Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.1.2
Āśraya· The supreme shelterKṛṣṇa Needs Nothing, Yet Accepts Devotion
“Lord Viṣṇu Himself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the reservoir of all pleasure. Therefore, what benefit would He derive from siding with the demigods? What interest would He fulfill in this way? Since the Lord is transcendental, why should He fear the asuras, and how could He be envious of them?”
What the purport teaches
- Material qualities cannot touch what is spiritual. Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, remains absolute whether He kills or bestows His favor.
- The Lord needs no one’s help and has no reason to fear or envy the asuras. Even those killed by Him attain salvation.
- The Lord accepts a leaf, flower, fruit or water offered with devotion. He does not depend on these offerings, but mercifully likes to be dependent upon His devotee.
Try this today
Offer a little water to Kṛṣṇa with devotion, remembering that He accepts it out of mercy, not need.
Ask yourself
How does knowing that the Lord needs nothing change my understanding of offering something to Him?
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.