Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.22.1
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRemain Steady in Your Promise
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, although the Supreme Personality of Godhead was superficially seen to have acted mischievously toward Bali Mahārāja, Bali Mahārāja was fixed in his determination. Considering himself not to have fulfilled his promise, he spoke as follows.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared outwardly to have acted mischievously toward Bali Mahārāja.
- Despite his difficulty, Bali Mahārāja remained fixed in his determination.
- Rather than blaming the Lord, Bali Mahārāja considered his own promise unfulfilled and prepared to respond.
Try this today
Recall one devotional commitment and take one small step toward fulfilling it today.
Ask yourself
When difficulties arise, do I focus on blame or on fulfilling my commitment 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.