Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.1.34-36
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLiberated Souls Remain Faithful Servants
“The order carriers of Yamarāja said: Your eyes are just like the petals of lotus flowers. Dressed in yellow silken garments, decorated with garlands of lotuses, and wearing very attractive helmets on your heads and earrings on your ears, you all appear fresh and youthful. Your four long arms are decorated with bows and quivers of arrows and with swords, clubs, conchshells, discs and lotus flowers. Your effulgence has dissipated the darkness of this place with extraordinary illumination. Now, sirs, why are you obstructing us?”
What the purport teaches
- The Viṣṇudūtas’ beautiful forms and extraordinary effulgence astonished the Yamadūtas. The Yamadūtas did not know that constant chanting of Nārāyaṇa’s name had purified Ajāmila.
- The residents of Vaikuṇṭha resemble Lord Viṣṇu because they have attained sārūpya liberation, having bodily features like His. Nevertheless, they always remain servants and never declare themselves Nārāyaṇa or Viṣṇu.
- These everlastingly liberated souls know that Nārāyaṇa, or Kṛṣṇa, is their master. They remain Kṛṣṇa conscious and serve Him faithfully; learning such faithful service is the practical teaching.
Try this today
Begin one act of devotional service today with the thought, “Kṛṣṇa is my master; I am His servant.”
Ask yourself
What does the example of Vaikuṇṭha’s residents teach me about the goal of spiritual life?
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.