Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.8.34
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord Remembers His Devotee
“Manifesting a full effulgence and a fearsome countenance, Lord Nṛsiṁha, being very angry and finding no contestant to face His power and opulence, then sat down in the assembly hall on the excellent throne of the king. Because of fear and obedience, no one could come forward to serve the Lord directly.”
What the purport teaches
- When the Lord sat on Hiraṇyakaśipu’s throne, no enemy came forward to challenge Him. His supremacy was immediately accepted by the demons.
- Hiraṇyakaśipu had formerly been Jaya, the Lord’s servant at the Vaikuṇṭha gate. Although he had acquired a demoniac nature through the brāhmaṇas’ curse, the Lord remained affectionate toward His servant.
- The Lord took pleasure in sitting on the throne Hiraṇyakaśipu had created, although Hiraṇyakaśipu had never offered it to Him. The purport concludes that a devotee is fortunate in every condition of life.
Try this today
Take one quiet minute today to express your desire to serve the Lord, whatever your present condition.
Ask yourself
How does the Lord’s affection for His servant encourage me to value devotional service in my present circumstances?
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.