Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.7.23
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyThe Guru’s Mercy Opens Spiritual Advancement
“O Indra, your enemies, the demons, were extremely weak because of their disrespect toward Śukrācārya, but since they have now worshiped Śukrācārya with great devotion, they have again become powerful. By their devotion to Śukrācārya, they have increased their strength so much that now they are even able to easily seize my abode from me.”
What the purport teaches
- The demons had become weak by disrespecting Śukrācārya. Worshiping him with great devotion made them powerful again.
- By the spiritual master’s mercy, one receives Kṛṣṇa’s mercy. Without the spiritual master’s grace, one cannot make advancement.
- The guru’s mercy can enable even a person unable to speak to become a great orator, and a lame person to cross mountains. Lord Brahmā urged the demigods to remember the power of this mercy.
Try this today
Offer a brief prayer today for your spiritual master’s mercy and the mercy of Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
Do I seek my spiritual master’s mercy rather than rely only on my own abilities?
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.