Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.1.18
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionThe Lord Protects Manu and Rules
“The Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu, who sits in everyone’s heart, appearing as Yajñapati, observed that the Rākṣasas and demons were going to devour Svāyambhuva Manu. Thus the Lord, accompanied by His sons named the Yāmas and by all the other demigods, killed the demons and Rākṣasas. He then took the post of Indra and began to rule the heavenly kingdom.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu, sits in everyone’s heart. Appearing as Yajñapati, He saw that the demons and Rākṣasas intended to devour Svāyambhuva Manu.
- Accompanied by His sons, the Yāmas, and the other demigods, the Lord killed the attackers. He then took the post of Indra and ruled the heavenly kingdom.
- Names such as Brahmā, Śiva and Indra designate posts rather than personal names. Lord Viṣṇu sometimes becomes Brahmā or Indra when no suitable person is available.
Try this today
Pause today to remember Lord Viṣṇu’s presence in your heart and His protection of Manu.
Ask yourself
How does knowing that the Supreme Lord sits in everyone’s heart shape my remembrance of Him?
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.