Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.9.43
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionTake Shelter of the Lord’s Lotus Feet
“Dear Lord, You are omniscient, and therefore You know very well why we have taken shelter at Your lotus feet, which provide shade that gives relief from all material disturbances. Since You are the supreme spiritual master and You know everything, we have sought shelter of Your lotus feet for instruction. Please give us relief by counteracting our present distress. Your lotus feet are the only shelter for a fully surrendered devotee and are the only means for subduing all the tribulations of this material world.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord knows why His devotees approach Him. As the supreme spiritual master, He is their shelter for instruction.
- Taking shelter of His lotus feet subdues material tribulations, just as the shade of a large tree relieves the scorching sun’s heat. Relief comes through taking shelter, without a separate request.
- The conditioned soul’s whole concern should be the Lord’s lotus feet. They are the only shelter for a fully surrendered devotee.
Try this today
Read this verse slowly as a prayer, pausing to seek shelter and instruction at the Lord’s lotus feet.
Ask yourself
When difficulties arise, do I seek the Lord’s instruction as well as relief?
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.