Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.10.3
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLearn Devotion Through a Pure Devotee’s Example
“O my worshipable Lord, because the seed of lusty desires, which is the root cause of material existence, is within the core of everyone’s heart, You have sent me to this material world to exhibit the symptoms of a pure devotee.”
What the purport teaches
- Nitya-siddha devotees come from Vaikuṇṭha under the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By their personal example, they teach others how to become devotees.
- Prahlāda Mahārāja was a nitya-siddha devotee who was never attracted to material enjoyment. His refusal of material benedictions showed the symptoms of a pure devotee.
- A pure devotee comes without any material purpose and shows devotional service through personal behavior. Others can learn from this example and become inclined to return home, back to Godhead.
Try this today
Do one small act of devotional service today without seeking a material reward.
Ask yourself
What can I learn from Prahlāda Mahārāja’s refusal of material rewards?
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.