Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.13.46
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSpiritual Excellence Is Not Limited by Status
“Nārada Muni continued: After Prahlāda Mahārāja, the King of the demons, heard these instructions from the saint, he understood the occupational duties of a perfect person [paramahaṁsa]. Thus he duly worshiped the saint, took his permission and then left for his own home.”
What the purport teaches
- After hearing the saint’s instructions, Prahlāda Mahārāja understood the duties of a paramahaṁsa, a perfect person. He worshiped the saint, took his permission and returned home.
- Anyone well conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa can be a guru. Although Prahlāda Mahārāja was a gṛhastha ruling over demons, he was a paramahaṁsa and an authority.
- A paramahaṁsa is an exalted devotee. Such a devotee may be a brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha or sannyāsī and be equally liberated and exalted.
Try this today
Offer a sincere word of gratitude today to someone from whom you have received instruction about Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
Do I value spiritual understanding and devotion more than someone’s outward position?
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.