Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.3.24
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesWorship the Supreme Lord Directly
“Seeing Lord Brahmā present before him in the sky, carried by his swan airplane, Hiraṇyakaśipu was extremely pleased. He immediately fell flat with his head on the ground and began to express his obligation to the lord.”
What the purport teaches
- Worshiping the Supreme Lord satisfies the demigods, just as watering a tree’s root nourishes its branches and leaves. Kṛṣṇa is the supreme master and enjoyer of all sacrifices.
- The demigods derive their power from the Supreme Lord. A devotee knows that Lord Viṣṇu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, rather than treating the demigods as independent.
- Whether one has material desires, no material desires, or a desire for liberation, one should worship the Supreme Lord through devotional service. Asking Him for material benefits is not pure devotion, but it establishes a connection with Him.
Try this today
Offer a short prayer to Kṛṣṇa today, asking for the opportunity to serve Him.
Ask yourself
Am I approaching the Supreme Lord mainly for temporary benefits, or to serve 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.