Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.9.28
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionShelter and Service Make the Difference
“The place, the time, the cause, the purpose, the activity and the ambition were all the same for both the demigods and the demons, but the demigods achieved one result and the demons another. Because the demigods are always under the shelter of the dust of the Lord’s lotus feet, they could very easily drink the nectar and get its result. The demons, however, not having sought shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord, were unable to achieve the result they desired.”
What the purport teaches
- The demigods and demons shared the same circumstances, activities and ambition, yet achieved different results. The demigods received the nectar because they took shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet.
- Karmīs and devotees may outwardly work alike, but their purposes differ. Karmīs use the Lord’s property for selfish sense gratification, while devotees use it for His service.
- The Lord responds according to one’s surrender. Devotees who seek no personal benefit and desire only to spread His glories receive the auspicious results of bhakti-yoga and go back home, back to Godhead.
Try this today
Choose one resource you have today—time, energy or possessions—and use a small part of it for the Lord’s service without seeking personal benefit.
Ask yourself
Am I trying to use the Lord’s property for my own enjoyment or for His service?
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.