Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.8.12
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionRemain Subordinate and Seek the Lord’s Mercy
“The Supreme Lord, who sits on the back of the bird Garuḍa, touching him with His lotus feet, holds eight weapons — the conchshell, disc, shield, sword, club, arrows, bow and ropes. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead protect me at all times with His eight arms. He is all-powerful because He fully possesses the eight mystic powers [aṇimā, laghimā, etc.].”
What the purport teaches
- Thinking oneself qualitatively one with the Supreme is called ahaṅgrahopāsanā; it does not make one God. The spirit soul shares the Supreme’s quality as river water shares the nature of sea water.
- One should meditate upon the Supreme Lord seated on Garuḍa, holding eight weapons in His eight arms, and seek His protection.
- Living entities are always subordinate to the Supreme. Their duty is always to seek His mercy for protection in all circumstances.
Try this today
Offer one simple prayer asking the Supreme Lord for His mercy and protection today.
Ask yourself
How does knowing that you remain subordinate to the Lord shape your prayers?
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.