Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.21.18
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDifferent Associates Cooperate in Worship
“Similarly, fourteen other saints, Gandharvas, Apsarās, Nāgas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas and demigods, who are divided into groups of two, assume different names every month and continuously perform different ritualistic ceremonies to worship the Supreme Lord as the most powerful demigod Sūryadeva, who holds many names.”
What the purport teaches
- Fourteen associates, divided into groups of two, assume different names each month. They continuously perform ritualistic ceremonies to worship the Supreme Lord as Sūryadeva.
- The Gandharvas sing, the Apsarās dance, and the Niśācaras follow the chariot. The Pannagas decorate it, the Yakṣas guard it, and the Vālikhilyas surround the sun-god and offer prayers.
- These seven groups of fourteen associates arrange the proper times for regular snow, heat and rain throughout the universe.
Try this today
List three kinds of service described in the purport and the associates who perform them.
Ask yourself
What do you notice about the different ways these associates participate in 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.