Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.12.1
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesReturning to Kṛṣṇa Matters More Than Victory
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Desiring to give up his body, Vṛtrāsura considered death in the battle preferable to victory. O King Parīkṣit, he vigorously took up his trident and with great force attacked Lord Indra, the King of heaven, just as Kaiṭabha had forcefully attacked the Supreme Personality of Godhead when the universe was inundated.”
What the purport teaches
- Indra was hesitant to kill Vṛtrāsura because he recognized him as a great devotee.
- Vṛtrāsura was not interested in victory. He wanted to return home, back to Godhead.
- The purport explains that a devotee who returns to Lord Kṛṣṇa after giving up the body does not accept another material body.
Try this today
Set aside a few minutes today for devotional service rather than pursuing recognition.
Ask yourself
What matters more to me: outward success or drawing closer to Lord Kṛṣṇa?
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.