Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.21.12
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesA Vaiṣṇava Seeks Others’ Freedom From Suffering
“I do not pray to the Supreme Personality of Godhead for the eight perfections of mystic yoga, nor for salvation from repeated birth and death. I want only to stay among all the living entities and suffer all distresses on their behalf, so that they may be freed from suffering.”
What the purport teaches
- Rantideva did not pray to the Supreme Personality of Godhead for mystic perfections or liberation from repeated birth and death. He wanted others to be freed from suffering.
- Vāsudeva Datta similarly asked Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to deliver all living entities. He was willing to suffer their sinful reactions personally.
- A Vaiṣṇava is para-duḥkha-duḥkhī, deeply aggrieved by others’ suffering. Such a devotee acts for the real welfare of human society.
Try this today
Offer a prayer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead for someone who is suffering, and do one small act to help them.
Ask yourself
How can my service become more concerned with others’ welfare than with my own gain?
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.