Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.13.18
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesAsk Puzzling Questions With Respect
“O brāhmaṇa, fully in knowledge of transcendence, you have nothing to do, and therefore you are lying down. It is also understood that you have no money for sense enjoyment. How then has your body become so fat? Under the circumstances, if you do not consider my question impudent, kindly explain how this has happened.”
What the purport teaches
- The purport describes those pursuing spiritual advancement as generally eating only once, in the afternoon or evening. This explains why the saint’s stout body surprised Prahlāda Mahārāja.
- A person experienced in self-realization becomes bright-faced. One advanced in self-realization should be considered to possess the body of a brāhmaṇa.
- Prahlāda Mahārāja recognized the saint’s transcendental knowledge but could not understand his bodily condition. He asked for an explanation while allowing that his question might seem impudent.
Try this today
Before asking a sensitive question today, acknowledge that you may not fully understand the situation.
Ask yourself
When something about a spiritual person puzzles me, can I ask without being disrespectful?
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.