Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.4.44
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesUnderstand Kṛṣṇa Through Devotees
“Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira said: O best of the saints among the demigods, O best of spiritual leaders, how did Hiraṇyakaśipu give so much trouble to Prahlāda Mahārāja, the pure and exalted saint, although Prahlāda was his own son? I wish to know about this subject from you.”
What the purport teaches
- Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira wanted to understand why Hiraṇyakaśipu troubled his pure and saintly son. He therefore inquired from an authoritative spiritual teacher.
- One must learn about the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His pure devotees from authorities like Devarṣi Nārada. Academic knowledge alone does not give spiritual understanding.
- Kṛṣṇa is understood through devotional service and from a devotee. Association with devotees enables authoritative understanding of the Lord and His devotees.
Try this today
Write down one question about devotional service to ask a knowledgeable devotee.
Ask yourself
Whom do you turn to for understanding Kṛṣṇa and devotional service?
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.