Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.5.11
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesOne Master, Everyone His Servant
“Prahlāda Mahārāja replied: Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose external energy has created the distinctions of “my friend” and “my enemy” by deluding the intelligence of men. Indeed, I am now actually experiencing this, although I have previously heard of it from authoritative sources.”
What the purport teaches
- The distinctions of “my friend” and “my enemy” arise from māyā, the Lord’s external energy. Learned devotees see everyone as part of Kṛṣṇa and meant to serve Him.
- A Vaiṣṇava humbly sees other devotees as masters from whom there is much to learn. By the spiritual master’s mercy, one receives Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.
- True oneness means that Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the master and all living entities are His eternal servants. It does not mean that everyone is God; the distinction between master and servant remains even in liberation.
Try this today
When a hostile thought about someone arises today, pause and remember that both of you are eternal servants of Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
How might seeing others as servants of Kṛṣṇa change my habit of labeling them friends or enemies?
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.