Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.6.15
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSeek the Lord’s Shelter, Not Mystic Powers
“Who is that mystic yogī who can follow the examples of Lord Ṛṣabhadeva even with his mind? Lord Ṛṣabhadeva rejected all kinds of yogic perfection, which other yogīs hanker to attain. Who is that yogī who can compare to Lord Ṛṣabhadeva?”
What the purport teaches
- Ordinary yogīs desire mystic perfections, but Lord Ṛṣabhadeva never aspired for these material things.
- Such perfections are presented by the Lord’s illusory energy. Attraction to them can cover the real purpose of yoga.
- The true purpose of yoga is to attain the favor and shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s lotus feet. Ordinary yogīs cannot compare to Lord Ṛṣabhadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Try this today
Offer a brief prayer asking for the Lord’s shelter rather than extraordinary powers.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking the Lord’s shelter, or am I attracted to extraordinary abilities and achievements?
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.