Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.22.3
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesNārāyaṇa Benefits the Worlds Through the Sun
“The original cause of the cosmic manifestation is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa. When great saintly persons, fully aware of the Vedic knowledge, offered prayers to the Supreme Person, He descended to this material world in the form of the sun to benefit all the planets and purify fruitive activities. He divided Himself into twelve parts and created seasonal forms, beginning with spring. In this way He created the seasonal qualities, such as heat, cold and so on.”
What the purport teaches
- Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the original cause of the cosmic manifestation.
- In response to the prayers of great saintly persons learned in Vedic knowledge, He descended in the form of the sun. He did so to benefit all the planets and purify fruitive activities.
- He divided Himself into twelve parts and created seasonal forms beginning with spring, along with qualities such as heat and cold.
Try this today
Notice today’s warmth or cold and briefly remember Nārāyaṇa as the source of the seasonal qualities.
Ask yourself
How does this description help me see the seasons in relation to the Supreme Personality of Godhead?
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.