Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.16.28
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevotion Matters More Than Material Power
“O King Parīkṣit, after only one week of repeatedly practicing the mantra received from the spiritual master, Citraketu achieved the rule of the planet of the Vidyādharas as an intermediate product of his spiritual advancement in knowledge.”
What the purport teaches
- Citraketu carefully followed his spiritual master’s instructions. After one week, he received rulership of the planet of the Vidyādharas as an intermediate result.
- Devotional service alone can award all material power. A devotee need not separately practice yoga, karma or jñāna for such results.
- A pure devotee is never attached to material power, even when it comes easily. Citraketu’s opulence was a side benefit of his devotional service, not its goal.
Try this today
Perform one small act of devotional service today without asking for material success in return.
Ask yourself
Are you more interested in devotional service itself or in the benefits it might bring?
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.