Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.10.23
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevotional Service Gives a Secure Spiritual Position
“After thus rebuking Rāvaṇa, Lord Rāmacandra fixed an arrow to His bow, aimed at Rāvaṇa, and released the arrow, which pierced Rāvaṇa’s heart like a thunderbolt. Upon seeing this, Rāvaṇa’s followers raised a tumultuous sound, crying, “Alas! Alas! What has happened? What has happened?” as Rāvaṇa, vomiting blood from his ten mouths, fell from his airplane, just as a pious man falls to earth from the heavenly planets when the results of his pious activities are exhausted.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Rāmacandra’s arrow pierced Rāvaṇa’s heart, and he fell from his airplane. His great power and material wealth could not secure his position.
- Neither pious nor impious fruitive activities free one from repeated birth and death. Offending the Supreme Personality of Godhead destroys the results of pious activities.
- One should transcend both pious and impious activities and become fixed in devotional service. This places one above the material platform, beyond its higher and lower positions.
Try this today
Set aside a few minutes today for devotional service without seeking a material reward.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking security in material success or in devotional 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.