety, or if there are no festivals of saṅkīrtana-yajña to satisfy the Lord [especially since saṅkīrtana-yajña is recommended in this age].”
What the purport teaches
- An intelligent person does not desire even a heavenly place if it lacks topics about the Lord, devotees serving Him, and festivals of saṅkīrtana-yajña.
- Navadvīpa is especially glorious because Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared there to inaugurate the sacrifice of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.
- Performing saṅkīrtana to please the Lord shows perfect intelligence. The purport teaches that this chanting is the best of sacrifices, not merely another pious activity.
Try this today
Spend a few minutes today chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa to please the Lord.
Ask yourself
Does the association I seek help me hear about, remember, and 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.