Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.9.43 · one of the 108 chosen verses
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevotional Happiness and Compassion for Others
“O best of the great personalities, I am not at all afraid of material existence, for wherever I stay I am fully absorbed in thoughts of Your glories and activities. My concern is only for the fools and rascals who are making elaborate plans for material happiness and maintaining their families, societies and countries. I am simply concerned with love for them.”
What the purport teaches
- The material world is temporary and miserable. Elaborate plans for material happiness cannot overcome the laws of material nature without the Supreme Lord’s mercy.
- Prahlāda Mahārāja was not afraid of material existence because he was absorbed in the Lord’s glories and activities. Although living in the material world, he was full of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- Prahlāda Mahārāja felt spiritual happiness while also feeling deep concern for those struggling without Kṛṣṇa consciousness. His concern for them came from love.
Try this today
Spend two minutes remembering the Lord’s glories, then offer a prayer for someone struggling for material happiness.
Ask yourself
How can remembering the Lord help me respond to others’ struggles with love?
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.