Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.8.50
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionLasting Strength Comes From Serving the Lord
“The inhabitants of Gandharvaloka prayed: Your Lordship, we ever engage in Your service by dancing and singing in dramatic performances, but this Hiraṇyakaśipu, by the influence of his bodily strength and valor, brought us under his subjugation. Now he has been brought to this low condition by Your Lordship. What benefit can result from the activities of such an upstart as Hiraṇyakaśipu?”
What the purport teaches
- The inhabitants of Gandharvaloka serve the Lord through dancing and singing in dramatic performances. Hiraṇyakaśipu had brought them under his control by strength and valor.
- The purport explains that an obedient servant of the Supreme Lord becomes powerful in bodily strength, influence and effulgence. Demoniac upstarts may be powerful temporarily, but ultimately fall.
- The Lord's obedient servants remain powerful by His grace. Their victory over Hiraṇyakaśipu's influence depends on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Try this today
Spend a few minutes singing the Lord's glories as an offering of service.
Ask yourself
Am I placing more trust in personal strength or in obedient service to the Lord?
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.