Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.19.26
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionWorship Kṛṣṇa Directly
“In India [Bhārata-varṣa], there are many worshipers of the demigods, the various officials appointed by the Supreme Lord, such as Indra, Candra and Sūrya, all of whom are worshiped differently. The worshipers offer the demigods their oblations, considering the demigods part and parcel of the whole, the Supreme Lord. Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead accepts these offerings and gradually raises the worshipers to the real standard of devotional service by fulfilling their desires and aspirations. Because the Lord is complete, He offers the worshipers the benedictions they desire even if they worship only part of His transcendental body.”
What the purport teaches
- The demigods are officials appointed by the Supreme Lord and are parts of His whole. Kṛṣṇa is the original master of all benedictions, including those received through demigod worship.
- Advanced devotees worship only Kṛṣṇa because they know Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible.
- Kṛṣṇa wants direct devotional worship, not indirect worship through the different parts of His body. Staunch devotional service to Him very quickly elevates a devotee to the transcendental position.
Try this today
Offer a brief prayer directly to Kṛṣṇa today, asking for the opportunity to serve Him.
Ask yourself
Am I approaching Kṛṣṇa mainly for benefits, or seeking to serve Him directly?
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.