Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.6.18
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionDevotional Service Surpasses Liberation
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, the Supreme Person, Mukunda, is actually the maintainer of all the members of the Pāṇḍava and Yadu dynasties. He is your spiritual master, worshipable Deity, friend, and the director of your activities. To say nothing of this, He sometimes serves your family as a messenger or servant. This means He worked just as ordinary servants do. Those engaged in getting the Lord’s favor attain liberation from the Lord very easily, but He does not very easily give the opportunity to render direct service unto Him.”
What the purport teaches
- The Pāṇḍavas’ unalloyed devotional service made their dynasty glorious. Lord Kṛṣṇa became their maintainer, spiritual master and even messenger.
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead is always inclined toward His pure devotees. Although Kṛṣṇa appeared in the Yadu dynasty, He showed special affection for the Pāṇḍavas.
- Bhakti-yoga is the basis of the supreme relationship with the Lord and is far superior to liberation. Kṛṣṇa gives liberation easily, but does not so easily grant direct devotional service.
Try this today
Offer a brief prayer to Lord Kṛṣṇa expressing gratitude for the opportunity to learn about devotional service.
Ask yourself
How does the rarity of direct devotional service change the way I value opportunities to serve?
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.