Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.24.1
Sthāna· The universe in orderPosition Can Come Through the Lord’s Grace
“Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear King, some historians, the speakers of the Purāṇas, say that 10,000 yojanas [80,000 miles] below the sun is the planet known as Rāhu, which moves like one of the stars. The presiding deity of that planet, who is the son of Siṁhikā, is the most abominable of all asuras, but although he is completely unfit to assume the position of a demigod or planetary deity, he has achieved that position by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Later I shall speak further about him.”
What the purport teaches
- Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī reports that some speakers of the Purāṇas place Rāhu 10,000 yojanas below the sun. It moves like one of the stars.
- Rāhu’s presiding deity is the son of Siṁhikā and is described as the most abominable of the asuras. He is unqualified for the position of a demigod or planetary deity.
- Yet he has received that position by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His position does not mean that he is personally qualified.
Try this today
Take a moment today to acknowledge the Lord’s grace rather than taking all credit for a position you hold.
Ask yourself
How does this account help me distinguish personal qualification from the Lord’s grace?
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.