Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.7.38
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesServe Attentively for Others’ Benefit
“Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O King, after making this promise to the demigods, the exalted Viśvarūpa, surrounded by the demigods, performed the necessary priestly activities with great enthusiasm and attention.”
What the purport teaches
- Samādhi means complete absorption with an undiverted mind. Viśvarūpa took the demigods’ request seriously and performed his priestly duties with enthusiasm and attention.
- Viśvarūpa accepted the priesthood to benefit the demigods, not for material gain. A purohita is a well-wisher of the family.
- A priest’s first duty is to help his disciples benefit spiritually and materially. His satisfaction should come from their welfare, not from performing Vedic rituals for personal benefit.
Try this today
Choose one helpful task today and complete it with undivided attention, without seeking a reward.
Ask yourself
When I serve others, am I thinking of their benefit or my own gain?
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.