Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.5.31
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesApproach the Lord With Humility
“Since our bodies are made of sattva-guṇa, we, the demigods, are internally and externally situated in goodness. All the great saints are also situated in that way. Therefore, if even we cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, what is to be said of those who are most insignificant in their bodily constitutions, being situated in the modes of passion and ignorance? How can they understand the Lord? Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto Him.”
What the purport teaches
- Even the demigods and great saints situated in goodness do not fully understand the Lord's qualities and position.
- Although the Supersoul is within everyone, passion and ignorance prevent people from understanding His supremacy. Those who think themselves independent cannot escape Him as death.
- To gain understanding, the demigods headed by Lord Brahmā offered respectful obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Try this today
Before studying today, offer the Lord respectful obeisances and ask humbly for understanding.
Ask yourself
How might a sense of independence keep me from acknowledging the Lord's supremacy?
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.