Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.4.19
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRemain Attentive to Spiritual Instruction
“Once while touring the world, Lord Ṛṣabhadeva, the Supreme Lord, reached a place known as Brahmāvarta. There was a great conference of learned brāhmaṇas at that place, and all the King’s sons attentively heard the instructions of the brāhmaṇas there. At that assembly, within the hearing of the citizens, Ṛṣabhadeva instructed His sons, although they were already very well-behaved, devoted and qualified. He instructed them so that in the future they could rule the world very perfectly. Thus he spoke as follows.”
What the purport teaches
- At Brahmāvarta, Lord Ṛṣabhadeva attended an assembly of learned brāhmaṇas. His sons listened attentively to their instructions.
- Although His sons were already well-behaved, devoted and qualified, the Supreme Lord instructed them further. He prepared them to rule the world properly while the citizens also listened.
- The purport emphasizes the value of Lord Ṛṣabhadeva’s instructions. They guide those who want to live peacefully in a world full of miseries.
Try this today
Set aside a few distraction-free minutes today to read spiritual instruction attentively.
Ask yourself
Do I remain open to spiritual instruction even when I feel capable and well prepared?
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.