Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.22.4
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionReceive the Lord’s Correction as Mercy
“Although a father, mother, brother or friend may sometimes punish one as a well-wisher, they never punish their subordinate like this. But because You are the most worshipable Lord, I regard the punishment You have given me as most exalted.”
What the purport teaches
- A devotee accepts punishment from the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the greatest mercy.
- The devotee tolerates adverse conditions arising from past deeds while continuing devotional service with mind, words and body.
- The Lord’s correction brings His devotee to the right path. This favor cannot be compared even to the greatest benefit given by family or friends.
Try this today
Offer one respectful prayer to the Lord today, asking to serve Him faithfully through difficulty.
Ask yourself
How might I remain engaged in devotional service while facing an adverse condition?
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.