Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.12.33
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLord Śiva’s Simplicity Amid Material Opulence
“O King, wheresoever on the surface of the globe fell the semen of the great personality of Lord Śiva, mines of gold and silver later appeared.”
What the purport teaches
- Wherever Lord Śiva’s semen fell on the earth, mines of gold and silver later appeared.
- Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that those seeking gold and silver can worship Lord Śiva for material opulences.
- Lord Śiva lives under a bael tree without even constructing a house. Although apparently poverty-stricken, his devotees are sometimes endowed with much silver and gold.
Try this today
Write one sentence describing the contrast between Lord Śiva’s dwelling and his devotees’ possible wealth.
Ask yourself
What strikes me about Lord Śiva’s simple life compared with the wealth his devotees may receive?
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.