Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.3.17
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesExamine the Desire Behind Worship
“Lord Brahmā said: O son of Kaśyapa Muni, please get up, please get up. All good fortune unto you. You are now perfect in the performance of your austerities, and therefore I may give you a benediction. You may now ask from me whatever you desire, and I shall try to fulfill your wish.”
What the purport teaches
- Brahmā asked Hiraṇyakaśipu to rise and wished him good fortune. He declared that Hiraṇyakaśipu had perfected his performance of austerities.
- Hiraṇyakaśipu had worshiped Brahmā and undergone severe austerity to please him. Brahmā now invited him to state his desired benediction.
- The purport explains that Rākṣasas and demons worship demigods such as Brahmā and Śiva to take their posts. Worship can thus be driven by a desire for position.
Try this today
Before making a request in prayer today, pause and honestly name the motive behind it.
Ask yourself
Does a desire for status influence what I ask for in worship?
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.