Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.16.24
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesReceive Devotional Service Through Disciplic Succession
“Śrī Kaśyapa Muni said: When I desired offspring, I placed inquiries before Lord Brahmā, who is born from a lotus flower. Now I shall explain to you the same process Lord Brahmā instructed me, by which Keśava, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is satisfied.”
What the purport teaches
- Kaśyapa Muni taught Aditi the same process he had received from Lord Brahmā for satisfying the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- A genuine guru does not manufacture a new process. He passes on the authorized process received from his own guru; this is the paramparā system.
- Mantras and devotional practices have special power when received from an authorized person. Manufactured mantras meant for material advancement cannot be successful.
Try this today
Review the source of one devotional instruction you follow and note how it has been received through disciplic succession.
Ask yourself
Do I value an authorized devotional process more than a newly invented promise of material gain?
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.